MONDAY 28TH DECEMBER 2020 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

Nigeria Loses N22.2bn to Gas, Others’ Constraints in Power Sector NERC explains failure of FG's 'eligible customer' policy Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian power sector has continued to suffer severe loss of revenue due to gas as well as transmission and

distribution constraints in the electricity value chain, with the losses hitting N22.294 billion on Christmas day, a 30-day review has showed. The largely negative figures

for the last 30 days from the Advisory Power Team, which is resident in the office of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, also showed that with declining generation and

distribution, many Nigerian homes did not enjoy stable power supply during the ongoing festivities. According to latest data, with revenue leakages

owing to constraints within the system, including poor infrastructure, the country lost 1.548 megawatts per hour of the 4.482 megawatts average energy generated from

November 26 to December 25, while the peak for the 30 days stood at 5.504mw, declining by 16 per cent compared to Continued on page 10

Apapa Gridlock: Importers Incur N100bn Demurrage, Storage Fees in Five Days... Page 9 Monday 28 December, 2020 Vol 25. No 9394. Price: N250

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COVID-19: NCAA Mandates Separate Processing of UK, S’African Arrivals Chinedu Eze

HONOUR FROM THE EAST... L-R: Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, with community leaders at the conferment of the title of Nwannedinamba I of Igbere, by the Igbere Clan Council of Ndi Eze, on Lawan, in Igbere Ebiri, Abia State...yesterday

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed that passengers arriving from South Africa and United Kingdom (UK) will from today be received and processed separately by the country's public health authorities. NCAA issued the directive at the weekend in a letter, which explained that this has become necessary following the recent spike in cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria and the reported highly transmissible new variant of the virus in Continued on page 10

Hundreds Flee Borno Villages as Troops Battle ISWAP for Hours Terrorists burn worship centres, loot four communities Zulum orders immediate reconstruction of police station, others Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Hundreds of villagers in communities in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State have fled their homes

following a clash between the military and fighters of the Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) that raged for hours at the weekend. THISDAY gathered yesterday that the ground troops and the Air Task

Force of Operation Lafiya Dole launched an attack on Saturday to repel the insurgents who invaded the villages after a similar raid on Garkida and surrounding villages in Adamawa on December 24.

Garkida is located in the Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, a contiguous state to Borno State. It was learnt that the battle between the troops and the insurgents in Tashan Alade, Shafa, Azare, Sabon-Kasuwa

and Debro, in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State, began on Saturday. Eleven people were reportedly killed while five others were abducted. Many residents of the area were injured.

The insurgents, during the attacks on the villages, razed down schools, shops and places of worship. Three persons were discovered to have been killed Continued on page 10

Tomori: Targeted Travel Restrictions Needed to Combat COVID-19 Second Wave ... Page 8

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MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 • T H I S D AY

MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 •T H I S D AY

MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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NEWS

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

Tomori: Targeted Travel Restrictions Needed to Combat COVID-19 Second Wave 22 patients placed on oxygen, says FCT permanent secretary Edo reactivates isolation, treatment centres, contact tracing network

Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Chairman of the federal government’s Committee on the Review of Intervention Efforts to Curb the Spread of COVID-19 , Prof. Olawale Tomori, has called for what he called targeted travel restrictions to combat COVID-19 resurgence. He said the federal government should have considered imposing some travel restrictions, especially for those countries where the new COVID-19 variant was spotted. He spoke against the backdrop of the rising cases of COVID-19 that have aggregated 2,582 in the last three days, from December 24 to December 26. He told THISDAY that lack of adequate data on the infected persons may be responsible for the present confusion on whether the second wave has set in or not. Although the rate of infection in the country is witnessing gradual reduction in the last few days, the figures still remained high. Figures released by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in the last three days showed that the number of new cases for December 24 was 1,041; Friday, December 25, 712 and Saturday, December 26 was 829. However, according to the report certified by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the number of new cases has lowered in the 10 frontline states that had previously recorded consistent rise since the recent spike in COVID-19 infections. Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the epicentres of COVID-19 infections, are now recording lower figures as compared to what obtained in the last one week. Other states that are witnessing a gradual drop in infections are Kwara, Katsina, Bauchi, Plateau, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Kaduna. Speaking on the situation,

Tomori said it is difficult to attribute the current spike in COVID-19 infections to second wave of the pandemic due to the poor testing and coordination of efforts at data analysis on the health challenge. He added that it remained a debatable issue whether Nigeria is not still battling with the first phase of the pandemic. "I never really believed there is second wave, we created artificial results," he stated. According to him, the sudden rise in number of new cases may have been due to increase in testing and opening of more laboratories across the country. "The greatest constraint is incomplete data, incomplete knowledge and acting on ignorance of what exactly is the situation of COVID-19 in Nigeria. We are a nation groping blindfolded in the web and confusing maze of COVID-19 epidemiology. And it is our fault as a seriously unserious nation," he said. On whether the introduction of lockdown is an option, Tomori said that some measures needed to be taken to curb certain gatherings that may spark off the surge in COVID-19 infections. "There are some of the areas where it will help us, like stopping places of mass gatherings. You talk about people going for carols, crossover service and burial activities. Why should we go and gather in one place for such activities? Is God not ominipotent, won't He hear us if we stay in our homes," he said.

Hospital, Gwagwalada where they are being treated. He gave the assessment yesterday after touring the various centres in the territory over the weekend. Olusade noted that while non-critical cases were being managed at home, 86 patients are receiving treatment at both the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) and the THISDAY Dome while there was a zero case at the Idu centre. He explained that touring the isolation centres was necessary to ensure that they are adequately operational, in view of the resurgence of the pandemic in the nation's capital. "At Gwagwalada, we have about 42 patients; 46 at THISDAY Dome, while at Idu we have zero. Not all of them are on oxygen. There is no time we will not have the issues of allowance, but as they are rising, we address them. It is only recently that this centre was transferred to FCT and we are making all efforts to

address all issues," Olusade said. The Team Leader at UATH Gwagwalada, Dr. Yunusa Thairu, also said that the second wave of the pandemic presented some worrisome severe elements. He urged the government to provide more oxygen and as well boost the morale of frontline workers. Also, the Medical Superintendent at the THISDAY Dome Centre, Dr. Molokwu Victor, confirmed that all categories of frontline workers have not received their allowances since September till date. He singled out allowances as the major glitches in the operation of the centre unlike supplies of medicals and other necessary items that have been adequately catered for. "All categories of staff are being owed their allowances but the secretary for health has promised that we should expect something soon, that the FCT Administration is working on it. We have been

here since September working, both doctors, nurses, hygienic and maintenance teams have all been here and for four months now, no allowances. This place has just been handed over to FCT last month, all this while it had been with the Federal Ministry of Health", Victor added.

Edo Reactivates Isolation, Treatment Centres, Contact Tracing Network With the onset of the second wave of the pandemic, and rising cases of infections, the Edo State Government has reactivated isolation and treatment centres in the state, four molecular PCR laboratories and its contact tracing network to ensure the pandemic is contained. The governor, in a broadcast, said the state government would ensure that it deploys its disease surveillance mechanism and contact tracing network

across the state to handle new cases as they arise. Obaseki noted that the state’s government’s strategy in tackling the pandemic is hinged on decreasing the incidence of the disease and reducing the death rate. According to him, “Arising from the experience, which we gained during the last outbreak of COVID-19, we now have in place a robust disease surveillance system in the state with well-trained contact tracers, who can undertake active case searches; we have four PCR molecular laboratories that can undertake large numbers of tests with procedures to promptly obtain results from the laboratories. “Our case management system is intact to provide care for confirmed cases. We also have four well-equipped, functional isolation centers spread across the state.” He urged the people to take personal responsibility to protect themselves and those around them.

22 COVID-19 Patients Placed on Oxygen, Says FCT Permanent Secretary The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Permanent Secretary, Mr Adesola Olusade, has said that 22 of the 86 patients that are currently receiving treatment at various isolation centres in the FCT are in critical condition. He added that they are barely surviving through oxygen at the University of Abuja Teaching

80 CHEERS TO BAJOWA... L-R : Ooni of Ife, Ọba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Regent of Ayeka Kingdom, Princess Oluyemi Bajowa; birthday celebrant, Gen Olu Bajowa (rtd) and Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), during the inauguration of a community radio station as part of the activities marking the 80th birthday of Bajowa, in Ayeka, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State...yesterday

Court Restrains NAICOM from Enforcing Deadline on Insurance Firms’ Recapitalisation Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice C. J. Aneke of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court has restrained the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) from taking any further steps in implementing its deadline date for insurance and reinsurance companies to recapitalise. Justice Aneke made the order on December 21 while delivering ruling in an ex-parte application brought before the court by the Incorporated Trustees of the Pragmatic Shareholders' Association of Nigeria. The motion, marked FHC/L/CS/1797/2020 and

filed on December 15, 2020, was moved on behalf of the group by their lawyer, I.C. Ifedora. The applicant prayed the court for an order of interim injunction restraining the defendant and its agents from taking further steps in the recapitalisation process in the insurance industry pending the hearing and determination of its motion on notice before the court. NAICOM, in a circular in May 2019, had called for increase in the minimum paid-up capital for insurance and reinsurance companies. According to the circular, life insurance firms are required

to meet a minimum paid-up capital of N8 billion, from the previous N2 billion, while general insurance companies are required to raise their minimum paid-up capital to N10 billion from N3 billion. NAICOM also raised the regulatory capital for composite insurance from N5 billion to N18 billion, while it increased the minimum capital of reinsurance businesses from N10 billion to N20 billion. The firms are, however, directed to comply with the new directive not later than December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2021 respectively. But the plaintiff had approached the court to seek

redress. They asked the court to also restrain NAICOM from taking further steps or issuing further directives or circulars in a bid to enforce the December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2021 deadlines, or imposing any restrictions on the business of any insurance or reinsurance company for the purpose of enforcing NAICOM's circular or directives on the recapitalisation, pending the hearing and determination of motion for interlocutory injunction filed in the suit. But in the court documents obtained by THISDAY at the weekend, Justice Aneke, while delivering ruling in

the ex-parte, after reading the affidavit in support of the motion sworn to by Bisi Bakare and after hearing I. C. Ifedora counsel to the applicant, made "an order for maintenance of the status quo ante belum as of December 21, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.” The Pragmatic Shareholders Association had filed an origination summons asking the court to determine that in view of the global pandemic, the economic recession and the destruction of public and private property during the #EndSARS protests and the impact these factors have on

the businesses of insurance companies, the refusal of NAICOM to rescind the recapitalisation deadlines is an abuse of power and an unreasonable exercise of regulatory powers pursuant to the Insurance Act and the NAICOM Act. They are seeking an order setting aside the circular that imposed the deadlines. The association prayed the court to determine that the carrying out of the deadlines will amount to a divestment by NAICOM of their property rights in their investments. The case has been adjourned till January 12, 2021 for hearing.

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NEWS

Apapa Gridlock: Importers Incur N100bn Demurrage, Storage Fees in Five Days Truckers reject new task force Eromosele Abiodun Five days after THISDAY exclusively reported that over 500,000 containers are trapped at the Lagos ports owing to the intractable Apapa gridlock, the situation has worsened with shippers incurring N20 billion on demurrage and storage charges daily. Customs agents who spoke to THISDAY yesterday said importers pay N25, 000 as demurrage per container a day and another N15,000 as storage fees to terminal operators excluding 7.5 per cent value added tax (VAT). This amounts to N12.5 billion daily demurrage charges on the 500,00 trapped containers and N7.5 billion storage fees. At the close of business today, importers would have incurred a massive N100 billion on demurrage and storage fees in just five days. This is despite the marching orders given by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, when he visited Apapa last week that the port access roads be cleared immediately THISDAY had reported that no fewer than 500,000 containers laden with raw materials belonging to manufacturing companies and traders are currently trapped at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos. However, respite seems not in sight for importers as truckers have rejected the plan by the federal government to deploy 200 security agents to restore law and order in Apapa. The Chairman of Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Remi Ogungbemi, told THISDAY yesterday that truckers would reject any task force because they are only coming to extort them. Speaking on the demurrage being incurred on trapped containers, the National Vice President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Custom Agents (ANLCA), Dr. Kayode

Farinto, called on the federal government to resolve the crisis. He said: “Our cargos are trapped in the port despite the fact that they have been exited. The federal government should do the needful because the situation is getting out of hand. I cannot quantify our losses at this period. “Demurrage is being paid on daily basis and sadly it will be transferred to the final consumers. We pay demurrage to shipping companies and storage to terminal operators. We pay N25,000 per container for demurrage and N15,000 for storage and 7.5 per cent value added tax (VAT).” He added that the 200 security operatives the federal government promised to send to Apapa to restore law and order hasn’t been seen since the promise was made. “The situation remains the same; Tin Can Isand port congestion is getting worse. The government should be alive to its responsibility, the only way out of the Apapa crisis is intermodal transportation system. The government should connect rail to Tin Can Island port to ease the gridlock and assist the various importers by giving them subventions to ameliorate the effect of recession because by January to February the level of import will drop by about 40 per cent,“ he said. On his part, the President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero, who corroborated Farinto's view, said the government should declare Apapa a disaster zone. He said the federal government should urgently stop demurrage fee and declare all cargo rent free until the crisis is resolved. Apart from the demurrage charges, he said Nigeria, which controls over 70 per cent of the cargoes that come to West Africa, is losing huge resources to Togo, Ghana, Benin and Ivory Cost where

Nigeria-bound cargoes are being diverted to. “The federal government must declare Apapa a disaster zone and appoint a minister for ports. As it is now, nobody is in charge; we don’t know who is in control. The port is in disarray; the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have failed to provide scanners, they don’t even know what they are doing. Nobody is interested in resolving the Apapa crisis and Nigerians are the ones who will pay for all the abnormal charges,” he added. Also, the truckers said the plan to deploy 200 security personnel in Apapa was a misplacement of priority. “It is uncalled for and very unfortunate. We are shocked that the only solution that government has to proffer is to

set up another task force. We have had over five different task forces on Apapa; they come to do what they can do and impose all manner of levies on truck owners and go. That government is trying to set up another task force baffles me and I want to say, it is not the best, it’s never the way forward. “I was thinking by now the government should realise that the port can no longer contain the volume of activity that it is being burdened with. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has promised to deploy electronic call up system; this is what we are all waiting for. The NPA has partnered a company called TTP Limited and they plan to deploy the system, that is what the government should

focus on. I am not sure the Minister of Transportation was properly briefed on the matter. “Task force is never the solution, what we need is an automation system that will have no human interference. Even if the government like, let them bring one million security men, it will not solve the problem. I am sure if the minister was properly briefed that we have been having task forces without solution, he would not have even contemplated the idea. “However, any attempt to bring another security operatives that will be unleashing terror and extorting truck owners, we will not accept it. It is those people that are benefiting from the corruption and rot in the system that have advised the

minister to set up another task force. They have misled the minister; they are mischievous and want the status quo to remain. “It is uncalled for, with the modern technology that is being deployed around the world, why must we be lagging behind? Apart from the NPA electronic call-up system, we have come up with our solution that will have no human interference but because we were seen as nobodies, they rejected our solution. I want to stress that setting up of any task force can never work because it hasn’t worked in the past. We will not allow it. We don’t want it because they see truck owners as a source of revenue and an opportunity to enrich their pocket,” Ogungbemi stated.

WITH CONDOLENCES FROM KANO GOVT... L-R: Former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabi'u Kwankwaso, with the state Deputy Governor, Dr Nasiru YusufGawuna, who led a delegation of the state government to condole with the former governor on the death of his father, Alhaji Musa Kwankwaso, in Kano ...yesterday

Telecoms Operators Groan as States Hike Charges Emma Okonji Telecoms operators are lamenting the recent hike in telecoms charges by federal and state government agencies, a situation that has dampened the zeal of telecoms operators to roll out additional networks and services. Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, who expressed the displeasure of telecoms operators over the new charges, told THISDAY that while the 36 states that had agreed to reduce the Right of Way (RoW) charges to N145 per linear metre, based on the agreement reached with the federal government, were implementing the decision, they were also introducing

new charges and also hiked some of others. He said: “Although a number of states agreed to reverse RoW charges in their states to the agreed N145 per linear metre, while they were reducing RoW charges, they were also introducing new charges and increasing some of the existing charges in the telecoms sector, which made a mess of their promise to reduce RoW charges.” He said land rent for telecoms sites, annnual administrative renewal fee, among others that were not in existence before, were newly introduced. Other charges such as environmental impact assessment fee, licence permit fee, carbon emission fee, sanitation charges, company

income tax, education tax, annual operating levy on net revenue and VAT on consumption of services, utility tax, among others, were also increased. “Quite a number of charges that were very low initially, were suddenly increased. So the issue of multiple taxes affected additional network rollout in 2020,” Adebayo said. According to him, existing charges were increased between 70 per cent and 100 per cent, depending on states, while new fees were also introduced. The licence permit and tenement fees, which initially vary between N20,000 and N35,000, were increased to between N100,000 and N150,000 in some states and operators were asked to be paying annually, as against the initial one-off

payment. Base Transceiver Station (BTS) sites fee has also been introduced at the rate of N500,000. This is different from the usual business premises charge of N250,000. Environmental impact report fee was also introduced at the rate of between N1.5 million and N2 million, different from the usual environmental impact assessment fee of N500,000 that telecoms operators used to pay, Adebayo said. He explained that government agencies have resorted to using consultants in collecting the new charges and would refuse to issue permit licence when the fees are not paid, thereby slowing down the rate of network expansion in the affected states. Adebayo advised governors

and state agencies to begin to see the benefits of wide spread of telecoms infrastructure in their states, above the gains of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The 36 state governors, in January, had met with the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, to address the lingering issue of RoW charges in a bid to deepen broadband penetration in the country and promote a digital economy. At the meeting, the governors unanimously agreed to reverse the RoW charges from the planned N6,000 per linear metre, to N145 per linear metre. The meeting was attended by state governors, under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, led by its

Chairman, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State. Four months later, seven states out of the 36 states, began the implementation of the RoW fee regime. The seven states were Katsina, Ekiti, Kaduna, Imo, Plateau, Kwara and Anambra States. The federal government in 2013 had an agreement with telecoms operators to implement a new flat rate of N145 per linear metre on RoW charges, but since 2013, no state implemented it, which prompted Pantami to meet with the governors in January 2020, where he reminded them of the 2013 agreement on RoW charges and its benefits on the growth of telecoms infrastructure across states.

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APC, PDP Bicker over Financial Times’ Failed State Claim

Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday traded words over last week's editorial by Financial Times, which noted that Nigeria is becoming a failed state under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari. While the PDP berated the presidency for dismissing Financial Times’ alarm that Nigeria is gradually becoming a failed state, the ruling APC said the country is nowhere close to becoming a failed state. The PDP also lambasted the presidency for its perceived trivialisation of Nigeria's tragic descent to a failed state, stating that it further confirms that the nation is on autopilot with nobody in charge. The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the presidency’s response to the Financial Times editorial confirmed the position of the party that there is leadership

failure in Nigeria. The party said it was sad that the Buhari presidency preferred to rebuff wise counsel and continue to drive the nation to the precipice instead of seeking help to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. The PDP said: "Indeed, the editorial by Financial Times is only stating the obvious, as our nation under President Buhari has presented all the trappings of a failed state, including having a rudderless government with a dysfunctional command structure that cannot guarantee security, manage our economy or even perform very simple tasks of governance. "Our great nation now tends towards a leaderless society where terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, marauders and vandals have taken the lead, running riotous across our land while those who promised to protect lives and property have gone into hiding in Aso Presidential Villa." According to the opposition party, under President Buhari, life is tilting towards Hobbesian

state of nature; driven by the combined negatives of the presidency that it described as "incompetent and unconcerned." The party said Buhari has failed in governance to the extent that over 344 pupils could be kidnapped by bandits in his home state, Katsina, a few hours after he arrived in the state on a week-long private visit. "Under Buhari’s watch, our command structure has become extremely weak that government officials now patronise bandits and rationalise acts of terrorism to the extent of blaming victims for not obtaining permission before living their normal lives as was the case in the 43 farmers beheaded by terrorists in Borno State. "Under this failed administration, outlaws who had been pushed to the fringes by previous administration have resurged and taken control of some parts of our nation where they reportedly have to give their consent to residents before they can conduct weddings,

naming ceremonies or operate their markets," the PDP added. The party also accused the Buhari administration of wrecking the nation’s economy, by destroying the value of the naira and turning the nation into world's poverty capital. The PDP cautioned officials of the Buhari administration to stop playing with the sensibilities of Nigerians by their dismissal of wise counsel on how to redeem the nation. But the APC countered the PDP's allegations, saying the country is nowhere close to becoming a failed state. The Secretary of Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the party, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, in a statement yesterday, said the president was not oblivious of the country's challenges and is addressing them. He stated: "While naysayers and opposition partisans chorus their doomsday wishes for Nigeria, our dear country is nowhere close to becoming a failed state.

HUNDREDS FLEE BORNO VILLAGES AS TROOPS BATTLE ISWAP FOR HOURS

in Shafa, two of whom were local hunters and a civilian.

Thousands of bags of farm products recently harvested by farmers, were alleged to have been looted by the insurgents who also emptied shops and market stalls. It was learnt that the insurgents, who invaded villages in Borno State, came in their dozens in nine gun trucks and launched coordinated attacks on the communities. However, ground troops, with aerial support from military jets, were able to contain and repel them. Spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, said the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole had scrambled fighter jets to engage the invaders. "The Air Task Force OPLD has scrambled NAF aircraft to the area since the most recent attack on some settlements surrounding Garkida started just after sunset today (Saturday). "The aircraft have been

engaging the Boko Haram terrorists," he said in a message to defence reporters. As the battle raged, hundreds of the villagers fled their homes as the terrorists continued to shoot sporadically. The fleeing villagers took refuge in the nearby bushes and mountains. A member of the vigilante group in the area said the attackers burnt down two EYN churches in Tashan Allade as the villagers scampered to the bushes. Another member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), Balami Yusuf, told reporters that the insurgents were presently attacking Shaffa and Khiributu villages. “As I am speaking to you, they are shooting. You can hear from the background. “We are in the bushes and people are running and children are crying. We are helpless,” Balami stated. THISDAY learnt that air strikes from Nigerian Air Force compelled the attackers

to flee while looting shops and residential areas. The villagers were said to have watched the fire-fight from the mountain tops even as they braced the harsh harmattan haze. The terrorists also set ablaze, vehicles and trucks belonging to a construction company. It was learnt that Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, was briefed on the incident yesterday. The governor had cut short his visit to Abuja to return to Maiduguri and on arrival, he took a military chopper to assess the damage inflicted on the affected communities. All the communities are in the southern part of the state, which used to be relatively safe from attacks from the insurgents. Zulum, according to his spokesman, Mallam Isa Gusau, had travelled from Maiduguri to Katsina and Abuja on Thursday, for series of scheduled activities, which he had to cut short Saturday’s

following the attack. A statement by the governor’s spokesman confirmed the destruction visited on Tashan Alade, Shafa, Azare, Sabon-Kasuwa and Debro by the insurgents. The statement added that schools, shops and places of worship were destroyed by the insurgents. Gusau said Zulum was in Yimirshika, Azare, SabonKasuwa and Shafa, where he inspected all destroyed property, including police station, market stalls and others, and ordered their immediate reconstruction. The statement said: “In Shafa, Zulum ordered the provision of six patrol vehicles and other components to strengthen local security network in the community. Also in Yamirshika, Zulum directed the provision of surveillance vehicles to hunters and vigilantes.” He said the governor addressed “terrified residents who returned to Yamirshika town earlier Saturday, after attempts by insurgents on the

"From the economy to security, it is easy to sum up Nigeria with some recent recorded security incidents and the economic downturn. However, this government has displayed the political will and capacity to contain any criminal/terrorist activity and return the economy to growth. "President Buhari's administration, which is implementing one of the world's largest and far-reaching social investment programmes targeting the very poor and other vulnerable groups, including women and persons living with disabilities through pro-poor spending, is definitely not governing a country close to becoming a failed state." Akpanudoedehe added that the Buhari administration, which sees the urgent need to have a better policing system for the country and is embarking on sweeping police reform, while also supporting community policing, is not governing a country close to becoming a failed state. He noted that amid the

COVID-19 induced economic slowdown, the administration is stimulating the economy by preventing business collapse; supporting labour-intensive sectors such as agriculture; creating jobs through infrastructural investments in roads, rails, bridges; promoting manufacturing and local production at all levels to attain self-sufficiency in critical sectors of the economy. Akpanudoedehe explained that while the PDP and its hirelings engaged in orchestrated attacks on the armed forces and other security services, the ruling party would rather support their efforts and charge them to do more to further degrade the capacity of terrorists and other criminal elements to attack soft targets. According to him, "those days are gone" where past administrations would rather spin conspiracies in the face of insecurity and engage in voodoo economics to hoodwink Nigerians while national resources were stolen and diverted to political cronies.

town, was repelled.” The governor, while commiserating with the people, said: “We departed Abuja to Maiduguri this morning, and we are here to show our sympathy and to stand with all of you, our brothers in Hawul, over the sad incident, yesterday (Saturday). I have been fully briefed and I have seen things myself, insha’Allah, we will strengthen security here and in all places. We will as soon as possible, make available all your requirements based on my interaction with security stakeholders and community leaders. We will rehabilitate the police station, the shops and all other infrastructures destroyed yesterday.” According to him, he always feels bad going to commiserate with the people after attacks because he feels that government has failed in perhaps its major role, as the protection of lives and property is government’s first priority. He said: “As enshrined in section 14, 2b of the 1999

Constitution, security of lives and property remains the cardinal objective of any government. We know this and we are doing everything within our powers to provide security and ensure the welfare of citizens. We will neither relent nor shy away from our responsibilities. We shall remain resilient and focused in our search for peace in Borno.” Zulum, while later addressing journalists, said his visit to the affected communities was to strengthen community resilience and provide support to local volunteers supporting the security agencies in restoring peace. He was accompanied to the communities by the Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, former Deputy Governor, Usman Durkwa, Senator representing Southern Borno, Ali Ndume, Commissioners for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement and Agriculture, Mr. Mustapha Gubio and Mr. Bukar Talba, respectively.

enforcement of these protocols. Punitive measures shall be taken against airlines, which fail to comply with this all operators' letter. The punitive measures shall include but not limited to: "Airlines shall be fined $3,500 for each defaulting passengers. Airlines may be required to return non-Nigerian defaulting passengers to the point of

embarkation, repeated noncompliance by any airline will lead to suspension of airline's approval/permit to fly into the country," the letter said. Earlier COVID-19 protocol for arriving passengers to Nigeria did not deviate much from the new rules, but indications show that concerned authorities would be more emphatic on implementation.

supply of electricity. Akpeneye said: “The decision as to where customers take power from is a commercial decision. But grid power all over the world tend to be the cheapest source of power; but if it’s not reliable, they are going to look for alternatives. It will be more expensive, but it meets the business needs. “It’s not something we can do by compulsion, but by performance. The minute the grid has quality, they will naturally transit to the grid. “We have only approved two or three applications because many of them have not complied with the specific requirements in the regulations. The idea is to ensure that the stranded capacity can be taken and moved on to certain dedicated customers who meet certain requirements. “In doing that, moves are being made to improve

bottlenecks in the system. So, what we have seen is that most of the applications were not on the investment being made to improve the system but with the intent of moving away from having the Discos as the provider of electricity for the customer to dedicated Gencos. “If all the applicants are able to comply with the regulation like a few have done, that transition will be done, but the preference is to see that bottlenecks that exist are being improved upon.” According to him, data loggers are being installed in electricity feeders to ensure adequate monitoring of the number of hours supplied customers while more enlightenment work needed to be done on the current state of the sector, especially on the obligations of consumers to suppliers of power.

COVID-19: NCAA MANDATES SEPARATE PROCESSING OF UK, S’AFRICAN ARRIVALS UK and South Africa. NCAA explained that the federal government, through the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 (PTF), has reviewed the quarantine protocol. In the letter dated December 26, 2020 and signed by the Director General of NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, which was sent to local and international airline operators,

the agency stated that flights and passengers originating from the United Kingdom and South Africa, with final destination to Nigeria, must present pre-departure permit TO FLY/QR code generated from Nigeria International Travel Portal. The permit must show evidence of the payment for the post-arrival day 7 COVID-19

PCR test and documentary evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR result done within 96 hours (four days) of boarding from a verifiable laboratory or health facility. Nuhu stated that on arrival, passengers would be received and processed separately by public health authorities, adding that all passengers will be required to self-isolate for seven

days after arrival, followed by another COVID-19 PCR test. He added that passengers with a post-arrival negative COVID-19 PCR result will be referred for isolation and further management. "A dedicated register for arriving passengers from the UK and South Africa will be opened for enhanced surveillance and active

NIGERIA LOSES N22.2BN TO GAS, OTHERS’ CONSTRAINTS IN POWER SECTOR

the previous month.

Insufficient gas supply, weak distribution and transmission infrastructure accounted for the limited performance of the sector, the report from the advisory power team stated. Like in previous months, some of the power generating plants nationwide, such as the Alaoji NIPP, Ihovbor NIPP, ASCO and AES, did not produce any power. But Egbin, the largest power generation plant in the country, performed the most, followed by Azura-Edo, Kainji, Jebba and Odukpani in that order. The data also indicated that Afam, Geregu, Omotosho, Trans-Amadi, Sapele NIPP as well Omoku suffered limited performance due to limitation of gas supply. However, from December 19-25, the country lost N5.029 billion, with average power

generated for the week standing at 4,421 megawatts per hour, falling by about 90.05 megawatts, compared to the previous week. The huge gap in supply and demand of electricity in the country, however, contrasted with comments by the Minister of Power, Mr Sale Mamman, who told journalists a few days ago that since he assumed duties, power supply had improved tremendously. He stated that the Buhari administration had generated the highest power in the history of Nigeria to the tune of over 115,065.78 MW, adding that the country had also attained over 5,520.40 MW peak in the last few months. The minister said in the power sector, 2020 was the year the nation’s power system had experienced the least system collapses which he said, would

soon undergo stability with the plan put in place by the federal government. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has attempted to explain why the “eligible customer” policy of the federal government, which gives high consuming entities to buy power directly from Generation Companies (Gencos), rather than through the Distribution Companies (Discos), appears to be failing. In May 2017, the federal government had declared four categories of eligible customers in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), as permitted to buy power directly from the generation companies in line with the provisions of Section 27 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005. The policy was expected to bring into play new and

stranded generation capacities, which may be contracted between generation companies and eligible customers. However, NERC which made the clarification on the policy meant to bypass some bottlenecks in supply, noted that since then, only two or three parties had been cleared for the purpose. Speaking during an online interactive session organised by the “Electricity Hub” and monitored by THISDAY, Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance, NERC, Mr Dafe Akpeneye, stated that progress in that direction had been limited by some factors. He explained that many of those who applied had failed the minimum requirements, as they merely wanted to dump the Discos for the sake of it, rather than as a way of improving the

MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 • T H I S D AY

MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 •T H I S D AY

MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͰͶ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

COMMENT

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

THE MOST CHALLENGING YEAR OF THE CENTURY Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, is always on the side of the people, writes John Wobe

he year 2020 is arguably the most challenging year of the century. The spiritual radar of topnotch clerics who churn out prophecies in New Year missed the calamity that would be occasioned by the novel COVID-19 pandemic. They were humbled as they had no inkling into what the year carried. God again asserted his sovereignty in the affairs of men. Globally, leaders of all shades and hues run helter-skelter and evolved measures to deal with the greatest public health crisis of the century. In the Western hemisphere, their touted top- of -the-range health system quaked under pressure. The pandemic was a litmus test for leadership across the world. Leaders who failed to live up to expectations in the management of the health crisis learnt the hard way at the polls. The United States President Donald Trump easily comes to mind in this instance. Just as we have leaders that proved their mettle in other climes, in Nigeria, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila lived up to the billing. Though a legislative leader, he blurred the legislative roles of law making and oversight on the executive and responded to the crisis. Gauging the dearth of resources and the plight of many poor Nigerians who had to stay indoors without making a living, Gbajabiamila led his colleagues in the Green Chamber to donate their salaries to ameliorate the pangs of hunger. Aside, he rallied his colleagues to go back to their respective constituency to show love to their constituents. They did as directed by the House leadership. Not done, Gbajabiamila specifically called on the executive arm to liaise with the essential service providers like electricity distribution companies to offer succor to Nigerians under lockdown by providing two months free electricity for the people. He lobbied the stakeholders but they thought otherwise. At the meeting with Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, Discos representatives and others, Gbajabiamila said, “It has become imperative that I urgently call for this meeting to find a solution to the poor supply of electricity during this lockdown period. If we ask people to stay at home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, at least we have to make their homes comfortable for them to stay. “The complaints have just been too much in the last 24 hours. There are people also in the hospital now without electricity; we need to brainstorm over an urgent solution”. Whilst trying to lead the nation through the raging turbulent peak period of COVID-19 pandemic, the legislature contemplated Control of Infectious Disease Bill that brewed controversies. Scaremongers and the co-travelers raised issues and made mountains out of mole hills. Gbajabiamila in his charismatic measured response calmed frayed nerves and assured the nation that the ninth National Assembly especially the Green Chamber can never be part of any sinister measures that will hurt Nigerians. Explaining the motive behind the bill, the Speaker said, “The current law severely constrains the ability of the federal government of Nigeria and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to take proactive action to prevent the entry into Nigeria of Infectious diseases and the management of public health emergencies when they occur.

ALL THROUGH THE HEATED CRISIS, GBAJABIAMILA ASSURED NIGERIANS THAT THE HOUSE HE PRESIDED OVER WILL NEVER WORK AGAINST THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE

“Even now, the government remains vulnerable to claims that some directives already being implemented to manage the present crisis do not have the backing of the law and therefore cannot withstand judicial scrutiny”. He argues further, “I disagree wholeheartedly with the suggestion that this is not the ideal time to seek reforms of the infectious diseases and public health emergency framework in the country. The weaknesses of the present system have already manifested in the inability of the government to hold to proper account those whose refusal to adhere with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines led to the further spread of the coronavirus in Nigeria. “We have had people break out from isolation centres, and others, who are fully aware of their status chose to travel across state lines on public transport. “The number of those currently infected by the coronavirus continues to rise alongside the number of those who have died. There is no timeline for when this disease will pass, and nobody can predict when the next public health crisis will occur, just as nobody predicted the present predicament. “It bears restating that we do not have in our country, a healthcare system or for that matter, a national economy that is sufficiently robust to withstand the dire consequences of a sustained infectious disease pandemic. We cannot tie our own hands in the fight against this disease”. All through the heated crisis, Gbajabiamila assured Nigerians that the House he presided over will never work against the interest of the people. He also intervened when public health workers were planning to strike over non-payment of hazard allowance. He lashed out at the health minister when he claimed he was not aware if hazard allowances were being paid to health workers who were battling COVID-19 pandemic. Like the health workers, he reached out to striking university lecturers too and pleaded for classrooms to be opened in the interest of younger Nigerians. That was vintage Gbaja! He is always proactive to nip brewing crisis in the bud before it explodes. He did the same with Ghana. When Nigerian traders among other foreign nationals in the neighbouring country were subjected to draconian trade policy and faced daunting threats, the Speaker elected with the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene. He flew to Ghana, met with the authorities and a sustainable truce was reached. The recent revolt against the Police brutality and bad governance led by distraught Nigerian youths was a watershed. In the history of Nigeria, the nationwide protest which later turned bloody was unprecedented. The Speaker was one of the few credible voices that was engaging the youth and pacifying them to retreat from the streets. In fact, he assured that the recently passed 2021 Appropriation Bill will not be passed into law without adequate provisions for their demands. For Gbaja, the 5-for-5 demands were done deal. He totally bought the idea of total police reforms. When violence broke out, he was in the epicenter of the crisis, Lagos, where he assured the federal assistance in rebuilding Lagos and other places where carnage took place. The speaker throughout the year, maximized the challenges and inspired hopes in many!

THE CORONAVIRUS ECONOMY

is worried about the continuous rise in inﬂation rate in recent times

t is no news that many economies including Nigeria are currently in recession. In reality the year 2020 has been eventful, chiefly with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Its impact has continued to have a severe impact on businesses, households, and economies globally and one of its consequences is inflation. Even though inflation is a concept that affects all of us; but most importantly high inflation could be hostile to economy and business especially the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). With a persistent inflation, businesses and households usually perform poorly, and expectedly more money is paid for the same goods and services. This has been the troubling trend in Nigeria in recent times, where high price increases have been recorded in transportation, food cost, household needs, raw materials, pharmaceutical products, health care, motor cars, vehicle spare parts, equipment, and in prices of services amongst others. Admittedly, inflation erodes our value of money and also erodes the purchasing power of all of us. Therefore, the nexus of impact of inflation is the specific focus of this piece. However, it was mainly instigated by the continuous rise in the level of inflation rate in Nigeria in recent times. The consequences and impact of inflation (price instability) in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized. Key amongst the consequences of inflationary pressure is the persistent decrease in the purchasing power of the citizenry especially at a time when the economy is in recession and pandemic is ravaging. Inflation is simply seen as a persistent rise in the general price level of the broad spectrum of goods and services in a country over a long period. Largely, when prices of energy, food, commodities, goods, and services go up, it hurts all of us and hardship is heightened. A major driver of Nigeria’s headline inflation has been the consistent rise in food cost. Agreeably, the inflation rate is determined by calculating the percentage change in a price index such as

consumer price index (CPI), wholesale price index (WPI), and producer price index (PPI), etc., in an economy. The commonly use metric is the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures the change in income a consumer needs to maintain the same standard of living over time. That is, the CPI is the economic measure that tracks changes in the cost of living over time. It is simply a more acceptable means of measure of inflation or price movements in an economy. Therefore, because CPI is available on a more frequent basis, it is mostly in use for monetary policy purposes even by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) when determining inflation rate. The data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals that the headline inflation rate in Nigeria rose for a 15-straight month to 14.89% in November 2020 from 14.23% in October 2020 as against 13.71% recorded in September 2020. With this metric, the 14.89% rate is the highest recorded in the country since March 2018 which is over a two-year high and is a cause for concern. Noticeably, in a study on inflation in Nigeria using panel-data models by Sani Ibrahim Doguwa of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, finds a threshold inflation level of 12 percent applicable to Nigeria. This threshold implies that below the level, inflation has a mild effect on economic activities; while above it, the magnitude of the negative effect of inflation on growth is very high. Consequently, from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data the country has experienced high volatility in inflation rates in recent times and the continuous rise above the threshold level of 12% is a cause for apprehension. The sharp increase in the inflation rate, lull in economic activities, and the economic recession could be attributable in specific terms to the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) rate, increasing public debt, volatility in the price of crude oil, and the multifaceted COVID-19 consequences effects of government policies, COVID-19 pandemic, external shocks,

and insecurity in the northern part of the country, amongst others. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively affected the global economy and most especially in Nigeria. It has significantly affected industrial output, the fortune of businesses especially MSMEs. More so causing a decline in economic activities with an attendant shrink in GDP. Furthermore, COVID-19 has caused severe shortages in the supply of goods and services across borders, due to series of restrictions and this has necessitated depressing foreign earnings for Nigeria and also impacted negatively on economic growth and the fortune of businesses particularly MSMEs. So far, we have seen the inflation rate rise from month-on-month (MoM) in the year 2020. Significantly, history and literature present some other factors adduced to the unsustainable economic growth in Nigeria apart from the high inflation rate, recession, and impact of COVID-19 pandemic to include: the incessant insecurity in the northern part of the country, rising foreign and domestic debt, currency exchange rate volatility, propensity to consume more and save less, decrepit infrastructure and poor policy implications, among others. Regrettably, these issues can further compound and manifest in areas we already have deficit as a nation, staggering unemployment, rising cost of living, bleak business continuity, poverty level increase, illiteracy, crime, and terrorism. Another perennial issue is the country’s over-reliance on crude oil production revenue, which has posed unsustainable due to exposure to global shocks. Based on the aforementioned and from the inflationary perspective, to achieve adequate price stability in the country, the government needs to reduce budget deficit, adopt significant structural policy reforms with monetary and fiscal policies. Such as reducing import duties on some essential items and commodities and so on. This will help to control inflation and maintain stronger growth rates in terms of improved Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and

to stabilize the tide of inflationary pressures on the economy and in business operations. It is advocated that political leaders should minimize avoidable public spending, reduce spending on non-development activities, address insufficient infrastructure, and build strong and effective institutions. The massive growth and developmental challenges of the country can improve by also promoting the human and SME ecosystem. The SME sector can play a major role in the economic growth of the country through the distribution of wealth, poverty reduction, and job creation. The sector is labor-intensive and can provide a reasonable reduction in the unemployment rate in the country but the government needs to provide an adequate enabling environment and support for the sector to strive. Considerably, institutions, businesses, and individuals have the opportunity to beat inflation by accelerating the preservation of capital and strengthening purchasing power with income addition. This can be done by acquiring investments particularly assets such as real estate because they usually keep up with inflation. Remember N100,000 today will not acquire the same value of goods and services in 10 years mainly due to inflation. Therefore, investing is key to hedge against a sharp inflation impact because it erodes the value of savings if funds are just left in the bank accounts. Supportively, it is imperative to consider investing in other currencies, diversify your investment portfolio internationally if you can, consider inflation-protected securities with potential for higher-growth like equities, Gold Shares ETF, or mutual funds. These can earn more interest returns per year than the inflation rate, therefore the options are reasonable. It is also possible to start a business, cultivate passive income, and even buy items with a long shelf life today to mitigate the impact of inflation. Dr. Olubiyi is an Entrepreneur and Business Management expert

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͰͶ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

EDITORIAL

BEYOND THE PERENNIAL ASUU STRIKES It’s time to reposition tertiary education in the country

fter nine months which effectively approximate the loss of a whole academic session, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) last week called off its strike. Given the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, there is no certainty as to when the students will actually resume classes. Sadly, our public universities have not designed methods for e-learning as it is in most countries across the world. It is one of the tragedies of our educational system for which we call on the authorities to begin to fashion IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE solution. Beyond that, there is also FEDERAL GOVERNMENT an urgent need for AND ASUU TO FIND appropriate lessons COMMON GROUNDS to the incessant BECAUSE WHAT THESE closures of our public universities. STRIKES HAVE DONE IS However, to deal TO DAMAGE WHATEVER with the challenges REMAINS OF THE in the sector, we CREDIBILITY OF TERTIARY must begin with a comprehensive EDUCATION IN NIGERIA capacity audit of the academic staff. Research capacity should also be strengthened and the criteria for academic promotion made more rigorous in our institutions of higher learning. Above all, the reward system and the eligibility criteria for leadership of the trade and academic unions should be reviewed to favour serious academics. Those who want trade union platforms as springboard to political visibility should be subtly distanced from such platforms. It is also important that more attention be paid to the exchange of ideas for the development of the system than resolving trade disputes. Meanwhile, the challenge of the educational sector is far bigger. Only a return to those neglected details that make for a credible educational system can rescue the nation from the current sorry pass. A serious reform must start from primary school education that should be made to function within a well-articulated and enforceable policy framework.

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The entry and exit into education management at this level should be regulated and standardised across the country. But the tertiary level is where most of the challenges are. The governing boards of our universities and polytechnics should be populated with people whose relevant exposure will add value to the system. The federal government only needs to pay attention to the mistaken assumption that an appointment into the governing board of any institution is an opportunity to confer political patronage. Despite calling of the latest strike, the challenge with ASUU remains. While there is no way we can develop our country until efforts are made to revitalise key sectors like education, most of the disputes are always occasioned by broken promises and unfulfilled agreements. Therefore, going forward requires other critical stakeholders in the education sector joining in the efforts to find a lasting solution to what has become a perplexing national challenge. But in doing this, the federal government must take the initiative so that we can collectively come up with ways to reposition tertiary education in our country. Meanwhile, to the extent that commercialisation of academic grades and poorly written handouts, delayed dissertation, award of questionable degrees and all manner of unwholesome practices have combined to ruin university education in Nigeria, ASUU must also accept that it is complicit in the problem. Unfortunately, these are issues which seem to be of little or no concern to the lecturers and that perhaps explains why the once-vibrant union that set the agenda for national discourse in its heyday is now strike-obsessed and largely irrelevant. Given the incessant disruption on the campuses, it is little surprise that public universities in Nigeria have continued to go down the ladder of academic ranking, even among their peers in Africa. Yet, as we have repeatedly argued on this page on this recurring problem, whatever the issues are, it is important for the federal government and ASUU to find common grounds because what these strikes have done is to damage whatever remains of the credibility of tertiary education in Nigeria.

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.

IN SOLIDARITY WITH ASUU

he Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been a thorn in the flesh of successive Nigerian governments due to its radical stance and collective struggle against the poor funding of Nigeria’s university education system. The union is also a cat with nine lives for always surmounting turbulent periods. The other prominent academic unions such as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) have been emasculated through sponsored internal wrangling and sellout leadership. These unions have lost their bearing towards advocating adequate financing of public education. ASUU remains a last standing pillar to Nigeria’s public education. Although a plethora of ASUU’s demands are yet to be fully implemented by the government, the union has shown a total commitment towards sustainable educational development through endless roundtable negotiations with the government officials. For instance, the 2009 FG/ ASUU agreement has been renegotiated for the umpteenth time. Surprisingly, ASUU is often described as agent of instability when

the government reneges on its promises and ASUU chooses industrial action as alternative to press its demands. Successive governments have not once rebutted ASUU on claims it brokered with the former. It shows ASUU has always stood by the deal brokered with the government. The irresponsibility of Nigerian government is glaring except one has lost touch with reality. Moreover, ASUU’s resistance against Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the newly proposed payment modality for university lecturers is justifiable. It is a clear shortcut to erode university autonomy and academic freedom. Many demands of ASUU are justifiable but its neutral stance on coordinated attacks on students’ unionism and victimization of students’ activists across Nigerian universities renders its progressive stance questionable. Quite a number of lecturers even conspire with universities’ vice chancellors and government officials to execute the vicious agenda. It is essential that ASUU turns over a new leaf. The refusal of ASUU to directly associate and solidarize with students’ unions across campuses would only portray its revitalization blueprint as a smokescreen to continually promote its corporate interest. Since the

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) platform has been hijacked by political blocs, it behoves ASUU branches to foster vibrant students’ unions across campuses through conscientization and moral support. Sit-at-home strike is becoming ineffective to press ASUU’s demands. The approach could only work for the government which places education on a premium scale. If ASUU subsequently embarks on industrial action, it may last for years. The government took measure to end the nine months strike due to the escalation of #EndSARS protests. Once the current volatile state simmers down, the government may renege on its promises. The government’s hide and seek tactic has the tendency to persist from one administration to another. This trend will eventually lead to the total collapse of public education. Therefore, a standby vibrant students’ unionism would regularly put the government on its toes. No irresponsible democratic government could clampdown or show lackadaisical attitude towards national non-political civil unrest targeted at funding public education. Binzak Azeez, Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife

THIS SMELLS A BIT ODD

he pursuit of profit drives so many enterprises and in that attempt sometimes ‘celebrities’ are used to enhance the image. A recent local newspaper edition had a double page spread for a chemist chain that also sold perfumes, but the imagery associated with the individual brands was odd. It appears that most sports people are also industrial chemists and can design new perfumes. A number had attractive people as their call card, one had Elle, the model’s name. Others were promoted by David Beckham, a great footballer and Star Wars, a very popular series of movies although with a few characters that stank but the one that appealed to a very specific audience was that with the name and image of a popular beer. Must remember to pour that one on me and not in me. With prices up to $159 per 100mls no testing was conducted by this writer. Has truth in advertising really gone and fake news now becomes fake smells? Where has honesty gone? Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 •T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY DECEMBER 21, 2020

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

POLITICS

Email: nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com 08114495324 SMS ONLY

M O N D AY D I S C O U R S E

Looking Ahead With Trepidation Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Vanessa Obioha write that many of the issues that headlined 2020 may still gain a good ground in 2021

Buhari

Tinubu

Sylva

Fayemi

t long last, the year 2020 is coming to an end. The year that ultimately changed everything, questioned our humanity, taxed our ingenuity, and exposed systemic cracks in political and social affairs is gradually winding down. With the uncertainties it presented, 2021 seems precarious. Will there be normalcy? Will there be hope of vaccinations in Nigeria? Will COVID-19 still be a threat? Will the Buhari administration restore hope tol l millions of Nigerians who feel disenfranchised? Will insecurity be nipped in the bud? Will the will of the people be respected? One thing is certain, COVID-19 will still be present in 2021, at least, throughout the first quarter of the new year. The festive season has seen a startling spike on recorded cases. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) over the past few days rolled out high numbers of infections and deaths, including the reported new variant spotted in Osun state according to Africa Centre for Disease Control. Any sign of abatement is still inconspicuous. The Pfizer vaccine which offered a ray of hope to the West is still miles away from Nigeria, although the Minister of Health Dr Osagie Ehanire, recently disclosed the possibility of getting a vaccine in Nigeria by January. Yet, the vaccines will cost the Federal Government about N400 billion to vaccinate 70 per cent of Nigeria’s 211 million population. A breakdown shows that N156 billion will be needed in 2021 and N200 billion in 2022. The cost will no doubt overwhelm both the national and states budget. In a pre-pandemic era, the money would be channelled into other sectors of the economy in critical condition. The 2020 budget had a lesser

impact on the economy due to the unprecedented outbreak of Coronavirus. Last October, President Muhammadu Buhari presented an N13.08 trillion proposed 2021 budget to the National Assembly, out of which N132 billion is allocated to health projects. The budget figure was raised by N505 billion when it was recently passed by the National Assembly as a way of ensuring that the lined up objectives: accelerating the pace of Nigerian economic recovery, promoting diversification, enhancing competitiveness, and ensuring social inclusion are achieved. Although Senate President Ahmed Lawan expressed willingness to acquire the vaccines, he is yet to be convinced that Nigeria is ready to have the vaccines. He raised doubts about the

availability of manpower and storage facilities for the vaccines. The vaccines are expected to be kept in very low temperatures. Passage of Petroleum Industry Bill Still on the National Assembly, the year 2021 will see the signing or non-signing of proposed bills and acts such as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). The long-delayed bill seeks reform in the oil and gas industry and provides clarity on its fiscal regime. Calling the bill a sensitive document, Lawan said that the senate is waiting to attend for the PIB to be attended to. The Senate completed the second reading of the bill. There’s been a long wait for the bill to be passed as it will replace the existing petroleum profit tax (PTT),

The vaccines will cost the Federal Government about N400 billion to vaccinate 70 per cent of Nigeria’s 211 million population. A breakdown shows that N156 billion will be needed in 2021 and N200 billion in 2022. The cost will no doubt overwhelm both the national and states budget. In a pre-pandemic era, the money would be channelled into other sectors of the economy in critical condition. The 2020 budget had a lesser impact on the economy due to the unprecedented outbreak of Coronavirus

which is applied in place of corporate income tax, with the Nigerian hydrocarbon tax (NHT). NHT proposes a 50pc profit tax for petroleum operations onshore and in shallow-water fields, but reduced to 25pc for operations in deepwater, bituminous and frontier acreages. The existing PTT levies 50pc for operations under PSCs; for non-PSC operations, including joint ventures, the levy is 65.75pc in the first five years and 85pc thereafter. Under the proposed PIB, oil companies operating onshore or in shallow waters would be required to set up a trust fund of c.2.5pc of operating costs. At least 75pc would be allocated to community projects, with the remainder saved. Perhaps, the major gain of the PIB is that it would allow the selling of shares in state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which the government hopes would help tackle corruption and opacity in the sector. It’s important that the National Assembly pass the bill in the new year to avoid being perceived as an enemy of the people. Revised Electoral Act A key decision that will be made by the lawmakers next year is the passing of the revised Electoral Act. Lawan recently hinted that the proposed bills to repeal the Electoral Act No 6 2010 for a more comprehensive one and enact the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Act 2020, would be passed before the end of the first quarter of 2021, March precisely. The revised electoral act will aid a credible electoral process. Besides, the lawmakers are expected to affect the proposed alteration on the 1999 constitution which have in recent times been screened with a

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY DECEMBER 21, 2020

MONDAY DISCOURSE

Abubakar

Lawan

Gbajabiamila

Adamu

critical lens and found to be lacking true federalism. Civil society groups, ethnic groups have long called for an overhaul of the constitution. The delay in implementing the necessary changes by the ad-hoc committee is further incendiary to some leaders from the middle belt and the south who reportedly gave the lawmakers a 90-day ultimatum to set up a committee to review the 1999 constitution. In the lower chamber, the legislative agenda of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila will be tested. The pandemicriddled 2020 served as a test run for the speaker. The impact of his rulership will be felt in 2021. Continuing Challenge of Insecurity, NDDC, PAP While the unwanted presence of COVID-19 will continue to linger, a critical challenge of the economy that cannot be overlooked is insecurity. The year 2020 witnessed a significant rise in insecurity in the country. In the northeast, the insurgents Boko Haram continued their kidnapping and killing spree. The northwest became a frayed tapestry in the hands of bandits who continue to tear down farms and homes with impunity. Now, in the south-south, the Niger Delta militants, a revered set of individuals who have long dusted and laid down their arms are threatening a comeback over the federal government’s poor handling of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) corruption allegations and the politics in the region generally. The former interim management of the commission was embroiled in a corruption scandal that led to their sack. However, the president appointed the acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Commission, Effiong Okon Akwa to assume headship till completion of the forensic audit. The militants who were a bane to the former president, late Musa Yar’Adua are dissatisfied with the transition of leadership in the company. The new group under the name Continuous Emancipation of Niger Delta (CEND) are calling for a repositioning of NDDC, as well as the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), in line with its core mandate and community participation. PAP was the olive branch Yar’Adua extended to the group during his tenure. Other demands of the group included the relocation of the headquarters of all oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta; Federal

Government should pay 13 per cent derivation directly to oil and gas producing communities; demilitarization of the entire Niger Delta and fiscal and true federalism. The region will likely be problematic in the coming year. The presidency will have to pass the insecurity litmus test as they have appeared to be clueless on how to appropriately and adequately deal with the multi-pronged conundrum. There’s been a rising clamour for the president to change the service chiefs. Will the president heed the call in the new year? Again, the litmus test will provide an answer. If it turns blue, then Nigerians can go to bed peacefully, but if red pops up, then they should gear up for more unpleasant surprises. The Southwestern states may not be too alarmed since Amotekun, a security unit that got the backing of many southwest governors gained popularity in 2020. More states are likely to throw their weight behind them in 2021 as they vie to keep the region free from insecurity shackles. Railway and Second Niger Bridge, Ibom Deep Seaport Apart from insecurity, two critical projects of the Federal Government that will boost the

economy is the railway project and the building of the second Niger Bridge. The latter which is gulping N414 billion is expected to be completed by 2022, according to the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola. However, there are calls for the project to be hastened due to the gridlock experienced by motorists on the first Niger Bridge. If completed, the Bridge will spur an increase in trade, agriculture and investments. Although the federal government began operations on the Lagos-Ibadan railway transport system, they didn’t get the desired cheer. Rather, the public lambasts them for the costly fares (N3,000-N6,000), which alienates the poor from accessing the transportation medium. In 2017, the federal government secured a $6.1 billion loan from China Exim Bank for the construction of Calabar-Port Harcourt, LagosIbadan, Lagos-Kano rail, and Lagos to Kaduna railway and another $1.5 billion counterpart funding for the Lagos-Ibadan project. If the government is keen on alleviating the sufferings of the poor, reducing the fares of the train will be a good starting point in the coming year. In Akwa-Ibom, the actualisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport will be on the spotlight in 2021.

The race to 2023 presidency will gather full steam in 2021. The pandemic in a way halted the ambitions of the various candidates who have shown interest in the presidential seat. They include the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu whose real presidential ambition is still clouded in ambiguity, Atiku Abubakar who is still resilient in his pursuit to occupy the Number One Citizen position in the country. He has begun to build support units in all the states of the country known as ‘Atiku Support Group’, to project his vision of sustainable national development

The federal government already approved the $2.016 billion budget for the first phase of the project. The project which is in partnership with the federal government will create 300,000 jobs in the state upon completion. Fast Forward 2023 Presidential Race The race to 2023 presidency will gather full steam in 2021. The pandemic in a way halted the ambitions of the various candidates who have shown interest in the presidential seat. They include the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu whose real presidential ambition is still clouded in ambiguity, Atiku Abubakar who is still resilient in his pursuit to occupy the Number One Citizen position in the country. He has begun to build support units in all the states of the country known as ‘Atiku Support Group’, to project his vision of sustainable national development. Governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi is also in the race. He was recently endorsed by ruling party APC in Ekiti state including the open adoption by the Sultan of Sokoto Ahmadu Bello. These are pointers that the governor and former minister is likely to be the party’s flagbearer in the next election. Governor of Sokoto state Tambuwal who reportedly is carrying out underground campaign. In the southeast, the call for Igbo presidency is getting louder each day. However, the right candidate to represent the Igbos is yet to be ascertained even with popular politicians like former governors of Abia state and Imo state, Orji Uzor Kalu and Rochas Okorocha, as well as the governor of Ebonyi State Dave Umahi. There is also the Justice Peter Umeadi who is currently seeking the presidential ticket of the All Grand Progressives Alliance (APGA). More candidates will emerge in 2021. But the Igbo’s presidency is likely to be threatened by the seemingly crack in the Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership. The apex Igbo socio-cultural body has been in the news lately over the legitimacy of the mainstream group as well as leadership tussle. For the governors of Edo state and Ondo states, Godwin Obaseki and Rotimi Akeredolu, their electoral fate will be known in 2021. Both governors have been petitioned by their contenders at the tribunal, challenging the election results that crowned them winners at the last elections. How they fare at the tribunal will be a talking point in 2021.

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020

POLITICS

Some Political Headliners of 2021 Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Vanessa Obioha consider some of the outstanding personalities in politics whose role may generate enduring conversations in the New Year

El-Rufai

Umahi

Sanwo-Olu

Buni

asir el-Rufai: Key Influencer APC Presidential Candidate The Governor of Kaduna State hugged headlines in 2020. Be it his testing positive to COVID-19, his choice of Emir in the state or the controversy that courted his invitation to the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) general conference or the ethnic and religious violence that rocked his state, Nasir el-Rufai was almost a fixture in the news. However, in 2021, the focus on him will be on his growing influence in the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC). He is positioned as a demigod whose support or opposition of a candidate can make or mar the person’s political ambitions. While it is not clear if he will join the presidential race for the 2023 elections, it is apparent that he will be part of a key-decision making team that will anoint the right candidate to represent the party. Also, 2021 will see the governor pushing for restructuring of the economy. He led a committee on the restructuring of the economy in 2017 as part of the ruling party’s campaign to deliver Nigeria from the decades’ long corruption. However, the recommendations offered by the governor and his committee which include devolution of powers; state control of mineral resources, including oil and gas, except those offshore; state police; and delisting of local government from the 1999 Constitution as amended are yet to be implemented. His recent call for the recommendations to be revisited is likely to continue in the new year. Mai Mala Buni: APC’s Man Friday The governor of Yobe state will have to prove his mettle in the coming year as the interim Chairman of APC Caretaker Committee which was instituted following the sacking of the former National Chairman of the party Adams Oshiomhole and the dissolution of the National Working

Committee. Buni was saddled with the responsibility to fix all cracks and whip the party back to shape as well as prepare and conduct the party’s next national convention. Although his six-month interim tenure has been extended, 2021 is critical for Buni as many eyes will be on him to see how he will deliver a convention where new excos will be elected. Babagana Zulum: Continuing Diatribe Against Security Agencies Will the governor of Borno state, the hotbed of insurgency continue to be a critical voice against the military and security agents in 2021? His Christmas message suggested that the diatribes he throws at the military may not subside as long as they don’t show gallantry and dedication in fighting terrorism. He will likewise commend and support them when they give in their all to stop the gruesome orgy of killings and kidnappings in the state by Boko Haram.

Uche Secondus: Stemming the Tide of Implosion in PDP Members of the former ruling party Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the past few months seem not to be on the same page, threatening an implosion. There have been rumours of mass defections by aggrieved prominent party members following the defection of Ebonyi state governor Dave Umahi. A reconciliation committee chaired by the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has been tasked to resolve the differences of aggrieved parties, but Secondus who recently marked his third year as the party’s national chairman may have to halt his celebration. The present accusation by the Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike that the Secondus led-national working committee is sowing a seed of discord among governors for their selfish interest may threaten his political ambition. Secondus is seen as only interested in retaining his power more than pursuing

The Secondus led-national working committee of the PDP is accused of sowing a seed of discord among governors for their selﬁsh interest and this may threaten his political ambition. Secondus is seen as only interested in retaining his power as Chairman of the party more than pursuing a more grand goal for the party which is to be in the lead again in 2023. It will interest political pundits to see how Secondus’ role will play out in the coming year. Will he be able to hold the party together or not?

a more grand goal for the party which is to be in the lead again in 2023. It will interest political pundits to see how Secondus’ role will play out in the coming year. Will he be able to hold the party together or not? Dave Umahi: Ready to Run for President? The surprising defection of the Ebonyi state governor Dave Umahi from PDP to APC was one of the talking points of 2020. In 2021, Umahi will still hug headlines. Will his alleged and muted presidential ambition be audible in 2021? How much impact will he bring to his new party? Kayode Fayemi: The Governors Governor Although he’s rumoured to be one of the contenders in the 2023 presidential race, the focus on Fayemi in the new year will be on his position as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum. How will he lead the governors in pressuring the federal government to tackle the growing insecurity in the country as well as infrastructure lapses? Babajide Sanwo-Olu: Focus on the Economy The first year of the governor has been a rollercoaster ride due to the pandemic and the EndSARS protests that rocked the state. As he prepares to mark his second year in office, Sanwo-Olu’s report card will look at the economic development he will be bringing to the state, one of which is the commencement of the first phase of the Fourth Mainland Bridge. There is also the ongoing work on the Lagos Badagry Expressway. The road is seeing significant improvement presently but the tiring days of long hours of traffic are yet to be over for motorists plying that route. The rate at which he rehabilitates, at least, the IyanaIba area of the expressway may fetch him good marks.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͰͶ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

FEATURES

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

Insecurity: 2020, the Most Violent Year in Nigeria With the decapitation of 78 farmers in Borno State, killing of 38 policemen in the aftermath of the #EndSARs protests hijacked by hoodlums and the kidnap of 334 Katsina Schoolboys, the year 2020, was a year like no other, writes Kingsley Nwezeh

#EndSARS Protests

On its part, the presidency had explained that in view of the presence of the military in the area, the residents ought to seek clearance from the military before accessing their farm lands, a position that rankled many Nigerians. The military high command had corroborated government's position by insisting that the day of the killing was an election day conducted by the state government for local government councils. Coordinator of the Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General John Enenche, said beyond the council polls, the insurgents had called the community for a meeting. He said members of the community did not inform the military about such meetings which they had severally with the insurgents. He said it was at the meeting that the farmers were beheaded by the terrorists.

n all the years that Nigeria battled security challenges, the year 2020 stood out as the most violent. From insurgency to armed banditry, rampant kidnapping and the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests hijacked by hoodlums, killing of IPOB members and youths in the South-east, the nation convulsed in violence all year long. In spite of several fierce encounters between the military, security agencies and insurgents as well as other criminal gangs, there was no end in sight to the ravaging violence in the outgoing year. The military has stayed on the narrative that insurgents were technically defeated but the terrorists have wrecked more havoc with the military equally decimating scores of insurgents with intensified bombing campaigns in the North-east and North-west. Slaughter of 78 Farmers By Boko Haram One of the most heart-wrending events of the year was the beheading of 78 farmers in Zarbarmari in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by terrorist group, Boko Haram. The insurgents had invaded the community to avenge the arrest by the community and subsequent handing over of one of them to the military. It also accused the farming community of providing information to soldiers on the movement of the terror group. The decapitation of the farmers which triggered international outrage, prompted calls on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to intensify efforts aimed at containing rampaging insurgency, armed banditry and other criminalities in the country. Terror group, Boko Haram, had also claimed responsibility for the mass slaughter of the farmers. The shadowy leader of the group, Abubakar Shekau, had claimed that "the farmers arrested and handed one

Buhari

of its brothers to the Nigerian Army. You thought you would apprehend our brethren and hand him over to the military and live in peace? "The third message is on those who notoriously nab our brethren and hand them to the military or give them a clue on us, you should know that, unless you repent, what happened to your people is awaiting you," he further threatened. The United Nations and Borno State

government had also confirmed the grim casualty figures. On December 2, 2020, Borno State Commissioner for Information, Babakura Abba Jatau, said the death toll had risen from 70 to 76. "Forty-three bodies were buried on Sunday and another 33 were buried on Monday," he told the AFP news agency. Residents of the community further reported finding more corpses of the farmers afterwards.

#EndSARS Protests More than anything else, the event that posed the greatest security challenge to law enforcement was the hijack of the #EndSARS protests by hoodlums. The protest was sparked by the shooting of a young man in Delta State by the operatives of the now disbanded police unit, Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) seen on viral video. Government denounced the video as fake and arrested the man, who uploaded the video thus sparking more anger. The police unit was in the past variously accused of extra-judicial killing of hundreds of Nigerians, most of which were factual. On October 3, Nigerians took to social media with the hashtag, "#EndSARS" soon sending it to the top of twitter global trends as the most tweeted item with top artistes, David, Wiz Kid, P-Square and others joining the fray. Demonstrations began in major cities with protesters calling for the abolition of SARS and

T H I S D AY ˾ ͰͶ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

FEATURES

The mass slaughter of Zarbarmari farmers

an end to police brutality. From Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Edo, Enugu to Rivers, Imo and other states across the nation, protesters poured into the streets with placards bearing the inscriptions: “respect for human rights” “a more equal society”, "end police brutality now", among others, clashed with security agencies. On October 11, after days of demonstrations, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, announced the dissolution of SARS "with immediate effect in response to the yearnings of Nigerians". He said the operatives would be redeployed but the protesters were not appeased. As protests gathered momentum, the Nigerian Army warned “all subversive elements and troublemakers” to desist from formenting trouble. It said the army “remains highly committed to defend the country and her democracy at all cost”. The army added that it “is ready to fully support the civil authority in whatever capacity to maintain law and order and deal with any situation decisively”. But demonstrators were undaunted and continued to demand justice for victims of police brutality and an overhaul of the security apparatus. By October 20, a military detachment, said to have been called in by the Lagos State government was accused of killing demonstrators at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State, according to several witnesses, prompting a curfew by government with a promise to investigate the claims. Amnesty International said it received “credible but disturbing evidence of excessive use of force occasioning deaths of protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos”, stating that it was investigating the killings. It said 12 people were killed, a claim the military vehemently refuted. At the heat of the crisis, President Muhammadu Buhari assured of government's determination to ensure justice for victims of police brutality and police reforms. The United Nations (UN) also condemned use of “excessive and disproportionate” force by Nigerian security forces against peaceful protesters. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, urged “Nigerian authorities to take urgent steps to deal decisively with the underlying problem of persistent violations committed by the security forces”. Hijack of #EndSARS by Hoodlums As government battled protesters, the demonstration took a quick turn for the worse. Hoodlums hijacked the protest. Policemen became the target as many police officers were killed. The nation watched on TV as major public infrastructure were set ablaze by rampaging hoodlums. Police stations were razed. In Abuja, motor marts were set on fire as many other vehicles were damaged in Apo and Lokogoma Districts and Dutse Alhaji sparking ethnic confrontation. Giving details of the massive destruction within the period, the Inspector-General of Police said 38 policemen were killed while 205 police stations and other public

The released Kankara school boys

and private infrastructure were destroyed. He said 71 public warehouses and 248 privately owned stores were looted in the course of the protests nationwide. The IG said there were 51 civilian fatalities with 37 injured, and 38 policemen gruesomely murdered while 26 others were injured during the protest. He said 10 firearms, including eight AK 47 rifles, were carted away during the attack on police stations, and a locally made pistol was recovered from elements operating under the guise of the EndSARS protest. According to him, 1,596 suspects were arrested in connection with the violence and widespread looting across the country. Many prisons and correctional facilities were broken into while inmates were set free. Witnesses that appeared before the panels set up across the states to probe cases of police brutality have regaled Nigerians with tales of destruction and police brutality. Looting of Palliatives Warehouses During the lockdown at the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal and state governments had stored foodstuff and other palliatives in government warehouses. But many Nigerians did not have access to the palliatives supposedly set aside to help the citizenry cope with the lockdown imposed by government. Following the development, government warehouses were looted in Lagos, Abuja, Plateau, Imo, Anambra and four other states. The pandemic had exacerbated hunger in the land for many of the country’s 83 million extremely poor people, according Federal Bureau of Statistics. Vivian Bellonwu, Head of Social Action Nigeria, said the amount of food kept in storage is an indication of “systemic failure.” "To think that certain persons could lock down this quantum of food and materials as we are seeing them in their premises, in their custody and watching while people wallow in poverty and difficulty, is really unthinkable. "I think that it is quite mean, I think it's highly insensitive and I think that this is a betrayal of trust of the people", she said in a report captured in Voice of America (VOA). Kidnap of 334 Katsina Schoolboys Reminiscent of the kidnap of over 280 Chibok girls in Borno State six years ago, 344 students of Government Science School, Kankara, Katsina State were abducted by armed bandits on December 11. The abduction which sparked international outrage followed the pattern of the Chibok girls' abduction The kidnapping also took place at a time President Muhammadu Buhari was on a one week vacation in his home state, Katsina. The pupils were kidnapped by gunmen on motorcycles, who shot policemen guarding the school located in the outskirts. Later accounts of the kidnapping said the students were forced to walk

for days in bush parts and were later located in Rugu Forest in neighbouring Zamfara State. The Katsina State government and military authorities later announced that the location pupils had been identified. The state government said it had entered into negotiations with contacts close to the abductors. The incident had put the military and security agencies under intense pressure, having occurred in the president's home state. To the relief of parents of the pupils, who had started protesting in Katsina, government announced on December 18 that the pupils, looking weary and traumatised, were rescued and handed over to security agencies. They were later received at the Katsina State Government House. Boko Haram had earlier claimed responsibility for the abduction and even released a fake video showing the abducted boys which was later disproved by the military and later accounts if the freed pupils. Hausa Farmers, Fulani Herdsmen's Clash Caused Abduction A recent report said the abduction of 344 Katsina schoolboys was the product of feuding Hausa farmers and Fulani herdsmen and not extremism, some officials of Katsina and Zamfara States said. But four government and security officials familiar with negotiations that secured the boys’ release told Reuters the attack was a result of inter-communal feuding over cattle theft, grazing rights and water access, not spreading extremism. Officials in Katsina and neighbouring Zamfara, where the boys were released after six days, said the attack was carried out by a gang of mostly semi-nomadic ethnic Fulanis, including former herders who turned to crime after losing their cows to cattle rustlers. "They have local conflicts that they want to be settled, and they decided to use this (kidnapping) as a bargaining tool," said Ibrahim Ahmad, a security adviser to the Katsina State government who took part in the negotiations through intermediaries. Abduction of 80 Islamic School Pupils Before the furore generated by the kidnap of the Kankara students had died down, students of Hizburrahim Islamiyya School in Mahuta village of Dadume Local Government Area of Katsina State were also kidnapped. The Islamic pupils were said to have been abducted while returning from Maulud celebration at Alkasim village of the the local government area on December 19. Katsina State Police Command said the the children were rescued after a fierce gunfight with armed bandits. Both the military and police laid claims to the rescue operation. Killings in Enugu, Rivers, Kaduna There were also cases of killings of members of the Indeginous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Emene, Enugu, kill-

ings in Southern Kaduna and Obigbo in Rivers State. A security research group and human rights advocates, Intersociety, alleged that armed soldiers and other security agencies turned the South-east to a killing field in 2020 especially within the #EndSARS protest. "The Int’l Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law can circumstantially, verifiably and statistically state that the EndSARS protests in the Igbo States of Rivers (largely Igbo), Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia and Imo were turned into shooting and killing spree by ethnoreligiously imbalanced armed soldiers of the Nigerian Army and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, leading to close range shooting to death of at least 110 unarmed citizens and terminal injuring of at least 200 others", it said. The group affirmed that "the killings were so glaring that the corpses of the slain littered inside the bushes and by the roadsides; with some buried shallowly or left to decompose and others picked up by their relatives or emergency officials of some of the affected states especially Rivers and Enugu States. "There are also independent reports of scores of bodies of the slain buried atrociously by soldiers in shallow graves including melting them with acid substances. Such was the case in Aba in February 2016 and Sept 2017 and Onitsha and Nkpor in May 2016", it said. COVID-19 Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic that broke out in March 2020 has also impacted the security situation in Nigeria. With the second wave of the virus in place, it has shown its capacity to weaken the security architecture. Recently, a major general died of the disease during the recent chief of army staff conference in Abuja. Since then over 26 more generals and personnel out of 417 tested for the virus came out positive. The military had set up over 60 testing and treatment centers for the virus across the country. Other security agencies, government parastatals and the citizenry have been mobilised to adopt preventive measures to avoid contracting the virus. Successes Recorded Undoubtedly, the criminal elements have not always had the upper hand. The military recorded some laudable successes this year in the war against insecurity. Although the successes, which are too numerous to mention are no doubt laudable, given the huge sacrifices the soldiers make, the gains must be sustained if it should have any meaningful impact on the war against terror. In all, it promised to be a good year. It always does until plans start to unfold and make a mincemeat of all carefully laid out plans. Year 2029 was not so different. It would be stating the obvious to note that security-wise, Nigeria went through ups and down. From kidnappings to murders, suicide bombings, armed robbery, car snatching, banditry, beheadings amongst others, 2020 was a potpourri of events.

MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 •T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ ͰͶ˜ 2020

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

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Group Business Editor Obinna Chima

Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

D E C E M B E R

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

684.54% -0.28% - 9.03%

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

2 4 , 9.23% 42.27%

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

Quick Takes Access Bank Gets Recognition

ENLIGHTENMENT TOUR

L – R: Chairman, Committee on Capital Market and Institutions, House of Representatives, Hon. Ibrahim Babangida; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema, and Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Lamido Yuguda, at the enlightenment tour to the Exchange in Lagos…recently

Report: Nigeria’s Debt Service Hurting Investments in Critical Sectors Emma Okonji

ECONOMY

A report by Verraki Partners, a business solutions company, has stated that Nigeria’s 2021 budget allocation for debt service has enveloped the country’s investments in critical sectors of the economy. The maiden edition of the firm’s report titled: ‘Nigerian Budget Analyses,’ analysed the Nigerian budget across funding sources and expenditure as well as focus on human development and a comparative analysis of Nigeria with other African countries as well as leading emerging economies around the world. It infographics revealed how discrete investments in Education (N1.1 trillion); Security (Police – N456 billion and Defence – N962 billion); health (N633 billion) and

Agriculture (N190 billion), which combined constitutes 25.77 per cent of the national budget, paled significantly when compared to the debt service, which currently stands at N3.3 trillion. The amount for debt service represents about 25.56 per cent of the total proposed budget of planned N13 trillion for 2021. “Another infographic that analysed the funding sources of the Nigerian budget and its uses reveals debt financing of N4.2 trillion. This shows that 33 per cent of the 2021 budget funding will come from new loans while other funding sources will be Asset Sales/Privatisation, Multilateral/ Bilateral loans, and Aggregate Revenue inflows.

“Incidentally, the federal government planned on spending N3.3 trillion on debt service. This trend of inadequate revenue to finance the nation’s debt obligations poses a significant future challenge for economic growth and human developmental priorities,” the report stated. In its comparative analysis of Africa’s biggest economies, the report showed that Nigeria led the continent in population boom and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with South Africa leading in GDP per capita (2019), budget per capita (2021), Human Development Index ranking (2019), and Global Competitiveness (2019). Ethiopia, on the other hand, trailed on the aforementioned indices including the 2021 Budget spend. In a similar analysis that

compared Nigeria with other leading developing countries, the country trailed in GDP per capita, Budget per capita, Human Development Index, and Global Competitiveness compared to United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Turkey. In his comments, Managing Partner, Verraki, Mr. Niyi Yusuf said budgets typically prioritises the focus of any family, institution, or government and urged the federal government to reprioritise the objectives of the national budget. According to him, the federal government needs to spend more on capital projects in critical sectors that can spur development in the country. He said the government must Continued on page 24

ABCON Seeks to Become Payment Agents for Diaspora Remittances Obinna Chima The Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) has appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to make Bureaux De Change (BDCs) payout agents for Diaspora remittances. ABCON President, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, made the request in a statement obtained at the weekend. He urged the central bank to leverage on the over 5,000 licenced BDCs across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria to get the greenback seamlessly to beneficiaries. Gwadabe said the plan would help in providing a more convenient channel for Nigerians in the Diaspora to remit funds back to the country to boost economic development. According to the ABCON boss, the annual remittance inflow of

ECONOMY close to $25 billion was critical to Nigeria’s currency management and stability and should be given seamless flow to the economy. Such funds, he added, would support Nigeria’s balance of payment position, reduce dependence on external borrowing and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on foreign exchange inflows into the country. He said BDCs remains the largest foreign currency operators in Nigeria, hence making them payout agents for Diaspora remittances will protect the market from forex cartel that refuse to follow rules et by the apex bank. He explained that such move, would help in achieving market price equilibrium, give depth to the forex market, boost dollar liquidity in the market, enhance foreign reserves accretion and promote

exchange rate stability. Continuing, the ABCON boss said assigning such role to BDCs would enhance their operational capacity and sustainability while solidifying the defense of the naira against other currencies. According to Gwadabe, the need to bring BDCs into the Diaspora remittances collection business has become exigent following reports of abuse by Mobile Money Operators (MMOs) opposed to paying remittances beneficiaries in dollars as mandated by the CBN. On November 30th the CBN stated that beneficiaries of Diaspora Remittances through International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) shall henceforth receive such inflows in foreign currency (US Dollars) through the designated bank of their choice. Gwadabe applauded the CBN’s directive, saying it would put an

end to malpractices perpetually making dollar scarce and keeping the local currency at the mercy of the greenback. He said the CBN directives have helped to usher in naira rebound to N465/$ in the parallel market and should be upheld. Analyzed data on IMTOs inflows into the country over the past year, and through investigations discovered that some IMTOs, rather than compete on improving transaction volumes and create more efficient ways for Nigerians in the Diaspora to remit funds, resorted to engaging in arbitrage arrangements on the naira-dollar exchange rate, which to a large extent resulted in a significant drop in flows into the country. This encouraged the use of unsafe unofficial channels, which also supported diversion of remittance flows meant for Nigeria,

The Global Finance has named Access Bank as the ‘Safest Bank’ in Nigeria for the year 2020.This was announced at the 29th annual World’s Safest Banks rankings of the organisation. The Safest Banks by country were selected through an evaluation of long-term foreign currency ratings – from Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch – and the total assets of the 1000 largest banks worldwide. Commenting on the recognition, the Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe, said: “Throughout 2020, financial institutions all over the world have been faced with peculiarities in safeguarding the finances and data of customers. “Through this Access Bank has remained steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that the finances of customers are protected and the data confidentiality of all stakeholders are maintained. “This recognition serves as an encouragement for us to build on our successes and invest even more in digitally-led measures that will position us as the World’s Most Respected African bank. Reiterating Wigwe’s comments, the publisher and editorial director of Global Finance, Joseph Giarraputo said: “For most of 2020, the world has been lashed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a steep drop in economic activity and,insomecases,serioussocialunrest.Anyofthesedevelopmentscould have significantly impacted banks’ credit worthiness.”

Cars45 Empowers Journalists

In a renewed move to deepen capacity for Nigerian journalists, one of Nigeria’s leading tech-enabled automotive trading platforms, Cars45 has co-sponsored the 5th edition of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) training/workshop, which was held in Lagos recently. According to the organisers, since its first edition in 2015, NAJA has focused on the training of its members in trends and perspectives within the automotive industry, and how to explore the new frontiers of storytelling. This year’s training provided a platform for examining issues around new storytelling formats, data and analytics as well as the optimum utilisation of social media for news reportage in the digital era. Speaking at the training, PR and Communications Manager, Cars45, Bemigho Awala, reminded journalists of the power they wield in shaping conversations, setting the agenda while stressing on the need for the media to take an active part in drawing parallels and comparisons that can culminate in policy formulation and guidance. According to him: “The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has caused widespread concern and economic hardship for consumers, businesses and communities across the globe. As the pandemic continues to disrupt business as usual and throws the economic outlook into uncertainty, the automotive industry is on the frontline. Journalists play a pivotal role in drawing right parallels and comparisons that can reflect in policy guidance and formulation.” Speaking on some of Cars45’s interventions during the pandemic, Awala noted that the business is helping corporate firms liquidate their fleet in a bid to address liquidity challenges that they faced with.

AfDB Partners GGKP

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP) have been awarded a two-year, CHF 241,875 ($273,439) grantfromtheMAVAFoundationtomainstreamnaturalcapitalindevelopment finance in Africa. MAVA,aphilanthropicfoundation,promotestheconservationofbiodiversity andadvocatesforsustainableeconomiesintheMediterranean,WestAfrica and Switzerland. The grant will support activities to develop a business case for natural capital among multilateral development banks, scale up the application of natural capital in infrastructure finance, integrate green growth and natural capital in African sovereign credit ratings, and build the capacity for adoption of natural capital approaches in decision-making throughaNaturalCapitalAcademy.Naturalcapitalisthestockofrenewable and non-renewable natural resources, such as plants, animals, air, water, soils and minerals that combine to provide benefits to people and support life. Nature-based solutions are emerging as essential climate-change mitigation and adaptation strategies in Africa, with a growing recognition that protecting ecosystems could provide at least a third of the climate mitigation needed by 2030 under the Paris Climate Agreement.

“The pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges to business as we know it, with the hospitality industry being one of the worst affected. My beddingin process has, therefore, become multifaceted” MD/CEO, Transcorp Hotels,

Continued on page 24

Dupe Olusola

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BUSINESSWORLD REPORT: NIGERIA’S DEBT SERVICE HURTING INVESTMENTS IN CRITICAL SECTORS embark on accelerated structural reforms of critical sectors of the economy to attract significant private capital. This will reduce government spend on debt financing and recurrent expenditure and allow for more spending on infrastructure, health, education, and other strategic sectors. The Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, had said the greatest challenge facing the federal government was inadequate revenue to execute its numerous projects and other initiatives, adding that new sources of revenue were being identified and explored while coordination and cohesion among revenue generating agencies is also being improved. ABCON SEEKS TO BECOME PAYMENT AGENTS FOR DIASPORA REMITTANCES

thereby undermining Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange management framework. Gwadabe insisted that for Nigeria to get the full value of what is due to her in the remittance market, BDCs have to be included in the remittances payment channels and allowed to receive funds from Nigerians in Diaspora. He listed importance of migrant remittances to the economy to include serving as a lifeline for the recipients small house hold in the economy and used for health, nutrition, education and societal needs. The remittances are also higher than both Foreign Direct Investment and foreign aids flow to the economy and still, are cheaper sources of funds. The World Bank had predicted that inflow from Diaspora remittance will hit $21.7 billion this year, as against the $23.8 billion the country recorded in 2019. The World Bank had hinged the drop in remittances from Nigerians living abroad on an account of the double whammy of the COVID-19 pandemic and the attendant economic crisis that has continued to spread.

NEWS

Market Gains 5.4% as Investors Stake N20bn on Shares Goddy Egene The stock market ended last week on another positive note as the Nigerian Stock Exchange’s (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) rose 5.4 per cent to close at 38,800.01, while market capitalisation closed at N20.279 trillion. Also, investors’ sustained interest was reflected in the value of trading as they staked a total of N40.311 billion on 2.756 billion shares in 17,459 deals, up from the N17.647 billion invested in 1.893 billion shares valued at N17.647 billion 20,660 deals the previous week. The market witnessed an unprecedented growth last week due to Santa Claus rally, which has been attributed to preparations for year-end among institutional investors. The high demand had pushed the market capitalisation above the N20 trillion last Wednesday before market profit taking set on Thursday. The market was shut on Friday and today for Christmas Holiday. Trading will resume tomorrow and analysts believe the market remains the best place for positive returns on investments. “As the year draws to a close, we expect yield-seeking investors to take positions in stocks with attractive dividend yields, in the face of increasingly negative real returns in the fixed income market. However, we advise

investors to take positions in only fundamentally justified stocks as the weak macro environment remains a significant headwind for corporate earnings,” analysts at Cordros Research said. Meanwhile, the Financial Services Industry closed as the most active with 2.106 billion shares valued at N19.454 billion traded in 8,327deals, thus contributing 76.4 per cent and 48.3 per cent to the total equity turnover volume

and value respectively. The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 182.099 million shares worth N4.392 billion in 2,485 deals. The third place was Industrial Goods Industry, with a turnover of 145.808million shares worth N10.632billion in 2,587deals. Trading in the top three equities namely: Access Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and AXA Mansard Insurance Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 1.439 billion shares

worth N13.881 billion in 2,972 deals. The price movement chart showed that 35 equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than 53 equities in the previous week, while 18 equities depreciated in price higher than 17 equities in the previous week. FTN Cocoa Processors Plc led the price gainers with 43.5 per cent, trailed by Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc with 41.1 per cent.

B..O.C Gases Plc chalked up 20.8 per cent, just as Dangote Cement Plc and Oando Plc went up by 16.9 per cent and 15.9 per cent in that order. Other top price gainers included: AxaMansard Insurance Plc (14.1 per cent); Cutix Plc (13.7 per cent); LASACO Assurance Plc (13.3 per cent); Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc (11.4 per cent) and Honeywell Flour Mills Plc (10.8 per cent).

SMARTPHONE LAUNCH

L-R: Managing Director, Xiaomi Nigeria, Dr. Seifullah Gaya; Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Lin Chen; Marking Director, Mr. Somoye Habeeb, and CEO for West Africa,HarveyDeng,duringtheofficiallaunchofXiaomiMi10TSeries,heldinLagos...recently

NECA Calls for Policies to Support Economic Recovery Chris Uba Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has called for policies that would support economic growth in the country. In a recent statement, the Director General of the association, Timothy Olawale, stated that, “it is evident that the Nigerian economy is facing a grave risk of hedging into a deeper challenge if drastic and immediate economic transformation, focused and strategic engagement are not implemented. Coupled with the political will to achieve the set targets in the near plausible period.” Olawale said the economy is currently grabbling with its worst recession twice in five years, coupled with skyrocketing inflation rate (nearing 15 per cent mark), high unemployment and underemployment rate (about 57 per cent), unstable crude oil prices in the global market and effect of the global pandemic, which

portends danger for the economy, businesses and individuals. According to him, of greater concern was the second wave of the Covid-19 that is ravaging Europe with consequential effect on the nation’s economic recovery efforts. “As there is no one-size-fit-all approach in salvaging an economy faced with multi-faceted challenges like ours, we suggest a mix of fiscal, monetary and trade policies with political will in delivery the necessary actions,” he said. The NECA Director General called for diversification of the mono-cultured sources of revenue, noting that with the unpredictable nature of global oil prices, it is more appropriate to hasten the process of diversification of the economy to expand the revenue sources, which is currently crude oil-based. NECA noted that revenue from non-oil sector was more feasible and less volatile than the

oil revenue, saying such would facilitate a buoyant and robust economy, which will reduce the need for external debt to the barest minimum. Exploration of the various natural mineral deposits in the country for processing and exportation should be explored, he said. “Government should curtail rising debt accumulation because of its obvious implications. “Analysis of debt servicing provisions to revenue projections in the yearly budget over a fiveyear period has revealed that in 2016, 38.34 per cent of the year’s budget was earmarked for debt servicing. Similarly, in 2017 (36.2 per cent ); 2018 (30.7 per cent ); 2019 (32.14 per cent ); and 2020 (35.6 per cent ),” he said. According to Olawale, this is not only worrisome but alarming. “We believe that the growth of external debt stock and debt service payments is becoming

a clog in the wheel of national economic growth efforts. “Once an initial stock of debt grows to certain threshold, servicing them becomes a burden with debt crowding out investment and growth. “It is obvious that, if the growing trend is unabated, Nigeria could face the gory experience of Greece (Euro-zone crisis of 2015),” he said. “We strongly believe that borrowing to finance recurrent expenditures does not portray managers of the economy in the right light, and this could spell doom for the country. “Public debts should be tied exclusively to capital projects with feasible income and debt repayment potential. “By the revised budget 2020, debt servicing alone is about N3 trillion, which is 27 per cent of the total expenditure and 35.6 per cent of the revenue. With all the borrowings, there seems

to be insignificant impact in some economic objectives as there is still widespread unemployment, high poverty levels, poor infrastructural development and poor health indicators,” he added. Therefore, NECA urged government to reduce the cost of governance and improve revenue generation, noting that with the growing incidence of low revenue generation both at the federal and state levels, reflecting in high debt-to-revenue ratio, there was need to develop strategic and drastic measures in improving the revenue base. “It is pathetic for any government to spend almost all revenue generated on debt servicing and recurrent expenditure, with paltry fund available for capital projects. “While debt financing is globally acceptable for capital projects, everything seems to be wrong with borrowing for consumption and servicing previous debts,” the association added.

Telcos Will Ensure FG Achieves NIN-SIM Integration, Says ALTON Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Eromosele Abiodun (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

Emma Okonji The Association of Licenced Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has assured Nigerians that it will work closely with the federal government to ensure the success of the integration of all registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards with the National Identification Number (NIN), as directed by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami. In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of ALTON, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo and its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Damian Udeh, ALTON said: “We will continue to work closely with

the government to deliver on the task ahead of us and we are committed to making the process as seamless as possible for all our customers. “The Chairman of ALTON, and the CEOs of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) who are members of ALTON are part of the ministerial task force accountable for implementing the directives as we work together to find a sustainable solution to this national assignment.” According to the statement, all MNOs have now received an enrolment and verification license from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) via the Nigerian

Communications Commission (NCC), legally enabling them to verify NIN’s provided by customers and to enrol citizens into the NIN database. “All operators have established various systems to enable subscribers with existing NINs to add their NIN’s to their SIM registration profile. “Options deployed for customer ease and convenience include USSD strings, apps and other self-service online portals, walk-in stores and customer care lines,” it added. Adebayo, however, said it was important to note that when SIM registration details are verified against the NIN database, there

would likely to be inconsistencies in some of the data captured such as spelling, order or number of names captured. He said where such inconsistencies are found, the operators would notify subscribers and provide a quick and easy mechanism to update SIM registration data and ensure alignment. He said having now been licenced by NIMC to provide registration and integration services, operators have commenced the process of backend integration with NIMC’s database and increasing the capacity of the respective databases thus enabling more rapid validation

and verification. “To provide operational steer, representatives of NCC, NIMC, ALTON and MNOs will also be meeting regularly to review progress, identify challenges, develop solutions and generally continue to enhance the process with a view to ensuring the safety, security and well-being of our customers while making significant progress towards our collective objective. “We are pleased to see the recently announced extension of the deadline for registration and reiterate our commitment to ensuring the maximum level of compliance possible within the set timeframe,” Adebayo said.

MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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Investors Swoop on Dangote Cement on Share Buyback

Nigeria is Bitcoin Leader in Africa, Says Paxful Recent data from Paxful has revealed that Nigeria leads Africa in peer-to-peer trading in bitcoin, posting monthly volumes of over $66 million in 2020. According to a report, the country is closely followed by Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa respectively. With over 620,000 active Nigerian users on its platform, Paxful in the report disclosed that Nigerians traded around $15 million worth of Bitcoin in April alone, making Nigeria the leader in the African region. “Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa are our main markets in Africa. There’s no question that emerging markets are the future of the crypto economy. “That’s been clear to us for some time, as we see on a daily basis how tech-savvy Africans are using Bitcoin to invest, trade, send money abroad and accumulate wealth. “Bitcoin helps improve lives and gives opportunities for personal and entrepreneurial development. Paxful is all about bringing financial inclusion to the emerging world and we’re ecstatic to help so many people with limited access to the traditional financial services,” Paxful CEO and co-founder Ray Youssef said. It noted that Nigeria has continued to witness a huge rise in the adoption of digital money as a means to store value, preserve wealth, trade, and settle day-to-day payments. “Another great use case for

crypto, popular with the local traders and businesses in Nigeria, is helping them hedge against weak naira partially caused by the shortage of US Dollars in the country,” it added. Since launching five years ago, global transactions on the Paxful platform have grown by over 25 per cent from October 2019 to October 2020. A large proportion of the transactions is attributed to the African market, with Nigeria leading the pack. “Committed to providing users with a cost-efficient, accessible trading system on its platform, Paxful is strengthening Nigeria’s crypto market with varied payment methods that meet the needs of users. “The company currently has over 300 payment methods all geared to meet users’ needs and includes a variety of local payment options, including BuyCoins, Bitsika, and Carbon. “Paxful is a people-powered marketplace for money transfers with anyone, anywhere, at any time. Their mission is to empower the forgotten four billion unbanked and underbanked around the world to have control of their money using peer-to-peer transactions. “The company has over 4.5 million users globally who you can instantly buy and sell Bitcoin (BTC) and Tether (USDT) using over 300 different payment methods,” it added.

Real Estate Operators Partner to Open New Estate in Lagos Raheem Akingbolu The opening up of commercial activities along the Lekki Epe Expressway has informed the decision of real estate operators to provide the investing public opportunity to take advantage of potential investments in land and housing properties along that corridor. The most recent of these investment opportunities is undertaken by a consortium of operators which recently launched Delight Estate at Idera, by Eleko Junction, Lekki Epe Expressway, Lagos amid pomp and pageantry. The consortium comprises a developer, Joe Bass Property Limited and Numeros Homes in partnership with BRG network as marketers of the choice property. Speaking at the official launch of the property that had the popular Nollywood actor, Charles Okafor in attendance, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Joe Bass Property Limited, Bassey Effiong said Delight Estate was being declared open to prospective investors and would be buyers following the express approval of both the state and federal governments. “Today, we are proud to announce the official launch of Delight Estate being sponsored by our company, Joe Bass Property Limited after the estate was approved by the government. “By the grace of God we are ready to provide accommodation for a lot of people who would be taking up and acquiring varying plots of land for different building purposes. In the next few months, we are certain this Estate would have been filled up with edifices and structures that are quite befitting.

“This launch, we hope will give more information to those who are yet to know what is happening here so that they can also take advantage of the mouth watery offer,” he said. With over 300 plots up for sale at the Estate, Effiong noted that the company was determined to provide the best deal for its intending customers as initial deposit of #5 million is required to secure a plot of land which goes for #15 million. He added that the location of the estate on the Lekki Epe Expressway is also central and strategic for investors to avail themselves of enormous business opportunities that abound especially with the sitting of Dangote Refinery and Lekki Free Trade Zone along that axis. He, therefore, called on investors both at home and abroad to seize the opportunity of the unique offer to maximise the associated gains for increased business productivity and growth On her part, Managing Director, Numeros Homes, Mrs Omowumi Olalere said her company was playing a dual role as a developer and a marketer in the project, stressing the need to bridge the housing gap actually informed her company’s decision of collaborating with other real estate operators. She said: “We are serving dual purpose in this whole arrangement. As a developer, we are going to build new structures here and at the same time we are going to sell land. “We hope to work hand in hand with the development company to create the necessary infrastructure so that this place can be habitable for prospective land owners.

Goddy Egene

The shares of Dangote Cement Plc gained 16.95 per cent last week as investors flocked to the stock following the announcement of the commencement of its share buyback programme. Precisely, the share price rose from N209.50 to N245.00 per share last week. The cement manufacturing firm had last Monday said it would execute the share buyback under the approval granted by its shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) which held on January 21, 2020, within the framework provided by the Securities and

Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as the NSE. According to the company, the exercise would be done in the open market on December 30, and would end the following day or when the entire target number of shares are repurchased, “whichever is earlier.” Dangote Cement had said the number of shares to be repurchased under the programme would not exceed 10 per cent of Dangote Cement Plc’s issued capital, starting with a first tranche of 85.2 million shares of 50 kobo each, or 0.5 per cent of the total in issue. “The programme will be ef-

fected in tranches, with Tranche I being executed by the appointed stockbrokers on the company’s behalf. “The company through its appointed stockbrokers will at its discretion purchase Dangote Cement shares in the open market over the duration of Tranche I, subject to prevailing market conditions and under the current daily trading rules of The NSE,” Dangote Cement said. It explained that the shares being bought back by the company would be held as treasury shares, and may subsequently be cancelled. “Execution of this Tranche I is not expected to have any material

impact on the company’s financial position. Dangote Cement shareholders seeking to participate in Tranche I of the share buyback programme are hereby advised to contact their stockbrokers or any other independent professional adviser registered as a capital market operator by the SEC for further guidance on submission of trades on The NSE’s trading platform,” it noted. Dangote Cement had explained that the share buyback was intended to increase long term shareholder value, improve its balance sheet efficiency, enhance earnings and yields to its various shareholders.

LAUNCH OF RESOURCE CENTRE

L-R: Service Manager, Keystone Bank, Dorcas Olubowale; Regional Service Delivery Manager South-west, Inlaks, Olakunle Owoeye; Head, Branch Experience Management, First Bank, Abimbola Ibikunle-Aina; Technical Operation Manager, Inlaks, Ramon Alabi, and Regional Head, IT Support, Access Bank, Bamigboye Sunday, at the Launch of the InlaksTechnical Resource Centre in Ibadan...recently

Mastercard Partners JAN to Empower Young Digital Entrepreneurs Ugo Aliogo Mastercard has gone into a partnership with the Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) to help bridge the digital and financial literacy gap among school students and young adults in Nigeria. A statement by JAN explained that through a series of programmes, the students would be equipped with essential skills to prepare them for future success as digital entrepreneurs. The statement also noted that JAN is part of Junior Achievement Worldwide, the world’s oldest and largest non-profit economic education organisation operating in 120 countries. It further stated that the partnership forms part of Mastercard’s global commitments to connect 25 million women entrepreneurs to the digital economy, reach 50 million

small businesses and financially include one billion people in the next five years. It stated that leveraging the expertise of Mastercard employee volunteers, the partnership with JAN would inspire young adults across Nigeria through three unique activations: “Mastercard Girls4Tech Programme: An inquiry-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programme, Girls4Tech inspires young girls to build the skills they need in STEM to become problem solvers and the leaders of tomorrow, thereby expanding the employment pool for women STEM professionals in the future. “The programme incorporates Mastercard’s deep expertise in payments technology and innovation, and includes topics such as algorithms, digital convergence and cryptology.

“JA Company Program teaches senior secondary level students how to start and run their own business, develop a product or service, and market their brand. Mastercard employees will volunteer as mentors to the six finalist teams (companies) who emerged from JAN’s Virtual Company of the Year competition, by helping them refine their business proposals as they compete for the National Company of the Year Award.” It further stated: “Together, Mastercard and JAN will educate over 200 young adults on the future of payments in Nigeria. Participants will range from senior secondary students to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members. This session will enlighten the next generation on their role in building and driving the digital economy through technology. “The partnership will also see

the first Junior Achievement Mastercard prize awarded to the most outstanding student company during the virtual edition of the National Company of the Year (NCOY) competition.” The Director, Marketing Communication, Sub-Saharan Africa, Mastercard, Ifeoma Dozie said creating inclusive, equal opportunities is a key priority for Mastercard. She also noted that through the partnership with JAN, they are able to broaden their commitment to Nigeria’s next generation of women leaders and young entrepreneurs. “By encouraging students to embrace subjects and mentoring them through challenges that will prepare them to be part of tomorrow’s workforce, we are collaborating to develop a talented supply of skilled professionals to aid the country’s future economy,” she added.

Verve Rewards Customers Africa’s payment technology and card brand, Verve International, has rewarded two lucky cardholders with the N1 million grand prize each at the Verve Good Life Promo grand prize presentation ceremony held in Lagos, recently. The grand prize winners took the total number of customers who won various categories of cash prizes and airtime in the three-month long promo to 2,552. The N1 million cash prize winners are: Omolara Olayiwola, an account holder with Wema Bank, and Umar Safinat, an account holder with United Bank for Africa. According to a statement, dur-

ing the Verve Good Life Promo, over 2,500 lucky cardholders shared the over N27 million prize offering. The lucky cardholders emerged from across the six geo-political zones in the country. Verve launched the Good Life promo in September 2020, to reward its cardholders with cash prizes and airtime. The Good Life Promo sought to enable Verve’s loyal cardholders to live the good life, whatever the ‘good life’ means to them. Speaking at the prize presentation event, Group Head, Verve Marketing, Ikechukwu Ugwu, said the objective of the Verve Good Life Promo was

to reward Verve cardholders for their loyalty and to give Nigerians a succour during these economically challenging times. Ikechukwu said, “After the federal government lifted the lockdown across the country, we asked ourselves what we could do to support our customers and enable them live the good life. That was how the Verve Good Life Promo was borne.” He added that Verve has continued to stay true to their commitment to reward Verve cardholders for their loyalty. “ We are also proud to say that every winner that emerged from the Verve Good Life promo has

been credited with their rewards, from the weekly N10,000 cash prize and the N5,000 airtime reward to the monthly N50,000 cash prize and today we are rewarding the two grand prize winners.” Ikechukwu revealed that the promo drew in a wide range of winners, including artisans, mechanics, students and entrepreneurs and corporate professionals. Adedamola Giwa, Country Manager, Verve, who presented the N1 million cash prize to one of the winners, said he was delighted that Verve stayed true to its words by rewarding loyal cardholders.

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‘We have Achieved Milestones in Projects Execution in 2020’ Okon Bassey in Uyo Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has said in spite of challenges in the year 2020, the state has been able to achieve a number of milestones in the execution of his ‘Completion Agenda.’ The governor, in a state broadcast at the weekend, to mark the yuletide period,

stressed that the Ibom Air has become a success and a source of pride to people of the state. With the achievements so far recorded by his administration, the governor boasted that God has answered the prayers of the state for sustainable industrial base. He recalled that earlier in the year, the federal government approved the establishment of the Oil and Gas Free zone

which according to him was a huge step in the industrialisation agenda of the state. “A little over a week ago, the Federal Executive Council finally granted us the approval to commence work on the long awaited Ibom Deep Seaport Project. “Let me on behalf of the Government and the grateful people of Akwa Ibom State;

thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Executive Council for granting us this wonderful gift.” The Ibom Deep Seaport, he said would change the economic dynamics of the state and indeed the entire South-south and South-east respectively and launch the state towards a period of unparalleled growth and

development. “This is a great achievement for our state and our people and I thank God that He used my administration to achieve this historic milestone.” he declared. The governor further pointed out that in his industrialisation agenda last week, he commissioned the tissue factory, in spite of the challenges faced in 2020

as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Adding, “As the world opens up and normalcy returns, we hope to attract more industries to our State and boost employment and wealth creation opportunities for our people.” He tasked the youths to embrace agriculture and tap into the enormous opportunities across all sectors in the state.

Coca-Cola to Enhance Environmental Sustainability Raheem Akingbolu Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and its bottling partner, Nigerian Bottling Company, RecyclePoints, have continued the implementation of “Project Revive” – a Coca-Cola sponsored initiative focused on supporting communities to aid their economic recovery from the pandemic through recycling. The waste-management social benefit venture ‘RecyclePoints’ took to Sangotedo recently, to establish a new recycling bank at LUFASI Nature Park, to make recycling accessible and rewarding for those in the community. This development followed the official launch ceremony which was held in Lagos last September, where Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited unveiled “Project Revive” targeted at ensuring a waste-free world through waste recovery and recycling. Through the World Without Waste campaign, Coca-Cola seeks to collaborate with recyclers, local NGOs and private-public organisations, to reduce its carbon footprint across the country, waste created by food and beverage packaging,

and other non-biodegradable substances. Speaking at the event was the head, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, who explained: “In September, we officially announced the launch of Project Revive, in collaboration with our partners, RecyclePoints. “It makes me particularly proud to see the planned expansion of this project in another local community. “Coca-Cola remains committed to ensuring the achievement of our environmental sustainability goals, and this initiative is another step towards reaching our targets as enshrined in our World Without Waste campaign.” Welcoming the participants and dignitaries to the event, the Administrator of LUFASI Nature Park, Ms. Adeseye Adegboye, who spoke on behalf of the founder, Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi, thanked RecyclePoints for making good on its promise made on 22nd of April 2018, in commemoration of Earth Day at the LUFASI Nature Park, to setup a recyclables collection centre within the vicinity.

P & G Launches Pampers Rigakafi III Program Raheem Akingbolu Leading consumer goods company, Procter & Gamble, P&G recently launched its Pampers Rigakafi III program through a partnership with the Tabitha Cumi Foundation (TCF) to reduce infant mortality and increase immunization rate in Nigeria. Through the initiative, the multinational company donated over 180,000 Pampers diapers to support the TCF’s ‘Help Mama Keep Baby’ project which promotes maternal and infant health in hard to reach communities in Nigeria. The announcement was made official at the handover of the Pampers diapers to the TCF management during a brief ceremony held recently in Abuja. In attendance were representatives of the FCT Health Secretariat, Bwari Area Council HOD Health, Matron of the Primary Health Care Centre, Members of the TCF Board of Trustees, TCF Staff, and other notable representatives of

relevant organisations. Under the Pampers Rigakafi program, which was launched earlier this year, P&G has donated over 2.5 million diapers to the federal and state governments including ministries of health, ministries of women affairs, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). In line with the company’s commitment of being a force for good in the communities, this program was launched with the aim of impacting health outcomes of thousands of infants and mothers in participating communities. The diapers would serve as incentives for mothers to bring their babies to the hospital for immunisation and general health checks. Speaking on this initiative, the P&G Senior Director for Africa, Global Government Relations and Public Policy, Dr. Mrs. Temitope Iluyemi said: “We are a force for good and are committed to improving the lives of people in the communities where we live and work.

ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT

L-R: Executive Producer,The NextTitan Nigeria, Mr. Mide -Kunle Akinlaja; Co-founder, Sahara Group, Mr.Tonye Cole; Winner, NextTitan 7, Mr. Joshua Idiong; CEO, EFG Hermes Nigeria Ltd, Lillian Olubi; Former Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr. Kyari Bukar, and Chief Marketing Officer, Heritage Bank Plc, Mr. Fela Ibidapo, at the grand finale of NextTitan 7 edition held in Lagos... recently ETOP UKUTT

CITITRUST Holding to Expand Footprints Across Africa CITITRUST Holding Plc said it is targeting a capital injection of N12.5 billion for its business expansion before the end of first quarter 2021. The company also disclosed its decision to complete the recapitalisation of Living Trust Mortgage Bank from a Regional Mortgage Bank to a National Mortgage Bank before the end of first quarter of 2021. This is in line with its plan to purse industry leadership in Nigeria and other regions where it operates. While presenting CITITRUST’s Investment and Strategy road Map for 2021-2023, at a webinar organised by the company, its Executive Director, Finance and Strategy, Afolabi Martins, noted that the development would provide a further capital to re-capitalize expansion across Africa. Martins equally disclosed

that plans are underway to list CFS Nigeria on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in 2021. “Based on the impressive growth in our loan book, we are poised that these additional funds will enable us to further diversify the earnings base across all subsidiaries. “The 3-year plan details our operational shifts as it relates to Finance, Investment & Strategy and International Operation to deliver robust growth by adopting a strategic investment plan and aggressive market penetration.b“For our medium targets, much of the financial impact comes from our focus on employing small equity base to create larger capital and investments through liability generation, which we believe are largely in our control. Our ability to achieve mid-teen

returns or higher over a horizon of three years or more will come as investments in our businesses,” he said. Speaking further, he said, “a dividend policy will also be reviewed by us for approval – all CITITRUST subsidiaries shall endeavor to maintain a dividend payout ratio of 40 per cent. Audit reports are to be conducted on interim basis and not yearly basis as dividend will be paid bi-annually.” Giving further details of the 2012-2023 Investment and Strategy road Map, Martins noted that the company was looking at divesting its stake in one of its subsidiaries in Nigeria. He noted that indeed, the year 2020 has proven to be a year of stabilisation for their businesses on all fronts, adding that the return to high performance was within the context of a challenging global and local operating environ-

ment, which makes recovery even more remarkable, “and our panAfrican businesses increasingly becoming more justified, giving the region’s growing contribution to the Group’s performance, due to Africa’s rising profile in the global economy.” He added, “We have been able to thrive amidst the decreasing economic growth rate, and achieved financial results and performance, indicative of a resilient portfolio, diversified revenue streams, and ultimately reflects our group as a sustainable and a future assured Investment Group, even at the aftermath of the most challenging economic situation faced in our recent history, the pandemic.” CITITRUST Holdings Plc’s balance sheet size as at September 2020 stood at N44 billion with 358 employees and over 1,000 indirect employees.

Florence Modupe Foundation Inaugurated Ugo Aliogo The Florence Modupe Foundation (FMF) has been officially inaugurated. The organisation aims to promote inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. Speaking during the public launch of the foundation which also coincided with the 40th birthday celebration of the founder, Mrs. Olubukola Abitoye as well as the launch of her book entitled: ‘Guiding Grace,’ she said the launch marked the beginning

of something special, not just for her, but for the young people in Nigeria and Africa. She commended many young men and women who are passionate about development and sustainable growth, stating that their energy and dedication are truly inspiring. “I want to say that this enthusiastic engagement of civil society sets the tone for our journey that starts today. I have chosen today to kick off something that I am most passionate about and if you are here in this room, it is because you share that passion

too,” she said. Abitoye remarked that an estimated 101 million African children are not in school, noting that today, only six per cent of young people in sub-Saharan Africa are enrolled in higher learning institutions compared to the global average of 26 percent, “out of the initial six percent, Nigeria alone accounts for more than half.” According to her, “In the same breath, one of our hallmarks at FMF is care. Looking all around us, we are surrounded by the less privileged, who consistently

need our support and resources to rise out of the ashes and live their dreams. FMF has been able to contribute its quota by visiting several homes, extending a hand of love, and empowering individuals to learn life-changing skills. “We urge everyone in this room to come along and join us on this mission to help African children remain in school and lift millions of youths out of extreme poverty. The direct correlation between Illiteracy and Poverty has created an unending quagmire of societal decadence but change is possible, and change will happen.”

Surveyor General, Security Agencies Collaborate to Curb Growing Crime Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Office of the Surveyor General has embarked on consultations with the Department of State Service (DSS), the police, the military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)

to enhance effective mapping of the country to reduce insecurity. Speaking during the opening ceremony of the office’s collaboration meeting with security agencies on survey coordination in Abuja, the Surveyor General, Mr. Samuel Adeniran, said the provision of

appropriate geospatial information has direct effect on security. He added that the OSGoF has the responsibility, among others, of implementing the Survey Coordination Act of 1962 and its subsequent amendments and therefore duty-bound in ensuring

such occasional consultations. “This collaborative meeting is apt considering the security challenges facing our country today. The provision of security for protection of lives and property remains a cardinal responsibility of any governments in the world.

“Government fulfills this mandate through its military, the police and other security organisations with the collaboration of certain authorities like OSGoF and support of every good citizen,” he stated. He noted that while the government provides funds

and the political will to facilitate provision of security, it behooves on authorities like OSGoF saddled with the responsibility of making available the requisite geospatial data for proper analysis which will inform good decision for effective planning and action.

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3Line Explains Why it Opted Out of Transaction Switching Business Oluchi Chibuzor 3Line Card Management Limited, Nigeria’s fintech firm has explained that it opted out of payment transaction switching services because it no longer aligns with its overall business strategy. The explanation followed the revocation of firm’s Switching Services Licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria, due to its inability to meet up with its statutory obligations and conditions of the regulator. In a statement, the company’s Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Femi Omogbenigun, disclosed that it had informed the regulatory authority that it was no longer interested in operating the licence. “We actually wrote to CBN earlier this year, requesting that we want to put the licence on hold as we weren’t doing any switching business,” he stated. The company had consequently entered into strategic agreement with Interswitch Limited for all its transaction switching business. “Interswitch has been as our

switching partner for a while and we are happy with the arrangement,” he added. He said the company took a decision to focus on its core area of strength, which using technology to deepen financial inclusion. They currently have a card scheme - Freedom card and a super-agent license which are fully functional. According to the CEO, 3line is at the final stage of obtaining a PTSP license which will help deepen its super-agent business and other offerings. The strategy has proven laudable as the company has grown exponentially in the last 24months. The MD assured its business partners that the development would not in any way disrupt the services that are being offered. According to the FGN Gazette No196 Vol 16, seven payment service providers and a switching company were affected for failure to comply with regulatory obligations and ceasing to carry on with business for which they had been licensed for a continuous period of six months.

Bagudu Hails WACOT Rice for Supporting Govt’s Food Security Drive Oluchi Chibuzor Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has commended WACOT Rice Limited, a subsidiary of TGI Group, for its efforts in boosting the drive towards food security in Nigeria. The governor said this on the heels a $10.5 million (about N4.99 billion) co-investment partnership which WACOT Rice Limited signed with the USAID-funded West Africa Trade and Investment Hub (WATIH). According to a statement, the company, which has an Outgrower Expansion Project in Argungu, Kebbi State, aspires to be West Africa’s leading rice producer. Through the new partnership, WACOT Rice will register an additional 5,143 farmers to complement its already existing outgrower network in the state. The new farmers are expected to cultivate over 5,000 additional hectares of land thereby producing over 20,000 tons of paddy, which will be utilised at the company’s 120,000-ton rice mill. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commissioned the mill in 2017. It produces premium household

brands of parboiled rice Big Bull and Patriot. Bagudu, who is the Vice Chairman of the National Food Security Council and also National Champion on Nigeria Rice Revolution, said the state government was pleased that efforts of the federal government in agricultural revolution was being recognised by international bodies like USAID and WATIH. He added: “WACOT Rice Limited is the first major rice mill commissioned under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and the support by both globally reputable organisations is a big boost for private sector investment in the Nigerian agriculture sector.” t is expected that the project would improve the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the region while addressing Nigeria’s food security concerns. The average smallholder farmer in Argungu, Kebbi State cultivates about half a hectare of land and earns less than $200 (N95,000) net income annually, barely sufficient to cover the needs of a household. The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera, de-

scribed the partnership and the investment by WACOT Rice as a welcome development. “It is a win-win situation for our farmers, the state government and the people of the state generally”, the traditional ruler further said. He said the WACOT Rice project was timely coming shortly after the farmers experienced devastating floods that wiped out their farmlands. On the partnership with USAID and its benefits, Strategy and Business Development Manager of TGI Group, parent company of WACOT Rice, Habiba Suleiman, said: “The overall impact is to enhance yield per hectare and help farmers better their livelihoods. In terms of their earnings, this project will help them to be able to send their kids to school, access better livelihoods, access better healthcare and to have better nutrition, and quality of life”. On her part, USAID Mission Director, Anne Patterson said: “The US government is pleased to partner with the private sector in Nigeria to develop market-driven solutions and sustainably improve food security by supporting local rice production”.

She added that, “with this new co-investment partnership, smallholder farmers in Kebbi State can increase yields and improve the livelihoods of their families.” Working in partnership with USAID its Feed the Future strategy, the Federal Government has prioritised local production of rice, a major staple in the country. By supporting smallholder rice farmers to increase their yields by 50 to 100 per cent, the co-investment will help farmers earn more and lift themselves out of poverty, create thousands of jobs, and attract further private investments in the agriculture sector. WACOT Rice disclosed that it would be placing a strong emphasis on women and youth, with at least 50 per cent of the new farmers trained to be women and 70 per cent of all the farmers under 30 years old. Commending the team for the laudable feat, Group Managing Director of TGI Group, Rahul Savara laid emphasis on the Group’s mission to always add value to its communities.

Stanbic IBTC Celebrates Yuletide with ‘21 Days of Christmas’ Stanbic IBTC has launched a 21 Days of Christmas Campaign aimed at supporting its customers with products and services that meet their lifestyle needs. The 21 Days of Christmas campaign serves to encourage customers to spread cheer the holiday season, while also reminding them of the wide range of Stanbic IBTC products designed to ease everyday living. Ranging from the ability to receive payments seamlessly without getting charged when using C’Gate, to being able to gift someone a mutual fund, to getting extra cash needed for the year-end celebrations using a personal credit card loan, customers can enjoy seamless financial solutions from Stanbic IBTC this holiday season. “Understanding the importance of having cash on hand to cater for self, family and loved ones this season, the financial organisation is reminding customers to take advantage of its EZ Cash product which provides instant loans that can be paid up over 12 months at a meagre 2.5 per cent interest. “In addition, customers can access up to 50 per cent of their next salary in the form of salary advance, in order to meet urgent financial demands ahead of the festivities. Besides loans, the institution is also making cash more accessible by enabling ATM withdrawals without the use of a debit card using a simple paycode feature. “Not leaving out business owners, Stanbic IBTC has also provided an overdraft offer for entrepreneurial

clients to stock up their stores or buy goods needed to meet their customers’ demands this season,” a statement from the bank explained. In the spirit of giving, Stanbic IBTC said it is also encouraging customers to gift mutual funds that can help loved ones achieve their financial goals over the short, medium and long term. It stated that with as little as N5,000, customers could buy mutual fund gifts for others, and those who spread the most cheer, stand a chance of getting rewarded with mutual funds. “Still on giving, customers can get between five to 10 per cent discounts when they shop with their Stanbic IBTC Mastercard or Stanbic IBTC Verve debit cards at various malls and outlets such as Hubmart, Pricepally, Chicken Republic, Konga, Kwik Delivery and Kwik Bites. “Not to forget the @Ease Slash, which offers a reduction in bank charges on @Ease wallet to a flat rate of N10 from the regular bank charge for transactions. “To ensure that customers enjoy ease on all transactions, Stanbic IBTC’s mobile App and online channels will remain accessible for scheduled payments and instant transactions even on public holidays,” it added. Speaking on the rationale behind the yuletide offers, the Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Wole Adeniyi, stated that the 21 Days of Christmas campaign reflects what the season is about, which is to appreciate the organisation’s esteemed clients and support their financial lifestyle needs.

COURTESYVISIT

L-R: Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu, Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nnaji Nnolim, and Deputy Chairman, House of Committee on Aviation, Hon. Musa Mohammed, during the House Committee on Aviation visit’s to the NCAA’s office in Lagos...recently KOLAWOLE ALLI.

Heritage Bank Supports Entrepreneur with N10m Heritage Bank Plc has empowered the winner of The Next Titan Season-7 with the sum of N10 million. An entrepreneur, Joshua Joseph Idiong, who is the CEO of Josult Oil Processing Company, a palm oil processing company in Akwa Ibom State emerged the winner of the Next Titan Season-7, themed: The Unstoppable.” The graduate of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, emerged winner after competing with Ifeanyi Nkwonta, Chidinma Eriobu and Ifeoma Benjamin at the grand finale in Lagos. Idiong’s entry in the show

was amongst the 18, 000 entries, followed by online auditions before the top 16 moved into the Titan House for 10 weeks to compete against top notch young entrepreneurs in real-life entrepreneurial tasks. According to a statement, the programme paneled by technocrats with perfect blend of entrepreneurial requisite skills trained each participant on enriching, rigorous and intellectually learning journey to equip them with the fundamental competencies required of seasoned entrepreneurs. The panel of Judges from

different spectrum of entrepreneurial fields were Kyari Bukar Co-Founder/CEO Trans-Sahara Investment; Lilian Olubi, CEO, Primera Africa Securities Ltd; Chris Parkes, Chairman/CEO, CPMS Africa and Tonye Cole, Co-Founder, Sahara Group. The winner said: “Heritage Bank is an amazing bank that has stood strong on this show. My love for Heritage Bank stems from the fact that this is my second time on this show but before I came in, I have learnt so much from the show. “This means that Heritage

Bank is truly affecting the lives and businesses of entrepreneurs positively, alongside the viewers. This is a bank that has differentiated itself from other banks in boosting the strength of SMES in Nigeria.” Speaking at the grand finale, MD/CEO of the Bank, Ifie Sekibo stated that the programme easily aligns with the primary focus of the management of Heritage Bank to promote every laudable entrepreneurial idea meant to broaden economic horizon of the country for the benefit of citizens and other residents of Nigeria.

Access Pension Fund Custodian Assures Contributors of Safety Ebere Nwoji The Managing Director, Access Pension Fund Custodian (PFC), Mrs. Idu Okwuosa, has assured contributors into the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) that all pension investments in the industry are insured. Okwuosa, who spoke at the media parley organised by the

pension Operators Association (PenOp) said therefore, there would be no opportunity for anyone to have access to the funds in the industry. At the annual media parley which had in attendance all PenOp executive council members, representatives of National Pension Commission (PenCom), among others,

Okwuosa, stated that there was no need for any contributor to panic or doubt the security of his or her contribution or investment, assuring that the funds are safe and secure. During the parley, in response to a question on whether pension contributors should be worried about the safety of their pensions,

Okwuosa – who manages one of the four licensed pension fund custodian in the country said: “The public should be assured that all pension assets are traded in the name of the Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) and Pension Fund Custodian (PFC), in other words, the investments are made in the PFA/PFC’s name.”

MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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IMAGES

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The families of Mr. Olugbenga Alafe Navy Captain JJ Owonubi (rtd) recently celebrated the traditional wedding of their children, Tolulope Iyanuoluwa and Taiye Samuel at Glitz Events Centre, Lekki Lagos.

L-R: Mrs Dupe Adegoke, Mrs Olabisi Alafe, Mrs Victoria Olaniyan, Mrs Kofo Adejumo

L-R: Mr Timilehin Alafe, Mrs Olufunke Owonubi

L-R Navy Captain JJ Owonubi (Rtd), Mrs Olabisi Alafe, Mr Taiye Owonubi, Mrs Tolulope Owonubi, Mrs Olufunke Racine Owonubi, Mr Olugbenga Alafe

The Couple, Mr and Mrs Owonubi

L-R: Principal Admin Oﬃcer, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Marafa Adamu; Chief Standard Oﬃcer,SON,Tijani Azeez; Head, Surveillance, Intelligence and monitoring (SIM) Unit, SON, Sulaiman Isa; ASP Omale Anebi of Force CID, Alagbon and CSO,United Allied Spare Part Dealers Association, (UASPDA), Chief Onyeka Ozorkwalu during the SON enforcement exercise on manufacturers of adulterated engine oil at UASPDA, trade Fair complex in Lagos, recently

L-R: Founder/CEO, Call To Love Initiative, Mrs. Wunmi Ajila; Secretary, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Lagos Branch, Mr. Olakunle Lasisi; Best Student in Sewing Class, Miss. Mary Emoruwa and a Volunteer of Call To Love Initiative, Ms. Oludara Ogunbowale, during the presentation of prizes to winners of this year’s edition of the Call To Love Initiative Christmas Village Workshop, in Lagos...recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

The couple, Mudashiru Oyewole and his wife, Feyisara during the solemnisation of their holy matrimony at the African Church, Saviour Parish, Alagbado, Lagos...recently PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA

L-R; Mrs Folashade Ore-Daudu; her husband, Kolawole; Mrs Ola Ajala and her husband, Moses during the Christmas servise and funfair at Celestial Church of Christ City, Imeko, Ogun State...recently

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L-R: General Overseer, Olive Mountain of Prayer and Praise Ministry Ijegun, Prophet Collins Timothy; his wife Pastor Rosemary; Vice President, Harvest Committee, Elder Eric Ndukwe; and Chairman, Harvest Committee Mr Harrison Megbune, during the annual harvest thanksgiving service of the Church held in Ijegun,Lagos.. recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Guests, Kayode Olubanjo; Funke Olubanjo;Author of the book, Ayodeji Elugbemi; his wife, Ebunoluwa Elugbemi and another Guest, Diran Elugbemi, during the launching of the book, Above All, to mark the 40th birthday of the author in Lagos...recently

Children queueing to collect gift items during the Boxing Day party organized by Nigeria Bottling Company at Ngwo Park Uwani, Enugu...recently

L-R: Senator Sadiq Umar (Kwara North); Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Speaker Kwara State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Yakubu Salihu Danlandi; and Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe (Kwara Central); during assessment visit to Jebba, Moro local government area of the state where ﬁre outbreak occurred involving a petrol tanker... recently

L –R , President, Painted taxi , Comrade Shehu Shugaba Paradus ; Co-founder , Nairaxi Transport and Logistic Nigeria limited , Mrs. Elizaberth Omale ; Deputy Corps Commander Lucie Sammmuel Mhii and Chief Executive Oﬃcer , Nairaxi , Mr. Kingsley Eze at the Nairaxi Drivers Pre –Launch Meetup Conference in Abuja.. recently PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

L-R: Project Manager, SakiTownship Stadium, Mr Femi James; Chairman, Saki West LGA, Mr Owolabi Mudasiru; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and Oyo State House of Assembly member,representing Saki West , Mr Julius Okedoyin during the inspection of ongoing construction of Saki Township Stadium by the Governor... recently

Fun seekers enjoying themselves during the Yuletide season at TransAmusement Park, Ibadan...recently

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CITYSTRINGS

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Boost for Navy’s Operational Efficiency, Combat Readiness The recently held Exercise Still Waters was targeted at boosting the Nigerian Navy’s operational efficiency in combatting maritime illegalities. Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that the four-pronged exercise dealt with anti-piracy operation, protection of oil and gas facilities, search and rescue, fleet manoeuvres and communication, as well as vessel, board, search and seizures

ndoubtedly, the maritime environment is one of the mainstays of the economy. Shipping activities, exploitation and exploration of maritime resources as well as use of port facilities have consistently been the main source of the revenue that drives the nation's budget and would be maintaining their significance into the distant future given their indispensablility for the nation's economy. The implication therefore is that the nation's maritime environment is evidently strategic to the national survival and the prosperity of the citizens of any nation and Nigeria is not left out. However, the immense potentials of the area are unfortunately undermined by potent threats in compounding degree and proportion. These threats manifest into diverse natures which are accompanied by devastating effects in plundering revenue loses, ecological damage, environmental degradation, erosion of confidence of stakeholders, malicious damage and sabotage of maritime infrastructure and their profound implication in the incubating role for the many security breaches on land. To be clear, such vices such as piracy, illegal refinery, sea robbery, crude oil theft, sabotage attack on national oil and gas infrastructure both ashore and onshore, illegal unregulated and unreported fishing (IUUF) breed insecurity and economic deprivation in the maritime domain. This is where the Nigerian Navy (NN) comes as it is constitutionally tasked with the protection of our maritime assets despite the many challenges that tries to hamper its fight against criminality in the nation’s waters. Exercise Still Waters It was to gauge and assess the navy’s operational efficiency and combat readiness that the Chief of Naval Staff Sea Inspection Exercise themed Exercise Still Waters was recently held. For the exercise, it was a deployment of both ships and aerial power of the navy, showing the readiness to improve on its combat position within the limits of available resources and combat myriads of criminalities and illegalities on the nation's maritime domain. During the exercise, the navy boosted its operational capability and the combat readiness of its fleet to address maritime illegalities within the nation's territorial water and its Gulf of Guinea's corridor. Flag-off The flag-off took off at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos, with participation of agencies such as the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Ministry of Justice. Flagging off the exercise, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas said the sea inspection was conceived to enhance the security of Nigeria’s maritime domain and sustain the desired level of competencies of the NN. Ibas, who was represented by the Chief of Naval Safety and Standard, Rear Admiral Kamaldeen Lawal, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the necessary support, adding that putting the exercise together required significant logistics outlay. On the objectives of the exercise, he said: "It is also aimed at assessing the operational state and readiness of the NN

The ﬂag oﬀ of the exercise onboard NNS OKPABANA

Fleet manoeuvres at sea

fleet, with focus on anti-piracy, anti-crude oil theft and anti-smuggling operations, among others. "The NN has made significant progress in the fight against all forms of criminalities in our maritime environment. The sustenance of the gains made so far is critical to our national security, given the dynamic nature of the threats in the maritime domain. Earlier, the Flag Officer Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Oladele Daji said assets were procured from all three operational commands, Naval Training Command; adequate support received from the Logistics Command and autonomous units for the exercise. "In the course of the operations, criminal hideouts would be raided and suspected criminals arrested ashore and at sea handed over to appropriate law enforcement agencies for further investigation and possible persecution.” Deployment For this year's sea inspection, a total of 12 Nigerian Navy Ships, two helicopters and elements of the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (SBS) participated. The ships involved are NNS OKAPBANA, NNS

PROSPERITY, NNS NGURU, NNS OKU, NNS KARADUA, NNS ANDONI, NNS OSUN, NNS DORINA, NNS DOMADI, NNS OSE, Tug DOLPHIN RIMA AND TUG DOLPHIN MIRA. Exercises at Sea At sea, the ships conducted several exercises which include anti-piracy operations, protection of oil and gas facilities, fleet manoeuvres, communication drills, vessel board search and seizure, search and rescue amongst others. Assessment At the end of the exercise, the CNS, who was again represented by Rear Admiral Lawal, said training exercises all over the world were conducted to correct weakness and sustain strength. While describing the exercise as rewarding, he noted that it impacted positively on the operational efficiency of naval personnel in several areas. He said: “ The exercise was aimed at accessing the operational readiness and combat effectiveness of our fleet. As you may be aware, these goals are hinged on proper training and regular drills. Training exercises all over the world are conducted to correct weakness and

sustain strength. In achieving these objectives, training exercises will always involve constant exercises that are physically challenging. This is in line with the maxim which says the more we sweat in peace time, the less we bleed in war.” Adjudging the 2020 CNS annual sea inspection as successful and rewarding, he said,” Exercise Still Waters has impacted positively on the operational efficiency of personnel in several areas. The exercise also provided a platform to align our training objectives with our operational realities, towards curtailing various threats in our maritime domain at the Gulf of Guinea. “Additionally, the exercise provided a test bench for the planning and execution of coordinated strike capabilities as well as an assessment of some of our planning assumptions. The exercise is generally adjudged successful”. The CNS representative who disclosed that seven onboard landings with the Nigerian Navy helicopters were carried out, during the exercise, informed that throughout the duration of the exercise, there were no hitches, This, he pointed out, was a clear indication of the navy’s combat readiness against illegalities on the nation’s territorial waters, adding that “the fact that throughout the exercise, no criminal elements were arrested shows that the exercise on its part has achieved its deterrence value. What that means is, whoever is a criminal on our waters is now aware that the Nigerian Navy is ready in all respect to combat all forms of criminality on our water”. He was however quick to add that observations were noted during the exercise and that lessons learnt would be applied to boost the navy’s operations. “This is important for the continued security of our maritime domain in the Gulf of Guinea which is key to our national curriculum maritime security and economic prosperity. Hence the conduct of these forms of maritime exercise will be sustained. This will guide us in assessing and revising some of our operational procedures and ensure relevance in our quest to conduct decisive maritime combat operations”, he stated. While reiterating the navy’s resolve at ensuring safety on the nation’s maritime domain, the CNS said the navy will spare no effort in ensuring a safe and secured maritime environment.

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CRIME&SECURITY

NNS BEECROFT Fetes Commander to Promotion Dinner

Commander NNS Beecroft, Rear Admiral IA Shettima and wife ﬂanked by FOC Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral OB Daji (far right) and FOC NAVTRAC, Rear Admiral FF Ogu and wife (second and third left) at the promotion dinner Stories by Chiemelie Ezeobi

cross the three arms of the Armed Forces, it was recently promotion galore for deserving officers who have overtime proven their mettle and dedication to duty. One of the newly promoted officers of the Nigerian Navy (NN) is the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT (NNS BEECROFT), Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shettima, who was a Commodore before his present promotion. Shettima was one of the 18 officers who were promoted to Rear Admirals from the rank of Commodores. To celebrate the enviable promotion to the rank of a two-star general, the base recently feted him and family, as well as friends at the Western Naval Command Officer's Mess in Apapa, Lagos. Like many who spoke to THISDAY at the dinner opined, promotion is a morale booster

Rear Admiral Shettima flanked by operatives of the base including Executive Officer, Commander Andrew Zidon (fourth right); Lieutenant Commander Tomu (third left) and the BINFO, Sub Lieutenant Effiong (second left) in the civilian fold and for the military, it is not any different. According to them, it is often done to

enhance productivity by recognising hardwork, commitment and diligence and the result is that it motivates and inspires others to work

harder. In the military, such promotions, especially to such an enviable position is usually a painstaking procedure that involves thorough selection. At the dinner, guests and well wishers were treated to fine wine and tasty cuisine while they commended the commander for dedication to duty, especially in such an operational base. Earlier, when the newly promoted were decorated by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, he noted that promotion was inherent in any organisation, and it came with more responsibilities. The CNS urged them to re-dedicate themselves in the discharge of their duties, adding that the significance of the occasion was drawn from the critical need for courageous and dynamic leadership in the armed forces, as expected in every performance oriented organisation.

NAVTRAC Decorates CINFO, Three Other Commanders

Lieutenant Commander Adebayo Segun being decorated by wife, Mrs. Gift Segun and FOC NAVTRAC in his new rank of Commander in the NN

All four decorated Commanders and their spouses

The Command Information Officer (CINFO), Commander Adebayo Segun of the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), was recently decorated from his previous rank of a lieutenant commander alongside three others. Others who were also decorated at the command include Commander Olusegun Sadiku, Commander Segun Ibidoja and Commander Jumai Rikoto. While urging the newly promoted officers to take their new responsibility seriously, as new

a whole. It is expected of you to put in more in your jobs and tasks given to you. “To whom much is given, much is expected, so we expect you to bring your senior officer rank to bear in whatever you are doing. We expect more loyalty from you as privileged members to be in the service known to be loyal to the president and commander in chief of the armed forces and to the nation as a whole. “I also commend the spouses of the officers,

positions demanded higher responsibility, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), NAVTRAC, Rear Admiral Frederick Ogu, who shipped their stripes, said they are expected to put in more work. He said: “As your caps have been changed to that of senior officers therefore, more responsibilities has been added to you so we expect that you put in more to your work. “You have to live up to the expectations of the Chief of the Naval Staff and the navy as

especially their wives, for ensuring that the home front is peaceful and in order. This has given the officers on duty the necessary morale to remain fully concentrated in the discharge of their duties. “I have heard of officers who could not concentrate on their jobs because they were having issues with their family at home and this led to low productivity from such officers.” The event was attended by families of the promoted officers and other dignitaries.

...As FOC Holds End of Year Dinner To wrap up the year, the Naval Training Command, Apapa, Lagos, weekend held its a Naval Training Command End of the Year Dinner Night. Held at the grounds of the command in Apapa, the social dinner night provided an avenue not just to unwind but to also take stock of the year. Afterwards in an interview with

journalists, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), NAVTRAC, Rear Admiral Frederick Ogu, said the service has and will continue to train its personnel to keep abreast of emerging developments despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Noting that the colleges and schools under the command are spread across the nation, he said this necessitated

the need to carry on with its training mandate. He said: “We made provisions in spite of the challenges so that our trainings do not stop throughout the year, We train for operations and for war in case the situation arises, therefore, our trainings are compulsory and cannot be stopped.” Stressing that Information Technol-

ogy (IT) has become an integral part of the command’s training programmes, the FOC noted that it made transition easier as personnel did not always have to be physically present during trainings. Taking stock of the year and the considerable considerable achievements recorded in the year despite the pandemic he said, “We were able to

pass-out our recruits from the ratings of the Nigerian Naval Command, Onura, as well as commission officers at the Nigerian Naval Command, Onne, both in Port Harcourt”. Expressing hope that the coming year would be better in all ramifications, the FOC reiterated the command’s commitment to its training mandate.

MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Senate Investigates Nigeria’s Alleged Loss of N1.2tn Oil Revenue to SINOPEC-Addax Deal Bassey Inyang in Calabar The Senate has commenced investigation into the alleged breach of the 2000/2001 the federal government’s Fiscal Incentive Package Conditions by SINOPEC-ADDAX, following fears in some quarters that Nigeria may have lost over N1.2 trillion in oil revenue due to improper execution of the deal by the company. The disclosure was made yesterday in Calabar by the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum, Senator Gershom Bassey, who also raised the alarm that Nigeria stood the risk of losing an additional $750 million from abandonment/decommissioning liability at the expiration of SINOPEC-ADDAX stay in the country by 2022. Bassey, who issued a press statement to this effect, said based on a motion he sponsored drawing the attention of the federal government to the possible loss of such humongous revenue, the Senate has mandated the Senate Committee on Petroleum Upstream and Senate Committee on Gas to investigate and make recommendations with regards to the 2000/2001 Fiscal Incentive Package and other federal government’s agreements with Sinopec-Addax Petroleum Company. Bassey, who is the representative of the Cross River South senatorial district in the National Assembly, said the investigating committees have been mandated to ascertain

the level of the company’s compliance with these agreements and make recommendations. Bassey stated that in 2000/2001 the Federal Government of Nigeria had provided a Fiscal Incentive Package to Addax Petroleum Company that saw the reduction of the company’s Petroleum Profit Tax from 85 per cent in the 1998 Production Sharing Contract (PSC) to 60 per cent in the 2001 Fiscal Incentive Package and the company’s share of oil lifting increase from about 45 per cent to 56 per cent. Addax Petroleum followed through by investing to grow production from about 10,000bopb in 2000 to over 100,000bopb by 2008. He said from the purchase of Addax by Sinopec in 2009, the assets have witnessed significant production decline due to poor investment decisions making production levels to fall presently to approximately 30,000bopb with no developed gas. The lawmaker stated that “Sinopec Addax, despite holding a 100 per cent Production Sharing Contract(PSC) with oil mining leases OML-123, OML-124, OML126, has refused to stick to its end of the bargain to continue investing in the operated assets leading to a revenue loss of about $3.35 billion per year by the Nigerian Government...OML-137 is non-producing because the oil firm breached the Fiscal Incentive Package by neglecting to invest in that asset resulting in huge oil revenue loss to Nigerian.” Bassey alleged that given

Ogun CAN Begs Abiodun to Lift Ban on Cross-over Services Says churches comply with COVID-19 protocols Kayode Fasua in Abeokuta The Ogun State chapter of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday pleaded with the state government to lift the ban on Christians’ traditional Cross-over Night, to usher in the New Year. The state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, had last week given the suspension order on the annual Crossover Night programme, amid the meteoric rise in COVD-19 cases nationwide. The governor also banned all forms of carnival or large gathering that could raise the Coronavirus curve. But after a marathon meeting in Abeokuta yesterday, the CAN leadership noted that the state government could still rescind the ban order while the churches are made to comply with COVID-19 protocols, during respective crossover services. In a letter to Governor Abiodun, titled, ‘A Passionate Appeal for the Observance of Cross-over Night’, signed by the Ogun CAN chairman, Bishop Tunde Akin-Akinsanya, the body said it had been bombarded with calls by various churches, to help wade in. Akin-Akinsanya, in the letter, stated, “In view of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic and its consequent restrictions on

religious activities across the state, there have been so much calls and appeals by the church leaders for the observance of Cross-Over Night on 31st December, 2020. “To this end, I hereby write on behalf of the leadership and entire structure of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ogun State, to solicit for the indulgence of Your Excellency to allow for the observance of the Cross-Night among the churches in Ogun State, just as it is, in our neighbouring Lagos State. The CAN chairman, however, assured that the churches would comply with the COVID-19 protocols, under its his watch. He thus requested, “that churches be allowed to start the Cross-over Night Service by 10:30p.m. on December 31, 2020 and end it by 12:15a.m. on January 1, 2021”. His other pleas are, “that the worshippers be allowed movement back to their places of abode between 12:15a.m. and 1a.m. on January 1, 2021”; and “that the churches shall put in place and observe all the necessary COVID-19 protocols as released by the government”. “The Church of Christ in Ogun State shall be very happy and grateful to His Excellency for granting this request,” he appealed.

“the lack of any demonstration by Sinopec-Addax to stay in Nigeria because of the company’s unwillingness to purchase an office building and its refusal to invest for production growth, it is shocking that NNPC continues to honour the elapsed gentleman’s

agreement that made Sinopec Addax to operate these assets and lift 70 per cent of the crude oil they are producing resulting in a huge annual revenue loss to Nigerian government.” He further alleged, “That in 2016 the process of Value

For Money (VFM) audit of $1.37 billion of cost oil that had been lifted by Addax Petroleum from 2007 to 2014 was initiated with the understanding that it would take three months to conclude.” Continuing, Bassey said,

“Since the initiation of the VFM audit in 2016, Sinopec Addax Petroleum has continued to enjoy oil over lift and have frustrated the process of conclusion of the audit to allow for the equitable and accurate determination of lifting.

LEARNED COLLEAGUES...

L-R New Advocates of Nigeria, Mr. Seni Adio; Mr. Osayaba Giwa-Osagie; Lawyer, Mr. Nosa Edo-Osagie; President, Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olumide Akpata; and Senior lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN. at the swearing in ceremony of the newly conferred SANs at the Supreme Court in Abuja... recently

COVID-19: Lagos Govt Seals Landmark, Rumours Night Club, Others The Lagos State Government has sealed about 12 facilities for defying the federal government’s directive on COVID-19 as it concerns social and recreational centres. In a statement issued yesterday by the Director-General of the state Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, some of the facilities include DNA Night Club, Buzz Bar, Silverfox, Cocoon. Others include Westend Nightclub, Rumours, Lekki

Waterside, Landmark Event Centre and the Wave Beach club. Mojola said he and his team have been carrying out routine enforcement and monitoring activities throughout the holiday season to monitor the level of compliance. He, however, mentioned that recalcitrant establishments who broke the government seal and continued partying would be charged to court once documentation has been properly

processed. The state government, Mojola explained, is committed to curbing the spread of the virus and would leave no stone unturned to achieve this mandate. “During the earlier monitoring and enforcement drive carried out over the weekend starting the 19th of December, 2020 other facilities such as Cubana Ikeja GRA, The Corner Lekki, 355 Restaurant and Night Club, Victoria Island amongst others were sealed,” the

statement partly read. According to him, mass gatherings at restaurants, bars, cafes, and public places without observing necessary safety guidelines will increase the spread of the virus. He, therefore, urged the public to maintain and observe all the necessary safety precautions as they celebrate the Christmas holidays whilst remembering the reason for the season which bothers on sacrifice.

Clark Mourns PANDEF’s National Chairman, Nkanga Udora Orizu in Abuja Elder statesman and South-South Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, has expressed sadness over the death of the forum’s National Chairman, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd). Nkanga passed away on the eve of Christmas, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Clark in a statement issued yesterday, said his death is devastating to him and the entire people of the South-south geopolitical zone, coming just months after their Deputy National Chairman, Chief Francis Doukpola

died under similar circumstances, in June this year. While commending Governor Udom Emmanuel for declaring seven days of mourning following the death of the PANDEF National Chairman, the elder statesman, urged the citizens to be comforted, and also observe greater caution against the spread of COVID-19. The statement reads, ‘’In one of the most painful moments of my public life, l was woken on Christmas morning, 25th December 2020 to the shocking news of the death of the National Chairman of our flagship, regional organization, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Air

Commodore Idongeset Nkanga (rtd) at the age of 68 years. “AVM” as I used to call him was my most trustworthy and dependable ally and Deputy in the leadership of the people of the zone. He brought along wide experience as a senior member of the Nigerian Armed Forces, where he left a towering record of service, and as former military Governor of Akwa Ibom State. He was, therefore, able to, within a remarkably short time, bring PANDEF to par with other existing groups in the country such as Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo

and Middle Belt Forum. “AVM” was also able to bring greater clarity in articulating various issues about the Niger Delta. His close interactions with the governors of the region, the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders helped to maintain the relative peace in the Niger Delta, and offered renewed vigour to the quest for equity, justice and fairness. At the recent visit of the federal government committee, led by Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, he led the Leaders and Elders of the zone to articulate our position.

Lawan Canvasses National Unity, Bags High Chief Title in Igboland Chuks Okocha in Abuja President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, yesterday made a strong case for national unity, saying Nigeria needs all parts of the country to make things work. Lawan stated this at the 10th year memorial anniversary of the father of the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, which held at Igbere in Abia State. The occasion was climaxed with the conferment on the Senate President a High Chief title of Nwannedinamba 1(our

number one Brother in Diaspora) and as member Ezumezu Circle of Igbere Ebiri by the Igbere Clan Council of Ndi Eze, Igbere. According to a statement by his media aide, Ola Awoniyi, Lawan said: “This is one occasion that has brought all of us here. If you look at the cream of people around, you will believe that there is unity among us “Regardless of our political or religious passuasion, we are attending a function that all of us believe is so important. “Abia State is a home of unity.

We have seen the presence of the (Senate) Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator T. A. Orji. These are people who belong to different political parties. So this kind of environment is not a political environment. This is peoples’ environment. “The Governor of Enugu State, our brother, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has been here since. This is in solidarity with this family and this is what unity can achieve for us. “Today and indeed even tomorrow and for ever, we can

achieve better. We can achieve more when we are united. Nigeria is designed by the Grace of God to be a nation of many people of different orientation, different sentiments but we must be a people with common purpose and common destiny and this is what we are trying to achieve.” The Senate President said his friendship with Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who is now the Senate Chief Whip dated back to their days in the University when they were roommates.

MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Northern Elders Fault Kukah’s Call for Coup against Buhari’s Govt John Shiklam in Kaduna The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has joined other groups to react to Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah’s outburst against President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, saying that the cleric should go to court rather than calling for an undemocratic process to addressing the alleged poor governance. The Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese was quoted to have attacked President Buhari’s government in his Christmas message, accusing it of nepotism and incompetence. Bishop Kukah’s message read in part, “This government owes the nation an explanation as to where it is headed as we seem to journey

into darkness. The spilling of this blood must be related to a more sinister plot that is beyond our comprehension. Are we going to remain hogtied by these evil men or are they gradually becoming part of a larger plot to seal the fate of our country? “President Buhari deliberately sacrificed the dreams of those who voted for him to what seemed like a programme to stratify and institutionalise northern hegemony by reducing others in public life to second class status. He has pursued this self-defeating and alienating policy at the expense of greater national cohesion. “Every honest Nigerian knows that there is no way any nonNorthern Muslim President could have done a fraction of what

President Buhari has done by his nepotism and gotten away with it. There would have been a military coup a long time ago or we would have been at war. “The president may have concluded that Christians will do nothing and will live with these actions. He may be right and we Christians cannot feel sorry that we have no pool of violence to draw from or threaten our country. However, God does not sleep. We can see from the inexplicable dilemma of his North.” However, the NEF in its reaction said though, it cannot agree less with Bishop Kukah that Buhari’s government lacks respect for

inclusiveness, it feels it was irresponsible to search for solutions to the problems outside the democratic process. The NEF’s Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem BabaAhmed, said the nation is paying a heavy price for mediocrity and ineffectiveness in key areas of decision-making under President Buhari. Dr. Baba-Ahmed however, said that the forums would not encourage even contemplation of any other form of government other than one that emerges democratically. The NEF’s spokesman said

that Nigerians who feel there are sufficient grounds to challenge the administration should seek redress in court. According to him, “The Northern Elders Forum will not encourage even contemplation of any other form of government other than one that emerges democratically. “There are many grounds to question the competence and sensitivity of President Buhari’s administration. Even his most ardent supporters, if he has any, that is, will wish he has shown greater respect for inclusion and accountability of those he chooses to trust with power.

“The nation is paying a heavy price for mediocrity and ineffectiveness in key areas of decision-making under President Buhari. “There is however a judicial recourse for abuse of constitutional provisions for a federal character in all matters of governance. Nigerians who feel there are sufficient grounds to challenge the administration should take advantage of that provision. “The forum believes that it is irresponsible to search for solutions to President Buhari’s poor governance outside the democratic process,” Baba-Ahmed said.

Bali was Never Installed Ponzhi Tarok, Kingmakers Insist Seriki Adinoyi in Jos As controversies continue to trail the burial of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Domkat Bali, Taroh kingmakers yesterday cleared the air, noting that the retired general was never installed as Ponzhi Tarok. According to them, the December, 2010 election for the stool was marred by several controversies and needless intuitions, adding that “as Kingmakers, some of us were deprived of the opportunity to participate in the exercise; and truly, there was no election that day.” The kingmakers in a statement issued in Jos and signed by Ponzhi Tumwat, Hon Nicholas Musa; Ponzhi Dambar, Hon Nanman Bale; Ponzhi Mbin, Binfat Zitta, among others, said that the fiat by government imposing Bali on the people triggered various litigations in courts. They argued that some of the cases are still ongoing and there are subsisting judgements that stopped Bali from performing the role of Ponzhi Tarok or presenting

himself for installation as Ponzhi Tarok. They said, “While these cases were pending in courts, Gen Bali resigned from the position and his resignation was dully acknowledged by government,” adding that “Governor Simon Lalong convened a meeting of Tarok stakeholders where he told them that government was aware of the resignation of Gen Bali as Ponzhi Tarok and had acknowledged same.” “The governor further announced that the stool of Ponzhi Tarok is vacant and that the only legal instrument known to government on the Ponzhi Tarok stool is the 1975 Gazettee and not 2010 Gazette that was unilaterally promulgated by Plateau State Government. “This suggests that assuming Gen Bali had no legal challenges on the stool and was not stopped by competent court of law, he had resigned the appointment and was never installed at any point as Ponzhi Tarok nor given any staff of office to strength his position as Ponzhi Tarok.”

Lawmaker Knocks AGF over Claim that N’Assembly Can’t Summon Buhari Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti A member of the House of Representatives from Ekiti State, Hon. Wumi Ogunlola, has criticised the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for holding a misleading view over his claim that the National Assembly lacks the powers to summon President Muhammadu Buhari. Ogunlola, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Ijero/Efon/Ekiti West federal constituency of Ekiti State, said Malami was being ‘clever’ by half to hold such a claim at a time Nigerians were being ravaged by insurgents, kidnappers and bandits. The APC chieftain stated this in Ijero Ekiti at the weekend when he empowered her constituents.

Some of the thing donated included a three-bedroom building to an 80-year widow, Mrs. Omowe Olaleye; 11 Toyota Sienna vans, 58 sowing machines, 56 motorbikes, 100 generating sets, 40 wheel chairs, 100 grinding machines and cash gifts to hundreds students and widows. The lawmaker lampooned the AGF over the comment, saying the House of Representatives respectfully invited President Buhari to speak on the security situation of the country based on the frustration and agitations by Nigerians. According to her, “Security is the foremost agitation of all Nigerians now. If you look at the ways banditry, kidnapping and insurgency are thriving, we can only hope that the government would do the needful.

CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS...

L–R: President, Painted Taxi, Mr. Shehu Shugaba Paradus; Co-founder, Nairaxi Transport and Logistic Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Elizaberth Omale; Deputy Corps Commander, Ms. Lucie Sammmuel Mhii; and Chief Executive Officer, Nairaxi, Mr. Kingsley Eze, at the Nairaxi Drivers’ Pre –launch Meetup Conference in Abuja... recently GODWIN OMOIGUI

Obasanjo: How Bajowa Saved Me from Being Killed By Dimka James Sowole in Akure Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday disclosed that it was General Olu Bajowa that saved him from being killed by Lieutenant Colonel Buka Dimka in the February 13, 1976 military coup d’etat. Obasanjo made the revelation at Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, while speaking at the celebration of Bajowa’s 80th birthday. “I want to say something about Olu either he knew it or he did not know. When Dimka coup came, if Olu had not been what and what he is, I would have

gone with the coup. “Let me tell you the story. Olu is very respectful. He is very conscious of our culture. He had a child, a boy, and wanted to name the child after me. He had to call me early in the morning, that morning that Dimka struck. “And because Olu said he was coming, I had to wait a little bit. I waited beyond the time I would have gone out. “Olu then came, he made the request and I granted the request. “So, I was a little bit late in going on the route that I normally took to work. And Reinumuje went ahead of me and they thought it was me and they

shot his car. They shot his car, Murtala was shot. “Indirectly, that is how Olu Bajowa saved my life,” he stated. Describing Bajowa as a performing soldier, he revealed that Bajowa performed very well when he(Obasanjo) drafted him to go and lead 11 Battalion during the nation’s civil war. In another development, the Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has called on owners of local radio stations to dwell more in educating and disseminating information in local languages. He made the call while inaugurating a new radio station

in commemoration of the 80th birthday of Bajowa at Okitipupa. The governor commended Bajowa for the pivotal role he’s performing towards development of the Southern Senatorial District of the state. While speaking earlier, General Bajowa, disclosed that the aim of establishing the radio station was “to complement the effort of government in reviving and promoting Ikale, Ilaje, IjawApoi and Ijaw-Arogbo culture, tradition, custom and by extension the Yoruba heritage, which are now becoming abandoned or extinct.

Order EFCC toVacate Tompolo’s Property, Unfreeze Accounts, Group Tells Buhari Sylvester Idown in Warri A militant group, the 21st Century Youths of the Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently intervene in the alleged refusal of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to vacate the property of Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo and unfreeze his accounts. The group, in an electronic mail statement yesterday by its Coordinator, ‘General’ Izon Ebi, said the appeal became necessary to avoid the development

snowballing into another round of unrest and agitations in the Niger Delta region. The 21st CYNDAC said it was disheartening and provocative for the EFCC to refuse to obey a valid court decision of discharging and acquitting Tompolo of wrongdoings. It said the alleged unjust treatment being meted out to Tompolo and his family by the EFCC and other Federal Government agencies was the height of oppression taken too far on one of the illustrious, beloved and most respected leaders in the Niger Delta. The group said the Ijaw nation

and the youths of the Niger Delta would no longer fold their arms and watch a good and highly respected leader being unjustly framed up politically and descended upon with federal might by perceived enemies of the region. The 21st CYNDAC said: “We are therefore calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly intervene to show that he means well for the Niger Delta and its people as promised in the just concluded roundtable discussion between governors from the region, traditional rulers and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to douse tensions

and reassure Niger Deltans that without peace there will be no meaningful development. “After 30 days of this appeal, we shall have no choice but to mobilise youths and women to occupy Tompolo’s properties to enable the workers that are out of jobs as a result of the seal off of his properties to resume work immediately for them to be able to fend for their families. “The peace in the creeks of the Niger Delta can be greatly attributed to Tompolo’s efforts and commitment to maintain peace. Therefore, the onus lies on the Federal Government to do the needful.”

MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

N’Assembly Has Transmitted 2021 Budget to Presidency, Says Senator Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Barau Jubrin, yesterday disclosed that the National Assembly has transmitted the 2021 Appropriation Bill to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent. The two chambers of the National Assembly had last Monday passed the appropriation bill which is to the tune of N13,588,027,886,175 as an aggregate expenditure. The passage of the appropriation bill was done during an emergency session convened for the purpose of passing the budget. The approved budget figure by the National Assembly comprises: total Capital Supplementation of N1,060,751,051,650 and total Capital Expenditure of N4,125,149,354,222, Statutory Transfer stands at N496,528,471,273; Recurrent Expenditure of N5,641,970,060,680 and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of three per cent. The passed budget bill by the National Assembly also provided the sum of N3,324,380,000 trillion for debt servicing. According to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Barau Jubrin, “the harmonised version of the Senate and House of

Representatives of the 2021 budget has since been transmitted to the appropriate quarters at the presidency. “As far as the National Assembly is concerned, we have transmitted the 2021 budget to the appropriate quarters. We don’t know when it would be signed into law,” he said. Also, Senator Barau Jubrin said that he is not in the know if the presidency is raising any objection to the budget bill as passed by the National Assembly. Reminded that the year is almost gone, the Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriation said: “It could signed any time, we cannot dictate to them when the budget bill will be signed into law.” It is not clear whether the increase of the budget bill by N505,607,317,942 by the National Assembly would be acceptable to the executive arm of government as it is in the habit of, in most cases, refusing approval, insisting on amendments. The presidency has between Monday to Thursday to sign the budget bill into law to effectively give it the January to December authority. The budget estimate was increased by the sum of N505,607,317,942 from the estimate of N13,082,420,568,233 presented to the joint sitting of National Assembly by President

Amaechi: There’s Need to Renegotiate Nigeria’s Unity David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka First Republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, has reassured his commitment to championing the unity of Nigeria. He said he had and would never slack in discussing issues concerning the country, including the unity of Nigeria, especially when the negotiation would guarantee equity and equality, and also quell agitations by parts of the country. Speaking yesterday at his country home in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, during a press conference organised by Global Movement for Igbo Presidency (GLOMIP), the elder statesman called for the renegotiation of the unity of Nigeria to ensure equity for all. He said, “Whatever concerns the betterment of Nigeria, I will always take part in it. I’m the only surviving member of our set. “We know how hard we

fought to achieve independence for Nigeria, and up till today, I still look forward to a better Nigeria. Whatever concerns Nigeria, I will not take a backseat, that is why I accepted when I was told to be a part of this press conference by GLOMIP. “I am one of those who fought for independence. I suffered incarceration, and apart from being a member of NCNC, I was a member of the Zikist Movement, the radical wing of the party. I have been in prison many times because of the independence of Nigeria and my first imprisonment was at the age of 21. “There is a need to come together and renegotiate the basis of our unity for equity sake. This part of the country (Southeast) has been marginalized for too long. The only renegotiation will quell the agitations by some people in the country.” Earlier, the Leader of GLOMIP, Mr Kennedy Iyere, stressed that Nigeria deserved a better deal than what was presently on the ground.

Silas Abosi for Burial The former Sales Manager of Eternit Limited, Sapele and a prominent community leader of Ezihe in Mbano, Imo State, Mr Silas Abosi will be buried on January 5, 2021 in his home town. Abosi died in October 2020 after a brief illness. He was aged 71. His burial rites will start with a service of songs in Mbano on January 4 in his home town. The late Abosi is survived by children and other numerous relations among whom are his

daughter, Mrs Ugonna Ofulue and son, Emeka.

Silas Abosi

Muhammadu Buhari on October 8, 2020. The highlights of the bill out of the total sum of N13,588,027,886,175 for the fiscal year 2021, has N496,528,471,273 for Statutory transfers; N3,324,380,000,000 is for Debt Service; N5,641,970,060,680 is for Recurrent Expenditure; and N4,125,149,354,222 for Capital Expenditure. The 2021 budget is predicated

on the parameters approved by the National Assembly when it considered the Medium Term Expenditure Framework/Fiscal Strategy Paper. The Benchmark Price of Crude Oil was fixed at $40 per barrel; crude oil production at 1.86mbpd; exchange rate at N379/US$; and Gross Domestic Production (GDP) Growth Rate at 3.00 per cent. The Budget Deficit of N5,196,007,992,292 will be

financed from sale of assets and privatisation with projected estimate of N205,153,707,813 while N709,685,716,725 is expected from multilateral/ bilateral project- tied loans. For Capital Expenditure in the year 2021, the sum of N24,090,340,416 was budgeted for the presidency; N127,850,984,984 for Ministry of Defence; N7,994,280,245 for Ministry of Foreign Affairs; N19,721,066,865 for Federal Ministry of Information

and Culture; N38,846,293,565 for Ministry of Interior; N2,491,111,568 for Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; N218,432,074 for Auditor General of the Federation; N17,882,480,948 for Ministry of Police Affairs; N17,664,285,343 for Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy; and N45,647,587,613 for the Office of the National Security Adviser.

WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU...

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma (left), with Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri ...yesterday

Rivers to Re-impose Lockdown over Second Wave of COVID-19 Davidson Iriekpen Governor Nyesom Wike said he will re-impose lockdown from January 2021, following the rising number of new cases of COVID-19 in Rivers State. Wike gave the hint during a thanksgiving ceremony held for Mrs. Priscilla Nwanediye Mark on her 90th birthday at the St. Martin’s Anglican Church, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government yesterday. The governor in a statement by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, described as worrisome the refusal of most churches and markets in the state to enforce the compulsory wearing of facemask in adherence to COVID-19 protocol.

The governor said the state government had initially relaxed the restriction on the number of persons who worship in churches, but with the second wave of COVID-19, he will by this week announce new stringent measures to check the spread of COVID-19 cases in the state. “When you go to some churches, they don’t wear masks. Go to the market, they don’t wear masks. They believe COVID is not real. It’s not real because it has not happened to you; nobody had died whom you know. When somebody has died and the person was close to you, you will know that Covid is real. “So, it is real and I want to appeal to all of you that we have to be more strict now because the

second wave is more dangerous than the first wave. It’s very, very dangerous. I know how many people we have lost since the second wave started,” he stated. Wike implored the Bishop of Diocese of Ikwerre to prevail on members of all the churches under his jurisdiction to always wear their facemasks and observe extant protocols aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. “If you don’t comply, I have no choice, but to shut down the churches; Pentecostal, Catholic, Anglican. I have no choice, because when you have it, who spends the money? It is the state that treats. So, we need to use the money for some other things, but not for this. Let us discipline ourselves and know that COVID is real.

Let nobody tell you that there is nothing like COVID. It’s real.” The governor urged leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ikwerre Local government area to use Mrs. Mark’s 90th birthday to work in unison for the development of the area. He also used the occasion to extol the chairman of Ikwerre local government, Samuel Nwanosike for his commitment to the development of the area but urged the council boss to respect party leaders and ensure that all stakeholders work in unison to move the State forward. The governor who was accompanied by the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, announced the donation of N50 million to the church.

Kwara Gets Accreditation to Train Resident Doctors Hammid Shittu in Ilorin The Ilorin General Hospital has been accredited to train resident doctors after it was adjudged fit for that purpose by the Faculty Board of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. The hospital has also been accredited to train resident doctors in family medicine, according to a correspondence from the West African College of Physicians. The accreditation, which is the first in the history of the state’s premier general hospital, followed its fulfillment of several criteria such as relevant equipments needed for such postgraduate training. In a letter dated December 10, 2020 and addressed to the Chief Medical Director of the Ilorin General Hospital Dr. Ahmed Abdulkadir, the College

Registrar Dr Owoidoho Udofia said the accreditation was based on the report of its accreditation visitation panel which certified the programmes and facilities of “your hospital for training Residents in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.” “Senate approved that your institution should awarded partial accreditation for two years to train 15 Resident Doctors; four Senior Residents and 11 Junior Residents with effect from October 9, 2020,” according to the correspondence. The accreditation for family medicine followed an assessment of the General Hospital by the accreditation team of the West African College of Physicians. “Sequel to the report of the accreditation team that visited your institution on the 5th October 2020, the Council on behalf of the West African College of Physicians, sitting on the 1st November, 2020, granted your institution temporary accreditation for 2 years to train

residents (18) membership and (9) fellowship,” according to a letter signed by the College’s Secretary General Dr Albert Akpalu and addressed to the CMD of the General Hospital. Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters Professor Adekunle Dunmade said the accreditation reflects the investments the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has made in the health sector, including in the General Hospital which is fast “regaining its old glory.” “Before you can have a postgraduate College to say you are okay to train postgraduate doctors, you must have met some minimum standards and that is what we have met and that is why we have the accreditation to train postgraduate doctors in specialisation in family medicine and O&G. It is not a small achievement, some teaching hospitals lose their accreditation if they fall short of the

standards expected of them, so this is a great plus to this administration,” he said. “We have some specific equipments that were not there before that are now there. The organisation of the hospital is also a very important issue. Before now, you had to go to the central laboratory to do certain investigations but we now have side laboratories within the clinic. These are some of the yardsticks to monitor. Then the record system is now decentralised, among many other criteria already satisfied.” Dunmade said the administration has clearly raised the bar in the health sector, including resuscitating the labour Ward theatre of the General Hospital with anaesthetic machines, resuscitaire, multiparametre monitors, and oxygen concentrators — which were not available before.

MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

Bandits Raid Kuchi Community in Niger, Kidnap 17 Laleye Dipo in Minna There seems to be no respite for some communities in Niger State as bandits continue to raid villages, abduct residents and loot property. A the weekend, the bandits were in another part of the Niger East senatorial district, where they wreaked havoc on innocent

people. During the invasion of Kuchi town in Munya Local Government Area by about 50 heavily-armed criminals, 17 people, including the father and mother of the former council Chairman, Malam Yahuza Abdullahi, were abducted. Those kidnapped, according to a report from the area, also

include a medical doctor, two nursing mothers and their two-week-old babies. The raid, it was further gathered, lasted over two hours without any security operative countering the bandits According to the report, the large number of the

bandits and the sophistication of their weapons completely overwhelmed the local vigilante, making them to disperse. It was gathered that the Munya LGA Chairman, Malam Garba Daza, has gone into hiding as a result of the frequent attacks on communities in his area.

Daza could no longer be reached either physically or through his cell phone. The member representing the area in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Andrew Jagaba, when contacted on the phone, confirmed the incident. Jagaba lamented that “in fact

the entire community has been devastated; the people are in disarray and now live in fear.” The lawmaker, however, said he was informed that security operatives have now been deployed in the area to repel the bandits “who are still hiding in the forest.”

Catholic Clerics Endorse Obi for Presidency Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Onitsha Archdiocesan Health Coordinator, in Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Basil Ekwunife, and the Chairman of Onitsha Archdiocesan Hospital Board, Rev Fr. Patrick Omuta, have both described the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, as the man who has the knowledge, character, passion, drive and integrity to lift Nigeria from present decadence. The clerics made the comment on Obi during the end of the year party organised by Holy Rosary Specialist Hospital and Maternity, Waterside Onitsha. A statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Valentine Obienu, said the two clergymen applauded Obi for his philanthropic gestures across the country, most of which they said do not often get the media attention. According to the statement, “We are always proud to have Peter Obi in our midst because we know how great a leader and accomplished achiever he is. He had his first cry and

first smile as a newly born baby in this hospital. Over the years, he has continued to spread that same smile through his responsible governance, philanthropic gestures and deep insights into issues of national importance.” Omuta particularly praised Obi for his simplicity, humility and humane approach to issues. The high point of the event was the donation of N1 million to the hospital by Obi. Obi, who is a former state governor, said he would never be tired of investing in and supporting the health sector, adding that he will always make sacrifices to ensure that society is rid of diseases. He lauded the church for always maintaining the standards of hospitals, schools and other establishments under its care, saying such is the kind of beneficial partnership between the church and the government that should be encouraged for societal development. The Manager of Holy Rosary Specialist Hospital and Maternity, Water-Side, Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Francis Ojukwu, also commended Obi for his consistent lifestyle of philanthropy.

Edo APC, PDP Differ over Reinstatement of Council Chairman Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the state All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday engaged in war of words over compliance by the state government with a court ruling reinstating the suspended Chairman of the Etsako East Local Government Area, Hon Aremiyau Momoh, by the state High Court. Justice Daniel Okungbowa of the state High Court had in a judgment delivered last week, declared as illegal, null and void the suspension of the council chairman by the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki. In a letter written by the state Caretaker Committee of APC and signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Col. David Imuse and Lawrence Okah respectively, to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, APC accused the state governor of allegedly obstructing the implementation of the court judgment, which they said is declarative. Part of the letter read: “Take note that the said judgment is a declarative one, which no higher court has held otherwise for now. “While we count on your proactive response in enforcing

this judgment, please accept the assurance of our warm regard. Attached herewith is the certified true copy of the judgment.” Imuse had also alleged in an interview that “Edo State has a governor who does not have one iota of respect for the judicial and legislative arms of government or the rule of law, although he regularly runs to the courts on the most frivolous of excuses.” Reacting to the development, however, the state Chairman of PDP, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, said the state government had already appealed the ruling to a higher court. Azegbiemi’s reaction was contained in a statement signed by the party Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare. According to him, “As for the complaint about the situation in Etsako East LGA, the state government is exercising its constitutional right for an appeal, and has along that line, filed for an appeal. It has also filed for a ‘stay of execution’ on that judgment. Therefore, the status quo remains, a n d only the court can make a pronouncement on the matter and not the APC.”

TOUR OF ISOLATION CENTRES...

L-R: Minister, Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello; Acting Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, Dr. Kelvin Ike; Acting Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Muhammed Kawu; Acting Director, Department of Public Health, Dr Saddique Abdulrahman; and Head, Medical Team, Idu Isolation and Treatment Centre, Dr. Rotimi Olusuaji, during the tour of the Centre by the FCT Minister in Abuja... recently

ASUU’s Persistent Strikes Aiding Boko Haram, Says DG PGF Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Director-General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Salihu Lukman, has warned that the persistent strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is grossly helping in the actualisation of the philosophy of Boko Haram of destroying the country’s education system. He lamented that a situation where the country’s universities were closed for over four years within two decades was antithetical to development of the nation’s education sector. Until December 23, the country’s public universities have been closed down since March due to industrial action by the academic staff of the nation’s ivory towers. The PGF boss in a statement on Sunday in Abuja titled, “ASUU and Indeterminate Power Struggle – The Boko Haram Logic”, called for a more determined approach to resolving the lingering crisis in the nation’s tertiary education sector and halt the occasional resort to strikes by ASUU, lamenting that,

” in the last twenty-one years, ASUU was on strike for a record period of more than four years.” Lukman noted with disdain that the education sector has suffered huge damage due to persistent resort to strike by the University lecturers, a development he lamented that some respected Nigerian academics have often publicly celebrated by arguing that ASUU has never lost any struggle against the Nigerian government, whether military or civilian. “These are being said without any remorse or acknowledgement of the damage ASUU strikes have done to the Nigerian educational system. That we are even thinking that closure of universities and our schools can produce any form of victory with reference to any form of outcome demonstrates our nasty state of mind, which brings us closer to the Hobbesian reality that civilisation would have long resolved. “How can anyone with a child whose dream and aspiration should include being educated, celebrate in any form the closure of schools? What difference is such

a logic from the Boko Haram objective of abolishing western education? “It is very sad that it is common knowledge now that in the last twenty-one years, ASUU was on strike for a record period of more than four years. Worse still is the fact that we have people who claim to be public intellectuals that present such a reprehensible scorecard and by any standard a scandalous credential as achievement is sickening. “At this rate, we may as well accept that Boko Haram terrorists are also public intellectuals. In any event, who is a public intellectual? Aren’t Boko Haram terrorists engaged in critical thinking, research and reflections? If their mission is to abolish western education, how farther away from that mission is the activity of any group that causes closure of our universities for nine months in one academic calendar? “If our universities are closed for nine months, what does that mean to the remainder of the education system? Assuming that secondary students are able to pass their exams, will they gain admission

into universities? Where will the space come from when existing students have not graduated?” Lukman demanded. The PGF boss then warned that unless both federal government and ASUU are able to produce a clearly outlined sources of mobilising the funds to implement the provisions of the December 23, 2020 agreement, it is safer to assume that the agreement is already in breach. “With reference to funding, there are issues that are beyond ASUU and therefore any agreement with ASUU may likely be a source of dispute with other sections of the university community and educational sector, including students. Already, from the agreement with ASUU, this is implied given that part of the N40 billion disbursed for earned academic allowances is to be shared with non-academic staff. “After exhausting the N40 billion, what next? Should we assume that it will be the end of allowances in Nigerian public universities? Certainly not. If there are new earned academic allowances, how will the resources be generated?

Army Refurbishes 19 Operational Vehicles in Bauchi Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi As part of efforts to enhance the country’s security architecture, the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps (NAAC) in Bauchi State has refurbished 19 of its war vehicles for use by its troops. Inaugurating the refurbished ‘B’ vehicles at the NAAC headquarters in Bauchi, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt General Tukur Buratai, said the gesture was in line with the

policy of the Nigerian Army to prepare and boost the morale of its personnel to combat terrorists in the country. The refurbished vehicles, which were the initiative of the Commander of Army Corp, Major General Mohammed Magaji, included three TCVs, DAF Truck, Steyr Truck, Seven Ford Rangers, four Nissan pick, a Toyota Hilux among others. The COAS, who was represented by the Head of

Policy and Planning, Army Headquarters, Lt General Lamidi Oyebade Adeosun, said the efforts of NACC in the refurbishment of the vehicles would go a long way in improving the operational capabilities of the army personnel. He said the idea to refurbish the war vehicles would help equip officers that would be deployed to war zones with healthy vehicles to enable them succeed. The chief of army staff, who

hailed the army armoured corps action, promised that the army headquarters is ever ready to support all army formations nationwide to discharge their statutory duties. According to him, “The military have the mandate of providing external security to Nigeria by protecting its territories,” just as he charged the troops to deal decisively with criminals across the country.

˜ ͺ΀˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

MONDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

NPFL: Kwara Utd Stun Former Champions, Plateau Utd in Jos MFM FC bag full points against Warri Wolves

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) made its return after a seven months absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic with six matches of the 2020/21 season played. It was an action packed first day of the season which saw 12 goals scored and a shock result in Jos where 2017 champions, Plateau United were beaten at home 2-0 by Kwara United. In Jos, Plateau United were stunned by Kwara United at the New Jos Stadium. After a goalless first half which saw little clear cut chances, it was the visitors who scored two goals in five minutes, midway through the second half. First it was Jide Fatokun who scored on the 62nd minute while Michael Ohanu got the second on the 67th minute to ensure that Kwara United picked up all three points.

NPFL MATCHDAY Adamawa Utd 1-1 K’Pillars Nasarawa Utd 2-1 Wikki Plateau Utd 0-2 Kwara Utd Jigawa GS 1-0 Sunshine IfeanyiUbah 1-0 Lobi MFM FC 2-1 Warri Wolves TODAY @4pm Katsina Utd v Heartland FC Akwa Utd v Dakkarda FC TUESDAY Enyimba v Abia Warriors WEDNESDAY Rivers Utd v Rangers

At Nnewi, FC IfeanyiUbah started their season on a winning note after beating Lobi Stars 1-0 at the FC IfeanyiUbah stadium. Nonso Nzediegwu scored on the 47th minute and it proved to be the winner as the Anambra Warriors held on till the end of the game. At the Agege Township Stadium In Lagos, MFM FC got off to a fast start against Warri Wolves as they were two goals up within the the first 25 minutes. Ebenezer Odeyemi scored the first goal on the 7th minute while Balogun Muyiwa scored the second on the 23rd minute. However, Warri Wolves pulled one back on the 27th minute through John Chinedu but their inability to covert their chances in the second half meant that MFM won all three points as the match ended 2-1. In Lafia, Nasarawa United came from a goal down to beat Wikki Tourists 2-1 at the Lafia Township Stadium. Promise Damala had given Wikki an early lead on the 4th minute but that didn’t last long as Nasarawa United equalized through an Emmanuel Ihionu own goal. United’s winner came in the 52nd minute through Reuben Nicodemus in what was a hard-fought win. In Gombe, a late Musa Abdullahi own goal on the 74th minute meant that Adamawa United and Kano Pillars shared

Ronaldo Beats Messi to Player of The Century Award Portugal and Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo has been named Player of the Century ahead of rival Lionel Messi at the 2020 Globe Soccer Awards. Other players who lost out to Ronaldo were Brazilian legend Ronaldinho and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Egypt. Ronaldo was voted to be the best player between 2001 and 2020, at a star studded event held in Dubai, after winning five Champions League titles, three Premier Leagues with Manchester United and two LaLiga trophies with Real Madrid, as well as the Nations League with Portugal. “Thank you, to everyone who voted for me, to my family, to my mother and sisters,” Cristiano said. “It is an exceptional achievement. It gives me the

motivation to move forward. “To be named the best is a great honour, I hope that this situation is over next year and that we can have more fun, thank you very much. I hope to still be able to play for more years.” Elsewhere at the Globe Soccer Awards, Real Madrid won Club of the Century, Robert Lewandowski won Best Player of the Year, Bayern’s Dieter Flick lifted the Best Coach of the Year award, and Iker Casillas was handed a Player Career Award. MARCA was the official newspaper of the Globe Soccer Awards for the 2020 edition, with finalists chosen by fans from all over the world, as well as a 25-member jury which included the likes of Eric Abidal, Antonio Conte and Deco.

the points as the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Veteran striker Rabiu Ali had

given Kano Pillars the lead in 14th minute. There was also a late goal

in Kaduna as Jigawa Golden Stars defeated Sunshine Stars 1-0.

Onukwube Emeka scored the all important goal in the 78th minute for Jigawa Stars.

Semi Ajayi celebrating his goal that earned West Brom a point at Liverpool...yesterday

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ajayi Scores Late Equaliser to Earn West Brom Point at Liverpool Super Eagles defender, Semi Ajayi, scored a dramatic late equaliser against leaders Liverpool to earn struggling West Brom their first point since Sam Allardyce took charge. Jurgen Klopp’s side looked to be going five points clear at the top of the table when Sadio Mane chested down Joel Matip’s long ball forward to fire past Sam Johnstone. Liverpool dominated for long periods without adding to their lead but the Baggies improved after the break and equalised in the 83rd minute. Ajayi leapt high above the home defence to send a header in off the post to spark jubilant celebrations from the away team

at Anfield. West Brom keeper Johnstone made a superb save to deny Roberto Firmino a winner near the end. There was a deep sense of frustration at full-time from Liverpool’s players after they dropped league points at Anfield for the first time this season. Klopp walked to the Kop to acknowledge the 2,000 fans allowed into the ground as the home team headed for the dressing room knowing they had let two points slip. It has been a monumental 2020 with the Reds ending a 30-year wait for a league title, but this was not the result they wanted in their final home game of 2020.

Klopp’s side dominated the first half, enjoying 84% possession, but were unable to add to a sumptuous finish by Senegal forward Mane. Their dominance was highlighted by captain Jordan Henderson, who completed 39 more passes (85) than West Brom as a team (46) before half-time. But the visitors were livelier after the break and, after Liverpool lost defender Joel Matip to injury, the hosts allowed West Brom a way back. Alisson did well to keep out Karlan Grant after the forward had got the better of Rhys Williams before Ajayi’s equaliser. Johnstone’s save to keep out Firmino at the end only added to Liverpool’s frustration, their

lead at the top now three points. It looked like it was going to be a long afternoon for West Brom when Mane struck early but the Baggies dug deep to return to the Black Country with a crucial point. This result will give Allardyce, the last opposition manager to win a Premier League game at Anfield, with Crystal Palace in April 2017, huge encouragement as he looks to keep his new team in the Premier League. A week after being beaten 3-0 at home by Aston Villa in his first game in charge, West Brom refused to go under against the leaders and showed the spirit and character needed in a relegation battle.

Balogun Linked with January Transfer to Liverpool

Arsenal Nigerian striker Folarin Balogun has been linked with Liverpool ahead of the January transfer window. Balogun, 19, looks to be a major star of the future after making his first-team breakthrough this season. However, his contract at Emirates Stadium expires this summer and Arsenal have held talks over an extension. But an agreement is yet to be reached – and according to the Daily Star Sunday Liverpool are lurking. They state, via The Athletic, that Jurgen Klopp’s side are huge admirers of the player

and with talks failing to result in an agreement, they claim his exit from North London is looking increasingly likely. That could see Balogun make a free transfer switch to Anfield in the summer. However, the report states there is also overseas interest in the striker from the Bundesliga. Indeed, Arsenal are growing increasingly worried as Balogun can negotiate with interested foreign suitors from January 1. Mikel Arteta remains hopeful Arsenal could yet convince Balogun to sign a new deal.

After a 4-2 win over Dundalk in the Europa League, Balogun scored one and set up another. Arteta said: “We are having some discussions with the player. “He knows we want to retain him at the club. We know the length of his contract at the moment is an issue but we are trying to resolve it in the best possible way. “We want him to stay and he told me he wants to stay at the club. Hopefully we can reach an agreement and extend his contract.” Balogun has featured heavily for Arsenal’s U23s this term, scoring four goals

and notching two assists in Premier League 2.

Folarin Balogun has been linked with summer transfer to Liverpoo

Neymar Slammed in Brazil after ‘Hosting 500 at A- five-day Festive Party

Cristiano Ronaldo voted Sportsman of the Century

PSG star Neymar has been criticised after allegedly organising a five-day party in a resort near Rio de Janeiro for 500 revellers as his country’s coronavirus death toll surpasses 190,000. The footballer had a disco built with acoustic protection in an annexe of a mansion in

Mangaratiba on Rio’s famous Green Coast to stop neighbours hearing the noise, according to Brazilian newspaper O Globo. The mega bash is said to have started on December 25 and is due to continue until the New Year. Neymar owns a £6million mansion in Mangaratiba with

its own helipad and jetty which he bought in October 2016 and first used during a Christmas break two months later. But the property is undergoing renovation work at the moment and the Brazilian star is said to have rented a luxury villa for the bash according to reports in Brazil, despite some conflicting reports

outside of the South American country stating the main disco is in an underground bunker near the home he owns which he has used in the past. Neymar is said to have banned revellers from bringing mobiles to the party and hired a band to play for the duration of the party.

Monday December 28, 2020

UT H

& RE A SO

Price: N250

MISSILE

PDP to Presidency

“Our great nation now tends towards a leaderless society where terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, marauders and vandals have taken the lead, running riotous across our land while those who promised to protect lives and property have gone into hiding in Aso Presidential Villa” – Peoples Democratic Party berating the presidency for dismissing Financial Times’ alarm on Nigeria.

OKEYIKECHUKWU Bonuola, the Man and the Journalist EDIFYING ELUCIDATIONS

okey.ikechukwu@thisdaylive.com

e is at once a teacher, a student of life, a mentor without borders and a “gardener” who has a water can at all times for nurturing people; professionally and otherwise. He is also a man of great insight and professional competence, as well as a moderator of the values of self-development for those who really understand him. It is quite possible that those who really understand him are not many. He is his own man and rarely tries to explain, or justify, himself when confronted with a certain level of philistinism in people. But he always tries to do the best he knows at all times, insisting on excellence for as long as it lies in his power to enforce it. Bonuola does not make any concessions to journalistic mediocrity. He takes no prisoners in maintaining that the citadel of wisdom must not succumb to the assaults of folly. He is bold, unbelievably heroic, but in a most unobtrusive way. Curiously, Ladbone, as he is fondly called in media circles, does not raise his voice to make his point at any time. He is generally soft-spoken, relying on truth and logic as the final arbiter when issues arise calling for diverse perspectives. Not even when he is the lone defender of a point of view in a fully constituted Editorial Board meeting. What he does not push with the decibel of his voice, he pushes with the unassailable rigour of his submissions. The other week Mr. Lade Bonuola, former Managing Director of The Guardian Newspaper and Nigeria’s Journalist’s journalist, received the “Lifetime Award for Journalistic Excellence” from the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism. This is not one of those popular awards, for which all journalists apply, or make submissions. In these latter cases, the interested journalists would usually respond to the advertisements by sending in a certain number of what they consider their best published works, for evaluation. Such submissions are then collated for all contestants and assessed. Thereafter, winners are determined and announced. And, mind you, these awards are highly valued and cheerfully celebrated. They are also sometimes used to rate journalists. But the question remains: “What happens when some of the very best in the profession do not respond to such calls for submission of articles and write-ups”? Does that affect who, or what, they really are? But we are digressing. I first met Mr. Bonuola through the late Mr. Martins Itotoi. The latter, though an accomplished public figure and about twice my age at the time, was my student in the University of Lagos, where I was a lecturer in the Departmental Philosophy. He was an Evening Law Student from the Faculty of Law and was among those I taught Critical Thinking and Logic, Philosophy of Law and some aspects of Jurisprudence. The much older Itotoi repeatedly pressured me to visit the Managing Director of The Guardian with him. Though a few of my articles had been published in The Guardian before then, and I had also appeared a couple of times in The African Guardian weekly magazine, I really did not see any need to visit the head of the organisation. But Itotoi’s age, the fact that he always meant well and seemed to hold me in such high esteem made me to acquiesce

Bonuola out of politeness. So, we went to visit Mr. Bonuola. The latter received us with such joy, thanked Itotoi and then excused himself from Itotoi and some four other people in his office and went out with me. He personally took me round The Guardian premises. He showed me the library, the press, the newsroom, the Editorial Board room, explaining all the while the role of each of these in the organisation. While we were at it, one or two people would seek him out about some urgent matter; but he would tell them that the matter should wait until he was done. When we finally returned to his office, he dealt briskly with the people there, thanked Mr. Itotoi again and, there and then, told me that I was ripe for The Guardian Editorial Board and that I was welcome to take up the existing vacancy on the Board. Déjà vu! This sort of thing has been my experience ever since I left the university. I told him that I did not make any application and he said he knew. Then he repeated his assessment of me and said it was up to me to accept the offer and

get a letter of appointment or reject it. I still demurred and had to explain myself. “Sorry sir, but I do not jump at what people call ‘opportunities.’ It will only take one wrong step for someone to ruin his life. I only do what comes from my spirit, not just what offers a means of livelihood.” He interrupted with “certainly! Oh, certainly!” maintaining a subtly searching and unaffected steady gaze that neither tried to persuade nor plead. I continued: “I always pray for clarity in situations like this, so I would like to take time to know what The Guardian is about and make sure that joining the organization is the next and right step for me at this point in my life.” He merely smiled agreement and said “indeed. Take your time.” That was how I became a visiting member of The Guardian Editorial Board, in the first instance. Three months later, I walked into Mr. Bonuola’s office and said I was ready to join the Board. I was given a letter of appointment within five minutes of my entering his office. It was also in this same manner of head hunting that Ladbone sought out Uthman Shodipe who was in the Daily Times and, to the latter’s astonishment, offered him a job on The Guardian Editorial Board. The story is the same for scores of other individuals, including even those he “poached” from the Diaspora. Truth is: the pages of The Guardian offered me a much wider “classroom” and the Editorial Board was made up of people of such robust exposure, pedigree and self-certainty that it offered the vitality I sought, but saw receding, from the university system. Bonuola’s recent recognition does not fall within the sometimes-puerile hunting for recognition that has now come to characterise much of journalistic and other professional paths. Many do not send in an entry in response to some of this fad that has surreptitiously replaced independent and objective industry evaluations. We now have, all over the world, organisations that started off as custodians of professional values and then morphed repeatedly until they began to progressively outsource the very roles they set up shop to play. It is all thanks to superficiality, a growing

Bonuola’s recent recognition does not fall within the sometimes-puerile hunting for recognition that has now come to characterise much of journalistic and other professional paths. Many do not send in an entry in response to some of this fad that has surreptitiously replaced independent and objective industry evaluations. We now have, all over the world, organisations that started off as custodians of professional values and then morphed repeatedly until they began to progressively outsource the very roles they set up shop to play

culture of laziness at the level of gate keeping and a desperate desire for accolades by a fast-food generation with a low attention span. In what must have been a very demanding and thankless job for over 40 years, Lade Bonuola became a phenomenon in the newspaper industry; even as a sub-editor in the Daily Times; of which he later became features editor. He named his column ‘Caught Out’ and used the penname Ladbone, drawn from part of his first and last names. The column sought out common grammatical, syntactical and even factual errors in all the newspapers of the period. None was spared. It was an ombudsman’s ombudsman role of sorts that he inflicted on himself therewith. He was to later rise through the ranks and become Editor of the paper. He ended up part of the distinguished breed of media men involved in setting up the first Newspaper Editorial Board of Substance and stature in Nigeria in the Daily Times. Then he left as part of that seminal team that birthed The Guardian Newspapers in the early 80s. This brought about a new, fragrant and futuristic era of print media journalism in Nigeria. The newspaper, of which he was the pioneer editor from 1982-1988, quickly outclassed others in content and pedigree, to emerge the Flagship in the media firmament. He became Managing Director of the group a year later. A position he held until 1999. While at The Guardian, he projected such legal luminaries and public figures who added value to society as Frederick Rotimi Alade (FRA) Williams, Abdul-Ganiyu “Gani” Oyesola Fawehinmi, Kehinde Sofola. He introduced “Cause List” in The Guardian, the first in any Nigerian newspaper; as well as “Flight Guardian”, under which the flight schedules of all national carriers were published. His interest, and partiality for, spiritual and “religious” matters stemmed from his understanding of the fact that it is with knowledge, correct knowledge, that man live well on earth. He had high regard for Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God. The latter’s significant public visibility via the media, especially his column “Sunday Worship”, in The Guardian, had the instrumentality of Ladbone behind it. To be fair to The Guardian readership, and balance the religious plurality of our society, Bonuola got a popular Muslim cleric to write “Friday Worship.” He sought out one of Nigeria’s pioneering women writers, Mabel Segun (Nee Imoukhuede), for the children’s page. “Motoring Guardian,” for do-it-yourself (DIY) tips on car maintenance, was also born under his watch. In fact, this particular beat made it necessary for the organisation to seek out automobile engineers around the neighbouring Ladipo area to sustain the page and keep it contemporary. From The Guardian, Bonuola co-founded The Comet and served as the first Managing Director of the group, before becoming publisher of the Nigerian Compass. He is currently the Chairman, VerityHeights Bureau Limited, an online publication that seeks to deepen our understanding of life. His 2020 Lifetime Award for Journalistic Excellence is well deserved, given his outstanding impact on Nigerian journalism and generations of journalists, as well as his contributions to the growth of “newspapering’ in Nigeria.

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