Friday 20 March 2020
BUSINESS DAY
news JAMB disowns false information about rescheduling of 2020 UTME KELECHI EWUZIE
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he Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dissociated itself from any false information about the rescheduling of examinations being posted by persons or organisations in the name of the Board. The examination board observed with dismay that such misleading information has reportedly been sent through WhatsApp messages by individuals, with the intent to misinform candidates already preparing to sit for the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME. There is however news making the round on social media that All UTME Candidates whose exam were dated between Monday, 23, March Saturday, 4, April 2020 should take note that their exam has been rescheduled for tomorrow, Friday, 20 and March and Saturday, 21 March 2020. Fabian Benjamin, head
of Media and Information, JAMB while reacting to this in a telephone interview with BusinessDay explained that candidates are hereby notified that JAMB has not issued any such rescheduling of examination statement. Benjamin declared that the information did not emanate from the examination board, and called on candidates and the general public to disregard such news. He said the examination is going on as scheduled. Benjamin in an earlier statement disclosed that the over 1.9 million candidates registered for the examination, this being the highest that the board has ever recorded in the history of its examinations. According to Benjamin, a total of 669 out of the 747 centres across the country will be used for the conduct of the computer-based test (CBT). He called for the support and cooperation of stakeholders so as to collectively deliver on the public responsibility.
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FG wakes ‘sleeping dog’ as NLC threatens action if fuel price readjusted upward JOSHUA BASSEY
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he Federal Government may have inadvertently woken up a “sleeping dog” by its decision to cut the pump price of petrol from N145 to N125 per litre, as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to resist an upward readjustment of the slashed price. The labour threat comes as the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) says it is high time the Federal Government discontinued the fuel subsidy regime and allows the international price of crude to determine the price of fuel in the local market. Warning the government to tread with caution in view of the fact that Nigeria operates a mono economy driven by oil, Timothy Olawale, director-general of NECA, said, “Subsidy often leads to increase demand for fuel due
... hands off subsidy, says NECA to over use and waste arising from reduced price of the product, creating unnecessary shortage of supply.” Ayuba Wabba, president of the NLC, in a statement on Thursday, said it was with mixed feelings that the labour movement received the news of the pump price reduction. He said “while we appreciate that the step taken by government was in the right direction, we are concerned that the price reduction did not cut across the array of other refined petroleum products. We also wish to state that the recent price reduction would never address the endemic challenges and confusion in our downstream petroleum sub sector.” Wabba said the neglect by successive governments of the public petroleum refineries was tantamount to serious economic sabotage against the people.
“Our failure as a country to add value to our crude oil and the resort to the importation of refined petroleum products exposes us as the most unserious people who are negligent of their basic duties. There is no acceptable reason or basis for the continued importation of refined petroleum products into Nigeria,” he said. Wabba further argued that the downward adjustment of the pump price did not address the inefficiencies and corruption in the downstream petroleum sub sector, stressing that the persistence of the so-called ‘subsidy’ costs, pipeline vandalism, artisanal refining and smuggling indicated fundamental flaws with the management of petroleum resources and assets in Nigeria. Calling on the government to fix the refineries to boost local production of fuel, the NLC president said given the volatility in the
international crude oil market and susceptibility to shocks of the prices of refined petroleum products, periodic adjustment either upward or downward of products price would never assuage ordinary Nigerian. “We would not be surprised if the pump price of PMS is adjusted tomorrow to N200 or more and the same reason for the current downward review is canvassed by government.” In view of this, the NLC vowed that Nigerians movement would resist any future upward readjustment of fuel price. “We call on government to demonstrate patriotic governance of our national resources by ensuring the resuscitation of our four public petroleum refineries. We warn that Nigerians will resist any future increase in the price of refined petroleum prices. A stitch in time would save nine,” said Wabba.
Exclusive front-row tickets, more! - Amstel Malta AMVCA experience
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he Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) held recently at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos. The award, now in its seventh edition, was headline-sponsored by Amstel Malta. As usual, the awards delivered all the pomp and glamour it is recognised for, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment scene and audiences across Africa, and retaining its position as the most anticipated film and television awards in Africa. Leading up to the awards, headline sponsor, Amstel Malta, delivered on its promise of giving fans an exclusive, frontrow action to the AMVCAs. The brand kicked off in-store activations across major shopping outlets, surprising shoppers with the most coveted front-row tickets to the AMVCAs while the winner of the Fan Reporter online competition got exclusive front-row and back-stage access along with an incredible opportunity to interact with celebrities at the awards. There were more exciting pre-awards activities lined up, next on the list being a sponsored segment hosted by Dakore Egbuson on ‘The Spot’ - a light-hearted, bare-all interview
program - where movie fans connected to their favourite AMVCA nominated actors and actresses, Popular radio personality, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi (Gbemi O-O) was the host in yet another fun pre-award activation; fans who were able to guess the titles of the AMVCA-nominated movie soundtracks and scenes played on radio, won branded gifts. Fans were also able to follow in-the-moment, front-row action, live from the AMVCAs on Gbemi O-O’s twitter handle. In a non-film prize category, and as voted for by fans, Amstel Malta rewarded the best dressed of the night, both male and female. ‘Mike Edwards and ‘Mercy Eke, were voted winners and they both took home shopping vouchers worth N500,000 with a Nigerian designer of their choice. Speaking at the event Aminah Jagun, Senior Brand Manager, Amstel Malta, said; “Just as the AMVCA has, over the years, stayed true to its promise to support and celebrate outstanding achievements in Film and Television in Nollywood, Amstel Malta has also been a principal supporter for the growth of cinema and Theatre Arts.
Coronavirus: FG orders closure of Unity Schools Godsgift Onyedinefu
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he Federal Government has ordered the closure of all the 104 Unity Schools in the country, from March 26, 2020, as a proactive step aimed at preventing the spread of the dreaded coronavirus. Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, on Thursday said all the Principals of the Unity Colleges should fast-track the on-going second-term examinations and close shop until further notice. In the meantime, the Min-
ister said the management of all the Unity Colleges should immediately activate the necessary emergency procedures and processes such as the provision of alcohol-based sanitizers, and handwashing facilities among others, adding that students should strictly adhere to the principles and best practices of good hygiene. Adamu directed the Principals to immediately report any suspicious case to the nearest health authorities, emphasizing that nothing should be taken for granted at this delicate time of the global pandemic. www.businessday.ng
L-R: Tony Elumelu, chairman, Heirs Holdings; Ayo Animashaun, CEO, Smooth Promotions; Kemi Pinheiro, and Gboyega Akosile, chief press secretary to the governor of Lagos State, at the 50th birthday celebration of Ayo Animashaun and launch of the celebrant’s eponymous foundation.
CPS: Edo presents N6.97m to families of deceased civil servants
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do State governor, Godwin Obaseki, has presented N6.97 million to four families whose relatives died while actively serving with the Edo State government. Governor Obaseki presented the cheques to the beneficiary families at the Government House, Benin City. The governor, who was represented by the head of service, Isaac Ehiozuwa, said the presentation of the cheques to the families of the deceased civil servants was in line with the Pension Reform Act of 2014 and the Edo State Law of 2010 (as amended). He said the provision under sections 8(1) and 11(3), respectively, provided for the establishment of a Group Life Insurance policy for all employees in the scheme where the sum of three times the last annual salary of a deceased employee is paid to the beneficiaries. He noted that the state government implemented the policy to show concern to the
families of the deceased civil servants, urging the families to use the money judiciously. He said, “When somebody dies, he or she is entitled to 300 percent of the annual salary he or she earned at the time of death.” Obaseki added that the Group Life Insurance policy is different from entitlements of the pensions and gratuity the civil servants would have gotten at the point of retirement, adding that the programme is designed in a way that immediate succour is provided to the families of the deceased families in the event of death. The deceased civil servants whose families benefitted from the programme include, Ekhator Grace Ejemen; Osariemen Omoruyi; Imasuen Iyobosa, and Aikoroje Ohiosimuan. One of the beneficiaries, Esther Osariemen expressed appreciation to the state government for the gesture, noting, “I was not even expecting any money. I promise to use the money judiciously.”
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Reps to probe non-recovery of N81.502bn from defaulting firms under Anchor Borrowers, CBN, others James Kwen, Abuja
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he House of Representatives Thursday mandated its committees on Agricultural Production and Services and Banking and Currency to investigative the nonrecovery of N81, 502,822,030.31 from defaulting companies under the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP). The committees are also authorised to investigate the role of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) and other relevant bodies involved in the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ASP) and report back within four weeks for further legislative action. These resolutions were reached at plenary sequel to the adoption of a motion: “Need to Investigate the Usage of Funds Disbursed by the Bank of Agriculture to Anchor Companies under the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP),” sponsored @Businessdayng
by Sergius Ose-Ogun (PDP, Edo). Presenting the motion, Ose-Ogun said the House was aware that the CBN in line with its mandate, established the ABP, which was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 17, 2015, with the intent to create a linkage between anchor companies involved in processing and the Small Holder Farmers (SHFs) of key agricultural commodities. According to Ose-Ogun, the House is also aware that the thrust of the ABP is the provision of loans to small holder farmers to boost production of key agricultural commodities like cereals (rice, maize, wheat etc.) cotton, roots and tubers (cassava, potatoes, yam, ginger etc.), tree crops (oil palm, cocoa, rubber etc.), legumes (soybean, sesame seed; cowpea etc.), tomato and livestock (fish, poultry, ruminants etc.), with the aim of stabilizing input supply to agro processors and address the country’s negative balance of payment on food.