Thursday, January 13, 2022 Edition

Thursday, January 13, 2022 / 10 Jumada II 1443 AH

UPDATE ON SCHOOL CHILDREN HELD CAPTIVE

Vol. 39 No. 021 N200

FEDERAL GOVT COLLEGE BIRNIN YAURI

School feeding programme to address child hunger – Minister

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Bandits demand N5m to free pregnant woman, abduct scores along Birnin Gwari - Kaduna highway

Zamfara killings: Matawalle threatens to arrest Bafarawa PG 5

Suspected murderer of a 300-Level student of the University of Jos Miss Jenniffa Anthony being presented to newsmen at the Police Headquarters in Jos on Wednesday (12/1/22).

Don’t be pawns to dubious groups, libelous publications - NUJ warns members PAGE 6

Suit seeking to stop Abba Kyari’s arrest, extradition stalled PAGE 2

Senate maps out strategy to triple revenue to GDP, as Lawan laments huge borrowing PAGE 16

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

NEWS CONTENTS News 2-14 Op.Ed

12-13

Politics 15-17 Stock Watch Business Metro

18 19-20 21

World Analysis 22 Africa News

23

World News

24

Suit seeking to stop Abba Kyari’s arrest, extradition stalled

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lawsuit that sought to prevent the Nigerian Police and Federation Attorney General AGF from arresting and extraditing DCP Deputy Police Commissioner Abba Kyari, who was suspended, stalled on Wednesday.

The lawsuit, marked FHC / ABJ / CS / 854/2021, was unable to proceed before Judge Donatus Okorowo due to the absence of counsel for the plaintiff and the defendants.

The Nigerian News Agency reports that the Incorporated Trustees of the Northern Peace Foundation filed the lawsuit on August 9, 2021, pleading with the court to grant a temporary injunction order against the police and AGF pending the

hearing and final determination. of the substantive claim.

When the matter was called, none of the parties’ attorneys was in court.

Judge Okorowo noted that although the case was filed on August 9, 2021, none of the defendants had received notice of the available court file.

According to the judge, there is no proof of delivery of the judicial file.

He also noted that neither the requesting attorney nor the defense attorney were in court.

“Either the applicant has lost interest in the case or the case is dropped,” he said.

Okorowo, who postponed the matter until February 10, ordered that hearing notices be

issued to the parties.

NAN reports that the matter, which was reassigned to Judge Okorowo, first came up today.

Judge Ahmed Mohammed, on August 19, 2021, refused to grant an ex parte request submitted by the group’s lawyer, Olukayode Ajulo, which sought to prevent the defendants from arresting and extraditing Kyari.

Ajulo had urged Judge Mohammed to grant the temporary injunction order against the two defendants pending the hearing and the final determination of the substantive claim.

The ex-parte request was fulfilled with a 21-paragraph emergency affidavit.

But after listening carefully to

the lawyer. Mohammed refused to grant the request to stop Kyari’s arrest and extradition by ex parte means.

Rather, the judge ordered the attorney to convert the ex-parte motion into a motion by notice and notify the police and AGF. The judge also ordered the plaintiff to notify the two defendants of all court proceedings regarding the case.

NAN reports that DCP Abba Kyari was allegedly indicted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, in an alleged multi-million naira advance fee fraud said to have been perpetrated by a Nigerian national, Ramon Olorunwa Abbass, popularly known as Hussipuppi.

Shonekan: Nigeria has lost a political colossus,true nationalist- Gov. Bello Page 8

Digest

25

Feature 26 Sports 30-31 Back Page

32

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Hon Ghali Garba Gidan Mutum Daya Member representing Kusada LGA in Katsina State House of Assembly KTHA and his counterpart representing Sabuwa LGA Hon Ibrahim Danjuma Macika (R) recently paid a condolence visit to the Katsina State Commissioner for Environment Alh Hamza Sule Faskari (middle) over the death of an APC elder Late Alh Garba Danbako Faskari who passed away recently.

Osun guber primary: PDP screens Ogunbiyi, Adeleke, 4 others By Folorunso Abuja

T

Alagbede,

he Mohammed Adoke, SAN, led Osun State Governorship Screening Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday screened six of the aspirants.

The PDP governorship primary in Osun State is scheduled to hold on March 9, this year Adoke, SAN, while answering questions from Journalists at the end of the close door exercise, which held at the Wadata House

national secretariat of the PDP, assured that the report of the committee will be ready in 48 hours time.

Adoke, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, explained that his committee only had few petitions to clarify in the course of the screening.

The screening committee, the Chairman assured, will work towards building necessary trust within the party members with a view to ensure the success of the party in the forthcoming elections.

Anenih, SAN, said, “There were just some few petitions which we needed to clarify.

“I can assure you that we shall turn in our report by the next 48hrs.

“Six of them turned in for the screening and we screened all of them and we are satisfied with the answers they gave us.

“We ensured that the process was transparent, we ensured that they were given fair hearing and we ensured that we executed the mandate given to us by the party.

“We ensured that we worked

with the dictates of our conscience and dictates of fairness.

“As a party in opposition, preparing to win the next election, we ensured we built the necessary trust within the party members so that we can work in tandem with our objective which is to win the Osun State election”, he said.

Among the aspirants screened yesterday were; Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Ademola Adeleke, Mr Dotun Babayemi, Mr Dele Adeleke and Omirin Emmanuel Oluseye

PAGE 3

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

NEWS

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

T

he Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has cautioned its members against being used as pawns to dubious groups and libelous publications.

The Union warned journalist not to yield their various platforms and civic space to individuals or groups out to settle personal scores or advance their personal interests in the guise of fighting corruption and promoting good governance.

In a statement signed by Assistant National Secretary of NUJ, Akorede Opeyemi, the union revealed that it received complaints from government officials and entities, that some groups masquerading as civil society, in connives with some journalists, to tarnish the good names and reputations of some officials in Ministries, Departments and Agencies especially in the oil and gas industry, regarding alleged corrupt acts.

The statement dated January 12, 2022, reminded journalist that “liability for libelous publications is not limited to the original author or publisher but extended to anyone who cause any libelous publication to be repeated, reposted or re-published, either personally or through any platform.

Reiterating the Union’s commitment to press freedom and of protection of journalists, Opeyemi, urged journalists to be guided by the Code of Ethics

Ag News Editor, Tobias Lengnam

Don’t be pawns to dubious groups, libelous publications - NUJ warns members

of the NUJ and be wary of individuals and entities who it has been established are doctoring statements of accounts.

The statement reads; ‘’It has become urgent and imperative to draw the attention of our members that in our ethical demand for good governance, transparency and accountability from all segments of society, we should not yield our various platforms and civic space to individuals or groups out to settle personal scores or advance their personal interests in the guise of fighting corruption and promotiing good governance. ‘’Over the past few weeks, the Union has been inunndated with complaints from government officials and entities, that some groups masquerading as civil

society in cohoot with some journalists, are out to tarnish the good names and reputations of some officials in Ministries, Departments and Agencies especially in the oil and gas industry, regarding alleged corrupt acts. ‘’While we applaud the commitment of credible groups to expose corruption and demand accountability, we are not unmindful of the antics of a few for personal gains. ‘’Only recently, an individual who claimed to be a journalist was fingered in the siege at the home of a Supreme Court Justice. ‘’As a Union committed to press freedom and the protection of journalists, we urge our colleagues to be guided by the Code of Ethics of the NUJ and

be wary of individuals and entities who we have gathered are doctoring statements of accounts and have photographed buildings, commercial and residential, of some public officials as being corrupt either for personal gains or vendetta. ‘’If any group feels strongly and are certain of their facts, they should petition the various anti-graft agencies and even approach the courts for an Order of Mandumus to compel the government to act. ‘’The Union wishes to remind our colleagues of the legal consequences for acts that bother on Criminal Defamation And Libel, and the willingness of these individuals and groups to use the journalist as the expendable in the event of legal challenge.

‘’It behoves on the Union to remind each and everyone of us that “liability for libelous publications is not limited to the original author or publisher thereof, but it also extends to and includes all those who, out of sheer ignorance, mischief or malice, or all, cause any libelous publication to be repeated, reposted or republished, either personally or through any platform for which they have control.” ‘’It is in this regard that the Union will not expend energy and scarce resources on matters that ordinarily should have been guarded against. ‘’However, the Union will not shirk away from any case(s) of witch-hunt or harassment and intimidation of any of its members doing their legitimate jobs.’’

Alao-Akala made indelible mark in governance - Gov. Bello

By Abubakar Yunusa,Abuja

K

ogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has sent condolences to the Government and people of Oyo State over the demise of former Governor, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala, who passed on in the early hours of Wednesday Alao-Akala, who won the gubernatorial election in 2007 and served until 2011, died at age 71.

The elder statesman reportedly died in his country home in Ogbomoso after battling an undisclosed ailment.

However, Governor Bello, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammed Onogwu, said the death of the former Governor is a great loss to the state owing to his contribution to governance.

“He served the state, contributing to all sectors including health and education.

He saw a need in improving the health sector and put the facilities in shape during his tenure. Otunba Alao-Akala will surely be missed by the people of the state.”

Vice Chancellor, University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya(L) with Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Choice Inn Limited, Chief Felix Akiga, during the signing of MoU on lease agreement between University of Jos and Royal Choice Inn Limited in Jos on Wednesday (12/1/22).

NDLEA arrests comedian, 3 others in Lagos raid – Official

T

he National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, arrested a parody creator, Sunday Joshua, popularly known on social media as “De-General” at a notorious drug store in Lagos.

NDLEA Director of Media and Promotion Femi Babafemi said this in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.

Babafemi said the suspect was arrested early Wednesday, following a raid by a notorious drug store on the Orchid Estate in the Lekki area of Lagos state.

He said NDLEA operatives acted on the basis of credible intelligence in raiding the drug store on the farm, where three suspects were arrested with illicit drugs.

He said the drugs seized from the suspects included 200 225mg sachets of Tramadol and 1.5kg of cannabis sativa.

According to Mr. Babafemi, in the course of the operation, some people, including the alleged merchant, escaped with bags suspected of containing exhibits.

He said a trail showed they came across a home located at 2B Saula Akinlolu Way, Orchid Estate, which was the residence of the 22-year-old comedian.

“The young people started making noise to avoid a search.

The operatives introduced themselves as NDLEA officers and underwent a search before entering.

“This was done and a search was conducted. The search led to the recovery of drug exhibits including cannabis sativa;

Tramadol 225mg, and some drug paraphernalia.

“This was after the suspect requested to videotape the search, which officers allowed out of courtesy.

“The video that was a trend on social networks was the moment when the suspect and his friends decided to interrupt the attempt to search the house.

“In his confessional statement in custody, the suspect admitted ownership of the drugs recovered from his home,” he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

PAGE 4

NEWS

Bandits demand N5m to free pregnant woman, as scores whisked away along Birnin Gwari - Kaduna highway From: Kaduna

Femi

Oyelola,

B

andits who raided Gbagyi Villa in Chikun Local Government Area on 10th January, 2022, contacted a relations of a deceased killed during the attack, demanding a ransom of five millions naira to

Students lament hike in fees at ABU Zaria, other varsities

free his pregnant wife.

A source close to the family said the bandits asked that their demands be taken with utmost importance.

A professional colleague of the late Gambo said they are in confusion on the next action to take.

It will be recalled that,

bandits on motorbikes, each carrying a rider and 2 others, attacked the Gbagyi Villa on Monday night, a community on the way to Kaduna Refinery, killing late Gambo and kidnapping his wife, children and many others.

Meanwhile, another gang of bandits yesterday abducted

unspecified numbers of traders travelling to Kano from Birnin Gwari Local Government of Kaduna State.

A driver who witnessed the incident told newsmen that the gunmen blocked the highway between Birnin Gwari and Kaduna at Unguwar Yako forest where they abducted the traders.

The source said the abducted persons were among dozens of travellers going from Birnin Gwari and neighbouring communities in Niger State to Kano on routine business trips.

Meanwhile, the police spokesperson in Kaduna, Mohammed Jalige, when contacted promised to call back.

By Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

S

tudents under the aegis of Coalition of Northern Groups, students wing lamented the outrageous fees being charged by ATBU Bauchi, ABU Zaria with over 100%, and Ibrahim Babaginda with over 69%increase as well.

The CNG students’ Wing, described the hike in tuition fees as untimely and immoral.

Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, the National Coordinator Students’ Wing CNG, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi said this singular act has not showcased the government’s responsiveness towards promoting inclusive education.

“We find it ridiculous and sad that stakeholders, particularly the lawmakers can not summon the courage to speak or stand with the people that sacrificed so much to see them in office at this trying time to demand an immediate reversal in the hike.

“It’s currently predicted that more girls will drop out of school following the current economic hardship, unemployment, poverty, and insecurity which is crippling most of the commercial activities, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

“It’s worrisome that this was coming at a time when promoting girl’s education was at the front burner of global discourse, especially in developing countries.”

National Flags flying at half-mast at the Presidential Villa in line with the Presidential directive that national flag be flown at half-mast following the death of former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, in Abuja on Wednesday (12/1/2022)

Fire kill kill infant in Benue From Uche Makurdi

Nnorom,

A

fire incident in Makurdi, Benue State capital city has claimed the life of three (3) months old child.

The incident happened in a suburb called Awe Street at 10 am on Monday.

Mother of the baby girl,

Amilda Abdul narrated that on that day, she bathed her baby, dressed her up very well and then admired her beauty.

“I said to her, you look so beautiful today and went and kept her in my neighbor’s room. I usually leave her there whenever I am going to my Islamic school.

“Few minutes later, I heard that there was fire outbreak

around our area but never imagined that it was in our compound. I hurried home just to discover that the fire had gutted the neighbor’s room and when I inquired about my baby, I was told she slept off and could not be removed because of the intensity of the fire.

“On the very day of the incident, a little boy in the

compound had a dream that the whole place went up in flame. He had even requested for money to be given to him to buy kolanut and do ablution but no one took him seriously until it happened”, Amilda said.

It would be recalled that only recently, a fire incident claimed the lives of three (3) children of a tutor of Jesus College, Otukpo.

Ministries, assured Deltans that the report of the panel would be made public when it finally comes out.

“First and foremost, we want to thank God Almighty for what has happened. In my inspection visit, we found out that it could have been worst.

“What I saw was almost a total collapse. We had many children upstairs when the building came down completely.

“I will not be competent to tell you what is the cause of the collapse of that building.

“We have consummated the setting up of a panel of enquiry to look into the immediate and remote cause of the collapse of the building.

“We are assuring Deltans and everyone that the report of

this particular incident would be made public when it finally comes out,” the Deputy Governor said.

He applauded the coordinated responses of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government in the rescue operation which, according to him, led to the rescue of many people alive from the rubble with minimal casualty.

While saying that four losses have unfortunately been recorded, Otuaro noted that the reports from the medical personnel vis-a-vis the health status of the survivors was very heart-warming, encouraging and very hopeful.

“We have unfortunately, recorded four losses and like I said, it could have been worse.

“The reports from the medical personnel is very heart-warming,

encouraging and very hopeful as it were.

“From what I saw, the patients are responding well and we hope that in no distant time, so many of them will be discharged.

“As for the bills, we are a responsible govermnment; so, we are going to be an integral part of all that has happened. We are going to do all in our powers in ensuring that all is well with the respective families.

“Like I have said, in no distant time, the report of the panel of enquiry set up by the state government will be available and those culpable will face the laws.

“From what I saw, the patients are responding well and we hope that in no distant time, so many of them will be discharged,” he added.

Okpanam building collapse: DTSG sets up panel of enquiry

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

elta State Government, on Wednesday, announced the constitution of a panel of enquiry to look into the immediate and remote cause(s) of the collapsed building in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state where four lives were lost.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro disclosed this in an interview with journalists shortly after visiting survivors of the failed facility who were receiving treatment at the Asaba Specialist Hospital, Asaba.

Deacon Otuaro who had earlier visited the scene of the collapsed building which, until the unfortunate incident, was housing a branch of Salvation

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

PAGE 5

NEWS

Tell us where 1000 were killed in recent Zamfara attack or get arrested, Matawalle challenges Bafarawa From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

G

overnor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara State has challenged former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa to present any officially obtained list which showed that 1,000 people were killed in recent attack in Anka and Bukkuyum local government areas of the state.

Matawalle, made the challenge on Wednesday while receiving federal government delegation led by the Minister of Defence, General Bashir Salihi Magashi.

The Governor further revealed that, the State Government had reliably received with dismay, a report that Bafarawa has said

that 1,000 people were killed in Anka and Bukkuyum by bandits as against the officially compiled figure by both the State Government and security agencies which arrived at 58.

“Our findings as government, 36 people were killed in Bukkuyum local government area, while 22 were also killed semoultenuously in Anka, making the total number of the slained innocent people to 58. There had not been any other attack within the affected areas that gave additional number to our discovery”, Matawalle stressed.

He, however, requested for a comprehensive review of the prevailing strategy of fighting insurgency.

He pleaded for a more

workable plan of action tailored explicitly in tune with the realities on the ground.

“This is a clarion call for us to step up efforts in this fight before the dreadful monster consumes our region and the country as a whole.

“I would like to add that any strategy to be drawn for fighting banditry and all forms of insurgency should focus greater attention on Zamfara State. Our forests have become fortresses for bandits, from where they plan and launch attacks to other parts of the northwest.

“As part of this strategy, special forces should be deployed to some blackspots, particularly identified to be more dangerous centres of activities of the bandits.

These blackspots are Gando, in Bukkuyum Local Government Area, Munhaye of Tsafe Local Government Area, Bayan Ruwa, in Maradun Local Government Area, Kabaro- Sangeku, of Dansadau and Magami axis. The special forces could help dislodge the bandits and block exits of those fleeing.

“The Super Tucano warplanes obtained by the Federal Government would be super handy in the implementation of the new combat strategy along the Zamfara Katsina axis, with Zamfara as the command centre.

We, in Zamfara State, are making efforts to obtain the appropriate coordinates of all the blackspots in order to aid air force operations.

So far, we have provided quite a

number of these coordinates to the air force.

Earlier, the Minister of Defence, General Bashir Salihi Magashi, said they were in Zamfara to extend the federal government’s sympathy and condolences to the state.

“We have come to also reassure the State Government and good people of Zamfara State, that such an incident will never happen again as most needed security measures were put in place with a view to adequately safeguard the conduct of social activities.

“President Buhari has approved the use of all military means to ensure that no banditry, kidnapping for ransom and cattle rustling succeeds.

Participants undertaking a practical session in the 3-day Gynecologic Ultrasound Training Programme in Warri on Wednesday (12/1/22).

This year’s school feeding program will address child hunger – Minister

T

he Federal Government says it is taking the National Home Produced School Feeding Program, NHGSFP, to the next level.

Sadiya Farouq, Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, said this in a statement issued by Halima Oyelade, her Special Assistant for Corporate Communication, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mrd Farouq said the ministry with technical support from the United Nations World Food Program, WFP, would take the NHGSFP to the next level to address child hunger.

He explained that the next level would boost the local economy and increase school enrollment and attendance among primary school students.

“The results of a joint evaluation conducted in the first quarter of 2021 to identify ways to improve, expand and maintain the NHGSFP showed success and the need for significant improvements and gains.

“The program promotes nutrition, education and better eating habits and also encourages diversification of production with special emphasis on local crops.

“WFP is supporting the next stage with a major transfer of ICT equipment. This includes tablets with access to PLUS Schools Menus, a free tool to help state nutrition officials design nutritious menus for schools.

“The hardware will not only support the ministry’s efforts to digitize its monitoring and evaluation system, but will also enable the national rollout of the

PLUS school menu tool developed

by WFP to standardize costeffective menu development,” reads in part. in the statement.

The minister explained that by 2021, the innovative initiative served school meals to more than nine million students in 53,000 public primary schools, making it one of the largest school feeding programs in Africa.

Ms. Farouq said it also led to a significant increase in school enrollment across the country.

He added that the program had provided the much-needed boost to local economies by purchasing the products of small farmers and providing employment for more than 107,000 cooks from lowincome families.

“Schools provide local farmers with a predictable outlet for their produce, generating stable

income, more investment and higher productivity.

“Children enjoy a healthy and diversified diet; This makes them more likely to stay in school, perform better, and improve their adult job prospects.

“In line with one of the key pillars to sustain the NHGSFP, various partnerships have been made between various relevant government ministries, departments and agencies.

“These have really strengthened collaboration and cooperation for more effective service delivery.

“Key partners include the National Youth Service, the Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Information, Trade and Industry, Water Resources,” said Ms Farouq.

The minister said that the

NHGSFP remains a major intervention by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Through it, hunger, malnutrition, poverty, unemployment, education and others can be addressed. It is an investment fully financed by the Federal Government due to its great potential as a development engine.

“We at FMHADMSD are here to ensure that this program is strengthened and maintained so that it can continue to support the needs of children, families, women, and the communities it targets.

“Therefore, WFP’s technical support is timely, relevant and highly appreciated,” stressed Ms Farouq.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

NEWS

FG urges stakeholders to explore potential in shea nut quality in Niger From Yakubu Minna

Mustapha,

T

he Federal Government has advised stakeholders in the Shea sub-sector to take advantage of the potential so as to improve shea nut production and processing to met the required international market standards.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Evelyn Ngige, stated this in a key note address at stakeholders sensitisation programme on Shea nut quality improvement in Minna.

Represented by Alhaji Gata Liman, Director, Federal Product Inspection Service Department (FPISD), said the programme was to highlight the standard practice required to maintain quality of Shea nut produced in Niger state.

Earlier in his welcome address, Alhaji Gata Liman, Director FPISD, represented by Dafang Sule, Deputy Director FPISD, said the programme was to create awareness on the requirements for improving shea nut quality as key component of prescribed standards for agro export.

In her remarks, Hajiya Jummai Abubakar, Coordinator of National Association of Shea Butter Processors in Niger, called on the Federal and state governments to support training of women in modern processing.

Oyo State Civil Servants, during the 2022 Annual Inter Faith Service by the State government in Ibadan on Wednesday (12/1/22).

Bauchi govt employs over 1,000 medical students

B

auchi State Governor Bala Mohammed approved the revalidation of the employment of 1,061 medical students in training in the state’s civil service.

This was contained in a statement by Yahuza Haruna, Head of Bauchi State Civil Service, HoS, in Bauchi on Wednesday.

According to him, the

move was part of the state government’s efforts to improve the health sector from grassroots levels, as well as an investment of human capital in the sector.

Mr. Haruna, however, explained that the true position of the pre-service medical students would be determined before the letters of appointment were sent to them.

The HoS also revealed that

Governor Mohammed had also ordered the verification of veterinary students from the state Ministry of Agriculture for a suitable placement in the state’s top civil service.

He added that this was part of the current administration’s deliberate attempt to provide job opportunities for the state’s abundant youth.

Mr. Haruna commended

the state governor for his support of the service and urged public officials to reciprocate the gracious gesture through dedication and hard work.

State pre-service medical students are students from health technology colleges, midwifery schools, who have been providing medical services in the state without suitable employment.

in his time as Chairman of its governing board, between 2009 and 2012, he laid some key institutional structures which have endured over the years.

It listed some of them to be issuance of the National Policy on Public Private Partnership (N4P) following approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in April 2009.

“The N4P sets out the policy objectives of the Federal Government and outlines government’s commitment to the creation of an enabling environment for PPPs to thrive in Nigeria.

“Formation and establishment of the Nigerian Public Private

Partnership Network (NPPPN) in 2011. This network has as its members, all Heads of State Public Private Partnership (PPP) units.”

It said that the NPPPN was established as a collaborative platform for knowledge and experience sharing amongst PPP agencies at the federal and subnational level.

He also saw to the establishment of an African PPP Network (AP3N) in 2011 to serve as a regional platform for sharing experiences, peer-learning and development of best practices for PPP projects in Africa.

It added that the inaugural meeting of the network held in Abuja in February 2012 with eight

countries in attendance.

Born on May 9, 1936 in Lagos to a civil servant father who originated from Abeokuta, Shonekan acquired his early education at the CMS Grammar School and Igbobi College before bagging a law degree from the University of London in 1962 and was called to the English bar in the same year.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in July 1963 and later attended Harvard Business School in the United States of America.

Shonekan joined the United Africa Company (UAC) of Nigeria Ltd in 1964 as Legal Assistant and rose through the ranks to become Head of Legal and Secretarial

Services in 1975.

He was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of the company in 1976 and subsequently became Chairman and Managing Director from 1980 to 1993.

In 1993, he became the Head of the Interim National Government.

“Shonekan was an illustrious Nigerian, elder statesman and astute businessman.

“His gentle disposition, unassuming personality and comportment in spite of his privileged position and access within the Nigerian political and economic elite class was a source of inspiration to stakeholders within the infrastructure space in Nigeria”, it added. (NAN)

ICRC mourns pioneer board chairman, Shonekan

T

he Management and Staff of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) on Wednesday mourned the passing of Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Head of Interim National Government (ING) and its pioneer Governing Board Chairman.

This is according to a statement issued in Abuja by Manji Yarling, Acting Head, Media and Publicity.

According to it, Shonekan who died on Tuesday, on account of his inspiring leadership and guidance, laid the foundation that has placed the commission as the preeminent infrastructure regulatory agency in Nigeria.

The commission said that

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

T

he Plateau Police Command arrested Moses Oko, 20, for allegedly killing Miss Jennifer Anthony, a 300-level student at Jos University.

Bartholomew Onyeka, the state Police Commissioner, introduced the suspect to reporters on Wednesday in Jos. Remember that Jennifer Anthony’s body was found in the Domus Pacis shelter in Jos on Saturday, January 1, without her eyes.

Onyeka said the suspect was arrested in Makurdi, Benue.

“Aftermath of the gruesome murder of Miss Jennifer Anthony, a University of Jos student whose body was found mutilated on January 1 at Domus Pacis Guest House, Jos allegedly by a man named Moses Oko. “The suspect, who is said

PAGE 7

NEWS Police arrest suspected killer of UniJos female student to be her boyfriend, fled after committing the crime.

“The commando, in an attempt to arrest the perpetrator, launched an aggressive pursuit against the suspect and tactically followed

him to Benue, where he was arrested by commando police officers,” he said.

The commissioner said the suspect would be prosecuted at the end of the investigations.

Mr. Onyeka praised the

commitment and resilience of his men who took action to ensure that the suspect was arrested.

He assured the residents of the state that the command had put modalities on the

ground to always guarantee the safety of life and property.

The commissioner also asked the citizens of the state to support and cooperate with the command to ensure a safer and more peaceful Plateau.

IBB mourns Shonekan

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

F

ormer Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has expressed shock and commiserated with the family late Head of Interim Government, Chief Earnst Shonekan at the age of 85 years.

Babangida in a statement issued yesterday in Minna, described his late successor as one of Nigeria’s finest brains and patriots.

“Chief Ernest Shonekan was one of our cerebral minds during our time in government. He was the architect of our principle of free market economy which helped to open up the system for a robust participation by the private sector”, he stated.

Suspected murderer of a 300-Level student of the University of Jos Miss Jenniffa Anthony being presented to newsmen at the Police Headquarters in Jos on Wednesday (12/1/22).

2021 Recruitment of police constables: online registration extended by ten days • As Portal Closes Saturday, January 22, 2022

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he Nigeria Police Force wishes to inform citizens that the online registration in the ongoing 2021 recruitment exercise for interested and eligible Nigerians into the service of the Nigeria Police Force as Police Constables, has been extended to Saturday, January 22, 2022.

With this extension, the NPF recruitment portal will remain open till midnight of the new date.

The extension of the online

application is informed by the need to ensure equal opportunity and even spread of applications, particularly from States in the South-East, South-South geopolitical zones and Lagos State, to enable them meet up with the required quota for their respective areas. A statistical analysis shows that a total of 81,005 applications were received nationwide as at January 7, 2022. Out of this figure, only 1,404 applications - less than

2% of the total applications - were received from the five States in the South East and 261 from Lagos State, with Anambra State having the least figure of 158 applicants.

Consequently, the Force enjoins States and Local Governments, religious bodies and other interest groups in the affected Geopolitical zones and Lagos State to assist in mobilizing and encouraging their citizens and wards to take advantage of

the opportunity to seek a career path in the Nigeria Police Force.

Interested applicants are urged to log-on to the NPF recruitment portal, www.policerecruitment. gov.ng to register before the expiration of the new deadline.

Applicants are further advised to call 08100004507 for any inquiry or complaints or technical difficulties in the use of the portal.

The recruitment exercise is absolutely free of charge.

2023: Group drums Niger Council Chair laments inability to pay support for Dattuwa to contest for Reps staff salary C C From David Hassan, Gombe

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

hairman Chanchaga Local Government of Niger state, Alhaji Ibrahim Lalalo has lamented over the inability of the council to pay 100% staff salary.

He made the disclosure in an interview with journalists in Minna.

He said the situation was due to over blotted staff strength of over two thousand workforce.

Lalalo who appealed to workers to be patient with the current situation stated that he required about N272 million monthly but got over N138 million, leaving a deficit of over N130 million that the council can’t generate in a month.

He explained that the council had resolved with the labour not to retrench workers as such would exposed many to hardship, hence the need to pay in percentage until normalcy is restored.

oalition of Akko APC youth support group yesterday called on Dattuwa Ali Kumo not to hesitate to contest for the House of Representatives in 2023 general elections.

Chairman of the coalition, Mr. Khalid Ahmed Kumo who spoke on behalf of members said they

followed Dattuwa’s credentials and found him worthy.

When asked by the media to shade light on why they insisted for Dattuwa to contest in 2023 while having someone representing them at the National Assembly, he said the group are not satisfied with the leadership style of the current member representing them.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

PAGE 8

NEWS

ACF congratulates APC commends Matawalle on Amina security Mohammed From: Femi Kaduna

Oyelola,

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he Arewa Consultative rejoiced with one of its own, Amina Mohammed for her reappointed to serve her second term as Deputy Secretary General of the United

Nations.

This was contained in a statement by Publicity Secretary of the Forum Emmanuel Yawe.

The statement stated that ACF is very happy that the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guteres has found her worthy of holding

such an office in a global organisation not only once but twice.

The statement further stated that Amina Mohammed has proved that she is a woman of substance and rewards not only to the north, but to Nigeria, Africa and the world.

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

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he Zamfara State Chairman of All progressive Congress (APC) Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani has commended the efforts of the State Governor for taking a proactive measure on the recent attack by the bandits in the

state.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Yusuf Idris Gusau and made avilable to Newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.

The chairman said that the Party is fully committed in supporting the Governor Matawalle’s mission and vision.

Accountants honour Gwagwalada Council Treasurer, Area Commander, others

By Usman Shuaibu

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he leadership of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 2, Abuja Branch has conferred merit awards on the treasurer of Gwagwalada Area Council, Alhaji Yahuza S. Musa, the Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force in charge of Gwagwalada Command, ACP Nana Bature Garba as well as the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Gwagwalada Divisional Police Command, CSP Tersoo Tele and others for their outstanding performance in Accountancy profession.

In an interviewed with newsmen during the awards ceremony in Gwagwalada, the Chairman of ANAN in the FCT, Mr Agbo Emmanuel, said the awards were bestowed on the recipients based on their contributions in the field of Accountancy.

He said his leadership would continue to honour those who had excelled in the area of Accountancy profession at their various institutions/organisations.

While reading his welcome address, Emmanuel thanked the dignitaries who graced the occasion.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Abdulrahman Ajiya who is the Chairman of Abaji Area Council, urged the awardees to continue to contribute their quota to the progress of Accountancy profession at their various places of work.

Ajiya, who is also the patron of ANAN FCT 1, commended the leadership of ANAN FCT 2 Abuja Branch for the well deserved honour.

The ANAN Awards’ lecture which tagged “Road Map to Economic Recovery: The Accountant’s View” was delivered

by Professor Success Musa.

Vice Chancellor, University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya (L) exchanging a signed MoU on lease agreement between University of Jos and Royal Choice Inn Limited to the Chief Executive Officer, Royal Choice Inn Limited, Chief Felix Akiga in Jos on Wednesday (12/1/22).

Group partner’s security agencies on protection of lives, property in Kogi From Abubakar Abuja

T

Yunusa,

he Chairman of Lokoja Branch of Egume Ome Descendants Union, Comrade Noah Ocheni, has pledged that the association will

not relent in complementing the government’s efforts in tackling cases of kidnapping, robbery and banditry in Egume Community and Kogi State at large.

Ocheni gave the assurance while speaking at the gettogether organised for members

to mark the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022 in Lokoja over the weekend.

The Chairman who expressed delight over the improved security situation in Egume community, urged the people to sustain the tempo,

describing the feat as a welcome development.

He commended the National Body of the Union for the release of over two million naira to constitute the Akogu Omaga Vigilante Group and support its operations in the community.

PAGE 9

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

NEWS

Drummers after the 2022 Annual Inter Faith Service by Oyo State government in Ibadan on Wednesday (12/1/22).

Shonekan: Nigeria has lost a political colossus,true nationalistGov.Bello

By Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

K

ogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has expressed shock over the death of former Nigerian leader and the Abese of Egbaland, Chief Ernest Oladeinde Shonekan.

Bello in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed described late Shonekan as a fantastic lawyer, political colossus and complete statesman.

The governor said the late Interim Head of State had contributed immensely to the unity, progress and political developments of the country noting that his release of political prisoners detained by the military government within three months in office united the country along ethnic and political lines.

He described Shonekan as a strong leader who had always spoken truth to power and was passionate about national interest.

He sympathised with the family and relations of the late Interim Head of State, the people of Egbaland and the Government and people of Ogun State over the passage and prayed for God to grant his soul eternal rest.

OCCEN calls for more youths participation in politics

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

Nigeria (OCCEN) with support from National Endowment for Democracy called for youths and women participation in politics.

The call was made by the executive director OCCEN comrade

Abdurraq Alqali during a panel discussion for inspiring the aspiring young politicians in Jigawa state.

Comrade Alqali insisted that, it is the right time for youths and women to fully participate in

politics.

According to him, youths carry majority of Nigeria’s population.

He said youths also are engines of any development as well as the back bones of any community.

Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) mandate of attaining 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030.

She said the programme was the combination of execution of two initiatives from the seven NITDA’s Strategic RoadMap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2021-2024 – Digital Transformation, and Digital Literacy and Skills.

“Digital transformation enables the facilitation of digital inclusion programmes for PLWDs and other

digitally excluded people aimed at increasing the level of digitisation and digitalisation across both public and private sectors.

“Digital literacy and skills is focused on massive training of Nigerians from all works of life to increase the rate of digital literacy and skills among Nigerians and create a pool of global competitive human capital towards the drive of digital transformation in the public and private sector.

“The two pillars promote the creation of capacity building schemes for digital entrepreneurship,’’ she said.

According to her, the capacity building programme will take place in Port Harcourt.

“Interested participants should indicate by filling the application form on http://plwd.nitda.gov.ng, beginning from 10 a.m. on Tuesday January 11, 2022, and close by midnight of Tuesday 18th January 2022,’’ Umar advised. (NAN)

A NITDA invites PLWDs from South South for digital skills training

non governmental organisation popularly known as Organisation for Community Civic Engagement of

T

he National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has invited Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) from the South-South for a five-day training on digital skills and entrepreneurship.

This is contained in a statement by the agency’s Corporate Affairs and External Relations Head, Mrs Hadiza Umar, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Umar said the training was in line with the actualisation of the National

Gumel youth group lauds Badaru for construction of orthopaedic hospital From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

T

he group of youths popularly known as Youth partnership to engage reform and learning (YOPER), commended

governor Muhammad Abubakar Badaru for the construction of Orthopaedic hospital in the state.

The commendation was made by the YOPER chairman comrade

Musa Mu’az Gumel during a thank you visit to commissioner of works, permanent Secretary ministry of health and director general due process in the state.

Comrade Mu’az said, construction of orthopaedic hospital in the state will reduce difficulties and help patients as the state has no single similar hospital.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

PAGE 10

NEWS

Zeetin boss advocates devotion to science, technology development

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he founder of Zeetin Engineering Limited, Azibaola Robert, has said that sincerely embracing and deploying science and technology by Nigerians would facilitate and deepen the economic and infrastructural development of Nigeria.

Robert stated this when he hosted a delegation of the national executive of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), led by its president, Dr Elizabeth Eterigho, on Tuesday in Abuja.

“There are many things wrong with Nigeria’s technological advancement and until we sincerely embrace and deploy science and technology as the necessary tools to

facilitate and deepen the economic and infrastructural development of Nigeria, we will not be able to develop and make progress as a country.

“But, for me, I want to do the technology; that’s why at Zeetin, we are buying machines to make machines,” Robert said.

A high-end tech entrepreneur recognised by engineers, Robert sued for collaboration among Nigerian engineers for the technological advancement of the country.

“Nigeria’s technological development can easily be fasttracked, when our engineers, companies, especially those that are technology-driven, collaborate

strategically for the overall industrial development and growth of Nigeria through technology,” he said.

Robert decries Nigerians penchant for dependence and consumption of foreign brands, saying it was detrimental to the development of the country.

“Our brains have been wired to think that nothing good can come out of Nigeria. But this country will be great if we change that mentality of depending and consuming everything foreign,” he said.

Robert believes that technology is not transferable because of the exigencies of national and international difference.

“Let’s start building our own technology. At Zeetin, we are

building a brand that will outlive us, stand the test of time. Our brand, like the Solid Works academy, should provide a platform for other Nigerians to showcase their tech work.”

He advised Nigerians to begin to build conglomerate brands that cut across Nigeria’s ethnic and tribal borders.

Speaking about empowerment of engineers, Eterigho said that Nigerian women engineers needed “digital transformation to enable us function effectively in our various fields of specialisation.

“We need more advocacy, enlightenment, improved local content, change of our taste buds to curtail Nigerians’ dependence

on and consumption of foreign brands.”

She said that APWEN, a nongovernmental and non-profit organisation, was involved in advocacy, and that it would like to collaborate with Zeetin Engineering to help improve, build the skills of women Engineers.

“We want to encourage girls to change their mentality and orientation about science subjects, because they often considered them too difficult.”

As part of the collaborative efforts, Zeetin’s CEO granted APWEN’s requests to regularly be sending women Engineers to Zeetin for their IT and NYSC assignments under his tutelage.(NAN)

FMARD, Delta Lawmaker provide food to constituents

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

B

old steps to cushion the hard effects of hunger were on Tuesday taken by the Federal ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in partnership with the Senator representating Delta North Senatorial Districts at the upper Chamber, Senator Peter Nwoabushi to provide over 200,000 yam seedlings, bags of maize, among others to Farmers in the areas.

Senator Peter Nwaobushi who spoke to Journalists in Asaba through his aide, Mr Henry mordi said that the provision of the food items, was geared towards building capacity in food production for Deltans adding that the exercise would be a continuous one as the distribution of the farm inputs was part of presidency’s committment towards boosting food production in Nigeria and in line with the United Nations SDG goals and global practice.

He disclosed that several oriented projects such as the construction of roads, classroom blocks, clinic, drilling of boreholes, installation of solar powered streets lights among others were his electioneering promises, disclosing that he was Committed to serving the people with the provision of the basics amenities for their comfort While calling for a robust synergy between the farmers and the ministry of Agriculture to ensure that the goal was achived, the State Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, Mr John Onovroke however commended Senator Peter Nwaobushi for his selfless and relentless efforts to promote economic prosperity and self reliance of women and youths in the society and called on the beneficiaries to put the items to proper use and see the guesture as an opportunity to archive an enviable level of prosperity He commended the lawmaker for the empowerment initiatives, saying that Senator Peter Nwaobushi remain the symbol of good empowerment initiatives at the upper Chambers of the Senate as the ceremony attracted thounsands of Deltans apart from the beneficiaries who took to the dancing floor to celebrate the distinguished Senator Peter Nwaobushi, a one time Delta State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP)

Cross section of participants showcasing artworks during the ‘ Tell the Igbo story through Artworks ‘ competition organized by the Centre for Memories in Enugu on Wednesday (12/1/22).

FG moves to reduce importation of livestock products

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he Federal Government is determined to reduce importation of dairy products, scale up its local production as well as marketing in the country.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, made the disclosure on Tuesday, at the opening of the National Diary Policy Validation workshop in Abuja.

The workshop was organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

It aimed to harvest the inputs of relevant stakeholders for the purpose of enriching the National Diary Policy for Nigeria.

Umakhihe described the National Dairy Policy as apt and articulate, which is in accordance with the vision of the Federal Government for the dairy industry. ”This meeting cannot come at a better time than now because a National Policy for dairy and dairy

products in Nigeria is long overdue. ” There has been a continuous drive towards meeting national sufficiency in dairy production to reduce the huge amount spent on importation of dairy products in order to bridge the huge gap between supply and demand. ” Successive Administrations had made efforts to close the gap through programmes such as Dairy Development Programme, National Livestock Breed Improvement Programme, among others thus creating opportunity for private sector participation. ” The draft policy will support the implementation of the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Plan (NATIP) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD). ” It will give defined direction for the country’s dairy industry where all players at whatever scale will be expected to abide by rules of operation, in terms of production, processing and marketing of dairy products in Nigeria. ” I am glad that we are gradually

approaching the stage of finalising the draft document by this validation workshop. ” This effort at putting in place a National Dairy Policy for the country is apt for the realisation of the vision of the Federal Government articulated through the change approach and a standard practice to be applied at every level of society, public and private, towards a pragmatic national development. ” This approach is to significantly reduce importation of livestock and livestock products and at the same time stimulate exports to enhance national income generation. ” The private sector will remain in the lead while government will provide the enabling environment through policies, infrastructure, systems control processes and oversight support,” he said.

Earlier, Mrs Winnie LaiSolarin, the Director, Department of Animal Husbandry Services, Ministry of Agriculture, said that the role of the dairy industry could not be overemphasised as far as quality nutrition and overall food

security were concerned.

She noted that the dairy subsector has been impeded with many issues and institutional challenges that have prevented its growth alongside other agricultural subsectors.

“The major issue is that of low milk yield, poor handling and postharvest losses of dairy products. ” We need to continually improve the productivity of the dairy animals genetically, health and management practices to be able to respond to market-driven productivity objectives. ” There is need for a mechanism to effectively regulate the dairy sector at all levels starting from animal breeding, milk collection, Processing and marketing.

“The National Dairy Policy will give framework for improving productivity of the dairy sector in a well-planned and sustainable manner across the various agroecological zones of the country”, she said.(NAN)

PAGE 11

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

EDITORIAL

Here comes IMF again F T

The reformer at PTDF

By Philip Agbese

or a long time now, the Brettonwood financial powerhouses (The World Bank and IMF) have been urging, even intimidating Nigeria to devalue the naira, remove fuel subidy and cut social spending, all in the name of promoting economic growth.

Our response to their blackmail has been a consistent NO. It is the the same No to the International Monetary Fund’s latest ‘advice’ to emerging economies including Nigeria to allow their currencies to depreciate in response to tighter funding conditions and an imminent policy tightening by the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States. The Washington-based lender also counselled the Central Bank of Nigeria and the apex banks of emerging economies to raise their benchmark interest rates in preparation for the Fed policy tightening.

The IMF disclosed this in a blogpost titled ‘Emerging Economies Must Prepare for Fed Policy Tightening’ on Monday. According to the fund, while changes in the global economic outlook appear positive, especially in the United States, they are “uncertain for emerging markets”. It noted that emerging markets with high public and private debts, foreign exchange exposures, and lower current-account balances had been seeing larger movements of their currencies relative to the US dollar in recent months.

As a result, the IMF said, the combination of slower growth and elevated vulnerabilities could create adverse feedback loops for the emerging economies.

the recognition of losses. And rolling back those measures could further tighten financial conditions, weakening the recovery.”

The IMF said that to manage the tradeoffs, emerging economies must take steps to strengthen policy frameworks and reduce vulnerabilities now. It added that central banks needed to be clear and consistent in communicating its tightening measures to contain inflation pressures in order to enhance the public’s understanding of the need to pursue price stability. According to it, countries with high levels of debt denominated in foreign currencies must try to reduce it and hedge its exposures where feasible, and while reducing rollover risks, the maturity of obligations should be extended even if it increases costs.

The IMF said heavily indebted countries might need to start fiscal adjustment sooner and faster. It added that emerging economies were currently battling elevated inflation rates, and high public debt profiles. It said, “Beyond these immediate measures, fiscal policy can help build resilience to shocks. Setting a credible commitment to a mediumterm fiscal strategy would help boost investor confidence and regain room for fiscal support in a downturn. Such a strategy could include announcing a comprehensive plan to gradually increase tax revenues, improve spending efficiency, or implement structural fiscal reforms such as pension and subsidy overhauls.” It said the average gross government debt in emerging markets was up by almost 10 per cent since 2019, reaching an estimated 64 per cent of Gross Domestic Product by the end of 2021, with large variations across countries.

“

It said, “Some emerging markets have already started to adjust monetary policy and are preparing to scale back It said, “Some emerging fiscal support to markets have already started to adjust monetary address rising policy and are preparing to scale back fiscal support debt and inflation. to address rising debt and inflation. In response to tighter funding conditions, emerging markets should tailor their response based on their circumstances and vulnerabilities. Those with policy credibility on containing inflation can tighten monetary policy more gradually, while others with stronger inflation pressures or weaker institutions must act swiftly and comprehensively.

“In either case, responses should include letting currencies depreciate and raising benchmark interest rates. If faced with disorderly conditions in foreign exchange markets, central banks with sufficient reserves can intervene provided this intervention does not substitute for warranted macroeconomic adjustment. Nevertheless, such actions can pose difficult choices for emerging markets as they trade off supporting a weak domestic economy with safeguarding price and external stability. Similarly, extending support to businesses beyond existing measures may increase credit risks and weaken the longerterm health of financial institutions by delaying

OUR MISSION “To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

Statistics deliberately churned out to scare and frighten. This is consistent with scare mongering. If this tactic is not already familiar to many so called emerging economies, Nigeria is an exception. Talking about external indebtedness, America’s share of it is bigger than those of the emerging economies combined. Yes, many Nigerians fear their government is over borrowing but a debt overhang is not on the horizon.

As for the IMF’s fear of slowing economic growth in the emerging economies, it does not apply to Nigeria either. The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced last year that the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by over 5%, a hefty lift from zero growth before the 2015 elections. The bureau projected a faster growth rate in the years ahead but only if the momentum of reform is sustained. As it is, Nigeria doesn’t present with symptoms of an endangered economy. So let it be.

OUR PEOPLE Chief Operating Officer /Editor, Hameed M. Bello, PhD Manager, administration Hassan Hammanyaji

HEAD, ADVERT Patrick UGAMA

OUR VISION

“To be a reputable, profitable, innovative and technologically reliant media company offering world class services and products”

Letter to the Editor

here is a silent revolution ongoing at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), the agency of government responsible for building capacities and capabilities in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry through the development of human abilities, institutional capacity development as well as the promotion of research and acquisition of relevant technologies. Since its establishment, the PTDF has been in the vanguard of providing scholarships and bursaries in universities and other tertiary institutions in petroleum undertaking. This much has been acknowledged as a critical component in developing the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

Dr. Bello Gusau has proven that leadership is all it takes to make a mark in this country. He has demonstrated a strategic leadership style that has turned around the agency’s fortunes since he assumed leadership. This feat indeed has seen equitable allotment of scholarship to qualified Nigerian students in the oil and gas industry. According to industry watchers, Dr Bello Gusau has succeeded in building solid institutional frameworks that would outlive his tenure and better position the PTDF in good stead in delivering its mandate.

For example, we were all aware of what the PTDF scholarship programme students encounter while abroad for studies. We were confronted with cases of late payment of tuition and living allowances that often become embarrassing to the country. But this trend was halted by the leadership of Dr Bello Gusau when he assumed office.

I recall one of the challenges confronting Nigerian students on scholarship in the United Kingdom was the issue of lack of transparency in the selection process of students, where in some instances, students without the requisite qualifications are granted a scholarship and end up performing poorly, which ultimately led to the rejection of students from Nigeria.

Dr Bello Gusua addressed this challenge in record time by ensuring that the selection process goes through a very transparent process, where only the best students are selected. How was this possible? It was gathered that the PTDF introduced a multi-level screening process that ensured that all applicants undergo rigorous academic screening to ensure that only those with the mental and physical capacity for advanced studies are selected.

He also dismantled the scholarship racketeering regime, where the available slots are hijacked and given to the rich and mighty in society.

Today, applicants do not need to have godfathers to secure a scholarship. The selection process is entirely devoid of ethnic or religious consideration but merit. Little wonder that Nigerian students on PTDF scholarship have been adjudged to be among the best

since Dr Bello Gusau assumed the agency’s leadership.

Another cardinal issue that was addressed was the late payment of tuition to the recipient institutions.

We have had cases where academic activities for Nigerian students were either suspended or terminated for non-payment of fees by the PTDF. Again, this is also history now as fees for Nigerian students are promptly settled, and students go through uninterrupted academic programmes.

Also, history is when Nigerian students are forced to besiege embassies with placards requesting payment of their allowances. Today, students are promptly paid their allowances, which has saved Nigeria the embarrassment of students protesting over unpaid allowances.

We might not understand on the surface that it takes a lot of courage and commitment to ensure a seamless academic pursuit for Nigerian students on scholarship abroad. And we must admit that this is what Dr Bello Gusau has been able to achieve in a manner devoid of all the media hype.

According to Robin Sharma, leadership is about impact, influence, and inspiration. Quite leaders influence those they guide with great care and consideration. They understand that t be effective and efficient, one must consider all aspects and potential outcomes of a scenario. They also value the unique strength of each member of the team, and they know that influence is not about forcing people to see things differently but about learning from others and leading by example.

The above indeed summarizes the leadership style of Dr Bello Gusau at the PTDF. Some of us conversant with his antecedent are not surprised that things have turned around at the PTDF since he assumed leadership.

We knew that it wouldn’t be business as usual because of his long-standing emphasis on getting the job done without fear or favour.

In truth, Nigeria indeed needs silent reformers like Gusau, who are broadminded in their approach to issues, leaders whose overarching objective remains in the national interest and for the good of every Nigerian. The list is endless for him: his commitment to work is infectious. This much has been said about him by staffers of the PTDF and concerned stakeholders in the oil and gas industry. It would have been an indictment on all he represents if he indeed performed less as a consummate professional and scholar.

The rational thing to do in this instance is to extend support to this administrator per excellence who has repositioned the PTDF for optimal performance through a sterling performance in a silent way. You can call it magic or wonders, but I call it the Dr Bello Gusau phenomena. And posterity would be kind to him.

Agbese is a UK based human rights activist.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

PAGE 12

Opinion

The new generation and the alarming increase in cyber crimes

By Ajayi Samiat

A

s young adults, society place constant reminders of the impression that being a man comes with more responsibility, we see that in the title “head of the family”, that doesn’t just point to the role of taking decisions but to the factor of being able to provide the basic needs of man, as well as others. Society plays its part in grooming a gender that feels worthless without being able to meet up with its expectations and therefore runs to a fast, easy solution, not putting its legitimacy in mind.

The disturbing level of criminality, as seen in the rising number of Internet fraudsters has left the question of why so many in this generation, with an increased population and limited options to turn to, many now showcase prowess in being a man as society calls for, in illegitimate means. After

all General George Patton has said “Duty is the essence of manhood” Critically, an alarming number of the youths in Nigeria, especially the male folks have now turned to cybercrimes (Yahoo Yahoo), and the perpetrators’ are nicknamed Yahoo boys.

Yahoo is the cultural name given to fraudulent persons who use the internet to defraud people. The name is common among Nigerians and the act is quite common among Nigerian undergraduates.

Meanwhile, the United States FBI, ranked Nigeria 16th most affected country by internet crime in 2020, with 443 complaints in that year. In 2018, commercial banks lost 15 billion naira to cybercrimes, and in 2020 the Covid 19 pandemic invited more cybercrimes.

Nonetheless, we could ascribe the problem of the increased number of cybercrimes, to the intense rise in population and the corresponding inability of the

government to provide employment or an enabling environment.

The opportunities that previous generations had, held their hopes up for a sustainable standard of living. Opportunities that were not driven by favouritism, tribalism, religious discrimination, selfish interest. Opportunities that were strictly awarded based on merit.

Recently, Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana during an event dubbed the CABLE COLLOQUIUM, he asserted that the current situation of the country can be linked to the increased rate of cybercrimes. “…and now EFCC is dealing with Yahoo boys including graduates, I laugh. You are going to be surprised if I tell you as young people, when we went to the university I did not pay school fees, apart from not paying fees government was paying us bursary and loans”.

The admission process back

then was not completely corrupt.

Employment was equally not as Scarce as today, and do not forget an idle man is the devil’s workshop.

As young adults, society place constant reminders of the impression that being a man comes with more responsibility, we see that in the title “head of the family”, that doesn’t just point to the role of taking decisions but to the factor of being able to provide the basic needs of man, as well as others.

Society plays its part in grooming a gender that feels worthless without being able to meet up with its expectations and therefore runs to a fast, easy solution, not putting its legitimacy in mind.

On account of, family is where socialization begins, the bulk of the ideas we hold on to were taught in the family and some of the values taught, places more financial pressure on men and the focus here is the problem of what so much pressure on this gender

has caused.

The pressure is one thing, the disturbing need to possess a large amount of money at a young age is another, yes the situation in the country calls for a lot of hard work but not in the sense we’re seeing it.

Conclusively, there has been condemnation from the president and others, the former once said Nigerian youths are lazy, but they have failed to look at the many changes and denied opportunities amidst many factors as compared to earlier generations.

Perhaps the youths of this generation are not lazy but are faced with the pressure to achieve success amidst little options and though time has changed our definition of success may differ from the previous generation, and so the need for a firm and fierce push which is leading many astray.

Ajayi Samiat is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Nigeria, South Africa’s under-performance hurts black race

By Azuka Onwuka

O

nce upon a time, Asian countries faced the type of challenge Africa is facing today. The countries of Asia were synonymous with bad leadership, poverty, and backwardness.

Asians were looked down upon.

Watching the film series Ip Man, which recreates the life and times of the teacher of the legendary martial artiste Bruce Lee, one could see Chinese people of the I960s lamenting how the Americans looked down on them and treated them abysmally. At that time, it was only Japan in Asia that could compete with the West technologically. Even though Israel is in Asia, it is not seen as a typical Asian country because the majority of its citizens were returnees from Europe.

Last week American technology company Apple Inc. created the record of being the first company to hit a market capitalisation of $3 trillion. Apple hit this milestone when its share price hit $182.86.

Even though the share price of Apple fell later that day to $182.01, making it miss closing the trading day at the $3 trillion mark, that symbolic landmark sends a a global message around. Remember that the co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, died in 2011 of pancreatic cancer. Obviously, his exit has not affected the growth of Apple. Apple has taken a life of its own.

With the GDP of Nigeria at $432.3 billion, Egypt’s at 363.1 billion, and South Africa’s at $301.9 billion, Apple has a market capitalisation that is almost 300 percent more than these three top African countries. Apple’s market capitalisation is almost seven times the GDP of Nigeria. This is not a country that is being talked about, but a company founded by three men: Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.

It is true that nominal gross domestic product does not truly show how rich the citizens of a country are but it gives an idea of

the volume of financial transactions that take place within a country.

Usually, the more productive a country is, the more its GDP rises. This may not necessarily be true to the letter but the GDP is a form of financial measurement of countries.

The reason for the weak showing of these three African countries is that there has not been inspiring leadership, stability and productivity that enhance the type of growth that is appealing.

That Africa and the black race do not command respectful images is because there is no country in Africa and the Caribbean that has risen in magnitude and become a country with which Africans and Black people across the world can boast. Imagine if Nigeria were doing well in West Africa, and South Africa were doing well in Southern Africa and Egypt were doing well in North Africa.

Th e way o t he r countrie s reacted to African countries with border bans late last year when the Omicron strain of COVID-19 was discovered showed the weakness of Africa as a continent.

If the Omicron virus had been announced in any of Europe, North America, Oceania or Asia, other continents would not have reacted the same way.

Once upon a time, Asian countries faced the type of

challenge Africa is facing today. The countries of Asia were synonymous with bad leadership, poverty, and backwardness. Asians were looked down upon. Watching the film series Ip Man, which recreates the life and times of the teacher of the legendary martial artiste Bruce Lee, one could see Chinese people of the I960s lamenting how the Americans looked down on them and treated them abysmally. At that time, it was only Japan in Asia that could compete with the West technologically. Even though Israel is in Asia, it is not seen as a typical Asian country because the majority of its citizens were returnees from Europe.

Then came the Four Asian Tigers of South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong. They earned that name because of the rapid industrialization and consistent and exceptionally high growth rates of more than 7 per cent annually they recorded between the early 1960s and 1990s.

At the turn of the twentyfirst century China, India, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Qatar came up strong. Because of its size and technological feats, China especially has transformed its image and become the pride of Asia. India has also done well. UAE is doing wonders in the desert and has become a destination a tourist would be more excited to visit

“

than most European and North American countries.

Today, in the ranking of the countries of the world according to nominal GDP, Asia has four countries in the top 10: China, Japan, India and South Korea.

Europe has four too: Germany, United Kingdom, France, and Italy.

North America has two: USA and Canada.

Consequently, the image of Asian citizens across the world has been transformed. The respect given to Asians across the world has soared. Asians are no longer seen as perennial beggars and custodians of poverty, diseases and wars. The few and specific countries in Asia known for these are singled out and named rather than giving Asians a blanket negative portrayal.

This is the disservice the under-performance of Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt is causing Africa. Nigeria and South Africa are also doing that same disservice to the entire Black race across the world. The world still sees Africa as one country because no countries have differentiated themselves by exceptional feats like the Asian countries have done.

African countries are still seen as synonymous with instability, poor leadership, poverty, and diseases. They are seen as people who perennially need help, need

This is the disservice the under-performance of Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt is causing Africa.

Nigeria and South Africa are also doing that same disservice to the entire Black race across the world.

The world still sees Africa as one country because no countries have differentiated themselves by exceptional feats like the Asian countries have done.

aids, and need supervision. For example, there were coups d’etat in four African countries in 2021: Chad, Mali, Guinea, and Sudan.

There is still some form of conflict in different countries, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, Somalia, Chad, Cameroon, etc.

The beggarly situation of Africa rears its head over the vaccines and test kits used for COVID-19.

African countries have been depending on materials donated by other countries. In line with the self-preservation mindset of the world, the donor countries have to take care of their citizens first before donating anything to Africa and any part of the world that needs COVID-19 support. Not surprising, many of the materials the donor countries have sent to some countries expired shortly after reaching their destinations.

If African countries had developed the necessary capacity, this would not have been the case. Some countries like Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt should actually be donating vaccines to other countries of the world. Such gestures attract respect.

Finally, if Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt had lived up to expectations, their success stories would not only have boosted the pride of Africans and Blacks across the world, but would have buoyed other African and Black countries to emancipate themselves from mediocrity and strive towards greatness. Success is infectious and failure is also infectious.

Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt should know that because of their size and strategic positions in Africa, they carry a huge responsibility beyond their shores. This should ring in their minds always to help shape the thoughts that guide their actions and inactions. Their individual success or failure has a ripple effect on countries and citizens of Africa and Black heritage across the globe.

Azuka Onwuka is a Public Affairs Analyst.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

Comment

An advice to potential Nigerian repatriates

By Babatunde Denton

I

, like many before me, relocated to Nigeria two years ago after 13 years in the UK. Let me tell you, it is not an easy journey. It is a rough and bumpy ride. Think of it as being in a rollercoaster. You do not know what to expect. Over the years, I had visited the country on numerous occasions but that was not enough to prepare me for ultimate decision to relocate to Nigeria. This article is not aimed at putting the country in a negative light but it is a note of caution. It will not be sugarcoated like a lot of similar articles. People should know the truth of the situation on the ground. I shall highlight the key issues in the country as follows: Finance For any potential repatriate who wants to take the plunge, it is very important that you have your finances in order. Nigeria is in a recession folks. A bag of rice now is N22, 000. The exchange rate between the dollar and naira flips like a yo-yo. Rent has increased while salaries have remained stagnant. Inflation has run rampant. In short, the cost of living has increased.

Where did you live before you moved abroad? Is it Lagos, Benin, Abuja, Ibadan? What is your budget? There is a key difference between coming to Nigeria for holiday and living in Nigeria. In Lagos, I have spent N20, 000 on a monthly basis on transportation alone. You need to spend a few months in the country in order to research and plan for the long-term goal of relocating to Nigeria. Do not believe what others tell you.

“Don’t worry about the money, you will recoup your money in three months”. Sorry mate, don’t believe the hype.

Jobs During my parents’ time, if

you obtained your degree from a foreign country, especially the UK and US, you were definitely guaranteed a job. Indeed, as of 15 years ago, if you were a foreign graduate with a Masters degree, employers would grab you as you landed. Nowadays, there are many foreign graduates. Even those who qualified from neighboring Benin Republic are seen as “foreign graduates”. Employers are on to you now my friends. They are no longer impressed with your foreign accent. Everybody has an accent.

Blame E! for that.

My people, the job market these days is all about connections. Man knows man. There are many foreign graduates with extensive work experience who cannot get jobs. A family friend of mine, who is a US citizen and has work experience with Hewlett Packard and UBS, the Swiss American Bank, could only get a job through her uncle’s contacts. Which begs the question: do you have any connections? And without connections, you need to make a thorough research for the type of jobs available before taking the plunge. Does your employer have any operations in Nigeria?

Can the job match/exceed what you are earning abroad? It is important that you take this issue into consideration before moving back. What skills do you have? You need to have the relevant skills/ degrees in order to survive in Nigeria. A degree in graphic design, Russian, Philosophy or Graphic design does not cut it in Nigeria.

Driving Can you deal with Nigerian drivers? Whoever coined the phrase “road rage” must have had Nigeria in mind. The drivers are often impatient, ignorant and reckless. Not only that, I believe that they must be stoned as there no other explanation in regards to the way they drive. The worst

Who is afraid of the youth?

By Amina Salihu

I

had a beautiful growing up.

The best part of my life was, no doubt, my childhood; and the part where I was most impactful, I would say, was my youth – the years from secondary to university education and shortly thereafter.

In a country where defining the category ‘youth’ is prone to a lot of subjective rationalisation, I had better state that this was the time I was between the ages of 15 and 35.

At age 15, I was appointed the college head girl or head prefect in my alma mater, Federal Government Girls College, Bida.

I learnt responsibility early and how to set and lead an agenda. At 19, I was deputy president of the Association of Political Science Students, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and it is needless to say that I was active in the students’ movement, participating in the design and execution of a protest against sexual harassment. At 28, I began travelling the world on fellowships and at 34, I was a senior special assistant to the minister of the FCT. At 37, I was team lead for a pioneering DFID

programme, Coalitions for Change (C4C). The rest, today, is dependent on that solid early foundation and opportunity.

I have taken a deliberate herstorical/historical view because, again, in a country where we have not been as responsive to or respectful of history as we could be, this becomes very important.

If we were respectful of history, we would know that the best years of our founding peers were given in their youth. The movement for independence, the leadership of

offenders are okada (motorcycle) riders, keke drivers and danfo (commercial bus) drivers. These guys are extremely reckless and often endanger their lives and the lives of their passengers. They will hit you and offer no apology for their behavior. No, they believe that they are in the right and you are wrong. You really have to be patient with them for your own sake. Or concede the right of way (even when you are right) to them.

Infrastructure The issue of power, water and other amenities is a well-known problem. Depending on where you are, power supply is either inconsistent or non-existent. Let’s just say that you need to have your own generator, inverter and water borehole. In my workplace, we have an inverter that works 24/7. This is due to the fact that we rarely have light. Cell phone reception is awful.

At most times, I have to leave the office just to make or receive a call.

Internet is very slow. It goes on and off. I had to bring my own Internet broadband in order to function at work.

Do you intend to travel domestically by air? Bear in mind that many flights do not leave on time. Arik is the worst culprit. I was delayed for over four hours by Aero on a flight from Abuja to Lagos. Do you intend to travel by bus? Well, if that is the case, my advice would be to take the morning bus. Night buses are a risk. A colleague of mine from Law School was robbed on his way to Anambra from Lagos. Armed robbers commandeered their bus at the dead of the night and robbed all the passengers’ blind. Imagine that. But thankfully, they lived to tell the tale.

Security Listen boys and girls, you must accept the fact that you cannot roam about at the dead of the night. In fact, you must forget

that you are not in the UK, US or other developed societies where there are trains, buses or reliable taxis that will take you from point A to B at night. In Nigeria, there are no CCTV cameras to monitor nighttime activities. A lot of the streetlights in the major cities are not functional. You are on your own. This does not stop one from clubbing /other nighttime activities.

It is important to move in groups.

If you do not have any personal means of transport get a friend who does. It is advisable to use UBER as opposed to regular taxis for your own safety. Are you the flashy type? That attitude will get you into trouble here, as there are a lot of armed robbers roaming about. Get a simple car that will not attract a lot attention.

Healthcare H e alth ca re i n Ni geri a i s nothing to write home about.

Public Hospitals lack equipment, staff and quality doctors. Doctors recommend all sorts of fancy medications for something as simple as malaria. I became allergic to outside food such as small chops.

That is not to say that everybody else had the same problem. My body system was not strong enough to handle food that was not regulated/ well prepared. You need to know what your body can handle.

The problems with the medical sector in Nigeria include doctors who may not be really conversant with ills beyond the usual (typoid and malaria), wrong diagnoses as a result, occasionally expired medication. Private hospitals are a better option. It is advisable to keep in regular contact with your GP (General Practitioner) or personal doctor where you are based. You must be careful with what you eat.

Banking The customer service in Nigerian Banks reeks of incompetence. A lot of the banks are short-staffed.

This is partly due to continued layoffs. I had to make a payment to Eco bank in Abuja in order to register for NYSC. It was a small branch. There was no form of organization. No sign of orderliness.

Customers were in different queues.

The air conditioning system was not working and we were sweating like pigs. The staff had a lackadaisical attitude towards customers. It took me 5 hours to achieve my objective there. But on a positive note, there is an accelerating move to cashless transactions.

You must also ensure that you have a certain amount of cash to conduct your daily activities. I learned the hard way that I must have a minimum of N30, 000 at home at all times. Cash machines are not always reliable. I had the horrible experience of not being able to withdraw money from 8 ATM machines during one weekend due to network failure. This meant that I could not conduct any business that particular weekend. Can you handle this?

Conclusion When all is said and done, it is true that there is no place like home. With the current wave of right-wing politicians coming to power in the west, it is important to look at Nigeria as an option.

Not everybody can adapt to the conditions in Nigeria. That is why it is important to weigh your options.

A contingency plan must be in place in order to avoid disappointment. If you are young and single it is easier to take the plunge. Do not make such a move if you have a family to cater to. It is a dangerous risk. What works for me may not work for you.

It is better to be safe than sorry.

Hopefully, this article has provided the reader with a glaring picture of the situation in the country.

the regional blocks, their role as national ministers, etc., even as head of state, were achieved in their youth. These responsibilities demand mental and physical energy. We are at our physical peak in our 20s and 30s, to peak, intellect wise, in our 40s and 50s.

By our 60s, we are in decline. At the moment, our life expectancy in Nigeria is an average of 53 years.

Yet, a political party, once upon a time, had a 60 year old as its youth leader in a country brimming with youth energy, innovation and

abundance. By the year 2030, it is projected that 50 percent of Nigeria’s population would be young people; how do we prepare for that moment when we have not given the young people room to internalise this fact and hone their skills through public responsibilities?

Now we have pushed our young people and they are organising and pushing back, to seize the space. It was as Kofi Anan said: “if governments do not listen to their people, they will hear from them”.

Surely, Senator Adeyeye’s advice to his colleague is solid logic; “if you are old enough to die for your country (i.e to be enlisted in the military), you are old enough to hold office in your country”.

We can reap the dividends of demography of a youthful population, only if we invest in our young people. Part of that investment is that they are present at the table participating and shaping those decisions that affect them now. That is a certain way to take ownership. The older people should not feel threatened. There is a role and place for everyone under the sun. Elders should become elder statesperson who can provide

guidance and ought to begin a succession planning strategy hinged on nurturing younger women and men and opening up the space for them.

Reducing the age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35 is a good start; governors from 35 to 30; members of House of Representatives and State assemblies from 30 to 25. Surely the state houses of assembly can only do better or at worst keep the status quo and write their names in historic gold, but not reverse the National Assembly gain. The ground has shifted beneath us all as we debate what passes for the mundane in other clime – America under Obama, Canada’s Trudeau, more recently Macron of France, and Uganda with a 19 year old female legislator, Proscovia Alengot Oroma. It show that youth being in office is a discourse already transcended. Let us hurry and walk with the rest of the world. #NotTooYoungToRun is a Movement to be taken seriously.

“

Now we have pushed our young people and they are organising and pushing back, to seize the space. It was as Kofi Anan said: “if governments do not listen to their people, they will hear from them”. Surely, Senator Adeyeye’s advice to his colleague is solid logic; “if you are old enough to die for your country (i.e to be enlisted in the military), you are old enough to hold office in your country”.

Babatunde Denton is a Public Policy Analist.

Amina Salihu, a feminist, farmer and philanthropist, writes from Abuja.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

NEWS

Alleged N32.9bn money laundering: Court remands Mompha A

n Ikeja Special Crimes Court on Tuesday ordered that a social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha aka Mompha, be referred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on charges of conspiracy to launder N5.9 billion.

The defendant was indicted along with his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd, on a new eight count of fraud.

The defendant is also currently facing trial in the Lagos Federal High Court on 22 counts of fraud brought against him by the EFCC. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy to launder funds obtained through illegal activities, laundering of funds obtained through illegal activities, and withholding the proceeds of

Niger Gov mourns Earnst Shonekan

criminal conduct.

Other charges are the use of assets derived from illicit acts, the possession of documents that contain false pretenses, and the failure to disclose assets and properties.

After the arraignment, EFCC Chief Prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo requested a trial date.

However, the defense attorney, Gboyega Oyewole, SAN, informed the court that he had submitted a request for bail that had been notified to the prosecution.

In response, Oyedepo asked for time to respond to the defense’s request for bail.

According to the EFCC, Mompha committed the alleged crime between 2016 and 2019 in Lagos.

It is alleged that the defendant conspired together with Ahmadu Mohammed now at liberty to carry out financial transactions worth N5.9 billion with the intention of committing the crime of obtaining under false pretense.

The prosecution alleges that the defendant also carried out other illegal transactions.

“On January 28, 2019, the defendant and his company, with the intention of promoting Olayinka Jimoh alias ‘Nappy Boy’, carried out illegal financial transactions in the amount of N32 million.

“Said sum refers to the product of a specific illicit activity obtained under false pretenses.

“On February 11, 2019, he withheld the total sum of N20

million on Jimoh’s behalf, and he knew that this sum was the product of Jimoh’s criminal conduct (obtained under false pretense),” he said.

The EFCC alleges that Mompha on February 11, 2019 transferred the sum of N15.9 million to Naptown Records and on February 13, 2019 transferred the sum of N20 million to Wisegate Sleek System.

The funds are alleged to be proceeds of crime (obtained under false pretenses).

On February 3, 2020, the defendant allegedly was in possession of a document containing a false pretense entitled ‘Selected Dairy Producer JP Morgan’ that was used to defraud Continental Diary Facilities LLC.

The EFCC also alleged that on October 20, 2019, Mompha did not provide information regarding her interest in expensive watches such as a Rolex wristwatch, a Hublot wristwatch, two Piguet wristwatches, an Iphone 8 worth N70. millions.

“This is required on page 10 of the asset declaration forms and, therefore, is a crime,” said the prosecutor.

The alleged crimes violate Sections 5 (1) 6, 7 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other FraudRelated Crimes Act of 2006 and Sections 7, 18 and 27 (3) of the EFCC Establishment Act of 2004.

Judge Mojisola Dada postponed the case until January 18 for the bail request hearing.

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

N

iger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has sent his heart felt condolences to the Ogun State Governor and the people of Egbaland over the demise of Chief Ernest Shonekan.

The Governor in a message said it is a loss not only to the people of Abeokuta but the whole country owing to the immense contributions he made in the growth and development of the country when it was much needed.

The NCGF Chairman acknowledged the fact that the deceased is among the greatest leaders the country ever had.

According to the Governor, “late Chief Shonekan was a committed elder statesman who had genuine love for his country. He will be remembered for the good leadership he provided to the country within three months.

Shonekan an icon of unity Ortom From: Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

B

enue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has lamented over the demise of former Interim Head of the Nigerian Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan discribing him as an icon of unity.

According to Ortom, “Shonekan was an outstanding role model who stood to be counted when it mattered.”

Shonekan was Head of the Nigerian government between August 26 and November 17, 1993, and was later overthrown in a coup led by late General Sani Abacha.

According to reports, Shonekan died at a hospital in the Lekki area of Lagos State at the age of 85.

Ortom said, “Shonekan was a vibrant and courageous leader who left his positive footprints in the sands of time.

“Though his stint in office was short, he made great impacts. Nigerians felt his contributions within that time giving his experience as a technocrat in the organized private sector. He prioritized the welfare and security of all citizens without prejudice.

LR: Deputy National Director, Progressive Solidarity for Asiwaju, Mr. Wajeed Obomeghie, Director of Budget and Finance PSA, Mr.Ibrahim Idris, Member PSA, Mr.Shittu Mohammed,and National Deputy Organizing Secretary Mrs.Charity Iliya during a Press conference on the support for Bola Tinubu 2023 presidential bid, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

FCT Vigilante Commander commissions Gwagwalada office

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Mr Maxwell Adebayo, has commissioned the office of the vigilante group in Gwagwalada Central Zone.

Adebayo said the leadership of the VGN would continue to join

hands with the security agencies to fight crime in the Federal Capital Territory for the sake of the residents.

He charged the VGN across the FCT to remain committed to combat crime at their respective Area Councils.

He assured the commanders of the VGN in the territory that he would give the necessary support

to them in order to wage war against the criminals.

In an interview with People’s Daily Correspondent after the commissioning ceremony, the VGN Commander in charge of Gwagwalada Central Zone Command, El-Usman Adamu said he would work hand in hand with other commanders to curb the security challenges in

Gwagwalada and its environs.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Chairman of Gwagwalada on the security matters urged the various vigilante groups in Gwagwalada and FCT at large to work in unity in order to tackle the security problems in the territory.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

Shonekan saved Nigeria from brink of conflict - Akpanudoedehe

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe has expressed sadness over the death of Chief Ernest Shonekan, leader of the Interim National Government (ING) set up after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.

In a condolence message issued on Wednesday, Akpanudoedehe said the late Shonekan’s credentials as a committed nationalist “inspired his choice as a worthy intermediary to serve to douse the tension at the time, when Nigeria was at crossroads, and almost on the brink of conflict.

“I received with a deep sense of sadness, news of the passing of a one-time Head of the Nigerian Interim National Government (ING); the Abese of Egbaland; and my late father’s colleague, H.E. Chief (Dr.) Ernest Shonekan, GCFR, CBE. “Late Chief Shonekan who passed on at 85, was Head of the Nigerian government that succeeded General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime on August 26, 1993, but was ousted by the regime of late General Sani Abacha, on November 17, 1993.

“He was a University of London trained-Nigerian lawyer, and Harvard Business School graduate, whose political career was preceded by a long and illustrious business career in United African Company (UAC) of Nigeria.

“He retired as Chairman/ MD of the company, having risen through the ranks from Assistant Legal Adviser through Deputy Legal Adviser; to becoming a Member of the Board of Directors, before heading the company.”

Chief Shonekan also headed the Board of Pamol Nig. Ltd., Calabar, Cross River State (the largest rubber estate in Nigeria), where my late father, (Hon. James Udoedehe) served alongside him,on the company’s Board, for twelve years.

“I recall with nostalgia my father’s views about late Chief Shonekan’s broad-mindedness, candid views, and wealth of international business and political connections.

“I also recall talk of his passion for the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, which he founded as an Advocacy Group and Think-tank for private sector led-development of Nigeria’s economy.

“These credentials must have inspired his choice as a worthy intermediary to serve to douse the tension at the time, when Nigeria was at crossroads, and almost on the brink of conflict.

APC, PDP must zone 2023 Presidency to South East for Nigeria to be great - SERG

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

P

an-Igbo socio political pressure organisation, the South East Revival Group (SERG) has said that if Nigeria has to be great again, the 2023 presidential candidates of all political parties in the country should come from the South East region.

The SERG made the call in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Willy Ezugwu on Wednesday in Abuja.

Insisting that there is the urgent need to re-enact the gentleman’s political arrangements in the country in the 1998/1999 era, the SERG noted that “such political arrangement that led the top political parties to choose presidential candidates from the South West will bring the needed healing for immediate national transformation in 2023.”

The group maintained that

“not only that the Igbos are more nationalistic than any other tribe in the country due to their believe that anywhere an Igbo son or daughter resides is taken as home away from home, South East is the only zone with more billionaires and millionaires with no direct connections to the government.

“So, the hope of a transformed Nigeria from the current zero economic level can only be fully realised with a Nigerian President of South East extraction.

“It is a fact that most Igbo sons and daughters who are silent billionaire and millionaire got to where they are after the civil war in the 1970s when Igbos were given a mere 20 Nigerian pounds to start their lives.

“Despite the lasting civil war devastations in the region, the average South Easterner believed in himself or herself, creatively launched out and has been consistently growing his or her

wealth.

“Nigeria and Nigerians must at this time realise that this is the best opportunity to re-enact the principle and doctrine of necessity that gave the presidency to the South West in the 1998/1999 political era.

“Beyond pacifying the South East geopolitical zone for many years of gross neglect and deliberate abandonment by the Federal Government after the civil war till date, 2023 presents to Nigeria and her citizens the rare chance to reorder the country’s political landscape, bring about lasting healing among all tribes and religious affiliations for economic prosperity.

“A President of Nigeria of South East extraction has become even more imperative now that the country is extremely divided along tribal and religious lines.

“Is it not time Nigerians realised that the key to a national

rebirth is an Igbo Presidency?

“Which other tribe reside everywhere in the country, understand the culture and traditions of their host communities, respect and accept them, for a peaceful co-existence than the Igbos, who not only reside in all parts of the country to carry out their legitimate businesses but also build mansions in their places of residence as true nationalists?

The answer is none!

“Therefore, after due diligence, the SERG strongly believes that if Nigeria has to be great again, the 2023 presidential candidates of all political parties should come from the South East geopolitical zone.

“This will offer Nigerians the opportunity to choose the best Igbo man or woman for the job of good governance and economic recovery through purposeful nationalistic leadership devoid of tribal or religious inclinations”, the statement concluded.

From left: Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Prof. Joseph Odigure; President of COREN, Mr Ali Rabiu and former Chairman, Education and Training Committee of the Council, Prof.

Saddiq Abubakar, during COREN’s regional trainthe-trainers’ workshop for the implementation of OutcomeBased Education in Engineering Programmes in Nigerian Universities, in Abuja on Wednesday 12/1/22).

2023: Tinubu best for the nation – Solidarity Group

By Ochiaka Ugwu

B

arely 24 hours after the declaration of presidential ambition for 2023 contest by Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a political interest group, Progressives Solidarity for Asiwaju (PSA) has declared the former Lagos Governor as the best presidential material for the nation.

The group who made this known during a press conference Wednesday addressed by its Director of Budget and Finance, Hon. Ibrahim Idris said their aim of drumming support for Tinubu was to consolidate of the

gains made so far.

Hon. Idris stated that Progressives’ Solidarity for Asiwaju, (PSA) was formed to garner the support of Nigerians for the actualisation of Tinubu’s aspiration to become the President with the aim of repositioning the polity and governance of Nigeria.

He informed that the Convener of PSA, Chief Ibrahim Emokpaire, who he described as an astute and seasoned politician in concert with other political bigwigs has successfully set up PSA in 36 States, including the Federal Capital Territory.

His words, “Asiwaju is not just a robust politician but an unusual phenomena and strategist per excellence. His antecedents in politics and private life are intimidating.

Nigeria needs an unrepentant Progressive, a visionary with the penchant for impactful deliverables.

“Nigeria needs a builder, a People’s Person, an achiever, a human capital developer to take her out of the current quagmire and build on the gains of President Buhari’s government.

“Asiwaju Tinubu’s pedigree and achievements are clear and

measurable. He has the political will and capacity to turn our land into an Eldorado within a short time”.

He said PSA is therefore determined and committed to ensuring that Tinubu wins the Primary Election in APC and ultimately win the general election come 2023.

Also speaking, PSA National Deputy Organizing Secretary, Charity Iliya said the majority of women and youth were ready to work tirelessly towards actualizing Tinubu presidency given their numerical strength.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

POLITICS

Senate maps out strategy to triple revenue to GDP, as Lawan laments huge borrowing

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Senate has mapped out a strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s revenue to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is tripled in 2022, even as the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, yesterday lamented that no nation is happy taking loans from independent sources.

Speaking to journàlists yesterday at his Maitama Guest House in Abuja, during a Media interaction to mark his 63rd birthday celebration, Lawan said the Senate has put up a programme that will enable the Senate to interface with the revenue generating agencies on a quarterly basis, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal

Inland Revenue Service, among others, especially on their targets.

Lawan said the revenue agencies must either triple the targets given to them by the Ministry of Finance, or at least double it, adding that the relevant Senate Committees must effectively oversight the agencies to plug every leakage, even as he expressed hope that this will help the economy to reduce the level of dependence on borrowing.

“The Senate in this new year wants to ensure that revenue to GDP is improved by dealing with revenue generation and remittance. We will on quarterly basis meet with the revenue agencies on their targets.

“We are looking at starting early February. Nobody is happy

taking loans or borrowing as a country, but what can you do when the revenue is not enough, but to get funds from independent sources. We are expecting double or triple of what we usually get from the revenue agencies at least to reduce the extent of borrowing”, Lawan told journàlists.

Speaking further, he said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) already signed by President Muhammadu Buhari will be implemented this year, even as he charged the relevant agencies to ensure that the objective and efforts of the National Assembly in passing the Bill is not defeated.

To this end, he expressed confidence that if the Act is well implemented, through remittances from the

International Oil Companies, Nigeria will be able to recover most of what the economy had lost in the past.

The Senate President also said the 9th Senate is courageous given its decision to do what other Senate is not able to do given the dangerous implications. He said the Senate he leads restored the budget cycle to January December, even when experts think it is not possible.

He said though mischief makers have continued to call them names like rubber stamp, but the 9th National Assembly has stabilized the Nigerian economy by passing the budget on time and the President signed it early, making Nigeria to survive two recessions.

He said they have also been able to stabilize the polity by ensuring that the legislature and the executive does not work at cross purposes. He said those calling them rubber stamp are ignorant or are just being mischievous.

“We are not perfect but we will always do what is best for the nation. The Senate has done over 90 percent of what we set out for ourselves, but other challenges keep coming because the society is dynamic. The Senate has approved up to one trillion for the security and it is now the duty of the executive to release the funds and for lawmakers to oversight effectively and for the security agencies to work up to expectations”, he said.

APC National Convention still on course - Caretaker Committee

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has denied the allegations that the party has suspended its scheduled National Convention, earlier slated for February 2022.

In a statement issued yesterday by the National Secretary of the party, John James Akpanudoedehe, the party advised the general public to completely disregard fake news on the reported suspension of the planned National Convention till June, as reported by some media outlets.

He said “Dates for Party activities such as meetings, Primaries, Congresses, National Conventions are communicated through wellknown official channels and not through ‘sources’.

“The faceless authors and sponsors of fake news on APC activities, in this case the planned National Convention are simply bent on causing confusion and formenting crisis through misinformation. We should not enable them.

“As a focus-driven, processoriented political party, the APC Caretaker Committee under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni will not be distracted by selfserving antics of these sponsors of fake news.

“The APC Caretaker Committee is already embarking on nationwide consultations with Party stakeholders to prepare the ground for a rancour-free National Convention. To this end, the subcommittee on budgeting and other substructures will be set up in due course.

“Finally, the Party notes and appreciates the continued support of well-meaning members and leaders as the APC Caretaker Committee undertakes the immediate task of addressing contestations within the Party, litigations, fallouts of recentlyconducted Congresses and generally reposition the Party ahead of the National Convention.”

L-R: Commissioner for investment, Commerce and Industry of Niger state, Dr. Mustapha M. Jibril, Representative of The Progressive Project (TPP), Mr. Jeffrey Omoh, Rivers state Coordinator, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for President 2023, Mr. Precious Elekima, National Coordinator of OSM, Alhaji Adamu Hussyne and Coordinator, Osinbajo Supports Movement (OSM), Alhaji Ado Baba, during the Shorts Suggestions From Groups of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for President 2023, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

APC chairmanship: North-central plans protest against contestants from region

By Christiana Ekpa

S

ome leaders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State and some states in the northcentral zone of the country have said that they have concluded arrangements to protest across the zone against anyone vying for the national chairmanship seat of the party.

The leaders/members who said they are of like-minds and have formed a strong forum in the party to initiate and carry out political activities that would benefit the region stressed that acceptance of the APC chairmanship could cost the zone the 2023 presidency which is one of their strongest quests.

Speaking with newsmen after their meeting in Jos, the Plateau

State capital, on their behalf, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga said, “We had last month issued a warning to those APC leaders seeking to contest the chairmanship seat from the region, but some of them are still hellbent on going on with their intention, therefore leaving us with no option than to organise a protest across the region to send a strong signal to the aspirants.

Zazzaga maintained that “the north-central should not compromise the 2023 Presidency for any other position because it is time the presidency be zoned to the region for the sake of equity and fairness.”

He also reiterated that they are not speaking for the APC as a party, but that as party members/ leaders at various levels, they have decided to form a forum to pursue

initiatives that would benefit the whole region.

According to him, “The 2023 presidency should be zoned to the North Central because apart from the military era, since the democratic dispensation this region hasn’t actually produced either the president or the Vice President, but has tremendously contributed to the democratic growth in the nation.

“I want to once again state that it would be fair and equitable for the presidency to be zoned to the north-central region.

“But one of the things that could jeopardize the quest is the acceptance of a party’s National Chairmanship position by anyone from the region.”

Adding that: “The political calculation and understanding

is that if a party chairmanship is zoned to a region, the presidency would be zoned to another region.

“We are therefore sending a strong warning to our party leaders from the North Central vying for the party national chairmanship to retrace their steps, and rather work together for the emergence of the President from the region rather than the chairmanship position which will technically cost us the presidency come 2023”, he stressed.

He called on the APC national leadership to consider their quest and zone the presidency to the region.

Stressing that they are not alone as members of other parties from the region are with them in their push for the presidency to come to the north-central.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

Ekiti governorship: I’ll not step down even for $200bn - Popoola

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A

governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the June18 Ekiti State guber polls, Demola Popoola said he would not step down for any aspirant, including the purported anointed one even if he is offered as much as $200 billion.

There have been rumours that the incumbent governor of Ekiti Fayemi Kayode has endorsed the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Abiodun Oyebanji for the race, the insinuations which the governor dismissed.

Popoola who acknowledged the Kayode’s refutal of the endorsement rumour said the Governor has not even attempted prevailing on him to drop his ambition for anyone but rather advised him to work for the emergence of APC in the State.

The Aviation expert and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Emmanpop Ventures made his position known while addressing journalists shortly after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms at the APC National Secretariat, Abuja on Wednesday.

He said: “Governor Kayode has not called me once to tell me Demola step down. Never! He never! All he tells me is, ‘all I want is who will win the election for APC in Ekiti. I am not going to stop anybody.

“So the story of annointed, he has refuted so let us take it that way.

So I am not anybody’s annointed candidate and I will not step down for anybody. Not for $200 billion”.

Popoola assured that if elected as Governor, he will bring in partners who are already set to invest $2.1 billion into agriculture through construction of rural roads for transportation of farm produce and warehouses to prevent wastage.

“I intend to build industries and in contact with foreign financial gurus and businessmen who have signified intention to come and support Ekiti State. The unemployment that is facing Ekiti State, we will set up some cottage industries. I am working with my people, I think it will be a good thing if Ekiti can do free education.

“In the area of health, we are already talking to some Germans and some Nigerians who are going to build a medical centre, one of the biggest.

We are also trying to introduce free medical service for the elderly. We will try and finish our Cargo Airport so that our investors can find it easy taking their products and giving us money.

We are serious working on how we can give them at least a minimum of 22 hours supply of electricity, he stated.

Meanwhile, another aspirant Oluwatoyin Afolabi said he was not being sponsored to block the chance of any aspirant and smoothen the path for anyone as he was in the race through self sponsorship, having saved at least $50,000 he got from his investments in the United States of America.He said: “I just told you that I got $50,000 last year which is equivalent to more than N22.5million.

Since I have the ambition to do something for my great people of Ekiti, I kept the money in the bank. How about that. I’m sponsoring myself.

POLITICS

Osinbajo 2023 Presidency campaigners parley leaders of 500 support groups

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

L

ess than 48 hours after hosting a nationwide coalition of 57 youth and students’ groups, officials at The Progressive Project (TPP) on Tuesday hosted representatives of about 500 support groups from all parts of Nigeria to begin strategies towards beating moneybags’ influence at the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries.

At the TPP office in Abuja on Wednesday, former, serving and prospective candidates for councillorship, chairmanship, state and federal legislative positions, along with few former and serving state commissioners exchanged views on how to achieve effective grassroots impact by selling the good qualities of Vice President Osinbajo as being of greater significance than offer of monetary gifts.

Head of TPP’s Situation Room, Jeffry Omoh, who addressed representatives of the support group drawn from the nation’s six geo-political zones, emphasized that their strategy shall emphasize ‘mobilization of delegates’ patriotism, not mobilization of Naira’, also urged attendees to “go home, study their environment more, improve their interactions with people and return with suggestions and ideas that TPP and its constituent teams can work with”.

“We thank all members of the approximately 500 support groups who are already identifying with us, with firm commitment towards mobilising Nigeria towards achieving an Osinbajo Presidency in 2023,” he said.

One of the speakers at the event, Mustapha M. Jibril, who is Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry in Niger state, told the gathering that the

loyalty demonstrated to President Muhammadu Buhari, disciplined focus and other good qualities of Professor Yemi Osinbajo, drew attendees from various parts of the federation together to pursue a common cause.

Speaking in a similar vein at the first interactive meeting of pro-Osinbajo groups, Ibrahim Mohammed, who drew attention to his family’s Kano origin, stated that his family members have lived in Ibadan, Oyo state over the past one hundred and fifty years, adding that 2023 elections is not really going about zoning but about the prospects of unity, sustainable progress and development across all parts of the federation.

“Our efforts here and the motivation for supporting Osinbajo is not about whether political power goes north or south; it is about consolidating on what has been achieved in the past towards throttling into

a better future for all under a trustworthy and very capable leadership that would not need to offer huge bribes to party delegates before its emergence,” he stated.

Speaking in the same vein, Mr. Precious Elekia who led the Cross River State Coalition for Osinbajo 2003 group asserted that: “It is time to vote for Nigeria and not a time to vote for Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba,” adding that Professor Yemi Osinbajo is a viable and sellable candidate that appeals to all dimensions of national interest.

Among recommendations proffered by representatives of various pro-Osinbajo support groups were implementation of mobilization efforts across various wards in 774 local government councils, focus on reaching prospective delegates to APC national convention and creation of state coordination teams across the federation.

President, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Mr Ali Rabiu (M); Registrar of COREN, Prof. Joseph Odigure (4th L); former Chairman, Education and Training Committee of the Council, Prof. Saddiq Abubakar (5th R) and participants, during COREN’s regional train-the-trainers’ workshop for the implementation of Outcome-Based Education in Engineering Programmes in Nigerian Universities, in Abuja on Wednesday 12/1/22).

Ayade not realistic about zoning Cross River governorship – PDP chairman blasts

C

hairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, Venatius Ikem has flayed Governor Benedict Ayade over his pronouncement that he has zoned governorship to the southern senatorial district of the state.

In an interview, Ikem said Ayade is not realistic with his pronouncement.

“I don’t believe Governor Ayade is poised for any such thing. The events in a few weeks and months ahead will bear me out,” he said.

According to him, the Governor has lost grip of the political process and is only hanging on to the threads of what he thinks to be popular opinion to claim some semblance of support.

“I challenge him to stop

aspirants from other zones from contesting for the ticket of his party. I challenge him to stop some of his closest allies from contesting in compliance with his avowed stand on zoning.

“If he cannot convince his close allies then clearly I will tell anyone who believes his stand on zoning as unrealistic and asleep.

We need to wake such a one from sleep,” he added.

However, Governor Ayade again vowed that he will do everything possible to ensure that fairness is followed in choosing his successor from Cross River South.

“I have not changed my mind.

My position and that of the party is for fairness and moral conscience to prevail. Power should return to the south. It is only fair that we do so,” he said.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

Stock Watch: Monday, January 10, 2021 Low

OPEN Volume Close High

2.80 3.15 0 1.94 3.94 0 0.27 0.27 0 0.64 0.64 0 4.60 8.60 0 37.00 68.30 0 3.79 4.21 0 9.65 10.05 0 31.50 34.00 0 1.90 1.92 0 18.45 18.45 0 1.72 1.84 0 23.25 23.25 0 0.20 0.20 0 0.20 0.20 0 6.10 6.10 0 1.75 1.75 0 186.00 186.00 0 6.00 6.65 0 14.60 14.55 0 1.80 2.00 0 3.37 3.37 0 4.30 4.70 0 14.00 14.00 0 7.35 7.80 0 1.62 1.65 0 1.91 1.96 0 4.95 4.95 99 0.33 0.33 0 21.85 21.85 0 29.60 30.70 0 0.20 0.20 0 12.20 13.05 0 32.60 32.95 0 72.00 72.00 0 1.18 1.18 0 1.53 1.53 0 31.50 31.50 0 0.51 0.54 0 0.20 0.20 0 23.25 23.25 0 0.44 0.44 0 0.30 0.30 0 1.36 1.36 0 0.72 0.72 0 0.52 0.49 0 1.83 1.83 0 2.45 2.45 0

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Stock Close Gain UPL 1.14 0.13 LIVESTOCK 0.52 0.01 SOVRENINS 0.21 0.03 OKOMUOIL 60.00 1.80 GUARANTY 23.50 0.55

Low 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

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0.11 0.21 0 0.21 0.21 MBENEFIT 0.00 0 0.43 0.43 0 0.43 0.43 MCNICHOLS 0.00 0 1.05 2.05 261 2.05 2.05 MEDVIEWAIR 0.00 0 124.80 184.80 0 184.80 184.80 MOBIL 0.00 0 0.20 0.20 970 0.20 0.20 MULTIVERSE 0.00 0 3.50 3.50 0 3.50 3.50 NAHCO 0.00 0 18.00 18.00 0 18.00 18.00 NASCON 0.00 0 78.50 78.70 0 79.50 79.50 NB 0.80 0 0.78 0.78 0 0.78 0.78 NEIMETH 0.00 0 2.60 2.60 0 2.60 2.60 NEM 0.00 0 552.20 552.20 150 552.20 552.20 NESF 0.00 0 1,475.00 1,475.00 0 1,475.00 1,475.00 NESTLE 0.00 0 1.60 1.65 0 1.60 1.60 NPFMCRFBK -0.05 0 4.60 4.80 0 4.60 4.75 OANDO -0.20 0 80.00 76.20 0 80.00 80.00 OKOMUOIL 3.80 0 64.00 64.00 0 64.00 64.00 PRESCO 0.00 0 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 PRESTIGE 0.00 0 12.30 12.30 0 12.30 12.30 PZ 0.00 0 4.20 4.20 0 4.20 4.20 REDSTAREX 0.00 0 0.20 0.21 0 0.20 0.21 REGALINS -0.01 0 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 RESORTSAL 0.00 0 0.21 0.23 0 0.21 0.22 ROYALEX -0.02 0 640.00 640.00 405 640.00 640.00 SEPLAT 0.00 0 0.20 0.20 0 0.21 0.21 SOVRENINS 0.01 0 46.50 46.00 0 46.50 46.50 STANBIC 0.50 0 102.00 102.00 122 102.00 102.00 STANBICETF30 0.00 0 1.97 1.96 0 1.97 1.97 STERLNBANK 0.01 0 203.00 203.00 0 203.00 203.00 TOTAL 0.00 0 6.10 6.10 632 6.10 6.10 TRANSCOHOT 0.00 0 1.15 1.21 0 1.16 1.18 TRANSCORP -0.05 0 9.60 9.60 0 9.60 9.60 UACN 0.00 0 1.74 1.92 0 1.74 1.74 UAC-PROP -0.18 0 7.60 7.80 0 7.90 7.95 UBA 0.10 0 6.00 6.05 0 6.00 6.05 UBN -0.05 0 2.89 2.94 0 2.89 2.91 UCAP -0.05 0 36.30 37.00 0 36.30 36.30 UNILEVER -0.70 0 0.27 0.27 0 0.27 0.27 UNIONDAC 0.00 0 1.00 0.99 0 1.00 1.00 UNITYBNK 0.01 0 2.04 1.97 0 2.14 2.14 UPL 0.17 0 0.23 0.23 0 0.23 0.23 VERITASKAP 0.00 0 4.50 4.99 0 4.50 4.50 VITAFOAM -0.49 0 11.30 11.50 0 11.30 11.65 WAPCO -0.20 0 0.40 0.40 0 0.40 0.40 WAPIC 0.00 0 0.59 0.61 0 0.59 0.61 WEMABANK -0.02 0 21.20 22.70 0 21.70 22.50 ZENITHBANK -1.00 0 Copyright © 2021 NgTradeOnline

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PAGE 19

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

504MW Alaoji Power Plant shutdown over pipeline vandalism

By Etuka Sunday

T

otalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited has declared a Force Majeure Event resulting from its NOPL Line vandalization at KP41 on January 7, 2022.

According to TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited in a letter to the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC), “NOPL pipeline was vandalized on 7th January 2022 at KP41 Alaoma Etche Cluster.

The Head, Communication & Public Relations, NDPHC, Emmanuel Ojor in a statement said, the Line Block Valve at

KP38 was closed to isolate the sabotage point and depressurization of the line, this will affect gas supply to Alaoji (Power Plant) until further notice.

As a result of this development, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited stated that “Gas supply to Alaoji Power Plant was suspended due to this unfortunate event. Preliminary investigation to determine the extent of the damage is ongoing, and repair works shall commence as soon as feasible.”

The Management of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited hereby regrets to announce

the shutdown of 504MW Alaoji Power Plant on January 7, 2022.

Please recall that Omotosho NIPP was shut down last month when Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) due to system wide curtailment of all gas shippers (gas producers/off takers) by Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) “to forestall the imminent collapse of the gas grid.”

NGC said at the time that the TransForcardos Pipeline (TFP), belonging to NGC was breached on December 17, 2021.

That breach led to the deferment of about 250MMscfd of gas from the Pipeline Network, a situation that

brought the Network Pressure to abysmal levels, thereby triggering an emergency.

The curtailment impacted operations of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited negatively with Omotosho NIPP being shut down and gas supply to GEREGU NIPP and Ihovbor NIPP also limited thus leading to part load or low generation from these available power plants.

The Management of NDPHC hereby assures our customers that Alaoji Power Plant and others will resume power generation as soon as gas supply is restored.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu (3rd left), . Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Barr. Mohammed H. Abdullahi (2nd left), Chairman of the Committee/Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Mr. Edet Sunday Akpan (left), Director-General National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha (3rd right), Executive Director Engineering Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Dr. Stephen Moses (2nd right), and Principal Manager Nigerian Communications Commission Engr. Chukwuma Nwaiwu (right), during the Inauguration of the Inter Ministerial Committee for Nigeria Science, Technology and Innovation Television (SCIENCETV@NG) by the . Minister , yesterday in Abuja.. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

FG’s intervention facilitates settlement of AEDC workers entitlements

T

he Federal Ministry of Power announces the fulfilment of its promise to ensure the payment of all entitlements of the workers of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) which caused the recent industrial action that shutdown the company’s facilities and disrupted power across FCT, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger state.

The intervention of the ministry

facilitated the payment of the entitlements of AEDC staff, as agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and other stakeholders in December last year.

The entitlements settled include; unpaid allowances, salaries, union deductions and unremitted 20 months pensions contributions deducted from workers’ salaries.

The Honourable Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu reaffirms the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Power to working with all stakeholders to ensure steady electricity supply and stability in the electricity industry.

Engr. Abubakar Aliyu added that the federal government will continue to ensure that all the electricity sector players and stakeholders work according to the rules and guidelines.

In December last year, the Federal Ministry of Power took the initiative that ended the AEDC workers strike by engaging the organized labour.

The strike action last year came at the same time as changes in shareholding in AEDC and the appointment of an interim management for AEDC by the shareholders and was endorsed by NERC and BPE.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

PAGE 20

BU$IN€SS T

he Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), an economic advocacy group, has identified Dangote Petroleum Refinery as one of the key expected drivers of growth that would impact positively on the downstream sector of the Nigerian economy in 2022.

Likewise, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, a financial institution, in its recent Economic Report for 2022, expressed a firm belief that Dangote Refinery would boost the growth of the downstream sector of the economy and enhance petroleum products distribution across Africa.

The Managing Director/CEO of Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane, however, warned that the refinery, when operational, would not be a final solution to Nigeria’s economic crises. “The coming on stream of Dangote Refinery will no doubt enhance product distribution across Africa.

Will Dangote refinery solve Nigeria’s problem? The answer is no. But the

Dangote Refinery Will Boost Growth of Downstream Sector in 2022, CPPE, Others Affirm company is going to make Nigeria an exporter of refined petroleum products,” he added.

In a Nigeria Economic Outlook for 2022 released by the CPPE, its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muda Yusuf said activation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in 2022 is expected to impact positively on the economic outlook.

“We expect to see positive outcomes as investor sentiments in the oil and gas sector improve on account of the reforms anchored on the PIA. This will however depend on the political will deployed to drive the implementation of the provisions of the Act. It is also expected that the coming on stream of the Dangote refinery in 2022 will also impact positively on the downstream sector of the economy”, he added.

He said the average oil price in 2022 is expected to exceed the budgeted benchmark of sixty-two dollars ($62) per barrel, offering some fiscal headroom. This, he noted, would be powered by higher energy demand driven by the recovery of economic activities globally.

“This trajectory is expected to impact on our foreign reserve and strengthen the capacity of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to support the foreign exchange market”, Yusuf said. He, however, added that if the Dangote refinery comes on stream in 2022, the fiscal pressure on the economy may abate, but not completely eliminated.

According to the economist, because the service sector is less vulnerable to the structural

constraints of the economy, especially the real sector of the economy, it will continue to outpace the real sector in 2022.

He said, “The service sector of the Nigerian economy will continue to outpace the real sector in 2022.

In the third quarter of 2021, service sector contribution to GDP was 50 per cent and the growth of the sector was 8.41 per cent. The oil sector contribution to GDP was 7.5 per cent while the non-oil sector contribution was 92.5 per cent. While the industrial sector growth contracted by 1.63 per cent, agriculture grew by 1.2 per cent.”

Yusuf said the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth would remain fragile at about three per cent, pointing out that the key expected drivers of growth would be sustained

recovery of global oil price.

He said, “We expect that the average oil price in 2022 will exceed the budgeted benchmark of $62 per barrel, offering some fiscal headroom. This would be powered by higher energy demand driven by the recovery of economic activities globally.”

The economist noted that despite the downside risks, the economy would continue to present huge opportunities for investors across all sectors. “This is on account of the resourcefulness of the Nigerian people, especially the entrepreneurs.

Other inherent strengths of the Nigerian economy include the market size, the population, and the demographic characteristics”, he added.

AEDC, NAPTIN to collaborate on capacity building

By Etuka Sunday

M

anaging Director of Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc – Engr. Akin Bada say the Company will collaborate with the National Training Power Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) to raise the competency profile of its workers in order to improve service delivery to the customers by taking advantage of the training opportunities that the Institute offers.

The General Manager, Corporate Communications, Oyebode Fadipe, AEDC, in a statement said, Engr.

Bada who gave the assurance when he received the Director General of the Institute – Alhaji Bolaji Nagode today in his office in Abuja said further that NAPTIN has transformed itself into a international brand such that it has become the first port of call for utilities seeking to train its personnel in the electricity industry across the African continent.

According to Engr. Bada, human capital is the most critical asset of any organisation. Given that fact, every organisation must continually ensure that the capacity of its most critical asset is constantly positioned

to deliver on its mandate.

“I am happy that NAPTIN, which was established by the federal government of Nigeria to offer a wide range of manpower development programmes consistent with the needs of the industry has shown itself to be able to respond to these needs of the training needs of the power sector. With your mandate and your pedigree as the foremost power training institute in Nigeria and the African continent therefore, AEDC will take good advantage of this opportunity to build the capacity of its workers.”

In his response, the DG of the Institute – Alhaji Bolaji Nagode congratulated Engr. Bada and the Interim Management team made up of Sani Usman, Donald Etim, Babajide Ibironke and Femi Zacchaeus on their appointment.

Alhaji Nagode said the appointment of Engr. Bada who is a veteran of the industry was indicative of the need to reposition AEDC for optimal service delivery to its customers.

“In this regard, we are prepared to work with your management for the repositioning of AEDC as a

critical asset in the country through training”.

Alhaji Nagode said the Institute not only offers a wide range of human capacity training programs which is apt for the industry, the Institute has also started its E-Learning program in response to the safety protocols of the COVID 19 pandemic and its different variants.

“Since this pandemic is not about to leave us anytime soon, as a training Institute, we adopted e-Learning in order to ensure that the capacity of the workers in the sector is continually enhanced.”

LG ThinQ: Creating Smart Homes, Changing Lifestyles

By Etuka Sunday

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t’s no longer news to say that innovations and advances in technology can have a profound change on lifestyles. While smart homes and smart products have clearly been embraced by mainstream consumers, what hasn’t been clear is what benefits users are actually getting in return for their investments. LG Electronics (LG) aims to be a positive force in the new age of the smart home, illustrating clear benefits of smart home technology via the LG ThinQ app.

No Need for an Advanced Degree Contrary to what many might think, less tech-savvy users can enjoy the functions of a smart home.

The fact that smart homes provide adaptable, easy-to-use solutions is an added plus. Smart homes can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of tech fluency or age and they can play an important role in narrowing the digital divide. In the ThinQ app, users can easily customize settings to all connected appliances in the house in one step. And with the ThinQ app’s Smart Diagnosis and Proactive Customer Care, users can identify and resolve issues without having to call or wait for a customer service representative or repair technician. [i] The ThinQ app even informs you when you’ve put too much detergent in the washing machine and when

to change the water filter in the refrigerator.

Flexible Homes Adapt to Unique Lifestyles While smart homes are designed to be universally beneficial, those benefits have the advantage of being unique to every individual. Smart spaces are providing flexible solutions that adapt to distinctive lifestyles based on users’ key values, interests and hobbies. For example, a person who has a passion for gardening may enjoy the remote control or voice command function of their smart TVs, refrigerators and washing machines as they allow users to communicate with their products even when they’re busy in the garden. With the LG ThinQ app and the company’s smart appliances, users have more time because they won’t have to constantly check on the progress. Laundry can be checked through the app so users know exactly how much time is left so they can afford to sit back and relax.

Navigating Sports Entertainment with Ease For the sports fan, navigating a Smart TV can be an enjoyable experience. LG offers a variety of “premier league” TVs that can capture all the blistering action in absolute clarity. From multi-awardwinning OLED TVs to the soon-tolaunch QNED Mini LED TVs, and the more affordable yet highly capable NanoCell TVs; the company has all

of sports-viewing needs covered.

Conveniently available on LG TVs, Sports Alert keeps fans effortlessly up to date on their favorite teams.

Receive notifications when their games are about to begin, real-time scoring alerts and final results even while watching other content. Users can also easily check out upcoming matches and other key information so they’re always in the know. Setting up Sports Alert is as easy as can be.

Just press the Speak button on the LG Magic Remote and say “Sports Alert” and ThinQ instantly launches the app so users can select the sports leagues and teams they want to follow.

Paving a Smart Way for Sustainable Living Today’s smart homes are setting a new benchmark for environmentallyfriendly living. Among the long list of smart home benefits, saving energy is a key factor for most. Through energy optimization features found in the latest connected products, smart homes help users achieve a more sustainable way of life while protecting consumers from hefty energy bills. With the LG ThinQ app’s Energy Dashboard, homeowners can easily monitor how much energy every LG smart appliance is consuming so users can adjust settings accordingly to save electricity. LG’s eco-conscious appliances help reduce the home’s carbon footprint thanks to their efficient use of energy and water.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

By Stanley Onyekwere

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he Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA) salvaged an estimated goods and properties worth over 1.264 billion naira from market fire outbreaks between January and December 2021.

Also, the Agency revealed that a total number of 3715 lives were saved in various rescue operations within the same period.

FEMA Director General, Abbas Idriss, who made this disclosure yesterday , while briefing newsmen, said major disasters that occurred in 2021 in the FCT included flooding, market fires and building collapse.

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Market inferno: FEMA saves 3,715 lives, N1.2bn properties in 2021

Idriss, disclosed that 2,025 lives were saved from flooding in the FCT, with the highest figure of 802, coming from the Trademore Estate flood incident in Lugbe, while 5 lives were lost to flooding in the area.

He added that FEMA rescued 1444 persons from various fire rescue operations in the Ebeano Super Market fire, where 74 persons were rescued, the Kugbo furniture market with 102 lives saved and 300 lives from the Gwarimpa old tipper garage fire.

According to him, the Agency

recovered 26 vehicles during the rescue operations while,183 houses were submerged during the period under review.

He revealed that the Agency recorded an increase in the use of its112 toll-free emergency number, as it received 173 distress calls in 2021, as against 153 in 2020.

“Between January and December 2021, FEMA responded to 173 distress calls.

These calls covered response to flood disasters, fire incidents, collapsed buildings, drowning,

gas explosion etc.

“A total number of 3715 lives were saved in various rescue operations within the period under review; 57 persons were however fatally injured during these disasters.

“Other rescue operations attended to in 2021 included incidents of collapsed buildings, where we were able to rescue 17 persons; we however lost 2 lives.

“Drowning incidents claimed one life while we rescued 7 persons from various rivers. We recorded 2 incidents of gas explosion,

thankfully no lives were lost. We also lost 7 lives to Military Air crash.

“The Agency salvaged an estimated goods and properties worth over 1.264 billion naira from market fire outbreaks last year.

“We believe in proactive measures to mitigate disasters; hence we undertook hazard mapping of the FCT, vulnerability assessment as well as deployment of technology in our operations.

These greatly enhanced our performance in 2021,” the FEMA boss stated.

Flooded Aba Road in Ecthe Local Government Area of Rivers on Wednesday (12/1/22).

FCT Teachers’ outstanding promotion arrears paid now- NUT

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teacher, (NUT), FCT wing, Comrade Dr. Stephen Knabayi has disclosed the payment of their promotion arrears, by the FCT Administration after months of persistent demand.

Dr. Kinabayi, who made this disclosure in a telephone conversation in Abuja, said the union succeeded in getting its demands

and the money was paid on Thursday, 6th January, 2022.

While revealing that the administration has since cleared the the promotion Arrears of 2017, Kinabayi noted that the one that was settled now, after their meeting with the Permanent Secretary, was the promotion Arrears of 2018.

According to him, “The union had a closed door meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory

Administration, FCTA that lasted for several hours, while the union insisted, demanding for the promotion arrears, it was eventually paid”.

“After a meeting with the Permanent Secretary on the 2018 promotion arrears, we expected this money before now. And now they saw the need to release it. Its all the arrears of 2018. You know the teachers are in two fold.

“You know we have teachers from the

secondary School and teachers from the primary Schools. So the payment is for the teachers in the Secondary Schools and we are still discussing with the Area Council Chairmen to see the need of paying for that of LEA teachers, “ he said.

It could be recalled that the union under the leadership of Comrade Stephen Knabayi has been demanding payment of outstanding promotion arrears of teachers.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

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world news

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Kazakhstan unrest was coup attempt, says president

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azakhstan’s President KassymJomart Tokayev has described deadly violence last week as an attempted coup d’etat.

He told leaders of a military alliance of ex-Soviet states the action had been coordinated by a “single centre”, but did not name those responsible.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said Kazakhstan had been targeted by international terrorism, but provided no evidence for this claim.

He added that Russia would never allow revolutions in the region.

Troops from Russia and other countries are currently in Kazakhstan to restore order.

The demonstrations, triggered by a rise in fuel prices, turned into the worst unrest the country has seen in its 30 years of independence. Dozens of people are reported to have died, including 16 members of the security forces.

The protests started on 2 January and grew to reflect discontent at the government and former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who led Kazakhstan for three decades and is still thought to retain significant influence.

Correspondents say the recent violence may be linked to a power struggle within the ruling elite.

A week after violence erupted, the authorities say the situation has now stabilised, with troops continuing “cleanup” operations and guarding strategic facilities.

A state of emergency and a nationwide

curfew remain in place. Almost 8,000 people have been detained throughout the country, the Interior Ministry said on Monday.

The security talks between leaders of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) military alliance came as Kazakhstan began an official day of mourning to commemorate those killed in the unrest.

“Armed militants who were waiting in the wings joined the protests. The main goal was obvious: the undermining of the constitutional order, the destruction of government institutions and the seizure of power. It was an attempted coup d’etat,” Mr Tokayev said.

He said protesters had targeted Kazakhstan’s biggest city, Almaty, with a view to seizing the country’s southern regions and the capital, Nur-Sultan. A hunt for “terrorists” was continuing and Kazakhstan would soon give proof of what had happened to the international community, he added.

Mr Putin said he believed some involved in the violence in recent days had been trained in foreign countries, without giving evidence.

“Well organised and clearly managed groups of militants were used, about which President Tokayev just spoke, including those who obviously underwent training in terrorist camps abroad,” Mr Putin told other leaders on the video conference.

“Events in Kazakhstan are not the first

Kazakh security forces guard a checkpoint in Almaty last week nor the last attempt to meddle into our internal affairs from abroad.

“Measures taken by CSTO show that we will not allow a destabilised situation in the region and we will not let them carry out so-called colour revolutions.”

Last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken questioned Kazakhstan’s decision to seek Russian military help, as the first of about 2,030 Russian-led troops arrived in the country. Officials in Moscow gave assurances their presence was temporary.

Mr Blinken urged the Kazakh authorities to respect the rights of protesters while maintaining law and order.

Russia has long accused the West of encouraging uprisings in its back yard so-called “colour revolutions” - that have brought down governments in former Soviet states such as Ukraine, Georgia,

Kyrgyzstan and Armenia.

Events in Kazakhstan come at a time when tensions are high over tens of thousands of Russian troops massed on the border with Ukraine, prompting fears of an invasion.

Kazakhstan: The basics Where is it? Kazakhstan shares borders with Russia to the north and China to the east. It is a huge country the size of Western Europe.

Why does it matter? A former Soviet republic which is mainly Muslim with a large Russian minority, it has vast mineral resources, with 3% of global oil reserves and important coal and gas sectors.

Why is it making the news? Fuel riots, which have escalated to become broader protests against the government, have resulted in resignations at the top and a bloody crackdown on protesters.

Covid-19: Common cold may give some protection, study suggests

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atural defences against a common cold could offer some protection against Covid-19, too, research suggests.

The small-scale study, published in Nature Communications, involved 52 individuals who lived with someone who had just caught Covid-19.

Those who had developed a “memory bank” of specific immune cells after a cold - to help prevent future attacks - appeared less likely to get Covid.

Experts say no-one should rely on this defence alone, and vaccines remain key.

But they believe their findings could provide useful insight into how a body’s defence system fights the virus.

Covid-19 is caused by a type of coronavirus, and some colds are caused by other coronaviruses - so scientists have wondered whether immunity against one might help with the other.

But the experts caution that it would be a “grave mistake” to think that anyone who had recently had a cold was automatically protected against Covid-19 - as not all are caused by coronaviruses.

The Imperial College London team wanted to understand better

why some people catch Covid after being exposed to the virus and others do not.

‘New vaccine approach’ They focused their study on a crucial part of the body’ s immune system - T-cells.

Some of these T-cells kill any cells infected by a specific threat for example, a cold virus.

And, once the cold has gone, some T-cells remain in the body as a memory bank, ready to mount a defence when they next encounter the virus.

In September 2020, researchers studied 52 people who had not yet been vaccinated but who lived with people who had just tested positive for Covid-19.

Half the group went on to get Covid during the 28-day study period and half did not.

A third of the people who did not catch Covid were found to have high levels of specific memory T-cells in their blood.

These were likely to have been created when the body had been infected with another closelyrelated human coronavirus - most frequently, a common cold, they say.

Researchers accept other variables - such as ventilation and

how infectious their household contact was - would have an impact on whether people caught the virus, too.

Dr Simon Clarke, at the University of Reading, said although this was a relatively small study, it added to the understanding of how our immune system fights the virus and could help with future vaccines.

He added: “These data should not be over-interpreted. It seems unlikely that everyone who has died or had a more serious infection, has never had a cold caused by a coronavirus.

“And it could be a grave mistake to think that anyone who has recently had a cold is protected against Covid-19, as coronaviruses

only account for 10-15% of colds.”

Professor Ajit Lalvani, senior author of the study, agreed vaccines were key to protection.

He added: “Learning from what the body does right could help inform the design of new vaccines.”

Current vaccines specifically target spike proteins that sit on the outside of the virus, but those spike proteins can change with new variants.

But the body’s T-cells target internal virus proteins, which do not change as much from variant to variant, meaning vaccines harnessing the work of T-cells more closely could provide broader, longer-lasting protection against Covid, he said.

Source: BBC

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

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China Centre picks hole with U.S. Uyghur Forced Labour Act

By Ochiaka Ugwu

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he Centre for China Studies (CCS) has frowned at the recent United States signing into law of the Uygur Forced Labour Prevention Act which affects the people of North West Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China.

CCS , a major Think Tank focusing on China’s political system, social outlook, international relations and especially the dimension of China-Africa cooperation and Nigeria-China relations, made this known in Abuja Monday.

In a press conference addressed by CCS director, Charles Onunaiju, it noted the act was deployed to contain China’s development and smear, besmirch China’s achievements in the field of gainful employment for all her citizens with a guarantee of the dignity of labour.

His words, “But the U.S ruling circles ideologically fixated to contain China’ development by deploying such extremist measures as the obnoxious extra-territorial law, design to smear and besmirch China’s achievements in the field of gainful employment for all her citizens with a guarantee of the dignity of labour.

“Despite China’s unique political system and process which considerably was fundamental to its tool-box in addressing long standing cankerworm of poverty, its targeted-policy approaches could be of benefit to different Socio-economic climes and support the respective national efforts of other countries to scale up assault against poverty and boost their peoples sustainable pathway to poverty alleviation.

“Even as the China’s experience and feat

Director Centre for China Studies (CCS), Mr. Charles Onunaiju (middle) addressing the media men on the recent US signing into law of the so Uyghur forced labor prevention act, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa in the struggle and end of absolute poverty is in the mainstream of global discourse for its significance for all countries especially in the global South and particularly in Africa, the ruling circles in the US have thrown a spanner in the wheel, not only in its forlorn strategy of attempting to contain China’s development but to douse the world wide enthusiasms of the different peoples, organizations and countries of the China’s epic defeat of absolute poverty and its significance for global struggle against poverty.

“China’s feat on defeating extreme material

deprivation ahead of United Nations sustainable Development goals (SDG) aimed at eliminating poverty by 2030 was significant in adding momentum to the global fight to bring poverty to its heels by the end of 2030” he noted.

Comrade Abbas Hassan, a Senior Fellow at the Centre, said it is unfortunate that U.S. is posing as defender and protector of minority rights, but had a lot of unresolved minority right issues under its nose especially with Black Liberation Movement.

He said that China has no history of colonialism anywhere, but American’s neocolonial exploits abound in Africa.

Also speaking, Dr. Liman K. Mohammed, Executive Director of ACSVI who stated the need to step up discussion on the topic noted that United States is doing everything humanly possible to frustrate China’s good intention to the world.

Greg Odogwu, Commentator on International Affairs and Diplomacy said the whole game is about disrupting world economic value chain and supply which China is spearheading and United States is not comfortable with and urged the rational and reasoning world to be mindful of antics of the West.

Uganda schools reopen after almost two years of Covid closure

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hildren in Uganda have expressed their joy at finally returning to school nearly two years after they were closed because of Covid.

“I am really excited because it’s been a long time without seeing our teachers. And we have missed out a lot,” Joel Tumusiime told the BBC. “I am glad to be back at school,” echoed another, Mercy Angel Kebirungi.

But after one of the world’s longest school closures, authorities warned at least 30% of students may never return.

Some have started work, while others have become pregnant or married early, the country’s national planning authority said.

About 15 million students have been affected by the closure, the government says.

“We can’t let this happen again. We must keep schools open for every child, everywhere,” the UN children’s agency, Unicef, warned on Twitter.

Some classes reopened in October 2020 temporarily, but closed again in May and June of the following year.

While schools were closed, there have been some lessons via the radio, TV and newspapers while some schools have provided printed materials, but these have not reached everyone.

Wealthier Ugandans have also been able to access online classes and home tutors.

But many children have not been to school for about 22 months.

One pupil explained how she continued learning during the long hiatus.

“My parents never had the time to study with me. When schools were closed, I was

able to read, but on my own. Sometimes I would meet with friends to study,” said Christine Teburwa. Like Joel and Mercy, she is in Primary Five, meaning they are between nine and 11 years old.

Pupils who have not had any education since March 2020 will resume classes a year above where they were before the pandemic.

However, some parents in the capital, Kampala, questioned this.

“My children have not been learning at all. I wish they could be allowed to continue from where they stopped,” Rachael Nalumansi said.

“Before the first lockdown our children had only been in school for two weeks. So it is a bit concerning that they are now promoting them to the next class,” Vanetta Bangi said.

For those students who have not accessed any form of studying during the pandemic, the curriculum will be abridged to focus on core areas and give them a chance to catch up.

Lessons were already underway at some schools I visited on Monday morning while at others, students were still cleaning classrooms and re-organising their desks.

Others were still registering with the school administration.

Boarding school students in Kampala and the nearby districts will start throughout the week, to avoid congestion on public transport.

Despite authorities instructing that health and safety measures like masks and social distancing should be in place, not all institutions have the space or facilities to ensure that these steps are properly followed.

This Kampala school was very busy on the first day back Some have huge numbers of students and very few classrooms.

But it is not only learners who will struggle, many parents’ incomes were also hit by the pandemic, and some will find it difficult to raise money for tuition fees and other school requirements.

The phased reopening of schools, which started in November with universities and

higher education institutions, was pegged to the vaccination of over 550,000 teachers, their support staff, and students aged 18 and above.

Uganda, which has had some of the world’s strictest lockdowns, is now moving to fully reopen the economy despite being at the start of its third wave of the pandemic driven by the Omicron variant.

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By Li Xinping, People’s Daily

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evenue of China’s courier industry is expected to hit 1.04 trillion yuan ($163.19 billion) last year, up 18 percent from a year ago, with the number of parcels delivered growing 30 percent to 108.5 billion.

The industry is also expected to have created 200,000 new jobs and driven online retail sales of nearly 11 trillion yuan.

In the past year, over 130 designated cargo planes flew across China to deliver express parcels, and there were more than 1,500 rail routes employed for express delivery missions. Besides, over 28,500 high-capacity cargo vehicles worked for the sector.

Large parcel distribution centers were transformed into intelligent ones in an accelerated manner, and almost all transfer hubs were equipped with automatic sorting systems.

In addition, terminal services of the courier industry have been constantly improved. A joint delivery mechanism participated by various express delivery companies has been established at village, township and county levels, and the number of smart lockers was on a steady rise.

Besides, there were 161,000 public service stations across the country.

As of the end of 2021, express delivery parcels could directly arrive at over 80 percent of administrative villages across China, and almost all villages in east China’s Suzhou and Zhejiang provinces, and in Shanghai municipality were connected to courier services.

New models of delivery services were emerging, extending courier services to more villages. Courier-postal services combination was newly opened to 155,000 administrative villages last year.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

China’s express parcel volume expected to hit 108.5 bln in 2021

In 2021, the State Post Bureau (SPB) continued tapping into the potential of the rural market and has newly built 40 highquality programs demonstrating courier services’ facilitation for modern agriculture, making the total number 100.

These programs streamline the delivery of featured agricultural products, and each of them has helped handle over 10 million parcels over the past year. They benefit a large number of agricultural businesses, such as coarse cereals in Lvliang, north China’s Shanxi province, seafood in Rizhao, east China’s Shandong province, Maojian tea in Xinyang, central China’s Henan province, oranges in Huaihua, central China’s Hunan province and rice noodles in southwest China’s Chongqing municipality.

Over the past year, a total of 37 billion express parcels were collected from and shipped to rural areas across China, facilitating rural-urban commodity exchanges totaling 1.85 trillion yuan.

Express delivery companies speeded up the construction of overseas warehouses.

So far, 240 overseas warehouses have been established, covering nearly two million square meters.

The SPB launched special campaigns to advance green transition of the courier industry, making strenuous efforts to fix problems such as excessive heavy metals and other specific substances in parcel packages, excessive packaging, and plastic pollution.

As a result, the stock of packages containing excessive heavy metals and

A man runs to collect parcels in a warehouse owned by Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com in Jinyi Comprehensive Bonded Zone, Jinhua, east China’s Zhejiang province, Dec. 12, 2021. (Photo by Hu Xiaofei/People’s Daily Online) other specific materials significantly decreased, and excessive packaging has been preliminarily controlled.

A total of 6.3 million recyclable express delivery boxes were put into use, and 80.5 percent of e-commerce parcels avoided being packaged for a second time. Besides, the country has newly established 36,000 stations to recycle waste express delivery packages, and employed over 60,000 new energy and clean energy vehicles for parcel collection and delivery.

The SPB offered “one-on-one” guidance for major courier companies the last year, requesting them to practically enhance the

protection over couriers’ legitimate interests and rights. Wuhan, Shenzhen, Xi’an and some other cities achieved positive progress in granting priority to primary-level courier stations when they insure their employees against work-related injuries, and Anhui province has fully implemented this policy at both provincial and municipal levels.

Thanks to a series of campaigns launched to offer a better environment for couriers, 5,068 public and affordable houses were rented to them. Besides, 30,000 care centers were built for deliverymen across China, and 393,000 couriers received free medical services.

Beijing 2022 meaningful opportunity to foster atmosphere of solidarity, resilience, international cooperation

By He Yin, People’s Daily

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s the melody of the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games’ motto song, Together for a Shared Future, is known by more and more people, the Beijing 2022 inches increasingly closer.

“We are fully confident and capable of presenting to the world a fantastic, extraordinary and excellent Winter Olympics,” said Chinese President Xi Jinping while inspecting the preparatory work of the sports event on Jan. 4, noting that after years of hard work, all preparatory work of the Beijing 2022 is basically completed.

Xi’s remarks have fully demonstrated China’s confidence in fulfilling its solemn commitment to the international community to deliver a successful Beijing 2022 and manifested the aspiration of a positive, prosperous and open China to embrace the world and create a beautiful future together with the rest of the world.

Hosting a successful 2022 Games is China’s delightful promise to the world. On July 31, 2015, Beijing, together with Zhangjiakou city in north China’s Hebei province, won the bid to host the 24th Olympic Winter Games, also known as the 2022 Winter Olympics, at the 128th International Olympic Committee (IOC) session.

On the same day, Xi sent a congratulatory letter to the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games bid delegation, stressing that China will strive to deliver a fantastic, extraordinary and excellent Olympics in 2022.

“We will fulfill all our commitments and witness, together with the people of all countries and the IOC, the advent of a new phase in the development of the Olympic winter sports and in the spread of the Olympic

spirit,” said Xi in his letter to IOC President Thomas Bach on July 31, 2015.

Over the past more than six years, China has made unremitting efforts to fulfill its solemn commitment to the international community.

The country has promoted the ideas of hosting the Games in a green, sharing, open and clean manner and delivering a streamlined, safe and splendid Olympic Games.

The IOC has always made positive remarks on China’s preparations for the Beijing 2022 and fully acknowledged the country’s contribution to the international Olympic cause.

In October 2016, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., Chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and then vice president of the IOC, praised the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games for getting off to a very fast start in the preparatory work and pointed out that initial preparations were on the right track.

After visiting proposed venues for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in Zhangjiakou and Beijing before a meeting with Xi in January 2019, Bach said he was deeply impressed with China’s pragmatic, efficient, and vitalized preparations for the Games.

“We are looking forward to successful Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and we have great confidence, built on our experience, that we will stage safe and secure Olympic Winter Games for everybody,” Bach said in his New Year’s Message 2022 published on the IOC official website on Dec. 31, 2021. He believes that “these Winter Games will open a new era for winter sports globally.”

In a recent interview with Chinese media, Samaranch said he believes that China will stage a splendid Olympic Games for the world.

Filled with confidence in China, the

Photo taken on the morning of Jan. 4, 2022 shows Chinese President Xi Jinping visiting the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing on an inspection tour on the preparatory work for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

(Photo by Xie Huanchi/Xinhua) international community is eagerly awaiting and enhance understanding and friendship the arrival of the Beijing 2022 and looks between the Chinese people and peoples of forward to new surprises Beijing has prepared various countries around the world.

Over the past years, the Beijingfor the world.

In 2008, China successfully hosted the Zhangjiakou high-speed railway connecting 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, which the three competition zones of the Beijing represented a perfect answer given by the 2022, the world’s first intelligent high-speed country to the third of the well-known three train with a speed of 350 kilometers per hour, questions raised by “Tianjin Youth” magazine was officially put into operation; the National in 1908: “When could China send an athlete Ski Jumping Center and the National Speed to participate in an Olympic Games?” “When Skating Oval, which are nicknamed the “Snow could China send a delegation to an Olympic Ruyi” and the “Ice Ribbon” respectively, were Games?” “When could China host an Olympic completed; the National Aquatics Center, known as the “Water Cube”, was transformed Games?”

This year, the more than 1.4 billion into “Ice Cube” for the 2022 Beijing Winter Chinese people will embrace the Olympic Olympic and Paralympic Games; and the Movement again. By delivering a “fantastic, country’s vision of engaging 300 million extraordinary and excellent” Olympics in people in winter sports across China has been 2022, China will promote the popularization realized ahead of schedule. and development of ice and snow sports

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

26

Feature

How Falklands War and rugby led to 40-year friendship O n a ship in the heat of the Falklands War, an Argentine prisoner and his Welsh guard forged a friendship during a night of beer and rugby.

Irfon Higgins was a soldier on the SS Canberra, tasked with guarding 4,500 prisoners of war, or PoWs. When Irfon asked who spoke English, PoW Giorgio Podesta answered “I do”.

Nearly 40 years after Giorgio helped him stop a mutiny, Irfon says: “I can’t imagine my life now without him in it”.

Their story has been recounted in a book on the 1982 conflict by Brian Short - The Band That Went to War. Recalling the day he met Giorgio, Irfon said: “I was guarding 4,500 PoWs on the Canberra, and trying to escort them in groups of 10 to the shower.

“It was like herding cats, so I shouted ‘Do any of you speak English?’

“Giorgio said ‘I do’, and from then on he became my go-to man and interpreter.”

Giorgio admitted he had been reluctant to learn English as a child, but it had ended up helping him through the war.

“My mother sent me to take English classes, against my will, with the excuse that ‘at some point you will need it’,” he said. “I was happy because I was talking in English with Irfon.

After all the hardships of war, now I felt safe, fed, warm and with a friend.”

At Easter 1982 Royal Marines Commando Band saxophonist Irfon was playing rugby for his regiment in Plymouth when he was called off the pitch with a vital message.

They’d been mobilised to travel to the Falklands as part of the British task force.

Argentine forces had landed on the Falklands to stake a territorial claim to the islands, which it calls the Malvinas.

Chandeliers and shoulder-launched rockets “When you tell people you were in the Royal Marines they instantly think you were some kind of hard nut. But I was just a musician, not a proper soldier, so I was amazed that we’d been called up at all,” said Irfon, from Ammanford, Carmarthenshire.

“I was excited as much as anything, and for the first few weeks until we reached Ascension Island it all seemed like a dream.”

But Irfon had one important matter to settle before going to war.

“My wife Jan and I had been due to get married that summer, and I didn’t want to go away without tying the knot,” he said. “So we got an emergency licence, and were married in May, just before I left - none of the boys could come as we were confined to barracks before sailing, but we had a do in the mess afterwards.”

They spent the first few weeks of the voyage sunning themselves on the deck.

As the weather changed from northern

“

hemisphere summer to southern hemisphere winter, Irfon said the mood aboard the Canberra also altered.

“Initially we couldn’t believe how lucky we were going to war on a P&O cruise ship, the luxury was like nothing any of us had ever experienced before,” he said. “It had just come off a Mediterranean cruise, so the ballrooms, chandeliers, food and drink were out of this world.

“But as we entered San Carlos Sound we realised how vulnerable we were.”

‘Sitting ducks’ As a requisitioned cruise ship, the Canberra had no defences other than a few machine guns mounted on the rails and the shoulder-launched rockets carried by the Parachute Regiment.

They soon came under attack from the Argentine air force.

“We were designated as a hospital ship, but as we’d also transported troops we weren’t able to claim the protection afforded under the Geneva Convention,” said Irfon. “Really we were sitting ducks, and after the war we discovered that the British government had already factored in losing the Canberra early on; they expected us to die.”

After offloading the Parachute Regiment to landing craft, the Canberra travelled to South Georgia to convey Welsh Guards and Gurkhas to the Falklands.

As the fighting ensued, the ship soon started to receive helicopter loads of both injured British and captured Argentinians.

“As we saw the hideous injuries our boys were taking, it was hard not to take it out on the PoWs,” said Irfon.

‘JPR and JJ’ But as hostility grew between the enemies, a friendship was also blossoming.

“Once I started talking to Giorgio about Welsh rugby - JPR and JJ - I soon realised we had far more in common than I did with many of the British troops,” said Irfon.

“There were some who were hardened special forces dedicated to the military junta, though most - like Giorgio - were conscripted soldiers who didn’t want to be there any more than we did. One night I smuggled him out of the ballroom where the PoWs were being held, and took him up to my cabin for a night on the beer and a proper chat about rugby,” said Irfon.

Giorgio said the talk centred around the match “between Los Pumas and Wales in 1976, in which Wales beat us at the last minute with a penalty kick by Phil Bennett, and the legendary Gareth Edwards, and fullback John Peter Rhys Williams.

“We talked about our homes, our families and our friends. Wishing to return to our homes soon. He took the opportunity to introduce me to his friends and cabin mates. The smile returned to my face.”

Giorgio admitted he had been reluctant to learn English as a child, but it had ended up helping him through the war.

“My mother sent me to take English classes, against my will, with the excuse that ‘at some point you will need it’,” he said. “I was happy because I was talking in English with Irfon. After all the hardships of war, now I felt safe, fed, warm and with a friend.”

At Easter 1982 Royal Marines Commando Band saxophonist Irfon was playing rugby for his regiment in Plymouth when he was called off the pitch with a vital message.

Giorgio and Irfon struck up an unlikely friendship as prisoner of war and guard

Irfon says those aboard the Canberra were not expected to survive the war

The friends still meet up, 40 years on, to chat about rugby over a beer Ever since that night, Irfon and Giorgio have been firm friends. But it was not just beer and sport that cemented their relationship.

Author Brian Short, who was aboard the Canberra at the time, said: “What both he and Giorgio are too modest to say is that between them they prevented a mutiny on the ship.

“On the way to Puerto Madryn, Giorgio tipped off Irfon that some of the diehard Argentinians were planning to seize the ship by force. Irfon and I held both ends of the corridor with a machine gun each, and in the end there was no trouble at all.”

Goodbye on the gangplank After a brief but bitter 72-day conflict, British forces regained the Falklands and ejected the Argentines. As the Canberra repatriated the PoWs to Puerto Madryn - the

Welsh-speaking enclave of Argentina - in July 1982, a Navy photographer captured Irfon and Giorgio sharing a heartfelt goodbye handshake on the gangplank.

The pair lost touch for a few years, with difficulties getting letters between Wales and Argentina. But soon enough, Irfon’s wife Jan found Giorgio.

“We’ve been out to visit him, and he’s been over to Wales - I can’t imagine my life now without him in it,” said Irfon.

The story of their friendship is just one of dozens of similar ones in Brian Short’s book.

Although the war caused so much suffering and death, he said he wrote it to seek out the good which came from the chaos.

Source: BBC

News

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

27

L R: Director General/CEO, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria(SMEDAN), Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda with the Statistician- General of the Federation/ CEO, National Bureau of Statistics(NBS), Dr.Simon Harry, during the Media Launch of the 2020 Report of the National Survey on the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises sub sector of the Nigeria’s Economy. The final outcome of the survey was through a collaborative effort between SMEDAN and NBS, held yesterday in Abuja . Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Buhari’s delegation in Gusau, offers condolences on Buhari the “extremely unfortunate” Zamfara mass killings hails Super a delegation led by the Minister campaign until everyone and of the state with additional

By Egena Sunday Ode Eagles’ Armored Personnel Carriers, of Defence, Major General Bashir everywhere is safe.

The statement also noted that APCs and to roll out a special resident Muhammadu Magashi (rtd), expressed the inspiring start Buhari Wednesday conveyed strong determination of the the Governor of Zamfara State, intervention fund for Zamfara and his condolences and that of administration to get rid of these Alhaji Bello Matawalle, who other states equally affected by the his government to the people of bandits who have now been welcomed the delegation said scourge of insecurity. at AFCON The delegation conveyed the Zamfara State on what he called classified as terrorists, according that it is a testimony to the strong

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By Egena Sunday Ode

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Super Eagles of Nigeria for an impressive start at the ongoing 33rd Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, defeating a formidable opponent, Egypt 1-0, in their group stage encounter.

The President’s commendation was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adrsina on Wednesday.

The President strongly believes, like millions of football-loving Nigerians, that the spectacular outing in Garoua, Cameroon is a foretaste of what to expect from the dedicated team as they square up against other opponents in the tournament, the statement noted.

The President urged the Augustine Eguavoen-led team and the coaching staff to keep their eyes on the ball, remain good ambassadors on and off the field, and give loyal fans and all Nigerians more exciting moments to celebrate, statement said.

President Buhari assured the team of his unflinching support as they soar like an eagle to write another chapter in the annals of Nigeria’s rich football history, it added.

the “extremely unfortunate” mass killings of innocent people by retreating bandits.

The President, who described the recent incident as a very sad one for the nation, reiterated his earlier commitment to tackle the monster of terrorism head on, giving assurances that the besieged communities and other Nigerians will not be abandoned to their fate, a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said.

In an address to the Governor, commissioners, Emirs, the Chief Judge and Grand Khadi, legislators, council chairmen and political leaders, President Buhari who was represented by

to the statement.

“There will be no let-up in the ongoing campaign to rid Zamfara and other affected states of the menace of these terrorists. Since they have no regard for the sanctity of life, so shall they be dealt with.

“The government is fully informed of what is going on and will do whatever it takes to end this.

We are here to talk to the Governor and to assure the state that the administration is determined to do more to defend the life and property of the people,” he said.

It added that President Buhari condoled with the government and the people of the state over the losses of life and directed the military and other security agencies to intensify the ongoing

support of the President and the government at the center.

He appreciated the wisdom and vision of the President in approving the ongoing military campaign in the state, the effect of which has led to the dismantling of terrorists’ hideouts used as launching grounds for kidnapping, rustling and terrorism but said that more still needed to be done.

The Governor added that President Buhari is an example to the world in the establishment of democratic values and commended him for responding positively to all the requests so far placed before him by the state government.

He called on the federal government to fortify the security

approval of the President for palliative items for the Anka and Bukkuyum Emirates, the latest to be attacked, and for other areas equally affected by the attacks in the recent past.

Other members of the delegation were the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Affairs, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Faruk, the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Munguno (rtd), Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

and civilian governor with an extensive political career, the President affirmed that Otunba Akala served the country and the people of Oyo State with dedication, making very important contributions to the development of institutions and

communities, a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said on Wednesday.

It added: “The President trusted that family, friends and associates who mourn the late Governor, will honour his vision

of entrenching good governance in the country and passion to lift the downtrodden in the society.

“The President prays God almighty to grant the departed eternal rest and comfort those who mourn.”

Buhari mourns former oyo state gov, Alao-Akala

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Alao-Akala family, the government and people of Oyo State on the passing of a former governor of the State, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala.

As a former police officer

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

PEOPLES DAILY

Sports

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

2021 AFCON: Eguavoen seeks to start on hood footing against Egypt

By Amaechi Agbo

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wo Africa’s football giants, Nigeria and Egypt will square up in a mouthwatering clash at the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON in Cameroon today.

Both teams have 8 trophies between them with the Pharaohs of Egypt accounting for five of those with Nigeria having three.

Both changed their coaches last year and they closely follow each other in the December ranking released by FIFA with Nigeria placed 36th in the world and Egypt 45th. They are placed 5th and 6th in the continent.

These two African football heavyweights clash at Stade Roumdé Adjia in Garoua, Cameroon.

Egypt are unbeaten in each of their last 16 group matches at the Africa Cup of Nations (W12 D4). Their last defeat in the group phase dates back to the 2004 tournament (1-2 v Algeria).

Nigeria are making their 19th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.

They have reached the semi-finals in 14 of their last 16 Afcon participations, winning the tournament on three occasions.

This will be the ninth encounter between Nigeria and Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations – only three fixtures have been played more often in the history of the tournament (Cameroon-Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire-Egypt and Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana – all 10 times).

Nigeria hold the upper hand with three wins to Egypt’s two, although their last encounter in 2010 went to the Pharaohs (3-1 in the group phase).

This is Egypt’s 25th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, a record in the history of the tournament. They have won it seven times, more than any other side.

However, they have won none of the last five Afcon tournaments after winning each of the previous three (2006, 2008, 2010).

Since his debut in the competition in 2017, Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in 60% of Egypt’s goals in the Africa Cup of Nations (4 goals + 2 assists, out of a team total of 10 goals).

Many expect the game to be tricky for both sides, especially as the winner of the tie will have a huge chance of finishing top of the group and avoid a difficult match-up in the round of 16.

The clash between the two giants takes place at 5PM today at the Roumade Adja Stadium in Garoua, just three hours before Sudan take on Guinea-Bissau in the same group.

What made the matter worse for the Eagles is the absence of their forward Odion Ighalo, who was prevented by his club AlShabab of Saudi Arabia from joining the national team for the AFCON. The Super Eagles have also failed to call up Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis and Napoli star Victor Osimhen after their clubs

refused to let them go.

Speaking ahead of the clash, Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen talked about the absences during the press conference stating that there is no room for excuses as regards the availability of Odion Ighalo.

“It’s over now, we have to face the truth, no one cares about excuses,” Eguavoen said.

“We must respect people’s opinions, but there are rules about laying off players. It is due to the player’s desire individually first, and who must fight to play for the national team.

“We were fighting similar battles during our playing days, and we were fighting to

play for the national team because it is an honor.

“Everyone has the same goal, whether it is the football federation, the fans, or the players.”

Egypt Coach, Carlos Queiroz said it was a great pleasure to face Nigeria in the opening game.

“It’s a great pleasure to face Nigeria in the opening game. We want to face the strongest teams in the tournament,” Queiroz said in his pre-match press conference.

“Nigeria is a very strong team, but we have no objections. It’s always good to compete against football giants.

“We have a lot of players that are

competing among themselves for a starting position, and that’s great because we came here to play seven games.

“Our ambition is very simple. Win all the matches,” the Portuguese coach concluded.

The game will mark the ninth clash between Egypt and Nigeria in the AFCON, with the Pharaohs coming on top three times, losing in three, and two ending in a draw.

Egypt had also opened their AFCON campaign against Nigeria twice before in 1963 and 2010, winning both games, 6-3 and 3-1 respectively.

The match will start by 5pm Nigeria time

AFCON 2021: Ahmed Musa Arrives Eagles Camp Increases Number to 14 PG30 >>>PG30

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Nigeria Vs Egypt: The challenges before Eguavoen and Nigeria’s quest for 4th AFCON crown

By Amaechi Agbo

O

n February 10, 2013, the super Eagles of Nigeria lifted her 3rd Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON Crown in South Africa with late Coach Stephen Keshi breaking barriers to achieve the unthinkable.

Nine years later, another indigenous coach, Augustine Eguavoen is saddled with the onerous responsibility to conquer the continent again.

Coach Eguavoen, appointed interim manager on December 12, 2021 by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and his Super Eagles’ wards face a stern examination of their credentials when Nigeria and seven-time champions Egypt go for each other’s jugular in the opening match of Group D of the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations finals on Tuesday. Venue is the 30,000 –capacity Stade Roumdé Adjia in the northern Cameroonian town of Garoua and kick-off is 5pm.

Egypt swept the stakes at the first two editions of Africa’s flagship football competition, in 1957 and 1959, and then won on home soil in 1986 and in Burkina Faso 12 years later, before a hat-trick of consecutive titles in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

Nigeria soared to glory on home soil in 1980, won in Tunisia in 1994 and overturned bookmakers’ predictions to triumph in South Africa nine years ago.

Both teams are not unfamiliar to themselves at the AFCON, with the Pharaohs hammering the Eagles 6-3 in Nigeria’s first-ever match at the competition (in Ghana in 1963) and coming from behind to tame the Eagles 3-1 in the city of Benguela (Angola) in 2010.

In all other confrontations at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Eagles have had the upper hand.

On their march to victory in

1980, the Eagles sailed past the Pharaohs 1-0 in a group phase clash in Ibadan, and four years later, following a pulsating 2-2 draw in a semi final match in Bouake (Cote d’Ivoire), Nigeria won on penalties to reach the final against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions.

In 1990, a lone goal by Rashidi Yekini consigned the Pharaohs to defeat in a group phase match in Algiers, and in 1994, both teams battled to a scoreless draw at the Stade Chadli Zouiten in Tunis.

Eguavoen, who leads Nigeria from the bench on Tuesday, was involved in that cagey affair in the cold of central Tunis, but envisages that there will be nothing cagey about Tuesday’s game in the sunny atmosphere of Stade Roumdé Adjia.

“I look forward to an interesting game between two ambitious teams. As I said a couple of weeks ago, we will take it one match at a time.

For now, we see the clash with Egypt and all our plan is how to earn the three points.

The Egyptians are a strong team and will come with a lot of confidence and steam, but we will also be going to the field with a lot of confidence and steam. It is going to be an interesting evening.”

Nigeria are without top marksman Victor Osimhen, and 2019 AFCON top scorer Odion Ighalo was held back by his Saudi Arabia club.

However, the absences create opportunities for a number of young guns to make hay at Africa’s grand houseparty.

Former U17 star Taiwo Awoniyi is expected to lead the line and reproduce some of his potency from which German Bundesliga club Union Berlin is benefitting, with Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Czech Republic -based Peter Olayinka also on the line. Skipper Ahmed Musa and Samuel Chukwueze

Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen hit target in the training match with Cameroonian top club, Cotonsport Garoua on Friday, and there are also Greece – based Henry Onyekuru and former Olympics star Sadiq Umar as possibilities in the frontline.

Injury has kept out midfield linchpin Oghenekaro Etebo, but Wilfred Ndidi will still enforce and former U17 World

Cup –winning captain Kelechi Nwakali is expected to step up to the plate and show muscle in the playmaker’s role.

Defender Leon Balogun’s forced absence, through injury, means Italy-based right back Tyrone Ebuehi will probably start while Chidozie Awaziem and Kenneth Omeruo hold sway in central, and Portugal –based Zaidu Sanusi will contend

with the left back role with the versatile Olaoluwa Aina.

Egypt depends heavily on Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah, recently shortlisted for the FIFA Best Player award.

Victory on Tuesday evening will provide confidence boost for the Super Eagles ahead of the other Group D ties against Sudan (January 15) and Guinea Bissau (January 19).

Water FC U-24 Football Trial kicks off in Abuja on wednesday

By Amaechi Agbo

A

buja - Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital, will be agog next week as Water Football Club/MK Sports International U-24 Football Trial Kicks off in the Federal Capital Water FC have proven successes of players who have graduated from its academy to

play in the Super Eagles and other national teams as well as in Europe, The trial which will commence from 12th to 14th January, 2022 is meant for players who are exceptionally gifted and within the age bracket of 13 and 24 years.

According to the organisers of the trial, successful players will be retained in the Water Football Club

academy in Abuja and will also have the opportunity to be linked to European clubs in Belgium, France, Denmark, Sweden and Spain.

The players will also be placed on a monthly salary of N150, 000 to N250, 000 while in the academy.

A release by the organisers further note that only players who are not attached to club

or academy as well as do not have an agent or manager both locally and internationally, are eligible to participate in the 3-day competition.

Water Football Club of Abuja, managed by MK Sports International, has produced exceptional players who have played for national teams including U-17, U-20, U-23 and the Super

Eagles.of Nigeria.

Prominent among players churned out by the academy for the national teams include Babatunde Michael, Okechukw Gabriel, Adewale Oladoye, Success Makanjuola, Chinonso Emeka among others.

Registration is free. However, accommodation, feeding will NOT be provided.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2022

S P R T Rangers humiliate Niger Tornadoes in NPFL matchday 4, Enyimba Lose again R

angers international football club of Enugu on Sunday, at the newly adopted home playing ground, FC Ifeanyi Uba Stadium, Nnewi, Anambra State, recorded the biggest win of matchday 4 in Nigeria Professional Football League, 2021/2022 season with a 4-0 thrashing of newcomers, Niger Tornadoes.

A brace from kenechukwu Agu in the 58 and 70 minutes through a penalty when a player of Niger Tornadoes handled the ball inside the 18 yard box and a free kick from about twenty yard box.

Subsequently, Shedrack Asiegbu and Christian Nnaji added gloss to the scorelines.

The earned three points from the match has taken Rangers (7) to third position on the log table behind Remo Stars (8) and Rivers United (8) with the help of the goal difference.

In other matches, Kano Pillars made it two losses in a row for Enyimba (2-0) after their ignominious defeat at home in the hands of Rivers United.

Next Rangers match is on 9th January in Illorin Township Stadium, against Kwara United.

Algeria national team celebrating their Arab Cup on Saturday

AFCON 2021: Ahmed Musa Arrives Eagles Camp Increases Number to 14

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head of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON in Cameroon on Sunday, Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa have joined the team’s camp base in Abuja Musa linked up with the team on Monday afternoon as his presence brings the total number of players in camp to 14 With the opening match schedule for this Sunday, January 9, interim Coach, Augustine Eguavoen is yet to have a full house of the invited 28 players to camp.

As at Sunday, only 13 players trained at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The 14 players in camp include Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey), Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France), Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus), Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos, Greece), Peter Olayinka (Slavia Praha, Czech Republic) and Chidozie Awaziem (Alayanspor, Turkey) Others are: Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Sadiq Umar(UD

Ahmed Musa Almeria, Spain), Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), John Noble (Enyimba FC), Taiwo Awoniyi(Union Berlin, Germany).

Eagles players who play in the

English Premier League are expected to join the camp on Monday and Tuesday.

The Super Eagles will begin their campaign at the 33rd edition of the competition on Tuesday next week

with a clash against 2019 host, Egypt in Group D. Nigeria have won the continental diadem three times - 1980, 1994 and 2013.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

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Saido Mane’s late penalty hands Senegal victory over stubborn Zimbabwe

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late penalty from talisman Sadio Mane helped Senegal beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in their opening Africa Cup of Nations, at the Kouekong Stadium in Baffoussam.

The Teranga Lions started the better side in Baffoussam with Bouna Sarr and Sadio Mane pulling the strings for Aliou Cisse’s side.

The duo combined for the first real opening of the match inside the first minute. Mane played Sarr through but his effort failed to hit the target.

Keita Balde scuffed his effort wide from a clever Sadio Mane neat Mane pass, the Liverpool striker turned away from two defenders to set Balde free.

The Teranga Lions dominated possession in the early exchanges through Gana Gueye whose ability to open the play found Fode Ballo on the left channel but his effort was wayward.

The Warriors captain Knowledge Musona tried his luck from distance but his ambitious shot failed to trouble Senegal Seny Dieng. Zimbabwe survived a scare midway through the first half when Sarr latched on to Sadio Mane’s through ball before seeing his shot agonizingly wide off the post.

Mane missed a good chance to break the deadlock when played through with only the keeper to beat the former Generation Foot winger fired straight at the brilliant Petros Mhari.

A swift Senegal counter attack frees Mane who played in Gana Gueye who failed to hit the target with the goal at his mercy.

Taye Taiwo and Oduamadi

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ime for somber reflections; why is Nigeria not “working”?

Tomorrow the Nation will go into frenzy in preparation for its memorial day.

There will be Muslim prayers for the fallen soldiers, Christian prayers for the fallen soldiers.

Meaningless speeches will be parroted to very disinterested audience of the high and mighty in the land, audience of political heavy weights decked in “Sunday outfits” that camouflage low or lack of knowledge of the history of a country they purport to serve and defend. Their children know all the heroes of United Kingdom, China, the United States of America but know next to nothing about the sweat and sacrifice that went into attaining Nigeria’s independence. They do not care, they are happy with it because their dear children are supposedly having the best education money can buy. It does not matter that they have and are creating generations that think little of Nigeria their supposed country, it does not matter that they are creating a generation that may never be able to appreciate the potentials of these great country nor see the beauty in it. They do not care, they are simply happy to milk the country for their selfserving narcissistic ambition.

They do not care. The television channels, radio, and the social media platforms manned by intellectually –challenged hosts, knowledge bereft persons would bombard us with meaningless, very not factual narrations. They do not know and care less about knowing. They are a happy people.

Thank God for them!

We need to understand all the rage threatening the polity, creating crevices that keep deepening and widening. The rage engulfing the nation, that rage creating barriers to any attempts at bridging these crevices and communicating in order to build a nation at peace with itself. No, no! no! Something is definitely wrong and we need to interrogate our situation that we may know. I and I’m sure along with quite a number of other fellow Nigerians with minds and hearts set on having a nation we call our own with dignity and much pride. We want to understand ethnic relations from historical perspectives; yes, we need to understand what drives this rage. I do not believe

0806 564 8620 0814 292 9046 0803 587 5846 08074420617

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SAFIYA ADAMU yandokye@gmail.com or do not want to believe that it stems from ethnic differences or even religious differences. Do not get me wrong, I’m not saying or trying to even imply that these two factors do not matter, they do and very much so too. The big question is why can’t we live together in acceptance of our obvious common destiny? May be I’m not putting this out properly?

I really do not understand. These factors have been present like forever. Some of what I believe is driving us apart is the underlying notion that some regions or ethnic groups are better than others.

That dumb inexplicable notion that we must view, see, judge, and accept events and persons through religious – colored glasses. Instead of apply ourselves to attain growth and development we choose to imprison our selves in supposed religiosity. Yet quite a number will swear by ‘ ifa”, “tsafi”, “juju” and whatever even at that.

Even though at independence our founding fathers did not quite agree on how to get there, they did have the boldness to agree on the way forward to which they all chatted causes of action compatible with their different regions. And it worked until the trigger-happy mislead five majors and a captain decided to go on a misadventure that derailed us and plunged us into a state of disarray.

That singular event will remain the worse tragic development

“

in the history of Nigeria. It set the foundation for the mutual suspicion of one another. It was a most horrible twist in an already very fragile set up. It broke us and as we pretend to mend the cracks remain relentless.

The founding fathers were prepared to make contraption that birthed Nigeria work, they agreed on parliamentary system of government, regional, well, a kind of semi-autonomous units federating or relating with a much less powerful center. Because they understood the socioeconomic and political landscape of their various regions and their people, well at least the Northern leadership did and that guided their actions and utterances.

Sir Ahmadu Bello understood the people he represented, wanted the best for them and was determined to pull up to the level and more of their more educated counterparts from the south. What exactly was wrong with that? Nothing, absolutely nothing. These men were not university degree –touting fellas but their intellectual capacity was definitely not wanting in any way.

Within the short period they led the North, they had established a competitive education system, established a world-class university, set up industries in different parts of the region. And they never shied away from the brutal honesty that made them

We need to understand all the rage threatening the polity, creating crevices that keep deepening and widening.

The rage engulfing the nation, that rage creating barriers to any attempts at bridging these crevices and communicating in order to build a nation at peace with itself. No, no! no! Something is definitely wrong and we need to interrogate our situation that we may know

dwarf others. The sir Ahmadu Bello led team had development strategy like no other. There was a relative balance of power.

Forget those striding around in supposed religious garments while lying through their teeth, making concerted effort to destroy the Northern region and set the people against each other. Forget about those whose utterances belie the benefits they derived from the strategic thinking of these great men. Forget the Jerry Ganas, the Kukahs and lets interrogate the actions of these great leaders so we can learn and move forward. Only fools set fire to their abodes in the hope that strangers may come to their rescue. What happens when that happens is in simple terms “ self – enslavement and servitude”.

What I find fascinating however even in this relatively balanced contraption was the fact that they were able to ignore and refuse to let the undercurrents of distrust or dislike for others pull them down.

At least the Northerners were able to do that even in the face of much animosity from the Action Group leader and his followers. But the 1966 or Nzeogu coup changed all of that. It was an event that threw away hopes of economic, social, and political development and growth. That train never got back on track after that unfortunate derailment. The North lost a leader and instead of picking up decided to go into wilderness. It is a sad depressing situation for a people once so promising. The North is looking for a leader not a joker.

Who shall be the Sir Ahmadu Bello of our times? He or she is not in the horizon, but we shall continue to search because we need a leader to provide us with guidance. It is sadly a desperate situation.

DAN GAYE DANGAI

I’ve told Buhari I will contest for president in 2023 — Tinubu

Sai Baba Tinubu!

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kaduna office: K6 Ahmadu Bello Way, opposite Kontagora road, Kaduna. Tel: +234 814 292 9046. Cell: +234 802 443 2099; 803 7007 759. e-mail: contact@peoplesdailyng.com; pmlnewseditor@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141