Monday, November 29, 2021 Edition

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DSS does not force confession from suspects - Official >>PG 5

Police kill notorious bandit in Kaduna hotel >>PG 5

President of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria(YSFON) Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna presenting the YSFON Special Recognition Award to the Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo at closing ceremony of the 18th CNS Under 14 Boys and 10th NOWA President’s Under 17 Girls Tournament at Old Parade Ground, on Saturday in Abuja. Photo-: .Dinfo NHQ

Buhari charges agric varsities to bridge food insecurity gap PAGE 2

NDLEA intercepts 12,385kg “Loud” marijuana in Lagos PAGE 6

Sustain aggressive offensive against insurgents, bandits – COAS tasks troops PAGE 3

How lack of focus stalled development on Kogi State – Idris PAGE 4

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

NEWS CONTENTS News

2-14

Op.Ed

12-13

Politics Stock Watch Business

15-17 18 19-20

Metro

21

World New

22

Africa News

23

World News

24

Buhari charges agric varsities to bridge food insecurity gap

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has challenged universities of agriculture in the country to bridge the gap of food insecurity and address the nation’s dependence on imported foods.

He said the specialised universities must play their crucial role in catalaysing the development of the agricultural sector, to help Federal Government achieve its goal of sustainable green economy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari said this on Saturday, at the 10th Convocation ceremony of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Abia.

The president, who is the visitor to the university was represented by Dr Mohammed

Abubakar, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the government was looking up to the universities as lead drivers of the agricultural sector.

Buhari, who admitted that Nigeria is currently facing challenge of funding, however said that its endowments were far greater than constraints.

MOUAU Chancellor, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, commended President Buhari and the university management for the smooth running of the institution.

Abubakar, the Emir of Gombe, congratulated the graduands and urged them to be ambassadors of the university anytime.

He commended the university host communities for their cooperation and called on relevant government agencies

to extend helping hands in alleviating problems hindering fast development of the school.

Earlier in his address, the ViceChancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, disclosed that the university was graduating a total of 6,606 students, with 4,115 belonging to the 2018/2019 academic year at the undergraduate and post graduate levels.

Iwe, who is the sixth vicechancellor, in his breakdown, said 5,817 obtained bachelor’s degree, 92 with postgraduate diploma, 454 had master’s degree while 243 were awarded with doctoral degree.

“Out of the 5,817 first degree graduands, 92 obtained first class honours; 1,775 with second class honours upper division; 2,905 had second class honours lower

division while 1,226 with third class and 18 with pass,” he said.

Iwe said the university had recorded many breakthroughs, but called for significant infusion of funds for the upgrade of its physical environment.

NAN reports that the university conferred honorary degrees on four distinguished Nigerians in recognition of their positive contributions to the society.

The awardees are: Oba Akeem Ogungbangbe, the Ajagbusi-Ekun VI Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa, Osun; Alhaji Usman Kansila, Founder, UYK Nigeria; Dr Cosmas Maduka, Founder and Chairman of Coscharis Group and Mr Chika Ikenga, Founder and Managing Director of Eunisell.(NAN)

Dangote Refinery to become highest employer of Chemical Engineers in Nigeria Page 8

Education

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Feature

26

Sports Back Page

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R- L: Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa All Ibrahim Pantami during the visit of the CJN to the Governor in Gombe, at the weekend

Congress: Zamfara PDP elects 147 ward excos From: Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

T

he Zamfara State chapter of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has conducted ward congresses across the 147 wards of the 14 local government areas of the state.

Speaking to newsmen shortly

after the exercise in Gusau the state capital, the State Chairman of the PDP, Col. Bala Mande (rtd), said the congresses were conducted peacefully across the state through adoption of concensus method.

Mande, who explained that, the congresses were conducted under the supervision of the

committee assigned by the national headquarters of the PDP which was led by Sunday Dogo as Chairman and the monitoring officers of the INEC. He stressed that, the peaceful conduct of the statewide ward congresses was an indication the popularity of the PDP is still intact in the state, assuring that it is

capable of even sweeping all the 2023 elections.

The Chairman further commended all security agencies, state INEC officials that represented the REC, who contributed to the success of the congresses, assuring that the teeming members of the PDP will remain law-abiding citizens.

Kaduna Electric MD loses father in-law

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he death has occurred of retired Justice Abubakar Adamu Gulma, the father in-law of the Managing Director/ CEO of Kaduna Electric, Engr. Garba Haruna.

The 75 years old former high court judge, late Justice Adamu Gulma passed on Friday night after a brief illness and was laid to rest on Saturday morning in accordance with

Islamic injunction.

The late septuagenarian is survived by eleven children among whom is Hajiya Ruqayya Adamu, the wife of Engr. Garba Haruna,

Garkuwan Kabi and twenty three grandchildren.

May the Almighty Allah forgive his imperfections and grant him the highest place in paradise, amen.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

NEWS

Ag News Editor, Tobias Lengnam

Sustain aggressive offensive against insurgents, bandits – COAS tasks troops

T

he Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has directed troops of the Nigerian Army to sustain offensives against insecurities by insurgents and bandits in Nigeria.

Yahaya gave the directive

while addressing troops during operational visit to 23 Brigade, Yola on Saturday.

He urged them to continue to eliminate the criminals to a point of surrendering.

Yahaya’s directives was made known in a statement

by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in Abuja.

He assured the troops of his commitment to addressing all challenges confronting the troops to enable them to perform optimally.

He said that the troops needed to consistently train and bring their combat experiences to bear in tackling the adversaries decisively.

The COAS also inaugurated two blocks of soldiers’ accommodation during the visit

in line with his commitment to improve the welfare of personnel and boost troops’ morale.

He urged them to ensure adequate maintenance of the facilities and put them to good use. (NAN)

Come and invest in Uganda, envoy begs Dangote From Mustapha Adamu

U

gandan Envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador Nelson Ocheger has extended the country’s invitation to the Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote to invest in the country.

The envoy made the call at the Dangote pavilion, at the ongoing 42nd Kano International Trade Fair, which was officially declared open on Saturday.

In a statement by Corporate Communication Department, Dangote Group, issued to DAILY NIGERIAN on Sunday, the Ambassador said he is extending an invitation to Mr Dangote to come and invest in Uganda because his country is peaceful and businessfriendly.

The statement said Mr Ocheger described Mr Dangote as pillar of social stability in the continent, adding that “his indirect support to African political leaders in the areas of job creation and industrialization are impacting positively on peace and stability on the continent.”

The statement added that the High Commissioner was elated by the several innovative products being displayed by Dangote Group at the pavilion, saying “ job creation is central to the continent’s craving for social stability.”

The statement further said the Ambassador said he was extending an invitation to Mr. Dangote to come and invest in Uganda, adding that his country is peaceful and business-friendly.

“With huge job creation potential across several African countries, and unprecedented philanthropic activities, President of the Dangote Group Aliko Dangote is a pillar supporting

the ambiance of social stability in Africa,” Mr Ocheger was quoted as saying in the statement.

Speaking also, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje said the tate is not only proud of Mr Dangote and his company, but for creating opportunities for the African people.

The governor who was represented by the Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Barrister Ibrahim Mukhtar, said the state would take advantage of the Africa Continent Free Trade Agreement, AfCFTA being historically a major trade route in Africa.

Speaking earlier, according to the statement, the President of Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, KACCIMA, Dalhatu Abubakar, described as apt the theme for this year’s 42nd Trade Fair, which is: Consolidating the Challenges of Covid-19 pandemic to opportunities

growth and development of micro, small and medium enterprises in Nigeria.

The statement further stated that Dangote Group’s pavilion had received participants, “who thronged the place to have a glimpse at several innovative products being displayed.”

Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba (middle) with other participants during the workshop on Better Education Service Delivery for All, recently in Abuja Photo-,; Justin Imo-owo

Ayu tasks youths to channel energies into creative youth By Folorunso Abuja

T

Alagbede,

he National Chairman-elect of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has advised Nigerian youths to channel their energies into creative pursuits, saying the future belongs to youths who prepare themselves.

Ayu spoke at the weekend in Abuja when a delegation of Benue Youths, under the auspices of Benue Transition Mentees (BTM), paid him a courtesy/goodwill call at his Maitama residence.

A statement personally signed

by Dr. Ayu and made available

by his Media office yesterday in Abuja explained that BTM is a group of passionate and energetic Benue youths who are making their marks in various callings of life, and who were members of the Benue State Transition Committee, 2019, which the former Senate President chaired.

Ayu, a former Senate President and university don, told the youth, “We often hear that youths are the leaders of tomorrow, but that is not automatic. The future really belongs to youths who follow their passions, who prepare themselves and who go after what they want.

“There are youths who are

doing drugs, who are into all sorts of vices like kidnapping, prostitution, what they call Yahoo-yahoo. Some make up the battalions in the banditry ravaging the country. The future does not belong to these”, he said.

The former Senate President charged enterprising youths not to fold their arms and wait for power-shift, but to rise to the challenge of leadership at various level, noting that power is never gifted.

His words: “Prepare yourselves, follow your passions and channel your energies into creative pursuits.

“Organize yourselves, mobilize

your large constituency and go for what you want, including public office. There is no Father Christmas in Politics.

“Sometimes, young people forget that many of us started out on this route as young men too. I became a graduate at 23, got my PhD at 31, was a senior lecturer at 37 and was elected to the Senate at 39 where my colleagues made me Senate President at 40. I can say that for others too.

“And in many of these outings, we successfully competed against older, more experienced people.

“So, when youths say, ‘give us a chance,’ I tell them: ‘chance is not always a gift. Power is never

gifted on a platter or in a parcel.’

So, mobilize and take your chance as we march to 2023.”

Ayu used the occasion to decry the get-rich-quick attitude among youth people, and counselled emergent leaders to, first, imbibe the culture of service to the fatherland, stressing that money may follow.

Earlier, the youth delegation said they were in Abuja to congratulate Ayu on his welldeserved emergence as the new PDP national chairman as well as pray for his success in his determined quest of returning PDP to power, Come 2023.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

PAGE 4

NEWS How lack of focus stalled development on Kogi State – Idris

By Alex Emeje

A

n emerging and aggressive politician in Kogi State, Mallam Abubakar Idris Ibrahim has regretted and lamented how government policy summersaults has stalled and grounded the well thought out policies and programmes of the Former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari for the people of Kogi State.

He said “the housing

programmes, land ports and water ways that the former president enunciated have all been grounded because of lack of focus to continue with the success initiative of government” Addressing the press in Abuja yesterday, Idris said the state is an agrarian state, with bitumen, limestone etc. the state has no business with poverty as the state is endowed with all that could raise its Internal Generation Revenue (IGR) high

but who will bell the cat?

Regrettably, he asked who is talking of reaching out to investors for the growth of the state. He stressed the need for the redirection of our strategies such as Information Technology (IT) Agriculture, Fashion design and several other viable skills such that the state will be busy and engaged.

According to him, Kogites are educated, Intelligent, Resourceful but they need a driver that will drive them

forward.

On the issue of direct primary imposed on the parties by the National Assembly, Idris quarried the legislators for the step. He said where is democracy here if people are not allowed to decide and make their choice when in the constitution we are allowed to associate based on our choice, religion of our choice etc. and not allow us to do so in the primary election.

On the contentions issue of the electoral bill to be signed by

President Mohammed Buhari, he said the best legacy he could bequeath to Nigerian people is to sign that bill into law. He said with the flaws and cancerous elections witnessed in 2019, nobody need to tell the president to do the right thing because as the results are transmitted electronically, everything will be seen obviously and all the thugs and the hoodlums will not be able to carry out their nefarious activities.

LG Chairmen, Ex SSG, Youth, others endorse Wadada for Senate

By Musa Baba Adamu

A

t least two out five local government chairmen in Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone (Keffi zone) were on ground in- person to endorsed the aspiration of Hon. Ahmed Aliyu Wadada to represent the zone in the red chamber come 2023.

The Chairmen are those of Keffi, Hon. Baba Shehu and Karu James Thomas, local government councils (LGCs). The other three that make up the zone are Toto, Kokona and Nasarawa LGCs. This was even when many others, including an ex Secretary to the Government of the state, Alh. Aliyu Tijjani, Youth leaders across the five LGCs and other stakeholders threw their weight behind Wadada aspiration during the weekend in Keffi.

The development took place at an occasion to inaugurate Wadada Frontiers (WF) for Senate 2023 office and its Executive Members.

Hon. Wadada, an ex Member of the House of Representatives, is aspiring to pick the ticket of the Senate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Senate race come 2023.

The sitting Senator representing the zone is the Chairman, Senate Committee, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu.

Sen Adamu.

Sen. Adamu was a two time Governor of Nasarawa state, between 1999- 2003.

Hon. Wadada had unsuccessfully contested for the seat against Sen. Adamu on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Declaring his support, Hon. James Thomas, said he was happy that the Zone was tilting towards the aspiration of Hon. Wadada because it was time for the zone to have a positive change.

He said as a LGC Chairman he was for all, but there was no denying that Wadada stood out among other aspirants.

Declaring his stance, Hon Baba Shehu, said it was the desire of the electorates in the zone to have a purposeful representation come 2023.

He said Wadada had proven over the years that he was not just a “ casual and temporary politicians, “ who only comes around during elections.

He said Wadada had been steady in support and identifying with people “with or without elective post,” hence the peoples confidence in his representation.

The ex SSG who doubles as the group’s Grand Patron, Alhaji Tijjani, declared that he was for the actualisation of the aspiration of Wadada as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Nasarawa West in 2023 General

.... as group inaugurates office, EXCOs Elections.

He said: “I want to tell you that our hope has no limit in terms of winning an election not only in Nasarawa West or the state in general but the country

as a whole.

“Therefore, APC is the emblem and it will retain power not only in Nasarawa State but in the whole country.”

Chairman of the group, Hon. Hamisu Abdulmumuni Sabo. said the event was put together by youth of the zone because of the need to have a younger person represented them in

the Senate come 2023.

He said after analysing the various aspirants gunning for the Seat, the group came to a conclusion that Hon. Wadada stood out in terms of track record, versatility and age over other aspirants.

L-R: Executive Director, Vision-Ons Leadership Development Initiative, Comrade Emmanuel Johnny; Chairman, Advisory Board, National Council for Civil Society Organizations (NACCSO), Pastor Timothy Ademola, Director General, South West Youth Foundation, Otunba Eniola Temi Tope and the Chairman, Joint Civil Society Stakeholders Alliance, Comrade Jonathan Udofia, during a news conference on support for ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) by the commandant General, held in Abuja. . Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Tourism professionals receive ISO quality management system certificate

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he Institute for Tourism Professional of Nigeria (ITPN), have been presented with certificate of conformity to the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standard by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON).

This was contained in statement signed and issued by National President, ITPN,Abiodun Odusaneo.

The Director General and Chief

Executive Officer of SON, Farouq Salim made presented recently in Abuja, saying ITPN is the first body to receive ISO certificate in Nigeria .

Salim said that,this is a milestone achievement in the pursuit of excellence in service delivery.

He noted that,implementing the ISO 9001:2015 system certification is a demonstration of ITPN’s management system of conforming to internationally acceptable standard requirements and the ability of the Institute to get it right the first time

and always.

“The certificate issued to your organization today is globally recognize by virtue of accreditation of our certification system by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies that has mutual recognition agreement with accreditation bodies across continents”,he said.

Receiving the certificate on behalf of the Institute, National President of ITPN, Abiodun Odusanwo, said the epoch making event of the receipt of the ISO 9001 certificate is a clarion call

for dedication and commitment of the professional body to adhere strictly to global standards in the discharge of its duties as a service provider and certification in professional service and conduct in the Nigerian Tourism and other related industries.

“The Institute has also shown sufficient commitment to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Global Code of Ethics for Tourism with concerted efforts to practice and develop the principles for tourism of the UNWTO.”

CAC deploys e-Platform for registration of LLPs coy

T

he Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has deployed an electronic platform for registration of Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) and Limited Partnerships (LPs) to further boost and diversify the nation’s business environment.

The Commission said in a statement posted on its website that the LLPs and LPs registration platform has been successfully

deployed on the CAC Company Registration Portal (CRP).

The deployment of the registration interfaces for LLPs and LPs followed the recent commencement of registration of the two new types of business organisations. ”Customers and members of the general public wishing to register LLPs and LPs may now do so on the CRP,” the Commission said.

Explaining the technicalities, CAC Registrar-General (RG), Alhaji Garba Abubakar, said: ”The LLP is a partnership arrangement with legal personality separate from the partners.

“The liabilities of the partners of an LLP are limited to the amount agreed to be contributed or what is outstanding in the event of winding up.

He stressed that an LLP shall

have at least two “designated partners” who would be responsible for compliance with the requirements of the Act by the LLP. ”The Designated Partners shall be individuals at least one of whom must be resident in Nigeria.

The name of an LLP shall end with the word “Limited Liability Partnership” or the abbreviation “LLP”,” Abubakar explained.

PAGE 5

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

Police kill notorious bandit in Kaduna hotel From:Femi Kaduna

Oyelola,

A

notorious bandit, popularly known as Yellow Magaji a.k.a Arushe has been gunned down in a hotel by Operatives of the Kaduna Police Command in collaboration with the Federal Intelligence Bureau and Special Tactical Squad of the Force headquarters, Abuja.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Kaduna State Command, ASP Muhammed Jalige stated this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The statement stated that he was killed by the officers, who acted on credible intelligence and raided a facility Known as SIR JOE GUEST INN, located at NO.8 Sajo Street, Unguwan Maigero area of Sabon Tasha in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited started its activities for the week at the World Bank Nigeria Development Update in Abuja, with a fresh commitment to the ongoing reform in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

The event which held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja saw the Group Managing Director (GMD)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari insisting that the reforms in the oil and gas sector were unstoppable.

Kyari noted that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) had provided a clear legal framework for the process.

He explained that the PIA was very comprehensive in its provisions on the operations and responsibilities of the industry players as well as allocation of timelines for the categories of various activities.

“There is a reform going on particularly in the energy sector and no one can stop it,” he said.

The NNPC CEO continued: “For instance, the issue of removal of subsidy is now guided by law and you have to go back to the National Assembly to stop it.

“Also the Act provides for issues around the relationship between the national oil company and other institutions of government in relation to timelines, which is a clear departure from the past,” the Kyari said.

On the issue of subsidy, he noted that it was no longer realistic for the Federal Government to continue to bear the burden of the monthly provision of the sum of N250billion for petrol subsidy.

This, he said was in spite of government’s intention and efforts to continue with the subsidy in the interest of Nigerians.

He added that the new NNPC as established under the PIA would soon resort to invoicing the

NEWS DSS does not force confession from suspects - Official

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Department of State Services (DSS), said there is no iota of truth that its personnel force suspects to confess.

The service in a statement issued yesterday by its PRO, Peter

Afunanya, said the DSS does not force out confessions from suspects and has not done so in the matter of IPOB and ESN. The PRO said reports to the contrary were false and fictitious.

“The Service is a professional agency that follows the rules

of engagement and standards operating procedures in all of its activities. It does not take laws into its hands. It is a public knowledge that it has by, today, charged many suspects to court in line with democratic norms.

“The entire reportage is a

figment of the imagination of the news medium. Its aim is to simply malign the Service and bring it to disrepute. By now, everyone should have been aware of the brand of guerilla journalism practised by this particular outfit. The public should ignore the report wholly”.

L-R; The Founder, Helpline Foundation for the Needy Abuja, Dr.Jumai Ahmadu with the Rwandan Minister of Gender Affairs , Professor Jeanette Bayisenge at the 2021 African Women Conference in Kigali Rwanda

World Bank, El-Rufai applaud Kyari, as NNPC intensifies petroleum sector reform government to enable it recover the cost of providing the petrol.

On their part, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, and World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, Mr Shaudhuri Chaudhuri, said that the removal of petrol subsidy had become inevitable as government requires the funds used for subsidy to invest in other critical sectors of the economy that would make life easier for Nigerians.

Speaking at the event, the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam

Nasir El-Rufai and the World Bank’s Lead Economist for Nigeria, Mr Marco Hernandez commended the GMD for his forthright leadership in the execution of the oil and gas sector reforms.

Meanwhile, the NNPC has called on members of the Independent Petroleum Producers (IPPG) to recommend new strategies to tackle the challenges facing the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

The NNPC GMD/CEO, Malam Mele Kyari, gave the charge while hosting the new executive of the

IPPG in his office at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The GMD said that the current reality in the petroleum industry called for a clear understanding and commitment of all players in order to reposition the industry for enhanced performance.

He said though the PIA had eliminated the uncertainty and lack of clarity that had bedeviled the industry in the last 25 years, there was need for practical steps by players in the industry to redress the situation.

“There are immediate problems which we know.

“We found ourselves in this situation because everybody failed, so we have to bring everyone to the table to accept this reality and come up with an intervention that is different, not what we have always done,” Kyari said.

He disclosed that significant progress had been made in reducing the incidences of crude oil theft and called for all hands to be on deck to work towards eliminating the menace.

Recruitment: FCC wants MDAs to follow standing procedures for filling of vacancies

By Paul Efiong, Abuja

T

he Federal Character Commission (FCC) has warned all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to follow the standing procedures of recruitment into the public service.

The commission gave the directive in a statement issued in Abuja by Dr Chuks Okoli, Director Public Affairs/Communication of FCC, following the alleged secret recruitments by some MDAs. Okoli said MDAs had been directed to ensure proper manpower planning in accordance with its authorised staffing/ manning level, when there was a need for recruitment.

According to him, the spread of all vacancies to be filled shall be predetermined in relation to current levels of FCC

representation by states or geopolitical zones, at a joint meeting of MDAs and the management of the FCC. "The MDA shall ensure, and provide comprehensive job description (academic qualifications and cognate experience) required for each vacant position.

"All vacancies shall be advertised in at least two newspapers circulating nationally, giving prospective candidates a minimum of six weeks within which to apply.

"In filling the allotted vacancies, adequate consideration shall be given to gender representation and the physically challenged and where candidates are required to apply on-line, hard copies of such applications shall nevertheless be accepted."

Okoli said government agencies

have been warned from demanding processing fees of application form from applicants who wants any job in public service.

"Recruitment into the public service shall not be contracted out to consulting firms. However, such agencies of government as ASCON, CMD, PSIN and the like, may be contracted to organise screening/ aptitude tests.

"Only candidates who have met the basic minimum requirements for each position shall be shortlisted for written tests/oral interview or any other selection process.

"Under no circumstance shall an unqualified candidate be shortlisted purportedly on the basis of Federal Character consideration."

He said the appointment of temporary, casual or contract staff (by whatsoever name called), could

have adverse effect on the staff distribution pattern of an MDA, saying such appointments should only be carried out sparingly, subject to prior written approval of the commission.

Okoli stated other standing procedures to include, any candidate who met the basic minimum requirements, shall be eligible to compete for posts reserved for his state/zone.

He added that such candidate should not be penalised or disadvantaged in favour of a candidate from another state/ zone who may possess higher qualifications.

"At the close of advertisement, and from the long list of all applications received, a shortlist of qualified candidates shall be compiled for interview or any other mode of selection on states basis.

PAGE 6

NEWS

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DLEA has seized 12,385 kilograms of “Loud’’ marijuana smuggled into Lagos from a neighbouring country through the waterways.

Director, Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, who said this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, described the drug as a strong variant of marijuana.

Babafemi said that 12,385 pellets of the “Loud’’ marijuana were brought in through the Atlantic Ocean and ferried in boats to the Eko Atlantic Beach, Victoria Island.

The weed would have been distributed from the beach to drugs hotspots such as Lagos Island, Peti Alagba and others

SARS IIP: Panelist cries out over police frustration

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

NDLEA intercepts 12,385kg “Loud” marijuana in Lagos across Lagos and other states, he added.

He stated also that more than 50 narcotic officers stormed the beach on Saturday, Nov. 27 and recovered the consignments along with two trucks and arrested three suspects.

Those arrested are Abdulkadri Zakari, 24, Ka’abu Sausu, 45 and Lawrence Adie, 27.

In another development, a 70-year-old woman, Beatrice Aigbedion was among suspects arrested at Irrua, Edo in connection with the seizure of more than 5,000 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs.

“After days of surveillance, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday, Nov. 24 stormed a warehouse at Uhiere, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo,

where they recovered 4,261.5kg of Indian hemp and arrested a suspect, Ikong Stanley.

“On Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1,240kg of Indian hemp was also seized at a warehouse in Uzebba, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo. “At the point of her arrest last Wednesday, Aigbedion was caught with different quantities of Codeine cough syrup, Swinol and Rohypnol “Another dealer, Joseph Onyemaechi, 50, was also nabbed at Ikpoba Okha, Upper Sakpoba, Benin City, on Friday with different types of psychotropic substances weighing 2.055kg,’’ Babafemi stated.

Similarly, Gabriel Akioya and Isa Salihu were arrested on Thursday, Nov. 25 at Irrua, Esan

Central Local Government Area of Edo with various quantities of Codeine, Tramadol, Swinol and Rohypnol.

Babafemi stated that operatives raided Hampton Towers and Spa Hotel, Okpanam Road, Asaba, where Dobedient Etumudor and Thompson Chukwuemeka were arrested with different quantities of psychoactive substances.

He added that another drug dealer, Emeka Ben, was nabbed with 4.7 grams of Methamphetamine on AsabaIbusa Road in Delta.

“Other suspects arrested on Thursday, Nov. 25 in the state for dealing in Meth, Indian hemp, cocaine, and heroin were Ifeanyi Odibe, Uche Onwurah, and Justice Obika.

“In Kano, a drug dealer, Alhaji

L-R; The outgoing Executive Director, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Mr Segun Awolowo,The Representative of the Director General, NITDA, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, NITDA Digital Economy Officer, Engr. Usman Yakubu NITDA Acting National Coordinator ONDI, Mr. Yakubu Musa, during media briefing on the development of Innovation hubs by NEPC in collaboration with NIDTA, held on Friday in Abuja. Photo-; Justin Imo-owo

By Albert Akota

A

member of the panel, John Aikpokpo Martins who represents the Nigerian Bar Association on the panel has accused the Nigerian Police for mockery the panel in failing to tell Nigerians the whereabouts of a suspect who they officially arrested.

Martins who disclosed this at the weekend in Abuja during hearing of SARS cases wondered why the victim, John Emeka Alozie who the police arrested and openly paraded in the presence of some senior officers of the Force will turn ignorance of the suspect.

He said, “Police are making a mockery of this panel, how can they say they do not know the whereabouts of a citizen they officially arrested in the course of their official duties”.

When the case was called up for continuation of hearing, police counsel, Fidelis Ogwobe informed the 11-Member panel headed by Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd) that Godwin Ijeoma, who was handling the matter for the police has retired and that Joseph Nwadike who took over the matter is absent.

Ogwobe went further to inform the panel that before Ijeoma retired from the Force, he visited SARS office in Awkuzu where he was told that the two police officers, Mr. Obiazo and Mr Uzo Emeana who are 1st and 2nd respondents in the petition have also retired from the Force.

The Justice Galadima led panel had vowed to compel their appearance, insisting it will not allow the actions of some lawless police officers to scuttle the course of justice.

The case was adjourned till 2nd of December 2021.

Bukar Malan Abdu, was arrested and 143 kilograms of Indian hemp recovered from him while 466kg of same drug was seized in the home of one Bashir Shuaibu, an indigene of Edo resident in Kano.

“On Thursday, Nov. 25, a drug dealer in Maiduguri, Chima Obi, was arrested in a follow-up operation.

“The follow-up operation took place after the seizure of his drug consignment of 73.2kg of codeine at an NDLEA checkpoint in Postiskum, Yobe, on the same day,’’ Babafemi stated.

He said that NDLEA Chairman retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, charged its officers and men to strive to record greater feats until the drug supply and drug demand reduction targets of the agency were fully achieved. (NAN)

NSCDC places high premium on welfare of personnel - CG

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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he Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said he places high premium on the welfare of personnel, knowing undoubtedly that to build a virile, dynamic and productive workforce, conscious efforts must be made to motivate the staff towards putting in their best for more dedicated service.

In view of the above, the Commandant General who is barely eight months in office, has stressed that he will leave no stone unturned to ensure high welfare packages for officers and men of the corps through a robust and well-structured plan to increase personnel morale.

A statement issued on Sunday by NSCDC Spokesperson, Olusola Odumosu said Audi who has stressed it in different fora that his roadmap for the Corps cannot be compromised having established the template of his

planned thoughts and possible action to follow in line with his avowed commitment to initiate programs that would benefit the entire personnel and not a section of the Corps like the cooperative members only.

“It is worthy of note that within eight months of his assumption of leadership of the Corps, the Commandant General has ensured the promotion of officers and men who have remained on same rank for 3 to 10 years, he began processing the payment of the backlog of promotion arrears of personnel which was meant to have been paid by the last administration and gave special promotion, awards and commendation letters to officers who distinguished themselves in line of duty within his 100 days in office.

“In furtherance, Dr Audi gave out cheques of over two-millionnaira (N2M) for Group Personal Accident benefits to personnel who sustained various degrees of injuries in the cause of discharging

their duties. Not to mention the over twenty-million-naira (N20m) worth of cheques being distributed as part of payment for Group Life Insurance which is managed by the Head of service.

“In keeping with his promise, the Commandant General has paid over 150 families the outstanding burial benefits and entitlements of deceased personnel long forgotten before his appointment as the CG to the tune of Forty million naira (N40m) while also working assiduously to pay the backlog of outstanding benefits of about 60 families to the tune of over two hundred million naira (N200m) which has been lingering since 2013. Ongoing is the second phase of compilation of remaining personnel that has sustained injuries in the cause of discharging their duties and about 60 officers and men will be paid not less than twenty-one million naira (N21m) as Group Personal Accident Benefits.

“In spite of all the above efforts

however, some media houses are still been coaxed into circulating an ill-conceived story about an independent arrangement of the NSCDC cooperative society to distribute tricycle to interested members with a view to portraying the administration in negative light and also to cast aspersions on the efforts of the Audi-led administration.

“To set records straight, the cooperative society is an independent body whose membership are voluntary and not mandatory. The alleged scheme was meant for only interested cooperators and it was introduced by the cooperative society as part of effort towards meeting the welfare needs of its members only and not the generality of personnel which the CG is responsible to, hence, the need to correct this misrepresentation as the Commandant General cannot dictate what cooperative do with their money, but can only counsel them which he has ensured.

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

ICPC inaugurates NYSC anti corruption, transparency unit

By Albert Akota

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he lndependent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said its partnership with the NYSC would continue to play a vital part in the re-orientation of youths to imbibe positive virtues of hardwork and patriotism.

ICPC Chairman, Prof.

Bolaji Owasanoye stated this today in Abuja while inaugurating the Anti-Corruption and Transparency (ACTU) SubUnits of the National Youth Service Corps.

He commended the Corps for its intention to expand its scope of operation in the fight against corruption.

Addressing the newly inductees, the ICPC boss who was represented by Mr Demola Bakare said in order to achieve its mandate, the ACTU must execute its statutory duties which include periodic sensitization of staff against corruption, examination of systems, processes and procedures that are prone to corruption and proffering solutions.

In his address, NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim said the Scheme earned recognition for its efforts at promoting ethics following an Annual Ethics and Compliance Scorecard and ACTU Effectiveness Index conducted by the ICPC in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the last quarter.

CRIME NEWS

Illicit drugs: Court sentences 3 persons to community service in Bauchi From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

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he Federal High Court, Bauchi has sentenced three persons to community Service, as part of efforts to enhance the implementation of Non-Custodial measures in Bauchi State.

The offenders, Dahiru Ibrahim, Gambo Abdullahi and Umar Rabiu were found with cannabis sativa weighing 150g, 200g and 300g respectively.

They were sentenced to daily cleaning and sweeping of the

premises of Bauchi Custodial Center for the period of three weeks.

A statement from the Public Relations Officer of the Command Adam Abubakar which was mayde available to mewsmeb in Bauchi over the weekend, said’the Non-Custodial Service Bauchi State Command is in receipt of three offenders sentenced to community service.

“When he inspected the offenders at their place of duty, the officer in charge of the NonCustodial Service Bauchi State Command, DCC Bala D. Kitsam,

commended the Federal High Court for the Sentence.

He called on the Bauchi State government to expedite action towards domesticating the provisions of the Administration of criminal Justice Act 2015 in the State for effective take off of Non Custodial measures in the State.

He said that when fully implemented, the Non-Custodial measures which include Community Service, parole, probation and restorative justice, will not only help in decongesting the Custodial Centers in the State, but the society will also benefit

immensely from the services rendered by the offenders.

On their part, the offenders expressed satisfaction for sentencing them to non Custodial service which they said is better than being sentenced to Custodial centre. They pledged to abide by the rules and shun crime after their discharge.

Recal this is one of the few sentences the Non-Custodial Service is executing in Bauchi State since its inception in 2019 following the passage into law of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act (2019).

President-elect, Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Dr Zainab Muhammad-Idris(4th L), Kaduna State Chapter, UN Security Officer, Dr Abubabakar Zakari(M); Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Kaduna State Ministry of Health, Dr Joseph Sunday (6th R); President, MWAN, Kaduna State Chapter Dr Anisah Yahya(5th R) and other participants during the 8th Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting of Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State Branch, on Saturday in Kaduna

Centre advocates improved Girl-child enrollment in Adamawa From Umar Dankano,Yola.

I

n its continued efforts of ensuring return of out of school girls back to education pursuit,the African Centre for Leadership and Development (Centre-LSD) has adevocated for enrollment, even as it enrolled a total of 1,221 back to schools in Adamawa state.

Senior Programme Officer of the Centre,Lawal Amodu made this disclosure at a media engagement event held in Yola weekend saying that the Centre’s community Led Collective Action for Girlchild Education (C-CAGE) project being

executed in three(3) focal local government areas of Numan,Song and Maiha gave the desired achievements.

Amodu stressed that the massive mobilisation efforts of the community gate keepers who feel obliged to ensure that out of schoolgirls in their communities go to school played a significant role in the drive been funded by Malala Fund.

He stated that twentyfive(25) safe spaces have been established so far while each of the newly nine safe spaces for in and out of schoolgirls has capacity to host 50 girls on the average bringing the total of girls actively participating in

the established safe spaces to 1076.

While commending the state government commitment for free education in the state, He maintained that the Centre LSD drawing the attention of relevant stakeholders to encourage enrollment at Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) in Pare community in Numan Local Government Areas ( LGA) of the state which has 17 total number of students with seven teachers including the principal He noted that the school in Pare community was estimated to accommodate 500 students but currently have its total number of students at

17 with obvious dilapidated infrastructures calling on urgent action to address the ugly situation.

“We strongly believe that such an institution should be deliberately targeted to admit a very good number of the out of schoolgirls in that area.

“We also appealed to the media to bring issues to limelight for government attention and to pay special attention to revamping GGSS Pa”, he said.

Amodu said in the last five months, Centre LSD implemented some activities on the C- Cage project which include inter -school debate competition between students

from various schools in Yola, carried out town hall meeting to sensitized citizens on important of girl child enrollment.

“We also commended Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for his commitment to free education in the state alongside the determation to recruit teachers following standard procedure for employment and efforts to prioritize education in the state as laid out in the 2022 budget.”

Amodu said He also drew the attention of the governor that despite his free education some principal are collecting illegal fee making it cumbersome for enrollment in the state.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

PAGE 8

NEWS

T

he National President of Nigeria Society of Chemical Engineers (NSCh) has revealed that Dangote Oil Refining Company will be the highest employer of chemical engineers in the country when the refinery comes on stream.

The Society’s National President, Engr.

Saidu A. Muhammed, disclosed this during the NSCh’s visit/tour of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical project at IbejuLekki, Lagos at the weekend.

He commended the company for its contribution to energy security in Nigeria.

Engr. Muhammed, who led members of NSCh on a tour of the Dangote 650,000 barrels-perday refinery project in Lagos, to mark the end of the association’s 51st-anniversary celebration, said the industries in Nigeria have not been able to absorb the over 1,000 engineers yearly from Nigerian Universities.

Muhammed stated, “We, the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers, have keenly been watching the progress of the refinery project.

“When completed, the refinery will be the singular largest employer of chemical engineers in the country. Nigerian Universities turn out about 1,000 chemical engineers every year and the avenues for employment have been very scarce.

“The industry has not been

Dangote Refinery to become highest employer of Chemical Engineers in Nigeria able to fully absorb the number of chemical engineers that passed out of the universities years ago.

Some companies within the sector are not running at the optimum level. Therefore, employment is really key.

“However, from the energy security point of view, chemical engineers are always concerned about what can be put in place to guarantee energy security the country. Nigeria is blessed with abundant crude oil, but unfortunately, we are importing petroleum products simply because Nigeria’s own refineries are not utilising their installed capacity”, he said.

“Therefore, when you see a brand new refinery like the Dangote Refinery that has the capacity to meet the petroleum products needs of the country, there is need to celebrate such company”, Muhammed added.

He expressed delight over the size of the project and the level of work that has gone in the construction of the refinery.

“The Dangote Refinery project is very impressive, very big. There is no project of this magnitude right now in this part of the world.

We are delighted to see that the project is nearing completion and many things have been done.”

He commended the Dangote Group for its plans to ensure that Nigerian engineers are trained to handle the operation of the refinery plant, which has been acclaimed to be the largest singletrain refinery in the world.

“We are most impressed by the numbers of Nigerians that we see within the site working at various sections of the plant. We are glad that Dangote is building this type of project in Nigeria, which is one of the largest in the world,” he said.

Muhammed added that the members of the association are happy to see that Dangote Refinery will contribute significantly to energy security in Africa.

“We are also happy about the refinery’s contribution to energy security in Africa. The refinery is also going to have positive impact on Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas industry.”

Speaking also at the event, the Technical Consultant to the President of Dangote Group, Engr.

Babajide Soyode commended the chemical engineers for coming on a tour of the refinery.

According to Soyode, Dangote’s refinery will help Nigeria meet and exceed its current demand for gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and kerosene, leaving ample product for export.

“This connotes significant positive economic impact on Nigeria and the West African

region, transforming Nigeria from a net importer to exporter of refined petroleum products and curtailing significant foreign exchange outflows. “Additionally, the availability of excess fuel will also provide a catalyst for eliminating Nigeria’s expensive fuel subsidy,” he added.

Soyode said that the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery would complement other major infrastructure investments that Dangote has planned at the strategically located Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos, including a port, gas processing facility, power plant, and petrochemical and Fertiliser complex. “When completed, this infrastructure complex will create a significant economy of scale for one of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerates, supporting jobs in both Nigeria and other African countries”, he added.

UNIBEN appoints over 200 lecturers

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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he management of University of Benin (UNIBEN) in Edo State has appointed no fewer than 200 adjunct lecturers, to help bridge the gap in teaching positions.

The feat now put the teaching Staff of the University at 1,779 (One Thousand seven Hundred and Seventynine, while the number of non-teaching Staff was approximately 6063 (Six Thousand and sixty-three).

Prof. Lilian Salami, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, said the drastic measure was taken to mitigate the impact on the continuing embargo on employment by the Nigerian government.

She disclosed this a Press briefing as prelude to the 46th, 47th Convocation and 51st Founders’ Day and Golden Jubilee Awards Ceremonies that begin on Monday November 22, 2021.

“At the inception of this administration, a major source of concern was the major disequilibrium in the ratio of teaching to non-teaching Staff.

“Figures available put the teaching Staff at 1,779 (One Thousand seven Hundred and Seventy-nine, while the number of non-teaching Staff was approximately 6063 (Six Thousand and sixty-three).

“With the continuing embargo on employment, something drastic needed to be done to address the situation.

She further revealed that “ This administration then began the process of sourcing, from among non-teaching Staff, qualified persons who were subsequently redeployed to the teaching

Former President Goodluck Jonathan (3rd, R) greeted by the pioneer Dean, Faculty of Humanity, University of Port Harcourt, Prof.

Ambros Alaghoa, during the re-union of the University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association set 1982, at Nambe town in Bayelsa

2023: NE group backs Tinubu for President

From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

N

orth East Political Pressure Group has declared its support for National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu for President in 2023.

The Bauchi State chapter of the group in a press release issued to Journalists in Bauchi over the weekend stated that among all those who have publicly or silently declared their interest in the number one political office in the country, Ahmed Bola Tinubu stand out.

The release was jointly signed by the North-East Zonal Coordinator, Engineer Ahmed Yusuf and Bauchi state Coordinator of the group,

Danjuma Husseini Suleiman.

It read: “Among all those who have either publicity or silently indicated interest in the 2033 presidency, the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Sen Ahmed Bola Tinubu (Jagaban) is the most qualified to contest for the office of the president and eventually become the next president of Nigeria considering his political pedigree which cannot be equalled by any politician in the country”.

“As a 2 tenured Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu excelled in the area of transformation of every facet of Human and infrastructural development. He succeeded even in the face of stiff opposition from the then Federal Government led by the PDP under the former president, Olusegun

Obasanjo who denied Lagos state its shares from the statutory monthly allocation for about. 3 years. “ The Bola Tinubu led Tinubu Government was not deterred but went about the act of governance through internally generated revenue (IGR) “.

They added that Ahmed Bola Tinubu developed every aspect of the state to an enviable position in the country and all others who come after him have been able to build on what foundation he laid The group described Bola Tinubu as a detribalized Nigerian who appointed people who are not from Lagos state as government officials including Commissioners, Special Advisers etc. during his tenure saying, “he is acceptable everywhere

across the country and with such attributes, he will be a good President of Nigeria” .

They declared that, “consequent upon this and many other strides we will be rolling out subsequently, that we, Disciples of Jagaba (Bola Ahmed Tinubu for president 2023 Bauchi state chapter under the leadership of Hon Danjuma Husaini Sulaiman declare our support for the Tinubu 2023 presidential project. We are in support of North East Zonal Coordinator, Engir Ahmed Yusuf to ensure that the project realized its objectives”.

The Bauchi State Chapter has Coordinators in all the 20 local government areas who are working actively to mobilize support for the project in bauchi state.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

Adopt Akwa Ibom’s template for peace, PDP counsels FG By Folorunso Abuja

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Alagbede,

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has enjoined the Federal Government to adopt the template for national peace and harmony as initiated and being implemented by Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa-Ibom state in the drive to achieve sustained peace and development in the PDPcontrolled state.

The party said this in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja.

The PDP believed that such will help the Federal Government to combat the current spate of insecurity, disharmony, disagreements, tension, avoidable conflicts and restiveness in our country at this critical time in the history of our nation.

The party counselled the All Progressives Congress (APC)led Federal Government to immediately understudy the model of the Maintain Peace Movement (MPM) programme unveiled at the weekend by Governor Udom Emmanuel as part of his measure to engender peace and development in the state.

The statement by Ologbondiyan reads, “Our party insists that with the right template at the national level, our nation will come out of the woods and regain its pride of place among the comity of nations.

“It is instructive to note that the Udom Emmanuel template has enabled Akwa-Ibom state government to effectively manage contending interests, achieve harmony among the political class, enhanced public/private partnership, create enabling atmosphere for greater citizen participation as well as harmonious living in a multifarious state.

“Under the MPM template, the energies of all segments of the state’s population; the youths, political class, business community, professional groups, faith-based organizations, traditional institution and private individuals are being harnessed for the development of the state.

“Our party commends Governor Udom Emmanuel’s commitment towards ensuring a peaceful state, a situation that enabled him to effectively deploy the resources available to the state to impact lives, create enduring infrastructure, attract investors, provide jobs and improve on the living standard of the people, in line with the manifesto of our great party”, the statement said.

The PDP therefore urged Governor Emmanuel not to relent but continue to deepen harmonious living which is sine qua non for development.

The Party also expressed confidence in the National Coordinator of the MPM and National Legal Adviser of our party, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, for his commitment under Governor Udom Emmanuel, towards the success of the initiative.

PAGE 9

NEWS

Stop inviting foreign engineers to supervise projects in Nig - NSE tells FG, States From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

F

ederal and State Government in Nigeria have been advised to discard the habit of inviting foreign engineers to supervise projects in the country, as there are enough competent and qualified Nigerian Engineers to do such.

Kaduna State Chairman of Nigerian Society of Engineers,(, NSE) Engr. Rachel Serumun stated this during the end-of-year gettogether celebration of the Institute held yesterday, in Kaduna.

According to him, the practice is a sad development, because Nigerian Engineers are Capable

of doing whatever to develop the country.

Serumun observed that the Institute has been fighting the practice and taking their plight to National Assemble and others stakeholders for redness.

“We have been going everywhere telling them that we have engineers in the country, thank God the presidents have given presidential Order 5 which gives prominence to Nigerian Engineers.

“There is a particular value of project now that cannot be given to foreign Engineers, it must be given to Nigerian Engineers,” he said

She stressed the need for funds to enable Nigerian Engineer to conduct research, saying no country can develop without research.

In his remark, the National President of Nigerian Society of Engineers(NSE,) Engr. Babagana Mohammed, said Kaduna Engineers are doing very well and the launching of the Kaduna secretariat is a testimony to that.

He commended NSE Kaduna for honouring Engr. BK Mohammed, whom he described as father, and mentor, to many engineers.

He encouraged the society L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, presenting the New Telegraph’s Most Innovative Senator 2021 award to Senator Sani Musa, while Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, others look on at the New Telegraph Awards 2021 ceremony on Friday in Lagod

We must make deliberate efforts to prepare children for leadership positions - Gbajabiamila

By Christiana Ekpa

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he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that deliberate efforts must be made to prepare the children and youth of Nigeria to become the leaders of tomorrow we desire them to be.

He said such efforts must include involving them in governance and expanding the democratic space to accommodate many young people.

Gbajabiamila, who was speaking at the National Children’s Dialogue to mark the 2021 Universal Children’s Day in Abuja on Saturday, explained that this was the reason he championed an amendment to the Electoral Bill, 2021 for the use of Direct Primaries by political parties as a method of choosing candidates for elective offices.

Addressing participants at the dialogue themed, “The Nigerian Child and the National Unity Project”, Gbajabiamila stated that with direct primaries, a youth with leadership qualities had equal chances of becoming a candidate for an elective office just like any other person.

The speaker noted that this was one of the surest ways of securing the future of Nigeria, by giving people with multiple ideas the opportunity to be at the very top of governance.

He said, “That debate on direct primaries, which I championed, is about the future of our country.

Our position in the 9th House of Representatives is that everyone must have equal opportunities to participate in governance and the democratic process...

“Our young people must have a seat at the high table and we must create the enabling environment for

them to be in leadership such that a young man with bold ideas can come out to vie for any position, be it legislator, governor or any other office.

“That can only be achieved through direct primaries, which will give a fair chance to the youth of this country to be involved in governance.”

Gbajabiamila called for huge investment in youth education, particularly technology, which the speaker said had transformed the world from what it used to be into a global village, delivering services and innovations at an unprecedented speed.

He added, “Technology has changed our world. We no longer exist in communal or national silos but as part of a broad fabric of humanity in a global village where opportunities and challenges abound. In this new world where a child with a computer and internet connection in Lagos can compete for jobs in Texas or Bombay, our job as leaders is to ensure that every Nigerian child is educated and empowered to compete in and succeed in this global marketplace of ideas and talent.”

However, Gbajabiamila told the session that to deliver on this obligation, all hands should be on the deck to make Nigeria a peaceful place to live.

According to him, securing the future means tackling the myriads of security challenges bedeviling the country squarely to bequeath a safe nation to our children.

“Peace is a necessary condition for development and progress.

The present insecurity and the rampaging uncertainty it creates across the land represent the single biggest threat to the wellbeing of our

nation’s children and the security of their future.

“We must wage the battle for peace with a warrior’s resolve because everything depends on our victory over the forces that threaten our country and risk the future of our country”, he stated.

To this end, the speaker informed the audience of the resolve of the House to continue to make legislative interventions that would help the executive to overcome the security challenges.

Gbajabiamila added, “The 9th House of Representatives has situated national security interventions at the top of our priorities in recognition of this.

We have in the past year initiated legislative action to reform our national security infrastructure, improve funding for national security intervention and ensure effective oversight of resources allocated to protecting our country and defending our people from dangers within and external.

“We will continue in this regard because, as I said before, success in every other area depends on our success in this regard. “ The Speaker commended the Board and Management of the Children Of Africa Leadership And Values Development Initiative (CALDEV), led by Rep. Bamidele Salam, for initiating the dialogue series.

Speaking earlier, Salam explained the purpose of the project was to build “exemplary” children with all the qualities that would lead Nigeria to become a truly great country.

Children and participants from various schools and bodies featured in the dialogue and a series of other events lined up for the day.

that the building of a secretariat is doable and urged members not to relent in their efforts to see to the conclusion of the noble idea.

He landed the relationship between the Society and Defense Industry Corporation of Nigeria DICON helps in sustaining the activist of the Society. “ DICON is doing wonderful, they have improved so much that, as we are celebrating our father that worked with them before so we want them to come and showcase their efforts to the world and you can see that it has yielded results”, he said.

3 FHA executive directors resume duties

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

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he three newly appointed Executive Directors (EDs) at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) have resumed duties.

This was contained in statement signed and issued by the FHA’s Head of Public Affairs,Kenneth Chigelu in Abuja, recently.

It read: “The new EDs are; Hauwa Babakobi; ED Estate Services, Adama Kure; ED Housing Finance and Accounts, and Engr. Chinonso Sam - Emoke; ED Project Implementation.”

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had last month approved the expansion of FHA’s management from two to five directorates to improve the agency’s operations.

According to statement, the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, who presided over the first General Management Committee Meeting (GMC), urged them to hit the ground running.

He reminded them that there are more work to be done, in order for the management to deliver on the mandate of President Muhammadu to Nigerians, through housing.

“We have to collectively hit the ground running, in the task of delivering on the mandate given to us by government”, he said.

Ashafa reiterated that through the delivery of houses by the Authority, the nation’s unemployment challenges would be greatly tackled. “ We are in a good position to boost government’s job creation, through the value chain of our housing industry.

“We have to bring all our collective experiences to FHA to help drive government’s Economic Sustainability Agenda through housing, “ he said.

He assured the new Executive Directors of the cooperation of some of the best professionals in the building industry, which FHA has.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

PAGE 10

NEWS NHP: Over 7000 applications receive within seven days, still countingFashola

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

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he Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola has revealed that 7315 applications have so far been received for the purchase of the Federal government’s National Housing Programme within the first week of launching the online portal.

This was contained in statement signed and by Director Press and Public Relations, Boade Akinola.

Fashola who was speaking before the Senate Committee on Housing, Thursday, November 18th, 2021, declared “ As at today, 7315 applications have been received so far and the number is still growing.”

The Minister explained that the Ministry had been working and progress at selling the houses to the public had been recorded, hence the online platform was launched inorder to be open and transparent in the sale of the houses and avoid unnecessary interference by some vested interests.

Fashola stated that the categories of the houses are different from what is available in the open market. Fashola who noted that the type of houses being offered for sale were generous interms of space added that one bed room is 60sqm, 2 bedroom 76sqm and the 3 bedroom has 110sqm pointing out that the size is larger than what is obtainable in other developers On the prices, Fashola said, “ There are 1,2, 3 bedrooms, some of which are bungalows while others are flats. The minimum house is N7.2m and the highest is about N16m “ Fashola stated that the Ministry carried out a survey to come up with the type of houses Nigerians desire to live in to avoid the unfortunate incidence in the past where some houses that were built were at variance with the peoples need.

Speaking on the rational behind launching of the online portal for intending buyers of the houses, he said “ our thinking is based on experience and what we think is right.

This is a digital age. If we buy air ticket and book hotels through the internet we believe we could do the same in applying for the houses.” He however added that the system may not be perfect just like every other human endeavour but the Ministry had done what is believed to be best practice at the moment.

On the requirements for purchase, the minister listed ; passport photographs, tax clearance and means of clear identification, N10 thousand application fee amongst others. He also stated that it is not possible for one to buy more than one house.

On why the prices of some of these houses differ in different states, Fashola cited difference in topography and cost of building as the determining factors, as the cost of building houses in Bayelsa for example is higher than doing same in Osogbo.

While responding to question on the affordability of the houses, the Minister said, “Affordability is not just a function of the cost but also the mode of payment, that is why we have created the rent to own option of payment.” he said.

The Senate Committee Chairman on Housing, Senator Sam Egwu, commended the Honourable Minister on his commitment to the housing delivery for Nigerians.

Alleged malicious statement: Civil servant sues Kaduna Poly, Rector, seeks N1b damages

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

K

aduna State Polytechnic and its Rector, Professor Idris Bugaje, has been dragged before a Federal Capital Territory, high court, Maitama, over malicious publication.

The plaintiff, Mrs Bikkisu Sannusi, has through her counsel, Martins Opara Esq., prayed the court for N1billion damages over the said malicious publication.

The Civil Servant, wants the court to compel the defendants to retract the malicious statement and tender apology to her.

In the suit number FCT/ HC/CV/154/2021, the Plaintiff insisted that the publication dated 15th April, 2019 is untrue, malicious and a calculated attempt at bringing her personality into disrepute.

In the statement of claim of the plaintiff dated February 24,, 2021, Mrs Sannusi, a civil

servant in the budget office of the ministry of finance said by virtue of her schedule as Desk Offcer in charge of Kaduna Polytechnic budget preparation schedule, sometime in 2018 prepared the school personnel budget for 2018 and did it to the beat of GWR ability.

She said in the statement of claim, ‘’That premised on the memo and recommendations of the plaintiff n response to Kaduna Polytechnic application for increase in personnel budget, duly reviewed and reviewed and recommended by the director, Expenditure Social, budget manager and director general budget office of the federation, the sum of N7,362144,510,91k was approved. ‘’The plaintiff discharged her duty with respect to the application for increase of personnel budget without favour and under supervision and review

of her superior officers. ‘’Sometimes on 15th July, 2020, while testifying in an Investigative Panel of Inquiry, constituted after her complaint against some of her colleagues for corrupt practices, she was confronted with a letter of complaint authored by the defendant where she was described in the most uncharitable words, which statement referred to the plaintiff as on t only incompetent, but corrupt but the committee refused giving her a copy.’’

She summited that the defamatory letter dated 15th April, 2019, was with the purpose to malign her.

She said she was denied a copy until she stumbled on it while walking in the lobby within the federal ministry of finance.

In the letter, the defendant had accused the plaintiff of asking them do the ‘’needful’ to be able to assist them to increase their budget.’’

Counsel to Mrs Sannusi said, ‘’The defendants’ sole purpose of authorising the letter of 15 April, 2019 is to malign the plaintiff and same was made maliciously especially as its content are spurious and totally untrue but did achieve the aim of the makers as contents therein did upon coming to the knowledge of her colleague who saw it lowered her person before them who before seeing same held her in high esteem thereby losing her over three decades of integrity in the civil service. ‘’The defendants were on a vendetta because they were fingered in the corrupt practices complaint lodged by the plaintiff against them and some of her colleagues who conspired with them to manipulate the personnel budget of the Kaduna Polytechnic for year 2020 The case will come up today, (Monday) before the court .

Founder / Chief Executive Officer, Le-Look Bags Academy, Chief (Mrs) Chinwe Ezenwa, (2nd right) flanked by the Outstanding Graduating Students of the Academy, , Miss Susan Pusa (right), Treasure Gift Arua (2nd left) and Zainab Yusuf, during the Le-Look Academy Steam Flagship Entrepreneurship and Life Skills 6-month course Graduation ceremony, held in Abuja. . Photo: Justin Imoowo

Kaduna: LGAs Chairmen harp on people-oriented projects From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

C

hairmen from some Local Government Areas of Kaduna State have promised to continue to implement policies and execute people-oriented projects that will change the narrative for the people of the state, especially those at the grassroots.

The Chairmen made the promise during a Panel discussion on the Influence of Community Development Charter (CDC) and tracking of Procurement processes organized by Local Government Accountability Mechanism LGAM sponsored by Partnership to Engage, Reform & Learn (PERL) in Zaria yesterday.

According to the Chairman, Kudan Local Government Area Shaiubu Bawa Jaja said despite lean resources, at their disposal because of the huge recurrent expenditure and the

COVID-19, his administration has constructed some Capital projects recommended by the CDC Champions.

He Commended the CDC program for ensuring that projects constructed are what the people needs, saying their tracking help to curb corruption, ensure quality and timely delivery of projects, and get value for taxpayers’ money Similarly the Vice Vice Chairman Lere Local Government Areas Hom. Gambo Matthew Bulus said citizens’ participation in projects through the CDC had gained momentum in recent times.

He added that Lere LGA despite its dwindling. Resources are also implementing projects that have a direct impact on the citizens.

In his remarks, the representative of Chairman Jema’a LGA John Samson

informed the gathering that his LGA has keyed into the CDC and will continue to partner with the LG Champion for a more peopleoriented program.

Mallam Jibril Abdullahi who represented Chairman Kaduna North said they are only three months in office but promised they would consider the interests of the populace first and leave no one behind. by adhering to the CDC. He added that his Principal would work toward putting smiles on the faces of Kaduna North Local Government Areas citizens.

Presenting the 2021 half years Scorecard in 23 Local Government Areas of the State, Mr. Yusfu Goje of Coalition of Association for Leadership, Peace, Empowerment, and Development (CALPED) said the total number of capital projects in the LGAs is 1 464 while 204 were implemented.

He added that the number of CDC Projects for the period under

review stood at 542 and 97 of the CDC projects implemented “Total cost of the Capital projects are N15.17Billion and N9.7B was expanded on the projects.

“Total cost of CDC Projects is N6.5B and N629.8M was expanded on the projects in the period under review,” he said.

Goje said the figures were gotten from the LG’s Champions and have not been verified by any independent or third-party organization.

On his part , Abel Adejor, the State Team Lead of Partnership to Engage, Reform & Learn (PERL)) expressed gratitude to the local Chairman and their representatives who grace the scorecard presentation.

He assured them that his organization is on the same page with the government for citizens’ satisfaction in the area of projects implementation.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

PAGE 11

EDITORIAL

Good, states are wising up

T

he 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory recorded an increase in their combined internally generated revenues (IGRs)in the first half of 2021, figures obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed penultimate week.

The NBS’ Internally Generated Revenue Report at state level in the year 2021 showed that Lagos State topped the chart as it recorded N267.23bn IGR, while Yobe had the least of N4.03bn.

zone with N156.17bn, while the North-east recorded the least IGR revenue of N42.92bn. Of all the IGR categories, PAYE contributed the highest revenue of N488.12bn, followed by revenue from the MDAs which amounted to N173.56bn.

The significance of the NBS report does not lie in the increase in IGRs. No. What it reveals significantly is that all the states and the FCT are wising up to the difficult times we are in. They have realized, painfully that is, that the federation account is not endless spring water. The fund level drops each time money is shared.

The report reads in part: “The 36 States and Federal Capital Territory’s Internally Generated Revenue amounted to N849.12bn in The significance H1 2021. In the It is this of the NBS first quarter of recognition by the report does states that they 2021, the Internally Generated Revenue not lie in the have to begin to was N398.26bn help themselves increase in while in the second before help comes IGRs. No. quarter it amounted from the centre that to N450.86bn. What it reveals we welcome. It is This indicates a significantly healthier than their positive growth attitude is that all the do-nothing of 13.21 per cent. of the past. That states and Lagos state has the complacency was highest Internally unhealthy because the FCT are Generated Revenue wising up to the these perilous times with N267.23bn in caught many of the H1 2021, followed by difficult times states off guards. we are in. the Federal Capital Only Lagos and Territory with perhaps Rivers N69.07bn and Rivers State were prepared. Not even the with N57.32bn, while Yobe oil producing states that enjoy State with N4.03bn recorded additional 13% derivation the least.” money from oil receipts foresaw the coming crunchy days.

The IGR report was categorised under five Now that all the states are fully categories, namely: pay as you awoken from a long slumber, their earn, direct assessment, road IGRs are also rising. The increase taxes, other taxes and revenue will not be the same across the from ministries, departments states for the obvious reason and agencies. It showed that the that some have more advanced South-west geopolitical zone economies than others. But all are recorded the highest revenue, now showing a healthy capacity amounting to 385.41bn, to stay afloat with or without dole followed by the South-south outs from the federation account.

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Letter to the Editor

712km railway from CCECC to Nigeria in 5 years Justice

By Ikenna Emewu

M

odern infrastructure availability is one of the indicators of advancement of any society today.

It is like the blood that keeps any modern society and economy alive ranging from roads, institutions, bridges, airports, seaports, railways, dams telecommunication facilities and many more.

Indeed the level, quality and standard of infrastructure of a country is a simple definer of its rating in development or advancement.

In 2015, a Brookings report focusing on how beneficial infrastructure is to any society and economy confirmed that: “Infrastructure enables trade, powers businesses, connects workers to their jobs, creates opportunities for struggling communities and protects the nation from an increasingly unpredictable natural environment. From private investment in telecommunication systems, broadband networks, freight railroads, energy projects and pipelines, to publicly spending on transportation, water, buildings and parks, infrastructure is the backbone of a healthy economy. It also supports workers, providing millions of jobs each year in building and maintenance.

Over the past five years, CCECC has delivered four major railway projects after completion, and all of them cover stretch of 712km, a huge economic value that has been added to the country.

The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has proven over time to be reliable supporter in infrastructure upgrade and creation for the economy of Nigeria.

From CCECC records, the sincerity in handling and delivering the projects underscore the commitment of the company powered by the Chinese government in genuine support for the infrastructure advancement of Nigeria.

CCECC said its credibility is confirmation that the relationship between China and Nigeria has no deceit to it, reason the company never defaulted in completing the over 110 projects they have handled in Nigeria in the 40 years of her operation.

Most of the services China through state-owned agencies have rendered partner countries, especially the less advanced worlds have been in building infrastructure in such countries, many at subsidized rates and delivered in great quality finishing. Nigeria has been part of that larger focus and the CCECC Nigeria Limited in its 40 years of operation in the country has been a trailblazer in that task.

The company through the parent firm in China has been an organ of China’s foreign aid in infrastructure with regional offices in 104 countries in all the continents of the world since it was established in 1979.

The premium placed on the importance and focus on infrastructure development by China was captured succinctly by Andrew Chatzky and James McBride in a focus on the China global diplomatic framework, the Belt and Road Initiative that: “China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), sometimes referred to as the New Silk Road, is one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects ever conceived. Launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping, the vast collection of development and investment initiatives would stretch from East Asia to Europe, significantly expanding China’s economic and political influence.”

This year, CCECC added another feather to its cap with the completion of the Lagos-Ibadan railway project that has also started operation.

The history of Nigeria’s infrastructure development and advancement is incomplete without a mention of the great roles played by the CCECC Nigeria Limited.

In the last five years, CCECC Nigeria has completed and handed over the Abuja Metro of about 37km, the 186km Abuja-Kaduna railway, the Ajaokuta-Itakpe-Warri 326km railway

project and lastly the Lagos-Ibadan project of 156km, with an extension of another 7km.

These projects have engendered development of Nigeria in no little measures.

Their benefits are economic, social, developmental, diplomatic and extend to deepening expertise through the grooming of artisans and professionals for the country as the locals work on these projects.

They have also contributed to manufacturing in areas related to the railway system. The sleepers on the railway tracks are fabricated in factories in Abuja at the CCECC Idu yards. The concrete works, quarrying and many more, and lately the train cargo production have taken roots in Nigeria through the CCECC projects.

Many have been trained as train drivers, repair workers, technicians and more. To deepen the localization of this industry, CCECC assisted to set up the Railway Engineering department at the University of Abuja. It is also currently building the Transportation University in Daura, Katsina State, a project the Transportation Minister, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi said was at no cost to Nigeria, just one of the corporate social impacts of the company.

Before operations starts after the completion of construction, CCECC organises technical training for NRC personnel to help guide them on the daily requirements of the operation.

As the operation runs, CCECC provides the management of key positions, technical personnel for operational guidance according to the nature of different posts and maintenance work needed for a smooth and unhindered operation.

Based on agreement reached between the construction company and the NRC, CCECC will provide three years of operational technical support. During this period, we are persuaded the NRC staff would have mastered all that needs to be known to ensure the operation goes on well.

From our passenger survey, travelers are very satisfied with the service of Lagos- Ibadan railway, which is safe and comfortable, and greatly shortens the travel time. They are enthusiastic that the service would even get better with time and whatever is lacking, we would be from the NRC side and they will take adequate care of that over time.

This railway is a major Sino-African cooperation and a flagship project of NigeriaChina practical cooperation and bilateral relationship. It connects Lagos, African largest city with Ibadan, Nigerian industrial capital.

The length of the railway main line is about 157 kilometers with an extension of about 7 kilometers, adopting modern railway standard with designed speed 150 km/h. Everything we need about the project had been done and we don’t just handle them as contractors, but always taking in nto account the fact that these projects are actually the core practical diplomatic friendship between China and Nigeria. The best way to consolidate and sustain the good relationship is we playing our roles excellently in the spirit of lasting friendship between our two countries.

Presently, CCECC Nigeria is handling railway projects such as the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Project (Blue Line)(LRMT), Lagos Rail Mass Transit Project (Red Line)LRMT and the Kaduna-Kano railway project Since entering Nigeria in 1981, CCECC has always adhered to the mission of providing Nigeria with quality infrastructure and services.

And CCECC in the process of her service to the country signed contracts on railway repair and renovation in Nigeria and the supply of rolling stock in 1995. that implies that CCECC has been working on railway projects in Nigeria for 26 years.

Emewu, journalist wrote from the Afri-China Media Centre, Lagos

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

Subsidizing national outrage

By Gimba Kakanda

D

ecember tends to be when signs and predictions of harder time begin to make the rounds in Nigeria, and this time isn’t different. The horror either begins with kilometreslong queues of cars at filling stations across the country or an ambiguous announcement by a double-speaking government official. The past few weeks have been characterized by mostly harsh reactions to the federal government’s proposal to increase fuel price to N340 per litre.

This time around, there isn’t any ambiguity to keep the country polarized as usual. At the recent World Bank Nigeria Development Update event, the GMD of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mele Kyari, was reported as confirming the proposed price regime, and that it may vary between N320 and N340 per litre.

He was quick to underline the nobility of the proposal, explaining that the “government has a bigger social responsibility to cater for the ordinary and therefore engage in a process that will ensure that we exit in the most subtle and easy manner”.

This “easy and subtle” manner, unfortunately, isn’t Mr. Kyar’s department. The politicians are going to be in charge, and their antecedents tell us we are likely to revisit the reality of fuel subsidies, which were even more

than education, health and defence allocations in Nigeria’s budgets.

Buhari’s potential successors, of course, are warming up to make it their campaign talking point in the coming months. Nigeria’s lack of fidelity to the facts of the subsidy and, especially, the reasons behind it warrant the seasonal bursts of outrage around the proposed removal.

Even President Buhari’s perception of fuel subsidy is problematic. Immediately before he assumed power in 2015, he asked to know what the fuel subsidy regime really meant, believing it was a mere drainpipe for thieving elite. This view was probably in solidarity with the anti-Jonathan demographic that supported him, one that led to nationwide protests against the removal of subsidy in early 2012. That outrage was driven more by political resentment against Jonathan’s presidency than it was by the economics of the oil market in which Nigeria had failed to maximize profits.

Jonathan’s eventual decision to subsidize the outrage of Nigerians, just to forestall the nation’s descent into anarchy, is the typical position of a country that had long teetered on the brink of populism. His government was paying 43% of the cost of every litre of petrol bought in Nigeria, and that’s less scary compared to the 72% paid in the 1970s. While the subsidies are in place to let Nigerians afford petrol below the international

price, which is a welfare system peculiar to various economically wrecked countries, it’s allowed to overstayed, lacked transparency and, thus, became a subject of that corruption trial that would’ve led to eye-opening and objective revelations if Faruk Lawan had not succumbed to greed in 2012.

In Buhari’s early days in office, after finally acknowledging the reality of fuel subsidy, his appointees and media handlers employed propaganda to say the country had finalized the longdreaded removal of subsidy, and that the hike in fuel price was for that economic purpose. Still, Nigeria kept losing money so much that the then Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, had to address the matter. “Technically,” she said in 2018, “there is no subsidy but there is under-recovery”. She claimed oil importers were “importing at a higher price than they are selling, which means they are losing money, which means effectively that that loss is being borne by everybody and effectively it reflects in the Federation Account”. But what Kemi explained in those confusing words was exactly the subsidy the government claimed to have removed, and it’s a scandalous policy somersault. In the two years after bamboozling Nigerians, the government spent $7 billion on “non-existent” subsidies.

But Nigeria’s problem is much complex than the overstaying subsidy; it thrives on the trust

deficit between the impoverished people and governments that are everything but frugal. The reaction to attempts to remove fuel subsidies over the years, therefore, is beyond the mere economics of the policy.

The most important question is, even if the subsidy is successfully removed this time around, what does the government intend to do differently?

The argument that Nigeria is too poor for the welfare system it pretends to practise is informed, but what has the government demonstrated to win the trust of the public? It’s difficult to convince the public that a system that manufactures sudden billionaires who merely head a government agency or some glorified ad hoc committee is serving the interests of the roadside hawkers who can’t afford a decent meal or educate their children at already-subsidized schools.

In all economic arguments, our long-practised fuel subsidy regime has been fairly established as a disadvantage to Nigeria, but it’s also the price of decades of poorly-implemented policies.

Half the people of Nigeria aren’t languishing in poverty by their design or what the cruel politicians may consider intentional docility.

The Nigerian masses are victims of an organized crime masterminded by the very political class speaking fancy English from Abuja to Zurich in paying their dues to Adam Smith.

The subsidy, also, is the only—and I

repeat, only—benefits of this social contract some Nigerians can point to in Potiskum or Iseyin.

However, on the hill of social privilege, the rush to justify the economics of fuel subsidy is tempting. The increase of fuel price by over 100% doesn’t come with higher income. In fact, the same governments have been unable to fully implement even the meagre N30,000 minimum wage. Interestingly, the federal government’s solution to the likely pushback on the subsidy removal is acquiring loans to afford distribution of “N5,000 to 40 million poorest Nigerians each as transport grant to cushion the effect of the planned removal of the fuel subsidy”. This is a way to subsidize national outrage, but what next after that?

Nigeria’s human capital disaster calls for sober reflection on life after subsidy, and it’s something a cash handout less than what some of us pay for a meal in Abuja can’t redeem. The looming inflation in a country at the mercy of nationwide security lapse largely attributed to poverty should alarm us. Ordinarily, such decisions are made along with the timeline of rolling out some fancily named economic recovery or povertyalleviation plans but these things seem like difficult maths in Nigeria.

We can’t subsidize the poor man’s outrage forever.

Gimba Kakanda is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Fuel subsidy removal and maintaining refineries

By Umar Sa’ad Hassan

B

orrowing trillions of naira abroad to embezzle under the guise of refinery repairs and such other schemes is the reason why Nigeria may never be the same again after Buhari is done. Previous governments may have looted our resources too but they were never this inconsiderate to the plight of Nigerians. No one borrowed as much as N30trn and no one is likely to either pay thugs to disrupt protests against fuel price and charge the protesters for their crimes or get policemen and soldiers to shoot them outright.

Removal of fuel subsidy has become the Buhari administration’s way of announcing an impending increase in fuel price. Before coming into office,his official position regarding subsidy was made categorically clear when he said – “Whoever says he is subsidizing fuel is a fraud”. Buhari himself is calling Buhari a fraud.

When the news was all over the place days ago that there would be a N5,000 transport allowance for the poorest Nigerians next year; the same class of Nigerians that were promised the same

amount every month by this same administration, it was obvious we were looking at a huge ‘subsidy removal’. The figure being quoted currently is N340-N500 per litre which means even in the best case scenario, we are looking at an above 100% increase in ‘subsidy removal’.

One need not be a petroleum expert to know the easiest way to drive down fuel price is to refine all our oil at home and one of the main promises the Buhari administration made when it came into office was to not only have our refineries up and running in no time but to also build new ones. A proposed $2bn refinery in the President’s home state of Katsina rang out loud. While all of the country’s 4 refineries are as comatose as they have been for years, the NNPC told Nigerians in June 2020 that a whopping sum of N1.47trn had been spent on ‘revamping and maintaining’ the refineries in 5 years. Refineries that don’t actually refine oil.

That figure had increased by about N800bn by March this year when Buhari approved $1.5bn for the ‘rehabilitation’ of the Port Harcourt refinery. The

Dangote refinery will cost $19bn with a refining capacity of 650k barrels per day that surpasses the combined 445k barrels per day capacity of all our refineries by 205k barrels. A thorough break down of what has been spent on our refineries viź-a-viź their operational capacities will show very clearly that $26.5bn will comfortably build us 4 new refineries at the very least. Yes 4. As a matter of fact, Buhari’s proposed Katsina refinery project is 150,000 barrels per day (more than the existing Kaduna Refinery’s 110,000 barrels per day capacity) and has a total cost of $2bn. Also note that this sum covers the purchase of pipelines that will link the refinery to Niger Republic as well.

Buhari will not tackle this problem both as President and Minister of Petroleum because he doesn’t want the madness to end. While he is borrowing endlessly to fund ‘maintenance’, the NNPC is telling us on the other hand it will borrow to buy into Dangote’s refinery to further lend credence to the theory that our refinery problem will not end because there are people at its highest levels and their families

that have invested in Dangote’s project. What is more?. Dangote will sell back refined oil to us at the international market rate and not at a suitable price.

With the maintenance culture of Nigeria in mind and the uncertainty that other administrations would be as committed, a well meaning government would have prioritized the privatization of these refineries a very long time ago. It would only look to give the ones on ground a face lift with a view to enhancing their value and placing it in a good bargaining position with investors.

Instead of functional refineries to make the lives of Nigerians easier, the poor man is now being promised N5,000 for transport amidst a satanic increase in fuel price.

A N5,000 disbursement he has no guarantee will go beyond the first few months at the very best while President Buhari keeps borrowing to do all he does that only he sees and ‘maintain’ refineries.Buhari appears hell bent on not only destroying this country but also on bringing untold pain and suffering to its people. When they fashion out

a viable means of survival like cryptocurrency trading, he shuts it down. When doctors interview for foreign jobs abroad, the DSS is sent to the venue to disrupt the process.

Our main source of revenue; crude oil has doubled since the global lock down but our finances appear to be far worse of. Borrowing trillions of naira abroad to embezzle under the guise of refinery repairs and such other schemes is the reason why Nigeria may never be the same again after Buhari is done.

Previous governments may have looted our resources too but they were never this inconsiderate to the plight of Nigerians. No one borrowed as much as N30trn and no one is likely to either pay thugs to disrupt protests against fuel price and charge the protesters for their crimes or get policemen and soldiers to shoot them outright.

Money that will build 4 new refineries from the ground up is being used to rehabilitate old ones while this government is teasing its third and most crushing fuel price increase since it came into power. God save Nigeria.

Umar Sa’ad Hassan is based in Kano

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

Comment

2021: International Day for elimination of Violence Against Women

By Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies

E

x-Presidential candidate of Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA) in the 2019 election, Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies felicitates with women all over the world especially in Nigeria, speaking today 25 November, 2021 on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women; says any form of violence against the women folk, whether young or old, single or married, literate or illiterate would need to stop henceforth – Whether it is physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, mental – violence, abuse and cheating. And says, “I HAVE A DREAM, THAT ONE DAY, A WOMAN WILL EMERGE AS THE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA, AND THE DREAM IS NOW !!!” – PMA Amb. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies is the current Country President and International Director of United Nations Positive Livelihood Award Centre (UNPOLAC) International Peace Advocates. In her words, “when women are empowered and put in top political positions, we can personally drive this course of violence against womanhood . As such, towards 2023 elections, we need to mobilise ALL WOMEN IN THE COUNTRY from the state level to the grassroots, educated, illiterate, northerners and southerners, CHRISTIANS and MUSLIMS to vote for “A WOMAN PRESIDENT “and also vote for women at all levels.

Therefore, as from now onwards, every woman should endeavour to speak to at least fifty (50) women to vote for “A WOMAN PRESIDENT” in Nigeria. Tell FIVE (5) WOMEN daily from now till

2023 elections. Remember, Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Your happiness starts from you and not from someone else.” It’s time for us to join forces together against the violent women abusers as well as terrorists, jihadists, boko haram, ISWAP, killer Fulani herdsmen and bandits who are bent to destroy, rape our mothers and dis-virgin our girls and daughters as their duty and hobby in Nigeria. The mothers say NO! So should all the Nigerian YOUTHS and all the “He for She” and all the MEN campaign and vote for the first female president in Nigeria in 2023.”

Accordingly, “Violence against women is regarded as any gender-based violence that results into physical, sexual or mental violence against women globally.” – United Nations. Adesanya-Davies says, in Nigeria, with the remembrance of today, we need to mobilise our campaigns and drive movements to stop any and all forms of abuse and violence against ALL WOMEN IN THE COUNTRY from the state level to the grassroots, both educated, illiterate, northerners and southerners, as well as CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS. The girl-child and all women should know that all such cases of abuse should always be reported to family members, acquaintances and properly constituted legal, civil and government agencies.

The international day for the elimination of violence against women is a day to commemorate the rights of women and girls internationally as in previous years. This year’s Day is being marked with the Theme: “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!” To raise this awareness, ORANGE is the colour to

represent a brighter future free of violence against women and girls. Be part of the orange movement!

According to the official site of THE UNITED NATIONS WOMEN, “Nearly 1 in 3 women have been abused in their lifetime. In times of crises, the numbers rise, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent humanitarian crises, conflicts and climate disasters. A new report from UN Women, based on data from 13 countries since the pandemic, shows that 2 in 3 women reported that they or a woman they know experienced some form of violence and are more likely to face food insecurity. Only 1 in 10 women said that victims would go to the police for help.”

“While pervasive, gender-based violence seems inevitable, it can and must be prevented. Stopping this violence starts with believing survivors, adopting comprehensive and inclusive approaches that tackle the root causes, transform harmful social norms, and empower women and girls. With survivor-centred essential services across policing, justice, health, and social sectors, and sufficient financing for the women’s rights agenda, we can end gender-based violence.” – Says UN Women.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today which remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma, shame, values and other negative schemes surrounding it.

“In general terms, it manifests itself in physical, sexual and psychological

forms, encompassing: Intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide); Sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber- harassment); Human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation); Female genital mutilation; and child marriage.”

To further clarify this, the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women issued by the UN General Assembly in 1993, defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”

“The adverse psychological, sexual and reproductive health consequences of VAWG affect women at all stages of their life. For example, early-set educational disadvantages not only represent the primary obstacle to universal schooling and the right to education for girls; down the line they are also to blame for restricting access to higher education and even translate into limited opportunities for women in the labour market.”

While gender-based violence can happen to anyone, anywhere, some women and girls are particularly vulnerable – for instance, young girls and older women, women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex, migrants and refugees, indigenous women and ethnic minorities, or women and girls living with HIV and disabilities, and those

living through humanitarian crises.

Research shows that, “38 percent of global women murders were committed by intimate partners which justice were not judiciously served in support of the victims and at the same time punitive punishment not served towards the committals. Women and girls passed through series of violence in the world such as: Domestic Violence, Femicide, Sexual Violence, Human Trafficking, Females Genital Mutilation, Child Marriages and sorts of unrevealing intimidations.”

As this day is set aside for awareness of all these menace against females of all ages, it’s high time we fought for our women and girls, against assault, harassment and all forms of female gender-based violence. So many women and girls are passing through all these terrible experiences on daily basis in silence and nothing is being done about it. Undoubtedly, women are nations’ mothers and the custodians of our great future. Women and girls deserve adequate protection. Train a girl-child and so many children’s future and the entire society is secured. This as such is a clarion call for female presidency in Nigeria in 2023.

Congratulations to every woman in Nigeria , Africa and the entire globe on the 2021 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women!!!

Remember, “I HAVE A DREAM, THAT ONE DAY, A WOMAN WILL EMERGE AS THE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA, AND THE DREAM IS NOW !!!” – PMA. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies writes in from Lagos.

Why do people in power change radically?

By Pat Utomi

I

was one of seven professors who facilitated a leadership training in my university here in Georgia for local government chairmen from a major Nigerian southwestern state. In the course of the training, I adverted to a January 13, 2018 column I wrote about how power literally damages the brains of people who wield it and causes them to be dissociated from reality.

A few of the chairmen at the training initially said they “rejected” what I said “in Jesus’ name.”But the more I expounded the research on the psychology of power, the less resistant they became. In the light of the interest it excited among these local power wielders, I thought I’d share a revised version of the column for the benefit of other people in power.

Almost everyone I know wonders why people in power change radically; why they become so utterly disconnected from reality that they suddenly become completely unrecognisable to people who knew them before they got to power; why they get puffed-up, susceptible to flattery, and intolerant of even the mildest, best-intentioned censure; why they appear possessed by inexplicably malignant forces; and why they are notoriously insensitive and self-absorbed.

Everyone who has ever had a friend in a position of power, especially political power, can attest to the accuracy of the age-old truism that a friend in power is a lost friend. Of course, there are exceptions, but it is precisely the fact of the existence of exceptions that makes this reality poignant. As the saying goes, “the exception proves the rule.”

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Look at all the power brokers in Nigeria—from the president to your ward councilor—and you’ll discover that there is a vast disconnect between who they were before they got to power and who they are now.

Also look at previously arrogant, narcissistic, power-drunk prigs who have been kicked out of the orbit of power for any number of reasons.

You’ll discover that they are suddenly normal again. They share our pains, make pious noises, condemn abuse of power, and identify with popular causes. The legendary amnesia of Nigerians causes the past misdeeds of these previous monsters of power to be explained away, lessened, forgiven, and ultimately forgotten. But when they get back to power again, they become the same insensitive beasts of power that they once were.

So what is it about power that makes people such obtuse, self-centred snobs? It turns out that psychologists have been grappling with this puzzle for years and have a clue. Dacher Keltner, a psychology professor at the University of California Berkeley, extensively studied the brains of people in power and found that people under the influence of power are neurologically similar to people who suffer traumatic brain injury!

According to the July/August 2017 issue of the Atlantic magazine, “people who are victims of traumatic brain injury are “more impulsive, less risk-aware, and, crucially, less adept at seeing things from other people’s point of view.” In other words, like victims of traumatic brain injury, power causes people to

lose their capacity for empathy. This is a surprising scientific corroboration of American historian Henry Adams’ popular wisecrack about how power is “a sort of tumour that ends by killing the victim’s sympathies.”

The findings of Sukhvinder Obhi, a professor of neuroscience at McMaster University, in Ontario, Canada, are even more revealing. Obhi also studies the workings of the human brain.

“And when he put the heads of the powerful and the not-so-powerful under a transcranial-magnetic-stimulation machine, he found that power, in fact, impairs a specific neural process, ‘mirroring,’ that may be a cornerstone of empathy,” the Atlantic reports.

“Which gives a neurological basis to what Keltner has termed the ‘power paradox’ Once we have power, we lose some of the capacities we needed to gain it in the first place.”

Take Buhari, for example. Before 2015, he was – or at least he appeared to be – empathetic. He supported subsidies for the poor, railed against waste, thought Nigerians deserved to buy petrol at a low price because Nigerian oil was “developed with Nigerian capital,” and so on. He even said foreign medical treatment for elected government officials was immoral and indefensible, and wondered why a Nigerian president would need a fleet of aircraft when even the British Prime Minister didn’t have any.

Nothing but power-induced brain damage, which activates narcissism and loss of empathy, can explain Buhari’s dramatic volte-face now that he’s in power. This fact, psychological researchers say, is worsened by the fact that subordinates tend to flatter people

in power, mimic their ways in order to ingratiate themselves with them, and shield them from realities that might cause them psychic discomfort.

“But more important, Keltner says, is the fact that the powerful stop mimicking others,” the Atlantic reports.

“Laughing when others laugh or tensing when others tense does more than ingratiate. It helps trigger the same feelings those others are experiencing and provides a window into where they are coming from. Powerful people ‘stop simulating the experience of others,’ Keltner says, which leads to what he calls an ‘empathy deficit.’ ” Researchers also found out that excessive praise from subordinates, sycophantic drooling from people seeking favours, control over vast resources they once didn’t have, and all of the staid rituals and performances of power conspire to cause “functional” changes to the brains of people in power.

On a social level, it also creates what Lord David Owen, a British neurologistturned-politician, called the “hubris syndrome” in his 2008 book titled In Sickness and in Power.

Some features of hubris syndrome, Owen points out, are, “manifest contempt for others, loss of contact with reality, restless or reckless actions, and displays of incompetence.” Sounds familiar? You can’t observe Buhari’s governance – or, more correctly, ungovernance – in the last four years and fail to see these features in him.

But it’s not all gloom and doom.

Powerful people can, and indeed do, extricate themselves from the psychological snares of power if they so desire. Professor Keltner said one of the most effective psychological strategies

for people in power to reconnect with reality and reverse the brain damage of power is to periodically remember moments of powerlessness in their lives – such as when they were victims of natural disasters, accidents, poverty, etc.

They should also have what American journalist Louis McHenry Howe once called a “toe holder,” that is, someone who doesn’t fear them, expects no favours from them, and can tell them uncomfortable truths without fear of consequences.

Winston Churchill’s toe holder was his wife, who once wrote a letter to him that read, in part, “I must confess that I have noticed a deterioration in your manner; and you are not as kind as you used to be.” Was Aisha Buhari performing the role of a toe holder when she publicly upbraided her husband in the past? I doubt it.

Her disagreements with her husband are often opportunistic and self-serving. They are triggered only when her husband’s puppeteers in Aso Rock limit her powers to nominate her cronies for political positions and to dispense favours to friends and family.

Another potent way to reverse power-induced brain damage is to periodically get out of the protected silos of power and solitarily observe the quotidian interactions of everyday folks – their humour, laughter, fights, etc. – without the familiar add-ons of power, such as aides, cameras, security, etc.

This helps to stimulate the experiences of others and restore empathy.

This is particularly important in Nigeria because power, at all levels, is almost absolute and unaccountable.

Prof. Pat Utomi is a Public Policy Analyst.

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

NEWS

Hoodlums remove brain of 11-yr-old Almajiri pupil in Bauchi From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

S

ome suspected hoodlums allegedly smashed the skull of 11 year old Qur’anic School pupil, Muhd Yunusa, and removed his brain along Kofar Wambai area, in Bauchi metropolis.

Residents of the area said someone called late Yunusa and another pupil, lured them into a corner to give them something , and one of the boy that escape came out in shock and told them what had happened.

And upon return went to where the incident happened, they discovered the dead body of the pupil and alerted the Police.

Confirming the incident Bauchi State Police Command Public Relations Office SP Muhammad Ahmad Wakil said “ Police received a distress call from a good Samaritan that unknown person has used a stone and brake the skull of the Almajiri Pupils.

The two “Quranic School pupils Muhd Yunusa 11 years and Aminu Yusuf 12 years old were deceived by unknown persons ,who used that stone to break the skull of Yunus and ran to unknown destination.

Wakil said immediately Police received the call they went to the scene of the incident where they met Yunus lying in full blood , they took him to the specialist Hospital Bauchi for autopsy where the medical Doctor certified him death.

He said the State Commissioner of Police, Sylvester Abiodun Alabi has directed the Divisional Police Officer DPO A division to act with immediate effect and not to left any stone unturned and brought the perpetrators of this dastardly act to book.

He advised parents to monitor the movement of their children and not to allow them to answer call from strangers in the name of giving them alms.

Alleged malicious statement: Civil servant sues Kaduna Poly, Rector, seeks N1bn damages

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

K

aduna State Polytechnic and its Rector, Professor Idris Bugaje, has been dragged before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT), high court, Maitama, over malicious publication.

The plaintiff, Mrs Bikkisu Sannusi, has through her counsel, Martins Opara Esq., prayed the court for N1billion damages over the said malicious publication.

The Civil Servant, wants the court to compel the defendants to retract the malicious statement and tender apology to her.

In the suit number FCT/ HC/CV/154/2021, the Plaintiff insisted that the publication dated 15th April, 2019 is untrue, malicious and a calculated attempt at bringing her personality into disrepute.

In the statement of claim of the plaintiff dated February 24,, 2021, Mrs Sannusi, a civil

servant in the budget office of the ministry of finance said by virtue of her schedule as Desk Offcer in charge of Kaduna Polytechnic budget preparation schedule, sometime in 2018 prepared the school personnel budget for 2018 and did it to the beat of GWR ability.

She said in the statement of claim, ‘’That premised on the memo and recommendations of the plaintiff n response to Kaduna Polytechnic application for increase in personnel budget, duly reviewed and reviewed and recommended by the director, Expenditure Social, budget manager and director general budget office of the federation, the sum of N7,362144,510,91k was approved. ‘’The plaintiff discharged her duty with respect to the application for increase of personnel budget without favour and under supervision and review

of her superior officers. ‘’Sometimes on 15th July, 2020, while testifying in an Investigative Panel of Inquiry, constituted after her complaint against some of her colleagues for corrupt practices, she was confronted with a letter of complaint authored by the defendant where she was described in the most uncharitable words, which statement referred to the plaintiff as on t only incompetent, but corrupt but the committee refused giving her a copy.’’

She summited that the defamatory letter dated 15th April, 2019, was with the purpose to malign her.

She said she was denied a copy until she stumbled on it while walking in the lobby within the federal ministry of finance.

In the letter, the defendant had accused the plaintiff of asking them do the ‘’needful’ to be able to assist them to increase their budget.’’

Counsel to Mrs Sannusi said, ‘’The defendants’ sole purpose of authorising the letter of 15 April, 2019 is to malign the plaintiff and same was made maliciously especially as its content are spurious and totally untrue but did achieve the aim of the makers as contents therein did upon coming to the knowledge of her colleague who saw it lowered her person before them who before seeing same held her in high esteem thereby losing her over three decades of integrity in the civil service. ‘’The defendants were on a vendetta because they were fingered in the corrupt practices complaint lodged by the plaintiff against them and some of her colleagues who conspired with them to manipulate the personnel budget of the Kaduna Polytechnic for year 2020.

The case will come up today, (Monday) before the court .

L-R; The National President University of Jos Alumni Association, Pastor Nuhu Sani, Unijos Vice-Chancellor Designate, Prof. Ishaya Tanko and NYSC Director-General Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim during a courtesy visit to present an Award of Excellence to the DG NYSC on Friday in Abuja. Photo; ,NYSC

Groups laud Gov Badaru for youth inclusion in governance From Dutse

Y

Mika’il

Tsoho,

outh groups, Northwest Progressive Movement NPM and Coalition of Badaru Disciples has commended Jigawa state Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar for promoting effective youth participation in politics and governance.

The two groups, which described the efforts as building for strong future of the nation, made the commendation during an

award presentation and dinner organised by the groups held at Royal Golf Course Dutse capital.

Speaking at the occasion, the National Coordinator of Northwest Progressive Movement Barrister Sa”adatu Yunusa Sokoto said, the youth group deemed it compulsory to present the award of honour to the Governor for being at for front in encouraging youth to participate into national building.

The coordinator who was represented by the comrade

Saleh Ahmed Birniwa explained that, it is in record that, the number of youth appointed in to Governor Badaru government, elected local government chairmen and party executives in Jigawa state is above average.

She said the way governor Badaru encouraging youth inclusiveness in politics and government is a clear testimony on his passion in laying foundation for a prosperous and strong future of Nigeria.

In his speech at the

occasion, the chairman of Collation of Badaru Disciples, Hon Sadiq Jallo testified that, since assuming office Governor Badaru has been grooming youth to be the..good leaders of tomorrow.

“Governor.

Badaru brought many of us close to him and taught us discipline, honesty integrity, patriotism, transparency and selfless service to humanity for predating us to be a good leaders of tomorrow.

“Today we are confidently

and proud to tell the world that, we are students of governor Badaru School of Thought and we have all the virtues and qualities to participate in national building in all ramification”, he stressed.

Responding, Governor Badaru expressed his delight for the award of honour given to him and charged the youth keep adhering to the virtues of Unity,Integrity, transparency and selfless service for sustainable democracy, peace and development of Nigeria.

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

C

onference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has knocked the leaders of the Nigerian labour unions, including the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), accusing them of “representing their personal interests and not that of their members.”

The CNPP is a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, said it was prepared to lead the antisubsidy struggle when Nigerians are ready to take their future into their hands.

Accusing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the federal government of

Fani-Kayode says no regrets for joining APC despite EFCC arrest

Fuel Subsidy: CNPP slams NLC, TUC, other labour leaders for compromising being deceitful in implementing the subsidy regime, saying that “what the federal government wants to do is fuel price increment, not subsidy removal.”

The CNPP noted that “it is disheartening that the Nigerian labour unions have joined the All Progressives Congress led federal government in its deceitful and manipulative tendencies since the APC government came to power.

“Before they won the election in 2015, the APC made Nigerians to believe that fuel subsidy does not exist, tagging it a scam. But immediately after they won the election, the APC led federal government swiftly increased the pump price of petrol.

“The former Minister of State

for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Ibe Kachikwu in December 2015 revealed that the federal government has concluded plans to remove the subsidy on fuel by 2016.

“By May 2016, the Federal Government announced that it had removed fuel subsidy and petrol was to sell for N145 per litre. In fact, NNPC made Nigerians believe that marketers were free to bring in fuel cargoes and sell, subject to meeting standard quality control.

“But in the deceitful character of the federal government, the NNPC then insisted on a benchmark of N145 per litre as a recommended pump price. Do you remove subsidies and dictate or suggest

prices at the same time if you are sincere?

“The CNPP at the time queried the rationale behind removing the subsidy and at the same time interfering in pump price by fixing a benchmark of N145 per litre of petrol.

“While highlighting the contents of a briefing after a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in 2016, Kachikwu said: “We have just finished a meeting with various stakeholders presided over by His Excellency, the Vice President.

The meeting had in attendance the leadership of the Senate, House of Representatives, Governors Forum, and Labour Unions (NLC, TUC, NUPENG, and PENGASSAN)”, the then minister told Nigerians.

“But at a point, the federal government made a U-turn on the fuel subsidy removal when, contrary to viral media reports in 2016 that the federal government has ended fuel subsidy, Vice President Yemi Osinabjo said it was not true, explaining that what the government did was to withdraw the monopoly enjoyed by the NNPC to allow free market sales.

“The free market sales and importation of petrol by the independent marketers never happened because the federal government simply deceived Nigerians that subsidy was removed. Nigerians endured but till date, there has not been any meaningful improvement in the lives of the poor.

By Musa Baba Adamu

F

ormer Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has described himself as a proud member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that he has no regrets making the move despite his recent arrest by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Fani-Kayode had a few months ago dumped the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and made what appeared a shocking move to the APC, a party he had criticised in all its existence.

Fani-Kayode was one of the public figures who took it upon themselves to criticise every move of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and the APC. After he decamped to the ruling party, the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) allegedly arrested him and it came with a heavy mock to Nigerians with some people, calling him a betrayer.

Many Nigerians attacked the former minister, predicting that he would end up regretting ever joining the APC but in a tweet, Fani-Kayode maintained that his decision was ordained by God. “I am proud to be a member of the APC. I have NO regrets.

I NEVER said that APC has betrayed me,” he wrote.

“I am proud & honored to be in the party. What God has ordained cannot be stopped. I shall be what God wants me to be.

My destiny is irreversible and I am unstoppable,” he wrote.

R-L: District Governor Rotary foundation DG Ayoola Oyedokun, chairman of the occasion Dr Al-Mujtaba Abubakar and District Rotary Representatives DRR Sheriff Oladimeji during the Rotary joint foundation dinner, at the weekend in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Almakura urges Northern Youths to help govt overcome challenges in the region

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

S

enator Tanko Almakura, representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District in the Senate, has called on Northern youths to get involved in governance and help in efforts to overcome the current challenges facing the region.

This was made known during his address at the inauguration of the newly elected Speaker, principal Officers and Members of the Third Northern Youths Assembly of Nigeria (NYAN) yesterday in Abuja.

According to Almakura, the capacity and viability of the North lies on the youths and members of (NYAN).

He said “You cannot drive the political and economic activities of Northern Nigeria without the

youths.

“I admonished you today, to take the lead in the conscientisation of the region to overcome the current challenges bedeviling the region.

“You need to participate actively in the affairs of the state so as to help the government in addressing all the issues that are causing a setback to the region.”

Almakura was represented at the event by the Director-General of his Campaign Organisation, Dominic Alancha.

Speaking shortly after his inauguration, the new Speaker, Mr Ibrahim Lawal said the perception of creating minorities and majorities among Northerners should have no place in the region.

He explained that discrimination base on place of

birth; faith or ethnic group of any Northerner should not be allow to continue.

“We therefore demand with immediate effect other region governors must take proactive steps to protect members of northern communities who live in their regions.

“We also call on the Federal Government to protect both herders and farmers and to prosecute attackers, and as well as carry out its National Livestock Transformation Plan.

“We condemned the continuous senseless killings, abduction and destruction of lives and properties in the Northern region of the country by terrorist group.

“We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to continue in his efforts to get rid of this

terrorist group, who has brought pains and agony to our people.

“We implore our governors who are Chief Security Officers in their various states to continue to support Mr President in ensuring that normalcy returns to the region,’’ Lawal said.

According to him, dialogue is an antidote adding that President Buhari should dialogue with leaders of other regions for the interest of uniting the country, as father of the nation.

Speaking,Ukasha Hamza Rahama, the former speaker of the second assembly thanked his members for their support.

He said during his term the assembly was about to collaborate with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and Ministry of Health to organise programmes for the Northern Youths.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

POLITICS

2023 Zamfara APC crisis deepens as Matawalle tells Presidency: Marafa to register of face explosion APC Youth leader dismisses zoning

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

G

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A

head of the 2023 presidential election, the youth representative in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Ismail Ahmed, has said the party has never placed so much emphasis on zoning but what he termed ‘balancing’.

Ahmed said this while fielding questions from journalists at the end of APC Youth Leaders and Stakeholders meeting held at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Sunday.

According to him, in the 2014 primaries in which President Muhammadu Buhari emerged as APC Presidential candidate, five people contested with him and only two of them were from the same zone.

The lawyer said: “All the others were from different zones.

Late Sam Nda Isaiah was from the North-central, Atiku Abubakar was from the North-East, Rochas Okorocha was from the SouthEast. Only Buhari and Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso were from the North-west. So the party did not sit down and zone particular positions.

“Even in 2014 convention that happened in August, that Chief John Odigie-Oyegyun became the National Chairman, if you remember there was no open committee on zoning but there was balancing internally. It was like an informal arrangement everybody knew about it.”

Ahmed said the zoning discussed at the meeting was not geographical but generational as they demanded foft certain positions to be conceded to the youths, both in government and party leadership.

“We want certain positions zoned to us as young people.

And those positions once they are zoned, we are also craving the indulgence of the leadership of the party to allow us as young people and stakeholders to be able to decide the leadership of at least that wing of the party and so ditto for women.

“For other positions that we want to run if the National Executive Committee (NEC) by its wisdom decided to zone them to any place we have capable young people in every zone that can match and run for those positions.

“So we are expecting that the NEC would sit down at some point before the convention and decide where they want to balance positions. Whatever they decide we want to be part of that decision, one. Two, once that

overnor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara State has warned that anyone yet to revalidate his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and get captured on the APC national website will no longer be considered as a member.

The Governor made this declaration at the inauguration of new executive members of the party who emerged by consensus in the State Congress of the party.

The governor’s declaration was coming on the heels of a factional congress held in Tsafe town, Tsafe Local Government Area of the State by one time Senator, Kabiru Garba Marafa.

Matawalle, who expressed satisfaction in the way the exercise was conducted, that gave birth to the emergence of Alhaji Tukur Umar Danfulani as State APC Chairman, said the registration is ongoing and encouraged all eligible persons interested in the party to come forward and register while old members should come and revalidate their membership.

“All those people making noises at a time while their membership is not even valid should let go of their arrogance and respect the party’s leadership hierarchy and constitution by going according to laid down guiding rules and regulations,” he added.

However, the team leader

deployed to the state from the party’s National Secretariat to conduct the congresses, Alhaji Kabir Ibrahim Masari pointed out that the national leadership of the party led by the Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni recognized the Matawalle-led party leadership in the state.

He congratulated the new executive members and urged them to carry everyone along so that the party can continue to enjoy the people’s support and goodwill in the state.

In his message, the state’s political leader and first civilian governor, Senator Ahmad Sani Yarima who cited verses of the Holy Qur’an on leadership, explained that all “those who

deliberately choose to challenge Matawalle’s leadership should know that they are challenging the will of Allah who gives and takes away power wherever and whenever he chooses.”

The ceremony, which was attended by all National and State Assembly members, former two governors of the state and their deputies, as well as other political bigwigs of the state was concluded with the oath of office by the new leaders administered by the state’s Attorney -General of the state.

The 36-member executive has Alhaji Tukur Danfulani as Chairman, Maikatako as Secretary and Alhaji Yusuf Idris Gusau as Publicity Secretary.

L-R: APC Zonal Youth Leader South West, Lanre Olarewaju; Deputy National Youth Leader, Hon. Bolaji Hafiz Repete; National Youth Representative CECPC, Barr.

Ismaeel Ahmed; Zonal Youth Leader North West, Abubakar Sadiq Fakai at the press briefing, at the Party’s National Secretariat, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Lawan commissions Muhammadu Buhari Mother, Child Hospital, Skill Center in Yobe

By Musa Baba Adamu

T

he President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan at the weekend commissioned a 120-bed capacity Mother and Child Hospital named after President Muhammadu Buhari.

The health facility which was facilitated by the Senate President was constructed by the Federal government through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals(OSSAPSDGs) and located in Gashua, Yobe North Senatorial District of Yobe State.

A Skills Acquisition Center constructed by OSSAP-SDGs and donated to Umar Suleiman College of Education, Gashua was also commissioned at the weekend by

the Senate President.

The College Authorities decided to name the center as Senator Ahmad Lawan Center for Entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the Commissioning of the Mother and Child Hospital on Saturday, the Senate President described the event as epoch making.

“Today marks another very important epoch making event, a very positive historical development for us in this part of Nigeria.

“Today as we are all gather here, we have come to officially commission the Mother and Child Hospital and it is my privilege to name this very important Mother and Child Hospital in Gashua as Muhammadu Buhari Mother and Child Hospital, Gashua because

President Muhammadu Buhari has made very positive difference in the lives of people of this particular Senatorial District and Yobe State in general.

“We have never had a very good attention from the Federal government like this time around and therefore this is the least we can do to remember President Muhammadu Buhari and we are trying to do more and more to keep him, his name and legacies in our mind for as long as we live.

“This hospital is one of many that the SDG and indeed the Federal government of Nigeria is building across the country. This is because of the belief of this administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari for providing special facilities like this on health particularly for the welfare and

wellbeing of our people.

“This is Mother and Child Hospital and therefore the focus is to reduce the mortality rate in child birth and other things that are related.

“So this hospital, from the moment it will start operation hopefully from today, will be one hospital that we hope will provide all the opportunities for all the facilities here, state of the earth facilities, to take care of our mothers and children in this part of Nigeria.

“It is located in Gashua of course, but the services that it will provide will be available to people across the state particularly and I believe even up to Jigawa State our neighbour here.”

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

POLITICS

By Christiana Ekpa

N

ollywood actress, Foluke Daramola-Salako has reacted to backlash at her and her colleague for singing Tinubu’s praise in a viral video.

The viral video had Nollywood stars, Foluke daramola and Mr Ibu chanting, “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu”.

Nigerians took offence at it and knocked the celebrities in the video.

The critics accused them of receiving money to endorse Tinubu.

Reacting, Foluke said she did not receive any money to endorse any candidate, adding that she

Osun 2022: PDP has no flagbearer – National Vice Chairman, Adagunodo

Foluke Daramola denies receiving money to back Tinubu, as Mr. Ibu endures Atiku and her colleagues were present at the event to advocate for peace in the society.

According to her, the gathering had nothing to do with politics or endorsing Tinubu’s candidacy for presidency in 2023.

The 43-year-old actress said though she’s a card carrying member of the APC, she had not endorsed anyone yet.

In a video on her Instagram page, the actress said: “I need to set the record straight, I never endorse anyone, please don’t get things twisted.

“What we went to do yesterday had nothing to do with politics, we are in a group advocating for peace and unity in Nigeria

“Although I’m a card carrying member of APC, we did not go in the capacity of endorsing Asiwaju Tinubu for President and it was not a Nollywood thing.

“I was not paid in anyway for this, it was meant to be a unity and peace campaign nothing more.

“Don’t let us get it twisted, it does not have anything to do with politics or Nollywood, let’s be guided!”

This is even as a Veteran Nollywood actor, Mr Ibu has clarified reports on the viral video of him endorsing the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Tinubu for 2023 presidency.

In a video shared on his

Instagram page, Mr Ibu said he was at the event where Tinubu was endorsed.

He clarified that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar is his candidate if he decides to run for presidency in 2023 and not Tinubu.

According to the actor, Atiku has helped him a lot in the past and he had no intention of dumping him for another candidate.

He said: “People approached me of Tinubu’s involvement to contest for president of Nigeria, I’m a completely independent person, anything that has to do with any thing publicly you should address me on that. I don’t know why this thing is going round like

this.

“I’ve never run sideways, it’s been me and Atiku who has helped me in so many ways and if he is running for president certainly Atiku is my candidate.

“Atiku is like a father to me, been working for him even in his own State, so I wouldn’t abandon him. I’m not trying to pull Tinubu down but he’s not my candidate, Atiku is my candidate.

“Anybody I visited is just simply a visitation. As an actor they wanted me to assist them in one way or the other that does not mean I’ve abandoned my candidate and fathers. Everybody is contesting in 2023 and may God help them.”

By Musa Baba Adamu

T

he National Vice Chairman, South West of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olasoji Adagunodo has revealed that the party has no anointed candidate ahead of the 2022 gubernatorial election in Osun State.

Making this known in a radio phone-in programme in Osogbo, Adagunodo asserted that the constitution of the party did not allow for preferred candidate or aspirant until nomination and expression of interest forms are bought and due process followed.

The National Vice Chairman also stressed that a consensus candidate still had to undergo affirmation according to the Party’s constitution.

Adagunodo, who maintained that he had no favourite candidate to fly the flag of the party in the Osun gubernatorial election, also assured that the party will do everything possible to ensure that whoever emerged as the party’s flagbearer would be unanimously chosen and acceptable to all.

On the chances of the party emerging victorious in the 2022 Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections, the PDP National South West chairman stated that their chances were high.

He noted that since the All Progressives Congress (APC) had failed Nigerians in all sectors, including the economy, education, security, infrastructure, the electorates were yearning for the better and the PDP was the only alternative left to them.

“We are working assiduously to make sure we snatch victory in Ekiti, Osun and all the other South West states.

“We are also looking at winning the presidential election in 2023. We are assured of victory because the APC has failed Nigerians in all ways imaginable,” he said.

Tony Elumelu Foundation Trustee, Dr. Awele Elumelu; Special Assistant African First Ladies Peace Mission, Mrs Mary Almakura; Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony O. Elumelu CON; Lagos State Commissioner for Establishment, Training, and Pension, Mrs Ajibola Pinole, CEO Tony Elumelu Foundation, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu; House of Representatives Minority Leader, Honourable Ndudi Elumelu at theThe Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Selection Announcement of 4,949 entrepreneurs from across Africa for its 2021 Entrepreneurship Programme, held on Friday in Lagos

APC Crisis: Enugu West endorses Adolphus Udeh as authentic party chair

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Enugu West Zone of All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed Comrade Adolphus Udeh as the authentic chairman of the party in the State.

The group said they were in the same league with some stakeholders who met last week in Oji River Council and disowned Chief Ugochukwu Agballa, who was elected by Senator Ken Nnamani faction in the controversial parallel congress held on October 16.

They insisted that Agballah not only breached their zoning convention, but was not a registered member of the party, having joined secretly after registration of the APC had ended.

Agballa, who hails from the Udi Council area of the State, in Enugu West Senatorial district had joined

the party in July, few days after the Ward Congress and three months before what turned out to be a rancorous state Congress that produced two chairmen in the State.

Agballa was declared the winner of the congress which has the backing of Senator Ken Nnamani and other new entrants.

On the other hand, Adolphus Udeh was declared winner of the congress conducted at the state secretariat by the faction backed by the mainstream foundation members led by the immediate past chairman of the party in the State, Ben Nwoye, Emperor Baywood Ibe, Osita Okechukwu and others.

In the statement issued in Enugu on Sunday and signed

by Emperor Baywood Ibe, the mainstream group agreed with the stakeholders from Enugu

West that not only was the process which produced Agballah invalid, but that he violated the party’s zoning principles.

The group stated that “the zoning principle calls for rotation between the old Udi LGA and old Awgu LGA. Udi having produced the highest party office zoned to Enugu in the last dispensation when Chief Emma Eneukwu occupied the eminent position of National Vice Chairman, equity demands that it is the turn of old Awgu, where Comrade A.C. Ude hails from,” the stakeholders said.

On Group Captain Joe Orji (rtd) whom had earlier been endorsed by some Stakeholders from Enugu West, the mainstream group stated that: “our elder statesman Group Captain Orji is too prominent to be drafted by opportunists and may not be disposed to the hassle and youth

aggression battle required to win Lion Building in 2023. For God’s sake, he should be allowed to enjoy his old age retirement, every moon has its circle.”

They added that, “most importantly, our dear brother Chief Agballa is not qualified to lead 180,000 foundation members of our great party”, stressing that “he knows PDP antics but don’t have our progressive culture and may we ask, is APC, PDP rehabilitation center in the South East?

“To stop Senator Ken Nnamani’s impunity, we as foundation legacy members adopt King Solomon’s model of reconciliation with Comrade A.C. Udeh as authentic chairman – share the State Exco, 17 LGA Excos and 260 Ward Excos on 50-50 basis, so as to stand a good chance to win Lion Building in 2023.”

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

Stock Watch: Friday, November 26, 2021 Low

OPEN Volume Close High

1.80 3.15 0 2.94 3.94 0 1.27 0.27 0 1.64 0.64 0 3.60 8.60 0 17.00 68.30 0 2.79 4.21 0 6.65 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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2.80 4.00 ACCESS -0.15 4.94 1.94 AFRIPRUD 0.10 1.27 0.27 AGLEVENT 0.30 0.64 0.64 AIICO 0.00 4.60 4.60 BERGER 0.00 27.00 37.00 BETAGLAS -2.30 1.79 3.79 BOCGAS -1.42 5.65 15.05 CADBURY -0.40 11.50 31.50 CAP -2.50 1.90 1.90 CAVERTON -0.02 13.45 18.45 CCNN 0.00 1.72 1.72 CHAMPION -0.12 21.25 23.25 CONOIL 0.00 0.20 0.20 CORNERST 0.00 0.20 0.20 COURTVILLE 0.00 4.10 6.10 CUSTODIAN 0.00 1.75 1.75 CUTIX 0.00 16.00 186.00 DANGCEM 0.00 8.00 6.25 DANGFLOUR -0.65 14.60 14.60 DANGSUGAR 0.05 1.80 2.00 DIAMONDBNK -0.20 3.37 3.37 EKOCORP 0.00 4.30 4.30 ETERNA -0.40 14.00 14.00 ETI 0.00 7.45 7.60 FBNH -0.35 1.62 1.67 FCMB -0.03 1.92 1.98 FIDELITYBK -0.04 4.95 4.95 FIDSON 0.00 0.33 0.33 FIRSTALUM 0.00 21.85 21.85 FLOURMILL 0.00 29.60 29.60 FO -1.10 0.20 0.20 FTNCOCOA 0.00 12.20 12.20 GLAXOSMITH -0.85 33.50 33.50 GUARANTY 0.55 72.00 72.00 GUINNESS 0.00 1.18 1.18 HONYFLOUR 0.00 1.53 1.53 IKEJAHOTEL 0.00 31.50 31.50 INTBREW 0.00 0.53 0.53 JAIZBANK -0.01 0.20 0.21 JAPAULOIL 0.00 23.25 23.25 JBERGER 0.00 0.44 0.44 JOHNHOLT 0.00 0.30 0.30 LASACO 0.00 1.36 1.36 LEARNAFRCA 0.00 0.72 0.72 LINKASSURE 0.00 0.52 0.52 LIVESTOCK 0.03 1.83 1.83 MANSARD 0.00 2.45 2.45 MAYBAKER 0.00

Stock Close Gain UPL 1.14 0.03 LIVESTOCK 0.52 0.11 SOVRENINS 0.21 0.13 OKOMUOIL 60.00 1.30 GUARANTY 23.50 1.55

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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0.01 0.11 0 0.11 0.11 MBENEFIT 0.00 0 0.23 0.33 0 0.43 0.23 MCNICHOLS 0.00 0 1.15 2.15 261 3.05 2.15 MEDVIEWAIR 0.00 0 124.80 184.80 0 144.80 144.80 MOBIL 0.00 0 0.20 0.20 970 0.20 0.20 MULTIVERSE 0.00 0 3.50 3.50 0 2.50 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, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Minister for Finance , Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed said, the Federal Government has made available an estimated N2.3 trillion stimulus package to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

Mrs Ahmed disclosed this at the the three- Day Fourth National Workshop on COVID-19 And the Global Economy: Implications on the Nigerian National Treasury which took place at Ibom Hall, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Represented by the Minister of State on budget and planning, Prince Clem Agba, Mrs Ahmed affirmed commitment to grow Nigerian Economy in spite of the COVID-19 and the dwindling revenue from oil.

“We have on ground strategy geared towards the expansion of Government’s activities to cushion the effect of the pandemic with the estimated stimulus package made available by the Federal Government of Nigeria in the tune of 2.3 trillion”, she said.

The Minister of Finance while speaking lauded the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel and the members of the State Executive Council for accepting to Host the 4th National Treasury Workshop in the State.

The Minister noted that the theme of the workshop was very apt and has effectively captured the mood of the Nation , given the dwindling revenue profile of the country and the attendant challenges in the cash flow occasioned by the COVID 19 Pandemic. “knowing the enormity of the challenges posed by the pandemic therefore calls for prudent management of whatever fund that is available in the most accountable , efficient and transparent manner” We must devise better , more effective and robust administrative mechanisms that will update and enlighten our various principals about the reality staring us in the face which is the paucity of funds and how to resolve the revenue challenges.

FG earmarks N2.3trn stimulus package for COVID-19 pandemic -Finance Minister The Minister also assured that inspite of the impact of COVID 19 and the dwindling revenue from oil , there is on ground enormous strategies that will help in the continuous expansion of Government activities to cushion the effect of the pandemic .

“These packages consisted, to a large extent , of a combination of fiscal and monetary policies, sectoral interventions, and social programmes .the fiscal and monetary policies were support to States, businesses, households, and individuals through grants ,tax, relief, payroll support,tariff reduction,and direct support to the health sector” “ We also take steps to increase our non oil revenue generation. These steps

included but not limited to VAT reforms in finance Act 2020( maintaining the increase in VAT rate to.7.5%), custom Administration Enhancement , Tax incentives and exemptions,increased remittances, and recovery of unremitted revenues from cross- border business transactions, unlocked value from FG assets that were lying idle or under utilised” she said.

The Director Information, Press & PR, OAGF, Henshaw Ogubike in a statement said, the Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, called on managers of the country’s economy, economic experts to come up with strategies and practices that could be deployed in the effective management of inevitable

financial challenges such as that caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He maintained that the reality of the pains inflicted on the Nigerian economy and the national treasury by the COVID-19 pandemic has made it overtly imperative to fashion out ways to effectively manage the economy during pandemics and handle any pandemic-induced financial challenges.

Idris tasked the economic experts and government officials to come up with viable ideas that will, among other things, help the country withstand financial shock caused by any pandemic and also help control aggregate cash flows within fiscal, monetary and legal limits to improve the management of critical government borrowings.

R-L: DBN COO, Bonaventure Okhaimo, Engr. Dr. Abdulrashid Yerima, the President and Chairman of Council of NASME, Tony Okpanachi, MD/CEO DBN, Dr. Kabir Dasuki, the Deputy President, NASME North, Prince Ajisefini Tajudeen during a courtesy call at DBN Head Office in Abuja, by members of FCT Chapter of NASME recently.

CBN launches TIES Scheme to tackle youth unemployment

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has formally launched the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES), with a charge to beneficiaries to utilize the loans for the purpose it was meant for, just as he inaugurated an 11-member Body of Experts to oversee the screening of prospective beneficiaries of the scheme aimed at tackling unemployment and underemployment among Nigerian youth.

Performing the launch at the Bank’s Head Office in Abuja on Thursday, November 25, 2021, Mr. Emefiele disclosed that the formal launch of the TIES and inauguration of the Body of Experts (BoE) for the Scheme’s Developmental Component underscored the critical roles youth play in building new blocks for economic growth, particularly as the country’s national growth was highly dependent on a strong and competitive businesses.

He said the scheme was developed in partnership with Nigerian polytechnics and universities, to harness the potential of graduate entrepreneurs by creating a paradigm shift from the pursuit of whitecollar jobs to a culture of entrepreneurship

for economic development and job creation.

“Bridging their financing gaps and enhancing access to low-cost credit to drive development of business is a task that can only be addressed by an innovative financing model that correlates with the complexity and dynamics of these small businesses,” he posited.

According to him, the TIES was designed to address three verticals – the Term Loan component, the Equity Investment component and the Development Grant Component.

While the Term Loan component provides direct credit opportunities to graduates of Nigerian polytechnics and universities of not more than seven years post-graduation; the Equity Investment Component is designed to support start-ups, existing businesses requiring expansion, and ailing businesses seeking resuscitation.

The third vertical - Developmental Grant Component – is aimed at raising awareness and visibility of entrepreneurship among undergraduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions. Under this vertical, polytechnics and universities in Nigeria are expected to compete in a national biennial entrepreneurship competition where undergraduates are presented by the tertiary institutions to pitch.

Given the huge number of graduates from tertiary institutions in the country without the commensurate employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors, Emefiele said it had become imperative that government, at all levels, puts in place policy measures to support entrepreneurial development among Nigerian youth.

He therefore charged the different tiers of government to play their respective roles in creating an enabling business ecosystem that supports innovation and enables the youth to unleash their entrepreneurial potential.

Recalling the glory days in the country’s educational system, the CBN Governor urged all stakeholders to join the campaign to restore glory to Nigeria’s educational sector reminiscent of when tertiary institutions “churned out graduates, not only ready and able to provide real solutions to the various challenges emanating from their immediate environment and even beyond, but who could compete favourably with their counterparts around the world” On the part of the Bank, he assured that the CBN remained committed to supporting entrepreneurship by offering youth entrepreneurs access to much-needed finance, which he identified as one of the major limiting factors to entrepreneurship

development in Nigeria.

Similarly, he declared the unrelenting commitment of the Bank to supporting the country’s educational sector in all ramifications, noting that wholesome development shall remain a mirage without a robust educational sector.

Highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of symbolic cheques to the five maiden beneficiaries of the TIES: Ukpabi Chukwudi, Simeon Ojonugwa Ojogbane, Aisha Suleiman, Nura Muhammad Abdullahi, Zainab Muhammad, and Adebowale Olawuyi, who were among those who submitted their applications via the dedicated portal and had their applications processed.

While stressing that the scheme was a loan and not a grant, Mr. Emefiele assured other institutions not currently included in the scheme, that their institutions would be brought on board.

He therefore charged youth to take up the challenge by applying innovative and creative thinking in providing solutions capable of creating wealth and value for themselves and the country at large.

Another highpoint was the inauguration of the Body of Experts (BoE) for the for the Scheme’s Developmental Component chaired by Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, Chief Executive Officer Sterling Bank PLC.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

PAGE 20

BU$IN€SS

Ecobank secures €100m credit facility to fund SMEs

By Etuka Sunday

E

cobank Group, the leading pan-African banking group, has signed an agreement for a €100 million long-term credit facility over 9 years with the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The facility affirms joint Ecobank Group and EIB targeted support for business investment across Africa, with particular support for the sectors most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ade Ayeyemi, Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Group, said: “At Ecobank we are fully committed to providing a range of initiatives that support the growth and success of Africa’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and create employment opportunities.

This informed the credit facility that we have just secured from the EIB which we believe will deliver real impact in our joint mission to develop SMEs across Africa. The €100 million facility will support the recovery of African SMEs from the COVID-19 pandemic while also helping to provide them with the impetus to grasp the immense growth opportunities from the African Continental Free Trade Area vast single market. We thank the EIB for its focus and commitment to the continent.”

Ambroise Fayolle, VicePresident, European Investment Bank, said: “The EIB, as part of Team Europe, works with leading banks and financial partners across Africa to enhance private sector access to finance. This latest cooperation with Ecobank Group will help companies to better tackle challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, unlock economic and social opportunities, especially for SMEs and women-owned and women-run enterprises, across Sub-Saharan Africa in the coming weeks.”

The latest cooperation between Ecobank Group and the European Investment Bank to support private sector investment across Africa was formally agreed at the EU Delegation to Togo in Lomé, in the presence of Koen Doens, Director-General for International Cooperation and Development at the European Commission.

The announcement was made during a Team Europe visit to Togo

by EIB Vice President Ambroise Fayolle, Rémy Rioux, Chief Executive Officer of the Agence Française de Développement and Koen Doens.

The facility is split into three regional facilities: West & Central Africa, Eastern Africa, and Southern Africa. Funding will be provided through Ecobank affiliates, for investment projects

NCC seeks continuous dialogue with licensees to tackle industry challenges

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has said that continuous dialogues between the regulator and its various licensees was central to finding lasting solutions to issues affecting the telecoms industry.

Danbatta stated this during the second edition of NCC’s 2021 Talk to The Regulator (TTTR) forum held at Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos, over the weekend. The theme of the discourse is, “Improving Stakeholders Satisfaction”.

The Lagos edition of the programme followed the successful hosting of a similar dialogue in Kano on 16th October, 2021.

The Director Public Affairs, NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde in a statement said, the objective of the forum is to get direct feedback from licensees on how the Commission, as a regulator, is meeting licensees’ expectations.

The programme was also

designed to identify areas for regulatory improvement, highlight areas where licensees are defaulting as well as address critical industry challenges undermining full accomplishment of the set objectives for consolidating the gains in the telecoms sector.

According to Danbatta, who was represented at the forum by NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu, the forum is orgainsed in keeping with the Commission’s commitment to continually ensure regulator-licensee interactions to develop collaborative solutions and implementation programmes to the challenges of the telecom ecosystem.

“The Nigerian Communications Act (NCA, 2003) invests the NCC with powers and responsibilities for the regulation of both the technical and market-related aspects of telecoms infrastructure and services in Nigeria. We consider our role as regulator very vital to ensuring industry sustainability, because NCC considers consultation as the lifeblood of regulation” the EVC

emphasised.

The EVC also declared that, “we have consistently deployed stakeholder engagement tools like public enquiries, private investigations, written information requests, one-on-one discussions as we are having it now and diverse consumer engagement platforms.

These tools enable us to ensure that our interventions are wellgrounded and that our decisions are based on a clear understanding of stakeholders’ perspectives”.

Danbatta said that such interactions fit squarely within the five pillars of the Commission’s Strategic Management Plan (20202024), which include Regulatory Excellence, Promotion of Universal Broadband Access, the Development of the Digital Economy, Facilitation of Market Development, and Strategic Partnering.

“Through regular interactions with our licensees, the Commission is able to gain valuable insights to enhance our regulatory output and enabled us to drive excellence in consonance with the five pillars of

our strategic vision for the industry as streamlined in the Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP), 20212025,” he said.

The EVC also reinforced the Commission’s belief that only through optional performance by the licensees will Nigeria be able to achieve the national objectives and targets in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), 2020-2025 and other national policy instruments targeted at developing the nation’s digital economy ecosystem.

He said on this basis that the Commission is, “Therefore, we intend to use this forum to seek support for many initiatives that the commission has carefully developed in our quest to enhance market opportunities for all our licensees,” Danbatta said to emphasise NCC’s faith in collaboration with stakeholders and its licensees in order to address any concerns that may impede the attainment of the relevant policy objectives.

R-L; The outgoing Executive Director and Chief Executive officer, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Segun Awolowo with new Executive Director / CEO of the Council, Mr Ezra Yakusak, during the agency Staff farewell ceremony for the outgoing CEO, Mr. Awolowo on Friday in Abuja. Photo-: Justin Imo-owo

‘Dangote pillar of social stability in Africa’

W

ith huge job creation potential across several African countries, and unprecedented philanthropic activities, President of the Dangote Group Aliko Dangote is a pillar supporting the ambiance of social stability in Africa.

This is the consensus of crème de la crème and a highranking member of African Corps diplomatique who visited the Dangote pavilion at the ongoing 42nd Kano International Trade Fair, which was officially declared open at the weekend.

Dangote Industries Limited is one of the major sponsors of the Trade Fair.

Speaking during a visit to the Dangote pavilion, Ugandan Envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador Nelson, Ocheger described Mr. Dangote as an ‘African jewel’ and an institution, whose indirect support to African political leaders in the areas of job creation and industrialization are impacting positively on peace and stability on the continent.

The High Commissioner who was obviously elated by the several innovative products being displayed by the pan African conglomerate said job creation is central to the continent’s craving for social stability.

The Ambassador said he

was extending an invitation to Mr. Dangote to come and invest in Uganda, adding that his country is peaceful and businessfriendly. Speaking also, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said Kano State is not only proud of Mr. Dangote and his company, but for creating opportunities for the African people.

The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Barrister Ibrahim Mukhtar, said the state will take advantage of the Africa Continent Free Trade Agreement(AfCFTA) being historically a major trade route in

Africa.

Speaking earlier, the President of Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture(KACCIMA), Dalhatu Abubakar, described as apt the theme for this year’s 42nd Trade Fair, which is: Consolidating the Challenges of Covid-19 pandemic to opportunities growth and development of micro, small and medium enterprises in Nigeria.

Deputy President and Chairman of Trade Fair Committee Uba Tanko Mijinyawa said the Dangote Group has been a partner all through, even as he extolled its charity works through the Aliko Dangote Foundation(ADF).

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

Organic agriculture: ARDS sensitises farmers, extension agents

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

s part of measures to ensure the safety of food that are consumed, the FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), has sensitised farmers and extension agents in the nation’s capital, on the adoption of organic agricultural practices.

The ARDS organised the sensitisation workshop, through its department of agricultural services, aimed at raising the awareness of FCT populace, especially farmers on how they can integrate organic products that meet up with the required standards in their various agricultural vocations.

Declaring the workshop open in Gwagwalada, ARDS Acting Secretary, Mallam Ishaq Abubakar Sadeeq, said the Secretariat will continue to explore all available opportunities to reach out to various stakeholders such as cooperative groups, women in agriculture, youth as well as other relevant organisation towards not only promoting the practice but enhancing their access to organic products.

Sadeeq explained that organic agriculture is a practice which involves the use of natural materials which are of plant and animal origins for the production of food that are safe for consumption.

According to him, going forward, the Secretariat will intensify measures to increase awareness, provide technical support through extension agents, develop market infrastructure to enhance access to organic agricultural products.

He also added ARDS will strengthen existing synergy between producers, consumers marketers, exporters and NGO’s, increase the conduct of multi-dimensional trials on soil, crops organic fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides as well as increase access of registered organic farmers to subsidised inputs The ARDS boss while reassuring FCT residents of the FCT Administration’s determination to ensure the safety of food that are consumed, adds “our ultimate desire is to make food our drugs, not making drugs our food”.

Similarly, in her welcome address, Director, Agric Services, Mrs. Ihekandu Francisca, said the FCT has joined the league of organic agricultural destinations, which many states in the Federation have adopted for their farmers.

She reiterated the organic agriculture is a healthy alternative to conventional farming with higher nutritional value, longer shelf life and high value for money.

On his part, Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mustapha Adamu Danze, commended the ARDS for the initiative, which will go a long way in boosting healthy productivity in the agriculture sector.

METRO

PAGE 21

FCTA to support 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

s the Nigerian Legion begins activities to mark the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, the FCT Administration has pledged its support to ensure its success.

Also, the FCTA assured that it will make increased donations towards the welfare of the veterans and widows of the departed heroes in the armed forces as a mark of appreciation for their sacrifices.

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, made this pledge while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Legion in his office.

According to him, “The FCT Administration will provide the needed support to the Nigerian

Legion towards your good efforts of getting donations to the widows and also members of the Legion who are incapacitated and who have challenges.

“We will this year increase what we donated last year by 50 percent as a mark of appreciation to all the veterans for all their services to this country and also as a mark of support to all the widows and the children that they left behind.”

The Minister, who was also decorated with the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem during the visit, also acclaimed the longstanding relationship between the Legion and the FCT Administration, saying that their working relationship has helped in the timely management of emergency situations.

He said the FCT Administration over the years has worked very closely with the Nigerian Legion through the employment of many of its members who served to provide supplementary services, especially security as well as intelligence gathering, adding that they have proven to be very hard working and professional in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Bello adds, “On some occasions, when we have had fire incidents during off-duty hours, your vigilant members were the ones that were always the first line of defence before other supporting activities come.” In a similar vein, he also commended them for their timely intervention during flooding mishaps.”

Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the delegation and

National Chairman of the Legion, Major General Abdulmalik Jubril (rtd), said the Legion has been mandated by President Muhammadu Buhari to solicit for the support and cooperation of well-meaning Nigerians, in order to keep alive, memories of the sacrifices made by the departed heroes in the Nigerian Armed Forces.

He said: “The President is the Grand Patron of Nigerian Legion and he has asked us to go round to meet well-meaning Nigerians and through Ministers, Ministries, and other government stakeholders in order to solicit for your cooperation and understanding to help convey, through their own Ministries, through their own staff, to keep fresh this memory of the sacrifices made.”

from left:..Permanent Secretary, FCTA,Olusade Adesola, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello and CEO Austrian Technologies Nig. Ltd, Johann Rieger inspecting the eco friendly mass transit bus the company is proposing for deployment on FCT roads, at the weekend in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Adesola harps on collective approach to improve city’s aesthetic

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Permanent Secretary of the FCT Administration (FCTA), Mr. Olusade Adesola has called on Residents, Government Agencies and private organisations in the FCT to join hand with the FCT Administration to beautify and maintain the city’s green areas, open spaces and buffer zones as part of Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR).

Adesola made the call during an interactive meeting with different private organisations and

government agencies in Abuja.

He noted that even though, the FCT Administration has over the years done extremely well to maintain and beautify the city’s green areas, open spaces and buffer zones, it has become necessary to bring onboard relevant stakeholders in the territory to contribute their quota to further improve the territory’s aesthetic.

He further used the opportunity to appeal to residents to take personal responsibility to protect government critical

infrastructure from vandalization and theft, adding that all hands must be on deck to safeguard the city’s infrastructure.

The Permanent Secretary assured residents of the Territory that the present leadership of the FCT Administration is working assiduously to make life meaningful for them through massive upscaling of the infrastructural development of the city.

Earlier, while delivering a welcome address, the Director of Parks and Recreation, FCTA,

Hajiya Risikatu Abdulazeez, disclosed that already the Department of Parks and Recreation had developed a 3 landscape concepts for stakeholders to adopt.

She called on all stakeholders to adhere to the stipulated guidelines such as 25m setback from the road shoulder must be grassed and maintained green without trees, ensuring that the land use of the area remains green area, security of the green area shall be the sole responsibility of the organization, among others.

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world news

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Omicron Netherlands: 13 air passengers test positive for new variant T he new coronavirus variant Omicron has been detected in 13 people who arrived in the Dutch capital Amsterdam on two flights from South Africa.

They are among 61 passengers who tested positive for coronavirus.

It comes as tighter restrictions come into force in the Netherlands, amid record Covid cases and concerns over the new variant.

This includes early closing times for hospitality and cultural venues, and limits on home gatherings.

Omicron was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by South Africa on Wednesday, and early evidence suggests it has a higher reinfection risk. It has been categorised by the WHO as a “variant of concern”.

The flights by Dutch national carrier KLM from Johannesburg arrived on Friday. Some 600 passengers were held for several hours after arrival while they were tested for the virus.

The passengers who have Covid-19 have been quarantined at a hotel near Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport.

Those that tested negative have been asked to isolate at home for five days and take further tests. Officials said those in transit

would be allowed to continue their journeys, though there were reports on Saturday that some passengers had not received written proof of a negative test and were therefore unable to

board onward flights.

Following the announcement of the 13 Omicron cases, Dutch Health Minister Hugo de Jonge made an “urgent request” for people returning from southern

Africa to get tested for Covid “as soon as possible”.

“It is not unthinkable that there are more cases in the Netherlands,” he told reporters.

Cases of the new variant have

also been confirmed in several European countries, including the UK, Germany and Italy, as well as Botswana, Israel, Australia and Hong Kong.

A number of countries around the world have now banned or restricted flights to and from South Africa and several neighbouring nations in response to the new variant.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands is one of several European countries struggling to contain record numbers of infections.

It has a shortage of intensive care beds, operations are being cancelled and hundreds of people are dying of Covid every week, the BBC’s Anna Holligan in The Hague reports.

The new restrictions in the country came into force on Sunday morning and will remain in place for at least the next three weeks.

The rules set closing times for shops and venues, and limit the number of guests allowed in people’s homes.

People are also being encouraged to work from home where possible, but nurseries, schools and universities across the country will stay open.

Thousands of people protested after the measures were announced.

Source: BBC

Scale of China’s ice and snow sector expected to exceed one trillion yuan by 2025

By Li Yang, Zheng Yi, People’s Daily

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fter a trip to a ski resort in Chongli district, north China’s Hebei province, in the winter of 2015, Yang He, a young man born in the 1990s, has become obsessed with skiing and has been to ski resorts every snow season since.

Today, there are more ice and snow sports enthusiasts like Yang in China. Because of preparations for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, China’s ice and snow industry has continued to expand, and relevant facilities have been increasingly improved. Ice and snow sports that were once regarded as niche sports have become popular choices for fitness.

At the same time, new business forms in the industry, including ice and snow sport experiencing, training and tourism, have sprouted up, creating a continuously growing market.

Ice and snow sports, which involve gear, training, and practice, require people who participate in them to have certain purchasing power.

Thanks to China’s rapid economic

and social development as well as the improvement in the living standards of the Chinese people, demands and consumption of products related to ice and snow sports have kept rising.

Data from China’s e-commerce giant JD.com suggest that during the country’s Singles’ Day shopping festival this year, orders for skiing products supplied directly by the platform increased by 23 times year on year. The transaction volume of ice skating equipment rose 15 times compared with the same period last year.

According to Yang, he has several sets of ski gear at different price levels and uses a special cabinet to keep them, including snowboards, snowsuits, snowshoes, snowboards helmets, goggles, and ski poles.

“At first, I rented ski equipment at ski resorts. Over the past few years, I gradually purchased a whole set and then continuously upgraded my gear,” he said, adding that during this year’s Singles’ Day shopping festival, he spent nearly 10,000 yuan ($1,565) on a snowboard.

Another key driver of ice and snow consumption is ice and snow

tourism—spending vocations at ski resorts nearby with family and friends is a new fashion trend in China.

A report on China’s ice and snow tourism development released in January shows that 55 percent of the consumers surveyed are willing to take long-distance trips for ice and snow tourism, and 82 percent would like to take short-distance ones to ice and snow tourist attractions.

The growing popularity of ice and snow tourism has also driven the development of relevant supporting industries and services, such as catering and accommodation, injecting vitality into the economic development of many regions across the country.

“After skiing, I usually go to a hot spring, enjoy local food, and visit specialty stores,” said Yao Jiamei, a citizen in Beijing who has been to more than 10 ski resorts during the past six years since she fell in love with the sport.

Yao believes that the ice and snow boom in China is fundamentally a result of people’s income growth and their increasing interest in the sport.

During the snow season from

the end of 2018 to the beginning of 2019, China’s ice and snow tourists totaled 224 million. Their per capita expenditure on a single trip to ice and snow destinations reached about 5,000 yuan, according to a report on the country’s ice and snow tourism consumption.

As indicated by these figures, the ever-expanding ice and snow consumption signals golden opportunities for the development of China’s ice and snow sector.

Operators of ice rinks and ski resorts understand the opportunities generated by the ice and snow boom the best.

At a skating center in Chaoyang district, Beijing, training courses on figure skating and ice hockey are arranged from morning to night every day. “When we opened in 2017, we only had one ice hockey team. Now we have eight,” said Yang Yiwei, general manager of the skating center.

“Hitching a ride in the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, we have constantly improved the facilities at our ski resort and reaped the fruits of the growing number of skiers,” said Hu Wei,

general manager of the Nanshan Ski Resort in Beijing, adding that the ski resort received over 400,000 skiers during the last snow season.

Statistics from the General Administration of Sports of China suggest that as of the beginning of 2021, there were 654 standard ice rinks and 803 indoor and outdoor ski resorts across China, an increase of 317 percent and 41 percent, respectively, from 2015.

Since Beijing won the bid for hosting the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2015, ice and snow sports have been gradually popularized across the country and made available throughout the year, and the ice and snow industry is playing an increasingly important role in the country’s economy.

From 2015 to 2020, the scale of China’s ice and snow industry grew from 270 billion yuan to 600 billion yuan, says a report on the development of the industry in China.

The output value of China’s ice and snow sector is expected to exceed one trillion yuan by 2025, according to the country’s winter sports development plan (2016-2025).

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COVID-19 vaccines a global public product, and taken the lead in providing vaccine doses to Africa

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part from the cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, China and Africa are also delivering outcomes of their close collaboration in digital economy, aerospace, clean energy and new infrastructure.

For instance, a national data center, a national broadband network and an e-government platform funded and technically supported by China have been put into use in Senegal. Besides, the “Smart Senegal” e-infrastructure project built by China is also about to be delivered, offering a solid foundation for the country’s digital transformation.

Such resilience reveals the profound basis for cooperation between China and Africa, and the vitality of their cooperation is heralding a bright future.

Though the pandemic has placed roadblocks on the way of cooperation between the two sides, China and Africa has never stopped their steps of cooperation or wavered in their determination to maintain solidarity. The Chinese and Africans are getting increasingly closer for cooperation. This is a choice made by the two sides upon the past, the present days and the future.

From a historical point of view, both China and Africa cherish their traditional friendship. The two sides enjoy a long history of friendship. Especially since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, China has always adhered to the principles of equality, mutual respect, non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs and not attaching political strings to its foreign aid, laying a solid foundation for the robust development of ChinaAfrica cooperation in the 21st century.

Both China and Africa are optimistic about Africa’s prospects.

Considering its own development course and experience, China has always been positive about the future of Africa and been committed to enhancing its cooperation with the continent, so as to break the biases and stereotypes about the continent. We firmly believe that Africa is completely capable of independently exploring a path of vitalization that suits its own conditions.

Both China and Africa are unswervingly following multilateralism for a better future of humanity. At the crossroads that concerns the future of mankind, the two sides see an urgent demand to reinforce solidarity and cooperation, and safeguard the legitimate rights of the Chinese and African people to jointly fight the pandemic, oppose external interference, follow equity and justice, and live (Xiao Han is the Chinese Ambassador to Senegal.)

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F r o m A f r i c a Burkina Faso: Tear gas fired at protesters decrying Islamist attacks

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olice in Burkina Faso have fired tear gas at people protesting against the state’s failure to stop a rise in Islamist violence.

Some erected barricades and burned tyres as scuffles spread around the streets of the capital, Ouagadougou.

Authorities had suspended mobile internet services and deployed hundreds of riot police to stop the gathering.

There is growing anger against both the government and the French soldiers who are supporting the Burkinabe army.

Hundreds of people joined Saturday’s protest, which was organised by a group calling itself the 27 November Coalition and demanded the president’s resignation.

“We refuse to lose Burkina Faso. We will put in someone who is competent to assure the security of the nation,” one protester told the Associated Press news agency.

A young child was injured after security forces fired tear gas, the AFP news agency reported.

Local media outlets Pomega and Filinfos said two of their journalists were also injured from tear gas.

A spokesman for the November

Protesters have been demanding the president’s resignation 27 Coalition reported “a huge amount of injured”, including two in a coma. It was not immediately possible to independently verify the claim.

There has been an escalation of violence since the beginning of November, in which scores of security officers have been killed.

The worst was on 14 November

when 53 paramilitary officers and four civilians were killed during a raid on a camp in Inata in the north.

After reports that the officers had run out of food in the runup to the attack, President Roch Kaboré said he would announce “imminent changes” within the military structure, and ordered the

“active and effective” presence of military chiefs on the front line.

Africa’s semi-arid Sahel region has been hit by an insurgency since militants captured large parts of northern Mali in 2012 and 2013.

In Burkina Faso, the violence has forced more than a million people from their homes over the past two years.

Women’s World Cup Qualifier: Zimbabwe tournament involving Ireland abandoned amid new Covid-19 variant

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he Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which involved Ireland, has been abandoned after the detection of the new Omicron Covid-19 variant.

Travel restrictions have been imposed from a number of African countries, including the host country.

The tournament was scheduled to be played until 5 December to decide the final three spots for the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand next year.

Qualification places will now be decided based on team rankings.

This means that Bangladesh, Pakistan and West Indies will progress to next year’s tournament, with Sri Lanka and Ireland occupying the two remaining berths in the next 2022-25 cycle of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Women’s Championship.

Meanwhile the men’s oneday international series between the Netherlands and hosts South Africa has been postponed.

The decision to call off the event was made on Saturday, one day after the UK had added six countries - including Zimbabwe to its travel red list.

Ireland had played two games in the competition and had been due to face Sri Lanka in their third and final group game on Monday.

Play in two of the three matches scheduled for Saturday - Zimbabwe v Pakistan and USA v Thailand - started as scheduled but the third fixture of the day, between West Indies and Sri Lanka, could not be staged as a member of the Sri Lanka team support staff tested positive for Covid-19.

“We are incredibly disappointed to have to cancel the remainder of this event but with travel restrictions from a number of African countries being imposed at such short notice, there was a serious risk that teams would be unable to return home,” said Chris Tetley, ICC head of events.

“We have explored a number of options to allow us to complete the event but it isn’t feasible and we will fly the teams out of Zimbabwe as soon as possible.

“Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies will now qualify for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 by virtue of their rankings, whilst Sri Lanka and Ireland will also join them in the next cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship,” he added.

‘Fundamental change in Ireland women’s cricket’ Richard Holdsworth, high performance director for Cricket Ireland, said he was “disappointed for all the players who are in Zimbabwe but from a

Ireland had been scheduled to face Sri Lanka in a World Cup Qualifier in Harare on Monday health and safety perspective this is the correct decision”.

“We will now concentrate on working with the ICC in getting our squad home as soon as practicable,” he added.

“While it’s never the manner in which you hope to qualify for a competition, it is a big result for Ed Joyce and his squad to be part of the 2022-2025 Women’s Championship. It’s not an understatement to say it should see a fundamental change in women’s cricket in Ireland.

“However, today is a time not for celebrations, rather to concentrate on our team’s safe and timely repatriation home.”

Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) have agreed to postpone the remainder of the three match one-day series

owing to travel restrictions being introduced.

Both cricket boards confirmed the news after rain forced Friday’s first match to be abandoned.

CSA said there had been “mounting anxiety and concern” from the Dutch team around curbs on flights and travel to South Africa being imposed by the EU, UK and US. CSA acting chief executive Pholetsi Moseki said the “mental well-being of players is one of CSA’s top priorities, and we respect our visitors’ position and point of view”.

He added: “CSA and KNCB will get into discussions around possibly rescheduling the tour within this cycle of the ICC Future Tours Programme ending in 2023.”

Source: BBC

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China’s ice and snow sports equipment industry enters fast track of development

By Fan Jiayuan, Ji Fang, People’s Daily

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hina’s ice and snow sports equipment industry has overcome technology bottlenecks and embraced leapfrog development since the preparations for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

While venues empowered by sci-tech innovations for the Beijing 2022 have been constructed one after the other, the country’s first homemade snowcat and snowboard waxing vehicle have come into being. Chinese-made snowmakers, smart ski simulators, and ropeways have been widely used at ski resorts across the country.

The country’s first homemade snowcat SG400, developed by Hebei Xuanhua Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., has been employed at the Wanlong ski resort in Chongli district, Zhangjiakou city, north China’s Hebei province.

At present, the world’s snowcat market is dominated by a German manufacturer and an Italian company. Against such a backdrop, Hebei Xuanhua Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., taking the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as an opportunity to make innovations, started to develop snowcats independently with its rich experience in track-laying vehicle R&D and manufacturing.

Representing the first batch of high-end and high-horsepower snowcats in China, the SG400 snowcat has filled a gap in the field of the country, according to Wen Xiaoxuan, chief designer of the equipment, adding that the company owns independent intellectual property rights to key and core technologies involved in the production of the snowcat, including chassis suspension, electronic control system and hydraulic transmission.

At a cross-country skiing resort in Wenquan county, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, a snowboard waxing vehicle, the country’s first homemade vehicle of the kind, has

been used for the training of the national cross-country skiing team of China.

Inside the vehicle developed by several companies from east China’s Shandong province, six snowboard waxers worked at workbenches equipped with ventilators.

About one hour later, freshly waxed snowboards were handed to skiers of the team.

In the past, Chinese skiing teams had their snowboards waxed before competitions at waxing tables beside the venue or in temporary tents. The newly developed snowboard waxing vehicle has not only made the procedure efficient, but can provide a variety of other services for athletes, including helping with warmups and offering devices for watching live matches.

The vehicle integrates solar photovoltaic power generation, energy storage, 5G industrial Internet, big data, and AI, said An Zetao, head of the vehicle’s crew, adding that 66 patents were applied for during its designing and R&D. China’s first homemade snowcat and snowboard waxing vehicle, while signaling the country’s technological advances, mirrors the efforts of its ice and snow sports equipment industry to break away from dependence upon imports.

Encouraged by a whole package of measures rolled out by the government, Chinese manufacturers of ice and snow sports equipment have intensified efforts to promote R&D, continuously increasing the substitution of imports with domestic ice and snow sports equipment as well as the market shares of homemade products.

As China steps forward toward the goal of “get 300 million people involved in winter sports”, its ice and snow sports equipment industry has without doubt gotten on an express train.

In 2019, the number of newly-adopted homemade snowmaking machines in China’s ski resorts rose to 467, compared with 50 in 2015, and the gap between newly-employed homemade snowmakers and imported ones was further narrowed,

Photo shows China’s first homemade snowcat SG400 developed by Hebei Xuanhua Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. (Photo/Official website of Hebei Xuanhua Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.) according to a white paper on China’s skiing industry.

As Chinese consumers’ demands for ice and snow sports surge, enterprises have increased input into the ice and snow sports equipment market, which is bound to drive the explosive growth of ice and snow sports equipment manufacturing, industry insiders pointed out.

The environment for the development of the industry has also been constantly improved in China.

Zhangjiakou has planned and constructed two large-scale ice and snow sports equipment R&D and manufacturing clusters, i.e., a winter sports equipment industrial park in Zhangjiakou High-tech Industrial Development Zone and another in its Xuanhua district, striving for building a national winter sports equipment manufacturing base and forming an industrial base integrating the R&D, design, manufacturing, testing, circulation, and

storage of ice and snow sports equipment.

Data suggest that as of the beginning of 2021, Zhangjiakou had signed 81 ice and snow industry-related projects, among which 69 had been implemented, with a total investment of over 33.4 billion yuan ($5.23 billion). Thirty-one of these projects had been put into operation, creating an output value of more than 2.4 billion yuan.

Although China is a latecomer in ice and snow sports and the country’s ice and snow sports equipment industry lags behind that of many countries for the time being, it is still one of the most promising ice and snow markets in Asia and even the world, according to an official with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, who believes that Chinese manufacturers of winter sports equipment should try to identify gaps in the market and realize differentiated competition with products that can better satisfy demands of the Chinese market.

Commemorative activity marking 50th anniversary of China-U.S. Ping Pong Diplomacy held in Houston

By Zhang Mengxu, People’s Daily

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he 50th anniversary of China-U.S. PingPong Diplomacy was commemorated in Houston, the U.S., on the evening of Nov. 23, 2021, bringing together more than 150 people from all walks of life from both countries, including members of Chinese and U.S. national table tennis teams.

Qin Gang, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State, Gou Zhongwen, head of the General Administration of Sport of China and chairman of the Chinese Olympic Committee, and Susanne Lyons, president of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, delivered video speeches to the commemorative activity.

Titled “Celebrating the past for a better future”, the event was jointly hosted by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations in the U.S., the USA Table Tennis and the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA).

As Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out in his virtual meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden a few days ago, the most important event in international relations over the past

50 years was the reopening and development of China-U.S. relations, which has benefited the two countries and the whole world, Qin said in a pre-recorded video speech delivered to the event, noting that this most important event started from a small ping-pong ball.

“We believe that win-win cooperation is always the mainstream of China-U.S. relations. We do sometimes compete, but we should follow the recognized rules like table tennis players, have fair and healthy competition, respect each other, appreciate each other, learn from each other, and make progress together,” he said.

Fifty years from the Ping-Pong Diplomacy, the China-U.S. relationship is at a new crossroad, Qin pointed out. “Today, the big ball of China-U.S. relations still needs the small ping-pong ball to move it forward, from which we see the strategic vision, political courage and people’s friendship reflected in Ping-Pong Diplomacy back then, and this is why our commemoration is highly relevant and significant for today,” said the ambassador.

Fifty years ago, a member of the U.S. table

tennis team sent a message to Zhou Enlai, then premier of China, asking for the American group to be invited to China, Kissinger recalled in his video speech, noting that it was a private initiative without governmental mission.

Chinese leaders soon invited the group for a historic visit to China, according to Kissinger, who said that the ping-pong team which went to China on a self-appointed diplomatic mission made a great contribution.

“I want to let everybody of the table tennis community to know how much the even seemingly peripheral events can contribute to international understanding and to peace among two great nations,” he said.

“The 2021 World Table Tennis Championships celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ping-Pong Diplomacy. In 1971, the American team accepted an invitation to visit the People’s Republic of China.

International headlines dubbed table tennis the sport that changed the world. The new era in the relations between our two countries sent a message of peace that resonated around the globe,” Lyons said in her video speech.

Representatives of Chinese national table

tennis team Wang Hao and Fan Zhendong joined American athletes Connie Sweeris and Judy Hoarfrost, who were among the U.S. table tennis team that took the historic trip to China in 1971, in a wonderful exhibition match during the commemorative activity.

Before the exhibition match, Richard Char, chair of the USA Table Tennis, and Liu Guoliang, president of the CTTA, presented awards to the older generation of Chinese and U.S. table tennis players, recognizing their contributions to the China-U.S. Ping-Pong Diplomacy.

Participants in the commemoration also watched documentaries on the U.S. table tennis team’s visit to China in 1971 and Chinese table tennis team’s visit to the U.S. in 1972 during the activity.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Ping-Pong Diplomacy, Chinese and American table tennis delegations announced on Nov. 21 that they would team up in the mixed doubles competition at the 2021 Houston World Table Tennis Championships. Relevant players from the two countries took part in joint training for the competition on Nov. 22.

Education Maryam Abeeb

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has called on Universities to take advantage of the Federal Government’s interventions to boost research activities.

Buhari made the call during the 5th and 6th combined convocation of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA).

Buhari, represented by Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, the Minister of State for Education, said

Teachers, partners in nation building – Minister Maryam Abeeb

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inister of Education, Adamu Adamu, has explained the reason the Federal Government extended the retirement age and number of service years of teachers in the country.

Adamu revealed that the acquisition of skills, instead of mere certificates, was significant to the survival of the country’s economy, adding that Nigeria was expected to become one of the 20 largest economies globally.

He made this disclosure in his address at the combined convocation (1991/1992 – 2020/2021), of 29 sets of graduates in the Federal College of Education (Technical).

Represented by the Executive Secretary National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Paulinus Okwelle Adamu urged the graduates to complement government effort by becoming employers of labour.

According to him, teachers are active partners in the development of any institution.

He noted that it was imperative for the country to benefit from their wealth of knowledge.

He said, “The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has initiated policies with focus to bring about robust reforms aimed at repositioning the education sector and improving Nigeria’s human capital into the global index.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

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Buhari urges varsities to use FG interventions to boost research activities such research activities are aimed to produce the manpower required to bring about the development of the country’s economy.

He also urged them to explore the opportunities provided by the Federal Government in the area of economic diversification agenda.

Buhari said that the opportunities are designed to wean the country from over dependence on oil in order to achieve sustainable economic development.

He restated the government’s commitment to tackle the challenges of sustainable living, funding for research and capacity building as

well as job creation.

“There is a need for FUDMA to take advantage of the agrarian environment of Katsina State by liaising with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Water Resources to promote dry-season farming. ”This will provide employment opportunities and other economic benefits,” he said.

Buhari also restated the commitment of the Federal Government to sustain funding of university education in the country.

He also expressed the belief that the graduates are adequately

prepared to contribute their quota to national development in their various areas of endeavors.

Buhari, therefore, charged the graduates to apply their knowledge and skills to create jobs and undertake activities that would add value to Nigeria’s Economy and promote national development.

Earlier in his address, the Chancellor of the University, King Jaja of Opobo, Mr. Dandeson Douglas-Jaja, urged the graduates to be good ambassadors of the country wherever they found themselves.

He advised them to take advantage of the Federal Government’s huge

opportunities to become selfemployed and employers of labour, rather than chasing white collar jobs which are not available.

In his speech, FUDMA’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Armaya’u HamisuBichi, said the graduates are 90 for Masters/PostGraduates degrees and 1,201 for Bachelor’s degrees.

He said that the university had offered automatic employment to the only PHD graduate among them.

During the convocation ceremony, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmuminu Kabir-Usman, and the King Jaja of Opobo were conferred with the honorary Doctorate degrees.

FG disburses N6bn to 6 colleges for curriculum devt, others

By Maryam Abeeb

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he Federal Government says it has released N6 billion to enhance teaching, periodic curriculum review and development in six colleges of education across the country.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, stated this at the 6th – 35th combined convocation ceremony (1991/1992- 2020/2021) of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe.

Adamu said the funds were provided to the schools through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

He said that TETFUND recently inaugurated the establishment of Centres of Excellence in six colleges of education in each of the geopolitical zones, to promote specialisation in pedagogy, curriculum review and development.

Adamu, represented by Prof Paulinus Okwelle, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), said each of the institutions received N1 billion as a take off grant for the project.

He said that the gesture would be sustained in the next five years by TETFUND.

He said that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had initiated reform policies aimed at repositioning the education sector and improving Nigeria’s human capital index.

The Minister said that technical and vocational education was pivotal to the development of human capacity necessary for the nation’s advancement, hence the intervention of the Federal Government in technical education.

Adamu said that the government relied on the education system to produce the needed manpower and skills development to put the country on the path of industrialisation.

“The Federal Government had invested so much in Federal Technical Colleges and the Federal Colleges of Education (Technical) for the purpose of engaging in qualitative technical teacher education enterprise.

“Nigeria’s vision of becoming one of the 20 largest economies by 2030 is hinged on mass production of citizens with requisite vocational, technical skills and competencies.

“The acquisition of relevant skills rather than mere certificates is key to our survival in this 21st Century, and that is what can assure food on someone’s table any day just as it is

in other climes,” he said.

While urging lecturers to meet the requirement for grants to advance the course of research in technical education, Adamu said the Federal Government had also made research grants available in that regard.

Earlier, Alhaji Sahabi Gada, Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, commended the Federal Government for the timely intervention in awarding erosion control projects under the Ecological Fund, to address erosion problem in

the college.

Gada advised graduating students to effectively utilise the technical, vocational and entrepreneurial skills to become self-reliant and employers of labour, adding that, “entrepreneurship is the answer to unemployment challenges.”

Also speaking, Dr Ali Adamu, Provost of the college, said that the institution which started with 100 students in 1990 had produced over 20,000 National Certificate in Education (NCE) holders.

Education Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu

Benue Monarch lauds Buhari over industrial harmony in Varsities Maryam Abeeb

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he Supreme, Paramount and Traditional ruler of the Tiv Nation of Benue State,the Chancellor of the University of Benin,His Royal Majesty, ORCIVIRIGH PROFESSOR JAMES ORTESE IORZUA AYATSE has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari over the prevailing industrial harmony in Nigeria Universities, calling on all hands to remain on deck in order to sustain the momentum.

Speaking at the 46th and 47th combined convocation ceremony of the University of Benin today, His Royal Majesty acknowledged the milestones in industrial peace achieved in our tertiary institutions,which he said is occasioned by the various agreements reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)and the modest fulfilment of same.

Recognizing that ASUU demands for improved infrastructure have not been fully met, HRM maintained that the fact that

the government is listening and willing to do its utmost within the limits of available resources speaks volumes about the President’s commitment to the progress of the education sector in the country.

To further consolidate on the gains of the prevailing industrial harmony, HRM appealed to relevant Agencies handling the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to fine-tune their operations to eliminate abnormalities currently being experienced in some institutions.

Representative of the Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, the Director of University Education, Hajia. Iliyasu Gambo told the gathering that the government is aware of the shortfalls in education funding,adding however, that concerted efforts are being made to bridge the funding gaps. Mrs Gambo asked graduates to place national interest above self in order to build a viral and sustainable Nation.

Also speaking at the convocation

ceremony, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Benin,OLOR’OGUN DR. SONNY KUKU expressed appreciation to President Buhari for his untiring efforts to reposition the education sector for the progress of the country.

In particular, the Pro-Chancellor listed projects in the university being undertaken by the Tertiary Education TrustFund (TETFUND) to include; the Professorial Building,Hostel for International students, Laboratory for Urology Department, Faculty of Agriculture Complex,Centre of excellence in Aquaculture and Food Technology Building, Research and Innovation Hub, and two student’s hostels among others.

These projects,the Pro-Chancellor said,are clear manifestations of the special attention the Federal Government accords the University of Benin in particular, and tertiary education in general.

In her welcome address,erudite scholar and Vice-Chancellor of Uniben,Professor

Lilian Salami told the gathering that 8,996 graduates have earned the university’s first degrees or certificates in the 2018/2019 academic session,while 8,521 graduated in the 2019/2020 academic session.

According to the Vice-Chancellor ,a total of 125 students earned firstclass,while 2,794 got second class upper division.

Those awarded Honorary doctorate degrees include; General Theophilus Danjuma,Chief John Oyegun,Dr Thomas Ilube,Oluwakemi Pinheiro and Natalia Kanem.

In his keynote address, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki,revealed that his administration is in the process of coming up with a 30-year development plan that will cater for all sectors, especially education.

His excellency extolled the virtues of recipients of Honorary degrees, describing them as outstanding. Ben. Bem Goong, Director, Press and Public Relations, FME Also represented the PS,Arc. Sonny S. T. Echono.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

26

Feature

Covid vaccine: Can US troops be punished for refusing the jabs?

O

n 28 November, two key branches of the US military - the Navy and the Marines - will hit a deadline for their members to get Covid jabs, yet thousands of America’s armed forces members remain unvaccinated.

Some 2.1 million people are part of the US military, including active and nonactive members, and defence officials have warned that troops that refuse could face a range of consequences.

Are unvaccinated soldiers and sailors a threat to national security - and what consequences might they face?

Here’s what we know.

What are the deadlines?

Compliance deadlines for vaccinations in the US military vary from service to service.

The US Air Force had set a vaccination deadline of 2 November for active-duty personnel, followed by the Navy and Marine Corps on 28 November. The US Army’s deadline is on 15 December.

Deadlines for reservists and members of National Guard units - who serve parttime - also vary, from 12 December for the Navy Reserve to 30 June 2022 for Army reservists and the Army National Guard.

How many troops have been vaccinated?

According to data from the beginning of November, of the 1.3 million activeduty US personnel, 97% had received at least one vaccine dose. The data shows that 88% of active-duty troops are fully vaccinated.

With reservist and national guard personnel included, however, the proportion of fully vaccinated troops falls to 69%.

Vaccination levels, however, vary widely between the services, ranging from nearly 100% of the US Navy’s 349,600 active-duty sailors who have received one dose to only 47% of the Marine Corp’s approximately 38,500 reservists who have had the same.

As of early November, about 92% of the US Army’s approximately 484,000 activeduty troops have been fully vaccinated, and 91% of approximately 180,000 activeduty Marines are fully vaccinated. That increases to 94% if partially vaccinated members are included.

The vaccination rate in the Marines the lowest of all the services - will leave up to 10,000 Marines not vaccinated by the deadline.

In early November, vaccine hesitancy in the Marine Corps, the smallest of the services, prompted a video message from Commandant David Berger warning that the force’s mission readiness could suffer unless “every single Marine” is vaccinated.

“We don’t have extra Marines. We’re a pretty small force,” he said. “We have to make sure that everybody on the team is ready to go all the time. That’s our job.”

Nearly 97% of the 326,00 active-duty members of the US Air Force and Space Force were fully vaccinated ahead of their deadline, leaving about 10,000 without vaccinations and facing disciplinary action or expulsion.

In the case of the Air Force, about 9,600 active-duty personnel were unvaccinated and face disciplinary action or expulsion.

The service said that it would take 30 days to review exemption requests, and that

only about 800 members of the Air Force and Space Force refused outright - less than 1% of the total.

How many troops have died or been hospitalised because of Covid?

Defence department data shows that, as of 17 November, a total of 75 military personnel have died of Covid-19, and 2,280 have been in hospital.

Just over 250,600 cases of the virus have been detected since the beginning of the pandemic, with the greatest number 87,885 - coming from the US Army.

The figure does not include 370 deaths among civilian defence employees and 126 among contractors. Additionally, 33 military dependents have died.

A total of 604 deaths have been reported across the defence department.

Can personnel refuse the vaccine?

The vaccinations are mandatory, and US defence officials have warned that disciplinary action is possible for those who say “no” - though there can be medical exemptions or religious accommodation.

As of early November, the various branches of the US military had reported only issuing a handful of exemptions, though the exact figures have not been released.

Military law attorney Mike Hanzel, a former Navy Judge Advocate General, said exemptions would likely be rare.

“For religious exemptions, the military must essentially have evidence that this is a very strongly held belief that didn’t just come up because of this particular vaccine,” he said. “In the military, you take a lot of vaccines. Every single person has gotten a lot of shots.”

Mr Kirby has said that military commanders will first “try to get these troops to make the right decision based on information and education”.

In instances of refusal, “they’ll be given a chance to get more context from medical service providers as well as their chain of command”, he said.

If those options are exhausted, “there could be disciplinary action”, he added.

What are the potential consequences?

Troops could face a range of disciplinary measures ranging from administrative and non-judicial punishments to court martials.

The military has said that troops will be warned of potential consequences before any action is taken.

But even some of the least severe consequences - such as a formal letter of reprimand - could have an adverse impact on an individual’s future assignments or chances of promotion, according to Victor Hansen, a former Army Judge Advocate General and professor at New England Law - Boston.

The problem is that letters of reprimand wouldn’t address the underlying issue of unvaccinated personnel remaining in the ranks, Mr Hansen said.

“If there’s an unvaccinated soldier,

“

they’re not deployable,” he said. “The real question is going to be how to get them out, and the military has a lot of administrative tools to do so short of a court martial.”

Some services have been clear that they will remove personnel who refuse the vaccine. In late October, for example, guidance sent to Marines warned that those who refuse the vaccine and have not received an exemption “shall be processed for administrative separation”.

In November, the Army followed suit, with Army Secretary Christine Wormuth warning active-duty soldiers, reservists, and Guardsmen in a memo that they will be “flagged” and barred from reenlistment, promotions, and most Army schools.

The harshest punishments are likely to be reserved for personnel who are “more blatant in their disobedience”, such as by lobbying other troops to refuse the vaccine, Mr Hansen added.

“That’s undermining good order and discipline by encouraging other soldiers to disobey the order,” he said. “That gets at the heart of military organisation…I can imagine a command might take a strict response to that to send a message to others.”

In the case of the US Navy, an administrative message released on 13 October said that active-duty personnel who are not fully vaccinated and do not

Troops could face a range of disciplinary measures ranging from administrative and nonjudicial punishments to court martials.

The military has said that troops will be warned of potential consequences before any action is taken.

have an exemption will be forced out of the service after their case is sent to a newly established “Covid Consolidation Disposition Authority”.

Additionally, a spokesman for the Chief of Naval Personnel said that sailors may have to repay bonuses, special pay, and some training costs if they refuse vaccinations.

Although Mr Hanzel thinks vaccinerelated court martials are unlikely, they can “certainly happen” under certain circumstances.

A court-martial conviction is equivalent to a civilian felony conviction in a federal court or a state criminal court.

“If there are enough refusals, at some point it would not surprise me if that did happen to someone,” he said.

What is the impact of vaccines on military readiness?

Experts say that ensuring compliance with vaccination mandates is crucial for the US military to be able to conducts its missions around the world.

“The military goes to great efforts to ensure that soldiers are deployable, from dental examinations to physical fitness and financial circumstances,” Mr Hansen said.

“A soldier who is not vaccinated and put into close quarters with other soldiers has a potentially really detrimental effect on military readiness. It’s a no brainer.”

As an example, Mr Hansen pointed to the USS Theodore Roosevelt, a US Navy aircraft carrier on which more than 1,000 sailors contracted Covid-19 early in the pandemic. One sailor died of the virus.

“That’s why the vaccination efforts are full steam ahead. That’s the heart of military readiness.”

Source: BBC

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

PAGE 27

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MOSES MAXWELL 4.

UDE INNOCENT CHIMEZIE 5.

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UBANI NNENNA IJEOMA 7.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

26

Tribute

Pius Awodi, a decent man of honour and dignity goes to His Creator

By Usman Adams.

I

met late pius Awodi in 1965 when I gained admission into the then provincial secondary school Katsinal-Ala. He was in Form 4 and I was in Form 1.

It did not take long for us to know each other and when we realised that we were from the same geographical area our relationship became closer. He was in East House and I was in Sloan.

Provincial Secondary school Katsinal-Ala was such a great college that every pupil in primary school in the then Benue province would desire to be. It boasted of having eminent old boys like Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, a former Chief of Army Staff and Defence Minister, late Michael Idibia; the father of the great Musician 2face Idibia, lut. General Samuel Leo Malu; former Army Chief of Staff, Prof Jonah Isawa Eliagwu, ; a great Academician of International Repute; Chief Sylvester Ameh, the Chairman of the Governing council of a Fedaral Polytecnic in Enugu State who retired from the Federal Capital territory Ministry as Director of Accounts and Administration; Late Engr. Mike Oteikwu; Akpoga Ella; late Major Clement Egba; Prof John Ibuh ; Prof Gabriel Igwe; Mr. Francis Ogoh and the current President General of the Katsinal-Ala Old Boys Association, Engr. Egbe Igoh who is coordinating the burial arrangement on behave of the College Old Boys.

But what all those people listed above have in common is the fact that they are all hospitable, decent and kind people in all

ramifications, late Pius Awodi included.

A few days into the school and as I came closer to late Pius Awodi I noticed that he was a man of great talent in school games, especially in football. In one football match I watched, he took a Conner kick which sailed into the net without the assistance of any other player drawing wide cheers and applause from the spectators . He was such a fantastic and brilliant footballer as he could play with both legs. He was a member of the first eleven college football team.

On my part, I was very good in Athletics taking first in such event like; long and triples jump, 100 and 200 yard desh. In fact, immodesty is not intended here but at the end of my first year in Katsinal-Ala the school authorities recognised me as a star athlete and awarded me a Medal and a Shield in recognition of my performance.

Things continued to move very fast and before you knew it, Pius Awodi had completed his secondary school course and now on the move.

On the eve of his departure he called me to his room and handed over to me all his old exercise books containing the note he took and some test books which he believed I would need.

Emotions were very high and tears were involuntarily dropping from my eyes as I did not know whether that was our last time to see. The saying that one does not appreciate the joy of meeting until the moment of parting is apt here.

But as providence would have it, in December of that year he left, I had taken an examination for a placement in Government College

Kaduna, the intent of which our Principal did not quite explain to us. After collecting the result I put it under my box and debated within myself why I should leave the school which had just honoured me and academically too I was not doing badly as I was placed 4th out of 65 in my form 2 third term examinations. Never the less, three Month into my form 3 in 1967 and without informing anybody, I left for my new school in Kaduna where I again met late Pius Awodi in Kaduna who had now taken a job with the Nigeria Airways.

There was one particular thing he did for me while in Government College which I will continue to treasure till the last breath of my life .He took me to his residence at Irra road on a visiting day and after a sumptuous meal of rice and assorted pieces of meat, he showed me where he usually kept his house keys and advised me not to hesitates to go to his house to eat even when he was not there.

Such a kind man!

After the Nigeria Airways he also worked in various places including the Nigeria Breweries and other private companies.

After the end of my secondary school in 1969 at Government College Kaduna I left for the higher school certificate Course (HSC) in Kuru in 1970 and I lost contact with him until much later in the years.

In much later years, late Pius Awodi decided to move closer home and settled in Otukpo where he already had a house he had built in the course of his previous appointments taking advantage of an offer which his close relation, Rt. Hon. Solomon Agidani had

given him to manage his facility located along Amadu Bello way in Otukpo town.

Let it be said that as an only son of his late father as I came to know much later, his decision to start a family early in life was a wise one but things did not quite work out well in my view as he had envisioned because the mother of his first two children namely; Ochoche and Sunday was the woman after his heart who he wished should have been with him till death do them path.

As his years Lengthened in life so did his challenges began to mount. About ten years ago, late Awodi hinted me that he was diagnosed with diabetes and that he was taking medication for it. As we all know although diabetes is not necessarily a killer disease it is never the less difficult to contain and maintain. In all this challenges that he was going through, it is important to reiterate that late Mr. Awodi was never known to have compromised himself as he maintained his dignity, pride, integrity and honesty in all his doings.

Towards the end of the year 2020, late pius Awodi requested me to do something for him which regrettably I was unable to accomplish until his death which I consider sudden because I did not see it coming at the time it did. He requested that I should take him to Prof Innocent ujah, a KatsinalAla Old Boy who had become the Vice-Chancellor of the new Federal University Otukpo and also the president of the Nigeria Medical Association. In the recent past Prof. Ujah’s movement has become ambivalent and there for it became difficult to locate him

at a particular spot at any giving time and that was why I was unable to accomplish the request at the time.

At this stage let it be said that the late Pius Awodi cannot be said to be a perfect man because perfection belongs only to the realm of God. May the Almighty God forgive him of his short comings and those who are quick at passing judgment should hold there breath as I have personally noticed that at an occasion like the burial ceremony some people who appropriate righteousness and status to themselves are wont to altered certain words on issues and personalities about whom they know little or nothing about. It is gratifying to note that his eldest son, Ochoche has now returned to Nigeria from America and his doing all it takes in collaboration with all well wishers, relations and his College Old Boys to ensure that his father receives a befitting burial which comes up on November 25 2021 at Enungba in Agatu Local Government of Benue while the wake is at Otukpo on 24 of the month.

To the children, close relations and friends, I have always stated in my writings on issues of this nature that it is always a painful venture for a writer to find the right words that will adequately condole those close relations who have lost a dear one. The Priest will say his homilies at the burial and the only thing I can add is to wish him farewell, God’s mercy and blessing as he lays in the bosom of the Lord.

Usman Adams, a friend and a schoolmate writes from Abuja.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

NBBF crisis: FIBA extends elective congress January 30 2022

By Albert Akota

F

ederation of International Basketball Association,FIBA has extended the deadline given to Nigeria to resolve the crisis rocking the federation.

This was revealed by the Chief of Staff to Sunday Dare, Alhaji Abba Yola at the Moshood Abiola Stadium on Saturday.

Abba Yola said the world basketball governing body,

FIBA and the Ministry of Sports are in smooth communication and unanimously agreed for the extension of deadline and a date for the election after the reconciliation committee has completed their job. “the Honourable Minister of youth and sports development is a meticulous person and he does not want to do things in a haste or something that will bring us back to where we are now, so,after a fruitful discussion

with FIBA it was agreed that the deadline should be extended and a new date should be fixed for election ” He added that the Reconciliation Committee inaugurated by the Ministry of Sports will submit their report in December to chat the way forward to end the crisis.

“The Reconciliation Committee will submit its report in the second week of December, we have done our

investigation on the crisis and we discovered that the major problem is the Constitution which we suggested that should be amended. I believe before the Elective Congress the basketball family will become one again we shall see the game of basketball on the rise again. The next elections will be free and fair to all who wish to contest for any position.

“The division and crisis is really affecting the development

of the game and the players and that’s why it is important to settle the internal rancour before the elections.

“Basketball stakeholders need to embrace peace if truly they love the game as they claimed.”

The 2021 NBBF Elective Congress was slated for October 30 before the Ministry of Sports and NBBF Congress announced the postponement few days to the scheduled date.

2021/2022 season: LMC to ratify NPFL Dec. 17 kickoff in Abuja

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he League Management Company (LMC) said it will ratify the Dec. 17 kick-off date and fixtures for 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season at its General Assembly in Abuja.

Alloy Chukwuemeka, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Club Owners Association, who confirmed this to journalists in Abuja, on Friday.

He said the General Assembly had

been scheduled for Dec. 7.

Chukwuemeka said the kick-off date was agreed at a meeting held in Lagos between the LMC Executives, Club Owners Association representatives and LMC Directors.

He revealed that the all-important LMC General Assembly in Abuja would amongst other issues/agenda discuss and ratify the new NPFL season date as proposed.

According to the fixtures made available to NAN by the secretary, the first round of the league is expected to

begin on Dec. 17, and end with Match day 19 fixtures on March 20, 2022.

There would be a one-week break before the resumption of the second round, which is expected to start on March 27, and end the season with Match day 38 fixtures on July 17, 2022.

The NPFL Club Owners scribe also revealed that the LMC had introduced an asymetrical fixture list for the 2021/2022 campaign.

It said it was expected to make the fixtures less predictable and more exciting.

The match day one fixtures expected to be played in 10 centres across the country from 4.00 p.m.are as follows: Gombe United v Shooting Stars, Akwa United v Kano Pillars and Lobi Stars v Rivers United.

Others are, Katsina United v Rangers International, Enyimba v Abia Warriors, Sunshine Stars v Wikki Tourist, Niger Tornadoes v Plateau United.

Also fixed are, Kwara United v Dakkada, MFM FC v Remo Stars and Heartland v Nasarawa United.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

R

Sports Ministry to facilitate creation of Skateboarding Federation in Nigeria

T

By Albert Akota

T

he Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development will facilitate the creation of a Skateboarding federation in Nigeria very soon.

Sports Minister Sunday Dare said in Lagos, over the weekend, that the number of young people picking up interest in the sports informed this move.

The Minister was on a routine visit to the National Stadium Complex in Surulere, Lagos when his attention was drawn to a group of young skaters, mostly between ages three(3)and fourteen(14), practising near the Secretariat of the Lagos chapter of the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria(SWAN).

After interacting with their instructors and parents, Dare promised to look into their request for a Federation, assuring them that the modalities and processes to be followed will be initiated immediately.

Skateboarding is getting increasingly popular worldwide and only recently has become an Olympic sport.

It debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games alongside Baseball and Softball, Karate, Sports Climbing and Surfing. It is regulated globally by World Skate.

Fosla Academy to honour Nasir E-Rufai, Ogunjobi, Sarki Karshi others at 10th anniversary

F

osla Academy, the Premier Football College in Nigeria will honour Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir E-Rufai at the 10th year anniversary and graduation ceremony holding on 11th December 2021.

Announcing this in Abuja, the Secretary of the Fosla Academy Board, Patrick Ngwaogu said the honour bestowed on the Kaduna state Governor will be in recognition of his efforts in ensuring that the dreams of establishing the Academy came into fruition while he was the FCT Minister in 2006.

Ngwaogu said that the success stories of the Academy can not be written without a mention of the then FCT Minister who gave approval for the establishment of the premier football college in the capital city, which has gradually turned out to become a reservoir of talented football players in the country. “we have to recognize the former Minister who is today the Governor of Kaduna State, because he helped in laying the foundation of what we are celebrating today “ the scribe said.

Continuing, Ngwaogu who also combines as the Director of Fosla Football Club said other important personalities that will recognized at the event will include former NFA Secretary General Late Taiwo Ogunjobi who was a Board member of Academy before his death, the Emir of Karshi Alhaji Ismaila Mohammed, who incidentally is the Fosla Academy Board Chairman, Late Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, a former Director of the Academy, NFF General Secretary, Dr Sanusi Mohammed, the Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, FCT FA Chairman, Murthar

Muhammed among others.

Fosla Academy was established by the former NFF President Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi to provide opportunities for players who are naturally endowed to combine football with their academics. The Academy since inception has won the FCT

Principals Cup from 2015 to date, won the National Principals Cup, won the silver medals of the NNPC /Shell All Nigerian Secondary Schools Football Competition, won silver and bronze medals of both Copa Coca-Cola and Etisalat U. 15 competitions among others.

The Academy has over 40 of her scholarship students running various Undergraduate programs at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, all of whom are members of the Fosla Football Club that plays in the Nigeria League One (Division 1).

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

SPORTS

LATEST TotalEnergies Nigeria honours Musa Kida LATEST

By Albert Akota

E

ngr(Dr) Ahmadu Musa Kida was at the weekend honored

by TotalEnergies Nigerian office, to commemorate his 35 years of unbroken meritorious service, to retirement.

It was a chance for the Company to thank him for overseeing the growth of TOTAL for over 3 decades where he served at various leadership level.

The company described Engineer Ahmadu Musa Kida as a super mentor of mentors to multitude of TOTAL staff. Little wondered he was retained as a Non Executive Director at TOTAL. Ahmadu Musa Kida an engineer and former basketball player, hails from Borno State in Nigeria .

Kida received his degree in civil engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1984. He obtained a postgraduate diploma in petroleum engineering from the Institut Francaise du Petrol (IFP) in Paris.

He started his career as a professional at ELF Petroleum Nigeria as a trainee engineer and materials coordinator. Kida joined Total Exploration & Production Nigeria in 1985 and was appointed the Deputy Managing Director of TEPNG Deepwater District as well as on the Board member of Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria on August 01, 2015.

Kida became a member of the Total E&P Nigeria board in 2014 as executive director for the Port Harcourt district.

In August 2015, Kida was appointed as the deputy managing director of the Deepwater district in Lagos.

He retired voluntarily from TotalEnergies in 2020 after 35 years service.

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Mallam Umaru Altine: The unsung nation builder

I

f Nigeria were a country in a hurry to build strong, united country and develop itself, Umaru Altine would have been recognized in his time as an instant hero. Over seventy years ago, he was daring enough to take the novel, heroic step which no other Nigerian has taken since the amalgamation of the Sothern and Northern Protectorates in 1914. The step was to shape a better country we know today as Nigeria. Hon Femi Kehinde, a former member of House of Representatives wrote in a recent newspaper article that: “Umaru Altine, a cattle dealer, had left the Sokoto province to sojourn in Enugu.

There he married an Igbo Lady, Esther, and was president of the Enugu branch of the youth wing of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). He was a completely detribalized Nigerian.

“As a descendant of Uthman Dan Fodio, Altine could have equally emerged as Sultan of Sokoto, one day, but he preferred the life of trading, travel, and adventure. He had earlier joined the Army and worked briefly with the Railways.

He had also played politics in the Tambuwal District of the Sokoto Province, before his eventual sojourn in the coal city of Enugu. He was handsome, always dressed impeccably, and had a magnetic aura.”

In a post-colonial African country where tribal differences and regional separatist tendencies were so high that a bloody civil war had to be fought in which over a million people died, a man of his achievements in 1950s came as something of a surprise.

As a descendant of Uthman Dan Fodio, a scion of the Sokoto Caliphate, he could have stayed there in his native Sifawa home, hoping to emerge one day as the Sultan of Sokoto. But he preferred the world of trading,

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travel, adventure and politics.

He joined the army and later worked with the railways staying on both jobs very briefly.

In Enugu, he wore the Babban Riga, as well as a Turban. On other occasions he wore suits as the event demanded. He was willing to adjust while retaining his identity. A noble, free and simple spirit was evident in him.

This Prince smoked and loved Nsala soup with fresh fish, a popular meal of the Enugu Igbo and had a high sense of personal hygiene and a good command of English. Handsome, always impeccably dressed he turned out to be a politician who attracted people magnetically.

These talents and personal attributes recommended him to Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the leading nationalist politician of Igbo extraction.

Altine got married an Igbo lady, named Esther who supported him as much as Zik did to emerge as president of the Enugu branch of the youth wing of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). This was the party that sponsored his ambition to become the first democratically elected Mayor of Enugu.

It was a symbiotic relationship between the two great men – Zik and Altine. Zik

“

himself had just been given a raw deal in the Western Regional House of Assembly where he was blocked from emerging as the first elected Premier of the Region by some irredentist Yoruba parliamentarians. He rushed back to his Eastern Region, where a government led by Eyo Ita was in place. He led the assault that ousted that government from office. In that fight, Umaru Altine who had become very influential in the NCNC in the Eastern Region as a youth leader also came around as a supporter of Zik. The support he got from Zik to emerge as the first democratically elected Mayor of Enugu in 1952 was reciprocal and expected.

Again when he was due for reelection at the expiration of his first tenure in 1956 a group in his NCNC ganged up to produce D T Iyang to replace him as the NCNC preferred candidate as the Mayor. The indefatigable Altine remained unfazed. He presented himself as an independent candidate and won his election regardless.

He remained in office until 1958.

As the Mayor of Enugu, he carved a niche for himself in many respects. In Enugu, he wore the Babban Riga, as well

In the words of the chairman Agu at the time: ‘Our history before that time did not reflect his towering achievement in terms of Nigerian unity. I was going to name a public institution after him, but time did not allow for that

as a Turban. On other occasions he wore suits as the event demanded. He went to Church in Enugu if his duties as Mayor called for it, and went to do the kick off at stadia when occasion demanded. He was completely detribalized and willing to adjust while retaining his identity.

Sadly for all his efforts and sacrifices to build a united cosmopolitan and peaceful Nigeria, nobody talks about him today outside his family.

One time Chairman, Enugu North Local Government, Agu Gab invited the Umoru Altine family Sokoto to Enugu in 2004.

His efforts can be classified as that of a lonely voice in the wilderness. In the words of the chairman Agu at the time: ‘Our history before that time did not reflect his towering achievement in terms of Nigerian unity. I was going to name a public institution after him, but time did not allow for that. A Street was named after the late Mayor somewhere in the Coal Camp area of Enugu during the First Republic.”

Today nobody knows where the street is located. When men of towering vision are not recognized in a country that needs their sterling qualities, little can be achieved in realizing their dreams.

DAN GAYE DANGAI

PDP chieftain, Lawal Usman says IPOB troublemakers seeking Buhari’s attention

—News

Yes they now understand the language?

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