MONDAY 25TH JANUARY 2021

Galloping Inflation, Economic Recovery Top Agenda as MPC Meets Analysts predict ‘hold’ on interest rate FG to redeem maturing $500m Eurobond Obinna Chima As the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) meets today to commence its two-day meeting, the deliberation is

expected to be centered around how to tame inflationary pressure in the country and measures to support economic recovery will top the agenda.

However, analysts have ruled out the possibility of

adjusting the benchmark Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at the meeting, anticipating that the committee members will vote for a wait-and-see.

Also, in the new week, analysts have anticipated

sustained pressure on the external reserves as federal government redeems its $500 million Eurobond that matures on January 28, 2021.

Owing to this, analysts at Cowry Assets Limited

expects the naira to depreciate against the dollar at most market segments this week.

Nigeria’s external reserves stood at $36.508 billion as of last Thursday.

The Consumer Price

Index (CPI), which measures inflation, had increased to 15.75 per cent (year-on-year) in December 2020, compared to 14.48 per cent in November Continued on page 9

Senate Probes Alleged Mismanagement of N50bn by NBET... Page 8 Monday 25 January, 2021 Vol 25. No 9423. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

FG: We Won't Allow COVID-19 Vaccines’ Hijack Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

FOR EXCELLENCE IN OIL AND GAS...

L-R: Director/CEO, Department of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Sarki Auwalu; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Senator Albert Akpan; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Mr. Simbi Wabote; and Head, Public Affairs, Department of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Paul Osu, during the presidential launch of National Oil and Gas Excellence Centre, in Lagos…recently

The federal government has assured Nigerians that COVID-19 vaccines will not be hijacked or diverted by any group outside the distribution plan.

There has been growing concerns that politicians may hijack the COVID-19 vaccines, billed to arrive the country next month.

Recent announcement of the formula for the distribution of the expected 100,000 doses of vaccines has also sparked off apprehension amongst Nigerians over a possible hijack or diversion of the Continued on page 41

More States Trigger Red Alert, Prepare to Ward off Renegade Herdsmen On presidency’s behest, South-west govs to meet Miyetti Allah today Oyo govt delegation, CP tour trouble spots Saraki sues for peace Herders assembling in Nasarawa, says Benue govt Our Correspondents More states of the federation have stepped up measures to combat the activities of

criminals masquerading as herdsmen, THISDAY investigation has revealed.

It was gathered at the weekend that state

governments in conjunction with the police and other security agencies have devised various means of checking the influx of the herders and

monitoring the activities of those already in their domains.

The efforts, it was learnt, were geared towards preventing the ongoing crisis

in Oyo and Ondo States where communities and the government are at loggerheads with the herdsmen from spilling to more states.

The Ondo State government and some communities in Oyo State had last week given the herdsmen ultimatum to Continued on page 9

FG Boosts Insurgency War, Acquires 23 New Military Aircraft...Page 5

2

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 •T H I S D AY

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 • T H I S D AY

3

4

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 •T H I S D AY

5

MONDAY, ͺͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

FG Boosts Insurgency War, Acquires 23 New Military Aircraft Expects additional 18

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it had so far taken delivery of 23 new aircraft mainly fighter aircraft procured by the federal government in 2020 to prosecute the war against insurgency.

It said 18 more aircraft, including the 12 Tucano fighter jets are expected to be delivered by the United States this year.

The NAF also said it is set to ramp up its partnership with Hungary in the areas of fighter pilot training, operation and maintenance of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) cameras as well as other important areas of competence.

This comes as fighter jets and helicopter gunships bombed Chikwale Forest, killing scores of armed bandits in the Mangoro area of Chikun Local Area in Kaduna State.

Speaking while receiving officials of the Nigerian Air Space Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in his office in Abuja at the weekend, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the federal government has so far acquired 23 brand new aircraft for the NAF, while 18 more are expected to be delivered during the course of the year including eight Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

He said the 18 expected manned aircraft comprised 12 Super Tucano attack aircraft that would be based in Kainji as well as 3 JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter aircraft.

He further disclosed that amongst the expected UAVs were the Wingloong II, which had endurance of between 16 and 20 hours, depending on its operating mode as well as the CH-4 and CH-3 UAVs. The CAS also disclosed that

the NAF was expecting three special mission aircraft that would be based in Benin to cover the maritime environment and handle some of the challenges in Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

“Therefore, it is nice that we keep you updated on what we are doing and ensure continuous interaction with you in terms of management of the airspace,” he said.

Abubakar expressed delight at the proposed deepening of the partnership with the NCAA and NAMA, noting that collaboration would further enhance the efforts of the force.

Speaking further, the CAS noted that other areas of concern include the certification of all the aviation personnel in the industry to ensure that "the right person is doing the right job."

He added that the NAF had highly skilled human resources that could be of tremendous assistance to the NCAA and NAMA upon retirement.

He also asserted that there are quite a number of areas in which the NAF, NCAA and NAMA had been working together in the past, which included civil licensing of NAF pilots.

The air force boss noted that there was the need for NCAA to revisit NAF Aviation Medicine facilities in Kaduna and Lagos to further address the issue of their certification for aircrew medical examinations.

Air Marshal Abubakar also highlighted the need to reactivate the Airport at Azare in Bauchi State as it would go a long way in aiding the fight against insurgency in the North-east.

Speaking earlier, the DG, NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, emphasised that though cooperation existed between the NAF and NCAA, there was a compelling need to formalise

it with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

He noted that there were many areas of cooperation to be explored, for enhanced safety of operations and security within the nation’s airspace, especially at this time when the NAF was playing a very critical role in the fight against insurgency.

“We can form a committee and give them the task to come up with systems or ideas on how we can formalise the cooperation between the civil and the military,” he said.

The Managing Director of NAMA, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, noted that the importance of inter-agency collaboration in

airspace management could not be overemphasised.

He said his agency was looking at having a mutually beneficial relationship with the NAF. Meanwhile, NAF said it is set to ramp up its partnership with Hungary in the areas of fighter pilot training, operation and maintenance of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) cameras as well as other important areas of competence.

This was disclosed weekend by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Abubakar, while receiving the Hungarian Consul-General to Nigeria, Mr. Endre Peter Deri, and the Chief Executive Officer,

Hungarian Magnus Aircraft Manufacturing Factory, Mr. Laszo Boros, at the Headquarters of NAF in Abuja.

The CAS noted that developing bilateral and multilateral partnerships in the war against terror has become necessary because of the global nature of terrorism and its attendant negative impact in the form of population dislocation due to forced migration as well as socio-economic upheavals, if not effectively dealt with.

He noted that the partnership between the NAF and Hungary would enable the NAF to take advantage of the competencies available in Hungary to address

some of the technical challenges the service currently faces in the conduct of its operations.

Air Marshal Abubakar stated that the NAF was willing to send a team to Hungary to assess available opportunities for aircraft and associated equipment acquisition, human capacity development as well as Research and Development (R&D), amongst other areas of collaboration.

He highlighted other areas of interest to include the training of fighter pilots, aircraft technicians and engineers as well as capacity development for the operation and maintenance of ISR payloads and ISR imagery analysis.

BRAND NEW EMIR...

Emir of Biu, Mai Mustapha Umar Mustapha II (left) and Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, during the presentation of the staff of office to the emir in Biu...weekend

Sanction APC Leaders for Assault on Democracy, PDP Urges Biden Laments disasters in Sokoto, Delta, Abuja, Rivers, others Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday urged US President Joe Biden to impose strict sanctions on leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and officials of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration allegedly involved in corruption, terrorism and undermining democracy.

The main opposition party also commended Biden for lifting the immigration visa restrictions on regular Nigerians.

It, however, lamented the recent disasters in some states, saying that the incidents call for the concern of all Nigerians.

The PDP called on Biden to freeze the assets of errant APC leaders and officials in the United States while ensuring that the lifting of visa ban does not extend to such individuals.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, urged Biden to look into the records, especially the report of the Department of State and note the litany of infractions on Nigeria’s polity by

APC leaders and officials of the Buhari administration.

"President Biden is invited to act on the report of the Department of State detailing cases of human rights abuse, arbitrary and extrajudicial killings, illegal arrests, detention, torture, shooting and killing of voters, massacring of peaceful protesters as witnessed in the EndSARS protests as well as other atrocious crime against humanity under the Buhari-led APC administration, which were also reported by the Amnesty International (AI) and Transparency International (TI)," it said.

PDP also urged Biden to save Nigeria’s democracy by enforcing sanctions on APC leaders and their agents in Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the judiciary, who openly undermined Nigeria’s democracy by manipulating elections, deploying thugs and security operatives to unleash violence to rig elections in Kano, Ondo, Kaduna, Katsina, Ekiti, Niger, Plateau, Rivers and Kogi states, among others.

The PDP said that in Kogi, security agents were allegedly deployed to kill voters, cart away ballot boxes while police helicopter fired tear gas on innocent Nigerians.

It alleged that an innocent woman was burnt in Kogi, while election results were manipulated to declare themselves winners.

"Such sanctions should be extended to all individuals who participated or benefited in the undermining of the Imo State governorship election at the Supreme Court, where a person, who was not a candidate in the election was suddenly declared winner, after which brute force was used to subdue the people.

"Our party condemns the invasion of the US Capitol and welcome the prompt arrest of culprits. In that vein, we urge President Biden to announce strong sanctions against those who invaded our courts as well as the chambers of our Senate where they disrupted parliamentary session and carted away the mace," the PDP said.

According to the party, it is sickening that the culprit who

ought to be in jail for leading the invasion of the Nigerian Senate chamber is one of the presiding officers.

PDP urged Biden to assist the country in the recovery of over N15 trillion allegedly stolen

by APC leaders, including the N9.6 trillion detailed in the leaked NNPC report as well as the over N6 trillion stolen in various ministries, agencies, and departments of government under the Buhari administration.

"President Biden is also called upon to impress it on President Buhari to vanquish terrorists, bandits and kidnappers ravaging our nation by rejigging our security architecture and replacing his wearied service chiefs with more competent hands.

"President Biden should also impress it on President Buhari to end the corruption in his government, stop the looting spree bedeviling his administration and direct his party and its leaders to get ready to peacefully exit the stage in 2023, through a credible and fair election, having failed on all fronts,” it added.

PDP also lamented the disasters across some states, especially the recent fire disaster at the Sokoto Central Market; the Kugbo, Abuja furniture inferno; the Friday’s gas explosion in Agbor, Delta; the gas explosion at Rumuodumanya, Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday as well as other avoidable tragedies in the recent times.

The PDP, in another statement

by Ologbondiyan, bemoaned the Sokoto market incident, describing it as a national tragedy, given the strategic place the market occupies in the economy of the nation as a commercial hub for both national and international trade activities.

The party also expressed shock over the gas plant explosion in Agbor, Delta State, which led to the death of people, including children and the hospitalisation of others.

The PDP also expressed concern over the gas plant explosion at Rumuodumanya, Obio Akpor LGA in Rivers State.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims of these disasters

for their losses, especially the bereaved, who are left with the excruciating pain of losing their loved ones," it stated.

The PDP, however, commended the intervention of governors elected on the platform of the party for taking immediate steps to mitigate the sufferings of the victims.

The party also commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for coming to the aid of the victims of the Agbor explosion, especially in guaranteeing medical treatment for the hospitalised.

"Our party also commends the Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, for his quick intervention in the Sokoto Market inferno”, the party said.

The PDP also commiserated with the victims of the Sokoto, Agbor, Kugbo and Rumuodumanya disasters and urged the federal government to not only provide succour for the victims but to also take steps to equip the disaster management agencies for improved emergency response as well as measures to forestall such disasters in the future.

6

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 •T H I S D AY

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 • T H I S D AY

7

8

MONDAY, ͺͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Senate Probes Alleged Mismanagement of N50bn by NBET Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate has alleged that the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) mismanaged N50 billion realised from the sale of Egbin, Omotosho and Olorunsogo power plants in 2013.

It has, therefore, mandated its committee on Public Accounts to investigate the matter.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, said the decision to probe the transaction was based on the 2015 report of the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF), which exposed the reported mismanagement of N50 billion public funds in the Escrow Account said to have been realised from the sale of Egbin, Omotosho and Olorunsogo power stations.

A query by the AuGF to the NBET over the transaction reads: "Funds in form of escrow in the possession of Egbin Escrow agreement FCMB Escrow Account BPE/NBET 2435507018-N30,000,000.000, UBA Escrow Account BPE/NBET 1017699148 N10,000,000,000.00, FBN Escrow Account BPE/ NBET 2024063360 N10,000,000,000.00 "The following observations were made: there was no execution date, as the agreement only stated 2013.

"This has been left out deliberately and arouses suspicion of malpractices.

This is evidenced by a mail sent by the Legal Counsel to the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) asking for this information, which was never replied to.

"As stated in the original draft agreement, the rate of interest generated on escrow funds shall be agreed between BPE, NBET and the escrow agents (banks) but subsequent manipulated agreement sighted states that ‘the interest shall be concessionary taking into account a reasonable compensation of the escrow agents in the consideration for their obligation under the agreement.”

The query also demanded that the minutes of the meeting that decided the concessionary rate and the obligation of the escrow agents necessitating any form of consideration as well as the identities of the attendants and parties to the proposed and implemented 0.025 per cent interest on the escrow fund should be produced.

The Senate noted the financial mismanagement of over N5,000,000,000, which would have been realised on the investment of the funds in Nigeria Treasury Bills at an interest rate of 10 per cent.

"Olorunsogo power plant,

Bandits Abduct 11 Persons in FCT Orphanage Kingsley Nwezeh and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Bandits have kidnapped at gunpoint 11 persons from Rachael Orphanage Home in the Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) It was learned that the bandits abducted seven orphans and four workers.

The orphanage was reportedly invaded at about 1 a.m on Saturday.

The abducted orphans were Jacob Ukpas, Melody Ijeh, Bernard Itim, Isaac Matthew, Elizabeth Andrew, Dayo Udeh and Laruba Emmanuel.

Also abducted were three orphanage workers: Rukayyat Salihu, Suwaiba Momoh, Momoh Jimoh and the security guard, Joseph Matthew.

The gang said to be heavily armed, carried the stealth raid on the orphanage dormitory after forcing the gate open.

Sources at Abaji Area Council attributed the kidnapping to the sudden withdrawal of the antikidnapping Joint Taskforce (JTF) last week by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the FCT Command of the Nigerian Police in circumstances attributed to a shortage of funds.

The JTF, which was receiving its funding through the security department of the FCTA was set up last October to provide security in the FCT. The squad was credited with improving security and reduction in cases of kidnapping in the Kuje and Abaji axis as well as the deployment of security around Toto hills in Nasarawa State and the Chikara/Gegu axis in Kogi State against kidnapping.

Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command said it has launched a manhunt for the abductors.

It said a crack team of detectives was deployed in the general area to track the fleeing gunmen, adding that one of the orphans was rescued.

Police Public Relations Officer, Mariam Yusuf, said more police detectives were deployed to aid the rescuing.

"All the persons kidnapped, including the children, all of them are eight.

"However, we were able to rescue one person and effort is still ongoing to rescue the others.

"As I speak, we have made heavy deployment already in place. We have also made an additional deployment to ensure that we rescue and reunite the children with their handlers," she said.

OLORUNSOGO escrow agreement FCMB, IBANG B555CBL60910412544458, N10,110,000.00, Omotosho power plant OMOTOSHO escrow agreement Diamond Bank PLC IBAN 021000089, N10,110,000.00.”

The query said examined documents revealed a meagre interest rate on this escrow at 0.5 per cent.

“I have requested to know the interest of the parties to this agreement and the reasons for negotiating such

ridiculously low-interest rate,” said the AuGF. According to the query, there is uncertainty surrounding the status of the account.

The query also noted that documents revealed that the account was to be re-denominated but confirmation of this was not presented during the audit exercise.

“The Managing Director/ CEO was requested to produce the following

documents and evidence: "Detailed schedule of the five accounts showing all interests accrued in the period, a detailed document declaring the status of the alleged re-denominated accounts and reasons for this action. Detailed financial and economic analysis defending all decisions regarding interest rates, all minutes of meetings and deliberations on decisions for fixing the interest rates and parties involved,” AuGF explained.

But NBET, in its written response said: "It was never stated that the fund will be invested in the treasury bill.

However, with the reduction in Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), the rates on sitting balance for the Egbin was renegotiated to two per cent from 0.02 per cent per annum effective July 01, 2015."

It was, however, observed that the renegotiation was done after two years from 0.02 to two per cent per annum.

COLLABORATING ON MARITIME SECURITY...

Interim Sole Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dikio (rtd.) (left), and Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, during a visit by the director-general to the Amnesty office in Abuja...recently

27 Die in Auto Crashes on Kaduna-Abuja Highway, Ondo John Shiklam in Kaduna At least 27 died in auto crashes on the KadunaAbuja Highway and Ondo State at the weekend.

While 15 persons died on Saturday and yesterday on the Kaduna-Abuja road, 12 persons were confirmed dead while a search continues for others in an accident that occurred near the entrance gate of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

On the incidents on the Kaduna-Abuja road, authorities said the crashes were caused by driving in the opposite direction to oncoming traffic.

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, who confirmed the casualty figure, said the information was presented in research feedback to the Kaduna State Government by

the military and security agencies conducting security operations along the route.

According to Aruwan, the figure was presented along with a report of the latest crash, which occurred around the Greenfield University in Chikun Local Government Area.

“The crash involved a trailer conveying grains and motorcycles to Abuja and was caused by a combination of speeding and driving against the direction of traffic.

“These caused the trailer to veer off the pavement and tip over on its side, as seen in the pictures attached.

“Seven persons died in the crash, with five injured, who are now receiving treatment in hospital. Troops and security agencies helped clear the site and ensure the normal flow of traffic.

“Several other fatal accidents have occurred recently along the route, all caused by drivers switching lanes to drive against the normal flow of traffic, usually

leading to head-on collisions with oncoming vehicles.

“On Saturday morning, two lives were lost in such a crash around Olam Farms.

Two days before that, four persons died in another crash close to the NYSC camp. A similar crash occurred last Wednesday, January 20, 2021”.

According to him, Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed dismay at the report, and commiserated with the families of the deceased, while wishing the injured a quick recovery.

The governor also reiterated his call to drivers plying the highway to desist from dangerous practices, especially speeding and driving against the flow of traffic, which remains prohibited by the Kaduna State Government.

The accident that occurred near the entrance gate of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, was said to have

happened when a truck coming from Obajana in Kogi State lost control and rammed into some shops and crushed both students and traders.

Witnesses said 12 dead bodies have been taken to the mortuary while others were still in the rubble and heap of cement.

It was gathered that many of the victims were in the shops transacting business.

According to the witness, “the truck caused the accident due to brake failure.

The driver lost control and the truck rammed into the shops’’ “The incident caused traffic gridlock at the busy road as many of the vehicles were held for hours in the town.

Ondo Police spokesman, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro, confirmed the incident but said eight bodies have been recovered from the scene of the incident.

Ikoro said efforts were on to recover other trapped victims who had been stuck inside some of the shops.

9

MONDAY, ͺͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

PAGE NINE GALLOPING INFLATION, ECONOMIC RECOVERY TOP AGENDA AS MPC MEETS of the same year, according to figures released recently by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

According to the CPI figures for December, on month-on-month basis, the headline index increased by 1.61 per cent.

The food inflation rose to 19.56 per cent in December 2020 compared to 18.30 per cent last November.

Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2020 had shown that the country had entered its second economic recession in five years. The GDP contracted for the second consecutive quarter by 3.62 per cent in the third quarter of 2020, compared to a growth of -6.10 per cent the previous quarter.

Owing to these, the MPC deliberation is expected to focus on how to return the

economy to the path of growth.

“As the monetary authority convenes in the new week for the first MPC meeting in 2021, we expect the committee to further maintain status quo despite pressure on the exchange rate and general price level given the need to further stimulate Nigeria’s fragile economy out of recession.

“However, we note that the direction of interest rates may generally trend northwards at some point further afield in 2021 amid expected increase in borrowings by the fiscal authority to fund its budget deficit,” Cowry Assets added.

On its part, Greenwich Merchant Bank stated: “In our view, the MPC will maintain status-quo with MPR at 11.50 per cent, cautious of the uptrend in inflation rate and threats of

the COVID-19 pandemic, now in its second wave, to the fragile macroeconomic space.”

In their projection, analysts at Cordros Securities Research said: “We believe consensus expectation for a hold decision if confirmed will engender positive market performance as investors cherry-pick stocks with attractive dividend yields amid negative real returns in the fixed income market.”

Also, the Financial Derivatives Company Limited, in its latest economic bulletin obtained at the weekend, stated that the MPC will this year be faced with a dilemma: keep interest rates low to bolster the economic recovery and ease the pressure on government financing costs or shift to a tightened monetary stance to curb inflation and attract capital inflows, staving off

currency pressures and restoring external sector stability.

The Lagos-based firm explained that in 2020, the CBN justified its two 100 basis points rate cuts amid rising inflation with the need to boost the supply side of the real economy to bring inflation back under control.

However, it noted that structural rigidities such as inadequate public infrastructure, hard-currency shortages and rampant instability must be addressed before the supply side could moderate the price level.

“Nonetheless, rather than the benchmark interest rate, it is the unorthodox policies of the CBN (minimum loanto-deposit ratio of 65% and segregation of the OMO and T-bills market) that have driven down lending rates.

“Headline inflation is now

forecast to average 16 per cent in 2021 and the CBN also admits that inflation above 12 per cent is growth retarding. Our expectation is for high inflation to compel the CBN to raise interest rates as soon as Nigeria escapes the current economic crisis and GDP growth turns positive.

“The CBN is also likely to shift its focus back to price stability in 2021 as multiple objectives (price and exchange rate stability, domestic industrialisation, credit growth) are currently undermining monetary policy effectiveness.

“Our base case is for an MPR hike of at least 200bps over the course of the year. The timing and pace of the hike will be a function of money supply growth, galloping inflation and exchange rate pressures,” the firm added.

The FDC stated that the battle to check inflation will likely compel the CBN to ease off on its current forex rationing strategy and allow a crawling peg.

This, it noted, will effectively allow the naira to fluctuate within a band – permitting a gradual and managed depreciation (probably monthly) of the currency rather than a large one-off devaluation, which could induce panic. “The crawling peg could be based on (Nigeria-US) inflation differential – currently at 14.35 per cent. In the medium term, the exchange rate is expected to be reflective of this inflation differential and depreciate by fairly the same magnitude.

“This will be transparent for investors and another step towards the eventual floating of the naira,” it added.

and we are monitoring not only those that may be coming from Ondo and Oyo, but from anywhere,” he said.

The Delta State government has also said it has a robust security network on the ground to ward off the influx of criminal-minded herdsmen into the state.

Chief Press Secretary to Delta State Governor, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, told THISDAY yesterday that security measures are in place to ensure that all is well in the state.

The Bayelsa State government has also said that it is in constant engagement with Miyetti Allah, the coordinating organisation of Fulani herdsmen, in the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ayida Duba, told THISDAY that the agreement the state government has with Miyetti Allah is that the herdsmen should restrict their activities to Bayelsa Palms.

"We have not changed our position. That is that they should be restricted to the Bayelsa Palms area where we originally told them to be. They should not be seen on the streets of Yenagoa or going to people's farmlands," the commissioner said.

The Police Public Relations Officer of Bayelsa State Police Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, said the command is always on guard to respond to security situations, not limited only to those concerning Fulani herdsmen and farmers.

In Katsina, spokesman of the state police command, Mr. Gambo Isah, told THISDAY that there is no influx of foreign herdsmen to the state, adding that adequate security measures have been put in place to checkmate movements and activities of herders within the state.

He said the command has deployed additional armed policemen in the 34 local government areas of the state to monitor the activities of the herdsmen.

"Only genuine herdsmen will be allowed into Katsina State after thorough screening and investigation in line with federal government and ECOWAS tripartite agreement," he said.

In Plateau State, the Police Command said it is prepared to tackle any criminal in the

state, whether masquerading as herdsmen or not.

The state Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Gabriel Ogaba, said: “But I can assure you that we are always on top of our game to ensure that the state is safe; that is our primary duty here. With the security architecture on the ground, I do not think that criminal elements will succeed in the state.”

MORE STATES TRIGGER RED ALERT, PREPARE TO WARD OFF RENEGADE HERDSMEN vacate the forest reserves and some parts of Oyo State, citing their alleged involvement in kidnapping, rape and killings in the states.

But in a bid to de-escalate the tension, THISDAY learnt yesterday that the presidency pleaded with South-west governors to meet with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

The meeting is scheduled to hold today in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

However, former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has called on all stakeholders to team up to defuse the tension over the quit notice given to the herders in some states.

Also, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Ms. Ngozi Onadeko, has appealed to youths in the state to remain calm as the police probe the crisis that happened in Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government Area on Friday.

A youth leader in Oyo State, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, had given the herdsmen in Igangan one-week ultimatum to vacate the area following the accusation that they are behind the worsening insecurity in the area.

Adeyemo alleged that the killings and kidnappings in the area were being perpetrated by some Fulani who are known to the Fulani community leadership, led by the Seriki Fulani, Mr. Salihu Abdulkadir.

At the expiration of the ultimatum on Friday, hundreds of the aggrieved residents of the community had attacked the herders’ settlement in the town, forcing Abdulkadir, who was accused of being in cahoot with some criminal-minded herdsmen operating in the area.

Sources also told THISDAY that during a meeting yesterday with a delegation comprising representatives drawn from the Oyo State government, the police and the federal government, leaders of the community said they had earlier given Abdulkadir, whose assets were the only ones torched last Friday, a quit notice.

They added that Adeyemo only acted as an enforcer since all previous efforts to straighten Abdulkadir, including petitions to the police, were futile as he

allegedly claimed that nothing could happen to him given his connection with some top presidency officials.

Presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, had earlier announced that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, had ordered the arrest of Adeyemo.

There was also apprehension in Ondo State as the ultimatum given to unregistered herdsmen by the state Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), to vacate the state’s forest reserves expired yesterday.

THISDAY, however, gathered that the herders were yet to vacate the forests.

When contacted, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, told THISDAY that South-west governors will at the behest of the presidency meet today with the leadership of MACBAN on the issue.

Following these developments, more states are on the red alert to prevent the influx of criminal elements masquerading as herders into their states.

In Benue State, the state government has raised the alarm that the killer herdsmen were already assembling in the neighbouring Nasarawa State.

Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Mr. Terver Akase, told THISDAY that the Benue State Security Council will meet this week on the influx of armed herders into the state.

"Governor Samuel Ortom alerted the nation a long time ago about the agenda of these people whether they are herdsmen or Boko Haram, the target is the same - to take over the land," he said.

Reacting to the fear that the migration of the herders into Ekiti State could further strain the herdsmenfarmers relationship, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Akin Omole, told THISDAY that the government has well-structured security architecture and laws to checkmate criminals.

"We are ready to protect all Nigerians doing legitimate businesses here in Ekiti while criminals won't be tolerated.

We have laws that prohibit the use of our forests for farming or grazing without authorisation. We also have

smooth working relationships with the police and army while the Amotekun corps and hunters are there at the borders watching everybody," he said.

The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Mr. Tunde Mobayo, told THISDAY that the state was ready to effectively regulate the influx of unlawful people into the state.

He said he had resuscitated and fortified the Special Response Squad (SRS) across the 16 local government areas of the state with wellcoordinated patrols to ensure that security at the borders remains watertight.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sunday Abutu, an assistant superintendent of police (ASP), who spoke on behalf of Mobayo, said there was also another joint task force comprising the police, soldiers, Amotekun corps and hunters, who are working together at the border towns to check undue and dangerous migration of criminals into Ekiti.

Also lending his voice, the Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Brig. Gen. Joe Komolafe (rtd), said his men are on the ground at the border towns and forests to checkmate the influx of criminals into the state.

Komolafe said some suspects who came into the state from Sokoto in a suspicious manner were recently arrested at Eda Oniyo Ekiti while on four motorcycles, describing this as a sign that the Amotekun corps would rise to the occasion.

The spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, Mrs. Yemisi Opadola, expressed the command’s readiness to secure the state from criminals.

"We are ready for them and the command would not allow enemies to disturb the state," she said.

The Taraba State Police Command also expressed its preparedness to prevent and combat kidnappers and other criminals masquerading as herdsmen from operating freely in the state.

The Public Relations Officer, Mr. David Misal, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), stated that the police are always prepared to protect lives and property as well as combat criminality.

In Kwara State, the police command, said all the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) across the 16 local government councils of the state have been directed to be on the alert to check fake herdsmen from infiltrating the state.

He urged traditional rulers and communities to be vigilant and ensure proper monitoring of those coming to their communities.

“The state police command is not relaxing from its responsibilities as far as insecurity is concerned and we have taken pragmatic steps in order to avert any breaking down of law and order," he said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, told THISDAY: "We are not ruling out the possibilities of the movement of illegal herdsmen to Kwara State and we have directed our state police formations to be on the alert so as to forestall any infiltration of any illegal herdsmen to the state.

"Kwara State is a peaceful state and will not allow any illegal herdsmen to cause any violence in the state."

The Akwa Ibom State government has also said it is on the alert to check the activities of renegade herdsmen.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Ini Ememobong, told THISDAY that the state government is observing the development to ensure that the herdsmen given quit notices do not have access to the state.

"Security information cannot be disclosed, but I can assure you that the state government has taken adequate preventive measures and is absolutely in charge and studying the situation," Ememobong stated.

The Kaduna State Police Command also said it is monitoring the security situation in the state to avert the influx of criminals.

The spokesman of the command, Mr. Mohammed Jalige, told THISDAY that the command is not only monitoring the likelihood of criminal elements relocating from Ondo State to Kaduna, but from anywhere.

"We are monitoring to see if there will be any influx of criminal elements. You know we have been on the ground

Oyo Govt Delegation, CP Tour Trouble Spots Meanwhile, a delegation of Oyo State government officials and the new Commissioner of Police in the state, Mrs. Ngozi Onadeko, yesterday toured the trouble spots of Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun areas of the state where they conducted on-the-spot assessment of the tension-soaked communities.

The commissioner of police, who led senior police officers, sued for peace, while also declaring the readiness of the police to embark on a thorough investigation to ensure justice for victims of kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and other crimes.

The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security, Mr. Fatai Owoseni a retired commissioner of police, who led the government's delegation also appealed to community leaders, youths and HausaFulani residents to eschew violence and live in peace.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, added that Owoseni told the people to be vigilant and ensure they identify the criminal elements among them for prosecution by the police, declaring that no one should take the law into their hands.

He also debunked insinuations that Makinde’s government has abandoned the people to their fate, adding that at least 51 suspected perpetrators of kidnapping, rape and banditry are currently in police net from Oke-Ogun axis.

The delegation also visited the razed home of the Seriki Fulani in Igangan, where it assessed the extent of damage and promised thorough Continued on page 41

10

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 •T H I S D AY

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 • T H I S D AY

11

12

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 •T H I S D AY

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 • T H I S D AY

13

14

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

COMMENT

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

‘BUDGET OF REKINDLED HOPE’

Kazeem Adeniji writes that the Lagos State 2021 budget will make up for last year’s losses

A

budget is a document to chart a financial course, usually for a year. For many people and organisations, it is a plan towards ensuring success of their aims and aspirations. Hence, it is why government budgets are a big deal. While the preceding year made mincemeat of many budgets, no thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, Lagos particularly suffered given the wanton destruction it incurred when the #EndSARS protest metamorphosed into #EndSARS riots.

However, in preparing for 2021, the state under the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu as governor is set to come back with a bang. Its 2021 budget, tuned to N1.163tr and titled ‘Budget of Rekindled Hope’, is poised to offset the loss of 2020 and of course, go beyond that. As the most populated state in the country, Lagos is continually on its toes to provide a good life. And the icing on the budget cake is perhaps that N702.93bn was approved as capital expenditure while N460.5bn is for recurrent expenditure.

And harping on the need to stimulate the economy, the state is deploying N381.9bn, more than a third of its budget allocation to the economy. Surely, this is a good move as if a vibrant economy exists, it becomes easier to attend to other areas of growth and development. And some of the sectors under this category include agriculture; commerce; tourism, arts and culture; energy and mineral resources; transportation; infrastructure; and waterfront.

Looking at the budget, it is easy to tell the seriousness of the state to rebuild. In 2021, Lagos will be allocating N311.43bn to infrastructure. From the document, this sum covers direct intervention through the Ministries of Works and Infrastructure, Waterfront, Transportation, Judiciary and Education. Also included is a seed capital of N15bn for The Rebuild Lagos Trust Fund which addresses repairing or replacing public and private goods destroyed in the #EndSARS riots.

And regarding direct human capital development, Lagos will be committing N148.57bn in 2021. This would equip entrepreneurs with financial and technical support through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF). Also, to properly prepare youths for the IT job market, the state is also collaborating with major players in the tech space like Oracle, Microsoft and Google.

And as the world embraces more technology, Lagos cannot afford to be left behind. Gone are the days when life could be optimally enjoyed without an internet connection. In this year’s budget, Lagos is committing a further N37.37bn to technology so as to make Lagos a ‘smarter’ city. Last year during the Covid-19 lockdown, under a PPP initiative, Lagos began laying fibre duct infrastructure to deliver high speed broadband internet access to residents. Already, some residents have started enjoying this fast internet speed. And in a recent briefing, the Lagos State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Sam Egube, said that the state would spend N24bn to build 3,000km of internet fibre network. Earlier in November 2020, while delivering his budget speech at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Sanwo-Olu had said that the 2021 budget would also provide for the installation of 2000 intelligent cameras around critical points of the state to checkmate crime, enhance traffic management and improve data gathering.

Furthermore, Lagos intends to prioritize the security of lives and property as well as local intelligence gathering in communities by increasing significantly the number of Neighbourhood Watch Officers over the next two years. And to steer youths in

THE STATE IS COMMITTING ABOUT 10% OF ITS BUDGET TO HEALTH. AND COMING AT A TIME WHEN LAGOS IS THE EPICENTRE OF THE COVID-19 IN NIGERIA, SUCH INVESTMENT IS KEY

the state in the right direction, the state proposed an allocation of N9.16billion to ‘social protection’ in the 2021 budget. Also, to complement the work of the security officers, the state intends to be aggressive with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) scheme so as to identify residents of the state. It is to ensure everyone feels safe in 2021 that the state is allocating N32.8bn to ‘public order and safety’.

For the environment, this year, Lagos is budgeting N50.9bn to spruce up its surroundings. This will take care of drainages and overall aesthetics of the state. And going off from there, the state wants to take advantage of the 24-hour economy by lighting up at night, a project that the state has earmarked the sum of N32.58bn to in the 2021 budget. Surely, this would be money well-spent.

Through intervention in works, transportation and environment, Lagos seems more focused on the economy. But that is not all. The state is committing about 10% of its budget to health. And coming at a time when Lagos is the epicentre of the Covid-19 in Nigeria, such investment is key. You know, it’s only when people are alive that they worry about living.

It would be recalled that last year, the state launched EKOTELEMED which is the first state-wide telemedicine platform in the country. This year, with N118.4bn allocated to health, Lagos would be better off in meeting the healthcare needs of the about 25 million people that call the coastal city home.

In the area of education, Lagos will commit the sum of N143.7bn in 2021. Though, it is a far cry from the accepted 26% recommended by the United Nations, it is a step in the right direction. Also, recall that the Covid-19 also influenced the use of IT in deploying teaching in both primary and secondary schools. “We have also deployed electronic devices to over 9,000 teachers and 35,000 students,” SanwoOlu said in November 2020. “We intend to continue to expand this program by working with the private sector to reach 20,000 and 1,000,000 devices for teachers and students respectively.”

And importantly, it is satisfying to know that Lagos has allocated N18.3bn towards agriculture in 2021. Last year, the state set up the Imota Rice Mill with an N8bn CBN concessionary loan and upon completion will create over 250,000 direct and indirect jobs. Also, last year, the state established the Lagos State Aquatic Centre of Excellence (LACE) under a PPP framework which will boost fish production from 20% to 80% and provide employment for over 12,000 fish farmers both directly and indirectly when in full operation.

The state also embarked on the Lagos Food Production Centre Avia, Igborosu Badagry which would also create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs. In these times when food sufficiency is more or less power, these forward planning measures should be commended.

And speaking at a budget review session recently, the state Commissioner of Agriculture, Mrs. Abisola Adefisayo, lamented the low contribution of agriculture to the state over the years, citing the sector’s overall contribution to the country’s GDP was about 21%. She however noted that agriculture contributes 70% to jobs in the country as most people live in rural communities.

Away from all the sophistication of modern life, without food, humans find themselves in a precarious state. “We are looking forward to creating an enviable market structure, not just as a means for purchases but also as a means of agrotourism,” said Adefisayo.

A REWARD FOR SERVICE

Bala Usman’s reappointment is in appreciation of her doggedness and hard work, writes Kayode Oluwatoyin

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari’s reappointment of Hadiza Bala Usman as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), endorses the administration’s appreciation of hard work and commitment to fatherland.

If not for any other thing, Bala Usman has in the past four years, shown uncommon passion for the entrenchment of transparency and the prioritisation of national rather than class interests. If only for the hitherto untouchable forces that this lady has confronted and fought to a standstill, her re-appointment is not just worthy but an example of a nation’s appreciation of service.

It is in fact an interesting coincidence that the announcement of the renewal of her tenure came on the same day that a newspaper report indicated that Buhari may have finally decided to cancel the curious Secure Anchorage Area (SAA) operated by the Ocean Marine Solutions Limited (OMSL).

Bala Usman’s NPA, with the support of Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi spent most of the last one year showing why this SAA was illegal, scandalous and against the ease of doing business policy of the government.

In different interviews where she spoke about it, the NPA MD explained that with a charge of $2,000 for the first day and a $1,500 for subsequent days paid by every ship calling in the Nigerian waters to use the SAA, the cost of shipping in the country would escalate. What is worse, according to her is that these monies, which THISDAY report put at “over $70 million in the last 18

months” is neither remitted to government, nor accounted for!

She argued further that the provision of security on the waterways as well as for vessels calling at the ports remain the duty of the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). These agencies of government were increasingly getting the attention of government as it relates to the requirements to get their jobs done effectively and so there was no need to engage a private entity that would impose new charges on stakeholders, who will ultimately pass it onto the end user.

Bala Usman went as far as the National Assembly to defend the decision to scrap the SAA. Reports indicated that she was physically harassed at the end of the session at the senate and most painfully, members of the National Assembly would eventually stay on the side of the SAA to the chagrin of many industry players. Recent event, which the THISDAY reports suggested may have influenced President Buhari’s decision to cancel the contract have however revealed what may have swung the legislators’ opinion in favour of OMSL and its patrons.

Here is what THISDAY says: “The ownership of the company had also become a subject of controversy between two business moguls, Captain Hosa Okunbor and Dr. Tunde Ayeni, last week with the latter alleging a grand design by the former to edge him out of the company.

“While Ayeni had dragged Okunbo to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged mismanagement, stealing and diversion of funds from OMSL, Okunbo

in a press statement obtained by THISDAY said Ayeni was no longer a part of either OMSL or its associated companies as he resigned since in 2018 after selling all his shares.

Whether these and other allegations are true or not, what seems to be obvious is that there is nothing personal about the insistence of the NPA on the cancellation of the SAA as Okunbo tried to insinuate during the last gubernatorial elections in Edo State.

Bala Usman has also been dogged in her position on the activities of Intels, another major player in the industry. Intels provides multiple services first as terminal operators and then as service boat operators to the NPA. The current leadership of the NPA has employed hitherto unseen courage in dealing with this maritime superpower since it assumed office.

First was the de-classification of ports terminals which removed the categorization of some ports as strictly oil and gas. Until the de-classification oil and gas cargo could only berth in specific locations in Nigeria and this already caused a disaffection for which some terminal operators, namely Berger and LADOL already protested and were ready to go to court! By that decision, the NPA ensured a level playing field for all operators in the port industry by removing all bottlenecks that hinder healthy competition in the industry.

There is also the dispute on the alleged failure of Intels to remit monies accruing from service boat operations to the TSA as directed by the federal government. For this, the NPA has been at odds with Intels for the better part of the last four years

and even though the latter has alleged that NPA action was motivated by politics.

Bala Usman always insisted that there was nothing political about obeying the laws of the country and that no entity would be allowed to impose its will on Nigeria.

In several of her interviews that I have read or watched on television, Hajia Bala Usman says one thing that makes me pray that we have more people like her in public office is the commitment to ensuring that all third-party contracts with terms skewed against Nigeria’s interest are corrected.

And even then, she shows that she isn’t interested in a government agency that cheats investors. She states in her interviews that reviewing these agreements must put measurable responsibility and sanctions on both parties, that is government and investors alike. What a way to assure investors of the safety of their ventures.

I have also heard her speak about her determination to leave behind a legacy of efficiency and transparency in the Ports. If she achieves that in addition to the noticeable efforts being made to increase traffic to the eastern ports, improve infrastructure in all port locations, ease traffic access into all the ports and ultimately develop deep seaports in the country, one can be sure that the port operations will not remain the same in Nigeria.

I commend President Buhari for rewarding hard work and excellence in this case as an incentive that will encourage more people to give their all in the service country. r0MVXBUPZJO XSPUF GSPN -BHPT

15

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

EDITORIAL

THE UNENDING MIGRATION WOES The authorities could do more to put the economy in order

L

ate last week, a video on social media showed hundreds of Nigerian immigrants wrapped in black polythene bags lying on the floor in a packed room. The stranded Nigerians, about 600 of them, were kept at a detention facility by the Saudi authorities pending their repatriation. Some of them reportedly have spent more than six months in the subhuman facility.

“Nigerian irregular migrants in Saudi Arabia are due to be evacuated on the 28th and 29th of January, pending any unforeseen issues,” said Chairman, Nigerians in the Diaspora THE AUTHORITIES Commission, Abike MUST EMBARK ON A Dabiri-Erewa. “Their CAMPAIGN TO DISABUSE evacuation was THE MINDS OF THE delayed due to issues TEEMING POPULATION relating to COVID-19.

We appeal to NigeriOF YOUNG PEOPLE. IT ans to resist travelling IS NOT ALWAYS GREEN abroad without proper OUTSIDE documents.”

The stories being told by Nigerians who are increasingly being deported after their failed efforts to cross to Europe or other parts of the world are harrowing.

While many of them have become destitute, some nurse terminal diseases like cancer without any support. For these unfortunate Nigerians whose quest for a better life ended in disappointments, the future seems bleak.

Ironically, the current migration crisis is a cruel twist of the logic of the transatlantic slave trade.

In the old trade, African agents of European slave traders hunted men and women and forcibly sold them off to be transported across the Atlantic to the new world. In the new ‘trade’, Africans are willingly subjecting and submitting themselves as fodder and merchandise for enslavement across the Mediterranean and beyond. Driven mostly by economic desperation, thousands of able bodied young men and women are, almost on a daily basis, embarking on suicide missions in the bid to migrate towards the northern

Letters to the Editor

T H I S DAY EDITOR

DEPUTY EDITOR

˜

˜ MANAGING DIRECTOR

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD

EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL

MANAGING EDITOR

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ˜

˜

˜ ˜

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS

˜ ˜

DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR

SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS

˜ CONTROLLERS

˜

˜

DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION

HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT

̓

TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

hemisphere in search of opportunities that have since disappeared in those very societies. While only a small fraction eventually make it to their destinations where they face disappointments and frustrations, majority of them usually perish on the way.

From the accounts of some of the returnees, many who make it to Europe or the Middle East are usually forced into prostitution, used as mercenaries, deployed as household servants, factory workers, drug couriers and even as organ donors. However, as we have argued in the past, it is important to interrogate the conditions that create the desperation to leave the country for unknown destinations. Today, we live in a country where many are not only poor but cannot find jobs. Even before the advent of Covid-19, factories were closing down and selling their warehouses to religious organisations while several businesses shut down due to lack of electricity. In the circumstance, vibrant young men and women are leaving the country to embark on journeys which for many of them tragically end at sea.

There is also a criminal dimension to the problem with some unscrupulous Nigerians now recruiting from their villages and towns young girls with the promise of securing for them good jobs abroad only to turn them to prostitutes. There are chilling statistics which suggest that human trafficking has become one of the biggest money making businesses after drug trafficking. Today, our country is regarded not only as a transit route for this illegal trade but also a source as well as a destination with children and young adults, especially of the womenfolk, now becoming merchandise for what has become a cross-border crime.

One of the challenges is that of mind-set as there are many young men and women who believe they can only make it abroad and will do anything to travel outside the shores of the country. But that is not correct. So, apart from addressing the socio-economic issues of our country, the authorities must also embark on a campaign to disabuse the minds of the teeming population of young people. It is not always green outside.

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

AKEREDOLU AND CRIMINAL ELEMENTS IGBOHO AND SHADOWS OF INSECURITY

G

overnor Rotimi Akeredolu, recently through his twitter, gave an ultimatum to the Fulani herdsmen’s living in his state to vacate the state’s forest reserves.

The threat to expel came as the result of rampant cases of kidnapping alleged to have been carried out by the members of Fulani. Governor Akeredolu’s threat has been greeted with mixed reactions from Nigerians.

Some Nigerians have expressed displeasure or disappointment with the threat, citing Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution which gives every Nigerian the right of movement from one place to another. Governor Akeredolu who is a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) knows his threat will impinge upon the right of many innocent Fulani who reside in Ondo State.

Akeredolu’s allegations of crime committed

by Fulani is not far from the truth. Northern Nigeria which is the epicenter of clashes between nomadic and sedentary farmers can attest to this simple fact. Banditry in Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna States are believed to be the handiwork of criminal Fulani elements.

However, the Fulani criminals cannot commit all the alleged crimes alone. There must be an element of truth that, most of the crimes are being perpetrated by Fulani in connivance with locals or natives who often provide information about their victims. What about the allegations that some Fulani from neighbouring countries took advantage of our porous borders to attack, kidnap and rob many communities?

Many Fulani are also victims of the criminals among them. Think about the cattle rustlers who continue to make lives difficult for them.

What about the ethnic militias who continue to kill and steal their cattle? Over a decade, Fulani herdsmen have continued to face multi-faceted challenges ranging from climate change, urbanization to organized crime. The federal government proposed “RUGA” policies which would have forced the Fulani to abandon old method of rearing and embrace modern one has been politicized. Benue State has said it would not provide land for any ranches. Many other states are following suit.

While Ondo State government has made Uturn and agreed that only the registered Fulani herdsmen would be allowed to reside in the state, in Oyo State, it is different story. An ethnic warrior, Sunday Igbono, dared governor Seyi Makinde and instigated youths to attack Fulani communities. The unfortunate attacks, as usual, attracted condemnation and re-ignited war of words between the leadership of Afenifere and Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). I think, the war of attrition between these socio-cultural organizations will not go beyond Fulani “must go” and Fulani “must stay”. Honestly speaking, every geo-political zone has a sad story to tell about how it suffered in the hands of some criminally-minded Fulani. Let us identify the criminals, apprehend and expel them. Let them face the laws of the land for the atrocities committed. We cannot continue to stigmatise all the Fulani because of the sins of the few. r*CSBIJN .VTUBQIB 1BNCFHVB ,BEVOB 4UBUF

T

he action of Sunday Igboho, a nonstate actor, over the ‘quit notice’ he issued herdsmen in Igangan, Ibarapa East local government over alleged kidnapping and banditry is an indication of the citizenry’s loss of confidence in the country’s security and indeed a wake -up call for government at all levels to sit up.

These are not cheery times for farmers as a result of the incessant conflicts with cattle herders. The issues may appear complex but the factors are salient. The rapacious activities of herdsmen in the South-West have left tales of woes as many persons, including aged farmers are hacked to death on their farms while their wives and female children are not only raped but also butchered and some others kidnapped for ransom.

The level of insecurity today is quite unprecedented in the history of Nigeria.

Many states have continued to witness enormous insecurity lately from bandits, herdsmen, gunmen, Boko Haram, others.

While we experience insecurity especially kidnappings and threats from gunmen on a daily basis, the unanswered question begging for answer is: are our law enforcement agencies really serious with safeguarding the lives of Nigerians?

The primary responsibility of any government is to ensure the security and welfare of its citizens. With the unending terror from herders and herdsmen conflict, the serenity of southwest seems to be under threat.

If bandits/gunmen could dare to abduct security operatives too and operate freely, then it is crystal clear that the popular slang “Oyo lo wa, you’re on your own”, describes the situation.

At this critical phase, as citizens, do we now need to bear arms to ensure the safety of our lives, families and community? Undisputedly, the current insecurity plague and other social horrors afflicting Nigerians predate the current administration, but however it appears the leadership is not living up to expectation to tackle the issues decisively.

The President, who is the Commanderin-Chief, must take charge. We’ve an administration that is quick to respond to critics and critical remarks, instead of arresting the situation of insecurity that is ravaging the country. Travelling along many routes in Nigeria especially traversing through the South, West, East and North has become a nightmare due to the presence of bandits, gunmen and kidnappers along many highways.

Rather than crush Sunday Igboho and other likeminds, and seek to make them silent or tagging them as enemies of the state, government who cares about security will meet those people at the level of ideas. The current security crisis is jeopardising Nigeria’s future especially its unity. The government must be more responsive, and willing to collaborate with Nigerians to tackle the menace. r"MBP "CJPEVO "MBPKPTIVB !HNBJM DPN

16

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 •T H I S D AY

17

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

POLITICS

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

M O N D AY D I S C O U R S E Tasks Ahead, As Federal Lawmakers Return to Work Deji Elumore and Udora Orizu write that resolution on crucial legislative items await Nigerian senators and members of the House of Representatives as they resume plenary on February 9 after the Christmas and New Year holidays

Buhari

Lawan

Omo-Agege

Gbajabiamila

M

process.

The House had on December 21, 2020, after many weeks of budget defence sessions with various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), passed the 2021 Appropriation Bill, increasing the budget from N13.08 trillion presented to them by President Muhammadu Buhari to N13.588 trillion. This makes it the second budget to pass the January to December cycle since the Buhari administration reverted to the old practice.

Also as the 2021 Appropriation Act is taking effect, the various committees of the Green Chamber are expected to carry out their mandatory oversight on government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) with a view to ensuring the full implementation of the budget, unlike previous fiscal years when budget performance was usually low.

Soon after the inauguration the exercise was yet again stalled, as it was learnt that money was not released to money to the two committees of both the Senate and the House of Representatives out of the N1 billion approved for the exercise in the revised 2020 budget.

Sources close to the committee told THISDAY that the N1 billion allocated for the constitution review programme for the two chambers was yet to be released by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

However, in an interview with THISDAY later on, the Spokesman of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, said that due to paucity of funds stalling the activities of the Joint Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, certain adjustments will be made to the expenses of the National Assembly to make sure that the objective is met.

The House Spokesman who confirmed that the committee met recently and were working on the programme of action, however, said that a thorough review will not be sacrificed on the altar of speed, as the members of the committee will ensure an effective job to harness the desire of Nigerians.

According to him, ‘’The committee is under a serious minded, well experienced chairman, that’s the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase.

If you know him very well, you know that he operates with the speed of light when he’s handling responsibilities. So I can assure you that he’s the right person for this all important committee. He has the leadership skills to be able to advance the constitution review expectations of Nigerians. So June or July 2021, whatever it is, it’s going to be fast, as

fast as possible.’’

Also this year, the review of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) will be a major focus of the Senate. Although nothing much has been achieved by the 59-man Senate committee on the review of the constitution headed by Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege since it was constituted last year, the committee is expected to move fast in the new year if the June, 2021 target set by the committee to amend the constitution will be realisable.

The Senate had last August called for memoranda from the general public for the review of the 1999 constitution. In a statement, the upper chamber called on “the general public, Executive and Judicial bodies, Civil Society Organizations, professional bodies and other interest groups to submit memoranda or proposals for further alteration(s) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) towards promoting good governance and welfare of all persons in our country on the principles of freedom”.

The statement further clarified that the memoranda being expected should focus on any of the following 13 thematic areas: gender equality for women and girls; federal structure and power devolution; local government and its autonomy; public revenue, fiscal federation and revenue allocation; Nigerian Police and Nigerian security architecture as well as comprehensive judicial reforms.

Others are: electoral reforms; socio-economic and cultural rights as contained in Chapter 2 of the Constitution; strengthening the Independence of oversight institutions and agencies created by the constitution or pursuant to an act of the National Assembly; residency and indigene provisions; immunity; National Assembly and state creation.

embers of the House of Representatives in the 9th National Assembly who have been on Christmas holiday will resume Tuesday, February 9 to commence the 2021 legislative calendar.

The lawmakers who were initially billed to resume plenary on Tuesday, January 26th postponed their resumption by two weeks to enable members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) party participate in the registration and revalidation of its membership, scheduled to commence 25th January, 2021.

The House had a very rocky 2020, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic which is still ravaging countries world over. In the view of current realities occasioned by the pandemic, the lawmakers in June last year resolved to update its agenda to guide its operations in the next three years, (2020-2023). In the agenda, termed ‘Our Contract with Nigerians’, the legislators agreed to prioritise passage of key legislations.

As another legislative year is about to commence, expectations are high that the lawmakers will continue their legislative duties and attend to several unfinished business.

Growing Insecurity There has been several security challenges such as banditry, kidnappings among others in the last few weeks. So, upon resumption, the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, is definitely aware of what had happened prior and in the course of the Christmas break.

Security issues have been the crux of discussion on the floor of the House, as several security-related motions were passed by the lawmakers with nothing much coming out of it. However,, the worsening security situation of the country is expected to be the main agenda of the House in kick starting the 2021 legislative year. Several security-related motions and Bills are expected to pop up as the federal legislators esume work.

The rise in security challenges facing the nation may also receive the attention of the Red Chamber which had in the past impressed it upon President Muhammadu Buhari the need to overhaul the nation’s security apparatus. The Senate may revisit the issue upon resumption of plenary as kidnapping and banditry are still very rampant in some parts of the country.

Maintaining the January to December Budget Cycle The lawmakers are also expected to maintain the budget cycle of January-December.

Recall that the 9th National Assembly upon inauguration promised Nigerians it would normalize the budget cycle which had suffered disruptions due to delays in the budgetary

Constitution Review Review of the constitution is also expected to be a top priority of the legislators as they resume work. Nigerians are hopeful that the 9th leadership will break the jinx this time of finally reviewing the constitution.

After months of delay, the House, finally hit the ground running with the inauguration of its special ad hoc committee on constitution review on October 15, 2020.

Speaking at the inauguration, Chairman of the Committee and the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Ahmed Wase, said the House would consider the creation of states, state police, true federalism, local government and judicial autonomy in the review of the 1999 constitution.

The rise in security challenges facing the nation may also receive the attention of the Red Chamber which had in the past impressed it upon President Muhammadu Buhari the need to overhaul the nation’s security apparatus. The Senate may revisit the issue upon resumption of plenary as kidnapping and banditry are still very rampant in some parts of the country. The lawmakers are also expected to maintain the budget cycle of January-December. Recall that the 9th National Assembly upon inauguration promised Nigerians it would normalize the budget cycle which had suffered disruptions due to delays in the budgetary process

Pending Key Bills There are several important Bills pending before the House. But four are very important and will require quick legislative intervention which the ninth leadership had promised.

The Bills are the Petroleum Industry Bill, Electoral Reforms Amendment Bill, Police Service Commission Bill and Diaspora Voting Bill. Some of the legislations have the tendency of propelling the country into greatness if passed and implemented.

The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, last year in Abuja, told journalists that the House will prioritise the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, as well as proffer legislative solutions to the security challenges bedeviling the country, amongst others.

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021

18

MONDAY DISCOURSE

Wase

Dukku

Kalu

Doguwa

Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) The Petroleum Industry Bill was first introduced in the National Assembly in 2007 but is yet to be passed in its entirety.

However, it seems the much-sought sanity in the petroleum industry may soon be found, as the lawmakers at the resumption of plenary on November 24, 2020 without varying views from members passed for second reading the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

The Leader of the House, Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa who moved for the second reading of the Bill, leading the debate said that the PIB has been a very important piece of legislation that has been in the works since the 5th Assembly but he expressed optimism that the 9th Assembly will be able to achieve history that has eluded the Nigerian people.

Ado-Doguwa stated that the passage of the Bill will ensure an unprecedented institutional reform to enable international best practices in the Nigerian oil sector and bring it at par with others globally. He said that the new PIB makes room for both the oil downstream and upstream sectors to be ideally regulated via well-structured commissions. He also identified the new innovations in the bill aimed at ensuring that Nigeria derives the maximum benefits and profits of the sector.

Wasting no time, the next day, the Ad hoc Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill, held an inaugural meeting, during which the lawmakers called on Nigerians to make inputs on by submitting memoranda, assuring them that the bill will be passed by the end of the first quarter of 2021.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Mohammed Monguno, said the committee has taken liberty to create a website which will serve as one of the platforms where stakeholders and interested members of the general public can download the text of the Bill and also upload comments, inputs and memoranda to same.

At the commencement of the Ninth Senate on June 11, 2019, the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, had stated that the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will be given priority. In a bid to actualise this, the bill passed second reading last October and it was referred to three committees namely Petroleum Downstream, Petroleum Upstream and Gas and given eight weeks to make required legislative input into the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

The bill cited as ‘’A Bill for an Act to provide legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, the development of host communities and for related matters, 2020 (SB. 510)” went through second reading at Senate plenary after exhaustive debates by Senators across party divides.

Leading the debate on the bill, Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, named the objectives of the bill to include: “ (a) To create efficient and effective governing institutions, with clear and separate roles and to establish a framework for the creation of a commercially oriented and profit-driven national petroleum company; (b) To promote the exploration and exploitation of petroleum resources in Nigeria for the benefit of the Nigerian people and the efficient, effective and sustainable development of the petroleum industry; (c) To promote the safe and efficient operation of the transportation and distribution infrastructure for the petroleum industry and the framework for developing third party ac-

cess arrangements to petroleum infrastructure; (d) To promote the competitive and liberalized downstream petroleum industry that promotes the processing of petroleum within Nigeria and the development of fuel and chemical industry; (e) To create a conducive business environment for operations in the petroleum industry that enhances peaceful and harmonious coexistence between licensees or lessees and host communities by conferring direct social and economic benefits from petroleum operations on host communities; (f) To ensure that petroleum operations are conducted in a manner that protects the health and safety of persons, property and the environment; and (g) To establish a fiscal framework that is forward-looking, progressive and based on a simplified tax administration that encourages investment in the Nigerian petroleum industry, balancing rewards with risk and enhancing revenues to the Federal Government of Nigeria while ensuring a fair return to investors”.

According to him, “the bill is designed and drafted-on the basis of three sets of principles which include establishment of good governance, competitiveness, global best practices and ease of doing business in the Nigeria oil and gas industry.

“Ensurance of early revenues for Government, simplicity of administration, equity and fairness, competitiveness and transparency.

Pedictability, responsiveness, best practice, sustainability and role clarity in the regulation and management of the industry”.

Abdullahi explained that the Bill proposes to transmute the current commercial entity, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into an incorporated commercial company, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited.

He said: “It also will transform the current Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Petroleum Equalization Fund Management Board (PEF(M)B) and the Petroleum Products Price Regulatory Agency into two new institutions, that is, the Commission and Authority.

“These new entities shall be self-funding

and will not rely on appropriation. Therefore, no funding will be appropriated by the National Assembly for these entities under the Petroleum Industry Bill 2020”.

He further stated that the bill is divided into five chapters each of which is further divided into different parts cutting across governance, institutions and administration of upstream, midstream and downstream services .

Chapter 3 of the bill, the Senate Leader added, deals with host communities development while Chapter 4 provides for Petroleum Industry Fiscal Framework just as the last chapter ( 5) Covers Miscellaneous Provisions.

The focus of the Senate this year will be to ensure that the bill is passed after it might have gone through public hearing which will afford stakeholders in the oil and gas sectors to air their views on the controversial bill. From the look of things the PIB may be passed this year by the Red Chamber

amended 2015) and enact the Independent National Electoral Commission Act 2020, to regulate Conduct of Federal, State and area Council Elections and for related matters, 2020,’’ seeks to reduce excessive campaigns’ expenses, ensure the strict use of card readers, ban the substitution of candidates by political parties, and end late releases of polling funds to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).

Dukku, leading the debate said the amendment has become necessary because of the flaws observed in the electoral system.

She explained that Act when amended, the maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate at the presidential election shall not exceed N5 billion; governorship, N1 billon; senatorial, N100million; House of Representatives, N70 million; state assembly, N30 million, chairmanship for area councils in the case of the FCT, N30 million and councilors, N5 million.

She said there are several clauses, which need amendment, including the title bill, adding that the bill has the input of INEC, Senate and the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The Senate will also this year work on Electoral Act Amendment bill. Chairman of the Senate committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Kabiru Gaya, had late last year given an assurance that a new Electoral Bill will be ready in the first quarter of this year.

Gaya had assured that the National Assembly would present a new Electoral Act to Nigerians before the end of March 2021.

According to him, there was already a synergy between both chambers and that the amended legislation would be worked on by a joint committee of INEC of both chambers.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier approached the National Assembly with a plea for the amendment of the 2010 Electoral Act to accomodate voting by Nigerians resident overseas.

INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, who stated this while defending the Commission’s 2021 budget estimate before the Senate committee on INEC explained that the electoral body was contemplating Diaspora Voting with the necessary ready for presentation to the National Assembly for approval.

According to him, “the Commission is desirous of giving Nigerians living abroad the right to vote. After all, all our neighbouring countries do so. But it requires the amendment to the constitution and the Electoral Act for that to happen.

“We have already worked out the document.

Once the law is amended today, we can roll out.

We are ready. We have had several meetings with the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) but we can’t go beyond what the law provides,” he stated.

The Senate may need to look into the request of INEC and see if it can be accommodated in the proposed Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

Electoral Act Amendment Bill Last year, the House as promised reintroduced the Electoral Act Amendment Bill that President Muhammadu Buhari declined assent to during the Eighth Assembly.

In the Eighth Assembly, 12 Bills seeking to amend the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 and the Electoral (amendment) Act 2015 sponsored by members were passed. The National Assembly passed the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill 2018 and forwarded same to the President for his assent pursuant to section 58 (4) of the 1999 Constitution amended, but the President, however, declined assent due to some lacuna or drafting issues in some of the clauses of the Bill and advised that those observations be addressed.

At the plenary on November 24, 2020, the House passed for second reading the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2020.

The Chairman, House Committee on Electoral Matters, and the Bill’s sponsor, Hon. Aisha Dukku stressed the need to reintroduce the Bill in order to ensure important amendments that would improve the country’s electoral process.

The legislation entitled, “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Electoral Act N0. 6, 2010 (As

Ahead of 2023 general elections, it seems the quest by Nigerians in Diaspora to take part in electoral process will become a reality as the House of Representatives on December 16, 2020 passed for second reading a Bill seeking to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to enable them participate in elections.

The legislation, which seeks to amend Section 77 Subsection (2) of the Principal Act, is sponsored by the Chairperson House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe and 15 other lawmakers. According to the Bills draft, every citizen of Nigeria, who has attained the age of eighteen years residing within or outside Nigeria at the time of registration of voters for purposes of election to a Legislative house, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter for that election

Police Reform Bill In the past year, Nigerians witnessed so many security challenges, from Boko Haram insurgency, killing of unarmed citizens by trigger happy security agents, to torture and senseless execution of innocent citizens by operatives of the now defunct Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police Force.

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

19

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021

POLITICS

Maduka Seeks the Umuchukwu Touch for Anambra David-Chyddy Eleke writes that Dr. Godwin Maduka, a governorship aspirant in Anambra State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party may have been encouraged by the applause for the profound transformation he has brought to his community, Umuchukwu, which he plans to replicate in the state

T

here is a popular saying that a tree cannot make a forest.

This can be given many interpretation, but in Umuchukwu, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, one man has defied that saying by singlehandedly building diverse infrastructures in the community, including giving it a new name, making people to refer to him as the tree that makes a forest in the community.

Today, the once sleepy and agrarian community which was formally known as Nkerehi, a border community between Anambra and Abia State has become a sprawling city, hosting the best road networks, hospitals, electricity, schools and modern church buildings among others. The community also habours the tallest building in the South-eastern part of Nigeria, a 17-floor skyscraper, which houses a medical laboratory and research institute, all courtesy of Dr Godwin Maduka.

Maduka, a Medical Practitioner, based in the United States of America (USA) is the MD/CEO of Las Vegas Pain Institute and Medical Centre, USA is also a governorship aspirant in Anambra State. He is running to pick the ticket the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he hopes to run for the governorship seat with, in November this year. In a recent interview with THISDAY in his community, during a youth fiesta which he sponsored, Maduka when asked what he intends to do differently in Anambra simply said, “I am not telling you about things I can do or will do, I am telling you about things I have already done in my community, even though with my personal resources.”

Checks however revealed some of Maduka’s works and philanthropic gestures in his community and beyond. Over the last 20 years, Maduka is said to have built over 100 houses for indigent people and widows within his community and beyond. Sources within his community revealed that he has phased out thatched building in his community, Umuchukwu and replaced every thatched house in the area with three or four bedroom bungalows. Such buildings they said bear green roofing aluminum zincs for easy identification Maduka also built magnificent duplexes for Anglican and Catholic Priests in the community. He built two Cathedrals, one each for the Anglican and Catholic churches, a four-storey Trinitas Hospital and Maternity for indigenes of the community, Immaculate Conception International College 1 and 2 , with buses donated to them, a Standard Divisional Police Headquarters for security, personally inaugurated by the former Police Inspector General of police, Mr. Mike Okiro.

He also built a magnificent Magistrate Court, a state of the art High Court, a standard market called (Afor Market) containing over 500 roofed open stalls, and over 100 lock up stores, all given out free of charge to traders. He also built a world class barracks for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, two Monasteries for churches, a Civic Centre for the Community and another Community Hall for his own Village.

In Umuchukwu community, Maduka solely championed a change of the community’s name from Nkerehi to Umuchukwu, a name which means ‘God’s children’. He has also upgraded the community with other infrastructure, including a modern post office, transformers to boost electricity in the community, mighty edifices for Primary and Secondary Schools. He built five magnificent duplexes for five of his aides, a gigantic Palace for the traditional ruler

Maduka

and donated a brand new SUV to him.

He also constructed three bridges linking his community with nearby villages.

He built five star hotels known as Lion of Africa Resort, constructed over 100 kilometres of roads network within Umuchukwu and other communities, donated Innoson vehicle security trucks to Police and other security agencies.

The 17 floor skyscraper world class international Hospital/Health Research Institute he built in the community is said to be the tallest private hospital in Africa.

He donated 100 motorcycles to the unemployed and underprivileged members of his community, scholarships to students to study at universities both in Nigeria and overseas, training of medical doctors and other academics from the community, contribution to the building of a church in Oko, donation of millions to the religious, including the library building of Pope John Paul 11 in Major Seminary Okpuno, Awka and

many others are the contributions of the medical doctor turned politician in the community. Today, Maduka is seen as the face of Umuchukwu community.

Speaking with THISDAY recently, Maduka said he was motivated to do the things he does because as a growing up boy in the community, he suffered as a result of lack of infrastructure.

According to him, “I embarked on all these to save my people from the ugly experience I had while growing up. I come from a poor family. In the house where my family lived, when it rained, it rained more inside our house than it did outside. Wealth would be meaningless if it could not be used to better the lives of the people around the custodian.”

His experience those days opened his mind to what other poor people are still experiencing, and his resolve to give a helping hand to the less privileged.

Speaking also about his educational background, Maduka said he considers himself the most educated of all those

Maduka said he considers himself the most educated of all those who are running to become governor of Anambra State. “I am also the most detribalized, cosmopolitan and urbane. Among the aspirants, I am a triple Professor, number eight out of top 10 Nigerian-American doctors.

A full profile of Dr. Maduka’s educational background shows that, he completed a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia in 1988 with a scholarship after completing his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry with first class, from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi in 1984. After graduation, he worked as a pharmacy technician, before getting a full scholarship to study Medicine at University of Tennessee, where he completed an internship and graduated in 1993

who are running to become governor of Anambra State. “I am also the most detribalized, cosmopolitan and urbane.

Among the aspirants, I am a triple Professor, number eight out of top 10 Nigerian-American doctors.

A full profile of Dr. Maduka’s educational background shows that, he completed a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia in 1988 with a scholarship after completing his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry with first class, from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi in 1984. After graduation, he worked as a pharmacy technician, before getting a full scholarship to study Medicine at University of Tennessee, where he completed an internship and graduated in 1993.

He attended Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for his post graduate training and residency in anesthesiology, critical care and pain management, graduating in 1997.

Prior to his Harvard residency, Dr. Maduka completed his internal Medicine internship at the University of Tennessee School of Medicine. Dr. Maduka widely recognized as a premier Physician in the Pain Management field also has a Diplomate of Royal College of Surgeons, Diplomate in minimally invasive spine surgery and medicine. He is a Professor of Pain Management, Touro University, Henderson, Nevada, adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, Touro University, Henderson, Nevada, adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery, Touro University, Henderson, Nevada etc.

Maduka who is reputed to be very rich told journalists that as a governor, he will mobilize funds from overseas to ensure that Anambra is fixed, and would not mind if he has to put his personal resources to ensure that Anambra was redeemed from decay.

He said, “I have great plans for Anambra State and Anambra people. I just addressed a group of market women association who came to pay me solidarity visit. I told them we will stop flooding this place with things we can produce, once I become governor. People may say that government has limited resources, but let me ask you, have you ever looked into the books of government? The one they call security votes, has anyone ever accounted for them?

“The advantage is that I am one person who knows where to find funds to build infrastructure. It is not about government funds. I know where to source funds, and I also have my personal money. I am going to use my money to run government. As a private citizen, I have been doing it, and we will do more. In this community and beyond, I have built government institutions. I have built schools, churches of all denominations.

I built the 17 floor building for medical research, and young people are all employed here. These are things that government should build. I built courts here for the government, I built judges quarters, I single handedly built police stations here, and currently I am building and donating to the federal government a police college. They are all my personal money,” he said.

Though he is still seeking the ticket of the PDP for the November 2021 governorship election, he acknowledges that so many other aspirants were in the race for the ticket. He urged Anambra people to vote only those who have the interest of the state at heart and have gathered enough experience to change the state.

Among top contenders contesting the ticket of the PDP with Maduka are; Hon Chris Azubogu, Dr Obiora Okonkwo and Mr Emeka Etiaba, among others.

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

20

FEATURES

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

How Non-ratification of Child Rights Act Fuels Child Marriage Since the passage of Child Rights Act in 2003, only 25 states have domesticated the law, while 10 states in the North are yet to. Adedayo Akinwale writes that this has inevitably fueled the menace of child marriage

W

hen the Child Rights Act (CRA) was passed into law in 2003, it appeared to be a total victory for the Child Rights campaigners that the teething problems facing the girl child, which include child marriage (marriage below 18 years of age) and inhibiting factors that worsen a girl's chance of entering and completing school, would be tackled head on.

While the issue of child marriage has globally been identified as one of the major detriments to development and a major impediment to the realisation of human rights, 18 years after CRA was passed into law, Nigeria still has an unenviable place in the comity of nations as one of the countries with the highest rate of child marriage in the world.

Beijing Declaration In 1995, before the girls of today were even born, the fourth World Conference on Women made history for the women’s rights agenda with the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted, the most visionary blueprint for the empowerment of women and girls.

This was made possible by 30,000 women and men from nearly 200 countries, who arrived in Beijing, China for the Fourth World Conference on Women, determined to recognise the rights of women and girls as human rights. The conference culminated in the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: the most comprehensive policy agenda for the empowerment of women.

According to the UN, it was to celebrate all of the achievements by, with and for girls since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the passage of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, that the theme was borne.

In the years following, women pressed this agenda forward, leading global movements on issues ranging from sexual and reproductive health rights to equal pay. More girls today are attending and completing school, fewer are getting married or becoming mothers while still children, and more are gaining the skills they need to excel in the future world of work.

Today, these movements have expanded. They are being organised by and for adolescent girls, and tackling issues like child marriage, education inequality, gender-based violence, climate change, self-esteem, and girls’ rights to enter places of worship or public spaces during menstruation. Girls are proving that if given a voice, they can change the world.

However, they noted that despite these achievements, that was not to say that many of the commitments made to girls were fulfilled as each year, 12 million girlsunder 18 are married; 130 million girlsworldwide are still out of school; And approximately 15 million adolescent girlsaged 15-19 have experience forced sex.

UN Declaration of Child Rights Also tilted at protection the rights of the child, of which girls are included, The Declaration of the Rights of the Child, sometimes known as the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child was borne.

The Declaration of the Rights of the Child, is an international document

Child not Bride campaign

promoting child rights, drafted by Eglantyne Jebband adopted by the League of Nations in 1924, and adopted in an extended form by the United Nations in 1959.

Thus, the UN adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1959 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1989 which harped on the fact that the child must be given the means requisite for its normal development, both materially and spiritually.

Despite these existing documents to protect the rights of the child, including the female child, so many challenges have hampered its 100 per cent fulfillment.

Girl-child Marriages One of such challenges faced by the girl-child in Nigeria is early marriage.

Nigeria has one of the highest child marriage prevalence rates in the world. In Nigeria, 39 per cent of girls are married off before age 18 and 16 per cent are married before they turn 15 years old.

However, according to the NDHS 2013, the number of Nigerian girls that are married before their 18th birthday is as high as 58.2 per cent. The prevalence of child marriage varies widely across the country, but figures are as high as 76 per cent in the North-west region, compared with 10 per cent in the South-east.

Ending child marriage requires strategies for girls’ empowerment, social and cultural norms change, legal reform, and policy action. The Child Rights Act of 2003 set the national legal minimum age of marriage at 18 years but it is yet to be ef- fectively implemented. There are 12 Northern states that have yet to pass the bill and agree on the minimum age of marriage. To be effective, state assemblies must take the necessary

meas- ures to implement the Child Rights Act, including concrete steps to execute the minimum age of mar-riage. Along with the Child Rights Act, Ni- geria at national and sub-national levels needs to fast track the im-plementation of the Universal Basic Education act with special emphasis on girl education.

Also, according to UNICEF, Nigeria has the largest number of child brides in Africa with more than 23 million girls and women who were married as children, most of them from poor and rural communities. While data suggests a decline of nine per cent in the prevalence of child marriage since 2003, and a projected further decrease of six per cent by 2030, Nigeria’s rapid population growth means that the number of child brides will in fact increase by more than one million by 2030 and double by 2050.

Meanwhile, a United Nations report released in 2018 revealed that there are 22 million girls and women who married in their childhood in Nigeria.

According to Save the Children International (SCI), an international non governmental organisation promoting rights of children, 32 per cent of women marry before their 18th birthday in the North-east.

Relatedly, adolescent girls continue to die from complications arising from early child bearing and they continue to drop out of the school system before completing their education, therefore reducing their chances of escaping generational poverty.

Also, in the North-east, the 2018 National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) report quoted by SCI revealed that 24.5 per cent of adolescents between the ages of 15 to 19 years get pregnant, and out of that figure, 23.0 per cent are in Gombe State as compared to other

sister states in the zone. The breakdown for other states are as follows; Bauchi 40 per cent, Taraba 24 per cent, Adamawa 23.9 per cent, Borno 13.5 per cent and Yobe 22.2 per cent.

Also, the NDHS showed that early child marriage amounts to 29.0 per cent of girls at 15 years and 27.1 per cent of girls above 15 years, therefore reducing their chances of escaping poverty. However, these statistics are likely to increase with the current security situation in the region.

Undoubtedly, one of the major reasons for the prevalence of child marriage is the refusal of 10 states from the North to domesticate Child Rights Act, while 25 states have already domesticated it.

Nevertheless, in states where CRA had been domesticated, abuse of children rights and most especially, the issue of rape cases, child marriage had been on the increase due to lack of political will to implement the Act. In the Federal Capital Territory, a total of 105 sexual and gender-based violence were recorded between March 23 and May 29, 2020 according to the police report, despite the fact that the Act came into being in the nation's capital since 2003.

Advocacy At the moment, 10 states are yet to ratify the Child Rights Act. The states are: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Yobe, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

It was based on this and in an effort to further increase advocacy that Save the Children International trained journalists to bring the issue on the front burner. The training with the theme, "Towards Ending Child Marriage in Kastina and Gombe", was aimed at increasing advocacy and putting more

21

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

FEATURES

Participants at Save the Children International (SCI) advocacy training for journalists on tackling the menace of child brides

pressure on the remaining states to domesticate the CRA. The Country Director of Save the Children International, Ms. Mercy Gichuhi, said the ratification of the Act would provide a legal framework for the protection of the rights of children.

Gichuhi who was represented by the Advocacy, Campaigns and Policy Manager, Ms. Hope Oduma, noted that it was difficult to defend the rights of children without enabling laws that will give legal backing to anything to be done for the children in terms of rights protection.

She also said while Gombe, Bauchi and some other states in the North are notorious for child marriage, Ebonyi State is the hotbed of child marriage in the South-east.

Gichuchi pointed out that the issue of child marriage in Ebonyi was not being reported by the media because people in the area refuse to come out and discuss the menace as a result of pride. She therefore called for a holistic approach to put an end to the issue of child marriage in the country.

Educational Gender Disparity In terms of equality in academic pursuit, the girl-child often comes in lacking. Although education is a basic human right and has been recognised as such since the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, there is still an existing gender disparity that faces the girl-child. In most communities, the male child is often bestowed on the privilege to education as against the girl-child.

Some factors might be responsible for this- cultural and socio-economic reasons- that prevent the girl-child from having adequate access to education.

Culturally, the girl-child is made to stay at home and learn to tend to her family instead of attending school.

Another reason is that the Nigerian tradition attaches higher value to a man than a woman, whose place is believed to be the kitchen.

The socio-economic factors that have prevented the girl-child from education on the other hand boils down to poverty, early marriage, child labour, as well as some structural and institutional factors.

Despite the fact that education is a human right which helps children including girls to develop their critical thinking and acquire life skills that enable them to live with dignity as engaged citizens, 54 per cent of Nigeria’s over 13.2 million children, aged five-14 years that do not go to school are girls.

While this is the highest of any country in the world, it also means that the poor and marginalised girls are disproportionately affected. Child marriage remains one of the major impediments to sustainable development and realisation of human rights. In the North-east, 24.5 per cent of girls marry at age 15, while 27.1 per cent of girls at above 15 years.

The Situation in Gombe State According to SCI, Gombe state is one of the eight states in the North that have the country's worst girl education, highest female illiteracy, highest adolescent girl marriage, highest under 15 child bearing and highest risk of maternal death and injury.

The NDHS 2018 report further revealed that only 43.7 per cent of children in Gombe State reportedly completed primary education. Also, out of the 58.1 per cent of children who are out of primary school in the state, 52.8 per cent are girls. Girls also constitute 56.1 per cent of 53.1 per cent of children out of secondary school, a situation reinforced by Child Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM).

Highlights of Child Rights Act On child marriage, the Act says, no person under the age of 18 years is capable of contracting a valid marriage, and accordingly a marriage so contracted is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

On child betrothal, the Act says, no parent, guardian or any other person shall betroth a child to any person.

The Act also says a person who marries a child; or to whom a child is betrothed; or who promotes the marriage of a child; or who betroths a child, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000; or imprisonment for a term of five years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

On education, the Act says every child has the right to free, compulsory and universal basic education and it shall be the duty of the government in Nigeria to provide such education.

The Act further says that every parent or guardian shall ensure that his child or ward attends and completes his primary school education; and junior secondary education.

The Act says a female child who becomes pregnant, before completing her education shall be given the opportunity, after delivery, to continue with her education, on the basis of her individual ability.

The Act further says where a parent, guardian or person who has care and custody of a child, fails in the duty imposed on him under subsection (2) of this section, commits an offence and is liable on first conviction to be reprimanded and ordered to undertake community service; or on second conviction, to a fine of N200,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Impediments/ Issues of Child Marriage in Northern Nigeria Many of the interventions designed to directly or indirectly end the practice of child marriage have tended to fall into a number of thematic categories.

Unfortunately, many of the interventions were designed independently of each other and operationalised within the parameters of different sector programmes or as stand-alone initiatives.

The weak coordinated approach and overall guiding strategy has diluted the potential impact of many interventions or led to competing and at times contradictory approaches.

Also, the existing legal framework in Nigeria is not absolute in terms of defining the minimum age for marriage. The legal system is multiple in nature and, as a result, marriages can take place in accordance with either religious, customary or statutory law.

The legal situation regarding the marriage of children is further complicated by differences between statutory and socio-cultural definitions of and understandings of a child.

Moreso, conflicting definitions of a child can lead to complications in applying statutory law in a consistent manner, but also in terms of how laws resonate with communities. This can lead to confusion when it comes to increasing awareness on children's rights or how children are protected under different statutory laws or Sharia law, or treated under customary practices.

Regrettably, marriage has become an individual and collective strategy for coping with poverty, managing risks, securing individual and financial benefits in the present and the future as well as a means of escaping from unfavorable living arrangements or conditions.

Poverty is a complex matter, requiring a holistic approach. This will include advocacy and input into policy and legislation review.

Action Plan According to Save the Children.org, in its publication tagged ‘Changing the

story of the Nigerian Girl-child’ what needs to be done is a tripartite process that should involve the government, civil society organisations (CSOs) and development partners.

For the government at national and sub-national levels, the organisation said they must take the lead, adding that the states that have not passed the Child Rights Act need to do so immediately and start implementation.

They further posited that since the Universal Basic Education Act 2004 mandates free and compulsory education for all children up to junior secondary level in Nigeria, government at national and sub-national level must ensure the effective implementation of this law as a key first step towards reducing early marriage.

They noted that government also needs to ensure that quality teaching and learning are taking place in all primary and junior secondary schools, as well as remove all barriers that make it difficult for young girls to go to school, including the costs associated with school attendance such as uniforms, extra school-imposed levies and transportation costs as schools must also be sensitive to cultural norms.

For the CSOs, they charged them to organise themselves by putting continuous pressure on government at national and sub-national level regarding the implementation of free and compulsory education, as well as monitor progress and tracking of resources to ensure accountability.

Also, community leaders needs to ensure that community structures continue to respond positively to all efforts encouraging girls to stay in school until at least the completion of junior secondary education.

To the development partners and donors, they charged them to put the girl-child development at the center of their development efforts, knowing that doing so will lead to rapid and lasting change.

They are also to collaborate with government at national and sub-national levels to take on these important issues, just as continual production of evidence and learning will also need to be supported by development partners.

Considering the increase in sexual and gender-based violence, as well as child marriage, the 10 states in the North should put machinery in motion to ensure that the Child Rights Act is domesticated, while those states that have domesticated it should ensure implementation.

22

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 •T H I S D AY

23

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͳ˜ 2021

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

A S

REPO 10.50 10

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

7 8.50 10

A T

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima

Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

J A N U A R Y

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

626.70% -0.73% - 6.50%

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

2 2 , - 6.50% - 6.50%

2 0 2 1 EXCHANGE RATE N379/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Capacity Building Programmes Launched

ICT ON THEIR MINDS

L-R: Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, (FMCDE), Mrs. N. Nwachukwu; Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, (ECSM), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Adeleke Adewolu; Permanent Secretary, FMCDE, Engr. Festus Daudu; Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta; Director, Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde; Director, Finance Services Department, Yakubu Gontor, during the briefing by agencies under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to the newly deployed Permanent Secretary held in Abuja...recently

Subscribers Kick as FG Extends NIN-SIM Integration Emma Okonji Telecoms subscribers under the aegis of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) have called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, to compel the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami to further extend the date for the submission of NIN beyond the February 9 new date.

Pantami had directed the NCC to ensure that telecoms operators enforce the implementation of NIN-SIM integration, and had given deadlines for the completion of the exercise. The minister had earlier given January 19, 2021, as deadline for the submission of NIN for those who have already registered and obtained their NINs and February 9, 2021 for those who are yet to register and obtain their NINs.

TELECOM However, the National Chairman of NATCOMS, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, argued that the three weeks extension was insufficient, while suggesting a minimum of six months extension at the first instance, then a review before another extension, if necessary.

According to him, the six months extension would be necessary, to allow all Nigerians submit their NINs and get them linked with their Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card, without undue pressure.

Quoting the figure released by NCC on the number of NINs submitted to telecoms operators, which was put at 47.8 million as at the expiration of the January 19 deadline, out of the 204 million active subscriber lines in the country, Ogunbanjo said millions of Nigerians were yet to submit their NINs and that millions of subscribers were also

yet to register and obtain their NINs, a situation, he said, called for ample time of extension.

He suggested a six-month period of extension, which would expire in June this year and a review of the process before another three-month period of extension.

Ogunbanjo, cited the case with SIM card registration and BVN registration, which he said, had extension periods.

He also said the extension period would help Nigerians decongest the crowd at the registration centres of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) by observing proper social distancing in order to stay safe during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, which is already killing people in Nigeria and the entire world.

According to Ogunbanjo, “Nigerian subscribers are well over 204 million and some of them have more than three SIMS, and only 47.8 million subscribers have submitted their NINS, which

is a clear evidence that several millions are yet to submit, while several millions are yet to even enrol to obtain their NINs. “So we need more time for the NIN/SIM integration, more so that people are mindful of the crowd in public places due to the second wave of COVID-19.

“During the SIM registration exercise, enough time was given and there was extension after the expiration of the initial date. The same goes to Bank Verification Number (BVN) exercise that was carried out by the banks, where extension was also given.

“We are not disputing the importance of NIN/SIM integration, and the need to have a single database for Nigeria, which NIMC is trying to achieve through NIN registration, but there is need to thread with caution in the implementation process in order not to jeopardise the health of Nigerians,” Ogunbanjo insisted.

The federal government, last Continued on page 24

Investors Stake N26bn on 4.3bn Shares despite Profit-taking Goddy Egene Investors staked N25.989 billion on 4.288 billion shares in 32,849 deals at the stock market last week.

In terms of volume, the performance showed an improvement but a decline in value terms when compared to the N32.725 billion invested in 3.447 billion shares the previous week.

However, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) fell 0.42 per cent to close at 41,001.99 as a result of profittaking in bellwethers.

Similarly, market capitalisation went down by 0.38 per cent to close at N21.449 trillion The market declined in four of the five trading sessions. Although the downturn in the market was seen across board, the decline

CAPITAL MARKET in banking stocks such as FBN Holding Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and Access Bank Plc combined with profit-booking on Dangote Cement Plc to depress the NSE ASI by 0.42 per cent.

Consequently, the year-to-date moderated to 1.8 per cent.

According to analysts at Greenwich Merchant Bank Research, investors would continue to err on the side of caution in the early sessions of the new week, as the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) holds its first meeting of 2021 to set the country’s interest rate policy.

“In our view, the MPC will maintain status-quo with Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 11.50 per cent) cautious of the uptrend

in inflation rate, and threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, now in its second wave, to the fragile macroeconomic space.

“As the week progresses, we anticipate that bullish sentiment will gain momentum in the equities market, securing a positive weekly close by Friday, as selloffs on top counters created headroom for upward price swings,” they said.

Also commenting, analysts at Cordros Securities Research said they expect investors’ attention to be centered on the outcome of the first MPC meeting of the year.

“We believe consensus expectation for a hold decision if confirmed will engender positive market performance as investors cherry-pick stocks with attractive dividend yields amid negative real returns in the fixed income

market. However, we advise investors to take positions in only fundamentally justified stocks as the fragility of the macroeconomic environment remains a significant headwind for corporate earnings,” they said.

Meanwhile, the Financial Services Industry led the activity chart with 2.607 billion shares valued at N12.454 billion traded in 15,128 deals, thus contributing 60.8 per cent and 47.9 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Conglomerates Industry trailed with 813.813 million shares worth N1.561 billion in 2,417 deals, while the third place was Oil and Gas Industry, with a turnover of 212.126 million shares worth N821.978 million

The UK-NigeriaTech Hub, in compliance of the COVID-19 health protocols has launched amongst others, two virtual programmes- the Design School Programme for aspiring product designers seeking to start a career in tech and the Future Females Business School programme for early-stage female entrepreneurs with tech-enabled businesses in Nigeria.

AspartoftheInternationalTechHubNetwork,deliveredbyDepartmentfor Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the UK-NigeriaTech Hub works to build high-end digital and entrepreneurial skills, forging partnerships between local tech sectors and international businesses to stimulate digital economies and develop the Nigeria tech ecosystem.

The Design School programme will run for two months and will provide an opportunity for 30 aspiring product designers to undergo an intensive training to equip them with necessary digital and product design skills.

Application closes on January 25th 2021, and interested persons can apply using a dedicated web links.

The Future Females Business programme is targeted at providing 100 early-stagefemaleentrepreneurswithtech-enabledbusinessinNigeriaan opportunitytoupskillandgaindigitalskillsaimedatbringingtheirbusiness to life. The programme will run for 3 months and will include 10 modules, masterclasses, coaching sessions and guest features of industry experts in Nigeria. January 25th 2021.

While encouraging interested applicants to apply, the Country Director of the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, Honey Ogundeyi said: “These programmes will help promote gender inclusive economic growth as well as upgrade digital skills in Nigeria thereby developing the tech-ecosystem.”

Promasidor Nigeria Appoints New CEO

Promasidor Nigeria Limited has appointed Bruno Gruwez as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The appointment became effective January 1st, 2021.

BrunosucceedsAndersEinarsson,whowillassumeregionalresponsibilities within the Promasidor Group.

According to a statement issued by the company in Lagos, copy of which was made available toTHISDAY, Bruno joined Promasidor from PepsiCo, where he was Senior Director, Food Categories Sub-Saharan Africa.

Prior to that, he was Senior Commercial Director for PepsiCo South Africa.

Before moving to Africa, Bruno was Marketing Director for PepsiCo UK Beverages and GM for PLI Western Europe (Pepsi Lipton International is a PepsiCo Unilever JV).

A strategic business leader with deep operating expertise in driving revenue and profit growth, Bruno has the record of proven success in consumer and customer focused businesses across developed (Europe) and developing (Africa) markets. He also has passion to grow people and inspire them towards excellence.

Bruno, a Belgian has a Masters Degree in Business Engineering from the Universite Libre de Bruxelles.

Huawei Founder Praises US Tech

The United States remains a “beacon of technology” to be emulated and China’s HuaweiTechnology should consider cutting products in the wake of US actions against it, the Chinese firm’s founder Ren Zhengfei said in remarks made public on Friday.

According to Reuters, Ren’s comments, in a letter to staff dated June of last year, were shared for the first time on a company message board, making them the first public word from the company since Joe Biden took over the presidency from Donald Trump.

Huawei has remained largely silent about its prospects under the Biden administration, after being targeted with several rounds of sanctions under Trump, who said Huawei’s equipment poses a security risk. The company denies the charge.

In a parting shot on Monday, the Commerce Department told semiconductor makers it would deny or revoke licenses for companies including chipmaker Intel Corp to sell products to Huawei, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Ren’s letter said US actions had left Huawei, “with a great mismatch between our strategy and our abilities, and that the company will have to reevaluate some product lines, and consider cutting some products and staff that are unproductive.

“Alot of government assets are currently moribund and provide little or no value to Nigerians in their current state. There are some government assets that are dead that can be sold to the private sector to be reactivated and put to use for the benefit of Nigerians” Minister of Finance

Continued on page 24

Zainab Ahmed

24

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

BUSINESSWORLD SUBSCRIBERS KICK AS FG EXTENDS NINSIM INTEGRATION week, extended the date for the submission of NIN for those who already have NIN by three weeks, from January 19, 2021 to February 9, 2021.

With this development, both those who have not registered and obtained their NIN and those that have NIN, will have the same deadline of February 9, 2021, to submit their NIN and link the NIN to their SIM cards.

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), which announced the extension in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo and its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Damian Udeh, stated: “The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) confirmed to our members that we have received formal confirmation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) that President Muhammadu Buhari has graciously approved the extension of the deadline for subscribers with NIN to link it to their SIM registration data from 19th January to 9th February 2021.

“To ensure that we utilise the extension period judiciously, we urge all telecom subscribers who have a NIN to link it to their SIM Cards through available channels as soon as possible.”

INVESTORS STAKE N26BN ON 4.3BN SHARES DESPITE PROFIT-TAKING

in 2,726 deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely: Transnational Corporation of Nigeria, Living Trust Mortgage Bank Plc and Japaul Gold and Ventures Plc accounted for 1.582 billion shares worth N1.564 billion in 2,726 deals.

The price movement chat showed that 53 equities appreciated lower than 60 equities in the previous week, while 29 equities depreciated higher than 19 equities in the previous week. Champion Breweries Plc led the price gainers with 44.4 per cent trailed by Transnationwide Express Plc with 37.5 per cent. NCR(Nigeria) Plc garnered 32.2 per cent, just as Linkage Assurance Plc went up by 30.4 per cent.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

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

NEWS

NIRSAL: Without Risk Controls, Agric Will Be Safe for Investment James Emejo in Abuja The Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria IncentiveBased Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) Plc, Mr. Aliyu Abdulhameed, has said though the agricultural sector requires massive financing, equipment, technology, and intellectual capital to enhance its growth, it remains, “too risky” without fixed, de-risked and integrated agricultural value chain with efficient and controlled route-to-market for commodities.

He said the scenario explains why post-harvest losses of about 50 per cent occur on some agricultural commodities, leading to significant loss of economic value.

Abdulhameed, in a presentation stated that though the country is blessed with abundant opportunities in land, labour, water and markets, it still remains, “food insecure” with about N1.5 trillion average annual food import bill and 94.6 million poor and malnourished people.

Nonetheless, he said agriculture currently accounts for 25 per cent of the country’s GDP which was even as high as 42 per cent prior to 2014.

He said: “Inefficiencies inherent across agricultural commodity value chains make the sector highly unattractive for investment

and the sector’s potentials highly under-maximised in Nigeria.”

But he said the planned implementation of the Secured Agricultural Commodity Transport and Storage Corridor (SATS-C) which is an initiative of the agency will combat post-harvest losses, create jobs and boost the contribution of the agriculture sector to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He said when fully operational, the SATS-C policy could directly lead to a five per cent increase in

the agriculture sector’s contribution to GDP by halving annual post-harvest losses of $12 billion.

He added that the initiative will also complement and perfect one of NIRSAL’s business models/concepts known as PH-P3 (Primary Production & Harvest, Primary Processing, Primary Transportation and Primary Storage) which ensures efficient production in the farms and optimum capture of value at harvest by enabling prompt evacuation

of produce from farm-gates, and the subsequent haulage of commodities across the country through designated corridors. First introduced in December 2018, the policy essentially aims to fix key constraints confronting the transportation of agricultural produce and products across the country, working with both private and public sector stakeholders.

He said SATS-C envisaged enabling of seamless movement of produce from production zones,

to processing zones to markets, which would invariably upgrade agro-logistic value chains, flush blockages and usher in an era of increased flow of finance and investments into and through agricultural value chains.

“For this reason, NIRSAL is reaching out to enabler institutions, driving necessary dialogues and championing advocacy to support the FMITI in the development and implementation of the SATS-C policy in Nigeria,” he said.

N1.3bn Debt: AMCON Takes Over Inducon Nigeria Ltd’s Asset Following the order of Justice Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Lagos the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) at the weekend took over an asset belonging to Dr. John Warimeme Abebe, the Chief Promoter of Inducon Nigeria Limited over an alleged N1.3 billion debt.

According to a statement, by the Head, Corporate Com-

munications Department of the Corporation, Jude Nwauzor, in compliance to the enforcement order, AMCON at the weekend took effective possession of the property situate at Plot12, Block 108 Lekki Peninsula Residential Scheme, Lagos, through its Debt Recovery Agent – Ogunsola Shonibare L.P. The Court also ordered that the bank accounts of the company and its Directors,

Dr. John Warimeme Abebe, Mr. Olawole Fatimilehin and Ademola Buraimoh be frozen pending the final determination of the suit.

“The case of Inducon Nigeria Limited and its promoters has been interminable shortly after the loan was purchased by AMCON during the 1st phase of Eligible Bank Asset (EBA) purchases from the defunct FinBank (now FCMB) since 2011. “Since the purchase,

AMCON has offered the obligor several concessions and explored all avenues to resolve the debt harmoniously, but the obligor and his company have remained recalcitrant and unenthusiastic to repay the huge debt to AMCON. “They have consistently reneged on several promises they made in the past during negotiations.

This prompted the debt recovery agency evoke the Corporation’s

asset tracing powers granted it under the AMCON (Amendment No. 2) Act, 2019,” the statement added. According to the AMCON’s spokesman, all avenues of peaceful resolution were explored to no avail before the hard decision was taken. He emphasised that the enforcement option is usually the last resort for the corporation whenever a recalcitrant obligor decides to be unreasonable.

DPR to Combat Sharp Practices in Sales of LPG Sylvester Idowu in Warri The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) is to step up surveillance on illegal sales of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

The Oil Police therefore warned those indulged in the criminal act to desist from it henceforth.

Operations Controller, DPR, Warri Zonal Office, Mr. Antai Asuquo gave the warning recently, during the 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the DPR, Warri Zonal Office held at Ugboroke Community near Warri, Delta.

Speaking to newsmen at the sideline of the meeting, Asuquo said the action was discouraging to the LPG business operators.

He said the federal government had committed so much resources to grow and expand gas utilisation in the country but noted that black market operators are becoming a threat to that sector.

“Black market gas distribution potent a serious danger to the gas sector. The sector is one the Federal Government is putting resources to grow and expand gas utilisation in the country.

“When we have this incidence, it discourages people. We must ensure this business is done in safe and sustainable manner and that is one of the essence of this AGM. “We will continue to increase our surveillance activities to ensure sharp practices in the downstream

sector is eliminated. We encourage the public to notify us whenever they notice any illegality. We have destroyed some locations and barred some trucks from lifting products “Henceforth, we will impound the trucks involved and the company will take full responsibilities of their drivers,” he said.

The Director and Chief Executive Officer at DPR, Engr. Sarki Auwalu, urged stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to key into the federal government’s electronic platform as well as information technology application to improve efficiency of their operations.

Auwalu, who was represented

by DPR, Operations Controller,

Port Harcourt Zonal Officer, Mr. Bassey Nkanga, explained that the platform was rolled out to add values to the stakeholders’ operational activities and also improve the ease of doing business.

“These electronic tools are being deployed in phases.

They are software with multiple interface that enables interactions on operations activities between stakeholders. “This is in accordance with the government’s mantra of improving ease of doing business and digitalisation of processes in all the sectors of the economy.

“I urged you to take advantage of this opportunity by adopting and utilising these tools in your

operations for improved efficiency and sustainable development of the sector in accordance with global best practices,” he said.

The theme of the event was: “Oil and Gas safe Operations and Compliance: DPR a Business Enabler”.

Mr. Amalu Tobechukwu from the department of Establishment, Monitoring and Regulations, DPR Warri office, while presenting the activities of the agency, urged operators to avoid LPG Cylinder to Cylinder rebottling and decanting.

He also said DPR has commenced online application system to ease the process of filing applications and urged the stakeholders to take advantage of it.

‘Kwara Revenue Agency Generated N19bn in 2020’ Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Executive Chairman, Kwara Revenue Internal Service (KWRIS), Mrs. Shade Omoniyi has disclosed that the agency recorded revenue generation of over N19 billion despite the Covid-19 pandemic in

the country.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin over the weekend, Omoniyi said the amount was achieved in the first quarter of 2020, before the pandemic took full effect on the economy.

According to her, “Due to the lack of physical contacts with

some taxpayers for collections as well as the lockdown, there was a huge dip in revenue generated in Q2 2020 which extended into Q3 2020, to the last quarter of 2020.”

She disclosed that there was a substantial recovery from the crippling effect of the pandemic

on businesses and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

“For the entire year 2020, KW-IRS recorded a total revenue of N19, 623,992,033.64 which was 75.48 per cent of the N25, 997,573,296.00 revised annual budget.

“The year 2020 was marked

with quick implementation of various measures to cushion the effects of the pandemic on taxpayers, which included the donation of palliatives, extension of the deadline for filing Annual Returns from 31st March to 30th September, 2020.

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

25

Sanusi: COVID-19 Presents Opportunity to Reset Nigeria’s Aviation Sector Former CEO of Aero Contractors and designated Managing Director of NG Eagle, Captain Ado Sanusi, in this interview anticipates that the air travel industry in the country will record increase in capacity of existing airlines and entrance of new airlines as well as growth in passenger traffic. Chinedu Eze brings the excerpts:

W

e are now facing a low season in the aviation industry after the yuletide season where high demand was recorded. What is your appraisal of the aviation industry, looking at the effect of COVID-19?

Looking at aviation industry, especially after the lockdown and then of course, the high season travel during the Christmas and the New Year period and now, we are in the low season mid-January, the traffic is still there and my estimate of the aviation industry or outlook in the year 2021, is that it is going to be very good. We will see a lot of growth in the capacity of the airlines. That is because if you look at 2020, especially immediately after the lockdown, most airlines were a bit skeptical in bringing out capacity for the local market.

Fortunately for the airlines, our prediction after the lockdown that people would be a bit scared to fly didn’t come through because people were very confident in flying despite the COVID-19. So, the demand in seats was high and that actually cumulated in high prices of tickets, which I predicted in the beginning of 2020. Where tickets for Lagos-Abuja were being sold for at about 90,000 one-way for economy. So that shows that the demand for it was high. The passengers were willing to travel and the capacity was not there. So, based on that what I predicted for 2021 is that there will be growth of capacity, there will be new entrant into the market and then those airlines that are already in the market will try and increase their capacity. There will be a decrease in the price of tickets, but it is not going to decrease to pre-COVID-19 era, it will still decrease, but not to pre-COVID-19 era. So, as far as the industry is concerned, we will see growth in capacity, there will be new entrant, and there might be some collaboration among airlines because I can see that domestic airlines are now comfortable with collaborating with one another to make sure that they protect their passengers and then increase their revenue. Also on the infrastructure, the federal government has paid a lot of attention on the airport infrastructure, which is very good. Most of the airports are being completed and that will also stimulate some growth in the aviation industry.

But the effect of COVId-19 on the aviation sector globally and Nigeria also will be with us for the next five to 10 years. This is because some airlines have already retired airplanes that cannot fly again. Now, some professionals also in the aviation industry have already left the aviation industry and they might never come back. So, it is like we have an opportunity to press the reset button, especially we in Nigeria where our aviation industry was already struggling. So, we can now press the reset button and take the advantage of a restart and move forward with the world, while the aviation industry is being brought back to its normal speed globally. In Nigeria, of course, we are going to experience the shortage of capacity in the first quarter, but like I said, the capacity will be growing and the passenger traffic definitely increase, especially with the new vaccine that is coming in. Internationally, passengers will travel because I am very sure they will make vaccine available for travellers, just like what we have with the yellow fever vaccination, what they call the yellow card. I believe that is what is going to happen; probably the third or fourth quarter of the year, where they will say before you travel you must have your vaccine. So, that will also result to a lot of travel within the year. But it is looking very good with passenger growth especially domestically.

And, of course, the federal government also giving the stimulus package for aviation is also a welcome development. It will assist the airlines to set their foot on the recovery part.

If you look at the exchange rate, don’t

Sanusi you think it will jolt the aviation industry?

Foreign exchange will remain a big problem for any airline in Nigeria because that single component can cause an airline to go under. We have discussed the issue of foreign exchange and availability and the rate. So, even if we have capacity, increase and everything; if the dollar keeps rising or if the airlines cannot access forex, it will hinder their growth. It will also increase the ticket price, it is very simple. There is nothing that we do in aviation that is not dollar-related. So, that means whenever there

We will see growth in capacity, there will be new entrant, and there might be some collaboration among airlines because I can see that domestic airlines are now comfortable with collaborating with one another to make sure that they protect their passengers and then increase their revenue

is a spike in the exchange rate, it will translate into a spike in either the spare parts we are buying or the consumables we are buying or whatever we are buying because the aviation industry is dollar-related. And if you don’t even have that, that means if you don’t have access to the dollar, it affects you, because if you are a person that has leased aircraft or leased engines or leased landing gears, you are paying definitely in dollars. And if you cannot get access to that dollar then it becomes a major challenge for the airlines to survive.

If Dangote’s new refinery begins production and begins to produce aviation fuel, do you think it will still be at that price airlines are getting it now or what do you think should be the benefit?

I predict that if the Dangote refinery comes up and it is producing Jet A1, that is DPK, I believe it will definitely reduce our operating cost. That is because we are going to have it in abundance and we are not importing it from outside the country, it is right here in Lagos. It will be surplus and I believe it will bring the price down and it will stabilise one of the key components of aviation cost because nearly 40 per cent of your cost goes to fuelling. I am sure they will bring the prices down and that main component of aviation cost will be readily available. Secondly, price will be quite predictable. And I think the most important thing actually is that the scarcity of Jet A1

will be a thing of the past because there will be constant supply of Jet A1 to the market.

So, it will be a welcome development for the aviation industry when it comes, especially for the Nigerian aviation industry.

Do airlines still pay in dollars for insurance; is there any way they can be paying for that in naira?

Well, insurance which we believe the local insurance market supposed to have developed to a certain level where they can at least cater for most of our insurance needs; I think we still need the foreign market. Now, I don’t think in the near future it will change and if we need the foreign market then we will still pay in dollars. And we will have to pay in dollars because if the capacity of the local insurance in Nigeria cannot do that then we must make sure that we have to go to the foreign market to get insurance. The only thing that I can see that can give relief to the airlines is when the federal government comes in to play a role, as far as insurance is concerned, in getting the foreign exchange that the airlines need to pay, or fix the rate that you are going to use for NAICOM (National Insurance Commisssion). I think if we address that we can give relief to the airlines. For the rates, I don’t think anything can be done. Of course, they attribute it to country risk and CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

26

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

SANUSI: COVID-19 PRESENTS OPPORTUNITY TO RESET NIGERIA’S AVIATION SECTOR everything, but again, what determines the premium is the stability of the market and the seriousness of the airlines and then the availability of forex and of course the aviation sector has been well regulated now. I think we are very safety conscious now, our rate of accidents have reduced drastically. I think that will also assist in the coming years to see that yes, Nigeria has come a long way with their regulations and safety oversight. That will also bring down the insurance rate and the company risk might be reduced.

Now, the country risk also affects aircraft leasing; would you say there is special decision taken about Nigeria by lessors?

Yes, we are still struggling as a country to convince the international community that we have totally domesticated the Cape Town Convention regarding leases. And it is very true that the international community or the leasing community internationally, is very skeptical because of the past experience.

And we still have a long way to go; I mean we have achieved a lot but we still have a long way to go to ensure that the Cape Town Convention is well domesticated.

When you lease an asset and you have signed an irrevocable letter that says when I default you should take your asset, I don’t think you should go to court at that time. Now, if there is any commercial dispute between you and the leasing company, you can allow the leasing company to take their asset first, and then you can take them to court for the dispute of the commercial agreement that you have. But when you go to court and then you detain an asset for an international leasing company, you are not only dealing with the company but you are bringing down the entire country, the entire region, the entire continent; you are giving them that bad name.

But I believe that fair is fair, if the owner of the asset says he wants to take his assets you can allow him take his assets because it is his assets. But then if you have any commercial dispute, if you feel that he is supposed to give you money or he has taken money wrongly, you take him to court after he has taken his assets. But don’t detain his assets because we have a Cape Town Convention that says you should assist the person to get his assets. That is the only way we can give rest of mind to the leasing company. But in as much as airlines in the country will continue to go to court to detain aviation assets while we have signed and domesticated the Cape Town Convention, then the leasing companies will be sceptical to give us leases. Even if we open a leasing company in Nigeria, the company will go and lease right, so they will also be in the same condition.

Only if the company has so much money that they will go and pay up- front and take the airplanes, buy if you pay upfront and then come and lease it here, they will take it from a bigger leasing company and then sublet it to us Nigerians. But I think the main fact is no to even have a leasing company, the main thing is to address the fact that we cannot allow some bad eggs to spoil the entire country’s image regarding leasing. And I think we as a country, we should stand up for it and make sure that we join the league of nations that respect the rule of law. And since Nigeria has domesticated the Cape Town Convention, whenever leasing company comes and says, I want to take my airplane, we should do everything that we can to give him the airplane, or the engine, or the landing gear, whatever it is. And I pray that we will continue to make head way with the leasing company.

AJ Walters has signed agreement with federal government for maintenance facility, how far do you think it can go to save Nigerians money and what are the other benefits?

As I said, even when I was at Aero, MRO in West and Central Africa was the last frontier in aviation investment. So AJ Walters or any other company that has an opportunity to come in to do Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) is a gold mine. And I think it will go a long way, just look at what we did in Aero Contractor, we upgraded the maintenance facility. And I know how much we have saved a lot of airlines both in Nigeria and within the region. So for another company to come and set up an MRO, it will go a long way

are going to have in the coming months.

International operations by Nigerian airlines seem not to be a very success story. You see that Ghana-based African World Airlines (AWA) operates almost seven times in a day to Lagos from Accra, why is it that Nigerian airlines are finding it difficult to operate international destinations comfortably?

Well, internationally, the main problem that we find ourselves which I experienced when I was even in NAMA (the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency) I used to say that we must look at the charges that you give to a particular region. Nigeria is covered by ASECNA (airspace management company owned by French speaking West African nations) countries and the charges there are killing for flights across national boundaries. Because when you are flying from Lagos to Accra you are going through ASECNA countries until you land in Accra.

And then all those countries you are going through you are paying navigational charges to ASECNA, which increases your cost. But I think that NAMA should engage ASECNA so that they can come up with something that is sustainable for the aviation sector. Now, why would AWA be making so much money and they will like to have more frequencies to Lagos or into Abuja, and then our local airlines in Nigeria don’t have the same. I can only speculate, maybe AWA is enjoying some kind of relief from the Ghanaian government or from the authorities because they want to encourage them to connect to the neighbouring countries. Maybe they are enjoying that, I don’t know. But I can tell you one thing that the West Coast is a very good market if you have a very good business model that will fit into it and you can make money out of it.

Yes, they are using the Embraer 145s and, of course, Air Peace has Embraer145s and it can actually compete with AWA and make money too. But again you have to look at what AWA enjoys from their home and what Air Peace is enjoying from its own home. And if they are both enjoying the same, then yes they can do it, but if Air Peace is not enjoying anything and other airlines are enjoying some kind of waivers then it becomes an uneven playing ground.

Sanusi to save a lot of money for airlines that are here and then of course for the region. As I have said there is no formidable MRO in West and Central Africa, so it is a very good and welcome development to see that kind of investment come into the country. And what I will just say is that I am excited to see how it will go. But I believe they would have done their business and studies and everything.

But what will be Aero’s MRO marketing position now and do you think they can collaborate?

Maybe they can, but I think the market is still there; the clients are still there. When I left Aero, if you look at our tarmac we had lines of aircraft trying to come into our hangar and we were struggling to keep up with the demand. So, the market is there. I don’t think there will be any fear for saying that Aero is going to lose the market share because of a new MRO coming in. We need at least two to three MROs in the country and we need specialised MROs, we need paint shops for instance. So I believe MRO is one of the last frontiers for aviation investment in the country.

There is no formidable MRO in West and Central Africa, so it is a very good and welcome development to see that kind of investment come into the country. And what I will just say is that I am excited to see how it will go

Now, you know that Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has increased passenger service charge, and Bi-Courtney just increased its own and it is now N5, 000 per passenger, what will be the effect on the ticket?

Of course when FAAN increased the passenger service charge, it is usually transferred to the passengers; of course, the airlines cannot absorb that. There was VAT in the ticket because they are government taxes, when you say a government tax that is where the VAT is, the five per cent ticket sales charge, and then the VAT and all that, are all put on government charges. So there was a VAT there but it was just lumped together with the rest of the taxes. So, yes, the ticket fares will increase by the same amount that FAAN has increased the passenger service charge and Bi-Courtney by same amount. But I think what we should be asking ourselves, rather than saying oh, the passenger, have we gotten better services for the money that we are paying as passengers? I think those are the questions that we should be asking and those are the things we should throw back at FAAN and Bi-Courtney. Has my experience as a passenger changed when I entered the airport? Are the air conditioning systems working? Are the toilets not smelling?

Are the places okay? If that is not the case then we should demand for better services because we are paying for more. For me as an airline I am just transferring that levy to the passenger, so I assume the passenger will now not complain as the airline, but complain to the service provider for the airport, that after paying such amount of money I expect basic service that is at least commensurate with what I paid. So, I think the question we should be asking or the passengers should be asking, after the increase, what has changed? What are the services?

What are my experiences going through the airport? Has the experiences going through the airport, has it been commensurate with what I have paid or has it gone down. Those are the debates and the discussions that we

On passenger traffic, you know even with threats on the roads, one would expect that there will be increase in passenger traffic in air travel and many people will fly but there is nothing significant yet?

Well, IATA (the International Air Transport Association) has a projection of passenger growth within the region and I think we are keeping to that projection. Yes, there has not been any significant increase because of the insecurity and the bad roads that we have; that means people will fly more. Reason being that one, the ticket fare has also increased, the disposable income of the average Nigerian also decreased. So the economic power for him to buy ticket has been reduced. So that means we have not deliberately stimulated the market for passengers that would ordinarily go buy road to say oh, let me buy the ticket.

If they wanted to buy the ticket for instance at N25, 000 and all of a sudden they hear that the ticket has been changed to N50, 000 that is almost twice the amount they have budgeted for. So the disposable income that they have has been reduced drastically and, of course, the cost of the tickets also has gone up. I think that is one of the reasons that have manifested and we have not seen any drastic increase in the passenger traffic, despite the fact that we have challenges on the roads and everything.

Also, you have to take into consideration that the railways have been coming up, IbadanLagos, Abuja-Kaduna and some other places.

So, the rails have also contributed, because if I was flying let’s say Abuja-Ibadan, now the passenger will just come to Lagos and then go to Abuja.

Lack of airfield lighting is also something that affects some of the airports. You know not all the airports are within the town. And so if they are not within the town then it becomes a security challenge when you fly in the night.

But places like Kano, places like Lagos, Benin and Asaba where the airports are quite close to the town, I think airlines in the coming months or maybe years to come will be doing late flights to these places.

27

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Between Unconventional Monetary Policy and Economic Stability Obinna Chima writes on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s unconventional monetary policy

A

s the second wave of coronavirus surges, a recent report has stated that central banks are running out of ammunition.

The pandemic has caused a heavy toll of deaths and illness, has plunged millions into poverty, and may depress economic activity and incomes for a prolonged period.

Monetary authorities had entered the Covid-19 crisis with the least conventional policy space - namely, interest-rate cuts - of any post-war downturn. After pulling down borrowing costs near or even below zero and deploying massive asset-purchase programs, they are now practically begging governments to step up, a report by Bloomberg had stated.

The Bloomberg report stated that without aggressive fiscal stimulus now, the danger is that economies could develop deep scars that hobble growth over the longer term.

That could then leave central banks unable to reset and prepare for the next shock or recession. Monetary policy and fiscal policy are now interdependent.

Indeed, until the Covid-19 vaccines are widely deployed, uncertainty will continue to affect confidence in global economic recovery.

Already, the World Bank in its latest report has predicted that the global economy would expand by four per cent this year, hinging its estimation on the widespread rollout of the vaccine.

A recovery, however, will likely be subdued, unless policy makers move decisively to tame the pandemic.

For Nigeria, its real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2020, had shown that the country had entered its second economic recession in five years.

The GDP had contracted for the second consecutive quarter by 3.62 per cent in the third quarter of 2020, compared to a growth of -6.10 per cent the previous quarter.

Since the outbreak of the virus in the West African country, its central bank has been aggressive in deploying unconventional monetary policy tools to cushion the effects of the pandemic on households and firms.

For instance, the central bank as part of efforts to tame inflationary pressure, last week disclosed plan to release about 300,000 metric tonnes of maize into the Nigerian market from its strategic anchors under its Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) next month. Owing to this, the current price of maize N155,000 per metric tonne was expected to reduce significantly.

According to the central bank, the planned release followed moves made by the critical stakeholders, working with relevant government and security agencies, to put a halt to reprehensible and speculative activities of middlemen and bandits respectively.

With the release of 300,000 metric tonnes in February 2021, it is expected that the prices of maize in the Nigerian market will drop significantly, thereby increasing demand for the crop and ultimately enhancing the gains of maize farmers.

Defending Unconventional Monetary Policy The CBN had explained that its aggressive deployment of unconventional policies since the outbreak of the COVID-19 has been to help manage the supply shock in the system as well as calm inflationary pressure.

CBN Director of Monetary Policy Department, Dr. Hassan Mahmud, said the apex bank’s interventions in the agriculture, manufacturing, and other sectors played a major role in moderating the level of GDP contraction in the country.

“So, we need to do the interventions to manage the supply side because of the inflation number that we are seeing and also get demand to pick up.

“So, we should be seeing the benefits of all the interventions in agriculture, manufacturing, power, coming on stream. Don’t forget that these are structural issues and are challenges that have been there,” Mahmud explained.

According to him, the impact of the central bank’s intervention would be felt in the longterm.

Also, the Director, Development Finance Department, CBN, Mr. Philip Yila Yusuf, who reeled out the various development intervention

Emefiele initiatives of the central bank recently, said they were aimed at supporting the fiscal authorities.

Yusuf said the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS) was to fast-track food processing across the entire value chain which he said has been successful.

“We’ve disbursed over N600 billion and over N400 billion has been paid back. It was given at nine per cent interest rate, but the interest rate has been reduced to five per cent.

“Private sector players and also state governments have accessed it for either rice processing mills, cassava processing mills or to do large scale farming,” he added.

Speaking on the need for the country to be self-sufficient, he said, “because of the protectionist mode that a lot of countries are going into, there’s an opportunity for us to properly diversify into agriculture.

“So, we need to produce more, especially grains. We need to achieve national food security and we need to be able to start looking at how we can even begin to export for us to be able to earn forex, because there’s already a decline in the major forex inflow we get from oil.

I want to reiterate the strong commitment of the CBN towards supporting measures that would bring the nation from our over dependence on imported goods, so that we can create wealth, create jobs for our teaming youths and just improve lives and livelihood of Nigerians as we strive to promote a very stable financial system

“We really need to start looking at how we can ensure we have food self-sufficiency and also begin to export to earn more foreign exchange.

“We have significant land that has been unlocked and so we need also to ensure we are doing a lot of processing in-country.”

Yusuf also spoke on the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme launched by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, saying it has been largely successful. According to Yusuf, without the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, especially since the pandemic, “I can imagine what would be happening in Nigeria.”

He spoke on other development finance interventions and the funds disbursed so far by the apex bank, saying, “Once the COVID started in China, what the leadership of CBN under Governor Emefiele did was to try and create different scenarios of how we would respond to the pandemic depending on how it affects Nigeria.

“We brought out a broad stimulus package worth about N3.5 trillion across SMEs, manufacturing and healthcare because Governor Emefiele wanted activities to go on despite the lockdown, and then health, because our hospitals have not moved from basic provision of services to more advanced healthcare.

“With N3.5 trillion, the first thing we did was to put in place a N50 billion Targeted Credit Facility for households and SMEs. As I speak to you, we have disbursed N72 billion to over 120, 000 beneficiaries and Governor Emefiele has increased the fund from N50 billion to N100 billion.”

Yusuf added, “We also put in place N100 billion credit support for the healthcare sector. We provided them cheap access at five per cent, through the deposit money bank to access the N100 billion set aside. As we speak, we’ve disbursed over N44 billion to over 40 projects.

“We also looked at helping to domesticate our pharmaceutical and hospice-related activities. We also set aside N1 trillion for our manufacturing sector; that’s where we have huge, significant employment – textile, housing, food and agro-processing, etc. – and during the COVID-19 period, we have disbursed over N200 billion to a wide range of people.”

Also speaking recently, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said the bank decided to raise its COVID-19-targeted facility from N150 billion to N300 billion in order to accommodate more Nigerians in a bid to cushion the impact of the pandemic that had pushed the nation’s economy into its second recession in five years.

He had said that doubling of the COVID19-targeted facility to N300 billion was to spur consumer spending and accelerate recovery from the COVID-19- induced recession.

Raising the targeted credit facility was expected to boost consumer spending, stimulate output and ensure that all the six geopolitical zones benefitted from the palliative.

“The important thing is that we want to use this as an opportunity to see what can be done to boost consumer spending for our people and also see to it that output is stimulated positively for the good of our people,” he added.

He pointed out that realising the consequences of the pandemic, the board of the central bank as well as the MPC took a unanimous decision to grant provisioning for banks.

To the Deputy Governor, Corporate Services of the CBN, Mr. Edward lamtek Adamu, the Bank is focused stimulating economic growth.

Adamu said, “I want to reiterate the strong commitment of the CBN towards supporting measures that would bring the nation from our over dependence on imported goods, so that we can create wealth, create jobs for our teaming youths and just improve lives and livelihood of Nigerians as we strive to promote a very stable financial system.

“I want to emphasis what the CBN governor has consistently said, that the central bank is committed to its core mandate of maintaining price and exchange rate stability. We are also committed to ensuring that we have a conducive macroeconomic environment for growth.

“We are committed to fostering development for an efficient credible and reliable credit system. We are committed to a very stable exchange rate and the growth of our reserves and diversifying the economy…

“We are committed to supporting the diversification through our intervention programmes and development finance in the agric sector, manufacturing sector, MSMEs because they are critical to the development of the economy.”

28

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 •T H I S D AY

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 • T H I S D AY

29

30

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 •T H I S D AY

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 • T H I S D AY

31

32

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Autochek Partners AMDON on Vehicle Financing James Emejo in Abuja Automotive technology company, Autochek Africa has announced a strategic partnership with the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) to deliver a digitalised and enabling platform for vehicle dealers in the country.

Chief Executive of Autochek, Etop Ikpe, said the partnership will enable the company deploy its technology to create a more sustainable and structured marketplace for cars in Nigeria, working with AMDON. Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both parties in Abuja, IIkpe said the deal would also expand the ecosystem

available for sales for all dealers while also, “doing our part to reduce the fragmentation in the ecosystem as we bring finance partners and dealers together to provide consumer credit and drive automotive commerce.”

He expressed delight that though the automotive sector remained a highly traditional sector, “AMDON with this move is wholesomely adopting technology and preparing itself for the future. Our mantra is partner prosperity and partnering with AMDON allows us to drive this mantra at scale across all registered dealers in Nigeria,” he added.

National President of AMDON, Mr. Ajibola Adedoyin, pointed out that the collaboration offers members of AMDON the op-

portunity to drive more sales by taking advantage of the online marketplace which increases the visibility of their inventory to potential car buyers across Nigeria. He said car buyers not only have access to select from a large pool of cars, but also get access to multiple car loan offers from finance partners on the Autochek platform thereby enhancing the ease of purchase and auto financing penetration

in the country. He said the agreement also provides value added services for customers as they can now access car loans through the Autochek platform to purchase cars.

Adedoyin said: “This increase in automotive commerce has cascading benefits all along the value chain with one of the major benefits being increased job opportunities as we see more dealer empowerment and liquidity

in the ecosystem.

“In addition to this, this partnership introduces a standardised inspection and rating system for cars thus enhancing customer trust in completing the vehicle purchase process.

“Dealers can also continuously take advantage of diverse training programs on lead management, digital marketing, car loan application process and other advanced technologies to run their business.”

AMDON is the major representative of all registered professionals of auto dealers in the country with the sole aim of ensuring and fostering business development, rights advocacy and recognition for all our constituent members.

It has collaborated with the Nigerian Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant agencies to further drive growth and structure in the auto industry.

VCH Announces Okonkwo as New CEO Sunday Ehigiator The Deputy Managing Director of Nedcomaokes Groups, Ichechi Okonkwo has been announced as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Victoria Crest Homes (VCH), a subsidiary of Nedcomaokes.

This is coming as the company officially handed over and launched its Victoria Bay III Estate, located at Ikate-Lekki Phase I area of Lagos state, while also presenting a bus each to the state’s Ministry of Physical Planning, and the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

Making the announcement to journalists over the weekend, the Founder, Nedcomaokes Group, Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, expressed confidence in Ichechi’s ability to pioneer the company’s affairs to achieve its set goals.

“Today I’m fully handing over the baton of leadership of Victoria Crest Homes to my Deputy Managing Director of the Nedcomaokes Groups.

VCH is a company that formed on the premise to provide affordable housing schemes for Lagosians especially.

“Hence today, the mantle of leadership has been handed over to my partner and wife, Mrs. Ichiche Okonkwo, to continue to move on with the vision, while I focus on strategic things aimed at expanding the portfolio of the group in itself.

“Today we are in the Energy sector, tourism sector, oil and gas, and we have a new one coming. I look forward to a time when we will bail the cat out of the bag, and then we can tell the members of the press what it is.

“And also, today is equally important to us due to the need to also encourage the Lagos State Government, the Ministry of Physical Planning, and also the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

“Because as we see, real estate has become an all-comers game, and there is a need to sanitise and regulate the industry. Hence, we are trying to encourage the ministries to forge with that responsibility in Lagos State, so that they can keep on doing what they are doing. So, today we are giving each of the two ministries, a

brand-new bus,” he added.

Speaking on the newly launched estate, he said, about a year and half ago, the company launched what it called, “’Five Goodness’.

“In interpretation, it means we were going to do five different projects within the brand.

And this project is aimed at making aspirational living affordable.

“We targeted to do about 1,000 units. While we finished the initial phases of the Victoria Bay Estates by early last year, Covid-19 came.

“In the advent of Covid-19, it was tough for many companies to cope, many companies decided to downsize, many companies were struggling with construction. As soon as the government started easing up sometimes in June, we said to ourselves that we weren’t going to change the timelines.

“This is because real estate provides massive employment.

And real estate development and construction forms an integral part of the building process lost Covid-19. So, we fired up on all cylinders, and those projects that have timelines and due for delivery in December and January, we were able to wrap that up.

“Hence, today marks a major milestone in the honour of our company, as we are delivering 587 units of houses, spread across different locations. And the last of those sets is this project where we are, which I am very much passionate about. We called it Victoria Bay III,” he said.

On her part, Okonkwo said her focus would remain on the vision of VCH, which is to make aspirational living affordable.

“Standing from where our founder has started, mine is to make sure that all the set goals; which is making aspirational living affordable, and making sure that every individual who aspires to live and give their families a beautiful, convenient life, are not only met but surpassed.

“It is a tough call here in our nation Nigeria because statistics shows that, more than 22 million people are displaced, and our government is not doing so much to ensure that these figures are narrowed down,” she said.

MOUSIGNING

FormerChiefExecutiveOfficer,Car45,EtopIkpe,(left),withPresident, AssociationofMotorDealersofNigeria(AMDON),PrinceAjibolaAdedoyin,duringthe presentationofthesignedMemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU) betweenAutochekandAMDONinAbuja...recently

Lagos to Establish 1,465 Businesses for Women, Youths Ugo Aliogo The Lagos State Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) project said it will establish 1,465 businesses for women, youths in 2021.

The State Project Coordinator (SPC), Mrs. Oluranti SagoeOviebo, made this known at a presentation of the APPEALS project major achievements in 2020, in Lagos, recently.

APPEALS is a World Bank, federal government and Lagos State tripartite partnership for small scale farmers to access grants in form of inputs in three value chains (rice, poultry and aquaculture).

Sagoe-Oviebo said businesses

would be established for the Women and Youth Empowerment Programme (WYEP) and the Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs (PWDSN) across the state.

She stated that the project would continue to build on the successes recorded in 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and as well contribute to the Lagos state government T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda.

“The project will be giving physical support to about 3,000 small and medium scale farmers directly and over 12, 000 indirectly through our infrastructure support, jobs creation, trainings, and others.

“Step down the technologies demonstrated; 13.16 kilometres

farm access roads rehabilitation will commence this year to enhance linkage to markets.

“The 1,465 businesses for the WYEP and the PWDSN will be established and their livelihoods,” Sagoe-Oviebo said.

The project coordinator said 879 farmers, small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) had been supported directly with inputs and equipment across poultry, rice and aquaculture values chains.

She added that 3, 516 had benefited indirectly, while over 8,500 farmers had received trainings and demonstrations with strong evidences of positive result effect on Php Data Objectives (PDO).

Sagoe-Oviebo, while appraising the projects activities in 2020, hinted that the pandemic,

although slowed down, did not affect the delivery of its mandate to farmers in targeting export and nutrition sensitive technology.

“Currently, we have 10, 000 direct beneficiaries; 60,000 indirect beneficiaries; identified and verified 9,942 farmers across the three value chains (rice, poultry and aquaculture).

“1,700 of green hands farmers; 3,601 farmers in aquaculture, 2,866 in poultry and 1,689 for rice value chains, while 8,156 existing farmers has been verified.

“15 demonstrations were carried out in 2020 bringing the total to 23 from inception till date representing over a 100 percent achievement from the projects target of 17 per state,” Sagoe-Oviebo said.

Niger Insurance Pledges Return to Profitability Ebere Nwoji Niger Insurance Plc has assured its shareholders that it is working towards returning to profitability after few years of abysmal performance.

The company at its 50th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos recently assured the shareholders and other stakeholders that despite the challenges in the business environment, it was working tirelessly to reposition for profitability.

The company’s Chairman, Steve Dike, who spoke during the virtual general meeting in Lagos, assured that the company was working to put smiles on the faces of its stakeholders as well as achieve its recapitalisation target.

“I am delighted to inform you

that following your tremendous support, our recapitalisation efforts have since gained traction with the share reduction exercise and merger option in top gear,” he said.

He, however, said the financial performance of the company was negatively impacted by harsh economic environment.

“I wish to report that the group made a loss of N5.1 billion in 2019 as against profit of N593.

8 million recorded in 2018.

Net Operating loss after tax of N4,905,265,000 was recorded.

“Gross Premium written in 2018 was N1, 846,499,000, an increase from N4, 450,453,000 written in 2018.

“Gross premium income was N903, 050,000, a decrease from the N5, 215,326,000 reported in 2018. “This performance

level was below our target of achieving growth in excess of the rate of inflation, but we assure our shareholders that effort is being made to turn around and strengthen the financial position of the company,” he added.

Also speaking, Niger Insurance Managing Director, Edwin Igbiti, said the company settled claims and benefits worth N1.7 billion in the 2019 financial year, after paying N1.6 billion in 2018.

According to him, in response to the company’s liquidity challenges which delayed the settlement of outstanding claims, the company has been aggressive in its efforts to unlock capital through to restructuring of its investment portfolio, while divesting from under-performing asset classes.

“In 2019, Niger Insurance Plc

made important changes to optimise its business and leadership to align with the company’s new strategic direction and drive its transformation objectives.

“These changes were necessary to boost growth, simplify our ways of working, and improve operational efficiency and resilience.

“We now have greater focus, commercial rigor and accountability throughout the organisation – these fundamentals will help us build momentum for current and future earnings growth.

“Notwithstanding the economic headwinds and legacy issues facing the company, we are committed to the swift turnaround and transformation of this great company,” the Niger Assurance Chairman assured.

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

IMAGES

33

Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

R-L: American President-elect Joe Biden; his spouse Jill Biden; Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her spouse, Doug Emhoff, react on the steps of the U.S. Capitol ahead of their inauguration ¬in Washington D.C.... recently

L-R: Director General Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr Lamido Yuguda; Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr Mohammad Nami; and Director, Large Tax Office Oil and Gas (FIRS) Mr. Gabriel Ogunjemilusi, during the 1st Annual Tax Dialogue in Abuja...recently

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Woodston Engineering and Construction Ltd., Dr Mike Anjorin; Project Manager, Jeremiah Ayotunde and South West Zonal Manager, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Mrs Oluwatoyin Bada, during the handing over of documents for the construction of over 900 housing units by FHA to Construction Companies in Ibadan...recently

L-R: Guest, Mr Oke Miete; Representative of the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Federal Otokito; Representative of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Mrs Oyambowei; Publicity Secretary, National Directorate of Employment Bayelsa State, Mr Abey Proben; Technical Officer, Bayelsa State, Mr Success Azuma and Director National Directorate of Employment Bayelsa State, Mr Aham Osuchukwu, during the inauguration of the Extended Special Public Works Programme in Yenagoa...recently

L-R: Ogun State Commissioner for Housing, Jagunmolu Omoniyi Akande; Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Waheed Odusile and the budget commissioner, Olaolu Olabimtan during the media parley on this year’s budget analysis in Abeokuta...recently

Minister of Environment, Dr Mohammad Abubakar (right) and Executive Vice Chairman, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammed Haruna, during the visit of NASENI Boss to the Minister’s office in Abuja...recently

L-R: Minister of Special Duties and Inter-government Affairs, Sen.ator George Akume; President of Nigerian Air Force Wives Association, Mrs Hafsat Abubakar; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during the premiere of the Nigerian Air Force ‘Eagle Wings’ motion picture in Abuja...recently

34

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

CITYSTRINGS

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi ×ËÓÖ ÍÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ˛ÏäÏÙÌÓ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט ͙͔͙͚͚͓͖͑͑͑͒

Probity Drives National Response on COVID-19 Tajudeen Kareem

I

t is the season of the new normal.

But despite the clear and present danger on the virulence and destruction wrought by coronavirus, not a few Nigerians, including supposedly informed elites, have chosen to live in denial.

It is not my portion, the fanatics will say even as many notable and ordinary families bury their loved ones daily!

The Federal Government, through President Muhammadu Buhari’s wellassembled Presidential Task force, PTF on COVID-19, has toiled daily, through excruciating meetings and consultation to draw, execute and fine-tune a National Response Strategy. There is, without doubt, more work ahead.

It is worth reiterating, to educate critics and cynics as well, that the battle against coronavirus is the responsibility of every citizen. All stakeholders, interest groups, including all tiers of government have roles to play. It is in the enlightened self interest of the rich and the poor; the elite and the common citizen to work in harmony to defeat COVID-19.

The Nigerian Constitution has spelt out the roles of each tier of government as well as the duties and responsibilities of Nigerians, as individuals.

Provision of education, healthcare and potable water, for example, are on the concurrent list of responsibilities for federal and state governments. As a matter of fact, COVID-19 has exposed the inadequacies in Nigeria’s health infrastructure. More critical are the lack of understanding and the tentative approach of many state governments in embracing the national response strategy.

Members of the PTF on COVID-19 have severally appreciated the enormity of the task ahead. Boss Mustapha, chairman of the team, has toiled day and night since President Buhari gave the marching order in March, last year.

With candor, he has combined his task as Secretary to the Federal Government, building a robust and comprehensive national response strategy, already copied by many developed countries especially on the international travel protocols, as well as managing his home front, recently visited by coronavirus!

Facts on the policy direction and management of Nigeria’s National Response Strategy speak to the articulate composition of the response team.

It parades ministers in charge of critical and strategic sectors including health, environment, education, aviation, interior, foreign affairs and humanitarian affairs. There are also experts in diverse health fields - Dr. Chike Ihekweazu, director general, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control; Dr. Walter Kazadi, a public health epidemiologist, who is the country representative of the World Health Organisation; Dr. Sani Aliyu, erstwhile director general of National Agency for the Control of Aids, an expert in infectious diseases and microbiology, who was named the national coordinator of PTF. The PTF on COVID-19 has consistently rendered reports on its activitieson its finances, collaborations with local and international agencies and organisations, among them the private sector coalition against COVID-19, CACOVID, the WHO and sundry international partners.

It is ludicrous that instead of canvassing support for the success of the national response, some misguided critics are misinforming Nigerians on the dangers of coronavirus, its prevention protocols, treatment and the potency of already discovered vaccines.

Not a few analysts have beclouded the issues around testing regimen, isolation centres, availability of oxygen, and of

Photo credit: GOOGLE

COVID-19 PTF Chairman, Boss Mustapha recent, the re-opening of schools.

One analyst has even raised mud and dirt on what he considered as unwise spending in publishing information on a six-month travel restriction against 100 travellers for non-compliance with the mandatory seven-day post-arrival COVID-19 test. When has information dissemination to citizens become a misdemeanor?

The tongue-lashing should rather be for those who defied laid down protocols and opted not to be responsible. In the words of Dr. Aliyu: “The purpose of putting travel restrictions is not to name and shame. If we just wanted to name and shame, we would just publish the passport numbers and their name and not put any penalty. No, the purpose is to make sure that travelers change their behavior and comply with our protocol.

This is enforcement; we cannot put passengers name because we would be breaching confidentiality.”

The Federal Ministry of Education has explained that the decision to allow schools resume on 18 January was reached after a comprehensive appraisal of the situation undertaken by the ministry in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including state governors, commissioners of education, proprietors

and heads of institutions and the various staff unions.

“Parents and institutions must, however, ensure full compliance with all COVID-19 protocols after taking time to explain the severity of the second wave of the pandemic to their wards and students. The minister urged all stakeholders in the school system to observe all protocols of wearing face masks by teachers, workers and students in all schools; washing of hands, which entails the provision of hand washing facilities at strategic locations within the schools and constant supply of water; use of alcohol-based sanitizers; gauging of body temperature and social distancing.

“Others are suspension of large gatherings such as assembly and visiting days, ensuring that there is no overcrowding by limiting the number of students in classrooms and hostel accommodation, resuscitation of functional health clinics with facilities for isolation and transportation of any suspected case to appropriate medical facilities and adherence to all other non-pharmaceutical provisions.

These measures will be subject to constant review,” read a statement from the ministry.

Mustapha, in an end-year report to President Buhari in December said Nigeria’s COVID-19 response, driven by science and data, was designed to achieve three primary aims of epidemic control, namely interrupting viral transmission; reducing the risk of the health system being overwhelmed due to increased demand and minimising mortality among the most vulnerable parts of the population.

"The other objectives include the reinvigoration of the nation’s health infrastructure and manpower to enable Nigeria to confront any future outbreak and also build her potentials for medical tourism which has been a source of foreign exchange and brain drain over the years.

"The operations of the PTF have been driven throughout the initial six months and the extended three months mandate, by a multi-sectoral process which facilitated expansive and in-depth consideration of issues as well as speedy decision-making," Mustapha said.

To ensure transparency, two web portals sponsored by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and the UNDP were opened for the tracking of resources mobilised, while a national register for such has been created and constantly updated.

Mustapha has said repeatedly that the assignment at the PTF is work in progress but he is conscious of leaving a legacy. His words: “The pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to x-ray the state of our healthcare sector, which is in dire need of reforms and funding. The weaknesses in our health system became more glaring as we see how more established health systems in Europe and America have buckled under pressure.

“The PTF assignment has given me further opportunity to dig deeper, interrogate and x-ray the system better.

This pandemic has provided the unique opportunity to review the healthcare system so that we, as a nation, will be better prepared for future challenges.”

Part of the success story of the PTF is the approval, by the Federal Government, of –N-6.45 billion for setting up oxygen plants in 38 locations across the country. At the last count, Nigeria can boast of 114 modern infectious disease laboratories, both government and privately-owned. Early last year, there were only five.

-Kareem is a public policy analyst in Abuja.

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 • T H I S D AY

35

36

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͳ˜ 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

NEPZA Hails Sunbelt’s N1.5bn Investment in Kano Free Zone James Emejo ËØÎ Folalumi Alaran ÓØ ÌßÔË The Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba has commended the N1.5 billion investment drive by Sunbelt Free Zone Enterprise into the Kano Free Trade Zone.

He said the capital injection was an outcome of sustained intervention by the federal government to maintain the zone as an investors’ attractive anchorage.

Adesugba, while receiving the Executive Director of the enterprise, Alhaji Murtala Jega in his office, stated that the authority and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment had so far collaborated seamlessly in executing President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on using the

scheme to generate employment for the country’s teeming youth population.

Sunbelt which specialises in the manufacturing of fabrics and textiles was licensed on December 12, 2019 as a partnership firm jointly owned by four investors including three Chinese and a Nigerian.

However, the MD, in a statement by Head, Corporate Communications, NEPZA, Mr. Martins Odeh, said when operational, Sunbelt has the capacity of engaging 3000 direct and indirect labour.

He added: “We are happy with this feat. This is the kind of investment the federal government is expecting us to sustain. It is the authority’s desire at this stage to position Nigeria for competitiveness in order to benefit maximally from the new Africa free trade regime made possible by the African

Continental Free Trade Zone Agreement (ACFTA).

“It is our fervent prayer to diligently work within the purview of the mandate of actualizing the country’s industrialisation. In doing this, we shall not disappoint the president and the nation.”

On the N1.4 billion approval recently given by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the upgrade of electricity facilities at the Calabar Free Trade Zone, Adesugba, said the development was a genuine disposition of Buhari’s commitment to use the zone scheme as one of the key drivers of the nation’s economy.

He noted that similar overture had been extended to the Kano zone for upgrade of its electricity to 25 Megawatts scalable to 150 megawatts as the need expands, adding that the two public zones had the capacity to scale up local production significantly when fully supported.

MARKET INDICATORS

Stanbic Reiterates Commitment to Education Sector’s Growth In commemoration of the 2021 International Day of Education, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to providing support and ensuring accessible education to the Nigerian child.

The United Nations (UN) had proclaimed 24 January as the International Day of Education, in recognition of the impact of education in bringing sustainable development across the world.

The 2021 International Day of Education is themed: “Recover and Revitalise Education for the COVID-19 Generation.”

Speaking on the relevance of the celebration to Stanbic IBTC, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Wole Adeniyi,

was quoted in a statement to have said: “Our organisation is keen on positively impacting the education sector to drive national development.”

Adeniyi noted that education serves as one of the core pillars of Stanbic IBTC’s CSI initiatives.

He emphasised that the endto-end financial institution would continue to show its unrelenting support towards growth in the Nigerian educational system.

According to him, “we embark on several initiatives aimed at improving education for the Nigerian child, even in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic when many students struggled to keep up with learning during the nationwide lockdown.”

Adeniyi highlighted that the company had been actively involved in empowering the younger generation with financial literacy knowledge through its “New School Money Initiative”.

Wealth certified professionals in the organisation educated preteens and teenagers on how to develop a savings and investment culture through virtual sessions.

They shed more light on subjects to distinguish between wants and needs, assets and liabilities, and the importance of making the right financial decisions. These were effectively communicated using simple, relatable videos and illustrations.

African Messaging App Assures Users of Privacy, Security The promoters of ‘Ayoba,’ an instant messaging app have assured users of privacy and security on the platform.

The MTN Group said it is proud to partner with the unique instant messaging platform localised for the needs of consumers across Africa.

Launched in 2019 to improve access to affordable communications, ayoba is active in 17 MTN markets, and is also available to download onto Android smartphones in numerous other markets from Google Play and via the ayoba website.

“Ayoba is focused on protecting users’ privacy and security: it is

not possible for messages in the app to be read by anyone else or to be shared with any third parties, including MTN. “The app features peer-to-peer private messaging which is endto-end encrypted; ayoba treats data with the utmost care and respect in line with its privacy policy.

“All the content available on ayoba channels is curated and reviewed to ensure that its 100 per cent family friendly and safe for younger users. “A team of editors checks every post on ayoba content channels before it goes live across over 100 content channels and 120 games,” a statement from

MTN explained.

It revealed that Ayoba recently launched an in-app assistant, Aya, to guide new users on how to use the instant messaging app.

“Aya appears automatically in the app and can run a variety of interactive tutorials for key features within ayoba.

“Ayoba users can send and receive encrypted messages, share photos, videos, files, voice notes and even their location, and can also subscribe to live channels. Localised content is available through these channels that aim to entertain, educate and empower communities,” it added.

Firm Surpasses 100 Million Cumulative Production Milestone Hero MotoCorp said it has surpassed its milestone of 100 Million (10 Crores) units in cumulative production.

The company also said it has been at the fore-front of providing mobility to the aspiration of millions around the world, adding that the achievement of this milestone was the success of evolving engineering, operational excellence and sustainable practices. “It is also the success of the holistic ecosystem built on trust and belief that has grown along with this company. Most importantly, this is a celebration

of the customers who continue to shower their love and faith on Hero,” a statement from the company explained.

“This significant landmark is also an affirmation of the inherent capabilities in India and Hero’s Brand appeal.

“We have been making in India, for the world – and this milestone is an acknowledgment of the customers’ preference for Hero across geographies, demographics and generations. “We are going to continue to ride our growth journey. In keeping with our Vision to ‘Be the Future of

Mobility’ we will be launching a host of new motorcycles & scooters over the next five years, in addition to expanding our global footprint. We will also continue to invest in R&D and focus on new mobility solutions,” the Chairman/CEO, Hero MotoCorp, Dr. Pawan Munjal, was quoted to have added. It stated that Hero MotoCorp’s achievement of the landmark was one of the fastest global achievements of the 100 million cumulative production mark, with the last 50 Million units coming in a span of just seven years.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JULY 2020 Money Supply (M3)

36,822,751.47

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

3,476,121.25

Money Supply (M2)

33,346,630.22

-- Quasi Money

120,764,479.02

-- Narrow Money (M1)

12,582,151.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,002,026.89

---- Demand Deposits

10,580,124.31

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,637,137.23

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

29,185,614.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

39,711,115.95

---- Credit to Government (Net)

19,521,851.08

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-130,189,264.87

--Other Assets Net

3,472,017.70

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,421,827.07

--Currency in Circulation

2,395,917.03

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,025,910.04 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ Ͱͯ ͰͮͰͯ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $55.14 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $55.75 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela) SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

37

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Flour Mills Eyes More Capital Market Funding Goddy Egene The Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) Plc, Mr. Omoboyede Olusanya, has said the company will continue to explore opportunities in the capital market to enable it diversify its funding sources whilst playing a critical role in the development of our market.

Olusanya, stated this at the virtual listing of the Tranche A

and Tranche B bonds of the FMN Plc valued at N29.8 billion on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

According to him, the bonds were floated to strengthen the company’s capital base by deleveraging its balance sheet and support its working capital needs.

He said: “We thank the NSE for hosting us at this virtual closing gong ceremony today and we are excited about the role The Exchange is playing in deepen-

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

ing secondary market activities in the Nigerian market in line with international best practice.

“The issuance of the N29.8 billion tranche A and B bond coincides happily with the 60th anniversary of FMN and fully utilizes the N70 billion programme registered in 2018.

We will continue to explore opportunities to raise funds via the capital market as this has allowed us to diversify our funding sources whilst playing a critical role in

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

the development of our market.”

Olusanya said the company was passionate about feeding the nation to improve quality of living for Nigerians through increased production and investments in backward integration.

In his remarks, the Divisional Head, Listings Business, NSE, Mr. Olumide Bolumole, said: “It has been a positive start to the Nigerian capital market in the new year and we are pleased to commemorate the listing of

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

FMN’s N29.8 billion Tranche A and Tranche B bond issue, the final series under its N70 billion Bond Issuance Programme. As is our custom to celebrate significant milestones and accomplishments of our issuers, we also applaud and recognize the contributions of Mr. Paul Gbadedo, who recently retired after 38 years of meritorious service and congratulate Mr. Olusanya on his appointment as the Group MD/Chief Executive Officer at the NSE, we remain

O F

committed to supporting the strategic objectives of our issuers, providing a platform for raising capital even in the toughest of times.”

FMN had reported a growth of 31 per cent in revenue to N355.1 billion for the six months ended September 2020 compared with N270.8 billion in the corresponding period of 2019. The company ended the period profit after tax (PAT) rose 68 per cent from N5.9 billion to N9.9 billion.

2 2 / 0 1 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

38

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

NSE Lists 2.642bn Additional Shares of Transcorp Hotel Goddy Egene

The Nigerian Stock Exchange

(NSE) last week listed 2,642,124,511 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N3.76 per

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

share. The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue on the basis of

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 21Jan-2021, unless otherwise stated.

seven new ordinary shares for every 20 ordinary shares. With this listing of the additional

shares, the total issued and fully paid up shares of Transcorp Hotel Plc has now

increased from 7,600,403,900 to 10,242,528,411 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.97% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.54 3.69 -0.39% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 0.63% Anchoria Equity Fund 137.95 138.41 3.05% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.29 1.29 -3.10% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 19.07 19.65 5.18% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 401.44 413.54 0.27% ARM Ethical Fund 35.97 37.05 6.70% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.22 1.23 0.09% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.10 1.11 -1.28% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 0.38% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.15 2.15 -8.01% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.27 2.32 26.97% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.00% Paramount Equity Fund 16.79 17.11 5.02% Women's Investment Fund 136.78 138.37 2.78% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.79% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 133.38 134.31 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 109.07 109.07 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.68% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.20 1.21 0.03% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.60 1.60 1.02% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail N/A N/A N/A FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy USD Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,896.58 3,948.38 3.76% Coral Income Fund 3,319.43 3,319.43 1.63% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 2.75% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.92% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 129.09 129.63 20.31%

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.19% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.87 2.94 31.56% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 155.66 156.19 8.51% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.45 1.47 0.69% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,128.66 1,128.66 0.52% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.65 1.69 7.43% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.31 12.42 9.61% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 1.50% PACAM Equity Fund 1.66 1.68 PACAM EuroBond Fund 108.59 111.08 SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 134.79 137.52 9.34% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 0.41% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 2.06% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 0.20% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 2.97% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 0.25% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 1.41% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.28% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -0.34% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.23 1.23 0.31% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 111.31 111.31 0.21% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.50 12.64 5.46% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.88 14.01 13.64% Zenith Income Fund 24.11 24.11 0.55% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.91%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

120.87

0.11%

52.46

0.11%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.33 127.57 100.82

13.43 127.57 102.73

0.83% 4.79% 1.47%

Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.23

4.27

11.44%

Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund

6.02

6.10

5.68%

Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund

18.08 1.00 20.52

18.18 1.00 20.72

10.36% 0.87% 0.00%

194.07

196.07

-12.80%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.71

13.11%

Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund

Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 • T H I S D AY

39

40

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 •T H I S D AY

MONDAY, ͺͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

41

NEWS

One killed, 15 Abducted in Pirates’ Attack Off Nigerian Waters Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report Turkey yesterday sought to rescue members of a container ship after pirates attacked it off the coast of Nigeria, killing one person and kidnapping 15, according to the Turkish and Azeri governments and state media.

Reuters reported that three crew remained aboard the Turkish vessel, called Mozart, after the attack on Saturday in the Gulf of Guinea.

One crew member, an Azeri, was killed during the incident and 15 were kidnapped by the pirates, Turkey's state-run Anadolu agency said, while the ship, abandoned by the pirates and now headed toward Gabon's coast as at yesterday, initially

had a full crew of 19.

Turkish media cited Istanbul-based ship owner Boden company as saying the owners and operators of the vessel were abducted at gunpoint and had been headed to Cape Town from Lagos. Boden was not immediately available.

Turkish President, Tayyip Erdogan, spoke twice by phone with one of the captains who remained on the ship, Furkan Yaren, his office said, adding that he directed officials on the rescue mission for the other kidnapped personnel.

Anadolu cited Yaren as saying he was "cruising blindly" toward Gabon with only the ship's radar working.

It was to arrive yesterday morning.

Yaren was also cited as saying the pirates beat crew members and left him with an injured leg while another still aboard the ship had shrapnel wounds.

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, confirmed on Twitter the death of the Azeri crew member in the "pirate attack" on the Turkish ship.

The vessel last reported its location about 200 kilometres (125 miles) south of Lagos, according to the MarineTraffic website. It was to have arrived in South Africa a week later.

Bloomberg also reported that the Liberian-flagged M/V Mozart was sailing from Lagos, to Cape Town in South Africa when it was attacked Saturday morning

100 nautical miles (185 kilometres) northwest of the island nation of Sao Tome and Principe.

Turkey’s maritime directorate said the crew initially locked themselves in a safe area but the pirates forced entry after six hours.

During the struggle, one crew member aboard died.

It identified the victim as Farman Ismayilov of Azerbaijan, the only nonTurkish crew member.

After kidnapping most of the crew, the pirates left the ship in the Gulf of Guinea with three sailors aboard, state-run Anadolu news agency said.

According to reports, the pirates disabled most of the ship’s systems, leaving only the navigation system for the

remaining crew to find their way to the port.

The Gulf of Guinea, off the coasts of Nigeria, Guinea, Togo, Benin and Cameroon, is the most dangerous sea in the world for piracy, according to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

Maritime security consultancy Dryad Global described the attack as “an exceptional incident for both its severity and distance from shore.” Last year, boardings in the waters off West Africa rose to 18 from 13 in 2019, the London-based firm added.

Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey's foreign minister, said he had spoken to the senior officer remaining on the Mozart, Yaren, and that the morale and physical condition of

the sailors aboard was good.

“We are continuing coordinated negotiations for the release” of the abducted sailors, he said, adding that “the pirates have yet to make any response.”

“The owners and operators of the M/V Mozart, which was hijacked at gunpoint in the Gulf of Guinea, have regretfully confirmed that one of its crew has been killed and others abducted,” Istanbulbased Boden Maritime said.

Cavusoglu spoke to his Azerbaijani counterpart to offer condolences and said the body would be transferred when the Mozart reaches port.

In July 2019, 10 Turkish seamen were kidnapped off the coast of Nigeria. They were released less than a month later.

We Didn’t Detain 344 Students in Enugu School, Says AMCON Obinna Chima The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has described media reports which claimed that it detained 344 female students of Providence High School, located on Independence Layout in Enugu, Enugu State as fake news.

A statement released by the Head, Corporate Communications Department of AMCON, Mr. Jude

Nwauzor, described as unfortunate, “how some media establishments allowed the publication of unsubstantiated report that totally spewed mischief and half-truths regarding the real issues about the enforcement exercise at the school.”

He said the corporation does not shut down schools, adding that the management of AMCON understands the strategic importance of that sector to the country.

According the AMCON

spokesman, “this is not the first time AMCON is having to enforce on a school. Some years back a certain high-profile school in Lakki area of Lagos State was also enforced on but AMCON did not shut down the school or detained the students until the issues were amicably settled.”

He added: “The same enforcement approach was deployed at the school in Enugu by going there to place AMCON’s possessory

sign board on the wall of the school and on the gate.

It is therefore difficult to understand how writing on the fence of the school, which is outside the school premises and placing a small AMCON sign amounted to disrupting school activities and detaining the students.

“Aside the school authority that was approached before the signs were placed, the students some of whom were in their hostels and their various classes, did not

know that any enforcement exercise even took place.

“Please AMCON did not storm the Enugu school with over 50 mobile policemen to detain students and their teachers. AMCON also did not prevent school activities from continuing as claimed by some reports. The reports are nothing but fake news.

“The management of the embattled school is using sensational journalism to raise false alarm. The gate of the school is still open,

and activities are ongoing.

It is a boarding school with students from across the country. How can anyone eject them? It’s all lies told to curry public sympathy and to delay the repayment of a huge debt of over N7.6billion, which is the main issue.”

He said as far as AMCON and records were concerned, the property where the school is located belongs to Ferdinand Property Investment Limited.

that the vaccines would be diverted by politicians are unfounded.

He said: "NPHCDA will be entrusted with the vaccines for all Nigerians. Any fear that the vaccines would be diverted by politicians is unfounded. We will prioritise our health workers, strategic country leadership, the elderly, those with other underlying health conditions.

"These are ideas probably brought about by the anxieties over how we will be deploying the initial few quantities of vaccines.

However, we expect that after the first few doses of

vaccines, we will get more vaccines subsequently.

“Over the next few months, vaccine production will pick up, more candidate vaccines will be approved, supply will improve and the cost of vaccines will eventually drop."

The agency had explained during a sensitisation programme for the media in Abuja that the first batch of the vaccines would be administered to a select group of Nigerians, with 50,000 of them given two doses of the vaccine each within 21 days.

A technical working group for the vaccine is headed

by Shuaib to coordinate the implementation of the vaccination in the country.

Shuaib had said any vaccine going to be deployed in Nigeria must be tested by NAFDAC and certified safe for human use before being administered.

He had also explained that the first set of vaccines expected in Nigeria by the end of February would be the Pfizer-developed vaccine.

According to him, the equipment that will be used to store the vaccines is located at the National Strategic Cold Store of the NPHCDA at Idu, along Airport Road in Abuja.

to provide leadership and take measures to reassure all that he is working on the problems and that nobody should lose interest in a united, peaceful and progressive Nigeria.

Sakari, in a statement yesterday, appealed to Buhari to summon critical stakeholders to a meeting to discuss and find solutions to the prevalent conflict between herdsmen and their host communities.

He said the quit notices given to Fulani herders in Oyo and Ondo States and the subsequent burning of the property of the Fulani herdsmen in some parts of Oyo State have increased tension and unduly raised the temperature in the country.

Saraki also urged the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad

Lawan, and the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to provide far-reaching legislative intervention to help the executive in the search for peace.

He called on all politicians who are looking towards 2023 to take over power to start pondering on what type of Nigeria will they have to administer post-2023 if the current situation continues.

“Let me use my case as an example of why this country should continue to grow as one united and progressive entity. I am of Fulani origin and have a Yoruba mother.

My father was a Muslim and my mother is Christian. Thus, I am affected on all sides by any inter-ethnic tension in this country,” he added.

FG: WE WON'T ALLOW COVID-19 VACCINES’ HIJACK vaccines.

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), however, said it is important to douse the anxiety amongst the people over how government will be deploying the initial few quantities of vaccines.

NPHCDA, at a webinar press briefing, had released the sharing formula for the 100,000 doses of the Pfizer/ BioNTech vaccine.

According to the data from NPHCDA, the agency gave the proposed distribution breakdown of the vaccines as: Kano, 3,557; Lagos, 3,131; Katsina, 2,361; Kaduna, 2,074;

Bauchi, 1,900; Oyo, 1,848; Rivers, 1,766; Jigawa, 1,712; Niger, 1,558; Ogun, 1,473; Sokoto, 1,468; Benue, 1,423; Borno, 1,416; Anambra, 1,379; Kebbi, 1,268; Zamfara, 1,336; Delta, 1,306; Imo, 1,267; Ondo, 1,228; and Akwa Ibom, 1,161.

Others are Adamawa, 1,129; Edo, 1,104; Plateau, 1,089; Enugu, 1,088; Osun, 1,032; Kogi, 1,030; Cross River, 1,023; Abia, 955; Gombe, 908; Yobe, 842; Ekiti, 830; Taraba, 830; Kwara, 815; Ebonyi, 747; Bayelsa, 589; FCT, 695 and Nasarawa, 661.

The sharing formula has since generated concern amongst some

state governments, which expressed dismay over the yardstick applied by the federal government in arriving at what they described as the unfair formula.

Also there are fears that vaccine distribution may soon be marred with similar controversy that trailed the federal government's implementation of the job creation scheme for 774,000 unskilled youths.

However, the Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, in a telephone interview with THISDAY yesterday, said the fears

MORE STATES TRIGGER RED ALERT, PREPARE TO WARD OFF RENEGADE HERDSMEN investigation.

Secretary of Igangan Development Advocates, Mr. Lawal Akeem, who spoke in Igangan, said the people were tired of the antics of the Seriki Fulani, Alhaji Saliu Abdukadir, whom he accused of complicity in many cases.

He also said the community has been forced to pay about N50 million in ransom for different cases of kidnapping, while also accusing Fulani herders of regularly vandalising farms and raping women of the community.

Another youth in the town, Mr. Taiwo Adeagbo, said no fewer than 15 women have been raped in recent weeks.

A member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Peter Ojedokun, also told the delegation that Ibarapaland

had been peaceful all the while but that the peace was affected recently when Fulani herders started attacking members of the community on their farms, kidnapping persons and committing crimes.

Two Fulani leaders, the Seriki Fulani of Igbo Ora, Alhaji Idris Abubakar, and the Seriki Fulani of Eruwa, Alhaji Sule Mohammed, asked for forgiveness from those offended, adding that they are ready to facilitate a peaceful co-existence in Ibarapaland.

The Caretaker Chairman of Ibarapa North-West Local Council Development Area, Hon. Okediji Olusegun, also corroborated the allegations leveled against the Seriki Fulani of Igangan, saying that he has been fingered in the

series of security challenges in the area many times.

Addressing the gathering of traditional rulers, government officials and Fulani leaders in Igangan, the Commissioner of Police, Onadeko said: "We have come to assess and listen to you over the incident that happened. I want to appeal to every one of us to be calm and ensure there is peace. If there is no peace in the community, there won't be growth and development.

"I want to appeal to the youth. We have listened and they have interpreted all your complaints and I want to say you should not spoil your case by using force. We are a new team. Bring out all the cases you have, put them in an orderly manner and we will make sure that justice

is done.

"So, I want to enjoin all of you to be peaceful and live with one another in a peaceful manner. If we live in peace in this community, we should be able to identify kidnappers, robbers, and rapists. It does not matter where you come from whether you are from Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa. Actually, we have the good and bad ones. Criminality is not only ascribed to a particular ethnic group, it cuts across all the ethnic groups.”

Saraki Sues for Peace Meanwhile, a former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has appealed for calm, urging President Muhammadu Buhari

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

42

NEWS

Arresting Igboho will Escalate Tensions, Middle Belt Tells FG Go after criminal herdsmen, MURIC urges security agencies

Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has kicked against threats by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to arrest Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Igboho over his alleged involvement in the violence that took place in Oyo State.

The organisation also supported the quit notice handed by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Fulani terrorists to leave the forest reserves in the state.

This is coming as the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has challenged security agencies to arrest criminal herdsmen in the South-west.

It has also urged South-West leaders to consider many Yoruba living in the northern region of the country in issuing quit notices to northerners.

The MBF specifically warned the federal government against any action that would escalate the ongoing tension as demonstrated

by the arrest order on Igboho.

The National President of MBF, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, expressed these views in a statement in Abuja.

According to him, Akeredolu’s quit order was meant for unregistered herders occupying the forests and involved in kidnappings and banditry.

He said, “We call on the federal government, especially the Police, to desist from escalating the crisis.

What the Presidency and the Police ought to do now is to assist various states to flush out these criminals.

Arresting Igboho at this moment can only escalate the growing tension into a raging fury that may further lead to dreadful uncertainties for our nation’s future.

“We are also worried at the turn of events in the South-West and the order issued by the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mohammed Adamu, for the arrest of Sunday Adeyemo aka Igboho, over his alleged role in the violence that took place at the weekend in Oyo State.

“While we welcome the bold

decision by the governor to protect lives and property of citizens threatened by the activities of bandits that have now found safe havens in forests, we are completely opposed to any action by the Federal Government to escalate the ongoing tension as demonstrated by the arrest order on Igboho.”

The MBF supported Akeredolu’s quit notice, describing it as a bold decision by him to protect lives and property of citizens threatened by the activities of bandits who have found safe havens in forests.

Bitrus said, “We are completely opposed to any action by the federal government to escalate the ongoing tension as demonstrated by the

arrest order on Igboho.

“As the umbrella organisation representing ethnic nationalities in the Middle Belt region, the MBF is in total support of ridding Ondo State of bandits and criminal elements as contained in the ultimatum handed down on criminal herders by the governor.

“As the Chief Security Officer of Ondo State, Governor Akeredolu is rightly entitled to protect citizens that are now under constant siege by criminal elements. For those who insist that the quit order on criminal herders amounts to infringing the citizenship rights of Fulani, the MBF wishes to reiterate that Akeredolu’s quit order is to unregistered herders

occupying the forests and involved in kidnappings and banditry.

“The MBF wishes to state that it is unacceptable for the Federal Government to interfere in the genuine efforts deployed

by Governor Akeredolu to end the ceaseless abductions of peaceful citizens for ransom.

We find it inscrutable for the President Muhammadu Buhariled Administration to insist on defending criminals whose major preoccupation is unleashing violence and terror on peaceful communities.

“What the federal government should do now is to assist Akeredolu and other state governors to flush out these criminals and end the

culture of lawlessness ripping across not only Ondo but also other states where these outlaws have turned our nation’s forest reserves into safe harbours for their crimes.

“The MBF recalls that in the height of grisly killings and devastations that trailed many communities in Benue State, President Buhari had called on the people to return home and learn to live with their neighbours in peace. When neighbours decide to turn themselves into agents of terror on their fellow neighbours who are peace-loving, then, such neighbours are no longer neighbours but outlaws that must be arrested and be made to face the law.

Bandits Invade Two Niger LGAs, Kill Three, Injure Others Laleye DipoinMinna Suspected gunmen at the weekend invaded some communities in Munya and Paikoro Local Government Areas of Niger State, killing not less than three people and injuring about 15 others.

One of those killed in Kaffinkoro town was described as Francis Daniel, who operated a computer centre in the town, and was said to have been hit by bullet as he attempted to escape into the bush while the two others were men of the local security outfit.

The bandits also kidnapped 20 people most of them women.

The communities raided in Paikoro LGA were Beni, old and new Dalolo, Aboloso, Ishau and Amale, while those invaded at Munya LGA were Gwari Nyayi, Kabiri and Biri.

It was learnt that the bandits stormed the communities on about 50 motorcycles.

The raids, which started last Saturday evening, according to reports, continued into the early hours of Sunday during which several foodstuff were stolen by the bandits.

The District Head of Beni, Alhaji Jafaru Umar Sarki, who confirmed the invasion in a telephone conversation, said the operation started last Saturday evening when the armed men, numbering about 200 on over 50 motorcycles, stormed the communities in three groups.

According to Sarki, the Saturday operation lasted for one hour before the bandits left with sacks of food items and other goods looted from shops and houses in the town.

He said yesterday morning, the bandits returned and distributed themselves into three groups, moving from one community to another targeting only food stuffs and provisions from shops.

The district head said the yesterday raid started around 9 a.m. and lasted for over three hours, adding that all efforts to get assistance from security operatives was proven abortive.

Sarki said: “For the three hours the last Sunday operation lasted, one, helicopter owned by one of the security agencies in the country was busy hovering round the communities while the bandits were operating on the ground.”

NIS Image Maker Kidnapped in Edo Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city The Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command of the Nigerian Immigrations Service (NIS), Mrs. Bridget Esene, was reportedly kidnapped by gunmen yesterday on her way to church.

The gunmen were said to have trailed her when she was going to church on Sunday morning around Ikhueniro area, off Agbor Road in Benin-city, where she was accosted and dragged out of her car and taken into the kidnappers’ waiting vehicle to an unknown destination.

As at press time, the kidnappers are yet to make any contact for any ransom.

A source at the Immigration Service, while confirming the incident, said: “She was abducted at her church premises around Agbor road area this (yesterday) morning. Her whereabouts is yet unknown as her abductors are yet to speak with her family.

“Her car has been recovered where it was dumped by the by-pass on Agbor road, and we learnt that her abductors headed towards the Benin Auchi road axis off the by-pass.”

When contacted for reaction, the Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, demanded that the NIS authorities should instead be contacted for comments.

ALUTA CONTINUA…

L-R: National President, Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), Mr. Makolo Hassan; immediate past president, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Mr. Samson Olujioke; General Secretary NASU, Mr. Peters Adeniyi’ National President, SSANU, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim and National Vice President SSANU, Mr. Sallam Abdussobur, during a press conference on their proposed strike in Abuja… weekend ENOCK REUBEN

Tinubu Returns to Nigeria after One-month Absence National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, has arrived in Nigeria after a month absence.

Tinubu returned to the country yesterday, about a month after he left.

He was sighted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, in company of some of his aides.

The Cable reported that Tinubu was hospitalised in Paris, France, after falling ill.

There were speculations that he tested positive to COVID-19 but his media team later denied such reports.

“Asiwaju is healthy and does not have COVID-19,” his spokesperson, Tunde Rahman, had said.

“He took his annual trip and as part of the preparation for the trip he took a COVID-19 test which was negative. Since the advent of the pandemic Asiwaju has always done his level best to observe, as strictly as humanly possible, all government advice and safety protocols to prevent the spread of the virus and to keep

himself and those around him safe from harm.”

There are speculations that the former Lagos State governor would contest the 2023 presidential election.

Although Tinubu has not publicly declared his interest in the highest office in the land, his allies and associates have started campaigning.

North will Be Resisted inYorubaland, Says Gani Adams Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, yesterday vowed that attempts by northerners to turn the South-west into a war zone will be resisted.

He said this in a press statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Kehinde Aderemi, titled, “Insecurity: ACF, Miyetti Allah are Jokers- Aare Gani Adams’.

But the Yoruba generalissimo faulted the northern groups, describing them as jokers.

Adams explained that no amount of threat would stop him from securing Yorubaland from “killer herdsmen”.

Part of the statement read, “The apex organisation in the North and the herders association should watch their statements or face the wrath of the Yoruba nation.

“By their inciting statements, the North is beating war drums.

But we will resist any attempt by the North to turn our region

into war zones and no amount of threat will stop us from securing our region from killer herdsmen “From my findings, what is playing out in the last three days (especially on the social media), it is evident that there are some enemies and political elements both within and outside our region who are now using the bravery of Sunday Igboho as a coordinated

attempt to soil my name, and also put my efforts in the past 28 years in the struggle to test.

“My silence in the last three days doesn’t portray me as a coward, but by virtue of my position as the Are Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, I am bound by my conscience and conviction to act accordingly when the time is right. And I must also consult widely before taking any action.

Ibori Mourns Senator Nosike Ikpo A former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori has expressed sadness over the passing of Obi (Senator) Nosike Ikpo, whom he described as a Delta State leading light.

Ibori said, in a statement signed by his Media Assistant, Mr. Tony Eluemunor, that Ikpo stood out early in life, as the best pupil in standard six certificate examination

at St. Thomas Practicing School, Ibusa.

“With his GCE O’ and A’ levels obtained as a private candidate, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) employed him in I950 at Offa, as a Plant Boy. There, Ikpo began to contribute articles to the West African Pilot newspapers and he became an under Secretary and later Secretary of the then Ibusa

Union in I95I. He resigned in I954 for politics, and became Organizing Secretary of the NCNC. He left the NCNC in I958 for the Action Group, becoming the Asaba Divisional Organising Secretary,” Ibori explained.

Ibori noted that in 1961 Ikpo became Mid-West regional Principal Administrative Secretary of the AG and was a Defence Witness during

the Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s famous treasonable felony trial.

“Professionally, he was also between I964 and the early I970s the Midwest sales representative of Longmans Nigeria Plc, covering Ondo Province. Ikpo was a two-time Senator; for the UPN in 1979 and was re-elected as a National Party of Nigeria (NPN) member in 1983,” Ibori added.

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021˾ T H I S D AY

43

NEWSXTRA

Falana Calls for Restraint over Quit Notice in Ondo Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has called for caution over the herdsmen crisis in Ondo State.

In a statement issued yesterday,

Falana acknowledged that the federal government and the various state governments had embarked on a number of measures to curb the menace

of criminal gangs that currently control the monopoly of violence throughout the country.

The senior lawyer recommended that in view of

Over 30 Houses, Palace Burnt in Enugu Cult Attack No fewer than 30 houses, including the palace of the traditional ruler of Aguikpa autonomous community were razed in the crisis that engulfed the Oruku community in the Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

One person was also injured in the incident, which reportedly occurred between Saturday night and yesterday morning.

THISDAY gathered that some houses were still burning when the new state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Aliyu, visited the community yesterday.

However, residents were reported to have fled the community for fear of being killed by hoodlums, who wielded AK-47 rifles and GPMG. The gunmen were said to have shot continuously throughout Saturday night.

A former Chairman of Nkanu East Local Governmrnt Area, Hon. Ejike Ani, who conducted the commissioner round the burnt

houses, said he got information that a gang was going to attack the community, adding that he reported to the council chairman.

According to him, the Chairman, Uchenna Nwobodo, assured him that he had informed the police but the community was still attacked and over 30 houses and a market were razed.

“I saw a post on social media on the indigenous people of Oruku Facebook account that some natives had hired some people from Benue State and that Oruku community would be attacked in less than one week, and in less than one week, we were attacked.

“I called the council chairman, Honourable Uchenna Nwobodo, and told him. He said he had called the Divisional Police Officer of Amechi Idodo and you can see the end result.”

The chairman of Oruku neighbourhood security watch, Mr. Emmanuel Ani, appealed to both the federal and state governments

to rescue the community from those who had refused to give peace a chance.

He blamed the situation in the community on the Inspector General of Police Special Tactical Squad, whom he said disarmed the neighborhood watch and released hoodlums they arrested to continue to terrorise people.

A widow, Mrs Nwatu, said the gunmen threatened to kill her if she did not come out of her house.

“Immediately I came out, they torched the house. Not even appeals that I was mourning my husband stopped them. They wanted to burn me inside the house. They burnt everything, including our clothes,” she said.

About one month ago, the traditional ruler of the community was allegedly shot dead by operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactical Squad (SWAT), during an annual general meeting at the community’s town hall.

Ayade Completes 148km Dual Carriage Highway in C’River North Motorists plying the newly constructed 148km MfumOkpoma-Bekwara-ObuduObaliku dual carriage highway in northern Cross River, say their socio- economic situation has immensely improved following the construction of the road by Governor Ben Ayade.

The road cuts across the five local government areas of Cross River North senatorial district.

Described as the most ambitious road project undertaken by any state government in the history of Nigeria given its length, about 120 kilometres have been completely asphalted with work ongoing on the remaining portions of the road.

Some of the motorists disclosed that they were among cynics who doubted the ability of Ayade to deliver the road project.

One of them, Ogar Simon, an Okada rider, is now full of apologies for the governor.

“We doubted the initial

intentions of the governor for the road. We were among those that termed the road ‘Ayade dust’ but right now we know better because the governor has delivered road, he has fulfilled his promise. He has brought a lot of smiles to our faces, we no longer have to buy tyres every now and then due to bad roads.

“I would like to apologise to our dear Governor for doubting his noble intentions for this road. He has done very well”, Simon said.

Also speaking, a farmer, Mr. Emmanuel Amuchi noted that the road has added value to farm produce as movement of the produce from the farms to the markets is now very easy.

“We are very excited and happy about this road construction here and we thank God for giving us a Governor like Ayade, who listened to the cries of the common man and gave us this road.

“Before now we found it very difficult to move our goods from the farms to the markets, but now we do so with relative ease,” Mr Amuchi enthused.

For Nyaya Sunday Andor, a bus driver, only apologies to Ayade would suffice.

“You cannot make an omelet without breaking an egg, every good thing needs patience and we are enjoying the result of that patience today.

“I therefore, hereby tender my unreserved apology to our hardworking governor for my initial misgivings about this road construction.”

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Information, Comrade Asu Okang has explained that the 148kilometre road will make the iconic Obudu Mountain Resort Ranch resort more viable as it provides shorter and motorable access to the facility.

SERAP Asks FG to Disclose Details of Planned N729bn Payments to 24.3m Nigerians Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouk to publish details of the proposed payments of N729bn to 24.3 million poor Nigerians for six months.

The non-governmental organisation also wants the minister to provide details about the mechanisms and logistics for the payments, list of beneficiaries, how they have been selected, projected payments per state, and whether the payments will be made in cash, through Bank Verification Numbers or other means.

SERAP’s request follows the announcement by the minister last week that the federal government

would pay about 24.3 million poor Nigerians N5,000 each for a period of six months.

She had disclosed the plan at the inauguration of the federal government’s emergency intervention database for the urban poor, saying the payments would serve as a cushion for those further impoverished by the COVID-19 pandemic.

But SERAP is demanding an explanation of the rationale for paying out the amount, which it says translates to five-per cent of the country’s budget of N13.6 trillion for 2021.

Italsowantstoknowiftheproposed spending is part of the N5.6 trillion budget deficit.

In the Freedom of Information request dated 23 January 2021 and signed by its Deputy Director,

Mr. Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, “Publishing the details of beneficiaries and selection criteria, as well as the payment plan for six months, would promote transparency and accountability, and remove the risks of mismanagement and diversion of public funds.

“Transparency and accountability in the programme would improve public trust, and allow Nigerians to track and monitor its implementation, and to assess if the programme is justified, as well as to hold authorities to account in cases of diversion, mismanagement and corruption.”

the total collapse of the security architect of the country, the federal government should summon an emergency meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to deliberate and take drastic measures on the security situation in all the states of the Federation.

He also called on the federal government to mobilise adequate police and other security forces to halt the menace of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, armed robbery and other violent crimes in the land. With respect to the brewing

crisis in Ondo State, he called on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to extend the seven-day ultimatum to allow all farmers and herders operating in the forest reserve to register with the state government without any delay.

Falana also suggested that Miyetti Allah and similar groups should ensure that all their members who have not registered with the state government do so without any further delay in the overall interest of the security of the people in the State.

He also urged Akeredolu to revitalise the abandoned Akunu Ranch in the Akoko Area of the state with a view to producing and distributing meat in a safe and healthy environment.

“All registered herders and other people involved in animal husbandry will be accommodated in the proposed ranch. With adequate security no group of criminal elements will be permitted to hide in the ranch to carry out nefarious activities.

Glo Boosts Growth in Telecoms Sector in Q3, 2020 Data grandmasters, Globacom, drove the growth in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry in the third quarter of 2020, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The data showed that the sector grew substantially in the quarter propelled by data subscriptions which rose by 23 per cent year on year to stand at 151,063,413 million subscribers at the end of September, 2020.

The figure for the corresponding period of 2019 was 122,792,291.

While Globacom recorded a 33.2 per cent growth in its internet subscriber base between September, 2019, and September, 2020, MTN which came second

had a growth percentage of 24.5 during the same period.

Airtel, on its part, recorded 21.4 per cent growth year on year.

On the other hand, the NBS report showed that the fourth operator, 9mobile, witnessed a decline during the period under review. The network suffered a 14 per cent slide in its internet subscriber figures between September, 2019, and September, 2020.

Glo data services are powered by the huge capacity international submarine cable called Glo-1, a wholly owned facility that brought unprecedented bandwidth from Europe to Nigeria and other West African countries.

Globacom’s remarkable performance in the sector is believed to be a result of the continuing network upgrade which has enhanced data service delivery to its subscribers.

Company sources say Globacom is also continuing the extension of its massive fibre routes pan Nigeria at an accelerated pace so as to further improve broadband penetration and the range of Glo 4G+ data services to all parts of the country.

In addition to this, Globacom offers subscribers attractive data packages with unmatched value.

For instance, 7GB goes for only N1,500, while N10,000 gives the subscriber 50GB.

44

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021, ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Disquiet over Nomination of Judges into Appeal Court Emmanuel Addeh There is unease in the Nigerian judiciary over the alleged lack o transparency in the latest selection of some justices into Court of Appeal, THISDAY learnt yesterday.

Already, some concerned judicial officials as well as aggrieved persons, are calling for the immediate cancellation of the appointment of justices into

the Court of Appeal conducted by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).

The aggrieved persons were said to be insisting that the process leading to the selection was not only opaque, but severely flawed and therefore needed to be reviewed.

A top source in the know of the politics surrounding the appointments maintained

that anybody who’s interested in salvaging the image of the judiciary should not sit back while a process that should ordinarily be a shining example for everything credible was intentionally bastardised.

The source who preferred not to be named, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to rectify the injustice done to the judicial system like he did during the

fraudulent selection of judges to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court recently.

It added that if not reversed, the current cabal dictating who should be in the list of judges to the Appeal Court is capable of turning the judiciary into an instrument for advancing narrow personal interests and patronage.

Accordingly, the source called on the president, the Attorney

General of the federation and Minister of Justice and other decision makers to ignore the recommendation and insist on a transparent objective recruitment process that obliges the National Judicial Council (NJC) to at least comply with its own regulations and procedures for selection.

The source stressed that the endless search for fairness in

the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) must be a continuous one.

“After the FCT Judiciary’s scandalous selection of judges last year of which Mr. President promptly addressed the injustice, the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) has conducted another less transparent appointment exercise for Justices of the Court of Appeal.

Fake Policeman Nabbed with Indian Hemp in Lagos A man, David Omoruyi, has been arrested by policemen attached to the Area ‘E’ Command of the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly having in his possession a fake police identity card and 30kg of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp at the Alaba Rago Market in the Ojo area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement yesterday that Omoruyi and his fleeing accomplices were carrying the weeds on their head when policemen accosted them around 12.12am on Tuesday, adding that while Omoruyi was arrested, his accomplices fled.

Adejobi stated, “The police operatives attached to the Area ‘E’

Command in Festac, on January 19, 2021, around 12.12am, arrested one David Omoruyi, 37, of No. 4 Job Street, Afromedia, Otto-Awori LCDA, Lagos, in possession of a fake police identity card and 30kg of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

“David Omoruyi claimed that he was a serving sergeant attached to Mopol 49, Epe, Lagos State. But after due interrogation and investigation, he confessed to being a fake policeman. He confessed that he used to flash the fake ID to gain access and for easy passage of their loot or drugs whenever they are in business.

DISTURBED BY INSECURITY…

L-R: Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu; Governor Godwin Obaseki; and the new Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Philip Aliyu Ogbadu, after a closed-door security meeting, in Government House, Benin City…yesterday

COVID-19: Cleric Calls for Observance of Protocols, Prayers Yahaya Bello Mourns Former AGF, Abdullahi Ibrahim Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Spiritual Head and Chairman of the Holy Order of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (CSMC) Worldwide, Most Reverend Samuel Adefila Abidoye, has called on Nigerians to be cautious of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He particularly charged churches across the country to strengthen the enforcement of strict adherence to all the COVID-19 protocols to include wearing of face masks, using of hand sanitizer, ensuring physical and social distancing among others.

The cleric, who also enjoined Nigerians to pray over the challenges currently confronting the country as well as observe the COVID-19

protocols in order to flatten the curve of the ravaging virus, added: “We should also continue to seek the face of God over the challenges which the country is facing at the moment.”

Delivering a condolence/ goodwill message to the congregation of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church on Yandoka Road in Bauchi yesterday, the General Organiser (GO) of the Boys Brigade CSMC Worldwide, Most Senior Apostle Joseph Baoku, said: “We are here to condole with the church over the passing on of two of our members as well as deliver Baba Aladura, Most Reverend Samuel Adefila Abidoye’s goodwill message to the congregation in this trying time of our dear country.”

IWA Calls for Fresh Ohanaeze Ndigbo Election Fred Ojeh The umbrella body of Ndigbo worldwide, the Igbo World Assembly (IWA), has stated that after painstakingly reviewing and assessing the pre-election issues and the alleged electoral irregularities in the recent Ohanaeze election, it has rejected the just concluded parallel Ohanaeze Ndigbo elections.

This is even as the group called for caretaker committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for about three months to ensure unity of Ndigbo and also to conduct credible, free and fair election that will follow due process.

The global Igbo body also expressed disappointment over the failure of Ohanaeze to conduct elections that promotes Igbo unity, progress and development.

IWA after a worldwide meeting

held recently jointly signed a statement by its Chairman, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze; the Vice Chairman, Christian Onuorah, and the Secretary General, Oliver Nwankwor, stating that it has critically reviewed, assessed and analysed the issues and circumstances that led to the ‘elections of disunity in Ohanaeze Ndigbo in particular and Igbo nation in general’.

According to the statement, “It is our solemn duty to Ndigbo to communicate and share our findings which serve as the basis of our decision, and which will guide our future actions.”

Speaking on the elections irregularities, IWA noted without mincing words that Prince Okwukwu’s faction of the Ohanaeze election was held in secrecy without transparency.

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja The Kogi State Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello, has expressed deep shock over the death of a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Mr. Abdullahi Ibrahim (SAN), which he described as a colossal loss to the nation and the state in particular.

A condolence message issued

by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Onogwu Muhammed, described the late Ibrahim as an accomplished legal practitioner and administrator who has put so much into the service of the nation in different capacities.

Bello said the sterling contributions of the late legal icon to legal profession right from when he was called to

the English Bar in 1963 until he reached the pinnacle of his career as the first SAN from Northern Nigeria would remain indelible.

Bello commiserated with members of his family and members of the Bar and Bench over the sad loss and prayed the Almighty Allah to grant his soul Aljannah firdaus.

Abdullahi was the Managing Partner of Abdullahi

Ibrahim and Company. He was called to the English Bar in 1963 after which he practiced in chambers in England before returning to Nigeria, where he was called to the Bar in 1964.

He served at various times as Legal Adviser and Senior State Counsel in the defunct Northern Nigeria. He has been in private practice since 1973.

Federal College Commences Mass Production of Ventilators Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy in Enugu, Enugu State, has blazed the trail in the production of ventilators, sanitizers and face masks, as part of its own contributions to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the country and the world.

According to a statement issued by the institution’s Head of Public Relations, Mr.

Omololu Ogunmade, at the weekend, the Rector of the College, Dr. John Emaimo, said the hospital team had discovered that turbine gaspowered ventilators are more effective than those powered by electricity.

The statement quoted the Rector as adding that operations of electricity powered-ventilators would be disrupted whenever power supply fails while gas powered-ventilators can function

uninterrupted for many days.

He stated that the unique invention had attracted the interest of the authorities of National Orthopedic Hospital.

Emaimo said when the hospital team visited the college to examine the quality of the ventilators, they commended the college for the initiative.

The rector added that the college was prepared to patent the products by selling the rights to produce the

ventilators to a company that will in turn be paying it for its initiative.

The statement said the college has also produced large quantities of face masks, face shields and sanitizers, and distributed them to appropriate places for the people to use.

He said the college donated 50 samples of face masks and bottles of sanitisers respectively to the Federal Ministry of Health.

Ikpeazu Tasks Aba Residents on Responsible Use of Public Infrastructure EmmanuelUgwu-Nwogoin Umuahia Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has urged the residents of the commercial city of Aba to cultivate the culture of using public infrastructure in a responsible manner.

He made the call at the weekend when he inaugurated four roads at

the central business area of Aba in continuation of his ongoing drive to drastically reduce the infrastructure deficit in the commercial city.

The governor brought the Prelate and Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Nzie Nsi Eke, to inaugurate the four roads-Milverton, Eziukwu, Ojike and Chisco link Roads, all in Aba South

Local Government Area.

He decried the irresponsible manner in which some people willfully destroy roads and other public infrastructure built by the government with public funds for use by the people.

Ikpeazu warned against the practice of burning tyres on the road, dumping of waste materials

on roads and water channels as well as unilateral cutting of roads for flimsy reasons.

“Nobody should destroy these roads,” he cautioned residents, adding that the roads were built to last at least 30 years and have high economic value to Aba, given their strategic location at the heart of the city.

Nigeria Ripe for Female Presidency, Says NDIC Boss, Sokefun Kayode Fasua in Abeokuta The Chairman of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, has stated that Nigeria is now ripe for a female presidency ahead of the 2023 general election.

Citing the example of Kamala Harris, the first female vice president of the United States of America, who was sworn in last week, Sokefun said female presidency “is inevitable in Nigeria.”

The NDIC chairman stated this while fielding questions

from journalists, shortly after she was honoured for her contribution to the education sector by the Baptist Boys’ High School Abeokuta Old Boys Association.

The award was presented to her in Abeokuta during the ‘Presidential Endowment

Dinner and launching of the N1billion Development Fund’, which was attended by former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, and other prominent members of the Old Boys Association.

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

45

24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

January 31 Deadline: LIRS Urges Employers to File Tax Returns Ejiofor Alike In line with the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) Cap P8 LFN 2011 (as amended), the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has urged all employers of labour

in the state to file their Company’s Annual Tax Returns on or before the statutory deadline of January 31, 2021 to avoid penalties.

The Agency’s eTax platform, launched in October, 2019 gives taxpayers the opportunity to

UNILAG to Conduct Non-physical PostUTME Test The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof.

Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has appealed to public-spirited Nigerians to assist indigent candidates to get tablets, as the university gets set for a nonphysical Post-UTME test.

Ogundipe made the appeal during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos.

According to him, in the face of the resurgence of novel COVID-19 pandemic, all academic activities of the institution, including examinations, will be online.

“We are to conduct our postUnified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post-UTME) test on February 15 to February 23; that is, it will run for about nine days. ”This examination is going to be

e-examination such that wherever the candidates are, they do not need to come to campus. It is simple and convenient. ”We looked at the issue of indigent candidates, we then decided to see how we can carry them along.

“Right now, we have started talking to some friends of the university and alumni to see how we can get tablets that we can give them. ”We have got the number of these indigent candidates registered for the Post-UTME test, and they are above 200,” he told NAN. Ogundipe said that the candidates would need the tablets not just for the purpose of the post-UTME test but also to facilitate other e-learning processes.

comply with all COVID-19 protocols, by filing their tax returns from the comfort of their offices or homes. In addition, all digital platforms and tax portals are available for taxpayers’ use and convenience.

The Annual Tax Returns, which show each employee’s emoluments and tax paid in year 2020, are to be filed via LIRS online portals only, as manual

filing is no longer acceptable. Tax assessments, payments and other tax administration matters can also be carried out on the same platforms.

The Executive Chairman of LIRS, Mr. Ayodele Subair, stated in a statement yesterday that in the face of the prevailing realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on businesses, penalties and fines may be an additional

burden on companies’ finances.

He therefore urged all employers of labour to file their returns within the period stipulated by law. “The essence of the ongoing media campaign and numerous reminders and appeals to companies on this statutory obligation, is to ensure they file early, to avoid sanctions.

“The steps to file are available on all our communication

channels; however, taxpayers with difficulties filing are also welcome to seek assistance with specially designated staff at our tax stations.

“We have made the process simple, quick, secure and reliable for our esteemed taxpayers. We are also available on various digital platforms to assist taxpayers on the process of e-filing,” he explained.

Umahi Orders Arrest of Top Govt Sahara Group Earns Officials over Community Clash over $10bn in 25 Years Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has ordered the arrest of some top government officials from Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

The arrest was sequel to a bloody clash in Effium community which led to killings and destruction of property at the weekend.

Some of the officials arrested included the Chairman of Ohaukwu LGA, Clement Odah, and the member representing Ohaukwu North state constituency.

The governor gave the directive through his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe, yesterday during an emergency meeting he convened yesterday

Peter Uzoho

morning.

The crisis erupted between the leaders of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) over revenue sharing formula.

Also arrested are 30 other major stakeholders from the area, including the Coordinator of Effium Development Centre, Hon Sunday Agbo, and the Coordinator of Effium South, Hon Eucheria Ogwale.

A former Chief Press Secretary to Umahi, and the current Special Assistant to the Governor on Fruits and Vegetable Market Development, Sir Emmanuel Uzor, and his counterpart in charge of Park Development, Chief Emmanuel Igwe, were also arrested.

The Sahara Group has earned $10 billion annual revenues in 25 years of its operations in more than 40 countries with over 4000 employees.

The group, which is energy conglomerate, said that its business plans for the future would focus on continuous improvement, operational efficiency, sustainability and technological driven innovations.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Executive Director of the Sahara Group, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, in a statement which said that the energy conglomerate’s impressive growth trajectory since 1996 has been driven by knowledge, business integrity, humility, diverse people and

robust global network.

Shonubi said that the group planned to mark its 25th anniversary with events that would stretch all through the year with the theme: “Harnessing Safe Energy Today,” with emphasis on promoting the capacity to achieve positive and sustainable transformation in the energy sector.

He said: “The Sahara’s focus is on continuous improvement, operational efficiency and sustainability.

“An analysis of Sahara’s operational model shows that creating a sustainable economic, social and governance impact has remained central to Sahara’s corporate strategy.

“Sahara’s focus is on continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and sustainability.”

MONDAY, ͺͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

46

PERSPECTIVE

Amosun: A Quintessential Enigma at 63 Raheem Ajayi Ogun, the Gateway State has been lucky to have scored first in many areas of human endeavours to the admiration of many and to the chagrin of a few. In fact, it has been called the state of giants by great intellectuals on account of the contributions of its indigenes to socio-political and economic development of Nigeria, Africa and the World at large.

Ogun has produced giants in law, accounting, sports, science, literary and arts as well as politics.

It is therefore not surprising, that the state is gifted with another giant who is not only an embodiment of the tradition of excellence that Ogun is known for, but also combines energy, zeal and creativity that are uncommon. Senator Ibikunle Amosun (SIA) is the definition of a home made brand who is proudly "Egba" and truly global in his orientation. He didn't only rise to the pinnacles of his professional career, he has also done exceedingly well in political space leaving indelible marks in the hearts of the people with his role in the making of modern Ogun State.

A Master of Arts holder in International Finance from the University of Westminster in London, United Kingdom, Amosun's knack for prudence is second to none. This was fabulously employed in the management of the resources of Ogun State during his tenure as the Governor between 2011 and 2019.

His knowledge, as a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, was brought to bear when he increased the internally generated revenue of the state from N700 million to N7billion monthly before he left office as Governor in 2019.

He left no one in doubt as to his preference for an egalitarian society when he presented a pro-people manifesto and ran for Senate in 2003 defeating established politicians to represent the good people of Ogun Central in the National Assembly. He didn't just become popular overnight winning a Senate seat. He had engaged in philanthropic works sponsoring students' education, helping businesses and footing hospital expenses for the less privileged. He was a man who gave back to the community. He started giving scholarships to students as far back as 1986.

He hasn't stopped doing all these till date.

Born on January 25, 1958 at Totoro Abeokuta; his father Alhaji Abdulazeez Oyedeni Alade Sanusi was a Railway worker while his mother Alhaja Rafatu Mojisola Alake Sanusi was into petty trading. Both parents died in 1997 and 1999 respectively. Young Ibikunle Amosun took more than passive interest in buying and selling helping his mum in her trading.

Amosun This would later manifest in his adult life.

The first problem confronted by SIA when he took over as Governor in 2011 was insecurity as well as lack of funds. In fact, banks couldn't open in some areas of the state as a result of the activities of hoodlums and armed robbers. Within weeks, Amosun set up Security Trust Fund (STF) headed by Mr. Kayode Are former Director-General of Department State Security (DSS). He procured 125 double cabin patrol vans operational vehicles fitted with sophisticated communication gadgets that facilitated easy communication for security operatives. His administration later acquired 14 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC). These actions reduced insecurity greatly in the state.

Amosun believed that if insecurity was

taken care of, economic prosperity would naturally follow and the citizens would be better for it. In 2011 when he took over, Ogun State was rated as number 35 on the scale of ease of doing business by the World Bank.

Three years later, in 2014 the state moved to number four, thanks to the ingenuity of the administration of SIA. Over 300 industries were attracted into Ogun State with 148 of them investing over $200 million. Unilever alone has created over 7,500 direct jobs with multiple indirect jobs. According to Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, 75% of foreign direct investments in the country streamed into Ogun State under his watch!

The journey to the new era in Ogun State was mid-wifed by Amosun's Mission

to Rebuild Ogun State (MITROS) with an unassailable momentum which led to the epoch-making infrastructural revolution in the state. Within a short time, the state capital witnessed an uncommon transformation from its hitherto backwater status into a modern city centre and a metropolis of some uniqueness.

During his time, the World also witnessed rice revolution in Ogun State with Mitros Sawonjo rice and Mitros Ofada rice defining the next stage of rice production in Nigeria.

Ajiri Omo Oye, as fondly called by his immediate family members and close associates, loves to project the image of Nigeria, its culture and the central roles expected of it as the most populous Black Nation. His desire to unite Africans all over the World through celebration of the beauties of African Drums brought about African Drum Festival. It was in the quest to correctly situate the place of the African Drum as part of the larger agenda of cultural renaissance that made SIA create African Drum Festival.

The annual cultural show-piece usually features diverse genre of cultural exhibitions which convey the artistic uniqueness of the traditions of African societies. No fewer than 14 countries participated in the fourth edition of the festival in April 2019 which featured over 70 groups across the world including groups from the Caribbean. Cultural artists from 24 states of the 36 states in Nigeria competed for honour at the events with Kwara State emerging first while Enugu state and the host state Ogun emerged in second and third positions respectively.

Amosun has an uncommon energy pursuing anything he believes in. He would remain on sites till late in the night making sure works are done to the specifications which he named "Ogun standard". He doesn't believe anything is impossible through hard work and prayers. He would go any length assisting and encouraging Ogun indigenes achieve their aims. He was in Cardiff to give support to Anthony Joshua, Ogun-born boxer who is the World Heavyweight Champion when the latter was defending his title. I witnessed him give moral support to his wife, Dr. Olufunso Amosun, at Ile Ife three years ago when she was honoured with Moremi status by Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.

As our own Ajiri turns 63, all I can wish him is more energy, good health and wisdom to continue his service to his fatherland. I propose 63 hearty cheers to the distinguished Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital market. r"KBZJ XSPUF GSPN *NBTBZJ JO :FXB /PSUI BSFB PG 0HVO 4UBUF

NEWSXTRA

Seplat: Access Bank Wants S’Court to Reverse Appeal Court's Ruling Davidson Iriekpen Access Bank Plc at the weekend said it had filed a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court to challenge the decision by the Lagos Division of Court of Appeal to upturn the suspension of the interim order made by a Federal High Court in Lagos sealing the corporate offices of Seplat Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and freezing its accounts, in respect of loan obtained by Cardinal Drilling Services Limited.

The loan, according to the bank, was utilised by Seplat.

The bank, through its solicitors, Mr. Kunle Ogunba and Associates, approached the highest court after it expressed its dissatisfaction with the decision delivered by the Appeal Court, indicating that the learned justices of the court erred in law when they suspended the interlocutory orders made by the trial judge at the Federal High Court, thereby treating the substantive appeal at an interlocutory stage.

Justice Joseph Shagbaor Ikyegh, who led the threeman panel, while delivering

a ruling on an application by Seplat Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) for an order suspending the interim order made by Justice Rilwan Aikawa of Federal High Court, pending the determination of the appeal filed by Seplat, held that the balance of convenience favoured the petroleum company.

Justice Ikyegh also held that Access Bank had nothing to lose if Seplat continued to discharge its obligation to its numerous clients, even as it lifted the order stopping banks from fulfilling their obligations to Seplat under bank-customer relationship.

But Access Bank in an affidavit in support of the application before Supreme Court, stated that “by discharging the said interlocutory orders, the Appeal Court judges, wittingly (via a motion) determined the main appeal which seeks to also discharge the interlocutory orders made by the trial court".

The bank also stated that the learned justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law when they failed to dismiss the said application, same being an

abuse of court process filed to interfere with administration of justice.

It is therefore seeking an order setting aside the Appeal Court’s ruling delivered on January 22, 2021, as well as reinstating the interlocutory orders made by Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court on December 24, 2020.

The bank has also filed a motion on notice for an order of injunction pending appeal at the Court of Appeal, for an order restraining the Seplat and others in the suit, which includes; Cardinal Drilling Services Limited; Mr. Orjiako Ambrose Bryant, Kalu Nwosu, the baliffs, sheriffs and/or any other person acting through them from taking further step towards enforcing, executing or giving any effect to the ruling/ order of the Court of Appeal delivered on January 22, 2021, pending the hearing and final determination of the appeal it has filed at the Supreme Court.

Justice Aikawa had granted the Mareva injunction following the bank’s argument canvassed by its counsel, Kunle Ogunba (SAN).

The judge also ordered the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Lagos, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and their Deputies and Assistants to assist the Receiver/ Manager in his lawful duties over the assets of Seplat

pending the hearing and final determination of the suit.

Ogunba had told the court, among others, that the order was necessary to preserve the res from being disposed of before the hearing and determination of the motion

on notice.

The assets affected by the Mareva order included; 25, Lugard Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos, 6, Agodogba Avenue, Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos and the one at 11, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Gunmen Abduct, Kill LG Chairman in Taraba Wole Ayodele in Jalingo The Chairman of Ardo Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State, Mr. Salihu Dovo, was yesterday abducted from his home in Jalingo, Taraba State, and taken to the bush by gunmen where he was eventually killed.

Also, his brother, identified as Timothy, who attempted to stop the assailants from taking Dovo away, was also killed by the gunmen.

The gunmen, numbering 20, had stormed his residence at the Sabon Geri area of the town at about 1 a.m. from where he was abducted, and taken into the bush where his corpse was later recovered.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), David Misal, disclosed that hours after abducting the chairman, the gunmen placed a call to an official of the local government area that he has been killed and that his family should go and recover his body from the bush.

Misal, who spoke to THISDAY on the phone, also revealed that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident just as he assured them that the police command would get to the root of the matter.

According to him, "The armed men stormed the chairman's house at Sabon Geri at about 1 a.m. on Sunday and took him away into the bush. The gunmen

later called that he has been killed and his body dumped in the bush.

"A search team was raised and dispatched to look for the body, which was eventually found in the bush from where it was deposited in the morgue."

The PPRO, however, stated that the suspects arrested are already providing useful information that would assist the police to unravel those behind the dastardly act.

THISDAY, however, gathered that one of the suspects was beaten to coma by irate mob who meted jungle justice on him, but was later rushed to the hospital by security agents where he's receiving treatment as at the time of filing the report.

47

˜ ͺͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

MONDAYSPORTS

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

NPFL

Nasarawa Utd Grab Away Win Against Wolves to Reach Summit Duro Ikhazuagbe Nasarawa United and Sunshine Stars highlighted Match-day 6 of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) yesterday with away victories in Ozoro and Uyo

MATCH-DAY 6 Heartland 2-1 Akwa Utd Kwara Utd 1-0 IfeanyiUbah W’Wolves 1-2 Nasarawa Abia Warriors 0-0 MFM FC Rangers 0-0 Lobi Stars Dakkada FC 1-2 Sunshine TODAY Adamawa Utd v Enyimba Wikki v Jigawa Stars WEDNESDAY K’Pillars v Rivers Utd

respectively.

The 2-1 win for Nasarawa against Warri Wolves at the Ozoro Township Stadium moved the Solid Miners to the summit of the Nigerian topflight on 14 points. They are two points ahead of former leaders Rivers United, who however have a game in hand.

Uche Ihuarulam headed Wolves in front from a Jumbo Wisdom pinpoint cross in the 21st minute.

Silas Nwankwo equalised for Nasarawa United in the 63rd minute following poor defending by the home team.

The visitors netted the winner through Chinedu Ohanachom 12 minutes

from time.

Both Rangers and Lobi who canceled themselves out in a barren draw at the Cathedral in Enugu remain in the top four on 11 points each.

Kwara United who added to the woes of FC IfeanyiUbah moved from

10th to 5th spot on the log.

Sunshine Stars’s 2-1 victory against hosts Dakkada in Uyo also lifted the Akure Gunners sixth as against 11th prior to this Matchday, while Heartland and Abia Warriors wriggle out of the relegation zone.

In Okigwe, Heartland recorded their second win of the season edging out Akwa United 2-1 at the Okigwe Township Stadium.

Mfon Udoh poked the ball beyond Ikechukwu Ezenwa in the 34th minute following a pass from Seth Mayi.

Heartland fought back through goals from Samuel Nnoshiri and Nduka Pasacal Eze. Olawale Farayola scored a late winner as Kwara United beat FC IfeanyiUbah 1-0 in Ilorin. Abia Warriors were also held to a 0-0 draw

by MFM.

E N G L I S H FA C U P

Fernandes Fires Winner in Man Utd, Liverpool Five-goal Thriller Ndidi, Iheanacho also through with Leicester Bruno Fernandes’ superb 78th-minute free-kick gave Manchester United 3-2 victory in a thrilling FA Cup tie with old rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Liverpool led a fantastic contest through Mohamed Salah, who then equalised after Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford had struck for the hosts either side of the break.

But in a game which had everything last week’s drab stalemate between this pair at Anfield lacked, Fernandes came off the bench to have the final word after Fabinho had fouled Edinson Cavani on the edge of the area.

Fernandes might have been slightly off the pace in recent games but when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needed his £47m inspiration to come up with another special moment, the Portuguese delivered, bending his shot round the wall and beyond Allison’s reach.

The victory earns United a

home meeting with an in-form West Ham side managed by former boss David Moyes in the fifth round.

Elsewhere, Tammy Abraham hat-trick secured Chelsea 3-1 victory over Luton Town in the FA Cup fourth round to relieve some pressure on manager Frank Lampard.

Abraham slotted in from Timo Werner’s cut-back before nodding in a second from Reece James’ chip.

Jordan Clark scored for the visitors - after an error by keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga- on 30 minutes to keep them in the game.

But Abraham poked home to seal victory before Timo Werner missed a penalty.

Leicester City were also on the winning lane as the Foxes came back from a goal down to defeat Brentford 3-1 to progress into the Fifth Round of the FA Cup. Both Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho played a part in Leicester’s victory.

PwC U-17 Cricket Critical for Devt, Says Asanka The Head Coach and HighPerformance Manager of Cricket in Nigeria, Asanka Gurusinha who has been following the ongoing Regional finals of the PwC National U-17 Championship has described the event as very important for the country’s c development pathway in the game.

“Events are important for Nigeria’s grassroots development, and I have followed this very event and must say I am impressed at the level of coordination by the Nigeria Cricket Federation and again the support the Federal Ministry of Sports has offered to make the event a success,” he said while watching one of the games at the North Central regional finals in Abuja.

“This event is critical to Nigeria’s participating in future U-19 events, though the attention this year is to get capable players for executing the coming Under-19 World Cup qualifier later in the year. Most of the talents we have

seen will form a pool from which National Under-19 coach will be working with,” he added.

The Sri Lankan Cricket World Cup winner; who was employed in 2020, said despite being his first national event to be witnessed in Nigeria, he is looking forward to the finals of the event.

According to him, “I am very much looking forward to seeing the finals in Edo State.”

The girls’ final is billed for next weekend, January 27th to 31st, while boys’ regional representatives will slug it out from February 4th to 7th.

Both finals have been scheduled to hold at Edo State High-performance Centre in Benin City.

The General Manager of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Emeka Igwillo, revealed at the weekend that all the regional teams coming for the finals will have all the needs to make sure they are safe and comfortable to play the best possible cricket.

Bruno Fernandes celebrating his winning goal that moved Manchester United past Liverpool into the fifth round of the English FA Cup

SERIE A

Osimhen’s Return Fails to Lift Napoli at Verona Super Eagles’ forward, Victor Osimhen, made his muchawaited Serie A return for Napoli but it ended in 1-3 shock defeat at Hellas Verona yesterday.

The AFCON 2019 bronze medal winner with Nigeria last featured for the Parthenopeans in November against Bologna due to injury and coronavirus problems.

The centre-forward suffered a shoulder injury on international duty with Nigeria against Sierra Leone in a 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Benin City.

Osimhen again suffered a setback when he tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from Christmas break in Lagos where he attended his birthday party.

The 22-year-old was isolated for 21 days before testing

negative for the virus and immediately teamed up with the rest of Gennaro Gattuso’s men in training.

The forward was handed his 10th appearance across all competitions for the Parthenopeans at Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi since teaming up with the side from Lille in the summer.

Napoli started the game brightly when Hirving Lozano opened the scoring only one minute into the game after receiving a timely assist from Diego Demme.

Federico Dimarco then levelled matters for Hellas Verona in the 34th minute after he was set up by Marco Davide Faraoni.

Antonin Barak then gave Ivan Juric’s men the lead moments before the hour mark after benefitting from

an assist from Mattia Zaccagni.

In an effort to try and avoid defeat, manager Gattuso brought on his club-record signing, Osimhen, in the 65th minute for Andrea Petagna.

The Nigeria international had six touches on the ball and had a 50 percent successful pass rate in the encounter but could not help his side from avoiding defeat as Zaccagni sealed the victory for Verona in the 79th minute.

Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly was on parade for the entirety of the game and received a caution in the 71st minute.

With the loss, Napoli dropped to the sixth spot on the Serie A table following their inability to add to their 34 points.

Osimhen will be expected to deliver a more impactful performance when the Parthenopeans take on Spezia in a cup tie on January 28.

Napoli are now winless in their last two games after also suffering defeat against Juventus in an Italian Super Cup tie last time out.

Victor Osimhen back from quarantine but failed to lift Napoli at Verona

R&A Appoints Dutchman PGA Nigeria CPG Programme Facilitator Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Royal and Ancient has appointed Mr Jim van Heuven van Staereling of Holland as the Country Mentor for the Initial Professional Education (IPE) facilitated by the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG) programme, which the R&A is sponsoring.

The CPG confirmed after a meeting last week that the programme designed for Nigeria will take off as scheduled from

February 2.

The virtual programme which is open to members of the Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria (PGAN) will lead to an award of Diploma Certificate for those that will successfully meet the requirements at the end of the course.

The training is expected to change for better coaching capacity and service delivery of the PGAN members and also bring them to be in tune with international standard in the discharge of their duties with

the use of modern tools and technology.

In a statement issued yesterday, the PGAN, Director, Samson Lawal, appealed to the members to grab the opportunity offered by the course, which he said will enhance their service delivery and boost their profile as professionals.

“The training will equally be a step for those who want to advance themselves in the profession to continue with ease. Furthermore, it will put members of the PGA of Nigeria

on the same pedestal with their counterpart in the developed countries,” Lawal said.

He said that no PGAN member will be allowed to join the training midway as everyone must start together from the beginning.

Also given that there will be lots of assignments to be submitted on-line via Zoom, the participants are required to have at least a smartphone, a laptop or a computer with camera and audio, internet and WiFi connection.

TR

Monday January 25, 2021

& RE A SO

N

Price: N250

MISSILE

Book Your

Falana to FG

COVID-19 Tests & Vaccinations TEXT

UT H

“The federal government does not bother because they belong to the flotsam and jetsam of the society. So, that is why people are wondering. The federal government is portraying itself as the defender of herders and it is not very good” – Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), accusing the federal government of portraying itself as a defender of herders.

‘COVID’ TO 58123

This service is provided in association with accredited service providers

IBRAHIMBABANGIDA GUEST COLUMNIST

Nigeria Has Lost an Illustrious Officer

N

igeria has lost another illustrious Police Officer who dedicated his lifetime to service in the Police Force. He was a quintessential detective and astute administrator who through training, dint of hard work and dedication became one of the foremost police officers in the history of Nigeria police Force.

Its in recognition of his excellent qualifications, service, commitment and discipline in the Police Force that our administration found him roundly qualified to occupy the most coveted duty posts that culminated in his becoming the Inspector-General of Police. He attained this highest rank in the police service because of the achievements that he recorded from the time he enrolled in the Nigeria Police College Kaduna and the Police College Ikeja in 1959 as a Cadet Sub-Inspector. The late IGP Gambo was a very well trained police officer, he attended the Detective Training School Wakefield, UK, in 1962

Gambo

and Bramhill Police College, UK, in 1963. He also attended the International Police Academy, Washington DC, USA, in 1980 and the National Police Academy, Cairo, Egypt. Gambo was first promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in 1963. He then rose progressively to the rank of Commissioner of Police in 1977 and appointed Lagos State Commissioner of Police and member Lagos State Executive Council in 1979.

Our administration appointed him Inspector General of Police in 1986 to succeed IGP Etim Inyang a rank he retained until his retirement and eventual appointment as the National Security Adviser in 1990. In 2011 Alhaji Gambo was appointed member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The late Gambo was appointed the Dan Lawan of Adamawa by the Lamido of Adamawa in recognition of his contributions in the development of his home state of Adamawa.

I recall with great satisfaction the commitment of Gambo throughout his service career as a brilliant police officer and detective. He was an asset to our country even in retirement.

His experience, expertise and contributions to national development and to the police force will be missed by the nation. Our great country is facing various security, economic and political challenges.

I appreciate the contributions of Gambo for the many achievements made by our administration; as IGP he was a member of the AFRC, the highest ruling body of the administration.

I pray Allah SWT will forgive him and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Amin. I wish to condole his immediate Family, the government and people of Nigeria, the Lamido of Adamawa, the government and people of Adamawa State, the Nigeria Police Force and all his friends and associates. I pray Allah to grant us all the equanimity to bear the loss. Amin Yaa Hayyu Yaa Qayyum.

CHIKEOGEAH GUEST COLUMNIST

The Enigma Called Egba Okumagba

I

met Egba sometimes in 1989 while I was working with the Law Firm of Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe & Belgore. He was with CentrePoint Merchant Bank…we had gone to their office for an All Parties Meeting and we hit it off thereafter and thus began a lifetime of brotherhood.

I recall with nostalgia in 2006 when as Managing Director of the Federal Governmentowned Skypower Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL), I was saddled with the responsibility of the full privatisation of this moribund Agency.

I invited Egba even before he approached me and handed him the entire brief and working with the Liquidator to the transaction, the now also late Babbington-Ashaye, they delivered what has been adjudged the best and most transparent privatisation process ever in the history of our country.

Egba made history with the rest of us that delivered a hitherto Government wasting asset to a World-Class profit-making private and now

a Public Quoted Company Limited by Shares in the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Egba was my Chief Adviser from the beginning of the transaction in 2006 until it was completed in 2010.

Fast forward to our time working together in the Delta State Economic Council. Egba will call me to know when I’m coming to Lagos for the next meeting and whether I have put “the Great Duke”(Nduka Obaigbena) on notice to make sure he gets those large snails we often enjoyed whenever we visited his Glover Road residence after our deliberations. That was Egba, simple and down to earth, no-frills and no pretences.

Egba was an enigma, an incurable optimist, a big picture player and great all-round nonconformist genius. He could see aspects of a deal that was not visible to the naked eye and was always ready to thread where eagles would not dare. He was also very humane and sensitive, always eager to make sure that all was well with everyone around him.

He had a “side name” for everyone he liked

usually prefixed by the word “Great”. Whenever or wherever I heard “the Great Ogeah” I knew Egba was not too far away. This was often followed with loud hearty laughter the best smile ever…he was a good looking guy and a jolly good man.

Again, we fast forward to the purple patch, when things were not looking too good. Egba will call me and after the usual hailing ask me if the 100 million USD he had told me to raise was ready and I would be like, Egba, where am I going to get that from in this depressed economy? He would tell me to stop underrating myself and go get the money, that the money is right here in this economy.

And we went through this ritual even just a couple of days to his death when he called as usual but this time I did not know it was his way of saying Goodbye because I was supposed to see him that weekend as he had come in from Abuja and GOD knows I tried but all the road works and bridge closures all over Lagos made it impossible until he left back to Abuja where

he had been spending more time in his latter days. Not seeing him for our usual banter was a grievous mistake as I never got to see him again.

I would forever treasure the bond of true friendship and brotherhood we shared and it will forever be a source of pain to me that me and all his very distinguished friends should have stepped in much quicker to arrest the situation though, to our defence, Egba did not make it too easy for us as his dreams were just too big for our myopic comprehension.

It is well my brother, my friend, my comrade, my Egbatics as I often called him. You have run your race and you have done your time and gone to a place where I’m sure you will be better understood. You certainly came before your time.

Sleep well and enjoy eternal rest but, knowing you, I’m sure you must be structured the biggest Deal going down in Heaven right now…Missing you. r0HFBI JT 7JDF $IBJSNBO 4LZXBZ "WJBUJPO )BOEMJOH $PNQBOZ 1MD

For Bolu, It’s God’s Timing Sunmade Akin-Olugbade We have been going through a season of weeping in Nigeria on all fronts but most especially because of the Corona virus pandemic. In the past year, we have lost friends, colleagues and associates.

And now COVID-19 has struck again with the loss of my younger brother, Bolusanmi Adegboyega Akin-Olugbade.

Whereas I was born when my Dad was a clerk in the colonial treasury department (now the Ministry of Finance), Bolu was born after Dad had travelled to the UK and qualified as a Barrister-at-Law, hence the seeming wide gap in our ages. But you could not make out the difference because Bolu was a tall, fearless man who knew early in life what he wanted in this life, and pursued it with rugged determination.

I was with my mom when he was born on April 2nd, 1956. Indeed, I was present when he received the LL.B degree at the Royal Albert Hall, London from the Queen Mother in 1978. I was present when he got married to his heartthrob, the beautiful damsel, Ladunni Moore at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina in December, 1980.

And when they had their first child, Bade in Cambridge, England in 1981, I was present at the naming ceremony. When Bolu bagged his Ph.D degree in law from Cambridge University in 1985, my late mother and I attended the convocation ceremony. And when his Royal Majesty, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Dr. Adegboyega Olusanya Dosunmu conferred the Aare Ona Kakanfo title on Bolusanmi Adegboyega in October 2009, I was the Head of the Akin-Olugbade Royal family at the ceremony.

But I will not be at Bolu’s funeral. God has a season, sequence and structure for all his creation.

Only God knows the timing of the seasons of our lives. Yes, this is the season of weeping but the Holy Bible teaches us that those that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Bolu defied the demons and the merchants of evil and broke the shackles that constrained him. I saw the video from the hospital, they asked him if he wanted to end it, and he said, YES. He was no longer concerned with longevity, wealth or fame. He found his release in Christ alone. He is free at last. He has made peace with his friends and foes alike. Most of all, Bolu made peace with God. The AKIN-OLUGBADE family is still in mourning but we are deeply grateful to God for the life and legacies of Bolusanmi Adegboyega Akin-Olugbade.

We are also very grateful to family, friends and

well-wishers from Nigeria and all over the world who have commiserated with us on our loss and have shared in our griefs and pain especially the Reverend Dr. S.A Fegbemi and the church family at the First Baptist Church, Lagos.

Through all the changing scenes and vicissitudes of life, our faith remains unshaken in God who is our refuge and our hope for years to come.

May the soul of Bolusanmi Adegboyga AkinOlugbade rest in peace and may light perpetual shine on him. May the God of all comfort grant succour to Ladunni, Bade, Dademi and Babatunde.

And may God, in his infinite mercy uphold, sustain and lift up the entire Akin-Olugbade family at home and abroad. In all things, we give thanks to God almighty! r"LJO 0MVHCBEF JT )FBE PG "LJO 0MVHCBEF GBNJMZ

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com