FRIDAY 5TH MARCH 2021

Farmers Access N122.63bn CBN’s Agriculture Credit Scheme Apex bank boosts rice production with Brazilian variety James Emejo in Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has facilitated N122.63 billion as loans to farmers under its Agricultural Credit

Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF), since inception till December 2020, the Chairman of ACGSF Board, Mr. Stephen Okon, has said.

Okon told journalists yesterday in Abuja at the

National Awards Ceremony for the Best Farmer of the Year 2020 under the ACGSF, that 30,267 of these loans, worth N4.32 billion, were guaranteed last year.

Also, CBN Director,

Development Finance Department, Mr. Yusuf Yila, stated that the apex bank is working to provide farmers with some Brazilian seed variety to boost rice production from the current four million

metric tonnes per hectare to about nine million metric tonnes per hectare.

Okon said the ACGSF was established by Decree No. 20 of 1977 to guarantee agricultural credit facilities

to farmers, adding that the establishment law was amended and assented to

by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 to strengthen Continued on page 16

Oil Price Rises as OPEC Maintains Output Cut for April... Page 8 Friday 5 March, 2021 Vol 26. No 9462. Price: N250

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Buhari Steps Up Efforts to Combat Insecurity, Orders Border Surveillance Urges security agencies to raise Nigeria’s ranking on Global Security Index Bandit commanders met on giving peace a chance, says Niger SSG North-east govs back community policing, regional security outfit Zamfara imposes curfew on Jangebe Ejiofor Alike in Lagos, Deji Elumoye in Abuja, Laleye Dipo in Minna and Francis Sardauna in Katsina President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday raised the tempo in the efforts by his administration to tame the worsening insecurity in the country as he directed the Nigeria Immigration Service

(NIS) to increase surveillance at the nation's borders.

The president, in his speech in Abuja during the virtual inauguration of the NIS Technology Building, stressed the urgent need to improve security around the nation’s borders so that criminals won't find Nigeria a safe haven Continued on page 10

FG: No COVID-19 Vaccine for States without Cold Stores’ Security Govs adopt NPHCDA sharing formula, to take vaccine March 9 Deji Elumoye and Chuks Okocha in Abuja The federal government yesterday foreclosed access to the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine it received on Tuesday to states without adequate security at their cold stores.

Executive Director of the National Primary Health

Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, said states yet to fulfill stipulated conditions for benefitting from the vaccines would not get the vaccines.

He spoke as the federal government firmed up preparations for distributing the vaccine to states ahead Continued on page 10

BE ASSURED OF LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT...

L-R: President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan and Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier Gen Buba Marwa (rtd), during a visit to Lawan, in Abuja... yesterday julius atoi

Obasanjo, Abdulsalami, Jonathan, Others Inaugurate Forum to Promote Democracy... Page 5

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NEWS Obasanjo, Abdulsalami, Jonathan, Others Inaugurate Forum to Promote Democracy

Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike

Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Ejiofor Alike Three former Nigerian leaders, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, as well as five other former West African leaders yesterday joined forces to establish a mechanism targeted at preventing and resolving election-related conflicts and maintaining stability in the sub-region.

The leaders resolved to collectively exert their enormous goodwill towards ensuring peace in West African nations, by promoting credible elections and good governance, in order to prevent the nations from descending into crises.

They spoke at the formal inauguration of the West African Elders Forum, an initiative of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF), with support from OSIWA, which seeks to limit electoral violence and promote democratic stability in West Africa. The forum has former presidents in the sub-region as members.

Other former presidents who participated in the virtual event were Pedro Pires of Cape Verde, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Amos Sawyer of Liberia, Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone and Mrs. Aminata Traore, former Senegalese Prime Minister.

Communications Officer of Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Wealth Dickson Ominabo, said in a statement yesterday that Jonathan, who is the Chairman of GJF, described the West African Elders’ Forum as an initiative aimed at leveraging the rich resources of eminent personalities in West Africa

to promote peace and support processes that enhance sustainable democracy.

He stated that the vision “is to harness the experience and wisdom of our region’s eminent leaders to advance the course of political stability and the quest for economic progress and prosperity in our countries.”

Jonathan urged the former leaders not to give up in their quest for peace in Africa.

He said: “It is evident that as former heads of state, we have not relented in our individual efforts in maintaining stability in Africa and expanding the democratic space. We have worked towards fostering free and fair elections as well as peaceful transfer of power from one administration to another.

“But with this forum, we can collectively work as a team to reduce political violence and electoral conflicts in West Africa. This is consistent with the goal of the Goodluck Jonathan foundation to support democratic transitions and manage political emergencies within the continent”.

According to him, over the last few decades, West Africa has demonstrated leadership and political will by setting the pace in transforming a regional group of states into a ‘secured community’ on the continent.

“Regrettably, the peace and stability of the region is being eroded because of many reasons, including political contestation for power, spread of terrorism and the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We recognise the efforts of the United Nations Office for West Africa, the African Union, ECOWAS, the various

states and other development partners aimed at promoting peace and stability in this region," he stated.

Jonathan added that with the forum, the former leaders would collectively exert their goodwill towards “preserving the peace in our nations, some of them fragile, and prevent them from descending into anarchy."

"It is my hope that through the forum, we will be able to leverage on your collective knowledge, years of experiences, passion and deep understanding of the issues to contribute to ongoing efforts towards limiting violence and instability and protecting the integrity of democratic processes within the region,”

he said.

He stated that as elders, they would encourage current leaders to embrace the concept of democracy.

“That leaving behind a lasting legacy of peopleoriented leadership that positively impacts the lives of ordinary citizens is crucial. We have played and are currently playing key roles in promoting peace and stability within the region. We are all united by our common passion and commitment to see the region progress,” he said.

The leaders thanked Jonathan for initiating the forum and promised to support its engagements and programmes.

Speaking in support of the

initiative, Obasanjo noted that the leaders needed to work individually and collectively “to deal with post-pandemic development like governance to build an inclusive society within our respective societies in West Africa.”

Similarly, Sirleaf said: “Many of us have been involved in mediations and interventions either as individuals or sometimes as part of institutional arrangements to achieve the objective of good governance, peace and security. But we have lacked a collective African effort and this is what this group will bring.”

In his own intervention, Abdulsalami observed a pattern of rising insecurity

not only in West Africa, but the world over.

“We have seen the efforts of ECOWAS in establishing democracy in the sub-region.

I am happy that President Goodluck Jonathan has deemed it fit to establish this forum of eminent personalities to alleviate the problems we encounter in establishing democracy and also in fighting insecurity,” he added.

Also speaking, Koroma said: “The more progress we have made, the more challenges we are experiencing, even in the areas of governance.

That is why I believe an initiative like this is very timely because of the trend that we are experiencing in elections and post-elections.”

FORGING PARTNERSHIP...

L-R: Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh; Executive Director Cabotage and Maritime Labour Services, Hon. Victor Ochei and Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, during a courtesy call on the governor by the management of NIMASA, in Asaba...yesterday

Lawan: Drug Barons Financing Terrorists, Bandits Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, yesterday attributed the lingering insecurity in the country to the activities of drug barons.

He accused those he described as drug barons of funding insurgent groups such as Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers as well as

supplying them with arms and ammunition.

Lawan told the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), who visited him in Abuja that drug barons who engage in trafficking heroine, cannabis and cocaine have made Nigeria a major transit route for plying their illicit trade.

He, therefore, called for the

restructuring of the NDLEA to empower it to deal with drug traffickers.

He assured Marwa that the National Assembly would support the agency by amending the NDLEA Act with a view to enabling the it achieve its core mandates.

Lawan also expressed concern about the rising incidence of drug addiction and underscored the need

for multi-dimensional efforts across the various agencies of governments aimed at tackling underlying causes such as illiteracy, unemployment and poverty, responsible for the exposure of youths to criminal tendencies.

He also advocated the inclusion of drug education in school curricular.

Earlier, Marwa had said the Senate under Lawan

had shown support for the agency by its determination to the review the NDLEA Act. According to him, it is important to correct some of the lapses in the Act that was promulgated in 1989, warning that Nigeria is currently in a state of siege.

Marwa said: ''The drug affliction is actually the number one problem we are facing, it is everywhere. First of all,

it destroys our kids, women, our youths, and the family system. Secondly, it is behind the criminalities everywhere now.

"You have to be crazy to commit some of these criminalities, and what fuels it is drug abuse. Even the insurgents and bandits themselves, they take drugs before they go into their activities.''

PANDEF Supports Buhari’s Shoot-on-sight Order Cautions against selective implementation Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has lent its weight to President Muhammadu Buhari's directive to security agencies to shoot on sight illegal carriers of sophisticated weapons such as AK-47 rifles, saying it will bring sanity to the chaotic security situation in the country.

It, however, cautioned

against the selective implementation of the presidential directive.

The National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Hon Ken Robinson, told THISDAY yesterday that his group will support any lawful decision of the government to end the banditry, kidnapping and killings in the country.

According to him, drastic situations can only be resolved

by equally drastic actions as the horrendous occurrences in the country require extreme measures.

He said since the nation's laws did not permit individuals to carry AK-47 rifles, except military officers, there was no justification for anyone to do so.

"But Fulani herdsmen and bandits have been operating freely with AK-47 and other

sophisticated firearms; killing and maiming innocent people across Nigeria as the federal government has been condoning these criminals for too long.

"A sitting Northern governor even had the irrational audacity to defend herdsmen carrying AK-47, saying they used it to protect themselves from cattle rustlers," he added.

PANDEF urged Nigerians to presume that the government has awakened to the gravity of the situation that renegade herdsmen and bandit are a threat to the unity and peace of Nigeria, and are undermining the nation's territorial integrity.

It said: "The president's reported order to the military to shoot on sight anyone seen with an AK-47 rifle in the bush if executed dispassionately

will stem the criminality and lawlessness being perpetrated by bandits and herders in parts of the country.

"PANDEF would, therefore, caution that the execution of the order should not be selective and discriminative as it has been with everything under this administration.

Otherwise, the situation would be like going out of the frying pan into the fire."

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NEWS

Oil Price Rises as OPEC Maintains Output Cut for April Kyari defends NNPC’s investments in fossil fuels Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Oil price continued its surge yesterday as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, better known as OPEC+, resolved to continue the prevailing March production levels through April.

The US oil benchmark, WTI Crude, jumped early yesterday to above $64 a barrel, soaring by more than five per cent, after OPEC+ sources began telling reporters that the coalition may be close to agreeing not to increase their collective oil production in April.

WTI Crude prices were surging by 5.06 per cent at $64.21 while Brent Crude prices jumped above $67 per barrel, to $67.17, up by 5.10 per cent, after OPEC+ sources started to leak insights from the OPEC+ ministerial meeting.

However, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, yesterday defended the corporation’s continuing investment in fossil fuels, despite the ongoing global energy transition to renewables.

The market was expecting a different outcome from yesterday’s OPEC+ meeting, including Saudi Arabia reversing its extra cut and the group lifting production by as much as 500,000 bpd.

Except for Russia and Kazakhstan, which were allowed to slightly increase their production quotas, many of the participating countries, including Nigeria, which was represented by the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, agreed to maintain current inventories.

Nigeria also received special commendation during the 14th meeting of the OPEC and non-OPEC ministers conference which held under the chairmanship of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, and Co-chair, Alexander

Novak, who doubles as the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

A statement after the meeting confirmed that Nigeria fully complied with the quota reduction in January, compensating for over-production and had since then being at the forefront of persuading others to follow suit through the recent shuttle

by Sylva to convince some African countries to fully adhere the production curbs.

Aside Nigeria, which supported sustaining the current quota, sources close to the meeting stated that Kuwait, Venezuela, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Brunei and Algeria also backed the decision to keep the current levels, in the deal which was first agreed on April 12, 2020.

The ministers lauded the voluntary extra supply reduction of one million barrels per day made by Saudi Arabia, which took effect on February 1, for two months, which supported the stability of the market and has now been extended to the April.

“The ministers approved a continuation of the production levels of March for the month of April, with the exception of Russia and Kazakhstan, which will be allowed to increase production by 130,000 and 20,000 barrels per day respectively, due to continued seasonal consumption patterns,” the cartel stated.

It welcomed the positive performance of participating countries, saying that the overall conformity with the original decision has now hit 103 per cent, reinforcing the trend of aggregate high compliance by participating countries.

The organisation stated that since the April 2020 meeting, OPEC and non-OPEC countries had withheld 2.3 billion barrels of oil by end of January 2021, accelerating the oil market rebalancing.

“The meeting extended special thanks to Nigeria for achieving full conformity

in January 2021 and compensating its entire overproduced volumes.

“The ministers thanked Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources of Nigeria, for his shuttle diplomacy as special envoy of the JMMC to Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and South Sudan to discuss matters pertaining to conformity levels with the voluntary production adjustments and compensation of over-produced volumes,” the statement added.

OPEC agreed to the request by some countries, which have not yet completed their compensation, for an extension of the compensation period until end of July.

OPEC recognised the recent improvement in the market sentiment by the acceptance and the rollout of vaccine programmes and additional stimulus packages in key economies, but cautioned

all participating countries to remain vigilant and flexible given the uncertain market conditions.

It called on member countries and allies to remain on the course which had been voluntarily decided and which had hitherto reaped rewards and fixed the next meetings of the JMMC and OPEC and non-OPEC ministers for March 31 and April 1, 2021, respectively.

Kyari Defends NNPC’s Investments in Fossil Fuels The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, yesterday defended the corporation’s continuing investment in fossil fuels, despite the ongoing global energy transition to renewables.

He said during a virtual

seminar organised by the Centre for the Study of Economies in Africa, the Nigeria Natural Resource Charter, in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation, in Abuja, that the goal was to use the proceeds therefrom in catalysing the economy and create wealth.

He stated that although renewable energy sources are gaining ground, they remain a fraction of global energy needs, as fossil fuels like gas, which the corporation is currently investing in, will continue to be relevant in future.

Kyari, who was represented at the event by the Chief Operating Officer, Ventures and Business Development, Mr. Adetunji Adeyemi, added that with the expected coming on stream of the Dangote refinery, which has the capacity to process over 600,000 barrels per day, and the federal government's refineries which

are undergoing renovation, Nigeria will soon begin refining over one million barrels of crude oil.

“While we are transitioning to cleaner fuels and renewables, we have to use what we have to create wealth and fund ongoing projects and most importantly to move the Nigerian economy forward.

“Today, in Nigeria our target is about 2.1 million barrels per day and even if you add the Dangote refinery of about 650,000 bpd, with the NNPC one, it still comes to about one million bpd.

“If we are able to refine one million barrels of energy per day, that will have impact on energy supply security that we have been looking for and creation of jobs, boost economic activities from having refineries working in Nigeria, in addition to the petrochemicals from the various activities,” he said.

MY CONDOLENCES...

L-R: Widow of the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sikirat Abimbola Jakande and Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), a former governor of the state, during a condolence visit to the residence of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, to commiserate with the family on the passage of the former governor, in Lagos...yesterday

Buhari Committed to Nigeria’s Unity, Says Kogi Gov Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to the indivisibility of the Nigerian nation, Kogi State Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello, has said.

Bello said yesterday in Abuja after a meeting with the president that Buhari told him that the unity of Nigeria remains non- negotiable.

He stated that Buhari also asked Nigerians to go about their lawful duties without fear of any harassment or intimidation from any quarters.

Bello told State House correspondents that Buhari spoke when his Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, led him to brief the president on the

suspension of the strike to block supply of foodstuffs and cattle to the South by the Amalgamated Union of Food and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AFUCDN).

On the outcome of the meeting, Bello who commended government’s efforts to resolve the crisis, said: “Mr. President expressed concern over the insecurity in the land. As the commanderin-chief, he has assured everyone of us based on his security meeting yesterday that Nigeria is going to be secured, safe and prosperous and I believe in him 100 per cent.

“He urged everyone of us to continue to go about

our lawful businesses in the country, that Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable, that Nigeria must be united, peaceful and that Nigeria must be prosperous.”

On the demands of AFUCDN members, the governor said they were against extortion on the roads by law enforcement officers and touts.

"But thank God, Mr. President has given a directive that all law enforcement agencies should ensure that traders should not be extorted on the road again.

"So, they are asking that extortions be stopped and also that those who kill their members be brought to justice.

I don't think they're asking for too much. So, if those demands are met, or at least, attempts have been made to meet those demands, and if they can graciously respect Mr. President, respect us and sympathise with Nigerians and call off their strike and begin the supply of food and other items to all parts of this country, I think it behoves on us to equally meet them midway so that there'll be no such occurrence again, anyway.

“And remember that the crisis was snowballing into a major national catastrophe whereby some other parts of this country were gearing up for reprisal in this country and setting us up for crisis.

Meanwhile, those who set up the crisis, that is what they want to achieve.

“We can't afford to allow this country to snowball into civil war again, not this time around. We are so much interwoven that we are inseparable, again, by marriage, by business investments, by politics, and every other form of development."

Asked if his intervention in the crisis is not to oil his 2023 presidential ambition, Bello said: “I am not running away from the fact that numerous teaming Nigerian youth, women, leaders and followers, various groups are calling me to contest for the presidential election in 2023.

That is their right; it is within their purview to ask that I run as their representative in government today. They're asking me to replicate the same in the national level, that is within their rights.

"But to say that when there is another call of an assignment from the commander-in-chief on me to ensure that a little problem that can be solved, should not be allowed to snowball into a larger crisis that would put this country on unknown collision course, I think I will never hesitate to take up that responsibility, and that I have done successfully to the glory of God and to the satisfaction of majority of Nigerians and Mr. President."

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PAGE TEN BUHARI STEPS UP EFFORTS TO COMBAT INSECURITY, ORDERS BORDER SURVEILLANCE to hide and perpetrate their criminalities.

He also charged the nation's security agencies to improve their drive towards the protection of lives and property.

Also yesterday, the Niger State Government expressed optimism of an imminent reduction in abductions and banditry following a meeting, in a forest in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state, of commanders of bandits operating in Niger, Kaduna and Zamfara States.

The meeting came on the heels of the abduction of 13 persons at Erena in the Munya Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday.

Besides, the North-East Governors’ Forum rose from their fourth meeting, which held in Bauchi, and adopted community policing and the setting up of local security outfits to tackle the security challenges in the zone.

And following the violence that erupted in Jangebe community during the reunion of the freed 279 schoolgirls with their parents on Wednesday, the Zamfara State Government has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the community to prevent any further breach of the peace.

Yesterday's directive by Buhari is the third this week to deal with the security crisis confronting the nation, leading to abductions, banditry and insurgency.

The president had on Tuesday declared Zamfara State, the epicentre of banditry in the North-west, a no-fly zone and banned mining activities in the state.

Buhari, through one of his spokesmen, Mallam Garba Shehu, also on Wednesday, ordered security agencies to shoot on sight bearers of illegal weapons such as AK-47.

The president, in his speech, instructed all security agencies to raise their performances in protecting lives and property, with a mandate that the country’s Global Security Index must be improved.

He said: “It is imperative that our ranking in the Global Security Index improves and

I am using this medium to call on all security agencies to step up their activities towards achieving this goal. I assure you that the administration will give the much needed support to you in your operations."

Buhari urged the NIS to collaborate with international security organisations such as INTERPOL in safeguarding the borders.

He added: "As a security agency, I charge you to be relentless in carrying out your statutory duties of keeping our borders safe while you ensure that criminal elements don’t find Nigeria as a safe haven to hide and perpetrate their criminality.

“I urge you to actively collaborate with international security organisations like the INTERPOL, in safeguarding our borders. Remember that a safe border is a prerequisite for a safe nation. You must develop strong working relationships and ties with the international community and friendly nations as it relates to migration management; adopt and implement workable strategies from them while also sharing your best practices.

"Frontline workers and operators should remember that they are our windows to the world. They must show the best face of Nigeria at all times.’’

He commended the Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, for consistently pushing for the completion of the Technology Building, which will serve as the command and control centre of the NIS as well as the repository of personal data of Nigerians and expatriates resident in Nigeria.

Aregbesola, in his speech, said the security challenges facing the country were temporary and surmountable, adding that the “weakest link’’ has been the land borders and the Technology Building will play a pivotal role in the control of illegal migration.

Aregbesola stated that the visa-on-arrival policy of the federal government ensures proper documentation of all entrants whose biodata are

shared with international security structures to ensure tight surveillance and compliance.

He announced a review of the stay period from 90 days to 30 days.

According to him, 50 per cent of all immigration personnel will now work at the nation's borders for optimal productivity.

In his remarks, the Comptroller General of NIS, Muhammed Babandede, said the Technology Building was the best project the service had ever initiated and completed since it was established in 1958.

"The state government was not represented at the meeting because we realised that the meeting was purely for bandits from other locations to talk to each other on how to have permanent peace in this state.

"However, we have agreed that we will interface with them again to see where we can come in towards having a lasting peace in the state.

"I have always said that security is like stick and carrot and that the state government will be willing to stretch its hands of friendship to those of them who are willing to be in the mainstream and eventually see reason why they should not carry arms but rather pursue a legitimate means of livelihood," Matane said.

Bandit Commanders Met on Giving Peace a Chance, Says Niger SSG Bandits Abduct 13 from Three Families The Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alhaji in Niger Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, yesterday expressed optimism of an imminent reduction in abductions and banditry following a meeting of bandit commanders in a forest in the state.

However, Matane told journalists in Minna, that the state government did not participate in the meeting because it was for bandits alone.

He said the state government was aware of the peace meeting held by the bandits in their hideout in Shiroro LGA of the state last week.

The SSG also said the state government planned to regulate the use of unregistered motorcycles and tricycles for commercial purposes.

On why the state government did not send a delegation, he said it was "because it was with commanders of bandits from other states; not for only those from Niger State.

"The meeting was summoned by the commander of a bandit group resident in Niger State and he invited other commanders from outside the state too for the meeting on how to restore peace to the state.

However, despite the talks, abduction hasn't reduced in the state as bandits kidnapped 13 people from three families in Erena town in the Shiroro LGA of the state on Wednesday night.

The bandits, who were said to have beaten the security arrangements put in place by the military in the town, stormed the houses of three prominent people in the community and kidnapped the residents at about 11p.m in what was described as "a very quiet operation."

Two heads of the families, their children and wives were taken into custody by the gun-wielding bandits, who rode on motorcycles to carry out the operation while the head of the third family mysteriously escaped abduction after opening the gates of his house for the bandits to enter.

The bandits, according to sources, are demanding a N100 million ransom for their victims.

But it was learnt that family members negotiated that N500,000 should be accepted by the bandits.

North-East Govs

Endorse Community Policing, Regional Security Outfit The North-East Governors’ Forum has adopted community policing and the setting up of a zonal security outfitpppp to tackle the security challenges in the zone.

In a 10-point communiqué issued after their meeting held on Wednesday in Bauchi, which was read yesterday by the Deputy Chairman of the forum and Adamawa State Governor, Mr. Umaru Fintiri, the forum stated that while it appreciated the reinforced efforts in the fight against insurgency and other forms of criminalities in the region, “it strongly feels the need for community policing and sub-regional security outfit to compliment the efforts of the military and other federal security agencies in addressing these challenges.”

The communiqué said the forum deliberated on the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power project and noted that the project only exists on paper as it has not commenced.

The governors also resolved to form the North East Council on Education, with the mandate to improve quality and performance of students, set up peer review and collate data to drive decision-making on education including performance, admissions, regulatory framework, human resource management, and digitalisation, among others.

The council is to be chaired by the Bauchi State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Aliyu Tilde.

The forum said it was worried that the zone remained short-changed in capital appropriation in the 2021 budget and stressed the need to make an adequate allocation for capital projects for the sub-zone in the buildup to the supplementary budget.

“The forum, after meeting with the British High Commissioner in Nigeria, resolved to work with the UK Government in all the areas beneficial to the sub-region

without compromising the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the communiqué added.

The governors also noted with dismay what they described as the scourge of substance abuse in the sub-region and resolved to collaborate with the Substance Abuse Research Team (SART), through the secretaries of the various state governments to fight the scourge.

The forum said it considered the prospect for oil exploration in the region and resolved to have specialised institutions to provide the required local content in the oil and gas industry.

Zamfara Imposes Curfew on Jangebe Following the violence that erupted in Jangebe community on Wednesday, the Zamfara State Government has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the community to prevent any further breach of the peace.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Sulaiman Tunau Anka, in a statement yesterday, said the curfew commenced on Wednesday.

One person was killed while others were injured when violence erupted in the community on Wednesday when a mob invaded the venue of the reunion of the freed 279 pupils of Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe at the school premises.

Anka said: “Sequel to an unfortunate civil disobedience which took place at Jangebe town after the return of the released abducted school children, the Zamfara State Government has approved the imposition of a duskto-dawn curfew on Jangebe town starting from Wednesday, 3/3/2021. This is to prevent any further breach of peace.

“Similarly, there is strong evidence of market activities in the town that aid and abet bandits’ activities in the town and neighbouring communities. Consequently, all market activities in the town are hereby suspended until further notice.”

FG: NO COVID-19 VACCINE FOR STATES WITHOUT COLD STORES' SECURITY of the vaccination, expected to begin tomorrow with the immunisation of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, among other dignitaries, billed to be televised live to assure people of the safety of the vaccine.

The governors of the 36 states also rose from a meeting yesterday in Abuja and adopted the earlier outline by the NPHCDA for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

In addition, they agreed that all of them with their deputies will take the COVID-19 vaccines on March 9 in their respective states.

The federal government also said the country had at least two vaccine candidates but no resources for clinical trial phases.

Shuaib told reporters in Abuja that the federal government decided not to send vaccine to the states that have not fulfilled all of the criteria to ensure safety of the vaccine.

He said: “For example, we have communicated to the states that they have to

wrap up their security around their cold stores because these are very valuable vaccines and we do not want a situation where vaccines are taken to the states and criminal elements take advantage to vandalise these cold stores.

“We are also aware that during the #EndSARS vandalism, there were some cold stores that actually suffered. I know that the state governors are trying to fix those, but we have to verify that those are ready to receive our vaccines."

According to him, the federal government’s team is working with states, having conversation with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to hasten the vaccination of Nigerians.

Shuaib, at the second edition of State House weekly media briefing, which focused on Nigeria’s Response to COVID-19 pandemic, added that Buhari and Osinbajo may receive the COVID-19 vaccine jab publicly tomorrow, if it is certified safe by today by the National Agency for Food and Drugs and Administration Control (NAFDAC).

He said Buhari and Osinbajo would receive the Oxford/ AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

after the vaccination of some frontline health workers today.

“After we are able to get our strategic leaders to publicly demonstrate that these vaccines are safe, the plan is to now go to the state level to start the launch at the treatment centres of the states and also get strategic leaders such as governors to publicly take the vaccines.

“By the time all of these happen, we will have finished all of the necessary preparations; we will have created a dashboard that will track very carefully the status of the preparedness of the states," he added.

On his part, Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, assured the people that Nigeria is not relying only on charity for the supply of vaccines but has opened an account with Afreximbank, from where Nigeria is expecting to get between 80 and 85 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines out of the 370 million doses to be acquired for Africa.

"We are not just depending on charity. Right from the time the idea of vaccine production came up, the World Health Organisation, GAVI, - the Global Alliance for Vaccines

and Immunisation, have been normally supporting Nigeria, in financing routine vaccines.

“So, therefore, if we can gather resources and make substantial bulk orders, in fact, not only that, if we support certain vaccine developers to complete their trials, by paying for some of their trials, we can have priority to get the vaccines first and give to the countries that we normally support.

“GAVI has been supporting us normally and supporting many countries. So, this is just an extension of the support that they normally give and that support they limited to 20% of population. So, that support is to 92 countries, low and middle income countries.

“There are 98 other countries that belong to this facility, which has self-financing countries, they have the money to pay, they will pay more than they need, but they have small orders and small orders may not necessarily make an impact on the producer. So they join this facility too. Take a country like Norway with relatively small population, they compete so they add donation and pay for themselves instead of asking for a small order,

so you have a bulk order.

“Therefore, if we all come together, as an African country, we can make order. So, 52 countries in Africa came together. Equatorial Guinea, Seychelles and Gabon said, don't worry, we can make our own arrangements. Out of 55, 52 came together and joined in the AVATT - Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team, to make a bulk order.

“And the first bulk order they made was for 270 million doses, which immediately will impress any manufacturer,” he added.

Ehanire stated that the country has at least two Nigerian-made vaccines but no resources for clinical trials.

According to him, the government is forced to look elsewhere to solicit support for the local vaccine whose trials could take a year.

“The question will arise, what about domestic Nigerianmade vaccines? Yes, there are Nigerian researchers who are also in the vaccine space.

“We have at least two vaccine candidates in Nigeria but they need a lot of resources to go through the clinical trial phases. So, we are trying to look for the resources to

support them in doing that.

“And until that is done, which will take at least a year, we are not yet directly going to be in that game,” he stated.

He added that the federal Continued on page 16

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COMMENT

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

NIGERIA’S DIVERGENT TALES OF FISHERMEN AND HERDSMEN

Public policy must return the herdsmen crisis to the economic context to which it belongs, argue Ejeviome Eloho Otobo & Oseloka H. Obaze

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n Nigeria, two important traditional food and agricultural occupations face existential threats. The fishermen in the coastal areas of the country and the herdsmen in the North are beleaguered by environmental challenges. The environmental challenge confronting the herdsmen arises from naturally occurring desertification; while that confronting the fishermen is mainly man-made, and the result of years of oil exploration-related environmental degradation of the Niger Delta. These environmental challenges are detrimental to the lives and livelihoods of both fishermen and herdsmen and have deleterious impact on the national economic output.

Meanwhile, a recent book, titled “Insecurity in the Niger Delta: A report of Emerging Threats in Akwa -Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and River States,” published by a group of Nigerian scholars, documents how sea pirates frequently attack, kill and seize the equipment of fishermen in the coastal regions. In other words, the fishermen, in addition to suffering losses in fishing output because of environmental degradation, are also experiencing threats from pirates.

This is analogous to the threats posed to the herdsmen by rustlers.

But there the similarities end.

Not only have the fishermen and the herdsmen responded differently to the environmental and security threats they face, but so have been public policy responses to their respective plights.

Where the fishermen and farmers ascertained the culpability of international oil companies in environmental pollution, they have filed series of law suits in foreign jurisdictions to seek redress, as several recent cases in The Netherlands and the United Kingdom have shown. For now, nothing better illustrates the poor public policy response to the environmental degradation of the Niger Delta than the tardy implementation of the 2011 UNEP Report on Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland.

By contrast, the nomadic herdsmen have responded to their environmental challenge by migrating to the Middle Belt and the South. This has led to increased clashes with sedentary farming communities over grazing and water rights. Moreover, some of the herdsmen-turned-bandits have been accused of involvement in kidnapping, robbery and raping, leading to heightened sense of insecurity in affected communities. The scope of insecurity from the herdsmen attacks is reflected in two recent international reports. The first is the Global Terrorism Index 2020, which attributes 26 percent of all terror-related deaths in Nigeria in 2019 to attacks by the herdsmen. The second is a research report titled, “Fulani Militias’ Terror 2017-2020” by a Brussels independent legal researcher, which indicates that between 2017 and May 2020, herdsmen launched 654 attacks and killed more than 2,539 people. These are deeply disconcerting data, from a foreign policy and foreign investment perspective, inasmuch as they cast a harsh spotlight on Nigeria.

Public policy responses to the plight of the herdsmen, in particular at the federal level, have ranged from advocating restoration of colonial and post-colonial migratory routes to creating grazing areas, cattle colonies, and rural grazing areas within the National Livestock Transformation Plan. As the insecurities, arising from the herders’

IN TIMES OF NATIONAL CRISIS, CITIZENS LOOK TO THEIR POLITICAL LEADERS FOR SOLUTIONS BUTTRESSED BY MORAL LEADERSHIP. INSTEAD, THE POLITICAL LEADERS HAVE SETTLED FOR FALSE MORAL EQUIVALENCES, AS EVIDENCED BY THE FALSE MORAL EQUIVALENCE INITIALLY DRAWN BETWEEN THE NIGER DELTA MILITANTS AND BOKO HARAM

attacks in various parts of the countries, have intensified, the political leaders have offered sharply contrasting views on issues such as the right of the herdsmen to settle in any part of the country; the practice of herdsmen settling in the forests; the bearing of arms by the herdsmen, in particular AK-47; the condescending assertions

by Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria that Nigeria belongs to them; and their demand that cattle ranches must be established for them by all 36 states.

The political leaders’ divergent views on such a basic issue as how to tackle the herder’s problem are emblematic of lack of elite consensus on a range of public policy issues. It is also illustrative of prevalent huge trust deficit in Nigeria. In times of national crisis, citizens look to their political leaders for solutions buttressed by moral leadership. Instead, the political leaders have settled for false moral equivalences, as evidenced by the false moral equivalence initially drawn between the Niger Delta militants and Boko Haram, and currently between Niger Delta militants and bandits. Alas, the use of amnesty as a securitization paradigm for tackling banditry remains a double-edged sword. The impact of amnesty for bandits in the Northwest has been disappointing, more so as terror-impacted communities are reluctant to accept rehabilitated erstwhile insurgents. Paying ransom to bandits only induces further banditry. The return on investment makes pay-for-peace pricey, and unsustainable.

As various analysts have emphasised, cattle rearing is a private concern just as fishing, farming and other agriculture-related processing enterprises. The challenges of the herdsmen—like those of the fishermen—are mostly economic in nature. The economic adaptation problems of the herdsmen have been mismanaged and allowed to morph into a security threat. Moving forward, public policy must return the herdsmen crisis to the economic context to which it belongs, and allow the states and private sector to compete for cattle resources without unviable demands being imposed.

The constitutional provisions set out in sections 43 and 44 provide a basis for addressing the herders’ challenges: the right to settle anywhere and the right to acquire moveable or immoveable property uncompulsorily.

There’s a moral urgency to addressing the herders’ problems plaguing Nigeria. Hopefully, the elements of a long-term solution are in prospect. These include the recognition by the Northern Governors Forum that open grazing is not viable; the recently announced decision to map out 30 grazing reserves within the implementation of the NTLP ; the growing demand to ban the use of AK-47 by herdsmen; the evolving consensus that criminals should not be ethnically profiled, but must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law; and the federal government’s announced intent to seek amendment of ECOWAS Protocol on Transhumance in order to curb violence and banditry by foreign herdsmen.

Otobo is a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Global Governance Institute, Brussels. Obaze is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Selonnes Consult in Awka.

DOUBLE HONOURS FOR C.K. AGOMO Chuks Akamadu pays tribute to Chioma Agomo, erudite scholar and Professor of Law

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he Holy Book says that for everything under sun, there is a season –a season, inter alia, for coming and a season for going. For a young lady named Chioma, who was to later grow in fame as Prof. Chioma Kanu Agomo, her time to come was 41 years ago when she joined the academia as a teacher of law. After an exceedingly illustrious career, her time to go came when she bowed out on March 1, 2021 with distinctive honour.

Having had the rare privilege of learning at her feet, I crave your indulgence, in spite of my obvious incompetence, to try my hands on doing a portrait of an egg-head who severally broke the glass ceiling in the course of her diligent service to God and man. As a scholar, she was erudite in a superlative sense and her accomplishments eloquently speak to contemporary challenges that beset both the study of law and the legal profession in our society.

In my days as her student, faculty of Law, University of Lagos paraded, to the envy of its peers, an array of brilliant teachers who also knew the law and how to transfer knowledge to seekers. Without meaning to flirt with immodesty, it is doubtful that any other faculty of law in Nigeria, both then and now, could beat a roll call of teaching staff that included Prof. Amaechi Uchegbu, Prof. O. Obilade, Prof. Akin Oyebode, Prof. E.O. Akanki, Prof. A.A. Adeyemi, Prof.

Taiwo Osipitan, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Prof P.K. Fogam and Prof. I.O. Agbede, among others.

It was in the midst of these distinguished law lecturers that Prof. Agomo, with an encyclopedi-

cal knowledge of law, carved a niche for herself as the teachers’ teacher – a teacher amongst teachers. Before our very eyes, she rose to head the commercial law department; and available records show that her footprints there have remained indelible. She was to teach us law of contract as we progressed in our tedious training, and I’m convinced that many of my classmates, our seniors and juniors alike, would agree with me that it was on account of her amazing teaching method that we almost effortlessly grasped that the essential elements of a contract were “offer”, “acceptance” and “consideration”. With that as our take-off, it then became understandable why her course turned out to be a delight and when we eventually wrote her exams, the casualty figures were negligible.

Prof. Agomo, decent, soft-spoken, detribalized and urbane, is a stickler for rules and proudly carries the things of God, as we say in our clime, on her head! She is a devoted and conscientious mother who goes out of her way to direct those under her wings in the right direction and, to be sure, never spares the rod in order not to spoil the child. She does not only care about her students’ academic standing; their moral health and spiritual wellbeing are equally of utmost importance to her. These and more she so admirably demonstrated as Staff Adviser to Christian Law Students Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), University of Lagos Chapter.

When the news broke, few years after our graduation, that Prof. Agomo had ascended the coveted seat of Dean of Law, not many of us were surprised, for she was a teacher who had

extended the frontiers of legal scholarship and left a number of unblemished legacies. Rather, we rejoiced in ecstasy with our alma mater because the learned professor’s historic elevation marked the very first time Unilag, with its finest academic tradition, would be producing a female Dean of Faculty. As mentioned earlier, Prof. Agomo’s 40 impactful years of service to humanity are dotted with different shades of trail-blazing!

Most of her ex-students would argue that save for phenomenal academics like Prof. Grace Alele-Williams and Prof. Jadesola Akande, finding her peers within our shores would be a tall order. Globally, Prof. Agomo, no doubt, could pass for Nigeria’s Barbra Tuchman, a famous American historian who is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for history. Likewise, wherever Susan Sontang, the New York-born intellectual colossus and writer is being celebrated for her critical essays on avant-garde culture in the 1960s, Nigeria could make a valid case for Prof.

Agomo’s inclusion.

I am, for the avoidance of doubt, a fan of Maya Angelou, a celebrated poet, dramatist, memoirist, teacher and historian – all rolled into one who holds the rare record of being decorated with over 50 honourary degrees, but my admiration for Prof. Agomo is, for good measure, much more fanatical.

Prof. Agomo is beautiful in and out, and she matches her awesome intellect with flawless integrity that could make one mistake her for a devotee-cum-professor of ethics. At a personal level, I benefitted immensely from this workaholic amazon. We share some family ties that earned

me special care from her. I grew up knowing her father, late Chief Henry Kanu Offonry as a quintessential gentleman who was not only a devout Christian but a notable pillar of Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN) – our joint heritage, a doyen of public relations practice in Africa, renowned publisher and an elder statesman who served his nation with remarkable diligence.

Whilst her father can be said to have positively inspired me at the formative stage of my life, Prof. Agomo did considerably influence my passion, as an undergraduate, for moral reawakening of young people of Nigeria which eventually led to the birth, in 2001, of Centre for Ethical Rebirth Among Nigerian Youths (CERANY), with her and others like Professors Akanki, Oye Ibadapo-Obe, J.I Omoregbe and C.S. Momoh providing the requisite psychological stability that enabled us to trudge on in our self-imposed task of ridding our generation of commonplace vices such as drug abuse, examination malpractices, cultism and the like.

Nigeria sure needs more Prof. Agomos in their thousands.

As I celebrate Prof. Agomo’s glorious exit from the classroom, I’m super-excited to also wish her a happy 70th birthday celebration. Double honours, that is! God bless you immeasurably, Prof. May the good Lord reward you generously for being a beacon of light to those for whom you laboured ceaselessly on the Tower. Your ending shall be better than your beginning, in Jesus’. Amen.

Akamadu, M.IoD, is President, Centre for Ethical Rebirth Among Nigerian Youths

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021

EDITORIAL THE COCK CROWS NO MORE… Sadiq Daba, renowned actor and broadcaster, dies at age 69

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little over three years after announcing his recuperation from prostate cancer and leukaemia in a London hospital, renowned actor, broadcaster, producer and director, Sadiq Abubakar Daba died on Wednesday evening in Lagos. For more than four decades, Daba’s name has been engraved in public consciousness, thanks to his role as ‘Bitrus’ in the rested Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) soap opera, ‘Cock Crow at Dawn’. As one of the few professionals who could give a good account of themselves either on live stage or on television and silver screen, Daba plied his trade with admiration. At the emergence of the Nigerian film industry, Daba was also not afraid to offer his experience and versatility.

However, given his recent health history, the death of Daba underscores one important point.

Too often, many of our popular names in the arts have been forced to go begging in public due to some life-threatening health complications. While we therefore commiserate with the arts and culture community in AS ONE OF THE FEW Nigeria on Daba’s PROFESSIONALS WHO passage, we must COULD GIVE A GOOD not fail to call on ACCOUNT OF THEMSELVES their various guilds EITHER ON LIVE STAGE and associations to OR ON TELEVISION AND institute a health SILVER SCREEN, DABA plan for members.

PLIED HIS TRADE WITH The back-breaking ADMIRATION schedules that our leading artistes are known to work just to make ends meet are apparently taking a toll on their health and this needs to be addressed in a comprehensive manner.

For a man who grew up with an ambition to be a broadcaster, Daba had come a long way since he auditioned for a role at Radio-Television, Kaduna (RKTV) five decades ago. This was after Khalifa Baba Ahmed, who was impressed by his voice at Hamdallah Hotel, introduced him to the station,

Letters to the Editor

where he was first employed as a continuity announcer. At the RKTV as well as at the NTA stations in Sokoto and Lagos, Daba had worked as a news anchor, reporter and editor. Meanwhile, his acting career, which eventually launched him into national and international limelight, started with radio drama before his encounter with the legendary producer, Peter Igho while working at the NTA Sokoto, known then as NTV.

A

T H I S DAY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI AJAYI, DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

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 NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

lthough it was ‘Cockcrow at Dawn’ that popularised him, Daba featured in several films and soap operas, including ‘Behind the Clouds’, ‘A Place Like Home’, ‘Soweto’ and ‘Moment of Truth’ as well as in ‘Nightmare’, a 1995 film by Zik Zulu, which also starred the likes of Onyeka Onwenu, Pete Edochie and Sandra Achums. His last movie role was in Kunle Afolayan’s flick, ‘Citation’, which was about the sex-for-grades culture in tertiary institutions.

Originally from Kano, Daba was educated at St. Edwards College in Freetown, Sierra Leone where he spent his formative years. Back then, he was so obsessed with mimicking leading broadcasters he used to listen to on the radio that his father bought him a tape recorder, which helped in honing his skills. Upon his return to Nigeria by boat at the age of 15, Daba studied at the NTA’s Television College and later, at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU, Zaria, where he received a degree in mass communication.

Winner of Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for the 2015 Best Actor for his role as Inspector Danladi Waziri in another Kunle Afolayan’s movie, ‘October 1’ and the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Lifetime Achievement Award a year later, Daba retired from NTA after a career spanning almost four decades. He thereafter partnered with his long-time friend and CEO of Dasamal Television Network (DTN), Isiaku Aliyu to host ‘Sadiq Daba Presents’.

By all accounts, the late Daba was an exceptional and exemplary actor. We pray God to grant his wife, Bolaji and children the fortitude to bear his loss.

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.

The Danfo Drivers Influenced Naija-Pop

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n a visit to Professor J. S. A. Adelabu (yes, that “S” is for “Sunday,” he, interestingly, being a native of Oyo State), ex-Vice-Chancellor, to deliver hard copies of academic papers due for review for possible publication in the Zuma journal sometime in the early 2000s at the University of Abuja campus at Gwagwalada, I chose to stop by a bar on my way back to Minna because I reckoned I had time on my hands (and knowing that Minna was still “dry at street level”, the music of the Danfo Drivers band blared out from speakers to the deep reflections of patrons at the bar. There was something unique about the boldness of the raw Pidgin English reggae-influenced anti-Establishment and social-consciousness lyrics; lots of standard clichés, the “Lagos Broken English” stuffs, infused their song-lines.

Not so long after that trip, I recalled humming under my breath the tune and mish-mash wordings of the hit eponymous track “Danfo drivers” to the mild astonishment of my Ebira friend back then who wondered where I had gone to learn that “kind of music;” slightly bemused with embarrassment, I couldn’t tell her it was on the occasion of one of my trips to her “academic father” at the University of Abuja. Nobody heard any sort of successful follow-ups from the Danfo Drivers band except wild tales of runs-in with the law from street sources but recently that popular music of the Danfo Drivers entertained a lot of bar-goers at a government-approved, COVID-19 protocol-compliant liquour-sales

establishment called the “Bush Bar” at the Rafin Yashi neighbourhood of Minna (no one should wonder “bar again?” about me because I am a strong believer in the empirical observation that Guinness stout is an effective prophylactic against the onset of malaria since it is in general agreement that high concentration of chloroquine in the blood stream plays havoc with human vision over time).

With the safe knowledge that no Ebira maiden will wonder about my nightly jaunts (I am happily “free and unhinged” at 50), I really took time to concentrate on the lyrics whereupon it occurred to me that, phew!, the Nigerian musical pop Pidgin English scene is peppered with exact and copied clichés of the “street talk” that was original to the Danfo Drivers. Incidentally, the “local DJ” who slots in an MP3 stick to a music-player at the Bush Bar has a repertoire of “old songs” by Tuface, Timaya, P-Squared, Duncan Mighty, et al., and now, you the listener can tell where some of these post-Danfo Drivers popular artistes “lifted” their standard clichés from (“Jehovah is by my side”/“Na Baba God do am for me”/“The enemies no go succeed”/“You go wound o”/“No look Uche face”/“Dem don kolo”/“Dance-ia for me,” and so many others). What shall we call our Pidgin English-peppered popular Nigerian ersatz reggae folksy music?

“Naija-pop,” maybe.

Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

What To Say?

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et another childhood favorite has gone to the dark side or at least to the banned list with six books by Dr. Seuss now no longer being published. They have gone because they were seen as racist with inappropriate presentations. It is obvious that many old books may contain content that is now no longer acceptable but is the answer to remove it or basically hide it away when it might be better to identify the issue, explain why it is wrong and how to resolve these matters?

It’s not book burning but it’s still concerning to see books become unavailable. There is some wisdom in Dr Seuss’s own words “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” or “Think and wonder, wonder and think.” and finally “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne,

Australia

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NEWS

Bandits Kill Three, Abduct One as Insecurity Spreads to Kano Notorious leader, gang members shot dead in Kaduna John Shiklam in Kaduna and Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Bandits have killed three people and abducted one in Kano State, fuelling concerns that insecurity has spread to the peaceful city.

The state police command confirmed that gunmen stormed Rurum village in Rano Local Government Area of the state and abducted the mother of a businessman, Alhaji Yusuf Jibrin, but was silent on the killing of the three people.

It was, however, a relief for the people of Kaduna State as a notorious leader of bandits, Rufai Maikaji, alongside dozens of his fighters who were terrorising some communities in the state, have been killed by security forces.

The spokesman of the police in Kano, Mr. Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said yesterday that the gunmen abducted two people but the police rescued one and were in the process of recovering the other.

Haruna, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), declined to give details of casualties.

But the residents confirmed that the gunmen opened fire, which resulted in the killing of the three persons.

The gunmen also abducted Alhaji Yusuf Jibrin and his wife, Hajiya Asabe Jibrin,

but they later released the husband.

An eyewitness also said his brother who was shot later died at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, while the remaining victims, including an old man who escaped from the kidnappers, were receiving treatment.

He added that the security agencies didn’t arrive at the scene until after the bandits had finished the operation.

Meanwhile, a notorious leader of bandits, Rufai Maikaji, alongside dozens of his fighters who were terrorising some communities in Kaduna State, have been killed.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affair, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, in a statement yesterday in Kaduna, said security agencies, acting on intelligence, hunted down the leader of the bandits who commanded over 100 fighters.

He said Maikaji and his gang members were responsible for attacks on communities in Giwa, Igabi and Chikun LGAs of the state.

“After painstaking checks with security agencies and careful exploitation of numerous human intelligence sources, the Kaduna State Government can authoritatively confirm that one ‘Rufai Maikaji,’ a deadly bandit who commanded

over 100 fighters, has been neutralised”, Aruwan said.

The statement added that Maikaji and dozens of his fighters were killed during air interdictions around the fringes of Malul Forest in Igabi LGA of the state.

He said the aerial missions in which Maikaji and his gang were neutralised were conducted late February when the gang leader and members of his group, on sighting

ground troops, escaped from Anaba village, Igabi LGA where they had killed some people, kidnapped others and burnt houses.

“The prompt response by the air platforms ended the reign of terror maintained by ‘Rufai Maikaji’ and his bloodsucking accomplices,” Aruwan added.

He stated that Maikaji and his group were confirmed to be responsible for the

killings, kidnappings and cattle rustlings in many communities in Giwa, Igabi and Chikun LGAs, especially in the following locations: Iyatawa, Garke, Kumfa, Bakali, Karau-karau and Galadimawa, Anaba, Kerawa, Hashimawa, Sabon Birni, Buruku general area and parts of Chikun LGA axis of Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road.

He said the late bandits’ leader began his career as an

errand boy to some deadly bandits in and around Sabon Birni in Igabi LGA. From this position, he grew to become a household name in banditry, the statement said.

The commissioner said the state government and security agencies had assured residents of communities that suffered the brutality of Maikaji that other members of the gang and their accomplices who escaped were being pursued.

FG Tasks States on Growing Violence Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The federal government yesterday called on state governors to live up to their constitutional roles and take responsibility for growing insecurity in their states.

It said state governments enjoyed autonomy in the constitution with the attendant resources to address security challenges in their domains.

This comes as the federal government has said that Nigeria's foreign policy is under review with new focus on trade and investment, African Free Trade and Investment (ACFTA) and climate change.

It said the elections of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO);

and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina as President of African Development Bank (AfDB), were made possible with its support and in furtherance of its foreign policy.

Speaking yesterday on ARISE NEWS Channels, the broadcasting arm of THISDAY Newspapers, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, said state governors had the financial resources, security votes and the presence of security chiefs in their domains to turn the tide against growing criminality in the country rather than waiting for federal intervention.

The minister decried the security situation in the country, which he said agitated the government.

"Well, it's a very sad

situation that we still have an unacceptably high level of violence within the country.

That is a real cause of serious concern. It's something that agitates the government.

"You know, a lot of the measures have been put in place to address those issues.

You know, unfortunately, these fault lines we have as a country.

"We also need leaders in Nigeria to step up. You know, it's not just about the president; he can't do it on his own. We have a federal system. So, you have your governance in those states, and each state has tremendous autonomy.

"So, we need the governors of the states to step up because they have autonomy and things and they have to take

their responsibilities and do what they also need to do,” he said.

According to him, with the resources at their disposal, the governors have no excuse not to end insecurity.

He said: "The governors have security votes, huge resources, funding that are given to them regularly, so they have financial resources and it's just a question of also allocating appropriately.

"There are police commissioners in each state; we work very closely with the governors and it's really a question of you know, just taking responsibility, not just the governors, I might say but all of us legislators as well opinion leaders and traditional leaders will have to take responsibility."

as it has passed through all laboratory test by the World Bank.

According to him, the governors will go back to their states to continue with the sensitisation of the populace by assuring them of the safety of the vaccine.

Answering a question on whether the vaccine is valid for those who had earlier taken the Moderna version, Fayemi said for now what is official is the version from Pfizer India.

Though, the NPHCDA outline for the distribution of the vaccine is not officially out, THISDAY obtained a copy from the agency office.

According to the data shared

by NPHCDA, Kano, Lagos,

Katsina, Kaduna, Bauchi and Oyo will receive more doses for health workers.

The breakdown is as follows: 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; 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.

"We are also going into a dry season programme.

We are doing both a large scale programme for rice and maize. You are going to see much output and that too will guarantee and stabilise prices," he added.

Yila, who is also a member of the ACGSF board, said the award was necessary to encourage farmers to give their best and be responsive to their financial obligations as well adopt best practices in farming.

"Not only because of the plaques and cash rewards that we are giving to them, but for good extension practices," he said.

He added that the idea is to also encourage farmers to repay their loans so that others can benefit.

Nemat Agro Services Limited, located in Enugu State, emerged the winner of the Best Farmer of the Year 2020.

Akang Farms and Ventures Limited in Akwa Ibom emerged first runner up while Summit Agro Services Limited in Abuja claimed the third position.

The award, introduced in the 1980s, seeks to encourage and promote excellence and healthy competition among farming enterprises, among other things.

FG: NO COVID-19 VACCINE FOR STATES WITHOUT COLD STORES' SECURITY government is also considering partnership with other vaccine companies to produce their vaccines in Nigeria under licence.

“We have a vaccine production company called Biovaccines Nigeria Limited, owed 49 per cent by the federal government, which is looking to partner other vaccine producers and perhaps produce under licence here if the technology transfer discussions go through.

“So we have the possibility of not only using indigenously produced but also vaccines that come here as a result of technology transfer,” Ehanire said.

He added that the federal government plans to provide

10-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in every state as part of strategies to provide critical response to the pandemic.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Health will develop as a matter of urgency the nation’s emergency medical service to respond to persons with medical distress.

Also, NAFDAC DirectorGeneral, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the agency would soon commence a ‘track and trace’ exercise.

She stated that this was to mitigate and potentially halt the infiltration of falsified and sub-standard COVID-19 vaccines already detected in the global supply chain.

Adeyeye added that indigenous software is also

being employed to check the authenticity of received products.

According to her, NAFDAC is collaborating with the Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to ensure safe monitoring of medicines in the market.

Governors Adopt NPHCDA Sharing Outline, to Take Vaccine March 9 The governors of the 36 states yesterday adopted the earlier outline by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) for the distribution of the COVID-19

vaccine.

They also agreed to take the COVID-19 vaccine, along with their deputies on March 9 in their respective states.

Chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, told reporters after the governors' meeting that other modalities adopted by the governors on the COVID-19 vaccination included giving priority to frontline health workers and the elderly.

Fayemi, who is Ekiti State governor, said the governors agreed to adopt the protocol provided by the NPHCDA but the details would officially be released after the results of the testing by NAFDAC, which he described as a mere formality

FARMERS ACCESS N122.63BN CBN’S AGRICULTURE CREDIT SCHEME its mandate.

Okon, however, added that the amendment to the ACGSF Act resulted in an increase of the share capital of the fund from N3 billion to N50 billion to enable it cope with the fast-changing economic environment.

According to him, the new regulation ensured that the maximum amount for loans without collateral rose from N20,000 to N100,000 while the maximum for loans with collateral was increased from N10 million to N50 million.

It also installed a complete agricultural value chain financing, including the financing of production of

farm machinery, implements and equipment for production, processing, storage and transportation and any purpose connected with the activities within the agricultural value chain.

On his part, Yila, at the occasion, said the apex bank was exploring ways to stabilise prices of food commodities across the value chain, particularly those of rice and maize.

He said the CBN would soon facilitate the release of an additional 50,000 metric tonnes of maize, after it released same quantity a fortnight ago.

He stated that the bank was adopting a strategic maize

programme to reduce the price of the commodity.

He said: "We realised that maize prices are continuously increasing and what we have done at the CBN is to guarantee all the output from both the associations and the anchors and we put it in the strategic programme and we will release that to the millers.

"Two weeks ago, we released 50,000 metric tonnes and in the coming weeks, we are also going to release another 50,000 metric tonnes. And you can see that translating to the pricing."

According to him, pricing for maize dropped from N200,000 per metric ton

to N180,000 per metric ton following the strategic intervention by the bank.

He warned that those hoarding the commodity in order to unduly influence price will soon regret their action.

"So, for all those who are hoarding; middlemen who are keeping maize because they want to take advantage of the arbitrage, this is a warning to them.

"That they are going to lose a lot of money. The best thing for them now is to just quickly bring out that maize to the market so that our millers and those who consume that as staple food can quickly consume them.

FRIDAY MARCH 5, 2021 • T H I S D AY

17

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MARCH 5, 2021

18

POLITICS

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email: nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com 08114495324 SMS ONLY

As Alex Otti Turns 56 Bob Chimunaya Ibeneme, a United States of America based engineer pays tribute to a former bank managing director and politician, Dr. Alex Otti

I

n a tribute to his friend Comrade Issa Aremu on his 60th birthday, Dr Alex Otti had narrated how in his early years as a bachelor a certain landlord had overturned a previous housing arrangement with his friend, Issa, with whom he was sharing an apartment and made him ‘Alex’ vacate his room without prior notice and he “The Son of man’ had no where to lay his head!”

My path with this “Son of man” crossed during the 2015 Abia gubernatorial election. We have an Abia state Diaspora group based in USA and Canada, which I happened to be the Secretary of the group. In the course of searching for a gubernatorial candidate that our group in Diaspora will support, we had to do a lot of background check. After much research and background enquiries our group settled for the then bank MD who was contesting the gubernatorial election in Abia state.

Our group, consisting of mainly well-informed politically conscious professionals in the United States and Canada, had worked independently and we unanimously agreed to support Dr Alex Otti as our preferred candidate.

For the most part, in this part of the world that we live in, people are respected when their stories portray a humble beginning that sprouts success through self-discipline, dedication, hard work and perseverance irrespective of the challenges their background had posed.

Dr Alex Otti’s background had been an excellent fit and made him an easy choice for us. In his case, this is a story of a young man whose parents had minimal income that could barely sustain their family daily living expenses not to talk of sending their children to the university. Young Alex would have to hawk on the street in the morning before going to school to help make ends meet. He ended up going to the University of Port Harcourt against all odds, graduating with a First Class in Economics and the best student overall with the highest GPA. He eventually rose to the peak of his career by attaining the height of a bank Managing Director in Nigeria. It was indeed a perfect choice and easy for us to support his candidacy.

Over the years, in the course of interacting with Dr Alex Otti, I found out that there is a lot of special attributes attached to this one man that have earned my admiration and great respect. My grand father used to say “Sabi book no be sabi sense” Not only has Dr Alex Otti proven to be an academic genius; he also has the native wisdom, which for the most part is very essential to be successful in life.

To me people don’t care much about you until you show how much you care about them. In 2018 kidnappers abducted my mother in my village.

I had reached out to some of my contacts. Dr Alex Otti was far away in Germany but he followed up with me almost on a daily basis until my mother was released. He has always been there for me and my family both in good and bad times and so he is to many of his friends some of whom he has kept close relationships for as long as 40years and still counting. In him I find a man whose loyalty to true friendship is parallel to none.

Over these years I have tried to study Dr. Alex Otti through some of his actions, decisions, and stand on issues and found him to be a true leader

in every definition of leadership and an administrator per excellence. He had exhibited boldness where a lot of leaders will shiver, he had stood by the truth where most men will bend in or-

der to be politically correct and he has judged men not by what people say about them but based on the content of their character as they have proven to him. His ability to be calm and ratio-

The NDDC Act is Good

Comrade Ebi Arogbofa, National Chairman of Transparency And Accountability Advancement Group continues the insistent call on President Muhammadu Buhari to end the reign of illegities at the Niger Delta Development Commission

O

ur attention has been drawn to comments credited to Mr Olubunmni Tunji-Ojo, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta, which oversights the Niger Delta Development Commission, that he is proposing a bill for the NDDC Act to be repealed and replaced with a new law.

Tunji-Ojo said the bill he is proposing will stipulate minimum qualifications for the offices of the Managing Director and the Executive Directors.

Tunji-Ojo’s new proposal to repeal the NDDC Act is mischievous, especially given that the current legislation is very clear on the qualifications for the executive positions. Under Part V, Section 12(1) and (1a), the NDDC Act provides that: “There shall be for the Commission, a Managing Director, and two Executive Directors who shall be indigenes of oil producing areas starting with the member states of the Commission with the highest production quantum of oil and shall rotate amongst member states in the order of production; (a) have such qualification and experience as are appropriate for a person required to perform the functions of those offices under this Act.” Tunji-Ojo “said it was an irony that the law establishing the commission does not provide any punishment for any infraction committed within the commission.” This is not true as there are more than enough provisions in the EFCC Act, the ICPC Act and the criminal code to punish those who commit infractions in any public institution, the NDDC inclusive. There is no need for this Tunji-Ojo merry go round proposal to replace the NDDC Act, except it is clearly what it is, an agenda to prolong the Interim arrangement.

Indeed, the statements from TunjiOjo in recent times indicate how he and some of his colleagues have acquiesced to the illegalities being undertaken at

the NDDC by the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godshill Akpabio and the Interim Sole Administrator.

Tunji-Ojo and his colleagues should first answer for their failure to defend the NDDC Act as it is now when the Minister brazenly ignored the law, disregarded the Governing Board appointed by the President and cleared by the National Assembly in line with the NDDC Act, and, instead, appointed interim managements since October 2019. The NDDC has been operating outside the ambit of the NDDC Act since October 2019, yet Tunji-Ojo and his colleagues did nothing to ensure that the provisions of the NDDC Act are followed.

The House of Representatives, and indeed the National Assembly, must steer clear of the fraudulent antics of Tunji-Ojo. We recall that Tunji-Ojo presided over the House of Representatives Committee that probed the last NDDC Interim Management Committee, between May and July last year, but failed to present the report of the committee to the House of Representatives for adoption despite revelations of fraud, financial recklessness and mismanagement of funds running into several billions of naira.

How can a committee chairman who compromises an oversight investigation talk now of amending the NDDC Act as if that was what made him inert in presenting the report of his committee’s investigation? We are not unaware of the meetings held between Akpabio and Tunji-Ojo, including one at his office in the National Assembly, during the investigation. Tunji-Ojo actually frustrated the conclusion of that probe by failing/refusing to present the report of the probe, to the House of Representatives for its adoption, to date.

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

nale in the midst of a storm is a rare gift and hardly will there be a problem with him not having a solution or an idea of solving the problems. His versatility in almost every sector of the economy be it banking, energy, telecom, Information Technology etc is outstanding.

In our home state of Abia, Dr Alex Otti has carved his name on stone and has made himself from obscurity to sublime. Hardly will you mention Alex Otti in any village in Abia state that both the old and young will not know him. This is not just because he had contested elections in the state, but because of his humanitarian deeds and developmental strides in various communities.

I travelled to Nigeria last December to bury our late father. After the burial I decided to pay a thank you visit to revered Royal Highness who had helped to facilitate the grading of the road leading to our family compound.

I avoided the route I knew because of bad roads and had to stop at a villager to help me with directions leading to the Eze’s palace. Typical of a villager giving direction, he said to me “ just drive straight, you will get to Alex Otti road, and make a right turn” surprised to hear him refer the road as Alex Otti’s road, I asked him why is it called Alex Otti road?

In his response, in our native dialect “Bros are you a new comer? Alex Otti has attracted NDDC to work on our roads. When you get there you will see what I am telling you, the road is now ‘tear rubber’ “a parlance for brandnew. True to the description, I was pleasantly impressed on the quality of road construction I saw.

In addition to his contribution to road construction, The Alex Otti Foundation, which provides scholarships, aimed at empowering indigent academically bright young Abians whose families can not genuinely afford the cost of tertiary education have given opportunities to many students enrolled in government owned tertiary institutions, This same foundation has given loans to small business owners to help them grow their businesses and grants to indigent artisans in Abia state.

My late father, Sir A E Ibeneme, would say, “Don’t be impressed by money, followers, degrees and titles, rather be impressed by kindness, integrity, humility and generosity.” Dr Alex Otti’s kindness and generosity more than the success he has attained on earth will make way for his generation unborn.

I celebrate you. You have been a leader worthy of our followership.

A fighter for the downtrodden and a social justice crusader. I salute your courage and doggedness. You are an exemplary family man and a role model to many of us.

I want to use this opportunity on your birthday to thank you for the privilege of our relationship, which I value tremendously. I want to let the world know that I appreciate you as a big brother, my leader and role model.

I am sure that posterity will pay you with a golden coin for all the sacrifices you have been making to uplift mankind and liberate people from the claws of oppression and injustice.

As we continue to celebrate your new age, I pray that God in his infinite mercy will fulfill your heart’s desires.

May God continue to bless you with good health, wealth and with the wisdom of King Solomon.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MARCH 5, 2021

19

PERSPECTIVE

EPISTLES of ANTHONY KILA

Our Governor is Incompetent Let us Go Beyond Road Chido Nwangwu, Publisher, USAfricaonline.com, Repairs in Lagos condemns in strong terms the decision of Texas

Governor Greg Abbott to halt the mandatory Anthony Kila, a Professor and Director at CIAPS, Lagos believes it is time to change the profile, use of a mask ethos and conduct of commercial road users in some more of us by removing the restricLagos State tions previously imposed on businesses

I

n a stupefying imposition of executive power, Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday March 2, 2021 did the unthinkable: ordered the halt from this Wednesday of the mandatory order by President Joe Biden for everyone to wear a mask— for everyone’s own safety and the life of millions.

Abbott, evidently, has his eyes on the anti-science, pro-Trump base of the nativist Republicans. It’s truly a shame.

It is so difficult to imagine that this Republican Governor since six years, still dusting the files from his catastrophic failure to protect Texans from February 2021 snowstorm will, giddily, like his political godfather Trump leap into another deadly, hideous decision.

That’s usually what happens when you place partisan, shortsighted considerations over the fundamentals of science.

These issues of biological science versus flippant, partisan posturing on matters of life and death have followed humankind for centuries . In fact since the beginning of modern, human societies, the debate about atom, Big Bang Theory, Darwinism, divine creationism and naturalism are some of the conceptual titles of tomes of inquiry into the emergence of life, itself.

Epidemics and pandemics have been recorded as major events and assaults on the capacity of human beings by the microscopic and usually viral infections.

Intelligent and purposeful leaders inform their citizens honestly and accurately to rise to the challenges of such catastrophic occurrences. They act responsibly and are guided by the factualities and verifiable evidences of science and technologies.

On the other hand, there are crass politicians who are stuck in the dark and dingy pits of dishonest and obfuscation.

Those are the desperados whose personal ambitions are reckless but place above the interest of all others!

They pander to the mass of hardline voters. Those politicians follow the wind vane before deciding on the key issues.

Overall, I believe the science-based and focused efforts by U.S President Joe Biden on this deadly issue of COVID-19 have started to yield better results.

There are better, improving numbers on the fight against the Coronavirus, drawing largely from the three operational pillars of wearing mask, maintaining social distances and taking the vaccine! Donald Trump and his fellow travelers mock these necessary standards of safety.

The most kind of the harsh reactions to Mr. Abbott came from the first sentence of the editorial, same day, in the Forth Worth Business Press: “It’s official: Greg Abbott is a moron.”

FWBP continued, that, “With Texans still suffering from the state’s mind-boggling incompetence in the face of a devastating winter storm, the governor decided to kill

and individuals to protect everyone from COVID-19…. Abbott, who apparently wants to be seen as the emerging leader of the brain-dead wing of the Republican Party, has failed every test of leadership he has faced during his lackluster six-year tenure as governor of Texas. He was slow to react to the pandemic when it started, failing to enact protective measures such as lockdowns and mask mandates until the disease was wildly out of control all across the state. When he finally took action, his decisions were half-hearted and made with a wink and a nod meant to cover his right flank by letting hard-core conservatives know that his actions were taken under the duress of political pressure, not because he believed in them…. Now, with only a fraction of the state’s population vaccinated against coronavirus and new variants challenging the effectiveness of the vaccines being distributed, Abbott has concluded that the threat of illness and death from COVID-19 is so insignificant that we can, for all practical purposes, stop worrying about it. For crying out loud, governor, who is giving you advice?

Donald Trump?”

Democrat and former member of the House of Representatives from Texas, Beto O’Rourke, a potential Abbott opponent in the 2022 Texas Governor’s race, wrote on his Twitter page, Abbott has simply issued “A death warrant for Texans. Add them to the 44,000+ killed as he failed to confront the pandemic and botched the vaccine rollout. And those who froze to death because he cares more about energy companies’ profits than keeping Texans alive. Abbott is killing the people of Texas.”

Abbott’s failure to lead, responsibly, led to the failure to “winterize” the independent Texas Electricity grid. Winterizing the grid enables it to withstand winter storms such as Uri. Also, he falsely claimed that the very small 12% of renewable and clean wind mill energy was the reason why Texas (which pulled itself out of the national grid) failed to adequately protect its citizens.

Another very popular personality in Texas is San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. His reaction is important, especially noting that Abbott’s decision is “mystifying…. It puts a lot of businesses in a tough spot. They’re trying to do a good job of keeping everybody safe. Of course they want to open up. But getting rid of masks just seems ignorant to me. We have to have instant gratification and act like the pandemic is over? We already went through this once, and now we’re going to do it again?”

On Wednesday, Biden said Abbott and the Mississippi Republican Governor, Tate Reeves, are reflecting what he called” Neanderthal thinking” and “big mistake.”

The dangers of COVID-19 are real. On Thursday, March 4, Texas had diagnosed 2.68 million cases and 45,000 people dead from the virus. In the greater Houston area, within and around Harris County, 353,000 cases had been diagnosed and 5,210 people have died.

Several of the infected and the dead are people we know; or as the case may be, we knew.

People in our communities, in the Nigerian and African communities; and beyond, what, for Abbott’s sake, Texans are still wondering, is going on here?

D

ear Governor Sanwo-Olu I write with delight to confirm that we can see that the roads of our Lagos have seen massive and effective repairs following your commitment in the month of October 2019 to repair those very bad roads that your administration inherited.

I have not visited every corner of the state but I am pleased to report that my journeys through random places, like from the International Airport to my office and residence in Ikeja, to the Agege Stadium where my darling Stationary Stores FC play and to my country home in Epe where the roads were really bad and with traffic that made journeys on our roads seem like hell on earth in the recent past have all seen massive improvements. More needs to be done but certainly a lot is being done.

It is always a joy to see an administration that addresses problems with practical, cogent and effective solutions instead of moral emotional or even historical explanations or worse still excuses.

I however have a true but sad news for you Mr Governor: You cannot afford to dwell on this success no matter how much it cost your administration in terms of energy, ideas or finance.

People’s needs are many and can be endless while our memory is transient.

Very soon people will forget that you repaired those roads, just like we don’t remember to thank God and our doctors for breathing again. To most, what you have done will soon be discarded as restoring status quo ante. Take heart Mr Governor, they are neither ungrateful or wicked, it is just the way things go with consumers and citizens.

Luckily for you however, there are other challenging opportunities for you on our roads.

One of such challenging opportunities lies in the profile, ethos and conduct of our commercial road users, from the trailer and bus drivers, to the bike riders we call okada to the tricycles riders we call Keke Maruwa.

Managing and changing the profile, ethos and conduct of these commercial road users can give your administration a chance to build a lasting legacy and it can be done in the next three years.

At the moment, a cursory and victim’s look at these commercial road users will reveal them to be selfish, mean, reckless, dangerous and a major cause of most traffic and even accidents on our roads. A closer and dispassionate look however will readily reveal that these drivers and riders are more ignorant than evil. Too many of these drivers and riders do not seem to have the barest understanding of the rules of sharing the roads with others.

This lack of knowledge of the rules and ethics of the road is convincingly displayed in where and when drivers and riders stop to pick and drop passengers, their ignorance is even more obvious from the clearly suicidal way they rush to overtake other vehicles and the way they try to squeeze themselves between other vehicles. These

road users need to be (re)taught and (re)indoctrinated continuously about using our roads. We need to create a well thought and highly coordinated method and forum to show these road users the rules of using our roads as well as what is expected of them whilst sharing the roads with others.

The method has to be based on moral suasion that shows all that the process of reorientation is for their own good.

Commercial road users come with one added nuisance for other road users: their unions, and those lovely thug-looking local government agents that stop them in the middle of the road for money and with no regard for other road users while they negotiate and pay. I have queried elsewhere if this is not pure extortion.

Just like we do career development and Refresher sessions with managers and other operators, the process of managing and changing the profile, ethos and conduct of these commercial road users can give us a chance of using these unions and local government agents that stop drivers and riders for money for a collective good: they can become the channel for reaching and gathering drivers and riders for retraining and reorientation.

By using their unions and local government agents, it is possible to effectively manage and reorient these drivers and riders with little or even no additional cost to the state government and tax payers.

Mr Governor, the many advantages of having well informed and betterbehaved road users are so obvious and self-explanatory that we do not need to neither list nor dwell on them. A point however needs to be made: Curing our roads of the ills of ignorant, badly behaved, accident and traffic causing suicidal drivers and riders will not only make our roads better and safer for all whilst saving us productive time; it will actually help us become a better people. Tolerating or even accommodating such ills on our roads with no clear, conscious and coordinated effort to cure such sore is a blemish on our level of civilisation and an indictment on the quality of our governance. Such blemish is not befitting for a state that strives to be a Centre of Excellence but luckily for all, with the right will we can do the right thing.

20

FRIDAY MARCH 5, 2021 •T H I S D AY

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Quick Takes

Ibom Air Records 500,000th Passenger

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman; Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, Joanna Tarnawska and the wife of the Nigeria Ambassador to Poland, Mrs. Ndidi Ugwu, during a working visit to the corporate headquarters of the NPA in Lagos...recently

Bala-Usman: NPA Contributed N151bn to FG in Four Years Eromosele Abiodun The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman, has revealed that the agency has contributed N151 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Account (CRA) in four years.

Bala-Usman, who stated this in an interview with editors of newspapers in the country, said the NPA contributed N42 billion in 2017, N33 billion in 2018, N31 billion in 2019 and N45 billion in 2020 .

According to her, “Our cargo for 2019 was 80 million metric tons in the whole country. In 2020 we recorded 78 million metric tons, so we can see the difference in how much we were able to attract into the

MARITIME country within that period and the differential.

“For container traffic, 1.84 million TEUs in 2019 and 1.86 million in 2020, called vessels was 4,251 in 2019 and 3,972 in 2020. Gross registered for the vessels was 29.4 million in 2019 and 24.6 million in 2020. “There is a marginal drop because of the pandemic and we even thought it would be less but it is not materially different.”

The Tin Can Island and Port, she said, had the highest number of called vessels –1,197 vessels while Apapa port recorded 986 vessels within that period.

The NPA, Bala-Usman added, recorded total revenue of N305.3

billion in 2019 and N360 billion last year.

“This contribution to CRF is in line with the fiscal responsibility act which requires for government agencies to make remittance surplus to the government coffers.

“Ensuring strict compliance to that is what we have sworn to do so that we are meeting the full compliance to the Fiscal Responsibility Act. So this is the general overview of what we have been doing and our area of focus,” she added.

She said one of the key issues that have been bedeviling the NPA’s operations within the Lagos area has been the traffic congestion in Apapa and Tin Can Island.

“That is a monster that we

have been grasping with, it’s a bit challenge. I have always had a particular perception of how to resolve it, there are different layers of intervention that kept coming on but for me I had a particular thing I thought was the right thing. It took a while for people to sort of come to terms with it but I will just give a quick overview about what it is – it is an electronic app – it is e-toll, some of you might have heard the jingle on the radio.

“It is an e-call up system which seeks to remove the human intervention in the process of calling up trucks and an integral part of it is the provision of Approved Truck Park, meaning that all trucks Continued on page 20

Demand by Nigerians in Diaspora Boosts Export Chinedu Eze Nigeria is exporting more products by air than it has ever done in the past and most of the products are meant for Nigerians who live abroad, THISDAY’s findings showed.

The development was confirmed by aviation handling companies, which stated that export of perishables and other Nigerian edible products was on the rise.

The Managing Director of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCOL), Basil Agboarumi told THISDAY in a telephone chat that Nigerians in Diaspora long for Nigerian foods and other items, adding that Nigerian businessmen and women have risen to the occasion by providing and packaging these products according to required specification to export them.

As a handling company, Agboarumi said his organisation has the needed facilities to keep

AVIATION the product in the standard condition as required by each country it is to be exported to before such products are taken out of the country.

The SAHCOL boss said that most of the products are taken to Europe, the United States and other places and each country has its specifications for the screening and preservation of the products.

He also said the handling companies, which provide services for the export of these products, are expected to have certification that would qualify them to handle the exports.

He also acknowledged that the rate of export cannot be matched with the volume of imports but what is interesting is that there were not much exports few years ago, so the increase in the export of Nigerian products is a recent development.

“There are a lot of things that are being exported from Nigeria and these include farm produce; edibles, manufactured goods, hair extension and even vehicle spares that are exported to some countries in Africa.

“So now that export is rising, the handling companies ought to have certain facilities and to meet the standard of each exporting country.

“These requirements are known by Customs so they inspect the products to ensure they meet the standard of the countries they are being taken to.

“Other agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Quarantine and others inspect the products before they are packaged and loaded in aircraft and exported,” Agboarumi said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mainstream Cargo Limited, Seyi Adewale, told THISDAY that Nigeria was building big business around the export

market.

He stated that airline cargo export has significantly increased, adding that most of the exports are going to the UK, where Nigeria has high population and also other parts of Europe.

“Airline cargo export has significantly increased. For example, one of the major cargo airlines only recently moved up its export tariff because it couldn’t cope with approximately 60 tonnes of general foodstuff item to UK. “UK remains Nigeria’s primary destination of foodstuff followed by Germany and USA. In fact, German authorities appear to be placing strict restrictions on foodstuff items from Nigeria. Secondly, repair of spares, such as turbines are very significant exports out of Nigeria “Another European carrier that uses half of its passenger Continued on page 20

Ibom Air has airlifted its milestone 500, 000th passenger since its commencementofoperationsalmosttwoyearsago.Theairlineexpressed gratitude to all those that had patronised and spoken highly of the stateowned carrier. The airline, which started operations on June 7, 2019, also saiditwouldhaveachievedthefeatmonthsagobutforthelockdownthat haltedflightactivities.

ChiefOperatingOfficer,GeorgeUriesi,whospokeontheachievement,said, “Weareverypleasedtorecordthiskeymilestoneof500,000passengers.

AlthoughwewouldhaveclockedthisnumberaroundNovemberoflastyear butforthethreeandhalfmonthCOVID-19lock-down,still,itisanindication ofsteadycustomeruptake,andvalidationofourservices.

“Wearethankfultoourcustomersforbelievinginusandcontinuingtorely on our unique proposition of schedule reliability, on-time departures, and excellent services. As we continue to grow apace, we are determined to continueto deliveronourcustomers nowveryhighexpectations.”

IbomAir,whichisownedbytheAkwaIbomStateGovernment,hasestablished areputationforon-timeperformanceandexcellentserviceinthemarket.

ItistheonlydomesticairlineinNigeriathatpublishesitsschedulereliability andon-timeperformancestatistics monthly.

Theairlinesaidithasconsistentlymaintainedabove90percentperformance sinceinceptionandoperatesdailyflightsbetweenUyo,Lagos,Abuja,Calabar andEnugu.

Air Cargo Demand Recovers

TheInternationalAirTransportAssociation(IATA)hasreleaseditsJanuary 2021 data for global air cargo markets. The report showed that air cargo demandreturnedtopre-COVIDlevels(January2019)forthefirsttimesince theonsetofthecrisis.Januarydemandalsoshowedstrongmonth-to-month growthoverDecember2020levels.

Globaldemand,measuredincargotonne-kilometers(CTKs),wasup1.1per centcomparedtoJanuary2019andthreepercentcomparedtoDecember 2020.Allregionssawmonth-on-monthimprovementinaircargodemand, andNorthAmerica andAfrica werethestrongestperformers.

Therecoveryinglobalcapacity,measuredinavailablecargotonne-kilometers (ACTKs), was reversed owing to new capacity cuts on the passenger side.

Capacityshrank19.5percent,comparedtoJanuary2019,andfellfivepercent, comparedtoDecember2020,thefirstmonthlydeclinesinceApril2020.

The IATA said the operating backdrop remained supportive for air cargo volumes: ConditionsinthemanufacturingsectorremainrobustdespitenewCOVID-19 outbreaks thatdraggeddownpassengerdemand.

“TheglobalmanufacturingPurchasingManagers’Index(PMI)wasat53.5 in January. Results above 50 indicate manufacturing growth versus the priormonth.

“The new export orders component of the manufacturing PMI – a leading indicatorofaircargodemand–continuedtopointtofurtherCTKimprovement.

However, the performance of the metric was less robust compared with Q42020 as COVID-19 resurgence negatively impacted export business in emerging markets. Should this continue or expand to other markers, it couldweighonfutureaircargo growth,”itstated.

Itaddedthatthelevelofinventoriesremainedrelativelylowcomparedto sales volume.

Kenya Airways Begins Flights to France

Nationalcarrier,KenyaAirwayshasannouncedplanstoresumedirectflights from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Charles De Gaulle(CDG),France.ThedirectflightsaresettorestartfromMarch17,2021.

ChiefCommercialandCustomerOfficer,JuliusThairuinastatementsaidthe airlinewouldcontinuetoofferitscustomerscompetitivefaresandaone-stop connectionthroughitshubinNairobitotherestofKenyaandAfricaincluding keydestinationsinAfricasuchasKinshasa,Moroni,Entebbe,Johannesburg, andAntananarivo.Thenationalcarrierwillstartwithoneflightaweekwith frequencyincreasingbasedondemand” The resumption of direct flights to Paris, France, he said, was in line with theairline’splanstogrowanexpandingscheduleastravelrestrictionsare liftedacross theglobe.

“ThisParis-Nairobirouteoffersourcustomersconvenientconnectionsto keydestinationsinAfricasuchasKinshasa,Moroni,Entebbe,Johannesburg, andAntananarivo.

“We remain fully committed to offer our customers an onboard travel experiencethathastheirhealthandsafetyinmind,”saidJuliusThairu,Chief Commercial andCustomerOfficer,”headded.

“There are sufficient economic activities in each region of Nigeria that can grow hubs combined with the smaller airports attached” Managing Director, Flight and Logistics Solutions Ltd,

Amos Akpan

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

BALA-USMAN: NPA CONTRIBUTED N151BN TO FG IN FOUR YEARS

TCN Hits Fresh Transmission Records in One Week

coming into the port will go and park in a designated Truck Park and then use an electronic call up to be called upon to the port when the cargo is ready to be picked up, “she said.

She said trucks going into the port you must be parked in a Truck Park, stressing that trucks must be called upon using the e-column going forward.

“So for me sanitising the port corridors is to have a designated parking space, if you don’t tell people where to park, they park anywhere. So the onus is on you to provide them with where to park.

“We have had this debate over the past two/three years with the Presidential Taskforce, the vice president.

“You must define your parking and you now need to call people up electronically, remove that control from the taskforce and make it electronic, and then make it transparent and make it also first come, first serve.

“We have deployed, we have done the advert, we have seven Truck Parks that are available for use, and we are doing this in conjunction with Lagos State Government. We will be kicking this off on 27thmeaning that you cannot go into the port if you are not parked in these Truck Parks.”

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

DEMAND BY NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA BOOSTS EXPORT aircraft belly for cargo moves principally foodstuff to both UK and Germany.

It moves converters/ fibers of an average of five tonnes per week to Brussels, Prague and Frankfurt and spare parts when they have available space Lastly, we have seen increase in perishables such as vegetables although this could be categorised under foodstuff.

Nigeria is already building big business around the export market. For example, three consolidators in Nigeria are already moving approximately 80 tonnes of foodstuff per week from Nigeria,” he said.

THISDAY investigation also revealed that the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is helping businesses that are into export by easing the process and even engaging airlines with cargo planes to airlift the products to their intending destinations.

Group Business Editor

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), wholly owned by the federal government, said that it recorded three consecutive peak system performances in the last one week.

Although, it rarely reflects in the quality of electricity supply received by Nigerians, a statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs of the company, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, stated that the new levels achieved were due to the renewed synergy among power sector players.

The new records which were achieved on February 25, February 26, February 28 and March 1, the TCN further stressed, underlined the reinvigorated company under its acting Managing Director, Mr Sule Abdulaziz.

Mbah noted that the company recorded the enhanced energy of 116,891.14MWH first on the 26 of February, saying that it was higher than the previous value of 116,121.42MWH that occurred on 25/02/2021 by 769.72MWH. Again, she noted that the TCN successfully transmitted an enhanced peak generation of 5,801.60MW at 9:30pm on March 1, 2021, adding that the latest peak generation was transmitted at a frequency of 50.09Hz. Mbah said the value was higher than 5,615.40MW recorded on February 28, 2021, by 186.20MW, which was transmitted at a frequency

of 50.20Hz, surpassing the previous peak generation of 5,593.40MW which occurred on the 25th of February, 2021 by 22.0MW. “Also, on Friday, 26th February, 2021, TCN equally transmitted a new Maximum Daily Energy of 116,891.14MWH which is higher than the previous value of 116,121.42MWH achieved on Thursday, 25th of February, by 769.72MWH,” she said.

The statement noted that Abdulaziz reiterated that the

consistent increase in the peak generation was due to synergy among power sector participants and concerted efforts by TCN to ensure that all generated power is wheeled to distribution load centres nationwide.

She assured that the TCN would continue to work hard to complete ongoing projects and undertake new ones as it strives to put in place a robust transmission grid, despite challenges posed by vandalism and insecurity, saying that “All hands must

be on deck in the fight to safeguard electricity installations nationwide.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Power, Mr. Sale Mamman, has apologised to the people of Maiduguri, Borno State and environs over the continuing disruption to electricity supply in the area.

Some staff of TCN were badly injured a few days ago by explosives while working to restore electricity after the Boko Haram sect destroyed some power facilities in the state in January.

While sending his apologies to all those affected by the insurgents’ attack, through his social media handles, he noted that the TCN has dedicated engineers still on ground, currently working on restoring power.

“We are working hand in hand with the state government and security personnel to mitigate security challenges on ground. The Acting MD of the TCN, Engr. Abdulaziz was on ground with his team a week ago to assess ongoing work,” he said.

Power sector

West Blue, ICC Unveil Digital Trade Solutions Platform Eromosele Abiodun The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in partnership with West Blue Consulting, United Parcel Services (UPS) and Trade Law Center (TRALAC) have unveiled a digital trade solutions platform, tagged eTradeHubs portal.

The initiative is expected to expand market access and economic opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises in Africa - especially women owned businesses.

The eTradeHubs portal developedby two indigenous African technology providers - Global Trade Solution (GTS) and West Blue Consulting - provides a 24/7 interface for women traders and entrepreneurs in Africa (along with their male peers) to connect and access timely and up to date information, skills

and operational tools, offered by the various service providers within the supply chain.

Designed to leverage on the benefits arising from the operationalisation of the AfCFTA Agreement, the eTradeHub portal aims to reduce the time and cost of doing business by supporting enterprises at all levels – from micro to multinational.

The Chief Executive Officer and Founder of West Blue Consulting, Valentina Mintah, in a statement said the portal features include a multi country tariff and trade information tool as well as a duty calculator.

“A first-time trader or existing trader wishing to import raw materials or export finished goods, can search on the portal for the specific HS Code, related tariff lines, preferential rates of duties, and regulatory procedures and documents required for that

specific item. The duty calculator further provides an estimate of the customs duty, tax and levies of the destination region or country, to aid in financial and logistics planning.

“Using the eTradeHubs portal, the trader is able to process trade documentation, manage compliance, workflow and costs -all on the same platform, without the need to visit multiple regulatory agencies, entities, websites and physical offices. The platform enables enterprises to scale-up and digitize their operations by providing access to online training, webinars and workshops,” he said.

The portal, he added, currently provides country data of Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and the ECOWAS sub region, with more countries and sub regions soon to be added, in line with the Digitize 5 million

African SMEs initiative.

He said: “ICC, West Blue, UPS and TRALAC through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) announced a partnership in February that will provide capacity building programmes and tools, including co-developed trade and information portal called eTradeHubs, to help women-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs) expand their operations to new markets in Africa and around the world.

“Through the auspices of the “Women Traders in AfCFTA” working group, this partnership will collaborate with advocacy groups, trade associations, and other stakeholders on the continent to support women owned businesses.”

Secretary General of ICC, John W.H. Denton at the virtual launch of the partnership said: “The economic, social, and health

consequences associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have unequally impacted the lives and livelihoods of women business owners everywhere.

“We are extremely proud to partner with UPS, TRALAC, and West Blue Consulting to level the playing field in Africa and provide women entrepreneurs with the required resources to digitise their businesses. Womenled businesses are the backbone of their local economies – we can’t afford to leave them behind.”

Mintah added: “the adoption of smart solutions by women in business and trade will ensure benefits such increased flexibility for women to work from home whilst raising children, improved access to global markets, networking opportunities and a significant shift of women from the informal to the formal sector.”

SIFAX Off Dock Operations Record 49,835 TEU Volume

ÌÓØØË ÒÓ×Ë Capital Market Editor

Goddy Ogene

Comms/e-Business Editor

××Ë ÕÙØÔÓ Asst. Editor, Money Market

ß×Ï ÕÏÑÒÏ

Senior Correspondent

ËÒÏÏ× ÕÓØÑÌÙÖß (Advertising) Correspondents

ÒÓØÏÎß äÏ (Aviation) ÜÙ×ÙÝÏÖÏ ÌÓÙÎßØ (Maritime) Ë×ÏÝ ×ÏÔÙ (Finance) ÌÏÜÏ áÙÔÓ (Insurance) ÒÓØÏ×Ï ÕËÐÙÜ (Energy) ××ËØßÏÖ ÎÎÏÒ (Energy) Reporters

ÙÝË ÖÏÕÒßÙÑÓÏ (ICT) ÏÞÏÜ äÙÒÙ (Energy)

Despite the prevailing traffic congestion around the Lagos ports with its attendant consequences for businesses, the inland container depots owned

by SIFAX Group recorded a total of 49,835 TEUs in 2020, the company disclosed.

This, it stated, represented a slight drop in performance compared to 2019 when the off docks grossed 50,452 TEUs. SIFAX off dock operations comprise terminals at Trinity, Mid-Maritime and Okota 1 & 2, all based in Lagos.

“Of the total container volumes achieved, SIFAX Off Dock Trinity had 13,109 TEUs for containers gated-in and 12,468 TEUs for containers gated-out as against 19,014 gated in and 20,369 gated-out in 2019. SIFAX-Mid Maritime Terminal witnessed an increase in its 2020 TEU volume. It recorded 6,062 TEUs and 6,517 TEUs for containers gated in and out respectively as against 2,609 TEUs and 1,727 TEUs recorded in 2019.

“SIFAX Off Dock, Okota Terminal 1, recorded 2,195 and

2,147 TEUs for gated-in and gated-out containers in 2020 as against 3,096 and 3,137 TEUs recorded in 2019 while SIFAX Off Dock- Okota Terminal 2’s 2020 performance shows an increase 3,596 and 3,351 for containers gated in and out in comparison to its 2019 performance of 364 TEUs gated in and 136 TEUs gated out in 2019,” it said.

In order to grow the terminals profitability in 2021, Executive Director, SIFAX Off Dock, Captain Ibraheem Olugbade, said various strategies have been

put in place by the terminals to consolidate their prime positions.

He said: “In order to mitigate the effect of the road construction on SIFAX Mid-Maritime, we have begun dredging the waterside of the terminal and erecting exit security gate in preparation for berthing of barges at the terminal.

“In addition, the off docks at Okota, Lagos are also receiving boxes at the terminals through transfer by barges. Parts of the terminal floor have been renovated and strengthened

to cope with more volumes.

There have been several market drives with several shipping lines to take advantage of the new initiative and proximity to the major express road; and to also use as holding bays for their empties in line NPA call-up system regime.

“SBT Trinity terminal is temporarily closed due to the ongoing road construction along the Mile 2-Apapa expressway, which we expect to be fully operational on completion of the road in the next couple of weeks.”

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Air Peace Resumes Accra Flights March 15 Stories by Chinedu Eze

Air Peace has announced the resumption of daily flight operations into Accra from its Lagos hub from March 15, 2021. The airline has also expressed its readiness to kick off scheduled flights into Ilorin from Abuja and Lagos.

Spokesperson of the airline, Stanley Olisa, who disclosed this in a statement said the Lagos-Accra flight would depart daily at 07:00hrs, while AccraLagos flight will depart at 07:40hrs.

According to him, the

resumption of Accra flights was a response to popular demand as the flying public have been anticipating it.

“You would recall that we suspended our Accra flights consequent upon the pandemic lockdown last year. But we have some exciting news for our esteemed customers as we are resuming flight operations into the Ghanaian city pretty soon. The flying public have been expectant of this,” he said.

Olisa, who added that the airline was already finalising plans to com-

mence Ilorin flights soon, reiterated Air Peace’s commitment to providing peaceful connectivity across domestic, regional and international destinations and satisfying the air travel needs of Nigerians.

Air Peace is an indigenous airline servicing 16 domestic routes, five regional routes and two international destinations, including Johannesburg, and has a varied fleet of 26 aircraft comprising the ultra-modern Embraer 195-E2 jet, Boeing 777, Embraer 145, Boeing 737 and Dornier 328 jet.

FG Reopens Osubi Airport for Daylight Operations The federal government has approved the reopening of the Osubi Airport, Warri, Delta State for daylight operations.

Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika disclosed this via his Twitter handle.

He wrote: “I have just approved the reopening of Osubi Airport Warri, for daylight operations in VFR conditions, subject to all procedures, practices and protocols, including COVID-19, strictly being observed. There will not be need for local approvals henceforth.”

Before the announcement, the Governor of Delta state, Dr. Ifeanyi

Okowa, last week disclosed that his government had met with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Minister of Aviation and the Minister had said that the airport would be reopened.

The Governor said he had also spoken with the new domestic carrier, United Nigeria Airlines and the management agreed that the airline would start operation to the airport.

Also, Air Peace has hinted that it would resume its operation to Osubi, which it stopped when the airport was

closed.

The Osubi Airport was commissioned on April 17th 1999 by the former Minister of Aviation, Captain Briggs and was at a point managed by Shell BP and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) before the facility was handed over to Shoreline Oil Services limited. Sometimes in February 2020, the government had approved the termination of contract of Shoreline Oil Services Limited as operator of the Osubi Airstrip for what is described an issue of competence. The airport is now under the purview of the FAAN.

SAHCO Handles Nigeria’s First Batch of Covid-19 Vaccine Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO) said it has been entrusted with the responsibility of providing aviation Ground Handling for the Astraceneca vaccines at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Nigeria to combat the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The first batch of the vaccines, which was received by the Nigerian government, “was coordinated in a safe, efficient and seamless manner that SAHCO is known for.”

SAHCO said it is present in all the commercially operated airports in Nigeria, which would make distribution of the vaccines effective and timely.

Also, SAHCO has well trained staff with CEIV Certifications which qualifies SAHCO for handling of pharmaceuticals and fitted with well-conditioned warehouse storage facilities that can be regulated to meet the specific needs of any pharmaceuticals, making SAHCO the preferred choice for handling the much-needed vaccines.

“It is also important to note that SAHCO is equipped with cold

rooms and freezers that is fitted with the latest technology of handling temperate sensitive Cargo devices that adapts to the required temperature of any shipment.

“These devices also known as Data Loggers are fitted with unique feature of the whole space.

These temperatures are then closely monitored by SAHCO’s highly trained staff to identify any anomalies.

“The freezers, which are below zero are adequate to handle the Covid-19 vaccines with huge capacities and any other temperature sensitive shipment,” the company said in a statement.

In addition, SAHCO said it provides effective transit ground handling services to client airlines through the company’s ultra-modern transit warehouse which is also equipped with an effective cold-room that regulates perishables at their required specified temperature to avoid denaturing.

In a related development, SAHCO has acquired a new fleet of Sherpa tractors to boost its Ultra-modern

fleet of Ground Handling Equipment so as to exceed customers’ expectations.

“Sherpa tractor is a Goldhofer product that is headquartered in Germany and reputed for producing quality and durable Ground Equipment Products. The Sherpa tractors which have reputation of providing reliable support for a wide range of tasks is manufactured to be rugged, eco-friendly,” the company said.

SAHCO said that animal lovers can now heave a sigh of relief as SAHCO has constructed a well-conditioned Animal Parlour for those who want to import or export animals through SAHCO warehouse in Lagos.

“The Animal Parlour is a well partitioned warehouse that is fitted with animal friendly temperature to prevent the animals from exhaustion before transition,” it added.

SAHCO is certified with RA3 and IATA’s Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) which shows the high level of commitment to training, enabling SAHCO to be a one stop shop.

Improving Communication in Nigeria’s Airspace

Akinkuotu, Managing Director, NAMA Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has said that it is making concerted efforts to eliminate difficulties in the area of communication in Nigeria’s airspace.

The agency said that it is now providing the final solution to the hitherto intractable and protracted problem of communication, which is critically important for air safety.

The Managing Director of NAMA, Capt.

Fola Akinkuotu, made this disclosure to THISDAY on Wednesday, saying that by the third quarter of 2021, there would be effective communication in the whole of Nigeria’s airspace.

According to him, the situation has significantly improved following new installation of communication equipment by the agency, adding that more would be installed and by end of September 2021, all the communications corridors in Nigeria’s airspace would be captured.

He said that NAMA has addressed short-term measures by providing communication equipment that covers the airspace for the short term, adding that the move the agency was making now is to install more equipment for the long term.

“We are making good progress. We have addressed short-term measures by providing VHF that has a minimum of 250 nautical miles and we have done the installation of V-Sat in Enugu and Kano to improve communication in the South East and North West corridors. More installations are going on,” the Managing Director said.

He also told THISDAY that by the third quarter of 2021, the NAMA would have completed the installation of Aeronautical Information System (AIS), which would buoy the 14 V-Sats already installed and power them to give full coverage of communication in the Nigeria’s airspace.

He said the agency was aware of the complaints of blind spots in some areas of

The NAMA boss said Nigeria’s airspace deserves the very best radio communications system, and that government was working to deliver it, insisting that there was no going back in achieving an efficient radio communication

the airspace and that is why it is working hard to ensure that all the communication equipment was installed to ensure that every loophole was covered.

“We are aware of the complaints and we are doing the installations to eliminate those blind spots. VHF radio can give you good quality and good transmission but they have short range.

“That is why we are installing extended VHF radio. So by the time we complete AIS project, every part of the airspace would have become effectively covered,” he said.

About two years ago NAMA embarked on the rehabilitation programme of improving the airspace communication. Informed source told THISDAY that during that period the situation had deteriorated but the agency was unrelenting and today it had dateline for the final actialisation of the programme.

Akinkuotu said that was to ensure effective communication between pilots and air traffic controllers and to eliminate currently existing areas where there are blind spots, where radio messages were not effectively received in the airspace.

He said radio communication had really improved since the last two years but noted that more needs to be done to have a very efficient system.

According to him, radio communication is a critical factor in pilots-air traffic controllers and pilot-pilot exchanges during flight operations.

The NAMA boss said Nigeria’s airspace deserves the very best radio communications system, and that government was working to deliver it, insisting that there was no going back in achieving an efficient radio communication.

Akinkuotu, who has a distinction of being a pilot and an aeronautical engineer, explained that it was essential for communication between the pilots and air traffic controllers to be crisp and clear, noting that part of NAMA’s job is to provide communications system in the airspace, remarking that the agency, working with government would not rest until the targeted high efficient system was achieved.

He said although there have been, “attestations that they have been some remarkable improvements,” he would not be satisfied until peak efficiency was attained.

He added, “For me, good is not good enough. Why not the best?”

To buttress how communication has improved in Nigeria’s airspace, Akinkuotu had explained to THISDAY that with effective communication a flight can operate at higher height where it would safe fuel and fly faster.

“Let’s start from communications, we had issues of communications in the past, if you were flying from Sokoto in those days you can only climb to 14000 feet and then you start shouting to Kano to let you get ILS (instrument landing system). “Now, from an efficiency point of flight operations, that is not good. It means I fly to 14000 feet and cruise for some time until I can get to Kano. My company (the airline) is not going to be having fun because it is burning fuel at low level.

“I am not going to be having fun because I spend all my time trying to shout to Kano to give me a higher level. But because of the improvement in communication, it means I can have continuous climb to reach my cruise altitude, the airplane flies better, the company happier because of fuel efficiency. And because I don’t have to talk so much it gives me a little bit more time to do other things,” he said.

24

FRIDAY MARCH 5, 2021 •T H I S D AY

25

FRIDAY MARCH 5, 2021 • T H I S D AY

DATE: FRIDAY 5TH MARCH, 2021 ?

The 1.4km Agege Pen Cinema bridge

with ramps was conceived to transmit vehicular traffic across the intersection at Agege to resolve the perennial traffic gridlock in the area over the years. The bridge is a dual carriageway comprising two lanes in each direction. ?

The

bridge alignment is along Agunbiade Street (by Koto junction) and spans the intersection of Old Abeokuta Road, railway corridor and Iju-Ishaga Road. It terminates near the entrance of Ijaiye Low Cost Housing Estate on Oba Ogunji Road into Old Abeokuta Road towards Abule-Egba through a ramp across the railway corridor.This ramp will enhance vehicular movement towards Abule-Egba and its environ. It will reduce the incessant traffic gridlock experienced in this area over the years.

Igbega Ipinle Eko, Ajumose ni

BEFORE

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BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Ending Shipping Companies’ Excessive Charges Eromosele Abiodun reviews steps taken by the Nigerian Shippers Council to get shipping companies to reduce their charges and the impact of the efforts on the economy

I

nternational shipping is a complex subject that includes many variables.

Proper handling paves the way for a reliable and cost-effective management of ocean freight.

That is regardless of whether an importer ships one container now and then, several per month or more than ten per day. Many businesses depend on viable international shipping to ensure the persistence of partnerships and clients and sustain profitability.

Avoiding delays is critical to guarantee an uninterrupted operation. However, international shipments could face shipping delay charges resulting from various clearance issues. Sufficient preparation and understanding the different resulting charges in advance is key.

When it comes to clearance delays, importers, as well as exporters seem to throw around three terms interchangeably: demurrage, detention, and per diem. From common usage, it may seem like they all mean storage when they, in fact, do not. If your international shipment stays beyond a certain amount of allowed free time at a site, you face storage charges.

That includes ports, airline terminals, rail facilities or a bonded warehouse. The storage fee compensates the facility for the use of their space and equipment, i.e. a container taking up space or blocking processing. The amount of free days and the charge for storage will differ from one facility to another. This is often also based on the volume an importer or your freight forwarder is passing through the facility.

It is a norm the world over for steamship lines to charge demurrage, a fee to compensate for the use of their shipping containers.

Experts believe demurrage fees are in place to discourage using the provided containers for storage and to compensate for container usage.

“Before you pick up your international shipment, you must pay all demurrage charges in full. The fee may differ greatly from carrier to carrier and from port to port.

“You are granted a limited number of free days, depending on the carrier and the location. After your free time runs out, you will be charged demurrage for each additional day. These charges tend to increase per day after exceeding a certain amount of days,” said a top player in the maritime sector The detention charge, he stated, usually applies to domestic trucking adding, “The trucking or drayage company bills you for the so-called detention of their trucker or driver in cases. This happens when the loading or unloading of your shipment or containers takes too long. Detention fees are billed at an hourly rate.”

He added: “You can usually expect a free time or grace period of around one to two hours for loading or unloading a container. But this will depend on whether it is a domestic shipment or destined for import or export.”

He said per day applies when an importer require the use of equipment beyond a set amount of free time.

“Steamship lines and airlines charge this fee, and equipment include ocean containers and unit load devices (ULD).

You have some free days, depending on the equipment and the carrier, before per diem kicks in. “With imports, the charge applies to cargo leaving the arrival terminal. With exports, it applies to shipments leaving the departing terminal. Per diem fees accumulate until you return the equipment to the terminal of the port, rail yard dock or airline, “he stated.

Analysts believe terms of shipping delay charges, often used interchangeably, results in confusion when receiving bills for detention, demurrage and per day charges.

Nigerian Maritime Industry While it is a known fact that international shipping is completion and intricate, the confusion in the Nigerian maritime industry over shipping companies charges has over the years raised dust with stakeholders

charges will be reduced to about N479.77 billion annually.

Bello

at daggers drown as to who is right or wrong.

Not long ago, customs brokers plying their trade at Lagos ports declared war on terminal operators and shipping companies over the N4 billion demurrage accrued from the recently shelved strike by truck drivers.

Also, in 2019, truckers shunned lifting of cargoes at the ports in protest over alleged extortion by security agencies. Resulting in over N4 billion accrued as demurrages and storage charges that importers had to clear.

Investigations revealed that N668 million demurrage was incurred daily for the duration of the strike which translated to N4 billion. The humongous amount resulted in a running battle between clearing agents, importers on one hand and the service providers on the other.

While the clearing agents were calling for waivers over the strike period, the terminal operators remained indifferent.

According to a manager in one of the container terminals in Lagos, the terminal operators collected demurrage accrued during the period.

The cost of doing business in Nigeria ports ranks amongst the highest in the world with the ports notorious for high demurrage charges as a result of delay in cargo clearing process; High insurance premium of vessels coming to Nigeria and trucks conveying containers to and from the ports and higher shipping and terminal charges.

This is aside the total annual freight cost estimated at between $5 billion and $6 billion annually, according to the Ministry of Transportation.

According to the World Bank in its 2017 Annual Ease of Doing Business Report, Nigeria ranks 145 among 185 countries with Mauritius ranking 32 as the best in Africa.

From the report, Trading Across borders, an indicator for measuring a country’s ports effectiveness ranked Nigeria very low at 183 out of 185 countries.

Numbers released by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) showed that averagely, container traffic at the nation’s seaports across the country (Lagos Port Complex, Tincan Island Port, Delta Port, Onne Port, Rivers Port and Calabar Port) stands at 822,868 annually.

THISDAY findings from customs agents revealed that it takes about N6.5 million to clear and transport a 20-foot container laden with cargo worth N36.42 million ($100,000) imported into Nigeria from China.

Of this amount, about N5.3 million (representing 82.1 per cent) is paid to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as Import Duty, Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS), ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), Port Development Surcharge and Value Added Tax (VAT).

Shipping companies are responsible for 13.8 per cent of the port cost (N897,000); terminal operators 1.8 per cent (N117,000); Customs 82.1 per cent (N5.3million); transporters 1.1 per cent (N71,500) and clearing agents (N78,000).

This means that N5.34 trillion is required to clear the 822,868 containers annually while the shipping companies charges stands at N738.112 billion annually. However, when the 35 per cent reduction comes into effect after the memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed, the shipping companies

The most important charge by the shipping companies is the demurrage and their charges are higher than the terminal operators, which is not supposed to be so. The shipping companies don’t have the right to be collecting the charges

NSC Steps In In a bid to put an end to the persistent wrangling between customs agents, importers and the negative impact excessive charges is having on the economy, the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has been making effort to get the shipping companies to cut down charges. The move is yielding results as the council has signed a landmark agreement with the shipping companies to reduce charges. Analysts and stakeholders have applauded the effort positing that the Nigerian economy will be the ultimate beneficiary.

The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the NSC, Hassan Bello, had while speaking to THISDAY before the agreement was signed said he was hopeful the agreement will have the maximum impact.

“You know in negotiation you can only be hopeful. We have been negotiating for one and half years. We have a small knotty problem, which we hope to resolve. Some I am hopeful we will conclude with the shipping companies.

“However, we will run the agreed MoU by the Ministry of Transportation, major stakeholders such as: shippers freight forwarders, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA). This will take four days, then we will sign the MoU. “Further, the total reduction would be 35 per cent reduction but the most important thing is we have come up with sustainable mechanism of settling dispute, which means no arbitrary or unilateral fixing of cost at the ports.”

Besides the reduction of port charges, he said the council has also abolished the container cleaning fee hitherto being collected by shipping companies, just as fifteen other port charges were removed from the list of charges.

Bello also said that the moment the MoU comes into effect, the implementation also becomes inevitable.

In his reaction, National President, of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero, praised the federal government for the effort adding, however, that 35 per cent reduction is not enough.

“The most important charge by the shipping companies is the demurrage and their charges are higher than the terminal operators, which is not supposed to be so. The shipping companies don’t have the right to be collecting the charges. In other countries of the world most of those charges are not applicable because they don’t provide services for the charges.

“What they have is just the container and that has been charged to the freight cost already. There charges are contestable and it is a very serious issue. The shipping companies are doing what they are doing because Nigerians don’t go to court, if Nigerians can go to court they will find out that the charges by the shipping companies are illegal.”

On his part, the Chairman of the Lagos State Shippers Association, Mr. Jonathan Nicol, said his group would protest the new charges if they fall below their expectations.

He said that the shipping companies must withdraw the court case they instituted against NSC resisting the council’s demand that they refund certain monies to some shippers.

The association also described the resort to the court by the shipping companies as an insult on the Nigerian government.

“The Nigerian Shippers Council has been involved in the negotiations of charges with these foreign shipping companies before they went to court. They must withdraw the case before the negotiations can take place. They went to court when the negotiations were going on, we are an interested party in the case because we are the ones paying the monies,” he said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Access Bank Vs Seplat/Orjiako: Understanding the Issues Sola Olusoji

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he publication on THISDAY Business page on Monday did not provide a fair analysis of the legal tussle between Access Bank and Seplat Petroleum over the loan to Cardinal Drilling Services Limited. It was a job done for Access Bank.

THISDAY should, in the spirit of fairness, also allow this other side of this dispute. There have been persistent concerns that the ongoing legal battle is no longer about debt recovery. This concern is borne out of what many observers see as a campaign of calumny against Seplat and its Chairman, Dr. ABC Orjiako.

This manifests, among others in wild claims that the surgeon-turned business tycoon owes Access Bank Plc some millions of dollars, which, instructively, keeps changing with each writer.

Obviously, the entire campaign of lies is built on a quicksand of the strange lawsuit, which Access Bank instituted against Seplat, leading to the ex parte orders, interlocutory and Mareva injunctions secured by Access Bank at the Federal High Court Lagos in November 2020. The injunctions were however suspended by the Court of Appeal in January 2021.

Meanwhile, the fact, as has been widely reported in the media, remains that Cardinal Drilling obtained credit facilities from Diamond Bank (now Access Bank) to procure four drilling rigs (CDS Rigs 101, 201, 202, and 203) between 2012 and 2014.

The loan was secured with Deeds of Fixed Debenture tied to Cardinal Drilling’s assets, namely the four specific rigs.

But rather than face Cardinal Drilling when the company could not liquidate the outstanding loan of about $85.8 Million, Access Bank sued Seplat (that was not a party to the loan) as First Defendant, Cardinal Drilling (its real debtor) as Second Defendant, Orjiako (that was not also a party to the loan) as Third Defendant, and Kalu Nwosu (former MD of Cardinal Drilling) as the Fourth Defendant in clear violation of well-established principles in law.

To push the perfidy through, Access Bank, through their lawyers, deposed to an Affidavit that: Cardinal Drilling is a sister-company of Seplat; Seplat employed Cardinal as a veritable vehicle, smokescreen, and shell company “in furtherance of the purchase of drilling rigs for their sole benefit, but has refused to liquidate the outstanding indebtedness”; Cardinal transferred the loans disbursed to it to Seplat; Cardinal is a sister-company of Seplat; the said loan was secured with Floating and Fixed Debentures; and Orjiako is the promoter and alter ego of Seplat.

They further averred that, “Unless the Defendants are restrained together with other Directors of the First and Second Defendants (Seplat and Cardinal, respectively), they would strip the assets of the Defendants and dispose them…”; and that unless the Defendants and Directors of both companies are also restrained, “they would place the assets of the Defendants (Seplat and Cardinal Drilling) beyond the reach of this Court and the Receiver/Manager (Kunle Ogunba)” However, as court documents and reports emerging from the courts clearly show, Seplat and Orjiako were never parties to the loan and did not guarantee it. Cardinal Drilling never transferred any part of the loans to the oil company as claimed by Access Bank (without any supporting documents). Also, the rigs were used to execute drilling jobs for other firms, including the governmentowned Nigerian Petroleum Development Ltd, a subsidiary of Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC). Furthermore, Cardinal Drilling obtained the loan with Fixed Debentures, not Fixed and Floating Debentures as falsely claimed by Access Bank and their lawyer. Therefore, in the event of debt recovery, a Fixed

Debenture legally confines Access Bank to the four Cardinal Drilling’s assets they were charged to.

Based on these, analysts aver that evidently, none of Access Bank’s claims makes Seplat or Orjiako liable for the loan in question because there absolutely no privity of contract between Access Bank and Dr. Orjiako or Seplat for which any court action or debt recovery enforcement could be pursued against them.

It is an established principle in law that only a party, which directly obtained a credit facility or a party, which guaranteed a loan in writing, is liable to the loaner for a debt.

Also, only a party that is liable for a bank debt in law or in equity can be sued. Thus, they are of the view that to apply for an injunction against the assets of a party that is not liable for a bank debt, as Access Bank had done, is an aberration unknown to Nigerian laws in the first place.

“What is even more bizarre is that while Cardinal Drilling has not denied indebtedness to Access Bank, Access Bank and its lawyer and media campaigners are insisting that it is Seplat and Orjiako, not Cardinal, that owe them”, a legal practitioner, who has been following the development quipped.

Many who have followed Seplat’s track record of dedication to highest ethical standards and its blossoming business also think it is absurd to imagine that Seplat’s assets, including five Oil Mining Licences (OML), which are not only immovable assets, but are also producing crude oil on a daily basis could easily be moved out of the reach of the court.

Or that a firm with impeccable local and international reputation in raising and servicing debt; a firm that just raised $260 million, being its obligation towards the $650 million financing for the ANOH Gas Processing Plant (a record 50:50 Joint Venture with the Nigeria Gas Company, a subsidiary of the NNPC); a company worth over $2.8 Billion in assets and about $500 Million in market capitalisation; a company listed on both the London Stock Exchange and Nigeria Stock Exchange since 2014; would strip its assets or play “hide and seek” over a $85.8 Million alleged debt if it truly owes.

These facts and Seplat’s standings as against Access Bank’s bogus claims were well reflected by the Court of Appeal in suspending the injunctions of the lower court.

In suspending the orders of the lower court, the three-man appeal panel specifically held that Access Bank had nothing to lose if Seplat continued to do its business while the litigation lasts. Their Lordships emphatically held that it would be “bad and tragic” to continue to seal the offices of a company that is of such strategic economic import to the nation.

Seplat supplies gas to three power plants that are responsible for the 40 per cent of power supply in Nigeria and employs over 400 Nigerians.

“The fear and anxiety expressed by the 1st Respondent (Access Bank) appeared unfounded. It would also not amount to hearing the substantive suit. The Supreme Court has held that where machines and workers would be rendered useless, the court would intervene.

Disruption of business should be considered in the issue of balance of convenience. The court will exercise its discretion in suspending the injunction.

Practical approach should be adopted and not do injustice to any of the parties.

Where considerable hardship will be done to a party, the court will intervene by suspending the injunction or stay it.

“I found substance in the argument.

The injunction restraining the appellant from operating is hereby suspended.

Order on its accounts are also lifted pending the determination of the appeal”, Honourable Justice Joseph Ikyegh held in the ruling concurred by the two other Justices.

Meanwhile, not a few informed observers have expressed concern that the media trial of Seplat, particularly Orjiako, is an attempt to force the hand of the judiciary in a matter or obtaining in the court of public opinion what Access Bank is unable to obtain from the court of lawforcing the businessman/Seplat to pay a debt not owed.

For instance, many have wondered the media campaigners’ idea of indebtedness and owning a company is. Does one own a company simply by holding shares or equity in the company? Shouldn’t any serious-minded writer or blogger bent on unmasking the truth on this matter have at least named all the shareholders, ownership structure, including the Directors of Cardinal Drilling Ltd by conducting “Lifting the Corporate Veil.”

That way, the wind blows and the world would then clearly see the fowl’s rump.

Furthermore, as at today, Seplat is still

a highly regulated oil firm owned by very many reputable shareholders from all around the world. Many therefore see the attempt to reduce it to a one-man business owned by Orjiako as pure mischief.

They believe that while Orjiako deserves accolades for co-founding this flagship indigenous oil and gas firm, it does not make Seplat his personal property.

It is this fixation on Seplat and Orjiako, including suing these non-parties to the loan in question as First and Third Defendants; this insistence on sealing/takeover of a business of Seplat magnitude and import to the economy; and in particular what observers now see as sponsored campaign of calumny against the person of Orjiako that have led many to wonder if Access Bank is truly interested in debt recovery or it is after asset extortion through corporate bullying.

In the discharge of their duties, lawyers in Nigeria are bound by the Rules of Professional Conduct 2007. For instance, Rule 15 (2) provides that a lawyer shall “keep strictly within the law notwithstanding any contrary instruction by his client and, if the client insists on a breach of the law, the lawyer shall withdraw his service.”

A lawyer shall also not knowingly make a false statement of law or fact.

Seplat’s petitions to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPPC) and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) are clearly predicated on alleged breach of breach of Rules 1, 15, 24, 30 and 32 of the Rules of Professional Conduct 2007 vis-à-vis palpable falsehood, misrepresentation and suppression of facts by the Access Bank’s lawyer to mislead the court.

Lawyers and several analysts also believe it is within Seplat’s rights. They opine that the fact that Kunle Ogunba was once stripped of his SAN rank in 2018 before it was later restored makes it even all the more imperative for LPPC and LPDC to look into the matter with dispatch.

Observers and stakeholders in corporate Nigeria believe that the issues at stake hold enormous implications for Nigeria, hence Orjiako and Seplat should never succumb to any cooperate bullying. Importantly, they believe that since the bank has approached the courts, the courts should be allowed to do their adjudication, conclusively.

-Olusoji, a public affairs analyst writes from Abuja

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THIS WEEKEND

NEWS METRO THISLIFE

WEEKLY MAGAZINE

ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 07010510430

2021 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: #CHOOSETOCHALLENGE

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: Continuously Shattering Glass Ceilings

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COVER

2021 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: #CHOOSETOCHALLENGE

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: Continuously Shattering Glass Ceilings Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Nigerian-American economist and international development expert. She sits on the boards of Standard Chartered Bank, Twitter, GlobalAlliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, and theAfrican Risk Capacity. Known to break glass ceilings in her career path, she recently made history again as the first woman andAfrican to be appointed as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. To commemorate the 2021 International Women’s Day celebration, CHIEMELIE EZEOBI profiles this amazon that stands tall and inspires million of young girls to aspire for greatness

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his year, the theme for the annual International Women’s Day (IWD) was #ChooseToChallenge and what better way to mark it than to profile Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, an economist and international development expert, who recently put Nigeria on the global map by becoming the first female and first African to occupy the seat of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as the seventh director general.

Born on June 13, 1954 at Ogwashi-Ukwu in Delta State to Prof Chukwuka and Kamene Okonjo, the economist and international development expert sits on different boards including Standard Chartered Bank, Twitter, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, and the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Education Okonjo-Iweala was educated at Queen’s School, Enugu, St. Anne’s School, Molete, Ibadan, and the International School Ibadan.

She further studied at Harvard University, graduating magna cum laude with an AB in Economics in 1976 and in 1981, she earned her PhD in regional economics and development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a thesis titled Credit policy, rural financial markets, and Nigeria’s agricultural development. She went on to receive an international fellowship from the American Association of University Women (AAUW), that supported her doctoral studies.

Many Firsts Okonjo-Iweala is known as a woman of many firsts. Asides being the first woman and first African to head the WTO, she was also the first woman to serve as Nigeria’s finance minister and the first woman to serve in that office twice.

She was also the only finance minister to have served under two different presidents.

Career Path Okonjo-Iweala had a 25-year career at the World Bank in Washington DC as a development economist, rising to the No. 2 position of Managing Director where she had oversight responsibility for the World Bank’s $81 billion operational portfolio in Africa, South Asia, Europe and Central Asia.

Okonjo-Iweala spearheaded several World Bank initiatives to assist low-income countries during the 2008–2009 food crises, and later during the financial crisis.

In 2010, she was Chair of the IDA replenishment, the World Bank’s successful drive to raise $49.3 billion in grants and low interest credit for the poorest countries in the world. During her time at the World Bank, she was also a member of the Commission on Effective Development Cooperation with Africa, which was set up by the Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen of Denmark. In addition to her role in government, Okonjo-Iweala served on the Growth Commission (2006–2009), led by Nobel Prize winner Professor Michael Spence, and the United Nations’ Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda(2012–2013).

She also co-chaired the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation. In 2012, she was a candidate for President of the World Bank, running against Dartmouth College President Jim Yong Kim. Career in Government Okonjo-Iweala served twice as Nigeria’s

Organisation and she is now. In June 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari nominated her as Nigeria’s candidate to be director-general of the WTO.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala

Finance Minister and also as Minister of Foreign Affairs. She was the first female to hold both positions. During her first term as Minister of Finance under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, she spearheaded negotiations with the Paris Club that led to the wiping out of US$30 billion of Nigeria’s debt, including the outright cancellation of US$18 billion.

In 2003, she led efforts to improve Nigeria’s macroeconomic management including the implementation of an oil-price based fiscal rule.

Revenues accruing above a reference benchmark oil price were saved in a special account called “The Excess Crude Account,” which helped to reduce macroeconomic volatility.

With the support of the World Bank and the IMF to the federal government, she helped build an electronic financial management platform—the Government Integrated Financial Management and Information System (GIFMIS), including the Treasury SingleAccount (TSA) and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), helping to curtail corruption in the process. As at 31 December 2014, the IPPIS platform had eliminated 62,893 ghost workers from the system and saved the government about $1.25 billion in the process.

Okonjo-Iweala was also instrumental in helping Nigeria obtain its first ever sovereign credit rating (of BB minus) from Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s in 2006. Following her first term as Minister of Finance, she served two months as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2006. She returned to the World Bank as a Managing Director in December 2007.

In 2011, Okonjo-Iweala was re-appointed as Minister of Finance in Nigeria with the expanded portfolio of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy by President Goodluck Jonathan. Her legacy includes strengthening the country’s public financial systems and stimulating the housing sector with the establishment of the Mortgage Refinance Corporation (NMRC).

She also empowered women and youth with the Growing Girls and Women in Nigeria Programme (GWIN); a gender-responsive budgeting system, and the highly acclaimed Youth Enterprise with Innovation programme (YouWIN); to support entrepreneurs, that created thousands of jobs.

This programme has been evaluated by the World Bank as one of the most effective of its kind globally. Under her leadership, the National Bureau of Statistics carried out a re-basing

exercise of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the first in 24 years, which saw Nigeria emerge as the largest economy in Africa.

Appointments After leaving government, Okonjo-Iweala was also a member of the International Commission on Financing Global Education Opportunity (2015–2016), chaired by Gordon Brown, and the Eminent Persons Group on Global Financial Governance, which was established by the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (2017–2018).

Since 2014, she has been co-chairing the Global Commission for the Economy and Climate, with Nicholas Stern and Paul Polman. In January 2016, she was appointed the Chair-elect of the Board of Gavi.

Since 2019, Okonjo-Iweala has been part of UNESCO’s International Commission on the Futures of Education, chaired by Sahle-Work Zewde.Also since 2019, she has also been serving on the High-Level Council on Leadership & Management for Development of the Aspen Management Partnership for Health (AMP Health).

In 2020, the International Monetary Fund’s Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva appointed her to an external advisory group to provide input on policy challenges. Also in 2020, she was appointed by the African Union(AU) as special envoy to solicit international support to help the continent deal with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In early 2021, Okonjo-Iweala was appointed as co-chair, alongside Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Lawrence Summers, of the High Level Independent Panel (HLIP) on financing the global commons for pandemic preparedness and response, which had been established by the G20.

Founder Okonjo-Iweala is the founder of Nigeria’s first indigenous opinion-research organization, NOI-Polls and she also founded the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (C-SEA), a development research think tank based in Abuja, and is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Center for Global Development and the Brookings Institution.

DG World Trade Centre Not done in carving out history in her career trajectory, she aspired to head the World Trade

Recognitions and Awards Okonjo-Iweala has received numerous recognition and awards. In 2005, Euromoney named her global finance minister of the year and in the same year, she was listed as one of the 50 Greatest World Leaders (Fortune, 2015).

She was also listed as the Top 100 Most Influential People in the World (TIME, 2014); the Top 100 Global Thinkers (Foreign Policy, 2011 and 2012); the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the World (Forbes, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014); the Top three Most Powerful Women in Africa (Forbes, 2012); the Top 10 Most Influential Women in Africa (Forbes, 2011); the Top 100 Women in the World (The Guardian, 2011); the Top 150 Women in the World (Newsweek, 2011); the Top 100 most inspiring people in the World Delivering for Girls and Women (Women Deliver, 2011); and she was listed among 73 “brilliant” business influencers in the world

by Condé Nast International.

In 2019, Okonjo-Iweala was elected to the AmericanAcademy ofArts and Sciences and she was also conferred High National Honours from the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the Republic of Liberia. She is also the recipient of Nigeria’s Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

Other honours include 2020 African of the year, Forbes Africa; 2017 – Vanguard Award, Howard University; 2017 – Women’s Economic Empowerment Award, WEConnect International; 2017 – Madeleine K. Albright Global Development Award, Aspen Institute; 2016 – Power with Purpose Award, Devex Development Communications Network; 2016 – Global Fairness Award, Global Fairness Initiative; 2014 – David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award; 2011 – President of the Italian Republic Gold Medal, Pia Manzu Centre; 2011 – Global Leadership Award, Chicago Council on Global Affairs; and 2010 – Global Leadership Award, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs; Others include 2010 Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award; 2004 TIME’s European Heroes Award; 2004 – Finance Minister of the Year, Africa Investor Magazine; 2005 – Finance Minister of the Year for Africa and the Middle East; 2005 Global Finance Minister of the Year, Euromoney; and 2005 Finance Minister of the Year for Africa and the Middle East, Emerging Markets Magazine.

Honourary Degrees Okonjo-Iweala has received honorary degrees from 14 universities worldwide, including some from the most prestigious colleges including University of Pennsylvania (2013); Yale University (2015); Amherst College (2009); Trinity College, Dublin (2007); Brown University (2006); Colby College (2007), and Northern Caribbean University, Jamaica.

She has also received degrees from a host of Nigerian universities including Abia State University, Delta State University, Abraka, Oduduwa University, Babcock University, and the Universities of Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Ife (Obafemi Awolowo university). In 2019, Okonjo Iweala was awarded an honorary degree from Tel Aviv University. t.BUFSJBM VTFE GPS UIJT XBT TPVSDFE GSPN 8JLJQFEJB

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͳ˜ 2021

NEWS

Business Coach Boss Assures Business Clarity for SMEs Stories by Mary Nnah Bukola Ogunwale, the CEO of Business Coach Zone has restated her organisation’s commitment to helping individuals and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to find clarity in their careers and businesses.

Ogunwale, who described Business Coach Zone as an organisation that helps people clarify all areas of their businesses, explained that large organisations may have the capacity to employ experts for different key areas of business, but a small business owner may not have the capacity to do the same.

She said SMEs need expertise to grow their businesses adding that “a business owner may be good at sourcing for goods, but may not be so great at marketing, or keeping accounting records or managing Human Resources”.

She explained that at Business Coach Zone, business owners are helped to clarify all the areas of business growth, they interact with experts, they discover the errors they have been making, and are helped to carve out a way forward, with necessary templates and structure documents that can help them in areas for improvement.

She assured that when business owners interact with courses from Business Coach Zone, they gain the mind sets, skills and tools that help them successfully scale their organisations.

She hinted that Business Coach Zone also helps people in careers to understand and inculcate the notion of working like entrepreneurs, so they can take ownership of their job functions and grow as they help their organisations to grow.

The clarity coach said they

Bukola Ogunwale

have worked with several corporate organisations to train their staff members on the art of entrepreneurship and with banks to train entrepreneurs as well. Ogunwale who is also a co-founder in i-Fitness Gym and a founder of Coach B Fitness Zone noted that she was inspired to commence Business Coach Zone to fill the knowledge gap that entrepreneurs face in business know-how and profitability.

“My first few years in corporate law was spent sitting in board meetings where seasoned professionals deliberated on businesses, why some were grounded and why some others

succeeded.

“I discovered that passion alone is not sufficient to build a company. There must be industry know how, there must be a determination to provide the solution to problems people are grappling with.

“Entrepreneurs need to keep good records so as to ensure that they are not just doing business activities but are making good profit. Your business is at its best when you are at your best” she noted.

Hence one of the biggest aspects she focuses on in the Business Coach Zone is the personal growth of the entre-

preneur.

“When you look at the example of a person who has tried their hands at different businesses and keep failing or going round in circles, you will realise that the problem is not often with the different businesses but with the person.”

She noted that many do not take time out to be trained in the business aspect of their passion, and this is a major reason why their businesses struggle, adding that Business Coach Zone fills this gap by training entrepreneurs regardless of their reasons for starting a business.

“I help people to reinvent themselves by coaching them.

There are always opportunities around us, if only we know where to search for them.

“Indeed the economy has felt the impact of COVID, however, the more countries lock their physical borders down, the more the online portals seem to open up wider for commerce.

“Now, a person can pick up a laptop in Lagos, Nigeria and offer excellent graphics designing work to a client in New York and be paid in foreign currency for their services.

“Perspective is everything, and with the right coaching, everyone can discover within them, particular needs of their society or of the world that they can meet and be rewarded for” she added.

Some of the courses offered at Business Coach Zone include the Business Clarity Course, The CEO Personal Growth Course, the Fitness Mindset Course, the Doer’s Course, the Staff Training Manual and so many more. Ogunwale also has an app called the Vision Journal App that helps users to be more intentional and to take charge of their lives rather than following the bandwagon.

Cadbury Nigeria Rewards Bourn Factor Season 2 Winners Cadbury Nigeria, a part of Mondelz International, and producers of the iconic Bournvita, a cocoa beverage drink, has rewarded the top three winning schools in the second edition of the Bourn Factor School Talent Hunt Competition, which took place nationwide, in 2020.

The winners were unveiled at a media parley held at the Company’s head office in Lagos, recently. Divine Promotion Nursery and Primary School in Ile-Ife, Osun State, won the grand prize of N3Million.

Success Foundation Academy in Abeokuta, Ogun State, which came second, won N2Million, while Potter and Clay Schools in Ilesha, Osun State, in the third position, won N1 million.

During the prize presentation, Mrs. OyeyimikaAdeboye, Managing Director, Cadbury Nigeria, said one of the Company’s values is to “love our consumers and our brands,” adding that the organisation has continued to seek numerous ways to demonstrate this.

“The Bourn Factor initiative was launched in 2019 to enable children from different primary schools across the country showcase their talents, compete, and win prizes for

TheBareNecessitiesFoundation Organises“TheBareFeetDrive”2.0

The bare necessities foundation beneficiaries

The Bare Necessities Foundation (TBNF) recently organised “The Bare Feet Drive” 2.0 at Sagbokoji Island, Apapa area of Lagos State, reaching out to the riverine community dwellers.

The event was solely aimed at distributing durable shoes to children between the ages of three years and 13years.

As its first outreach in 2021, the TBNF team set out to Sagbakoji Island and were met with excitement and a sense of hope made visible by their reception.

After casual introductions, the foundation took to the business of the day stationing at the Methodist Church in the area.

The team made up of volunteers including; Fehintoluwa Kusimo, Adetayo Talabi, Sikemi Kusimo, Oluwapelumi Jimoh, Opeyemi Omolere, Damilola Adebayo, Tolani Olaleye, Ibrahim Lanre and Hero Faleye, commenced with subtle interactions with the members of the community, after which the donations ranging from shoes, food items and beverages were gifted to over 250 children.

Inspired by an urgency to give back to the society, the founder of The Bare Necessities foundation, Tolu Omikunle explained that “The goal of the foundation is to provide basic necessities of life particularly to widows and children in impoverished communities with the hopes of alleviating some of the stress and frustrations that result from lack of funds to purchase basic daily needs.”

She added that “we also hope that our outreach encourages others who have funds and materials and are interested in giving back to those in need, to be proactive and join us.

“We can accept pre-owned or new shoes and there is transparency as to communities chosen and the distribution of the shoes”.

The Bare Necessities foundation launched its first outreach programme in 2020 at the Success club Oniru Lagos, in the same stead it seeks to support widows and children around Lagos providing basic necessities of life.

TBNF is a non-profit organisation established in 2019 with a vision of providing children with basic necessities of life ranging from food clothing etc. In 2020- the foundation launched its first outreach programme at the Success club Oniru, Lagos.

AdesunmboAdeoyeAnnounces“Crushing theStatusQuo”adThemeforICC2021

Managing Director, Cadbury Nigeria, Mrs. Oyeyimika Adeboye, (3rd from left) flanked by prize winners of 2nd edition of the Bourn-Factor School Talent Competition (from left): Potter and Clay Schools, Ilesha, Osun State (3rd prize); Divine Promotion Nursery and Primary School, Ile-Ife, Osun State (1st prize) and Success Foundation Academy, Abeokuta, Ogun State (2nd prize) during the event

their schools, while raising money towards a social cause,” she said.

Mrs. Adeboye added that the initiative was in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that seek to build sustainable communities. “Last year, we worked with the first prize winner to set up an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facility for their school.

“We helped the second prize winner to renovate their school premises and worked with the third winning school to set up a play ground and a borehole.

“This year, we will partner all the three wining schools to achieve their goals, adding that “We will also donate products to orphanages chosen by the winning schools. This will inculcate in the children, the habit of selfless giving.”

Mrs. Adeboye thanked all the schools that participated in the competition and noted that the winners represent millions of talented Nigerian children.

She enjoined teachers and parents to continue to support Nigerian children in nurturing their talents and building their dreams.

Earlier in his remarks, Tolu Olaoye, the Innovations Man-

ager, Cadbury West Africa, expressed delight with the level of participation of the schools, despite the irregularities in school calendars, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This, for us, is the kind of resilience we are seeking to achieve, teaching the younger ones how to persevere,” he said.

According to the statement, which was issued by Frederick Mordi, the Company’s Corporate Communications and Government Affairs Manager for West Africa, the competition is one of the several brand touch points that Bournvita is using to connect with children across the country.

In commemoration of World International women’s day celebration, Inspiring Change Conference (ICC) with Adesunmbo Adeoye, is making a return for a global edition with select speakers from UK, USA, and Africa from March 9 to 13, 2021.

Following the success of previous editions, this year’s Adesunmbo Adeoye event is set to deliver impactful and transformative learning experiences for participants, guests and the general public.

The event will hold in several-tiers, comprising a euphoric 12-hour twitter conversation, featuring hourly thread of inspiration with Q & A sessions on day one, March 8, with leading tweet panellists from across the world.

The experience will further with a two-hour virtual daily dialogue series streaming Live on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and periscope.

The grand finale of the program is set for Saturday, March 13, 2021, at the Wisdom Arena, 1 Williams Estate, opposite FCMB, Agege with enthralling activities such as exhibitions, Girl Talk, Keynote speech and so much more.

Hosted by Adesunmbo Adeoye, this year’s edition of the Inspiring Change Conference tagged “Crushing The Status Quo”, scheduled to hold online at Wisdom arena, Agege Lagos and onsite at 291b, Old Abeokuta Road, Agege, Lagos, will house prominent personalities and speakers ranging from Lady Onyeka Onwenu, Adedamola Ladejobi, Temi Ajibewa, Tricia Ikponmwonba (Triciabiz), Abisola Kola-Daisi, Florence San, Folake Kehinde, Uduak Odungide, Funke Bucknor Obruthe amongst others.

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E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

What About the Incredible Women of Nollywood?

In commemoration of International Women’s Day, Vanessa Obioha argues that African movies with leading Nollywood actresses deserve a spotlight on the M-Net pop-up channel

R

e c e n t l y, MultiChoice Nigeria announced that it will launch an M-Net Movies pop-up channel dedicated to women as they celebrate International Women’s Day coming up on Monday, March 8.

Themed ‘Pretty Deadly’, the pop-up channel parades a list of Hollywood female actors like Angelina Jolie, Melissa McCarthy, Brie Larson, and a host of others and will run for more than a fortnight. For a moment, I hoped and prayed that I would see a Nollywood movie in that long list but there was none. Perhaps, my wish was too tall, I scanned through again to see if there was an African movie on the list. Yet, my sore eyes couldn’t find any. The list only paraded Hollywood female stars, whose roles swing from sheroes to con artists.

Could it be that the company which prides itself as the greatest storyteller in Africa didn’t find any African movie worthy to share the spotlight? Are the roles of Nigerian female actresses

Joke Silva, Genevieve Nnaji and Ivie Okujaye

in movies so stereotyped that their creativity deserves no accolades?

To be fair, MultiChoice has and is still a critical player in the development of the film industry. Through various interventions, the company raised the standards of filmmaking

and TV production in Nigeria. Last year alone when the pandemic was biting hard, the company committed N400 million to the creative industry.

It churned out different local content on its platforms DStv and GOtv to keep Nigerians entertained during the

lockdown period and its successful reality TV show Big Brother Naija has catapulted many to the spotlight, including recording the first female winner, Mercy Eke, in 2019.

The company considerably has boosted the careers of female actresses.

For instance, Bisola Aiyeola, an actress, singer and runner-up of the second season of Big Brother Naija has made waves in her career through that spotlight and currently hosting a lifestyle show for the company. Through its Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), actresses like Ivie Okujaye, Kemi Lala Akindoju have taken home the Trailblazer Award, which helped to validate their creativity.

Even within the organisation, women are ably represented, occupying top positions.

Therefore, to see the company, not including Nigerian movies that celebrate Nollywood actresses is disappointing. There are many actresses in Nollywood, who have done the industry and the country proud.

Notable among them is Genevieve Nnaji, whose career has leapt beyond the shores of Nigeria. She produced and directed her first film ‘ Lionheart’

in 2018 and featured in the 2010 film ‘Ije’ alongside Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde.

There is also the stunning Rita Dominic whose latest flick, ‘La Femme Anjola’ is due this month. She is known for her award-winning film ‘The Meeting’. What about veterans like Joke Silva, known for their outstanding artistic flair both in front of the camera and on stage. The list of exceptional Nigerian female actresses is almost inexhaustible.

Beyond Nigeria, African actresses are doing incredibly well locally and internationally. South African Nomzamo Mbatha is one of those actresses who like Lupita Nyong’o is making waves in Hollywood. She starred in Eddie Murphy’s ‘Coming 2 America’ movie launching today on Amazon Prime Video.

Of course, the M-Net Movies pop-up channel favours more Hollywood flicks but wouldn’t it be relieving to see the company add a few Nollywood/African movies celebrating African actresses ahead of the channel launch on March 19?

Or better still, M-Net Africa should have a pop-up channel to celebrate these iconic women.

Eddie Murphy’s ‘Coming 2 America’ Ticks Few Boxes A lot has changed from the Africa Hollywood star and comedian Eddie Murphy knew over three decades ago to now. The continent now boasts many creative talents in music, fashion and film and the culture embraced by many.

Thus the challenge for Murphy and his production crew in the sequel of his 1988 movie ‘Coming to America’ was to reimagine Africa in its new glory.

To an extent, the SNL alumnus achieved that with the help of the director Craig Brewer, if not a bit exaggerated. ‘Coming 2 America’ which premieres today on Amazon Prime Video will see an enormous version of Zamunda, the fictional African kingdom, with more dances, fashion and music. Hollywood celebrity costume designer Ruth E. Carter (Black Panther) employed the talents of African fashion designers

like Nigerian Ikiré Jones and South African designers Palesa Mokubung of the label Mantsho and Ladumo Ngxolo of the label MaXhosa to highlight the continent’s vibrant fashion. For choreography, the cast learned the ropes of dancing from the iconic choreographer Fatima Robinson.

For music, Nigerian artistes like Tekno, Larry Gaaga and Tiwa Savage who are signed to Universal Music Nigeria lent their vocals on the soundtrack while Davido performed in the movie.

There were also performances from the funky hip-hop girl group Salt N Pepa, and Gladys Knight.

But in its pursuit to represent Africa in all its glory, the film loses itself.

Even with a stellar cast that includes veteran actors Morgan Freeman, Wesley Snipes, Tracey Morgan and Leslie Jones as well as newbies Nomzamo Mbatha,

Nomzamo Mbatha and Jermaine Fowler in ‘Coming 2 America

Rotimi, Bella Murphy, and Jermaine Fowler, the film hardly hit home.

Now a king, Murphy reprises his role as Akeem and embarks on a journey back to America alongside his friend and aide Semmi (Arsenio Hall). This time, he is not looking for

How GTI Partnered with ‘La Femme Anjola’Producers GTI Capital Group, an investment banking firm is one of the financiers of the upcoming movie ‘La Femme Anjola’. Their coming on board can be best described as divine as the producers were not ready to shoot the film on a meagre budget. In a short clip, Mildred Okwo, the film director revealed that she refused to shoot the film without getting the right kind of funding because of the depth of the script.

“This script is very dear to me and my business partner,” said actress and producer Rita Dominic. “We are very happy that GTI came on board and shared the vision with us. It’s one thing to have a vision, and another to have people believing in that vision.”

For GTI, a company that started

Rita Dominic in La Femme Anjola

operations in 1998, the opportunity to be part of the film could not be missed.

“We have a knack for value and in this project, we saw a lot of potential and value. We are very proud of what the Audrey Silva Company has been able to put together. We are delighted to be part of the journey, said the Group Managing Director Abubakar Lawal.

Produced by the Audrey Silva Company, ‘La Femme Anjola’ tells the story of a young man who is entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse when he meets and falls for a mysterious woman, Anjola. Dominic plays the titular character Anjola while singer Nonso Bassey plays Dejare, her love subject. The film will be released theatrically on March 19.

an intelligent woman to marry but a lost son. His son’s existence was only brought to his knowledge by his father, King Jaffe Joffer whose dying wish was for him to find an heir to the throne since Akeem was only blessed with three daughters. Lavelle

(Fowler), his street-savvy Queens boy, will arrive with his mother (Jones) to Zamunda to learn about his identity and tradition of the African kingdom.

At the heart of the film is a story about identity and women empowerment but these themes are not that punchy as expected. Rather, the film is sprinkled with comedic theatrics such as Snipes’ General Izzi character and his caricature dance entrance, the one-liners from Jones, and the hilarious witch doctor played by Hall.

While showing Akeem’s struggle with parenthood and leadership, ‘Coming 2 America’ lacks the authenticity of the first movie. It ambitiously portrays Africa as the new cultural gold. It only manages to tick a few boxes with its art, music and cinematography. The film can only be seen as a lavishly decorated story without a pulse.

Burna Boy to Perform at Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony Grammy nominee Burna Boy will join a list of artists to perform at the 63rd Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony on March 14. The Recording Academy, the body behind the awards announced during the week and revealed that the ceremony will be streamed live on its official website. The event will precede the main awards live telecast on CBS. American singer and songwriter Jhené Aiko will host the premiere ceremony.

She is also a current nominee.

Kicking off the event will be a tribute performance celebrating the 50th anniversary of the classic Marvin Gaye track ‘Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)’.

Burna is nominated in the Best Global

Burna Boy

Album for his album ‘Twice as Tall’. It is the second time he’s nominated in that category. Other artistes billed to perform at the premiere ceremony include Latin electropop musician Lido Pimienta; singer, songwriter and performance artist Poppy.

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ETRENDS

Elizabeth Nganna Creates Record as First Miss Olamma Africa Rebecca Ejifoma

Radiantly beautiful, and eloquent are the features that best describe Elizabeth Nganna,the undisputable winner of Miss Olamma Africa Beauty Pageant.

The Abia state-born fashion designer made a new name for herself at the maiden edition of the pageantry which held in Enugu on Saturday, February 13, this year.

In a very keen contest massively applauded for its transparent processes, Nganna who hails from Isuikwuato LGA, Abia State, defeated 1,228 contestants from seven African countries and six Southeast states to seize the day.

This new title has enviably earned her N1.5m and a Honda Civic car, which was presented to her by the CEO of Miss Olamma Africa Pageant, Ogbuefi Ezima.

For Nganna it was a time to express gratitude to God as well as the organisers for the platform to display her skills.“I feel so excited; I didn’t even see it coming but God did it. I return all glory to God.”

L-R: The First Runner-Up, Mirabel Anosike; Miss Olamma Africa, Elizabeth Nganna; and the second Runner-Up, Okpalaonwuka Onyinye

She recalled how just from an online registration to a physical crowning“I saw myself as a winner.

I said to myself ‘I am going to win this because I am Olamma Igbo.”

However,the Abuja-based fashion designer’s morale was dampened when she got to the camp and saw other girls.Intimidating she thought.

“This is really competitive. But I came with the spirit of a winner; I was determined.”

The Ebonyi State University of Port Harcourt graduate has a record

of wearing the crown. She won the Most Beautiful Girl in Biochemistry, during her service year.

For Miss Nganna who is skilled in designing wears like native, English and casuals, her first project will be to empower young Igbo girls, starting from my community.

They will be equipped with skill acquisition specifically in fashion designing.“I want to empower about two hundred girls in my community.

I want to give them hope that if I can make it as a fashion designer

and a model, they too can make it.”

As a vibrant Igbo lady, Nganna is of the opinion that once you find your passion in life, then things will become less cumbersome.

Now for her pet project, Miss Nganna will empower 1,000 ladies from all over the Southeastern states with the skills to make marketable fashion and also present them with machines. Through this project, she enthused,she can equip and harness budding talents in the fashion world.

This she hopes to achieve within the next seven months.“I will welcome partners who will work with me to achieve this laudable and daring project,”Nganna added.

At the pageantry, there were crème de la crème of the society present.They included Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ugonna Ibe, representing the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Group Executive Chairman/CEO of Chicason Group, Chief Alexander Okafor.

Others are: Group Chairman, Chinmark Group, Dr Marksman Ijiomah; celebrity Pastor Chukwue-

meka Ohanaemere (Odumeje); John Okafor (Mr. Ibu); Rita Edochie; Prince Nwafor; J. Martins; Slowdog; and Otigba among others.

In the words of the organisers, Olamma Africa Pathfinders Award will be an annual and a stand-alone event that will continue to celebrate Igbo sons and daughters who are promoting the culture,business,lifestyle and the Igbo ecosystem across the world.

It is the first of its kind.

WhileMirabelAnosikewasthefirst runner up,Okpalaonwuka Onyinye emerged the second runner up,both from Anambra State According to the management,registrationforSeason 2 will commence in March 2021.

Each state will host its independent pageant from where five winners will emerge to represent their respective states in The Contest of Champions.

The Contest of Champions will enjoy three months of advertising on CNN and other global media platforms. This will promote the host state and position international audience to come to Nigeria to experience the rich culture of Ndi Igbo.

LASG Creative Initiative Partners Creative Institutions to Empower 1500 Filmmakers Rebecca Ejifoma

The Lagos State Ministry ofTourism,Arts and Culture in partnership with two creative training institutions, Del-York and Ebonyilife Academies, has launched the Lagos State Creative Industry Initiative (LACI) to equip 1480 practitioners with world class skills.

The initiative, as stated, will serve as a training platform for practitioners in the creative industry, and to boost the use of modern technology, enhance content and quality of entertainment.

The free training, which is billed for March, aims to make Lagos State a destination for a skilled, workforce for the creative industries while boosting the state’s economy.

Some of the skills lined up for the programme include Script Writing, Directing, Cinematography, Filmmaking, and Fashion and Style, Digital Filmmaking, Documentary Filmmaking, Digital Marketing, Fashion, Arts & Crafts, Film Post-Production, Producing and the Business of Filmmaking.

With these benefits, the Commissioner for Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharm. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, described LACI as a progressive effort of the state government to positively alter the game for the creative industry.

She emphasised:“The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has entered into this partnership with Ebonylife Creative Academy and Del-York Creative Academy to enhance the skills and bring about the exposure of beneficiaries in the state’s creative industry through LACI.” Akinbile-Yussuf further highlighted that LACI is here to stay and will continue to train and empower creative individuals in the state, as well as birth new and innovative projects and programmes to cater to the ever-growing needs of the industry.

“We believe a fourth industrial revolution is underway – one driven by the transformative power of the creative industries,”she said, in her closing remark.“LACI is a measure to ensure that Lagos State and her

L-R: Founder/CEO, Ebonyilife, Mo Abudu; Commissioner for Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharm. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf; and the President of Del-York, Dr Linus Idahosa

creative industry will always remain ahead of the game.

With the persisting pandemic till date, the commissioner said this is the best time to host such a programme for the creative industry.

“We need to build our capacity to suit the situation – Covid.This will also help the economic value of the state.” While Del-York Creative Academy will pilot the virtual Creative Lagos for 1,000 residents, Ebonylife will host the physical programme for 480 professionals

and beginners in a three-month comprehensive short courses.

The President of Del-York Creative Academy, Dr Linus Idahosa, “Creative Lagos – as a project of Del-York Creative Academy,”says Linus,“will only synergise talents, technology and career technical education.”

He continued that the programme would also ensure that all participants are globally positioned at the cutting edge of innovation in the short-term and for years to come;

to evolve local creative industries across multiple layers of many rapidly transforming landscapes.

Giving a hint on the milestones of the capacity-building institution in the last decade, Idahosa lauded the commitment of the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to help citizens realise their full potentials in charting a new and different path for creative industry. \In her remarks, the Founder and CEO of Ebonylife, Mo Abudu, lauded the groundbreaking efforts and the aspirations of the administration in birthing LACI as an intervention to respond to the growing shortage of industry professionals.

“With the launch of the Ebonylife Creative Academy (ECLA),” Mo Abudu assured,“We have developed a comprehensive training program by local and foreign industry experts, and features courses designed to assist working film beginners and professionals improve their skill set to position them for the competitive global market.”

Woli Arole All Set As TigerWit Brand Ambassador Chiamaka Ozulumba

Nigeria’s versatile entertainer, Toyin Bayegun popularly called Woli Arole, is all set to enlighten Nigerians on wise financial investments in his new role as the brand ambassador of UK-based forex trade firm, TigerWit. TigerWit is a firm that prides itself as a technology trading platform which provides a handful services, and helps clients access global interbank liquidity as well as trade in the global forex markets.

Today, the firm has chosen Woli Arole, who is famous for his many appealing talents as a social media influencer, movie producer, actor, MC, stand-up comedian, and skit maker. With over five million followers on social media, there is no

gainsaying then that Woli Arole’s quality earned him the new portfolio.

For TigerWit, Woli Arole is a perfect reflection of ethics, transparency, and accountability which the firm needs to get to the public.

At the official signing ceremony held at the firm’s Lagos office,Woli Arole expressed optimism, as he rolled up his sleeves to get to work.

He enthused that TigerWit Africa is an accountable and transparent firm that has carved a niche across the globe.

The influencer expressed:“If you look atTigerWit, it has successfully distinguished itself. It shows that people are convinced when you are limpid.

“My job is simple here. It is to communicate to the layman out

L-R: Head of Marketing TigerWit, Kennedy Adetayo; Ambassador TigerWit, Toyin Bayegun (Woli Arole); and the Director TigerWit Africa, David Onaolapo

there what the financial investment is all about. I have seen that this is genuine; anybody can be part of this irrespective of one’s financial status.

People will easily accept because they are seeing my face to it.”

While leveraging on the integrity and credibility that he has built with

his followers,Woli Arole bemoaned the increasing number of swindlers in the financial markets.“So people are careful on where to place their investment. If it is not TigerWit, it is nothing.”

Woli Arole has vowed to work his fingers to bone to promote

the brand. “Skit, videos, photos, write ups and more are some of the strategies I will be adopting to create more awareness.”

In his remarks,TigerWit Director, Mr. David Onaolapo, outlined that the business is all about honesty and transparency, which needed to boost confidence of investors.

He told newsmen that when blockchain as a technology became acceptable globally in 2014,“TigerWit joined in 2015, but started in Nigeria in 2018.”Since then, he said TigerWit has created transparent market participatory processes for every investor. Onaolapo further assured prospective investors that TigerWit was built on a blockchain system where every transaction is protected, secured, and immutable.

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IWD: #ChooseToChallenge She Cares... She Delivers... She Challenges March 8 marks International Women’s Day #ChooseToChallenge, which aptly captures the status quo-challenging progress recorded by women and girls around the globe over the past year - from Kamala Harris becoming the first female Vice President of the United States of America to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala becoming the first woman to lead the World Trade Organisation.

Women have been subject to significantly fewer opportunities in education, employment, and political representation.

But even in the face of historic marginalisation, women have continued to make incredible progress in different parts of society, playing a key role in economic life. If it were not for essential scientific inventions by Hedy Lamarr (mobile communications), Mary Anderson (windscreen wipers on cars), Dr. Shirley Jackson (telecommunications), and Florence Parpart (modern refrigerator), everyday life would be very different.

Time and again, they have not only told but shown the world that womanhood and their tender nature do not equate to incompetence

and they deserve a seat at the table in any area of life desired. Although men still dominate the executive suites in most professions, women hold high positions in public office and private sector across the world - currently, 21 women sit as the head of state or government in 193 countries, according to the Washington-based Council on Foreign Relations and last year, the number of female CEOs in the Fortune 500 hit an all-time record.

At all levels of the career ladder, women are rising in ranks with a show of resilience and challenging the status quo.

On March 8, the world will turn its attention to women and girls, to mark these accomplishments. As much as it is important to celebrate them, it is equally crucial to recognise that the many successes reflect the potentialities of women, and more still needs to be done to further unlock this transformative potential.

Giving women and girls the opportunity to succeed is not only the right thing to do - it can also transform societies and economies.

Research shows that if women’s employment equaled men’s, economies would be more

resilient, and economic growth would be higher. Specifically, closing the gender gap in employment could increase global gross domestic product by an average of 35 per cent - of which 7-8 percentage points are productivity gains due to gender diversity.

A number of institutions - governments and private sector players - are aware of this, and are acting on it. One such is Lafarge Africa Plc, known for its exemplary culture of diversity and solidarity in challenging gender inequality - up to 36 per cent of board seats at LAP are held by women, the third-highest among the top 20 companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

“Gender equality is a journey,” Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Lafarge Africa’s Communications, Public Affairs & Sustainable Development Director reflecting the company’s inclusive culture and a longstanding commitment to promoting gender equality across the board.

In addition to the female leaders on Lafarge Africa’s board - Mrs. AdenikeOgunlesi, Ms. KarineUzanMercie, Mrs. ElendaGiwa-Amu, Mrs. Oyinkan Adewale, and Folashade

Ambrose-MedebemAdewunmi Alode, FolakeOdegbami, Jumoke Adegunleand on the executive committee, women hold several other critical senior management positions across Lafarge’s operations.

The 30-year-old Mrs. Debora Danladi is the first and only female engineer in the Gombebased Ashaka Cement plant at Funakaye and the manager for Health, Safety, and Environment in Maiganga community for Ashaka Cement, a subsidiary of LafargeHolcim.

These women and many more reflect the gender diversification drive among the ranks of Lafarge Africa Plc. And like the great inventors, corporate bigwigs, and heads of states, they give other women the pedestal to stand tall anywhere.

As John Steinbeck, the 1962 Nobel Prize for Literature winner once said; “Kings, Gods, and Heroes onlywere fit subjects for literature. The writer can only write about what he admires...

And since our race admires gallantry, the writer will deal with it where he finds it.” We have found it in the women around us and we celebrate them today and every day.

Setting Standards, APPOEMN Begins 2021 with New Excos Rebecca Ejifoma The Association of Professional Party Organisers and Event Managers of Nigeria (APPOEMN) has continued to set standards and professionalism as its core mandate.

This is as its newly inaugurated executive council (excos) members have pledged to carry on in same light.

This was the tone that officially ushered in the new excos at its send forth and inaugural event in Lagos on a Thursday evening.

The new executive members are: the President, Adefunke Kuyoro; the Vice President, Olufumbi Akinyosoye; Secretary, Omolola Balogun; Assistant Secretary, Jumoke Olatunji; and Finance Director, Funmi Olaogun.

Others include the Public Relations Director, Bose Abisagboola; Education Director,

Yemisi Peters; Events Director, Pamela Nwonu; Logistics Director, Segun Okunuga; and Ojuolape femi-Ayodele, the Welfare Director.

While charging the 10 excos to roll up their sleeves, Kuyoro expressed, “We are all about standardisation.

We want every APPOEMN members to plan to execute their events the same way”.

For Kuyoro, APPOEMN is putting its best foot forward to start the year right. “We are talking with governments.

We have not been able to go out of Lagos yet,” she adds “We have reached out to the ministry of tourism, safety commission, and collaborating with them.”

Sharing their ideology for the year, the president acknowledged that APPOEMN, which began in 2012 in Lagos State, is currently making plans to launch new chapters

A cross section of the new executive council members of APPOEMN at the send forth/inaugural event in Lagos

across the country in Abuja, Ondo, and Delta states.

She enthused: “Part of our plans before Covid was to start forming chapters since we have members in other states. Sharing her ideology for the organisation.”

While decrying that the industry is one of the worst hit due to the wake of the pandemic, APPOEMN wants to concentrate more on the

welfare of its members.

During the lockdown, the President explained, “When some people didn’t know what to do because their whole lives had depended on events, the first thing is to open up their minds to survive, whether the government opens us or not.

Start looking outside the box of what you are doing.

Diversify.”

To keep afloat, some of its members went into farming and cooking. “Notwithstanding, we still have to move on.

We also spent time training members on health and safety issues.”

“This year will be better than next year,” Kuyoro assured party lovers that “We are hot on our knees to expand.”

Upon her reelection into

the post of the PR the second term, Abisagboola compares the power of passion and vision (what you see in a space you belong and you want to ensure that it is achieved, actualised and you put in your best).

On how she will portray APPOEMN before Nigerians and events lovers, Abisagboola harped on standards. “It is the standards that you as a brand, an individual, the representative of that industry contributes into that industry, and I am ensuring that everyone in the industry understands.”

Echoing the words of the president, the PR outlined that it is not just about APPOEMN alone, it is about the industry. And the association wants to be able to do everything right by standards.

Msgr Madu: Church, Community Share Great Loss Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia While he lived, the late Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja, Msgr Raphael Okechukwu Madu, made tremendous and positive impact on both the Church and the society.

His transition has continued to generate very deep sense of loss and indeed he would remain unforgettable in the minds of those that crossed his path.

Msgr Madu completed the journey of faith on when he succumbed to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was buried on Junaury 22, 2021, five days after his transition with strict compliance to government directives on COVID-19. Thus, owing to the circumstances and suddeness of his exit, so many people could not attend Rt. Rev Msgr Madu’s funeral to bid him final goodbye.

However, on Thursday

Cross section of the Catholic clerics that gathered at Nunya in memory of Msgr Madu

February 18, 2021, exactly 31 days after Msgr Madu’s demise, his community, Nunya, in Isuikwuato local government of Abia State reverberated as a throng of Catholic clerics and laity poured into St. Paul’s Catholic Parish Nunya to mourn with the family and the community over the loss of their illustrious son.

The “Month’s Mind” ceremony attracted five Bishops and over 70 priests, who together with the faithful celebrated the life of the departed servant of

the Most High God. The Archbishop of Owerri, His Lordship. Most Rev Anthony Obinna presided over the mass concelebrated with the other bishops.

The Vicar-General of Owerri Archdiocese, Rev Fr. Samuel Uzoukwu, who delivered the homily at the mass, reminded everybody that “we come from God and we’ll return to God” hence in life we’re always on a homeward journey.

He described death as the door that opens to eternity,

adding that the Church encourages the faithful not to see death as annihilation but transition to eternal glory. According to him, the anxiety of the Church is that none of its members should be found wanting at the point of death, adding that Msgr Madu was sacramentary prepared at the time of his transition.

The Catholic Bishops all spoke glowingly of the late Msgr Madu, who meritoriously served as the director communication before he became the secretary-general

of the Catholic Secretariat.

“We are all very proud of him and will remain so till tomorrow,” said Archbishop Obinna. The late priest came from Okigwe Diocese but he belonged to Owerri Archdiocese where he worked in various capacities, including editor of The Leader, the popular diocesan newspaper, director Assumpta Press as well as director of social communications.

Bishop Solomon Amatu of Okigwe Diocese said that Msgr Madu was specially gifted by God to excel in everything he did. According to him, people should be ready and willing to do any assignment given to them by God. The life and times of Msgr Madu and the sense of loss his demise has continued to evoke were succinctly captured by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Aba, His Lordship, Most Rev Augustine Echema in the homily he delivered at Assumpta Cathedral Owerri

during the funeral mass for the late beloved priest. “Msgr was an amiable personality, a friend of all, both small and great, poor and rich, someone who had a listening ear to the cries of the needy, a generous man to a fault.

“By his death, Owerri Archdiocese has lost one of her most illusytiois, most trustworthy and resourceful priest. The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja will miss its indefatigable Secretary-General. The Madu family and Nunya community as a whole will forever miss their goal better and great achiever”.

Raphael Okechukwu Madu (Ugwumba I of Nunya) was ordained into the Catholic priesthood on July 9, 1983 by late Bishop Mark Unegbu at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Isuikwuato. For 37 years he worked in the Lord’s vineyard and finished his work on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at the age of 65.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͳ˜ 2021

35

ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

Koko Kalango Honours Nigeria-Jamaica Legacy in New Book A leading literary torchbearer and Founder, Rainbow Foundation, Koko Kalango has lifted the veil off the new book“One Love” whichchroniclesthecontributionofJamaicanstothedevelopmentofNigeria.Yinka Olatunbosun reports

‘O

ne Love’ as a title sounds familiar to many fans of the Jamaican reggae music legend, Bob Marley. But more importantly, it has become synonymous with unity, diversity and sheer humanity. For the author with NigerianJamaican parentage, Koko Kalango, the title best describes her latest literary offering, planned as a memento, to mark the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Jamaica. ‘One Love’ captures the 174-year experience and is divided into three parts namely pre-amalgamation (1846-1914), amalgamation to independence (1915-1960) and independence to date (1961-2020).

Kalango’s book has made that part of history very interesting by unearthing the stories of Jamaican nationals whose sojourn to Nigeria had been influenced by business, marriages, missionary service, education, diplomatic relations amongst others. At the recent virtual launch of the book, the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka who was the Special Guest of Honour alsodescribed the book as a ‘most essential contribution to the literature of the African diaspora.’

“This book is not just a chronicle of people who left one country for another - it is more than that. This is a story of a stolen people who found their way back home, assimilated into the society they encountered on their return, and made impacts across all facets of the Nigerian society. To our JamaicanNigerians, we are honoured that life led you here and this book is a reminder,’’ he said.

The virtual book launch also had special

Kalango

guest, MrEsmond Reid, the Jamaican Ambassador to Nigeria. With review by Chibundu Onuzo, a foremost novelist and historian, no fewer than 155 participants joined in from

Nigeria, Jamaica, US and the UK. A solemn moment of recognition was held in honour of the author’s mother, Mrs. Claire Bassey who passed away two weeks

CORA’sARTHOUSEForumforTaiwoAjai-Lycettat80 Yinka Olatunbosun Through a year-long series of events to celebrate the life and illustrious career of the iconic actress and culture advocate, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett (MoN), the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA), will stage the first of its ARTHOUSE Forum in 2021 on Sunday, March 7 in a hybrid live and virtual format.

With the theme “Women- Now that the Glass has been Shattered: What Next?” the forum is the first in a series of four for the year. About the theme: The theme is drawn from a comment from an extended interview that the CORA documentary team had with Ajai-Lycett, in which she duly acknowledged that many more women have since assumed important and critical offices and status in the Nigerian corporate and political space. She maintained that it is not clear what the next move is, whether to consolidate such positions and expand the reach or to use their attainment to lift other women, advance the cause of women in the polity, as well set a solid template for the redress of the various injustices done to the girl-child.

Produced in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), it will feature, among other activities,eminent women speakers, screening of a documentary film, “Taiwo Ajai-Lycett: Matriarch of The Act,” as well as musical performances, dance, drama and spoken word.

The veteran actress, art activist and culture advocate, whose career has spanned over six decades was 80 on February 3, but the rising second wave of the pandemic prevented the

before the launch as well as others who the author had interviewed for the book but passed away before the launch. They are Mrs. Ezikpe, Mrs.Ndoma-Egba and Dr. Baxter-Grillo.

‘One Love’ explores how Jamaicans have contributed to Nigeria’s development in the fields of education, health, enterprise, media, religion and more. This legacy continues through the work of offspring of Jamaican descent. This book project considers the efforts of these men and women as invaluable and deserving of documentation; one that would enrich the records of both countries and strengthen the ties between them.

The author, Kalango was the Project Director UNESCO World Book Capital in 2014, a year-long project that saw Port Harcourt in global literary limelight. She has over three decades work experience across education, communication and administration. A weekly lifestyle columnist (Foot Prints renamed ‘Colours of Life’ in THISDAY Newspaper on Sundays), she founded the Rainbow Book Club in 2005 and kicked off the “Get Nigeria Reading Again”campaign to encourage reading for personal and national development.

She organized the annual Port Harcourt Book Festival in 2008.

She has compiled and edited two books namely, ‘Nigerian Literature- ‘A Coat of Many Colours: An Anthology of 50 writers in 50 years with Foreward by President Goodluck Jonathan (2012), African Literature- A Coat of Many Colours: An Anthology of 50 authors in 50 years of the African Union (2015) with foreword by Chief Emeka Anyaoku. She also co-edited, “10 years around Nigeria” (2014) amongst others. She is the author of an annual daily Christian devotional, ‘Colours of Life.’

Newsela, Tayo Fatunla announce New Content Licensing Partnership

Ajai-Lycett

culture community, from holding an elaborate celebration for the artist whose exemplary life and career have remained inspirational to several generations of practicing artistes and culture producers.

The March 7 event also coincides with the World Women’s Day on March 8 as well as the International Women’s Month celebrations. Hence, the programmeis designed as an allwomen event, from its planning to execution. Eight remarkable women leaders in the education and culture sectors would speak for 10 minutes each on eight areas central to AjaiLycett’s life and career. These areas include theArts, Environment, Education, Mentorship, Communication, Administration, Empowerment and Culture Activism.

The ace culture production site, Freedom Park, Lagos Island will host the live event with limited number of

guests while others will join by zoom, YouTube, Facebook and other social media platforms.

The CORA programme directorate has revealed thatthere will be a quarterly event staged in “Real-Tual” (Live and Virtual) in the 2021 season.

“Each of the events will focus on a particular aspect of the society where the celebrant has shown deep interest for almost six decades of engagement.

The first session on March 7 is focusing on Culture and Education. The June edition will be on the public sector that is politics and governance, and the September on family andvalues re-orientation. The final event, which will be the finale will be staged during the CORA prime project, the Lagos Book and Art Festival (LABAF) and this will bring together the various strands of the other three phases,” stated Jahman Anikulapo, culture activist.

A cartoon by TAYO

Yinka Olatunbosun Newsela, a K-12 instructional content platform, has announced a partnership with the comic artist TayoFatunla to supplement high-quality reading materials with original illustrations. Fatunla known within the art community as “TAYO” is a recipient of the Crayon De Porcelaine Award for his contribution to international press cartoons. He was also recognized in 2018 with an East Coast Black Age of Comics (ECBACC) Pioneer Lifetime Achievement Award.

“I’m excited to bring an engag-

ing learning experience to Newsela through my documentary drawings”, says TAYO. Newsela offers authentic, relevant instructional content at five reading levels, ranging from current events and popular culture to primary sources.

TAYO’s illustrated Black History cartoon series, OUR ROOTS, spans three decades of work, and has appeared in educational materials, newsletters, and newspapers around the world. Together, Newsela and TAYO will use the power of illustrations to bring text content to life on Newsela, starting with Newsela’s 2021 Black History Month collections.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͳ˜ 2021

METRO

…Your city life in print

Sense and Economics of Asaba Airport Concession Rebecca Ejifoma looksatthebenefitsandeconomicgainsoftherecentconcessionofAsabaInternationalAirport,DeltaState, bytheGov.IfeanyiOkowagovernment

O

n Tuesday, February 23, 2021, the Asaba International Airport entered a new epoch, becoming the first brownfield airport concession in Nigeria. The concession was described by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as a breakthrough in his government’s goal to transform the airport into a regional economic hub in line with the vision establishing it.

Concession means ceding a facility to a private company (in some cases a consortium) for effective management, sustained profitability and customer satisfaction in service delivery. In the global aviation industry, concession has helped some unprofitable aerodromes transform to world-class profitable ventures. It is a publicprivate partnership business model that usually becomes a win-win for all the stakeholders.

Data from the Federal Airports Authority (FAAN) indicate that except for the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the Portharcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State, no other airport earned enough revenue to cover their operating costs between 2017 and 2019; they have been operating at huge losses putting further strain of Government’s stretched resources.

However, this is not peculiar to Nigeria. In 2017, 70% of airports across the world were said to have operated at a loss. Hence, most countries are continually turning to concession as the most viable option to run the airports in a profitable and self-sustaining manner. In fact, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the statutory clearing house for over 290 international airlines around the world, encourages privatisation (concession) of airports because it takes it away from public ownership with all the encumbrances of inefficiency and administrative tardiness associated with public utility management.

The John F Kennedy Airport in New York, USA, the most profitably run airport in the world, has a substantial part of its operations concessioned. The Singapore Changi Airport, which reportedly connects customers to over 200 destinations worldwide, with 5,000 arrivals and departures a week by 80 international airlines, have profited from concession models to become not just an airport but now providing concession services and sundry consultancies for other airports across the world.

It was, therefore, a right step in the right direction by the Okowa government to concession the Asaba airport. Conceived and built by the previous government of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, it was meant to provide efficient aviation services (both human and cargo services) not only for Delta but to service the eastern flank particularly the commercial cities of Onitsha and Nnewi in neighbouring Anambra state.

It was also to serve as an aerodrome for the movement of agricultural and other goods to markets around the nation and the world at large.

Commercial flights commenced in June, 2011. Between July 2011 and October 2013, the Airport had handled over 6,300 flights and over 190,000 passengers (an average of 260 flights and 6,800 passengers per month). Despite the huge investment of over N40 billion naira in the construction and building of the airport and its growing profile as a regional node for flight and transport operations, there were still some nagging questions about certain aspects of the airport. In particular, they were serious concerns about the undulating nature of the runway/taxiway and the hill beside the airport

Asaba International Airport

that was adjudged a safety threat.

In March 2015, shortly before the inauguration of the Okowa government, the airport was downgraded to a Category 3 airport by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The implication was that it could only take smaller aircraft such as the Q400 and DASH 8. To make matters worse, Nigeria was in the throes of an economic recession, a spin-off of the global slump in oil prices. This left the Okowa government with the challenge to think outside the box and find ways to reverse the downgrade and to transform the airport into a profitable aviation hub in sync with the original vision of effectively servicing the state and adjoining south east states.

The immediate mandate was to turn the airport into a model economic platform that is self-sustaining through a robust public/private partnership. While signing the agreement with the concessionaire, Governor Okowa recalls: “This administration had to fully rehabilitate/ reconstruct the runway, taxiway and other ancillary works, complete the perimeter fence, and evacuate the hill beside the airport for the provision of obstacle-free zone for the runway as demanded by the regulatory authority.

Subsequently, the airport was upgraded to Category 6, which enables aircraft as large as the Boeing 737 to land.”

Since its upgrade, the airport which hitherto was limited to local flights with smaller aircraft, transformed to an international airport. In November 2018, it welcomed its first international flight, a Boeing 737 aircraft belonging to Max Air which landed to ferry Nigeria’s Super Eagles to South Africa in what has historically become the first ever international flight out of the airport.

The Okowa government, working to expand the economic frontiers of the state through massive infrastructural development saw in the airport an avenue to attract investments, tourists as well as deepen the internally generated revenue of the state. And without much ado, it completed the installation of the Instrument Landing System and the Airfield Ground Lighting System. On account of this, the airport can now handle night operations.

It has been doing so in the last two months during which it has operated several night flights as approved by the NCAA and the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). The government has also added other facilities that put the airport among the best in the country.

An obviously elated Okowa in his remarks at the concession ceremony said: “I am happy to report that the airport now has a medical centre.

The Fire-fighting Station has been completed while the Watchtower for firefighters is 80% ready. Meanwhile, the previously unserviceable Automatic Weather Observation System and the Low-Level Wind Shear Alert System have been repaired and are functioning, improving the overall safety of the airport. This assurance of safety and the attractive nature of the route has continued to attract new airlines to the Asaba International Airport.”

The road to concession was a long and arduous one. First, the Government established a Project Steering Committee in November 2015 to shop for a consortium of Concessionaire Operators/Investors with the technical and financial capabilities to redevelop, finance, design, operate, maintain and manage the Asaba International Airport for the Delta State Government.

The Committee appointed a Transaction Adviser, Halcrow Infrastructure Consortium, from 14 consortia which submitted bids “after a rigorous selection process, and approved by the State Executive Council. Halcrow Infrastructure Group is a multinational infrastructure consultancy firm with global pedigree”, Okowa explained.

Guided by the Transaction Adviser, the State Government in April 2019 solicited for bidders with proven track record in the aviation sector.

Bids were received from First Investment Development Company (FIDC)-MENZIESAviation (MA) Consortium. The second bidder was the Asaba International Airport Development Consortium, which had international aviation experts and experienced local partners. It was created as a special purpose vehicle solely for the development and operation of Asaba International Airport. At the end, First Investment Development Company (FIDC)-MENZIES Aviation (MA) Consortium, was picked as the preferred bidder, “having provided demonstrable capacity to meet all the requirements of the Master Plan while also outlining their financial commitment and injection of new investments into the project.”

Within the 30-year concession period, as approved by the Delta State Executive Council and the Delta State House of Assembly, the concessionaire is to discharge the following obligations: Manage the airport and develop the various strategic business units in the form of - Cargo business and the development of the Cargo Terminal; development of the Logistics Hub and Cargo Warehouses; operation and management of the Tank Farm; development and management of the Business Park; development

and management of the Hotel and Convention Centre; appoint an airline which will operate out of Asaba International Airport as an Operational Hub; and establish at the airport an Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.

An estimated N28 billion in investment will be spent by the concessionaire within the period for mandatory capital projects which shall be completed within a period of three years from the effective date of the transaction. The mandatory capital projects include Airport/Terminal Facility, Cargo Facility, Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) Facility, Tank Farm Facility, Industrial Park and Office Facility, and Hotel and Conference Facility. As a show of good faith and in accordance with global best practices, the concessionaire shall be exempted from the payment of some specific taxes to the state for a period of five years, to enable it concentrate on the development of the agreed mandatory capital projects.

Observers believe that if the terms of the agreement are successfully implemented, the benefits to the economy of Delta State would be enormous. For instance, the concessionaire shall at all times be under an obligation to ensure that 20 percent of its staff are indigenes of Delta State. The development of the strategic business units such as cargo facility, tank farms, hotel and conference facility will, no doubt, be a boom to artisans, in addition to acting as a stimulus for dozens of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs).

Furthermore, the concessionaire will pay to the state N1 billion within two weeks of signing the agreement, a royalty fee of 2.5% of the annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, and an annual fee of N100 million each year during the concession period, with 10% escalation every five years of the concession period. To cap it all, all assets and infrastructure constructed by the concessionaire, together with all related investments in, and upgrades to the assets, shall be handed back to the state at the end of the concession period.

Public policy experts are pleasantly surprised at how the State Government was able to attract such huge investment in the face of investment apathy occasioned by the coronavirus. It is on record that the Federal Government has not been able to muster the political will to concession its airports owing to opposition from aviation unions. That the Delta State Government was able to achieve this feat is a powerful testament to the courage and vision of Governor Okowa.

37

T H I S D AY ˾ ͳ˜ 2021

Leemon Ikpea: How a Husband Made Peace with an Acrimonious Wife ˾ ÓØÎÓØÑ ËÖ× ËʰÏÜ Ë ÞÙÜ×ã ËÜÜÓËÑÏ

In the longing of Mrs Agnes Ikpea, wife of the billionaire oil magnate, Chief Leemon Ikpea, she made no difference between the pleasures of luxury and the joys of the heart, between elegant living and sensitive feeling, a lack of awareness that has consequently jeopardised her decadesold marriage. For his sanity and peace of mind, Chief Ikpea has sued for divorce from his estranged wife who has been variously described as a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. But she is not leaving without a fight, writes Lanre Alfred IN THE BEGINNING orget the wealth and status, the gilded and glamorous lives; they don’t necessarily guarantee longevity or contentment in marriage.

Grace, patience and tolerance for each other do. Alas, it seems many Nigerian women are running thin on these three virtues. No less, Mrs Agnes Ikpea, wife of Chief Leemon Ikpea, Chairman of Lee Engineering and Construction Company, a player in the oil and gas and construction sectors.

Circa 1982, Chief Ikpea was a young man working his way through life but felt he needed a companion. He was 24 years old and decided to give marriage a shot. Agnes, unlettered and rustic, who, at the time, had not gone beyond her village in Edo State, was introduced to him by his uncle. He went ahead to marry her. The young Ikpea gave her everything she wanted in life. He had beautiful plans. The plans were lofty and lovely and they revolved mostly around his wife. The kids rolled in. They have six together now, all adults. But things did not quite go as planned as the character traits of the two partners conflicted with their romantic dreams and aspirations.

Every attempt he made to brush his wife up educationally and socially failed. She, literally, remained stuck in her old, yokel ways, uninterested in developing herself.

Chief Ikpea, who had risen high on the rungs of wealth, also reportedly got her a home tutor but she failed to grasp whatever she was taught. He set up businesses for her, notably, a fashion house and a salon, and she failed at them. All of these did not make the man happy. A source close to the family said that despite the number of years they were together, “Chief Ikpea hardly had a breathing space because Agnes was never satisfied with anything the husband did for her and she was abusive, abrasive, threatening and antagonistic. She courted trouble with ease and was fond of physically seizing him. demanding more money.”

At the root of Mrs Ikpea’s antagonism, a close family member with knowledge of her bad behaviour told THISDAY, is the realisation that her husband is a bona fide billionaire. “She became covetous and insatiable and nothing the man did was good enough for her. She wanted her own houses and she got two, but ran those businesses aground. From salon to fashionhouse, she failed. She wanted her own cars, she got. All her kids are sorted for life. But she still is not satisfied. Unfortunately, she has co-opted her children into the fight against their father who has done so much for them. A dirty campaign is now being waged the man who brought her out of abject poverty. Now she is a proud owner of three properties in Lagos.”

Some of the factors that may also have led to Chief Ikpea deciding to quit the marriage for good include poor attitude, relentless, nagging, fear for his life, and the ingratitude of his children who – despite all he has done – they are not appreciative - his belief that their mother deliberately turned them against him.

“After working so hard all his life;

F

Chief Leemon Ikpea

and after all he has done for his family – nuclear, extended and even his daughters’ husbands included – Chief Ikpea deserves his peace of mind. The society or his kids should not decide for him where his happiness is. If it is divorcing Agnes, the entire Ikpea family stands with him,” said the family member.

THE LEGAL CROSSFIRE Ostensibly, when he could no longer bear his wife’s penchant for trouble-making and undisguised antagonism, Chief Ikpea decided to divorce her. Divorce proceedings were instituted at the Edo State High Court. On February 21, Justice Joseph Itsebaga Acha of the Edo State High Court granted the application of Chief Ikpea for his wife to vacate their family home in Banana Island, Lagos, and to refrain from further causing him any harm. The judge also ordered him to provide suitable accommodation for his wife around Victoria Island, Lekki or anywhere convenient in Lagos outside of Banana Island, Ikoyi, pending the determination of the substantive divorce suit.

Promptly, Chief Ikpea got his estranged wife a well-appointed apartment in in Ikoyi, Lagos. Mrs Ikpea’s lawyers were duly informed and they duly and signed receipt for the apartment. So so when they claimed in newspaper publications that Chief Ikpea failed to provide alternative accommodation as directed by the court, it is a lie from the pit of hell deliberately being peddled to whip up public anger against Chief Ikpea.

The Ikpea children were all also privy to their mother’s new apartment. It is instructive to reiterate, based on different sources, Chief Ikpea complied fully with the order of the court by getting her an entirely new place. Which her lawyers failed to disclose in several publications appearing in the media.

Given that there is no legal or constitutional restriction whatsoever as to which court one could seek a divorce in Nigeria, Chief Ikpea chose Benin, Edo State, not because he is from the state or is ac-

Mrs. Agnes Ikpea

quainted with Justice Acha. Sources close to him say he has never met the Justice!

Also, opinions and reactions were mixed as many who do not know the intricacies of the case screamed blue murder, castigating and querying Justice Acha’s authority to preside over a divorce case as if he started the legal profession yesterday. For emphasis, Justice Acha is the second most senior judge in the Edo State High Court hierarchy. So, he is no small fry!

THE MEDIA MELODRAMA On Monday, March 1, several reports surfaced in the social and traditional media that Mrs Ikpea was ejected from the same house the court had asked her to vacate. Pictures of the ‘ejection’ – with her bags and other paraphernalia all neatly arranged in luxury travel bags and sellotaped cartons – were generously displayed in a move that discerning watchers have interpreted as deliberately whipping up public sentiments. She claimed in the reports that Chief Ikpea resorted to self-help and engaged thugs to physically throw her out of the home they shared the day after the judgment.

For such a scorned woman, why wait for two weeks to raise the alarm of the alleged injustice? Only Mrs Ikpea and her children can rightly answer the question. In a video recorded by one of her daughters who allegedly came to fetch her after she was purportedly left stranded outside her matrimonial home, Mrs Ikpea said some ‘hefty men’ sent her packing bare-footed without concluding arrangements for where she would stay.

The picture of her neatly arranged bags tells a contrary story.

Sources in the know of the drama argue that Mrs Ikpea was not in short supply of where to move to based on the court order. Before they parted ways, the Ikpeas had six children all of who are now adults and living very well off their father’s affluence. Their 30-year-old son lives in a N450 million house in Banana Island bought by Chief

Ikpea last November and she could have conveniently moved there. One of her daughters, Augusta Ikpea-Enaholo, also runs the Royal Oaks Event Centre, a multipurpose state-of-the-art event centre in Lekki, commissioned in 2019 by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The event centre, valued at about N850m, was solely funded by Chief Ikpea. Other children of the Ikpeas all have their multi-million naira businesses and homes courtesy of their father; just as he also employed and bought houses for his two sons-in-law, among other luxuries that make life worth living.

In syndicated press releases, Mrs Ikpea has prayed the Appeal Court, Benin, to set aside the order of the court.

THE MAN, CHIEF LEEMON IKPEA A businessman and philanthropist, Chief Ikpea is an intensely private and media-shy billionaire. Apart from contemporaries in the business circle and a few friends in the political space, he never hugs the limelight like other billionaires. His Lee Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd. is a highlevel service provider in the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Operation and Maintenance (EPCOM) with over 30 years’ experience in the oil, gas and power sectors of the Nigerian economy.

In 2012, he founded the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation (ALIF), which aims to benefit humanity through charitable activities like the award of scholarships to indigent students and young persons of school age especially orphans. The ALIF also caters for the sick and aged, promotes youth employment through skills acquisition, ensures easy access to primary health care services for people living in rural communities and empowers widows and rural women with business start-off grants. To ameliorate life’s hardship, it also provides infrastructures like electrification and borehole projects in rural communities within Edo State and beyond. A Justice of Peace, Chief Ikpea was awarded the ‘Sun Newspaper’ Business Person of the Year 2018.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͳ˜ 2021

38

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Court Throws Out Green Energy Directors’Motion against Oil Firm Emmanuel Addeh ÓØ ÌßÔË A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a motion by two directors of an oil and gas company,Green Energy International Ltd, Mr. Ayodele Olojede and Dr. Bunu Alibe, seeking to discharge an ex parte order of the court granted in favour of the company.

The court had ordered the directors of the company to attend a board meeting and Annual General Meeting (AGM) to resolve their disagreement over a $300 million dollar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) loan meant for the expansion of the company’s operation.

In its ruling on the application for the order discharging the exparte motion, ordered by the directors’ counsel, Alade Agbabiaka (SAN) , the court stated that the application had become, “academic and spent”, having expired and the order having been implemented by the plaintiff by holding the said meeting as required without any breach of peace.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu stated that it was the duty of the court

to facilitate companies to resolve their differences using their internal mechanism in a peaceful manner and that it was the duty of all persons to maintain law and order, adding that it was not against the fundamental rights of any one when parties are ordered to maintain peace.

The two directors, who are minority shareholders had opposed the loan financing agreement by asking that the processing of the loan be stopped, despite approval of the board and majority of the shareholders, on the basis that they were not properly briefed.

The company therefore approached the court asking for an order of court to compel the two directors to explore the internal mechanisms to ventilate their grievances and resolve their differences with the majority shareholders, rather than externalising the dispute with a view to obstructing the operations of the company.

In an exparte order dated 11 November , Justice Ojukwu stated that to “afford the parties a happy medium in the resolution of their issues” she was ordering the parties to attend the board meeting scheduled for

12 November, 2020 and refrain from any actions which may cause a breach of peace.

Addressing the court, counsel to the company, Chief Benbella Anachebe (SAN) had argued that there was no order of court to discharge as the order had already been carried out and the defendants have not placed any documentary evidence before the court to the contrary.

He stated that the defendants had in flagrant disobedience of the court order refused to attend the meeting claiming they had fundamental freedom of association.

He said the board at the meeting met successfully and approved the proposal to seek all the foreign direct investment to finance the expansion of the company by drilling more wells and establishing the first indigenous oil onshore terminal .

Anachebe said the minority shareholders who are also directors having not presented themselves for re-election were also not re-elected as directors; noting that they were aiming to impinge on the value of the company.

Norrenberger, REKIT Partner on Real Estate Financing Goddy Egene Norrenberger Investment and Capital Management Limited, a financial services company in Nigeria, has partnered with Rekit Financial Advisors Limited (REKIT), a subsidiary of Modd Management Company Limited, which is a Family Office, to provide innovative structured finance debt instrument for real estate development in the Lekki corridor of Lagos state.

The strategic collaboration will finance new developments in the Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and the Lekki corridor of Lagos State with up to N5 billion over a five-year year period. The instrument has been designed for investors who seek higher returns on real estate investments.

Speaking on the partnership,

Managing Director/CEO, Norrenberger, Mr Tony Edeh, said: “As the real estate market in Nigeria evolves, new opportunities for growth and collaboration emerge. “We have identified an opportunity with our partners at REKIT, and we are excited to provide the support they need to drive value and explore new opportunities in this regard.

“With the dearth of conventional financing instruments, alternative finance is the way to go and we are committed to inventing and innovating through complexities.”

Speaking in the same vein, Director, REKIT and CEO, MODD Management Company Limited, Mrs. Chioma Okigbo, said: “We are grateful for the insight, foresight, and commitment of Norrenberger to working on this dream with us through provid-

ing effective and excellent fund management services towards the attainment of this goal.

“Having carefully designed this project together, we are certain that it will deliver value to investors and are excitedly looking forward to future collaborations.”

According to them, the project aligns with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)’s recent support for alternative finance solutions to deepen the capital market by providing alternative sources of funding and investment.

REKIT Financial Advisors Limited is a subsidiary of MODD Management Company Limited (MODD) and was set up in 2020 to provide an independent and objective platform to support individuals achieve their investment and life goals.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS 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)

Branch International has announced the appointment of Dayo Ademola as its Managing Director in Nigeria.

The appointment becomes effective immediately.

According to a statement, Ademola brings with her over 15 years’ experience at global, consumer-centric companies such as MainOne and Rosetta Stone (USA) as well as with foremost local brands like Union Bank, amongst others.

It explained that with her experience in financial services and technology, she had established operational excellence in innovation, business strategy, customer segmentation, strategic marketing, product positioning, product development and business performance management.

Prior to joining Branch International, Ademola served as the Head of Innovation at EFInA, a Financial Sector Development organisation focused on promoting Financial Inclusion

in Nigeria and funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

“During her tenure, she was responsible for the administration of EFInA’s multi-million-dollar Innovation Fund, funding licenced financial services providers as well as start-up and growthstage fintechs, with an aim to boost financial inclusion in Nigeria. Dayo earned a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Economics from Temple University, USA and a Global Executive MBA from INSEAD. “As Managing Director for Branch International in Nigeria, Dayo will lead the team striving to provide Nigerians great value and modern financial services,” it added.

Commenting on her appointment, Ademola said: “I’m excited to join Branch because I love how the Branch app offers Nigerians a great deal. No other finance

app offers a 20% investment yield (highest in Nigeria), zero fee unlimited money transfers and instant loans with no paperwork, collateral or late fees.

“Branch’s all-in-one finance app can help everyday Nigerians simplify their financial life and get ahead. I’m excited to do my all to help everyone in the country become aware that there’s a better deal when it comes to your money.”

With over 20 million active users and offices across Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and India, Branch continues to redefine digital finance as the platform with product features such as instant loans, free money transfers, bill payment and investment.

In Nigeria, Branch said it has processed over N40 billion in over three million loan transactions in the past three years of operations and is one of the most downloaded financial apps in Africa.

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

Branch International Appoints Ademola MD

(MILLION NAIRA)

JULY 2020

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 AS AT WEDNESDAY, 3 MARCH 2021

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $62.15 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $61.97 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

39

T H I S D AY ˾ ͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

FMDQ Exchange Registers Fidson Healthcare N10bn Commercial Paper Goddy Egene FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited has approved the registration of Fidson Healthcare Plc’s N10 billion Commercial Paper (CP) Programme on its platform as part of its commitment to the continuous development of the Nigerian financial market in collaboration with market stakeholders.

According to the FMDQ, Fidson Healthcare Plc, a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in

Nigeria, has joined other corporate institutions across various sectors of the economy, to not only raise capital to support its business operations, but to also enjoy the benefits of visibility, transparency and liquidity that come with FMDQ’s quotation service.

“The registration of the Fidson Healthcare Plc CP Programme, as the third on the Exchange’s platform in 2021, validates its conscious drive to support the goals of corporate businesses and

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

to deepen the Nigerian capital market by steadfastly availing its efficient platform for the registration, listing and quotation of debt securities,” FMDQ said.

Commenting through a statement, the Chief Financial Officer, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Imokha Ayebae, said: “We are glad about the successful registration of Fidson Healthcare Plc’s N10.00 billion CP Programme on the FMDQ platform. This is particularly significant as it coincides with the

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

company’s 26th anniversary on March 1, 2021. Since its inception in 1995, Fidson Healthcare Plc has remained committed to the growth of the healthcare sector in Nigeria. “This strategic move aligns with our vision to be the preferred healthcare provider as a leading player in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in Nigeria and West Africa.

“The CP Programme, which is poised to further broaden the company’s sources of capital

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

by accessing funding from the Nigerian debt capital markets, will also reduce our overall funding costs. Proceeds from this programme will be used to meet the company’s short-term working capital requirements which are geared towards providing quality services to our valued customers.”

Also commenting, Head, Investment Banking, FSDH Capital Limited, the sponsor to the issue on FMDQ Exchange, Taiwo Olatunji, said FSDH

O F

Capital Limited was pleased to act as sponsor and lead arranger on the registration of the Fidson Healthcare Plc CP programme on the platform.

“We believe that the admission of the CP on the FMDQ platform will ensure its global visibility and enhanced liquidity, which will in turn raise the corporate profile of the issuer even further ahead of tapping into other opportunities in the Nigerian capital market,” Olatunji said.

0 4 / 0 3 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

40

˾ THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2021

Friday, March 5, 2021 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index Falls 0.4% dŚĞ dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ĨĞůů ϰϭďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

1,767.00 points. This was on the back of price declines in GUARANTY (-0.6%), ZENITH (-1.0%) and ACCESS (-3.1%).

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

dŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϴ͘ϰй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶͲ dex.

Price Previous Current Change Price YTD Weighting Change

Price Change Index to Date

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

1,767.00

-0.41%

20.4%

76.7%

17.4%

3.7%

930.00

0.0%

34.2%

9.2%

9.2%

7.9%

2.8%

74.75

0.0%

10.8%

-3.4%

-3.4%

19.1%

11.2%

35.9x

6.8x

2.5%

2.8%

31.50

-0.6%

9.0%

-2.6%

-2.6%

27.9%

4.7%

4.6x

1.3x

8.9%

21.9% 29.0%

The Bears Maintain Dominance... ASI down 40bps

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 BUA Cement Plc

The ĞƋƵŝƟĞƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ŵĂŝŶƚĂŝŶĞĚ ŝƚƐ ĚŽǁŶƚƌĞŶĚ ƚŽĚĂLJ ĂƐ

3 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC 4 Zenith Bank PLC

ROE

ROA

P/E

5.0x

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

0.5x

5.9%

7.9%

1.3%

25.30

-1.0%

6.8%

2.0%

2.0%

22.4%

3.1%

3.4x

0.7x

11.8%

220.00

0.0%

5.4%

-10.2%

-10.2%

30.8%

14.6%

14.7x

4.6x

8.1%

6.8%

170.00

0.0%

4.8%

0.1%

0.1%

189.4%

11.9%

16.9x

29.5x

5.6%

5.9%

1,350.00

0.0%

3.5%

-10.3%

-10.3%

83.0%

20.5%

27.3x

25.6x

5.2%

3.7%

20.20

3.6%

3.2%

-4.0%

-4.0%

6.5%

4.6%

14.0x

0.9x

5.0%

7.1%

7.80

-3.1%

2.6%

-7.7%

-7.7%

16.8%

1.5%

2.5x

0.4x

8.4%

39.5%

10 United Bank for Africa PLC 11 FBN Holdings Plc

7.95

-3.6%

2.5%

-8.1%

-8.1%

13.9%

1.3%

3.4x

0.5x

12.2%

29.6%

7.05

-0.7%

2.4%

-1.4%

-1.4%

11.2%

1.1%

3.9x

0.3x

5.4%

25.4%

ƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ േϴϮ͘ϯďŶ ƚŽ േϮϬ͘ϲƚŶ͘ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝͲ

12 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

50.00

-3.8%

1.8%

-10.7%

-10.7%

4.5%

1.8%

54.2x

2.5x

1.9%

1.8%

40.00

0.0%

1.8%

-9.2%

-9.2%

24.3%

3.7%

5.3x

1.2x

6.0%

18.8%

ƚLJ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ďLJ ϭϬϭ͘ϴй

14 International Brew eries PLC 15 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

5.54

0.0%

1.4%

-6.9%

-6.9%

-26.3%

-6.2%

27.00

0.0%

1.1%

3.8%

3.8%

the benchmark index fell 40bps to 39,364.67 points due to

price

declines

in

NIGERIAN

BREWERIES

(-

3.9%), DANGSUGAR (-6.3%) and UBA (-ϯ͘ϲйͿ͘ ŽŶƐĞͲ quently, YTD return worsened to -Ϯ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝͲ

ĂŶĚ ϭϰ͘ϰй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ƚŽ ϰϵϯ͘Ϯŵ units and േ4.7bn. The most traded stocks by volume were UNIVINSURE ;ϴϯ͘ϯŵ units), ZENITH ;ϯϴ͘ϲŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ and FBNH (31.3m units) while and

PRESCO

(േ1.0bn),

GUARANTY

ZENITH

(േϰϴϲ͘ϰŵͿ

ůĞĚ

(േϵϴϯ͘ϯŵͿ ďLJ

ǀĂůƵĞ͘

5 Dangote Cement PLC 6 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC 7 Nestle Nigeria PLC 8 Lafarge Africa PLC 9 Access Bank PLC

16 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C 17 11 PLC 18 Okomu Oil Palm PLC 19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 Ecobank Transnational Inc 21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 22 FCMB Group Plc 23 Sterling Bank PLC 24 NASCON Allied Industries PLC 25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

Bearish Sector Performance

26 Presco PLC 27 Unilever Nigeria PLC

Performance across sectors was poor as 4 of the 6 indices

28 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC 29 United Capital PLC

under our coverage closed southward. The Industrial

30 Guinness Nigeria PLC 31 Custodian and Allied Insurance

Goods index emerged as the lone gainer, up 0.2% due to

32 AIICO Insurance PLC 33 Total Nigeria PLC

ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ WAPCO ;нϯ͘ϲйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕ the Insurance and Banking indices lost 4.0% and 1.5% ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƐ ŝŶ NEM (-10.0%), UBA (-

3.6%) and ACCESS (-3.1%). Similarly, the Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas indices closed lower by 1.5% and

34 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 35 Wema Bank PLC 36 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 37 Oando PLC 38 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 39 Beta Glass PLC 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

Ϭ͘ϲй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƐĞůů ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞƐ ŝŶ NIGERIAN BREWERIES (-3.9%), DANGSUGAR (-6.3%) and ARDOVA (-

9.9%). Lastly, the AFR-/ d ŝŶĚĞdž ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ tĂŶĞƐ

;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϯdž ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ 0.6x recorded previously as 12 stocks advanced against 46

decliners.

UPL

(+9.9%),

MORISON

10.0%), NNFM (-10.0%) and ENAMELWA (-10.0%) were the top losers. We expect the market to close the week in the red due to persistent sell-ŽīƐ͘

7.2%

-14.6%

4.0%

8.1%

9.0%

41.5%

8.8%

14.8%

583.00

0.0%

1.5%

44.9%

44.9%

0.0%

0.8%

0.0%

0.0%

16.4%

7.6%

12.4x

1.9x

93.00

0.0%

0.8%

2.2%

2.2%

24.6%

16.0%

11.3x

2.6x

2.21

-3.9%

0.6%

-12.3%

-12.3%

10.5%

1.1%

2.4x

0.2x

8.9%

5.00

-3.8%

0.6%

-16.7%

-16.7%

0.6%

0.0%

37.1x

0.2x

16.50

-6.3%

0.5%

-6.3%

-6.3%

30.8%

15.6%

6.8x

1.6x

3.00

0.7%

0.5%

-9.9%

-9.9%

10.3%

1.2%

2.9x

0.1x

4.7%

35.0%

1.46

-1.4%

0.3%

-28.4%

-28.4%

9.2%

0.9%

3.6x

0.3x

2.1%

27.7%

14.40

0.0%

0.4%

-0.7%

-0.7%

18.4%

5.8%

8.3x

3.1x

3.0%

12.0%

0.83

0.0%

0.3%

-7.8%

-7.8%

-3.5%

-0.8%

0.5x

1.2%

-7.0%

69.00

-5.9%

0.3%

-2.7%

-2.7%

18.5%

7.7%

2.2x

2.9%

10.2%

-169.9%

9.8x

2.7%

13.25

0.0%

0.2%

-4.7%

-4.7%

-2.4%

-1.6%

1.2x

5.20

-1.0%

0.2%

-1.9%

-1.9%

-12.2%

-5.6%

0.6x

1.9%

1.5x

11.7%

6.00

2.6%

0.3%

27.4%

27.4%

35.5%

4.2%

23.00

-0.2%

0.2%

21.1%

21.1%

-17.8%

-9.0%

6.00

-0.8%

0.2%

2.6%

2.6%

13.9%

4.8%

3.0x

0.8x

1.16

-4.1%

0.2%

2.7%

2.7%

21.4%

3.3%

2.6x

0.5x

142.00

0.0%

0.2%

9.2%

9.2%

18.70

-7.9%

0.1%

5.1%

5.1%

3.2%

0.4%

21.8x

0.61

-6.2%

0.1%

-11.6%

-11.6%

6.8%

0.5%

3.0x

0.0%

0.0%

-3.3%

0.1%

2.90

0.7x 9.2%

14.5%

2.6%

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-29.7%

-8.5%

54.00

0.0%

0.1%

-2.5%

-2.5%

9.4%

6.4%

3.25

0.0%

0.0%

-9.7%

-9.7%

1.2x

38.4% 4.7%

0.7x

8.9%

4.6%

0.4x

6.6%

33.8%

4.9% 0.2x

16.7% 80.1%

1.8x 8.0x

33.2%

5.2%

6.0x

-21.6%

21.8% -28.2%

21.5x

-100.0% -21.6%

4.6x

-2.1%

-18.4%

0.7x

3.2%

12.5% -28.4%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

1.22

9.9%

UN IVIN SUR E

83.3

0.0%

M OR ISON

0.60

9.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

38.6

-1.0%

CA P

20.00

5.3%

FB NH

31.3

-0.7%

WA P C O

20.20

3.6%

UB A

26.8

-3.6%

2.28

3.2%

A C C ESS

21.6

T ic k er

-3.1%

19.9

2.6%

19.6

-6.7% -8.3%

UC A P

6.00

2.6%

UC A P

LA SA C O

1.23

2.5%

F T N C OC OA

P R EST IGE

0.43

2.4%

M B EN EF IT

17.5

C ILEA SIN G

5.30

1.9%

T R A N SC OR P

16.6

0.0%

2.11

1.4%

GUA R A N T Y

15.5

-0.6%

NA HCO

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er F ID SON

P ric e 4.41

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

-10.0%

P R ESC O

1047.4

-5.9%

983.3

-1.0% -0.6%

P ric e C hg %

NNFM

6.32

-10.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

EN A M ELWA

19.90

-10.0%

GUA R A N T Y

486.4

N EM

1.72

-9.9%

D A N GC EM

233.5

0.0%

NCR

3.09

-9.9%

FB NH

216.7

-0.7%

2.01

-9.9%

UB A

A R D OVA

14.65

-9.8%

D A N GSUGA R

P OR T P A IN T

2.93

-9.8%

A C C ESS

168.1

-3.1%

164.4

-0.2%

118.3

2.6%

C UT IX

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

5.2%

UP L

T ic k er

(+9.1%)

and CAP (+5.3%) were the top gainers while FIDSON (-

-31.3%

0.7x

228.00

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

LIVEST OC K

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ

1.0x

LIN KA SSUR E

0.46

-9.8%

GUIN N ESS

VA N LEER

7.40

-9.8%

UC A P

Brokerage

Asset Management

211.6

-3.6%

207.6

-6.3%

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com Taiwo Ogundipe | togundi-

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

41

MARKET NEWS

Transcorp Hotels Launches Platform for Accommodation, Others Goddy Egene

launched a new platform, Aura, that connects people to great accommodation,

Trancorp Hotels Plc has 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

great food, and memorable experiences in different cities across Africa. According to

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 03Mar-2021, unless otherwise stated.

the Managing Director/CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, Dupe Olusola, “It is a new dawn in

the hospitality industry. I am thrilled to introduce you to Aura

by Transcorp, the digital platform

we are using to connect people to quality accommodation, great food, and awesome experiences.”

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 154.05 155.59 -4.77% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 3.26% Nigeria International Debt Fund 351.07 351.07 -11.99% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 110.96 110.96 -1.01% 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 1.04 1.05 15.41% ACAP Income Funds 0.65 0.65 -10.92% 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 0.68% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.35 3.51 -5.54% 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 N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 18.38 18.93 1.34% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 405.73 417.96 1.34% ARM Ethical Fund 35.00 36.06 3.83% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.20 1.21 -1.43% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.04 1.04 -7.39% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.26% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 102.89 102.89 1.16% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 125.26 126.14 -0.72% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.80% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.05 2.05 -27.15% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.19 2.23 -15.48% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.79% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 127.54 128.39 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 110.18 110.18 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 N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 150.64 152.67 -0.36% 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 3,773.60 3,825.12 0.50% Coral Income Fund 3,330.64 3,330.64 1.97% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 1.59%

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 0.89% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 127.12 127.65 18.12% 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 1.40% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.69 2.75 17.35% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 155.81 156.25 0.25% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.08 1.08 5.10% 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 1.36 1.38 -0.69% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,139.10 1,139.10 1.40% 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 1.60 1.63 7.45% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.23 12.35 -0.09% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 1.25% PACAM Equity Fund 1.57 1.59 -0.38% PACAM EuroBond Fund 109.42 112.09 0.00% 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 127.59 129.85 5.69% 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 1.01 1.01 1.00% 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 3,136.21 3,162.69 -2.46% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 226.69 226.69 0.82% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.16 1.17 -1.27% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 296.98 296.98 0.79% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 212.92 215.56 -2.56% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.68% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,893.20 10,021.41 -5.79% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.24 1.24 1.01% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 111.77 111.77 0.62% 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 1.33 1.36 -2.28% United Capital Bond Fund 1.91 1.91 0.98% United Capital Equity Fund 0.88 0.91 2.23% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.99% United Capital Eurobond Fund 118.31 118.31 1.05% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.07 1.09 -1.04% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.02 1.02 2.20% 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 12.17 12.67 4.22% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.52 13.64 10.68% Zenith Income Fund 24.18 24.18 0.86% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.70%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

121.58 52.64

0.70% 0.46%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.53 118.62 93.99

12.63 118.62 95.76

-5.20% -2.56% -5.41%

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund 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 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.95 5.33 16.99 1.00 19.00 176.32

3.99 5.41 17.09 1.00 19.20 178.32

4.38% -6.28% 3.88% 0.33% -7.35% -20.12%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.05

13.11%

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.

42

FRIDAY MARCH 5, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Bandits Ambush Soldiers in Katsina, Abduct 60 in Zamfara Village Francis Sardauna in Katsina An ambush by suspected bandits in Katsina State yesterday left at least one soldier dead and many others with varying degree of injuries in Marina village, Safana Local Government Area of the state.

Suspected bandits have also abducted scores of villagers – numbering about 60 – at Ruwan Tofa village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The troops of the Special Army Super Camp 4, according to residents of Katsina village, were advancing on foot in the village at about 2p.m yesterday after returning from a joint security operation, when the armed militants opened fire on them from a hilltop in the area.

A security officer in the village, who craved anonymity, told THISDAY in a telephone interview that the military killed two bandits and injured many others during the firefight that lasted for about an hour.

He said: “You know for the past three months, the military, police and other security agencies have been embarking on joint clearance operation in forests across Safana and other neighbouring local governments.

“Unfortunately, today (Thursday) the soldiers were ambushed in Marina village while returning from a joint security operation in forests around Safana. The bandits succeeded in killing one soldier and injuring many others.

The military killed two of the criminals and injured so many of them”.

However, efforts to reach the military in the state over the incident were futile as of press time.

Meanehile, suspected bandits have abducted scores of villagers – numbering about 60 – at Ruwan Tofa village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

In the attack, which occurred on Tuesday, vehicles and shops were set ablaze by the bandits.

An eyewitness lamented that his four wives and children were abducted by the armed men who left behind only his seven-year-old child with him.

He explained that a representative of the village head and his entire family, as well as married women, children, and some aged ones were among those abducted.

Residents of the village faulted the response of the security agencies to the attack, saying they made several calls to them as soon as the bandits arrive in the village.

They claimed that the security agencies promised to deploy operatives as soon as possible but none of them was seen up to the time when the bandits left the village.

OF FAITH… Delta Police Kill Two Armed DEFENDERS L-R: Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; and the new National President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke, when the PFN conferred on Osinbajo and Ugwuanyi, ‘Defender of the Faith’ awards, at its 16th Biennial Robbers, Kidnappers, Conference, in Enugu … yesterday Rescue 17 Victims Sylvester Idowu in Warri Two suspected armed robbers have been shot dead by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Delta State Police Command.

The suspects were killed on Wednesday evening opposite the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), Delta State Command, Asaba in Oshimili North LGA of the state.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edafe Bright, the special squad, while responding to a distress call ran into the robbers and engaged them in a fierce gun battle.

He said that two of robbers were fatally injured and later died while others escaped.

Edafe disclosed that one AK-47 rifle with BREECH No.

19567, and two Magazines with 18 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.

In same vein, 17 workers were rescued from suspected kidnappers at a construction site at Abraka in Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.

“On March 3, 2021, a distress call was received that workers of one Zion Onofighe, a male hotelier, with the name Zion Compound were under siege by gunmen in Abraka, Ethiope East LGA of the state.

“The hooligans attacked the workers at his site. Patrol teams dispatched to the scene, engaged the hoodlums in a shootout and rescued the hotelier and 16 workers unhurt”, the Police Spokesman said. He said that a Toyota Highlander Jeep was recovered from the scene while detectives have launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.

Five Feared Killed in Fresh Kwara Communal Crisis State govt imposes curfew Hammed Shittu in Ilorin No fewer than five persons were yesterday feared killed in a fresh crisis that broke out between the people of Offa and Erinle communities in Kwara State.

Meanwhile, the state government has imposed a curfew in the two warring communities between 6p.m. and 8 a.m. until further notice.

Also, the men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state and other security agencies have been deployed in the area to prevent the escalation of the crisis in the two warring towns.

Also, the office of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) at Erinle was burnt during the crisis.

THISDAY investigations revealed that the crisis was

caused by the alleged move by the members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Offa town to build a motor park close to the buffer zone already demarcated by the state government to maintain peace and harmony between the two warring towns.

The alleged move to construct a motor park by the Offa chapter of RTEAN closed to the buffer zone prompted the RTEAN Erinle chapter to retaliate, thereby leading to confusion between the two warring communities.

Sources close to the two communities told THISDAY yesterday that several interventions by the area police command and other security agents to stop the crisis failed as the transporters ignored all peaceful interventions.

Police Parade Five Fake COVID-19 Certificate Racketeers Chinedu Eze

The Nigeria Police, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos Command yesterday arrested and paraded five suspected fake COVID-19 certificate racketeers at the airport, just as two others escaped.

The police alleged that the suspects, Achibong Idonrenyin, Moses Samuel, Popoola Adewala, Wale Aderele and Abdulmalik Ibrahim, major in selling fake COVID-19 certificates to unsuspecting travellers within

the international wing of the airport.

They identified the suspects at large as Shehu Imam and Adeola Darlington, who work with Sky Blue Services limited, a cleaning service firm at the airport.

Briefing journalists yesterday in his office at the airport, the Airport Command Commissioner, Mr. Bature Umar, said the incident occurred on February 19, 2021, at the airport, where a British Airways passenger, Michael Osagbogun, was defrauded of the sum of

N50, 000 for COVID-19 test.

According to the police commissioner, one of the suspects had approached Osagbogun promising to produce a COVID-19 test certificate for him.

Two of the suspects, Popoola Adewale and Adeola Dalington, who knew the airport environment well due to the nature of their jobs at the airport, allegedly took the victim to one of the toilet facilities at the airport where the sum of N50, 000 was obtained from him under the

pretext of producing a valid COVID-19 negative certificate for the victim.

Umar explained that one of the suspects took the victim to DAT Cybercafé at No. 4, Oriyomi Street, Ikeja, where a fake COVID-19 certificate was eventually procured for him.

But, despite the payment of the money, he said the victim, who was on his way to London, United Kingdom, was denied boarding by the officials of the airline based on the fake COVID-19 certificate he presented at the counters.

Ali Accuses Border Communities of Protecting Smugglers, Killing Customs Officers Udora Orizu in Abuja The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Ahmadu Ali, has expressed the agency’s difficulty in containing the smuggling of arms into the country, “because members of the border communities are protecting the smugglers and attacking and killing NCS officers.

Ali made the disclosure yesterday while responding to questions during the agency’s 2021 budget consideration session organised by the House

of Representatives Committee on Customs.

The Custom boss, while saying that no nation has been able to stop arms smuggling, however, opined that to curtail the menace, other agencies and people in the border communities must help the Customs.

According to him, “Our biggest problem with stopping arms smuggling is that border communities are ganging up against us, killing us and burning our vehicles. They gang up to fight us, because they think the bandits (who smuggle arms)

are more important to their lives than us. I understand there are complaints that how can Customs officers not stop this. But we cannot effectively police borders. We can only make efforts through the third tier to curtail smuggling. We need other agencies and the communities to help us. Until that is done, Customs is willing to do what it can to stop that.”

Meanwhile, the lawmakers were provoked when Ali, in the course of his presentation, said only about N17 million has been spent from the N13

billion employment budget made available to the Service from 2018 to 2020, as the Service has not recruited personnel since 2004.

He said: “As for recruitment, I want to say that it is only the president that can decide. It is not within our purview to do that. If we take the issue to the president, he will ask if we have enough resources to pay the people we are going to recruit.

We must convince him that we have the funds to pay them. And the committee must know that NCS has had 17 years without recruitment.’’

Kogi Gov Appoints Policy Strategist Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has appointed Dr. Ronke Bello, a policy analyst, investment -branding advisor and communication expert, as Strategist on Investment-Policy and Communication to the governor.

McFlori International Consults where Bello is Chief Executive Officer, in a statement, said her appointment is to enable her use her wealth of experience to assist the Kogi State governor in strategic policies and communication.

Bello was trained in the: Arts at the University of Ilorin; Public Administration and Policy Analysis at the University of Abuja; International Public Relations and Marketing at the University of London; and Strategic Leadership at the Harvard Business School Boston-USA. She has to her credit years of experience in top levels of management both in the public and private sectors, and a career that has seen her been part of Nigerian delegation at

many national and international outings. She has been on several ad-hoc duties for various Nigerian Presidents and world leaders.

She is the author of two books : Image? Who Cares, and Standing Tall: A Contemporary Leadership Compendium.

Bello, the multiple award winner, in November 2006 received a commendation letter from then President Olusegun Obasanjo in which “he thanked her for her efforts in making the nation great and described her as a good ambassador”.

Dr. Ronke Bello

43

FRIDAY MARCH 5,2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Death Toll from Zamfara Schoolgirls Reunion Tragedy Rises to Two Ejiofor Alike The death toll arising from the shooting of angry mob, who invaded the venue of the reunion of the 279 freed students of Government Secondary School in Jangebe, Zamfara State, rose to two yesterday.

According to ARISE NEWS Channels, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, three people were fatally shot when

the reunion of the schoolgirls with their parents turned violent on Wednesday.

The report disclosed that at least one of the shot victims was confirmed dead while the other two were fatally injured by the military.

However, ARISE NEWS yesterday announced the death of a second victim of the shooting incident.

The tragedy occurred when locals took up stones and other

weapons expressing outrage over the long speeches being delivered by government officials at the school premises, which was the venue of the reunion.

THISDAY gathered that the parents had waited for several hours before the government officials arrived from Gusau, the state capital, with the students.

The situation, it was gathered, went out of hand when the government officials started making long speeches instead of handing over the students to their parents.

“When the parents became tired of the long speeches, they went inside by force to take their children home.

The approach adopted by

security agents to restrain the parents angered the youths, who started throwing stones, smashing windscreens and attacking people with weapons,” a journalist who witnessed the incident told THISDAY. ARISE News also reported that the locals then invaded the school premises disrupting

the process while government officials were still making remarks before handing over the students to their parents.

The Zamfara State Education Commissioner, Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, fled the scene immediately the chaos started while vehicles conveying journalists were attacked but no journalist was hurt.

Man Kills Wife in Anambra A 35-year-old man, Kingsley Igwe of Nise in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State has allegedly stabbed his wife to death, with a kitchen knife.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the incident to journalists, said it occurred around 4 a.m, yesterday.

He said, “At about 4am on Thursday, police operatives attached to 3-3 Police Station arrested one Kingsley Igwe, 35, of Nise in Awka South LGA but resident at Dueze Street Otigba in 3-3 Area of Anambra State.

“Suspect allegedly ran amok in circumstances yet to be ascertained and attacked his wife, Oyinye Obi, 31, with a kitchen knife and inflicted

multiple injuries all over her body.

“The police detectives visited the scene and rushed the victim to Apex Hospital for medical attention but he was certified dead on arrival by a medical doctor.”

Mohammed said the victim’s corpse had been deposited at the hospital’s morgue for autopsy, while the knife used in perpetrating the act was recovered and registered as an exhibit.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the State, Monday Kuryas, had directed the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for a discreet investigation.

Mohammed will Soon Join APC, Says Zulum Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has declared that his Bauchi State counterpart, Senator Bala Mohammed, will soon join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Zulum stated this yesterday when he led the North-East Governors to perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and upgrading of the Bauchi State Government House.

The Borno State governor, who is the Chairman of the North East Governors’ Forum, did not give further details on

his statement about Mohammed joining the APC. “I want to express my appreciation to my colleague, the Governor of Bauchi State, and my other colleagues for giving me the support to take the North-East Governors’ Forum to a greater height and indeed to the next level.

“The only quarrel that I am having with my colleague, the Governor of Bauchi State is his refusal to come into the APC. “But insh Allah, very soon, he will join us. He’ll join the Progressives. I am here to support him.”

Ortom Backs Buhari on Shooting of AK-47 Rifle Bearers George Okoh in Makurdi Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over his directive to security agents to shot anyone illegally bearing AK-47 rifle.

The governor gave the commendation yesterday during a function at the Benue Peoples’ House in Makurdi, the state capital.

Ortom stated that the president’s order would reduce the level of banditry and militia herders’ attacks on Benue communities as well as other parts of the country.

According to the governor, “The order would also make the communities safer for displaced farmers to return to their ancestral homes.

“I wish to commend the

president for his recent order against those bearing AK-47 rifles. This I am sure will reduce the high rate of criminality, including banditry and militia herdsmen attacks on our farming communities.”

He noted that President Buhari had done the right thing by listening to the calls he and other concerned Nigerians made on the need for the federal government to act faster and decisively to save the country from degenerating into a state of anarchy.

“I don’t only criticise, I also commend where necessary.

And I want to say shame on those sycophants who were bashing me for writing to the president, because he has finally heeded my advice,” the governor concluded.

ONWARD TOGETHER…

Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo (left), and President, Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), Brigadier General Maikano Abdullahi, during a courtesy visit to the Naval Headquarters in Abuja...yesterday

Imo, Ogun Lawmakers Remove Majority Leader, Deputy Speaker Kayode Fasua in Abeokuta The Ogun and Imo states’ houses of assembly yesterday removed their Majority Leader and Deputy Speaker, respectively.

In Owerri, the Imo State capital, the lawmakers sacked their Majority Leader, Hon. Uche Ogbuagu.

Ogbuagu, who represents Ikeduru State Constituency, had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shortly after former Governor Emeka

Ihedioha was removed in January 2020 by the Supreme Court, in order to emerge a principal officer of the house.

However, at yesterday’s plenary which was held under tight security, Ogbuagu was removed by a majority vote.

The speaker, Hon. Paul Emezim, who was presiding over the plenary announced that Ogbuagu, who had been having cold war with Deputy Speaker, Hon. Amarachi Iwuanyanwu, had been removed.

Meanwhile, the Deputy

Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr. Oluwatimilehin Kadiri, was also yesterday sacked amid controversies.

His sack followed the submission of a report of the ad-hoc committee constituted by the House, which found him guilty of “acts of gross misconduct”.

But an embattled Kadiri also yesterday fired back, describing his removal as unconstitutional and illegal, hinting of the possibility of a legal action, after discussing

with his lawyer.

The ad-hoc committee that found Kadiri guilty was chaired by the Majority Leader, Mr. Yusuf Sheriff.

A member representing Ijebu-North East, Mr. Abayomi Fasuwa, moved the motion for the report’s adoption, and was seconded by his IjebuOde counterpart, Mr. Kemi Oduwole, and supported by 19 other lawmakers at the plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Olakunle Oluomo, at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Shasha Crisis: Oyo Court Remands Seven for Alleged Arson, Murder An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, yesterday ordered that seven men be remanded in Abolongo Correctional facility in Oyo, for alleged arson and murder during the Shasha marker crisis.

The police charged Tajudeen Oladunni, 50; Saburi Lawal, 37; Ojo Joshua, 25; Adekunle Olanrewaju, 38; Olagunju James, 24; Rasaq Yahya, 32 and Olaide Olawuyi, 20 with six counts bordering on

conspiracy, arson and murder.

However, Magistrate I.O. Osho, did not take the plea of the suspects for want in jurisdiction.

She ordered the police to return the case file to the Office of the Oyo State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

Osho adjourned the matter until May 11, for mention.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Inspector Foluke Oladosu told the court that

the suspects conspired with others, at large, to commit the offence.

Oladosu said, on February 12, at about 10 a.m., at Shasha market, Ibadan, the suspects caused the death of Adeola Shakirudeen, when they beat him up.

The police also alleged that the suspects caused the death of 31 others.

The prosecution also alleged that the suspects set fire on two houses, belonging to Chief

Adelabu Ibrahim and caused N50 million damage.

The police also alleged that the suspects also burnt down a house, belonging to Osuolale Akindele and destroyed property worth N20 million.

The offence, the police said, contravened the provisions of sections 6, and 316 and punishable under sections 443 and 319 and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State 2000.

Marwa: NDLEA Seizes N60bn Narcotic Drugs in Six Weeks Udora Orizu in Abuja The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), disclosed that his agency in the past six weeks has intercepted and destroyed illicit drugs worth over N60 billion.

Marwa made the disclosure during an advocacy visit to the House of Representatives

Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, chaired by Hon. Francis Ottah Agbo.

He said all strata of the Nigerian society must join in to the fight to control the drug trade in Nigeria.

According to him, ‘’Nigeria today is in a serious dilemma on the drug scourge. The problem of drug abuse is everywhere now; every community in Nigeria has a drug problem.

It’s also fueling the criminality going on in the country. Nobody in his right senses will wake up and say he wants to kidnap 300 children, if he is not under the influence of drugs.

“Now, criminals use ransoms for drugs. The criminality in Nigeria is fueled by drugs.

Drug abuse is at the bottom of criminality in Nigeria. Just recently, we seized 230 tons of drugs in Edo State, where armed

villagers challenged officers to a duel with sophisticated weapons. But despite these challenges, we have been able to seize over N60bilion worth of drugs and narcotics in the last six weeks.”

Speaking further, Marwa lamented the decay and challenges faced by the agency, appealing to the lawmakers to intervene on more funding for it to perform better.

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FRIDAY MARCH 5,2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

House Queries FIRS over Increase in Recurrent Budget, Revenue Deficit Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives Committee on Finance yesterday queried the Chairman of the

Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mohammed Nami, over an observed increase in the recurrent expenditure as well as the inability to meet the N5

Court Sets Aside Interim Forfeiture Order Made against Saraki’s Assets

trillion target it proposed in 2020.

Members of the committee raised the concerns during the 2020 budget defence and consideration of the agency’s proposed 2021 Revenue and Expenditure Estimates.

The committee, chaired by Hon. James Faleke, queried the astronomical increase in various expenditures incurred during the period under review.

The lawmakers also raised concerns on the projected non-oil

cost of collection of 4 percent, which is accrued to FIRS in 2020 and worth N137.411 billion.

They also sought to know the rationale behind the proposed 7 percent cost of collection worth N298.411 billion for 2021.

While responding, the FIRS Chairman, Nami, said that they realised the sum of N4.95 trillion against the N5.077 trillion in the revised 2020 budget.

He said the agency would have done better in 2020 if not

for the COVID-19 lockdown and the #EndSARS protest that rocked the country.

Nami explained that the agency could not do tax drive, and businesses were also closed for about four months.

He said they also suspended tax audit and investigation for about six months, because they couldn’t visit tax payers nor carry out enforcement activities to recover back debts.

On the overhead increasing

astronomically, Nami said the increase was due to full provision in the 2021 budget for 1,800 staff recruited by the immediate-past management, and that little they added in 2019 and 2020.

He also said they carried out promotion exercise in order to deal with promotion arrears in 2019 and 2020, and in so doing, about 5,000 staff members were promoted, which means more cost for them to carter.

Dismisses EFCC’s application for final forfeiture The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday set aside its order of interim forfeiture made against the properties of former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Abubakar Saraki, located at 17 and 17A MacDonald Road, Ikoyi.

The judgment came after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Nnaemeka Omewa, and counsel to Saraki, Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), had adopted their respective written addresses for and against the final forfeiture order sought by the EFCC against Saraki’s properties.

In its judgment, the court presided over by Justice Mohammed Liman, held that the essence of an interim order of forfeiture is to preserve the property from being dissipated by the suspect.

It noted that the burden is on the applicant, that is the

EFCC, to satisfy the court that the properties are proceeds of unlawful or illegal activity under the anti-corruption laws.

The court, however, found that the applicant had in its affidavit in support of its motion for final forfeiture, stated that the properties sought to be forfeited were purchased with a personal loan Senator Saraki obtained from Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB).

It agreed with the respondent’s counsel’s submission that the burden of proof for final forfeiture is on the preponderance of evidence and that the applicant had failed to show that the monies used to purchase the properties were from the Kwara State Government House account.

It said it was not satisfied that the respondent had paid off the loan used to purchase the property.

Okonjo-Iweala, Yesufu, Others Lead Pack of 100 Top Women Leaders

The Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and former Minister of Finance in Nigeria, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s leading social crusader, Ms. Aisha Yesufu, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Mrs. Amina Mohammed and the former Minister of Education, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili are among the outstanding women profiled in a biographical compendium on top women leaders in Nigeria to mark the 2021 International Women’s Day. The Nigeria Women Annual: 100 Leading Women is an annual qualitative profiling of phenomenal women in Nigeria who have contributed to the development of Nigeria and

the world.

It is a gender-specific biographical compendium that responds to existing gender gaps in Nigeria biographical documentation and leadership.

These profiles would be published in a book and as a pull-out in livesnews.net as the most qualitative and most authoritative up-to-date biographical profile on Nigeria’s 100 most inspirational and influential women for 2020.

This biographical compendium, which was jointly put together by Profiles & Biographies in collaboration with Gender Perspective, captured stories of women that are meant to inspire women to accomplish more in life.

Benue Imposes Curfew in LGAs George Okoh in Makurdi Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has disclosed that the state has imposed a curfew in the Sankera axis of the North-east area of the state, following the recent insecurity being witnessed in the area.

The governor made this known while briefing journalists on the resolutions reached at the state security council meeting held yesterday at the Government House in Makurdi.

He said the curfew would run from 6:00p.m. to 6:00a.m., adding that the state government has placed N5million on whoever gets useful information that will lead to the arrest of killers of Chief Terkura Suswam.

The governor explained

further that the council also banned the use of Toyota Corolla old model mostly used for transportation in the state, stressing that the ban on the use of motorcycles in Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas has also been extended to Logo LGA. According to him, “The State Security Council at his expanded meeting today (yesterday) resolved that the ban on motorcycles earlier restricted to two local government areas in Sankera axis (Katsina-Alla and Ukum) has been extended to Logo LGA. “The council also resolved to ban the use of old model Toyota Corolla known as (Duck yanch) in the three local government areas of Sankera axis.

SEEKING PARTNERSHIP…

Comptroller of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, Ahmed Bauchi Aliyu (left), and the Consul General of the United Arab Emirates, Abdulla Al Mandoos, during a courtesy visit by the Comptroller to the Consul General in Lagos...yesterday

Army Denies Desertion of 100 Soldiers in North-east Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigerian Army yesterday denied reports that 101 soldiers and officers deserted the theatre of war after clashes with insurgents in Marte and Dikwa in Borno State.

A statement signed by the Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Mohammed Yerima, said that the claim that

100 soldiers deserted the battlefield was unfounded.

Yerima said a headcount conducted after a military offensive showed an error in an internal correspondence generated by the formation and that an assessment carried out later showed that most of the troops rejoined their units.

He said: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a publication in a section of the

media alleging that over a 100 Nigerian troops were reported to have absconded after Boko Haram attacks on Marte and Dikwa.

“This publication is false, unfounded and an attempt to malign the image and character of the Nigerian Army.

“For the records, in the fog of war, it is a routine that head count is conducted to determine the

number of men and equipment holding aftermath of military offensive.

“Unfortunately, an internal correspondence that was originated by the formation was not properly done. It was later discovered that a good number of those affected rejoined their respective units and are currently part of the ongoing clearance operations.”

Galaxy Backbone: N35bn Needed for Effective Internet Services in MDAs Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja The Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Prof.

Mohammad Abubakar, has revealed that N35 billion is needed to provide effective internet connectivity at two megabite per second (MPS)

to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the federal government.

He made the disclosure in Abuja, yesterday when members of the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on ICT and Cybersecurity visited the agency to carry out their oversight functions.

Abubakar said the help of the National Assembly is needed to enable the agency operate without bureaucracy, appealing to the parliamentarians to make laws that will enable the agency to compete with other business outfits that provide the same services He said: “To provide

connectivity services at a minimum broadband speed of 2mbps to all MDAs nationwide as mandated, funding in excess of N35billion will be required, while more than N200billion will be required for broadband connectivity at National Broadband Plan (NBP) recommended.

Jonathan’s Ex-Media Aide, Ude Awards N8m Scholarship A former director of communications of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Jackson Ude has granted scholarship worth N8million to eight undergraduate beneficiaries in Nkporo, Ohafia Local Government of Abia State.

He has also promised to grant another N8million scholarship

at the end of the year 2021.

He said the eight students were selected based on academic excellence and hardship.

Speaking to journalists recently, Ude, a US-based Nigerian-American said the next batch of the scholarship would come under Mary and Ude-Jack Foundation, a foundation he is

setting up in remembrance of his late parents.

Ude said his parents were so much in love with education but never had an opportunity to acquire formal education due to financial difficulty.

“My parents loved education, but they never acquired the formal education because they

were poor and did not have any support to do that,” he said.

According to Ude, the scholarship would go a long way in assisting beneficiaries who are mostly from less-privileged background to continue in their studies without worries of how to pay school fees, buy books and feed.

JAMB Proposes N6bn New Headquarters in Abuja Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed that it plans to move its headquarters from Bwari Area Council to Central Area in the Federal Capital City (FCC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It said the proposed new headquarters would cost the sum of N6 billion.

The JAMB Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Mufutau Bello, disclosed this yesterday when it appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts (PAC) investigative hearing initiated by a query from the office of the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF) over dwindling revenues to the federal government.

He stated: “We are proposing

to move our central headquarters to the central area of Abuja.

“We have a plan of over N6 billion, but since we don’t collect subvention from the government for our overhead and capital, so every year, from 2018, we have been setting aside N2 billion, because our target is N6 billion to be able to acquire our headquarters in the central area.

“The money is in our TSA; we had a challenge in 2020

because of COVID-19, so we could not realise our budget.

So far, we have realised about 5.5 billion.”

The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Oluwole Oke, said it was not wise to keep such an amount of money idle without investing it.

“You cannot keep such money idling in an account. That is poor treasury management,” Oke said

FRIDAY MARCH 5, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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24 HOURS...

WORLD OF ISLAM

Osinbajo: Christians Must Be Purveyors of Justice, The Human in the Qur’an - 2 Voices of Peace

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Deji Elumoye in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stressed that as Nigeria is going through a defining moment in its history, the Church must stand as the light of the country, and Christians as the purveyors of justice and voices of peace.

Osinbajo gave the admonition at the 16th Biennial Delegate Conference of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) held at the Michael Okpara Square in Enugu, Enugu State.

Speaking on the theme of the conference: ‘The unquenchable light’, the vice president said Christians must bear the gospel of Jesus Christ knowing that it is the beacon of hope and succour for the country.

According to him, “We are the salt to the wounds of a nation; we are the voices of peace and unity where division and strife have arisen. We are the

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purveyors of justice for all of those who are disempowered.

The good news is that this light is unquenchable.’’

He also conveyed the felicitations of President Muhammadu Buhari to the outgoing PFN President, Rev Felix Omobude, on the successful and glorious completion

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of his tenure in office, and congratulated the incoming President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke. Commending the smooth transition in the leadership of the PFN, Osinbajo said: “I must commend the smooth electoral process leading to the emergence of the President and his deputy unopposed. This is how it should be. The PFN certainly has a lot to teach us (politicians). We pray that the Lord will give this executive good success in Jesus Christ name,” he prayed.

Also, during the conference, the PFN, in acknowledgment of his stand and support for the Christian faith and exemplary service to humanity the vice president conferred a special award of the Defender of Faith.

House Loses another Member Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The lawmaker, who represented Gwaram federal constituency of Jigawa State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Yuguda Hassan Kila, is dead.

Kila, was until his death, the Chairman, House Committee on Customs.

The Leader of the House, Hon. Ado Doguwa, told journalists that the late lawmaker was admitted into the hospital two weeks ago for severe malaria.

He added that his condition later degenerated to acute shortage of oxygen in his bloodstream despite testing negative to COVID-19 for about three times before he died yesterday afternoon.

Doguwa said: “He was confirmed negative for COVID-19 infection. The Speaker and I are still at the National Hospital in Abuja.

We have secured the release of his remains and completed arrangements for an Air Force aircraft to convey his body to Kano for Islamic funeral.”

Gombe Gov Approves N755m for Gratuity Arrears of Retirees Segun Awofadeji in Gombe In his continued commitment and determination to improve the welfare of retirees in the state, the Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has approved the release of N755 million for the payment of outstanding gratuities to retired civil servants in the state.

The governor also reiterated the commitment of the government to the payment of outstanding pensions of retirees of the local government areas.

At the inception of his administration, Yahaya had approved the payment of over N1.6 billion gratuity arrears.

The governor also restated his commitment to paying the monthly pension arrears of local government retirees who, due to lack of funds at the local government, have not been paid their pensions for some time now.

Zaid Shakir/Renovatio/IslamiCity (continued from last week)

Today, we can find answers for the fundamental question of what it means to be human that claim to cast doubt on the essential reality of our humanity itself. The Qur’an, however, affirms our humanness and describes four aspects of the human—our physical creation, our spirit, our natural disposition (fitrah), and our light—all of which have an unmediated origin from God and combine to make the human a distinctive and special creation.

Spirit Man’s uprightness also makes the human being a fitting receptacle for the run (spirit), a special and unique creation of God, which not only animates the physical body of the human but also his senses and intellect. His physical stature and his spirit are two essential elements that define his humanity. Commenting on the following Qur’anic phrase, “And when He had made him upright and breathed into him of His spirit” (Q38:72), Fakhr al-Din al-Razi says, “This indicates that the creation of the human is only complete with two things: first of all, his uprightness, and then the breathing of the spirit into him. This is true because the human is a composite of body and soul.”

While his uprightness may lead the human to exalt in what could be viewed as a unique virtue, aspects of his physical creation should also lead him to humble himself. For example, in the Qur’an, God reminds us, “Does not the human see that We made him from a drop of sperm? Then lo, he becomes a rebellious disputant who sets before Us parables and forgets his [lowly] origin” (Q36:77−78). We are reminded by some who comment on this verse that our beginning, in a sense, originates from the same channel that urine exits our bodies.

How could such a creature behave arrogantly?

The breathing of the spirit into the human makes him a composite creation, although not in an Aristotelean sense. Some reject this apparent dualism as an accretion rooted in other faith or intellectual traditions. For example, the late Muslim thinker Fazlur Rahman states, The Qur’an does not appear to endorse the kind of doctrine of a radical mind-body dualism found in Greek philosophy, Christianity, or Hinduism; indeed there is hardly a passage in the Qur’an that says man is composed of two separate, let alone disparate substances, the body and the soul (even though later orthodox Islam, particularly after al-Ghazali and largely through his influence, came to accept it). tAdditionally, many hadiths clearly indicate that the spirit enjoys an existence that is distinct from the body, both before and after physical life. For example, “The spirits are varied troops.

Those who knew each other [precorporally] find familiarity, and those who were ignorant of each other find disharmony.” Many scholars use this narration as a proof that the spirits were created before the body. After the spirit enters the body, those who knew each other in the precorporeal realm experience familiarity upon meeting in this world, whereas those who were unknown to each other in that realm sense an estrangement upon meeting in the world.

As for the fate of the soul after death, we are told, among other things, that the spirits of martyrs live on in the bodies of green birds in Paradise. These and similar narrations make it clear that the spirit has an existence distinct from the body.

Once the human has been animated by the spirit, he can undertake his primary purpose: namely, to worship and to know his Lord. We read in the Qur’an, “I have not created the jinn and humankind except that they worship Me” (Q51:56). Many Muslim exegetes mention that this verse can also be interpreted to mean “that they know Me.” These two meanings are consistent with the nature of the human, as worship involves bodily actions associated with the physicality of the human, while true knowledge of God requires a metaphysical process.

Fitrah A third aspect of the human in the Qur’an is his natural disposition, which is described by the Qur’anic term fitrah. Like the physical creation and the spirit, the fitrah proceeds directly from God. We read, “Orient your face towards the true religion, in accords with your natural disposition. [This is] the nature of God, upon

which He has fashioned humanity. Let there be no alteration in the creation of God. That is the upright religion; however, most people realize it not” (Q30:30).

In this verse, God mentions that He has fashioned the human upon His nature. We can understand this as referring to, among other things, His wandaniyyah (oneness). This means that humans are fashioned to readily recognize that oneness, unless they have been removed from their natural state. This understanding is supported by the verse “I have not created the jinn and humankind except that they worship Me” (Q51:56), as well as the verse, “When your Lord brought the descendants of the Children of Adam from their loins, and caused them to bear witness against themselves, ‘Am I not your Lord?’ they said, ‘Certainly, we bear witness,’ lest they should say on the Day of Resurrection ‘We were heedless of this’” (Q7:172).

In this verse, God describes the descendants of Adam, peace be upon him, as extracted from his loins and then called to bear witness to the oneness of God. This pretemporal event imprinted upon human consciousness a natural disposition toward monotheism. Hence, “[this is] the nature of God, upon which He has fashioned humanity.” The dross of the world, which envelops the heart in darkness, leads many humans to reject their very nature, turning them away from God. Revelation and prophetic teachings remove that darkness and allow humans to reaffirm the pretemporal covenant of monotheism, thereby returning to their natural state.

Light Finally, the Qur’an informs us that the believers possess a “light.” We read, On the Day you see the believing men and women with their light emanating before them and to their right. “Glad tidings are yours.

[You will have] gardens with rivers flowing beneath to dwell therein forever. That, indeed, is the great triumph.” (Q57:12)

Similarly, On a day God will not disgrace the Prophet and those believing along with him, their light emanating before them and to their right. They plead, “Our Lord complete for us our light and forgive us. Surely, You have power over all things.” (Q66:8) Likewise, “One for whom God does not make light, he has no light” (Q24:40).

The light referred to in these verses has variously been described as the “actualized knowledge of God,” “the light of insight,” “a light given by God to the believers after their resurrection,” “the light of Divine Oneness,” “the light of obedience,” and “the light of guidance.” The prophetic tradition, however, introduces narrations that allow us to view this light from another perspective and to understand its divine origin. One of the prayers made by the Prophet (PBUH) is the following: “O God, make light in my heart, light in my vision, light in my hearing, light to my right, light to my left, light before me, light behind me, make a light for me.” Another version adds, “and light in my hair, light in my skin, light in my flesh, light in my blood, and light in my bones.” This prayer was not just personal for him: it is instructional for us.

The Prophet (PBUH) prayed to God that he be made into a being of light, and he taught us to make that prayer. This could mean that he was praying that the light of his spirit be reflected in his physical nature. Our physical nature can indeed be infused, by the will of God, with light. When that occurs, like the angels, who are created from light, we readily recognize the purpose of our creation and become monotheistic, obedient servants of the One. Thus, the Qur’an presents a view of the human as a physical creature, a spiritual creature, a creature naturally disposed to worship, and an enlightened creature. Our body, our spirit, our predisposition to worship God, and our light are gifts sent directly from God to serve as critical means toward our attaining human perfection. That perfection lies in cultivating those aspects of the spirit that transcend its animating qualities, actualizing our disposition to worship, and refining our light. When this happens, the human is a beautiful creature, and as such, a fitting object of divine love, for as our Prophet (PBUH) mentioned, “Verily, God is beautiful and loves beauty.”

Concluded

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FRIDAY MARCH 5, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS FG Formally Endorses Amaju Pinnick for FIFA Council Seat

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

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The bid by President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick to secure a seat in the FIFA Council has been given a major boost with his formal endorsement by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

At a press conference addressed by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry

of Youth and Sports, Nebolisa Anako on behalf of the Hon. Minister Sunday Dare in Abuja on Thursday, the Government stated unequivocally that “Amaju’s ambition would further reposition Nigeria in the global football map where we have made remarkable inroads” and indicated that his triumph would follow in the glorious steps of illustrious compatriots Dr Akinwunmi Adesina (re-elected as President

Amuneke Named in CAF’s TSG for U-17 AFCON

Former African Footballer of the Year, Emmanuel Amuneke, has been enlisted as a member of the CAF’s Technical Study Group (TSG) for the forthcoming Total U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be held in Morocco between March 13and 31.

This is the second successive time the FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning coach of the Golden Eaglets would be serving in that capacity with the continental soccer ruling body after holding brief at the last edition held in Tanzania.

“It’s an African call and opportunity to serve the continent,” noted Amuneke who equally served as a member of FIFA’s TSG when Russia hosted the World Cup in 2018.

“Personally, it’s also an opportunity for me to learn from my colleagues on the

Emmanuel Amuneke...appointed into CAF’s TSG for U-17 AFCON

TSG and it’s an experience I’m looking forward to,” observed the well decorated Nigerian ex international.

Meanwhile, Amuneke has stressed that more Nigerian coaches stand the opportunity of working anywhere in the world by enlisting on the innovative soccer scouting and marketing application, Al Haddaf.

The former Barcelona winger who was recently named as Al Haddaf’s global brand ambassador, surmised Nigerian coaches desirous of working abroad stands a better chance of being exposed to the world.

“As you know, the world is more like a global village but even in the global community, you have to let people know what you are capable of doing and this is what you stand to gain by enlisting on Al Haddaf,” explained Amuneke, who took Tanzania to the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.

Al Haddaf was designed in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic so that both players and coaches can register on its platform for scouting by clubs across Europe and other parts of the world.

“Very soon, the scouting application will be accessible to everybody all over the world and I can only implore our coaches and players to embrace this opportunity because it will give them maximum exposure to the rest of the world,” he concluded.

LMC Shifts Warri Wolves, Akwa United Clash Nigeria Professional Football League Match-day 14 fixture involving Warri Wolves and Akwa United FC has been rescheduled by the league organisers, League Management Company (LMC).

The match which was originally fixed for Sunday, March 7 has been rescheduled to take place on Monday, March 8, 2021 and will kickoff at 4pm at the Delta State Polytechnic Stadium in Ozoro.

The shift in date may not be unconnected with the Local government council elections slated for that weekend in Delta State.

In a letter dated Thursday 4 March 2021 and signed by

the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar, the league organisers regretted any inconveniences the change in date may have caused both teams and directed all stakeholders to ensure that all logistics are put in place ahead of the game.

Akwa United, fifth on the NPFL log have picked five points from their previous six away games while 19th placed Warri Wolves have dropped the same number of points in six home matches thus far.

Warri Wolves and Akwa United played out a 1-1 draw in both home and away games last season before the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic which truncated the season.

of Africa Development Bank) and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (first female/ first African Director-General of the World Trade Organization) in recent times.

“If the NFF President wins the position, it would not be a victory for the Federal Government and all Nigerians alone, but the African continent. He would be a great ambassador of our great country if elected into the FIFA Council. As a member of the CAF Executive, Pinnick is aware of the task ahead and the Federal Government’s support to the actualization of his dream,” Anako said.

He added: “On behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, and all Nigerians, we hereby pledge our unflinching support to Mr Pinnick because his victory would be our collective victory. “(Sports Minister) Mr Dare believes Amaju can use his position and connections in CAF and FIFA to help promote and develop Nigeria and African football in all ramifications.

Let us be resolute and firm in our support…This is no time to stand on the fence, but to be partakers in the scheme of things.”

NFF’s 2nd Vice President,

Mallam Shehu Dikko, who stood in for Pinnick (who is already in Morocco), thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his usual strong support for the NFF and Nigerian football generally since coming into office.

He assured the Sports Ministry’s Permanent Secretary that once victorious, Pinnick would continue in his usual way of influencing the appointment of Nigerians into FIFA and CAF committees and administrations, as he did while he was 1st Vice President of CAF and has been doing as Member, CAF Executive Committee and

Member, Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions.

Amaju Pinnick...endorsed by FG for FIFA Council Seat

Quadri Aruna in action yesterday at the World Table Tennis Series in Doha, Qatar

Aruna’s Q’final Feat at the WTT in Qatar Excites NOC The Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Olabanji Oladapo, could not hide his excitement after watching Quadri Aruna becoming the first African to qualify for the quarter-final of the World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender Series taking place in Doha, Qatar.

On Wednesday, Quadri beat Indian national champion Sathiyan Gnanasekaran 3-0 to set up a round of 16 tie against Portugal’s Joao Geraldo.

And yesterday at Lusail Sports Arena in Doha, Aruna continued his good

run with another superlative performance to record a 3-2 (10-12, 12-10, 12-10, 4-11, 116) win over his Portuguese counterpart.

An excited Oladapo described the performance of Aruna as confirmation of the ability of the Oyo State-born athlete. “Aruna has been a shining light in table tennis not only in Nigeria and Africa but globally. His efforts have continued to put Nigeria and Africa on the world map of table tennis.

“Having watched the way he played against the Portuguese, I am so proud

of him and I believe Africa is also proud of what the Nigerian has achieved in the sport. His performance on table is another confirmation of what he can do and he has indeed inspired the future generation with his display in Qatar.

“What he will do in the next match will be another feat for Africa and we wish him well over there,” the NOC scribe added.

Today, Aruna will face one of the skillful players in the world, Chinese Taipei’s Yun-Ju Lin, who has been described as the ‘Chinese Nemesis.’

The $200,000 prize money WTT Contender Series is one of the two tiers of the new WTT event structure, while the Middle East Hub marks the first official events of the WTT era.

The Middle East Hub will feature two tiers of the new WTT event structure. The WTT Contender will end on March 6, while the first WTT Star Contender event the following week, providing the perfect preparation for some of the world’s leading stars to be challenged by the best up-and-coming athletes in table tennis.

HiFL 2021: PACE Sports Announces Commencement of League Season All is now set for the commencement of the 2021 season of the Higher Institution Football League (HiFL). The league is set to commence in April with qualifying rounds involving over 40 university teams alongside a host of other exciting activities.

Speaking at the International press conference to unveil programmes for the 2021 edition, the Director, PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing Ltd, Mr Sola Fijabi said preparations are in top

gear to ensure that lovers of football in the country enjoy the best of collegiate football this season.

“The 2021 football games will commence in April with the qualifying rounds. We have had a series of consultations with our partners, the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), sponsors and other relevant stakeholders across the board and we are glad to have come to a consensus that we can go ahead with the 2021 football season.

“We have also studied international football games and how they have been able to pull off the games despite the restrictions occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic. With this, we were optimistic that we have a strategy that will lead to a successful season” Fijabi said.

Other activities for the action-packed and exciting season will include the HiFL E-games, Master Class series 2.0 and a host of other digital engagements.

In his remark, the

President, Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA, Prof. Stephen Hamafyelto, commended the organisers as he declared the readiness of the schools to host the games in line with Covid-19 protocols.

Speaking at the event, Head, Content and Partnership at PACE Sports, Mr Ikechukwu Nwaguru, said that HiFL is attracting more partners locally and internationally even as the league hopes to expand its offerings.

47

FRIDAY MARCH 5, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

FridaySports PREMIER LEAGUE

Guardiola: Draw Against Struggling West Brom was City’s Turning Point Pep Guardiola has said his disappointment at Manchester City’s draw with struggling West Bromwich Albion led to a return to “ABC” principles that sparked the club’s record winning streak.

Premier League leaders City are now a huge 14 points clear of second-placed Manchester United ahead of this weekend’s derby match, with a 4-1 win over Wolves on Tuesday their 21st successive victory in all competitions.

City have not lost since a 2-0 league defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in November.

But City manager Guardiola said it was the way his side played in a 1-1 draw at home to West Brom in December, with the Baggies trying to avoid relegation, that led his side to go back to basics.

“At that moment we realised we were not brilliant, everything was heavy in terms of it was not natural,” Guardiola told BT Sport television’s ‘Rio Meets,’ a programme hosted by former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand.

“We adjusted something, to put more players in front of the box, but especially it was the day after the West Brom game, when we drew 1-1 at home.”

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss added: “We could have won, but after I went to my friends and staff and said: ‘I don’t like the team, the way we play.

It doesn’t matter about the result, I don’t recognise my team, the way they should play’.

“We just came back to the principles – A,B,C, that is all. So wingers high and wide, a lot of players in the middle, come back without the ball – run like animals - and with the ball be more calm, (make) more passes (that) help, think about more what we have to do.

“The quality of the players, with the confidence they win one game, then another one and another one, but when I

think (back) to the West Brom (game), I reflect and think ‘I don’t like at all what I am watching.’ We came back to our principles, then the quality of the players has done the rest.”

Guardiola, who arrived at the Etihad in 2016, has signed a contract extension that will keep him at City until at least 2023.

The Spaniard added: “I have always had the feeling,

the dream to come here (to England) - to train in the (William) Shakespeare country, in the Beatles’ country, in Oasis country, the theatres, the movies.

“This country is special for many, many, many reasons and I wanted to live this,” explained Guardiola, who said that while he had everything needed to do his job, he “hated” the time from November to January

in England because of the weather.

City, however, have still to win a European trophy under Guardiola, for all they are bankrolled by the wealth of Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mansour.

Guardiola admitted “I will have this pressure for the rest of my time here in England” so long as City failed to triumph in Europe.

Liverpool to Host RB Leipzig in Budapest Liverpool will play the home leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie against RB Leipzig at Puskas Arena in Budapest.

The fixture has been moved to the Hungarian capital because of Covid-19 restrictions.

The Reds hold a 2-0 lead against the German side from the first leg, which was played at the same venue on 16 February.

The second leg will take place on Wednesday, 10 March.

Manchester City players rediscover themselves after they drew 1-1 with West Brom at Etihad

Monday Kanu: Our Sports Heroes In Need of Empowerment

A retired footballer who is now a Business Consultant, Monday Kanu, is sad with the sorry state of hundreds of ex internationals. In this interview with DURO IKHAZUAGBE, the former Julius Berger player offers a way out He was part of the squad the late Coach Chris Udemezue penciled to fly Nigeria’s colours at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile in 1987. But fate played a joke on Monday Kanu. Before the list of players to make the trip to the South American nation was released, Kanu won a scholarship to study at the Howard University in Washington, USA. That was how the former Bendel Insurance FC (1982-1985) and Julius Berger FC (1986-1987) kissed football good bye in the pursue of a university degree.

Speaking with THISDAY at the weekend, Kanu who is now a Financial Consultant recalled his days in the Nigerian league before leaving in search of the Golden Fleece in America. “ I played with Bendel Insurance between 1982 and 1985 and then for Julius Berger between 1986 and 1987. I was in camp with Flying Eagles the same time that I signed with Berger under Coach Joe Erico who passed on last month,” began Kanu with nostalgia.

He insisted it was not a hard decision for him to make between dumping football and traveling to America on scholarship to study. “ I was in camp for Chile ‘87 but my admission to Howard University coincided with it. It wasn’t a hard decision to make as to which path to follow. I left for school with a football scholarship,” the former footballer recalled.

Although he left club football

in Nigeria but Kanu found himself back on the turf in the NCAA soccer, starring for his university.

“In university at Howard, I played in NCAA soccer and lost narrowly in the final of the 1988 edition to Indiana University.”

Thereafter, Kanu faced squarely his studies and came out in flying colours at the end of his studies.

But asked why he quit football altogether, Kanu, insisted that he knew that the career of a footballer was brief and didn’t want to fall into the type of situation several hundreds of former players have found themselves today.

“Our lifespan of active sports participation is at best 20 years.

Add another 20 to it, which is how long it takes to break into the scene and that brings it to 40. So, at 40 years of age, we are through with sports for the most part but life is just getting started.

“Very few of our sports heroes were prepared for life after sports.

Very few of us actually went beyond a high school education.

Therefore, very few of us have the requisite leverage either by virtue of higher education or sustainable vocational training to transit from Sports into the business world,” observed the Howard University alumnus.

How do we then bridge this gap that has disenfranchised many of our retired sports heroes?

“To begin with, let me use this opportunity to enlighten

Monday Kanu...says former footballers deserve better life our sports administrators on what empowerment is not. When you beckon on a group of retired players to your home or office and at the end of the day avail them of N5,000 each plus hamper packs of like value; my friend, you have not empowered them rather you are simply helping them manage their penury. “When you consciously place them in an exigent position where they keep coming to you periodically for their basic needs, be it rent or school fees, etc., they are still in bondage, even when you meet those needs.

This is the humbling experience many of us still witness today.

None of those vainglorious public displays of philanthropy by any stretch qualifies for an empowerment programme,” Kanu insisted as a matter of fact.

He describes empowerment as

a set of measures designed to increase the degree of autonomy and self-determination in people.

“Those to be empowered do not come to the table empty handed. They come with some Life Skills, Education, Technical Knowhow, Ideas and where these are lacking, a functional system prepare them ahead of time. This is where the Players’ Union and football governing body have failed massively. It’s been over 30 years of buffoonery by the union without any form of progress.

Perhaps, the name rebranding could make a difference, let’s watch and see. Here is the irony in this chronicle. When you live along the banks of River Niger and yet dying of thirst, how can there be hope for those in the hinterland looking up to you for water? It’s practically impossible.

This describes the state of the Players’ Union with regards to those hoping for succour through them.”

The former Julius Berger player further explains the roles played by players unions and associations in saner climes “Unions and Associations act as pressure groups for members in various ways. They go as far as influencing government policies for the benefit of their members. In other climes, they hire professional lobbyists to do their bidding. They lobby the private and public sectors even Parliamentarians for inclusiveness in matters such as Social Welfare, Projects and Capacity Building. I’ve never seen anything in the budget of Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports that

was influenced by the Players Union for the benefit of members.

Let’s use a Blue-collar sector as a case study. It’s no longer news as to the enormous political and economic influence the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) wields. They are quite formidable and the benefit trickles down to its members even in remote localities. We have the potential to be more powerful than the NURTW if only we can enthrone competent leadership with visions,” counsels Kanu who is desirous of more decent living for past Nigerian footballers.

As a way out of this almost hopeless situation of most ex footballers, Kanu is advocating a collaboration with the Ministry of Education. “ The ministry can help mop up the high level of unemployment among coaches. We need the personnel that can articulate and sell our programmes to the Ministry. We need those with the knowhow to navigate the laws of National Assembly and see that our interest is captured as they formulate their Bills?

“About 95% of our local football clubs are owned by state governments and yet the clubs have no pension plans for the players whereas civil servants have. We need a Union sponsored orientation for young incoming players and pre-retirement programmes put in place for those on their way out. That’s one of the ways to move forward. It is a generally accepted maxim that everything rises and falls based on leadership. The case is even

truer with the Players’ Union.

“After over three decades of professional football league in Nigeria, there’s no Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the league management authorities. Currently, our sports veterans have nothing to fall back on. Poverty, ill health and depression looms large amongst our people. No health care of any sort.

“So finally, there’s an urgent need for the following for our numerous encumbered sports veterans: (1) Health Insurance Policy in the form of an HMO; (2) Group Life Insurance Policy with reasonable and affordable premium and (3) Monthly Social Welfare payments.

“These are the barest minimum the sporting community owes our sports veterans,” he concluded.

In conclusion, Kanu disclosed that along with some veterans like his former teammate, Waidi Akanni, they are creating a platform to be known as Lagos Legend Club (LLC) to help put some welfare programmes in place for those in dire need.

“We are waiting to unveil a club known as Lagos Legend Club (LLC). It is the brainchild of ex international Engr. Waidi Akanni. The primary purpose of this club besides creating a platform for rapport among sports veterans is to help put welfare programmes in place as I outlined above. Hopefully, this is a harbinger of good things to come,” he concluded with optimism.

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PANDEF to FG

“The execution of the order should not be selective and discriminative as it has been with everything under this administration. Otherwise, the situation would be like going out of the frying pan into the fire.”

– Pan Niger Delta Forum supporting the shoot on sight order by President Buahri of illegal carriers of sophisticated weapons.

Buhari Administration: The Good News In the midst of insecurity and bad news all over, the Buhari administration is making quiet strides in many areas.

THISDAY Editors will use this page to periodically showcase some of the green shoots slowly taking root.

Nigeria was famous in the 60s for cocoa in the South-west, oil in the South-east and groundnuts in the North.

And all these commodities saved Nigeria.

Today, another revolution is going on as rice pyramids emerge in Kebbi State, the leading producer of the commodity in the country. The return of the rice pyramids is due to increase production, stimulated by the focused policy of the Buhari administration, which is driven by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). With it, the nation is surefootedly marching into an era of self-sufficiency in growing rice for local consumption and easing the pressure on its external reserves as a result of the huge quantum of foreign exchange hitherto required for rice importation.

The return of the pyramids

Under Buhari’s Watch, Nigeria is Leading the World

W

ith a new thrust in its foreign policy, Nigeria is gaining more global recognition as its rallied support for its citizens that catapulted them into the leadership of some major

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

global and continental organisations.

With Nigeria’s former Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO); former Minister

Akinwunmi Adesina

of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, surviving cut-throat boardroom politics to win his re-election as African Development Bank (AfDB) president; Ms. Amina Mohammed emerging deputy secretarygeneral of the United Nations, Prof.

Amina Mohammed

Benedict Oramah

Benedict Okey Oramah as president of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed as the permanent observer of the African Union to the United Nations, it’s a glorious dawn for Nigeria on the international stage.

Fatima Kyari Mohammed

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