TUESDAY 1ST JUNE 2021

Nigeria Concludes Marginal Field Bid Round, 18 Years After 80 winners get award certificates NNPC eyes stakes in five more private refineries Emmanuel Addeh The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) yesterday concluded the 2020 marginal oilfield bid round, the first

successful bid since 2003 when 24 assets were put on offer.

The process, which culminated in the presentation of letters to the bid winners in Abuja by the industry

regulator, started in June last year, with 57 marginal fields spanning land, swamp and offshore put up for lease by the federal government.

This came just as the

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday unfolded plans to acquire shares in five more private refineries in Nigeria, bringing to six its interests in refineries

it is targeting.

However, during the bid round, the DPR stated that 161 successful companies were shortlisted to advance to the final stage. Those

shortlisted were selected from 591 entities that applied for pre-qualification.

Marginal fields are smaller Continued on page 10

Stock Market Sheds N812bn in May as Investors Weigh Options... Page 6 Tuesday 1 June, 2021 Vol 26. No 9549. Price: N250

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South-east Grounded as Residents Comply with Sit-at-home Order Banks, schools, govt offices, markets closed; streets deserted Nseobong Okon-Ekong in Lagos, Christopher Isiguzo, Gideon Arinze in Enugu, David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka, Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki, Emmanuel UgwuNwogo in Umuahia and Amby Uneze in Owerri The five South-east states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, were shut down yesterday following the residents’ compliance with

the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The annual sit-at-home order, according to IPOB, is to honour fallen heroes of the Biafra in the 30-month civil war with Nigeria and those killed by security forces in the ongoing crackdown on separatist agitators.

THISDAY gathered that Continued on page 8

Afenifere, Ohanaeze, Middle Belt Seek National Conference to Birth New Constitution Say dialogue, restructuring only ways to address Nigeria's challenges Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The leadership of major sociocultural groups from Southern and Middle Belt part of Nigeria yesterday charted a new path for the emergence of a new constitution for Nigeria.

Their proposals, made at a dialogue session christened, 'The ‘Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential

Transition Inter-ethnic Peace Dialogue,’ in Abuja, came against the backdrop of the ongoing constitution review process being carried out by the National Assembly through public hearings in all the six geopolitical zones of the country.

Continued on page 10

THE NEW OIL SHEIKHS...

L-R: Managing Director, Emadeb Energy Services Ltd, Mr. Adebowale Olujimi; Managing Director, Dutchess Energy Ltd, Ms. Olatimbo Ayinde; Director/CEO, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Sarki Auwalu; Managing Director, Sigmund Oilfields, Mr. Emeka Okeke; and Chairman, Vhelbherg Exploration and Production Development Company, Mr. Bank-Anthony Okoroafor, during the 2020 marginal field bid round award, in Abuja…yesterday

Adamawa, Borno, Yobe Ranked Nigeria’s Most Dangerous States... Page 5

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NEWS Adamawa, Borno, Yobe Ranked Nigeria’s Most Dangerous States

Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike

Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

14 states classified as high-risk destinations Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Three states in the North-east, the epicentre of insurgency in Nigeria, Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, have been ranked as the most dangerous states in the country to travel to.

Fourteen others made it to the high-risk group, according to a new travel advisory compiled by a private security company, PR24, a copy of which THISDAY obtained yesterday.

The 14 states, which emerged on the high-risk list in the report last updated on May 19, 2021, are: Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Delta, Benue, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba and Zamfara.

While no state in Nigeria qualified to be classified as being secure, however, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Cross River, Edo, Ekiti, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger , Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT,) made it to the medium risk group.

According to the report, only

Lagos is fit to be classified as the only state with elevated risk, which indicated that increased level of caution should be exercised as distinct from extreme risk states, to which travels are not advised, high-risk states which require essential business travel only and medium, which require journey management and travel security.

The review showed that no state satisfied to be given the blue tick, which means that travellers should only exercise normal precautions.

For Adamawa, the security group said active cells of Boko Haram elements and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) were still operating in certain parts of the state, raising risk concerns to severe levels for business travellers.

It stated that the conflict between armed criminal groups and government security forces is a near regular occurrence in the state, same for Borno and Yobe.

In Akwa Ibom, the report stated that certain gunmen

operating in the state launched some attacks on government security forces, installation and personnel while police stations have been burnt, with vehicles and other assets lost in the attacks.

The activities of unknown gunmen in Anambra were attacks on government security forces personnel and assets in areas like Akwuzu, Oyi LGA, Anaocha LGA and Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA have been recorded, PR24 said had heightened insecurity in the state.

The story is the same in Abia with attacks on government installations and security personnel by unknown gunmen contributing to higher levels of risk for business travellers in the state.

It stated that one of the major

security issues in Kogi State is that of kidnapping, which often occurs along major highways such as the Okene–Lokoja highway.

“Armed gunmen have also been logged operating within the state, in Dekina and Kogi LGAs. The state also records instances of farmer-herdsmen conflict and carry a distinct possibility of sudden violent outbreaks,” the report added.

In Kwara, it identified civil unrest as a major threat factor in the state, fuelled by clashes between commercial drivers and government forces, communal clashes and ethnoreligious skirmishes within the metropolis.

However, in Lagos, which scored highest in terms of general security, the company stated that high road usage and

poor travel conditions result in an increased risk of road traffic accidents within the state.

“Cult and gang activities also threaten business travel within the state, especially in communities under Ikorodu and Badagry LGAs. Additional layers of security are advised to maintain personal safety in some areas,” it added.

In Niger, insurgency and kidnapping were listed as major threat factors, while in Ogun, repeated attacks by rogue herdsmen on farming settlements in Odogbolu, and Imeko-Afon LGAs increase travel risk along that axis.

It is the same for Ondo, where clashes between herders and farmers are also prevalent in the state, while Osun State faces heightened risk of gunmen attack and cult and gang

activities have a free reign.

It said that Plateau State carried a high kidnap risk, especially along expressways with reduced government security forces visibility as well as record of farmer-herdsmen conflict.

Gunmen attacks are a threat for business travellers in Rivers State, according to the report, as cult and gang activities are another major threat for business travellers within the state.

Taraba State faces attacks by rogue herdsmen in Wukari and Karim Lamido , especially, the PR24 report said.

“Takum and Jalingo LGAs also carry increased threat ratings at this time, due to reported incidents of bandit attacks on the citizenry and security forces posted in the area,” the advisory added.

Promote Peace, Stability, Ganduje Tells Editors Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, yesterday appealed to editors not to join in beating drums of war for the breakup of the country.

Declaring open the 2021 Biennial Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in Kano, the governor said some media organisations in recent times had crossed redlines, by threatening the nation’s unity, harmony and integration through their reportage.

He said: “It is very important at this time that we should use the media for the promotion of peace and stability and change the viewpoints that could alter public views and sentiment toward a more peaceful resolution of our multifaceted current crises.

"If and only if we as a nation are interested in peace and harmony, we must reject hate propaganda machinery. In the main, this is a time editors should be conflict-sensitive about our nation.

“In other words, I have a feeling that the crossing of redlines by some media organisations in recent times has impacted on the nation’s unity, harmony and integration.

“Our brave, collective pursuit in uniting this nation, underscores the fact that for as long as we have a common purpose, we will find no obstacle big enough to stop us from marching on. The media and particularly our gatekeepers have a role to play in this regard.

“Besides, this is a time the editors should exercise the social responsibility you have to your country. Even if the governing authorities in Nigeria are encountering challenges in their strategy to develop the country, it is not enough to join in some fervent advocacy that seeks to beat drums of war to

break up this country. I would like to appeal to you, the gatekeepers, to note that there is already some groundswell of opinion, which seems to be building some consensus on the expediency of restructuring the nation.

"That advocacy should not be confused with rebellious acts of some elements who would like to destabilise our great country.

“The media has a great role to play here in setting agenda for nation building.

So, some ignorant and reckless commentators in your midst should be very careful in exercising freedom of speech at this time. That freedom can’t be exercised without some (social) responsibility.”

According to him, the freedom of the press and observance of press professional conduct are measured as indices of development in any country.

He added: “Based on my understanding, the Nigerian press is one of the freest in global context, but some obvious professional misconduct in the media has curiously become excessive, in this regard.

“I believe that absence of an influential press council that should regulate the print media, specifically has become an institutional weakness that should be tackled without delay.

“All controversies and litigations that have stalled the emergence of a respectable press council should be handled with care. There is therefore a sense in which we can say that the world over, self-regulation is not enough for any professional bodies. The question is; who watches over the watchdog too? You can see clearly that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has made some difference in regulating broadcasting, no matter our criticisms of the regulatory body, which even major broadcasters apologised to the other day.”

HIGHER RESPONSIBILITY...

L-R: Ekiti State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wale Fapounda; Speaker, House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye; new Acting Chief Judge, Justice John Oyewole Adeyeye, and the Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, during the swearing-in of Justice Adeyeye as the acting chief judge, in Ado Ekiti ….yesterday

Report: Nigeria’s Losses Constrain OPEC Oil Output in May Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report Oil production output by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) rose in May as the group agreed to ease supply curbs under a pact with allies, but was dampened by involuntary reductions by Nigeria and Angola as well as a drop in Iranian exports.

The 13-member oil cartel has pumped 25.52 million barrels per day (bpd) in May, the survey found, up 280,000 bpd from April, with output rising every month since June 2020, except in February.

Hoping for a global demand recovery, OPEC and allies, known as OPEC+, decided from May 1 to ease more of the record supply cuts made in 2020.

OPEC+ meets today and delegates expect producers to stick to the existing plan, a Reuters report noted.

The OPEC+ agreement allows for a 277,000 bpd increase in OPEC output in May compared with April and Saudi Arabia had pledged to add 250,000 bpd as part of a plan to gradually unwind a one million barrels per day (bpd) voluntary cut made in February, March and April.

But with reductions in other countries offsetting the Saudi move, the increase in May OPEC output found by the survey is less than expected, and the group is still pumping much less than called for under the deal.

OPEC compliance with pledged cuts was 122 per cent in May, the survey found, versus 123 per cent in April.

The biggest increase in May of 340,000 bpd came from Saudi Arabia as it began to unwind the voluntary cut and raised output as part of the May 1 OPEC+ boost.

OPEC’s number two producer, Iraq, also pumped more in May, the survey found, adding an extra 70,000 bpd and pushing output beyond its quota.

Libya, one of the OPEC members exempt from making voluntary cuts, boosted output in May after a force majeure on oil loadings from the port of Hariga was lifted.

These increases were limited by involuntary reductions elsewhere in the group, with the biggest drop being Nigeria, where exports slowed from a number of terminals, in addition to Angolan supply, which has been in long-term decline.

Iran, which has managed to raise exports since the fourth quarter despite sanctions by the United, States, exported less in May due to lower demand in China.

The survey aimed to track supply to the market and is based on shipping data provided by external sources, Refinitiv Eikon flows data, information from tanker trackers such as Petro-Logistics and Kpler, and information provided by sources at oil companies, OPEC and consultants.

The report did not indicate the quantity produced by Nigeria in May, however, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in one of its latest releases, noted that Nigeria maintained 1.52 million bpd OPEC production cut in the first quarter of 2021.

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Stock Market Sheds N812bn in May as Investors Weigh Options Goddy Egene The rally witnessed in the equities market in April was halted in May as rising yields in the fixed income securities market reduced demand by investors.

Owing to this, the market, which gained N418 billion in April, depreciated further by N812 billion in May. The market capitalisation fell from N20.847 trillion at the beginning of the month to close at N20.035 trillion yesterday.

Similarly, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited All-Share Index (ASI) declined by 3.5 per cent from 39,834.42 to 38,437.88 yesterday.

The 2020 full year and 2021 first quarter(Q1) corporate earnings had triggered high demand for stocks, leading to a gain in April after a bear run in February and March.

However, the gain could not be sustained in May following indecision among traders, who are weighing their options on whether or not to shift investments to the rising yields in the fixed income market and other investment options.

For instance, yield on longterm 30-year sovereign bond has appreciated from seven per cent in December 2020 to 14.2 per cent last Friday and more institutional investors and other risk averse traders are getting attracted to the investment space.

Commenting on the market performance, the Chief Research Officer, Investdata Consulting, Mr. Ambrose Omordion, said the weak outcome resulted partly from indecision among the traders despite better-thanexpected corporate earnings in the midst of weak economic data and rising insecurity challenges.

“The low traded volume and mixed sentiment for the

month May is a reflection of inactive position of institutional investors as recovery yields in the fixed income space is diverting funds from the stock market.

“With the outcome of last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, prevailing economic data and corporate earnings that are looking up, we envisage a reversal in trend as March year end accounts have started to hit the market and half-year interim dividend/ earnings season is underway.

"Coupled with oil price trading around $70, we have projected the year 2021 to close positively despite the ongoing mix trend here and there.

"This is a vaccine year with breakthroughs in vaccines that had led to global vaccination, which are supporting economic recovery of different climates and oil prices in the international market. The month negative performance is an opportunity for discerning investors and traders to position and build wealth,” Omordion added.

Earlier, some operators and analysts had said the rising yields might prevent the rally witnessed in April from extending to other months.

The Executive Director, NOVA Merchant Bank, Mrs. Funke Okoya, had said whilst rising yield might undercut the rally on equities in the months ahead, the discounted valuation on stocks was an opportunity for passive investors to build portfolios, capable of delivering superior returns over the long term.

Okoya stated that as much as the rising yield presents a downside risk to equity offerings and they continue to rebalance clients' portfolio to reflect their proactive view on the different segments of the market and broader macro outlook, they remained buyers

of equities.

She said: “Albeit we are very selective in our stock options and this is perhaps one of those times when it is clinically important for portfolio managers to ensure investment decisions on discretionary portfolios are strictly aligned with client profiling, which is one of our fundamental guiding principles in either advising clients or managing their wealth.

"The rising yield environment also reinforce the call of NOVA Merchant Bank's investment banking subsidiary for corporate clients to accelerate

their debt capital plans and execution, to take advantage of the yield environment, which has seen a steep rise over the past four months.”

A financial analyst, Abiola Rasaq, said with rising yield on fixed income market, investors might be reducing exposure to equities, a phenomenon which may reflect the moderating risk appetite of both retail and institutional investors.

“Notably, the search for higher return on investments, which stimulated capital flows into equity market late 2020 and early 2021, especially from

local pensions and traditional asset managers, is gradually easing, given considerable rise in yield on fixed income securities, which have seen average of 550 basis points rise year-to-date,” Rasaq said.

According to him, though real interest rate or put differently the inflationadjusted return on fixed income securities is still negative given the 50-month-high headline inflation rate of 18.17 per cent, compared to the average 14.1 per cent yield on the 30-year benchmark bond, the yearto-date rise in interest rate (using the Soverign yield

curve as a proxy) was likely to undermine cash allocation to equities, especially as institutional investors may become concerned that higher inflation and relatively weak economic recovery may weaken corporate earnings growth in the near term.

He said: “Double-digit return on risk-free sovereign notes may unfortunately undermine some progress made over the past 18 months, when the lower interest rate environment partly helped in reducing the crowd-out effect of public sector borrowing in stimulating capital flow to the private sector.”

WELCOME TO LAGOS… L-R: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during a courtesy visit to the governor, in Ikeja... yesterday

Lawan, Northern Govs, Others Warn against Reprisal over Gulak's Murder Killing negates Igbo custom, says Ohanaeze

Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja, Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu, Seriki Adinoyi in Jos and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; the Northern Governors' Forum, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, yesterday joined in condemning Sunday's killing of a former Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Ahmed Gulak.

They also warned against allowing the killing of Gulak in Owerri to stoke ethnic tensions, appealing to people to allow the police and other security agencies to handle the case.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, distanced Ndigbo from the killing, saying the act negates Igbo custom.

Lawan, while reacting to the killing of the former aide to exPresident Goodluck Jonathan, described his assassination as one crime too many. He called

for a swift investigation to bring all perpetrators to justice.

According to him, there can be no justification for the murder of a human being and fellow citizen.

Lawan, however, appealed for restraint on the part of those callling for revenge, saying they should allow the relevant authorities to serve justice on the matter as the injury of the crime was inflicted on Nigeria as a whole.

He condoled with the family and friends of the deceased as well as the government and people of Adamawa State over the incident.

The Northern Governors' Forum also described the assassination of Gulak as most unfortunate.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong, said in a statement in Jos that the murder of Gulak was a criminal act and should be treated as such.

He warned against insinuations and politicisation of the murder that could lead to further violence.

Lalong said the report by the police that they had identified

and killed the suspected assassins should further be consolidated upon to enable security agencies forestall future occurrence.

In condemning the killing, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement by its spokesman, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, described the murder as “a death too many because of the wrong signal it had sent to the general public.”

It said the killing negated Igbo custom on how a visitor should be treated.

He added: “The Igbo custom places a very high premium on the wellbeing and hospitality of a guest” as the host would even “pay the supreme prize in order to protect the life of a guest.”

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led

by Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, expresses great concern over the recent developments in the South-east of Nigeria; a zone noted for peace, tranquillity, hard work and smooth economic activities.

“Obiozor is saddened by the death of Ahmed Gulak. He described Gulak as an ebullient and sagacious achiever, a detribalised patriot whose

active presence was felt in any gathering.

“Our heart goes to the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who has remained in deep mourning since the death of Gulak.

“Our sympathy goes to the immediate family of Gulak and the good people of Adamawa State for this calamity," Ohanaeze Ndigbo stated.

On his part, Uzodimma bemoaned the way Gulak was assassinated, saying he did not deserve to die that way.

Uzodimma said in a broadcast that Gulak's murder was a personal loss to him because he was both an invaluable brother and friend.

He also debunked claims that his convoy was attacked over the incident.

He said: “The death of this compatriot is a personal loss to me because he was an invaluable friend and brother whose sense of justice, fairness and uprightness endeared him to me. I was shocked to my marrows when the sad news of his callous murder was broken to me."

The Arewa Youth for Peace

and Security also described the killing of Gulak as political.

National President of the group, Alhaji Salisu Magaji, in an interview in Bauchi yesterday, cautioned Nigerians against giving Gulak’s murder ethnic coloration.

Magaji stated that Northern elders and leaders had been going to the South-east daily without any problem, adding that Igbo have also been going about their legitimate businesses in the North without any hitch.

He urged Nigerians not to allow the assassination of Gulak to be used to further cause division and disunity among them, adding that "the killing of Gulak is political, and should not be given any ethnic or tribal coloration."

On his part, Ngige condemned the murder of Gulak, describing it as wicked, unwarranted and unnecessary.

In a statement by his Media Office in Abuja, the minister said: “It is not in our character as Ndigbo to shed blood for any reason and for any cause. Peace, consultation and accommodation are integral to our republicanism as a race.

Ndigbo cannot afford to be linked to a senseless murder or any other action that can bitterly sour our relationship with our brothers from other parts of Nigeria. ” Also reacting to the killing, a politician and businessman, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, appealed to Northerners to avoid revenge.

He described the killing as a cowardly act, adding that the development was a reprehensible conduct that could plunge the nation into further conflict.

He called for an urgent action to end ongoing killings in the country.

In a statement yesterday by his media office, OlawepoHashim said: "The murder is reminiscent of First Republic killings but appealed to Northerners to avoid any act of reprisal in this moment of grief.

"In this 2021, we should bear the pain as a sacrifice for national unity. We need no revenge action as the perpetrators of this evil act have been promptly apprehended and will certainly be brought to justice by the police.”

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Lawyers Count Losses as Workers’ Strike Persists Say no civilised nation allows shutdown of judiciary Alex Enumah in Abuja As the strike embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) enters its eighth week, lawyers have lamented that the strike has compounded the woes of the judiciary, which is already reeling under severe stress, overwork, congestion, and chronic delay of cases due to systemic failure.

The lawyers also condemned the poor handling of the grievances of the striking workers who went on a strike to press home their demand for financial autonomy for state judiciaries.

They said no civilised nation would have allowed its judiciary to be shut down for even a day.

The lawyers, during separate interviews with THISDAY, stated that the impact of the strike would linger on the nation, which is yet to fully recover from the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The courts were shut down for most part of last year,

due to COVID-19 lockdown, impairing the speedy and smooth dispensation of justice.

However, while the courts were still struggling to overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdown, judicial workers grounded the courts with strike.

JUSUN on April 6 embarked on an indefinite strike to protest the refusal of state governments to grant financial autonomy to the state judiciaries.

Although hope that the matter would soon be resolved had emerged two weeks ago after the striking workers agreed to call off the strike once payment is made directly into the account of the judiciary in each state, that hope seems to be fading away as it was learnt last week that the governors were yet to sign an agreement earlier reached with the workers.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, Secretary to the Government of

the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha and the leadership of the judiciary had met two weeks ago to resolve issues leading to the strike.

Speaking on the issue, the lawyers stated that the strike has paralysed the entire legal system.

According to a senior lawyer, Mr. John Baiyeshea, (SAN) the strike has compounded the woes of the judiciary, which is already reeling under severe stress, overwork, congestion and chronic delay of cases.

He said: "The damage already done to the administration of justice is colossal, and we cannot recover anytime soon.

"This is all part of gross under development of very debilitating and tragic dimension.

"No civilised nation will allow this important sector to be shut down for one day, not to talk of two months now, with no end in sight."

Assessing the impact of the strike on lawyers, Baiyeshea said since lawyers’ main job

is in adjudication, most of the chambers have been idle, with clients no longer paying fees for services.

He added that clients are also frustrated because their cases and in some instances their businesses and means of livelihood have been locked down.

According to him, some clients have their funds locked up in the banks and need court orders for them to have access to them.

"Most of what we do in the legal profession end up in courts to be tested, and for the rights and obligations of parties to be determined through litigation.

"So courts are closed as a result of the strike, lawyers are idle, we are in our chambers doing nothing.

"The clients go away, and they are not paying fees.

What are they paying for?

They are not happy that their cases are locked down.

Their expectations are lost, and short down. There is no motivation for them to pay for services that are not

rendered.

"Even our colleagues in corporate practice cannot function optimally, because the key aspect of the whole justice sector is down totally.

"There is so much economic setback for lawyers whose earnings are severely affected. Funds are being contributed by senior lawyers in various branches of NBA, now to give palliative to junior colleagues. This is similar to what was done during the COVID-19 lockdown of last year," he added.

Another senior lawyer, Mr. Dayo Akinlaja (SAN), said the country was going through difficult times owing to the lengthy time it is taking to resolve the industrial dispute, urging Nigerians to seek the intervention of God in resolving the logjam.

"The situation is obviously tiresome. It has socially and economically negatively impacted on lawyers, nonlawyers and the nation at large. The indices are tellingly

there. It is a testament to the ominous times we are in. May the good Lord have mercy on our nation," he stated.

An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu ObasiNweze, said the impact of the workers' strike was visible on all sectors of the economy.

"Much as we lawyers are in support of financial autonomy for the judiciary, we are not unaware of the hardship it is occasioning on the society and the lawyers in particular - the list is unending.

"Just imagine a person in detention and trying to enforce his/her fundamental rights, for instance. But all I can say personally is that nothing good comes easy.

We're already at the tail end of the strike, expectedly", he said.

Obasi-Nweze stated that once the judiciary is truly autonomous, it will be a good foundation for other good things to stand on, including elections.

the state capital and every entry and exit points to and from the state were empty as motorists and travellers avoided passing through the state. The ever-busy Wetheral Road, Douglas Road, Royce Road, Okigwe Road, Orlu Road, Onitsha Road, Port Harcourt Road and Aba Road were all empty.

However, security agents were alleged to have used the occasion of sit-at-home order to raid some of the hostels and lodges of students of Imo State University, Owerri (IMSU) to arrest some of them.

A tweet from one of the student leaders had alerted the public to the arrest.

Efforts to speak with the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, a Superintendent of Police, proved abortive as he did not answer calls placed to his phone.

Shedding light on why there was total compliance with the sit-at-home order, spokesman of the pan-Igbo sociopolitical organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Hon. Alex Ogbonnia, told THISDAY from his residence in Enugu that every Igbo person felt the sense of injustice against the Igbo in Nigeria and was a willing participant in the sit-at-home protest to register their displeasure.

He said: "Even the governors of the Southeast states know what is happening. It is a simple way of showing that the marginalisation of the Igbo is becoming unbearable. We are hoping the presidency will address some of these concerns. If for instance, an Igbo man is announced as the Inspector General of Police or Chief of Army Staff, the people will jubilate. If there is a consensus to cede the presidency to the South-east in 2023, all these agitations will die naturally. You can’t continue to oppress a people who are very hardworking and contribute so much to the development of the country

and expect them to celebrate their subjugation."

Also, President of Igbo Youth Movement, Mr. Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko, said the refusal of the federal government to discuss with the agitators had strengthened their resolve to press home their demands.

He added: "The strange policy to only shoot and destroy the agitators without ever inviting them to present their position has convinced the people of this region that they are in a hostile political jail. The world over and all through history when between 5,000 and 10,000 people agitate about a situation the government of the land invites them to present their grievance. Nigeria is the only country where hundreds of thousands of people have been protesting over a particular situation in the last 21 years and the government continues to refuse to listen to them.

Instead, thousands of them have been killed in cold blood."

SOUTH-EAST GROUNDED AS RESIDENTS COMPLY WITH SIT-AT-HOME ORDER despite the assurance by the police that they would provide security for the people to go about their normal business, residents of the geopolitical zone, scared by possibility of violent attacks on defiant ones, kept indoors.

Streets were devoid of human and vehicular movements; markets, schools as well as banks were shut.

Not even threats of sanction from state governments could make civil servants to report for duty as government offices in the five states were also closed.

However, a gun duel between the police and IPOB fighters within Ebebe junction in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, reportedly claimed five lives.

In Anambra State, there was total compliance with the sit-at-home order as streets around Awka, the state capital, were totally deserted at 7:30 am when THISDAY went round the city to monitor the compliance level.

However, contrary to the information by the leader of the IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, that men of the security arm of the group, Eastern Security Network (ESN), would be deployed in the streets to enforce compliance, some motorists attending to emergencies were allowed passage without molestation.

There was also heavy deployment of a combined team of security personnel who moved round the town to ensure that no one was molested.

The Anambra State Police Command had on Sunday assured the residents that it would ensure that those who were willing to come out to carry out their businesses would not be molested.

Major markets in the state, including Onitsha Main Market, Eke Awka Market and Nkwo Nnewi Market were shut down as at the time of filing this report.

But no incident of violence

was registered in the state as a result of the exercise.

There was also total compliance in Ebonyi State as schools, banks, markets, motor parks, government offices and other public places were shut. There were also no human and vehicular movements within Abakaliki, the capital city.

An official of one of the banks at Awka, who sought not to be named, said in an interview with THISDAY that "I am not in the office. The bank will not work for today.

Who do you want to go to bank so that these people will come and kill them?

I am at home. There is no movement and so who will you attend to?”

However, some people who defied the directive and went out in the early hours of yesterday returned home with injuries and their belongings destroyed.

All the streets were also deserted with heavy presence of security agencies and operatives of Ebubeagu at some designated junctions.

Violence, resulting in sporadic gunshots and destruction of property, were witnessed in some parts of Ebonyi State.

The sporadic gun duel between the police and the agitators within Ebebe junction in Abakaliki capital city reportedly claimed five lives.

While the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aliyu Garba, confirmed that some of the suspected agitators were arrested, there was no official report on the alleged death of a policeman and four IPOB members.

However, a source at the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, said the police brought in about four corpses to the morgue.

THISDAY gathered that some of the agitators divided themselves into groups and laid ambush in a forest along Ogbaga Road, where they intercepted anyone who flouted the directive on sit-at-

home. They were said to have beaten up the violators and set their belongings ablaze.

An eyewitness said that many motorcycles were burnt while their riders fled with injuries.

A student of Ebonyi State University also told THISDAY that the sit-at-home order disrupted academic activities.

Another school proprietor had also notified to parents and guardians earlier that the school would not open today.

Empty streets, deserted roads, closed shops and business premises characterised the observance of the Biafra Day in Umuahia, the Abia State capital and Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state.

Residents of the two major Abia cities fully complied with the sit-at-home order.

The city centre of Umuahia was devoid of its usual bustling commercial activities as people remained in indoors.

Commercial transporters also withdrew their vehicles, while private vehicles deserted the roads.

Government institutions were also affected by the sit-at-home directive as schools and government offices did not open.

Banks and other corporate businesses equally shut their gates.

As at the time of filing this report, there was no presence of the police and other security agencies patrolling the streets in Umuahia.

The separatist agitators also comported themselves peacefully while marking the Biafra Day as there was no street parade, which usually attracted heavy response from security agencies as happened on previous occasions.

Kanu had while giving directives on the observance of this year's Biafra Day strictly warned against any street protest, saying that people should stay indoors and mourn the fallen heroes.

The order also recorded total compliance in Enugu State.

As early as 8am yesterday, major markets within the Enugu metropolis, including Abakpa, New Haven, Garki, and Holy Ghost were shut.

Markets in Nsukka areas were also empty.

Motor parks and other commercial places were equally deserted.

Streets that were usually filled with people were empty even as there were no vehicular movements.

Police patrol vans were seen around Okpara Avenue, adjacent to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office, Enugu.

The Enugu State Police Command had on Sunday, urged the residents of the state to disregard the order, warning that anybody or group harbouring any sinister intentions would be dealt with.

In a statement made available to journalists by the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, Daniel Ndukwe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu, had enjoined residents of the state to remain law-abiding, vigilant, as they went about their legitimate businesses.

The order also recorded 100 per cent compliance in Imo State.

Previous directives to mark the declaration of Biafra did not record the level of compliance observed in the state yesterday.

Analysts, however, attributed the total compliance this year to the heightened insecurity in the state.

The murder of a top chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former political adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Hon. Ahmed Gulak, on Sunday morning had heightened the fears of Imo residents and forced them to stay indoors.

All the major streets in

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NEWS AFENIFERE, OHANAEZE, MIDDLE BELT SEEK NATIONAL CONFERENCE TO BIRTH NEW CONSTITUTION The groups adopted a common position urging for an emergency national conference to birth a new constitution and pave the way for the restructuring of Nigeria.

The socio-cultural groups, comprising Afenifere (Southwest), Ohanaeze (South-east), Middle Belt and Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), said it was possible to reverse the current challenges facing Nigeria if the federal government could implement their recommendations.

Convener of the summit, Kennedy Iyere, said Nigeria might not make reasonable progress in 2023 if no genuine dialogue was held to address contentious issues.

Leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, while presenting the position of the Yoruba, which was also adopted by both the Ohanaeze and Middle Belt Forum, said the process for a genuine consensus on an acceptable national constitution should henceforth begin with the production of position documents by all nationalities between now and December.

He stated that going forward, Nigerians should be allowed to exercise their mandate and sovereignty on how they want to live together under mutually beneficial terms.

He added that the various regions in the country should be allowed to choose the type of government they want to adopt within their area, under a truly federal structure, which will guarantee some measure of autonomy and control over resources and policing of their entities.

According to him, there should be no artificially prescribed number of

regions in a manner that may foreclose the rights of the people that desire to organise themselves as a semi- autonomous regional member of the Nigerian state so long as the territory desiring such regional status can guarantee its self-sustenance and viability as an entity.

Adebanjo said: "Flowing from the above, something like the United Regions of Nigeria (URN) is hereby proposed.

"In this proposal, powers, mandate and authority to formulate the articles of association to form the Central Government of Nigeria shall in effect lie jointly and severally with the ethnic nationalities occupying their respective territories and not with lawmakers who were randomly picked.

"Nigeria shall be subsequently organised into a union or federation of voluntarily associating and cooperative regional entities like we had up till 1966. Unlike what we have presently, each region may have a constitution of its own which would spell out how it is to be governed.

"There would be a national constitution binding all the regions in the country together. In this latter, constitution would spelt out mutually agreed terms under which the peoples of the country agree to cohabit together as citizens of the same country."

He added that the proposal should serve as a template to encourage other ethnic nationalities to organise themselves and prepare terms that would guide their relationship with each other in the country in a harmonious and mutually respecting manner.

"From such collation of

terms would emerge regional constitutions out of which National Constitution would be forged. The constitution, be it at regional or national level, must accord unqualified respect to democratic norms and the rights of the people to actively participate in matters that have to do with their lives," he said.

Adebanjo added that the constitution must also emphasise true federalism in such a way that no region or area would have power to lord it over another region or area.

Among the expected contents of the envisaged regional constitutions as envisaged by Afenifere are unreserved powers of the regions over natural resources in their respective areas, like agriculture, education, health, electricity, security and economy.

He also proposed that each region should contribute 10 per cent of what it generates to the national purse, while retaining 30 per cent; with the states taking 35 per cent and the local governments taking 25 per cent.

Adebanjo said in order to ensure that the proposal would not be abandoned like other reports that have come from various panels or assemblages constituted by governments, timeline would be suggested to guide the process.

According to him, under the proposal, ethnic nationalities should be encouraged to prepare their document on terms of engagement between now and December 2021.

"The documents from the nationalities in which they propose the kind of regional government they want to form be collated and considered between January and March 2022.

"The product of this process should then produce the document that will become the Constitution of the United Regions of Nigeria or Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"A national referendum can be conducted on the adoption of the final Constitution for the Restructured Nigeria around the middle of 2022.

The said constitution can then become effective from October 01, 2022.

"A committee can be set up to work out the details of the proposal hereby suggested.

We are ready to present the details as we conceive it to the said committee if formed," he said.

The Afenifere leader also described as erroneous attempts to equate agitations for self-determination by groups in the South with secession. He said issue of true federalism must be central in every constitution or article of engagement for the federating units.

He added that the concept of true federalism that is acceptable to Afenifere is that which emphasises self-determination.

On its part, Ohanaeze said while it endorsed the proposals by Afenifere, there should be an emergency national conference to consider the proposals of various ethnic groups and also to review the reports of previous national conferences so as to come up with a new constitution accepted by all.

Former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, who made the presentation on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide President General, Ambassador George Obiozor, said the genesis of the problem being witnessed in the country started when the military took over power in 1966 and removed the federal

constitution that would have guided the country to a viable economic and political entity.

Earlier, Obiozor who spoke briefly before leaving the meeting for another engagement, warned that no one should be under any illusion that he could pocket the rest of the country and dictate what they should do.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali Umar Na'Abba, urged Nigerians to focus on issues that promote national unity, adding that "any region that decided to pull out of Nigeria will not leave the way they think it is going to be."

However, tension was raised when the leader of the Northern Consensus Initiative, Dr. Awal Abdullahi, said that the North was no longer opposed to a breakup of the country.

He said: "The North before now was saying we don't believe in separation, but as I'm standing, I'm telling you that if there is going to be separation tomorrow, the North is ready for it; we are also ready. Let's go our different ways and I am telling you this with all sincerity. Northern Nigeria before now did not want to hear anything separation but as at today, as I speak to you, the North is equally ready.

"What I am saying might be controversial, but I am speaking the mind of Northerners and I have no apology to anyone in this hall, although I respect the leaders and elders here but I have no apology to anybody on what I say."

However, the Leader of the Middle Belt Forum, Mr. Pogu Bitrus, countered Abdullahi's position, saying that the Middle Belt will not pull out of the country with

the core North.

He said: "So if my brother says the North is going, be sure the Middle-Belt is not going with you; you are on your own. We have served and sacrificed for this country.

The war that occurred, the Middle-Belt was used to fight while the North sat back to enjoy."

Bitrus stated that the Middle Belt has adopted the proposal of Afenifere and Ohanaeze as a common position on ways to rescue the country.

He added that the 2023 general election can only hold if the government enacts electoral law approving electronic voting.

He said the region also supported the restructuring of the country.

President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Mr. Jonathan Asake, also supported the call for a national dialogue to fashion out a new constitution that will guarantee equity and fairness to all nationalities in the country.

Also, another group, the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDPF), met yesterday in Abuja and canvassed a national dialogue to address the challenges facing Nigeria.

In a communiqué jointly signed by the Co-chairmen of IDPF, Mr. Kunle Sanni Ishaq and Bishop Sunday Onuoha, the religious leaders said: "We are using this medium to appeal to the Nigerian governments to do the needful by organising a national dialogue so as to provide a forum for holistic suggestions and recommendations that will bring about the new Nigeria that will address the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens, as well as ensuring public safety and protection."

its interests in refineries it is targeting.

The corporation, which had earlier indicated interest in acquiring 20 per cent stake in the 650,000 barrels per day upcoming Dangote Refinery in Lagos, said its interest in acquiring equity participation in some private refineries was in line with extant federal government policy.

The NNPC stated that the policy stipulates the mandatory participation of the corporation in any privately-owned refinery that exceeds 50,000 barrels per day capacity in keeping with its statutory role of safeguarding national energy security.

NNPC, in a statement in Abuja by its spokesman, Dr. Kennie Obateru, said it had identified at least six refinery projects in which it would seek equity participation, with five of them at the development stage while the Dangote Refinery is the largest of them.

It added that NNPC as a national oil company primarily has a dual role of providing stewardship for the nation’s hydrocarbon resources and adding value to the resources for the benefit of all Nigerians and other stakeholders.

“These roles enable it to achieve the twin objectives of providing energy security for the country and stimulating

the nation’s economic development and growth,” NNPC stated.

The statement said that NNPC’s strategic plan to ensure energy security and stimulate economic growth with limited resources required it to consider strategic partnerships with competent investors in sectors of the oil and gas value chain, especially where it currently operates on a sole risk basis.

According to the corporation, the oil refining sector is one of such segments where it is revisiting its strategy in order to strengthen domestic refining capacity and guarantee national energy security.

“The new vision is to grow domestic refining capacity, improve petroleum products supply from our local refineries and become a net exporter of petroleum product,” it stated.

NNPC assured all stakeholders that the move to seek equity participation in the private refineries will not undercut its commitment to the rehabilitation of its refineries and strengthening the domestic refining sector.

It stated that the overall goal is to boost the nation’s refining capacity with a view to becoming a net exporter of petroleum products soon and to grow the nation’s economy.

NIGERIA CONCLUDES MARGINAL FIELD BID ROUND, 18 YEARS AFTER oil blocks typically developed by indigenous companies and have remained unproduced for a period of over 10 years.

Some of the companies, which emerged winners included: Matrix Energy, AA Rano, Andova Plc, Duport Midstream, Genesis Technical, Twin Summit, Bono Energy, Deep Offshore Integrated, Oodua Oil, MRS and Petrogas.

Others are: North Oils and Gas, Pierport, Metropole, Pioneer Global, Shepherd Hill, Akata, NIPCO, Aida, YY Connect, Accord Oil, Pathway Oil, Tempo Oil and Virgin Forest, among others.

It was a big win for local oil and gas companies, which had a good outing during the ceremony as 100 per cent of the beneficiaries of the exercise were indigenous entities.

Nigeria last conducted marginal field bid rounds in 2003, with 16 of the fields now contributing just two per cent to the national oil and gas reserves, a figure the DPR said would be substantially boosted by the latest exercise, worth about $500 million in signature bonuses.

At the presentation of letters to the winners, DPR Director, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, stated that a total of 591 firms submitted expression of interest forms, out of which 540

were pre-qualified, while 482 were bids submitted by 405 applicants.

He said: “In the end, 161 companies were shortlisted as potential awardees, out of which 50 per cent has met all conditions and therefore eligible for awards today. We are set to ensure opportunities are extended to other deserving applicants to fill the gap.

“The DPR is not just a regulator, we are an opportunity house. We drive creativity and transformation and we use these in all of our activities. This is done in the overriding national interest.”

According to him, the bid will enhance economic growth, increase Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and create employment, while with the experience garnered before now, mistakes of the past will be avoided.

He said that the desire of the government was for the awardees to hit “first oil” in record time, adding that a technical workshop will be organised with all bid winners for guidance on field development and operations.

He pledged to support the bid winners to operate within the country’s oil and gas space, urging them to take advantage of the oil and gas centre recently inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Despite the daunting challenges of the triple force (oil price crash, global pandemic and production cuts) in 2020, which dealt a severe blow on the world market and global economy, the DPR forged ahead with government aspirations for the industry,” he said.

He stated that the exercise was carried out in two phases, expression of interest and prequalification, as well as technical and financial phase.

He said the phase one ensured that applicants were subjected to screening of basic documentations such as shareholders’ details, directors, management team, procedures and systems, legal and association status, basic technical capability, financial capability and corporate accountability.

Auwalu stated that the DPR has now provided opportunities through the marginal field bid round to indigenous operators for wealth creation and economic growth consistent with government’s drive for increased GDP, employment generation and improved revenue.

“The DPR will continue to follow up and guide the awardees every step of the way. For instance, a guiding template of working agreement has been drafted for joint awardees and discussions have reached

advanced stage between DPR and lease holders on the Farmout agreement and other technical enablers,” he added.

Earlier, the Head, Basinal Assessment and Lease Administration (BALA) of the organisation, Mr. Edu Inyang, said when the exercise was being embarked upon, the objectives were to increase indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry, increase reserves, rev up technological transfer, attract investment and enhance revenue generation.

He stated that a large part of the objectives had been achieved, with the culmination of the process in the presentation of letters.

Assistant Director, DPR, Mr. Abel Nsa, in his remarks, said with the revocation of 11 licences, Nigeria was losing a lot of revenue, with taxes and royalties not being paid on the assets, leaving about 40 million barrels unproduced and many opportunities missed.

NNPC Eyes Stakes in Five More Private Refineries The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday unfolded plans to acquire shares in five more private refineries in Nigeria, bringing to six

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

THEVIRTUES OF OPEN GRAZING

Even though there are obvious problems, herders should not be stampeded into abandoning open grazing of cattle, argues Junaidu Maina Hyenas urinating upwind to stampede the cattle below -African proverb ccording to a popular adage when you are in a tunnel, what you need is light, not sound. However, light at the end of the tunnel on issues relating to cattle husbandry is long time coming, given the ill-tempered and sometimes uninformed exchanges on open grazing.

Self-styled experts are attempting to stampede governments to ban open grazing by advancing fictitious arguments such as: no land for roaming cattle, data on land use shows otherwise or that ranching is the global best practice for keeping cattle, while in subSaharan Africa, ranches exist only in parts of Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa and falsely claiming that ranches have replaced pastoralism in Kenya and Ethiopia, while the Maasai and the Oromos respectively, still practice pastoralism in these countries.

Examination of data on land use will illustrate the logic of open grazing. It is true that population has increased over the years, also more land has been put to farming and infrastructure, but analysis of data shows that for 20 million cattle and 200m Nigerians, there is more than enough land. For a start Kano State, one of the most densely populated state, is home to about one million cattle and there is relative tranquility.

Nigeria has a land mass of 92.3m ha, with 70.8m ha of agricultural area but only 34-35m ha was cultivated last year. For sake of discussion let’s look at maize production. Available data shows that in same 2020 only about 12m tons was produced. Research findings have shown that 86% of cereal biomass is made of materials not consumable by humans, but ruminants (cattle, etc.) can convert that into high quality animal protein.

The implication is that over 50m tons of crop residue will be wasted if not consumed by cattle. Not to mention sorghum that accounts for 50% of total cereal production and occupies about 45% of total land area devoted to cereal production. Add to these, the millions of tons of grasses on fallow land and open range. To access these fodders which are mainly available only in situ, cattle must move and openly graze. In most cases this is done with the expressed permission of farmers for a fee. Cattle generally move along moisture gradients (North in the wet and south in dry season respectively) on International transhumance stock routes recognized under usufructuary rights. This explains why a kilo of beef sells for N1700. Therefore, until the country has a program to process these quality fodders, banning open grazing will be ‘dog in the manger’ policy. But I accept that rogue elements amongst herders engage in criminality and the justice system has failed to prosecute them.

I also need to draw attention to a special category of pastoralists called agropastoralists. These are small scale livestock producers that settle in communities all over Nigeria. They negotiate with members of the host community for land to build their homestead, grow crops and keep cattle. During the cropping season they kraal animals away from farms. In fact, many of the animals in their herds belong to members of the host communities. Clusters of these type of producers exist in the south, along Iseyin-Igangan axis in Oyo State, in Adada-NkpologuAdani-Iggah axis in Enugu State and along Awgu-Nkanu-Abakaliki

A

POULTRY REVOLUTION DID NOT JUST HAPPEN, IT WAS MADE TO HAPPEN BY DELIBERATE GOVERNMENT POLICIES, PUBLIC-PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP AND THE NIGERIAN SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP. SAME TECHNOLOGY CAN TRANSFORM THE CATTLE INDUSTRY FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL

axis in Ebonyi State to mention a few. Some of these settlements have existed for upwards of 70 years, sequel to veterinary interventions that made it possible for cattle to stay year-round. Many of these pastoralists are law abiding, they speak the local languages, their children are in schools, their wives engage in trades and have fully integrated into the community. Consensus among livestock experts is that agropastoralism, peri-urban and urban livestock production systems account for over 90% of dairy products in sub-Sharan Africa.

These producers adopt research findings, benefit from government extension services and comply with public health regulations. A ban on open grazing will destroy this system and uproot these producers. And the reason is simply this.

A ban on open grazing literally means changing from agropastoralism to Zero grazing system cold turkey. In Zero grazing, animals are kept in stalls and fed entirely on purchased specially prepared rations to enable them to produce plenty of milk or fatten quickly. Agropastoral cows have poor productivity and live on grass and occasional crop residue.

Rule of thumb, a local cow consumes 2.5% of its body weight and consumes about 15 litres of water. The average herd size of agropastoralists is between 20-35 animals. So, for 200kg cow, a herder must cut and carry 110kg of grass and source 200litres of water daily. This is an impossible task. So, a law abiding Nigerians trying to eke out a living from cattle business has two choices, stay and lose your means of livelihood or leave town.

The term ranching is not clearly defined in this country, so all intensive or enclosed livestock production systems are categorized as ranching. However, a ranch is a very large area of rangeland that is enclosed where animals roam and openly graze. It is in view of that, the Land Use Act recommends allocation of up to 5,000 ha for livestock farming. So, if state governors genuinely believe in ranching, they should put their money where their mouth is, and allocate the recommended hectares to ranchers. The statement that states go into ranching because there is no land is incongruent. According to FAO, 33% of global land is under cultivation for animal feeds while 30% of the entire earth surface is permanently under pasture to support global intensive livestock production.

Against all odds open grazing has success story. Ethiopia has a landmass of 110m with 60m cattle, three times that of Nigeria under open grazing. Ethiopia is one of the fastest growing economy in Africa with livestock production covering 40% of agricultural output and contributing 13-16% of the total GDP. Without any doubt cattle production is facing a myriad of challenges associated with husbandry, the misconducts of some herders, climate change and local politics. In today’s world technology is the weapon of first choice to overcome most challenges associated with livestock production. Nigeria has successfully applied genetics to produce high-yielding Day-old Chicks, hybrid seeds to increase yields of maize and soybeans for massive production of quality commercial poultry feeds and veterinary sciences to deliver healthcare services to poultry.

Dr Maina is former Director, Federal Livestock Department

MALI: HOW THE COUP WAS PREDICTED! Soyombo Opeyemi writes that military officers seize power in order to enrich themselves

B

elow are excerpts from the article, “Nigeria and Mali at 60: Reflections on lust for power”, published in the some national papers on October 31 2020.

“In virtually all the cases, whether in Nigeria or Mali, no military officers seize power on behalf of the people. The military usually cashes in on the frustration of the public to stage a coup in order to satisfy the lust of its officers for power. Hence one military coup usually leads to another.”

The situation is the same in Mali. The rigging of parliamentary elections, using the electoral body and the judiciary, the abuse of power and misuse of security agents against the people (protesters) constituted the proverbial last straw that broke the camel’s back.

But let no one be deceived. Military officers do not grab power on behalf of the masses. When Lt. Moussa Traore seized power by force of arms from the civilian President Modibo Keita in 1968, the Malian citizens welcomed the ‘saviour’ from the barracks! Traore had cashed in on the economic hardship of the masses. But what did the Malians get in return for their embrace of the unelected ‘saviour’? Brutal dictatorship that lasted for 22 years until another military putsch swept Traore from power!

Consequently, my snorts of contempt could be heard on the streets of Bamako when on 18 August, 2020, news filtered to the world that many Malian civilians had welcomed the military putsch against the embattled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, who had failed to succumb to the month-long massive street protests calling for his resignation.

Coups after coups, the African populations have failed to learn from history!

“Well, the Army took over and they continued

to blunder. They continued to do what they were trained to do: that is, to destroy: to kill; and to loot,” submitted Chief Mbazulike Amechi, Minister of Aviation in the First Republic.

Have we not been here before? Have Malians not been there before? Nigerians, in their millions, from North to South, welcomed virtually all military coups. But what did we get at the end of each and every coup d’état?

A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Alfa Belgore, once lamented how military rule stifled Nigerian development. He recalled the many development agreements with the German government in critical sectors of the country’s economy in the early 60s, which had to be abandoned because of army rule. The strong economic foundation laid by our founding founders began a gradual plunge from the period of military take-over in January 15, 1966, notwithstanding the oil money that came later, which was largely mismanaged. Martial rule signalled the premature death or decimation of hundreds of flourishing industries, many of them multi-nationals.

Even those established during the heyday of the army rule did not survive the depredations of the subsequent military governments, as one coup succeeded another. The then flourishing private/ mission schools were taken over by force, progressively decayed and destroyed. Today, the carcasses of these schools are being returned to their original owners! The public corporations too collapsed under the mismanagement of military regimes - Nigerian Railway, Nigeria Airways, Nigerian National Shipping Line, etc. Indeed, things became so bad for the country that national aircraft and ships were seized in foreign countries on account of unpaid debts!

No government could match the military regimes in the art of corruption. Indeed, it can be argued that the civil governments accused of corruption by

coup-makers could actually pass for saints. Indeed, the civilian public officers who currently indulge in corruption could be said to have learnt the art of brazen larceny from military regimes. General Abacha alone is credited to have looted about $5 billion.

When on the 13th day of September, the media was awash with the report that the alliance of opposition politicians and civil society groups (the M5-RFP) who had led the masses to stage enormous street demonstrations, had rejected a transition charter of the Colonel Assimi Goita-led National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), accusing the military junta/ coupists of an attempt to “grab and confiscate power”, noting that the military document “did not reflect the views and decisions of the Malian people,” I simply sniggered!

Even when you dine with the devil with a long spoon, the cutlery will still be grabbed from you and confiscated! Col. Goita! Officers of his ilk are merely band of opportunists, who love to fish in troubled waters in order to satisfy their lust for political power. But for the decision of ECOWAS to shutter its borders and demand a civilian transition leadership, Col. Assimi Goita planned to remain in power for three years, during which he most likely would have settled down to transmute from military to a civilian dictator!

ECOWAS and Malians should be vigilant.

Goita may still overthrow the newly-inaugurated Transitional President, Bah Ndaw, in order to satisfy the coupists’ lust for power. No military officers seize power on behalf of the masses!

In order to preserve constitutional rule in the region, ECOWAS leaders should have rejected any arrangement that would include the mutinous soldiers under the self-styled banner of National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP).

No military officers impound power in order to save or serve the masses. They do so to sit behind desks in Government Houses in order to enjoy the perks of political office.

Here in Nigeria, and during the coup years, we saw generals emerge not by fighting wars, not by any acts of derring-do in warfronts but by sitting behind desks in Government Houses! The civil populace bore the brunt. Many unarmed civilians were regularly mauled, tortured and imprisoned in a show of force by the desk generals. In one instance, Ola Rotimi, the renowned playwright and author of The Gods Are Not To Blame, was ordered to put his both hands on a car and horsewhipped like a schoolboy by one of the ubiquitous soldiers set to define their times!

Besides, no soldiers would risk committing treason and then hand over the ‘fruits of their labour’ to any other group! MKO Abiola waited in vain for the Abacha junta to fulfil its own part of the ‘bargain’ by handing over power to him! No military officers hijack power on behalf of the masses!”

Without further ado, President Buhari should press ECOWAS to force the Goita-led coupists out of power. Notwithstanding the double-dealing and duplicity of France in her former colonies, perhaps the Nigerian government should not have hosted the new military ruler of Chad. Beamed live to the world, it underscores the exaggeration of the role of the military in any political community.

We may wish to recall how a coup d’état in one country encouraged coups and instability in other West African countries in the 60s up to the 90s. We reject any recrudescence of military rule in West Africa.

Soyombo, author of Buhari v. Yar’Adua (2008), wrote from Abeokuta via densityshow@yahoo.com

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2021

EDITORIAL THE FUTURE OF NYSC…1 The NYSC scheme needs some reforms for continued relevance

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he progressive decay in most institutions of state is worrying. The latest to come into view is the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. Introduced in 1973 as a vehicle for national integration following the civil war, NYSC has surely contributed a lot to national harmony and development.

But the scheme has also been bedevilled by a host of challenges that grossly limit its impact, reduce its appeal, and undercut the ennobling idea of national service. It is therefore little surprise that not a few Nigerians continue to question the scheme’s existence.

It is against this background that the bill sponsored

by Awaji-Inombek Abiante, which has passed through second reading at the House of Representatives, becomes worthy of attention. In the explanatory memorandum, the lawmaker listed the various reasons why the NYSC should be scrapped. Most of those reasons border on institutional dysfunction. But the ultimate argument is that the Nigerian system would seem to have IN RECENT YEARS, come to that point THERE HAS BEEN A where it no longer GRADUAL EROSION needs a scheme OF THE OPERATIONAL like the NYSC to teach and inculcate EFFECTIVENESS OF national unity. We THE SCHEME AND THE consider the bill very OVERALL ATTENTION TO drastic in its intenTHE WELFARE OF CORPS tion.

MEMBERS Whatever may be its challenges, the NYSC remains one of the few national institutions that has strained to abide by its original objective. It has served, with varying levels of success, as a veritable agency of national integration.

It has taken young Nigerian graduates to states far away from their places of origin. It has given some of them opportunities for employment and social integration in distant locations. It has also helped less privileged states of quality manpower that they needed to advance the cause of national development

Letters to the Editor

especially in the areas of primary healthcare delivery and education.

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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 DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI 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

nfortunately, in recent years, there has been a gradual erosion of the operational effectiveness of the scheme and the overall attention to the welfare of corps members in many states.

Some of these young citizens have found themselves being rejected in their places of primary posting. Some states have exploited the labour of the corps members without making any provisions for their welfare in terms of accommodation, transport and logistics. In times of national upheaval, (and we have had quite a number recently), many corps members have been at the receiving end of violent attacks and outright homicide.

Corps members sent on electoral assignments, to internally displaced peoples (IDP) camps as well as others deployed to help with medical emergencies have found themselves exposed to dangers.

In terms of the general administration of the programme itself, the scheme has been a mixed experience from state to state. Sometimes provisions are inadequate in NYSC camps while there have been reported delays in the payment of the allowances of corps members. Also, the general demand for corps members seems to have declined in recent years as the areas of need such as education and primary health have received scanty attention in most states.

The nationwide report is one of under-utilisation of corps members or their treatment as unwanted free additions to already bulging manpower pools. There has therefore been a consensus among the elite that the time has come to review and perhaps reform the NYSC scheme.

While no one can deny the institutional decay of the scheme, the question remains of whether to reform or replace it with something more suited to the current state of the nation. If the scheme were to be reformed, it would have to be on need-based so that states and corporate organisations are given scope to demand NYSC members with specific disciplines.

Concluded tomorrow

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.

WHY POWER MINISTRY APPEALS TO ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS

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he Federal Ministry of Power has continued to appeal to electricity consumers to understand the position of the law that empowers the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to periodically review the price of electricity in tandem with generation cost by Gencos, and purchased by the distribution companies.

The NERC was created under section 76 of the Electric power Sector Reform Act EPSRA which empowers it to establish one or more price review methodology for regulating electricity, against the back drop of section 32(d) of EPSRA by which the NERC must ensure that the prices charged by licensees and operators are fair to consumers and are sufficient to allow the licensees to finance their activities and to allow for reasonable earnings for efficient operation.

This relevant section provides for a 15-year tariff plan for the electricity industry with minor and major reviews twice a year and every five years respectively. The essence is to ensure that consumers of electricity are not over charged and as well persuaded to pay minimally to cover cost of production in the sector.

At various levels of policy discuss in the power sector reforms, the Ministers of Power, Saleh Mamman and Gody Jeddy Agba have always made appeals to consumers of electricity to see price reviews as a methodology for efficiency and sustainability in business, stressing that generation cost determines the price distribution companies will purchase electricity which in turn determines the price consumers will pay.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in September last year ap-

proved minor review in the price of electricity, while the National Assembly in its resolution posited that the price review be deferred to first quarter of 2021.

Only a few days back, the parliament invited the chairman of NERC, Sanusi Garba, to appear before it, where members urged the federal government not to go ahead with the planned price review in electricity scheduled to be effective in July 2021.

The chairman of the commission had before now taken time to extrapolate on salient issues of the power sector that has to do with price regime in which case he said the generation companies sell electricity to the distribution companies at a price, and the Discos will certainly not sell to consumers at the same price.

He however noted that it is the responsibility of NERC to regulate the prices between Gencos and Discos to ensure that the burden of price is not transferred to consumers in a manner that will be exploitative; rather the commission will not be hesitant to moderate prices to lessen the burden of cost on the consumers.

Although, Nigerians are of the view this is not the best of times for upward review of electricity price or any other essential product of government, on the account of prevailing high cost of living in the country.

Experts have consistently viewed price increase of essential products in critical sectors of the economy as a threat to growth and development in the daily lives of citizens who are already overstretched through one form of taxation or the other.

However, the power sector reforms as encapsulated in the Act, has provided regulatory framework empowering NERC to take

responsibility for incoherence in the defects that may occur in the power structure aimed at ensuring and striking a balance between consumers of electricity, the generation and distribution companies.

Presidential committee on the review of electricity cost has carried out many interventions, but presently constrained by prevailing cost of electricity as sold by Gencos, who are core investors in the power sector reforms project. This action has been a determinant to the position of NERC for price review in fairness, openness and transparency to all parties.

Industry players have continued to put forward arguments of low profit margins and high operating cost in production activities which puts NERC at the center of the heat from investors and actors in the sector.

NERC therefore has only one way out of the entire process of growth in the electricity sector, which is going back to the document, the law establishing the commission, its functions and regulatory framework. Except the laws are amended, no individual or group of persons can circumvent the application of operational guidelines.

Clearly, and in fairness to NERC, it has been empowered to review cost of electricity at least two times annually. But from facts available to everyone the last review was carried out in September last year, and in the coming days, precisely July, another review will be effective, which demonstrates the fact that the commission is mindful of the fact that upward review of cost in electricity is additional burden to every home.

Ofem Uket, Abuja

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TUESDAY JUNE 1, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

ACF Condemns Killing of Gulak, Issues Travel Advisory to Northerners John Shiklam in Kaduna The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday, condemned the killing of Hon. Ahmed Gulak and cautioned northerners travelling to the South-east to weigh the importance of such visits.

The ACF in a statement by its Chairman, Chief Audu Ogbe, said except such trips were matters of life and death, they should

be shelved.

Ogbe warned against the killing of northerners resident and or visiting in the South, particularly South-East.

He gave the warning in a statement titled, ‘ACF warns over attacks, killing of northerners,’ and released by the National Publicity Secretary of the forum.

The statement read, “The ACF has noticed of late with increasing

Buhari Fires NSITF Boss, 12 Other Top Officials

concern the attacks on/killing of northerners resident and or visiting the South, particularly the South-East. It was so bad at a point in February this year that the northern traders who normally supply the food needs of the south, the Amalgamated Union Food and Cattle Distributors of Nigeria (AUFCDN), embarked on a strike action to make the point that their lives also mattered. The ACF was among those who put pressure, on, and ultimately convinced, the

AUFCDN to call off the strike.

The ACF did that in the spirit of one Nigeria.

“Yesterday, Sunday 30th May, 2021, one of leaders in the north was brutally murdered on the streets of Owerri Imo State by gunmen, most likely of IPOB and Eastern Security Network, who have been waging a public campaign of killings and other forms of brutalities, to realise their dream country of Biafra.

“The Arewa Consultative

Forum hereby issues a very strong advisory to all northerners who may wish to travel to the SouthEast; to weigh the importance and necessity of such travels. Unless such trips are absolutely necessary and of compelling nature, like matters of life and death, they should not be made. And where the trip must be undertaken, the traveller should take every security precaution in his or her movements while there, including linking with the security agencies

at the place or places to be visited.

“The need to issue this travel advisory has become necessary against the backdrop of history, wherein events such the killings of northern leaders in 1966 triggered the events that led to a civil war that cost the country thousands of lives, and untold sufferings to millions of innocent people.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed, and a stitch in time saves nine!”

Appoints Akabogu as new MD Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the removal of the Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Mr. Bayo Somefun, along with 12 top management staff of the organisation, from office.

The president has also ordered the sack of the three Executive Directors - Finance and Investment, Mr. Jasper Azuatalam; Operations, Mr. Tijani Sulaiman and Administration and Human Resources, Mrs. Olukemi Nelson as well as nine top management officers of the organisation.

A statement signed by the Deputy Director, Press Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Charles Akpan said the dismissal of the affected officers took effect from July 1,

2020.

Buhari subsequently approved the appointment of Dr. Michael Akabogu as the new Managing Director of NSITF. Until his present appointment, Akabogu was the General Manager, Risk Management Department of the NSITF. The new Executive Directors are: Finance and Investment Mrs. Akinwale Caroline Temitope; Executive Director, Administration, Mrs. Allagoa, Maureen; and Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Gana Modu.

The appointments of nine top management officers on suspension with the Managing Director and the Executive Directors were also terminated compulsorily with some to be retired after demotion in ranks from their present ranks as recommended by the panel.

Again, Gunmen Set Ablaze Imo Police Station Gunmen yesterday set ablaze the Amandugba Divisional Police Headquarters in the Isu Local Government Area of Imo State.

The latest development had increased to four the number of Divisional Police Headquarters razed in the state in less than one week.

It was gathered gathered that on arrival at the police station, the attackers threw inflammable substances at the police facility and ignited fire.

The development was said to have heightened the tension in the state as the people totally complied with the sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The burning of the police

facility was the only violent development in the state.

A villager told journalists that, “Isu Divisional Police Headquarters is on fire now.

Fire has engulfed the facility. The attackers threw explosives objects and it caught fire immediately.”

Apart from the razing of Atta, Izombe, Orji and now Isu Divisional Headquarters in the state in the last one week, hoodlums had also within the duration attacked and razed magistrate’s and High Courts and as well as vandalized a Health Centre in Atta community in the Njaba LGA. The fresh attack came just 24 hours after a former presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, was killed in the state.

SIXTY HEARTY CHEERS…

L-R: Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Prof. Chris Ajila; Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Oscar Udoji; Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede; Pro-Chancellor, Summit University, Mr. Rafiu Adisa Ebiti; and National President, OAU Alumni, Mr. Wale Olaleye, at the press briefing in commemoration of 60th anniversary of OAU in Lagos… yesterday ETOP UKUTT

Army Chief Mobilises Officers, Others to Defend Nigeria Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Farouk Yahaya, yesterday charged army personnel to join hands with him to defend the territorial integrity of the nation.

Yahaya spoke at a meeting in Abuja with Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), core commanders and General Officers Commanding (GOCs), during which he also unveiled his four-point agenda

to reinvigorate the army.

However, attendance at the meeting lent credence to reports of an imminent shake-up in the army as members of Course 35 and 36 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), who are senior to Yahaya, including the Chief Policy and Plans (COPP), Major General Benjamin Ahanotu, Major General Abubakar Maikobi and Major General C.C. Okoye,

among others, were absent, an indication that they may have begun the journey to retirement.

The army chief said: “For the Nigerian Army to be competitive in the 21st century, it must remain professional and seek to develop competencies that would make it ever ready to undertake its constitutional duties.

“It is therefore, against this background that my mission is a professional Nigerian

Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria”.

He said his command philosophy would be anchored on professionalism, readiness, administration and cooperation.

“To achieve this goal, my command philosophy will rest on four pillars, namely: professionalism, readiness, administration and cooperation.

N90bn Drugs Seized, 2,175 Suspects Arrested in Four Months, Says Marwa Micheal Olugbode in Abuja The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted assorted drugs worth over N90 billion and arrested 2, 175 drug traffickers in four months, the Chairman Brig.

Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), has said.

Marwa disclosed this yesterday in Abuja during a ceremony to present the best performing

commands for March and April and presentation of commendation letters to outstanding officers and men.

Marwa said the agency had spent the past four months implementing various measures aimed at repositioning the agency, with emphasis on strengthening the capacity of its officers.

He said that the agency in return had reaped high-impact,

far-reaching results that left no room for any doubt about the efficacy of the strategies adopted.

The NDLEA chairman added that the results, however, justified the agency’s efforts saying that the evidence was clear for everyone to see.

According to him, we would not have been able to arrest 2,175 drug traffickers.

“And neither would the seizure of 2,050,766.33 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs have been possible if you had chosen to do just the minimal work across your various commands.

“If our approach has been one of business, as usual, we would not have been able to seize drug and cash valued at over N90 billion in just four months.

FG Generated N1.54tn in Q1, Says RMAFC

Oshiomhole, Ize-Iyamu Congratulate Obaseki over Supreme CourtVerdict

Ndubuisi Francis and James Emejo in Abuja

A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole and the party’s governorship candidate in Edo State at the 2020 governorship election in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, yesterday congratulated Governor Godwin Obaseki, on his victory

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) yesterday said a total sum of N1.54 trillion was collected by revenue generating agencies into the federation account in the first quarter of the year (Q1 2021).

Chairman of the commission, Mr. Elias Mbam disclosed this yesterday while receiving a revenue performance report from the Post- Mortem Sub-Committee of the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The report further showed that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) generated N759.86 billion, representing the highest remittance for the period under review.

It added that the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD) surpassed its target for the quarter with over N891.28 million.

Mbam further disclosed that over N496. 39 billion was remitted into the federation account as value added tax (VAT) for Q1, surpassing the targeted tax revenue by over N36.80 million, representing an increase of 108.01 per cent for the period.

Further breakdown of contributions by revenue agencies to the federation account showed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) accounted for N47.53 billion, while the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) generated N452.51 billion in Q1.

Adibe Emeyonu in Benin City

at the Supreme Court.

Ize-Iyamu in a letter to the governor said that Friday’s judgment of the apex court had put an end to the series of litigations on the governorship poll that returned Obaseki for second term.

The APC candidate in the letter, asked Obaseki to accept his congratulatory message since

all the cases were over. “For the records, Your Excellency, your supporters had instituted 13 different pre-election cases against my deputy and I; all seeking to disqualify us from participating in the election.

“On our part, our party, the APC had only one case against Your Excellency and your party.

“We also deliberately did not

go to the Elections Tribunal, not because we did not have issues but because we felt it was better to allow you face the job at hand, more so as our party at the national level had congratulated you.

“We are happy that all these cases have come to an end. Now that it is all over, please accept my congratulations,” he said.

Customs toVerify Documents of Private Aircraft Owners The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has directed all private aircraft owners in the country to present relevant importation clearance documents to the agency for verification.

The service’s Deputy Comptroller, Joseph Attah, disclosed this yesterday at a press briefing in Abuja.

Attah said failure to comply

with the verification mandate would be met with appropriate sanctions.

He said, “In line with the need to ensure strict compliance with all regulations, especially at this time of challenging security situation and reluctance of some highly placed individuals to pay taxes, Nigeria Customs Service will be taking stock of all privately owned

aircraft in the country.

“Consequently, Nigeria Customs Service, in line with its statutory functions as provided for in Part III Sections 27, 35, 37, 45, 46, 47, 52, 56, 63 & 64; Part XI Sections 144, 145, 155, 160, 161 & 164 and Part XII Sections 167, 168, 169, 173 and 174 of the Customs and Excise Management Act, hereby invites all owners of private aircraft in

the country to come forward with their relevant importation clearance documents for verification.”

Attah clarified that the purpose of the verification process is not to compel aircraft owners to commence paying customs duties but to ensure the payment of other mandatory charges such as the Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JUNE 1, 2021

POLITICS

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

Esan People Turn Obaseki’s Victory Party to Governorship Seeking Platform On the sideline of a series of joyous activities to celebrate the Supreme Court verdict in favour of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Esan people of Edo Central Senatorial District tdemand an opportunity for one of their own to rule the state come 2024, writes Adibe Emenyonu

Obaseki

Shaibu

Ogie

Imasuagbon

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had the blessings of God. The PDP called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the Obaseki led PDP government instead of traveling the road of ignominy, saying with the Supreme Court judgement, it sincerely hopes that the APC and it’s leadership will turn a new leaf of cooperation and collaboration in building a society where Edo people’s welfare is the watchword.

“Though we understand and concede that the legal route has become part and parcel of electioneering process. But do not understand nor condone how, when the people have spoken loudly and clearly through the ballot, politicians will manufacture charges in an attempt to deny the electorate their choice”, the Edo PDP stated.

Obaseki’s victory celebration train, also berthed at Edo central senatorial district as the people culturally referred to as Esan, congratulated the governor on the affirmation of his September 19, 2020 governorship election.

They said the victory is an indication that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not wrong in pronouncing Obaseki winner of the election.

But while congratulating Governor Obaseki, the Esan people, made up of five local government areas of Esan West, Esan Central, Esan North East, Esan South East and Igueben, added another dimension to the celebration and congratulatory messages, saying it is their turn to produce who becomes the governor of Edo State come 2024.

Setting the tone for the agitation in a twoday summit with the them, “Esan Leadership Question: Matters Arising”, at Ewohimi, a town in Esan South East council area of the state, the Convener, Timothy Okojie in a welcome address, pointed out that the dream behind the agenda is borne out of the desire to ensure

that someone from the Esan nation is part of Nigeria and Edo State, to come together and speak with one voice because they need each other to accomplish the objective behind the gathering. According to him, except the zone develops the least among them, the best amongst them cannot succeed.

“Against this backdrop, what we are saying is that other communities of people in other parts of the country are meeting, talking about the way forward in Nigeria of today. So our meeting today is to fashion the way forward for the Esanland which is getting the governorship of Edo State through persuasion in 2024.”

In a keynote address at the meeting, Abuja based school proprietor, Mr. Kenneth Imansuangbon, described Obaseki’s victory at the court as a double glory for the people of Esan; to complete his eight years mandate and for Esan man to succeed him. He therefore, called on all and sundry to support the governor in his quest to reposition the state for the benefit of all.

Imansuangbon who noted that the victory Obaseki scored is the reason they all gathered, added that the gathering was to thank God and make the victory total with “Esan Agenda” which will translate to one of their own becoming the governor of Edo State come 2024, when Obaseki’s tenure will come to an end.

The businessman cum politician, popularly called “Rice Man”, because of his annual distribution of rice to the poor, Nevertheless, said though the zone will negotiate with the Binis and Afemai in order to actualize the agenda of the district, their demand is based on equity, justice and fair play, because it is their turn. He pleaded with the Binis and Afemai to emulate Delta State where power is rotated among the three senatorial districts seamlessly.

“Today, we have just issued a memoranda that in 2024 we stand for the Esan man or woman to be the governor of Edo State. Since Prof. Ambrose Alli of blessed memory, we have not had Edo governor of Esan extraction. That of Prof. Osunbor cannot be counted because in the eye of the law, he never was.

“In Esan agenda, I make bold to say that what we are clamouring for is the Edo State agenda that is anchored on fairness, equity and justice which will guarantee peace and development. Let us emulate our sister state like Delta where power is rotated among the three senatorial districts”, Imansuangbon declared.

In his contribution, the Speaker, Edo House of Assembly, Hon. Marcus Onobu another sons of the soil, expressed delight with the summit and thanked the organisers because “there is strength in unity”. He expressed delight to be among the discussants for the political future of the zone.

Onobu pointed out that beyond the clamour for inclusive politics anchored on justice and equity, the driving message is unity among the people.

He said: “It gives me joy today to be among us to discuss issues about our future. We are all people of Esan and no matter the local government area you come from, we need to rally round our own as a people.

“The message to take away is to be united.

The quality of leadership is not one who puts food on the table but one who can mobilize the voting population of our people, galvanize the consciousness of other senatorial districts for us to accomplish this agenda”.

Also lending her voice, one the daughters of late Prof. Alli, Mrs Stella Alli-Ukburebor while felicitating with Governor Obaseki on the apex court victory, said the victory of the governor is also the victor of Esan people who rallied round him during the election, adding that “we are at this summit to talk about Esan agenda come 2024 which must be accomplished as we are using this medium to plead with our Benin and Afemai brothers and sisters to join us to see to its reality.”

Professor J. Omo-Ojugo, also form Edo central, in his presentation of a paper titled: “Expected Roles Of Youths And Women Towards The Actualization of Esan Agenda 2024”, explained that Edo State is sitting on a tripod, Edo South (Benin), Edo Central (Esan) and Edo North (Afemai).

He said since the advent of the fourth Democratic Republic 1999 -2024, Edo South would have had four slots of four years each as occupant of the governor’s seat, while Edo North have had two slots of four years each; adding that all through these periods, the Edo Central have not been privileged which is not fair.

he Supreme Court judgement Friday, May 28, 2021 elicited a lot of joyous carnival across Edo State, expecially in Edo South and Central Senatorial districts.

In last year’s governorship election in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki’s main rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress) (APC) had approached the court to nullify the election of Obaseki for alleged certificate forgery.

The legal battle which began at the Federal High Court, also passed through the Court of Appeal before the final judgement by the Supreme Court, all giving the governor a clean bill.

Immediately the apex court made its pronouncements in favour of Obaseki, the entire state went agog with his political associates in jubilation, hugging each other and clinging glasses of wineq to celebrate the victory.

Reacting, Obaseki’s deputy, Philip Shaibu, described the Nigeria judiciary as the referee of Nigeria democracy through enforcement of the rule of law, to protect the minorities from the power of the majority, despite their attempts to tilt the playing field against the rules.

Shaibu said the ruling of the Supreme Court has shown that the judiciary does not lack teeth but has clearly exhibited that the rule of law is a strong pillar and rock on which Nigeria’s democracy stands.

According to him, every other foundation is made of sinking sand except the judiciary that is no longer bound by artificial limitations.

He said the judgment of the apex court has reaffirmed the victory of Governor Obaseki, because with the landmark judgement, the court has displayed decisional and institutional independence which underscores its ability to make decisions free from political influence.

“The Judiciary constitutes the most important vessel in the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria” Shaibu declared, reminding politicians that the Supreme Court is not a systematic instrument for the acquisition of political power as the final judgement has demonstrated to the world that the Nigerian Judiciary is not a pawn in the hands of desperate politicians to realise their ambition.

According to him, “The rule of law has prevailed and and this has ascertained further that no one can sit above the law. Justice is the greatest interest of man and the ligament which binds civilized people together.”

He added that the extent to which the Nigeria judiciary is free to perform it’s roles efficiently will determine how developed and how deep rooted democracy would be.

Edo State leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was not left out as it also celebrated Obaseki apex court affirmation. The party in a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, described the victory as a testimony to the fact that Obaseki’s administration was enthroned by the wish of Edo people and

Obaseki’s victory celebration train, also berthed at Edo central senatorial district as the people culturally referred to as Esan, congratulated the governor on the affirmation of his September 19, 2020 governorship election. They said the victory is an indication that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not wrong in pronouncing Obaseki winner of the election. But while congratulating Governor Obaseki, the Esan people, made up of five local government areas of Esan West, Esan Central, Esan North East, Esan South East and Igueben, added another dimension to the celebration and congratulatory messages, saying it is their turn to produce who becomes the governor of Edo State come 2024

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

TUESDAY JUNE 1, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

17

NEWS

Bandits Kill 15 People in Niger Community Laleye Dipo in Minna Bandits have allegedly killed at least 15 villagers yesterday’s morning in Beri town in Bobi district of Mariga Local Government of Niger State.

A mobile policeman was also reportedly killed by the bandits in the town.

But THISDAY was told that the men of the local vigilante were able to neutralise five of the bandits.

It was also alleged that the Beri Police Station was burnt by the bandits and several people were reportedly injured during the stampede that accompanied the arson on the police station.

THISDAY also learnt that another set of bandits stormed

the Garin- Gabas yesterday’ morning during but were met with stiff opposition from the youths of the town, It could not be immediately ascertained the number of casualties on both sides.

Also some bandits raided

Ungwan Bako in the Kotonkoro district of Mariga Local Government and abducted many people, mostly women and children.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the incidents but did

not give details.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Niger State Police Command, DSP. Wasiu Abiodun, did not respond to calls made to his cell phones for comments on the developments.

Gulak: Nigeria Gradually Drifting to Anarchy, Say Southern Senators Victor OgunjeinAdoEkiti The Southern Senators Forum (SSF), has described the death of former Presidential Adviser on Political Matters, Mr. Ahmed Gulak, as a national disaster and signal that the country’s insecurity has permeated every section of the nation.

The senators tasked the police and the Nigerian Army to fish out the killers and those perpetrating other horrendous crimes in every section of the country in brazen fashion that quaked the country’s bond of unity.

The forum’s Chairman and Senator Representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said these in a condolence message yesterday.

Bamidele expressed sadness at the gruesome killing of the former presidential aide, whom

he described as a detribalised and consummate politician with national clout and acceptability.

He said: “We receive the sudden demise of our brother and friend, Ahmed Gulak, by unknown gunmen with schock and heavy hearts.

This was more of a national calamity, taking cognisance of the detrabilised nature of the deceased, who believed in building bridges across ethnic lines by his interactions and association.

“We condemn a situation whereby Nigerians are no longer safe in virtually every part of our country in totality. The kernel for the existence of any government is to guarantee safety of lives and property of the citizens and the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari must be alive to this bidding.

Sultan Kicks against Scrapping of NYSC Scheme The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has stated that those clamoring for the scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme do not mean well for Nigeria.

The Sultan stated this yesterday in his palace in Sokoto when the Batch A stream two corps members currently undergoing orientation exercise paid him a courtesy visit at the palace.

The traditional and religious leader explained that NYSC scheme was established to foster unity ,proper encouragement and development of common ties among Nigeria’s nationalities.

He said: “I heard that there is a bill to scrap the NYSC scheme at the National Assembly. Let

me tell you, those behind that bill do not mean well for this country.”

The Sultan stated that NYSC scheme is most needed now as Nigeria is divided along ethnic and religious lines.

He welcomed the corps members posted to Sokoto State, stressing that the state is the most peaceful in Nigeria.

Abubakar further told them to take the state as their second home, enjoining them to respect the customs and traditions of their host communities.

He urged them to be security conscious, admitting that there are security challenges in some parts of the state, which he said the trend now is a global phenomenon.

CONDUCIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT…

L-R: Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran; Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun; Deputy Gvernor, Mr. Rauf Olaniyan; Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde; Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Abdulganiyu Adekunle Salawu; and Speaker, state House of Assembly, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, during the inauguration of Model School Building at St. Paul’s Anglican Basic School, Okutapemo, Iseyin, Oyo State…yesterday

OPEC Casts Doubts over IEA’s 2050 Zero Emissions Projection Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr. Sanusi Barkindo, has again questioned the International Energy Agency (IEA)’s forecast of net zero emissions by 2050, stressing that the call for a halt to all investments in the oil sector post- 2021 is capable of

destabilising the industry.

Barkindo, who spoke at the 52nd meeting of the OPEC Joint Technical Committee (JTC) yesterday, however admitted that there was much to digest in the report entitled, ‘’Net Zero by 2050’’ released by the body recently.

“Their call for energy groups to stop all new oil and gas exploration projects by 2050 may

have an impact on an investing climate already severely affected by board-member activism.

“Questions remain as to the impact that a 75 per cent reduction in global oil demand would have on the development of emerging economies. While the IEA has acknowledged that “continued investment in existing sources of oil production is needed,” the ramifications of

this report on policy makers require careful monitoring,” he said.

The OPEC secretary general noted that achieving net zero emissions would be challenging for most economies, including those of advanced economies, describing the scenario outlined by the IEA as extremely ambitious and requires radical change to daily life as it is.

Protesters Deserve to be Heard, Not Shot At, Amnesty Tells FG Falana, Falz, others protest insecurity, poverty in Lagos A global rights group, Amnesty International, has faulted the shooting of tear gas at the Convener of Revolution Now Movement, Omoyele Sowore, during a rally in Abuja yesterday.

This is coming as a human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), and his Musician son, Folarin, aka Falz, along with scores of residents of Lagos yesterday took to the streets to protest against the insecurity and poverty ravaging the country.

The former presidential candidate, who was injured by the tear gas canister fired by a police operative in Abuja, was rushed to the hospital.

Footage of the incident showed Sowore falling on the ground after the canister hit him.

Reacting, Amnesty International noted that protesters deserved to be listened to, not shot at.

The human rights group also asked the Federal Government to investigate the incident.

“Amnesty International received disturbing reports that activist Omoyele Sowore was shot by the police, during a protest against rampant insecurity in Abuja. Protesters deserved to be listened to, not shot at.

“We call on the Nigerian authorities to investigate the incident and bring perpetrators to justice,” the organisation tweeted.

Also reacting, Mrs. Joe OkeiOdumakin, widow of the late human rights activist, Yinka

Odumakin, yesterday, took a break from her self-imposed three-month mourning period to condemn the reported shooting of Sowore.

Reacting in a statement titled, ‘Are we at war? Mourning Joe Okei-Odumakin asks FG’, OkeiOdumakin, who is the President of Centre for Change, urged the federal government not to further heat up the polity by abusing the fundamental human rights of citizens.

Political associates of a former Minister of Information and Presidential aspirant of the National Republican Convention (NRC), Dr. Joseph Nwodo, lavished encomiums on him during his funeral rites in Abuja.

A Former Minister of External Affairs and Chairman of defunct NRC, Chief Tom Ikimi during

described Nwodo as a political icon that was denied opportunity of becoming the country’s president and pioneer governor of Enugu State.

Ikimi said that “Nnia Nwodo was an epitome of excellence, during his presidential campaign in Port Hacourt, but they muddle up the microphone so that people will not hear what he was saying. If he

point, he would have won that presidential election,” Ikimi stated.

The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Uche Secondus, in his speech recounted that he met Nwodo as state publicity Secretary of the NRC and lamented that Joe would have been declared the presidential candidate of NRC and the whole Nigeria would have voted for him.

to none. He can convince everyone in one minute. His speech held us spell bound and all of us were convinced that he was the next president of this country. Joe was a manager of people per excellence.

He knows the right word to put across at every moment and he will catch your attention.

He was a great manager of human beings.”

Violators of COVID-19 Travel Advisory will be Grounded for Tributes Galore as Nigerians Bid Nwodo Farewell OneYear, Says FG He said: “Joe’s rhetoric was next his evening of tribute on Sunday had been allowed to marshal his Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 has said the federal government would enforce penalties, including deactivating the travel passports of Nigerians involved in the alleged violation of recent travel advisory for travellers from India Brazil and Turkey.

In the last three weeks, the federal government had published names and travel particulars of more than 220 alleged violators of the travel advisory, who evaded protocols set for travellers from the said countries of concern.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja during the PSC’s media briefing in Abuja, the Chairman of the Committee and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, said besides deactivating passports of Nigerian violators, the foreign

violators would have their visas revoked and prosecution where applicable, would be an option.

“This is considered a serious infraction and the PSC will proceed to do the following: deactivate the passports of Nigerians involved, for a period of not less than one year; revoke the visas of foreigners that have abused our hospitality; and prosecute the violators where necessary,” he said.

On the faceoff between the country and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) flights restrictions, he said Nigeria is still in talks with the authorities, assuring outcome of the parley would be in the interest of the country.

“For some times now, Nigeria has been discussing with the authorities of the UnitedArab Emirates on the resumption of flights between the two countries.

Buhari Appoints Kingibe Special Envoy on Lake Chad Basin Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Ambassador Babagana Kingibe as his Special Envoy with cabinet rank status to Chad and the Lake Chad Basin Region.

A statement signed yesterday night by the Secretary to the

Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said the appointment of a special envoy by the President was in consonance with the resolution of the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission member countries, on the situation in Chad that took place on May

25, 2021.

In his new role as the special envoy, Kingibe would among others monitor development in Chad and the Lake Chad Basin Region by aiding reconciliation and seamless progress toward the return to democratic rule at the end of the current Transitional Council Rule (TCR).

He is to collaborate with member countries and partners in the region with similar initiative to restore stability, promote peace and security. He is also to promote other initiative ancillary to the restoration of peace in Chad, the North-east of Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin Region.

19

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JUNE 1, 2021

POLITICS

Sule in the Eyes of His People

Igbawase Ukumba writes that Governor Abdullahi Sule’s recent tour of local government areas in Nasarawa State was an opportunity to see his two-year performance record

A

s part of activities marking the second year anniversary of his administration, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State embarked on a tour of the 13 Local Government Areas of the state to hear directly from the people about their expectations and what his administration is expected to deliver. This was even as the governor also used the opportunity of the tour to inspect as well as inaugurate some projects started by his administration.

Before kick starting his tour of the council areas, Sule thought it wise to donate 25 Lexus Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) cars to the 25 First-Class traditional rulers in the state in appreciation of their support, having participated in every meeting organised by the government, contributing valuable ideas, as well as implementing most of the recommendations responsible for the level of peace witnessed in the state.

Presenting keys to the vehicles to the royal fathers, Sule said: “Government decided to distribute the vehicles to the first class traditional rulers in the state in order to ease the discharge of their responsibilities, considering the vital role the royal fathers are playing in the maintainance and sustenance of security in the state.

“Being custodians of the peoples norms, culture and tradition, the traditional rulers must be carried along as done to civil servants in the state; who continue to receive 100 percent of their salaries, as well as magistrate court judges; who were provided with vehicles to facilitate the discharge of their responsibilities, in spite of the economic challenges confronting Nasarawa State.”

Consequently, Governor Sule was at the palace of the Ohimege Opanda, HRH Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, on May 19, 2021 to show appreciation to the royal father. According to the governor, the choice of Toto Local Government Area to kick-start his tour was not by accident, stressing that it was the same Toto that he began his campaigns ahead of the 2019 general election.

Therefore, Sule began his meet the people’s tour in Toto Local Government Area where stakeholders priotised security, education as the governor hosted his maiden townhall meeting. The stakeholders in Toto had therefore called on the governor to priotise security by drafting additional security agents to the area to check activities of criminal elements resurfacing in parts of the council.

The people of Toto equally made a case for the establishment of a tertiary institution in the area, stressing that Toto has yearned for such institution for many years. Various speakers at the town-hall meeting took turns to voice their concern.

Among other demands made by speakers at the forum include provision of portable water supply to the people of the council, as well as elevation of the stool of the Ohinoyi Ogye, from second class to first class status.

In Doma Local Government Area, the paramount traditional ruler of the area; the Andoma of Doma, HRH Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu Ogah Onawo, tasked Governor Sule towards ensuring physical development across all the Local Government and Development Areas of the state. Specifically, the royal father called on the governor to endeavour to surpass the developmental strides of his immediate past predecessor, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, by opening up the Local Government and Development Areas, through the construction of roads and hospitals.

While appreciating Senator Al-Makura for the role he played in ensuring that Engineer Sule became governor of the state, the royal father however called on the former governor not to rest on his oars, but to continue to support his successor to do even better than he did while he was in power. The Andoma of Doma further tasked Sule on translating all resources coming to the state into physical development, stressing that the developmental strides of the administration will be its selling

Sule

point come 2023.

The Doma paramount traditional ruler, however, drew the attention of the governor to persistent conflicts at the boundary between Nasarawa and Benue States, adding that the Idadu/Agbashi road, when completed, will address most of the security challenges along the border areas.

He also called on the state government to construct a befitting market in Doma, as well as a square where people of the council can gather on occasions.

In continuation of his meet-the-people tour across the 13 local government areas of the state, stakeholders in Keana Local Government Area also appealed to the Nasarawa State governor to address prevalence of border communal conflicts on the border between Nasarawa and Benue States.

Both the Keana Local Government Area Chairman, Hon. Adamu Adi and the commissioner representing Nasarawa State

at the Federal Civil Service Commission, Mamman Alakayi, while commending the Nasarawa State governor, for his laudable stewardship, they however appealed for urgent steps to be taken to address the recurrent border strifes which have become a major source of worry to the people of Keana.

The stakeholders specifically want the governor to put to an end to the cross border conflicts along the Nasarawa/Benue boundary.

Similarly, the paramount ruler of Awe Local Government Area; the Sarkin Awe, HRH Alhaji Isah Abubakar Umar II, has appealed to the Nasarawa State government to upgrade the only boarding secondary school in the area.

According to the Sarkin Awe, “the dilapidated condition of the Government Secondary School, Awe; the only boarding school in the area, has become a source of concern for the people, especially that

Sule began his meet the people’s tour in Toto Local Government Area where stakeholders priotised security, education as the governor hosted his maiden town-hall meeting. The stakeholders in Toto had therefore called on the governor to priotise security by drafting additional security agents to the area to check activities of criminal elements resurfacing in parts of the council. The people of Toto equally made a case for the establishment of a tertiary institution in the area, stressing that Toto has yearned for such institution for many years. Various speakers at the town-hall meeting took turns to voice their concern.

Among other demands made by speakers at the forum include provision of portable water supply to the people of the council, as well as elevation of the stool of the Ohinoyi Ogye, from second class to first class status

being the only boarding school in Awe Local Government Area, hence they have no other school to send their children to.”

Be that as it may, Governor Sule did not only hold town hall meetings with stakeholders when touring the state to mark his two years in office, but also used the opportunity and Flagged off as well as commissioned some project started by his administration.

Notable was the commissioning of the 15.5km Sisinbaki/Kwarra road project estimated at N2.49 billion.

According to the governor, when commissioning the road project, “my administration decided to construct the road in order to open up the potentials that abound in the Farin Ruwa area, especially after the federal government took over the construction of the Farin Ruwa Dam Project previously initiated by the first civilian governor of the state, Senator Abdullahi Adamu. My administration embarked on the construction of the road to open up opportunities in the area which has been forgotten, particularly in agriculture and tourism.”

The governor commended the first civilian governor of the state, Senator Adamu, for initiating the project aimed at generating hydropower, as well as providing water supply. Sule announced that the federal government has taken over construction of the Farin Ruwa Dam estimated to cost N8 billion, which he continued that work has since commenced with a view to providing portable drinking water and hydropower.

The governor concluded that after a recent visit by the Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to the state, the federal government expressed willingness to promote the Farin Ruwa tourism site, with the area also identified as one of the newly created national parks in the country.

Earlier, in a welcome address, the state Commissioner for Works, Hon. Philip Dada, said the idea of the Sisinbaki/Kwarra road project was conceived by the Engineer Sule’s administration to access government and citizens of the country, particularly the people of Sisinbaki and Kwarra axis.

Some of the projects initiated and completed by the administration of Governor Sule that were also commissioned during the meet-the-people tour in Lafia, the state capital, also include the Shinge-AbbatoirKilema road, Lafia/Airport Bye-pass roads, Shabu COVID -19 centre road and the Al-Makura/Abuja roads.

Similarly, Sule performed ground breaking ceremony for N8 billion Peninsula Hills Housing Project in Karu as part of activities marking the second year anniversary of his administration. The governor performed the ground breaking ceremony of the Peninsula Hills Housing Project expected to deliver 4,000 homes in Karu Local Government Area of the state.

According to the governor, when flaggingoff the project which will see to the full development of 100 out of the 270 available hectares on the Peninsula Hills “followed the signing of a joint venture agreement with a private developer, the Affinity Realty, with the investor committing to spend an initial N8 billion on the project.

“I want to emphasize that with the Nasarawa State government being a partner in the project, my administration is not spending money on the project having already provided the land which will also serve as a major shareholding equity,” Sule disclosed.

An obviously elated Governor Sule said his administration decided to go for the full development of the Peninsula Hills, guided by the policy thrust enshrined in the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS). He stressed that when fully completed, the project aside boosting the internal revenue generation of the state, it will also create employment opportunities for members of the community.

“Let me reassure those who are affected by the project that government will allocate land back to those with confirmed and authenticated claims to land ownership in the area,” Governor Sule said.

LAWYER

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WEEKLY PULLOUT

01.06.2021

Mrs Titilola Akinlawon, SAN

‘CRIMINALISING RANSOM PAYMENT, IS NONSENSICAL’

2/DASHBOARD

01.06.2021

LAWYER

A

WEEKLY PULLOUT

01.06.2021

Mrs Titilola Akinlawon, SAN

Panel of Justices and Delivery of Judgement in an Appellate Court PAGE 4

ABU Zaria Honours CJN PAGE 5

‘CRIMINALISING RANSOM PAYMENT, IS NONSENSICAL’ QUOTABLES ‘No patriotic citizen can deny the fact that, our country today faces dire challenges.’

- Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, former President, Nigerian Bar Association, Governor, Ondo State, Federal Republic of Nigeria

‘Buhari particularly, has a hidden agenda by refusing to restructure the country, which is the popular wish of the people of the country now.’

- Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Lawyer, Elder Statesman, Leader, Afenifere

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01.06.2021

Between Violence and Thuggery in High Places I wept as I watched the videoclip of the reunion of the Greenfield University Students and their Parents, over the weekend. They were tears of sadness and joy; sadness because of the five children who were senselessly and needlessly killed by their abductors, and joy because the Parents were able to raise enough money to secure the release of the rest of the children, after about 40 days in captivity. We say Alhamdulillah, Praise the Lord!

As for open grazing, it must not be permitted anymore. Viable alternatives by stakeholders, must be implemented forthwith. It is not only a danger for farmers, but motorists and other road users.

I saw a videoclip of a cow that with its horns, it lifted a motorcyclist whose bike stalled, and slammed down with force, both the bike and motorcyclist on the hard surface of the road. I hope the motorcyclist did not die. Coming back from Abeokuta on Saturday, on two different occasions, at high speed, the driver had to slam on the brakes as two different herds of cattle were grazing uncomfortably close to the edge of the highway, and the fear that the cows would stray into the road was real. Should Nigerians now travel at 20km/hour on the highways and risk being dealt with by armed robbers and kidnappers, because Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and their supporters say that cattle must be allowed to graze anywhere they like, once there’s grass and water? I think not.

Undistinguished Senators and High Ranking Government Officials "Wetin Musa or rather, Ikepo no go see for gate?"

"Na sha mamaki" (I was astonished) - and not in a positive way, I might add; what a public show of shame! A video clip of Senator Remi Tinubu, just a breath away from engaging in "two fighting" with Arin Oloko, former SDP aspirant for Lagos State House of Assembly, Eti Osa Constituency II, at the public hearing on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution last week. Senator Tinubu was verbally abusive, referred to Arin Oloko as a thug, told her to shut up and respect her office (as a Senator), ºand practically physically shoved out of the way, the gentleman who tried to intercede between the "Undistinguished Senator" and Ms Oloko, who stood her ground and refused to be intimidated or cowed into submission. I decided that it would be gender discrimination against the men, if I didn’t touch on the unfortunate incident because it involves a woman, since I had discussed their own public misbehaviour in the past.

Senator Remi Tinubu’s boorish, aggressive, hubristic and reprehensible behaviour, is no different from that of her dishonourable colleague, 'Senathug' Abbo, who assaulted two ladies at a sex shop in Banex Plaza, Abuja in 2019, or the Chairman of the Code of “Misconduct" Bureau, Danladi Umar, who beat and kicked a security guard at the same Banex Plaza recently. What about Dr Isa Pantami? A publicly acclaimed religious extremist and supporter of Terrorists? This is the crop of rulership Nigeria has today. I certainly cannot refer to them as leaders, because they are not fit to lead anyone; they lack leadership qualities as do so many of their colleagues in positions of authority, such as civic mindedness and love for the good of the people, focus and being goal oriented, humility, simplicity, integrity, moderation, tactfulness, being measured and setting good examples.

Senator Tinubu’s behaviour is worse because she is a woman, and not only are women meant to be graceful, in a country that is still plagued by gender discrimination, especially in the area of elective positions, she should be a role model for those females aspiring to such positions. Or is that, because many of these officials have been handed their positions on a platter of gold as a result of nepotism, cronyism, tribalism and so on, they simply have no sense of appreciation of the positions they hold, nor do they understand that their roles demand much more than craving for respect and hero worship from the public.

So far, there has been no real answerability for the misbehaviour of many high ranking officials in this administration, but, yet, we expect better behaviour from the Nigerian people! How? Why? The 1999 Constitution in its preamble talks about equality, equity and fairness for all Nigerians, while Section 42(1) prohibits discrimination. By Government not holding either itself or its members accountable for its or their misbehaviour, which in some cases has bordered on criminality, it has no moral justification to demand same from the people; and this kind of disorderly environment,

obviously creates an enabling one for anarchy and free for all - a situation in which people emulate the lawlessness of their rulers, and simply do what pleases them.

Luckily for Senator Tinubu, she cannot be sacked from her position since she was ‘elected’ as Senator; she can only be recalled by her constituents for misconduct through the process provided for in Section 69 of the Constitution - a highly unlikely outcome, since she has the strong backing of the political powers that be in Lagos State which she represents. And, even if she occupied a position from which she could be sacked like Dr Pantami, it is unlikely that Government will do the needful anyway. The consequences? More resentment against those in governance and the Government from the people, and more outbursts and chaos as a result of the dissatisfaction.

Violence and the South East Zone Take the South East zone for example, while I can never condone violence, insurgency and the senseless destruction of property, it is the resentment of some groups against Government for their perceived or real exclusion and marginalisation that has ballooned to unimaginable proportions, and has attained a level rebellion against constituted authority - Terrorism - this is the only description that can be ascribed to criminals going on a rampage of wanton destruction, burning and destroying public formations like Police Stations and INEC offices.

Within the past two years, Imo State alone has had seven attacks on INEC offices situated therein, Abia four, Enugu and Ebonyi, three attacks each, while Anambra State has had two attacks. Many of these attacks have been by arson. Akwa Ibom and Cross River States have not been spared from the attacks on their INEC offices, having suffered five and four attacks, respectively, while Osun State has suffered six attacks.

While the right to self- determination is recognised

by Article 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Act, this right can certainly not be exercised by violence and rebellion, especially the kind we are experiencing in the South East.

I do agree that in spite of Section 1(2) of the Constitution which provides inter alia that no group of persons shall take control of Government or a part of it, Section 14(2)(c) which provides that the participation of the people in Government shall be in accordance to the provisions of the Constitution, Section 14(3) which provides for federal character in the composition of Government and its agencies, and Section 42 of the Constitution which prohibits discrimination, for example, presently, the South East has been excluded from the headship of the various security agencies of the country, amongst other positions, and the security architecture of the country has been concentrated mostly in the hands of one group - the Northern zones.

Exclusion of the South East Zone Once upon a time, in this my lifetime, the ethnic origin or religion of whoever held any position in Government did not matter, as long as the person was delivering on his/her mandate. But, today, things are different. How did we sink this low? I know that many people, especially those in Government would prefer to play the ostrich and pretend that this is not the case, but the truth of the matter is that this exclusion of the South East zone, even to the extent that it has less States than the other zones, is a known fact. This is the deliberate doing of successive Governments and Politicians; so, when Government spokespersons denounce those who discuss this issue in public or in the media as rabble rousers, troublemakers, and

Senator Oluremi Tinubu

people with a penchant for causing disaffection or wanting to destabilise the Government, one wonders whether the Government is unaware of the fact that it is doing an excellent job of destabilising itself by itself with its actions, and whether it now qualifies as hate speech to tell the truth and let the devil be ashamed!

Missed Opportunities?

With the retirement of the erstwhile Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu, Government had the opportunity to be conciliatory and maybe reduce the tension in the South East, by making them feel more included and appointing someone from that zone to be the new IG, and this opportunity still remains, since Mr Baba has replaced Mr Adamu in an acting capacity only, and is yet to be confirmed as the substantive IG. However, instead of taking the advantage of this golden opportunity that has availed itself, Government chose to further embitter the South Easterners by appointing a Northerner who is not even qualified to be IG, by reason of his birth date and date of commissioning into the Police. The Police Act 2020 is quite specific about the tenure of the IG being four years, and retirement at 35 years of service or age 60, whichever comes first. Mr Baba will only do two years before he is up for retirement, and consequently, his confirmation will run foul of the Police Act and Public Service Rules. Is it that there is no other person from the South East, who is qualified to be IG? How is it possible that Government descends to such levels of tribalism and makes unconstitutional and unlawful appointments, and expects those who feel cheated to continue to "siddon look"? It would have been better for the headship of security and law enforcement to be evenly distributed amongst the different zones in a South/North North/South arrangement, obviously picking the most qualified from the various zones. What do I mean? In no particular order, if the IG was from the South East, then the COAS should be from a Northern zone; the CNS, South, CAS, North, EFCC South, and Civil Defence North, until all the zones are accounted for and so on.

This kind of even distribution and inclusion of all, would make for a better rapport amongst Nigerians, even more so than NYSC! - because the issue of ethnicity has become so entrenched in our lives, that it may be difficult at this point, to discountenance it. Ideally, what should be driving us is merit not tribe, as there is an urgent need to salvage our country now, and we need the right people to achieve this goal regardless of their tribe.

With the unfortunate demise of the COAS, Ibrahim Altahiru a few days ago, again a fresh opportunity arose for conciliation and inclusion.

However, it was doubtful that anyone from the South East would be chosen to replace late Lt Gen Attahiru, because the bitter truth is that, with the level of rebellion against constituted authority that has encompassed the South East, some decision makers may have considered it to be political or governmental suicide to have an Igbo COAS. So, when the names of some Igbo candidates were being peddled for the position, and a fake announcement of one as the new COAS circulated on social media, it was not surprising that the President discountenanced and ignored the clamour, and another Northerner was selected.

“TAKE THE SOUTH EAST ZONE....WHILE I CAN NEVER CONDONE VIOLENCE, INSURGENCY AND THE SENSELESS DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, IT IS THE RESENTMENT OF SOME GROUPS AGAINST GOVERNMENT FOR THEIR PERCEIVED OR REAL EXCLUSION AND MARGINALISATION THAT HAS BALLOONED TO UNIMAGINABLE PROPORTIONS, AND HAS ATTAINED A LEVEL REBELLION AGAINST CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY TERRORISM....”

Conclusion The sum and substance of my foregoing observations is that, apart from the ongoing

Mrs Arinola Oloko

constitutional review process which many cynics have denounced as stage managed and a fruitless exercise that nothing will come out of, Government must as a matter of urgency, take some practical steps to stem the tide of rebellion which is gradually encircling the South East, so that it does not spread to other parts of the country, as that would be disastrous. Feigning ignorance, is no longer bliss. The first step to achieving this goal, is to sincerely examine the grievances of the South East, instead of brushing them off as if they don’t exist. As the sayings go, ‘better late than never’; ‘a stitch in time saves nine’. A word, they say, is enough for the wise (abò òrò nto òmò luabi, to ba de inu, a di odindi). The question is whether Government would be wise enough to take the necessary steps to avert further doom, since it is also said that common sense may not be that common after all!

4/LAW REPORT

Panel of Justices and Delivery of Judgement in an Appellate Court Facts The 1st Respondent commenced an action at the Federal High Court, Abuja by an Originating Summons against the Appellant and the 3rd and 4th Respondents. It sought the determination of the scope of powers of the 3rd and 4th Respondents with respect to the registration of a trade union, in view of the provisions of Sections 3 and 5 of the Trade Unions Act. The 1st Respondent also sought an order of court preventing the registration by the Appellants, of an association known as Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) on the ground that it is not registrable as a trade union, as the class of interested persons thereunder (Secondary School Teachers) was already sufficiently represented by the 1st Respondent.

The Appellants and the 3rd and 4th Respondents filed Notices of Preliminary Objections, by which they challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to entertain the suit. In a ruling delivered on 10th March, 2009, the Federal High Court dismissed the Preliminary Objections, and assumed jurisdiction to determine the action. Dissatisfied, the Appellants appealed to the Court of Appeal.

The appeal was heard before a panel consisting of Hon. Justice M.A.A. Adumein, Hon. Justice T. Akomolafe-Wilson and Hon. Justice M. Mustapha.

However, on the date judgement was delivered, the panel that delivered the judgement consisted of Hon. Justice M.A.A. Adumein, Hon. Justice Joseph E. Ekanem and Hon. Justice M. Mustapha. Hon. Justice T. Akomolafe-Wilson was absent, and Hon. Justice Joseph E. Ekanem who did not take part in the hearing of the appeal, concurred and contributed to the leading judgement dismissing the appeal.

Further dissatisfied, the Appellants filed appealed lodged its appeal to the Supreme Court.

Issue for determination The sole issue considered by the Apex Court in its determination of the appeal was: Whether considering the provisions of Sections 247(1) and 294(1), (2), (3) and (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Court of Appeal was properly constituted when it delivered its judgement in the appeal.

Arguments Counsel submitted for the Appellants that it is an established principle of law that a decision of court is valid, only when that decision was made by a competent court. He cited MADUKOLU v NKEMDILIM (1962) 1 All NLR 587 in support of his position. He stated that the combined effect of Section 247(1) and 294(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 is that, the panel of Justices of the Court of Appeal can give their opinion in writing as it relates to the judgement in any particular matter. The absence of the written opinion of Hon. Justice T. Akomolafe-Wilson in the judgement of the Court of Appeal, rendered the entire judgement a nullity. Counsel opined further that the decision of Hon. Justice Joseph E. Ekanem who did not take part in the hearing of the appeal, yet who wrote a concurring decision, breached their constitutionally guaranteed right of fair hearing enshrined in Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.

He referred to the decision in SOKOTO STATE GOVT. v KAMDEX (NIG) LTD (2007) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1034) 446, 489.

Reacting to the submissions above, counsel for the 1st Respondent argued that the non-inclusion of Hon. Justice T. Akomolafe-Wilson on the panel that delivered the judgement despite being part of the panel that heard the appeal, was a mere irregularity which did not occasion any miscarriage of justice.

He submitted that since there was determination of the appeal by two Justices as provided by the Constitution, and Hon. Justice Joseph E. Ekanem’s judgement is a concurring judgement which, when excluded, will not affect the main judgement, the entire judgement cannot be a nullity. He argued that the Supreme Court had decided in various decisions before now, that where the panel which delivered the judgement is different from the panel which heard the appeal, the judgement will not result in

a nullity. He referred to SHUAIBU v NAB LTD (1998) 5 NWLR (Pt. 551) P. 582 at 595, NANA TAWIA III v KWASI EWUDZI 3 WACA 52.

On his part, counsel for the 2nd Respondent submitted that the decision of Hon. Justice Joseph E. Ekanem should be treated as an irregularity which did not affect the substance or the decision reached by the Court of Appeal.

Agreeing with the submissions of the Appellants, counsel for the 3rd and 4th Respondents posited that any defect in competence is fatal. He argued that a Justice who did not take part in hearing an appeal cannot write the judgement, even if it is a concurring one; rather, he is allowed to read the judgement on behalf of a Justice who sat on the appeal.

He stressed further that by the provisions of the Constitution, the judgement of the Court of Appeal is regarded as nullity, because it is not a complete judgement until all the members who sat on the panel write their own decision

Honourable Chima Centus Nweze, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 15th day of January, 2021 Before Their Lordships

Olabode Rhodes-Vivour Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun Chima Centus Nweze Amina Adamu Augie Uwani Musa Abba Aji Justices, Supreme Court SC.432/2014 Between 1.

2.

OLU CHARLES O. FALUYI OLUSOLA ADOJUTELEGAN (for themselves and on behalf of the Association referred to as Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Nigeria (ASUSS) (Formerly Conference of Secondary School Tutors Nigeria))

APPELLANTS

And 1.

2.

3.

4.

NIGERIAN UNION OF TEACHERS NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS HON. MINISTER OF EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR AND PRODUCTIVITY REGISTRAR OF TRADE UNIONS

RESPONDENTS

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Chima Centus Nweze, JSC)

Court’s Judgement and Rationale Deciding the appeal, the Apex Court held that Section 247(1) of the 1999 Constitution makes provision for an average of three Justices in appeals before the Court of Appeal, and this is not open for any other Justice who did not participate in hearing the appeal to just appear either in substitution for or in addition to those who heard the appeal, to write and deliver a judgement in the appeal.

Relying on its earlier decision in UBWA v TIV AREA COUNCIL (2004) 11 NWLR (Pt. 884) 427 at 437 A-F, the court held that by Section 247(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the court is duly constituted for the purpose of hearing and determining any appeal, if it consists of at least three Justices of that court. Although, a Justice of the Court who did not take part in hearing an appeal may lawfully deliver a judgement or opinion of another Justice who took part in hearing the appeal but is unavoidably absent, any judgement delivered by the three Justices in any appeal must be by those who actually heard the appeal.

The court also relied on its judgement in SOKOTO STATE GOVT v KAMDEX (NIG) LTD (2007) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1034) 466 at 49, in which it held that any defect in competence is fatal, as the proceedings are a nullity however well conducted and decided; hence, a judicial officer who had not sat in court in that capacity to exercise the jurisdiction of that court in hearing a cause or matter, cannot have the capacity in law to sit in court and write a judgement or opinion to determine a dispute which he did not participate in the hearing. For the purpose of delivering judgement, any Justice of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal can read the opinion of any Justice, that has already been reduced into writing. A judgement delivered by a panel, where one of them did not hear the argument nor was he present at the hearing, is a nullity.

In conclusion, Their Lordships held that the judgement delivered by Hon. Justice E. Ekanem, who did not sit with the panel of Justices who heard the appeal on the date set for hearing, assuredly affected the competence of the Court of Appeal in the proceeding conducted, especially the delivery of the judgement of court Appeal allowed. Case remitted to the Court of Appeal for hearing de novo before a different panel.

Representation Olayiwola Afolabi Esq. with Shedrack Enyawuile Esq. for the Appellant.

“A JUDGEMENT DELIVERED BY A PANEL, WHERE ONE OF THEM DID NOT HEAR THE ARGUMENT NOR WAS HE PRESENT AT THE HEARING, IS A NULLITY”

Chinenye Ihekaire for the 1st Respondent.

Anthony Itedjere Esq. with Gabriel Ogenyi Esq. for the 2nd Respondent.

Michael Dedon Esq. with Ikechukwu Odozor Esq. for the 3rd and 4th Respondents.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)(An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)

NEWS/5

01.06.2021

SPIDEL Ends Annual Conference at Ibadan on a Cheerful Note The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBASPIDEL) had until recently fallen on hard times, having been comatose for about seven years. It took the efforts of the Dr Paul Ananaba, SAN-led SPIDEL Council to resuscitate the once vibrant Section. This process was effectively started with the highly successful 2019 SPIDEL Annual Conference in Aba, but was cemented in a spectacular way by this year’s annual conference held in the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State.

With an engaging theme such as “The Role of Public Interest in Governance in Nigeria”, the welcome cocktails hosted by the Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Munta Abimbola on May 23, 2021 set the stage for the intellectual fireworks witnessed throughout the conference.

While the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Mr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani delivered a warm welcome address to herald the opening ceremony, Ananaba, the Chairman of the Section, gave the

L- L-R: Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed; Justice Ejembi Eko (JSC), Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde and Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN opening remarks which set the tone for the conference. The NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata in his address, emphasised the pivotal position of SPIDEL in defence of human rights and rule of law.

The address of the Chief

Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad was delivered by Justice Ejembi Eko of the Supreme Court, while goodwill messages were presented by the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Abimbola; the Attorney-General of Oyo State,

Financial Autonomy: Until Judiciary Account is Credited, Strike Continues, JUSUN Steve Aya $IWHU UDWLÀFDWLRQ RI LWV DJUHHment with Federal and State Governments, the Judiciary 6WDͿ 8QLRQ RI 1LJHULD -8SUN) has maintained that its members will continue the almost two-month-old strike, until the accounts of all State Judiciaries have been credited.

In a statement released on Thursday by the Union’s 3XEOLFDWLRQ 5HODWLRQV 2΀FHU the workers acknowledged the meeting between their NWC 6WDWH *RYHUQRUV DQG R΀FLDOV of the Federal Government, and the MOA that was agreed upon on Thursday 20th May. They however, maintained that the MOA is yet to be signed by NGF and returned to the concerned quarters, as DJUHHG 7KH\ DOVR FRQÀUPHG their meeting with the body of CJs and the issues as discussed with the Government team, was raised.

“Earlier today, the NWC met with the body of CJs, and the issues as discussed with the Government team was raised. The Heads of Court DUH LPSUHVVHG ZLWK RXU HͿRUWV observed a few clauses, and HQFRXUDJHG XV WR EH ÀUP DQG resolute.”

They reiterate their determination to go on with the strike action, until all State Judiciary accounts are credited.

“I am directed to reiterate that until the all-Judiciary Accts are credited, the strike continues.”

It would be recalled that the NWC met on Thursday 20th May, with the Government team, and an Understanding was reached. The MOA is yet to be signed by NGF and returned to the concerned quarters, according to report.

However, States like Rivers,

Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, SAN; pioneer SPIDEL Chairman, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN; Mrs. Folake Solanke, SAN and former NBA President, Mr. Austin Alegeh, SAN who made a virtual presentation. Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde declared open the hybrid conference. He had during a courtesy visit by SPIDEL, committed to hosting a successful conference.

The conference featured nine technical sessions with over 50 Speakers who spoke on various

sub-themes including the mega session on “The Imperatives of Public Interest in Governance in Nigeria”; “Internal Security: A Pre-Requisite for National Development”; “Legality and Efficacy of Public Inquiry by State Governments – Issues on Violent Protest and Recovery of Assets”; “When the State Truly Defends: Assessing the Role of the Office of the Public Defender of Lagos State & Other Institutional Schemes for Access to Justice by the Public”; and “Anti-Corruption Model: Assets Declaration, Public Access & Emerging Issues”.

Other sub-themes were “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Assessing Nigeria’s Progress: Focus Discussion on Gender Equality, Climate Action, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”; “Third Party Data Capturing for National Identification Numbers Project: National Security and Privacy Issues”; “Paternity Fraud in Nigeria: Legal and Social Implications”; and “Showcase Session on Public Interest Lawyering”.

Among the Speakers who attended the conference were Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko, JSC, Prof. Pat Utomi, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN (ICPC Chairman), Aisha Yesufu, and Mr. Deji

Adeyanju. Aside from leading human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, other Speakers also made virtual presentations.

After several robust debates, SPIDEL issued a communiqué outlining resolutions from the conference. The conference observed a disconnect between a large segment of the legal profession and the ideals of public interest lawyering, owing to gaps in the legal education curriculum. It noted that the current federating structure of the Nigerian State “is clearly unwieldy, and the debilitating situation is clearly seen in the spate of security crises in the country”, adding that aside from lack of local laws and an administrative structure for the administration of stolen funds in a manner that ensures that the funds are not re-looted, “it is constitutional and thus, lawful for States Houses of Assemblies to make anti-corruption laws and to establish State anticorruption commissions to fight the menace at the State level.”

Curtains were drawn on the sold-out conference, with the unveiling of the “SORO SOKE” App by the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Folake Solanke, SAN, assisted by NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata.

Ubani, Adegoke, Nwadioke Now SPIDEL Council Members

President JUSUN, Hon. Marwan Mustapha Adamu Bayelsa, Delta and Lagos are said to have already complied with the provisions of Executive Order 10 by remitting money to the arms of Government.

But, they are yet to formalise the arrangement by setting up the fund disbursement structures as provided in the agreement.

FAAC met last Friday and shared allocations to the Federal, State and Local Governments. However, the Judiciary and the Legislature were yet to receive their direct allocations as agreed.

Under the agreement, the State Governors have a 45day timeline from the date of signing of the agreement to implement the deal, or the Federal Government will be forced to invoke Executive Order 10, by asking the AccountantGeneral of the Federation to transfer funds directly to the State Judiciary and legislative arms.

The NGF Vice Chairman and Governor of Sokoto, Dr. Aminu Tambuwal, on Wednesday during a Colloquium organised by

the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice Academy, in honour of the retiring Chief Judge of the State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, expressed delight that a consensus KDV ÀQDOO\ EHHQ UHDFKHG RQ the autonomy conundrum, and opined that the strike is expected to be suspended anytime soon.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has noted that the new leadership of its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) was carefully chosen, to ensure that the Section does not become comatose again.

Speaking during the Annual General Meeting of the Section held at the Aare Afe Babalola Bar Centre, NBA Ibadan Branch, NBA First Vice President and Chairman of the SPIDEL Electoral Committee, Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, said that he was mandated by NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, “to ensure that those who will lead SPIDEL will be able to lead it from where we are now to greater heights, and to ensure that SPIDEL does not fall into the doldrums again”. $VLGH IURP ÀHU\ KXPDQ rights activist, Mr. Monday

Monday Ubani Onyekachi Ubani who was elected as the Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL Council, others are Mr. Steve Abah, Vice Chairman; Dr. Princess Frank-Chukwuani, Secretary; Funmilola Adeogun, Treasurer and Godfrey Echeho, Publicity Secretary. Council members include Dr Paul Ananaba, SAN; Mr. Kunle Adegoke,

SAN; Mr. Kola Omotinugbon; Mr. Emeka Nwadioke, Mr. Kunle Edun, Dr. Paul Ebiala, Anne Uruegi Agi, Igbeaku Ukwueso Evulukwu, and Mr. Abdullahi Karaye.

Saying that the newly elected Council was not only in compliance with the NBA Constitution, but that “the list that we present to the AGM is the best possible team”, the NBA stalwart gave assurance that “By the grace of God, SPIDEL has been revived. What is left is to build on it”.

Dissecting the challenges that hobbled SPIDEL before its revival by the Dr Paul Ananaba, SAN leadership, the NBA chieftain said: “The mistake that I believe that was made in the past, was that those who had the passion were not in the driver’s seat of SPIDEL”.

ABU Zaria Honours CJN Ahuraka Yusuf Isah Students of the Faculty of Law of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in collaboration with the University’s authorities, over the weekend honoured the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice (Dr) Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.

The recognition for the CJN came while the students were making a public presentation of the maiden edition of their “ANNUR Chambers Annual Journal of Contemporary Issues in Shari’a and Comparative Law”.

A student, Miss Rukaiya Bello, who is the Head/ Principal Partner of the Chambers, said that they chose to honour the CJN, for

his immense contribution to the growth and development of the judicial system in the country.

According to Miss Bello, the CJN is a big source of inspiration to the students of the Faculty of Law of ABU, Zaria because ‘’he graduated from the institution with LLB (Shari’a), came back to obtain an LLM, and subsequently, bagged PhD from the same institution. ‘’Besides, Hon. Dr Justice I.T. Muhammad added huge pride to ABU, Zaria with his appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. We are indeed proud of him”, she said.

However, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, who presented a paper on the contributions of the

Hon. Justice Tanko Muhammad, CJN CJN to legal jurisprudence, said although His Lordship is an expert on Shari’a law, he has decided more cases on other areas of legal disputes.

“I can only enumerate a few

of the decisions made by the CJN, to demonstrate his vast knowledge in law to assist the students on whose behalf this paper is mainly written. ¶·7KH HͿRUWV RI WKH &-1 cannot be over-emphasised.

As the grand custodian of the law, his Lordship’s feat in the dispensation of justice, given the constraints and challenges of the system, is remarkable and deserving a commendation’’, the SAN said.

However, Annur Chambers was established by the students of the ABU, Zaria Faculty of Law, to assist themselves in the areas of moot trial. Since the Chambers is made up of students, none of them can appear on behalf of litigants before any court of law.

6/

01.06.2021

Can a Notary Public be a Judge?

Introduction

Issued on Tuesday, the 11th of May, 2021 By the Governors of the 17-odd States of Southern Nigeria – less one

The on-going industrial action by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), has tasked the survival instincts of many a counsel in Nigeria like few things in recent times – both professionally and otherwise.

What clearer sign of this than the so-called ‘order’ - which went viral in social media last week - which was purportedly issued by a Notary Public of Nigeria, in which he purported to adjudicate on a commercial dispute between a bank and its customer, something ordinarily reserved for the regular courts. Was he right? Let’s see . . .

The Purported Order Dated the 26th day of May, 2021, it was issued by one Anthony Idanosi Eruaga, Esq., sitting “In the Abuja Judicial Division of the Notary Public of Nigeria” - complete with a legal practitioner’s stamp and the customary ‘red seal’ normally affixed to court processes and agreements. The proceedings leading to the order (titled ‘Reversal Order’) were purportedly instituted by one Deborah Oluwabukola Babatunde against Guaranty Trust Bank Plc., and the ‘cause of action’ is best expressed in the terms of the order itself, to wit: “that the sum of N551,250.00 Five Hundred and Fifty One Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Naira) wrongly/erroneously paid by Deborah Oluwabukola Babatunde – Account No. 2000632834 via Kuda Bank into Account No. 0023457325 with the name: Ofoefu Gabriel Chukwubuikem GTB Account instead of Account No. 0032457325, Name – Arisokwu Charity Amarachi GTB Account be reversed back to Account No. 2000632834 belonging to Deborah Oluwabukola Babatunde”.

Before scrutinising the competence or otherwise of Mr. Eruaga to issue the order, it is pertinent to pose the question of: Who is a Notary Public?

According to the Oxford Dictionary of Law, 6th Ed., a notary public is a legal practitioner who attests or certifies deeds and other documents, and notes or protests dishonoured bills of exchange. Blacks’ Law Dictionary, 7th ed., adds that a notary public is a public officer whose function is to attest and certify, by his hand and official seal, certain classes of documents, in order to give them credit and authenticity in foreign jurisdictions, to take acknowledgements of deeds and conveyances and certify them, and to perform certain official acts, chiefly in commercial matters, such as the protesting of notes and bills, the noting of foreign drafts, and marine protests in cases of loss or damages.

In Nigeria, only a legal practitioner can become a notary public: Section 2(1) of the Notaries Public Act (“NPA”). They are appointed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and are deemed to be officers of the Supreme Court. They perform the same duties and exercise the same functions as a notary in England: Section 2(1) (2) of the NPA. They can be removed for misconduct by the Chief Justice on a report from a court which convicts them therefor: Section 7 of the NPA. The CJN can also suspend them pending a reference to and decision by the Supreme Court on any complaint against them: Section 9 of the NPA. By virtue of Section 15 of the NPA, any notary public who wilfully certifies or propounds any false statement or document is liable on conviction, to imprisonment for two years.

Is Notary Erauga’s ’Order’ Valid?

This is the million Naira question, and its answer is temptingly obvious: a resounding ‘No’! However, the reasons might not be that easy to proffer. However, here goes. To start with, nothing in the NPA even, remotely empowers notaries to ‘hold court’ and issue orders in the manner in which Mr. Eruaga boldly did: expressio unius est exclusis alterius (the express mention of something in a statute, implies the exclusion of others which otherwise might be reasonably included).

Secondly, even if he possessed the legal capacity to conduct what was clearly a judicial proceedings, there was nothing to show – on the face of the order – that it was heard inter partes, that is, that the Respondent, GT Bank, was heard prior to its making. It is an elementary rule of fair hearing (audi alterem partem), to hear the other side to a dispute before taking a decision which will prejudicially affect that party’s civil rights and obligations. This rule of natural justice is enshrined in Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, and has been restated time and time again by the Supreme Court.

Thirdly, by virtue of the Constitution (Section 6), the judicial powers of the Federation and the States are vested in the superior courts named therein - as well as any other courts, which the National and State Houses of Assembly may deem fit to establish. Needless to say, no law confers adjudicatory functions on notaries public in Nigeria. Some have referred to an English statute which seemingly empowers notaries public in the UK to exercise judicial functions, if, for whatever reason, courts there are unable to sit or function.

Well, the short answer to that is that our NPA is self-executing, complete and all-embracing in terms of the remit of notaries public in Nigeria. Accordingly, the question of relying on a foreign law does not arise.

Fallout The latest on the affair, is that Mr. Eruaga has reportedly recanted and has apparently withdrawn the offensive order – blaming its publicity on the affected bank. As if it makes any difference.

It is, indeed, too little too late as, his mea culpa is the ‘notarial equivalent’ of medicine after death. Accordingly, the upshot of Mr. Eruaga’s malfeasance is that he was way in over his head, when he purportedly issued the order in question, He acted most recklessly, and with scant regard for not only Legal Practitioners Rules of

Consisting of 12 different items, Its key demands: a ban on open grazing within the region; Reflection of federal character in federal appointments; Restructuring; and convoking a national dialogue – Have been criticised by mostly Northern elements – Notably, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, the Senate President And the Daily Trust Newspaper Others in the Region (such as Miyetti Allah) – Have merely rued the “the failure” of their own Governors To act on the relevant issues – proactively and decisively Thus surrendering the initiative To their colleagues in the South As to the substance of The seemingly controversial demands, It does seem that They’ve been caught up – By the usual Nigerian factor: Our tendency – nay, proclivity To politicise virtually everything Including those which are clearly innocuous Professional Conduct, but the Constitution itself. He lacked the peremptory mandate which he exercised so magisteriallyd and with automatic alacrity - ultimately, in vain, as he is now subject to the disciplinary remit of the Supreme Court twice over: first, under the NPA and, secondly, on appeal from the possible sanction of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for infamous conduct in a professional respect.

Whilst the latter is a well-beaten track, the former is not so clear.

This is because, contrary to the provisions of Section 232 and 233 of the Constitution, the NPA (in Sections 1, 8 and 10), purports to confer original criminal and appellate jurisdiction on the Supreme Court in respect of misconduct allegedly committed by notaries such as Mr. Eruaga. Once again, not only is this illegitimate, given the notion of constitutional supremacy, the said provisions of the NPA are invalid, null and void to the extent of the inconsistency: Section 1(1) & (3) of the Constitution.

As if all this was not bad enough, Mr. Eruaga is also open to prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, because his conduct arguably constitutes an economic or financial crime, given the subject-matter of his noxious order. See Sections 4 and 7 of the EFCC Act. So much for seeking to ‘punch above one’s weight’.

Conclusion Seldom has the normally inobtrusive provisions of the NPA - and the work of the normally placid, self-effacing notaries public - been thrust into such harsh, public glare and scrutiny. Mr. Eruaga has made the news for all the wrong reasons, by exposing the Club of Notaries Public and the legal profession itself to public odium, ridicule and contempt. Quite simply, a notary public has never been, and will never be, a Judge or carry out such functions ex officio - simply by virtue of his or her being a notary public.

The two are parallel lines, which can never meet – save with a legislative amendment to the NPA. Unfortunately, it had to take a certain Mr. Eruaga, to put it beyond doubt.

Much Ado about a Declaration Seldom has the expression Of solidarity through a shared platform By an otherwise disparate agglomeration Generated the sort of storm –

Which attended the so-called Asaba Declaration

Starting with open grazing: Its ban, by the Executive In any part of the country Is just that: a declaration of policy For its enforcement, it needs the Police Something which the Centre presently monopolizes This dove-tails into the wider call for restructuring – Which – along with tinkering with the revenue-sharing formula – And so-called true federalism – requires amending the Constitution A document, which – in its present form – Is the subject of much resentment Given the circumstances of its enactment The same applies to the alleged absence Of federal character in President Buhari’s appointments That provision of the Constitution – Section 14(3) Requires an amendment to give it teeth Call it a Catch-22 situation, you won’t be wrong And, yet, ubi jus ibi remedium This is why the Governors’ intervention Should be welcomed At the very least, it was but Freedom of expression at play All the more so, because The Governors also affirmed their faith – In the unity of Nigeria Having said all that, however, One cannot but agree with some (Notably, Mike Ozekhome, SAN) – Who have opined that the Governors’ specific call For a national dialogue Is somewhat unfounded Given our recent national experience – With such get-togethers – most recently That of Twenty Fourteen Its report – like that of others before it Sits atop the proverbial shelf – forgotten Finally, beyond the populism Of the anti-open grazing ban In terms of its legalism, An interesting dimension is thrown up by the Land Use Act

“QUITE SIMPLY, A NOTARY PUBLIC HAS NEVER BEEN, AND WILL NEVER BE, A JUDGE OR CARRY OUT SUCH FUNCTIONS EX OFFICIO - SIMPLY BY VIRTUE OF HIS OR HER BEING A NOTARY PUBLIC”

This generation-old law (It was enacted in 1978) Provides in Section 46(1)(d) thereof That the National Council of States – May make Regulations for granting Temporary Certificates of Occupancy In respect of any land in Nigeria Thus, somewhat circumscribing the ban This is because, nothing stops Its opponents within the Council Namely, Northern Governors and the Federal Government From invoking this clause – And, prescribing, instead, an alternative In the form of temporary rights of occupancy To be availed to interested pastoralists Is this feasible? It remains to be seen

01.06.2021

/7

Treatment of Crypto-Assets in Insolvency: Lessons from Other Jurisdictions Introduction

“IN 2020, NIGERIA

Since the creation of bitcoin by “Satoshi Nakamoto” in 2009, the number of cryptocurrencies has exponentially increased to over five thousand. This is in spite of the cold reception from regulators in many jurisdictions, including Nigeria. In 2020, Nigeria generated over US$400 million worth of crypto-transactions, ranking third globally in terms of volume of crypto-currency trade. A potential implication of this trend, is the possibility of insolvency proceedings involving crypto-currencies or crypto-assets.

The peculiar characteristics of crypto-assets are likely to pose unique challenges in such proceedings. This discourse examines some of these potential challenges, drawing lessons from some common law jurisdictions.

Cross-border and Jurisdictional Issues Crypto-transactions usually involve parties in different countries or jurisdictions. For example, as of 2013, insolvent Japanese crypto-currency exchange, Mt Gox Co. Ltd, had nearly 1.1 million active accounts from 239 countries.

The transnational nature of crypto-transactions may give rise to complex issues in insolvency.

Determining the jurisdiction where crypto-assets are based may be problematic considering the virtual nature of crypto-assets. It has been mooted that crypto-currencies are located in the jurisdiction of the crypto-currency exchange hosting the crypto-currencies. Where an exchange’s server is based in a different jurisdiction from the exchange, it has been suggested that the crypto-currencies are located in the server’s jurisdiction. A shortcoming of these propositions is that they are premised on the flawed assumption that crypto-currencies have physical form(s) identifiable to a particular crypto-currency exchange or server.

Officeholders of insolvent crypto-investors may have to seek the assistance of courts in jurisdictions where crypto-currency exchanges are located to prevent crypto-assets from being dissipated or put out of reach. This is imperative considering that the insolvency provisions in the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 do not have extra-territorial effect. In Ruscoe & Moore v Cryptopia Ltd [2020] NZHC 728, insolvency proceedings for Cryptopia (a crypto-currency exchange) were commenced in New Zealand. Crytopia’s data was stored in servers in a US-based web services company. The US-based company demanded for US$2million before granting access to data in its servers, which were required to determine owners of millions of crypto-currency tokens held by Cryptopia. Cryptopia’s liquidators had to file an insolvency petition in the US for recognition of the New Zealand liquidation, so as to apply for interim relief to preserve Cryptopia’s data in the US-based server.

The Property Question Crypto-currencies are stored in digital wallets which are hosted in online crypto-currency exchanges such as Buycoins, Bundle, Luno, Quidax, Binance, Xend etc. These exchanges enable storage, purchase and transfer of cryptocurrencies. Each unit of crypto-currency has a public-key and private-key. The public-key is similar to a username whilst the private-key is a unique string of alphanumeric required in accessing a user’s wallet.

A significant issue which courts have had to address in insolvencies relating to crypto-assets is whether or not crypto-assets constitute property. The categorisation of crypto-assets will influence how they are treated in insolvencies.

Where crypto-assets are categorised as property, crypto-investors would have proprietary rights in crypto-assets in an exchange’s insolvency, as opposed to mere personal rights against the crypto-currency exchange. Such categorisation would also enable crypto-assets to be held on trust and for security to be created over

GENERATED OVER US$400 MILLION WORTH OF CRYPTOTRANSACTIONS, RANKING THIRD GLOBALLY IN TERMS OF VOLUME OF CRYPTO-CURRENCY TRADE”

crypto-assets. Furthermore, in the event of an exchange’s insolvency, crypto-currencies would not be available for distribution to the exchange’s general body of creditors. Rather, crypto-investors will be entitled to a refund of their crypto-currencies or an equivalent value.

Common law traditionally categorises property into real and personal property. Personal property may either be tangible i.e. choses in possession or intangible i.e. choses in action.

Crypto-currencies are not tangibles because they have no physical form and cannot be possessed. There is difficulty in categorising crypto-currencies as intangibles considering that they do not embody any right capable of being enforced by action. Regardless of the foregoing, a number of courts in common law jurisdictions have recognised crypto-asset as a specie of intangible personnel property.

In November 2019, the United Kingdom Jurisdictional Task Force (UKJT) published a statement stating that crypto-assets may be treated as property notwithstanding that they are not choses in action on a narrower definition of the term. The UKJT noted that crypto-assets possess all the characteristics of property and that their intangibility ought not to disqualify them.

In AA v Persons Unknown (2020) 2 All ER 704, an English High Court adopted the UKJT’s position as the common law position.

Bryan J. explained that Fry LJ’s statement in Colonial Bank v Whinney [1885] 30 Ch.D 261 that “all personal things are either in possession or action” and that “the law knows no tertium quid between the two" was in relation to the question whether shares where choses in action under UK Bankruptcy Act 1883 and not on the scope of property generally. Bryan J. also stated that crypto-currencies satisfied the four criteria set out in Lord Wilberforce's classic definition of property in National Provincial Bank v Ainsworth [1965] 1 AC 1175 at 1247–1248 as being definable, identifiable by third parties, capable of assumption by third parties and having a degree of permanence.

In B2C2 Ltd v Quoine PTC Ltd [2019] SGHC(I) 03, the Singapore International Commercial Court also applied Lord Wilberforce’s dicta to hold that crypto-currencies met all four criteria of property and are capable of being held on trust. In Re Quadriga Fintech Solutions Corporation [1 March 2021], a Canadian Court held that the definition of property under Canada’s Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act 1985 accommodates cryptocurrencies.

In a similar vein, in Ruscoe & Moore v Cryptopia Ltd [supra], a New Zealand Court held that crypto-assets are “property” within the definition in section 2 of the New Zealand Companies Act 1993 and more generally,

under common law. Gendall J. stated that crypto-currencies met Lord Wilberforce’s indicia for property laid down in National Provincial Bank Ltd v Ainsworth [supra] and that his conclusion accorded with UKJT’s position in that regard. Gendall J. also held that the $170million worth of crypto-currencies held by Cryptopia were held in trust for account-holders of Cryptopia and were not the property of Cryptopia.

The Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 does not define property. The above decisions from other common law jurisdictions have persuasive effect on Nigerian Courts. Save for those hinged on specific foreign statutes, they may serve as useful guides in Nigeria.

The Bankruptcy Act 1979 defines property to include “money, goods, things in action, transferable interests and every description of property. whether real or personal and whether situate in Nigeria or elsewhere, also obligations, easements and every description of estate, interest and profit, present or future, vested or contingent, arising out of or incidental to property as above defined”. This definition is similar to the definition of property under section 2 of Canada’s Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. It is thus arguable that it is capable of accommodating crypto-assets in the context of personal bankruptcy.

The Pseudonymity Barrier The high level of pseudonymity which cryptography permits may pose challenges for an officeholder. Presently, there are no (public) registers of ownership of crypto-assets.

Accordingly, an officeholder may have an uphill task ascertaining whether an insolvent entity has crypto-assets and (if it does) the exchange(s) where those crypto-assets are hosted. Even where crypto-assets and the relevant exchange(s) have been identified, an officeholder may face the challenge of ascertaining the insolvent entity’s private-key to facilitate access to and control of the crypto-assets. In Quadriga Fintech Solutions Corporation’s case, crypto-currencies of 115,0000 clients of crypto-exchange QuadrigaCX valued at US$196 million were inaccessible. This followed the demise of Quadriga’s chief executive, Gerald Cotton, who was the only person with the passkey to the off-line cold wallets holding the crypto-currencies. There may also be the risk of wrongful concealment or attempts to put crypto-assets from the reach of officeholders. In Schultz v Keyword Rockstar Inc, (B.A.P. 9th Cir. June 4, 2019), the debtor was found to have concealed $30,000 worth of crypto-assets.

An officeholder may have to seek for the assistance or cooperation of the insolvent’s officials to make disclosures regarding crypto-

assets. An officeholder may also consider searching the insolvent’s books, records, bank statements, mobile applications, emails, and internet browsing history for evidence or hints of crypto-transactions and private-keys.

Where the insolvent’s or exchange’s officials are uncooperative, the officeholder may seek court orders to compel disclosure, restrain transfer of crypto-assets or a turnover of private key information.

Preservation and Valuation After assuming control of crypto-assets via private-keys, an officeholder may have to explore ways of protecting and preserving the crypto-assets. In this regard, the officeholder may consider holding the crypto-assets in a cold storage pending their sale. A cold storage is an offline wallet for storing crypto-currencies.

This protects the crypto-assets from cyber-hacks, unauthorised access and other internet-related risks.

A notable characteristic of crypto-currencies is their price volatility. This may form an additional layer of complexity in a valuation process. For crypto-investors, depending on the circumstances, price fluctuations may be beneficial or detrimental to their commercial interests. Where the value of crypto-currency is not fixed/determined on the date of the commencement of the formal insolvency proceedings, a plummet in price could result in losses. In contrast, crypto-investors could reap a windfall if prices skyrocket. In Mt Gox’s case, bitcoin was priced at about $500 at the time of its insolvency filing. Four years later, when some of the sales of the insolvency estate’s bitcoins were carried out, they were done at an average price of about $8,000. An officeholder may optimise returns to crypto-investors by strategically refraining from selling when prices tank, and selling when prices soar.

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‘Criminalising Ransom In the fast expanding and diversifying legal profession, it is becoming rare to find a thoroughbred female litigation Lawyer like Mrs Titilola Akinlawon, SAN. Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi tracked down the press-shy legal amazon, who was in her element as spoke about various aspects of legal practice and burning national issues, like the proposed Bill to criminalise ransom payments for kidnapping, the ban on open grazing, the JUSUN Strike, and the pervasive insecurity that has encompassed the country

Y

ou pupiled in two fine law firms, Wole Olanipekun & Co. M. I. Jegede & Co. To what extent would you say that this background helped you in your Professional Career?

Would you subscribe to the idea that pupillage for new wigs be brought back? That it should be a policy that new wigs should go through a mandatory pupillage for a year or two, or should they just be allowed to set up practice immediately they qualify if they choose to, as they do presently? Kindly give us the reasons for your response.

There is no doubt that my earliest exposure to litigation in the law firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co in Ilorin, helped me a great deal in becoming a seasoned Litigator. This was during my NYSC. My place of primary assignment was at the Kwara State College of Technology, where I was a lecturer.

I took HND II Building Technology Students in Principles of Law, Contract & Arbitration and Diploma Law II Students in Criminal Law & Procedure.

I spent an average of eight hours a week at my duty post. It was boredom that led me to approach the then, Mr. Wole Olanipekun, who I considered a very vibrant and hardworking Lawyer, asking to spend the rest of my work hours in his Chambers.

He took me on gladly, and did I learn? There is nothing like learning at the feet of a Master. The first trial which I conducted, was at a Magistrate Court for a Minor traffic offence. It was a criminal trial. The day before the trial, the accused person came to Chambers and our Principal insisted that my colleague – Femi Lijadu – sit in and participate in the pre-trial conference on our line of defence, but I had no idea that I would be asked to take the trial.

At the trial, Mr. Olanipekun led me, but when the case was stood down till after call over, he left the courtroom.

Unfortunately, when the case was called again, he still had not come back into the Court. I had no choice other than to now appear for the accused person.

In a very feeble voice, I informed the Magistrate that my Principal who was to lead me, had stepped out of the court. I then prayed for a stand down. The Magistrate in a calm voice asked if I was a Lawyer, and when I answered in the affirmative, insisted I should go on with the case until such a time that my Principal returned to the court room. Of course, I was so nervous and so unsure of my ability to do a good job.

However, when I had to cross-examine the first witness for the prosecution, all the discussions with the accused person the previous day came back to me, and

Mrs Titilola Akinlawon, SAN

“IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT IN CASES OF RAPE, COURTS OFTEN TIMES, SENTENCE CONVICTED RAPISTS TO TWO YEARS IMPRISONMENT WHEN THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE IS LIFE IMPRISONMENT WITHOUT AN OPTION OF FINE.....”

the notes which I had taken came in very handy. I honestly believed that from the cross-examination, it ought to have been clear to the Magistrate that the accused did no wrong. What followed was that the prosecuting Police Officer was advised to withdraw the Charge and not waste the Court’s time. Of course, the accused person was then discharged and acquitted, handing me my very first victory as a litigator, under the tutelage of a brilliant, versatile and hardworking Principal.

Clearly, this was a tonic one needed to become interested in the profession and grow as a litigator.

After my NYSC, I came to Lagos and resumed work immediately in the law firm of M. I. Jegede & Co., where I had previously served as an intern during long vacations. This was a different experience. My principal there was a Professor of Law who had just retired from the post of Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos. Under his tutelage, I was trained to look at issues like an academic, before reducing them to the practical level of a litigator. I had to do a lot of research and write position papers, before going on to draft pleadings. The position paper was a critical document, which invariably became the final address in the case.

In the law office of M.I. Jegede & Co., it was our practice for Lawyers to present written final addresses at the Chambers meetings, long before the Rules of Court made this mandatory.

I worked in this firm from 1982 till

I disengaged in 2001 to co-found the law firm of Akinlawon & Ajomo with Mr. Ibukun Ajomo. As a result of the training in M.I. Jegede & Co, I can litigate in any area of law. I’m fond of saying that I’m a Litigator, when asked what is my area of specialty. The truth is that, even if a Lawyer is an expert in oil and gas for example, and needs to present his case in court, if he does not understand the psychology of the court, then his knowledge may not help his Client’s case in court. The primary issues are, what facts must you plead, what documents should you tender, what documents should you be opposed to and more importantly, what questions do you ask under cross – examination? All the above do not come within the knowledge of an oil and gas Lawyer without exposure to the Court room. I believe it is because of the above that in England, there is a clear dichotomy between Solicitors and Barristers.

All that I have explained above means that pupillage is a NECESSITY for new wigs, and it must be made compulsory for a minimum of two years, even though I honestly think five years would be more ideal.

Another argument is that the poor wages some law firms pay to young Lawyers, discourages pupillage. If pupillage is made mandatory, then minimum payment depending on location should also be made mandatory.

I believe this to be the position of the Welfare Committee of the Nigerian Bar

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Payment, is Nonsensical’ “SURELY, IT IS THE DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO SECURE THE LIVES AND PROPERTIES OF ITS CITIZENS. WHERE THE GOVERNMENT FAILS TO DO THIS, AND A PERSON IS KIDNAPPED AND IS AT RISK OF BEING MURDERED, I WONDER WHAT THE RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OF THE KIDNAPPED PERSON, WOULD BE EXPECTED TO DO?....FOLD THEIR ARMS....”

Association. If we do not do this, the quality of Lawyers may continue to dwindle, to the detriment of the society.

Another issue is that the amount of money needed to set up a good Law Chambers may not be immediately available to new wigs (except of course, those with privileged backgrounds), so the period of pupillage should be used to acquire necessary facilities to start the Chambers. In totality, I do not expect a new wig to start out on his own without any experience. No amount of studying law books, can equate to the experience gained in practice.

In recent times there have been increasing reports that other professions are defiantly and unabashedly encroaching on the legal profession.

For instance, Accountants, Surveyors and many others now prepare legal documents to the chagrin of Lawyers.

How, in your view, can this threat be addressed?

There is no gainsaying that Estate Surveyors, particularly, are making great inroads into the legitimate duties of Lawyers, by the preparation of legal documents relating to properties like Tenancy Agreements and Land Transfer documents. When Estate Surveyors let out a property, they already have a template for Tenancy Agreements in their system, so they just adapt same to the current parties and get paid 10% of the rent charged along with the 10% agency fee, which is their legitimate fee.

To address this problem, I would suggest that if the tenancy becomes a subject of litigation, then the courts should not admit such an agreement in evidence, if it is not franked by a Lawyer with the Lawyer’s seal affixed.

I know this would require the Evidence Act to be amended, but it is worth pursing because the aggregate amount of money lost to the profession in this regard is huge.

On the issue of Land Transfer documents, I believe that no Land Registry would register any document not signed by a Lawyer and sealed by him. In an attempt to circumvent this, Firms of Estate Surveyors employ Lawyers who are placed on salaries, to prepare and frank such documents.

Regarding this practice, I think the regulation prohibiting in-house Lawyers from appearing in court for their employers, should be extended to the preparation of land documents by in-house Lawyers in any establishment.

This is very prevalent in Banks and Insurance Companies. Rather than firming out the preparation of legal documents as it was some years back, the in-house Lawyers prepare the documents and the establishment would charge the customer the same fees an external Lawyer would have charged, thereby increasing their profit level at the expense of the law profession.

In accounting firms, some employ Lawyers to attend to legal tax issues of their Clients. This should be discouraged. When legal tax issues arise during the course of filing tax returns by tax practitioners or accounting firms, such issues should be referred to law firms instead of getting the in-house Lawyers to attend to them. To enforce this, the Tax Tribunals should only

Mrs Titilola Akinlawon, SAN

take matters filed by law firms and not by in-house counsel. Maybe, the Nigeria Bar Association can explore an agreement with other professional bodies like the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAN), Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) to streamline the roles, their respective members can play vis-a-vis the legal profession.

Sexual harassment in work-places is on the increase globally. This was one of the main themes at the 2019 NBA Annual Conference in Lagos, where the then IBA President made a presentation. It is so common-place in Nigeria, to the extent that many young female Lawyers have had to abort their career plans to escape from their harassers. How do we address this social monster?

The situation of sexual harassment in the legal profession is such a great embarrassment, because one would expect those who are the custodians of the law to demonstrate the highest moral standards, and not indulge in such barbaric conduct. I feel so ashamed when I hear of such practises among Lawyers, who are supposed to be above such demeaning acts. Maybe one should not be too harsh on our colleagues, since we are in a society which has completely lost all moral values, and where anything goes.

To stem the tide of sexual harassment in the legal profession, I would suggest that it should be included as a professional misconduct, which can lead to the disbarment of a Lawyer involved in such act. Of course, to achieve success in this, the victim involved must speak out and be able to follow through the proceedings before the Disciplinary Committee. After all, we are in the “soro soke” generation. I think the Women’s Forum of the NBA, should lend all necessary support to female complainants in this regard.

If a person so accused is suspended or disbarred, I believe prosecution for the

crime should follow before a Criminal Court. The NBA must use its standing to ensure that the Attorney-General of the State where the accused person resides is involved in the prosecution, and elicits necessary evidence to secure a conviction. To proponents of the double jeopardy principle, I would quickly respond that the trend is just rearing its head in our noble profession, and its best that we use a sledge hammer to kill it now before it completely destroys our most honourable profession. When female Lawyers don’t feel comfortable and leave the profession because of sexual harassment, where does it leave the profession? After all, a bird cannot fly with one wing!!!

My other suggestion is that there must be specific laws prohibiting sexual harassment in the work-place with severe penalties, in order to stem the tide of this evil act. Also, the courts must be strict in their sentencing for this heinous act. It is regrettable that in cases of rape, courts often times, sentence convicted rapists to two years imprisonment when the maximum sentence is life imprisonment without an option of fine, as stipulated in the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act. What is your stand on the Bill the Senate is seeking to pass prohibiting the payment of ransom in the case of kidnap, and prescribing a 15-year sentence on the one found guilty of paying the ransom?

This is a most nonsensical provision of any Bill, that I’ve come across in my life. Why would you penalise a person or criminalise his act, in trying to secure the release of loved ones?

Surely, it is the duty of the Government to secure the lives and properties of its Citizens. Where the Government fails to do this, and a person is kidnapped and is at risk of being murdered, I wonder what the relatives and friends of the kidnapped person would be expected to do? Certainly, we would not expect them to fold their arms and do nothing, since the law enforcement

persons would not secure the release of the victim. Clearly, the only practical option open to them would be to negotiate and effect payment of the ransom to the kidnappers.

Instead of wasting time on this very ridiculous Bill, why would our law makers not consider how the narrative of the state of insecurity in Nigeria can be changed? Why not consider a Bill to encourage using technology to fight kidnapping? Why not see about creating State Police? Why not see about the compulsory education of children and such other laws that would stem, if not eliminate the high rate of kidnapping.

As the Executive has failed the society in failing to secure the lives and properties of citizens, it would be most disturbing and disheartening for the legislature to compound the ineptitude of the executive, by passing this very ridiculous and senseless Bill to criminalise payment of ransom, and propose to impose such a draconian term of 15 years imprisonment.

It makes me very tearful and unhappy about my Citizenship of Nigeria when I remember that the USA sent eight Marine Seals to Nigeria to rescue a single American kidnapped victim from Niger, but brought into a hideout in Nigeria.

Where is the Nigerian Government in all the kidnapping that has gone on in Nigeria? Well, we rely on the well-worn saying that “every man for cont'd on page 10

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‘Criminalising Ransom Payment, is Nonsensical’ cont'd from page 9

opposite in Nigeria, as States that do not generate any revenue feel comfortable to remain so, because whatever happens, the Federal Government will still share resources generated by other States to them. This must stop. Each State should stand or fall on its own resources, while the Federal Government should only be responsible for few issues like Defence, Territorial Integrity, Immigration and the like, that concern all.

The raging arguments, which say that the Constitution cannot be amended because it was not the peoples Constitution, is not quite tenable. We have operated this Constitution for over two decades, and until now, we have not had so much clamour for amendment or abrogation. It simply means it’s not so much a problem of the Constitution, but of the human beings operating same.

Howsoever, whether an amended Constitution or a new Constitution, the most important thing for us as Nigerians, is to have a changed attitude to governance particularly those who are to implement the provisions of the Constitution.

himself, God for us all”.

The debate is presently raging about the Asaba Declaration, particularly the issue of the Governors’ ban on open grazing. What is your view on this matter, the legality and constitutionality of it? Do you agree that it was necessary to make this move in the interest of people’s safety?

In the Asaba Declaration, there were several issues raised, but the one that has generated the most interest is the ban on open grazing. In dealing with this issue, one needs to consider why this declaration was made in the first instance. It was to meet a situation where a farmer would have cultivated his farmland, anxiously waiting for the time of harvest, only for that hope to be dashed by herdsmen getting onto the land and their cattle eating up all the plants of the farmer. This has resulted in bickering, maiming and deaths in several communities in various parts of Nigeria. Thus, I believe it is to stem this unwholesome development, that the Governors acted to ban open grazing.

Can it then be said that the Governors acted illegally or unconstitutionally, in view of the fact that the 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of movement?

Section 1 of the Land Use Act, vests the land in each State in the Governors as Trustees. So, the Governors have absolute control over the land within their respective territories and are empowered to make rules and regulations relating to the land, which is vested in them.

The question then is: whether banning open grazing within their States is illegal or unconstitutional? I answer this question in an unequivocal NO! The Land Use Act is made part of the Constitution, and the provisions are expected to have the force of the Constitution. In that regard, having acted within the law, which vests the land within each State in the Governors, then it would be out of place to state that their declaration banning open grazing in their respective States is illegal or unconstitutional.

The argument in some quarters, that it would violate the herders’ freedom of movement as enshrined in the Constitution, is unfounded and so baseless. The freedom of movement granted to every citizen is simply for them to be able to move from one place to the other, and does not mean that their herds are equally granted such freedom.

It is even more annoying to interpret freedom of movement to allow herds or persons to trespass on another person’s property, and destroy same. This can amount to Criminal trespass, that may be punishable by imprisonment. It is the situation where herders trespass on other people’s land, destroy their crops and go away without punishment, which actually led to the Asaba Declaration.

The Governors should ensure that the required law to back up this declaration is passed, and see to the strict enforcement of same to prevent further violation of the rights of legitimate land owners within their respective states.

The JUSUN strike has been ongoing for almost two months. What solutions can you proffer to end it? Are the Constitutional provisions clear enough on the responsibilities of the Federal and State Governments in terms of the funding of the Judiciary?

Some are saying that it is somewhat ironical that many of the Governors are reluctant to give their State Judiciaries and Local Governments

Mrs Titilola Akinlawon, SAN

autonomy, yet they are calling for devolution of powers. Kindly, share your thoughts on this and the call for restructuring and drawing a new Constitution.

The JUSUN strike, which for almost two months has paralysed all judicial activities in Nigeria as a whole is a monumental disgrace, and huge embarrassment to our nation and it’s standing in the comity of nations.

Surely, no business person would want to site a business in Nigeria, where an efficient judicial system is not guaranteed.

This alone, I think should be a motivating factor for a determined resolution of this long-drawn strike action, which is by the way, quite justifiable.

If there are three arms of Government, and one arm is put under the thumb of one of the other arms, then there is no

“THE QUESTION THEN IS: WHETHER BANNING OPEN GRAZING WITHIN THEIR STATES IS ILLEGAL OR UNCONSTITUTIONAL? I ANSWER THIS QUESTION IN AN UNEQUIVOCAL NO!”

autonomy or independence. This lack of financial autonomy is the situation the Judicial arm of Government finds itself, and it is the primary reason for the JUSUN strike. I’m always embarrassed when a Governor is shown presenting cars to Judges and Magistrates on television. Why should this be so? The Constitution provides that disbursement of funds, should be made to the Judiciary from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Why then, is this difficult for the Governors to do, if they do not wish to trample on the independence of the Judiciary. As the saying goes “He who pays the piper dictates the tune”.

This is why, in some States, scepticism arises as to whether judgement can be given against the Government or any of it agencies.

I do agree that there seems to be a bit of a contradiction in the provisions of Section 81(3) and 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution. The former provides for the National Judicial Council (NJC) to disburse funds to courts created by the Constitution, for the Federation and the States. This may be interpreted to mean that it is the NJC, which is to fund State Courts created by the Constitution and I guess, this is probably what some Governors are holding onto, to shy away from their own responsibilities of handing over funds for the Judiciary from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the States to the heads of Courts, as directed by Section 121(3) of the Constitution.

On the devolution of powers, it seems to me that whether the Governors fail to do right by the Judiciary and Local Government, should not preclude the country from having an equitable distribution of powers between the Centre and the Federating States.

I think it is clear to us all, that the country is on the brink of a catastrophic collapse, if nothing is done very quickly to change the current way and manner the powers are shared. All powers seem to be at the Centre, while the Federating States have to go cap in hand to beg for crumbs at the Centre.

True Federation will allow States to generate their revenue, and send a share to the Centre. We practice the

As Counsel on the defence team in the case of the collapsed Synagogue Church Guest House Building, it is on record that you filed a No-Case Submission, despite the fact that part of the case of the Prosecution was that the Church deviated from the approved building plan, while the wrong building materials were also utilised during construction. Did the Court uphold your No-Case Submission?

I should say right away that the case is still pending in Court, so I cannot comment on the substance of the case.

However, the no-case submission was rejected, by both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The defence has since closed, and the case is now for adoption of final written addresses of the parties.

Our society, law enforcement inclusive, do not seem to take domestic violence seriously, and we are experiencing not just an increase in it, in recent times, we have seen cases of both male and female spouses kill the other. What can be done to raise awareness and make the people realise that domestic violence is assault/grievous bodily harm, and in some cases, results in murder, and it is not just family matter as the police are famous for referring to it?

Indeed, Domestic Violence is on the increase in our society, thanks to Covid-19 and the attendant high level of frustrations, poverty, intolerance and probably influence of hard drugs.

Domestic Violence has been criminalised now in Section 2 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, so that it the starting point. What then remains, is the advocacy and re-orientation of the society to the unsavoury consequences of domestic violence. Another thing that can be done, is to intensify training of Police Officers with a view to changing any thinking on their part that domestic violence is a family affair, to be settled at home.

Similarly, the prosecutors who will prosecute domestic violence cases should be trained to have sympathy for the victims, and not the accused persons as seems prevalent now.

One would also expect Judicial Officers to be more sympathetic towards the Victims of domestic violence by imposing cont'd on page 11

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“WHAT I HAVE FOUND OUT

maximum punishment for convicted persons, with a view to deterring others from engaging in such barbaric conduct.

A lot more advocacy should be done,

by Government and Civil Societies.

I’m a member of FIDA (Federation of International Women Lawyers), and we do a lot of advocacy in this regard. In Lagos, we have gone to markets and different communities, for enlightenment campaigns. Many more of such, should be employed to continue the re-orientation of the society on the ills of domestic violence.

Maybe the Government and Civil Societies can provide Homes or Shelters for victims of Domestic Violence, so as to encourage them to escape the toxic environment of the abusers. Most victims of domestic violence continue to remain with the abusers, because they have nowhere else to live.

Finally, I think if the Government works on the economy and reduces the poverty level, the incidence of domestic violence would likely decrease.

As a Lawyer who has carved a niche in family law, would you say the Child Rights Act has done anything to stem the tide of abuse against children? Two cases readily came to mind from the events of the past few weeks – one of a young lady living with relatives who made her sleep in an abandoned freezer and practically starved her to death, and the other, the famous Nollywood Actor, Baba Ijesha, who stands accused of molesting a child.

What more can be done to protect our children?

What I have found out about the Child Rights Act is that, it is obeyed more in breach. We see many children out of school hawking, who are exposed to dangers of accident, sexual harassment or kidnapping.

Honestly, instead of the Act stemming the tide of abuse, it seems abuse against children is on the increase. The cases of incest in our society, seem to be more prevalent now. Even before the Act, incest was considered an abomination.

What is wrong with us, in this society?

We seem to have lost our humanity, and sense of moral values. One wonders what enjoyment a father can derive in having carnal knowledge or defiling his 10-year-old daughter, or as stated in the news, that a father had carnal knowledge of his three daughters aged 1½, 3 and 8 years respectively? Too many cases of this nature are now prevalent in our Courts.

The Child Rights Act at least, imposes penalties for offences against children, but the law, like most other laws in Nigeria, is hardly enforced. We have to strive to do more, in the area of enforcement. The parents of any child found hawking, when he should be in school, should be sanctioned and if possible, such a child should be made a ward of Court and kept in a special home for such children, to ensure he or she goes to school. The poverty level in the society is a primary contributor to the menace of child abuse, which most often than not, makes children hawk items to sustain the family. A welfare system where parents are given stipends for their children, would go a long way to help keep children away from such abuse.

Another prevalent problem of child abuse is child labour, which I believe the story of the child who sleeps in a

ABOUT THE CHILD RIGHTS ACT IS THAT, IT IS OBEYED MORE IN BREACH. WE SEE MANY CHILDREN OUT OF SCHOOL HAWKING, WHO ARE EXPOSED TO DANGERS OF ACCIDENT, SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR KIDNAPPING”

Mrs Titilola Akinlawon, SAN

disused freezer falls under. The persons who did that to a child have lost their humanity, and should be dealt with in accordance with the law, so as to be a deterrent to others.

On the issue of child molestation, as it concerns Baba Ijesha, it is best to let the court do its duty without prejudging the matter. The Attorney-General of Lagos State issued a public statement, that the case would be charged to court as soon as possible.

The Nigerian Law School authorities insisted that Bar Part 1 students remain in the Bwari Abuja Campus to write their exams. Many expressed worries over the safety of the students in the face of recent threats of Boko Haram, who are said to now be just about an hour or two away from Abuja. What is your view on this?

Going forward, with the spate of kidnappings of students in the North, do you think that the Law School should continue to insist that students must study at the Bwari Campus if they feel unsafe there, giving the fact that the school has five other campuses?

There is palpable fear in the society about the spate of kidnapping all over the nation, not only in the North, but it seems it is more prevalent in the North.

There are now frequent reports about College or University students being kidnapped, without any resistance from the security forces. In this regard, I think it is quite unsafe to keep the Bar Part 1 students in the Bwari Campus of the Law School. I heard in the news some weeks back, that Veritas University, which is also in Bwari, asked their students to vacate the hostels of the University. As a parent, I would not allow my child to remain in the Bwari Campus of the Nigerian Law School at this time. It is better for the child to be alive and well within my domain and lose a year of seniority at the Bar, than to be returned to me as a corpse. I empathise with the parents of the deceased Greenfield University Students. It is the worst nightmare of any parent. It is only God that can comfort them.

Well, I know it is the policy of the

Nigerian Law School that Bar Part I students must attend Abuja Campus, so if they want to retain this policy at this inauspicious time, the least that the Authorities should do is to provide very tight security for the students, particularly when it considered, that Bar Part I students studied outside Nigeria, and may not have a clear understanding of the security situation in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Law School authorities may want to send the students to the Lagos Campus, which is relatively safe. After all, the Abuja and all other campuses of the Law School emanated from Lagos.

As a seasoned Litigator engaged in family law, why do we have high rate of divorce at this time and how can we stem this tide?

The rate of divorce is indeed, very phenomenal. It is alarming and the consequences of this may include delinquent children. The effect of the high rate of divorce in the society would be felt in later years, and I hope the sociologists have started their studies in this regard.

From my experience, I think the major reason for the high rate of divorce is the fact that many Millennials have no understanding of what marriage entails, but are more focused on the wedding ceremony. It is when settling into marriage, that they realise that their expectations are not being met, then the problem starts, which most often than not, results in divorce, because of lack of tolerance and any sense of perseverance.

The society has become so materialistic, that lack of money to buy luxuries is also a major factor. Parents and in-laws, also contribute greatly to the high rate of divorce. I have heard of a wealthy father who insisted that his daughter must leave her husband, since the man was incapable of maintaining the status his daughter enjoyed before marriage.

You find out that the “nouveau riche” parents, are prone to do this.

The defiant training parents, particularly mothers, give to their children goes a long way to contribute to the high rate of divorce. Mothers don’t train their boys to be responsible and take care of

their siblings, while the girls are not taught contentment. The boys would grow up to be irresponsible adults, who only know how to party, without thinking of how to help their wives with house duties. The girls would grow up to become wives who must have all the latest luxuries for example, iPhone 12 even though her iPhone 11 is only 6 months old. These are the type of wives, who in an attempt to satisfy their lust for the latest luxuries, would have extra marital affairs with rich men. Of course, divorce would be the end of the matter.

In stemming the tide of the high rate of divorce, I think it should be mandatory for intending couples to attend a marriage academy, where they would be properly counselled on the journey of marriage they want to embark on. Parents should spend more time to train their children, instead of leaving them to the wiles of nannies and housemaids who may not instil proper values in them.

Lack of fulfilment as a person leads to frustration, which can trigger domestic violence. This is a major reason for divorce today, and can be addressed if such persons seek help from professionals.

We should stop stigmatising mental health issues. Many killings in marriages, are as a result of mental health issues that were not treated. Advocacy should be high on mental health issues, to stem the tide of divorce.

How would you rate the success of this administration, as far as fulfilling its three main campaign promises are concerned – fighting insecurity – and corruption and revamping the economy?

We all live in Nigeria, and can see if indeed, the administration has succeeded in fighting insecurity and corruption, and if indeed, the economy has been revamped. Is there insecurity in Nigeria? Yes, Has corruption abated in Nigeria? It is capital NO. Has the economy been revamped? Well, your answer is as good as mine, considering the fact that a Dollar is now equivalent to N493.

Thank you Learned Silk.

12/

01.06.2021

Southern Governors’ Asaba Accord to Rescue Nigeria’s Sinking Ship (Part 1) Introduction I watched on television and read in the newspapers and social media, with eclat, the epochal and historic resolutions reached by the 17 Southern Governors earlier in the month at Asaba, Delta State. I have personally tagged the meeting the “Asaba Accord Concordia”. It reminded me of the “Aburi Accord” held between 4th and 5th January, 1967, between the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Supreme Military Council headed by Lt-Col. Yakubu Gowon, and the Eastern Region Government (Biafra) headed by Lt-Col. Odumegwa Ojukwu. It was a last-ditch effort to prevent the then looming fratricidal and genocidal three-year bloody civil war.

The accord collapsed like a pack of cards, as some dramatis personae reneged on matters mutually agreed upon. The Aburi meeting was hosted by Lt-Gen. Ankrah, the then Ghanaian Head of State, at Aburi, in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Decree No. 8 was later promulgated, to embody the whole accord. It was breached. Ojukwu immediately disagreed with the draft which had made mockery of the resolutions reached, particularly on our much-cherished federal arrangement. Buoyed by the Federal Government thinking that it would crush any Biafran resistance with a Bicycle operation from the Nsukka axis within few days, Gowon’s federal troops fired the first shot. But, a three year bloody genocidal war in which over three million Nigerians, especially of Igbo pedigree were brutally killed, soon ensued. The rest, as they say, is now history.

The Governors had met to rescue the sinking ship of State, from hitting the very bottom of disintegration. They desired that it is better to stay together as one big country, than to split into smithereens. But, on one condition: social justice and equity. Will Buhari break this Accord Concordia? Will he save the country? He and his handlers don’t appear capable of understanding the dire straits of today’s Nigeria. There is obvious disconnect, between them and the Nigerian people.

All the Governors had discarded their political and religious leanings. Like in Rwanda where there are neither Hutus nor Tutsis (thanks to Paul Kagame, the brilliant, highly educated scholar and statesman), there were neither APC, PDP, APGA, nor other political parties. There were neither Muslims, Christians, nor Animists. They were simply Governors of Southern Nigerian extraction, who wanted a better united country. Governors of Yoruba origin (South West) did not care that the Delta host, Senator Ifeanyi, was from Owa-Alero, Anioma in Delta State. Nor that the South East Governors were Igbos. PDP’s Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State from Orba, Udenu LGA, Enugu State, was oblivious of Governor Obaseki being a Benin man from Edo State. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of PDP, who hails from Obingwa LGA, Abia State, did not care that Arakunrin “Aketi” Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN who read the communique was not only APC, but Chairman of South West Governors Forum, and a Yoruba man from Ese Odo in Ondo State. PDP’s Governor Wike of Rivers State (Dike Oha 1 of Ikwerre) forgot that handsome Emmanuel Udom was Governor of Akwa Ibom State and PDP Governor from Awa Iman in Onna LGA. They were not interested that youthful Governor Sanwolu of Lagos State and Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State were APC and Yoruba men. They were simply united in one common cause and course: Save Nigeria from the Dangerous Precipice. Save Nigeria from Self-Destruction.

They knew we are in trouble, near implosion and self-immolation, and with no visible resonating voice to speak out. Concerned that our President who is incognito and incommunicado is ‘AWOL’ from State duties, they even begged him to discard his imperial garment of grandstanding and starchy swagger and officialdom; and at least, speak to Nigerians. Good God, a President was being begged to address his people, his electors; share their pains and fears; their pangs and horrors. An elected Executive President!

Can you imagine that? Can you imagine a President being begged to address his own people at a time of national crisis, when the country he governs is in tatters, shambles and in a state of asphyxiating nadir? Is there any day Americans do not see Joe Biden, their President, doing one thing or another, seven days a week and 365 days a year?

Fellow compatriots, when last did your President address you?

Oh, maybe during the #EndSARS protests of October last year (eight months ago), when peaceful demonstrating Nigerian flag-waving youths were recklessly and gruesomely mauled down at extortionist Lekki tollgate. I cannot remember any other time. Or can you?

Kudos to the Southern Governors on their Historic Rescue Mission What the Southern Governors said at the “Asaba Accord Concordia”, was not so new after all. But, the unanimity with which they did it ruffled feathers of Government apologists, such as Senate President, Ahmad “Take a Bow” Lawan, who has never muscled enough strength to tackle Buhari and his rampaging Executive arm, by insisting that Senate resolutions be obeyed. He shocked Nigerians when he said elected leaders should not join agitations for secession, or restructuring of the country. He urged them to first restructure their States. I did not hear the 17 Southern Governors call for secession. Or, did you? Lawan, please, Nigerians expect better from the number three citizen who heads the Legislature, one of the three arms of Government.

The Southern Governors’ Accord Amongst others, the Southern Governors had said open grazing

The Southern Governors at Asaba

and movement of cattle by foot across Southern Nigeria be banned, because development and population growth has put pressure on available land and increased prospects of conflicts between migrating herders and local populations. That willing States should be supported by the Federal Government, to develop alternative modern livestock management systems. That urgent steps be taken to restructure the Nigerian Federation, bring about State Police, review revenue allocation in favour of the sub-national governments, and create institutions to advance the practice of true federalism.

They called on the Federal Government to review the lop-sided appointments (including security agencies) to reflect federal character, based on Nigeria’s heterogeneous population. To establish ports in other States of the Federation to prevent the perennial gridlock on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, and its choke on the nation’s economy. They also urged greater co-operation between the Federal and State Governments, in evolving strategies to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic (rather than the FG unilaterally rolling out locks-down directives).

They finally strongly urged that President Buhari should address Nigerians on the challenges of insecurity, and restore the Nigerian people’s confidence in their government. I cannot see where the Southern Governors lied or asked for secession. Or, can you?

The 2014 National Conference Recommendations as Panacea The resolutions of the Southern Governors were timely, legal, constitutional and moral. The Governors’ clarion call in the form of an S.O.S. was because we have a deaf, dumb, blind and numb Government. Otherwise, the over 200 recommendations of the 2014 National Conference, rolled out by all the 492 delegates from across Nigeria and from all strata of the society, had actually addressed these issues.

The 2014 National Conference made far reaching recommendations.

The Government has refused to touch it with a 10-foot pole. Rather than convoking a fresh national dialogue with all the attendant wasteful acrimony, recriminations, mutual suspicions, wastage of time, energy, resources and needless ethnic, religious and political manoeuvrings, all that this Government needs to do (I can swear it will never), is to simply dust up the 2014 Conference report, take the recommendations on these extant burning national issues, and discard the ones that recommended creation of additional 18 States. This issue of new States was based on the realities of the time and after much horse-trading, to save bleeding minority ethnic nationalities from their domineering and overbearing majority neighbours. They may no longer be feasible under the current packed economy, when even some existing States are on

“GOOD GOD, A PRESIDENT WAS BEING BEGGED TO ADDRESS HIS PEOPLE, HIS ELECTORS; SHARE THEIR PAINS AND FEARS; THEIR PANGS AND HORRORS. AN ELECTED EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT!”

economic life-support.

Others are live and useful as panacea to Nigeria’s current travails.

The 2014 Conference recommended, amongst others, restructuring, devolution of powers, true fiscal federalism, State Police and Community Policing, splitting the office of the Attorney-General with Minister of Justice, Independent Candidature, subject a new Constitution to the people’s referendum, making NASS sitting only part time, admixture of Parliamentary and Presidential systems, strengthening of democratic structures, killing corruption, growing the economy, enthroning a regime of security, etc. The last three National Conferences were respectively convoked by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (2005); Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua (2009); Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (2014). The recommendations are all there. PMB, Sir, use those of the 2014 National Conference.

The heavens will not fall.

The Law Individual Rights v Majority Rights Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution (Article 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights; Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Article 45 of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights) provides for freedom of movement of all persons within such geographical zones. In the case of OKAFOR v LAGOS STATE GOVT & ANOR (2016) LPELR-41066(CA), the Court of Appeal, per Biobele Abraham Georgewill, JCA, held: “The Nigerian Constitution, in cognisance of the inalienable right of the citizen, notwithstanding his station or standing in life, to freedom of movement to breathe the fresh air and walk the great lands of this country, Nigeria, free from the tsunamis and hurricanes of other far distant countries, has provided for the freedom of movement as a constitutionally guaranteed right of the citizens by virtue of Section 41(1) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). It is a right which, except as derogated from by the provisions of Section 41(2) of the said 1999 Constitution, inures to both the leaders and the led in this country. A provision by which all citizens, including the Appellant and all other citizens on the one hand, excepting those affected in accordance with due process of the law as recognised by Section 41(2) of the said 1999 Constitution, and the leaders of the Government and good people of Lagos State, on the other hand, are all equally entitled to the freedom of their movement.”

The above decision has been followed in APPH & ORS v OTURIE (2019) LPELR-46301(CA), where the scope of the right to freedom of movement under the Constitution was explained to be as follows: “The provisions of Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides that every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom. The rights of freedom of movement and residence pursuant to Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), guarantee unhindered residence and movement to all citizens all over Nigeria, except on suspicion of commission of a criminal offence. The said rights protect against expulsion of citizen except in pursuance of valid extradition proceedings. See Williams v Majekodunmi (1962) 1 ALL NWL 413 and Federal Minister of Internal Affairs v Shugaba Darman (1982) 3 NCLR 915.” Per Muhammed Lawal Shuaibu, JCA (pp 14-15, paras D-B).

To be continued next week.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude”.

(Zig Ziglar)

06.1.2021

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01.06.2021

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

Fumigation Poison: Federal Fire Service not Authorised to Decontaminate, Says EHORECON Bennett Oghifo

T

he Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) has described as illegal and unprofessional exercise the recent fumigation exercise by the Federal Fire Service that allegedly led to the collapse and hospitalisation of 100 students of the College of Health Technology, Ijero Ekiti in Ekiti State.

The EHORECON is an agency under the Federal Ministry of Environment, charged with regulating Environmental Health profession in Nigeria and other functions conferred on it by the Act that set it up.

The Council said the Federal Fire Service went beyond its authorised role of putting out fires in the country to decontamination/disinfection that its personnel are not trained or equipped to do.

A statement issued by EHORECON’s Head, Public Affairs, Kehinde A. Openibo, on behalf of the Acting Registrar/CEO, said, “It is pertinent to note that decontamination/disinfection is not within the organisational mandates of the Federal Fire Service and should therefore restrict itself to its onerous task of fire outbreak control in Nigeria and not to get involved in the highly technical and well-regulated schedule of the Environmental Health

professionals.

The Council said it was aware of “an earlier memo, which emanated from the Federal Fire Service and signed by one Momoh B (Commanding officer, Abuja), that was equally sent to the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) informing the Council of its intention to come and disinfect and decontaminate EHORECON premises. The Council also observed that the same document has been sent to other Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

“The initial stance of the Council was to ignore the letter sent to the Council but on further reflection, the Council considers it

duty bound to make this factual presentation of the issues to the organisations, stakeholders and members of the public in Nigeria to whom we are accountable that the only Federal Government organisation with powers to decontaminate and disinfect public institutions and private organisations is the Federal Ministry of Environment anchored by licensed Environmental Health Officers who are trained in the safe composition and dispensing of the approved formulation for this exercise. Similarly, licensed Environmental Health Officers employed by sub-national, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as private companies registered and licensed

by the Council have the authority to carry out decontamination/ disinfection.”

It said, “As a responsible Federal Government Regulatory Agency with mandate to regulate the practice of Environmental Health, the Council will always ensure strict adherence to code of ethics, due process, transparency and accountability in the discharge of its duties and the general practice of Environmental Health in all its functional components in general and Decontamination/Disinfection in particular.

“Consequent upon this, the Council will therefore not accept any organisation or corporate body not licensed to carry out function(s) which is/are outside

such organisations’ mandate or jurisdiction.”

The statement said the Council has, on the directive of the Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, dispatched a technical team to conduct onthe-spot assessment with a view to determining the actual cause, effect, control measures and make recommendations.

“It is pertinent to reiterate that the only Federal Establishment mandated to carry out Decontamination/Disinfection is the Federal Ministry of Environment and its assigned parastatal in this case, the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON),” the statement said.

Sterling Homes Fetes Future Homeowners in 27 Lagos Schools on Children’s Day Fadekemi Ajakaiye Shrieks of excitement rend the air at Ilupeju Secondary School, Lagos, venue of a special ceremony Sterling Homes Limited, a high-profile real estate developer, held in partnership with the Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA to mark the 2021 Children’s Day, recently.

Sterling Homes’ Children’s Day celebration was organised for pupils in 27 primary schools in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA of Lagos State, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), which prioritises education.

The LCDA Chairman, Razaq Olusola Ajala, who was represented by the Deputy Chairman, Seyi Jakande had said, “We’re definitely excited for what’s about to unfold.”

The event included ‘marchpast’ competition and the pupils had a fun-filled Children’s Day, as it used to be in those good

old days, according to the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Homes, Dr. Kunle Adeyemi on the sideline of the event, saying it stems from their desire to make the children know and feel that it is a day when they must be celebrated.

“Today is Children’s Day, and part of our value, as an organisation, is to promote excellence and we are very particular about the future and that is why we invest so much in education. “Every year in our 11 years of existence as an organisation, we give back to the society and our target has been the children, particularly school children. We have had the privilege to build schools, renovate others; we have done a whole lot. This year, the longforgotten Children’s Day that every kid looks forward to, we tend to revamp it. It makes them happy, as you can see they are already dancing, excited about the whole thing. So what we

are doing basically is to bring back this culture where children know that a day in the 365 days is dedicated solely for them. And as an organisation that believes solely in education and children, because we believe they are the future, we partner with Lagos state government, particularly Odi-olowo Local Government Area. We partner with them and we have 27 public schools and even more that are here because for us, love is giving to the most neglected expecting nothing in return. So we are not expecting anything but we are giving love to the most neglected.”

Adeyemi said, “The future lies within these kids, if the past generation has failed and this generation possibly has failed, this one must not fail. So we want to inculcate into them the spirit of excellence and let them know that they are appreciated, that we celebrate them and they are our hope for the future. As

an organisation, this is one of our corporate social responsibility.

In the course of the year, we are also doing a face-lifting to about 26 schools in Mushin Local Government which suggests that we are going to paint all the schools. This costs some millions of Naira, but we are passionate and committed to that.”

He said Sterling Homes equipped some schools with children having hearing impairment with educational tools and renovated other schools.

He said, “We assisted over 400 students, that is, special kids with disabilities, we got the school a lot of electronics and teaching aids. Year in, year out we have been doing this and here we are with thousands of students here

represented across 27 schools within the local governments that we are dealing with this year. “This is what we want to do every year, we want to bring back the children’s school celebration and next year is going to be bigger, we are probably going to be having 100 schools next year and another time we will be privileged to host the whole schools in Lagos state and celebrate the Children’s Day with them.”

Presenting the Chairman’s speech, the Deputy Chairman, Jakande said, “It’s a special day to recognise, honour, celebrate and appreciate our children. Children are gifts from God, regardless of their sex and physical state or condition. They are the future

of many generations to come, so attention must be paid to their spiritual, physical, emotional and educational well-being.”

He said it was important to see the children population as human capital, stating that “if our society must be set on the path of greatness, then we must start by stimulating their interest in qualitative education.”

In a goodwill message Mr. Jakande read on behalf of the LCDA Chairman, Razaq Olusola Ajala, they outlined some of the achievements of their administration, particularly in the area of educational development. These include the construction of blocks of classrooms, and renovation works, as well as provision of water in some schools.

AIMART International to Compliment Lagos Affordable Housing Scheme Bennett Oghifo The plan by Lagos State Government to intensify the provision of affordable housing in the coming days has received support from a private developer. Recently the government of Lagos announced six new manmade islands for residential purposes while commissioning new projects. This the government said is geared towards easing housing challenges in the state in addition to the reduction of the housing deficits in the state.

AIMART Realtors (a subsidiary of Aimart International Nigeria Limited), a residential and commercial Real Estate broker, Property Manager and Estate Developer is stepping up Plans to help plug the hole in the Affordable Housing sector of the industry in the State.

With experience in providing excellent housing/shelter solutions to a wide spectrum of clientele, AIMART is launching its own novel project tagged “Affordable Homes Scheme” which it hopes will

be complementing the state government’s various housing schemes aimed at solving the seeming intractable housing problems in Lagos State.

This was the View of the Managing Director Mrs. Bukola Iluyomade when she addressed new interns recently in her office. The interns are beginners and fresh graduates in real estate being groomed by the company to work in the industry. According to Mrs. Iluyomade, it is necessary that investors key into the vision of the Lagos State government on providing affordable housing.

Aimart International Nigeria Limited she said has developed a people focused and solution providing Affordable Homes Scheme that ensures that the residents of Lagos have more opportunities to own homes through mortgage financing which will not only be affordable but also measure up to the current trends in comfort and style.

The Aimart Affordable Homes Scheme has projects that are specifically targeted at low to medium income earners

ensuring that the dream of convenient home ownership is not considered out of reach.

These homes are developed to meet modern designs, providing proper neighborhood planning with up-todate facilities and proper management to ensure that these structures and facilities attached to them are maintained serving the purposes of shelter, comfort, security and societal bearing. These homes are specifically designed to meet modern architectural standards both in quality and style and have an appeal that cuts across all classes and demography. These projects include blocks of flats ranging from One-Bedroom to Three-Bedrooms and terrace bungalows forming a housing community that ensures that a home Owner is also a member of a community of people who share the same dreams of home ownership.

Using Aimart Boards which are locally re-enforced materials these homes will be be supported by Environmentally Green Amenities.

L-R: Deputy Chairman Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Seyi Jakande; a student from the school that won the 1st prize; and the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Homes, Dr. Kunle Adeyemi, at the presentation of the trophy at the 2021 Children’s Day in Lagos… recently

ARCON Begins Construction of Edifice in Abuja Fadekemi Ajakaiye The Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) last week commenced a multimillion Naira project that will be known as ARCON House, Abuja.

The council’s Lagos office is still under massive renovation is about 60 per cent completed.

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who performed the groundbreaking and foundation laying ceremony of the historical project in Abuja, expressed delight over the stride of the ARCON council, led by Arc

(Sir) Dipo Ajayi.

He said the project would not have come to fruition, if major stakeholders in the architectural family did not decide to work together.

He urged Nigerians to learn from the architects on how they have been able to manage their differences and forged ahead to pursue a common goal of having a befitting edifice of their own.

“This is much better place for the architectural family to be than where you were three years ago. Three years ago, when this council took over, it was buffeted with many crises

but this council has been able to manage and resolved many of those issues for the benefit of all and the unborn generation.

“We all can only learn from the architects that, despite our differences, we can still forge a common front of building than tearing apart. To do this, we need to tolerate and listen to one, another.

“From what I have seen so far, ARCON has shown that example and I will say I am really impressed with this achievement. As Nigerians, we should strive and encourage one, another to build,” Fashola charged.

TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

15

MARKET NEWS 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

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 28May-2021, unless otherwise stated.

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 153.80 155.33 -4.93% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 3.89% Nigeria International Debt Fund 300.46 300.46 -24.34% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 110.49 110.49 -1.42% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.21% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.24 3.29 -10.09% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 3.13% Anchoria Equity Fund 128.60 130.05 -3.31% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.05 1.05 -21.32% 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 18.88 19.45 4.10% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 413.37 425.84 3.25% ARM Ethical Fund 37.21 38.33 10.38% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.96 0.96 -14.59% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.01% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 104.33 104.33 2.58% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.94 1.94 -24.99% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.00 2.03 -26.04% mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.01 1.01 1.14% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.73% Paramount Equity Fund 15.87 16.15 -0.81% Women's Investment Fund 131.74 133.11 -1.06% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.35% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 115.68 116.44 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 106.57 106.57 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.78% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.14 1.16 -4.70% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.35 1.35 -15.01% 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 100.00 100.00 2.81% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.97% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,159.17 1,166.59 -3.22% 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 1,370.19 1,370.19 9.90% FBN Balanced Fund 184.53 185.62 -1.68% FBN Halal Fund 109.56 109.56 6.31% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.04% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Growth Fund Coral Income Fund FSDH Treasury Bills Fund

124.91 152.75

124.91 3.27% 154.86 1.04% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.94 1.53 1.16

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 2.98% 3.94 1.94% 1.56 0.70% 1.16 2.03% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price N/A N/A N/A

Offer Price N/A N/A N/A

Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A

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 N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 3.91% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.77 2.83 20.78% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 148.99 148.42 -4.46% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.21 1.25 28.60% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.09 1.09 7.05% 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 0.00% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,139.15 1,139.15 3.14% 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 11.07 11.1543 5.90% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 5.89% 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 1.64 1.66 7.26% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.39 12.45 2.17% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.66% PACAM Equity Fund 1.57 1.58 -0.56% PACAM EuroBond Fund 110.83 112.41 0.79% 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 126.52 128.83 6.88% 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 2.95% 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 N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.34 1.36 -2.09% United Capital Bond Fund 1.94 1.94 2.59% United Capital Equity Fund 0.88 0.91 2.08% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.70% United Capital Eurobond Fund 120.62 120.62 3.02% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.10 -0.22% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.05 1.05 5.02% 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 12.13 12.23 2.19% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.58 13.71 11.20% Zenith Income Fund 24.07 24.07 0.40% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.77%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

123.46 51.40

2.25% -1.91%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.24 122.41 95.54

12.34 122.41 97.26

-7.39% 0.55% -3.89%

Fund Name SFS REIT 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

3.67 5.59 16.72 1.00 18.49 159.05

3.71 5.67 16.82 1.00 18.69 161.05

-2.72% -1.73% 2.33% 3.66% -9.84% -27.24%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.52

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.

16/

06.1.2021

20

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FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 07010510430

Movement against the Trademark of 'Yoruba' Following the retreat of the UK fashion brand Timbuktu Global in the ‘Yoruba trademark war,’ the online outrage hashtag #Yorubaisnotforsale generated concerns and conversations around cultural appropriation and its moral, cultural and legal implications. Yinka Olatunbosun reports

G

bemisola Isimi, the founder of CultureTree was born in Lagos but moved to the United Kingdom at 11.

Raised by her maternal grandmother, she could speak Yoruba fluently. But after relocating to the UK, she stopped speaking Yoruba and that continued for 10 years till she got to college and made new friends who were Yoruba speakers. She gained the confidence to speak Yoruba once again.

But she couldn’t say the same for her eight-year old daughter. Isimi tried to teach her Yoruba but the online resources were not available.

It was that sense of identity and cultural pride that birthed her initiative CultureTree. She created the first animated Yoruba nursery rhyme video and decided to run an academy that specialises in Yoruba language for children of Nigerians in diaspora. This initiative began to grow, with partnership from Mayor of London, Westminster City Council, British Library. CultureTree produced children content for BBC, Vox Africa and YANGA TV. Isimi decided to concretise her business by attempting to trademark the name “Yoruba Stars’’, a popular nomenclature among young Yoruba students. Then, she was informed by the IPO office that Timbuktu Limited in Lancashire had registered the word Yoruba. The clothing retailer owned by two white British from North of England would later restrict her from registering the name ‘’Yoruba Stars.’’

After much deliberations, Timbuktu Global offered to sell the trademark to CultureTree but Isimi refused the offer. She felt slapped in the face- and called it cultural appropriation. She began to mull a legal action.

Her post regarding this experience on social media triggered an avalanche of angry messages to @TimbuktuGlobal across their social media platforms.

The fashion brand quickly blocked off messages and subsequently released what seemed like an apology: “We will be releasing Yoruba to Culture Tree immediately. They can claim Yoruba without objection. We have made no profit from Yoruba and never intended to. We have actually spent thousands of pounds protecting the trademark Yoruba for several years and we are now happy to hand over / release this name to Culture Tree for free, no costs, no fees …’’

Still, the matter was not one that Nigerians would allow to live rent-free in their heads. THISDAY sought the views of some promoters of Yoruba culture as well as legal and brand communication experts.

The award-winning writer and coauthor, ‘Who’s Who in the Yoruba Pantheon,’ Peju Akande considered it as a form of racism.

“I personally think it's an affront, especially as the name 'Yoruba' is being banned by other native speakers. If other non-Yoruba choose to use it without placing any form of restriction on other users, that would be good but to say no one can touch the name because it has been trademarked, even if done by Yorubas, I think is ugly, very wrong. What’s in a name? it is the totality of a person, place, thing.

When we can't use the word that symbolizes our origin, our tradition, our culture, when it is being taken over by a foreigner, this speaks of another form of colonialism and this is unacceptable,’’ she argued.

While reflecting on the damage this

Timbuktu the brand

could do to the fashion brand, Akande believed that the impact would be negative.

“They would be seen as racist, as people who have stolen everything from us; our lips, our butt, our skin and now our name, the one word that identifies us worldwide,’’ she said.

A legal consultant on Intellectual Property (IP) who preferred anonymity explained why it may not be wrong for a brand to trademark a name that is totally unrelated to its product or services. He cited the example of the American multi-national technology company Apple that uses the apple fruit image for a business that is techoriented. For him, the Timbuktu Global issue with the Yoruba trademark was a question of what is morally acceptable.

“Morally speaking, this is wrong as it is cultural appropriation for monetary gain and chances are that the people who oversaw the trademark application in the trademark office may not be familiar or have very limited knowledge of the Yoruba culture.

That being said, it should be noted that trademark laws should be reviewed in a manner that prohibits the trademark of tribes and culture and it is important to note that this is not the first time this had happened nor will it be the last. This is similar to a case that happened with the brand, Urban Outfitters where they trademarked the native American tribe Navajo for a selection of their clothes,’’ he recounted.

Fortunately, the tribe had registered the name Navajo as trademark since 1943. Urban Outfitters started using the name in 2001 and a lawsuit was filed against them in 2012 by the Nation of Navajo. Eventually, the matter was settled in April 2016. In the case of Timbuktu Global, the Yoruba trademark had been acquired since 2015 and no one knew this until CultureTree discovered.

“The trademark office’s job is not to police the use of marks but register them. The onus is on the people to check and call them out,’’ he added.

A Public Relations consultant, prolific writer and co-author of ‘Who’s Who in Yoruba Pantheon,’ Anthony Kan

Onwordi popularly known as Toni Kan shared a very different perspective.

“It is a sentimental attachment nothing else. We bear English names. I know an Igbo girl named Chelsea. I know one named Zurich. Are the English and Swiss going to complain? We say the world is a global village, but we are staying provincial. Speaking from the PR point of view, this is a big boost for Timbuktu. Up till Monday morning, I never heard about them and now the whole world knows about them,’’ he argued.

His view was a sharp contrast to that of another decorated Nigerian writer, journalist and former Presidential Adviser on Research and Documentation, Molara Wood who believes it is a case of cultural appropriation, that is the use of elements of a non-dominant culture in a way that doesn’t respect their original meaning.

“It is the thingification of people; it continues the exploitation of people who are outside the mainstream western culture. It continues the denigration of African people and people of African descent. It is purely exploitative. It really goes deep into what scholars had been talking about for a long time about the ways in which cultures outside the west are dominated and used in an exploitative way for financial incentive.

"It is just outrageous and maddening; it is mind-boggling how this firm was able to register a trademark with the authority in the UK with the name Yoruba which then purports to prevent anyone else from having any kind of registration of a company with the word Yoruba in it,’’ she said.

Furthermore, she described the situation as ‘original, undeniable cultural appropriation’ which should not be taken for granted because ‘Yoruba’ word relates to the identity and heritage of millions spread across the globe.

“We should be concerned because nothing would stop them if they had gotten away with it and nothing will stop anyone from going to trademark Igbo or Itsekiri anywhere in the world.

We should be concerned about it because it is who we are. It should not be for the exclusive use of people who

do not contribute to the culture or have any respect for the culture or any understanding or attempt to learn the culture.

"It is not coming from a respectful stance. It is pure exploitative; it is cultural domination and denial. It is cultural vampirism. It is in standing against this that we prevent such galactic insult from befalling any other group again,’’ she said.

She also commended the effort of CultureTree for bringing the issue to international limelight and urged cultural custodians to remain vigilant to prevent any future reoccurrence.

“We have drawn a line and we have made clear that you can’t do this. If something of this magnitude could be attempted, then it means that we all have to remain vigilant.

Because almost every other instance of cultural appropriation I have ever heard of, nothing had been on the scale of this. It shows that we all have to be vigilant. It sends a message to people in the global north that people of African descent will not stand for this anymore,’’ she said.

Oludamola Adebowale, a culture activist and the Creative Director/ Founder, ASIRI Magazine, also remarked that Timbuktu Global’s move to own Yoruba trademark amounts to an infringement on the rights of Yoruba people.

“It means cultural, spiritual and socio-cultural infringement. It is also demeaning and insulting to the entire 60 million people that make up the Yoruba race today. The name should not have been considered for a trademark by the company in the first place, the word Yoruba should not be the property of anybody.

"It speaks of the identity of the Yoruba people all around the world. It is also borne out of the need to colonize, subjugate and make something their property. It is not just about Yoruba; it is about any word that captures the essence of an African. It should be a wake-up call that if we do not put our house in order, other people would come and take what is ours,’’ he said.

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FEATURES

Insurgency: Equipping Military Personnel with Leadership Skills

(Fourth from left) Major-General Olusegun Adesina; Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Signals (NASS); and (third left), the Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration (NASFA), Brigadier General Felix Ohunyeye, flanked by other senior personnel at the Leadership Development Seminar 2021 Rebecca Ejifoma

S

enior ranking officers, including lieutenant colonels and colonels from various formations, were among the 50 personnel recently equipped with leadership skills as a tool to counter insurgency in the country.

At the flag off of the three-day leadership development seminar, which was held at the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration (NASFA), the Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Signal, Apapa, Major General Olusegun Adesina urged participants to develop courage and embrace new leadership skills as a tool to counter insurgency in the country.

The 16th edition of the first phase of the Leadership Development Seminar 2021 was powered by NASFA and the Nigerian Institute of Management at Arakan Barracks, Apapa.

Citing the words of Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, the late COAS, Adesina recalled, "the words of General Attahiru came to my mind when he said 'we need to control insurgency, otherwise insurgency will control us'.

"Thinking through this statement through the leadership development seminar is

simply to use leadership skills to control insurgency."

While noting that leadership is very key to them in the control of insurgency among other challenges and threats in the country, the commandant urged participants to develop courage.

His words: "I urge you all to develop courage. What you need at this stage is courage to take decisions, to accept responsibilities, and to do the right thing."

For Adesina, leadership in the military is very intentional because it is a matter of life and death, which brings to fore the importance of this seminar.

According to the commandant, giving up is not an option in the country. "We must continue to strive to ensure that we do the right thing as military officers so that the transformation we desire in the Nigerian Army, in particular, and the nation at large will be achieved."

In the words of the Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration, Brigadier General Felix Ohunyeye, the seminar was crafted to equip the personnel with the right skills, values, orientation to carry out their roles effectively and efficiently.

He emphasised: "this is to prepare you for your day-to-day assignments and enhance capacity building and career progress."

Ohunyeye also lamented the loss of Lt. General Attahiru, and other senior officers and soldiers in the ill-fated air crash. "This calls for serious sober reflections by all personnel, and indeed we are in a state of mourning.

"This seminar is designed for officers from the rank of lieutenant colonels and above in view of the importance they play in policy formulation and implementation in the army."

Speaking about the theme, 'Leadership Excellence in the Digital Era', Ohunyeye said the previous sessions aroused the interest of army headquarters and other formations and units of the Nigerian Army.

He highlighted: "This informed the wide formations and units represented here today who indicated interest in participating in subsequent editions of the seminar."

This, he continued, no doubt underscores the importance of Nigerian Army's place on the leadership effectiveness of their officers at the various levels of command.

The brigadier general further said the

choice of the theme was a clear commitment to continue to strive towards achieving set objectives of the seminar.

"The theme also reveals that the army is not left behind in the development of leaders. Its cognitive abilities for management of human and material resources is worth managerial expertise," he emphasised.

While encouraging personnel, he hinted that as leaders, "We need to improve our skills and develop managerial capacity for transformation which cannot be underestimated especially in this digital era".

Acknowledging that the Nigerian Army constitutes an important component of the Nigerian society, Ohunyeye pointed out that it deserves confident, effective and efficient leaders that would translate ideas into action.

He noted: "Leadership in the army is imperative in the view of overcoming security challenges which has manifested in rampant techno-religious figures for ransom, banditry and increasing waves of terrorism across the country."

Therefore, he harped on the need for decisive, skillful, and self-combinated leadership across all chains of command to equip the personnel.

Schneider Electric Recommends Solutions to Spiked Cybercrime amid COVID-19 Pandemic Chiamaka Ozulumba

F

ollowing the rising incidents of ransomware, phishing, and malware attacks, among others, Schneider Electric has urged energy companies, financial institutions, large industries, and micro small and medium (MSMEs) sized companies to be extra vigilant, and to deploy proven cybersecurity measures especially as the perpetrators of cybercrime have become more sophisticated.

This was made known at a just-concluded webinar organised by the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the theme: “Cybersecurity and process automation in today’s business environment”.

In his presentation, Obukohwo Obukonise, a Senior Systems and Cybersecurity Engineer at Schneider Electric, said that "an attack is any attempt to expose, alter, disable, destroy, steal or gain information through unauthorised access to, or make unauthorised use of an asset" in computers and computer networks.

Citing AV-Test.org May 2021 reports, Obukonise said that malware attacks in the last 7 years, rose from 470 million in 2015 to 1.2 billion in 2021.

Also, between 2020 and 2021, he said that the number rose from 1.1 billion to 1.2 billion.

He attributed this rise to successes in previous years attacks where attackers made a fortune and are now investing the monies into developing more sophisticated malware.

He said, "Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are lots of people and organisations who are now online. People and organisations now rely on cloud computing and IOT resources for their business model.

"So, there are so many targets on the internet. It is now easier for attackers to be able to compromise their targets.

They have many options. Many people are online now because it is the norm."

On the reasons for cyberattacks, the Schneider Electric engineer identified hacktivism against government/organisation, disgruntled employees against employers, cyber warfare, politically motivated attacks, financial gains, identity theft, and stealing of trade secret, as some of the reasons.

He listed ransomware, Denial of Service, Zero-day exploit, cloud data breaches, man-in-the-middle, phishing, and malware, as most common cyberattacks.

"Phishing is a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information or data, by impersonating oneself as a trustworthy entity in a digital communication," Obukonise said.

On his part, Ajibola Akindele, the General Manager Sub-Saharan Africa, for Process Automation averred that Schneider Electric had assisted clients to create customised cybersecurity architecture solutions.

He said: "This isn't strange to us and we always recommend solutions that fit into companies' strategic plans.

"We have done it in Oil & Gas, Power, Utility, Manufacturing space and across several other industries. All that experience is being brought to bear now that cases have skyrocketed.

"It was Cybersecurity Ventures that predicted that cybercrime will annually cost the world US$10.5 trillion by 2025.

“Now, that's larger than the damage caused by natural disasters in a year; it’s even larger than the global trade of all major illegal drugs combined! So, this is serious and you don't want to be caught unawares”.

For Energy Companies and large industries, he recommended the deployment of web application security and anti-phishing

software; deployment of anomaly detection, network intrusion detection, next generation firewall and SIEM; deployment of web server and application server encryption, 2FA authentication; and organising cyber security training and awareness workshop, as part of measures against phishing.

He also noted that the MSMEs aren’t spared. While some may find it challenging to acquire the necessary cybersecurity architecture, others might not clearly see the need. Mere awareness and regular update of apps are starting points to being secure in the cyber space, he recommended.

In the same vein, Victor Lough, head of NESSA Cluster Cyber Business Consultant for Schneider Electric spoke to the theme: “Build an end to end cyber security strategy for greater protection” while making his presentation at the Cyber Security Academy Webinar.

He emphasised the importance of building a resilient team that would establish an in-depth defence mechanism which includes installation and implementation of an anomaly detection program.

Lough noted that the prowess of the Schneider Electric global team has seen them offer services to leading business and government organisations.

22

TUESDAY JUNE 1, 2021 •T H I S D AY

23

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ˜ 2021

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INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

M A Y

S & P INDEX 18 20 22.50

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Quick Takes AIICO Gets Quality Assurance Certification

STOCK-TAKING

L-R: Chief Financial Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Adekunle Adedeji; Chief Executive, Dr. Demola Sogunle; Chairman, Basil Omiyi; and Company Secretary/Head, Country Legal Services, Chidi Okezie at the ninth Annual General Meeting of Stanbic IBTC Holdings held in in Lagos …recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

LCCI Backs NNPC’s Planned 20% Stake in Dangote Refinery Peter Uzoho The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed support for the plan by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to acquire 20 per cent minority equity stake in the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery currently under construction in Lagos.

The Director General of LCCI, Dr Muda Yusuf, said such move was a step in the right direction and should be encouraged by Nigerians, adding that the refinery was a strategic facility with the potential to turn Nigeria’s economy around.

The LCCI Director General told THISDAY in an interview that the move was a good one

ECONOMY as the refinery was a project of significance and strategic national importance.

Yusuf said: “The proposal by NNPC to take 20 per cent equity stake in the Dangote Refinery is a move in the right direction.

The reality is that the Dangote refinery is a project of significant and strategic national importance, even though it is promoted by the private sector.

“Taking a stake in the project also makes a great deal of business sense, especially given how far the project execution has gone and our heavy dependence on importation of petroleum products.

“It also makes both commercial

and nationalistic sense for NNPC to express an interest in a project that has a good prospect to put an end to fuel importation and the associated leakages of public funds.

“It would also ensure the preservation of our foreign reserves as we currently spend billions of dollars annually on importation of petroleum products.”

He said in addition to the several multiplier effects of the refinery arising from related spin off industries like petrochemicals, fertilizer plants resonates well with the country’s aspiration for self-reliance and backward integration.

He added that the export prospects of the Dangote Refinery were also quite bright.

Yusuf stated that another exciting thing about the investment proposition by the NNPC was that the national oil company would be a minority shareholder and would therefore not take responsibility for the management of the refinery.

He noted that the undoing of Nigeria’s public enterprises had been the quality of management, saying as a country, Nigeria had paid a huge price for this in the form of inefficiency, corruption, wastages and many more.

The LCCI DG further said that the model being proposed with the Dangote refinery was similar in a way to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited’s Continued on page 24

$40bn Investments Needed to Boost Power Supply, Says FG Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government has said that there’s still a lot of financing gap in the country’s power sector, requiring an immediate funding of $40 billion in the generation, transmission and distribution value chain.

The government stated that from all sources, it expects to spend between $3 billion to $5 billion to boost power supply in the sector in the next 24 months and eventually free itself from the payment of subsidies.

Speaking during a television programme on the challenges and prospects of the power sector, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Infrastructure, Mr. Ahmad Zakari, noted that the sector is currently bedeviled by three major classes of challenges.

He grouped the systemic challenges as regulatory, fiscal and infrastructural, explaining that for years, Nigeria had a situation

ECONOMY where distribution companies were buying power at high prices but were only allowed to sell at low prices by the government.

But he noted that the current administration has gone a long way to correct the inefficiency by introducing the service-based tariff despite the regulatory gap which created an investment quagmire wherein any investor who put in money wasn’t able to recover it.

Zakari further stressed that the administration has worked out how it will push more infrastructure into the network, starting from the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP), through the emergency intervention from the central bank, commercial banks and donor partners.

This, he said, was in addition to the incremental support from Siemens and other programmes, amounting to about $3 billion actively being spent and would

be spent over the next 24 months.

On the issue of grid collapses, he stated that in 2015, there were 28 total or partial collapses, while as of last year there were four , noting that in 2021, Nigeria has had one partial and one total collapse.

“There’s a plan to invest in SCADA, which is the system that digitally manages the grid.

It allows you to monitor all of the figures and voltage and whenever there are challenges it can isolate the problematic segment,” he stressed.

On tariff, Zakari noted the law allows adjustment every six months, but regretted that the situation has not been fully communicated with the public even though any time it is done, it is viewed as tariff increase by the masses.

In some instances, the presidential aide noted that tariff may come down, go up or stay flat, saying that what the current administration has continued

to do is subsidise electricity for the most vulnerable Nigerians.

He said the federal government has continued to encourage local meter manufacturers, who have already delivered in excess of 500,000 to 600,000 meters in phase zero of the scheme, out of which 400,000 have been installed.

He argued that the national mass metering programme has delivered more meters to Nigerians in four months than what was done in 18 months under the entire Meter Asset Provider (MAP) programme and expressed confidence that the six million metering target will be met.

Through the service-based tariff regime, Zakari noted that new grounds were being broken as the Discos collected N65 billion in December 2020, leading to a 15 per cent increase in delivery of power even before the commencement of capital Continued on page 24

AIICOInsurancePlchasemergedthefirstNigerianinsurancecompany to be certified with a Quality Assurance Scheme accreditation by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) UK. AccordingtoastatementbyIFoA,thiswasinrecognitionofthecompany’scommitmenttoprovidingqualityassuranceatanorganisational level, promoting confidence in their actuaries; and demonstrating a commitment to high-quality actuarial work and supporting employees in carrying out that work.

The IFOA is the UK’s only chartered professional body dedicated to educating, developing and regulating actuaries based in the UK and also internationally.

By this certification, AIICO, has joined the list of IFoA’s 44 accredited organisations globally and third in Africa after two organisations were accredited in Kenya in the last two years. Currently, AIICO has one of the largest actuarial workforce in the insurance industry in Nigeria.

AIICO’s Chief Actuary, Mr Wycliffe Obutu, commenting on the accreditation,stated:“Wearedelightedtoreceivethisglobalaccreditation from the institute after a rigorous review process.

“This is a noteworthy milestone for the company, management and staff, and the actuarial profession in West Africa, especially Nigeria.

“Management of the company, with the support of its staff, especially Actuarial and HR, is proud to have initiated the process for this accreditation that, in partnership with IFoA, requires actuarial work in the company (and the market) to be undertaken to a high quality that is comparable globally.”

SystemSpecs Unveils CompetitionWinners

SystemSpecshasannouncedwinnersofthe2021editionofitsChildren’s Day Essay Competition.The annual contest serves as an opportunity for Nigerian children aged nine to 16 to share technology-led ideas capable of transforming specific aspects of the Nigerian state.

Emerging ahead of more than 2,000 entries received from about 600publicly-ownedandprivatesecondaryschoolsacrossall36states and the Federal CapitalTerritory, 12-year-old Chetachi Best Mbalu of LagoozCollege,IyanaIpaja,Lagosemergedwinnerinthejuniorcategory, while15-year-oldUchennaRitaOhiaeriofQueenslandAcademy,Okota, Lagos emerged winner in the senior category.

Also,JustinChukwuemekaNwachukwu,12,fromBabingtonMacaulay Junior Seminary, Ikorodu, Lagos and 10-year-old Praise Idaiye from StarliteCollege,Ibadan,OyoStateemergedfirstandsecondrunners-up respectively in the junior category.

While Wilfred Okoawo, 15, from New Fountain Secondary School, AmuwoOdofin,LagosStateand16-year-oldNwachinemereUzochukwu Mbaka from Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Maryland, Lagos emerged first and second runners-up respectively in the senior category. LeadingotheryoungNigeriansacrossthecountryasfrontliners in advanced, solution-based thinking, the bright youngsters who emerged first in each category will each receive a high capacity laptop, a topnotch headphone, monthly 10 gigabyte data for one year, branded travel suite case, a trendy hoodie, a thermal flask and school bag.

Coca-Cola Supports Financial Inclusion

Coca-ColaNigeriaLimitedinpartnershipwithWhitefieldFoundation hasempoweredover20,000individualswithbusinessskillsacrossthe 36 states of Nigeria through the Special Intervention Program (SIP).

Followingthecompletionoftheprogram,aclosingceremonywasheld recently. The SIP is an innovative empowerment initiative developed byWhitefieldFoundationandsponsoredbyCoca-ColaNigeriaLimited.

The initiative is part of the company’s effort to improve and support the livelihood of young Nigerians following the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which hit in 2020.

The SIP program, which held virtually over the course of one year, was targeted at helping youth and women younger than 45 years of age across Nigeria.

In his opening speech, Vice-Chairman, Yaba LCDA, Hon. Alhaji Bolanle Aileru, who represented the Chairman remarked, “I applaud Coca-Cola andWhitefield Foundation for filling a gap in our community by engaging our youths and women. It is evident that partnerships and collaborations fuel outstanding results.”

“ Looking ahead, we recognise the need to upscale issuances to include other standalone projects beyond road infrastructure, but more importantly, we are looking to support projects that are revenue generating to service the Sukuk DG, DMO, Ms. Patience Oniha

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BUSINESSWORLD SYLVA: FG TO SCALE UP DOMESTIC GAS EXPANSION, MONETISATION DRIVE model, which according to him, remains the best example of how government funds should be invested.

“It is a model that shields the investment from interference by politicians and bureaucrats.

“This proposition is much better than the decision to commit scarce public funds to the rehabilitation of decrepit government owned refineries,” he added.

The Chief Operating Officer, Refining and Petrochemicals subsidiary of the NNPC, Mr. Mustapher Yakubu, had disclosed the investment plan by the NNPC last Wednesday, while speaking at the just concluded Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) 2021 which was held virtually.

Yakubu had said the discussions were already ongoing with the Dangote Group for the acquisition of the stake, adding that the collaboration would further ensure undisrupted product supply to Nigerians when the deal materialised.

He said one of its divisions -the Greenfield Refining Projects Division (GRPD), was handling the negotiations.

The COO had said: “We have what we call the green field refinery and the Greenfield Refining Projects Division (GRPD) of the NNPC. What we do, our strategy is to collaborate and seek strategic partnerships with private investors.

$40BN INVESTMENTS NEEDED TO BOOST POWER SUPPLY, SAYS FG expenditure.

“So, we are seeing increased liquidity in the system that is likely to continue. The Siemens programme is part of the suite of investments that make up the $3-$5 billion that we are targeting over the next 24 months,” he said.

He noted that despite the improvements, there’s still a lot of gap to be filled and massive investments to be made in the entire value chain of the power sector.

“But we have a gap in this sector in distribution and that’s over $10 billion. If you add everything together, it could be up to $30-$40 billion in terms of the other value chain sectors.

NEWS

‘How CBN’s N250bn Gas Expansion Fund Can Rev Up LPG Consumption’ Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The N250 billion gas expansion fund set aside by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ramp up the production and consumption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is capable of significantly improving the overall industry output, some industry watchers have said.

In the interim, the fund is expected to push consumption in the country to five million metric tonnes (mmt) by the end of next year and reduce the use of high carbon fuels like firewood.

The apex bank introduced the stimulus package under the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) last year to attract investment in the gas value chain and spur its use in transportation as an alternative to fuel-powered cars.

It is also meant to fast-track the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as the fuel of choice for transportation and power generation, as well as LPG as the fuel of choice for domestic cooking, transportation and captive power.

“Failure to harness its gas resources has had negative consequences for the country, economic, environmental, fiscal and social life, particularly as

the industry has the potential to engender rapid growth in Nigeria’s non-oil economy,” the bank had said while announcing its plans for the fund.

But some industry stakeholders noted that if Nigerians fully take advantage of the fund, it would make a remarkable difference in LPG production and consumption in the country.

Programme Manager, National LPG Expansion Implementation Plan, Dayo Adeshina noted that five million metric tons was achievable, stating that all the challenges to the effective deployment of the funds were being addressed.

“We are not worried about being able to meet the projection. There are so many projects

and so many combination of things that we’re doing on our side. On the government side, national LPG expansion implementation in conjunction with the industry.

“So, hopefully there’ll be improvement as people begin to get back into full operations, There are several initiatives, even on the funding side and

the supply side that would help us achieve the five million metric tonnes,” he said.

A PricewaterhouseCoopers’s Associate Director, Energy, Utilities and Resources, Habeeb Jaiyeola, in his comments, noted that financial incentives remains critical to government aspiration of increasing cleaner energy use in the country.

CAPACITY BUILDING

R-L: Representative of the Director-General, Energy Infrastructure, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Engabatunde Kuye; Representative of Chairman, EFCC and Head, Lagos State Zonal Office, Mohammed Ahmed Ghali; and Head, Research, Training and Strategic Planning, BPP, Mr. Adebowale Adedokun, at the opening ceremony of 2021 first batch of Public Procurement Conversion Training/Induction of officers in Federal MDAs, institutions and commissions, held at Lagos... recentl ETOP UKUTT

Flour Mills Signs $300m Sugar Production Deal with Nasarawa Flour Mills Nigeria at the weekend ramped up its Backward Integration Programme (BIP) in the in-country production of sugar, with the signing of a $300 million deal with the Nasarawa state government, north-central Nigeria.

At the event which witnessed the presence of the Governor of the state, Abdullahi Sule, his colleague from Borno state, Prof.

Umar Zulum and the Governor of Kwara state, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the company disclosed that the project would be located on 20,450 hectares of land.

The project sited at Umaisha Development Area of Toto local council, was expected to commence immediately with land

preparation, including surveys and other initial designs, while the plan is to develop up to 15,000 hectares of sugar cane and construction of a sugar mill after preliminary works.

In his remarks, at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja, Group Managing Director of the company, Mr. Boye Olusanya, noted that flour mills will embark on construction of schools, recreational facilities and several other amenities as part of its corporate responsibility to its hosts.

As of 2019, sugar consumption in Nigeria stood at 1.4 million tonnes, production was at 38,597 tonnes, while the country imported 1.36 million tonnes during the period to augment

local production.

Olusanya stated that since 1978, when the company acquired a 10,000-hectare farm in Kaboji, Niger state, it has continued to demonstrate its commitment to harnessing the nation’s resources.

“As part of our contribution to the backward integration strategy of the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), we are expanding our investments in the Backward Integration Plan (BIP) with the acquisition of 20,450 hectares of land in Nasarawa State.

“This is of course in addition to our already bourgeoning investments at Sunti, Niger state, which is by the way, on record as being the first greenfield investment under the national sugar master plan that is currently producing

raw sugar,” he stated.

The company expressed commitment to the success of the NSMP and sought the backing of the federal ministry of industry, trade and investment as well as the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) by pursuing more enabling policies.

Sule, in his comments, said the agreement was in fulfilment of his earlier promise to push for the industrialisation of Nasarawa during his inauguration two years ago.

He explained that the sugar company would stimulate economic activities, generate employment and bring development to the state and advised flour mills to ensure employment opportunities for the people of the state.

“This event is perfectly in line with our resolve and our investment drive to create wealth and ensure employment for our citizens as well as to transform the state into an investment haven where industries are easily set up and run efficiently,” he said.

The governor revealed that several security agencies are currently located in the local government where the project is being located promising to ensure that persons who will work on the project are secure.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment and former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, while speaking, lauded the state government for keying into the diversification drive of the federal government.

NNPC Decries Destruction of Rail Lines for Oil, Gas Pipe Transportation Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent

ËÒÏÏ× ÕÓØÑÌÙÖß (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) ÜÙ×ÙÝÏÖÏ ÌÓÙÎßØ (Maritime) Ë×ÏÝ ×ÏÔÙ (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters

ÙÝË ÖÏÕÒßÙÑÓÏ (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has bemoaned the recent spate of attacks on the country’s rail lines, especially from Warri in Delta state to Itakpe in Kogi state, which the corporation had started using for haulage of pipes.

The national oil company noted that destruction of pipelines and the growing attacks on the rail lines by some disgruntled Nigerians remained a major challenge in its oil and gas as well as pipelines transportation efforts.

Speaking during a two-day Nigeria Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) 2021, the NNPC’s Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, Mr. Yusuf Usman, explained that the development was a setback for the industry.

“The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) project provides a lot of opportunities which have been given to the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors, about 300 km each. So it is an opportunity for local companies in the area of trenching and moving parts. It costs a lot to move 30 inches of 40km pipelines, which means we will deploy over 200 trucks.

“These truck pick just about three pipes, so we have to look at other means or look at the alternative and the only thing we could do was to move the pipes from Warri to Itakpe.

“There are a lot of challenges with this. You saw what happened to the rail, that immediately after we moved a couple of pipes, somebody went and started cutting the lines. It’s part of the

challenges,” he said.

Usman noted that with the announcement of a “decade of gas,” there was the need to put in place a masterplan to achieve the set objectives in the next 10 years.

He noted that this involves for instance, having a clear roadmap as to what should be done in the area of moving the molecules, establishment of gas-based industries and utilisation of gas for transport.

He noted that the corporation was making sure the entire infrastructure is in place to realise the aims of the declaration, stressing that the NNPC and its partners are currently embarking on building gas infrastructure throughout the country.

“There’s also the area of gas hubs. We have taken the FID for the phase 1 of the Brass project

and what we intend to do in that area is to pump one 1bcf of gas and the phase one is just looking at 300mmsfd that will come with two methanol plants,” he added.

According to the top NNPC official, phase 2 of the project would come with condensate refinery, fertiliser plant, LNG plant and further offer deep offshore and onshore opportunities.

“In the deep offshore, we are looking to do a couple of pipelines projects including expansion of work at the 36 inch pipeline across offshore to the deep offshore assets, moving gas from Nigeria to Morocco of over 4,000 km of pipelines. We are also looking in the direction of Equatorial Guinea. All those things require gas supply. The local companies must be involved,” he said.

In his remarks, the Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Gas, Mr. Ed Ubong, who is also President, Nigeria Gas Association (NGA), stated that the company’s projects present several opportunities in-country, stressing that each time a customer is connected to the network, they spend about N100million in terms of connection work.

He stated that over 120 customers have been connected to the lines , adding that in the last two years , SNG has ensured that 100 per cent of contracts go to indigenous companies.

“Hundred per cent of our contracts so far for 2020 and 2021 go to local Nigerian companies.

There’s a lot of construction work going on in Port Harcourt, Aba and Badagry axis, where we are adding new customers,” he said.

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Showcasing Opportunities in Nigeria’s Oil Industry Emmanuel Addeh writes that last week’s two-day Nigeria Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair presented a good avenue for players in the industry to expose both local and international investors to the huge opportunities in the sector

I

n adapting to the exigencies of the times, especially against the backdrop of the‘new normal’ imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) last week organised a virtual bi-annual conference to once again intimate investors of the opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

Essentially, the fair, now in its third year, brought together major players across the upstream, midstream and downstream of the industry, including government agencies, industry regulators and the national assembly to showcase available in-country capacity.

It was an auspicious time for top public and private entities to not just put up an appearance, but aggressively seek to convince their audiences of possible areas of collaboration to grow the industry and the Nigerian economy by extension.

Among several topical issues, some operators and service companies pointed to the opportunities in collocating projects and joint ownership of pipelines and other assets.

From economies of scale to judicious use of scarce resources and available facilities, even down to industrialisation of areas and zones, there were submissions from panelists around benefits of collaboration.

Although online-based, the bi-annual event which held with minimum technical glitches, saw in attendance hundreds of participants, who would perhaps, readily admit that it wasn’t just another talk show, but one that proffered practical solutions to extant challenges.

It also, according to participants, succeeded in fostering institutional collaboration, maximising participation of Nigerians in oil and gas activities, linking oil and gas sector to other sectors of the economy and proposing a pathway for maximising utilisation of Nigerian resources.

For instance, at the event, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) drew the attention of serious business financiers to several investment opportunities in its frontier basins, gas fields, pipeline networks as well as its integrated power supply assets.

Themed, “Leveraging Opportunities and Synergies for Post Pandemic Recovery of the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry,” the corporation’s head, Mr. Mele Kyari, stated that having been ravaged and disrupted by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the industry was in dire need of fresh investments.

Kyari noted that there was the need to foster institutional collaborations, maximise participation of Nigerians in oil and gas activities, and link oil and gas sector to other areas of the economy.

According to the NNPC boss, the oil and gas industry in Nigeria is replete with opportunities from the upstream, midstream to the downstream and even to the services sectors.

He stressed that opportunities abound for potential investors to come into the sector, adding that synergies could be created between the NNPC and potential investors, towards assured value creation and a guaranteed fair share of Return on Investment (RoI).

He said: “In the upstream, opportunities abound in the area of exploration of frontier basins, the development of upstream gas fields and the financing of greenfield/brownfield additional production on de-risked assets.

“In gas and power infrastructure development, there are opportunities in expanding our gas pipeline networks, development of gas-based industries as well as the integrated power plants.

“In line with our aspiration towards becoming net exporter of petroleum products, opportunities abound in the rehabilitation of our existing refineries as well as the construction of greenfield condensate refineries.”

In ventures and business development, he noted that NNPC would partner investors in the development of multi-specialist hospitals to strengthen healthcare service availability and support telecommunication infrastructure availability.

NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Simbi Wabote, in his remarks, disclosed that the board is currently eyeing at least $3.7 billion in investments and commercial partnership and had committed a total $332million under its commercial ventures partnership programme

to achieve the goal.

Wabote listed some of the partnerships undertaken by the board to include the 5,000 barrels per day Waltersmith modular refinery in Ibigwe, Imo State, NEDO gas processing company in Kwale, Delta State and a 300mmscfd Kwale gas gathering hub.

According to him, other investments include the development of 5,000 metric tons LPG storage and loading terminal facility by Triansel Gas Limited in Koko and construction of energy park, inclusive of a modular refinery, power plant and 40MMscfd gas processing facility at Egbokor, Edo State.

Wabote said the board also partnered Brass fertiliser for the development of a 10,000MT/day methanol plant and 500mmscfd gas processing plant at Odiama in Brass as well as with Rungas Group for the manufacturing of 1.2million composite LPG cylinders annually in Bayelsa and Lagos States.

In addition, he said the organisation was deepening LPG utilisation in the north with the rollout of LPG bottling plants and depots in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi, Nassarawa, Zamfara, Niger, Plateau, Gombe, Jigawa states and Abuja.

“We shall complete and commission composite LPG cylinder manufacturing plants with combined capacity of 1.2million cylinders per annum. We shall commission three other projects dedicated to gas processing, LPG bottling, and production of base oil.

“We shall also commission and commence operations from our industrial parks at Odukpani and Emeyal-1 and commercialise at least one R&D project and close skills gaps in under-water welding and any other core skills required in the industry,” he stated.

Wabote hinted that the impending passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the amendment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content.

Development (NOGICD) Act, the ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement and the recently approved and gazetted ministerial regulations are some of

It can’t be business as usual to see Nigeria attract a paltry five per cent of investment inflows into Africa as registered for the period between 2015 and 2019

the policy and regulatory-driven opportunities in the coming years.

Also in his goodwill message, the pioneer Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Ernest Nwapa, remarked that the oil and gas industry had experienced remarkable and sustainable growth in the last 15 years through local content compared to other sectors.

Also speaking, the corporation’s Chief Operating Officer, Refining and Petrochemicals, Mr. Mustapha Yakubu, announced the NNPC’s willingness to purchase a 20 per cent minority equity stake in Dangote Refinery, Lagos, said to be Africa’s biggest oil refining facility and the world’s largest single-train plant, noting that discussions were already ongoing to that effect.

The 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) integrated refinery, expected to process a variety of light and medium grades of crude, including petrol and diesel as well as jet fuel and polypropylene, is owned by Nigeria’s Dangote Group and is worth an estimated investment of $15 billion.

The top NNPC official stated during the virtual event, that the collaboration would further ensure undisrupted product supply to Nigerians when the deal materialises, noting that one of its divisions, the Greenfield Refining Projects Division (GRPD) was handling the issues relating to completing the agreement.

“We have what we call the green field refinery, and the Greenfield Refining Projects Division (GRPD) of the NNPC. What we do, our strategy is to collaborate and seek strategic partnerships with private investors.

“At the moment, we have Dangote refinery which is the 650,000 capacity barrels per day plus a mini 80,000 tons per annum of petrochemical plant.

“What are we doing there? I can tell you today that we are seeking to have a 20 per cent minority stake in Dangote refinery as part of our collaboration and you know that there’s a huge quantity of crude for that refinery.

“That’s 650,000 barrels, going into a single crude distillation unit (CDU). When that comes on board, it will also wet the nation for us,” he stated.

Yakubu stated that notwithstanding the global push for renewables, Nigeria has a local, domestic and regional market for hydrocarbons, stressing that this part of the world will continue to rely on fossil fuels at least in the next 20 years.

He pointed out that the national oil company was exiting the running of the country’s four refineries, stressing that it has recently called for bids from competent and qualified contractors for that purpose.

Yakubu explained that NNPC was not in the best position to run the refineries, reason it has opted for a new model , the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) for the running of the

facilities.

In a post-event comments, the consulting firm which was deeply involved in planning the virtual event, Jake Riley urged state actors, investors, operators, and service companies alike to take advantage of the identified opportunities and not just exit the two-day deliberations like another talk show.

Managing Director of Jake Riley, Funmi Ogbue, stated that the industry must deliberately move away from the regular practice of gathering to recite national issues without a clear path forward, noting that thankfully, that has not been the scenario with NOGOF. “However, I’m appealing to the representatives of government who participated and committed to driving implementation of key policies and legislation. We need the PIB now more than ever before.

“Prolonged period of uncertainty is dampening the enthusiasm of prospective investors with interests in Nigeria.

“It is true that the contracting cycle is being reduced from what it used to be by service level agreements (SLA), but we need specific enabling laws that will cement these policies and give industry players the confidence of operating in a very competitive environment without fear of sudden interruptions.

“It can’t be business as usual to see Nigeria attract a paltry five per cent of investment inflows into Africa as registered for the period between 2015 and 2019,” Ogbue said.

She said that for instance, the NNPC condensate refinery programme targeting continuous supply of feedstock to mini refineries is expected to gain traction in the coming months with petrol and diesel in view as end products.

“Previous NOGOF had highlighted the potential with modular refineries and the intervening plans

by NCDMB. Today, the reality is that modular refineries are springing up in different parts of the country.

“This has broken the jinx that held 40 out of the 44 active licensees back as of 2018 from translating their licenses into actual projects,” Ogbue noted.

Ogbue used the opportunity to appreciate the executive secretary of NCDMB for the opportunity granted the company to organise the event and thanked the opportunity presenters, sponsors, panellists, media partners and the organisation’s team.

Aside Kyari, Wabote and Yakubu, some other top industry stakeholders who spoke at the event included the Minister of State, Petroleum, Mr Timipre Sylva, NNPC’s Chief Operating Officer, Upstream, Adokiye Tombomieye as well as General Manager , Business and Government Relations at Shell, Bashir Bello.

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Geely Nigeria Launches New SUV Ugo Aliogo Mikano International exclusive partner of Geely Autos in Nigeria has launched Geely Nigeria’s latest addition, the coolray SUV. Speaking at an event in Lagos, recently, the Chairman, Mikano Internationa Limited, Mofid Karameh, said the newly launched SUVs - Dynamic GS and Sport plus GF – were the result of years of dedication and commitment towards providing premium, quality vehicles at affordable prices.

He also noted that the Coolray is powered by a best-in-class 1.5-liter turbocharged GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine that produces 177hp and 255 Nm of torque, which is almost double the power of all its class competitors in the Nigerian market.

Karameh said the low-fuelconsumption (6.1km per liter) engine is connected to a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.

The Mikano Chairman further explained that the engine, which is co- developed with Volvo (Geely Holdings have been the owners of Volvo Autos, since 2010) shares 90 per cent of Volvo’s power train suppliers and 10 per cent of its

approved suppliers adhering strictly to Volvo standards.

He added that the Coolray has performed admirably in other markets, easily becoming a top-seller among the 5-seater subcompact crossover SUVs based on its design, performance and hi-tech offerings.

He expressed confidence that with the launch in Nigeria, pricing for the Coolray is around N13.5 million for the Dynamic GS (financing plans are available).

According to him, “Mikano International for over 28 years has grown into a leading solution provider in the power generation, steel fabrication, electrical and lighting, heavy construction equipment/forklifts, automobile and general civil works industries with fully operational showrooms and branch offices in major cities nationwide.

“We are the largest assembler of power generating sets in Africa and we operate a state-of- art workshop for our maintenance services and manage the sales and services of globally recognised brands as yorc, perkins and mpu.

“Our power solutions also extend to IPP’s and we are proud to say that we currently run huge projects nationwide providing all required megawatt capacities.

‘Ellah Lakes Restructuring to Become Leading Agribusiness Player’ Goddy Egene The Managing Director of Ellah Lakes Plc, Mr. Chuka Mordi, has said the company is being restructured and positioned as a leading agribusiness player across West Africa.

Mordi stated this during the presentation of the company’s ‘Facts Behind the Figures’ to market stakeholders on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited platform.

According to him, prior to 2019 Ellah Lakes Plc was an insolvent entity on NGX but Telluria Ltd acquired the company, recapitalized its balance sheet

and repositioned business for growth with a new board and management team.

“Today, we are undergoing a restructuring exercise, which will return the business to profitability and reposition it as a leading Agribusiness player across West Africa. “From a corporate governance point of view, we hold ourselves to high standards of governance as expected by our shareholders and regulator, and as is befitting of our vision to become the leading supplier of sustainable edible oils and starch to the FMCG Industry in Nigeria, particularly, and West Africa, in general. Furthermore, our free

float status remains a priority for the board.

“We are working together with our advisers and the Exchange on ensuring that the required free float percentage is achieved in the shortest possible time,” Mordi said.

Chief Agronomist at Ellah Lakes Plc, Mr. Jamie Rixton, went on to present the financials and future plans of the company, emphasising its intention to improve cash flow and ultimately start paying dividends to shareholders.

The NGX Fact Behind the Figures presentation provides listed companies the opportunity to inform the market of their

financial performance as well as other strategic and operational developments. Since the activation of remote trading and working from home in March 2020, NGX has transitioned this engagement into a virtual session thereby opening up the platform to more participants across the capital market ecosystem.

Speaking at the event, the Divisional Head, Listings Business, NGX, Mr. Olumide Bolumole, given that the market was driven by timely, relevant, and accurate information, interactions with the market were vital for transparency, price discovery and overall performance of securities.

Oyo Pledges to Deploy ICT for Infrastructure Development Nosa Alekhuogie The Oyo State Government has restated its commitment to building a digital economy through massive deployment of ICT infrastructure and digital skills training for civil servants in the state.

Special Assistant to the State Governor on ICT and E-governance, Mr. Adebayo Akande, who restated government’s commitment, said the state government had in the past two years of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration digitised many government services.

Highlighting some of the critical projects that have set the state on the right path to digitisation, Akande said the administration kick-started with the mass training of civil servants in digital skills and use of the digital collaborative and productivity tools.

“In the last two years, we have also rolled out data warehousing and data infrastructure in Oyo state where all Government data and documentation will be domiciled and accessed in real-time,” Akande said.

He added that the state had also commenced the digitisation of land procurement, survey, and certificate of ownership processes.

According to him, other digital projects executed by the administration in the last two years included fibre optic cable rollout across the entire secretariat for high-speed internet and intranet connectivity in the secretariat; large scale procurement of 1,939 computer, printers, and UPS for civil servants; and digitisation of recruitment process with the Oyo State job portal which has put a stop to nepotism and brought about an improved user experience. The portal is said to have processed over 300,000 applications so far.

He added that the state government had also commenced the process of digitising all paper files for complete business process automation while implementing an Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) and E-procurement platform for efficient contracting transparency and online procurement. The Special Assistant further disclosed that the state had also carried out biometric registration and verification of all government workers, pensioners, and ad-hoc staff.

The state had also organised Oracle Academy training on java fundamentals and database management to all its Computer Science teachers who will, in turn, train their students, as programming language is introduced to secondary schools’ curriculum in the state.

Corroborating this, the Country Programmes Manager, Oracle Academy sub-Sahara Africa, Sefunmi Fadahunsi, said the Oyo State Government partook of the partnership agreement Oracle signed with the Federal Ministry of Education to advance Computer Science Education in Nigeria. “We are glad at the quick adoption from Oyo State. Teacher training has been delivered to pilot teachers who will multiply and transfer this knowledge to Students and also adopt the knowledge and curriculum in their teaching.

This is an exemplary progress,” Fadahunsi said.

Commenting on the landmark achievements of the state in the area of ICT development, the Chief Executive Officer of Presto Integrated Solutions, Mr. Chris Okafor, said: “The future-oriented and visionary government of Governor Seyi Makinde, deemed it fit to setup a fibre optic network all over the state secretariat to enhance staff productivity and efficiency.”

Anheuser-Busch InBev Announces CEO Succession Importation, Manufacturing Anheuser-Busch InBev has announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously elected Michel Doukeris, President of AB InBev’s North America Zone to succeed Carlos Brito as Chief Executive Officer effective July 1, 2021.

Brito will step down after 15 years as CEO and 32 years at the company.

AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer, is the parent company of Nigeria’s International Breweries Plc. A statement pointed out that Doukeris is uniquely suited to accelerate AB InBev’s transformation and lead its next chapter of growth.

“Throughout his career at AB InBev Michel has consistently delivered strong results while serving in key leadership roles in Brazil, China and the United States, three of the company’s largest markets.

“As President of the North America Zone, the US business has delivered consistent topline growth and led the beer industry in innovations for the last two years,” it added.

Prior to leading the North America Zone, he was the company’s global Chief Sales Officer.

Prior to that, he was President of the Asia Pacific Zone where he accelerated top line, volume and EBITDA growth and implemented

the ‘High End’ division in China, a transformational route-to-market initiative focused on building premium brands.

He also successfully implemented the company’s first direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform.

In the statement, AB InBev Board Chairman Martin Barrington was quoted to have said: “After conducting a rigorous and robust selection process, the Board is delighted that our next CEO comes from our deep bench of leadership talent. “Michel is the right leader to take the company into its next phase of organic growth and success. He has a proven track record in innovation,

multi-category brand building in beer and adjacencies, consumer insight, and expanding premium brands in both emerging and developed markets.

“The Board is excited to continue to work closely with Michel as we grow the company.”

Barrington added: “We are grateful to Brito for his tremendous service and leadership.

Among his many accomplishments, Brito was the architect who led and built AB InBev into the world’s leading beer company and a leading global consumer packaged goods company by masterfully integrating the many businesses that comprise AB InBev today.

Huawei Pushes for Universal Broadband to Bridge Digital Divide Emma Okonji The President of Huawei, Southern Africa Region, Leo Chen, has called on African countries including Nigeria to continue with the deployment of broadband connectivity in their various regions, in order to bridge existing digital gaps.

According to him, whether we were working, learning, or staying in touch with friends and family, being online becomes more critical than ever.

“Even as vast numbers of people were adapting to their new realities, it became however increasingly apparent that equally

large numbers of people were shut out from being able to do so.

“Given that the theme of this year’s Telecommunication and Information Society Day, which took place on 17 May, is “Accelerating Digital Transformation in challenging times,” it’s worth examining how big that gap is and how it can be bridged,” Chen said.

Chen in a statement, said: “In sub-Saharan Africa for example, approximately 800 million people are not connected to the mobile internet. Of those, some 520 million can access the mobile internet but don’t, because of factors such as smartphone penetration and

lack of skills while 270 million cannot access the mobile internet because they don’t have the requisite coverage.

“Across the region, 4G broadband coverage is at just 21 per cent.”

The figures are even more stark when it comes to fixed-line internet connectivity. According to figures from research firm Ovum, there are just 6.6 million fixed-line internet subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa.

While numbers are projected to grow three-fold by 2023, that still represents a small fraction of the region’s population. Those figures make it clear that the

region needs to address a major internet infrastructure shortfall.

The benefits of growing internet accessibility and access are obvious. In 2019, in sub-Saharan Africa, more than 650 000 jobs were supported directly by the mobile ecosystem and more than 1.4 million informal jobs in 2019.

It also contributed more than $17 billion to public funding through the course of the year.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has also established that a 10 per cent increase in mobile broadband penetration in Africa would generate an increase of 2.5 per cent in GDP per capita.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

27

How Wema Bank is Supporting Nigerians with Loan Offerings Hamid Ayodeji

for female business owners who do phenomenal work. If you need a bigger shop or office space or you need funds to purchase a piece of new equipment and software you need, then this loan is for you.

With no collateral required and an interest rate of eight per cent only, the SME Loan is not only great value for you with up to N1 million, but also a convenient offer with a six months loan tenor.

T

here are many reasons to take out a loan. From needing a bigger shop or office space to buying a new device, or simply needing to take care of an emergency, loans come in handy. But not all loans—or loan providers—are the same.

The best loan providers will offer a low interest rate, long repayment terms, no collateral, and little to no paperwork. And like people say, the best loans should leave you alone.

The meaning given to the word “loan” has undergone so much change. Loan processes are going through an absolute disruption and the usual day-to-day interaction between banks and the average customer and his/her needs are re-aligning.

The acceptance and success of banking products and services, especially loans, hinge on the degree to which banks leverage the unique opportunities they have, how well they use the wealth of customer information at their disposal, the extent to which they capitalize on the insights they hold, and the extent to which their strategy, processes and activities revolve around consumer’s everyday life.

Wema Bank Plc which celebrate 76 years of

Adebise relentless innovation, strongly believes the future of banking lies in thinking ahead of customers’ goals, their ‘next big thing’ and what they should and could do with their money.

Wema Bank Plc is not only staying ahead of the curve with loan products, it is drawing the curve. With its unique solutions ranging from SME female loans to Salary-based loans, car loans to payday loans, among others.

SME Female Loan (A single-digit loan for female business owners) This collateral-free loan product is designed

ALAT Salary-based Loan So much has changed about the things you do, how you do them, how you live, work and run your businesses, and change is not always convenient. Wema Bank Plc knows this.

Amid change and uncertainties, instant loans, access to credit and other financial support should not be a luxury. As a salary earner, you deserve simple, reliable, hassle-free loans that work.

ALAT by Wema salary-based loan makes it super easy for you and your loved ones to borrow money now and pay later. You can request up to N4,000,000 at two per month and choose a convenient repayment plan.

To get started, open your ALAT, click on the “Loan” icon, click on the “Get a loan” button and apply. If you haven’t downloaded ALAT, download it now.

ALAT by Wema Payday Loans This is for you if you are in a tight spot and cannot

wait for your next salary to come in. It takes only minutes to apply and get approval and it requires no collateral. You do not need paperwork to apply or need to visit the bank either. You can borrow as much as N500,000 on the ALAT Payday Loan as long as you earn a minimum monthly income of N18,000.

To apply: Simply download ALAT from the app store for IOS or Play Store for android, install, and sign up.

From menu items, click on “Loan,” and select the Pay Day Loan Then click on “Apply”.

Wema Bank Quick Loans The Quick Loan is a short-term facility available for not over 30 days. It is a financing package designed to meet immediate financial needs for persons who have a salary account with Wema Bank and own a tier III account.

Its single-digit interest rate sits at three per cent monthly. You can get up to N100,000. It is quick and easy. You do not need collateral or paper documentation. To apply for the loan, simply dial *945*65# or *945# and select the Quick Loan option.

NDPHC, Eko Disco Sign Deal to Boost Power Supply in Lagos Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited has signed an agreement with the Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDC) to deliver 300 megawatts of power to IbejuLekki and other franchise areas in Lagos. The agreement which

was sealed in the presence of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently, would see NDPHC supply electricity directly to Eko Disco from its existing capacity. Speaking at the event, Managing Director of NDPHC, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, said the agreement was part

of NDPHC’s strategic plan to source alternative means to sell and ensure dispatch of its stranded power. A statement in Abuja by the Head, Communication & Public Relations, NDPHC, Olufunke Nwankwo quoted Ugbo as having noted that the deal also allows the EKEDC to explore innovative

ways to unlock investment in infrastructure for improved supply to its customers.

He said the recognition of the complementary objectives has birthed the relationship between NDPHC and EKEDC that has now been formally kicked off.

“Our mutual objective is

to work together to deliver the arrangements that would ensure safe, reliable and steady supply of power to customers in Ibeju-Lekki and other parts of EKEDC’s franchise area.

“This collaboration is significant considering the strategic importance of Lagos State as Nigeria’s commercial

capital and host state for key industries in Nigeria. It is also for this reason that we are pleased to be signing this document in the presence of the governor, who is himself a key member of NDPHC’s board of directors, and whose state, Lagos, is one of our shareholders.

28

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ˜ 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Dangote Confirms NNPC, Others’ Interest in Refinery Emmanuel Addeh áÓÞÒ ËÑÏØÍã ÜÏÚÙÜÞ The Dangote Group has confirmed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) quest for 20 per cent stake in the its refinery located in Lagos.

A senior executive of Dangote Industries confirmed to Reuters that four oil firms, including the country’s state-oil company had approached it to partially acquire the asset, regarded as Africa’s largest oil refinery.

The group’s Executive Director, Devakumar Edwin, said the firms from Western and Middle East countries involved in trading and crude production were looking to secure crude supply agreements, a similar objective to that pursued by the NNPC. “They are seeking to have 20 per cent minority stake in Dangote refinery as part of collaboration ... so that they can sell their crude,” Reuters quoted Edwin as saying.

He said Dangote refinery was not looking for equity, adding that the company wants to be able to secure crude from the market.

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude oil exporter, imports virtually all of its fuel due to moribund state refineries, which has prompted the state oil company’s interest in the 650,000 barrel per day (bpd) Dangote refinery.

NNPC’s spokesman, speaking to Reuters in a phone interview, said the corporation had considered the idea of acquiring a stake in the multi-billion oil refinery project owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.

Edwin said the refinery was scheduled for mechanical completion this year with commissioning

by January 2022.

Nigerian billionaire Dangote, who built his fortune in cement, first announced a smaller refinery in 2013, to be finished in 2016.

He then moved the site to Lekki, in Lagos, upgraded the size and

said production would start in early 2020.

The company has held talks with firms including Vitol and Trafigura over the supply of crude and lifting of petroleum products for sale abroad, Reuters reported.

Nigeria lost its biggest customer, the United States, after it started producing shale oil.

The US is now pushing into some of Nigeria’s most valued markets, Edwin said.

THISDAY recently reported that NNPC had announced its willingness to purchase a 20 per cent minority stake in Dangote refinery.

The 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) integrated refinery, expected to process a variety of light and medium grades of crude, including petrol and diesel as well as jet fuel and polypropylene, is owned by Nigeria’s Dangote Group and is worth an estimated investment of $15 billion.

MARKET INDICATORS

VFD Group Seeks Commercial Banking Licence Dike Onwuamaeze The VFD Group Plc has stated that it will intensify its quest to obtain a commercial banking licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) before the end of 2023.

In addition, it said it is on the verge of establishing a global remittance business that would allow it expand its offering within the foreign exchange and currency exchange business.

It also stated that it would refocus its VFD Microfinance Bank to a full digital banking entity that would offer diverse innovative financial solutions to its esteemed customers.

These were disclosed yesterday by the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the VFD Group, Mr. Nonso Okpala, during the group’s fifth Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos.

Okpala said: “While we are yet to conclude our plans of acquiring a commercial bank license and an insurance company, we are well placed to achieve these way ahead of the timeframe of 2023.

“Our application for a commercial banking license remains in the works and at an advanced stage.

We are in constant engagement with the regulatory authorities, and we would provide update to all stakeholders as we make progress.

“Learning from the past 12 months, it is instructive that we refocus our customer facing businesses to become dynamic, leveraging technology to create omni-channel experience that will meet our customers’ needs while allowing us to be lean and efficient.

“Hence, our micro-finance bank will begin the transition to a full digital entity offering diverse innovative financial solutions to our esteemed customers.”

He said the group’s “conversations with a UK-based remittance company are at an advanced stage and we hope to conclude this in the second quarter of 2021.”

The group managing director said the group delivered on all key financial indicators in 2020 to validate its strategic direction.

Okpala said the major

factors that contributed to the performance were the group’s investment income from its Eurobond portfolio, interest income from lending activities, earnings from other subsidiaries and foreign exchange valuation gain.

He said: “We did quite well this year largely from our treasury activities as well as income from subsidiary companies. The dividend was our way of expressing appreciation to our shareholders for their support.”

The Chairman of the VFD Group Plc, Mr. Olatunde Busari (SAN) declared that the group has set aside dividend of N1.014 billion to reward its shareholders with the payment of a dividend of N8.51k per share for 2020 financial year that ended on December 31, 2020, compared to N3.30 it paid in 2019.

Busari said gross earnings grew by 97 per cent to N6.7 billion in 2020, as against the N3.4 billion earned in 2019, while the group’s profit before tax grew year-on-year by 173 per cent to close at N4.1 billion in 2020 compared to N1.5 billion it recorded in 2019.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

Dike Onwuamaeze The Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Emeka Okonkwo, has disclosed that the bank released N350 million to the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria in 2020.

This, he explained was in line with the bank’s sustainability finance policy that aimed to uphold the tenets of the Social Development Goals (SDGs) and the Nigerian Sustainability Banking Principles(NSBPs).

Okonkwo made this disclosure recently when he presented the bank’s 2020 Citizenship Sustainability and Innovation (CSI ) report that gave detailed account of Union Bank’s continued efforts towards creating a more sustainable future by further embedding responsible business practices and innovations that positively impact people and communities.

Okonkwo said: “Our 2020 CSI report lends further credence to our commitment to a more sustainable world. Notwithstanding the turbulent events brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we remained firm in our resolve to positively impact the communities within which we operate.

“As the world battled unprecedented challenges brought on by the pandemic, we pivoted our citizenship initiatives to address urgent needs and embarked on a journey to meaningfully impact our employees and the communities we serve.”

He also revealed that the number of Union Bank’s branches and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) that run on the solar grid have increased to 111 and 407 respectively, which have reduced, “the bank’s environmental footprint and demonstrating a firm

commitment to environmental responsibility.”

Other key highlights of the report, according to Okonkwo, “include the bank’s multipronged approach to support the fight against COVID-19, donating a total of N350 million to the Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID), the Lagos State COVID-19 Emergency Food Response Programme and the 54 Gene, an African genomics research services and development company.”

He added that employees of the bank, through the 2020 Employee Volunteer Day initiative with the theme, “The Gift of Water,” provided potable water to over 15,000 Nigerians.

“In addition, on the platform of Edu360, Union Bank provided much-needed support to education sector stakeholders, through knowledge-sharing sessions and other key projects and partnerships,” he said.

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

We Supported COVID-19 Fight with N350m, Says Union Bank

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ͰͶ ͰͮͰͯ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $68.20 a barrel on Friday, compared with $67.32 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

29

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

NASCON Records N2.7bn Profit after Tax, Pays N1.1bn Dividend Goddy Egene NASCON Allied Industries Plc recorded improved performance for the year ended December 31, 2020 despite the challenges and rewarded the shareholders with dividend.

The performance of the company was presented at its annual general meeting (AGM) in Lagos, showing a turnover of N28.01 billion, up from N27.49 billion in 2019.

Profit after tax (PAT) printed at N2.69 billion, showing an increase of 46 per cent compared with N1.85 billion in 2019. Earnings per share also increased to N1.02 in 2020 compared to N0.70 in 2019, out of which 40 kobo was paid as dividend to the shareholders, amounting to N1.06 billion.

The Chairperson of NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Mrs. ‘Yemisi Ayeni, said during 2020, many manufacturing businesses faced numerous challenges associated

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

with COVID-19 and the resulting economic downturn.

“2020 was a challenging year for our business and the world in general. Yet it was also a year that provided our business the opportunity to review service delivery processes, reposition the salt business based on our additional capacity, and focus on our distribution models. It is the long-standing trust and loyalty of our shareholders that has allowed us to implement our

S E C U R I T I E S

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long-term vision and benefit from the resilience it brings”, Ayeni said. Also speaking, the Managing Director of NASCON, Mr. Paul Farrer, said despite the diverse challenges faced during these trying times, they continued to demonstrate their resilience and optimism into 2021.

“We are focused on maximising the gains from our capacity expansion, human capital development, operational efficiency and aggressive trade

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

in all market segments. In terms of market expansion, we have heavily invested in our new salt refinery. This is a state-of-the-art refinery plant, using best practices to produce high quality products for our discerning customers.

The future for NASCON looks very bright. We have installed our new salt refinery and as a result, established a strong platform for future growth.

“I want to specifically thank our trade partners, consumers, suppli-

O F

ers, team members and strategic stakeholders for contributing to our success story in 2020. We look forward to continuing these mutually beneficial relationships in the future,” he added.

Speaking in the same vein, the Executive Director, Commercial, NASCON Allied Industries, Fatima Aliko-Dangote, said: “The COVID-19 restrictions affected our route-to-market, but we are constantly engaging customers to improve our productivity.

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30

TUESDAY JUNE 1, 2021 ˾ THISDAY

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Mass Withdrawal Threatens Nigeria v Cameroon Friendly in Austria Femi Solaja with agency report The international friendly planned for June 4 between the Super Eagles and Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Austria has suffered a spate of withdrawals as several players Nigeria shortlisted for the game have pulled out.

Nigeria’s Franco-German Coach, Gernot Rohr, admitted to ESPN yesterday that he was now at a loss on how to prosecute the game because of the withdrawal of his mainly Europe-based players.

Players that have called the gaffer with proofs of injuries include; Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Crotone’s Simy Nwankwo, Porto’s Zaidu Sanusi, West Brom’s Semi Ajayi, Fulham’s Ola Aina, Benfica’s Tyronne Ebuehi and

Hoffenheim’s Kevin Akpoguma.

Similarly, both Kenneth Omeruo and Sadiq Umar will be involved with their clubs in the promotion playoffs in Spain.

On the other hand, Moses Simon’s FC Nantes will also face a battle to remain in the French Ligue 1 via the playoffs.

“I don’t know if they can cancel, I only know that I have a maximum of 18 players. If the players from England, William (Troost-Ekong), Kelechi, Ndidi and Iwobi can come, then maybe we play but I have no substitutes and there is no chance to get other players,” Rohr told ESPNwith a tinge of sadness.

Continued the Super Eagles gaffer, “But eve if they come, they cannot play because they have to go into quarantine, then we cannot make it.

“I think they made this friendly in Austria to give us a good condition for preparation, but I see that it is difficult to motivate the players to come to Europe because some of the players are in Nigeria already.

And they have to come back to Europe to play.

“My problem now is that I hope that we will have 18 players to arrive.”

The German coach is yet to lose against Cameroon with the Super Eagles after three matches, but he is lamenting the depleted

defence he has to manage even if the game goes as planned.

“We had nine defenders in the list. Six now are out,” he stressed.

“They said they had some injuries and the doctors from the clubs said they need to rest because they have some pains. So we got some medical attestations from the teams.

“Ola Aina told me yesterday that his ankle is painful and he cannot make it and the club physio said he cannot play. Then we have (Kevin) Akpoguma, we knew already he is injured and

cannot play.

“Victor Osimhen is injured.

He sent us an attestation. The meniscus in his knee is painful. “(Zaidu) Sanusi is injured.

He was in Paris to see a doctor, for surgery perhaps but not for the moment. (Tyronne) Ebuehi sent us a message with a medical attestation that he cannot make it. And Semi Ajayi also says he has problems with his back and the Physio says he needs two weeks of rest.

“Simy Nwankwo also, they

sent us attestation from his club that he cannot make it because he is injured.”

Rohr tried late calls for RB Salzburg’s Samson Tijani and Midjtylland midfielder Frank Onyeka, but both players are also not available.

“I invited the player Tijani from Salzburg who has told me that he was injured in training yesterday... hamstring.

And Frank Onyeka from Midjtylland, I called him but he cannot come either,” he said.

Oshoala Determined to Keep Raising the African Flag After trophy-laden season with Barcelona Femeni Nigeria and Barcelona’s Asisat Oshoala has said that she’s determined to ‘keep raising the African flag’ by winning even more major trophies.

The four-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year sealed a perfect season with Barcelona Femenino on Sunday as they beat Levante in the Spanish Copa de la Reina, to add to the European Women’s Champions League title and Spanish League crown.

And Oshoala says securing the special treble for the first time in the club’s history has made her desperate for more silverware.

“Once is a nice achievement, but it has given me and my teammates a taste of success and we want more of that,” she told BBC Sport.

“You can never limit yourself when you go out there to play professionally, especially outside of the continent because you carry more than your nation on your shoulder.

“To achieve this with Barcelona has shown that we can win a major trophy as a team and as part of this great club, the desire is keep raising the African flag by making more history.”

Two years after becoming the first player from the continent to appear and also score in the final, Oshoala became the first African winner of the European Women’s Champions League

two weeks ago.

The Champions League title is just the latest honour in her career as she becomes the continent’s most decorated female footballer in history.

“The hope is for whatever I do to open doors for other Africans because we have talented players in Africa,” she added.

“It’s very important to continue to not only represent my country well but the beautiful continent of Africa very well, too.”

Oshoala won the Confederation of African Football’s (Caf) Women’s Player of the Year award in early 2020 - for a fourth time equalling the record of fellow Nigerian Perpetua Nkwocha.

The maiden BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year winner scored at the 2019 Women’s World Cup to help Nigeria reach the last 16 in France.

She joined the Spanish outfit initially on loan from Chinese champions Dalian Quanjian in January 2019 before signing a permanent deal five months later.

The former FC Robo and Rivers Angels star moved to Quanjian in the Far East in February 2017 from English side Arsenal Ladies with whom she won the Women’s FA Cup at Wembley in May 2016.

She finished as the Chinese Women’s Super League top scorer in 2017 with 12 goals to help her club to the title

Super Eagles players in prayers mode before one of the games in the AFCON 2022 qualifiers...recently. Now, one of the tune up makes against Cameroon before World Cup 2022 qualifiers begin in September is now in doubt due to late withdrawal of invited players

Victor Moses Wins Spartak Moscow Player of the Month Award Former Super Eagles forward, Victor Moses, has been honoured with the Spartak Moscow Player of the Month award for May. The Chelsea star on loan in Moscow played a vital role in helping Domenico Tedesco’s side finish second in the Russian Premier League table with his contribution of two assists and a goal in the month under review.

On May 3, the 30-year-old helped Spartak Moscow secure a 2-1 victory over Arsenal Tula with his assists for Alexander Sobolev and Jordan Larsson in the 21st and 76th minutes respectively.

Two weeks later, he followed it up with a crucial goal that earned the People’s Team a 2-2 draw against Akhmat Grozny which secured their ticket for next season’s Champions

League qualification round.

The point earned at Grozny helped Spartak finish the league campaign with 57 points after 30 matches, one above their city rivals Lokomotiv Moscow.

In addition to his defensive contributions, Moses scored four goals with two assists in 20 Premier League games this season.

Regarding his future, Goal.

com understands Moses will now complete a permanent move from Chelsea to Spartak Moscow after meeting a series of clauses in his loan contract.

The permanent move is set to be around £4 million ($5.6m) and it will end Moses’ nine-year stay at Stamford Bridge where he has enjoyed several successes in the Premier League, FA Cup and the Europa League.

Avwenagha Wins Gov Diri Scrabble Tourney Star Prize Olawale Ajimotokanin Abuja Delta State player, Oshevire Avwenagha, has emerged winner of the Masters category of the First Governor Diri National Scrabble Championship in Yenagoa on Sunday evening.

The three-day tournament which featured 300 players in five categories, including Masters, Intermediate, Opens, Veterans and Students, witnessed Avwenagha smiling away with the N500,000 plus trophy star

prize at stake.

Raji Kazeem of Oyo State won the Intermediate category while Tariye Alari of the host state Bayelsa was winner in the Opens.

Engr. Ojior Osikhena of Edo State won the Veterans category.

The students category was won by 16-year-old Ikoko David of Federal Government College, Odi in Bayelsa State.

Others who won best female in different categories were Tuoyo Mayuku, Akpos Malafakumo and Priscillia Akhabue.

Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, emphasised the place of sports in both state and national development, stressing that it was a veritable tool if properly utilised.

Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Governor Diri, who congratulated the participants for a successful tournament, noted that the state had a lot of landmark contribution to national development through sports.

This, he said, included areas the state has comparative advantage such as wrestling, boxing and swimming.

Governor Diri noted that scrabble does not only develop the mind but that it also enhances the capacity to think outside the box.

His words: “Our state has a lot of landmarks in terms of contributing towards national development. We are not only known for oil but we have also a lot of firsts in terms of sports.

Ti Aguero Joins Barca on Two-year Deal

Asisat Oshoala...celebrating her ‘trophy laden season’ with Barcelona Femeni on Sunday evening

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has joined Barcelona on a two-year contract but will move to the Catalan giants when his contract expires at the end of June.

The Argentine, 32, leaves City after 10 years at the club, during

which he became their all-time leading goalscorer with 260 goals in 390 games.

His last appearance came off the bench in Saturday’s Champions League final defeat by Chelsea.

Aguero will have a buyout

clause of 100m euros (£86m) at Barcelona.

Aguero, who won 15 major trophies during his time in Manchester, will join compatriot and close friend Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp as the Catalan club

look to improve on a third-place finish in La Liga.

They finished behind Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, having sold Luis Suarez to the former for just 6m euros (£5.2m) at the start of the season.

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MISSILE Wike to IPOB

“IPOB cannot make an order to say sit at home in Rivers State because it (IPOB) does not exist in Rivers State. Rivers State is South-south; we are in (the) Niger Delta” – Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, reiterating that the Indigenous People of Biafra cannot issue a sit-at-home order in his state.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI The Death Of Ahmed Gulak T abati1990@gmail.com

he cold-blooded murder of Hon. Ahmed Gulak, former Speaker of the Adamawa House of Assembly, former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, former national co-ordinator of the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) and former Governorship aspirant under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is yet another tragic indication of the crisis of insecurity that Nigeria faces. It is disturbing and frightening because this was a Northern politician who had gone to the South East only to be brutally cut down by “unknown gunmen” on his way to the airport after concluding his visit to Imo State.

This was a clear case of assassination. There were two other persons with him according to reports. The assassins, true to type, identified their quarry, murdered him and didn’t bother about the witnesses. It is all the more curious because Gulak has a recent history of association with Imo State. He was the leader of the APC team that organized the controversial party primaries in Imo State ahead of the 2019 Gubernatorial elections.

Gulak it was said, was under pressure to sign the papers declaring an associate and relation of the then Governor Rochas Okorocha, as the winner of the primaries. Gulak refused and sneaked out of town under the cover of night. He alleged that he was offered a $2 million bribe and a private jet.

Whatever may be the circumstances that took him to Imo State this time around, he obviously also wanted to sneak out of town without drawing attention to himself. If he had known that he was a person of interest in that part of the country, he probably would have stayed away. Or did anyone trail him to Imo State, monitored his movements and struck at a convenient spot and time? Did his assassins choose the place of attack deliberately to hide their trail, and divert attention?

In most cases of this nature, the Nigeria Police are often so lazy, so unimaginative. They easily jump to conclusions, latching on to the most convenient lead. This explains why the initial reaction from the Imo State Police Command was that Gulak made himself a target by not asking for security escort. For us to feel safe and have a good country, it must be possible for anyone at all to move around freely in Nigeria without having to seek police escort. Section 14(2) of the 1999 Constitution states clearly that the security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government. Section 41 of the same Constitution guarantees the freedom of movement. Section 34 talks about the right to the dignity of the human person. These are three major areas in which the Nigerian government has failed the people over the years. Why should citizens seek police protection in order to travel from their homes or hotel rooms to the airport?

If we all do so, there will no policeman left on routine duty.

The sad part of it is that we live in a country where no one is safe anymore, not even school children, students and their teachers, wives, husbands, and the ordinary man. The state is in recess. It is absent. Its institutions are too fragile to help the people. The people are like orphans in their own country. Gulak’s death should be a warning sign of how dangerously Nigeria sits on the brink of the precipice and the edge of a knife. This is why the security agents handling the investigations must learn to think before opening their mouths. In less than 24 hours after the killing, the Police not only blamed Gulak for killing himself (because he did not ask for police security! Imagine!), they also immediately concluded that bandits were behind the killing. In 24 hours, they opened a case file and closed it. This kind of beer-parlour-policing is unacceptable. I expect the Police headquarters in Abuja to take charge directly from the office of the Inspector General of Police. We have been told that the Police have since apprehended Gulak’s killers. So fast? Are the suspects in custody really the killers? Or is this a case of lazy policing?

Gulak The murder of Hon. Ahmed Gulak is bound to widen the distrust between the South and the North. The optics are bad. The signs are ominous.

Gulak did not go to Imo State to graze cattle, and even if he did, he did not deserve to be murdered.

It should not be surprising therefore, that his murder is being located in the growing North-South politics of difference, and the rights of every Nigerian under the Constitution. Hence, much effort has been made to ethnicize his murder, or lend it an ethnic colouration. That is the dangerous part of it, and it is the reason the Nigerian government must not treat this as just another murder. The First World War was ignited by the killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, on June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo by Serbian terrorists, the Black Hand. He was the presumptive heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne. The Great War started a month after his death, and went on for four years. And over 20 million people died. It takes only one incident to ignite others and turn embers into a huge conflagration.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo State Governor, Chair of the Southern Governors Forum and APC chieftain, is right to have described the killing of Ahmed Gulak as “one murder too many” and an attempt “to instigate Nigerians against each other, particularly Northerners against the Igbo living outside the South East.” Toeing the same line, human rights activist, author, and politician Comrade Shehu Sani, member of the 8th National Assembly, who represented Kaduna Central, has

also appealed to youths in Northern Nigeria not to seek vengeance for the murder of Ahmed Gulak in the South East. Nigeria’s civil war, 1967 -1970 was ignited by ethnic sentiments and reprisal killings.

No country survives two civil wars. We all have to be careful. There is an evil wind blowing across the country. On Sunday, the Coalition of Northern Groups issued a statement to say that the murder of Ahmed Gulak is an indication that the North can no longer continue to co-exist with people of Igbo extraction inside Nigeria. The group accused South East leaders of funding the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to cause havoc and “replicate the ugly events of 1966”. The Northern Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) also called on the Governor of Imo State to produce Gulak’s killers within two weeks or risk being declared “persona non grata in the North”. This same NYCN has since toned down its rhetoric and praised the police.

The volte-face is suspicious but helpful.

It is good news also that the IPOB and ESN, the militant, political and security units defending Igbo and secessionist Biafra interests have declared that they have no hand in the Gulak assassination, and that in no way was he a person of concern to them. What no one can deny however, is that the South East has become a war zone. Whereas it is possible to talk about insurgents, terrorists, and kidnappers in Northern Nigeria occupying the Sambisa Forest or what they now call, the Timbuktu Triangle, the South East of Nigeria is now the operation field of a strange phenomenon called “unknown gunmen.” Nigeria must be the only country in the world where ghosts and unidentifiable objects cause so much havoc and the state is so terribly helpless. From Ebonyi to Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Imo and every part of the South East, human beings are being killed, kidnapped, murdered, assaulted, offices and facilities belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, the immigration service, the judiciary are being set ablaze and all we hear is that “unknown gunmen” are behind it all. Is there anything that is known to the Nigerian government at all?

In the last 3 days, there have been other assassinations: The Chief Provost of Nigerian Immigration Service, Imo State Command, Okiemute Mrere was murdered on Saturday night on Owerri-Port Harcourt Road. In Niger State, bandits are on rampage. They have set a police station ablaze and kidnapped persons, including

200 school children. In Ibadan, Oyo State a popular businessman, Maduabuchi Owuamanam was also assassinated on Saturday, May 29, along MokolaSango Road. In Abuja, yesterday, Omoyele Sowore, leader of the #RevolutionNow movement had a life-threatening encounter with assassins in state uniform. In his own case, he lives to tell the story, asking his followers to carry on with the revolution even if he gets killed. Dead men don’t tell stories.

The truth is this: nobody is safe in this country anymore, and whereas this may sound repetitive, note this: not even the foetuses in blessed wombs waiting to join the Nigerian nightmare are safe.

The country is that bad.

I knew Ahmed Gulak. We worked together in the Jonathan administration. He advised the President on Political Matters, and was later the co-ordinator of the Goodluck Support Group. In the latter capacity, he stepped on some powerful and sensitive toes as he went around the country in the lead up to the 2015 elections, and that was what led to his exit. I announced his appointment and his exit. But the Ahmed Gulak I remember, is a political man of action. He was articulate, knowledgeable and experienced. Having served as Speaker of the House of Assembly in Adamawa, and entrenched as he was in party politics, he carried himself with the aplomb of a man who had been here and there. He was friendly and approachable. In a sense, he was one of us, the boys in the Jonathan inner circle, that is the “the main body”. There were persons who were not permanently with the Principal but who wielded much influence because they had access. He was one of them. President Jonathan liked him a lot.

The story of his exit will not be told here, except to say that one Governor at the time felt Ahmed Gulak had the temerity to visit his state without his permission and held meetings without his approval, and that was it. The Governor raised hell. Those were the days. I am under no obligation to say more. With his death, we have lost a man who enjoyed the art of politics and sought to excel in it.

He was confident, assertive and always well turned out. He was one of the shining stars in his part of the country. He was detribalised. His murder on the streets of Imo State is most unfortunate because that was a man who felt at home in any part of the country. Nigeria has lost a gem, and as always, it is the country that has been shot in the foot. His death should not end up as another item in Nigeria’s long list of unresolved political assassinations.

Dapo Abiodun and Honour for Olusegun Osoba

I

was in Abeokuta on Tuesday, May 25, to attend the commissioning of a Press Centre at the Government Secretariat, Oke Mosan in honour of Chief Olusegun Osoba, two-time Governor of Ogun State (1992 -1993) and (1999 -2003). It is curious that the Ogun State Government since 1976 when the state was created had no press centre for journalists reporting on the activities of the state government. The main infrastructure, before now, where press meetings could be comfortably held is the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre at Oke-Ilewo, opposite the old secretariat. This NUJ centre is a multi-purpose arena. It is one of the most popular Amala and Suya joints in Abeokuta! When Governor Dapo Abiodun assumed office in 2019, he promised to build a modern-day, state of the art media centre for journalists in Ogun State, to facilitate their work and promote the freedom of information. He has kept his promise. I was one of the guests.

Immediately after The Morning Show on Arise TV, on May 25, I hit the expressway. I was curious. I also wanted to honour Chief Olusegun Osoba, after whom the new edifice is named. Chief Osoba may have been a two-time Governor (Social Democratic

Party and Alliance for Democracy), he may be known today as a co-founder and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), but his main bona fide is in journalism – the profession where he proved his mettle, and rose to become a living legend of the art and craft of newspaper reporting. At 82, Chief Osoba identifies himself first and foremost as a newspaper reporter. He was the man who as a Daily Times correspondent discovered the bullet-ridden body of Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa in January 1966. He also reported the civil war.

He was the only reporter of his time who had a telephone at home. He also had a Vespa scooter.

He broke stories, gained many scoops and took the paths where angels of the trade feared to tread.

Reporter, sub-editor, deputy editor, editor, General Manager, Managing Director from Daily Times to The Herald, to The Sketch newspaper and back to The Daily Times in 1984, Osoba’s story is well told in his autobiography, Battlelines: Adventures in Journalism and Politics which, in my view, is a must read. Osoba, first Nieman Fellow in Journalism from Nigeria, is highly revered, deservedly.

Governor Dapo Abiodun has built a befitting media work station to honour him. Even if they

were not in the same political party, there is no other person more deserving of the honour. In the past week, as Prince Dapo Abiodun marks his second anniversary in office, he has been showcasing his achievements in various sectors of the state economy and how well he has fulfilled his campaign promises and delivered on them. I was asked to say a few words at the event, and I made it clear that I am impressed. Ethnic one-upmanship is the biggest problem in Ogun State. By playing neutral and liberal politics, Prince Abiodun has been able to stay above the fray.

The high moment of the event was when Chief Olusegun Osoba disclosed that the last time he got a good reception at the Ogun State Secretariat was his last day in office in 2003. For eight years, his immediate successor declared him a persona non grata. For another eight years, another successor fought him. And yet, 18 years later, he returned to see a Press Centre being commissioned in his honour.

He said he wore an “aso etu”, a special Yoruba garment, to show how important the event was for him. Many lessons to be learnt from Osoba and Dapo Abiodun’s examples. Thank you, Governor Abiodun. Congratulations, Chief Osoba.

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