THURSDAY 4TH JUNE 2020

World Bank Urges Countries to Hasten Revival of Economies Discourages costly subsidy schemes OPS seeks measures to avert recession, job losses Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja, Dike Onwuamaeze and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos With COVID-19 inspired economic shutdowns dealing a severe blow to the global

economy, especially those of poorer countries, the World Bank Group has advised developing countries and the international community to take steps now to speed up recovery after the worst of the

health crisis is over to blunt long-term adverse effects.

Also, following the alarm raised by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, that the global

economic was heading for recession, the leaders of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) have called for the speedy implementation of the economic stimulus packages and palliatives

measures announced for the private sector by the federal government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in order to accelerate economic recovery and avert a recession and job losses.

The multilateral institution also noted that the scope and speed with which COVID-19 and the economic shutdowns have devastated Continued on page 8

DPR: Nigeria's Proven Gas Reserves Now 203.16tn Cubic Feet... Page 6 Thursday 4 June, 2020 Vol 25. No 9187. Price: N250

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Obaseki Talks Tough, Tells Oshiomhole to Recuse Self from Edo APC Pry Six governorship aspirants submit nomination forms Ogiemwonyi explains collapse of consensus

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The altercation between Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, over the party’s governorship primary in the state raged on yesterday with the governor pointedly asking his

predecessor to recuse himself from the June 22 process in the state.

The governor, after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, also described as absurd an insinuation that he had purchased another Continued on page 8

FG Laments Ravaging Effect of COVID-19 on Revenues

348 fresh cases push total to 11,166 with 315 Dead WHO resumes Hydroxychloroquine clinical trials

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Martins Ifijeh in Lagos The federal government yesterday lamented that COVID-19 has attacked all sources of Nigeria's revenues.

Answering questions from State House correspondents after yesterday's Federal Executive Council meeting,

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the disease had adversely affected global economy with $1 trillion lost in aviation industry alone.

According to him, with the lockdown of Lagos, Ogun and Abuja for several weeks Continued on page 8

MINISTERS AT WORK...

L–R: Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; Minister of State for Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor; and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja… yesterday godwin omoigui

No More Deal with Katsina Bandits, Masari Vows... Page 5

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

No More Deal with Katsina Bandits, Masari Vows Gunmen kill nine in fresh attacks on Kaduna communities

John Shiklam in Kaduna and Francis Sardauna in Katsina Miffed by the renewed attacks, kidnapping and cattle rustling by bandits in Katsina State, Governor Aminu Masari has vowed that he would no longer negotiate with them following their failure to honour previous agreements he had with them.

The governor expressed his frustration with the bandits just as their counterparts, ravaged Kaduna communities, killing nine persons and injuring many others yesterday.

Masari recalled that the bandits had signed a peace agreement with the state government where they pledged to repent and stop banditry, but that they flouted it.

Speaking to BBC Hausa in a live Instagram interview, the governor said: “They could not honour the agreement; they betrayed us.�

He noted that some of the bandits were from Zamfara and Kaduna states as well as Niger Republic.

He said he was the first governor to sign an agreement with the bandits in 2016, adding that the gunmen initially honoured the agreement but later repudiated it.

The governor said: “We choose to sign the peace agreement with the bandits so as to avoid loss of lives and property, but it didn’t yield a positive result. This time around we will hand it over to security personnel. “In our effort to honour the agreement between us, we cancelled all vigilantes and volunteer groups and we allowed them (bandits) to continue with their normal activities in the state.�

He stated that his government in 2016 initiated an amnesty programme for bandits, adding that the programme was initially successful until some of the bandits reneged on the agreement and went back to kidnapping, cattle rustling and other forms of banditry.

The governor explained that some of the recalcitrant bandits started carrying out attacks,

including animal rustling and kidnapping.

He said with the government’s new decision, only security operatives could now grant amnesty to the bandits. “We went through with the amnesty programme because we wanted peace to reign in the state and we did all that within our limited resources to see the initiative succeeded, but peace has continued to elude the state,� he added.

Masari said the amnesty programme led to the ban on local volunteer vigilante group, or Yansakai, across the state and measures were taken to ensure that the bandits moved freely with their animals, as well as go to local markets without being harassed.

He said it was due to the lingering security challenge in the state that led the government to ask for the federal government's assistance, which led to the recent major military operation to combat the bandits.

According to him, the military operation, which includes Nigeria Air Force (NAF) personnel, has at least five fighter jets that operate between Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states.

He noted that the operation had recorded some successes, but it lacks equipment.

Masari called for adequate provision of equipment for the success of the military operation in the state.

arrived in the village, forcing the villagers to scamper for safety.

He said eight people were, however, killed on the spot, while a woman who sustained serious injuries and was being rushed to the hospital, died on the way.

Nagaiza added that after attacking his community, the bandits moved to the neighbouring Agwalla Magayaki village.

He, however, stated that no life was lost as the residents of the community had fled upon hearing sounds of gunshots during the attack on Anguwan Tudu.

He explained that when the bandits discovered that the villagers had fled, they destroyed all their property, although they did not burn their houses.

Nagaiza said: “Today's (Wednesday) attack was on Anguwan Tudu and Agwalla Magayaki. But the killings took place in Anguwan Tudu because when residents of Agwalla Magayaki heard sounds of gunshots in Anguwan Tudu, they

fled their homes. The attackers burnt all their property, but they didn't burn houses. “Anguwan Tudu was attacked about 5.30 a.m by herdsmen. “They were well armed with guns, machetes and sticks. As soon as they came, they started shooting sporadically; we had to run to the bushes for our dear lives. “Unfortunately, eight people were killed on the spot. A woman that was being rushed to the hospital following injuries, died on the way. As I am speaking with you, we are preparing for the burial of nine people killed by these murderers. “We saw the attackers and we know them. We can identify them. We have been living peacefully with the herdsmen in our community. “In the whole of Kajuru, there is no place where the herdsmen live more comfortably than in Anguwan Doka. “We don't know what we have done to deserve this brutal

attack. They have turned their back against us.�

The youth leader also called on the government and security agencies to stop the killings.

He said residents of three neighbouring communities, Idanu, Anguwan Rana and Anguwan Mudi had fled their homes following previous attacks by herdsmen.

In the past three weeks, many people have been killed following attacks on communities in Kajuru.

Many of those who were rendered homeless in the attacks are said to be taking refuge in five IDP camps in the area.

The spokesman of Kaduna State Police Command, Mr. Muhammed Jalige, was yet to respond to a text message sent to his mobile phone and the police/ media WhatsApp platform, when contacted on the issue.

However, the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, Mr. Cafra Caino, confirmed nine people lost their lives in the attack.

He said the timely intervention

of security operatives prevented more casualties in the attack.

He said: “We have once again been set back in our confidence building effort and peace engagements after Tudu village in Agwala Dutse general area was attacked this morning. “It is confirmed that nine lives were lost in the attack. A detailed inventory of casualties is being taken. “My heart goes out to all the families affected; may God grant the souls of the victims, eternal rest. “The position of Kajuru LGA remains that all communities must take recourse to the law as against engaging in these killings and reprisals. “I also passionately implore all and sundry to unite to win this war against criminality in our local government council. “The council will not relent in its commitment to end the violence but success can only be achieved with the support of every peace-loving citizen.�

Gunmen Kill Nine in Fresh Attacks on Kaduna Communities In a related development, nine persons have been killed following a fresh attack by suspected herdsmen on Anguwan Tudu and Agwalla Magayaki communities in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The incident, according to Mr. Emmanuel Nagaiza, the youth leader of Anguwan Tudu, occurred at 5.30 a.m yesterday.

He told THISDAY that the bandits shot sporadically as they

THE BATTLE BEGINS...

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (left), and the National Organising Secretary, All Progressives Congress, Mr. Emma Ibediro, during the submission of expression interest and nomination forms for the party’s gubernatorial ticket by the governor in Abuja‌yesterday

INEC Issues Fresh Code of Conduct for Edo, Ondo Voters Bans branded face masks at voting centres

Chuks Okocha in Abuja In continuation of its preparations for Edo and Ondo governorship elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday met with media organisations, and released fresh guidelines for voters' safety during elections.

At the virtual teleconference meeting with media organisations and the President of Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Mr. Chris Isiguzo, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, assured the media that the commission would accredit journalists to cover the two governorship elections.

He said: "The commission has always accredited media organisations to cover elections and to ensure your unimpeded access to voting locations and collation centres. The forthcoming Edo and Ondo

governorship elections, as well as many by-elections across the country, will not be different.

"However, in tandem with the new health reality, accreditation of media organisations for these elections will be done online through a dedicated portal.

You will be fully briefed at this meeting on the new procedure."

The commission also released the procedure for accreditation for media organisations covering the governorship elections to include the following: "Each media organisation will apply and upload the list of its personnel to be accredited and their passport photographs and personal details.

"INEC will screen the names and particulars to ensure that they comply with the requirements for accreditation."

Also, INEC National Commissioner in charge of Electoral Operations, Prof.

Okechukwu Ibeanu, released fresh guidelines and code of conduct for voting during the elections.

Ibeanu said the commission would not tolerate branded face masks, as any voter with such, would be turned back.

INEC would also not provide face masks due to logistical reasons based on cost.

He said for INEC to provide face mask for over 6.4 million voters at N100 each would cost the commission over N640 million.

He added that results would not be transmitted electronically as there's no law yet for it.

He said the commission has suspended the continuous registration of voters due to COVID-19.

Ibeanu said the commission would collapse some collation centres into one as well as collapse registration area centres.

According to him, there may be a reduction of voting points and this may be due to reports during the preparations for the elections.

"Wearing of face mask at polling units and all election locations is mandatory. Please make provision for your own face mask. Face masks must be worn at all times, but an election official may request you to lower your mask for proper identification when necessary and anyone that symptomatic to COVID-19 would be isolated immediately.

"Voting starts at 8.30 a.m and stops at 2.30 p.m.

"There shall be two queues formed at each polling location (polling unit or voting point).

The first queue (the outer queue) will be outside, from which an election official shall bring voters into the voting area in batches. The second queue

(the inner queue) will be formed in the voting area.

"By 2.30 p.m, an election official shall stand at the end of the outer queue indicating that the queue is closed. Any voter on the outer queue by 2.30 p.m shall be allowed to vote.

"Queues must be orderly and voters on a queue must maintain a distance of two meters (six feet) from each other.

"Any voter showing symptoms of COVID-19 such as high temperature, coughing, sneezing, etc will be requested to leave the queue or voting area and shall be attended to by designated officials.

"Please obey all directives by the officials to keep yourself and others safe. Report any health emergencies urgently to an official at the polling unit.

"Avoid unnecessary touching of surfaces or leaning on walls and other surfaces at the polling

unit. You may request for hand sanitiser which will be given to you if available," he stated.

He added: "An election official may ask you to clean your fingers with an antiseptic before your fingerprint is read with the smart card reader. “Please show your voters’ card to election officials whenever you are requested to do so. “After you cast your vote, move away from the voting area. If you wish to observe the counting of votes and announcement of the result, you will be directed by an election official on where to stay."

The commission urged voters to ensure that they go away with their used protective materials such as face masks and hand gloves, urging them not to litter the polling units with them.

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DPR: Nigeria’s Proven Gas Reserves Now 203.16tn Cubic Feet Crude oil reserves drop to 36.89 barrels NNPC begins bulk sales to marketers online Peter Uzoho in Lagos and Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government has put Nigeria's total gas reserves as of January 1, 2020, at 203.16 trillion cubic feet (TCF), representing a marginal increase of 1.16tcf or 0.57 per cent from the 202tcf recorded in 2019.

The reserves are made up of 100.69tcf of Associated Gas

(AG) and 102.47TCF of NonAssociated Gas (NAG).

Also as of January 1, 2020, Nigeria's crude oil reserves dropped to 36.89 billion barrels, representing a decline of 82 million barrels and 0.22 per cent of what was recorded in 2019.

The Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Sarki Auwalu, announced this yesterday at a virtual

NAICOM Extends Insurance Firms’ Recapitalisation Deadline to 2021

James Emejo in Abuja and Ebere Nwoji in Lagos

National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has extended the deadline issued to insurance companies to raise their minimum paid-up capital to September 2021.

The recapitalisation deadline had earlier been fixed for December 31, 2020, which became not feasible following the economic disruptions caused

by COVID-19.

Insurers now have up to September 30, 2021, to fully recapitalise in a two-phased plan.

The commission noted that the pandemic had made it difficult to proceed with the December 31, 2020 recapitalisation deadline, adding that a review of the recapitalisation timeline has become imperative in order to mitigate likely negative consequences of COVID-19 on the exercise.

NAICOM, in a circular issued yesterday and signed by the Director, Policy and Regulation, Mr. Pius Agboola, extended and segmented the recapitalisation process into two phases.

Insurance companies are requested to meet 50 per cent of their minimum paid-up capital for insurance and fully comply with the remaining 50 per cent approved minimum paid-up capital not later than September 30, 2021.

The implication is that instead

of insurance and reinsurance firms compulsorily meeting the new capital requirement by December 31, 2020, as stated earlier, insurance firms are now required to provide 50 per cent of the required capital by December 31, while balancing the remaining 50 per cent by September 30, 2021.

Reinsurance firms are by the new requirement mandated to provide 60 per cent of the new capital by December 2020 and make up the remaining 40 per cent by September 30, 2021.

The commission warned that insurance companies that failed to satisfy the required recapitalisation thresholds by the December 31 deadline may be restricted on the scope of business to transact.

According to the capital segmentation, companies offering life assurance are expected to beef up their minimum paid-up capital to N4 billion in the first phase (December 31) and N8 billion by September 2021.

General insurance firms are required to raise their capital to N5 billion and N10 billion

by December and September respectively, while reinsurance firms are mandated to recapitalise to the tune of N12 billion and N20 billion by December and September respectively.

Companies engaging in the composite insurance business are to beef up capital to N9 billion and N18 billion by the stipulated timelines.

conversation between DPR and journalists on topical issues in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) also said yesterday that it had deployed a sales and distribution application in the oil and gas secondary model portal that would enable marketers to buy petroleum products online.

Auwalu said the agency was targeting to raise the nation's gas reserves to 220TCF by 2030.

According to him, of the 36.89 billion barrels, oil accounted for 31.418 billion barrels, while condensate contributed 5.476 million barrels.

On the newly-launched bid round for the 57 marginal oil fields, Auwalu said only not challenging decision on the marginal oil fields were qualified to bid for them.

He added that none of the advertised marginal oil fields is in litigation, stating that the decision to conduct the bid round now was to show that Nigeria was ready for business.

On the level reached with the gas flare commercialisation programme, he said the programme had reached the commercial stage, saying COVID-19 caused some delay in the project.

He said the companies jostling for flare points had met most of the pre-qualification expectations, adding that they have the money and the technology but that COVID-19 has delayed them access to the flare points, as they needed to visit the sites. “What is holding (up) the programme is COVID-19.

Because (the bidders) need access to the flare points... they have to go and see (them) physically. We had to officially extend the programme by six weeks,� he stated.

He, however, stated that there has been a stable profile of gas flare volume between 2017 and 2019 which stands at about 300 billion cubic feet (bcf) per annum.

NNPC Begins Sale of

Petrol Online NNPC said yesterday that it had deployed a sales and distribution application in the oil and gas secondary model portal that would enable marketers to buy petroleum products online.

The corporation noted that the move was to minimise human contacts in business transactions at the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a downstream subsidiary of NNPC, as a result of the spread of COVID-19.

A statement in Abuja by the NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, quoted the corporation’s Group General Manager, Information Technology Division (ITD), Mr. Danladi Inuwa, as saying that some major marketers have already begun the use of the new platform.

He said the application, known as the Customer Express, would also enable marketers to register, validate and revalidate their bulk purchase agreements

online within a week.

According to the national oil company, the portal also provides a dashboard that enables the corporation to track every molecule of products being imported, transported and sold at every given time. “The portal shows what product is in transit in terms of volume, what quantity is in the jetty, what volume has gone into the pipelines, what quantity has gone into NNPC depots, private depots and refinery depots. So, we have an accurate accounting of every molecule of products that we have in our system. “Already, the members of Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) are now purchasing products online seamlessly, while the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPMAN) and other relevant downstream stakeholders are expected to start transacting business on the platform soon�

NNPC added.

SECURING THE PEOPLE...

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Training & Development, Force Headquarters, Mr. David Folawiyo, during the inauguration of the State Community Policing Committees in Ikeja‌yesterday

FEC Approves N1.66bn for Design of Second Abuja Airport Runway Says military lacks adequate manpower funding Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday in Abuja approved N1.659,596,908.78 for consultancy services for the design of Abuja Airport second runway with a completion period of 12 months.

Making the disclosure after yesterday's virtual FEC meeting in the State House, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, said the contract was awarded to a consortium of consultants, comprising one Nigerian and two international consultants.

Sirika said the contract sum included seven per cent value added tax (VAT) at an exchange rate N360 to $1 for the dollar component of the contract.

The minister, who said a lot of work had been done on the contract procurement, disclosed that the process would be fast-tracked, with the hope of completing the construction

before the end of the year. “What I want to assure the public is that a lot of work has been done in this procurement of consultancy services. It will be fast-tracked and it is the intention of the ministry to conclude before the end of the year, so that the balance of money that we have in the budget, we can appoint a contractor and commence the construction of the second runway.

"We hope to conclude the second runway if awarded before the end of the life of this administration,� he said.

Also briefing, the Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd.), said the Nigerian Armed forces were currently facing the challenge of shortage personnel and inadequate funding.

Bashir, who said different operations of the military, including the situation of the Ministry of Defence were discussed at the meeting, added

that discussions at FEC yesterday raised hopes of a resolution of the challenges soon.

He said: “We spoke about our shortcomings. We talked about manpower shortage, inadequate funding for the Ministry of Defence. We talked about all the operations we have been conducting, the successes and failures of each of the operations right from Operation Lafia Doyle to Operation Tawase. “The shortcomings of each of the operations were discussed and God so kind, contributions were made by members of the council and I think in no distant time, there will be a change in the conduct of our affairs in the Ministry of Defence.�

In his own briefing, the Minister of Environment, Mr. Mohammad Abubakar, who said he presented his ministerial scorecard to the council, disclosed that there's progress on Ogoni clean-up, with over 21 and 36

Ogoni clean up to produce 774,000 jobs

sites already impacted with hydrocarbon.

According to the minister, the project had so far created 775 jobs from the total of 774,000 approved for creation

by President Muhammadu Buhari, pointing out that the Ministry of Environment as one of the implementing agencies would employ 200,000 skilled and unskilled labour as well as another 2,000 through its erosion department.

The minister also said there was yet another programme designed to train 400 women in areas of agriculture, aqua culture and poultry with the aim of improving the living standard of the people.

According to him, planting of 25 million trees is another project being pursued by the ministry in collaboration with state governments.

He also said the ministry would create jobs in the area

of waste recycling to reduce refuse, repair and recover waste.

According to him, “It is no longer fashionable to just produce, use and dispose of because the planet is getting too choked up with pollutants. We are very big in recycling. “Finally, we are big in erosion control which you all know is a big problem in the South-east.

As you know, South-east is more prone to erosion because of the geological nature of the area.�

Furthermore, Mohammad said the ministry was working to reduce emission from carbon dioxide from generators and other gaseous emissions affecting climate change.

He explained that about 4,000 jobs would be created in this area with the mandate to concentrate on emissions including vehicular emissions.

He also spoke on the green bond project, which he said was designed to produce clean energy,

with the proceeds channelled to generate solar energy for tertiary institutions, a situation he said had already produced 20,000 jobs.

The minister added that the ministry was also seeking to create 32 jobs from the recycling of engine oil from motorcycles and other vehicles to produce diesel that could be reused.

In his own briefing, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, said FEC approved N8.14 billion for the reactivation and completion of Farim Ruwa Multipurpose Dam in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

According to him, the project was initiated by Nasarawa State Government in 2013 but the state government in 2018, invited the federal government to take it over.

He said the multi-purpose dam project would supply water for irrigation and serve as 20 megawatts of hydropower station.

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PAGE EIGHT OBASEKI TALKS TOUGH, TELLS OSHIOMHOLE TO RECUSE SELF FROM EDO APC PRY governorship form from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a fallback should he

fail to get the APC ticket to run for a re-election.

Obaseki and Oshiomhole have been at loggerheads for about one year, a crisis that has snowballed into the factionalisation of the state chapter of the party, and threatening APC's chances at retaining the state in the September 19 governorship election.

To stop Obaseki's second term bid on the APC platform, the Oshiomhole group drafted a PDP defector and former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to run against him as the consensus aspirant of the group.

However, the consensus arrangement that produced Ize-Iyamu has fallen through as four more aspirants from the Oshiomhole group bought the party's expression of interest and nomination forms to run against the governor who is the sole aspirant in his camp.

As of yesterday, which is the deadline for the submission of expression of interest and nomination forms to the party, six governorship aspirants returned their documents to determine their eligibility for the party’s governorship primary slated for June 22.

However, one of the aspirants, Mr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, gave an insight into why the consensus that produced Ize-Iyamu collapsed.

Speaking to reporters after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms, Obaseki said despite the

transformational reforms that his administration embarked on for the last three-and-a-half years, his first term of four years was not enough to crystalise all the reforms.

He said, therefore, he needed another four years to consolidate on what he had done, adding that this informed his decision to seek a second term.

On last Sunday's meeting by a delegation of APC governors with the National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, Obaseki explained that it was part of steps taken to resolve the crisis in the party. “For me and my colleaguegovernors, we cannot see a party we built destroyed. We cannot see a ruling party be so weakened, and whatever it will take to secure peace, to secure harmony in the party, we are prepared to - I am prepared to make,� he said.

The governor noted that the meeting with Tinubu was to assure him that they are all working to build the party, adding that from 26 states, the ruling party now has 20 and that they don't want to lose any more states.

Reacting to the APC National Working Committee's (NWC) decision to adopt direct primary as a mode of picking the party's governorship candidate on June 22, Obaseki said he was ready for any mode of the primary.

But he stressed the need for strict compliance with the constitution of the party in conducting the primary.

He said: "The basis of any democracy is rules; that is why the most important document in our party is our constitution.

Our constitution is very detailed and it spells out clearly how we should undertake our affairs as a party. “The constitution stipulates what mode of primaries allowed in our party and how decisions to the type of primaries you want to run should be arrived at. It is clearly stated in our constitution and so for me, I believe that our lawful party will do things according to the constitution of our party.

"So, direct or indirect, I'm certain I will win the primary but we have to respect our constitution.

"However, I am using this opportunity to call on Comrade Oshiomhole to recuse himself from the Edo nomination process because he is an interested party.

"It is against natural justice for a man to be a judge in his own case. So, I think the honourable thing to do is to recuse himself and let us have a free process and let us reconcile and build our party."

On the reports making the round that he has obtained governorship form from another party, the governor said: "It is very absurd. I am someone that is very exposed. How can I collect forms from two parties when we have rulings in the past disqualifying people on that? I am a party man to the core. “APC is my party because I come from a progressive political family. I believe in the ideals of APC; I believe in our president; I believe in what he stands for, so I am a party man to the core.

I am not an old-styled politician.

I represent a new direction of politics that is based on facts and

truth, not lies."

Responding to a question that he betrayed Oshiomhole, touted to be his godfather, he said: “In life, everybody gets helped; everybody gets assisted. The person talked about had no money when he left labour to contest (for Edo State governorship). We knew what we did to make him governor. I sacrificed eight years of my life pro bono; I collected no kobo to serve him in Edo. "Today, we know what we have built because of where we started from. So, when you talk of betrayal, the biggest betrayal can be when people betray a cause; when they betray an idea. That is the greatest betrayal of all. It is like betraying God. When you said to God, this is what I stand for and then God gives you power then you turn around and do the exact opposite.

"There is no greater betrayal than that. So, when you talk about betrayal let us be very clear. I want to put it on the record that I am grateful. He assisted me just as I assisted him. I know the sacrifices we made to make him the national chairman. So, what are we talking about?"

Obaseki might have felt some relief yesterday as five other aspirants from the Oshiomhole camp submitted their forms for the June 22 contest, signifying the collapse of the consensus that had thrown up Ize-Iyamu as the group’s flag bearer.

One of them, Ogiemwonyi, explained why the consensus arrangement collapsed.

Speaking after he submitted his forms, he said even though he initially stepped down for Ize-Iyamu, he changed his mind

because there were indications that the former SSG was inviting another person from outside.

He stated: "We started with consensus candidate where we think the candidate we elected to have one person, because we believe, with unity, we can remove the current governor. However, there were some indications that the consensus aspirant was inviting another person to join and because I was number two, I told him that was unacceptable to me. If at all somebody will come, I should be the person because I was number two; that was why I said it was a moral issue."

Ogiemwonyi, however, opposed indirect primary being canvassed by some party members, saying it's the greatest disservice to a politician.

He said: "I saw what indirect did to me in 2016. I nurtured so-called delegates for nine months - some little stipends.

To make sure I was coming from outside, they believed in me. I was giving soft loans for them to run their businesses, but I received the greatest shock from the governor at the stadium."

He said Obaseki was not a player in 2016, neither was he in equation of things, noting that the contest was between him and the then deputy to Oshiomhole, Dr. Pius Odubu.

He added that the delegates could not vote for him because they watched the body language of Oshiomhole, who was the governor then.

He added: "Godwin did not campaign. Godwin did not talk.

Oshiomhole gave him so much gratitude and I believe Godwin has shown him much ingratitude.

To answer your question, having done it once, it is the greatest disservice to a politician.

"I hate it, what they called indirect primary. What we are having today is go to the field, campaign, let card-carrying member have the privilege to choose their candidate."

Ogiemwonyi said if elected, he would only do four years and would not seek another term.

He added that he was not against the perceived support Oshiomhole is giving to IzeIyamu, but warned against using state apparatus to suppress other candidates as it happened in 2016.

"I'm not against somebody loving somebody, but all I'm saying like what happened in the first case, don't use the government apparatus to suppress one person," he stated.

Another aspirant, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwe, however, said adopting indirect primary was the most logical thing to do, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, six governorship aspirants, yesterday returned their expression of interest and nomination forms for the party’s governorship primary.

Ize-Iyamu was the first to submit his on Monday and former Chairman, Oredo Local Government Area, Hon. Osaro Obaze, returned his nomination form on Tuesday.

Obaseki, Dr. Pius Odubu, Iduoriyekemwe, and Ogiemwonyi submitted theirs yesterday.

The National Organising Secretary, Mr. Emma Ibediro, received the nomination forms from the aspirants on behalf of the party's NWC.

the COVID-19 pandemic and economic shutdowns have devastated the poor around the world are unprecedented in modern times. Current estimates show that 60 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty in 2020. These estimates are likely to rise further, with the reopening of advanced economies the primary determinant. “Policy choices made today – including greater debt transparency to invite new investment, faster advances in digital connectivity, and a major expansion of cash safety nets for the poor – will help limit the damage and build a stronger recovery. The financing and building of productive infrastructure are among the hardest-to-solve development challenges in the post-pandemic recovery.

"We need to see measures to speed litigation and the resolution of bankruptcies and reform the costly subsidies, monopolies and protected state-owned enterprises that have slowed development.�

OPS Seeks Measures to Avert Recession, Job Losses

Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mining and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Mr. Ayo Olukanni, said: “To truly stimulate the economy, there is need for a more rapid processing and releasing of the grants and various loans promised to the private sector. “The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria himself, in an interview with THISDAY last Sunday, agreed that the process of granting funds under the various stimulus packages has been a bit slow. Therefore, steps should be taken to hasten the process and the disbursement of funds.�

Olukanni explained that NACCIMA has been engaging CBN and NIRSAL to “deliberate on how to ensure that our members who applied for the grants and cessionary loans receive quick responses because several businesses are on the throes of death and need to be kept alive and assisted back into production and operations.

Hydroxychloroquine Clinical Trials

of the available mortality data, the members of the committee recommended that there are no reasons to modify the trial protocol.

"The Executive Group received this recommendation and endorsed the continuation of all arms of the Solidarity Trial, including Hydroxychloroquine.

The group will communicate with the principal investigators in the trial about resuming the Hydroxychloroquine arm."

He said the Data Safety and Monitoring Committee would continue to closely monitor the safety of all therapeutics being tested in the solidarity trial, adding that so far, more than 3,500 patients have been recruited in 35 countries.

He restated WHO's commitment to accelerating the development of effective therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics as part of its commitment to serving the world with science, solutions, and solidarity.

WORLD BANK URGES COUNTRIES TO HASTEN REVIVAL OF ECONOMIES the poor around the world are unprecedented in modern times, adding that current estimates show that 60 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty in 2020.

According to analytical chapters from the bank's just-released Global Economic Prospects report, securing core public services, getting money directly to people, and maintaining the private sector would limit the harm and help prepare for recovery from COVID-19.

The analysis of the report was released yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s issuance of the full report, which would include the latest forecasts for the global economy.

The report observed that short-term response measures to address the health emergency and secure core public services would need to be accompanied by comprehensive policies to boost long-term growth, including improving governance and business environments, as well as expanding and improving the

results of investment in education and public health.

It noted that current low oil prices also present an opportunity to review energy pricing policies as energy-importing emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) like Nigeria need to move away from costly subsidy schemes and allocate their limited financial resources for higherpriority expenditures involving improvements in public health and education programmes.

According to the report, in the short-term, while restrictions on transport and travel remain in place, low oil prices are unlikely to provide much support for growth and may, instead, compound the damage wrought by the pandemic by further weakening the finances of producers, adding that low oil prices are likely to provide at best marginal support to global activity early in the recovery.

In a comment, the Director of World Bank’s Prospects Group, Ayhan Kose, said: “Oil-exporting emerging and

developing economies entered the current crisis with eroded fiscal positions after having drawn on them to weather the 2014-16 oil price drop. In addition to the unprecedented public health crisis, these economies are now experiencing sharp economic downturns as their export revenues nosedive. “Even if oil prices rise as global oil demand recovers, the recent plunge in prices is another reminder for oil-exporting countries of the urgency to continue with reforms to diversify their economies.�

To make future economies more resilient, the report said many countries would need systems that could build and retain more human and physical capital during the recovery – using policies that reflect and encourage the post-pandemic need for new types of jobs, businesses and governance systems.

The World Bank Group President, David Malpass, said: “The scope and speed with which

OPS has called for the speedy implementation of the economic stimulus packages and palliatives measures announced for the private sector by the federal government and CBN to stimulate economic recovery and avert a recession and job losses.

Answering questions on the likelihood of a recession at last week’s budget defence session held by the Senate Committee on Finance, the minister of finance, budget and national planning had said: "The global economy is predicted to be also slipping into recession. What we are hoping to do by our own collective efforts - the executive and the National Assembly - is that we minimise how far we go into recession."

Responding to this threat in the wake of the second phase of ease of lockdown announced by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, the Director-General of

Continued on page 45

FG LAMENTS RAVAGING EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON REVENUES and crude oil being sold at $18 per barrel, Nigeria's losses are monumental.

He said: “We are not just Nigerians; we are all witnessing what is going on in the world today. When the budget was passed in December last year, we all celebrated that the budget was passed for the first time in a good time to allow us to plan. We were very hopeful that this year, we will be able to achieve a lot. “I remember that the benchmark for crude oil was $57 but from nowhere today we have COVID-19, which has brought every economy in the world to its knees. Nigeria cannot be an exception.

"As a matter of fact, we are praying that the crude will go to $30 per barrel. All sources of revenue have been attacked by COVID-19. When we lock our borders how will goods come in?

How will customs make money for the country? “Abuja, Lagos and Ogun have been on lockdown for more

than four weeks. It was only yesterday that we were easing the lockdown. How will they make money to pay taxes? So, if we say there is no money it is not because we are seeking lame excuses.�

He said the entire world, not just Nigeria was facing serious fiscal challenges, explaining that 40 million people in the US today had filed for unemployment even as he added that the aviation industry alone had lost about $1 trillion.

He said: “So, please look at this in context, if you budgeted for $57 a barrel and we sold at $18 a barrel two weeks ago; this is why the minister of finance at the last council meeting, informed all of us that they will slash every ministry’s budget by 20 per cent capital and 16 per cent overhead.

"So, where will the money come from? So, when we complain there is no money, it is genuine. “If you know what is being spent on COVID-19 alone and

what it is costing the whole world, you will be able to appreciate this better."

348 Fresh Cases Push Total to 11,166 with 315 Dead Meanwhile, 348 new confirmed cases and one death were recorded in Nigeria yesterday, bringing the total infections to 11,166 with 3,329 persons discharged and 315 deaths recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The 348 new cases, announced last night by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) were from 19 states, including Lagos 163, FCT 76, Ebonyi 23, Rivers 21, and Delta, Nasarawa and Niger have eight each.

Enugu has six; Bauchi, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo and Gombe five each; Benue four; and Ogun, two.

Osun, Plateau, Kogi, and Anambra have one each.

WHO Resumes

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday resumed clinical trial of Hydroxychloroquine after pausing research on the drug for the treatment of COVID-19 last week.

WHO Director General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, said at a press briefing that new information had suggested that there was no reason to modify the trial protocol, hence the continuation of the research.

He said: "As you know, last week the Executive Group of the Solidarity Trial decided to implement a temporary pause of the Hydroxychloroquine arm of the trial, because of concerns raised about the safety of the drug.

"This decision was taken as a precaution while the safety data were reviewed. The Data Safety and Monitoring Committee of the Solidarity Trial has been reviewing the data. On the basis

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í˛Ëœ 2020

COMMENT

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

IDI DONALD AMIN TRUMP

Trump shares some similarities with Idi Amin, including massive trauma which their countries experienced under their rule, writes Okello Oculi

F

ield Marshall Idi Amin Dada (Conqueror of the British Empire and King of Scotland) and Donald Trump (President of the United States and Chair of Trump Group of Companies) share some similarities, including massive trauma which their countries experienced under their rule.

Both men share tall, bulky, and broad-chested bodies, and experienced military training in their early teens. Their role models were loud platoon commanders who dished out commands, demanded obedience; were verbally abusive and denigrated the person of recruits that fell short of rules and drill rituals. The culture of debate, tolerance of opinions of others was expected to be subject to obedience and silence.

Idi Amin also played rugby; exploiting his physical ability to bash and break down opponents. His British team mates would leave him sitting alone inside a truck while they raucously drank alcohol in a segregated ‘’WHITES ONLY’’ Club. He would later revenge this humiliation by getting a group of white British businessmen to carry him on their shoulders as he sat on a ‘throne’.

He also tricked Britain’s Foreign Secretary/ Minster, Jim Callaghan, into kneeling in apparent veneration of a sitting Idi Amin.

The photograph went global as a triumph in vindictive symbolism.

In addition pictures showed thousands of Indians and Pakistanis scrambling to fly out of Uganda before a deadline set by Amin.

In protecting his power, Amin flexed his military and rugby punching power and terminating assumed ‘’enemies’’ by slaughtering over 300,000 Ugandans; while bribing his murderers with rivers of imported alcohol.

President Trump built his electoral visibility by grabbing the mantle of being an American ‘’NATIONALIST’’ who called for the disqualification of Barack Obama from running for election as President of the United States because he was allegedly born outside the country. He appealed to Caucasian racists, NAZI and Ku Klux Clan cult members opposed to the end of slavery; as well as excited in inflicting maximum violence on African-Americans, including bombing churches during worship sessions.

His rhetoric against Mexicans, Nigerian and -Muslim immigrants – accusing them of bringing narcotic drugs, religious terrorism, and taking jobs from American citizens, respectively – had scandalous value which gave him cheap publicity in the media, while reinforcing his appeal for ‘’White Nationalists’’.

Coming in the middle of growing unemployment and deindustrialization as a result of major corporation exporting factories to China to benefit from low wages, well educated, disciplined

WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT BY BRINGING POLICE GUNS INTO AMERICAN POLITICS, TRUMP’S STRATEGISTS HAVE INCITED YOUNG GENERATIONS OF WHITE AMERICANS YOUTHS INTO ‘BLACK LIVES MATTER’

Chinese workers. Candidate Trump’s deflection of anger and insecurity away from the big corporations towards foreign immigrants and China, deepened his electoral appeal.

Idi Amin as head of Uganda’s military, noted that Britain’s diplomats were encouraging Indian and Pakistani communities to transfer capital to Britain as insurance against future economic policies for absorbing college graduates and secondary and primary school leavers. ‘’Asian’’ businesses also recruited family relations from India and Pakistan and blocked local graduates and school leavers from the commercial sector. This generated racist resentment. His attack on their economic citadel was bound to be popular. The resulting economic and social convulsions, disruptions; and violations of human and citizenship rights were ignored

by Amin.

Both Trump and Amin utilize vulgarity, untruths and indecency as political tools. Amin alleged that his female Foreign Minister had sex with a white man inside a toilet at Paris airport. She had attended a reception hosted by a Nigerian diplomat in New York long before she infuriated him by fleeing to exile in Geneva. He killed his first wife and accused her of being a spy. In May 30, 2020, Donald Trump was accused my Mayors of American cities of inflaming anger in rioters destroying their cities. His urging security personnel with utterances of: ‘’when looting starts shooting starts’’ may please racist supporters but infuriates demonstrators incensed by television pictures of a policeman killing a Black man by kneeling on his neck.

Idi Amin and Donald Trump lifted sediments of humiliation and neglect over certain groups. Idi Amin ‘’liberated’’ Nubian Diaspora mercenaries trapped in Uganda; and Muslim communities in Buganda discriminated against by Frederick Lugard because their Kabaka/King fought against colonial invaders. This action launched contests for democratic governance.

Donald Trump saw communities in Southern United States impoverished by globalization. He encouraged violence against African American probably because his racist supporters rejected prospects that a day would come when former slaves would be in the sunlight of equality. Some have alleged that he was spotted by Vladimir Putin as a KGB intelligence operative managing American affairs. What is important is that by bringing Police guns into American politics, his strategists have incited young generations of white Americans youths into ‘’BLACK LIVES MATTER’’ and ‘’I CAN’T BREATHE’’ protests to bleed and swallow teargas in fighting for a restructuring of America anchored on the humanity of African-Americans.

AKALA AND THE SECRET OF FAME Kehinde Olaosebikan ÚËãĂ? ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? ÞÙ Ă–Ă‹Ă™ Ă•Ă‹Ă–Ă‹Ëœ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?Ăœ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™ ÞËÞĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ăž Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ͑͘

I

t is no exaggeration to say that many are agog that the former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala, has turned 70.

I know there are several other people including great achievers born on this day, I am not sure that there is any other person being celebrated and appreciated today more than the ebullient, pragmatic, charismatic, munificent 16th Governor of Oyo State.

From last week, the media, including the social media have been dominated with stories on the Otun of the Source and since midnight, seven out of 10 posts in virtually all the social media platforms are messages, stickers and posters on Alao Akala. It is a period when lovers of the Ogbomosho-born politician are showing love and gratitude to the man that means so many things to so many people. The man that has lifted many out of poverty; the man that has promoted friends from gloom to limelight; the man that has provided succour to many sick people; the man that has made beggars to be landlords; the man that has made great impacts in the lives of thousands and still making.

Conversely, as there is no way one would be in this world without having enemies, no matter how good or generous one is, some would still hate for no reason whatsoever.

This period provides opportunity for the haters of Alao Akala too. It is an opportunity to hate themselves more and carry their heavy burden of hatred. Except, they could permanently close their eyes and block their ears, what they have been reading, hearing and watching from last week would have made them feel so terrible about themselves.

It is a time they would ask, why do I hate this man? Probably, it’s time, they should cease hating him.

Clearly and without any fear of contradiction, Akala remains one of the most loved, famous personalities in Nigeria today.

He is loved as a politician, he is loved as a socialite, he is loved as a native, he is loved as a family man and he is loved as a friend. Alao Akala gets thunderous ovation anywhere he goes.

But why is Akala so loved by the people?

The simple answer is love and forgiveness.

Love begets love and when you forgive, people respect and love you the more. At home, Akala plants seeds of love. He gives love as a family man and this takes root, germinates and goes ahead of him wherever he goes. This is why his love for Ogbomosho has no parallel. Alao Akala was born into a Christian, Baptist family and he has never deviated from that path. The yearly Carol Service in his Ogbomosho home is a must every year. He loves his religion and he flaunts it. Akala was in the Police Force and he shows love and loyalty to the force till tomorrow.

Just like President Muhammadu Buhari who has never hidden his love for his family, his native Daura town, his tribe Fulani, his profession, the Military and Islam, his religion, Alao Akala loves and feels proud always about his roots, Akala family, Ogbomosho, Baptist, Nigeria Police and Oyo State.

This is not a matter of promoting tribalism or nepotism, it is a reality that before you are from a city you are first, a product of a family and before you are a citizen of a state, you are an indigene of a local government

area and before being a Nigerian, you are from a state. It is only somebody with love for his family that can be genuinely passionate about his town.

To command consistent followership especially in politics, you need a base where you are recognized and loved by your people. I know some would want to controvert this with the victory of President Olusegun Obasanjo in the 1999 elections but those were exceptional circumstances and times.

As I celebrate the 70th birthday of Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala in my home today, like many others are doing privately in their homes all over the world, let me illustrate his high sense of love and forgiveness with a personal experience I had in Splash FM about this time, 10 years ago.

I was the guest on a live program anchored by the best of presenters in Oyo State then, Alhaji Abolade Salami and Mrs. Folake Otuyelu when the Chairman of the station called in and stopped the live program. What were we discussing? Akala’s birthday and his achievements in office.

We were about 20 minutes into a one-hour program when the chairman of Splash phoned the producer and expressed his displeasure with my exponential breakdown of Akala’s achievements and ordered the immediate stoppage of the program. The chairman did not want to hear any explanation on the consequences of his act being explained to him as he ordered that the program must be terminated. He who pays the pipers, dictates the tune. The program was stopped and the three of us were agape for minutes before I stood up and left their studio.

As I got out of the studio, I met about

10 journalists at the lobby of the hotel who had come for a function. Apparently, having listened to the program, they were concerned on why the program was brought to an abrupt end. I told them that what happened.

They described the situation in many unprintable words.

While on the way to my office, I got a call from the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Alao Akala, Alhaji Razak Gbadegesin who also listened to the program and was miffed by its termination. He asked me to come to the Governor’s Office. After explaining the circumstances surrounding the abrupt ending of the program, he said we must take it up with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

We put up a very strong petition against the unprofessional conduct of the radio station. Satisfied that we had a good case, Alhaji Razaki Gbadegesin and I with another person, a lawyer, went to meet the Governor to brief him on our plan to ‘deal’ with the erring radio station.

To our dismay, Governor Akala asked us to let the matter go. He said we should forgive them and forget about the matter entirely.

We tried to argue but Governor Akala stood his ground. With Governor Akala, the matter ended permanently there. It however got a casualty at the other end, Splash FM where it led to the exit of the versatile Abolade Salami from the station. He was sacked for bringing an arch Akala supporter on his program. I am glad he is doing pretty well in Fresh FM today.

In life, we should love and learn to forgive, unconditionally, like Otunba Alao Akala.

Happy birthday, Sir!

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

EDITORIAL JUSTICE FOR UWA AND NIGERIAN WOMEN Uwa’s killers must be found and brought to justice

T

he tragic death of a University of Benin female undergraduate, Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, following a rape assault has brought to limelight, once again, the issue of gender-based violence in our country. While we join other stakeholders in demanding justice for the victim’s family and the society at large, we are also calling on the relevant authorities to devise effective measures and strategies to checkmate the growing menace of sexual assaults across Nigeria. But beyond those who have been entrusted with the responsibility of protecting life and property, the society also needs to be alive to its responsibility.

While rape is a violation of the most demeaning kind that scars many victims for life, its prevalence in Nigeria is not a surprise. Having created a society in which the seemingly strong are seeking ways to display their superiority over ‘weaker’ people, rape may be a more blatant manifestation of a deeper deviation in our social psychology. It goes without saying that when positive means of personal identification and legitimate expression are suppressed, the devil finds work. But no society WE MUST ALL STAND UP should condone rape TO FIGHT THIS MENACE which regrettably WHICH VIOLATES THE is fast becoming a DIGNITY OF OUR GIRLS social epidemic, with AND WOMEN children now victims of this growing bestiality.

We have pathetic sights in hospitals of little girls whose urinary and rectal passages have been ruptured so that they are uncontrollably leaking urine and faeces. While surgical operation may repair such injuries, most mothers whose daughters are victims cannot afford such health interventions. So we are left with several vulnerable young girls who are damaged for life. Such acts of sex-related violence are not only barbaric but criminal, as the Minister of Information

and Culture, Lai Mohamed said during the week while highlighting the case where 14 men allegedly gang-raped a 12-year-old girl in Jigawa State.

Uwa was killed after being sexually assaulted within the precincts of a church, perhaps to cover up the crime that is increasingly being perpetuated in our country due to a culture of silence. But her killers must be found and brought to justice. Also being covered up in our country for fear of bringing shame to parents with high social status is the epidemic of fathers raping their daughters.

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

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA

n Nigeria, the fear of stigma (or persecution) discourages victims of sexual violence from formalising the reports of incidents involving them.

Many of the policy briefs of the National Crime and Safety Survey have always depicted how prevalent sexual violence is, as well as the fact that our society seems to be living in denial about this crime. The conclusion is that victims of rape hardly lodge reports for fear that their cases would not be treated seriously, that they would be stigmatised or that corruption would hinder effective investigation.

To fight the menace, a point of safe, protective and comforting recourse must exist for victims of sexual violence to address their immediate needs as well as to enable them summon the courage to pursue the ends of justice. While diligent prosecution and swift and exemplary sanctions would certainly send a strong signal to the perpetrators to desist, the media remains a necessary partner in sustained efforts to curb these wanton acts of evil.

While human rights violations of this nature occur everywhere in the world, as the sick, the evil and the deranged exist in all societies, the only manner in which citizens can feel safe and secure is where the response to crime is swift, efficient and effective.

That is what the current situation demands from the relevant authorities. We must all be ready to stand up to fight this menace which violates the dignity of our girls and women.

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Is The Us A Third World Country?

S

o much has been said and written about the United States of America: a great country, a land of the free, where the ambitious from any part of the world can achieve life’s ambitions.

Supporters of America, point to Barack Obama and many others who have won opportunities not conceivable in many countries.

The country is great, no doubt; after all, she was a Third World country before the First and Second World Wars but has since dumped the ceremonial dress of Third to the First World, thanks to great leaders that steered the ship of the American state.

She outspends other nations in protecting the world, in humanitarian ventures and her scientists through numerous researches have ended many global epidemics. We look forward to her lead in the fight against Corona Virus.

I worry about racism in America. This land of the free and hark back to Rodney King in the 1990(s).

How come this great country has not been able to stem the tide of systematic bigotry since then?

Why should George Floyd die the way he did?

The police officers felt no qualms even when they knew that they were being filmed. Their white skins didn’t crawl with revulsion. This is a classic case of Social Darwinism. White is supreme in America, and so white lives matter more than black lives.

These police officers wouldn’t treat a white man the

way they did to George Floyd.

It is a pity. How America is different from Third World countries, where policing is only for the rich and the lives of poor people can be snuffed out by the same security outfit established to protect everybody without borders staggers my imagination?

It is bewildering that this kind of brutality can happen in America, where some lives are more valued than others. I wonder why Africans celebrate America so much and their lives not complete until they visit or relocate to America. If George Floyd, a citizen of the United States could be treated the way he was in a manner fit for animals in Africa where there are no animal rights campaigners and killed, what opportunities would there be in America for an immigrant from Africa? “I cannot breathe,” didn’t resonate with these white policemen with their acts of idiocy.

Africans sleep outside consulates for visits to a country with no respect for black lives.

If George Floyd where a white American, he wouldn’t have died the way he did. Dr. Martin Luther King struggled so hard to liberate all blacks and all people from being judged merely by the colour of their skin but counselled instead that they be judged by the content of their character. George Floyd was judged by the colour of his skin.

Simon Abah, Abuja

Can Obaseki Sail In Turbulent Water?

F

or some of us who have been following the trend of the feud between the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole and the incumbent governor of Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki, we had foreseen it from the beginning that it would deepen, and that either Oshiomhole or Governor Obaseki would have his way or made featherless. How? All the efforts invested to settle the rift between the duo by the Kanduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, and other top politicians who mediated were futile. It was after then Gov. Obaseki removed the only commissioner Oshiomhole appointed in his cabinet, and Oshiomhole too deprived him of nominating federal appointees. When Oshiomhole was suspended as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Obaseki didn’t disassociate himself from the coalition that worked against Oshiomhole. It was at that period that Obaseki went on air and said, “We are warning the suspended national chairman, if he continues his activities in Edo State, I will show him that I am the Governor of Edo State. While he was the governor, he will not tolerate a fraction of misdemeanor and misbehaviour he is undertaking today….”

However, Obaseki and Oshiomhole’s feud has been generating heat recently, and Gov. Obaseki’s

faction happened to be the only one being afflicted by the heat. Like I said, one of the duo would surely have his way. Governor Obaseki and his faction has been in confusion since the APC, National Working Committee (NWC), ably led by Oshiomhole, had decided to conduct a direct primary for the APC governorship primary election in Edo State. The election was slated to hold on the 22 June, 2020. The decision was hastily rejected by Gov. Obaseki.

Unfortunately, since NWC announced the direct primary election May 22, 2020, the party has not denounced the decision, which means the party is in support of it. In order to influence the decision, Gov. Obaseki with seven elected governors of the APC, marched to the State House Marina on Sunday, May 31, 2020, where they had meeting with the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, over the Edo Poll. The eight governors according to the tidings published by a national newspaper, laid their cards before Bola Tinubu, and asked him for his swift intervention. They agreed that Gov. Obaseki had stepped on toes. The meeting which started well ended unfavourably as Asiwaju insisted that Obaseki should clinch the party ticket through the party’s direct primary scheduled for 22 June. He emphasized on the beauty of conducting a direct primary election in a democratic state.

Aremu Lukman Umor is a sociologist and writer

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2020

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

‘Nobody Can Wave a Magic Wand to Turn a Country, State to Eldorado’

Nseobong Okon-Ekong holds a conversation with Mr. Ife Oyedele, an engineer and Executive Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, whose eyes are set on the office of governor of Ondo State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress

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eing a founding member of the APC, how would you asses the performance of your party in your state?

Well, that is a double edge sword but let me put it this way, I desire more in my state. I desire that we should drive on good roads, I desire that rather than being Number 19 on the list of Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria, I will want us to be Number One, I will want us to be Number One in education, in industrialisation, I will want us to have pipeborne water in our homes. I will want us to have regular power in our homes. I’m not too comfortable with where we are knowing where we used to be.

For instance, in the area of agriculture, even in the production of cocoa where Ondo State used to be Number One, we are no longer Number One. I understand that we are now Number Two if not Number Three. I will want for instance that when we are cutting down our rich forestry reserve, we are immediately planting new ones. I will desire a state where we can produce many sports stars, I will desire a state where the jobless youths can find work to do - where employment rate can be reduced to 10 percent so that government can have enough money to do projects and even the people can have enough money to take care of those who are jobless. So there is so much to be done in the state.

It’s easy when you are outside to proffer all these solutions but when you get in there you find out it’s a different cattle of fish. How do tackle that?

I do not know what you mean by when you are out and when you are in. All I know is that in every cell that I have had the opportunity to belong to whether in my Old Boys Association, in my Residents Association or Tenant and Residents Association because even when I was a tenant, I was very active in the residents association. In my club which happens to be the Ikoyi Club, in my family and in any group, that I have found myself, my desire always is to leave the place better than I met it. When I was the Premises Adviser in Ikoyi Club I initiated the construction of Sewage Treatment Plant - that was 74 years after the creation of Ikoyi Club. What that means is that in 74 years, all that we were doing in Ikoyi Club was bringing sewage trucks to evacuate waste and we were spending almost N14 million every year. To the glory of God, working with the Chairman of the club and members of the executive management committee of the club, I designed a sewage treatment plant and the contract was awarded and today, trucks don’t come into Ikoyi Club. So to say that when you are outside, yes I was a critique in Ikoyi Club as well but when I got in there I was able to make a difference. Nobody can wave a magic wand to turn a country or state to Eldorado.

But it is incumbent on you to move from Level A to Level B within the time that is allotted to you because you have a short time. Thereafter, anybody who comes after you, can continue from where you stopped.

Are you now saying that so far Ondo state hasn’t really developed as you want it to be?

Well, you can tell me, you are journalists, you should go to Ondo State and tell me what meaningful development you have seen in the state in the last few years. The truth is that if Ondo state is 44 years. Is it right that a state that is 44 years old does not have pipe-borne water?

When that state was created, we had pipe born water in many places. Go to Akoko and tell the people that there has been any development in the state - there is virtually no stretch of 10km of road that is motorable in the entire Akoko area. How can you tell such people? A

Oyedele State at 44, we do not have a stadium where our football team can play football. Our state football team is not even recognized by NFF not to talk about the world football federation, so what are we talking about? In the part of Ondo state where I come from, the students don’t sit for JAMB in those places, they travel as far as Akure or Ijebu-Ode to write because there is no JAMB compliance centre in any of those places. How many schools have standard laboratories in Physics, Chemistry, Biology or ICT centres in all of those places? So we can go on and on. If that is your desire for your children, it is not my desire for my own children. If you tell me that it is desirable for a state to be Number 19 in Nigeria in the Ease of Doing Business ranking, then I am not happy.

The level of unemployment in Ondo State is 37 per cent and if you are talking about 37 per cent it means that over half of the population are without a job because when you talk about employment, you are not talking about children between the ages of 0-10, or 0-16, you are not talking about adult who have retired. So you are saying that if the level of unemployment is 37 per cent, virtually, one out of two young people doesn’t have a job. If that is what you

you want for your own state that is not my desire for my own state. I desire more and I think that those of us who have been blessed, those of us who have gathered experience ought to do more to ensure that our country can be taken out of where it is now, that is the purpose of our being in government.

If you’re given the opportunity of being the Chief Executive of Ondo State, what will be your priority?

I have my plan and I have always said that I am always ready. If tomorrow by appointment or by an election I come to a platform because God has given me opportunities and this country has blessed me, I know what I will do in every area. As a governor of Ondo state, I know what I will do in the area of sports, in the area of water supply, in the area of education in the area of agriculture, industrialization and I can begin to tell you one by one because it is not yet time for politicking, because I have not declared my intention publicly, I will just give you just one example. Let’s look at the area of education for instance, I complained that there are so many schools that do not have laboratories, I did not think that I have the

It was also discovered that when you build those power plants, you need to be able to transport the power generated from one place to the other and that’s how the idea that they should build transmission lines and substations. It was further discovered that when you build transmission lines and the power lines are flying all over the place, it must get to the consumers and therefore the idea to also build distribution networks and injection substations was also incorporated into the tasks of the NDPHC so today you’ll find out that NDPHC has built many power plants, ten at the last count, eight of them are generating electricity into the gride

magic wand as a governor I will just come in today and in hundred days, every school will have laboratories, but I can tell you what I will do. I will group schools together in various areas - four, five, six schools and what I will do is that I will build a biology lab in one school, a chemistry lab in another school, a physics laboratory in another school, and ICT centre in another school and I will ensure that the students can rotate - can go to do their practicals in other schools like that. Let me tell you, in Ondo state today, as I understand in so many other states, many of the secondary schools are short-staffed. They have three, four or five permanent trained teachers all the others are what you call auxiliary teachers and they are employed not by the government but by the Parents-Teachers Association or by individuals like you and me who have the needs. Now, what am I going to do? In the first month of my being governor, I will call a conference of all the parents-teachers associations and thank them for their support and I will promise that for every N10000 they spent, the state government will match it by the equivalent amount. That will encourage those parent-teachers association to do more and it will encourage them to know that the government cares about what they are going through and then I will lay before them my plans on giving their children access to standard laboratories. Then I will go further and assemble all the auxiliary teachers and ensure that we train them during the holidays and at the end of the year, I will make sure that maybe the first one hundred - depending on the purse of the government, will be given permanent employment. In so doing, their output will be better, they will learn how to teach our children better and be more productive, the children will learn and the parent will want to do more. It’s not rocket science, there are simple little things that we can do in the area of health, in the area of sports, education, amongst others. In Agric for instance, there are so many opportunities that the governor will be able to create enormous employment in the field of agriculture. If you understand what is happening in the sector and you key into all programmes - the Anchor Borrowers programme the CBN is doing, the support from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and so on and so forth, and you help the farmers to get access to better seedlings and improved farming methods. I can tell you what I can do in sports and many other areas without breaking the banks.

There have been lots of calls for restructuring the country, what is your position on restructuring?

I am sure you know that even right now restructuring is going on in various areas and the opinion of people on the issue of restructuring is as many as the number of Nigerians.

Restructuring will always be an issue because even in countries like America, there is some sort of restructuring going on. In Europe for instance, Great Britain just exited from the European Union, that’s some sort of restructuring. So restructuring will always be with us and I don’t think we should create tension out of it. I know for a fact that this government has a policy of devolving more powers to the federating states. What somebody means by restructuring is regionalization, it’s some people’s idea but those who are governors, who are benefiting from the devolution of powers to the federating states are also happy about it. The National Assembly is a different stakeholder, they don’t want to lose their position for as long as we practice the kind of democracy we have in Nigeria, for as long as we are electing people to the National Assembly, they would have a stake. You have seen recently some of the cooperation that is going on in the various parts of the country - the security outfit that

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POLITICS

‘Nobody Can Wave a Magic Wand to Turn a Country, State to Eldorado’ was brought together in the South-west, the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) for instance, is part of a restructuring.

These are things that will continue to evolve as we go on as a nation. But what I detest about it is the fact that some people are deliberately mischievous and they want to create tension out of it. We would always have restructuring with us, there would always be news to restructure as we go on.

Nigeria was 60 million people when we were practicing the parliamentary system of government and so the whole of a region was not more than maybe, ten, fifteen or twenty million people but now we are over 195 million people. There will be need to review the way we live together as a people and that is the way I see it.

What is your view on the issue of security vote?

I don’t want to talk about something I don’t know, nobody has been able to come to us to say this is the law concerning security vote.

All I know is that if I were a governor, I will be transparent in the way I deal with the funds available to my state, pure and simple. I will be accountable for every penny that accrues to the government under me. I hope this will be the desire for anybody that comes into governance.

What is your opinion on the issue of godfatherism in Nigerian politics?

Let me ask you, what is godfatherism? It’s mentorship. I mentor people, even in this place, I mentor people. But a godfather governor who wants to leave a legacy will pick a competent and reliable person to succeed him. What we tag godfatherism means many things to so many people. If godfatherism is being out of government and allowing the new person who has taken over from you to continue to take instructions from you, you must be deceiving yourself. If it is mentorship, I will want to be mentored by people who have done good things in so many areas of life. I still go to people who I believe have good expertise, good knowledge, good wisdom to teach me, I go to them to learn. So that’s my own idea of godfatherism and I don’t detest that. But I have godfathers in every area - in business, engineering, character, in values, in politics and I know that I am godfather to so many people too who see me as their mentor.

How would you describe a situation where a godfather begins to dictate to the governor?

Like I have said, these are opinions and they depend on who you are. There is nothing wrong in anybody, who has had prior experience in an area to want to teach somebody on what to do. Even if you have a godfather who is overbearing, if you are well- brought up, you will know how to relate with them in the way that they will be happy and they will understand your point of view. Even we as parent cannot act as godfather to our children, if you are overbearing, they will resist you, and that is a child that you sent to school, you paid his fees and you feed him. How many of our children live in our homes? They live on their own, drive their cars. My son runs his business, how can I teach him how to run the business?

Most of the time, I don’t even understand what that business is all about. It’s a different age.

Mentorship is a form of godfatherism and I recommend that to any person, there is no end to wisdom, to learning in this life. Sometimes your godfather may even be somebody who is younger than you, but has expertise, knowledge in a particular field.

Every month governors come to Abuja for revenue sharing while there are mineral resources in various parts of the country, what is your view on the issue of resources control?

The federal allocation is a right of every state, so they should get it. However, governors should concentrate more on developing their internally generated revenue. The greatest resource that I believe we have in Ondo state is not the mineral resources you are talking about, it’s the good skilled people that God has blessed us with and there is so much to do in the state that can turn the fortune of the state around.

I recall that when Jakande was governor of Lagos State, he didn’t step out of the country for one day. I don’t know how many times he

Oyedele came to Abuja or maybe, then they don’t use to come to Abuja but he did not step out of the country for one day. It is about individual goals, when you have ideas and know what to do, you will not put all your hope in Federal allocation and in any case, this federal allocation cannot pay all your bills. It’s like the salary workers, it’s a take home pay that cannot take you home. So the federal allocation is like the take home pay that cannot take any state home.

What Lagos is benefitting today, is the fact that successive government from the times of Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, increased the internally generated revenue of that state from a paltry one billion plus to now about N32 billion monthly. That is why when you see the budget of Lagos state, it’s so different from the budget of other states. Other states are talking about N144 billion or N200 billion, Lagos state is budgeting over N1 trillion.

Looking at Nigeria’s electricity problem, what solution do you think the Niger Delta Power Holding Company has for the country?

Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited is a company owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria; it holds 47% of the shares. The 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, plus the 775 local government areas own the remaining 53%, so we are a Nigerian company.

Originally, the vision was to increase the generation capacity of Nigeria, but in the process, a lot of things happened, having embarked on the building of generation stations or plants, it was then discovered that those plants will need gas to operate, so the company added another department, which is to build gas pipelines, gas metering stations to be able to fire the turbines.

Thereafter, it was also discovered that when you build those power plants, you need to be able to transport the power generated from one place to the other and that’s how the idea that they should build transmission lines and substations. It was further discovered that when you build transmission lines and the power lines are flying all over the place, it must get to the consumers and therefore the idea to also build distribution networks and injection substations was also incorporated into the tasks of the NDPHC so today you’ll find out that NDPHC has built many power plants, ten at the last count, eight of them are generating electricity into the grid. Then you have transmission lines all over the place.

If you look at this you will see the Nigerian map showing existing, ongoing and proposed TCN, NIPP and IPP projects for 10,000 megawatts are all over the place. We have done quite well in that area.

Today, I can tell you, without any fear of contradiction, that NDPHC has increased the transmission capacity of the electricity network in Nigeria by almost 50%, if not more and then the distribution capacity by almost 60%. That’s how much we have done and that’s how we are doing.

The power problem in Nigeria needs multidimensional approach and you can see that the Federal Government is doing a lot, setting up various committees to look into all of these areas and to fill in the gaps where we have shortcomings.

How confident are you that these committees being set up will be able to resolve the problems of the sector, considering the billions have been spent?

I want you to separate the fact that a lot of money was spent before this administration came into office. What this administration is doing right now is to look at the whole network and see what are the gaps that we have.

You will see that we are introducing a lot of things, there’s a lot of emphasis, on mini-grids, on renewable energy, filling the gaps in the transmission network and so on. On a daily basis, you’ll find out that the government is taking the problems that are identified and then looking at ways to solve them. That’s what is happening now.

I also understand that the distribution part of this chain is still wobbling because of, in my own opinion, the way that privatisation was done, those who bought those networks, to my mind, didn’t have enough money and experience and so they have to wobble through it.

One of the things this government is doing, which is remarkable is the fact that they have not taken knee-jerk actions to cancel the privatisation and that we must record to the glory of Muhammadu Buhari administration because you have seen that many projects that were started by previous administrations like the road networks, the airports, like the privatisation, are being continued. That is the beauty of governance, there must be continuity. When you have a government that is not prepared to line its own pocket, then their desire will be to complete what has been started without necessarily condemning them.

In the next few years to the end of this administration, you will see that many of the abandoned projects will be restarted all over again. I spoke with the Honourable Minister of Education sometime ago and he was very vehement about his resolve to complete the National Library. I’m just giving you an example outside the power sector. So you must give it to the Buhari administration that he has a desire, it’s comfortable looking at what was , correcting the flaws in them and continuing in the same spirit to ensure that they are completed.

The National Economic Council, in its meeting, said it wants the Federal government to review the privatisation of the DisCos. What is view on this?

Like I said, it’s obvious that the privatisation was not thoroughly done, it is obvious that most of the companies that won the bids don’t have pedigree and expertise in that field, they don’t have the financial muscle. Most of them went to the bank to borrow the money and because of that, unfortunately for them, they didn’t do their calculations very well, because

of that they are not able to refurbish the old aging NEPA lines that we have around. That is part of the problems that we are facing now.

You will see that some of the poles we see around, to the layman, the transformers are old , some of them have been installed since 1960. The transformer substations are totally broken down and unfortunately, technology has moved on, modernisation has come into play. There’s intelligent technology these days whereby a transformer and the substation are loaded and they can account for every power that is connected to that station. There’s need to change that, but because they have no money, they are just struggling.

Yes, there may be a need to review the privatisation, maybe the kind of thing that was done in the banking sector where the banks were told to recapitalize, there may be a need to merge some of them, there may be a need to break some of those networks into smaller units so we can have more efficient power sector delivery to the homes. That’s what is going to happen.

Of course, I hope also that as we are talking about these things, most of the state governments also need to plan their cities. In a situation where you build an area, take Lagos for an instance, look at the entire Surulere area, it used to be purely residential, but now Adeniran Ogunsanya has become a commercial area.

Ogunlana Drive, Adelabu and all of those places.

You can imagine that the power demand in those areas would have increased like ten times, the equipment are still the old equipment.

There’s need for us, as a nation, to plan our cities. It’s not enough for somebody to just bring an industry and establish it in a place, simply because that’s where he can afford cheap land or that’s where he thinks the amenities he needs are available. There is a need to review policies on planning our cities and our highways as well.

Some say the power sector in Nigeria is jinxed and can never work. Also some say despite efforts of government, there are those who are working to ensure the sector does not work for their own selfish interest. What do you think?

I don’t believe those theories. For instance, importers of power generators have been accused of being the ones standing against power sector performance. The powers of government are very enormous and they cannot really stand against government policies.

Look, it is not unusual for people who are benefitting from a particular system to put up resistance when there’s going to be a change.

The resistance will be put up, but that will not stop progress in a nation. You remember that we used to have single carriage ways all over the country, now government is building dual carriage ways with laybys all over the country, homes are being broken and demolished. Compensations are being paid and you move on. Yes there’ll be resistance, we’ve had many cases where people protested against building highways because it will consume their homes and businesses, but as a nation we need to make progress.

I don’t believe that the power sector is jinxed, I believe that when we apply the right solutions, we’ll be able to solve the problems. One of the problems I think we’ve had in the past is the approach of government to power sector, has been disjointed and now government is ready to put everything together so that we’ll have a single approach, so that when you come to Nigeria you will understand what policies are and how to come in and you will not be doing exactly what somebody else has done in the past.

The power sector has a lot of prospects if you consider the fact that today, the available capacity is 13,000 megawatts, yet we are loading about five to seven thousand megawatts in the grid now. But the power demand in Nigeria is about 180,000 megawatts, for a fully industrialised Nigeria. When all of the mining industries begin to spring up when people begin to invest more in the production sector, the demand will go up in quadrupled. So this is the time for anybody who has the business sense to come and invest in Nigeria.

Our transmission capacity is about 8,000 now. For 13,000 megawatts we need about 24,000 megawatts in transmission capacity and we need about 32,000 in the distribution network. There’s a lot of prospects for those who want to invest in all of these fields now.

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FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

Rivers Elders Sing with One Voice To mark Governor Nyesom Wike’s fifth year anniversary in office, some eminent elders came out openly to commend him for consistent delivery of vital projects, Davidson Iriekpen writes

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he saying that there is nothing like when elders think that one has done well and pray for him or her came to play last weekend when some eminent elders in Rivers State came out openly to commend Governor Nyesom Wike on his fifth year anniversary in office. They commended him for his consistent delivery of critical projects in the state.

The elders - Chief Ferdinand Alabaraba, Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu, Chief Onueze Okocha and Chief Freeborn Johnsons, to name a few, expressed delight over the unfettered leadership the governor has continued to offer the state amidst COVID-19 pandemic. They praised him for not disappointing the people of the state in the five years he has been in the helm of affairs in the state.

The elder statesmen particularly stated that while governance is standing stood still in most states of the federation under the pretext of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wike is still recording successes. They recounted how the broken walls of development and brotherliness were mended in his first term in office with sectoral performances and services provided by strategic institutions of government have remained efficient under his leadership into his second tenure without any lapse.

The elder statesmen also noted how the governor in his first four years in office, united warring factions in the state while carrying out massive infrastructural development, adding that without any lapse, government has remained efficient under his leadership, with sectorial performances and services provided by strategic institutions in the state.

For them, there is so much to commend the governor for. Since he assumed office five years ago, he has done nothing other than to develop the state and free it from burdens of crisis of governance and underdevelopment. From road construction to health, education to security, he has ingrained himself in people’s consciousness as a governor who came to deliver.

Besides the huge developmental strides recorded in his first term, the governor aimdst other important projects, kick-started his second term with gigantic projects such as the construction of three flyover projects at Rumuogba (Artillery Junction), Rumuokoro Roundabout (Okoro-nu-odu), and Rebisi (Garrison Junction), aimed to decongest and ease movement in the city of Port Harcourt No doubt the projects when completed will put a smile on the faces of the people who are currently going through hell moving from one point to another. So far, the projects are at advanced stages.

In the area of education, the has severally been commended for not only abolishing school fees at the primary and secondary school levels, but directed that no principal of any public school in the state should collect fees from students for the West African School Certificate (WASC) or National Examination Council (NECO). He also embarked on physical and basic infrastructure in the schools at all levels, including tertiary.

In addition, he took taken on health infrastructure with successes in the mother and child hospital, Rivers State University Medical College and Teaching Hospital, various zonal and general hospitals and health centres. Not only are expansion projects going on in these health institutions, they are being backed by important equipment.

Knowing that security of lives and property plays a critical role in development, Wike recently inaugurated a new security outfit, Operation Sting, in the state to take care of hoodlums and criminal elements who have been giving the people of the state sleepless nights. He backed the outfit with 76 operational vehicles fitted with communication gadgets and eight armoured gunboats to tighten coastal security and protect waterways. Two Armoured Personnel Carriers were provided for police swift response actions and 450 hand-held mobile radios to enhance communication among security operatives and overcome the current wide gaps in intelligence gathering. In addition to these, the state government established operational bases in all the 23 local government areas to strengthen the command and control structures of the security initiative.

So far, Operation Sting is yielding results as it is effectively tackling both the sources and drivers of

Governor Wike inspecting one of the three yovers onging in Port Harcourt

insecurity in their diverse criminal manifestations and operations and nipping them in their buds.

This why Alabaraba, who is the Chairman of Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority and former chairman of a bank gave Wike a thumbs-up. He said everybody within the state can attest to the fact that construction of critical road projects and the three flyovers bridges have continued despite the COVID-19 pandemic, He added that such commitment to delivery of projects to Rivers people combined with the tackling of the COVID-19 pandemic is matched because Wike provided palliatives to people in all local government areas to cushion the hardship they experience.

"He has taken all necessary steps to ensure that the disease does not spread and also to ensure that the people are protected. People have criticised him but we know that he is doing the correct thing we all support him. He has not only done that, he's also not left out his people, giving palliatives to all local government areas of the state. It is a matter of joy that the governor has at all times, worked for the interest of the people and has the support of the people in all he does," Speaking on project execution in AkukuToru, Alabaraba said the ongoing construction of the ring road in Abonnema town is almost ready and likely to be commissioned in the next few weeks and it will enhance the economy activities of the people. He commended the governor for the cash compensation given to Abonnema Town people that suffered from the military invasion during the 2019 presidential election, saying it is a demonstration of love and care of a leader to his people. Also, Okocha, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), sued for patience, understanding and cooperation from all Rivers people who desire good governance that Wike has continued to provide, urging them to remember the inglorious past when the state was on its knees from where the governor took it

up to chart a new course. He said the courts are working now, like all arms of government, with construction of projects unabated. According to him, he is boldly confronting COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate alarming health crisis in the state.

"Unfortunately, but happily only four local government areas of Rivers State have reported incidence of persons having COVID-19. The measures he has put in place, I believe to a large extent, helped us to contain the spread of the virus.

There has been lockdown which some people found very unpalatable. Of course, when you have a serious ailment you must find a serious medicine to deal with it, which is why I keep speaking to the people of Rivers State to exercise patience with the governor to show understanding especially because we are seeing the result."

The senior advocate berated the security agencies for sabotaging movement restriction but noted that beyond such betrayal, Rivers people can celebrate another successful year of the Wike administration.

"I believe that we are here to celebrate even in this very troubling times and doff our hats for the man who we elected to govern Rivers State. His first year in the second tenure has been successful and I hope and pray that the succeeding years that he has in office from now up till May 29, 2023 will also be happy years for which we will celebrate and thank God that at this point in time a man called Wike was our governor."

On his part, Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu recalled how Governor Wike reconnected Etche Local Government Area by road to Port Harcourt with the construction of Chokocho-Rumuokwurushi Road, a road he said impassible for many years.

According to him, the Odofor-Akporka-Umuoye Road that is under construction is expected to be completed before the end of the second tenure of the governor.

He noted that Etche people like every other local

government area in the state are indebted to the governor for the inclusiveness they have enjoyed in his administration, declaring that governor Wike has been bold speaking in defence of the state and its people regularly. .

"We believe in him and are happy with his success in office. The entire elders and the state are behind him. Let people say it if he had not managed infrastructural development very well, including human beings. Governor Wike is in touch with his people as grassroots leader. Without him, there would not be PDP in Nigeria. He has supported people in leadership to succeed in all areas he had served."

For Johnsons, he said Wike has given huge attention to the economy and infrastructural development of the state, commending him for allowing himself to be distracted one moment, and focusing on developing the state. “Where many other states run to Abuja for alignments, he has stayed focused to apply every kobo, every energy, every moment to the development and good governance of the state. Each time he has been confronted with dual loyalty, Wike has always erred on the side of Rivers. He has accepted pain and tribulation for the state.

He has sacrificed everything personal just for the sake of his people. He defended the state and the Niger Delta against aggression and intimidation. “Wike’s greatest area of striking and sterling development action are roads in the state. He will also go down in history as the governor that created a road for the first time to Opobo. This has been a dream for many past governors starting with Dr. Peter Odili but Wike got it accomplished,�

Johnsons said Even as the elders and the entire people of the state look forward to more projects from the governor in the next three years of his regime, it is clear that for now, they are satisfied with his performance.

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Abakpa-Emene Link: Another Of Ugwuanyi's Strategic Road Project

By Samson Ezea

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ecently amid jubilation, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, inaugurated the 13-kilometre Nike Lake Junction-Harmony EstateAmorji Nike- Adoration Pilgrimage Centre –Orie Emene road, newly constructed by his administration across the thick forest of Umuchigbo community in Enugu East Local Government Area of the state.

The virgin road constructed with lined drains and five river crossings, including culverts and bridges, now links the ever-busy and densely populated Abakpa Nike with Emene satellite town.

Basking in euphoria during the inauguration of the strategic road project that has opened up the suburbs of Emene, Abakpa and its environs, the fiery, outspoken and Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, described the road as unprecedented and a miracle.

Fr. Mbaka revealed that “this ultra-modern road built by the Governor of Enugu State, our beloved Gburugburu, before now was a thick forest�, stressing: “There was no road of any kind here before now. The governor started it from the bush clearing to this asphalting level.

In fact, this road is a miracle�.

Mbaka's assertion and disclosure is nothing, but the truth. Lest we have forgotten, Gov. Ugwuanyi flagged off the construction of the second phase of the road early last from the scratch, amidst excitement, expectations and doubts as well.

Some who were in intial doubts of the possibility of completing the very important road might have done so out of fear, having considered the enormity of works that needed to be done, which included clearing the thick forest and construction of bridges and culverts across the road before asphalting it.

But Gov. Ugwuanyi who was not unmindful of the quantum of works that needed to be done before making the road a reality was never daunted by the challenges, it posed.

This was because he understood the importance of the road and why it is strategic in the development of the state. He is also quite aware that with the growing population around Abakpa-Nike and its environs, Nike Lake road is gradually becoming another Ninth Mile Corner, Ngwo in terms of perennial traffic gridlock and others, which was eased off with his administration's construction of a new bypass that linked the Ninth Mile to Enugu/Onitsha Expressway toll gate in 2016.

So Ugwuanyi knew that something urgent was needed to done to ease traffic flow on Nike road, henceforth, his administration on the money-spinning construction of the newly completed Abakpa-Emene bypass.

Meanwhile, it could be observed and recalled that since the reconstruction of the dilapidated Nike Lake road, Ibagwa Nike, down to Opi Nsukka junction by the immediate past administration in the state, there has been increased traffic flow on the road and beehive of activities in the axis.

This is largely due to the increasing influx of people to the area, a development which has brought about rapid development along the axis.

Contributing immensely to the consistent traffic snarl on the Nike Lake road is the impassable state of the Markudi-Obollo-Ninth Mile-Enugu road, which has since forced motorists and commuters coming into and going out of Enugu and other Southeast and Southsouth states from and to the North to always make a detour at Opi junction and ply the road to connect Enugu-Ontisha, EnuguPort Harcourt, Enugu-Ebonyi, Enugu- Makurdi Expressways and others.

The only relief on the road is the wise decision of the Enugu State Government to bar articulated vehicles and tankers from plying the road. But even at that, property owners had before the reconstruction of the Opi/ Nsukka road built shops and houses too close to the road in total violation of building regulations and at the same time creating problems for the road users. This development has adequately and adversely affected easy traffic flow, human movements and business patronages in that area, especially during festivities. Not even the traffic light at T-junction that leads to Abakpa-Nike and Timber market has provided the needed traffic relief along the

Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi commissioning the newly completed Nike Lake Junction- Harmony Estate-Amorji Nike-Adoration Pilgrimage Centre-Orie Emene Road recently

Nike road, especially during peak periods. Mostly affected by the persistent traffic congestion along the Nike road, apart from the commuters and motorists are patronisers of the state-owned legacy hospitality outfit, Nike Lake Resort, situated in a serene environment along the busy Nike road.

The resort, which ordinarily shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes’ drive from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Emene Enugu and 10 minutes from Enugu metropolis, takes hours’ drive due to the consistent traffic gridlock on the Nike road.

No doubt, it was as a result of these growing challenges on the Nike Lake road and its environs that made Ugwuanyi’s administration on assumption of office in 2015 to go to drawing board with the members of Enugu Urban Renewal Committee in search of permanent solution to the perennial traffic gridlock on the road before it gets out of hand. That was how the government came up with idea of constructing the new Nike Lake-Harmony Estate-Adoration Ministry-Emene Road that commenced almost opposite Nike Lake Resort entrance and terminated at Orie Emene.

With the completion and commissioning of the strategic and developmental road project to happiness and admiration of Ndi Enugu, perennial traffic snarl along Nike road will surely reduce drastically, if not eliminated completely. The road will hasten rapid and even development around

the area, especially now that many people are moving into Emene and Abakpa in large numbers to build, trade and reside.

Commuters and motorists plying the Nike road from the North to Southeast and Southsouth states or vice versa will no longer need to get into Enugu metropolis first, before heading to their various destinations. The newly constructed Abakpa-Emene bypass is now their best bet for a smooth ride through and across Enugu.

Even residents of Abakpa, Emene, New Haven, Independence Layout, Enugu and its environs coming from or going to Nsukka, Ibagwa Nike, Isi Uzo, North and others need not to pass through Timber Market- NOWAS- 82 Division before heading home or leaving the state.

Also to benefit immensely from the completed road are the management and patronisers of Nike Lake Resort, residents and property owners along the axis. The road has not only opened their properties for attentions and patronages, it has made them to gain appreciable values.

The road will also help in creating new residential and industrial cities in the area. This will surely change the face of Nike, Adoration Ground, Emene and its environs.

This road project is a replica of the bypass road Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration constructed at Ninth Mile Corner that has completely eliminated the age-long traffic congestion in the area that

has lasted for decades with enormous human and material loss.

But today, motorists and commuters plying the Ninth Mile road hardly witness or experience any traffic jam as they have alternative routes to avoid it depending where they are coming from or heading to. For those heading to Ezeagu, Eke and Nsukka, and some Northern states from Enugu, the best bet for them is to make a detour after Ozungwo Comprehensive College Ngwo and drive through the rehabilitated AmankwoAmeke-Amah junction bypass that terminates opposite Nigerian Brewery Company at Amah.

Also for those driving into Ninth Mile from the North and are heading to Southeast and Southsouth states, the easy exit is the bypass road that terminates at Enugu toll gate along EnuguOnitsha Expressway. This is the same solution the new Abakpa-Emene bypass has provided for commuters and motorists plying Nike road.

It is obvious that the new Nike Lake-Harmony Estate- Adoration- Emene road project is a continuation of Gov. Ugwuanyi administration’s quest to open up rural and urban areas with the provision of link and access roads to relieve commuters and motorists’ plight and engender rapid development across the state. t&[FB XSJUFT GSPN *OEFQFOEFODF -BZPVU &OVHV

20

THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2020 •T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ JUNE 4, 2020

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 2% 3%

CALL 1-MONTH

2% 5.25 %

M A Y

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

2 9 , 2 0 2 0

S & P INDEX INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY

S&P 513.01 % 0.28 %

1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

EXCHANGE RATE 10.17 % 6.62 %

N361/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Google Announces Plus Codes in Maps

DISCUSSING TECHNOLOGY

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami (left), with Managing Director, Bitflux, Mr. Biodun Omoniyi, during a technology event organised by the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria in Lagos...recently

‘Digital Technology Will Build Resilience in Banking Sector’ Stories by Emma Okonji Bankers from sub-Saharan Africa and China who attended the recent Huawei sub-Saharan Africa Financial Services Industry Online Summit 2020, have agreed that digitisation of the sector will give it resilience against the current Covid-19 pandemic and enable sustained growth in the post Covid era.

The pan-African conference with the theme, “Accelerating Digital Transformation, Enable Business Growth Again,” was attended by delegates from banking, telecoms operators, fintech and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sectors, urged the banking sector to embrace digital technology in order to build resilience and sustainability.

Speaking at the opening

TELECOM ceremony, Vice President of Huawei Southern Africa Region, Liao Yong, said advances in ICT would present unique opportunities for the banking sector, especially when almost 70 per cent of the region’s population don’t have a bank account.

“All of these ICT advances will be critical enablers to a thriving banking sector in subSaharan Africa. As we can see, the merging of these two curves of ICT and banking services is powerful. But how much we can unleash the power, depends on how much and how soon banking sector goes digital.”

Yong said.

The summit agreed to the fact that there had been a rapid uptake of mobile technologies

in the sub-Saharan region with strong economic growth in the past two decades.

According to statistics by GSMA, 4G, mobile broadband technology, adoption would overtake 2G in 2023 and the total of unique subscribers in sub-Saharan Africa would reach 600 million by 2025, representing half the region’s population.

Also speaking at the event, Author of Bank 4.0, a New York-based mobile banking startup, Brett King, said the behavioural changes that came with coronavirus further underpins the needs for digital transformation in banking sector.

“The declining use of physical branches is likely for many customers to remain a permanent feature of their lives.

“The reality is that this

is likely to accelerate a multi-decade trend that we have already seen towards digitisation.

“So when we look at the architecture of banking moving forward and the real elements that have been accelerated during the coronavirus period, you can see that that shift to digital is creating much more aligned, some digital experience.

“This basically brings us to a new model of banking, where we moved to this low friction banking embedded in the world around us,” King said.

Giving details of China’s activities with the banking sector, participants from China, home of Huawei Technologies, said in China, despite the decline in Q1 GDP, the financial sector recorded a six per cent year-on-year growth.

Misinformation, Anxiety Fueled Covid-19 Spread, Says Google Google has stated that misinformation, coupled with anxiety, aggravated the effect of Covid-19 pandemic on human beings globally.

Speaking at a recent webinar organised by Google, its Public Policy and Government Relations Manager, Alina Dimofte, explained that with the fast-paced nature of digital communication, a deluge of information overwhelmed people such that fake news and other forms of misinformation, presented another dimension of the challenge posed by the pandemic, which she said, was as bad as the virus itself.

She said such deluge of misinformation on various social media, came at a time

TELECOM when the world desired to stay uninfected and alive, especially at the period when unpleasant global news shot up the need for people to seek and consume online information so as to stay abreast of the news especially as the virus is novel and its behaviour is still not completely unraveled.

According to Dimofte, “The world has advanced to the point where information plays vital roles in governance, business, and individual lives.

Where information builds, therefore, misinformation can destroy.

“Since 27 February 2020, when Nigeria first reported

its coronavirus index case, information about the deadly virus has been spreading.

“In the third week of March, when schools and religious bodies were closed and a lockdown was imminent, the flow of COVID-19 information increased and so did anxiety.

“While there is the NCDC and the ministries of health constantly providing updates to the citizens of Nigeria, a lot of other news kept flying round the internet and social networks.

“Some of the information that has been passed around and massively shared includes the consumption of alcohol, inhaling of hot steam, exposure to heat or ultraviolet rays from

sunlight, the use of herbs like neem, ingestion of disinfectants and cleaning agents, all to cure or prevent coronavirus.

“There have also been conspiracy theories like the 5G as the cause of coronavirus, the Chinese as an untrusted initiator of COVID-19, and the use of hydroxychloroquine to cure coronavirus, and the news that global powers intend to depopulate the world via a pre-infected vaccine.

“At some point, blue face masks were said to be contaminated from Europe and America. In the midst of all these, misleading information designed to defraud victims also fly around online platforms.”

Google has said over two billion persons across the globe either don’t have addresses or have an addresses that are hard to locate.

This, according to Google, made it difficult for people to find them, particularly during emergency.To address the challenge, Google has developedwhatitdescribedasPlusCodes,andisrollingthemoutfor Google Maps on Android.

AccordingtoGoogle,PlusCodesaresimple,easytousedigitaladdresses derivedfromlatitudeandlongitudecoordinates.Theycanbeusedto uniquely identify any location, from a rural home in a remote area to a hidden shop on a nameless street.

“To share your location, simply tap the blue dot in Google Maps that representsyourlocation,andgetaPlusCode,whichyoucansharethe same way you would a phone number.

“A Plus Code is a simple alphanumeric code which can be combined with a locality (for example: FWM8+V9, Ibadan, Nigeria). They look like a regular address, but with a short code where a street name or numberwouldbe.“Beyondusingthebluedot,youcanalsofindthePlus Code for a location by tapping and holding the map to drop a pin at a location you want a Plus Code for,” the company explained.

Inaddition,itstatedthatthesolutionaresearchableonGoogleMaps and even Google Search, meaning everywhere on the planet can now be uniquely identified.

“These digital addresses are free to use, available offline and can be printed on paper, posters and signs.The technology to generate Plus Codes is also open source, which means anyone can see how it works and develop their own applications for any use case,” it added.

ATCON Hosts Virtual Confab

TheAssociationofTelecommunicationsCompaniesofNigeria(ATCON), willtoday,hostavirtualconversationtodiscussthesocio-economicand political impact of Covid-19 on the telecom and ICTsector in Nigeria.

PresidentofATCON,Mr.OlusolaTeniola,said:“COVID-19pandemichas disruptedthenormalwaysoflivingandtransactingbusinesssocially, economically and politically, which has now made us to realise that Nigeria cannot continue to rely on its traditional means of livelihood which is revenue from the sale of the volatile crude oil.

“Forexample,thepriceofcrudeoilintheinternationalmarketfellbelow thebenchmarkprizeusedfor2020budgetandthefederalgovernment hasresortedtoborrowingahugesumofmoneyfromtheIMFtocushion theeffectofthefallinthepriceofcrudeoilintheinternationalmarket.

Tosalvagethesituation,thereisanurgentneedforcollaborationfrom boththepublicandprivatesectortojumpstartthediversificationand emergence of digitization of the Nigerian economy.”

Teniola said the objectives of the virtual meeting would be to ensure effectiveregulationanddevelopmentandbuildingoflocalcapacities for the speedy spread of telecom and ICT infrastructure facilities across the country, as well as to push for the buy-in of governments atalllevelstoencouragetelecomandICTinfrastructuredevelopment in their respective states by encouraging rapid investment through incentives such as tax holiday and provision of special intervention funds for the sector by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Facebook, Red Cross Launch Campaign

Facebook and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are partnering to launch #AfricaTogether – a digital campaign andtwo-dayfestivalonJune4thand5thfeaturingartistsacrossAfrica.

TheinitiativeistoencouragecontinuedvigilanceagainsttheCovid-19.

With more than 100,000 Covid-19 cases confirmed on the continent andcontainmentmeasureseasinginmanycountries,#AfricaTogether combinesmusicalandcomedyperformanceswithinformationfrom Covid-19 first responders and fact-checkers from across Africa. #AfricaTogetherwouldincludeafestivalwithperformancesbyartists such as Aramide, Ayo, Femi Kuti, Ferre Gola, Salatiel, Serge Beynaud, Patoranking,YoussouN’douramongstmanyothers,aswellasadigital awarenesscampaignwithpreventionmessagesdevelopedwithRed CrossandRedCrescenthealthexpertsandtargetingsimultaneously Facebook users in 48 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.

The event would be streamed on Facebook Live June 4th, in English andhostedbytheNigerianactorandcomedian,Basketmouth,andin French on June 5th, by media personality, Claudy Siar.

“Building infrastructure is a long-term project, and I am glad that Nigeria has already started building infrastructure for digital transformation.

People will continue to see the high quality in digital infrastructure because of the realisation that digitalisation is important” CEO, Rack Centre,

Dr. Tunde Coker

T H I S D AY ˾ JUNE 4, 2020

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

As Governors Bow to Pressure on ROW Charges Emma Okonji writes on the recent reduction of Right of Way charges by some state governors to N145 per linear metre

R

ight of Way (RoW) charges which is best described as the legal permit given to telecoms operators to deploy their cable infrastructure along the ground of certain routes in states and the federal capital territory (FCT) at specified rates, has been a perennial issue in the telecoms sector.

While state governors are interested in raising their internally generated revenue (IGR) to meet their financial needs by indiscriminately hiking RoW charges in their various states, the telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is of the view that the arbitrary hike in RoW charges between N500 to N6,00O per linear metre among states, will increase the financial burden of telecoms operators and eventually hamper the rollout of telecoms infrastructure and slow down telecoms development across states.

It is either telecoms operators are denied access to RoW for refusing to comply with the state charges, or they are forced to pay the exorbitant rate, which in most cases, eat deep into their resources meant for infrastructure rollout.

Such practices have been so inimical to the accelerated deployment of broadband/telecoms infrastructure that would make every Nigerian digitally included, a development that has led to the widening of access gap across the country.

Disturbed by the ugly development, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, continued to seek audience with the state governors on the need to reduce RoW charges.

Danbatta went as far as tabling the matter before the National Assembly, pressing for a legislation that will categorise telecoms infrastructure as critical national infrastructure across the country.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, had also led NCC to meet with Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to deliberate on RoW issue, where Pantami reminded the governors of the agreement they reached with the National Executive Council in 2013, to slash RoW charges to a flat rate of N145 per linear metre, for national development and in the interest of the country.

The pressure on governors to reduce RoW charges continued until recently, when Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who is also the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, signed an Executive Order to reduce RoW charges in the state to N145 per linear metre.

One week after he signed the Executive Order, his counterparts in Imo, Kaduna and Plateau states did same in their respective states to reduce RoW charges to N145 per linear metre. Kaduna State even went as far as waving RoW charges in the state.

This move by Governors of Ekiti, Imo, Kaduna and Plateau states, followed the example of Katsina State Governor, who was the first to sign Executive Order for the reduction of RoW charges to N145 per linear metre, after Lagos State had an initial agreement with telecoms operators to charge a fixed rate of N500 per linear metre on Right of Way. The NCC had in the past, set up a National Working Committee made up of telecoms stakeholders to engage with state governors on the need to waive RoW charges in order to support telecoms development across states.

However, the effect of the committee did not hold waters, a situation that compelled Danbatta to lead a team of NCC to open discussion with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), to make the state governors see the benefits in their respective states.

Although the Governors listened to the

Fayemi

Danbatta

NCC’s team and promised to reduce the charges, but none deemed it necessary to reduce the charges, until Danbatta had to take the case to the Minister, who promised to meet with the Governors on the issue.

Moved by his action to make Nigeria a digital economy, Pantami, in January this year, met with the 36 State Governors across the country, where he addressed them on the lingering issue of RoW charges in a bid to deepen broadband penetration in the country and promote a digital economy.

At the meeting, the governors unanimously agreed to reverse the RoW charges from the planned N6,000 per linear metre, to N145 per linear metre, as agreed with the federal government in 2013.

The meeting was attended by state governors, under the auspices of the Governors’ Forum, led by Fayemi.

Others in attendance, were Danbatta; the Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa; and the Chairperson of the Presidential Committee on National Broadband Plan (2020-2025), Funke Opeke.

The resolution followed a presentation made by the minister during the meeting, where he discussed the many benefits of broadband penetration, if telecoms operators were allowed to lay their broadband fibre optic cables in different states of the federation

or any other telecoms infrastructure in the state from N4,500 to N145 per linear metre.

Katsina State was the first to sign such Executive Order, before Ekiti State.

Ekiti State Governor said the Executive Order was part of the ongoing reforms by the Ease of Doing Business project, which he inaugurated last year to improve indices that will make Ekiti State an attractive destination for national and international investments in five years.

One week after Ekiti State signed the Executive Order on RoW charges, the Uzodinma, also signed an Executive Order that slashed RoW charges to N145 in the state.

Uzodinma explained that the reduction was a manifestation of the state government’s determination to spur the telecommunication companies to further invest in broadband infrastructure and to trigger ancillary on-line services, especially in the field of education.

Few days later, Kaduna and Plateau State Governors signed Executive Order on RoW. While Kaduna State waived RoW charges completely, Plateau State Governor reduced RoW charges to N145.

Lagos State had an initial agreement with telecoms operators to reduce RoW charges in the state to N500 per linear metre. The agreement was reached after a court case filed against Lagos State Government by telecoms operators.

Governors’ submission Following pressure from NCC and the Minister, the Governors are beginning to succumb to such pressure.

Penultimate week, Fayemi, signed an Executive Order reducing RoW charges relating to laying of broadband cable

We use this opportunity to advise those states that have not implemented the approved harmonised RoW charge of N145 per linear metre, to take a clue from the states that have implemented it

RoW charges While some states are charging between N1,000 and N3,000, per linear metre, others are charging as high as N6,000 per linear metre.

Some of the RoW charges include: Nasarawa State, N558; Niger State, N1,500; Bauchi State, N1,000; Delta State, N2,705; Imo State, N1,999; Abia State, N3,000; Kwara State, N5,500; Kano State, N2,753; Borno State, N1,650 and Sokoto State, N1,600. Others are: Kebbi State, N444; Gombe State, N1,500. Zamfara State, N1,695; Adamawa State, N1,500; Jigawa State, N1,500; Rivers State, N3,045; Cross River State, N4,561; Akwa-Ibom State, N1,947; Taraba State, N1,600; Osun State, N5,609; and Anambra State, N3,620.

THISDAY had reported that 14 states, including Lagos, Kano, Anambra, Ondo, Cross River, Kogi, Osun, Kaduna, Enugu, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Imo, Kebbi and Gombe, had hiked the cost of Right of Way for telecoms infrastructure.

Implications The implications of indiscriminate charges on RoW are enormous.

Chairman of Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, had warned that states government who allowed state agencies to seal up Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) also known as Base Stations, were distorting telecoms growth

in their respective states.

According to him, most telecoms operators had to halt telecoms network expansion in some states as a result of high charges in RoW. “The implication is that it will lead to network congestion and poor telecom service offerings, if telecoms operators are not allowed to expand their networks,” Adebayo said.

Adebayo who had condemned the use of local state tax force in shutting down telecoms sites without recourse to the national implications of their actions, advised state governors to allow telecoms operators to expand telecoms networks in their states without harassment from state agencies.

Vice President, Network Operations, Airtel Nigeria, Dr. Adedoyin Adeola, while explaining the implications of indiscriminate charges on RoW by state government agencies, said the high charges have negatively impacted on telecoms growth and expansion. He called on the National Assembly to speed up the passage of the Critical National Infrastructure Bill that is before it, which according to him, would deter state governments from incessant shutting down of telecoms BTS when the bill is passed into law.

Reacting to the reduction of RoW charges by some state governors, the President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, said: “Such move by the governors, attest to the fact that the socio-economic development of their respective state is not mutually exclusive to broadband and ICT infrastructure development which has been one of the basis of our advocacy initiatives.”

Teniola, listed some of the benefits accruable to states that adopted and implemented the harmonised RoW price to include: Unlocking of the inherent digital potential of the state; leveraging the opportunity that pervasive broadband penetration can offer; and opportunity for the citizens of the state to enjoy uninterrupted telecommunications services which they have not been enjoying before now. He explained that with the new development, telecom infrastructure rollout would increase and give the people the opportunity to express their gifts and talents.

“We use this opportunity to advise those states that have not implemented the approved harmonised RoW charge of N145 per linear metre, to take a clue from the states that have implemented it, and together telecom and ICT infrastructure will speed up the needed development in Nigeria,” Teniola said.

Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, said the best palliative that citizens of Imo State and corporate organisations doing businesses in Imo State have received this season, was the recent reduction of RoW charges to N145 per linear metre by the Governor of Imo State.

“We intend to rollout multi-milliondollars optic fibre infrastructure across Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia States based on our signed partnership with the Federal Government on Infrastructure Company (InfraCo) project.

“The reduction will significantly alter the destiny of people living in these states and connect them to the global community in no distant time,’’ Ekeh said.

Adebayo also called on other governors to respect the agreement reached between them and the federal government.

“I expect that other governors will follow the example of other state governors that have implemented the N145 per linear metre rate. Governors should see the benefits of wide spread telecoms infrastructure in their states, above the gains of Internally Generated

T H I S D AY ˞ Ͳ, 2020

23

Promoting Financial Inclusion Ugo Aliogo writes on the contribution of FirstBank Nigeria Limited to Nigeria’s financial inclusion journey

T

he mobile phone has become a veritable tool for enhancing financial inclusion and has continued to support mobile payments, m-commerce, m-banking and other financial transactions, a study has revealed.

A Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) study on regulatory framework for the Use of Unstructured Supplementary Services Data for Financial Services in Nigeria, explained that providers of mobile-based financial services have options of adopting varying technologies for enabling access and transmitting data including Short Messaging Service (SMS), Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), stand-alone mobile application clients and SIM Tool Kit (STK).

The study further observed that the USSD technology is a protocol used by the GSM network to communicate with a service provider’s platform.

It stated: “The USSD technology is a session based, real time messaging communication technology, which is accessed through a string, which starts normally with asterisk (*) and ends with a hash (#). It is implemented as an interactive menu driven service or command service. It has a shorter turnaround time than SMS, and unlike SMS, it does not operate by store and forward which indicates that data are neither stored on the mobile phone nor on the application. USSD technology is considered cost effective, more user-friendly, faster in concluding transactions, and handset agnostic.�

The study added that some of the participants on the USSD ecosystem are financial institutions, mobile money operators, mobile network operators, value added services providers, and customers.

The USSD channel is one of the measures put in place by CBN to drive financial inclusion. The USSD channels of many banks have an interface that allows customers to open bank accounts. The CBN believes that collaborative efforts by non-finance entities and banks would be critical in building a robust financial system that has a wider reach and enables better integration across different payment gateways in a reliable and secure and convenient manner.

Technology and automation are some of the key innovations in 21st century banking. These two concepts are key measures put in place by banking institutions to promote convenience and ensure that virtual banking is possible.

These innovative efforts have eliminated the logjam in banking transactions caused often times by the huge crowd in the banking halls.

Today, the banking processes have become seamless, and people carry out volume of transactions on their palms with their mobile phones. As a key player in the financial sector, First Bank Nigeria is playing its role in driving increased financial inclusion through online banking especially on its USSD channel using *894#. The bank recently revealed that over 9.5 million customers are active on the platform.

The platform is an easy to use, convenient, fast, user-friendly mobile banking channel through which various banking activities are carried-out on a mobile phone across all the operational GSM network services in the country – without the use of the internet.

Customers are able to enjoy a wide range of banking services on the bank’s *894# USSD channel. These services include; utility bill payment, data and call credit recharge and subscription for self and third-party individuals, balance enquiry, merchant payment. This is in clear demonstration of its acknowledged leadership in electronic banking.

The bank’s USSD banking service, launched in January 2015, is an easy to use, convenient, fast, user-friendly mobile banking channel through which various banking activities are carried out on a mobile phone across the four major GSM network operators in the country without the use of the internet.

Customers are able to enjoy a wide range of banking services using the bank’s *894# USSD banking. These services include; data and airtime top-up for self and third-party individuals, quick balance enquiry, fund transfers, BVN

and do a more aggressive promotion of its cashless policy. The current situation presents a perfect opportunity for the CBN to get a further buy in from the populace into its cashless policy thereby increasing financial inclusion. Payment modes that limit direct contact with physical cash (online banking and mobile banking) should be promoted more aggressively during this period.�

Adedutan

enquiry, BVN linkage, mini-statement, account number enquiry, account opening, merchant payment and firstadvance loan service. The firstadvance loan service enables salary earners take a loan up to 50% of their monthly salary.

The Group Executive, e-Business and Retail Products, FirstBank, Chuma Ezirim, FirstBank said: “At FirstBank, we are excited about the impact our innovative solutions are making in the Nigerian payment landscape. Our *894# USSD banking has been a viable platform through which we take our banking services to the doorstep of our customers, right on the palm of their hands, without the limitation of an internet connection. We remain committed to creating various avenues to enable Nigerians carry out various financial activities conveniently, safely and securely anytime, anywhere in Nigeria.�

Cash Policy and COVID-19 During the lockdown in Lagos and Ogun States and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), stakeholders in the financial sector urged to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure that people make increased use of online banking to reduce the physical currency exchange in bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

One of such stakeholders is the President, the Consumer Awareness and Financial Enlightenment Initiative (CAFEi), Mrs. Debola Osibogun, who called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to mop-up dirty notes in circulation to avoid further spread of the Coronavirus through currency exchange as the country battles to curb the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

She said the recent reports indicate that the Coronavirus can survive on surfaces for as long as 72 hours leading experts to believe it can be transmitted through currency exchange, “this belief has prompted organisations in other countries including China to begin disinfecting cash with ultraviolet heat treatment.�

Osibogun, in the statement further noted that given the high rate of physical currency transactions in the country, there is has a higher vulnerability for spread of the virus through currency exchange.

According to the CAFEi President, “This move should be bundled with the aggressive promotion of the cashless policy of the Apex Bank consistent with its policy of financial inclusion. This two-pronged approach will ensure the spread of the virus is minimized in our day-to-day financial transactions and the use of alternative channels becomes an integral part of our existence. While government is emphasizing good hygiene and social distancing, it is important they also create more awareness about the need for people to disinfect their hands immediately after touching cash, cards, POS Machines and ATMs. “Considering that Nigeria is a predominantly cash based economy this is something that needs to be taken very seriously by the government. The Chinese in suspecting the spread of COVID-19 by banknotes have began sterilising

banknotes from COVID-19 prone areas with ultraviolet heat treatment. Given the volume of cash transactions in Nigeria one can only conclude that the country runs a greater risk of the virus spreading via banknotes if the infection rate in the country is not curbed. The CBN should pay attention to the banknotes in the days ahead if we are to win the battle against the COVID-19 virus. “As at the April, 10 the number of cases reported by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) stated that the country has recorded 310 cases majority of them in Lagos state. If this situation escalates further the CBN might want to refresh banknotes

CBN and USSD In November, 2019, the CBN has disclosed that it is in talks with telecommunications companies (telcos) and the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) for new Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) charges.

The disclosure was made by Samuel Okojere, CBN’s Director of Payment System Management while speaking at the 2019 Mobile Money Conference organised by the Association of Licensed Mobile Payment Operators (ALMPO).

Okojere, who was represented by Aisha Isa-Olatinwo, Assistant Director Payment System Department, CBN, while speaking on the role of regulators in accelerating mobile money adoption in Nigeria said, engagement with the NCC is still ongoing to find a new conducive pricing regime for USSD services in the Industry. Notwithstanding the progress made in Mobile Money adoption we have a lot of ground to cover up in Nigeria as a whole.

The last survey by EfiNa showed that the level of exclusion is still far from the national target. Our challenge is more pronounced in the part of the country with insurgency and other skirmishes. Furthermore, it is necessary that we improve the agent’s footprints across the country to bring the services closer to the excluded. This represents the opportunity for mobile money operators to make their operations counts in a quest to have a highly inclusive financial system in Nigeria.�

New MSMEs Policy Targets 41m Jobs as FG Rewards Due Diligence James Emejo in Abuja The new national policy on micro- small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) currently being put in place by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) and other stakeholders in the sector is expected to create a minimum of 41 million jobs within the next three years.

The Director General, SMEDAN, Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda, who stated this, added that the proposed framework would further facilitate an enabling environment for small businesses to function at maximal capacities.

This is as the Special Adviser to the President on MSMEs (Office of the Vice President), Mr. Tola Johnson said the federal government has finalised plans to hold a virtual edition of the MSMEs Awards for 2020, which scheduled for July 16, despite the COVID-19 disruptions.

He stated that the award was meant to support businesses especially MSMEs which had endured the fallouts of this global pandemic.

However, the SMEDAN DG, while delivering an opening remark during a virtual conference on the Final Validation of the Reviewed National Policy on MSMEs, said the multiplier effect a healthy business environment will allow the MSMEs create to boost employment opportunities in the country.

He stressed that the performance and wellbeing of the enterprises are largely dependent on the existence and implementation of a functional national policy on MSMEs. Radda, explained that issues that border on compliance by small and growing businesses and the need for more innovative funding windows had received significant attention in the revised policy document, adding that the draft policy did not also lose sight of the need to initiate a symbiotic relationship and synergy among all key MDAs with mandates that influence the performance of MSMES. He noted that the desire to consistently and sustainably realise the agency’s mandate and ensure that MSMEs contribute significantly to the national GDP and economic growth, formed part of the several reasons SMEDAN embarked on the review of the policy, adding that further justification for the review is the fact that the maiden National Policy on MSMEs recommended a review of the policy every four years.

He added that the review had become inevitable to address certain interventions, initiatives and socio-economic issues both at the national and global space with implications on the operations of the MSMEs and large enterprises.

Nonetheless, the presidential aide on MSMEs, who addressed journalists

during a web conference over the weekend, said the awards initiative followed the government’s realisation that lots of small enterprises across the country “play by the book� in the conduct of their businesses- and the need to reward them.

Noting that all registered SMEs are eligible to participate in the selection process, he said portal for the nomination of MSMEs for the award will be opened on June 1 (today) for a period of one month.

Johnson added that the federal government will further inaugurate a 200,000 capacity yam storage facility for MSMEs in Zaki Biam, Benue State as part of measures to support MSMEs in the state.

He noted that the MSMEs Shared Facility Scheme of the federal government is one of the innovations from the National MSMEs Clinics with the vision to provide necessary infrastructure and support facilities in production clusters across the country for MSMEs, adding so far, the federal government had completed two pilot schemes of the facility in both Oyo and Bauchi States.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are expected to address participants via videoconferencing during the awards ceremony while prizes will be sent to award recipients in their respective locations.

T H I S D AY ˞ Ͳ, 2020

24

NIMC to Conclude NIN Registration by 2025 Emma Okonji The Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Aliyu Aziz, has said the agency is targeting to enroll the entire population of the country into the National Identity Number (NIN) scheme and issue them identity cards within the next three to five years, using ecosystem approach.

Nigerian population is currently put at over 200 million.

Aziz, who gave the assurance in a recent webinar with journalists, said the current statistics on NIN registration, showed that the Commission would be able to achieve the set target by 2025.

Speaking on the digital identity data growth of the country, Aziz said: “NIMC embarked on an enrollment strategy in 2012, which has grown exponentially since 2015. As at 2015, the total number of national identity registration was seven million, and in 2016, the figure rose

to 14 million. “In 2017 and 2018, NIN registration reached 28 million and 32 million respectively and as at December 2019, the registration figure reached 39.5 million. As at May this year, NIMC has registered a total of 41.5 million Nigerians on the NIN database and the number in increasing by the day.�

According to him, the identity implementation targets include: to provide seamless digital identity for all, extend coverage nation-

wide, harmonise functional identities to the NIN in phases, scale up identity infrastructure for optimal efficiency, strengthen legal and regulatory framework, and reduce cost of data collection, among others.

Despite the targets, Aziz, however said funding has been a major challenge for the Commission in accomplishing its goals and targets.

Citing the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018 report, Aziz said over 100 million Nigerians have

no official identity, which include the poorest and most vulnerable groups such as marginalised women and girls, less-educated people.

According to the report, only about 38 per cent of the population have any form of identity. Aziz, however said the Commission remained optimistic in concluding the NIN registration for the entire country within the next three to five years, going by the growth record of the country’s digital identity data.

Worried that over 100

million Nigerians do not have official identity, Aziz said: “It is only in Nigeria that government do not have the exact data of its citizens because several agencies of government that are responsible for data capturing and storage, still have their data in silos, which has been a major challenge for government to have harmonised data system because each of the data capturing agencies of government do not have standardised system of data capturing.�

Experts Urge Nigeria to Invest in Digital Fatona Seeks Long-term Lending for Infrastructure Oil Sector Emma Okonji Technology experts who spoke at the recent BusinessDay Digital Dialogue, have stressed the need for more investments in digital infrastructure in Nigeria.

The dialogue, jointly organised

by BusinessDay and Rack Centre, featured panellists such the CEO of Rack Centre, Ayotunde Coker; CEO of Venture Garden Group, Bunmi Akinyemiju; Vice President, Global Operations at Andela, Omowale David-Ashiru; and Country Manager of Google Nigeria, Juliet Ehimuah-Chiazor.

Coker, who noted that building infrastructure was a long-term project, however said Nigeria had already started from a ‘good place’ with the existence of world-class data centres like Rack Centre.

“People will see the high quality in digital infrastructure because of the realisation that digitalisation is important,�

Coker said.

Akinyemiju said it would also depend on how the government responds with policies and regulations.

Bold regulations that are forward-looking and progressive would show the extent of seriousness and how far the country would go in adapting to the new normal in the face of Covid-19 pandemic.

Akinyemiju, also said the pandemic would likely accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and enhance collaboration across the African continent.

Speaking about the oppor-

tunities that African countries could draw from the effect of Covid-19, Ehimuah-Chiazor said the virus that is ravaging the entire world, presents an opportunity for businesses to reset their models. “For businesses to successfully pivot to digital, leaders need to examine their business processes, customer engagement, supply chain management and employee engagement,�

Ehimuah-Chiazor said.

David-Ashiru said businesses that fail to adapt to the new normal could look forward to becoming part of another company in an acquisition spree that is imminent with post-COVID-19. “Post-COVID-19, there is going to be a lot of acquisitions of businesses that suffered during the crisis,� she said.

Peter Uzoho The Founding Managing Director of Niger Delta Exploration and Production (NDEP) Plc, Dr. Layi Fatona, has emphasised the need to address funding challenges being suffered by oil and gas operators in Nigeria arising from lack of long-term capital borrowing for investments in the sector.

Fatona, said over the years the available capital borrowing window in the sector has largely been for the short-term. This, he said does not encourage oil and gas industry development, stating that there was need for dialogue amongst the relevant stakeholders to address the situation.

The petroleum expert made the call recently during the virtual session organised by the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) with the theme: “Impact of COVID-19 on

the Nigerian Oil and Gas SectorChallenges and Opportunities.�

The session particularly looked into the negative impact of the pandemic on operators and businesses in the oil and gas industry and how they can meet their financial obligations in a period when there is growing difficult and a strained existence in the industry across the entire value chain.

According to Fatona, “There has to be a framework for dialogue-- dialogue for capital, because in this country there is no long-term money, absolutely. “All the capital you have in this country are talking about very short-term capital. “Borrowing money for five years, investing in the oil and gas development, you think five years is a long time but absolutely it is not. “And I think this is one of the major things that this country has to address and it has to be addressed not just by the

practitioners as business people - the banks, the central bank, regulators, all have to come in to address.�

On what entrepreneurs in the industry could do to surmount the challenges posed

by COVID-19, he advised that they should embrace high level discipline and right attitude to the situation, adding that as business concerns, discipline should be a dominant guide in meeting their obligations.

Fatona added: “First and foremost, it is very important for everybody to appreciate that whether it is oil and gas, whether it is buying and selling of cement, whether it is building homes, owning farms or whatever; as long as we see whatever we are doing as business, that we be guided by certain rules of existence, then, we would start to appreciate better the discipline that is required to guarantee success in anything that we do.�

T H I S D AY ˾ JUNE 4, 2020

25

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Leadway Assurance Pays N136bn Claims in Six Years Ebere Nwoji Leadway Assurance Company Limited said it paid a total of N136 billion claims to its policy holders in the past six years.

The insurer also disclosed that it grew its Gross Written Premium from N87.5 billion in 2018, to N90 billion in 2019, showing a marginal growth of four per cent.

The company, announced this at its 48th Annual General Meeting which was held virtual in compliance with laid down COVID-19 preventive rules.

At the meeting where the company presented its 2019 financial results to its shareholders, Leadway Assurance Chairman, General Martin Luther Agwai, announced an increase in the quantum of claims paid to the company’s policy holders from N33.9 billion in 2018, to N38.5

billion in 2019.

He also said the company, during the year under review saw its balance sheet size rising by 26 per cent, from N312 billion recorded in 2018, to N394 billion in 2019.

He attributed the growth to a boost in its composite business, specifically via the specialty life portfolio.

He noted the outstanding strategic leadership qualities, vision, and the prudence exhibited by the erstwhile Managing Director, Mr. Oye Hassan-Odukale, who retired from the company after 38 years of stewardship.

He welcomed the incumbent Managing Director, Mr. Tunde Hassan-Odukale, saying he was expected to chart the next path and phase of growth for Leadway to become a global competitor of the next generation’s reference.

He maintained that the com-

pany was in a position to meet the new regulatory requirements for recapitalisation.

“The prudence of the company’s Management over the years has prepared us for the regulations of today where we are in a good position to comply with the minimum share capital requirement without the exigency for any call on shareholders. I am also happy to inform you that the regulator has approved the company’s recapitalisation plan and extended full compliance timeline till 31st December”, the Chairman added.

Also speaking, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Tunde Hassan-Odukale, reiterated Leadway’s continued commitment to its policyholders through prompt Claims payment, as the bedrock of the company’s business.

P&G Partners FG, States on Hygiene Day Raheem Akingbolu Procter & Gamble has partnered the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, state governments and non-profit organisations to mark the 2020 Menstrual Hygiene Day. With this initiative, P&G would provide over 150,000 Always sanitary pads to its partners to promote menstrual hygiene management in the country.

The announcement, according to a statement, was made ahead of the celebration of the menstrual hygiene day and the distribution of menstrual hygiene kits to girls and women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Speaking about the partnership, the P&G Africa Director for Government Relations & Public Policy, Mrs. Temitope

Iluyemi said, “At P&G, we continue to deliver on our promise of making everyday life better for our consumers. More than ever, we are extremely glad to partner the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to celebrate the World Menstrual Hygiene Day which advocates for the importance of good menstrual hygiene management.

“As a company, P&G is a force for good and a force for growth in the communities where we live and work.

This year, not only do we acknowledge that periods do not stop even amidst the current global pandemic, we are driving the global theme; ‘It’s Time for Action.”

She added: “So many myths and taboos arise around menstruation, making it a potentially frightening experience for young girls. It’s imperative we debunk these

through the ongoing awareness that opens up the dialogue on periods and the need for MHM as a basic requirement in human dignity.”

In her remarks, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen said, “Menstruation is not a curse, but a blessing which every girl and woman should live with utmost dignity confidence and pride, while observing the highest rate of hygiene and safety. “The lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, lack of sanitation infrastructure, and lack of menstrual hygiene education can impact negatively on their ability to reach their full potential in school, in the workplace, or at home. Therefore, Menstrual Hygiene Management is key to healthy, productive and dignified lives for women and girls.”

26

IMAGES

Kaduna state Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Aairs, Samuel Aruwan (M), while conducting a security assessment visit to Agwala Dutse in Kajuru Local Government..recently

T H I S D AY Ëž Í˛Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

Photo Editor ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ ÔËÖË Email Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ë›Ă‹Ă”Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

Cross section of members of RiversState COVID-19 Decontamination Team during their inauguration by Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers State in Port Harcourt...recently

Swearing-in of the Chairman Onyeka Pauline Ugochi (Mrs) and members of the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) at the Sam Mbakwe EXCO Chambers, Government House, Owerri...recently

President of African Developent Bank , Mr. Akinwumi Adesina (left )and President Muhammadu Buhari during the GODWIN OMOIGUI courtesy visit by Akinwumi to the Presidential Villa, Abuja...recently

L-R: Ekiti State Commissioner for Health and Human Services; Dr Moji Yaya-Kolade; Commissioner for Environment, Hon Gbenga Agbeyo; Founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD)/ Grand Patron Covid-19 Response Resource Mobilisation Committee (RRMC), Aare Afe Babalola; Chief of Sta to the Governor Hon. Biodun Omoleye and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; during the commissioning of the state Molecular Laboratory for Covid-19 testing in Ado Ekiti...recently

L-R: Treasurer , National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State, Alhaji Adekunle Mustapha; Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Sate Council, Dr. Qasim Akinreti; State Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State, Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya and Secretary, NURTW, Lagos State, Mr. Seyi Bankole during the presentation of sets of face masks by NURTW to NUJ in Lagos...recently

L-R: Financial Director, Rarduja International, Uwazie Ikechukwu Val and South West Regional Cordinator, Rarduja, Felix Duru,during the company’s Covid-19 CSR support initiative to the people of Maiyegun Community Eti-Osa LGA in Lagos recently.

ETOP UKUTT

L-R:; President, Ogun State Customary Court Of Appeal, Hon. Justice Mobolaji Ojo; Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu and Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Akingbolahan Adeniran, at the oďŹƒcial Commissioning of the Ogun State Small Claims Court, Isabo, Abeokuta...recently

27

T H I S D AY ˾ , JUNE 4, 2020

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ ÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ äÏÙÌÓ ×ËÓÖ chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

Hunger Games: The Socioeconomic Divide and Response to Disease Outbreaks Dr Adaeze Oreh

T

he global count of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has since passed the six million mark, close to half a million families have lost at least one member to the virus and numbers are escalating even in Africa.

However, across parts of the developing world, despite national and state-wide lockdowns, calls to shelter in place and public awareness measures, many people have been afraid, but not of what one would suspect – they are not scared of death by the virus, rather, they are frightened by the prospect of death from something not new in any way – hunger.

As the virus has raged on and world oil prices have nose-dived, worldwide economic indices have plunged, leading to escalating numbers of people driven into poverty and painful, gnawing hunger.

According to the head of the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP), the world is on the threshold of a “hunger pandemic”. The WFP has predicted that the coronavirus could worsen acute food shortages and threaten up to 265 million people by the end of 2020.

Similarly, a statement released by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) hints at the likelihood of the coronavirus pandemic increasing those at risk of food insecurity and malnutrition by almost 200 per cent between June and August 2020. The pressing need for food has also been heightened by lean agricultural harvests, conflict, and insecurity.

In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and a country which the World Bank ranks 152 out of 157 in its Human Capital Index, up to 55.4 per cent of the country’s youth population are unemployed or under- employed. That percentage has without a doubt increased in the face of this pandemic. In the days preceding the lockdowns in major cities such as Lagos and Abuja, the fear was palpable as informal workers cried out, “When we don’t work, we don’t eat.” Whereas the informal sector had been shrinking across the world pre-COVID-19, this sector contributes up to 65 per cent of GDP in countries like Nigeria, Benin, and Tanzania. With a perceptible halt in most economic activity since the pandemic, the danger of threatened livelihoods is clear and present for an awful number.

Public health measures such as lockdowns have benefits such as providing valuable time to organise the pandemic response, mobilise and equip health facilities, train health workers, effectively trace infected persons and their

Hunger thrives amid COVID-19 pandemic

contacts, isolate and treat the sick and prevent community transmission.

However, it became evident that without all the resources required to adequately provide interim palliatives for a huge segment of the population, lockdowns had to be eased to enable some level of economic activity and possibly avert chaos and anarchy from amongst those who do not have the luxury of “sheltering in place”. For the millions living in or on the brink of poverty, there is a high price for physical distancing, and this is a price they unfortunately cannot afford to pay at this time.

The World Health Organization (WHO) cites certain conditions under which lockdowns can be eased, and these include that transmission should be under control, robust health systems should be in place to detect, test, isolate, treat every case and trace every contact; risks should be minimised in health facilities by adequately equipping and training workers for personal protective equipment (PPE) use; importation risks should be managed and communities should be fully educated, engaged and empowered for the new normal. The question is how many of these conditions have been met or can be met given current resource challenges and demographics.

The reality of many developing countries especially in sub-Saharan Africa is that regardless of the above guidelines, hunger has undermined not only lockdowns, but other preventive measures such as physical distancing, compromised the quality of contact tracing, led

to civil and social unrest, worsened insecurity and contributed to uncontrolled community transmission. In fact, it is not unlikely that the detention of individuals who flouted lockdown directives by law enforcement has contributed to the community transmission phase of the virus across some cities in Nigeria. Given the peculiarities of countries in sub-Saharan Africa which are densely populated, have high rates of unemployment, have a large informal work sector, are prone to conflict and insecurity and have a high population of the vulnerable, public health safety and prevention measures cannot be expected to succeed unless accompanied by robust and innovative strategies to address social factors and humanitarian challenges such as hunger.

Providing social safety nets can never be a reactionary measure. As public health interventions are carefully considered, designed, and strategised upon, so also should the concomitant economic support packages. The process of implementation of palliative programmes, rapid and widespread coverage in addition to a vigorous communication strategy of the effort should all be carefully considered.

In Northern Nigeria, the Kaduna State government worked with telecommunications companies to determine indicators for vulnerability, using the derived data to communicate instructions on how to access support directly with mobile phone users. While not every vulnerable person has access to a mobile phone, and certainly gaps

will remain, this is an example of a good starting point and highlights the importance of data and technology in addition to the prospects of mobile money and fintech in this new world. This is the time for developing countries to ruminate on the institutional frameworks that exist or the lack thereof and determine to step out of the shadows and into the light.

Integrated healthcare systems were a critical success factor in Singapore’s fight against COVID-19 and one that many countries on the African continent would be remiss to ignore its potential. An integrated healthcare system leverages on capabilities developed in tackling diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and polio to strengthen the fight against COVID-19, enables more widespread testing, isolation and contact tracing and provides a platform for widespread PPE availability that would ensure continuity of patient care. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, Singaporeans with, respiratory symptoms were encouraged to seek treatment at any one of over 800 primary health clinics that provided subsidised healthcare, allowing for mild COVID-19 cases to self-isolate at home and reduce community transmission, while those with progressive symptoms were advised on how to access further treatment. One too many countries are currently paying the ultimate price for the historical neglect of primary healthcare.

Several key lessons have emerged from the response to COVID-19 in places such as New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong. First, without a doubt, the integration of services in the health system and across other sectors amplifies the ability to absorb and adapt to shocks; second, the spread of fake news and misinformation is a challenge that must be actively and rapidly addressed daily; and lastly, the trust of patients, healthcare workers, and general society in government is critical to addressing health crises.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated clearly how tightly bound together population health and the economy are. Protecting human health cannot occur without the due consideration of other determinants of health – food, water, hygiene, sanitation, and the economy. Therefore, in the words of Alexandre Dumas, it must be, “All for one and one for all”. Indeed, the reality is that for millions of people living in poverty who struggle daily to feed themselves and their families, “Food is more important than corona.”

Oreh is a family physician in Abuja and a public health expert. She is also a Senior Aspen New Voices Fellow with the Aspen Institute in Washington DC, United States

COVID-19: FG Will Approve Palliative for Security Agencies, Says PTF Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Presidential Taskforce on on Control of COVID-19 has said that the federal government was working out special hazard allowance for staff of security agencies at the front line of the current fight against the pandemic in the country.

The National Coordinator of

the Presidential Task Force, Dr. Sani Aliyu disclosed this when he accompanied the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof.

Mohammed Sambo to donate consignments of personal protective equipment to the Nigerian Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) in Abuja.

He said: “A lot of countries globally are struggling in terms of the impact COVID-19 which is not only on lives but on livelihood”.

“The federal government is considering special allowances for security agencies who are in the front line helping to drive the fight against COVID-19. Very soon, something will be done in

that direction. The police force is a critical part of the non-health sector, hence the need to support them as well.

“The Police have been contributing immensely to the health responses. We cannot do any sort of enforcement of our guidelines or health advisories without the Nigerian Police. This initiative by the NHIS would

go a long way in improving the moral of the Nigerian Police,” Aliyu said. While presenting the donated PPE to the Police Medical Corp the Executive Secretary of the NHIS, Prof.

Mohammed Sambo, aid the items would help in keeping health workers safe.

The Head of the Police Medical Corps, Mr. Paul Laki,

who received the items on behalf of the Inspector General of Police commended NHIS for the gesture and promised that the items would be put to good use.

The items donated are face masks, infrared thermometer, disposable gloves, protective suits, hand gloves and contaminated spray pumps.

The NHIS also donated some quantities of PPEs to the NSCDC.

UK PM to Host Global Vaccine Summit Today The UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson will today host the Global Vaccine Summit, bringing together global leaders at a virtual event to pledge their support to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to protect a further 300 million children against infectious diseases like measles, typhoid and polio.

The Summit aims to raise at least US$7.4 billion to help Gavi save up to eight million lives.

As host, the UK is continuing its global leadership on tackling preventable deaths and stopping the spread of COVID-19, building our recent role as co-lead for the Global Coronavirus Response Initiative, with Japan, Germany, France, Canada, Norway, Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia and the European Commission, which successfully raised 7.4 billion euros toward vaccines, tests and treatment to tackle the virus.

Speaking on the Summit, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing said: “Producing a vaccine for COVID-19 is a priority for the UK government as this will help save lives in Nigeria and globally from the deadly virus.

Gavi is already working hard with partners to ensure any future vaccine that is safe and effective is delivered at scale around the world.

“We welcome Gavi’s partnership with Nigeria over the years, which has helped to fight diseases such as yellow fever, meningitis and measles.

I welcome the international recognition Nigerians have received for their role in supporting the global effort to find a cure and stop the spread of the COVID-19 such as Gavi’s recognition of the Nigerian Public Health and Health Promotion Specialist, Dr.

Obinna Ebirim, for his tireless and passionate advocacy for equitable access to vaccines and sustainable immunisation financing in Nigeria.”

Speaking, Dr. Obinna said: “Gavi is known to support health systems strengthening initiatives that ensure that Vaccines get to the last mile where they are used to vaccinate children and prevent vaccine preventable diseases.

“As we move towards the Global Vaccine Summit to be hosted by the United Kingdom, I call on countries and donors to support the work Gavi is doing.

Your support to Gavi means that you are supporting Vaccination programmes in poor and remote communities around the world and in Nigeria, that wouldn’t have had access to vaccines if not for the support Gavi provide,” he said.

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T H I S D AY Ëž Í˛Ëœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

COVID-19: FG Urged to Fix Gas Price for Gencos in Naira Chineme Okafor Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The federal government has been urged to jettison the dollar-denominated rates for gas supplied to power generation companies (Gencos) and fix the rate in naira.

This is to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s power sector.

The Managing Director of Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, made this suggestion recently, during a webinar hosted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria on the impact of COVID-19 on the country’s power sector.

Osibodu, while offering her thoughts on how the sector could

transition from the pandemic and get back its productivity said the government should, “pay all existing outstanding bills at federal, state and local government levels,� adding that this, “has major impacts on market liquidity and sustainability.�

She also suggested that it should pass on, “the current reduced international gas price and fix into naira the cost of gas to power producers with (the) federal government absorbing all exchange fluctuations going forward; this will significantly reduce impact of fluctuation in gas price on customers’ tariff.�

According to her, the government can equally provide a minimum of 12 months

moratorium in payment of all financial facilities extended to the sector by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other government related facilities.

Osibodu, further explained that a removal of a 30 per cent hike in import duty for meter into the country would also make access to meter by consumers affordable. According to her, the government could lend its support the Discos in the country to change the public mindset and culture on electricity as a free social service, to accepting to pay for power supplied to them; this she informed will ensure improved service delivery and more power available to consumers.

ZenithBankTargets IncreasedLending to Farmers Zenith Bank Plc is prioritising loans to the agricultural industry and other raw-material suppliers in the country. “Companies that will be leaders in the next five years are those who will be sourcing their raw materials locally,� Chief Executive Officer Zenith Bank, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, told Bloomberg.

He added: “If you can get your raw materials here, you’re in business and it’s cheaper -- your holding cost is cheaper, your freight cost is reduced.�

Nigeria’s second-biggest bank by market value is aiming to meet increased demand from

businesses needing to source raw materials locally after plunging oil prices and lockdown measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus dried up foreign-currency inflows.

It comes amid intensified efforts from authorities to encourage investment in agriculture and processing plants to help diversify the economy away from oil. Many of Zenith’s customers want to invest in crop production or the processing industry, so they produce products they can sell to breweries, food and pharmaceutical companies, the CEO said.

The central bank offers loans

to farmers through commercial banks at preferential rates to stimulate the development of the industry and has also banned imports on dozens of goods from soap and cement to milk and rice. Zenith Bank is encouraging customers to access funds from the central bank, which it matches with dedicated officials to ensure the projects they undertake are well executed, Onyeagwu said.

As companies strive to meet the food requirements of the nation’s 200 million people, Nigeria could potentially become a non-oil exporter over the medium- to long-term, he said.

Sparkle, Digital Banking Platform Launched Sparkle, a digital ecosystem providing financial, lifestyle and business support services to Nigerians across the globe has been launched.

Sparkle was founded by tech investor and financial inclusion advocate, Uzoma Dozie, the former Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank.

Uzoma currently runs an online TV show called Tech Turks, that shines light on entrepreneurs. He also launched TechFest in 2018 in Lagos, Nigeria.

According to a statement, the start-up which has been granted a banking license by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has been built to help Nigerians fulfil their potential.

It stated that Sparkle offers comprehensive support for individuals, including flexible payments, savings and analytics to provide greater freedom, flexibility and control over finances

and lifestyle once and for all. “Powered by data and technology, Sparkle is launching a mobile app – available for iOS and Android – giving customers full and free access to one account that offers multiple services and different wallets. “Sparkle’s users will be provided with visibility over spending patterns, with a detailed breakdown of payments by category.

Tools such as Sparkle Stash, a savings tool aimed towards specific goals, are included. Users will also have the ability to split payments and bills, make utilities and bill payments, as well as send and receive money in the Sparkle network and with other local banks. Customers will also have access to Indy – a 24/7 financial buddy and customer services chatbot,� it explained.

Speaking on the new digital platform, Dozie said: “Sparkle will

be transformational for Nigerians across the globe and I am hugely excited to be launching it today.

Sparkle is redefining Nigerian commerce by merging financial services with a seamless lifestyle solution. “We are removing barriers using technology and data, driving inclusion at scale. In doing so, we are empowering Nigerians to fulfil their potential, democratising access to valuable solutions for both business and personal needs.�

Sparkle is partnering with VISA, Microsoft and PwC Nigeria to achieve its vision of redefining Nigerian commerce.

The partnership would provide industry leading expertise in APIs, cloud computing, data science, machine learning, tax and financial advisory services for the benefit of Sparkle’s customers.

The services offered by Sparkle are all licensed by the CBN.

Our Home Appliances Inspire Family Bond, Creativity, Says LG LG Electronics has stated that its products have enabled its customers to connect and entertain themselves while spending quality time at home during the lockdown.

The South Korean company noted that its 21st-century products from water purifiers to air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, and TVs offer adaptable, efficient, and innovative ways work-life balance has been attained today.

According to a statement, working from home, research has found, can boost employee productivity, improve work/life balance and foster better mental

health (not to mention reduce pollution from commuters).

Achieving a work-life balance has become a major discourse in the last few years and of course with today’s technological advancement – it’s a welcome development.

It noted that increasing adoption of smart devices, technology proliferation, development of the semiconductor industry, and increasing penetration of internet of things (IoT) are centrifugal factors indicating the growth of the consumer electronic market.

Technology will continue to enrich our lives. “In the last two decades, LG

has taken a lead in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence, 8K technology; dived into gaming innovation, Nano Cell, OLED, projector, and introduced some of the best TVs with high-quality resolution. It’s range of TVs has covered all the new innovations in OLED TVs, NanoCell TVs, ULTRA HD 4K TVs, Smart TVs, and LED TVs,� the statement added.

According to the Head Corporate Marketing Division at LG Electronics West Africa, Mr. Hari Elluru, the company is committed to sustainable products through the adoption of Artificial Intelligence.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

SEPTEMBER 2019 Money Supply (M3)

35,029,779.72

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

7,374,356.91

Money Supply (M2)

27,655,422.82

-- Quasi Money

116,533,891.21

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,121,531.60

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,625,047.69

---- Demand Deposits

9,496,483.91

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

13,911,335.83

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

21,118,443.89

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

35,918,179.45

---- Credit to Government (Net)

10,452,199.38

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

11,007,422.79

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

25,465,980.07

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-14,799,735.56

--Other Assets Net

7,000,253.07

Reserve Money (Base Money

2,005,600.83

--Currency in Circulation

4,677,530.81

--Banks Reserves

317,121.43

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ Ͱ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $34.95 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $33.68 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), ZaďŹ ro (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 Ëž Í˛Ëœ 2020

MARKET NEWS

NSE All-Share Rises on Continuing Positive Performance Goddy Egene Gains by bellwethers such as MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated and FBN Holdings Plc helped to sustain the positive performance at the stock market yesterday as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) appreciated by 0.10 per cent. The NSE ASI closed higher at 25,407.96, while market capitalisation added N12.8 billion to be at N13.3 trillion.

At the close of trading, 18 stocks appreciated led by Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc with 9.7 per cent, trailed by Presco Plc with 9.0 per cent. Japaul went up by 8.3 per cent, while LASACO Assurance Plc garnered 8.0 per cent.

However, gains by MTN, ETI and FBN Holdings boosted the positive performance.

FBN Holdings the previous day announced the conclusion of its divestment of its 65 per

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

cent equity in FBN Insurance Limited to Salam (PTY) Limited, which used to hold 35 per cent stake in the insurance firm. “The boards of directors of FBN Holdings and Sanlam Emerging Markets(Proprietary) wish to announce the completion of the sale and transfer of FBN Holdings’ 65 per cent shareholding in FBN Insurance Limited to Sanlam.

This effectively confers full ownership of FBN Insurance and its subsidiary, FBN General

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Insurance Limited on Sanlam forthwith, following receipt of all relevant regulatory approvals,� the group said. Commenting on the divestment, Group Managing Director, FBN Holdings Plc, UK Eke, said “The divestment is in line with the group’s medium to long term strategic objectives. This will ultimately improve our shareholders’ wellbeing and deliver greater value to all the stakeholders. Over the years we have enjoyed a mutually

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

beneficial partnership and we will continue to cooperate with them in the future.

Sanlam exercised its pre-emptive right to acquire the remaining shareholding of FBNI and in line with our partnership philosophy that underpins our business model, we will introduce local shareholding at an appropriate time in the future.�

Also commenting, Chief Executive Officer, Sanlam Emerging Markets (Proprietary)

O F

Limited, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Heinie Werth, said: “This transaction is evidence of our belief and confidence in the value and future of the business, as well as the skilled management team and staff.

Moreover, we are committed to Nigeria and view it as a key market on the continent.�

Meanwhile, activity level was mixed as volume traded fell 8.5 per cent to 353.3 million shares while value traded rose 16.1 per cent to N7.0 billion.

0 2 / 0 6 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

30

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

UPDC Raises N16bn from Rights Issue to Boost Operations Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has listed additional 15,961,574,145 ordinary shares of UACN Property Development Company Plc (UPDC) of 50 kobo each at N1.00 per share. According to the exchange, the additional shares listed

from the company’s rights issue share on the basis of 43 new ordinary shares for every seven ordinary shares held as at 30 September2019.

“With this listing of the additional 15,961,574,145 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid up shares of UPDC has now increased from 2,598,395,791

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

to18,559,969,936 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each,” the NSE said.

UPDC realised N15.962 billion as part of its recapitalisation and restructuring efforts and boost its operations.

UAC of Nigeria (UACN)Plc, which is the parent firm of UPDC last year announced a collective consideration

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 02Jun-2020, unless otherwise stated.

of strategic initiatives involving a recapitalisation and restructuring of UPDC. UACN had explained that it was in the process of a strategic review, evaluating its performance and its subsidiaries. The objective is to achieve sustainable positive financial performance from its existing operations and enable management focus

on businesses that align with its strategy.

“In reviewing UPDC, the board weighed the long-term opportunities in the Nigerian real estate sector against the fundamental differences between the cashflow profile and capital needs of UPDC versus other entities in UAC’s portfolio. Following its review, the board

concluded that it would be in the best interest of respective stakeholders of UACN and UPDC if UACN’s equity interest in UPDC is ‘unbundled’ such that UACN no longer holds any shares in UPDC and UPDC operates as a standalone legal entity, free to source appropriately structured capital,” the company said.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 0.94 0.95 4.41% ACAP Income Funds 0.78 0.78 10.10% 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 6.50% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.63 2.69 7.08% info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 5.84% Anchoria Equity Fund 100.07 100.41 -1.86% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.21 1.21 5.78% 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 N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.03 2.03 14.26% 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 0.07 0.05 6.96% Paramount Equity Fund 11.49 11.95 -7.21% Women's Investment Fund 109.82 110.65 -0.60% 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 5.00% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 97.50 97.72 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 105.69 105.93 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 4.14% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.91 0.92 -1.94% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.42 1.42 6.76% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,288.14 1,289.56 6.04% FBN Balanced Fund 147.20 148.30 0.26% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.18% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 114.02 114.80 -1.17% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 114.39 114.17 -1.35% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 117.74 119.16 -9.52% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.94% Legacy Debt Fund 3.76 3.76 2.91% Legacy Equity Fund 1.09 1.11 -3.41% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.10 1.10 2.15% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,063.56 3,098.65 2.72% Coral Income Fund 3,168.58 3,168.58 15.58% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 5.64% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.09% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 119.99 120.63 11.57%

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 4.63% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.23 2.27 1.67% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 10.30% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 143.48 144.05 0.05% 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 1.23 1.25 5.38% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,128.70 1,128.70 4.68% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.40 1.42 14.46% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.87 11.92 5.37% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.35% PACAM Equity Fund 1.08 1.09 PACAM EuroBond Fund 99.23 101.45 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 119.96 123.04 -2.29% 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 3.72% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 4.08% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 3.16% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 -0.56% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 3.60% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 0.93% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.30% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -0.83% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.16 1.16 2.39% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 118.18 118.18 0.00% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.40 10.54 1.27% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.17 12.30 4.79% Zenith Income Fund 23.52 23.52 5.77% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.80%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

3.50 114.44 52.79

-63.85% 2.22% 1.42%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.93 92.23 70.00

9.03 94.12 71.24

2.53% -0.30% -5.09%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.06 4.25 11.73 12.04 180.54

3.10 4.33 11.83 12.24 182.54

-13.81% -27.87% -3.23% 15.69% -3.94%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.29

16.90%

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.

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THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

FG to Refund N148bn for Road Repairs in Five States Warns against construction of federal roads without approval

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved a refund of N148 billion spent on reconstruction of some federal roads in five states by affected state governments.

The breakdown of the funds and their beneficiaries are: Rivers (N78.953); Bayelsa (N38.040 billion); Cross River (N18.394 billion); Ondo (N7.822 billion); Osun (N2.468 billion).

Briefing State House reporters at the end of the virtual FEC meeting in Abuja, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the approval was the fallout of a memorandum presented to the council by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

However, Mohammed was swift to warn that any state, which fails to secure the nod of the federal government before embarking on similar

projects henceforth, will not be reimbursed.

Giving a background to the reimbursement, Mohammed said the decision was a sequel to a huge bill sent to the federal government by the entire 36 states of the federation in 2016, seeking a refund of funds they expended on the repair of some federal roads in their respective states.

According to him, the demand compelled President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a committee to visit the states and verify the claims they made.

The minister explained that at the end of the investigation, five states were denied reimbursement because they could not present convincing documents to back their claims while 31 others with verifiable documentations were paid over N550 billion.

Nevertheless, he explained that the committee later went back to those states for a second

investigation and thereafter recommended the approved sum.

Mohammed added that before approving the refund, the committee ascertained that the roads and the bridges were not only completed, but were also in good shape, noting that some of the bridges and roads were built about 10 years ago.

He said: “You will recall that in 2016, 36 states of the federation sent a very huge bill to the federal government, asking for compensation for money that they have expended on federal roads.

“This prompted Mr. President to set up a committee to go and verify the claims of these 36 states, whether indeed, these projects were actually constructed. Were

they completed in line with the federal government standards?

“At the end of that exercise by an inter-ministerial committee, chaired by the honourable minister of works and housing which also had ministers of education, transportation, finance, minister of state for works, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and permanent secretary, cabinet office as members.

“At the end of that exercise, the committee recommended that the federal government should refund N550,364,297.31 billion to 31 of the 36 states, after they were convinced that, yes, indeed, the projects were completed and they were federal government roads.

“But the claims of five other states - Cross River, Rivers, Ondo, Bayelsa and Osun - failed on the grounds that they did not do proper documentation and the committee felt they needed proper documentation.

“So, the committee went back with new terms of reference to ensure that the claims of the five states were in order. That is why the BPP is on the committee.

“So, at the end of the exercise, the committee now reported that the five states - Cross River with 20 roads and one bridge will get a refund of N18,394,737,608.85; Ondo with six roads to get a refund of N7,822,147,577.08, and Osun with two roads and one bridge to get a refund of N2,468,938,876.78.

“Others are Bayelsa with five roads and one bridge to get a refund of N38,040,564,783.40 and Rivers with three roads and three flyover bridges is to get a refund of N78,953,067,518.29.”

He added: ‘’However, there is a caveat. The federal government will pay the states, but however, henceforth, if any state takes on federal government roads, it will not be paid. They will not get any refund. Even if you want to pay from your own pocket, you will still need the permission of the federal government and it will be supervised by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.”

He added modalities for future refund are currently being worked out and payment will be made over a period of time.

US Embassy Warns Citizens over Protests

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has warned its citizens against visiting its Lagos consulate office over a planned protest of the killing of an African-American, Mr. George Floyd, by a Minneapolis police officer.

Video clips of the incident on the internet showed where a white police officer was kneeling on his neck for nearly 10 minutes.

The incident sparked off a global outrage, with people marching on various states in the US, some of which led to looting and vandalism of shops, across the country.

As a result of this, the US government has imposed a curfew on over 25 states.

The US authorities also announced investigations into the death of the deceased and that the four police officers involved in the incident have been sacked.

Some Nigerians on Tuesday protested the murder of Floyd at the US embassy in Abuja, calling for an end to racial discrimination and injustice.

The Cable reported that in an alert published on its website, the US embassy advised its citizens to be aware of their surroundings and avoid areas surrounding the US consulate office building.

“The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos has received reports that demonstrators plan to gather in front of the Consulate on Wednesday, June 03, 2020, to protest current events in the United States,” the alert read.

“Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.

“Avoid the areas of Walter Carrington Crescent, the U.S. Consulate General office building, and surrounding areas.

Avoid demonstrations and large crowds.

Lagos Inaugurates Committees on Community Policing Segun James The Lagos State Government yesterday joined the league of states governments that have inaugurated the State Community Policing Advisory Committee (SCPAC) and its operations arm, the State Community Policing Committee (SCPC).

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the event marked a turning point in the government’s deliberate effort to re-strategise and rethink the security architecture through the community policing initiative that was proposed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Muhammed Abubakar Adamu.

Sanwo-Olu said: “Today is a particularly important and auspicious day for the good people of Lagos State.

We are gathered here to take an important step in the

implementation of a long overdue policing reform effort – the community policing initiative.

“In a democracy, the involvement of the people in all matters of governance, especially on issues that impact directly on their well-being, is key to achieving good governance.

One of the inadequacies of our current policing systems has been its inability to tap the knowledge and intelligence that exist at neighbourhood and community level.

“The work that the police are expected to do becomes more difficult when they are expected to do it alone. No matter how well-resourced or technologically advanced a police force might be, there might be no progress without the trust and support of the communities in which they operate. Every citizen has a role to play in ensuring that the security architecture functions optimally.”

HEALTH REFORMS ON THEIR MINDS...

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, National Primary Health Care Development Agency; Dr. Faisal Shuaib; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Director, Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Adebimpe Adebiyi; and Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, after a meeting with the Presidential Task Force/FMOH mission led by Shuaib, at the Government House, Abeokuta...yesterday

Court Restrains FG from Auctioning Eight Marginal Fields Davidson Iriekpen

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the federal government from selling or accepting bids for eight Marginal Oil Fields (Oil Mining Licences) pending determination of a suit challenging their status.

The judge gave the order yesterday following a suit filed by 10 oil firms against the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) are respondents in the suit.

The firms and their marginal oil fields include: Independent Energy Ltd – Ofa OML 30; Associated Oil and Gas Ltd/ Dansaki Petroleum Unlimited – Tom Shot Bank OML 14; Bayelsa Oil Company Ltd – Atala MFOG-2C and Bicta Energy and Management

System Ltd – Ogedeh OML 90 MFOG-2D. Others are: Del Sigma Petroleum Ltd – Ke OML 90 MFOG-2E; Goland Petroleum Ltd -Oriri OML 88 MFOG-2F; Sahara Energy Ltd/African Oil and Gas Ltd – Tsekelewu OML 40 MFOG-2G and Sogenal Ltd Akepo – OML 90 MFOG-2H. The judge restrained the respondents from advertising a bidding process for the marginal fields which were awarded to the applicants, or selling them.

The judge further granted an interim injunction authorising the applicants “to continue to manage, operate, control, explore… the marginal fields pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”

The federal government in April 2020 purportedly revoked 11 firms’ oil licences to operate marginal fields.

The DPR had announced the commencement of the

2020 marginal field bid round, involving 57 marginal fields, including 11 fields revoked by the DPR. This prompted the oil firms to file a suit at the court to challenge the revocation and applied for an interim injunction restraining the minister and the ministry from organising a bidding process for the marginal fields.

Their counsel, Tayo Oyetibo SAN, George Ikoli SAN and Uche Nwokedi SAN argued that they have invested hundreds of millions of US dollars, in the full expectation that they would continue conducting their operational activities on their respective fields for the remaining life span of each of the fields.

“The plaintiffs have made huge investments in their respective fields with a cumulative value of more than $290,000,000 from the year 2004 to April 2020 towards the development of their respective

fields,” they stated The lawyers also stated that the purported revocation of their awards of marginal fields by the government violated their constitutional rights to fair hearing, their rights under the Petroleum Act and under the guidelines governing marginal fields in Nigeria.

They urged the court to halt the attempt by the federal government to include the affected marginal fields in the next bidding rounds for award of marginal fields as it recently announced pending the determination of the substantive suit.

After listening to the lawyers, Justice Aneke in granting the motion on notice, noted that the respondents did not file any process in opposition and were also not represented by any counsel in court though they were also served with hearing notices that the matter was adjourned for hearing on June 3, 2020.

Strike Looms as Ondo Doctors Issue Ultimatum to Akeredolu James Sowole in Akure

Medical doctors under the aegis of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), Ondo State branch, yesterday issued a 14-day ultimatum to the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to address their grievances or face state wide strike.

The doctors, who are affiliate of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), issued the ultimatum after an emergency

State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held in Akure, the state capital.

Chairman of NAGGMDP, Dr. Aina Oluwafemi, who read the communique issued after the meeting, said the state government failed to implement the payment of 50 percent of basic salary as special COVID-19 hazard allowance for all health workers in the state.

Oluwafemi said rather than getting the allowance, what they got was 2.5 percent deduction from their consolidated basic

salary without explanation.

He said doctors were disappointed and perplexed that the state government could subject them to ridicule and public embarrassment.

Oluwafemi further accused the government of refusal to implement consequential adjustment of increment in minimum wage to doctors and other health workers in the state.

The doctor said failure to meet their demands within 14 days would push them to revert to congress, and

any decision reached would be binding on the executive.

But the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, said all issues raised by the doctors were being looked into.

According to him, “The sector, no doubt, is a very critical one, and the governor has ways expressed his appreciation of their services.

If there are issues that require attention, government will not shy away from such. The responsibilities are mutual and inclusive.”

THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS XTRA

Borno Gov Suspends Entire Hospital Workers for Dereliction of Duty Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has suspended the entire workers of a hospital

in the state for abandonment of duty post.

The governor, who paid an unscheduled visit to the hospital, General Hospital in

Senate Faults CBN on Unremitted $3.3bn Foreign Tax Summons EFCC, army, police on 2015 unaudited accounts Deji Elumoye inAbuja The Senate yesterday faulted the alleged non remittance of $3.3 billion from the $21.3 billion collected as foreign tax by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in 2015.

It has, therefore, queried the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to give explanations as to the unremitted $3.3billion from the $21.3billion collected by the FIRS as foreign tax in the year under review.

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts at its sitting revealed that the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation in an audit query revealed that while FIRS recorded $21.3 billion as total sum of foreign tax collected by it in 2015 and domiciled in the apex bank, CBN on the other hand,

recorded $18billion.

On the strength of the query, the committee headed by Senator Mathew Urhoghide challenged the CBN management to explain the shortfalls which the apex bank’s Deputy Governor (Corporate Affairs), Mr. Edward Lamatek Adamu, couldn’t explain satisfactorily.

The CBN deputy governor in a move to convince the committee that the shortfall of $3.3billion was not missing or unremitted, said variations in exchange rate during the period resulted in variation of amounts recorded by FIRS and CBN. The committee, however, ordered Adamu and other top officials of the bank to report back to it next Monday with required documents on the alleged variations in exchange rate.

Ngala, a town with border with Cameroon Republic, discovered that the resident medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and lab technicians, all on the payroll of the government were nowhere in sight.

The governor was furious that the entire staff despite receiving government salaries, abandoned the hospital to an international non-governmental organisation, fhi360, to manage the hundreds of patients, majority of them, IDPs and residents of Ngala.

Ngala, which also has border with Chad, links Nigeria by road with Sudan and Central Africa Republic.

Having been liberated from Boko Haram’s control in 2015, Ngala is currently populated by thousands of returnees, many of whom are internally displaced persons (IDPs) that were forced to flee their villages and farmlands in the wake of attacks by the terrorist group.

Zulum who have taken to the style of paying surprise midnight and daytime visits to schools and hospitals, showed up at the General Hospital in Ngala, in order to find out the realities of healthcare delivery to residents.

The governor was disappointed to find out

that despite high turn-out of patients, not one of the many government paid staff, from doctors down to clerical staff, was at the hospital as at 11am.

Zulum, who was received on arrival at the hospital, by a field coordinator of fhi360, the iNGO left in control of the hospital, was saddened by what he found on ground, and immediately ordered the suspension of all staff on the payroll of Borno State Government.

The governor said: “This is a General Hospital belonging to Borno State Government; unfortunately, there is no single

state government staff here to attend to all these patients, and we promptly pay all of them salaries.

“These humanitarian workers from the iNGO (fhi360) are supposed to complement the state government staff but not to completely take over the hospital. I am directing the Borno State Hospitals Management Board, if there is any staff on the payroll of this hospital, to immediately suspend all the workers on government payroll. I will be back to this hospital, hoping to see the opposite of what I saw today.”

Gbajabiamila Denies Issuing Letter on Extension of Year of Service for N’Assembly Staff Udora Orizu in Abuja The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday denied issuing a purported letter confirming the extension of year of service for the Clerk for the National Assembly, Mr. Abubakar Sani Omolori and some others.

A letter entitled: ‘Reforwarding of Memoradum on the Review of Conditions of Service for the National Assembly Service,’ dated June 3, 2020 with Ref. No: NASS/SPK/ADM/VOL.1/520 and addressed to the Chairman,

National Assembly Service Commission, and acknowledged the same day, was said to have been signed by Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Mr. Sanusi Garba Rikiji.

The letter read in part: ‘’I am directed by the entire leadership of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the receipt of your letter on the above dated 1st of June 2020 and have deliberated on it.’’ ‘’I am further directed to inform you that the entire leadership of the House of Representatives cannot rescind the 8th Assembly resolution on the retirement age of the National Assembly

staff. Therefore, the House of Representatives maintained the position of the 8th Assembly as contained in the Conditions of Service jointly passed by that Assembly.’’

But, Gbajabiamila in a statement issued last night, which was signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Lanre Lasisi, called on the general public to disregard the letter and always rely on official communication channels of the House for news on the position of the House on any matter.

He said, ‘’The attention

of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has been drawn to a letter purportedly emanating from his office allegedly stating his endorsement of the new condition of service for National Assembly staff passed by the eighth Assembly. The Speaker wishes to inform the general public that there was no time he directed issuance of such purported letter from his office as there is a recognised and authorised channel for all correspondences and resolutions reached by the House or its leadership.’’

42

THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS XTRA

Another Student Raped to Death in Ibadan A teenage student of the Federal College of Animal and Production Technology, Moore Plantation, Apata, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has reportedly been raped to death in her father’s house in Ibadan.

The 18-year old girl whose name was given as Miss Barakat Bello was said to have been assaulted in her residence at Akinyele Local Government Area of the state.

The student of Laboratory Technology was attacked on Monday but her corpse was later discovered behind her family house The father of the rape victim, Mr. Kasimu Elepo, who said the girl’s sister discovered her remains, noted that he had gone out when the incident occurred.

The distraught father said the

younger sister and himself were not at home.

“The sister went for Qur’anic lessons but when she returned home, she saw her at the back of the house with deep cuts all over her body,” he explained.

According to him, it was a call from an unidentified man that alerted him that something ominous had happened.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Oyo State Police Command, SP Gbenga Fadeyi, said he was yet to be briefed about the incident.

“Effort is being intensified to confirm the credibility of the report. At present, the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Oluyole, and Apata divisions were contacted but we found out that the address that was quoted is not correct. When I

Malami Takes over Prosecution of Alleged Taraba Kidnap Kingpin, Wadume, Others Alex Enumah in Abuja The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) has taken over the prosecution of the alleged Taraba State kidnap kingpin, Mr. Bala Hamisu, popularly called Wadume and 19 others from the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu.

The IG had on February 3, 2020, dragged Wadume and his co-defendants among whom are two police officers and 10 soldiers before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on a 16-count criminal charge bordering on terrorism, murder, kidnapping and illegal arms.

When the case came up yesterday before Justice Binta Nyako, only six out of the 20 defendants, including Wadume, were present in court.

However, a lawyer in the office of the AGF, Mr. Labaran Magaji, who announced appearance for the prosecution, informed the court that the AGF took over the case and received the case file from the police on Tuesday.

Magaji accordingly requested an adjournment to enable him work towards bringing all the

defendants to court at the next adjournment.

“The AGF office applied to take over the prosecution of the criminal charge. We were handed over the file yesterday (Tuesday). The case has about 20 defendants, but only six defendants are present in court.

“In the circumstances, we shall be asking for a short adjournment for the purpose of bringing all the suspects named in the charge. “The prosecution shall do the needful to ensure that the case takes off immediately”, he said.

Defence lawyers that were present in court did not oppose the request for adjournment.

Justice Nyako in a short ruling adjourned the matter to June 8, 2020. Nyako had ordered the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, to release 10 army officers for the ongoing criminal prosecution.

The 10 officers were charged alongside Wadume and others.

Justice Nyako made the order for the soldiers to be produced, after the prosecuting lawyer, Mr. Simon Lough, told the court that the army authorities ‘snubbed’ the letter by the police requesting the 10 defendants to be produced for arraignment.

got the DPOs and I inquired, the two of them said at present, there is no such report in their record”.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students, Zone D, has demanded justice

for the victim, saying that the raping of women must stop.

The deceased, who was a member of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, was buried on Tuesday according to Islamic rites.

The murder of the teenager has sparked protests on Twitter with the #JusticeforBarakat.

UK-based medical doctor, Harvey Olufunmilayo, said the rape ‘epidemic’ must be brought to an end.

Another tweet by @mideglow read, “This is becoming too much!!! We are tired of burying our sisters and friends. We are tired of molestation and rape!

Capital punishment should be meted to the perpetrators.”

STATE MATTERS...

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (left), and President Muhammadu Buhari, during the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja... yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

Military Kills Shekau’s Top Commanders, 72 Others Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Fighter jets, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole and the 7 Division Strike group killed top commanders of terrorist group, Boko Haram and 72 other insurgents in Borno State.

This is coming as an all-female pilots of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for the first time conducted an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission in the ongoing fight against armed banditry in the North-west.

The Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO) said the counter attack followed a failed attack on troops’ location at Banki Junction by terrorists within the 7 Division strike group response area.

It said after the attack, human intelligence confirmed the death of high ranking commanders of the Abubakar Shekau’s faction of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

The military update on the

war against insurgency listed the terrorist commanders to include Manzar Halid, Amir Abu Fatima and Nicap, among others.

“Additionally, 72 members of the sect were also neutralised.

Others wounded with narrow chances of survival include some high profile commanders and fighters namely Abu Jamratu AL-Naweer, Kaka Bana and Tareta Babakari.

“Equally, a large number of their equipment , including gun trucks, motorcycles and bicycles were destroyed by troops in collaboration with the air task force during BHT/ ISWAP fighters withdrawal, which was in disarray”, it said.

The update issued by the Coordinator of (DDMO), Major General John Enenche, said credible information indicated that the Boko Haram/ISWAP camps were in chaos and presently unable to conduct any offensive due to heavy losses.

It noted that the blockade

of their spy routes, networks, crossing points and logistics supplies had further crippled the terrorists and limited their freedom of movement and action to the advantage of troops.

It said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, congratulated the gallant troops for their resilience, courage and dedication to ending the North-east security challenge.

The DDMO further stated that “the High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria hereby encourages all troops of Operation Lafiya Dole to sustain the onslaught against the terrorists”.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) made history with the conduct of an operational Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission by an all-female crew.

The mission, which was conducted on May 28, 2020 using the NAF Beechcraft KingAir ISR aircraft, had Flying Officers Oluwabunmi Ijelu and

Genevieve Nwaogwugwu as Captain and Co-Pilot, respectively, with Sergeant Njoku Patience as the Airborne Tactical Observation System (ATOS) mission operator and Lance Corporal Shawulu Godiya as the on-board technician.

A NAF anti-banditry update affirmed that Flying Officer Ijelu was the first female officer to become a captain on a NAF aircraft.

The aircraft was also marshaled by a female Marshaller, Aircraftwoman David Precious.

The mission, which was preceded by the customary preflight briefing, originated from the 307 Executive Airlift Group (307 EAG), at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport and covered selected areas of interest in Niger State and its environs, where intelligence that would support NAF air interdiction missions as well as the operations of ground forces was gathered.

FG Reopens Custodial Centres Alleged N1.1bn Fraud: Court Dismisses Charge against Former Customs’ Boss, Dikko for Admission of Inmates Director of Cambial Limited, date, Dikko was conspicuously pursuant to Section 108 of ACJA, Alex Enumah in Abuja Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has announced the reopening of custodial centres that would admit all categories of inmates.

A statement released by the Controller General of NCS, Mr. Ja’afaru Ahmed, said the action would enhance access to justice and facilitate the administration of criminal justice in the country.

Ja’afaru, according to the statement signed by the Spokesman of NCS, Mr. Augustine Njoku, said that there are guidelines for the reopening of the custodial centres which all state controllers of NCS and officers-in-charge were directed to adhere strictly to.

They guidelines included “the resumption of the admission of all categories of inmates into designated

custodial centres; only designated custodial centres with isolation units are to admit inmates; the state controllers are to avail the judges in their various states the list of the designated custodial centres.

“All newly admitted inmates are to be isolated for the mandatory period of 14 days; COVID-19 screening should be conducted on all inmates at the isolation units; a confirmatory test after the 14 days should be conducted on all the inmates at the isolation units and regular fumigation of the custodial centres should be carried out at agreed intervals.”

The controller general also enjoined the state controllers to liaise with the Judiciary and other stakeholders in criminal justice administration to ensure the smooth take off of these guidelines and fight against COVID-19 in our custodial centres.”

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday , dismissed the fraud charge brought against a former Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Abdullahi Dikko and two others by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

The dismissal was sequel to an oral application for the withdrawal of the charge by the ICPC’s lawyer, Mr. E. A. Sogunle.

Dikko was named in a fraud charge with former Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services, Mr. Garba Makarfi and a lawyer, Mr. Umar Hussaini.

They were accused of inducing the Managing

Yemi Obadeyi, to pay the sum of N1,100, 952,380.96 into the account of Capital Law Office as a refundable “completion security deposit” for the purchase of 120 units of duplexes as residential accommodation for officers of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The prosecution had accused Hussaini of distributing the said sum into various other bank accounts allegedly at the instance of the Dikko.

Hussaini was also accused of receiving the sum of $3 million as reward in the deal.

When the matter came up yesterday Sogunle told the court that, despite a bench warrant issued on Dikko, who has not attended court since the charge was filed early last year, the prosecution has not been able to arrest and produce the 1st defendant in court.

He said at the last adjourned

absent and the court mandated the prosecution to investigate his whereabouts.

“In our effort to do this, we wrote to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), who replied that they have no record of the 1st defendant (Dikko) either travelling in or outside of Nigeria between January 2020 and till date.

“In the circumstances, we have filed an affidavit of compliance with the court’s directive that we find out his whereabouts. This affidavit is to show the steps we have taken so far.

“We do not want to clog the court’s docket with this matter.

We are convinced that the 1st defendant is a fugitive from law.

We are taking every steps to apprehend him. When we do that, we will bring him before the court.

“In the circumstance, we wish to withdraw the charge,

without prejudice to whenever he is apprehended,” Sogunle said.

Responding, Dikko’s lawyer, Mr. Solomon Akuma (SAN), did not object to the prosecution’s application to withdraw the charge.

Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) and A. H Obariko, who appeared for Makarfi and Hussaini, also did not object to the application to withdraw.

While Makarfi was in court, Hussaini was absent and his counsel said he could not make his way to Abuja from Bauchi in view of the current restriction of inter-state. movement.

The trial judge, Justice Ojukwu, after listening to submissions of counsel in the matter, dismissed the charge against Dikko, since the prosecution’s application for withdrawal of the said charge was not opposed by the defendants.

THURSDAY JUNE 4 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSEXTRA

OPEC Upbeat about Oil Market Recovery Peter Uzoho The Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mr. Mohammad Barkindo, has stated that the organisation and its member and non-member countries would soon surmount the current crisis in the global oil market, which was triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barkindo said this yesterday

in his remark at the 133rd meeting of the OPEC Economic Commission Board (ECD) held via video conferencing.

He said the historic response led by the OPEC+ was already helping to reduce volatility, stabilise the oil market, and to provide a platform for recovery and growth in the coming months.

“I am confident that this organisation will emerge from

Lagos Govt Reverses Land Use Charge to Pre-2018 Rate Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the reversal of Land Use Charge (LUC) rate to pre-2018 rate.

However, the 2018 valuation was upheld.

Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had in 2018 reduced all levies for its new LUC that had attracted public outcry by 50, 25, and 15 per cent.

The state government had jacked up the charges payable by 400 per cent as enabled by the Land Use Charge Law of 2018.

However, the Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, disclosed the reversal yesterday in Ikeja in his address at the year 2020 ministerial briefing to mark the first year in office of Sanwo-Olu. Olowo said the state government had to review the increase in land use charge assessment to accommodate the agitations of residents and to reduce the financial pressure on citizens as it relates to land use charge. According to him,

the pre-2018 charges which will soon come into effect will reflect current realities to reduce the burden on citizens.

“The reform also considered a flexible land use charge payments and efficient customer service management in other to ensure prompt issue resolution,” the commissioner said.

On review of the procurement process, Olowo said, “it was simplified in order to reduce the bureaucracy in the state procurement process and accommodate small businesses in accordance with the Procurement Law and Guidelines.”

He said the intention of the government is to keep economic activities in the state going, without necessarily causing any untold hardship that will further aggravate the present financial hardship confronting all sectors of the state’s economy.

He added that the state achieved 106 per cent performance in the first quarter of year2020 revenue as against budget.

Cleric in Police Net for Alleged Sexual Abuse of Church Member’s Daughter Rebecca Ejifoma The Pastor of Peculiar Generation Assembly Church in Lagos, Chris McDouglas Omosokpea, has landed in the police net for an alleged sexual abuse of his member’s 14-year-old daughter (name withheld) for four years.

Omosokpea, whose church is situated at 17/19 Mututiatu Kayode Street, Mafoluku in Oshodi, was said to have been invited at the Makinde Police Station for the alleged defilement of the said girl after the family reported the matter to the police.

He, however, sought redress at Zone 2 Police Command at Onikan.

At the Zone 2, where the victim’s family and the alleged pedophile were invited for a meeting, the mother of the victim (name withheld), said Omosokpea wrote a petition to the AIG against her, and even threatened to deal with her.

During interrogation on June 1, Omosokpea was said to have confessed to the allegations levelled against him-sexual abuse of the 14-year-old girl, who is now aged 18.

This made the DCP of the Command to order for his immediate detention on

the charge of statutory rape which attracts several years of imprisonment if tried and found guilty before the court.

According to the victim, although she hid the truth from her parents, she spoke out after four years when she was becoming more traumatised and mature enough to speak out.

Meanwhile, Omosokpea’s wife, Mrs. McDouglas, countered her claims. She told the police that she knew about the abuse, but said her husband was in a relationship with her.

She further accused the victim’s mother of being aware of the affair between her husband and her daughter.

Reacting to his arrest, the Secretary and Operations Manager of Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network (ACVPN), Mr. Ebenezer Omejalile, acknowledged that the arrest was made possible with the help of several officers and advocates.

“We appreciate the good office of the PPRO Z2, the D8 team, our advocates, Iya Gani Fawehimi, in the person of Abiodun of African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), Our Criminal Justice Officer, Mrs. Asala and Ify,” he listed.

the current challenging and unprecedented times more united, stronger and more forward-looking. We are not out of the woods yet. But the historic OPEC+-led response to the current crisis is already helping to reduce volatility, stabilise the oil market, and to provide a platform for recovery and growth in the coming months and years,” he said.

Barkindo also at the meeting announced that work was in earnest to finalise the release of the 55th Edition of the Annual Statistical Bulletin and the 14th

Edition of the World Oil Outlook (WOO) in November.

He said this year’s WOO would extend the outlook by another five years, adding that it will feature a chapter on the major uncertainties related to future oil demand and supply, taking into account factors such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, “A version of the WOO will be provided to the Special Meeting of this Board in September this year.

Your valuable input will feed into the final publication of the

WOO in early November.

“I would point out that these are not only important sources of information for our member countries. They are must-have publications for the industry, the media, analysts and many other stakeholders.

Our publications – along with the regularly updated data and information that we make available through our website– add enormous value to the organisation’s strategic outreach to the broader community. They also underscore our commitment to dialogue, cooperation and

transparency”.

He said in celebration of the 60th anniversary of OPEC in September, the secretariat will publish a tome on the history of the organisation to date, explaining further that it will “chronicle the many great moments over the years – including the challenges we have overcome through cooperation, and the opportunities we have embarked on through shared purpose and vision.

It will be a timely reflection of six decades of OPEC history in the year of COVID-19”.

PROVIDING SUCCOUR TO THE NEEDY...

L-R: A beneficiary, Mr. Olusola Ogundola; Oyo State Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal; and Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, during the symbolic distribution of palliatives to people living with disabilities at Governor’s Office, Ibadan...recently

Police Arrest Two for Allegedly Gang-raping Minor in Ekiti 15-year-old defiles baby Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with alleged rape of a 17-year-old minor.

The sexual assault happened at Oja Oba area of Ado Ekiti around 7p.m. last Tuesday.

The victim, 17, was said to be hawking sachet water when the boys, who were regular faces in the area, allegedly pounced on her and forced her into a corner

and gang-raped her.

The teenager was taken to the hospital, where the case of rape was established.

Report has it that the office of the wife of the state governor, which was notified of the incident, paid for the hospital bill of the survivor. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident. He said two of the suspects have been arrested for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the police have arrested a 15-year-old boy for allegedly defiling a three-year-old girl. The incident occurred in Osi Ekiti, Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the state last Tuesday.

It was gathered that the young boy allegedly lured the girl with a confectionary to the room, where he perpetrated the dastardly act.

A source said: “What could be responsible for his action is yet unknown, but it was gathered that the matter has been reported

to the police. “The state First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has been notified and necessary investigation has commenced from the government.”

The police spokesman, Abutu, who also confirmed the criminal conduct, described it as very unfortunate.

According to him, the case was first reported at the Ido Ekiti division and the boy has been arrested and had confessed to the crime.

Abductors of Delta Doctor Demand N5m Ransom Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba The abductors of the Principal Medical Officer at General Hospital, Ojobo in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, Dr. Wisdom Iboyitete, have reportedly contacted the family of the abductee, demanding a N5 million (Five Million Naira) ransom for his release.

Family sources claimed that the criminals opened a line of negotiation on Tuesday, a day after the kidnap of the doctor

in the wee hours of Monday, and made an initially demand of hundreds of millions of Naira but were said to have come down to N5 million on yesterday.

Since the hoodlums reportedly whisked the doctor away in a speedboat, local leaders of the Ojobo riverside community were said to have made frantic efforts to rescue the victim unhurt, demanding that he should be released unconditionally.

Iboyitete was said to be on

duty when the criminals came into the hospital in the wee hours of the fateful day while pretending to have conveyed one of them that was very ill and needed urgent medical attention.

They then pounced on the doctor while a nurse on duty at the time managed to escape into the bush, screaming to alert residents of the area but the hoodlums speeded off to unknown destination with their victim in the boat.

However, the Delta State

branch of the association of medical practitioners have declared a two-day warning strike to protest the kidnap, beginning on Tuesday, June 2, 2020.

The two-day warning strike was declared by the state branch of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) at the end of an emergency meeting of the body on the same day their colleague was kidnaped.

Court Reinstates Four Suspended Kano Lawmakers Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has quashed the suspension of five lawmakers by the Kano State House of Assembly (KSHA) and declared their suspension null and void.

The plaintiffs in an originating summons urged the court to declare their suspension a violation of Section 109 of the 1999

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, which stipulated and guaranteed their tenure in office.

The embattled lawmakers also argued that their suspension was a contravention of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

However, the Speaker of KSHA, urged the court to dismiss the request made to

it by the plaintiffs. Counsel to the defendants, M.N. Duru prayed the court not to grant the prayers made by the plaintiffs, the presiding judge, But, Justice Lewis Allagoa granted the prayers sought by the suspended lawmakers.

Recall that the suspended lawmakers, namely Hon. Isiyaku Ali Danja, Hon. Salisu Maje Ahmed Gwangwazo, Hon. Garba Yau Gwarmai and Hon. Mohammed Bello

Butu Butu, had challenged their suspension before the court.

Justice Lewis, in the judgment, held that the suspension of the lawmakers was a deprivation of their rights to participate freely in the affairs of the state.

The court also directed the KSHA and its speaker to pay the withheld entitlements of the suspended lawmakers forthwith

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Atiku Seeks Review of Law on Rape Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former Vice President and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called for the review of law

on rape to ensure that rapists are adequately punished.

Atiku, who spoke against the rape and subsequent death of the University of Benin 100 level student, Miss Uwa Omozuwa, inside a church building in Benin, in his verified twitter

Gunmen Attack College, Kidnap UNIJOS Student Seriki Adinoyi in Jos A 300 level female student of Zoology department of the University of Jos, Plateau State, was last Tuesday night kidnapped after unknown gunmen attacked the Federal College of Land Resources Technology in Kuru, Jos. The victim identified as Helen was at home with other members of her family following closure of universities, and were preparing to go to bed when the assailants attacked their house at the staff quarters of the college at about 9p.m.

A family source said the gunmen forcefully entered the house and beat up all members of the family with heavy sticks before abducting Helen to an unknown destination.

“We were in our house when we heard knocks at our door.

Five of us were in the house, including Helen.

“We demanded to know who was at the door, but a stern voice replied and commanded us to open the door immediately, threatening to deal with us if we refused.

They started shooting and before we knew it, they used a heavy object to force the door open and entered the house.

“They collected our phones and threatened to kill us if we cried out.

“They then said they would go away with Helen. They also said that they won’t release her until we pay a ransom,” the source lamented.

The state Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Mr. Gabriel Ubah Ogaba, could not be reached for confirmation as he did not answer the phone calls put across to him.

Court Orders Suspended NBC DG, Kawu, Others to Begin Defence A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the nocase submission made by the suspended Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Ishaq Kawu Modibbo, and two others in respect of the alleged N2.5 billion fraud charge brought against them by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Kawu, Pinnacle Communications Limited, its Chairman, Lucky Omoluwa, and the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, Dipo Onifade were alleged, in the charge, to have misappropriated the N2.5billion in the course of disbursing the seed grant for federal government’s Digital Switch-Over (DSO) project.

In a ruling yesterday, Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo ordered them to enter their defence in the case.

Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo rejected the defendants’ argument that the prosecution was unable to establish a prima facie case against them.

Upon an application by the prosecution, the judge deleted the name of Omoluwa, who died some months ago, from the charge.

The defendants had, while adopting their no-case submissions on February 10 this year, contended that the prosecution failed, through all its witnesses, to make out a prima facie case against them.

Kawu’s lawyer, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN) urged the court to discharge and acquit his client on the three counts of the charge.

Mustapha said: “A vital witness in this case was not called and the court was gracious to give ample time for the state to call the minister as witness, but they failed. “The onus lies on the state to call the minister as a witness because he gave the approval for the release of N2.5 billion grant for federal government’s DSO project.

“As we speak, my lord, the minister has not come out to deny giving the first defendant the approval. He has not queried the first defendant; he has not said anything other than applauding the achievements of the defendant as the DG of NBC. “My lord, for the minister not to refute the approval and not telling the court that he was misled, nor say anything to the contrary, shows a big gap,” Mustapha said.

Charity Ajuno for Burial Today The Ajuno family of Amibo in Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State regrets to announce the death of their mother, wife, and daughter, Mrs. Charity Ekere Ajuno who slept in the Lord on December 14, 2019 after a brief illness. Until her death, the late Charity Ajuno was a retired teacher and women leader in her community. She is survived by her husband Mr.Udo Ajuonu and eight children.

She will be buried today, Thursday, June 4, 2020 .

handle, canvassed for a stiffer punishment for anyone caught raping women.

He said: “It is time we reviewed the laws on rape to ensure that there are no escape routes in the investigation, prosecution, conviction and adequate punishment for this heinous crime.”

Atiku also commiserated with the family of late Omozuwa.

“I just spoke to the family of the late Uwa Omozuwa.

I expressed my deepest condolences over her rape and murder. I feel their anguish.

Sadly, rape is now a pandemic in our country,” he said.

While lamenting the increase

in cases of rape Nigeria, Atiku said: “After speaking with the Omozuwa’s family, my attention was drawn to yet another rape and murder of another young lady, Barakat Bello, in Ibadan. As a father, I know what it is like to deal with such a loss. We are racing against time.”

The former vice president called for quick investigations into all the cases of rape and to ensure that the culprits are brought to book.

He added that: “It is crucial that the rapist(s) of Barakat and all other victims are speedily brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to others.”

ON-THE-SPOT ASSESSMENT…

L-R: Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Chairman of Governing Council of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo; state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Greg Nnaji; and Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor, Prof. Malachy Okwueze; during the inspection of the ongoing massive infrastructural development in IMT, Enugu... yesterday

Orji Kalu Regains Freedom A former Abia State Governor, Orji Kalu, yesterday regained his freedom following his release from Kuje Custodial Centre by the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS).

This was in obedience

to the Tuesday order of a Federal High Court in Lagos.

The NCoS spokesman, DCC Austin Njoku, who confirmed the development, said the senator was freed at 5:05 pm.

He said, “Ex-governor

Orji Kalu was released from custody at exactly 5:05 pm on Wednesday. He was discharged after we received the court warrant on his release.”

Kalu was jailed for 12 years

on December 5, 2019, after he was convicted of N7.1 billion fraud alongside his firm, Slok Nigeria Ltd., and a former Director of Finance in Abia State, Jones Udeogu.

RMAFC Opposes Police Request to Draw Funding from Treasury James Emejo in Abuja The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has declined the request recently made by the Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi to make deductions from the Federation Account for funding of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund.

Citing a constitutional breach in such request, the Chairman, RMAFC, Mr. Elias Mbam said in a statement that “sources of the trust fund, which shall consist of the amount consisting 0.5 per

cent of the total revenue accruing to the federation account is inconsistent with the provision of S.162(3) of the 1999 constitution as amended.”

“The S.4 (1) (a) of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act 2019 is inconsistent with the provision of the constitution cited above.

“Any law that is inconsistent with the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that law shall be null and void to the extent of its inconsistency.

“The Supreme Court had laid to rest the proper mode of distribution of funds according

to Federation Account in Accountant General (AG) of the Federation Vs A- G of Abia State (NO. 2)(2002)6 NWLR, Pt. 764. 542, when it declared as unconstitutional, null and void the following: “The funding of the judiciary as a first line charge on the Federation Account; servicing of external debt as a first line charge on the Federation Account; funding of joint venture contracts and NNPC priority project as a first line charge on the Federation Account; unilateral allocation of one per cent of revenue in the Federation

Account to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); that the only beneficiaries to the Federation Account are the federal government, state governments and local government councils in each state as provided in S. 162(3) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Mbam said in view of the above, RMAFC objected to the request made by the Minister of Police Affairs for the funding of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund as requested via the 0.5 per cent of the total revenue accruing to the federation account.

Bolingo Hotel Denies Being Used as Isolation Centre Bolingo Hotels and Towers yesterday told its clients and the general public that it was one of the top Abuja Hotels considered by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for use as isolation centre but was not eventually used as an

isolation centre for evacuated Nigerians stranded abroad.

In a statement signed by the Hotel’s General Manager, Mr. Dennis Enoyi, the hotel disclosed that the NCDC considered its luxury 350-room facility as one of its isolation centres

but ultimately was not used for this purpose.

He further said, “the Hotel has applied the approved new protocols for the safety and comfort of our guests, and will continue to provide the best services to ensure a healthy

and pleasant stay.”

Enoyi added that the hotel supports the NCDC and the federal government in its fight to eliminate COVID 19 from Nigeria as it did, when it gallantly fought and defeated Ebola some years ago

SERAP Drags Buhari, N’Assembly to UN over Cuts in 2020 Budget Udora Orizu in Abuja

Mrs. Charity Ekere Ajuno

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an urgent appeal to three United Nations special rapporteurs, Koumbou Boly Barry, Dainius Puras and Olivier De Schutter, urging them to use their mandates to

urgently request the Nigerian Government and the leadership of the National Assembly to immediately reverse budget cuts to education and healthcare, and to stop the authorities from spending N27billion to renovate the National Assembly complex.

In the revised 2020 budget approved last Tuesday, the

federal government gave the National Assembly N27 billion for the renovation of its complex, and cut health and Universal Basic Education budgets by over 50 percent. While the health budget is reduced from N44.4billion to N25.5billion, the UBE budget is reduced from N111.7billion to N51.1billion.

In the appeal dated June 3 which was signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation noted that the budget deficits are caused by excessive expenditures on politicians, and yet Nigerian authorities are putting politicians’ allowances and comfort before citizens’ human rights.

THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Niger APC Crisis Deepens as Police Detain State Chairman

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Crisis seems to be presently beclouding the Niger State chapter of the All Progressives

Congress (APC) which has led to a crack in the state executive and working committees of the party.

Following a petition by the

NLC Condemns Cuts in Health, Education Budgets Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), yesterday criticised the decision of the federal government to heavily slash the budget of primary healthcare from N44.4 billion to N25.5 billion and the Universal Basic Education (UBE) budget from N111.7 billion to N51.1 billion, while it only slightly slashed the budget for the renovation of the National Assembly complex from N37 billion to N27.7 billion.

Worried that the budget for the renovation of the National Assembly complex was reduced by only by 25.1 per cent, while that of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, which is meant to cater for all the primary healthcare centres across the 774 local government areas in the country, was significantly reduced to more than 42.5 per cent, the organised labour said government was ill-advised in its calculation.

A member of the Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, who is also a former Vice President of the Congress, Comrade Issa Aremu, who was a guest speaker on the Morning Show of ARISE NEWS Channel, a sister broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, has however faulted

the uneven cut in the budgetary allocations.

According to him, government must begin to think along the line of the new normal, presented by the effect of COVID-19, by doing something completely different from the old ways of governance.

Aremu said government must have a rethink about the healthcare system of the country, which he said was already in a sorry state, and must ensure that enough budget is channeled to the health and education sectors of the country.

“Long-time poor funding of the healthcare and education sector led to the decay of these sectors, which became worsened by the effect of COVID-19 that took the world by surprise. The federal government is fund of allocating heavy budgets to non-priority sectors of the economy leaving out the priority sectors like education and primary healthcare. The federal government should be more concerned about saving the lives of Nigerians through the provision of adequate healthcare facilities in our hospitals, as well as ensuring the provision of sound education for its citizens, and think less about the renovation of the National Assembly complex that is already in good shape,” Aremu said.

BUA Gets FG’s Approval to Reopen $400m Facility in Rivers After seven months of dispute between BUA Group and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) over the stoppage of the inauguration of the $400 million BUA Ports and Terminal, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the company, yesterday, disclosed that it had received the approval from the federal government to reopen the port terminal immediately for operations.

BUA said in a statement that it has received official communications to that effect in line with its decision and stand that all parties respect the content and the spirit of the concession agreement of the facility.

The company explained that it remained committed and has put in place structures to develop a best –in-class terminal at the Rivers port to serve not only users of the port but also the recently constructed $400 million foods manufacturing complex adjacent to the terminal.

“We are pleased to inform our stakeholders and the public that we have received official communication to that effect; .The notice of termination issued by the Nigerian Ports Authority sometimes last year against our River Ports-based BUA Ports and Terminal to be withdrawn forthwith. The ongoing arbitration at the

London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) be discontinued and, that the BUA terminals be re-opened immediately for operations.

“This decision is in line with our earlier and consistent stand that all parties respect the content and the spirit of the concession agreement of the facility.

“We also want to thank unequivocally – our dear customers, employees, dockworkers and other stakeholders for your patience, support and keeping faith with us throughout this period.

“BUA remains committed and has put in place structures to develop a best –in-class terminal at the Rivers port to serve not only users of the Rivers port but also, the recently constructed $400 million foods manufacturing complex adjacent to the terminal. “BUA remains a law-abiding corporate citizen and is looking forward to working with the management of Nigerian Port Authority in resolving any outstanding issues and making Eastern Ports one of the best in the country.

The company emphasised that it is looking forward to kick-starting operations at its terminals to once again provide the excellent services that has become its trademark.

Financial Secretary of the party, Mallam Idris Nma Mohammed, police in Minna last Tuesday evening invited and detained the state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Mohammed Jibrin Imam.

Imam’s detention by the police came about an hour after he presided over the State Working Committee of the party where the issue of the petition by the party Financial Secretary, Mohammed, was discussed.

The meeting, THISDAY learnt, resolved to set up a five-man panel to look into action of the

financial secretary for allegedly violating the letters of the party constitution. The panel is to determine if the financial secretary has violated any section of the APC constitution by divulging sensitive information to the public without exhausting laid down procedure, Imam said.

“For a member to divulge information about the party without the party’s consent, and even went to the Police, thereby reneging on the laws, is anti-party act. All executive members swore to the oath to

abide by the party’s constitution.

“The financial secretary is mischievous; we have set up a five-man committee, and he has been directed to appear before the committee,” Imam said However, the financial secretary, flanked by the state Auditor of the party, Malam Adamu Baba Mohammed, after the SWC meeting which they also attended, told journalists that “I will not appear before any kangaroo panel.

“The meeting of today (Tuesday) is a kangaroo meeting,

and I will not appear before any kangaroo panel. I am ready to prove my allegation of corruption.”

He and the auditor claimed that the nearly N2billion generated by the party from various sources, including donations, monthly contributions from members, revenue from sale of nomination forms for national, state and local government elections, has been illegally withdrawn from the banks and diverted to private pockets.

WELCOME TO EASTERN HEARTLAND...

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma (left), and Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, during the visit of the Bishop to the governor at the Government House, Owerri...yesterday

WORLD BANK URGES COUNTRIES TO HASTEN REVIVAL OF ECONOMIES That is the way to give the needed momentum to the economy to mitigate the imminent recession, retain jobs, and improve productivity.”

He said the new guidelines by the federal government represented another step forward in the struggle to come back to normality, adding that some of the measures could contradictory and not satisfy the urgent need to reopen the economy fully.

He stated: “The question is why retain the curfew and the slight shift to from 10.00 p.m to 4.00 a.m? We don’t think this is necessary. It has an impact on production. How do night shift workers get to work? How do we keep production lines continuous at a period we need to ramp up production?

We don’t think the interstate lockdown is necessary any longer.”

However, the DirectorGeneral of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Muda Yusuf, lauded the measures announced by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

But he stressed the need to get the economy back on track without compromising COVID-19 protocols through the implementation of specific policy measures that would enable the businesses to launch back in full force.

These measures, according to him, include the granting of zero import duty on raw materials and equipment meant for the health sector as well as

the extension for six months, of import duty waiver for raw materials and intermediate products for manufacturing concerns.

“Import duty waiver on machinery without the need for any bureaucracy, for at least 12 months would facilitate the completion of ongoing projects by industrialists. The country needs growth and should encourage the completion of these projects to encourage job creation,” Yusuf said, adding that “agro-processing inputs should enjoy import duty waiver for one year.”

He noted that it’s instructive that restrictions on the hospitality and aviation sectors were relaxed because the hospitality sector is “labour intensive and highly employment elastic. It also has robust multiplier effects on many other sectors of the economy because of its extensive value chain.”

Similarly, the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Dr. Timothy Olawale, commended the federal government for adhering to the concerns of businesses to further relax the lockdown and open up the economy for more commercial activities.

However, Olawale called on the government to boost the economy by granting interestfree loans to companies in order to aid their recovery process from the effect of COVID-19.

He noted that this would enable companies to retain their employees, continue

production and settle critical financial needs.

He said: “Issues on taxes and levies should be suspended for at least the next six to 12 months to enable companies to retain funds that would be deployed in their operations and ameliorate the challenges posed by the operating business environment.

“Power supply is very important as businesses rely on power for their activities, especially the manufacturing concerns. Regulatory agencies should also aid accelerated economic activities by avoiding complications in the operations of businesses, especially, when businesses were practically closed down for months.”

Olawale also observed that the implications of the retention of curfew, on the manufacturing sector, could be grave as companies that operate two shifts of day and night would be constrained by compliance with the curfew.

He said: “We implore state governments to grant waiver for manufacturing outfits that have day and night shifts to operate provided the workers are in the premises of the company within the period.

“In our views, we believe that keeping the entire economy locked down would not eliminate the spread of the virus, nevertheless, we are of the view that the economy should have been totally opened for full business operation while businesses and individual adhere strictly to the guidelines

in preventing the spread of the virus.

“We are of the opinion that sustaining the ban on interstate travel cannot address the current pandemic within the context of our dear nation.”

Financial analysts also commended the decision of the federal government to completely reopen banking activities as one that would boost lending to critical sectors that needed funding urgently.

Speaking to THISDAY, the Managing Director of Kairos Capital, Mr. Sam Chidoka, said the decision to reopen the economy was the best at this time.

Chidoka said: “There is an economy that needs to be run.

If you don’t run the economy, people are also going to be affected by issues around poverty and lack of access to medical care.

“Whether we have done it early or too late, only time would tell but I think that it is necessary we open the economy back. We cannot perpetually lock down the economy.”

Also, Senior Analyst, Financial Institutions Ratings, Agusto and Co., Mrs. Ada Ufomadu, said: “Opening up the economy now is good and is something we need for banks that are looking to lend to certain sectors they call resilient sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, energy and more.

So, opening up the economy is good for the banks, which have opportunities to thrive in this period.”

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Ëœ ÍźËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

A F T E R M AT H O F P O L I C E B R U TA L I T Y

Former Man City Defender, Onuoha, Feels Unsafe in USA In the wake of racial injustices on African Americans and blacks by police personnel in the United States of America, Real Salt Lake defender, Nedum Onuoha, has expressed “fear and distrust� of the country’s security system.

The killing of unarmed George Floyd by a white policeman is largely responsible

for the civil rights protests sweep across the country since last weekend.

Onuoha moved to Major League Soccer in 2018 after spells at Manchester City, Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers in the English topflight. “I am always very wary of how I behave and how it could

Berbatov Tasks Ighalo to Fight for Man Utd Permanent Shirt Femi Solaja with agency report With the euphoria that greeted Odion Ighalo’s loan extension at Old Trafford, former Manchester United forward, Dimitar Berbatov, has urged the former Super Eagles striker to “fight for a permanent contract� and not the super sub role he is expected to play when the season restarts on June 17.

Ighalo was due to return to his parent club Shanghai Shenhua at the end of May after a five-month stint at Old Trafford, but the former English Premiership champions were reluctant to lose a man who proved to be a surprise hit among supporters before the 2019-20 season was suspended due

Dimitar Berbatov...wants Odion Ighalo to aim for permanent deal at Man Utd

to the coronavirus outbreak.

And last Monday the two clubs reached an agreement that enables the highest goal scorer at the last AFCON 2019 tournament to fulfil his heart desire to reject mega pay in China and remain with one of the elite clubs in the world.

Ighalo, whose only previous Premier League experience was at Watford between 2015 and 2017, scored four goals in his first three starts for United after signing for the club on winter deadline day last January.

He has proved himself as a more than capable backup striker in the absence of the injured Marcus Rashford.

Now, he’s due to compete alongside the England international, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood for a starting place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad when the Premier League resumes on June 17.

And former Bulgarian star, Berbatov, has been impressed by the impact Ighalo has had at the Theatre of Dreams in such a short period of time, and thinks he should build on a bright start to life in Manchester by trying to convince United to sign him outright. “It is great news, for club and player, that United have extended the loan of Odion Ighalo,� the former United centre-forward told Betfair.

be viewed by people who have power,� Onuoha, 33, told the BBC Sports yesterday. “For me personally, overall I don’t like to say it but I have a fear and distrust towards police.�

Onuoha highlighted America’s gun culture and the widespread use of armed police as reasons why he felt less safe in the United States. “In the UK, I am more comfortable because if

something happens it probably will not be deadly – but over here because of their rights it is more common that altercations become deadly,� he said. “When it comes to any kind of brutality, if it’s from the police, if they read me the wrong way then my life could be taken. I feel that every single day. It is not just me but everybody else as well.�

Onuoha said he was trying to avoid being over-critical of

the police and admitted there were good officers. “But the fact is over here they are just people from society with a badge and a gun and a lot more power,� he added. “If you worry about the man next door, why would you not worry about the person patrolling the streets who now has more power, more guns but the same views? “I never go out and feel 100 percent safe.�

Newcastle defender and US international DeAndre Yedlin has also revealed his grandfather is glad he is playing in England because he would fear for his life back home. “A couple days after George Floyd’s death, my grandfather texted me and told me he’s glad that I am not living in the US right now because he would fear for my life as a young black man,� Yedlin posted on Twitter.

Nedum Onuoha...feeling unsafe in America

Real Madrid Brace for Laliga Restart Like World Cup The 2019/20 season will go down in football history as one of the strangest. The title will be won by the players as always, but the physios who prepared them for the 11 games in 39 days in soaring temperatures will have played a bigger part than ever.

As Spain’s Diario AS put it on Tuesday, Real Madrid’s Gregory Dupont believes there is only one way to go about preparing for the rest of the campaign – treat it like

a World Cup. The 47-year-old fitness guru - known in the game as the ‘Scientist’ for his commitment to, and willingness to use, the latest sports science investigation - knows a thing or two about successfully preparing a group of players for such a tournament: he was France’s physio in Russia two years ago as they lifted the World Cup. “I trust the science and I try to put it into practice in

sport,� he says of his methods. “Fifteen years ago there was not that knitting together of the two fields.�

A modest player in the Belgian leagues before dedicating himself to preparing players, Dupont’s single biggest challenge is to get the best out of Eden Hazard.

The former Chelsea forward might well be the difference between Real Madrid eliminating Barcelona’s

two-point lead over them, and winning the league. He knows Hazard well from his time as Lille physio where both men first caught they eye for being exceptional at what they did.

Dupont was signed by Real Madrid at the start of this season in a bid to make the team better physically.

Zinedine Zidane had returned to the club but did not want his previous physio Antonio Pintus working with him into the new campaign.

as coach of Argentine side Gimnasia y Esgrima until the end of the 2020-2021 season after extending his contract, the club said on Wednesday.

Although it gave no details,

as Triperos, tweeted: “For us, you are one more Tripero and your heart is as blue and white as ours. GIMNASIA 2021 MARADONA.�

The 1986 World Cup winner

September 2019 when they were bottom of the first division.

Although their results improved, they were still heading for relegation when

cancelled in April.

However, the Argentine football association subsequently voted to suspend relegation, saving Maradona’s charges from the drop.

U.S Born Swimmer, Adejumo, Maradona Extends Contract as Gimnasia Coach Wants to Represent Nigeria Diego Maradona will remain the club whose fans are known took charge at Gimnasia in the Argentine season was A United States of Americaborn swimmer, Philip Adejumo, has stated why he dumped his place of birth and residence to pick to represent Nigeria.

Adejumo revealed this to BCOS TV’s Boluwaji Ogunmola that he decided to represent Nigeria because he believes he had more to offer Nigeria than to the US. The dark skinned swimmer while featuring on BCOS TV sports programme produced

by Adewale Tijani ‘Fans Forum’ added that his decision to don the green – white – green of Nigeria was hinged on his belief that Africa’s most populous country would give him greater opportunities to showcase his talents. � I opted for Nigeria because I believe that they will give me better chance to compete

at the highest level,� Adejumo said on Fans Forum.

The swimmer added that he has no regrets about his decision to represent Nigeria. “I was not disappointed.

Nigerian officials welcomed me wholeheartedly with my Oyinbo accent, and they are very supportive of me. In fact, joining Nigeria is my best ever decision�, he stated.

A lover of Nigerian musicians like Davido, Wiz Kid and Burna Boy, Philip Adejumo was born in the U.S to Nigerian parents who hailed from Ogbomoso, Oyo state.

Adejumo, who started swimming at the age of six, is the fastest Nigerian swimmer in the 100 metres free style and butterfly events.

He is also a five time National Record Holder.

Barca Stars Reject Another Fresh Wage Cut Barcelona players face having to take yet another wage cut having already agreed to a 70 per cent reduction in March.

Quique Setien’s men agreed to a substantial cut in their wages in order to help the club navigate the coronavirus crisis, while also taking other financial cuts in order to help non-playing staff receive pay at the Nou Camp.

However, according to Dario AS, President Josep Bartomeu has asked Lionel Messi and his team-mates to take a further

round of cuts.

Bartomeu visited the training facilities on May 23, where it is reported he told players that further savings needed to be made, to the tune of ÂŁ9million.

The players were reported to have rejected the fresh demand from the club hierarchy despite earlier voluntarily giving up a combined ÂŁ12.5m (â‚Ź14m) in wages between them.

Tensions within the club are fraught due to the actions of the Barcelona board.

Players were under the

impression that their wage cut would be used towards guarding the jobs of nonplaying staff.

However, Barcelona announced that it would not be covering their costs, instead deciding to furlough employees using Spain’s ERTE scheme.

This was decided before any decision had been made

by LaLiga as to whether the season would be played to a conclusion or not.

It also came after a

declaration from Bartomeu that the club were on track to break the â‚Ź1billion barrier in revenue this year. “Before February we were operating at an even better rate than we had predicted,â€? he said. “It was the highest rate in our history.â€?

The Spanish season is set to resume on June 11 after the government gave it the green light to continue.

Barcelona are currently top of the table, two points ahead of Real Madrid.

47

Ëœ ÍźËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

CAF Competitions to Return July/August The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has proposed two different dates to resume the closing stages of both the 2019-20 African Champions League and Confederation Cup. A leaked document has revealed that CAF is targeting two scenarios, with the return to action either starting in late July/early August or in September.

Both competitions should have been finished in May but the semi-final stages were postponed in Aprilas a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

In the first scenario, the first legs of the semi-finals would take place between 31 July-2 August with the second legs the following weekend.

The Confederation Cup final would then be played on 23 August, with the Champions League final taking place five days later.

The second scenario earmarks a return for the

semi-finals on 4-6 and 1113 September, meaning the Confederation Cup final would be on 23 September and the Champions League showpiece on 25 September.

The Champions League and Confederation Cup finals had been set to be hosted in Douala, Cameroon, and Rabat, Morocco, respectively as CAF opted for one-legged finals for the first timebut it is unclear if this will still happen.

In the Champions League, Morocco’s Raja Casablanca are due to meet Zamalek of Egypt while the other tie is also a Moroccan-Egyptian affairas Wydad Casablanca face record eight-time winners Al Ahly.

Morocco cancelled all football on 14 March and has yet to indicate when the sport will resume, with a decision expected after the country’s lockdown ends on 10 June.

Egypt, which suspended football a day later, has also to decide when to resume

Fury Claims Wilder Quest for Trilogy is for Economic Reason

Tyson Fury believes the only reason Deontay Wilder is stepping into a ring with him again is money - and not because he thinks he can regain his WBC world title.

The heavyweight pair are set to meet for the third and final time towards the end of the year after Wilder triggered a clause for a trilogy fight.

That decision came shortly after Fury dismantled him in Las Vegas in February and claimed the WBC belt with a seventh-round stoppage.

Wilder’s decision to challenge Fury again was met with surprise by fans and pundits alike, but the Gypsy King insists he is only motivated by another payday.

Asked on Good Morning Britain if Anthony Joshua was next on his hitlist, Fury replied: ‘Well, there’s all these words of Anthony Joshua and all these other opponents, but old Deontay Wilder still has his third fight

Tyson Fury...

that he has to take.’ Pressed on whether he thought the Bronze Bomber would actually go ahead with the third fight after such a comprehensive defeat last time, Fury added: ‘Well he will do and he’ll take the fight for one pure reason and that reason is called money. ‘He’ll take the fight because there’s a hell of a lot of money on the table and he’s got eight or nine kids to feed. So he’ll definitely take the rematch.’ Fury will be heavy favourite for the third fight, which could take place outside of the UK and America if coronavirus travel restrictions are still in place.

However, the Brit is wary of Wilder’s power and admits that he will still pose a major threat having floored Fury during their drawn first fight in Los Angeles. ‘It’s heavyweight boxing - anything can happen, as we’ve seen, especi

football.

Meanwhile, in the Confederation Cup, Guinea side Horoya will face Egypt’s Pyramids while the other tie is an all-Moroccan affair between Renaissance Berkane and Hassania Agadir.

It is also unclear when Guinean football will resume

but Horoya are seeking permission to resume training in the coming weeks so that they can be ready for their tie.

The delay to the current season has a clear impact on the 2020-21 campaign, which would ordinarily have got underway in August.

Caf is now targeting a

start in October 2020 with the finals to be played in May 2021, with four different scenarios being discussed if the finals are to take place in May. These range from cancelling the quarter-final stage of both competitions to playing both the semis and final in the

same country.

Cancelling the second preliminary round of the Confederations Cup and playing matches at the same time as the European Championships, which might divert fans’ attention, in June-July 2021 are also being considered.

Wydad Casablanca who played in last year’s CAF Champions League final are in the last four stage of the 2019/20 edition

Benjamin Odeje: At Last, Honour Before Dusk It took nearly a life time for recognition and honour to come the way of Benjamin Odeje, the Delta-born British footballer. No thanks to the evil of racism which had plagued (and still plagues) the western world.

We must however take solace in the fact that it is better late than never. And that is why 39 years after, Odeje heaves a long sigh of relief as he rightly gets recognised as the first black man to play international soccer in/for England.

It was quite historical that afternoon of March 6,1971 when 22 young boys filed out at the Wembley stadium in England to play a match against Northern Ireland. One of the boys was Benjamin Odeje, a black boy who had made a lot of impact in high school soccer championships in South East London.

Odeje had indeed scored 400 goals in three soccer seasons and he became the toast of soccer fans in S/ East London.

So good he was that the Charlton Athletic manager, Theo Foley had declared that, “Odeje had every chance of reaching the top�.

And he was indeed headed to the top of his soccer career when he got enlisted into the English soccer team by his coach, Roy Hodgson, who considered him an invaluable player.

Odeje did not disappoint his coach. He played brilliantly that afternoon

Benjamin Odeje....honoured at last as the first black man to play for England

that he was declared the man of the match, as his team won 1-0. The 70,000 filled capacity stadium erupted in his praise. They hailed him as Boy Pele. He was the only black boy in the line up.

Hodgson felt fulfilled that his choice of Odeje was well applauded and rewarding.

But there was a problem: he is black. The fans, even when they lauded his soccer skill demonstrated hatred dressed in racist tendencies.

Too many times, in latter performances, whenever Odeje made a mistake or did not play well enough, he was taunted by even team mates. Worse still, the fans would throw banana at him. The humiliation and embarrassment was much.

As it happened, he got dropped in subsequent outings by his coach, who

may have been compelled to delist Odeje.

Recalling the ugly memories, Odeje noted in an interview in 2016 that, “the home games were ok, but the away games were horrible�.

But those unsavoury memories may have paled into insignificance when recently, the BBC after a long research confirmed that the Delta-born Ben Odeje, was indeed the first black man to represent England in any international football match.

According to BBC news story, “we have spoken to our historian and we can confirm Benjamin Odeje was the first Black player to represent England at any level.�

Similarly, a British Sports writer, Daniel Storey, had remarked that “football

trailblazers Ben Odeje’s debut for England schoolboys in front of 70,000 fans at Wembley had largely been forgotten until recently (in 2013).�

He added further that, “there should be enough praise to go round. But if we are truly to atone for the abhorrent treatment of black sports people in this country, we owe it to them to tell their history completely. Odeje was a child super star�, stressing further that, “an appropriate gesture to recognise his accomplishment is long overdue.�

The recognition had come as a relief for Odeje, who for 39 years had looked forward to that badge of honour in his career. The official pronouncement of him as the first Black man to represent England may have indeed marked the highpoint of his life-long career and has finally set the records straight.

Before now, Laurie Cunningham had been erroneously recognized as the first Black man to represent England. But findings have revealed that Cunnigham had represented England in 1977, six clear years after Odeje had debuted for England.

Ben Odeje, raised in Igbuku-Orogun, Delta State, had resorted to raising young soccer stars in parts of England. He had also nursed the idea of building up football talents in Nigeria by establishing football academies.

Thursday, June 4, 2020

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Price: N250

MISSILE Bola Tinubu to Nigerians “For far too long women and young girls in our nation have suffered the pain, hurt and stigma of gender-based violence and abuse. Too many have been hurt, intimidated and bullied. Too many have died. Such violence is inexcusable. There is nothing that can defend this wrongdoing” – APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, calling for justice over the rape and murder of Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, a University of Benin undergraduate.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Nigeria and The Echoes from Minneapolis

T

he death of an African American, George Floyd, at the hands of a white policeman in Minneapolis has sparked ten days of fierce demonstrations across the United States. It has also elicited global outrage.

But in one of those conversations on social media, a lady wondered why most of our people are ever quick to jump into matters happening in the United States while ignoring worse situations within their own country. She cited the growing number of extrajudicial killings by our police which are largely ignored by the same people obsessed about the death of Floyd in America.

For sure, we have had our own ‘Minneapolis moments’ in Nigeria. On 10th May in Karmo, a suburb of Abuja, a 52-year old businessman, Solomon Eze was killed by a policeman, leading to a protest that was quickly brought under control. On 15th April, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a report on the first two-week lockdown period ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States. According to the NHRC, there were “eight documented incidents of extrajudicial killings leading to 18 deaths” between 30th March and 13th April. These killings were allegedly carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Police and Army.

Interestingly, as at the date of NHCR report, COVID-19 had killed 12 Nigerians!

But there is a difference between police killings in the United States and what has been happening in Nigeria. In the former, the brutality takes a racial coloration primarily against blacks while in the latter, it is more a matter of human rights abuse resulting from faulty weapons training and basic orientation deficiencies. Besides, the real issue in the United States is not just the killings but the inequality and injustice that breed such tragedies in the first place. In fact, most of the people currently protesting the Minneapolis killing may simply find Floyd a symbol of their collective anger.

When you have a divided society along race, ethnic, class, colour or religious lines, and the leadership is deemed to be complicit, the tragedy is what you now see on the streets of America. That is also where a lesson can be drawn by President Muhammadu Buhari who marked the 5th anniversary of his government last Friday.

While no president should be held hostage by those who maliciously reify ethnic or religious prejudices or those who still bellyache five years after suffering an electoral defeat, the pursuit of equity in the distribution of opportunities in a plural society offers not only emotional satisfaction and a psychological sense of belonging to all groups but aids national cohesion and development as well. The perception that President Buhari gives scant regard to our diversity when making critical appointments is at the heart of the crisis of his administration, regardless of whatever may be its concrete achievements. Three recent developments, including the one mentioned by Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd) in his open letter to the president,

Trump highlight this problem.

One, the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, who hails from Sokoto State in the Northwest, proposed for the president a Board of Trustees for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund. For chairman, he picked a retired Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba from Jigawa State. And then for the position of Executive Secretary, he could only think of his kinsman from Sokoto, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto in a heavily tilted eight-member board. The president did not see anything wrong with such a composition before approving it for announcement on 6th May. Two, President Buhari has nominated Fareedah Dankaka (from Kwara State) to chair the Federal Character Commission (FCC). This is against the background that in March 2017, the president had appointed Mr. Muhammad Bello Tukur (from Taraba) as the Commission’s Secretary and Chief Executive Officer. So, the FCC that is established to “promote, monitor and enforce compliance with the principles of proportional sharing of all bureaucratic, economic, media and political posts at all levels of government” already has a leadership that is sectional.

Three, two months ago, the National Judicial Council (NJC) in line with their principle of seniority, recommended Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem to the president for confirmation as substantive president of the court of appeal. Since then, there have been surreptitious moves by the Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to deny Domgban-Mensem the office and elevate the number two man whose religion and ethnicity conform to certain expectations. To achieve this, I have it on good authority that Dongban-Mensem has repeatedly been offered the Greek gift of a promotion to the Supreme Court which she continues to decline. Rather than send her name to the Senate for confirmation, the president last week merely extended Dongban-Mensem’s appointment in acting capacity for another three months.

These are just three of several examples of issues that many, including APC members

in government, feel uncomfortable about even if they do not say so publicly. But Umar, who in 1993 resigned his commission following the annulment of the June 12 presidential election by a military government of which he was a prominent member, has spoken for them. “At the expiration of your 8-year tenure in 2023, your achievements will not be measured solely by the physical infrastructure your administration built.

An enduring legacy would be based on those intangible things like how much you uplifted the spirit and moral tone of the nation...All those who wish you and the country well must mince no words in warning you that Nigeria has become dangerously polarized and risk sliding into crisis on account of your administration’s lopsided appointments which continue to give undue preference to some sections of the country over others,” Umar wrote.

As President Buhari enters the critical sixth year of his administration, he needs to pay more attention to what people are saying. It is good to construct bridges, railways and other infrastructure but as Umar has warned, when it comes to legacy, it is most often intangibles that endure in people’s consciousness. For instance, Buhari may finally give the South-east the Second Niger Bridge that his predecessors could not. That will be a great feat but we may need to remind him that General Ibrahim Babangida built the Third Mainland Bridge without which one cannot imagine how Lagos would be today. And he, more than any other leader, past or present, should be credited with building Abuja. Yet, what most people remember of Babangida is that he annulled the June 12 presidential election!

This then brings us back to the United States. The killing of a black man by a white police officer did not start with the election of President Trump. In August 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri, an African American teenager, Michael Brown was shot dead by a white police officer under President Barack Obama. That killing gave rise to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement and protests that swept across the United States at the time. “What is true about this moment that was also true in 2014 is that these are the symptoms of a centuries-old virus of white supremacy in America,” said Brittany Packnett Cunningham, co-founder of the ‘Campaign Zero’ movement against police violence, last weekend.

Although the late civil rights leader, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. is being quoted profusely, especially by those who deride the looting and arson that accompany some of the current protests, Heather Gray, a former director at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, puts the issue in clearer perspective.

Borrowing extensively from King’s book, ‘Stride Toward Freedom’, Gray speaks to the difference between the nonviolence that he (King) preached and the pacifism that some now advocate in the face of injustice.

She then quoted what King wrote, which is also a warning for a society like ours where moderates are increasingly being ‘radicalized’ by the choices of those who believe temporary power gives them

the latitude to misbehave: “It must be emphasized that nonviolent resistance is not a method for cowards; it does resist. If one uses this method because he is afraid or merely because he lacks instruments of violence, he is not truly nonviolent. This is why Gandhi often said that if cowardice is the only alternative to violence, it is better to fight.”

For a society to thrive and all citizens be at peace with one another, the leader should be seen as fair to all.. While Trump may therefore not be directly held accountable for the death of Floyd or the contradictions within the American society that lead to such killings, his rhetoric and body language before and after coming to power have emboldened white supremacists who see his government as theirs. When a leader promotes one ethnic group, race or religion above another, he/she unwittingly encourages divisions that make progress difficult for any society. As it is in America so it is for Nigeria where perception is now strong that the current administration is less than even-handed in the allocation of national offices and privileges.

Given my own experience as a former presidential spokesman, I know how emotional our people can be about distribution of appointments, even when the benefits go to individuals rather than to their ethnic or religious groups. But one thing is certain: The country cannot pull together when some parts feel alienated or unwanted. While Aso Rock may be compiling its list of appointments by numbers, some other people are also looking at what they consider bigger and more important positions being concentrated in a certain section of the country. If you believe the data from the presidency, the Southwest accounts for 33.7 percent of all appointments under the current administration as against 19.5 percent by the North-west. But we all know how statistics can be deployed for mischief. As someone quite correctly asked, which appointee takes strategic decisions: The DG/CEO of an agency superintending over thousands of employees and resources that are more than those of ten ministries combined or a member of the board of a moribund parastatal that hardly meets? Put more directly, how do you compare a special assistant in the office of the vice president with the Director General of NIMASA or Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in a patronage system?

With a post-Buhari Nigeria being tacitly prepped for geo-political, sectarian and ethnic convulsions due to the mismanagement of our diversity, What the present situation demands is more balance and sensitivity, including how appointments are processed and announced so as not to play into the hands of politicians who could also be using them for their own self-interest.

As we are now learning every day from the United States where President Trump battles rioters who defy his Twitter rants, if you fail to run an inclusive system in a diverse society, you end up with citizens who ‘can’t breathe’ as a result of the excesses of others. And when that happens, you open the door for anarchy and disorder in which everyone loses.

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