FRIDAY 11TH JUNE 2021

FG Exceeding Borrowing Threshold for 2021, Says Ahmed Defends suspension of Twitter’s operations Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, yesterday

admitted that the federal government is exceeding its borrowing plan for 2021, blaming the development on the COVID-19 pandemic and

the fall in oil prices.

In an interview with France 24, monitored by THISDAY yesterday, the minister said inflation had continued

to heighten, worsened by an inadequate supply of foreign exchange, adding that the problems have a lot of multiplier effects on

the economy.

She stated that the fiscal space remains tight now, but the federal government is re-planning, cutting down

non-essential expenditures and providing resources where they are most needed like in the Continued on page 8

Central Bank Plans Digital Currency Launch by December... Page 6 Friday 11 June, 2021 Vol 26. No 9559. Price: N250

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Buhari Approves More Personnel, Salary Increase for Police Force In ARISE NEWS exclusive interview, president orders security agencies to be ruthless (Lead story on page 8, full interview on pages 40, 41)

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

Pompeo Tackles FG, Says 1,500 Christians Killed in 2021

Ejiofor Alike

The immediate past United States Secretary of State, Mr. Mike Pompeo, has said that no fewer than 1,500 Christians have been killed in Nigeria since the beginning of 2021, while others are being held hostage.

Pompeo, who is also a former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, (CIA), in an article titled, ‘The Persecution of Christians in Nigeria Demands Our Attention,’ which was published by the American Centre for Law and Justice (ACLJ) on Wednesday, accused the federal government of not doing enough to protect religious freedom.

He said the Nigerian government had downplayed the attacks on Christians, by characterising them as conflicts between herders and farmers rather than as religiously motivated acts of terror.

“At least 1,500 Christians have already been killed in Nigeria during 2021, and even more, have been kidnapped and are either being held hostage or trafficked. The attacks are brutal. Armed radical Islamic groups arrive in a village during the night, kill the men, rape and murder the women, and kidnap the children. The Nigerian government thus far has sought to downplay the attacks, characterising them as conflicts between herders and farmers rather than as religiously motivated acts of terror,” he said.

He urged the federal government to hold terrorists accountable for such characterisations.

He stated that since “Nigeria has the largest Christian population of any African country – over 80 million, nearly half of its people – it is essential that this persecution

is snuffed out before it becomes even worse.”

According to him, every single day in Nigeria, Christians are not allowed their right to religious freedom, and are being murdered because of their faith in Jesus.

He said no society that denied its people the right to worship according to their beliefs, or that allowed that right to come under attack without consequence could claim to be truly good.

Pompeo said: “Where religious freedom is denied or ignored, you can be sure that tyranny and oppression are soon to follow. That is why a foreign policy that takes seriously the issue of ensuring religious freedom around the world is critical to serving America’s interests. It is why the ongoing persecution and martyrdom of Christians in Nigeria demands our attention and action.”

He said in 2018, 110 schoolgirls were kidnapped

by Boko Haram, and when a deal was sealed to free most of the girls, only one was held back, Leah Sharibu.

“This unbelievably brave and faithful girl refused to renounce her faith as a Christian; and for that reason, Boko Haram refused to release her and condemned her to slavery.

Three years later, she is still being held as a slave by this cowardly terrorist cell in North-east Nigeria,” he said.

Pompeo described Sharibu’s story as tragic, infuriating, and emblematic of a troubling trend of Christian persecution in Nigeria.

Citing Open Doors’ Country Report, Pompeo said more Christians were murdered for their faith in Nigeria than in any other country in the world.

According to him, the number of Christians murdered in Nigeria increased by 60 per cent in 2020.

He said he had personally met with Christian Nigerian leaders and heard their tragic stories of those who had been persecuted because of their faith.

Pompeo stated that during the Trump administration took the important first steps toward dealing with this serious issue in December 2020, when it added Nigeria to the State Department’s “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC) list.

He said the work done by the ACLJ was informative for the State Department when it began to evaluate whether or not to designate Nigeria as a CPC. He said the team at the State Department recognised that

the “Nigerian government was tolerating the systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of the religious freedom of its people, allowing them to suffer at the hands of radical Islamic terror.”

Pompeo said the designation signaled to the Nigerian government that swift action on their part was needed to end the persecution, or there would be further consequences in the form of sanctions and increased diplomatic pressure.

According to him, such a designation was part of the broader Trump administration’s approach to take seriously violations of religious freedom around the world, which also included

declaring the brutal policies of the Chinese Communist Party toward Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang as genocidal.

“Unfortunately, the tragedy in Nigeria persists,” he added.

Pompeo said the ACLJ was actively engaged in the effort to raise awareness of and demand action regarding the ongoing atrocities committed against Christians in Nigeria.

The ACLJ, according to him, has filed its 18th written submission and made critical oral interventions at the UN Human Rights Council regarding the plight of Christians in Nigeria.

He said: “I’m eager to engage in this work with them as we seek to put a stop to

these ongoing tragedies. What is happening to Christians in Nigeria warrants serious action. America has always stood as a beacon for freedom, and we can only back up that responsibility if we take seriously our obligation to stand up for the rights of religious believers around the world. American civil society and the American government need to hold the Nigerian government accountable for its inaction in allowing terrorist organisations like Boko Haram to fester in their nation.

"If the problem is allowed to persist, it will only spread and become worse throughout Africa and around the world.

The killing must end.”

SECURING LAGOS...

L-R: Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Assistant Inspector-General in-charge of Zone 2, Mr. Johnson Kokumo; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Alkali Usman, during the donation of security equipment to the police by the governor in Lagos…yesterday

NNPC Decries Rise in Smuggling of Petroleum Products Peter Uzoho The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday raised the alarm over the continuous rise in the smuggling of petroleum products, despite the establishment of the ‘Operation White’ initiative by the federal government to check smuggling.

The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, in a presentation yesterday at the hearing of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, in Abuja, said the smuggling of petroleum products had become a national challenge that must be addressed urgently to stem the huge loss to the nation.

The hearing was to assess the level of implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy by government agencies and parastatals.

Kyari, in a statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Dr Kennie Obateru, also said the corporation, in collaboration with securitly agencies, had reduced pipeline vandalism to four per cent nationwide.

In an effort to tackle the smuggling of petroleum products and end the attendant losses to the country, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, in October 2019, had established what it termed as "Operation White', with a monitoring team drawn from five agencies of government.

Operation White, according to the ministry, was a transparency initiative aimed at tracking importation and distribution of petroleum products in and out of the country to check smuggling and diversion of products and to stop economic loss to the nation arising from such illicit

movements of white products.

THISDAY had reported that the project was launched separately in Abuja and Lagos at the time and members of the monitoring team were drawn from the NNPC, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Authority (PPPRA) and the Department of State Security (DSS).

The ministry mandated NNPC to drive the project.

But nearly two years after the inauguration of Operation White, nothing has been heard about the initiative.

NNPC's alarm yesterday raises the question as to whether the initiative is actually working or had collapsed after the launch.

THISDAY had made efforts to get reactions from the NNPC, DPR, and the PPPRA on the progress made so far but they

declined to comment.

Kyari also said at yesterday's hearing that the corporation was championing the fight against corruption in the oil and gas industry by emplacing measures to curb graft across its various business portfolios and by enlisting as a partner company of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

According to him, the corporation, as part of its commitment to the war against corruption has set up processes and structures that are irreversible, to ensure transparency and accountability.

He said: “We have created an anti-corruption desk in NNPC that engages the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-corruption agencies on a regular basis.

"The desk ensures that in all our operations, every staff complies to the code

of conduct procedures with consequence management.

We have established regulatory compliant governance charter and transparency policy, this is a mark of our compliance to the anti-corruption strategy.”

Kyari stated that the corporation has automated its business operations thereby reducing opportunities for discretion to the barest minimum as part of measures to promote an institutional framework for entrenching the culture of transparency in its operations.

He added that the corporation, on its own, has reported several infractions such as products diversion and crude oil theft to the police, the EFCC and other investigating agencies of the federal government to stem corruption in the oil and gas industry.

For the first time in 43 years, NNPC, as a part of the evolving culture of transparency and

accountability, published its Audited Financial Statements for 2018 and 2019. We are going to publish that of 2020.

"The AFS is the only document that tells how a company does its transaction.

We are happy that by the time the 2020 AFS will be published, Nigerians will see the dividends of our accountability. Mr. Chairman, no national oil company does what we are doing today,” Kyari said.

The statement said the Senate commended the NNPC for its efforts towards entrenching transparency and stamping out corruption from its system.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari, said it was heartwarming to learn that the NNPC was making great strides towards profitability and urged the corporation to sustain the gains.

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CBN Plans Digital Currency Launch by December Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has unveiled plans to launch a digital currency before December.

The Director, Information

Technology, CBN, Ms. Rakiya Mohammed, said yesterday, during a virtual media briefing at the end of a Bankers Committee meeting that also held virtually that the digital currency would be accessible to all Nigerians.

US Demands Reversal of Twitter’s Suspension Says action has no place in democracy FG migrates to Koo, Indian microblogging platform Chiemelie Ezeobi in Lagos and Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The United States yesterday kicked against the suspension of Twitter’s operations by the federal government and demanded an immediate reversal.

The suspension has forced the federal government and some agencies of government to move to Koo, an Indian microblogging platform, to keep in touch with the public.

In a statement by the spokesman of the US Department of State, Ned Price, the Joe Biden administration expressed concern about the plan to curb the freedom of expression of Nigerians.

According to the government, freedom of expression and access to information, both online and offline, are foundational to prosperous and secure democratic societies.

It stated: “Unduly restricting the ability of Nigerians to report, gather, and disseminate opinions and information has no place a democracy.

“The United States condemns the ongoing suspension of Twitter by the Nigerian government and subsequent threats to arrest and prosecute Nigerians who use Twitter.

“The United States is likewise concerned that the Nigerian National Broadcasting Commission ordered all television and radio broadcasters to cease using Twitter. ‘‘We support Nigeria as it works towards unity peace and prosperity. As its partner, we call on the government to respect its citizens' right to freedom of expression by reversing this suspension.”

The federal government had in furtherance of the suspension, insisted that all Over The Top (OTT) platforms, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, must register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and be licensed by the

NBC to continue operating in the country.

It also rolled out conditions that Twitter must fulfill before the suspension of its operations in Nigeria could be lifted, saying that the platform was suspended because it provided an avenue for people threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had on Wednesday accused Twitter founder, Mr. Jack Dorsey, of helping to fund last October’s #EndSARS protest while allowing the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, use the platform to call for the killing of policemen.

Alleging that Twitter failed to take down Kanu’s tweets despite repeated requests to do so, he listed conditions that must be met even if there is a discussion with Twitter to include that it must now be registered in Nigeria as a business concern.

The federal government had suspended access to the site after Twitter removed a tweet

by Buhari, in which he was alleged to have threatened a section of the country, which the microblogging site said went against its community rules.

The planned launch is coming about six months after the CBN barred deposit money banks and all other financial institutions from any virtual currency transaction.

The CBN, in a circular by its Director of Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Mr. Kevin Amugo, said deposit money banks and other financial institutions were being barred because payments and exchanges using cryptocurrency were untraceable and anonymous, making them susceptible to abuse by criminals, especially in money laundering and terrorism cases.

But Mohammed added that just like everybody has access to cash, everyone would also have access to the central bank’s digital currency.

She said: “Let me state categorically that cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin and the rest of them are not under the control of the central bank; they are purely private decisions that individuals make and are not part of this arrangement.

“We have spent over two years studying this concept of central bank’s digital currency and we have identified the risks.

And it is one of the reasons why I said we are setting up a central governance structure that would involve all industry stakeholders to access all the risks as we continue on this journey.

“Very soon we would make an announcement on the date

for the launch and by the end of the year, we should have the digital currency.”

According to her, about 80 per cent of central banks across the world are presently exploring the possibility of issuing the central bank’s digital currency, saying that Nigeria cannot be left behind.

Shedding more light on the implication of the digital currency, Mohammed said: “You are aware that we have two forms of fiat money: The notes and the coins. So, the central bank's digital currency is the third form of fiat money. So, this digital money is going to complement the cash and note that we have.

“The central bank digital currency will just be as good as you having cash in your pocket. So, if you are having the currency in your pocket, you are as good as having cash on your phone.

“Now, why did we need to go into this? There are different cases that the central bank is looking at. For instance, we have remittances, which is a huge market in Africa. We also know that in the last EFInA report, our target for this year was to achieve 80 per cent financial inclusion. We are about 60 per cent and at the rate we are going, it is unlikely we would meet this target. But the central bank digital currency would accelerate this target.”

She said it would support the cashless policy as well as

innovation, adding that the central bank has a “very clear roadmap on this and we are about to move to the next stage of a proof of consent after which we would start a pilot.”

Also speaking at the media briefing, the Managing Director/ CEO, Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe, said the central bank planned to introduce what he termed local card scheme.

According to him, the initiative would ensure that all card schemes are registered locally.

“The whole idea is that if the card schemes are registered locally, payment would terminate locally and it would enhance the efficiency of the local payment system. It will also minimise the amount of money that banks and other institutions pay when you use foreign cards and help conserve foreign currency.

“So, card schemes, local and international are advised to be registered locally. That way, the overall efficiency of the local payment system would be enhanced,” he said.

His counterpart at Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Nneka OnyealiIkpe, said the Bankers' Committee discussed how the central bank would ensure availability of forex during summer and the return of students to schools in September.

“These are pressure points normally for forex and it has been observed that rates are going up. The CBN said all the banks must make sure there is

forex availability always and anybody who wants to buy forex for BTA, PTA, medicals, students’ fees, and others should be made to get them so that Nigerians would not resort to the parallel market,” she stated.

She said the central bank assured bankers that BDCs would continue to have their weekly allocations, and the banks would have additional allocations.

“The essence is to ensure that all the touchpoints where Nigeria needs legitimate forex are met.

The whole idea is to ensure that the pressure on forex rates is reduced,” she said.

In his contribution, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan, said: “As the economy is being powered to grow post-COVID-19, SMEs continue to be of critical relevance. If you look at the growth recorded in our GDP, the non-oil sector, which is in the agric space, the SME space, contributed significantly to that growth.

“And as part of diversifying our economy and to create employment as well as for SMEs to be able to thrive postCOVID-19, there is a need to continue to assure the availability of forex to meet the needs of SMEs. All banks have been told to ensure that all demand for forex are met and the central bank reiterated its willingness to support the functioning of SMEs.”

FG Joins Koo, Indian Microblogging Platform Meanwhile, barely a week after banning Twitter, the federal government has joined Koo, another platform built by India.

It has already opened an official account on the platform with the handle @nigeriagov and had above 10,000 followers as of press time.

Also, some aides of the government have opened accounts on the app.

According to reports, Koo was built after the Indian government's constant disagreements with Twitter.

ERELU OF IRULAND...

Former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki (left), and his wife, Princess Toyin, during Toyin’s coronation as the Erelu Bobajiro of Iruland, the Oniru of Iruland, Oba Gbolahan Lawal in Oniru, Lagos State…yesterday

Nigeria, Togo Others to Save $58bn from Transnational Power Project Project set for Q3,2023 completion date Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja When completed, the ongoing 330KV West African North-Core interconnection transmission line will save West African countries about $58 billion in annual energy spending, Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has said.

Speaking at the first session of the joint ministerial steering committee of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) in Abuja, Mamman stated that the project would involve the construction of approximately 875 km of 330 kV and 24 km 225 kV transmission lines from Nigeria to Togo, Niger Republic and Benin Republic with associated substations.

The minister explained

that it will also involve the electrification of rural communities located within a 5km radius on both sides of the line, and the implementation of several environmental and social mitigation measures.

According to him, it will further include, among others, the implementation of resettlement action plans to provide compensation for persons and communities affected by the project.

The project is jointly funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the World Bank (WB) and the federal government at a total cost of $568 million.

The operation and maintenance of the entire

infrastructure shall be handed over to the utility companies of the participating countries on completion, Mamman added.

He emphasised that the limited access to electricity as well as the endemic electricity shortages constitute a bottleneck to the socio-economic development of member states, stressing that two-thirds of subSaharan Africa, approximately 600 million people, is without access to electricity, despite the region’s natural resources.

The lack of reliable and affordable electricity, the minister said, significantly constrains economic activity and growth in the countries and affects disproportionally the poorest segment of the population of the sub-region.

Describing the project as a game changer that could shape the energy landscape of the sub-region through effective and efficient power trade, the minister stated that it is considered as one of the priority projects in the infrastructure programme of the WAPP, aimed at facilitating efficient energy trade in the area.

“The World Bank estimates that power trade within the WAPP could lead to cost savings of $58.0 billion per year, enabling covered countries to benefit from more cost-effective hydro or gas-based imports. “ I am fully confident that the completion of this project, in the 3rd quarter of 2023, will come as a sustainable solution and major contributor to the

power sector of West Africa,” he noted.

He said that despite COVID-19 interruption, the project has made considerable progress, stressing that the opening and evaluation of the bids for the substations are planned to be completed by the end of July 2021.

According to him, contract negotiations have already started while potential Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracting for the transmission lines will be completed in time for the start of construction by August 2021.

In his remarks, the Secretary General of WAPP, Apollinaire Ki, noted that the transmission lines will stretch from Birnin Kebbi to Ouagadougou via

Zabori and Niamey and from Zabori to Malanville with five associated processing stations to enable and strengthen electricity exchanges between the countries concerned.

He said that the project is being implemented according to the new model of institutional framework for implementation developed by the WAPP and the countries concerned.

Despite some difficulties encountered, he said the prequalification of construction companies for transmission lines and substations; review of tender documents for transmission lines and substations and launch of bidding documents for the construction of transmission lines and substations had already been completed.

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Sanwo-Olu Asks Security Agencies to Crush Criminals Donates hardware to the police Lagos State Government has tightened the noose on criminal elements, as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu fortifies the armoury of the State Police Command with new hardware and gadgets.

One hundred and fifty units of double cabin vehicles, 30 patrol saloon cars, four highcapacity troop carriers and two anti-riot water cannon vehicles are part of the crimefighting equipment donated to the police, yesterday, by the Lagos Government to strengthen security responses across the state.

President Muhammadu Buhari took inventory and inaugurated the security equipment before Governor Sanwo-Olu handed over the gears to the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr. Alkali Usman, for the use of Lagos Police Command.

The equipment and gadgets were procured through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) - an autonomous agency that partners the private sector and individuals to provide vital support to security agencies.

Buhari said the equipment would go a long way in

boosting the morale of the police, and enhance their capacity to fight crime and combat criminality.

Sanwo-Olu said the investment in the security gadgets was timely, given the setback recorded in security operations occasioned by the coordinated violence that followed the #EndSARS protests, last October.

The State’s Police Command, the governor said, suffered losses in infrastructure and logistics, while the morale of the personnel dropped as a result of the impact.

Since then, the governor pointed out that Lagos had felt the negative effects of the loophole in security architecture, accounting for a rising wave of criminal activities by hoodlums seeking to take advantage of the vulnerability.

He said: “No society can survive without a motivated and well-equipped Police Force.

Hoodlums and criminals know this, hence the relentless attacks on police installations nationwide.

It is our responsibility as government to ensure that criminals’ nefarious aims

are not achieved. They seek to demoralise and destabilise the police and other law enforcement agents, but we will continue to boldly proclaim, ‘Not on our watch!

“Today, Lagos State Government is handing over brand new crime-fighting equipment to the State Police Command as our own way of assisting the Police Force to rebuild, after the violence and massive destruction that followed the #EndSARS protests last October. We are determined to stabilise the security situation in Lagos State, as our own contribution towards lasting national security.”

In addition to the supply of hardware to the police and other security agencies, SanwoOlu said Lagos Government had been building capability in cutting-edge security technology in line with his administration’s Security and Governance pillar, which seeks to transform the state into the 21st century economy.

The governor said the state government had started the phased rollout of security cameras across the metropolis, stating that the objective was

to install the 2,000 surveillance cameras connected to fibre optic network.

The governor vowed to make Lagos inhospitable for criminals and traffic robbers, charging the police not to spare anyone found wanting for armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and banditry.

He said: “State government, in conjunction with the local government, has expended enormous resources on the crime-fighting equipment and other apparatus being handed over today. I urge the police to do everything in their power to ensure that these assets are handled with care and a sense of true ownership and responsibility, so that the gears can last long and maximally deliver the intended outcome, which is sustained security in Lagos.”

Sanwo-Olu used the occasion to, again, make a request for a “Special Economic Status” for Lagos in order to bolster the State’s capacity and efficiency in managing critical infrastructure servicing the national economy.

The governor thanked the President for infrastructure projects sited in Lagos, saying

the Lagos-Ibadan Railway line commissioned by the president remained the most momentous any federal government has made in the state.

President Buhari praised Sanwo-Olu for the investment, saying the governor had shown a true resilient spirit in the face of the massive destruction Lagos suffered last October.

Buhari said the governor did not allow himself to be deterred by the severe setback instead had started to boldly rebuilding the confidence of residents and investors in the state.

He also acknowledged the ‘Rebuild Lagos’ initiative kick-started to replace assets torched by arsonists in the wake of violence, describing the move as “very laudable”.

He enjoined other state governments to emulate Lagos’ “bold and proactive actions”.

The president said: “Let me commend Lagos State for what it is doing in the areas of reinforcement and support for the security agencies in the state. I also commend all the private sector partners who have risen up to the challenge

and partnered with the dtate government in its ongoing battle to quell the upsurge of crime and insecurity. It is my hope that this publicprivate sector partnership will be an example to others to demonstrate similar acts of generosity and responsibility.”

The IG commended the Lagos State government for the gesture, describing SanwoOlu as “a security-conscious” Governor. The police boss said the donation was a game changer in strengthening security in the Southwest region.

Other gadgets donated by the Sanwo-Olu Government to the police include two Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), 200 security patrol bikes, 1,000 units of ballistic vests, 1,000 ballistic helmets, 1,000 handheld walkie talkies, office furniture, and other ancillary resources.

While in Lagos, President Buhari, joined by Governor Sanwo-Olu also commissioned the 156Km Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail, and Deep Blue Security Assets Project to secure the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and The Gulf of Guinea.

earned. There are people who have been there for 10 to 15 years. When you join, you go through the programme and you rise through the system."

The president also downplayed the concerns over which region will produce his successor, saying his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has the final say on whether his successor will emerge from the South or the North.

According to him, the APC’s recently concluded membership registration is designed to rid the party of godfathers and give members across board a say in the party.

“We should allow the party to decide. I have just told you that we have started from the bottom-up and I gave the acting chairman the end of June to submit a report on the convention we are going to conduct and then arrange the general election, all elections till 2023. We have started this from the bottom up so that members of the party will feel they are involved in decision making. Nobody is just going to sit in Lagos and tell them what to do. This is what we are arranging.

“Succession plan depends on the party. We are going to leave that to the party. The party will sit and make a decision by the constituencies that they won and so on. So, those who want to be president, they better

join APC,” he said.

Buhari added that the controversial railway to the Niger Republic will be of immense economic benefits to Nigeria.

When completed, he said, Nigeria would benefit from the import and export trades of Niger Republic, which currently go through Benin Republic.

“How many rail routes do you have? You have to cultivate our neighbours. If you don't, you will be in trouble.

If you could recall, when I came on board, I had to go to Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, which was what happened with Boko Haram. If we were not on good terms with the three countries, Boko Haram would have done worst things to us than this. About Niger, our border with Niger is about 1,400 kilometres. On Niger, I have to tell you this: the Europeans in 1885 sat down with ruler and pencil and drew lines and I say I have first cousins in Niger Republic.

There are Kanuris, there are Hausas, there are Fulanis in Niger Republic, just as there are Yorubas in Republic of Benin. You can't absolutely cut them off.

“But the rail, look at the plan, if you watch the plan and why we are constructing the railway. Niger has discovered oil as you know and we don't want them to go through Benin

Republic. We want them to come through Nigeria. We hope that they will send through Maradi all their exports, through Nigeria rather than through Benin Republic.

“With the roads and the railways working, those from Maiduguri to Port Harcourt, those from Kano to Lagos and so on, definitely, if you make the infrastructure, road, rail, work, I can assure you that Nigerians will keep themselves very busy and they will leave you alone.

"But when the roads are not working, the roads are virtually crippled, people will have so much time to harass you,” he stated.

On how he will spend his time after his presidency in 2023, Buhari said he would retire to his farm.

“I have never avoided my farm. I still have got a number of cattle. When I leave, I will still, go to my farm daily. I will try and

"not something that we take lightly," and that the government had planned talks with the social media company over the issue.

The minister identified accessing available doses as the biggest challenge facing the country's COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Nigeria has so far only received four million of the 43 million vaccines it was promised by the Covax programme, according to the minister, who said the government expected to

vaccinate 70 per cent of its population by next year.

The country’s economy went into recession in 2020, largely due to a drop in oil prices, but Ahmed hoped for a strong upsurge in growth by the end of the year.

The government is planning to create jobs with massive new investment in public works and low-cost housing, she said, while the extra spending would be funded by increasing tax revenue and improving tax collection process.

BUHARI APPROVES MORE PERSONNEL, SALARY INCREASE FOR POLICE FORCE Our Correspondents He stated that the removal of service chiefs and the appointment of officers, who have been at the theatre of operation and command the respect of fellow soldiers will ease the insecurity in the country.

He described the security situation in the North-east and North-west as overwhelming.

However, he said the government was on top of the situation, adding that bandits are now being treated as criminals and are currently suffering heavy casualties but are unwilling to admit it for fear of losing their recruitment constituency.

He said: “Try and appreciate what the federal government has done. One, we have removed all the service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police; made new ones. We allowed them to go round and see the problem. They have been part of it all the time but now they are in charge and we made sure that their priority is to make sure they bring normalcy. They have to accept the responsibility of their offices and perform. We are working very hard on this but we cannot give it much publicity so that we can take the criminals unawares.

“The problem in the Northeast and the South-south we understand them, but the

North-west, same people, same culture, killing each other, stealing each other’s cattle, burning their villages.

"As I said, we are going to treat them in the language they understand. We have given the military and the police power to be ruthless and you watch it, in a few weeks’ time there will be a difference- because we told them, ‘if we keep people away from their farm, we are going to starve and the government cannot control the public.’

"If you allow hunger to permeate the whole society, the government will be in trouble and we don’t want to be in trouble. We are already in enough trouble. I can assure you that sooner than later you will see the difference.”

The president reiterated his commitment to go after the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) by treating them in the language they understand.

He added: "I said it, and we will do it. My statement about speaking the language (they understand) is very simple. It is meant for all criminals in Nigeria. What it means for the IPOB is that I will go after them through the military and police and rid them of their criminal tendencies. I have no regrets whatsoever....."

On allegation that his appointments of service chiefs

were lopsided as they did not reflect federal character, Buhari said he could not be forced to appoint unqualified people.

He added: "You're saying someone who has gone through military and police training all his life should not be appointed to lead the military or police department he works with just because we must balance appointments?

What are you saying? The system didn't restrict anyone from joining the military or the police, and if you decided not to join, we will not force you, but you too will not force us to bring someone who is not qualified in training and experience when it comes to leadership of these institutions just because we want to balance some appointments..."

On the appointment of Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, Buhari stated that he could not just pick anybody because of seniority, adding that he appointed someone who has been in the military, worked and fought with the soldiers, and is well known to them.

He said: "When you look at NNPC, military, the people who have been there for 18 years or 10 years, trained in Zaria, or Abeokuta. They came through the ranks and because they served under all the circumstances and they gradually rise to that status.

Those positions have to be

FG EXCEEDING BORROWING THRESHOLD FOR 2021, SAYS AHMED health sector.

Ahmed described as disturbing a World Bank report, which put a large portion of Nigerians under the poverty line, saying it was caused largely by the COVID-19 pandemic and fall in oil prices.

However, she said the economic sustainability plan was targeting massive recruitment, health insurance, and a review of the poverty indices, to redress the setback COVID-19.

“Our fiscal threshold was

that we shouldn't borrow more than 3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), now we are at about 4 per cent of GDP and that's a target that we are trying to work on and bring down,” she said.

On the revenue side, she stated that the target is to move revenue to GDP from the current 8 per cent to 15 per cent, adding that the 8 per cent is low for the size of the Nigerian economy.

Speaking on the ease of doing business, against the backdrop of the federal

government’s suspension of Twitter’s operations, she said it won't affect Nigeria’s image, as no foreign body should be allowed to cause war in the country.

“You cannot shut out the president of a country and not expect consequences,” the minister added.

She described the suspension of Twitter as a well-thought-out decision, saying it shouldn't affect the country's image in the eyes of international investors.

She said the move was

Continued on page 10

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NEWS

Obasanjo, Abdulsalami, Sultan, Ooni, Others Weigh Options to Tackle Insecurity To meet Buhari Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Eminent Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), met in Abuja yesterday to find solutions to the insecurity and distrust among the people that's driving secessionist agitations.

Although details of the nine-hour meeting, held behind closed doors in Abuja were not made public, THISDAY gathered that they

resolved to seek audience with President Muhammadu Buhari, to pass to him their suggestions on how to tackle the challenges facing the nation.

The meeting, which was convened under the auspices of the Interfaith Initiative for Peace was also attended by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; President of the OhanaezeNdigbo, Ambassador George Obiozor, and Emeritus Archbishop of the Abuja

Catholic Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who with the sultan were the conveners of the meeting.

Other prominent leaders that attended the meeting were a leader of the Southsouth, Chief Edwin Clark and Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.

At the end of the meeting, the leaders left the venue without disclosing their resolutions.

They rebuffed entreaties from journalists to brief them on their decisions.

Some of them who were pressured to speak merely said the agenda was centred around insecurity bedeviling the country.

A former Minister of Agriculture and former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh, told journalists that the meeting discussed things that will be for the goodness of the country.

"We discussed things that are for the good of Nigeria. I am not permitted to speak on the outcome, you will get the

communiqué later," he said.

When asked when the leaders will meet Buhari to further discuss the insecurity crisis, Ogbeh said it would be soon, but no exact date was decided yet.

Onaiyekan also said the meeting, among others, looked into the issue of insecurity in the country.

When asked to give more details on the proceedings at the meeting, Onaiyekan said: "I am not authorised to talk.

We discussed everything and you will get

the communiqué."

However, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, was more forthcoming on their deliberations.

He said: "It was a very fruitful meeting all geared towards making sure that all the challenges we are passing through are addressed. Issues of insecurity in the country was key on the agenda and it was a holistic discussion that covered every aspect of the challenges we are currently facing."

is a nation on the path of self-destruction.’’ ‘‘As Commander-in-chief, my primary responsibility remains the security of the country and the safety of all citizens. Despite the many challenges we are facing, I want Nigerians to rest assured that we will secure this country. ‘‘We will secure our infrastructure, our highways, our communities, and our forests, and we will secure the lives of our people,’’ he said.

The President told members of the Nigeria Police that as the government strives to improve their welfare and capacity, the citizens equally had expectations from them. ‘‘First let me commend the Inspector-General of Police and the entire Force for the recent efforts to restore peace to troubled parts of the country. ‘‘I have charged the Inspector-General to leave no stone unturned in rebuilding the morale of his officers and men, especially in the aftermath of the mindless violence associated with the EndSARS protests, as well as the recent spate of attacks on Police Stations in some parts of the country,'' he said.

poverty, unemployment, the downward spiral of Nigerian currency and other untoward signals."

Ohanaeze, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia said both history and literature had shown that the decision taken by a leader at a critical juncture had a lasting effect on society.

It added: "President Buhari has a choice between dialogue on one hand and an avoidable war against the Igbo on the other. Again, history shows that our thoughts are very infinitesimal to the immutable law of the universe."

The statement said Ohanaeze Ndigbo had followed with deep concern the security sequence targeted at the Igbo; namely: “The deliberate posting of Northern military and police officers at the various strategic locations in the South-east, the special National Security Council meeting, where major decisions were taken for the South-east and the South-south to the utter exclusion of security personnel from the Southeast of Nigeria; the ominous launching of the Operation Restore Peace in the South-east and South-south, the Shoot-onsight order by the Inspector General of Police targeted at the Igbo youths, and the shocking tweet where Mr. President stated that ‘those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand.”

According to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the agitation by IPOB became heightened due to the exclusion of the Igbo in Buhari’s government, adding that the president has not in any way hidden his disdain for those that failed to vote for him en-masse in 2015 and 2019 general elections.

"Ohanaeze Ndigbo has cautioned that the unprecedented lopsidedness of the Nigerian government in favour of the Fulani, to the exclusion of other ethnic groups, especially in the security architecture, will rather exacerbate the internal security challenges in the country. History shows that leaders who espoused ethnocentric ideology, especially in Africa, had often created more problems than they intended to solve,” Ohanaeze said.

BUHARI APPROVES MORE PERSONNEL, SALARY INCREASE FOR POLICE FORCE keep myself busy. Between now and then, I will keep on convincing Nigerians that I mean very well. I will make sure that the few identifiable problems that we have, security, economy, fight against corruption, we will continue to work on it, and as I said, visibly, we have made progress in the North-east, we have made progress in the South-south but I am overwhelmed almost in the North-west and they are going to get it very soon,” he added.

Asked what will be his legacy, he said: “I will like Nigerians to discuss it, I hope they will be fair to me. I wouldn't like to say it myself. I will like Nigerians to try and spend time when we came, both the security and the economy, where we were for the eight years I may be around and try to look at it, I hope Nigerians will be fair to me. This is all I need.”

Directs AGF to Recover Land for Herdsmen On efforts by his administration to resolve the crisis of open grazing, which is the main driver of farmer-herder conflict, Buhari said he had asked the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, to recover designated routes created during the First Republic for cattle movements.

According to him, the land will be recovered from persons who have converted cattle grazing routes to personal use.

He said the grazing routes were designated in the First Republic when “Nigerians use to obey laws” but those routes had been converted.

When asked if he agreed with the AGF’s position that the 17 Southern governors lacked powers to ban open grazing, Buhari said: “You want me to contradict my attorney-general?

“What I did was ask him to go and dig the gazette of the First Republic when people were obeying laws. There were cattle routes and grazing areas.

Cattle routes were for when they (herdsmen) are moving up country, north to south or east to west, they had to go through there.

“If you allow your cattle to stray into any farm, you

are arrested. The farmer is invited to submit his claims.

The khadi or the judge will say pay this amount and if you can’t the cattle is sold.

And if there is any benefit, you are given and people were behaving themselves and in the grazing areas, they built dams, put windmills in some places there were even veterinary departments so that the herders are limited. Their route is known, their grazing area is known.

“But I am telling you, this rushing to the centre (sic) so I asked for the gazette to make sure that those who encroached on these cattle routes and grazing areas will be dispossessed in law and try to bring some order back into the cattle grazing.”

He also condemned the reactions of Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, who had accused him of failing to take actions against herdsmen because they are his Fulani kinsmen.

According to him, although he is a Fulani, Ortom is being unfair to him.

He said he had told Ortom that the herdsmen perpetrating the attacks were not Nigerians.

Buhari added that the Tivs, which form the majority in Benue, and the Fulanis had been engaged in cultural conflicts for a long time.

“The problem is trying to understand the culture of the cattle rearers. There is a cultural difference between the Tivs and the Fulanis. So, the governor of Benue said I am not disciplining the cattle rearers because I am one of them.

“I cannot say I am not one of them, but he is being very unfair to me and I told him that the Nigerian cattle rearer was not carrying anything more than a stick sometimes with a machete to cut some trees and feed his cattle but those sophisticated ones move with AK-47.

“So, from other areas, people rush to Nigeria you know and Fulanis from Mauritania and Central Africa look the same.

So, they feel they are the Nigerian ones and I assure you that we are trying to resuscitate these cattle routes, grazing areas and make them accountable.”

Buhari urged the state governors to also find a lasting solution to the problem.

On when his administration will restore the operations

of Twitter in Nigeria, the president deflected, saying he would keep that to himself.

Asked if it was time for state police in the face of daunting security challenges facing the country, the president said in the past the traditional institutions were effective in tackling security.

He added that recently, two South-west governors visited him to complain about herdsmen encroaching on farmers’ land in their regions.

He said he told the governors that “you know these people more than I do, and you are democratically elected to protect your people.

Don’t sit idly expecting me to do everything, take action.”

Fighting Corruption in Democratic Setting Difficult, Says Buhari Buhari also said that fighting corruption in a democratic setting was a difficult task to accomplish.

According to him, the war against corruption has not been easy for him since he became a democratically elected president.

He, however, added that his administration has succeeded in easing out corrupt public officials without making noise about it.

Buhari stated that much was achieved in the fight against corruption when he was military head of state in the early 80s, adding that “a lot of people were sent to prisons before I was also booted out.”

Responding to the clamour for devolution of powers, the president lamented that the local government system has been killed, adding that if the federal, state and local governments are operated as stipulated in the constitution, the country won't be in a crisis now.

He said: "But the problem is the local government has been virtually killed and this is not good for this country because those who became the local government chairmen have been compromised. If your local government is entitled to receive N300 million and later you are only given N100 million and the chairman will keep quiet.....is that how we will continue?"

More Personnel, Salary Increase for Police

Meanwhile, the president yesterday disclosed that he has directed National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to carry out an upward review of salaries of policemen.

The president also stated that 10,000 new personnel are being recruited into the force, declaring that no administration since 1999 was as committed as his administration in reforming and repositioning the Nigeria Police Force and national policing architecture.

Buhari spoke yesterday in Lagos at the official launch of newly procured security equipment, including hundreds of patrol vans for the state security agencies by the Lagos State Government at the Parade Ground, Police College, Ikeja, Lagos. ‘‘In 2019, I signed into law the Act establishing the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, the first in the history of the Force, to provide guaranteed funding to support Police welfare, logistics and equipment. ‘‘In September 2020, I assented to the Bill amending the Nigeria Police Act, which was originally enacted in 1943. ‘‘This new Act, a vast improvement over the old one, among other things spells out the modalities for the implementation of a National Community Policing Scheme in Nigeria. ‘‘This new scheme will build confidence within our local communities and make them active stakeholders in the safety and security of their environs. ‘‘We are currently recruiting 10,000 new Police officers to reinforce our personnel capacity across the country. In addition to this, I have directed the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to carry out an upward review of Police salaries and benefits,’’ he said.

He reiterated his directive to security operatives to shooton-sight anyone found to be wielding AK-47 and other assault weapons.

The President also vowed that his administration will act firmly and decisively ‘‘against any and all persons fomenting or carrying out attacks on our Police Force and other security personnel.’’

Buhari warned that ‘‘a nation that turns its Police personnel and infrastructure into targets of violence and destruction

President Has a Choice Between War, Dialogue, Says Ohanaeze Meanwhile, the pan Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere and the apex Igbo sociopolitical organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s statements during the interview, faulted his position on some of the issues he addressed.

Afenifere described Buhari as a person who has sheer contempt for Nigerians and is an unrepentant tribalist.

However, Ohanaeze Ndigbo urged him to embrace dialogue, because he has a choice between dialogue and war in the handling of the crisis in the South-east.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo asked Buhari to use dialogue instead of confrontations in tackling the challenge.

The organisation lamented that Nigeria has come to a critical juncture "with the present level of violence in Nigeria, armed robbery, banditry, kidnappings, unknown gunmen, herdsmen menace, Boko Haram, mass

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COMMENT

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

THE MUHAMMADU BUHARI INTERVIEW The President has a good grasp of the issues afflicting the nation, writes Etim Etim

E

ven if it did not break any news, the 90-minute exclusive interview of President Buhari by Nigeria’s cable network, Arise News, did show that the Nigerian leader is not as demented as Farooq Kperoqi would want us to believe.

Consistently over the last five years, Prof Kperoqi, a teacher in a US university and columnist in Nigerian Tribune, has been making the point in his articles that President Buhari is so mentally challenged that he could not hold a 10-minute discussion unaided.

Many of my friends who work in the Villa have discountenanced this assertion vehemently whenever I confronted them, but Kperoqi’s unrelenting repetition of his claim has left me puzzled. The President’s taciturnity, aloofness and near absence in the face of a national turmoil has not done much to dispel Kperoqi’s theory. But watching the interview this morning (Thursday, June 10, 2021), I came away with the impression that the Atlanta-based professor is guilty of blatant exaggerations on the president’s health. There’s no doubt that at 78, Buhari has obviously lost some of his acuity and alertness. Senescence has certainly set in, and this explains why some of his answers were not related to the questions asked. But overall, he is fairly alert mentally and he has a good command of the issues bedeviling the nation.

The interview expectedly covered a wide range of issues: insecurity, Twitter, restructuring and devolution of power, corruption, national debt, IPOB and the South East, appointment of army chief, the Buhari legacy, open grazing and where the next president will come from. These are some of the key topics that have seized our national conversation in the last several years, and so most of the president’s answers were quite predictable. On insecurity, the president says he was almost overwhelmed by the violence in the North Western region given that the people there are of homogenous culture, religion and tradition. He however noted that the law enforcement agencies have risen to the challenge. “We closed the mines and drove away illegal miners from Zamfara State, and this has helped to reduce banditry in the area’’, Buhari said. The president wondered why Igbos would want to secede from Nigeria when they live and own massive property all over the nation. On why the president has not considered any Igboman for appointment as a service chief, the president stated that such positions require persons of immense experience, competence and cognate track records. ‘’For the chief of army staff, for example, the person must be well known to the soldiers who are fighting in the field so that they would relate with him very well’’, the President said. This explains why the three army chiefs Buhari has so far appointed have been commanders in the theatre of war in the North East. This is the same consideration that influences the appointment of military chiefs in the US, for example. In May 2015 when President Obama nominated Marine General Joseph Dunford to succeed Gen Martin Dempsey as the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, the President relied heavily on Gen Dunford’s track records. Gen Dunford had served as the Commander of American and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan in 2013 and 2014 and was just before his elevation, the Commandant of the US Marine Corps. Note that Afghanistan was the main theatre of war for the US as at 2015. In fact Obama described Gen Dunford as one of the “most admired officers in our military’’, and someone whose decision-making he trusts.

I was particularly struck at President Buhari’s answer to the question on our huge foreign debts. The Buhari administration has borrowed billions of dollars from China and some multilateral agencies to fund infrastructure. The president said that he inherited decrepit infrastructure and empty treasury, and the economy could not develop

ANOTHER INTERESTING ASPECT OF THE INTERVIEW WAS WHEN THE PRESIDENT WAS ASKED WHAT HIS LEGACY WOULD BE. ‘I WILL LEAVE THAT FOR NIGERIANS TO DECIDE, BUT I HOPE THAT THEY WILL BE FAIR TO ME. NIGERIANS SHOULD JUDGE ME FAIRLY, BASED ON WHAT WE MET WHEN WE CAME IN AND WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO’, THE PRESIDENT SAID

if infrastructure were so bad. He stated that previous administrations earned so much from oil, yet they did not build roads, rail and bridges, so he had to borrow to fix these things. This was the exact same answer I gave in October 2018 when I appeared on the same Arise News morning show. I remember retorting back at the panel when they asked me why whether it was okay for the government to borrow so much: ‘If you travel around the country as I do, you’d notice how bad our roads are. What do you want the president to do? Fold his arms and do nothing’? Successive administrations between 1999 and 2015 have failed to invest on infrastructure. Federal roads were in a terrible state of disrepair and no single rail line was constructed, yet the country earned billions of dollars from crude oil exports. I am sure that the people who stole these resources and stashed them away are now the same people sponsoring violence and negative news against the country. They wouldn’t mind destroying the country, just because they have their “Plan B’’ to run outside the country if, God forbid, crisis erupts.

On open grazing of cattle, the president said: “Two South West governors came to me to report that cattle rearers were destroying farms in their states; I asked them what happened to the grassroot security panels from traditional rulers to local governments who meet regularly to identify the root of their problems and identify crooks within their environment. Who destroyed this system? Go back and fix it, give your people sense of belonging. I don’t like it when people campaign to become governors and people trusted them with their votes and after winning, they can’t perform, they’re trying to push responsibilities to others. ....We have three tiers of government, federal, state and local. We have killed the local government totally. We will send N300m as allocation to a local government, one governor will ask the LG chairman to sign that he collected N300m but he will give him N100m and the chairman will keep quiet.....is that how we will continue?” This is vintage Buhari. Plain and blunt. The president is essentially complaining about corruption among the governors and their inability to rise to their responsibilities. In my article in The Guardian titled “Niger Delta and the search for peace”, I note that many governors are so afraid of confronting criminals in their states, yet they keep collecting huge sums as security votes.

Another interesting aspect of the interview was when the president was asked what his legacy would be. “I will leave that for Nigerians to decide, but I hope that they will be fair to me. Nigerians should judge me fairly, based on what we met when we came in and what we have been able to do’’, the President said, noting that he will return to his farm when he leaves office. The huge security challenges which have enveloped the country have almost completely obliterated whatever achievements this administration has managed to record. The president risks being remembered as the peace-time leader under whom most Nigerians died. In my article titled ‘’Buhari’s legacy; Osinbajo’s burden’’ and published in The Guardian of February 5, 2021, I made the point that after eight years, the whole of Buhari’s legacy would be defined, not by the rails and roads he’d built, but by how well and safe Nigerians had lived under him. Let me end by commending Arise News, our own CNN, for consistently improving in its offerings as the nation’s only international cable channel. The Morning Show has become the most popular of the breakfast shows on our TV. The interview team comprised Nduka Obaigbena (Chairman of Arise News and Publisher of THISDAY Newspaper; Segun Adeniyi, Chairman of THISDAY Editorial Board, Reuben Abati and Tundun Abiola).

Etim is a Journalist

ON THE TWITTER BAN The ban is a breach of fundamental human rights of expression, argues Adewale Kupoluyi

T

he media have been awash with the federal government’s suspension of the operations of Twitter in Nigeria.

Ordinarily, such a tough and sensitive decision is seriously generating mixed feelings among the people going by the influence that Twitter wields within the social media world. The suspension, which was initially referred to as ‘indefinite’, was later tagged ‘temporary’ regarding micro-blogging and social networking service in the country, citing the persistent use of the platform for activities capable of undermining the nation’s corporate existence and other social media platforms, where misinformation and fake news spread, culminating in the commencement of the process of licensing all Over-the-Top (OTT) and social media operations.

Despite wide criticism by local and international observers, government officials keep maintaining that the decision of Twitter to place an embargo on the account of President Muhammadu Buhari was selective and unjustified, but the network had insisted that its action was right and in order. No doubt, the advent of the New Media remains a boost to information and communication technology, as about 40 million Nigerians are said to have active Twitter accounts, according to NOI polls; a public opinion and research organisation while the network is also ranked as the sixth-most used social media platform in the country. Today, information can promptly be sent and received from one remote

part of the globe to another within seconds. That is the beauty of social media. On the other hand, fake news, cybercrimes, intrusion into privacy; addiction, and hate speech have been associated with this technology. However, no matter how we may look at it, the coming of social media has definitely been a plus to humanity. Taking a look at the President’s message that got him sanctioned, the retired general had threatened to deal with separatist groups accused of violence, saying that “Many of those misbehaving, today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand”. Ordinarily, one is tempted to feel that Buhari was merely expressing his opinion on how to prevent ‘trouble-makers’ from causing mayhem in the country. This is not exactly correct. However, there are a number of issues that need to be examined concerning the controversial tweet. How did we get to this point where there is alarming insecurity in the land? Why are secessionists’ agitations becoming louder by the day and across the country? What is prompting the various ethnic and tribal affiliations to be fed up with staying together under the same umbrella or country?

The truth is that presently, Nigeria is more divided than ever before. Apart from the general insecurity and near-comatose economy, the distribution of national wealth remains highly uneven, appointments into key political offices are skewed in favour

of certain parts of the country at the disadvantage of the majority while flagrant and continued outbursts by some religious and political leaders are perceived as a clear violation of mutual respect for others through the backing. It is for these reasons that the nation is constantly engulfed in undue tension and militarisation, sectarian crises, ethic violence, youth restiveness, religious intolerance, and political turmoil, and the call for restructuring, secession, constitutional amendment, and a revisit to the national question.

In view of the anxiety and tension brewing across the country, the tweet of Buhari can be described as ill-timed and hence, the reason why his account was suspended. The current administration cannot be exonerated from the many challenges facing the nation because of the way and manner that insecurity has been handled and the failure to apprehend and prosecute culprits fanning the embers of discord in the country. Even the fight against corruption that forms a cardinal programme under the Buhari administration has been tagged as selective and not well handled. What many Nigerians had expected was an assurance from the president himself, not by his proxy that the fears and concerns of the people are adequately being addressed and not to come up with volatile message that can create more problems in the polity.

Another issue of worry is the quality of communications being churned out. Without prejudice, presidential aides are meant to be seasoned

professionals that should never fail to discharge their duties. Unfortunately, many people feel that the appointees seem to have compromised professional ethics all in a bid to satisfy their principals.

This should not be. The Twitter ban could have been averted had the aides done the needful by challenging the action in court. The suspension may eventually not make any difference for many social media users because many of them had started migrating to other platforms, despite threats by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who directed the Department of Public Prosecution to prosecute anyone that flaunts the ban by using Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Those likely to feel the government’s brunt are local employees and service providers that are mainly Nigerians and Nigerian companies since Twitter itself is an international organisation, whose investment in the country cannot be taken to be colossal enough to warrant crippling its operation with the ban. Taking a cursory look at the legal dimension, the ban could be viewed as an attempt to censor dissent voices and stifle the civic space, contrary to Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution that provides for Fundamental Human Rights such as the freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to hold opinions, receive and impart ideas and information without interference.

Dr. Kupoluyi wrote from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

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EDITORIAL AVERTING COVID-19 THIRD WAVE Nigerians should continue to wear their face masks and maintain social distancing

T

he federal government recently warned Nigerians against travelling to countries currently experiencing the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The warning was predicated on the fact that new infections from such places could worsen our fragile situation.

The airlines were also told that they could be fined as high as $3,500 for each passenger coming from these affected countries. To demonstrate its seriousness, the federal government declared 90 travellers who recently visited or arrived from India, Brazil and Turkey as potential health hazards.

According to the chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, these identified individuals failed to observe the newly instituted mandatory protocols recently put in place against the spread of the virus, adding that the public declaration was necessary in other to drive THE NUMBER OF DEATHS home the need for AND INFECTIONS IN THE Nigerians to take LAST FEW WEEKS ACROSS extra care to avert THE COUNTRY IS ENOUGH the third wave of the scourge. MusREMINDER THAT THE tapha further stated PANDEMIC IS STILL VERY that health officials MUCH POTENT would not accept COVID-19 PCR test results older than 72 hours upon passengers’ arrival in Nigeria.

Apart from the named travellers who flouted the country’s COVID-19 protocols, many Nigerians now hardly put on face masks or maintain social distancing. To many, the virus no longer causes serious harm to those infected. However, the number of deaths and infections in the last few weeks across the country is enough reminder that the pandemic is still very much potent.

As at the time of going to press, the country had recorded about 170,000 infections and 2,200

Letters to the Editor

deaths across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). But these relatively low figures should not be taken for granted particularly with what is happening in India which recorded the highest single-day spike of more than 6000 deaths barely 24 hours ago.

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

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

ince the third wave of the pandemic started, India had recorded 2.24 million new COVID-19 cases with 16,257 deaths in the first seven days. The surge has overwhelmed hospitals, morgues and crematoriums and has left families scrambling for scarce medicines and oxygen. Health experts in the country believed mass religious gatherings and political rallies were the major factors that led to this major health disaster. To say the least, Nigeria does not have what it takes to handle such major health crisis.

We therefore call on every Nigerian to sustain the precautions that have ensured the number of infections did not outgrow our fragile health system. Religious clerics, traditional rulers and other stakeholders must lead the efforts for the continued adherence to protocols put in place by the Nigerian government. No time is more apt for the collective effort against COVID-19 than now, especially since the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health have not done much to vaccinate the public. As of this week, less than two million people have been vaccinated in the country for the first dose, while only about 100,000 Nigerians have taken the second jab in a population of over 200 million people.

In the absence of an effective COVID-19 vaccine distribution across board, what the country has for now are the infectious disease protocols which must be adhered to pending when most Nigerians are vaccinated. Under the prevailing circumstance, prevention remains the most plausible cure.

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

ENHANCING EFFECTIVE POLICING WITH INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT

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ith prevailing realities nationwide, any support to the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) would certainly be a great step in the right direction. Indeed, with the increasing anti-police manifestations by gunmen and other protesters alone, the NPF would be greatly encouraged with any initiative that would

help its operations.

Hence, federal government’s recent adoption of the West African Police Information System programme (WAPIS) of the Economic Community of West African States has been described as a very laudable step in providing required support to boost the capacity and capability of the police personnel in the country.

WAPIS is the West African Police Information System programme of the ECOWAS, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL).

The WAPIS Centre was inaugurated by the Minister of Police Affairs at the Force Headquarters, Abuja on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, with state-of-the-art biometric capturing equipment which will be capturing information of suspects and convicted criminals and pooling such information in a centralized database.

The inauguration was sequel to an earlier decision on Wednesday March 24, 2021when the federal government adopted the regulation of the WAPIS National Committee (WANACO) on the system, the data collection and registration centre (DACORE).

Significantly, the database is imperative for effective policing in Nigeria and concerted efforts should be made by the federal government, state and local governments to drive the process through the digitalization of their systems to enable proper documentation of both

citizens, animals and properties.

The WAPIS programme provided the first batch of equipment, which included the deployment and installation of 20 workstation on various law enforcement agencies sites, including Police, Immigration, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

This was followed with three training sessions.

The centre will be the hub for the collation of information on criminal proceeding from the various law enforcement agencies. The subsequent analyzed information will be shared with relevant agencies and partners.

It is remarkable that the federal government through its Ministries/ Departments/Agencies is making concerted efforts to actualize stakeholders’ concern in the ICT sector and citizens’ demand for a reliable database in the country.

The obvious truth is that some critical government agencies like the Police Force are not on the same level of speed with other agencies in the implementation of digitalization and e-government that would enable effective and efficient database in the country.

The Divisional Police stations in the country lack basic ICT infrastructure that would create enabling environment for accurate, real-time and digitalize database that would capture detailed information of people, animals and properties within the police station environment.

The process of writing a statement, generating a report for citizens and the input of biodata and other official engagements in the police stations are done manually, creating an avenue for extortion of citizens and stalling revenue generation for the government.

Besides, most of the criminal records of offenders and properties all over the country are not done electronically so as to enable seamless

transfer to central database and empower criminal investigation officers to cross reference criminal records of offenders.

Currently, modern-day criminal activities are sophisticated and those involved are highly creative and educated based on their access to the information and communication technology tools. This has translated to evasion of arrest and loss of lives and properties in the country.

Criminal activities no longer have boundaries, it involves many people from different background, languages, sex, colour and countries.

They are cooperating in groups across the world to defraud, monitor and kill innocent citizens.

These realities, especially the sophistication of criminal activities and drive to promote e-government and digitization of the economy, must have prompted federal government’s decision to put square pegs in square holes by appointing astute and diligent administrator -Mohammad Maigari Dingyadi - and information and communication expert and driver of e-government in the country - Mr Tope Fashedemi -as Honourable Minister and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police Affairs respectively.

This combination had elicited appropriate policy formulation and implementation as well as confidence from partners, stakeholders and international organizations in the world.

Currently, the ministry is working closely with partners, especially China, to attract more infrastructure, investment, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and security equipment/training programme as well as foreign industries into the country to create more employment opportunities, security and reduce poverty in the country.

Bolaji O. Kazeem Head (Press and Public Relations Unit) Ministry of Police Affairs, Abuja

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JUNE 11, 2021

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POLITICS

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

Dapo Abiodun’s Infrastructural Scorecard in Two Years Kunle Somorin, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State presents a glowing scorecard of the administration’s performance

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gun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has practically left no one in doubt of his commitment to revamping the state of infrastructure in the Gateway State. This, perhaps, is evident in the zeal and sense of purpose with which several abandoned capital projects have been pursued and new constructions undertaken by his administration.

Abiodun, who rode to power on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) following his victory in the March 9, 2019 governorship election in the state, marks the second year anniversary of his administration on Saturday, May 29, 2021.

The mid-term celebration, which also coincides with the governor’s 61st birthday, is significant in many ways and friends, political associates and well-wishers are normally expected to roll out the drums.

However, as it’s the usual practice in this clime, such milestones present another striking opportunity to evaluate the governor and critique his performance in office so far. Indeed, it is the moment of stock-taking and rendering account of stewardship. Of course, one of the areas where Abiodun would inevitably come under public scrutiny is infrastructural development.

In virtually all states of the federation, the dearth of infrastructures is a critical challenge that has impacted negatively on the lives of the people. The perennial deplorable condition of roads, inefficient transportation, epileptic electricity, housing deficit, water and sanitation problems as well as poorly funded health and educational institutions are making both rural and urban areas quite unhabitable.

With a rapidly increasing population, Ogun State, which is the fastest growing investment and commercial destination in the country, has also grappled with this infrastructural decay before the advent of Governor Abiodun.

Abiodun succeeded the immediate past governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who despite carrying out audacious road revolution - mainly concentrated in one section of the state - left many uncompleted capital projects at the end of his tenure and consequently placing heavy debt and financial burden on the successor administration.

At least, 66 capital projects spread across the state, costing several billions of Naira, were abandoned by the Amosun government, according to the report of the Contracts and Projects Review Committee set up by the present administration.

The committee, chaired by President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Adekunle Mokuolu, also revealed damning inconsistencies in the award, execution and administration of contracts during the two-term tenure of the exgovernor. These inconsistencies included improper variation claims; deliberate indebtedness of government on haphazard multi-billion Naira projects; post-2015 procurement infractions; and disregard for Right of Way, relocation and compensation, among others.

Some of the abandoned projects inherited by the Abiodun-led administration included the Judicial Complex, Kobape; 250-bed Specialist Hospital, Oke-Mosan; Deputy Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan; Kuto flyover; NNPC - Kuto road expansion; Ajitadun-Adatan flyover, expansion of Ilaro-Owode Road and Lafenwa-Rounda Road, among others.

Since assuming the leadership of the state, Abiodun has taken measures to review some of the projects, contracts and decisions of his predecessor. Some of the decisions, especially those taken at the twilight of the last administration, were

reversed.

On July 23, 2019, the state government announced the setting up of the Mokuoluled committee. When he subsequently inaugurated the committee on July 30, 2019,

Governor Abiodun charged its members to ensure the mandate vested on them yielded optimal results. The committee chairman, in turn, assured that the panel would come up with a blueprint that would help govern-

Taking the Legislature Back to the People Mon-Charles Egbo, Print Media Aide to the Senate President writes that the clouded view of the public at the National Assembly has blocked a clear appreciation of many commendable strides of the present serving senators

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hen Ahmad Lawan championed a people-oriented legislature, perhaps it made meaning to only a few. But when the British prime minister, Boris Johnson, echoed it six months later, it resonated with many. While Lawan had declared that, “in the laws we enact, in the oversight and representations we undertake, the wellbeing of the Nigerian people will always be our priority” and also that “an annual report titled, “Senate That Works for the People, will be published”; Johnson announced to the Britons that “we will work round the clock to repay your trust and to deliver on your priorities with a parliament that works for you”. By these statesmen simply, an ideal legislature must be about the people, providing solutions, and diligently committed to creating pathways for good governance.

However, a fair assessment of the 9th senate would require an appreciation of some underlying realities.

Primarily, this senate is grappling with a heavy burden of prejudice manifesting as public cooperation and support deficit.

This is because it inherited image and reputational crises arising from the actions and inaction of the past assemblies.

Again, parliaments are corporately rated based on oversight duties and legislations, but because of the state of the economy and level of infrastructural decay, which incidentally also preceded the 9th national assembly, the masses now judge legislators based on the number of projects executed and lives touched through direct economic assistance. The public expects the national assembly to usurp the duties of the executive to be seen as ‘performing’.

Then above all, Nigeria’s constitution does not offer the legislature sufficient strength to operate independently. It thus implies that enforcing the universal principles of separation of powers in democratic governance ultimately leads to anarchy, given Nigeria’s peculiar constitution.

Meanwhile, there are specific goals that the 9th senate set to accomplish.

Before becoming the senate president, Senator Ahmad Lawan had campaigned on the mantra of taking the legislature back to the people, towards a new Nigeria where active participation and inclusiveness in governance reign supreme. There was even a template to integrate the House of Representatives and the state assemblies in this regard. And quite pointedly, he proclaimed that under him, the senate would not compromise its “institutional independence” but “will however avoid unnecessary conflict”. Equally, he was emphatic that “the 9th senate will make a conscious effort to ensure a smoother relationship with the presidency, by organizing periodic senate-presidency meetings to discuss issues of national importance”. He never pretended about this course of action, especially having stayed long enough in the legislature to understand the imports.

These eventually earned him popular votes from his colleagues at the Senate leadership contest, clearly devoid of external interferences.

Other major thrusts of Lawan’s blueprint, which incidentally were later adopted by the senate, were to: “reposition the Senate to carry out its constitutional duties of legislation, oversight and representation in an open and transparent manner; strengthen the internal operations and processes of the committees of the senate towards efficient service delivery; take legislative actions to improve national economic conditions including public finance management and national security architecture and to reduce poverty, unemployment and infrastructure deficits; propose and implement a national planning and annual budget process that fosters collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government; continue with legislative action to bring to closure all outstanding legislation including the electoral act and constitution amendments bills”.

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ment in actualising its set goals.

Over a year, specifically on September 9, 2020, the committee formally presented its report to Abiodun at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. In his remarks during the presentation, Mokuolu disclosed that 114 contracts valued at more than N349. 376billion were awarded with total payment of more than N130.735billion.

He added that a total amount for Unpaid Certificate of Value for work done was more than N20.741billion while revealing that more than N218.380billion was needed to complete the projects.

But Abiodun, while receiving the report, had reassured the people of the state that his administration would not inflict unnecessary pain on them in the course of executing projects. The governor, who commended members of the committee for sparing their time and experience for the good of the state, reaffirmed that the his administration would complete all projects that would engender good governance and impact meaningfully on the lives of the people.

Not allowing the shocking revelations in the contracts and projects review report to overwhelm or discourage him, Abiodun progressed with robust determination to address the problems posed by inadequate infrastructures.

In consonance with his campaign promises, Abiodun revived the state road management agency, OGROMA. He reinvigorated the agency by following up with an enabling bill to the state House of Assembly and the Ogun State Public Works Agency (OGPWA) was birthed.

In major towns and highways of the state, various gangs of the OGPWA have swung into action and carried out palliative works and rehabilitation of failed sections. In two years, the agency has also handled some significant road reconstructions to alleviate the suffering of the people. But beyond that, different construction firms have also executed road projects spanning across the three senatorial districts of the state.

From June 2019 till date, the Abiodun-led administration has constructed and reconstructed roads spanning 270.88 kilometres.

In addition, over 300km of roads have been rehabilitated across the state within the period under review. Several others are at different stages of completion. Moreover, work is billed to commence soon on some inherited projects, according to recent statement from the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

In Ogun Central Senatorial District, the Panseke-Adigbe Road, Lafenwa-RoundaAyetoro Road, MKO Abiola Stadium Road to Kuto Bridge, Adatan-Asero Road and Mowe-Ofada Road are among the major projects inherited by the incumbent governor.

In Ogun East, the Atan-Erunwon Road, Sagamu-Ode Lemo Road, Ejirin-Oluwalogbon Road and Ikangba-Lagos Garage-Ilese Road as some critical inherited projects while the Owode-Ilaro Road and Odò Afa Bridge are projects left by the former government in Ogun West.

It is instructive that some of the foregoing projects have been completed and others still ongoing. This, indeed, is commendable because continuity of projects is unprecedented in the annals of history of the state.

Detracting from recent past experiences, the governor has clearly shown he is not in office to personalise governance but to accommodate all and dispense patronage across board.

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JUNE 11, 2021

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PERSPECTIVE

Let’s Make the Official Status of Lagos Official Trump’s Twists and Nigeria’s Twitter Ban Chido Nwangwu, Publisher, USAfricaonline.com is bemused by former American President Donald Trump’s support for the Nigerian government’s ban on Twitter operations in the country

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ust when you thought the man would have learned a good thing or two from his divisive actions and spoken words of incitement — especially towards the end of his presidency, he insists on offering more bad example.

Only three days ago, from his palatial residence in Florida, Donald J. Trump, former President of the United States who also has the dubious place in history as the first president to be impeached twice, on Tuesday announced his support of the Nigerian government’s decision to “indefinitely” block and ban access to Twitter.

“Congratulations to the country of Nigeria, who just banned Twitter because they banned their President.”

And, as usual posting factually false and misleading information online on an issue happening before our eyes. We are all digital witnesses.

First of all, it is important to note that Twitter did not ban the President of Nigeria from the social media giant’s microblogging platform. Specifically, it deleted a tweet by Nigeria’s leader and former military dictator, Muhammadu Buhari, for violating Twitter rules against, posting and sharing tweets which reflect “behavior” such as “Threaten violence against an individual or a group of people; engage in the targeted harassment of someone, or incite other people to do so; nor promote violence against, threaten, or harass other people on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, caste, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, disability, or serious disease.”

Twitter suspended President Buhari’s account for 12 hours. Buhari warned on Tuesday June 1, that “Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand.” It was a targeted, chilling and deliberate reference to young activists and agitators, primarily, in the east central/south eastern part of Nigeria.

On the other hand, Trump was hit with a permanent ban from Twitter following his litany of offensive, racially demeaning posts, crude retweets and especially the physical, deadly exemplification of his incendiary remarks a few hours earlier which led up to the right-wing insurrection and violent attacks of January 6, 2021 at the US Capitol, a symbol of American power, influence and democracy.

Let me remind you, on Wednesday June 3, 2020, James Norman Mattis, United States Marine Corps retired General, who

served him as the 26th US Secretary of Defense from January 2017 to January 2019, reflected with profound disappointment the Trump White House insensitive, divisive and unworthy handling of the brutal, installment murder of another non-confrontational Black man, George Floyd and made it clear: “Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try.

Instead, he tries to divide us.”

If you think we’re talking about a flaming liberal, you’re wrong. General Mattis served his country’s elite corps for 44 years.

Meanwhile, Facebook extended its ban on the polarizing political and social heavyweight until, at least, January 7, 2023. Facebook retains the power to extend it. He has since dismissed Facebook’s decision as “an insult to the record-setting 75 million people, plus many others, who voted for us in the 2020 Rigged Presidential Election….

More countries should ban Twitter and Facebook for not allowing free and open speech—all voices should be heard.”

Remarkably, while the world is going, irreversibly towards the direction of more open societies, Trump and his fellow travelers are focused on banning Twitter and other social media platforms. It is so anachronistic! Meanwhile, Twitter has said “We are deeply concerned by the blocking of Twitter in Nigeria. Access to the free and #OpenInternet is an essential human right in modern society. We will work to restore access for all those in Nigeria who rely on Twitter to communicate and connect with the world.”

I hope the security-challenged Buhari presidency and the Nigerian government do not get misled by Mr. Trump’s cynical “support” and jeremiad about Twitter and Facebook.

Since when did Trump stop thinking and characterizing Nigeria as part of the African confederation of “s**t-hole” countries? When he wants to fight Twitter for his self interest?

Or, may be, just this period his Republican minions are giddily enacting and rushing legislations to undermine the rights and access of African-American voters?

Or may be....

The Nigerian government do not get misled by Mr. Trump’s cynical “support” and jeremiad about Twitter and Facebook.

Since when did Trump stop thinking and characterizing Nigeria as part of the African confederation of “s**thole” countries? When he wants to fight Twitter for his self interest?

Hon. Setonji David, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security Lagos State House of Assembly, supports his compelling argument for a special status for Lagos with indisputable facts and figures

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he argument, to grant or not to grant, could easily have arisen out of avoidable misconceptions. Does any state in Nigeria hold the key to over 75 per cent of all manufacturing activities in the country? Or account for 70 per cent of Nigeria’s maritime trade?

If a cog is thrown in the wheel of Lagos’ progress, could any state replace 55% of all VAT revenue which accrues to the Federation Account from Lagos out of 36 states? If tax revenue is important for the system to work, Lagos alone generates over 82% of Companies Income Tax available to the Nigeria. If her economy slumps, if for any reason half of the jobs in Lagos were to disappear, is there an easy way Nigeria can absorb the army of jobless citizens that would be unleashed on the polity?

Has Nigeria got the answer to any of these dilemmas that could easily be thrown up if Lagos were to become shackled by the starkly real threats to her development that are staring us all in the face?

I imagine any of you, dear compatriots, somewhere in Paris or Hague, at an International Conference, listening to a speaker presenting city profiles as he latched onto Lagos: Lagos State’s GDP is bigger than the rest of West Africa put together; if Lagos is a country, it would be the 5th largest economy in Africa. I imagine you smiling and nodding your head proudly and muttering loudly to a few people’s hearing, “Lagos, in Nigeria. Lagos is in Nigeria.” After all, the flag on your desk, which everyone could see, was clearly of Nigeria. Lagos stood for Nigeria, for our pride as Nigerians, for our backbone as the largest economy in Africa.

Are we going to stand up for Lagos now?

Lagos, God forbid, may soon slide into a difficult state of intractable decline, developmentally. While the average annual population growth in the developing world is three per cent and Nigeria’s rate is 2.7 per cent, Lagos has an annual population growth of staggering eight per cent. With a population realistically put at 24 million, Lagos is among the top 10 of the world’s fastest growing cities and urban areas.

There is an estimated influx of 10, 000 people; foreigners and Nigerians from other states, into Lagos every single day. Lagos has been a willing host to all. Now, Lagos groans under the weight of its gargantuan responsibility towards all whom she has offered a home.

A population growth challenge like Lagos’ needs to be met with building more roads, providing housing, providing more resources for disposing solid waste, building more schools, providing security and health facilities. The then Governor of Lagos State, Governor Tunde Fashola, as far back as 2017, shouted hoarse that Lagos would require an investment of N6.14 trillion over the next 15 years to build and upgrade infrastructural facilities in the state for her teeming populace. Despite her commendable feat in IGR generation, Lagos is in want of a helping hand from the rest of the country. Is it wise to fold our hands and just look, do nothing?

City Mayors Foundation, an international think tank dedicated to urban affairs, in 2011 recognised Lagos as among the world’s 10 fastest growing cities. Lagos comes after Beeithai (China), Ghaziabad (India), Sana’a (Yemen), Surat (India), Kabul (Afghanistan), and Bamako (Mali). As of today, Lagos is the only one on this list without a constitutionally recognised special status in terms of development attention.

China designated Beithai as a “Special Economic Zone and Marine Protected Area”, India designates Ghaziabad as “a national Capital Region” and Surat –a city of six million people in 2016- as a “Smart

City” under an urban renewal programme funded by the Indian government. The other cities are political capitals.

If Nigeria did not move the political capital from Lagos to Abuja in 1999, the federal government, as before, would have continued to compliment the effort of the state in providing jobs, housing, and other infrastructural amenities to absolve the growth rate. But the capital moved. Should the federal government’s social and infrastructural investment in Lagos have stopped?

Even the federal roads in Lagos, for not getting priority attention, have constituted an acute economic drain and waste on the fortune of the state’s development. A case in point was the utter neglect of the Apapa Oworonshoki expressway, the lack of parking and loading lots for trucks serving Nigeria’s two major ports, and the resultant gridlock. Property value in Apapa crashed, businesses relocated outside of Apapa and Nigeria to avoid being grounded, Goods -imports and exports- and machinery were delayed beyond pardonable spells on this axis. Lagos suffered. And Nigeria’s economy reeled from loss of port business to neigbouring countries, lower capacity utilization in industries, lower company profits and foreign direct investment flight.

Let it be known that other countries have moved their political capital before but most managed the developmental fallout with fairness. A few countries have more than one capital. Some countries have a political capital, as well as a judicial capital and a legislative capital. Malaysia has Kuala Lanpur as its official and royal capital and seat of national legislature, and Putrajaya as administrative centre and seat of national judiciary. The Netherland and South Africa have their state functions spread likewise.

The Netherlands has Amstadam as De jure capital under the constitution of the Netherlands and Hague the seat of government and residence of the royal family South Africa has Pretoria as administrative and executive capital, Cape Town as the legislative capital and Bloemfontein as her Judicial capital. These are decent efforts at making sure that the burden of development continued to be shared by the respective federal governments. And indeed when General Muritala Mohammed announced the proposed movement of the capital from Lagos to Abuja in 1976, he was aware of this moral and developmental imperative. He had promised that Lagos and three others –Enugu, Port Harcourt and Kaduna- would be turned into centres of excellence to ensure developmental spread.

Nigerian leaders today –the Senate- can revisit this promise and start somewhere, where the need is greatest, by recognizing and providing for Lagos’ Special Status.

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FRIDAY JUNE 11, 2021 •T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

BUSINESSWORLD

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08024557078

Ͳ ˜ Ͱ ͮ Ͱ ͯ MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

REPO 15 % 15.25 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

14.50 % 16 % 17 %

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

515.94 % 0.99 % -1.52 %

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE -7.67 % YEAR TO DATE -23.03 %

EXCHANGE RATE N410.75/1US DOLLAR* ̩

Quick Takes

Air Cargo Up 12% in April

STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT

L-R: Executive Secretary/ CEO, Financial Reporting Council (FRC), Amb. Adamu Shuaibu; Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Senator Fadahunsi, and former Acting Executive Secretary, FRC, Dr. Iheanyi Anyahara, after a visit to the Senator…recently

FG Moves to Blacklist Shipping Companies over Tariff Hike Eromosele Abiodun The federal government has announced that it will not accept any further increase in tariff at the nation’s seaports.

In a yet to be published circular obtained by THISDAY, titled, “Public Notice to Terminal Operators, Shipping Companies and Other Regulated Service Providers in the Port Sector,” the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) said it will not accept any tariff increase that will put more burden on shippers and consumers.

It warned that any service provider that unilaterally increases its charges/rates would be blacklisted and sanctioned accordingly.

MARITIME According to the NSC, “It has come to the notice of the Nigerian Shippers Council that some terminal operators and shipping companies have published notices of proposed increase in tariff.

“The NSC is not aware of any upward review in charges to accommodate certain economic trends in the country.

“However, any such review must be negotiated and approved by the NSC in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Shippers Council Act CAP N133 Law of the Federation (LPN) 2004 and its subsidiary regulations: Nigeria Shippers Council (Local Shipping Charges on Imports

and Exports), Regulation 1997, Nigeria Shippers Council (Port Economic Regulator) October 2015 and Nigeria Shippers Council (Port Economic) Regulations 2015.”

The NSC added that any such charges needs to be subjected to analysis with justification to ensure such increase reflects the present economic realities, “and the charges must be directly related to quality of service.”

“It is pertinent to note that certain service providers are already negotiating with the Nigeria Shippers Council in line with established guidelines and the Nigeria Shippers Council will also not unnecessarily delay the process and approval,” it added.

It stated that, “In view of the above, any service provider that unilaterally increases its charges/rates will be blacklisted and sanctioned accordingly.

“Port users are advised to ignore any such unauthorised increase in charges. Note that henceforth the Nigeria Shippers Council will only deal with regulated service providers on individual basis to enhance service delivery at the ports.”

This is coming as freight forwarding associations at the Ports and Terminal Multipurpose Limited (PTML) Terminal, Tin Can Island Port Complex, Lagos, have expressed support for the review of handling charges at the terminal by 50 per cent.

Airlines Record Low Patronage over Insecurity Chinedu Eze Airlines have confirmed that passenger traffic has reduced in the last four weeks.

This, they attributed to the growing insecurity in different parts of the country.

Those who spoke to THISDAY insisted that high airfares could be a factor, but insecurity was also identified as major reason. They noted that even at the peak of high cost of tickets in May and April, passenger traffic was still high.

THISDAY learnt that some airlines that resumed flights to some destinations in the north had to withdraw, while the south-east airports, which used to be lucrative routes after Lagos and Abuja have recorded reduction in passenger movement.

Head of Communications, Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa, told THISDAY that there is slight reduction in the airline’s

AVIATION load factor in its flights to Enugu, Owerri and Port Harcourt.

The airlines said they might be stepping into low season, but because many travellers have shunned road transport, it is expected that air transport should sustain high patronage even during this season.

A senior executive in one of the major domestic carriers told THISDAY that passenger traffic has dropped even as airlines are bringing in more airplanes from checks overseas, while new aircraft acquired by one of the airlines have continued to be delivered.

The official argued that with such reduction in passenger traffic there could be a glut as more aircraft return to the country, adding that this would lead to stiff competition in airfares.

“Passenger traffic has

dropped. We used to do something like 90 per cent load factor and some days we see 80 per cent load factor in a day.

“Sometimes people buy tickets but they couldn’t travel for reasons I don’t know. Maybe they don’t want to travel for fear of one thing or the other. So, passenger traffic has dropped.

“Also, I believe that by the time all our places come in, including the brand new ones, we will be having many planes flying in this country. It is going to be a struggle for the few passengers and few airports.

“Some of the airports do not have night flying facilities and if we deploy over 30 planes here plus new airlines deploying and the old airlines deploying, we are all going to struggle for the few passengers,” the official said.

Recently one of the new carriers, Green Africa announced that it would sell tickets at

N16, 500, although industry pundits said such fare is not sustainable. But the move by the airline was said to have ignited price war.

“Even now, there is a kind of price war. There are some prices you know that will never even be able to buy you fuel, but people are going to push out such prices and it is just a matter of time, it will affect the airlines.

“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will not allow you to cut corners and it is only a stupid airline that will go and cut corners because it is more expensive to cut corners in aviation than to do the right thing. So the price war has started because of so many airlines and fewer passengers out there,” the official said.

More capacity to be provided means more airlines with more aircraft have come to provide services for air travelers.

The International AirTransport Association (IATA) has announced that global demand measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), was up 12 per cent in April 2020, compared to April 2019, and 7.8 per cent compared to March 2021.

The report indicated that seasonally adjusted demand was five per cent higher than the pre-crisis August 2018 peak.

ThestrongperformancewasledbyNorthAmericancarrierscontributing 7.5 percentage to the overall growth. Airlines in all other regions except for Latin America also supported the growth.

Capacity remains 9.7 per cent below pre-COVID-19 levels (April 2019) due to the ongoing grounding of passenger aircraft.

Airlines continued to use dedicated freighters to plug the lack of available belly capacity, it stated.

“Underlyingeconomicconditionsandfavourablesupplychaindynamics remain supportive for air cargo: global trade rose 4.2 per cent in March; competitiveness against sea shipping has improved.

“AircargorateshavestabilizedsincereachingapeakinApril2020,while shipping container rates have remain relatively high in comparison.

“Air cargo continues to be the good news story for the air transport sector. Demand is up 12 per cent on pre-crisis levels and yields are solid. Some regions are outperforming the global trend, most notably carriers in North America, the Middle East and Africa. “Strong air cargo performance, however, is not universal. The recovery for carriers in the Latin American region, for example, is stalled,” said IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh.

Akwa Ibom to Host Tour Operators

Akwa Ibom state has confirmed that it would host the fifth edition of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

The state Commissioner ofTourism, Orman Esin, and his Information and Strategy counterpart Ini Ememobong, identified and eulogised the tourism offerings of Akwa Ibom at a joint press organised with the leadership of NATOP recently where the hosting was announced.

“Akwa Ibom is the real deal.We have the options for all types of tourism inNigeria.WehavethebiggesthotelpropertyinWestAfrica,consistent growth over the years.

“WeknewthatbringingNaija7WondersgrouptoourstateinDecember for the ChristmasVillage will bring us the attention we needed. Now we havesecuredtheAGMofthestrongestpromotersofTourisminNigeria.

“We are your partners and will grow tourism together. The Governor has a vision of a modern state and has deliberately engineered the developmentofindustriesandimprovedontheexistinginfrastructure.

TodayIbomAiriscelebratedalloverthenationasastandardofexcellence.”

The Information and Strategy Commissioner Comrade Ememobong in his speech highlighted the strong points of Akwa Ibom State.

“Cuisine,infrastructure,scenery,peopleandbuildingsarethehallmarks of Akwa Ibom State.We are a very secure place not by accident but by thedetermination,focusandwillofthestategovernment.TheGovernor is an industrialist and the state will benefit from energizing the tourism stakeholders to come and enjoy the synergy of our facilities. Akwa Ibom is your best choice for Tourism in Nigeria,” he said.

EarlierinherspeechthePresidentofNATOP,HajiaBilkisuAbdulthanked the State for choosing to host the AGM.

Qatar Participates at Russian Economic Forum Qatar Airways said it participated at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) that was held under the patronage of the Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin and attended by key opinion leaders from around the world.

QatarAirwaysstatedthatitimpressedparticipantswithitsproductand hospitalityandsignedseveralagreementswithkeyRussiancompanies.

Duringtheforum, Mr.AkbarAlBakeralsometwithMr.AlexanderBeglov, Governor of St. Petersburg, and Mr. Maxim Sokolov,Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg, to discuss opportunities to further expand the bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the Russian Federation in terms of Tourism and Air Transport.

As part of its commitment to the Russian market, the airline signed several MOU agreements with significant Russian-based entities including, Volga-Dnepr and Pulkovo Airport.

The signing ceremonies were conducted with Mr. Alexey Isaikin, Board of Directors of Volga-Dnepr, and Mr. Leonid Sergeev, CEO of Pulkovo Airport respectively.

Qatar Airways said it exhibited its patented award-winning Business Class product, the Qsuite, featuring the industry’s first-ever double bed in Business Class.

“Aero Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) allows us to handle total repair with certified maintenance facility where commercial and private aircraft maintenance can be completed” Managing Director/CEO Aero Contractors,

Captain Abdullahi Mahmood

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BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Onyema: Nigerian Pilots Deliver Greater Service to Airlines than Expatriates The Chairman/CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, in this interview says indigenous pilots spend longer time serving airlines than expatriates. Onyema also explained why he increased the salary of the airline’s workforce recently. Chinedu Eze brings the excerpts:

B

y way of comparison, do you think the indigenous personnel in aviation in Nigeria are doing well and do you prefer an expatriate especially in technical areas to Nigerian personnel?

Aviation is the same worldwide. There is no Nigerian aviation or another aviation in England. It is the same rules and regulations that govern aviation worldwide. And aviation is not something you do out of sentiments.

The truth is that if the Nigerian personnel want to do something, he gets it done. We are very, very resilient. I will rather work with Nigerians because it will cost me less.

I don’t have to pay a hotel accommodation for him. I don’t have to give him tickets every two months to go home. I don’t have to worry about what happens with incessant rotations. He gives me 11 months in the year and takes his one month leave. Some of the expatriates in some places do six months, one month on, one month off. So in a year, they work for six months and earn the salary of 12 months. In some places, they do two months on, eight weeks off; that is like two months on, it is the same thing. So, most times they give you less than what you bargained for because they have to go home. So sometimes the best you could get out of them is maybe eight months in 12 months. While the Nigerian worker will stay here 11 months for you and go take his one month leave. So for every business person and for the sake of economics, I prefer the Nigerian worker.

However, we should not kid ourselves.

There are some technical areas, we still need foreigners who have been there, who must have been well tested to help us. There is nothing wrong there. The world of aviation does not really say this is from here, or this is from there, it is about the technical know-how, especially in engineering. We still need to put our acts together. Nigerian engineers are very good and when they want to be good, they are good. However, the world has become a global village. For the Nigerian personnel my advice is that you perfect yourself in your field instead of putting money first. So, we need to balance it. But in balancing, I challenge the Nigerian workforce to be up to speed. They have to bend down and get the knowledge, acquaint themselves with new skills. We have fantastic Nigerian engineers but their number is not enough. When we brought BCT Aviation of UK to be maintaining our Boeing 737s when we started in 2014, one year down the line, they brought a very young chap; he should be about 22 years then and we were not happy that they brought that kind of person here. He cut his engineering teeth in Nigeria. But do you know that within one year, this guy became something else. He became so good that he was everywhere.

He worked round the clock, learning the job and before you knew it, he became a certified engineer. Before you knew it, he became marketable worldwide that even BCT lost him. They lost him to the Presidency of one of the countries abroad. He was about 22 years, meanwhile he met some Nigerians who were already answering engineer and he overtook them. So these are issues that we have. And we have to be careful about expatriate quota and the local content when it gets to aviation. For example, Nigerian pilot community is one of the best in the world. Nigerian pilots have gotten it so right; they could fly for anybody in the world. They are good. However, they are not enough. So when they say there are a lot of pilots in Nigeria that are not employed, they may be referring to pilots who have just graduated from training school and who have 200 hours from flying school. You can hardly have a captain that is unemployed.

We are talking about Captains here, not those young ones that just passed out of school. They are not enough. We should not

Onyema

joke about people’s lives by being forced to take just anybody. You cannot just make anybody a captain overnight.

In these hard times when corporate organisations in the aviation industry are thinking about how to survive and right size you recently increased the salary of your workers, what motivated you?

My motivation comes from God Almighty.

I have told Nigerians and the world at large that I created Air Peace because of the love of my country, just to create jobs. I went into airline business because it creates a lot of jobs. So I am actualising my dream of empowering my fellow citizens. So, my own interest is to touch lives, not to line my pocket. It is not as if we are making profit in our operations, but I said it in 2014, during launch that I am looking forward to a Nigerian airline through Air Peace that will one day declare profit and share it among staff. I am looking forward to a Nigerian airline where the workers in generations to come will be able to say my great, great grandfather worked in Air Peace, my grandfather worked in Air Peace, my own father worked in Air Peace, here I am working for Air Peace. So it is the legacy that matters to me. So, I want to make people just work not for the sake of working, but to earn their livelihood in a respectable way from where they are doing the work.

So, I looked at the hardship around and everything, and I decided whatever little we have, let’s push it back to the staff.

Operation is very difficult now, we have about almost 20 planes stranded abroad, depleting our capacity to do what we know how best. Before COVID-19, we were doing about 120 flights daily; now we are doing about 40 to 45; yet I decided to recall every staff. Not only recalling every staff four months ago, I restated them to pre-COVID salaries. And now I decided that we should

increase their wages, ranging from 10 per cent, to 100 percent. Some people got 100 per cent increase, some others 80 per cent, like that, depending on where the person level is. So that is what we did. We are not doing it for show; we are doing it because we believe that is best way to put smiles on the faces of the workers. This is because every Nigerian working takes care of about five to 10 other persons, no matter his salary. And we are talking about insecurity today, which is exacerbated by lack of jobs; so creating jobs should not be left for government alone.

So it is my belief that every citizen must contribute to the well-being of the country.

This is my own idea in the face of the current challenges we are facing as a country. I decided to do this so that I put hope back in the people and in our staff. You could see their joy when they learnt about the increase; they ran amok with joy. Those who can should give our fellow citizens the hope to believe in our country. So, I call on everybody both in government and the private sector, whatever you can do, do. At this point in time Air Peace is still recruiting people. If I am doing this business because I want to make money, there is no money in aviation. I won’t do some of the things I am doing. I do it for love of my country; I am doing it for the love of humanity. That is my motivation.

What comes to people’s mind now is where you are getting this money from if you are not making money from the airlines?

Yes, a lot of people will talk and I have become an object of blackmail in the country.

A lot of people try to blackmail me, especially since that American case. Some will come to you and say we will do this, publish this against you if you don’t bring money, we will do this. I have really suffered. And

Nigerian pilot community is one of the best in the world. Nigerian pilots have gotten it so right; they could fly for anybody in the world

a lot of people are cashing in on that to dent my image and my reputation. But the question is, when they ask questions about what I am doing with Air Peace or where I am getting the money, why didn’t they ask questions about where I got the money I was using in 2004 to be going to the Niger Delta creeks and be training and transforming militants? Taking them to South Africa, with my own funds, before Shell and other oil companies started to patronise me. Where did I get that money then? I am motivated by the love I have for the country and to put smile on the face of people. It is not only when you amass billions that you can help others. The little you have you can put it out there for the service of humanity.

No one goes to the grave with his wallet. I am not going to go to my grave with the size of my bank account. That has been my philosophy my whole life. And because people cannot comprehend that philosophy, they now try to ascribe all manner of things to it. But let them think back that right from my youthful days, I have been like this.

Right from secondary school, I was sharing my provisions given to me by my parents with the less privileged ones around me. So, it has continued like that and that is what gives me joy. It gives me joy to touch other people’s lives irrespective of their status.

I love humanity irrespective of your race, creed, tribe, religion, gender, name it. I don’t discriminate. So they should save their breath.

It is not that Air Peace has a lot of money, but what we are making; I don’t divert it to anything else. I put it back to the airline and I keep on believing God. It is just God that is doing most things for us and we keep on putting it back to the staff.

The banks have been very, very helpful to us, believing in us. Let people don’t bother themselves about me. Let them bother themselves about their nation and how they could contribute in building it. I have played my part and I am very proud of what I am doing for my country.

The salary increase will certainly motivate your workers, but before this increase, were you satisfied with the workers’ output?

I cannot sit down here and say that I am 100 per cent happy with the work ethic of everybody. There are some people in the system that are doing their best; but there are some others that will need to be pushed before they do anything. But that cannot stop me from doing my own beat. I must live up to my own obligations. My own obligation to them is to make sure their welfare is improved. I will do mine then; if anybody fails to do what he is expected to do, then we will show the person the way out. But first of all, you must tell yourself, you have done that which you are supposed to do. We have even over done ours, and that is why you see them excitedly running amok. And they couldn’t believe what they are seeing. What I did was reinforcing their hope. I believe in the hope that the future will be better. So, let’s prepare for the future now.

Yes, we have forgiven some of our pilots who left. They also helped in building Air Peace in the past. But when the time came for loyalty some of them were not loyal. They did not believe in what we showed to them after the lockdown was lifted. But they have seen now that we didn’t disappoint them.

So we left our doors open for them. And we have forgiven them, they are coming back, a lot of them will come back into the fold. Air Peace is where they actually belong even though they are in other places now; their heart and soul are still with Air Peace.

They are coming back not because of the money per se, but because some of them have realized that there was no reason for what happened to have happened. The airline has been very truthful to them.

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‘Why Poor Air Connectivity in Africa May Persist’

Sean-Mendis Chinedu Eze When the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) was launched in January 2018, it was enthusiastically embraced as the key that would unlock air travel in Africa.

Although 33 countries in the continent are signatories to the project, industry observers are not optimistic that many countries in Africa would open their airspace for a single air market in the continent.

Commercial aviation expert and former Chief Operating Officer, African World Airlines (AWA), Sean Mendis who spoke to THISDAY on air connectivity in the continent, identified many impediments that would frustrate the success of SAATM. He noted that currently most airlines in Africa, especially in the West, Central and South Africa exist precariously because of many factors. These , include the inability to access funds.

So, without strong and efficient airlines, these carriers would not be able to maximise the benefits of the single sky offered by SAATM, he said.

“The lack of access to local capital on reasonable terms means that most African airlines are funded by entities that lack expertise in aviation and often have different or even conflicting priorities for their investments (e.g. governments, multi-industry conglomerates, high net worth individuals, etc.). “This variable focus is a big reason why so many African airlines fail within their first five years,” he said.

Mendis noted that African governments tend to view air transport as a luxury and hence a soft target for increased taxation, high user fees, and subsidies to failing national carriers, noting that their focus should instead be on liberalisation and infrastructure development to encourage investment from the more agile private sector.

“Growth in African air travel demand will come from the bottom end of the market; primarily newly empowered middle class who have increased disposable income. The prototypical modern African consumer is young, globalised, and comfortable with e-commerce.

“They identify with safety, reliability, and affordability (in that order) as brand values from their preferred carriers. Airlines that can create a legitimate alternative to inefficient ground transport will be the ones who are successful.

“Too many African airlines experience early success and become greedy, resulting in unrealistic expansion plans that eventually lead to failure. Success must stop being defined as running half-empty widebodies to London, Dubai, or Paris.

“There will always be a niche to partner with larger international carriers for the ‘last-mile delivery’ within a home region at the early stages of growth. Profitability must be more

important than prestige,” he said.

Mendis acknowledged that airfares in Africa are relatively high, which discourages high passenger traffic and attributed it to the high cost of operation and taxes.

“A big reason why airfares in Africa are high is that the infrastructure doesn’t permit utility of the assets as much as it does elsewhere.

“Whether it is security concerns or lack of lighting, etc.; most airlines have only a 12-hour window from sunrise to sunset in which they can reasonably fly most of their aircraft and as a result the cost of owning the aircraft can only be spread over 50-75 per cent of the amount of hours that you can run that same aircraft in Europe or North America.

“When you add to that the general cost of basic utilities and logistics in Africa (example, backup generators due to poor electricity, the need to truck fuel from refineries instead of pipelines connecting airports, etc.) then these costs add up and make things more expensive,” he said.

Mendis noted that despite the Yamoussoukro Decision, SAATM and other initiatives, many African states have signed up to the letter, but not to the principle of liberalisation because they want to take advantage of the benefits of these single markets, but without reciprocity.

“SAATM is not a buffet - states can’t just help themselves to the juicy meat, and leave the stale rice for their counterparts. State subsidies are the most blatant form of anti-competitive activity and protectionism seen in African aviation today.

“Too many African governments continue to skew the market by throwing funds at atrociously run failed entities with bad business cases, thus crowding out private sector players and discouraging investment and innovation,” Mendis observed.

He confirmed that the charges throughout the region are high, which he attributed to the availability and cost of utility.

He added that the radar system or runway construction or air traffic control tower infrastructure costs basically the same to run whether there are five flights/day or 500 flights/day, suggesting that when the region is able to increase the volume of flight operations, it can now spread these costs over a larger base and then reduce the cost paid per operation.

“Then you see the huge subsidies that some countries are giving their national airlines. Even in the ECOWAS region Air Senegal got 68m Euro subsidy last year, Air Cote D’Ivoire got 120 million Euro over five years Rwandair is getting over 150 million Euro per year; Kenya Airways needs nearly $500 million Tanzania got $90 million with just five or six planes and Uganda lost $28 million in their first year!”

Mendis disclosed.

He said establishment of more national carriers in the continent would reinforce the ant-competition already existing in the continent, as government owned airlines, illmanaged would enjoy more concessions and other incentives that would not be extended to privately owned carriers, thus setting up unequal competitive environment.

A big reason why airfares in Africa are high is that the infrastructure doesn’t permit utility of the assets as much as it does elsewhere

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BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Whither e-Customs Project?

Eromosele Abiodun writes that as predicted by stakeholders, the $3.1 billion e-Customs projects appear to have hit the brick wall with the delay in the formal signing of the agreement by parties involved

L

ate 2019, the federal government approved the engagement of a consortium of four firms to enter into a 20-year concession arrangement with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) for a Customs modernisation project and establishment of digital and paperless Customs administration.

On September 2, 2020, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, ratified the NCS modernisation scheme estimated to cost about $3.1billion.

Stakeholders in the industry had kicked against the project on the grounds that the existing Customs automation platforms could be upgraded to fit the purpose, rather than wasting a whopping $3.1b on a new project, which will start from scratch.

Since the ratification of the project by the FEC, there has not been any meaningful development about its commencement date, or acquisition of necessary facilities that would aid operations.

The presidential initiative on the NCS modernisation or “E-Customs Project” requires the establishment of a digital/paperless customs administration. The government then approved the engagement of the consortium composed of Bionica Technologies West Africa, Bergan Security Consultants & Suppliers, Africa Finance Cooperation and Huawei to establish a project special purpose vehicle to enter into a 20-year concession arrangement with NCS and ICRC. However, the move generated a lot of controversy with stakeholders alleging that due process was jettisoned. According to them, the selection of this the consortium was not advertised and no tender was issued for the selection of the best companies.

Some industry analysts also questioned why the government made the move when the NCS appears to have unlocked the hidden advantage in adopting trade facilitation following the Service’s modernisation introduced in December 2013.

This modernisation, they believe, gave birth to the introduction of the Nigeria Customs Information System (NICIS) in 2014, and by 2017, the NCS had migrated to NICIS II, a further improvement on their system.

Interestingly, through NICIS II, customs has generated massive revenue for the country. This is aside being able to have integrated other government agencies, such as the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); Standards organisation of Nigeria (SON); National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), among others.

With the implementation of NICIS II, importers, clearing agents and some customs freight forwarders, were showering the Service with commendations. According to them, the NCS had built a robust system especially since 2017 when it introduced the NICIS II which is centered around a paperless custom, and accommodates various organisation CBN, FMF, SON, NAFDAC, NIACOM Insurance Certificate, NAQS, NSA and FIRS, commercial banks and more than 3000 private sector companies (Importers, Shipping lines, Airlines, Clearing agents).

Contrary to stakeholders’ opinion, facilitators of the project believe it would improve Customs’ clearance efficiency in facilitating trade, stimulating end-user satisfaction, and fostering mutually beneficial relationships between consumers and the Customs.

When implemented, the e-Customs project would encompass, among other things, the deployment of e-Customs Production Applications, including e-Clearance, e-Port System, Risk Control Centre (RCC), Logistics Management System (LMS), Electric Cargo Tracking System (ECTS), Intelligent Gate (i -Gate) and Mobile Enforcement (ME).

FG’s Position The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, had while appraising the project said it has the potential to yield up to $176 billion in revenue for the country.

She said the main objective of the project was to completely automate every aspect of Customs business and institutionalise the use

Ali

of smart and emerging technologies to enhance the statutory function of the organisation in the area of revenue generation.

She revealed that the project would be financed through Public-Private Partnership (PPP), for a concessionary period of 20 years.

“So, Council has ratified Mr. President’s approval for the PPP concession for a 20-year period to Messers e-Customs HC Project Limited, as a concessionaire for the delivery of Customs modernisation project.

“This is a project that will not have an immediate cost to the government, the investors are providing all of the financings and this revenue will be deployed in three phases, and they will look over the investment in the concessionary period of 20 years.

“The key point is that it is not costing the Federal Government anything, the $3.1 billion being proposed will be sourced by the sponsors and the partners,” she said.

She further said the project would enable the complete automation of the NCS processes and procedures using the application and information technology in all aspects.

According to her, the PPP group approved for the project is led by Messers Y Technologies with four other members.

She added, “The Bionica Technologies West Africa Limited, Bargain Securities and Supplies Nigeria Limited are lead sponsor and co-sponsor. We also have The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) as the lead financier, and Huawei Technology as a technical service provider.”

Although the minister said the Customs currently has some of its functions and duties automated, adding: “This is end-to-end automation of all of Nigeria’s Customs Service processes and it’s going to bring huge value to the country.

“So, this investment of $3.1 billion is broken down into capital investment of $1.2 billion, which will be done in three phases over 36 months by these investors, and $1.1 billion is our projection of the operational cost over the 20-year period of the implementation of this project.

“This project has the potential to yield up to $176 billion of revenue and the consortia that are providing this investment are going to be paid overtime according to the schedule that is negotiated for their investments including their profits and cost.

“So, this is the best possible way for Nigeria to roll out important capital projects using funds from the private sector, and providing service for the use of the Nigerian people and the government,” she said.

Stakeholders Disagree Meanwhile, stakeholders in the industry are worried that the automation drive, as laudable as it sounds, is a smart way of concessioning the Customs, through private business interests.

They also described it as another white elephant project and a drainpipe

The President, National Council of Managing Directors of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Lucky Amiwero, said government should always consult experts in the industry before taking such critical action.

He also bemoaned the introduction of a digital system, at the expense of existing ones, which equally cost the nation millions of naira.

According to him, “This is just a clear waste of resources because we have an existing eplatform (which means electronically supplied information). That is what they (Customs) are using at the moment, and they can upgrade it if it is not up to date. If the license is giving problems, they can review the whole thing and make it to suit their expectations.

“By the provision of the agreement between Webb Fontain, and the Federal Government represented by the Ministry of Finance, they are supposed to have transferred the platform back to Customs because it is a Customs property.

What they are using now is e-platform and they can upgrade it as they deem fit.”

Conversely, a finance expert partnering with the Bionica-led consortium, Ben Okoye said with the new project, the government would be able to free up resources, which could be channeled to other areas, activities and projects.

“This will in turn support and build the local economy of the host communities, through direct or indirect participation of small and medium-sized companies by affording them the opportunity to serve as service providers. It will also improve the quality of service delivery of the NCS as a result of the effective infrastructure that is in place, and restore consumer confidence in NCS officials and processes,” he added.

On his part, a leader of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), who did not want his name in print, said the introduction of e-Customs was a duplication of electronic technologies that have been promoted by the same Customs over the years.

“We don’t understand what Customs is doing. They are just deceiving the importing public. They already have the National Integrated Customs Information System – NICIS II. They started with ASYCUDA 2.7, which means Automated System for Customs Data.

We had not completed that process before they took us to ASYCUDA 3.0., from there, to ASYCUDA World. Now, we have NICIS 1, and later NICIS 2. We don’t even know where one starts, and where it ends. That has been the problem. They are just confusing the stakeholders.

“They should just stop these ideas; they are just confusing the importing public. This is a mere strategy to embezzle the government’s money. Let them come out and tell us what value the e-Customs will add to our operations.

What we know is that the entire logistic chain is facing a lot of problems, and until we deploy technology to the fullest in the entire cargo clearance process and documentation, we may not get it right in this country,” he said.

Motion against Deal The House of Representatives was also against the project. Chairman of House Committee on Public Petitions, Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso had on October 10, 2019, moved a motion that the deal be investigated Specifically, he said: “There are some foreign companies who are very eager to sponsor, finance and provide technical services to what they call the modernisation of Customs, without recourse to the National Assembly. My motion is the need to investigate the curious concession proposed arrangement between the consortium Bionica Technologies West Africa Limited, who are the sponsors; Bergan Security Consultants and Supplies, who are co-sponsors, African Finance Corporation, who are lead financiers and Huawei, Nigeria Customs Service and Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) for customs modernisation project.

“The House is aware that various customs modernisation projects in the past. For example, in the 90s, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) paid for the installation of ASYCUDA++ and training of customs officers for three years.

“The House is also aware that the federal government agreed to engage former pre-shipment companies for valuation and classification of goods, hence some service providers namely Webbfontaine, Cotecna, SGS and Globalscan were engaged for that purpose. This contract was to last for seven years, from 2005 to 2012 when the service providers handed over to Nigeria Customs Service. By 2011, one could say the positive effects of this included competent and committed workforce for Nigeria Customs Service, personnel understanding of the new process and benefits to stakeholders.”

He added, “It resulted to collection of proper revenue due, elimination of corruption and other benefits. The House notes that with these put in place, there exist a one-stop shop which allows all trade transactions to be conducted through a single system domiciled with the customs. For example, all other government agencies like NAFDAC, SON and the rest have dissolved into a single platform with the Nigeria Customs Service.

“In 2011 there was an illegal concession between the Federal Ministry of Finance and a company with inadequate capital base called Single Window System and Technologies, signed in secrecy during the government transition period and this responsible house of representatives had a public hearing and stopped it to save Nigeria billions of Naira Vide the votes of Wednesday, 13 July 2011, the house. In 2017 another move for customs modernisation was made by the Technical Committee on the Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme, purported to be acting on behalf of the Federal Government called Adani Systems Nigeria Limited to modernise, maintain, develop the scanning of goods in the country in line with the pre shipment inspection act for a period of 25 years.

“Again the attention of Controller General of Nigeria Customs Service was drawn to this and the concession was stopped. Curious that in September 2019, another concession, which will last for twenty years( that is the subject matter now) is being suggested to Nigeria Customs Service, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning, Federal Ministry of Justice and this agreement is for pro-rata sharing of one percent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme and a $300m investment.”

“Worried that billions of Naira will be frittered away from the account of the one percent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme with the Central Bank of Nigeria, regarding the cost of this latest customs modernisation by different parties involved. Further worried that there is no difference in substance, scope and structure between the failed concession attempts of 2011, 2017 and 2019. There is already a national single window platform in the Nigeria Customs Service and officers of the service are performing beyond expectations, collecting duties in billions of naira on daily basis. The fact that it failed in 2011, 2017, there is no way it cannot fail in 2019, “Alagbaoso said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

NDPHC, Eko Disco to Boost NIWA, Police Move to Enhance Power Supply to Lekki, Agbara Security of Cargo In order to improve electricity supply around the Ibeju-Lekki area in Lagos and Agbara Industrial area in Ogun State, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) and Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (Eko Disco) have signed a bilateral agreement for the sale of up to 300MW of power from NDPHC’s power plants to customers in these areas within Eko Disco’s franchise areas.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who hosted the signing of the agreement for the projects in Lagos, recently, was quoted in a statement to have commended the initiative by NDPHC and Eko Disco, saying, he, “will monitor the implementation of the agreement.”

The governor expressed confidence that the collabo-

ration between NDPHC and Eko Disco will complement the current policies of the state government in economic and infrastructure development.

The NDPHC and Eko Disco committed to work together to deliver safe, reliable and steady supply of power to customers in the areas of collaboration.

“The project will be structured to remove the commercial and technical inefficiencies in the Nigerian electricity market and will mobilise significant capital investment in transmission/ distribution infrastructure and metering technology,” the statement added.

In his remarks, the NDPHC Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, stated that the challenges in the industry inspired NDPHC to, “source alternative means to sell and

ensure dispatch of its stranded power generation capacity and explore innovative ways to unlock investment in infrastructure for improved supply to customers.”

In turn, the MD of Eko Disco, Engr. Adeoye Fadeyibi said the partnership aligns with the efforts of the Eko Disco to bridge the metering gap and improve the quality of electricity supply to customers.

He appreciated customers for their continued support for the Company in its quest to continue to empower the quality of lives of all stakeholders.

“The agreement signed between NDPHC and Eko Disco is only the latest milestone in NDPHC’s innovative and ambitious programme to tackle the industry-wide challenges in the Nigerian power sector.”

Eromosele Abiodun The Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu, has appealed for the cooperation of the Nigeria Police in securing cargo transportation from Lagos to Onitsha via the waterways.

Moghalu made the appeal when he paid a working visit to the Inspector General of the Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, at the force’s headquarters in Abuja.

The visit, he stated, was part of the protective measures taken

by NIWA in order to have a seamless exercise in the shipment of cargoes from Lagos Ports to Onitsha River Port.

Moghalu sought for the collaboration and corporation of the police in providing adequate security for the second test-run

of cargo shipments from Lagos to Onitsha River Port in a bid to decongest the Ports in Lagos State.

According to Moghalu, “the purpose of our visit is to seek for collaboration and cooperation of the police force to build a synergy in our inland waterways operations, most importantly now that we are about to commence the second phase of the test-run of shipping cargoes from Lagos to Onitsha.”

The NIWA boss added, “NIWA is a federal agency saddled with the responsibility of regulating and developing activities on the Inland waterways of the nation with a headquarter in Lokoja, Kogi State.

“We have 22 area offices across the nation and waterways links across 28 states in the federation.

Statistics have shown that about sixty percent of cargoes coming into Nigerian Ports are destined

to the South East of the country.”

Moghalu thanked the IGP for the cooperation the force had been rendering to NIWA Inland Police Command, and also appealed for more cooperation in some areas of challenges the Authority is facing such as; lack of gun boats, accouterment and anti-riot equipment.

He called on the IGP to help vacate some police officials illegally occupying some of the organisation’s premises which by law is under NIWA’s right of way at Onitsha Area Office; so that the authority can make better use of the place.

He congratulated Baba over his appointment by the President, and wished him a successful tenure.

Responding, Alkali Baba thanked the MD of NIWA and his management team for the visit.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Now that Elumelu HasVentured into Insurance Sector Obinna Chima writes on the entrance of Heirs Insurance Limited and Heirs Life Assurance Limited’s into Nigeria’s insurance sector

T

he paradox of the Nigerian insurance market is such that both pessimists and optimists have valid arguments.

The pessimists view the insurance industry as one with a long history of underperformance, an Industry relegated to the background in a financial services sector that has produced more prosperous industries such as banking and pensions.

Optimists on the other hand argue that Nigeria remains a largely underdeveloped insurance market that can become a new frontier for growth, according to a report by Lagos-based pan-African credit rating agency, Agusto & Co. Interestingly, it noted that both sides of the divide would often refer to Nigeria’s meagre one per cent insurance penetration rate, which indicates that only about three million Nigerians out a population of more than 200 million have any form of insurance whatsoever.

“At the root of these failings are age-old challenges of poor regulatory enforcement, weak corporate governance and risk management framework and general inefficiencies within the Industry.

“The greatest of these inefficiencies would possibly be the dearth of innovation. The level of product innovation in the insurance industry pales in comparison to the banking industry which has adopted several simple technological driven solutions that are being replicated across the globe today, such as SMS based and online transaction notifications as well as USSD based funds transfer mechanisms,” the report added.

That was why cheers greeted the entrance of Heirs Insurance Limited and Heirs Life Assurance Limited’s into Nigeria’s insurance sector as the doors of both companies were last week officially opened for business in Lagos.

The ceremony also saw the unveiling of the Heirs Towers, a new edifice by Heirs Holdings.

The event had in attendance, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Sunday Thomas; Chairman of Heirs Holdings and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu; bank chief executives as well as other business executives.

Heirs Holdings which is promoted by Africa’s entrepreneur and philanthropist, Elumelu, is a family owned investment company spanning the financial services, power, oil and gas, real estate and hospitality and healthcare.

Its operations are rooted in the economic philosophy of Africapitalism which proposes private sector-led long-term investment in Africa by Africans.

In his opening remarks at the unveiling ceremony, Elumelu who is the Chairman of Heirs Insurance, thanked the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) for granting operating licences to both organisations.

He pledged to deepen insurance penetration in the country as well as change the insurance landscape.

He said: “Let me say that the journey that started seven years ago has finally materialised.

It is good when our policymakers, regulators and public sector leaders begin to understand that for us to eradicate poverty, both the private and public sector must work together.”

According to him, by approving the licences for both companies, the regulator has helped to create more jobs in the country and improve the country’s tax revenue.

He stated that over the years, Nigerians have been yearning for insurance companies that will offer excellence and superior services, which would be digitally-driven.

He added: “These are what Heirs Insurance and Heirs Life Assurance would bring to our people. I want to say to you (Thomas) as our regulator, we have a track record of governance, best tradition of compliance and making sure that you (Thomas) looking back even when you retired, you will be very proud that you signed off these licences for these two companies.

“To the general public, we believe that our economy is the biggest in Africa, yet insurance-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is insignificant. We need to work with the regulator and other stakeholders to make sure

simplifying our customers’ lives. Our mission is simple: make insurance accessible.

“Our goal is to transform customer service: cutting waiting time in claims processing and purchase to bare minutes — across all touchpoints, including mobile devices. At Heirs Insurance, we want to give our customers what they have so often lacked – high quality insurance, at an affordable price – and with an insurer that is on their side.”

On his part, the MD/CEO, Heirs Life, Niyi Onifade, said: “Our goal is to integrate life insurance products into people’s daily lives to create financial inclusion and bring quality financial services to the many, not just the few.

“This way, we empower people to live more confidently and achieve their dreams, whilst securing the future of their loved ones. Heirs is all about giving our clients financial security.

As people build wealth, we want them to know that they have a partner in Heirs Life, providing financial support throughout their life.”

Elumelu

that insurance-to-GDP improves. In most other economies, insurance companies own banks.

“Finally, I want to say that we are coming with a strong track record, not just on governance, but on business success and business turn around and most importantly, wealth creation for all.

“We believe that prosperity should be democratised; success for us will not only be felt by the shareholders, but would be felt by everybody, including our communities as we strive to eradicate poverty.”

Indeed, Elumelu believes that empowering African entrepreneurs in the continent would be essential for the continent’s development.

He introduced the phrase ‘Africapitalism,’ an approach to business that creates wealth and in which philanthropy can be used to create value.

Africapitalism is also an economic philosophy that embodies the private sector’s commitment to the economic transformation of Africa through investments that generate both economic prosperity and social wealth.

The founder of the TEF argues that Africa’s renaissance lies in the confluence of the right business and political action and insists that job creation for the youth, inclusive growth, and gender diversity are priority areas for Africa’s development agenda as well as to achieve peace and stability in the continent.

He has consistently advocated that Africa’s private sector can and must play a leading role in the continent’s development.

This concept, as enunciated by its increasingly expanding literature, includes: emphasising entrepreneurship that will unlock the powers of individuals to create and grow their business ideas into successful companies; long-term investment, and especially in strategic sectors; conducting investments and business activity in a manner that delivers financial returns to shareholders as well as economic and social benefit to stakeholders; and facilitating intra-regional commerce and trade through the development of national and cross-border physical infrastructure, and the harmonisation of policies and practices, among many others.

“Africapitalism means we cannot leave the

business of development up to our governments, donor countries and philanthropic organisations alone,” Elumelu said, adding that, “the private sector must be involved in the business of development.”

Africa is one of the fastest-growing continents in the world. The continent growth profile is among other things, driven by its rapidly expanding consumer markets as well as its private sector.

Nevertheless, Africa’s share of world trade remains low with a very small fraction of global foreign direct investment flows.

The promoter of Africapitalism strongly believe that African youths, if given the required support can compete with their peers in the global market.

This is also expected to lift the continent out of its present economic predicament and help reposition the continent after this pandemic.

“I am a bit concerned about the challenges that stare us in the face and we must do something now or it will be very challenging. The major thing is unemployment. It is a major challenge in Africa,” he added.

He also noted that a survey had shown that the continent requires about 200 million jobs, a gap the TEF has been striving to fill.

“So if we succeed in creating the enabling environment, SMEs would do well. If we succeed in providing access to electricity as we are doing, SMEs will do well.

“If we succeed in bridging access to finance to SMEs, they will do well and as they do well, there would be a direct correlation with creating wealth for Africa. So to us, the future is good, but we need to do something about unemployment,” he added.

This thinking is expected to be the guiding principles of the new insurance companies.

Pledging Superior Services The Acting MD/CEO, Heirs Insurance, Dr. Adaobi Nwakuche, has promised that her organisation would through innovation and technology, change the face of the insurance sector.

She said: “We are delivering insurance that is easy to understand, quick and reliable,

We believe that prosperity should be democratised; success for us will not only be felt by the shareholders, but would be felt by everybody, including our communities as we strive to eradicate poverty

Expectations Sanwo-Olu, who commended Elumelu, said coming out of the pandemic, there was need for increased collaboration with the private sector.

He said: “We need to encourage the private sector because they are the real engines of growth; we need to acknowledge that no matter how well the government does, we certainly cannot employ everybody that needs to be employed and the private sector are the ones that can create opportunities for our businesses and they are the ones that can grow the GDP. “Heirs Insurance and Heirs Life are bringing freshness and new beginning to the sector and they have said to us that they are going to be simple, they are going to use technology to drive insurance and that it is going to be affordable.

“I am convinced that Heirs Life and Heirs Insurance would certainly change the insurance landscape. With the array of men on the board and management team, it is clear to me that you will bring your wealth of experience to drive this company and take this sector to greater heights.”

Thomas, also commended Elumelu over his decision to play in the insurance sector as well as his decision to contribute to building the insurance sector.

“The timing of this launch could not have been more auspicious in view of the fact that NAICOM has been rolling out various developmental initiatives aimed at deepening insurance penetration in the country. With the capitalisation of these companies (Heirs Life and Heirs Insurance), I have no doubt that the Nigerian insurance market is poised to write big ticket risks.

“We want to minimise outflows and conserve foreign exchange for national development. Let me quickly state that the commission expects that the affairs of these companies would be conducted in consonance with extant insurance sector corporate governance guidelines and other directives.

“The independence of the board and its committees, including ensuring adequate disclosures and transparency are required of these companies. Let me state here that the commission is now more determined to ensure professionalism and high ethical standards to protect the integrity of the Nigerian insurance industry,” Thomas added.

Therefore, judging from the antecedents of its Chairman, it is expected that the new insurance companies would contribute towards efforts to deepen insurance penetration in the country.

It is believed that opportunities abound for retail insurance penetration in the country which Heirs Life and Heirs Insurance must leverage on the brand strength and network of its promoters to tap into.

The companies must also develop attractive insurance packages for all segment of the society in order to beat competition as well as to find its way to the top of the industry.

In addition, they must embrace discipline, corporate governance and industry best practices so as to maintain the trust of customers and all other stakeholders.

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

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

TONI KAN@50

The Golden Age of a Wordsmith

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COVER

TONI KAN@50 :The Golden Age of a Wordsmith Born Anthony Kan Onwordi, the award-winning writer popularly known by his pen name, Toni Kan, is one of the most formidable wordsmiths to have transversed the world of journalism, public relations and literature. A Master’s degree holder in English Literature from the University of Lagos, he became a magazine editor at 26 and left journalism to pursue a career in communications and public relations. He has also worked in the banking, telecommunications, and publishing industries.

Toni Kan is the author of six books, including the story collection ‘Nights of the Creaking Bed,’ edited The Sunday Sun Revue, a literary supplement and recently co-edited ‘Who’s Who in Yoruba Pantheon.’ He has received many accolades, including the Ken Saro Wiwa NNDC Prize and a writing fellowship from the Heinrich Böll Foundation. As he clocks 50 today, he shares some exciting as well as bittersweet moments of his golden years in an interview with Yinka Olatunbosun

L

et me start by saying my first encounter with you was with your writing- then you had a column at Hints Magazine. You have conveniently carved a niche for yourself as a very bold writer, unafraid to explore sexuality which was almost like a taboo at that time. How did you manage to do that? Did you receive any backlash when you started?

I started writing for Hints as a 21 year old undergraduate. I was young, brash and unafraid.

My mantra was “Wetin dem go do me?” and I even anchored a column called “Shit n Stuff”.

It is funny though how everyone talks about Hints and my name crops up. I did not start Hints neither did I introduce risqué stories.

Hints Magazine was already nine years old or so, when I joined. I guess my name keeps popping up because I did a good job of it. I was hired by Kayode Ajala and Reuben Abati.

Many people do not remember or realise that Reuben Abati worked at Hints. Yes. I had won an award organised by the British Council and my prize was some money and summer school at the University of Edinburgh. It was a competition for Nigerian undergraduates and I came second in Nigeria.

While I was getting ready to go to England, my good friend and roommate Ralph Bruce introduced me to the duo.They took a liking to me and said: “When you come back, come and write for us.”

Hints Magazine published anonymous stories which they called “true life stories.” I recall that I was writing six of those every month as an undergraduate. I wrote good stories that resonated and that was the beginning. There was really no backlash except for young girls caught reading the magazine. Many people remember the risqué and sexy stories but I also did tear jerkers. It is funny though because, as I said, the stories I wrote alongside others like Grace Orji, David Njoku, Chim Newton, Terh Agbedeh, Stella Dimoko Korkus, Chidinma Awa Agwu, Peter Okwoche, Terh Agbedeh were anonymous yet everyone assumes I wrote all of it. I guess it shows that I did a good job especially with my column while at Hints.

What difference can you draw between the environment for writers in Nigeria when you started and how it is right now?

It has changed a lot. Now, young writers have a lot of options from blogs to websites and social media; from television to radio and all sorts. These are options that can provide an avenue to readership and fame for good writers, if you will. We didn’t have those back then. And back then very few publications were available to pay a young 21-year old undergraduate.

Things have changed a whole lot.

Looking back to your journalism days, many would argue that the condition of service was better at your time. Would you agree to that?

I don’t know for sure but I had a good time at Hints until I didn’t anymore. I was probably one of the highest paid editors in Nigeria then,

Toni Kan

before THISDAY came and changed the game.

I was earning a good salary. I had an official car and housing allowance. My salary may not seem like much now but back then it was a lot for a journalist and I didn’t even realise it until year 2000 or so. An editor friend of mine had just left his paper and wanted me to take over his position. When I asked how much it paid, he said N19,000. I was shocked because my salary was almost four times that.

He graduated from Jos almost 10 years before me and was a title editor. I sent someone else to meet him and take the job.

Online journalism seems to give owners of traditional media a run for their money.

How can these media owners rise to the occasion in terms of news content and speedy delivery of news?

Many traditional media owners came late to the game and were left flatfooted by the emergence and growth of online publishing but today, especially in the past five years and more so in the last one year with COVID-19 decimating newspapers and their pages, there is now scant difference between traditional (printed) and online because almost all newspapers now have online versions which are doing very well too. So, the boundaries are blurring.

I don’t think traditional media owners should be rushing to compete because the truth is many discerning readers prefer and trust the traditional media more. And I speak with some confidence because my partner, Peju Akande and I, came into the game in 2014 when we launched sabinews.com which we sold in a groundbreaking deal in 2018. So, the landscape has changed dramatically but I don’t believe newspapers (printed edition) will disappear completely even though they are being given a tough time.

Would you say that journalism prepared you for PR practice?

Yes. It did. I was Editor of Hints at 26. Back then, many of my age mates were reporters

or just starting out. I left for the bank in my early 30s to work in communications and it was easy because by then many of my peers were becoming editors so I did not have to speak too much grammar to get heard. Today, as co-owner of a PR firm, I am dealing with those same peers, many of whom now own their own online publications. It is still easy to deal with them. God has been good.

know someone who knows someone who can make it happen. That is why my friends call me “The Mayor of Lagos”. The Financial Times even described me as “The Lagos Panglosian”.

So, you could say I am in love with this small but big and confounding city and that love affair reflects in my almost compulsive need to capture slices of it in my writing as often as I can.

Once, at TEDtalks, you spoke about the influence of your mother in your career as a child and how you overcame stuttering.

What do you miss most about your mom?

My mother died on October 16, 2020 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and it is the biggest loss of my life because she was my first love. My mother made me the man I am today while my father gave me the gift of books that made me the writer I am.

I have talked about coming to Lagos with a stutter and realizing that in a city where things happen at dizzying speed, I could not afford to stutter. So, my mother set to praying and that stutter disappeared. It sounds funny but if you are in PR where you have to give two minute elevator pitches to busy executives, a stutter can be an impediment. I miss her everyday; her physical and spiritual beauty, her sense of style, her kindness and generosity, her cleanliness and her loving heart. I could go on and on.

You have co-written several books with Peju Akande. How does it feel like to have a collaborator like her and what are some of the things that had made your collaborative projects succeed despite individual differences?

Peju Akande and I were classmates at the University of Jos. Her mother introduced us over 30 years ago, so our friendship and love for each other goes back a long way. That friendship has now become a business partnership and it is one of mutual respect. Partnerships are hard and I can tell you sad personal stories but because there is friendship and mutual respect, we make it work. We co-own six thriving businesses and have at the last count co-written and ghost written 10 books with three more on the way. I couldn’t have wished for a better partner.

What other factors contributed to the person you are today?

Those who know me know that I always like to talk about the kindness of friends and strangers. My friend Ralph Bruce and his family, especially his mother, Ma Reggie, have had a huge impact in my life. They showed me love when I needed it and took me into their home when I needed a roof over my head. My father’s huge library introduced me to books and writing and helped turn my love of books and reading into a love for writing and a career. Today, with over 20 books to my name, I cannot speak of myself as a writer without thanking and acknowledging my father.

You have always wanted to write about Lagos and you did in several books. Why do you have such passion for Lagos?

I was 10 when I first came to Lagos on holiday and it blew my mind. I was staying with an uncle in Dopemu and hours after I arrived Lagos my curiosity had drawn me outside and right by our fence was a dead body with people walking past it like it was a piece of garbage. That had a profound effect on me coming as I had from Bendel State where people were more communal. Then I remember visiting Bar Beach and running mad just seeing the waves and what seemed like a million people frolicking. In fact, I have just finished a book of poems memorialising Bar Beach.

My parents moved to Lagos in ‘92 and we have lived here ever since. My state of mind back then was “anxiety” but I learnt to navigate the city as a journalist and today I stalk it as if I own it. There are very few people and places I don’t know in Lagos and if you want anything done here or you want to meet someone I

How does it feel to be 50?

Well, I don’t really know what it feels like. I still use my glasses and have my usual backache which I have had since 23. I went for my annual check-up in May and doctors said everything checked out right but I should make some lifestyle changes. So, I am taking my exercising more seriously and jogging five kilometers a day and cutting down on alcohol. I am also learning to rest more and not get stressed. If you are 50 in this Nigeria and you don’t have high blood pressure, you are among the lucky few. I am thankful to God. What kind of Nigeria did you expect to see at 50?

Not this one, my sister. I wake up and I go to bed anxious. The insecurity is crazy. On my last trip home, I spent almost N100,000 on transport over a few days because I couldn’t travel with my car. I had every opportunity to move abroad when many of my friends did but I wanted to stay here and make something of myself. I have but it’s so hard to enjoy life and your hard work in a fraught environment like this. I pray for Nigeria every day.

You are quite a private person. Tell us a bit more about your family.

I am separated from my wife and going through a divorce. I am saying this publicly for the first time because I am 50 and wetin go happen? As I turn 50, I realise that this is the biggest failure of my life and it hurts daily but some things just have to end. I have three biological children and many adopted. I live for my family. I am from Ibusa in Delta state. I have two degrees in literature from the Universities of Jos and Lagos. I also own a media training school. I don’t know anyone who works and plays as hard as I do. I am just kidding. That’s the private me, in a nutshell.

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Nigeria Meets Uganda, as Bishop Adebayo Babalola’s Son Marries Heartthrob Stories by Mary Nnah Samuel Oluwasegun Babalola, penultimate Saturday, wore his heart on his sleeves for his equally young lovely bride, Sylvia Anjolaoluwa as he tied the nuptial knot at the Flaming Sword Ministries aka Chapel of the Overtakers, Lafiaji, Obalende, Lagos.

Handsomely dressed, his sparkling white and black colour combination stood him out and got him admiration from all the guests at his wedding.

He waited patiently with his friends, the groomsmen, in their stylish suits, for his bride to arrive the serene white painted and decorated auditorium of the church.

And when Sylvia arrived, she in her glittering wedding gown and her array of bridesmaids, all daintily dressed in pink satin dress, of different styles, all the way from Uganda, they came with joy and infectious smiles that set the pace for the ceremony of the day, and the joy of celebration that was witnessed throughout the day.

Nigeria meets Uganda… couple flanked by groom’s parents, Bishop and Mrs. Adebayo Babalola during the event

But why Uganda? That’s where Samuel Oluwasegun Babalola’s bride hails from. They had met outside Nigeria, during his sojourn abroad. And guess what, they were so into each other that Sylvia introduced him to all the beautiful things of Uganda. Now Babalola eats most of the delicious dishes that Uganda has to offer and now he knows all by their names!

With so many top Ministers of God inside the church for the occasion, the blessings of the day

flowed unto the couple from all directions as one minister after the other gave their prayers and blessings.

Love confessed, rings exchanged, Mr and Mrs. Samuel Oluwasegun Babalola emerged as the newest couple in town. It was a day for songs of praise and dances. And the dance for the new couple, started right there in the church where the groom’s father, is the presiding Bishop.

When the church ceremony was over, the sanctified new couple led their guests in a long convoy, to the glittering, well decorated hall of The Coliseum, an upscale popular event centre in Lekki. The wedding reception, just like the church ceremony, had everything in order. And because of the COVID-19 restrictions, the number of guests that attended was equally restricted. But that didn’t reduce the happiness or the beauty of the celebration.

It was a day for dance and the gorgeously dressed guests were not in a hurry to go, they waited to see who danced most as the Nigerian culture and the Ugandan culture blended easily at the wedding reception.

The families, the parent’s dance was glamorously colourful. The dance steps were pleasant for many to see. Who danced more than the other?

Bishop Adebayo Babalola or the wife? Who won during the dance session between the two families? The Asio family from Uganda or the Babalola family from Nigeria?

Ham Beauty Fair Makes Its Debut, as Esther Biade is Unveiled Brand Ambassador Lagos is about to witness one of the biggest beauty fairs in Nigeria and also a great cause that will add unspeakable value to the beauty sector – The Makeup, and Skincare (HAMS) Beauty Fair.

Organised by TOUV concepts, the maiden edition of the HAMS fair will hold from August to 8, 2021 at the outer ballroom of the prestigious Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The fair which promises to be a world class event, will feature stakeholders from Nigeria’s beauty landscape including skincare brands, hair brands, cosmetics, and perfume brands amongst others.

This was made known at a press conference which held recently in Lagos where Esther ‘Biade, a reality TV star, beauty brand ambassador and actress was also unveiled as brand’s spokesperson.

Speaking on the idea behind

L-R: Fair Convener, Oge Obiefuna; HAMS Beauty Fair Spokesperson, Esther Biade and Communication Partner, Oma Areh at the event

the beauty fair, founder, TOUV Global Concepts and HAMS fair convener, Oge Obiefuna, said, “I had a burning desire to bring people together to celebrate beauty and throw more light on the industry.”

Expressing her excitement over her ability to bring together a collection of some of the best global beauty brands as well as world class local

brands in the same space, she noted “the beauty industry in Nigeria and indeed Africa is a billion-dollar industry, HAMS intends to bring all these players together directly to meet and interact with their consumers.

“We were pleasantly overwhelmed with all the positive feedback we received in the preliminary stages, and we cannot wait to show everyone

what we have in store.”

With about 100 exhibitor spaces and an estimated 10,000 attendees, the organisers assure participants that the fair will follow laid down COVID event protocols for the two days. Attendees should expect to see some already registered international brands as well as some leading local Nigerian brands that will be unveiling new products, technologies, and special packages.

Spokesperson for the HAMS Beauty Fair, Esther Biade said, “As someone who is committed to the beauty industry, I am proud be a spokesperson for a worthy project like The HAMS Beauty Fair which will help showcase beauty brands in Nigeria.”

“If you are a beauty brand in hair, cosmetics, perfumes and makeup, the HAMS Beauty Fair is the space to show your world-class products” she added.

SuzukibyCFAOLaunchesMicroSUV,UnveilsNewSLDATechnology CFAO Motors, the distributor of Suzuki vehicles in Nigeria and 30 other African countries, last Friday unveiled the S-Presso micro SUV, a first of its kind in Nigeria.

The event tagged ‘Suzuki is Back’ was also an opportunity for the company to launch its latest technological advancement, the Smart Link Display Audio (SLDA).

In attendance at the Suzuki - Victoria Island showroom was top CFAO representatives; Chairman, CFAO Nigeria Plc, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode; Managing Director/ Country Delegate CFAO Nigeria, Mr. Thomas Pelletier; and General Manager, CFAO Motors - Suzuki, Mrs. Aissatou Diouf, customers and industry stakeholders.

As a follow-up to the brand’s re-introduction in 2019, the ‘Suzuki is back’ event was a platform to showcase its latest upgrade, the SLDA which enables the driver to mirror phone

General Manager, CFAO Equipment, Laurent Friederich; Managing Director/ Country Delegate CFAO Nigeria, Mr. Thomas Pelletier; CFAO Motors - Suzuki, Mrs. Aissatou Diouf; Chairman, CFAO Nigeria Plc, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode; Managing Director, Assene Laborex, Regis Tromeur; Finance Director, CFAO Nigeria Plc, Hélène Paridisi at the ‘Suzuki Is Back’ Launch Event

on the car display screen, place phone calls, use navigation, and play music easily among other interesting features. This technology is available in the Dzire, Ciaz, Vitara, Baleno, Ertiga and Swift models.

Dr. Newton Jibunoh, the new

Suzuki brand ambassador, who is known for his desert expeditions in Suzuki cars, was officially introduced to guests at the event in a documentary capturing the story behind his Suzuki choice.

Speaking on some of the

brand’s activities since 2019, Diouf said, “We came into the Nigerian market with a clear plan to make Japanese cars, more accessible to Nigerians.

“Amidst the challenges caused by the pandemic, we have continued to improve our value proposition to our customers with the expansion of our aftersales service network across the country, while bringing more Nigerian banks on board as partners for our Vehicle Financing scheme.”

“We have just unveiled the S-Presso model, the first micro SUV in Nigeria which will be sold for as low as N5.5 million. Indeed, Suzuki is quickly becoming Naija’s ‘Way of life’ she added.

The Suzuki models available in Nigeria are city cars: S-presso, Alto, Dzire, Swift, Baleno, Ciaz, and Ertiga. The Off-Road Vehicles/Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are Jimny and Vitara.

MaziSamAzokaOnyechiBecomes OGTANNewPresident The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Inspection and Tests Nigeria Limited, Mazi Sam Azoka Onyechi, was recently installed new president of the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) during the association’s annual conference and lecture series held in Lagos.

Onyechi took over from Dr. Mayowa Afe who had proudly OGTAN outgoing president, Dr. announced that he had gone be- Mayowa Afe, decorating the newly yond the target of the 10-point installed president, Mazi Sam Azoagenda he set for himself four ka Onyechi during the event years ago when he took over the mantle of leaders fromthe then president.

Over the years, OGTANhas been blessed with great leadership starting from thepioneer president and current chairman of board, Prof Mike Onyekonwu to the energetic outgoing president, Afe, all of whom have worked tirelessly to bring OGTAN to where it is today.

Onyechi during his acceptance speech said, “As part of our take-off target, in addition to completing all other projects of the last exco, of which we were largely part of, we will be hosting several OGTAN lectures series designed to announce OGTAN member companies and the numerous industry and academic relevant training that should change the industry and nation but which hitherto have been growing old in the portfolios of our members seeking platforms under which they will be advertised and use to impact lives.”

He stressed further that of equally high importance to his administration was the certification of OGTAN secretariat and management to ISO 9001:2015 and follow up of accreditation of her series to relevant international standards with a view to improving her value addition to the industry.

During its annual conference OGTAN conferred on fie of its members the fellowship award of OGTAN as well as honoured the Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Marlin Sylva with the “The Gas Decade Personality Award”.

FifthChukker,IntershelterTriumphatAccess Bank-UNICEFCharityPoloTournament First stage of the prestigious 2021 UNICEF Charity Shield polo tourney climaxed on high with triumphs for Fifth Chukker and Intershelter teams as the international charity event enters its final stages penultimate Tuesday, with nine team jostling for honours.

Home fans favourites, fifth Chukkers handed a thumping 11-7 defeat over hard fighting Jos Malcomines, to clinch the glittering Access Bank Cup, just Intershelter secured a closed 6-4 victory for their first UNICEF Cup title.

Both finals that were decided before a capacity crowd at the foremost Kangimi Resort in Kaduna saw Fifth Chukker scoring three quick goals in the opening chukka and go all the way for another Access Bank Cup title.

The grand finale stage of the international that has raised over 100 million in funds to support UNICEF projects for vulnerable children and the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Kaduna State and its environs, promises to be more exciting as nine equally match teams vie for honours.

Three teams, including many times champions, Access Bank team, last year finalist, Malcomines and Barbedos jostling for the event biggest prize, the Charity Shield, while six ambitious teams would lock in a trench war for the Usman Dantata Cup. Highlight of the opening stage of the annual charity event this year, was undoubtedly the Children Day celebration with the First Lady of Kaduna State, Hajia Aisha Ummi el-Rufai as the Mother of the Day.

NollywoodSuperstar,ChiomaAkpota EndorsesMoukaRoyalMattress Nollywood celebrity, Chioma Akpotha, recently gave the first-class rating to the latest product launch by Nigeria’s leading brand of mattresses, Mouka.

In a testimonial video, she was short of words to describe what it feels like sleeping on Royal by Mouka.

According to her, waking up is difficult as she doesn’t want to leave the warm embrace of her Royal mattress.

The screen-idol also said sleeping on her Royal helps her wake up energised and full of bounce. This, she says, is a far cry from her experience on her old mattress, which made her wake up tired and cranky.

“It is the most comfortable mattress ever,” she noted while encouraging consumers to experience the product first hand to understand what she is talking about.

“Come and sleep on this mattress and give me your comments. It is simply amazing; it is the best. I don’t even know how to describe it to you; you need to experience it yourself.”

Speaking about the product, the Senior Brand and Innovation Manager, Mouka, Akeem Audu, said it is the true description of luxury at its finest.

He pointed out that with a10-year warranty; the pillowtop layer delicately contours your body, providing relief to all pressure points. The lush Pama fabric covering the mattress adjusts to the body temperature, keeping it cool all through the night.

Audu added that the mattress core is built with tempered and knotted Bonnell spring coils that ensure every part of your body gets the right support it needs.

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E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

There is No Killing the Twitter Hashtag Vanessa Obioha writes that the recent Twitter ban by the federal government will likely disconnect fans from their favourite celebrities but the hashtags which have become an emblem of Twitter may defy the ban

I

ntroduced to us by American blogger Chris Messina, theTwitter hashtag — represented by the octothorpe or the hash sign — is an essential part of communication and disseminating information on the social media site. Want to start a movement?

Use the hashtag (#MeTooMovement).

Want to start a protest? The hashtag is your microphone (#EndSARS). Have a new song/ EP/album? Spread the news with a hashtag. What about a film premiere or a fashion show? Use a hashtag. Want to have a trending topic on Twitter?

Just use a hashtag.

The value of the hashtag in spreading information, driving traffic and increasing engagement cannot be overemphasized. The level horizontal strokes and right-tilting vertical strokes symbol is particularly a weapon for fans of celebrities and TV shows on Twitter. For instance, fans of housemates of Big Brother Naija reality TV show have used the tool to mobilise others to vote for their preferred housemates and even after the show. Fans of music artists have also used the tool to spotlight the dominance of their music idol in the industry. A good example is Wizkid’s fans popularly known as Wizkid FC.

With the recent Twitter ban by the federal government, one wonders what will be the fate of Twitter hashtags in Nigeria.

To be sure, hashtags are used on other social media platforms but Twitter seems to have it ingrained in its DNA. It is one platform where the symbol has helped to index topics and keywords.

Moreover, most social media users find Twitter easy to navigate. With hashtags, it is easier to find a topic, join a conversation and get information.

The conciseness of tweets is another advantage of Twitter, unlike other social networking sites that are

mainly designed for images and videos, thereby promoting vanities.

Most Twitter users in Nigeria also find the site a source of entertainment. As a medium of self-expression, people find it easy to express their thoughts although there are downsides to this.

Albeit, some find amusement in reading people’s reactions or thoughts on a topic irrespective of their stance.

Apart from the hashtags, the Twitter ban, if fully obeyed — some users access the site through VPN — will affect celebrities with huge followership. It is no secret that most individuals gained popularity on the microblogging site. Social networking sites like Twitter, Instagram birthed the ‘influencer celebrity’ — a group of persons who may or may not have adequate knowledge on a particular product or service but possess an influencing power over his/her audience that can lead to purchase or patronage. These individuals are often patronised by organisations based on their social media following.

For famous persons in the art and entertainment sphere with a good number of followers, the ban will mean losing those followers as the medium was one of the avenues they amplified their star

power and sustained their brands. Perhaps, they may want to encourage fans to migrate to another platform to stay connected. Fans who feel close to their idols on the platform will be frustrated by the ban.Music artists who often use Twitter to drive streams will be particularly hit. A common culture practised by musicians is to tease fans with snippets of their work before release. That way, they whet fans’ appetite before the premiere. That spontaneity to intimate fans on their latest work may be lost with the Twitter suspension.

Also, with the hashtags, an artiste can drive fans to stream or download his music on different streaming platforms. This does not only increase the number of streams but help in popularising the song.

However, Nigerians are defying the ban with their hashtags. One of them at the time of filing this report is #KeepItOn. The hashtag is a sort of solidarity pledge to organisations and institutions who are challenging the ban and keen on using the social media platform despite the threat by the country’s Attorney-General Abubakar Malami to prosecute anyone using the medium.

Perhaps, the hashtags will continue to live another day in Nigeria.

It’s Not Yet Over for The Voice Nigeria Evicted Talents The Voice Nigeria introduced a new element to the third season but before we dive into that, a quick recap of episode 11.

You may be forgiven if you are still relishing Team Falz’s performance on the Battles.

His talents took their acts to another level, shining in their vocals and stage moves.

Kicking off the Battles, Peace and Dapo waltzed into the stage, dripping royalty.

Their costumes were a nod to the ‘Coming to America’ sequel which was released early this year, a fact Coach Darey pointed out while remarking on their performance for the night. Peace donned a glittering sequined gown with high slits while Dapo

completed his dapper look with a leopard skin draped across his shoulder and a fitted cap.

Together, they performed Beyonce’s ‘Already’ featuring Ghanaian reggae and dancehall artiste Shatta Wale, and the JamaicanAmerican music trio, Major Lazer.

Shining in their vocals, the duo gave the judges some heat with their energy.

However, the talents that got the coaches on their feet were Naomi Mac and Tamara. The two young ladies nicknamed ‘Lamba Girls’ outshone others not only with their vocals but with their creativity, charm and energetic moves.

Tamara and Naomi Mac stole the show last weekend

Strutting to the stage barefooted, they grooved and

moved uniformly to the beat of the catchy Reekado Banks

Young Music Producer P.Priime Spreads His Wings You may have marvelled at his creativity on songs by Olamide, Teni, and Zlatan, but despite the accolades, the young Nigerian music production sensation, Peace Oredope, popularly known as P.Priime is not resting on his oars. The last child in a family of seven, P.Priime attended Nuga Paul Schools, Oke-Afa, Isolo and was raised in the Ejigbo area of Lagos. He grew up in a music inclined family where everyone was a chorister. From an early age, he picked up rudimentary skills of playing music about five instruments such as piano, drumset, guitar, saxophone and trumpet. This exposure was the right pivot that he needed to blossom into one of Nigeria’s most sought-after record producers. At the young age of 18, the Ogun State-born talent has amassed enviable production credits that dwarfs his age. From behind his music console, he goes into the books

P.Priime

as one of the youngest to ever achieve that milestone on the Nigerian music landscape.

Some of his credits include ‘Like I Do’ off Fireboy’s magnum opus, ‘Laughter, Tears, Goosebumps’, ‘Gelato’

by DJ Cuppy, ‘Egungun’ by Zlatan and veteran indigenous singer Obesere. He bagged credit for producing seven out of 12 songs in Olamide’s latest album, ‘Carpe Diem.’

He disclosed, “I don’t want to be

limited to being a beatmaker. I do a lot more than that; I write, sing, direct live music and many other things. Besides, being a beatmaker is me bringing the dreams of an artist to life and I’d like for them to do the same to me.”

To showcase his range, he revealed plans to release an EP. He explained, “I am thinking of releasing my own music. It’s more expressive because there’s a limit to things you can do on other people’s songs.”

Regarding his age, the artiste said: “Age means nothing to me. If anything, I feel privileged and I feel like the universe has put me on a pedestal and as a result of that, I’m the voice for the next generation. I’m well-brought-up and very disciplined which makes it quite easy for me. I am very much in touch with older people whom I have around me. Their rich counsel help to keep me in check.”

hit ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’.

Their performance is one of the most-talked-about battles of episode 11.

While Team Falz went all groovy, Team Waje took a mellow route with Eazzie and Nuel performing Ed Sheeran’s ‘Perfect’.

Ayomikun and Inioluwa known for their soul voices were challenged to perform an upbeat song ‘Nobody’

by DJ Neptune featuring Joeboy.

At the end of the show, only four talents (two from each team) made it to the live shows. They are Dapo and Naomi Mac for Team Falz; Inioluwa and Eazzie for Team Waje.

In a surprising twist,

the evicted talents: Nuel, Peace, Tamara and Ayomikun, were given another chance to remain in the show. Through the new Viewers Save, fans of the show can vote to return any of the talents to the live show. By visiting the website of the music competition, fans are entitled to one vote per day to keep their favourite talents on the show. Voting closes today.

Also, First Bank Nigeria is still giving away prizes to fans who correctly answer trivia questions posted on their social media platforms.

Tomorrow’s episode will see Team Darey and Team Yemi Alade battle it out on stage. Will their talents bring more heat to the stage?

TJ Hays Tackles Nigeria’s Problems in New Visuals Lagos and Warri-based singer TJ Hays recently released the visuals of ‘Madoo’, a song that plumbs the various challenges facing the country. From insecurity to police brutality, the singer highlighted the disposition of ordinary citizens to the overwhelming problems.

In recent times, the country has been daunted by different conundrums with insecurity being the most horrifying challenge. But according to the singer, the masses are still flexing because they can afford to drink away their problems.

“Money no get enemy” is the ultimate message of the song which can be likened to the popular adage ‘Water no get enemy’ by the afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Sampling afrobeat, the visuals directed

by Edesiri Adese shows TJ Hays in different sets, sometimes shirtless and

TJ Hays

accompanied by dancers. The suffering state of Nigerians was also captured in the video.

TJ Hays is not new to the music scene.

Over the years, he’s released songs and performed at international shows. Born Ayikimi Oghenetejiri, he started his music career as a live band musician in Delta State Warri, where he comes from. His other songs include ‘Ayeme’ and ‘Ebiere’.

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SME.NGSettoLaunchEbiMarketplacetoEmpowerFemaleEntrepreneurs Chiamaka Ozulumba SME.NG is set to launch an e-market platform with the aim of empowering women-owned businesses with economic opportunities, business sustainability and improving resilience to the negative effects of the pandemic and the economic downturn.

The platform which is set to launch in August will help overcome the barriers female entrepreneurs currently face in Nigeria, as digital solutions offer a new and scalable pathway to not just solve the issues of access to finance but will generate market linkages for female entrepreneurs.

In addition to its allwomen’s She Works Here accelerator and the Ebi Fund targeted at women entrepreneurs in Nigeria, SME.NG is providing this e-market solution to give access to finance, access to markets

Thelma Ekiyor

and financial inclusion for female-owned businesses.

Since its launch, SME.NG

has sought to empower and improve the livelihoods of women in the SME ecosys-

tem to thrive.

Commenting on the purpose of the Ebi Market Platform, the Managing Director, SME.NG, Ms. Thelma Ekiyor, said, “This year, due to the impact of the global pandemic, COVID-19, we have deemed it pertinent to empower Nigerian femaleowned businesses to help them thrive.

“With SME.NG at the helm of providing Nigerian Female Entrepreneurs the opportunity to grow their businesses through financial services, trading opportunities, advisory services, mentorship and networking and so much more, we will continue to provide female entrepreneurs with entrepreneurial opportunities to create wealth and support their livelihood.”

The Ebi Marketplace platform will be Nigeria’s first all-women’s e-market platform which is safe and user-friendly. The platform

Jobberman Nigeria Launches New Way to Recruit for Employers Nigeria’s leading job placements platform has today announced the launch of its new and improved Best Match product which helps employers find the best match for their roles in ten working days. This announcement is part of its campaign tagged, #ANewWaytoMatch.

The new and improved Best Match product is an automated candidate matching system that saves employers time and effort by screening, testing, and ranking the high volume of candidates received for an application, matching them with the best fit, faster.

With this product, employers get a shortlist of 10 “qualified” and “tested’’ candidates who

match their job description the best in only 10 working days.

For employers, hiring the right talent for their job roles remainsamajorchallenge.While findinggoodcandidatesthrough numerous recruitment methods might not be hard, finding the best talent, both in culture and in skill-set, can be excruciating.

Speaking on the campaign, CEO Jobberman Nigeria, Ms. Rolake Rosiji stated “With over a decade in the recruitment industry, we understand the challenge of finding the best fit for a job role in any company. “ That is why we are pleased to reintroduce our Best Match product. As an innovative and technologically driven company, we have taken the

feedback from all our customers and improved our product by incorporating artificial intelligence to ensure that employers get a shortlist of “qualified” and “tested” candidates who match their job description the best and spend less time in the hiring process” With Best Match, employers get additional benefits such as a complimentary assessment worth N32,000, increased visibility and reach by matching the job roles to both qualified passive and active jobseekers, transparency by providing real-time information, with a fully interactive view of all applicants, and an automated report which is a detailed summary of the Best Match

selection. Employers get this and more for only N75,000.

Isaac Oni, Product Lead, Jobberman Nigeria stated “The new Best Match is designed to make work easier for employers by providing advanced technology to screen, test, and rank only the most qualified for open roles listed on the platform. As leaders in the industry, we are working hard to give employers the best recruitment journey by matching them with only the best that’s right for them” Over the next four weeks, Jobberman is looking to partner with new and existing employers, introducing them to the new way to match through Best Match.

Ikeja Electric Restates Commitment to Quality Education ȊDistributes free educational materials to mark Children’s Day Nigeria’s leading Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric (IE), has restated its support for quality education with the donation of educational materials to Agidingbi Primary Schools, Ikeja, Lagos, as part of activities to mark this year’s Children’s Day. The company stated that it is in line with its commitment to support efforts in promoting quality primary education and also contribute to the growth of educational sector in Nigeria, through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

Speaking during presentation of the items which included books, writing materials and school bags, the company’s Chief Finance Officer, Olubunmi Olukoju, explained that IE came to identify with Agidingbi Primary School, as a way of giving back to the society, in appreciation of their contribution to the progress the company.

Some of the beneficiaries with Ikeja Electric Staff

“We understand that quality primary education is the bedrock for building leaders of tomorrow, so it becomes pertinent that we lend our support to growth and quality educational development of these children.

“As a socially responsible corporate organisation, we will continue to engender opportunities and support platform that will prepare children to excel in their academic pursuits,” she said.

In her response, the elated Head Teacher of Agidingbi Primary School, Ehirim Edith,

commended Ikeja Electric for distributing the educational items to their pupils, as this will encourage them in their studies.

“We are extremely delighted and grateful to Ikeja Electric for coming to celebrate this year’s Children’s Day with our school,” she said.

During the interactive session in the school, the pupils were educated on how to use electricity safely to avoid electrical hazards. Olukoju urged the pupils to abide by all the safety tips at all times while enjoying electricity at home, school and

anywhere they find themselves.

She discouraged any form of activity near power lines and also advised parents not to carry out any trading activities near electrical installations, especially near transformers and under high tension power lines, to avoid electrocution.

She assured the children and parents of excellent service delivery across the network coverage areas of Ikeja Electric.

The pupils, after receiving the educational materials, thanked the DisCO, saying “God bless Ikeja Electric”.

The event was also attended

by Afolabi Adeola, Education Officer, Ikeja Local Government Education Authority, Oluyemi Ayanga, Business Manager, Ikeja Business Unit, Adebimpe Akintola, Brand, Events and PCSR Coordinator, Ayeni Akinola, Community and Media Relations Manager, all from Ikeja Electric and some Ikeja Electric’s employee volunteers.

will also feature a Nigerian women SME directory with sector and location tags to expand the reach of products and services across Nigeria and beyond.

The Ebi Marketplace will be all inclusive and will offer a one-stop shop information portal of opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

The platform will provide women entrepreneurs and their customers with a unique and seamless online trading and shopping experience. It also includes features that will help drive sales and boost revenues for women-owned businesses, as well as provide other resources that will enable women-owned businesses to thrive.

To join the Ebi Market Platform, interested female entrepreneurs can register to be vendors on www.ebimarketplace.com. The Ebi marketplace will officially go live on the 1st of August

and the App will be available for download on Play Store and Apple Store.

Successful sign-ups would officially become vendors on the platform and can access all the benefits on the Ebi Market Platform.Connect with Ebi Market on social media @ebimarketplace on Instagram and Twitter.

SME.NG was established to bridge the gaps in women’s access to finance through “gender lens investing”.

It is an impact investment platform that invests in Nigerian SMEs to realize measurable environmental, social, and financial returns.

The platform’s approach to SME financing is through a “blended financing” model, which leverages private capital, public sector investments and philanthropic giving. SME.NG has two funds for women and operates an all women accelerator, “She Works Here”.

Love Idoko’s Foundation Partners Nestle to Empower NYSC Members The Executive Director of Activate Success Int’l Foundation (ASIF), Mrs. Love Idoko-Uloko has once again reignited her annual Youth Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme’ (YEEP) for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

This year’s event held in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States simultaneously on May 25, 2021.

The line-up of speakers at the different centers include Mrs. Love Idoko-Uloko; popular musician, Timi Dakolo; celebrated Comedian, Real Warri Pikin; Actor, Uti Nwachukwu and Arik Air’s Head of Central and West Africa, Mr. Sylvester Egogo. Also in attendance was a high powered delegation from Nestle Nigeria PLC which include Mr. Bamidele Aina (Brand Manager NothCentral); Mr.AyodeleAyeokere (Factory Manager, Abaji); Mr. Rasheed Sowunmi (QualityAssurance Manager, Abaji); and Mr. Sylvester Odunlami (Sales Operations Manager- North Central), among others.

The Executive Director of ASIF in her opening remarks at the Abuja center highlighted the foundation’s various programmes targeted at inspiring and empowering young people. She also mentioned the foundation’s partnership with Nestle and highlighted how Corp members can benefit from it.

“Currently, we have a partnership with Nestle Nigeria to train interested Corps members in food processing and packaging. Afterwards, grants will be presented to some of you after completing the training”.

Award winning artiste, Timi

Idoko

Dakolo who was a cynosure of all eyes briefly performed few of his hit songs to the admiration of everyone before going ahead to admonish the youths.

He shared with them the importance of comparative advantage while another notable guest speaker, Warri Pikin shared her inspiring and touching true life story with the audience. They both encouraged the Corps members to live life meaningfully and never to give up on their dreams.

The Nestle Team officials in their speeches expressed the desire of the company to work with the NYSC and Corps members in acquiring skills and being self-reliant. They promised to train those interested in the skills acquisition.

The event had in attendance the Batch A Stream II Corp members, staff of the NYSC including the State Coordinator, Camp Director, the Camp Commandant, members of the NYSC Camp Management Team and the Director North Central, Mrs. Loto Bolade Omolayo.

In 2019, ASIF gave out startup grants of N200, 000 each to young entrepreneurs under its Youth Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme (YEEP).

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ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

Fadun’s Literary Window into History, Universal ThemesMoers Festival 2021

In the book,‘Thoughts of Babatunde Fadun,’the author makes a case for the integration of the Awori towns of Otta, Igbesa and Ado-Odo into Lagos, student loan schemes, review of the constitution while wading in on global issues. Yinka Olatunbosun writes

C

hief Babatunde Fadun’s book titled ‘Thoughts of Babatunde Fadun’ is essentially a collection of his commentaries that had previously been published in leading national newspapers since 1973. The author who hails from Igbesa had worked at the defunct National Bank of Nigeria for six years during which he studied journalism by correspondence at the School of Journalism, Hermitage, England. After his stint at the University of Lagos where he studied Economics, he worked for 10 years at the Marketing Department of NNPC and would later join politics in 1997.

A foundation member of PDP in Ogun state and an experienced insurance practitioner, his varied professional experience reflected on his informed commentaries in the book. The articles are multi-dimensional focusing on politics, economics and historical trajectories of Nigeria. Chief Fadun’s writings, both national and universal, are fact-oriented. With its foreword written by the human rights lawyer, Femi Falana SAN, the tone is set for a patriotic sojourn through a maze of events that necessitated the original commentaries.

In the book, the reader takes a walk through some aspects of history, a page at a time.

Beginning with the argument around the territorial stretch of Lagos into its border towns with Ogun state, Chief Fadun integrates his insight as a native of one of such communities and a dogged student of history. There are many communities outside Lagos that fall under Ogun state

Book Cover

that appeared to be closer to Lagos that Ogun state. These include the Awori towns

of Otta, Igbesa and Ado-Odo. The Aworis, though a small ethnic group, are considered

as the first ethnic settlers in Lagos. The writer Babatunde Fadun delves into history to trace their imprint and examine where other Awori communities should be part of Lagos state. Before the intertribal war broke out in 1794, the Aworis migrated to Lagos metropolis arriving at Ogudu, Ojuwoye (now Mushin), Ebute Metta.

It was said that the Awori and Egbado often met at Iddo Wharf for the purpose of marketing.

Next, the author examines the history books on Lagos written by various authors such as Prince John. B Losi’s ‘The History of Lagos,’ another one titled ‘History of Nigeria’ from a former Colonial Governor of Nigeria, Sir Alan Burns and ‘The Case for Lagos State’ written by the first executive Governor of Lagos state, Lateef Jakande. For the author, the argument for the inclusion of Otta, Igbesa and Ado-Odo in Lagos is informed by the prospect of experiencing infrastructural development that would lead to better quality of life.

In another piece, the writer explains why locally manufactured goods are expensive, tapping from the wealth of knowledge of some industry experts.

In addition to these newspaper commentaries, the author adds some paper presentation to the collection. For instance, the paper titled ‘Memorandum to the panel on the review of the Nigerian Capital Market headed by Denis Odife,’ the author identifies some of the inherent problems in the Nigerian Capital Market, proffering solutions.

As observed by Falana SAN, the book is a ‘priceless compendium, an important read at last for those who are curious to connect with Nigeria’s past, present and future.’

Twitter Ban: Ehikhamenor Alludes to Maya Angelou’s Poem with Painting Chinelo A. Iwenofu Many thought it was simple yet powerful. A painting of the iconic blue bird that is the logo of the micro-blogging site Twitter has arrested the attention of art lovers and the general public on the social media platforms. Amasterpiece from one of Nigeria’s most innovative contemporary artists, Victor Ehikhamenor, the painting is titled ‘Do You Know Why The Caged Bird Sings?’

The background to the painting is quite interesting.

On Friday June 4, the Nigerian

government announced the suspension of Twitter on the premise that the app owners allowed its platform to be used “for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.’’

Before the suspension was announced, the Twitter app

had been used by Nigerians for self-expression, business, citizen journalism and crime fighting initiatives; news gathering and dissemination, entertainment, propaganda and agitation for citizen’s rights and justice. Hence, the global outrage that ensued after the announcement was overwhelming- from the diplomatic community to labour unions and yes, artists.

This is why Ehikhamenor’s ‘DoYou Know Why The Caged Bird Sings?’ speaks volumes about the underlying issues that made Twitter the most

potent tool for young Nigerians to demand for accountability.

In the painting, the bird’s beak is fastened with a padlock that bears the Nigeria’s national colours in the flag order, that is green-white-green. No doubt, the painting with its title alludes to the poem by Maya Angelou ‘Caged Bird’ which is loaded with themes of racial oppression, freedom versus captivity and happiness versus sorrow. With the poem, Maya Angelou appropriated birds as metaphor to convey the frustration and suffering of the oppressed.

To answer the question posed by Ehikhamenor, the viewer is required to do some soul-searching to find truthful answers using thoughtprovoking questions such as: Could there be a connection between the social reality of the average Nigerian and the high voltage of anger expressed on twitter? If there are adequate job opportunities for Nigerians in Nigeria, would there be spare time to use the platform to trend for trending’s sake by needlessly bullying a politician? Or fanning the embers of war?

50th Post-Humous Birthday: Honouring Tupac’s Political Legacy in Hip-Hop Yinka Olatunbosun One of the most influential voices in hip-hop history, Tupac Shakur would have been 50 years old on June 16 this year if his life had not been cut short by the bullet in Las Vegas on September 13, 1996.

Tupac, who is famous for his music activism against inequality, rapped about violence, drugs and thug life, poverty, humanity and other issues that may have contributed to the battered image of a person of colour in his society and indeed the entire world. Hip-hop as a genre has roots in the militant spoken-word groups such as The Last Poets and The Watts

Tupac Shakur

Prophets. Long before Tupac, there was a slew of sociallyconscious artists such as Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Kurtis Blow, and others.

Long after his death, his music is still a subject of intellectual discourse and reference material for reviewers, film

makers and documentarians, especially rap artists who are keen on lyricism. Rappers like Nas, Lauryn Hill, Common, Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino honed their political lyricism on the template inadvertently created by the likes of Tupac. Tupac was a visionary whose music captured the temperament of the black neighborhood.

Take a look at the scenario he painted casually in his classic, ‘Dear Mama’ where demystifies the thug life in the lines: I hang around with the thugs/ And even though they sold drugs/ They showed the young brother love.’ Perhaps, for the duality of the meanings of his songs, he was blamed for

glorifying drugs and the thug life. Every good student history knows that the blacks didn’t invent crack but the influx of crack into black neighborhoods in America changed hip-hop forever.Crackbecamethemeans to an end- the infamous antidote to poverty. Drugs birthed gangs; gangs dominated hoods. A rapper gets beaten or shot for something he rapped about that insulted the other gang. Hip-hop got messy afterwards. Tupac’s post-humousrelease,“Changes’’ is an existential-themed rap song with every day subject matters of hunger, crime and the unholy indoctrination of under-aged children into drug peddling.

“My stomach hurts so I’m lookin’ for a purse to snatch/ Cops give a damn about a

negro/Pull the trigger kill a nigga he’s a hero/Give the crack to the kids who the hell cares/One less hungry mouth on the welfare.’’

With the death of Tupac and the controversial murder of his rival, Notorious B.I.G, it became clear that hip-hop could use some slow-mo. More than a decade later, the rap game became less vicious-veering into a different form called ‘trap.’ Then came the voice spitting brutal conversation on race. His name is Joyner Lucas. His song “I’m not racist,’’ heavily criticized for reinforcing stereotypes was in itself ‘a double-platinum’ honour for the legacy of conscious rap laid by Tupac and his contemporaries.

DuroIkujenyoPays TributetoRolling DollarinDocu-film, Concert Yinka Olatunbosun A documentary to show the diversity of Lagos cultural scene will hold next week Friday, June 18 at the Alliance Francaise, Otunba Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The documentary titled ‘fusion of culture’ pays tribute to late Pa Fatai Rolling Dollar, a pioneering palm wine music artist who contributed to the ‘agidigbo’ fame. The documentary was shot by Angelbert Theuretzbecher, an Austrian national who died in a fatal crash enroute Ijebu-Ode. Ikujenyo noted that he and other crew members sustained varying degrees of injury. The Afro-jazz musician and the Afrobeat legend Fela’s former pianist, Duro Ikujenyo who conceptualized the documentary, will also perform that same evening in a concert that is designed to unveil his sixth album titled ‘Divine Fusion’.

The Lagos-based musician, along with his band, the Age of Aquarius will perform on July 18 and will feature Ayinke Martins, a Nigerian-British Renowned Queen of Jazz as a guest performer.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

ͱͯ

DimboAtiya: CelebratingNorthernCultureinaContemporaryWay Dumbo Atiya, a Jos-based content producer, is one of the remarkable storytellers celebrating northern culture in a contemporary way on the small screen. Vanessa Obioha reports on how GOtv have his content a wider reach

C

ontent production was never in the works for Dimbo Atiya, a popular content producer.

The earliest encounter he had with the film industry was when his mother was cast in a role in a TV production of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Jos, Plateau State. Even now, as he recalled the moment, he can hardly place the exact year he had the experience. In his recollection, he was just a young boy who enjoyed going to the studio with his mother, an English Language graduate. His mother’s imaginative mind and stories also fascinated him such that he marvelled at the way she used family members as characters in her stories.

“It was fascinating to read those stories with names of my uncles, aunts and relatives as characters,” he enthused.

The fascination, however, was not magnetic enough to pull him into the film world.

For most of his high school days, he spent wandering, unsure of what career path to take. What would finally do the magic was the intervention of a family friend who persuaded his mother to send him to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism in Jos. Reluctantly, he enrolled in the institute but by the time he attended a radio production class taught by Mallam Auwal, he knew he had creative juice flowing in his veins.

“He had such a creative mind that I knew instantly I was going to return the following day.”

Not only did Dimbo return to the class, but he went on to attend the film school in Jos although he didn’t complete the academic year. He would later work with Mo Abudu, attend New York Film Academy and was partially convinced that he would become a director, but after much deliberation, he stuck with content production.

Today, Dimbo is renowned for producing content that portrays northern culture in a different light. He explained that because he grew up in Jos, Plateau State which most people assumed is his state of origin (he is from Nasarawa State), he is familiar and exposed to northern nuances. Jos, according to him, is home to many northerners and as such he is well acquainted with many from the core part of the region.

“Moreover, growing up, filmmakers like Peter Igho from NTA had a way of mixing the northern culture with contemporary characters in stories like ‘Behind the Clouds’.

So when I found my footing in the industry, it was very convenient that I was biased to things I was exposed to.”

Most films and TV shows about northerners are often stereotyped, according to him, so he was keen on telling stories that are contemporary and also appeal to the elites in that region.

The northern culture, he said, has a strong textural appeal.

“There is something very brilliant and deep about the northern culture. First of all, the language. There is something very fluid and poetic about the language,” he gushed.

The appeal also includes their family values which Dimbo explores in his storytelling.

“Most of my content is family-oriented because I have been influenced by the family culture of the north. It’s something that is not too common in the mainstream. Some of these nuances that are peculiar to the northern region are not exploited in the mainstream media so I thought it was a unique way to stand out in the industry. It was something fresh and new and I made

Atiya

up my mind to become the ‘King of the North’ with that kind of storytelling.”

When pitching ‘Halita’, one of his popular TV series on Africa Magic channels on GOtv, the content producer applied the same method, urging the network to capture the story in a northern setting. It worked.

Most of my content is family-oriented because I have been influenced by the family culture of the north. It’s something that is not too common in the mainstream. Some of these nuances that are peculiar to the northern region are not exploited in the mainstream media so I thought it was a unique way to stand out in the industry. It was something fresh and new and I made up my mind to become the ‘King of the North’ with that kind of storytelling

The television drama series gained popularity for its riveting storyline and characters, particularly its eponymous character Halita, a 19-year-old village girl forced to move to the city and work as a maid in the powerful Zamani household.

The show finale aired in September 2020.

‘Halita’ featured actors like Sophia Alakija, Mofe Duncan, Chisom Gabriella and the late Matt Alkali.

He admitted that he never envisaged the success of the show because it was the first daily show he and his team worked on.

“Ninety-five per cent of the cast were new faces on television. The crew were mostly young people who were graduates from Jos. We were all newbies, we had no expectations but were keen on doing the job and doing it well. We started feeling we were doing something when we got feedback from the social media handles from the Africa Magic channels. ‘Halita’ had the highest fanbase on Facebook. When the show ended, people were really heartbroken and the fans, till today, sent their wishful thoughts for another season.”

“The production value was done differently to give it a unique look. The opening song done by Bez became an anthem. We became confident when we started gaining ground with the audience,” he added.

For Dimbo, working with Africa Magic channels which are on GOtv is a massive opportunity for him.

“We are talking about millions of people

tuning in daily to watch a daily show. That is, 240 episodes of ‘Halita’. We were particularly excited when it began airing on Africa Magic Family which is available on GOtv. It’s not premium so we were excited that ordinary Nigerians can also watch it.

Most of our fans that watched ‘Halita’ were probably from the GOtv family. “ He explained further: “When the second season premiered, it wasn’t originally on GOtv and some people protested that decision and even migrated to the DStv platform. That showed us that our fans were mainly on the GOtv platform.”

Atiya also disclosed that the popularity of the show was so overwhelming that the cast members get a lofty ovation wherever they go.

“The GOtv platform has done an amazing job in projecting our content more than as far as we can imagine.”

He argued that there are so many stories to tell as long as the content producer knows what the audience wants. However, the most interesting thing for him is that there are platforms like GOtv interested in these stories.

“GOtv has subscription-based viewers that they have to feed every day. And as such, needs content. It can be commissioned or licensed. Such platforms help content producers to share their stories. So it is a good time for content producers in the country because many stories are waiting to be told,” he stated.

32

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Anambra Immigration Comptroller Decorates ACI Nsofor Chiemelie Ezeobi The Anambra State Comptroller of Immigration (CIS), AD Eche, recently decorated Lady Uche Felicia Nsofor, with the rank of Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACI).

Prior to her promotion and subsequent decoration on May 27 , Nsofor was a Chief Superintendent of Immigration (CSI).

At the decoration, she was proudly supported by her husband, Hon Engr Humphrey Nsofor, KSC and her daughter, Barrister Ekene.

ACI Nsofor hails from the renowned Ezeogidi Okoli Family of Umuekwe, Orsumoghu in Ihiala Local Government Area (LGA), Anamabra State.

At a point when it wasn’t fashionable for the girl-child to be enrolled into school, her father, Late Jacob Okoli and mother, Mrs. Margaret Okoli, ensured her enrolment, thus setting her off the trajectory of her career today.

In her formative years, she attended Girls Secondary School, Amichi, in Anambra State and afterwards proceeded to Imo State University where she bagged a degree in Guidance and Counselling.

She is married to Hon. H.C Nsofor, a former Majority Leader in Anambra State House of

Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, Uche Felicia Nsofor being decorated by Anambra State Comptroller, AD Eche; and her husband, Hon Humphrey Nsofor, KSC

Assembly and former Special Adviser on Legislative Matters to former Governor of

Anambra State.

She is blessed with five children, Chia-

maka and Chukwudum (the twins); Ekene, Chigozirim and Nnaemeka.

Rotary Club of Lagos Celebrates 60th Anniversary with Fanfare Chiamaka Ozulumba The Rotary Club of Lagos in District 9110 rolled out the drums to celebrate its 60th anniversary with a gala dinner which held as a hybrid event at Oriental Hotel, Victoria, Lagos.

According to Chair, Public Image Committee & Chair, 60th Anniversary Media & Communications Sub-Committee, Rotary Club of Lagos, Ehi Braimah, the highpoints of the ceremony included the launch of the Club’s Coffee Table Book, a memorabilia showcasing the rich heritage of the club, which was reviewed by Prof Doyin Salami, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council.

Past District Governor, Dr. Tunji Funso who was voted as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Persons 2020, was the guest speaker.

He noted that as Rotarians, “we cannot stop doing good in the world and affirmed that though Nigeria has kicked the wild polio virus out, we all have to be eternally vigilant to keep polio at zero.”

In his remarks, District Governor Bola Oyebade noted that the Rotary Club of Lagos is the oldest club in the district with 26 charter members in 1961.

He praised members of the club for their steadfastness and commitment to the ideals of Rotary. Dare Adeyeri, the 60th president of the club, expressed immense joy for the opportunity to serve humanity. He said the club executed over 40 projects at over N50million since July last year.

According to Braimah, “awards were also

L-R: Larry Agose, chair of the Anniversary Committee; Ann Adeyeri, spouse of Dare Adeyeri; 60th President of the Club, Dare Adeyeri; Dr Bisi Onasanya, former GMD/CEO of First Bank/Chairman of the occasion and his wife, Helen at the unveiling of the Rotary Club of Lagos Coffee Table Book (Memorabilia) to mark the Club’s 60th anniversary during the gala dinner in Lagos, recently

given to eminent Nigerians in different categories such as the ambassadors awards for members of the club that chartered other Rotary Clubs.

“In the distinguished awards category, Past President Kunle Ogunbayo and PAG Hairat Balogun were the recipients while Chief Phillip Asiodu, Elder Felix Ohiwerei, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Otunba M.O. Balogun, Chief Mrs Onikepo Akande and Mrs Ndidi

Nwuneli were given honorary awards for their services to humanity.

“As the second Rotary Club to be charted in Nigeria on May 30, 1961, after the Rotary Club of Kano, the high profile gala attracted dignitaries which included Dr Bisi Onasanya, Founder/Chairman of The Address Homes and former Group Managing Director/CEO, First Bank Nigeria Limited and his wife, Helen; Ladi Balogun,

Group Chief Executive, FCMB Group Plc and Chief Phillip Asiodu, diplomat and former Petroleum Minister.

“There were also other distinguished Rotary leaders in attendance including Past District Governors Adeniji Raji, Dr Kamoru Omotosho, Dr Deinde Shoga, Richard Giwa-Osagie and his spouse, Toyin and Kola Sodipo and spouse, Adenike.

“The incoming District Governor, Remi Bello, FCA and the District Governor Nominee, Omotunde Lawson, also graced the occasion.

“Bill Egnatoff was a virtual participant and joined from Canada. Egnatoff, who was with his spouse Joan during the ceremony, is a retired Professor of Computer Science at Kingston University in Ontario, Canada.

He witnessed the charter ceremony of the Rotary Club of Lagos in 1961. His father, late J.G. Egnatoff, chartered the club.

“Also online were Peter Urselmann, President of the Rotary Club of Oberhaussen Antony-Huette in Germany. The German Club is the initiator of the WATER FOR LIFE project at Coke Town in Ifo Local Government Area in Ogun State which will cost over US$80,000.

“The project is a collaboration of three partners consisting of the Rotary Club of Oberhaussen Antony-Huette, Rotary Club of Lagos and Adesuwa Foundation based in Germany which was founded by Jennifer Westholt.

“Members of the Rotary Club of Lagos and Rotarians from other clubs including Rotaractors, friends and guests of Rotary were also attended the gala dinner.”

Okwuosa Promises One Million Jobs for Youths A governorship aspirant under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, Hon Azuka Okwuosa has promised to create over a million jobs for youths if elected.

According to him, he has already created over cover 20,000 jobs for Nigerian youths in his 30 years as career engineer.

He said, “my entrepreneurial ventures have

created thousands of opportunities for motivated youths to build careers, develop new skills and engage in favourable competition while earning an honest living.”

His establishments which cut across the oil and gas, ICT, and agricultural industries have hosted over 20,000 skilled and unskilled labourers.

Okwuosa, further emphasised that the resources made

available to him as the state governor will enable him to create over one million jobs in Anambra for the people.

“My plan cuts across all sectors of the economy, containing practical steps to secure productive partnerships with industry experts both in the private and public sectors.

He further highlighted “Anambra as a state has been deficient in the purposeful creation of worthwhile jobs

for the youth. Anambra lacks the favourable climate to host labour-intensive industries”.

According to him, this problem is one of his government’s priorities after his election in November.

“The state’s infrastructural deficiency and insecurity have influenced the flight of large business enterprises to other parts of the country.

“It has also discour-

aged the entry of foreign investment into the state.

Most SMEs struggle to stay afloat due to the inability of the government to create sustainable structures that would facilitate business growth”.

Speaking on his blueprint, the governorship aspirant says he intends to intensify efforts to create jobs through agricultural development and incentivising multinational companies to domicile

in the state.

He opined that his administration would strive to provide a stable and affordable power supply to reduce the overhead costs for businesses, establish a film village to encourage the growing movie industry and many other initiatives.

He stressed that his government will also disburse grants and acquisition funds to encourage innovative and entrepreneurial indigenes.

33

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

METRO

…Your city life in print

Hammed Tajudeen: Improving Lives in Ojomu Communities For Hammed Tajudeen, a community youth leader from Ojomu Royal Communities in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, one does not need to be a political office holder before embarking on poverty alleviation schemes, Chiamaka Ozulumba reports

Tajudeen

“M

ost people think leadership is about being in charge.

Most people think leadership is about having all the answers and being the most intelligent person or the most qualified person in the room.

The irony is that it is the complete opposite.

Leadership is about empowering others to achieve things they did not think possible.

Leadership is about pointing in the direction, articulating a vision of the world that does not yet exist. Then asking help from others to insure that vision happens.” -Simon Sinek For Hammed Tajudeen, a community youth leader from Ojomu Royal Communities in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, one does not need to be a political office holder before embarking on poverty alleviation schemes or programmes to put smiles on the faces of your community people.

Tajudeen who is popularly known as

Some of empowerment scheme donations

Hammed Ajiran did not just appear from sky, he has seen the good, the bad and the ugly. According to him, “I was born in Ojomu Royal Communities, My parents were very poor, it was so difficult for us to feed and live. It was so tough for us, so I did many odd jobs to survive. I was once a bus conductor here in Lagos. I hawked on the streets, and I did welding job and other manual labour jobs to survive and support my family.”

As someone who tasted and knew how poverty or hunger can lead to depression, since his breakthrough, he decided to go into poverty alleviation schemes to help reduce poverty in his community and beyond.

Friday, May 21, 2021, was day to be remembered as people of Ojomu Royal Communities and other communities in Eti-Osa Local Government Area were empowered with not less than 25 cars, N15,000,000 cash

gift, sewing machines,hair dryers, hair straighteners, ironing tables, pressing irons and other saloon and tailoring equipment.

As an astute lover of quality grassroots education, Tajudeen also carried out outreaches to schools in the Eti-Osa area; where he gifted them with school buses and other educational materials to smooth sail the vision of the leaders of tomorrow.

Speaking during the event, Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr. Olanrewaju Elegushi, disclosed that empowerment such as this is very key to the society and must be encouraged because people are empowered there will be less crimes, and the the economy will grow.

According to him, “I am overwhelmed by the gesture of Mr. Hammed, what he did today is something that is extraordinary for an individual who is not even a politician to handle, his passion to help people is so huge. The commercial vehicles given out

today will advance the goal of the Lagos State government in the transportation sector which the governor, Sanwo-olu is working seriously to improve.”

Pastor Ibukun Akintoye, who is one of the beneficiaries of Hammed Tajudeen empowerment scheme said “I can’t even express my excitement over the gift. This is so great. Mr. Hammed is God sent to us all. He is bringing many out of poverty. Those people that got commercial vehicles will have a good source of income. May God bless him.”

Akintoye, who was lucky to get car at the Hammed empowerment scheme, noted that it was because of the leadership roles he has been playing in the community, not because there is any special thing he has been doing for the philanthropist, adding that there is always a reward for any good deed either by God or man”.

MAJORWAVES Named Local Content Magazine of the Year Majorwaves Energy Report (MER), an energy magazine was recently awarded the Best Local Content Magazine of the Year 2020.

MER is published by Majorwaves Communications, a media, public relations, training and research firm co-founded by 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow, Margaret Nongo-Okojokwu and her husband, Jerome Onoja Okojokwu-Idu in 2018.

The award was given in recognition of the magazine’s significant coverage and reportage of local content, sustainability, infrastructure and events in the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry and across the African continent.

It was conferred by the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) at the 2021 AGM and Lecture series during the Outstanding Media Award ceremony of the association which held April, 2021 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

OGTAN conveyed the message in a

L-R: BOT Chairman OGTAN, Dr Mayowa Afe; Editor - MER, Margaret Nongo-Okojokwu; and Managing Editor MER, Jerome Onoja Okojokwu-Idu

letter signed by the association’s president Dr Mayowa Afe, which reads in part: “We are pleased to inform you that the National Executive Council of the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria, (OGTAN)

noted unanimously with great pleasure your significant efforts in coverage of all Local Content activities and events in the country.

“In recognition of this outstanding

achievement, OGTAN Has decided to confer the Best Local Content Magazine Award for the Year 2020.”

Recipients of other categories of the OGTAN Awards are the Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, H.E Timipre Sylva, who bagged “the Gas Decade Personality” award, alongside the Director General of the Department of Petroleum Resources, Engr. Sarki Auwalu, who won “the Oil & Gas Innovative” award, and a host of others.

Margaret and Jerome are both alumni of the prestigious Pan Atlantic University where they studied Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (AWAReS). .While she is presently studying Integrated Media Communications for a Masters’ degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Jerome is a 2002 Associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and holds a Masters’ degree in Environmental Management from the University of Lagos.

34

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

CBN Denies Plan to Nationalise Unity Bank Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday described as “fake news,” a media report that it was considering nationalising Unity Bank Plc. CBN’s spokesman, Osita Nwanisobi, in a statement advised customers and other stakeholders of the bank to disregard the report, describing it as the handiwork of mischief makers.

He said: “The report is fake news. There is iota of truth in it.”

He added that the public should disregard such news.

The report had claimed that the apex bank’s target examination of Unity Bank showed that the Tier 2 lender is in ,”grave financial condition”, with Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and

Non- Performing Loans (NPL) ratio that breach prudential standards.

However, analysts note that just last month, the CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee ( MPC) noted in the communiqué it issued at the end of its meeting that the banking industry is in good health According to the communique: “the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and the Liquidity Ratio (LR) both remained above their prudential limits at 15.8 and 38.9 per cent, respectively. The Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) at 5.89 per cent in April 2021, showed progressive improvement compared with 6.6 per cent in April 2020.”

Unity Bank’s audited full year 2020 results showed improved performance in key parameters.

For instance, the Bank’s gross loans portfolio increased by 92.9

per cent to N206.2 billion in 2020 from N106.9 billion in 2019.

The bank’s total assets rose by 67.90 per cent when compared with N293.05 billion achieved in the comparative period of 2019.

Also, the lender posted gross earnings of N42.71 billion compared with N44.59 billion recorded in the comparative period of 2019. Its customer deposit portfolio grew by 34.4 per cent to N356.62 billion in 2020, up from N257.69 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2019.

Profit after tax stood at N2.09 billion, while profit before tax was N2.22 billion during the year under review. Its net operating income rose to N25.46 billion from N23.21 billion in the corresponding period of 2019, representing a 9.71 per cent increase.

BEDC Wants Structures Violating Power Lines’ RoW Demolished The BEDC Electricity Plc (BEDC) has urged relevant state ministries for Lands, Surveys, Environment and Public Utilities to identify, mark and demolish illegal structures/ shops/buildings that violate the Right of Way (RoW) of power lines in public interest.

BEDC Safety Manager, Mr. Gilbert Nweke, was quoted in a statement to have stated this recently in Benin, Edo State while presenting a paper on: “Violation of Right of Way of Power Lines and Vandalism of Power Infrastructure” at the World Environment Day organised by Independent Radio and Television (ITV), Benin, in partnership with Frontline Energy and Environmental Consultancy Services (FEECS).

The company also affirmed its readiness to partner with the four state governments under its franchise, namely: Delta, Edo, Ekiti and Ondo, and appealed to them to ensure that all relevant laws in respect of the RoW of power lines are activated by their law enforcement agents to tackle the menace.

“In line with NEMSA directive, customers that violate the right of way of power lines can be disconnected while distribution companies should not extend electricity supply to prospective customers whose buildings/ structures/businesses violate the right of way of power lines,” Nweke said. According to him, issuing letters of notifications of violation of RoW of power lines to identified defaulters and

following up with the disconnection of supply would serve as a deterrent to others.

He added that deployment of social media platforms, use of print and electronic media to create widespread public safety awareness against trading or building illegal structures under power lines could also be helpful.

Speaking on measures to curb vandalism of power infrastructure, Nweke called for the arrest and prosecution of all vandals and those who receive stolen items from them.

He advised that vandals of cable and other electrical accessories arrested by the Police should be paraded on television and other means of communications to also serve as a deterrent to others.

Ibadan Road: Contractor Highlights Cost of Oyo Govt’s Refusal to Write Continuity Letter Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The construction firm handling the Ibadan Circular road, ENL Consortium Limited, has kicked against the termination of the contract by Governor Seyi Makinde.

He alleged that the refusal of the state government to write the letter of continuity to its foreign lender would cost the state N10.6 billion as compensation to it.

Makinde had terminated the contract which was awarded to the firm in 2017, for an alleged delay in delivering the road.

But the Chairman of the firm, Prince Adesuyi Haastrup, while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, put the total liability to the state government at N10.6 billion, warning that the govern-

ment must pay the liability to avoid being dragged before a London arbitration court.

The former Osun State deputy governor laid the blame for the delay in delivering on the road at the door step of the Oyo State government, disclosing that all the appeals made to the Makinde-led administration to write a letter of continuity to the foreign lender funding the contract fell on deaf ears. According to him, the letter was to assure the foreign lender that the new administration which came into office in 2019, was fully in support of the project despite the change of government, stating that the liability incurred by the government include N3.9 billion already expended on the project and N6.7 billion penalty being 10 per cent of the total contract

sum in case of such termination.

Haastrup said the terms were clearly stated in the contract signed by both parties in 2017, insisting that his firm would remain on site until the sum is paid.

The contract was for a 32-kilometre road starting near the First Technical University on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and terminating at Badeku village on the Ibadan-Ife expressway.

The road was designed as a bypass for travellers from Lagos passing through Ibadan to other parts of the country through Ibadan-Ife Road.

It was awarded by the late governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi for a sum of N67 billion on a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis for 25 years.

Chivita Launches ‘Chivita Active Zest’ CHI Limited has unveiled Chivita Active Zest, a new sub-brand under the Chivita Active franchise.

The company stated that the launch intends to disrupt the mid-pack segment of the juice category by fulfilling the growing consumer demand for a healthy on-the-go beverage to support their active lifestyle without compromising on great taste, convenience, and enhanced

nourishment.

“Chivita Active Zest comes in a premium 330ml Can format, and it is made from a mix of citrus fruits with all-natural ingredients, no artificial preservatives, and flavours.

“Additionally, Chivita Active Zest is fortified with vitamin C for immunity support, is a good source of vitamin B1 and D3 for faster body metabolism. Chivita Active Zest also contains calcium

for optimum bone health, making it a smart choice to get the right dose of essential vitamins and minerals for a healthy active life on the go,” a statement from the company explained.

The new Chivita Active Zest 330ml Can exudes confidence and style, and appeals to the youth, providing satisfaction and refreshment away from home in line with changing lifestyle trends.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ͷ ͰͮͰͯ

Vienna, Austria, 10 June 2021--The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $71.19 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $69.81 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

FRIDAY JUNE 11, 2021 • T H I S D AY

35

36

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

CBN Denies Plan to Nationalise Unity Bank Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday described as “fake news,” a media report that it was considering nationalising Unity Bank Plc. CBN’s spokesman, Osita Nwanisobi, in a statement advised customers and other stakeholders of the bank to disregard the report, describing it as the handiwork of mischief makers.

He said: “The report is fake news. There is iota of truth in it.”

He added that the public should disregard such news.

The report had claimed that the apex bank’s target examination of Unity Bank showed that the Tier 2 lender is in ,”grave financial condition”, with Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and

Non- Performing Loans (NPL) ratio that breach prudential standards.

However, analysts note that just last month, the CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee ( MPC) noted in the communiqué it issued at the end of its meeting that the banking industry is in good health According to the communique: “the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and the Liquidity Ratio (LR) both remained above their prudential limits at 15.8 and 38.9 per cent, respectively. The Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) at 5.89 per cent in April 2021, showed progressive improvement compared with 6.6 per cent in April 2020.”

Unity Bank’s audited full year 2020 results showed improved performance in key parameters.

For instance, the Bank’s gross loans portfolio increased by 92.9

per cent to N206.2 billion in 2020 from N106.9 billion in 2019.

The bank’s total assets rose by 67.90 per cent when compared with N293.05 billion achieved in the comparative period of 2019.

Also, the lender posted gross earnings of N42.71 billion compared with N44.59 billion recorded in the comparative period of 2019. Its customer deposit portfolio grew by 34.4 per cent to N356.62 billion in 2020, up from N257.69 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2019.

Profit after tax stood at N2.09 billion, while profit before tax was N2.22 billion during the year under review. Its net operating income rose to N25.46 billion from N23.21 billion in the corresponding period of 2019, representing a 9.71 per cent increase.

BEDC Wants Structures Violating Power Lines’ RoW Demolished The BEDC Electricity Plc (BEDC) has urged relevant state ministries for Lands, Surveys, Environment and Public Utilities to identify, mark and demolish illegal structures/ shops/buildings that violate the Right of Way (RoW) of power lines in public interest.

BEDC Safety Manager, Mr. Gilbert Nweke, was quoted in a statement to have stated this recently in Benin, Edo State while presenting a paper on: “Violation of Right of Way of Power Lines and Vandalism of Power Infrastructure” at the World Environment Day organised by Independent Radio and Television (ITV), Benin, in partnership with Frontline Energy and Environmental Consultancy Services (FEECS).

The company also affirmed its readiness to partner with the four state governments under its franchise, namely: Delta, Edo, Ekiti and Ondo, and appealed to them to ensure that all relevant laws in respect of the RoW of power lines are activated by their law enforcement agents to tackle the menace.

“In line with NEMSA directive, customers that violate the right of way of power lines can be disconnected while distribution companies should not extend electricity supply to prospective customers whose buildings/ structures/businesses violate the right of way of power lines,” Nweke said. According to him, issuing letters of notifications of violation of RoW of power lines to identified defaulters and

following up with the disconnection of supply would serve as a deterrent to others.

He added that deployment of social media platforms, use of print and electronic media to create widespread public safety awareness against trading or building illegal structures under power lines could also be helpful.

Speaking on measures to curb vandalism of power infrastructure, Nweke called for the arrest and prosecution of all vandals and those who receive stolen items from them.

He advised that vandals of cable and other electrical accessories arrested by the Police should be paraded on television and other means of communications to also serve as a deterrent to others.

Ibadan Road: Contractor Highlights Cost of Oyo Govt’s Refusal to Write Continuity Letter Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The construction firm handling the Ibadan Circular road, ENL Consortium Limited, has kicked against the termination of the contract by Governor Seyi Makinde.

He alleged that the refusal of the state government to write the letter of continuity to its foreign lender would cost the state N10.6 billion as compensation to it.

Makinde had terminated the contract which was awarded to the firm in 2017, for an alleged delay in delivering the road.

But the Chairman of the firm, Prince Adesuyi Haastrup, while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, put the total liability to the state government at N10.6 billion, warning that the govern-

ment must pay the liability to avoid being dragged before a London arbitration court.

The former Osun State deputy governor laid the blame for the delay in delivering on the road at the door step of the Oyo State government, disclosing that all the appeals made to the Makinde-led administration to write a letter of continuity to the foreign lender funding the contract fell on deaf ears. According to him, the letter was to assure the foreign lender that the new administration which came into office in 2019, was fully in support of the project despite the change of government, stating that the liability incurred by the government include N3.9 billion already expended on the project and N6.7 billion penalty being 10 per cent of the total contract

sum in case of such termination.

Haastrup said the terms were clearly stated in the contract signed by both parties in 2017, insisting that his firm would remain on site until the sum is paid.

The contract was for a 32-kilometre road starting near the First Technical University on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and terminating at Badeku village on the Ibadan-Ife expressway.

The road was designed as a bypass for travellers from Lagos passing through Ibadan to other parts of the country through Ibadan-Ife Road.

It was awarded by the late governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi for a sum of N67 billion on a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis for 25 years.

Chivita Launches ‘Chivita Active Zest’ CHI Limited has unveiled Chivita Active Zest, a new sub-brand under the Chivita Active franchise.

The company stated that the launch intends to disrupt the mid-pack segment of the juice category by fulfilling the growing consumer demand for a healthy on-the-go beverage to support their active lifestyle without compromising on great taste, convenience, and enhanced

nourishment.

“Chivita Active Zest comes in a premium 330ml Can format, and it is made from a mix of citrus fruits with all-natural ingredients, no artificial preservatives, and flavours.

“Additionally, Chivita Active Zest is fortified with vitamin C for immunity support, is a good source of vitamin B1 and D3 for faster body metabolism. Chivita Active Zest also contains calcium

for optimum bone health, making it a smart choice to get the right dose of essential vitamins and minerals for a healthy active life on the go,” a statement from the company explained.

The new Chivita Active Zest 330ml Can exudes confidence and style, and appeals to the youth, providing satisfaction and refreshment away from home in line with changing lifestyle trends.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ͷ ͰͮͰͯ

Vienna, Austria, 10 June 2021--The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $71.19 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $69.81 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

37

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Conoil Posts N1.44bn Profit, to Pay Shareholders N1.04bn Dividend Goddy Egene Shareholders of Conoil Plc are to receive a dividend of N1.04 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020. The dividend, which translates to 150 kobo per share was recommended following the release of the audited results of the petroleum products marketing firm.

Details of the results showed that the company recorded a revenue of N117.470 billion in

2020, compared with N139.758 billion in 2019.

Cost of sales printed at N107.657 billion as against N126.319 billion, making the company to end the year with lower gross profit of N9.818 billion as against N13.439 billion in 2019.

Distribution expenses stood at N2.072 billion, down from N3.074 billion the previous year, just as administrative reduced from N6.603 billion to N5.182 billion, while net finance cost

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

was significantly reduced from N1.113 billion to N705 million.

Conoil Plc, therefore ended 2020 with a profit before tax (PBT) of N2.143 billion, lower than N2.832 billion, while profit after tax (PAT) stood at N1.44 billion as against N1.972 billion in 2019.

Hence, the board recommended a dividend of N1.04 billion or 150 kobo per share.

Already, the company has started 2021 on a positive note, posting an increase of 62.8 per

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

cent in PBT and PAT for the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2021. Market analysts said this is an indication of higher returns for shareholders at the end of the year if the performance is sustained in the remaining quarters.

Specifically, Conoil posted a revenue of N33.091 billion in 2021, compared with N38.144 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2020.The firm reduced its distribution cost from N538

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

million to N436 million, while administrative expenses declined from N1.628 billion to N1.285 billion.

As a result, PBT jumped by 62.8 per cent from N382.915 million in 2020 to N623.428 million, just as PAT rose by same margin from N260.382 million to N423.931 million in 2021.

The Chairman of Conoil Plc, Mike Adenuga (Jr.) had promised the shareholders of better execution of value-added products and

O F

services especially in the areas of marketing and growing the bottom-line.

According to Adenuga, the company had set an ambitious growth strategy for the next five years, driven by innovation and market penetration.

He assured the shareholders that the company would consolidate on its achievements to deliver a strong and sustainable performance that enhance juicy returns on their investment.

1 0 / 0 6 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

38

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 09Jun-2021, unless otherwise stated.

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 155.09 156.63 -4.13% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 4.11% Nigeria International Debt Fund 304.05 304.05 -23.78% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 111.42 111.42 -0.43% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 3.20% Anchoria Equity Fund 130.53 131.98 -1.87% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.06 1.06 -20.04% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 19.22 19.80 5.96% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 418.33 430.95 4.49% ARM Ethical Fund 37.80 38.94 12.15% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.08 1.09 -11.25% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.96 0.96 -14.60% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.65% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 104.55 104.55 2.79% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 130.75 131.40 3.52% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.07% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.95 1.95 -21.60% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.02 2.06 -21.18% mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.55% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 117.13 117.90 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 106.74 106.74 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 3.83% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.19 1.20 -0.83% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.37 1.37 -13.79% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 3.10% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.70% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,161.51 1,170.22 -2.97% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund 186.87 188.06 -0.43% FBN Halal Fund 109.81 109.81 6.76% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.30% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

125.39 156.96

125.39 3.42% 159.09 3.82% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.95 1.57 1.16

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 3.38% 3.95 2.07% 1.60 3.08% 1.16 2.17% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price N/A N/A N/A

Offer Price N/A N/A N/A

Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A

GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.39% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.81 2.88 22.68% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 149.67 150.11 -3.70% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.25 1.29 32.03% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.09 1.09 6.68% 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 1.38 1.40 1.39% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,145.92 1,145.92 3.73% 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 10.89 10.93 3.93% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 6.55% 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 1.66 1.69 7.16% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.39 12.46 2.20% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.71% PACAM Equity Fund 1.59 1.61 0.73% PACAM EuroBond Fund 111.02 112.64 0.97% 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 128.83 131.80 8.81% 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 3.21% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,162.44 3,187.83 -1.66% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 230.15 230.15 2.36% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.19 1.21 1.69% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 301.85 301.85 2.44% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 221.20 223.95 1.23% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.70% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,465.59 10,597.17 -0.35% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.26 1.26 2.44% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 113.98 113.98 2.61% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 101.39 101.39 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.36 1.38 -0.47% United Capital Bond Fund 1.95 1.95 2.87% United Capital Equity Fund 0.93 0.95 7.47% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.20% United Capital Eurobond Fund 120.93 120.93 3.28% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.05 1.07 -2.68% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.05 1.05 5.24% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.28 12.39 3.53% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.65 13.77 11.71% Zenith Income Fund 24.10 24.10 0.53% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.78%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

123.83 51.43

2.56% -1.85%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.81 125.09 98.63 17.13 17.44

12.91 125.09 100.42 17.23 17.54

-3.06% 2.75% -0.77%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.69 5.61 17.14 1.00 19.42 161.54

3.73 5.69 17.24 1.00 19.62 163.54

-2.39% -1.34% 4.82% 3.84% -5.33% -26.21%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.52

13.11%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

FRIDAY JUNE 11, 2021 • T H I S D AY

39

FRIDAY, ͹͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

40

INTERVIEW

Security Agents Have My Orders to be Ruthless with Bandits, Criminals, Says Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari fielded questions on a wide-range of national issues from a team of journalists from ARISE NEWS Channel. The excerpts: On rising insecurity When we came in, we closed the borders with Benin Republic, Niger Republic. We stopped smuggling and we asked Nigerians to grow what they would eat and eat what they would grow. So, the culture of importation of rice and other foodstuffs, we stopped it.

We made fertiliser available and we are very impressed with the reactions of Nigerians because they went back to the farms. And we made sure our neighbours, especially in Niger, because of some, who would order food from Niger for the Nigerian market and the Nigerien government cooperated with us; we defended ourselves and Nigerian did not regret it.

War against corruption

Corruption is very difficult under this system and even under the military system as I have experienced both occasions. When I arrested people and put them in cages and said they were guilty until they prove themselves innocent and put investigation panels in most of the geopolitical zones for people who have held positions such as governors, ministers, head of parastatals and urge that people don’t get that position until they declare their assets. But when they were faced with a bank statement and their assets, which they could not explain, their assets were taken away from them.

But unfortunately, eventually, I myself was arrested and detained and they were given back what they had looted. I assure you, that despite the problem we are having

in the system, whenever we have correct intelligence that someone is not being very accountable, we would ease him out but we do not give it too much publicity. But I assure that those who are responsible and are holding position know better that we do not tolerate corruption.

Implications of Death of Boko Haram Leader The problem of the North-east is very difficult. The present governor is working very hard and taking a lot of risks and I asked him if these Boko Haram fighters are our people; Nigerians or people coming from outside, he said it is our people. We tell them that you cannot kill innocent people and say ‘God is great' and it has worked very well but I think we have a problem

of unemployment and a lot of youth are looking for basically what to eat not even to talk about accommodation and others.

The level of poverty is almost unimaginable and so this is our problem. But those who are really keeping in touch with what we are doing know the difference between the time we came in and now. And the people of North-east and South-south are the best judges of the performance of this administration.

Spread of insecurity from North-east to North-west I have had series of meetings with the whole security operators - all the service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police (IG). The ones that succeeded them had been part of the system and we had series of meeting with them, which usually last more than two hours. Firstly, I allow them to go round and see the position on the ground; they make changes in their command. And we told them that we want confidence to be rebuilt and for people to go back to their land so Continued on page 41

FRIDAY, ͹͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

41

INTERVIEW SECURITY AGENTS HAVE MY ORDERS TO BE RUTHLESS WITH BANDITS, CRIMINALS, SAYS BUHARI

that we wouldn’t have food problem and I think that is being done. We are giving it less publicity because we don’t want to make them aware that we are taking them head-on. But those who are in the field know. There have been a lot of insecurity and we have stopped mining in Zamfara State, we expel the foreigners and we are talking to the government; although he is not in the federal government’s party we have to secure Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna and so on.

But the important thing is the question of local security operators. We have police in every town and I have been talking to the police and trying to push them. They don’t wear a uniform and use their rifle to intimidate people but to make sure, if necessary, to use it to bring security. In the North-east, you know what is happening but, in the South-south, I too was overwhelmed with what is happening but we are treating them as criminals now. There are a lot of casualties.

Reaction to clamour for state police I have been reading it in the newspapers and those of us who are old enough to know the old era of Nigeria Police and so on, know that at that time, the traditional institutions were very effective in each community. I would give you an example; recently, two governors from the South-west came to tell me that the cattle rearers in some of the forests there have killed their farmers while they were eating all their crops and told them that ‘you campaigned to be elected and you are elected; so, go back and sort out yourself.’ There is a system where there is security at every level from the local government to state and it consists of the traditional leaders in that area who have been there for generations; so, they know all the crooks in their locality - then the police and then those who come whether they are cattle rearers or traders. They would meet either monthly or quarterly and discuss the security and if it is above them, they would pass it on. So, I told all the governors to go back and go to the old system so that they would have intelligence to know what is happening in their constituency. They just can’t go around winning elections and then sit down and think someone would do their job for them.

Reaction to open grazing ban You want me to contradict my attorneygeneral (he laughs). What I did was ask them to go and dig the gazette of the First Republic when people were obeying laws.

There are cattle routes and grazing areas.

They were moving upcountry from north to south or from east to west and they have to go through there. If you allow your cattle to stray into any farmer’s farm, you are arrested. The farmers are invited to submit their claims and the outcome is to pay

and if you can’t, the cattle are sold and the funds given to the farmer and people were behaving themselves. And in the grazing areas, they built earth dams, put windmills and in some cases, they even had veterinary departments so that the herders were limited. Their routes are known, their grazing area is known and if there is any problem, the locality would know. Those who have encroached on these cattle routes and grazing areas would be dispossessed and try to bring some order back.

The problem is trying to understand the culture of the cattle rearers. There is cultural disunity between the Tiv’s and the Fulani’s and so the governor of Benue State said I am not disciplining the cattle rearers enough because I am one of them.

I cannot say that I am not one of them, but he is being unfair to me and I told him that a Nigerian cattle rearer would not carry anything more than a stick or in some cases a machete to cut some trees and give it to the cattle to eat. But those sophisticated ones are going with AK-47; so, from all the Sahel areas, people rush to Nigeria and they think they are Nigerians.

I can assure you that we are trying to resuscitate these cattle routes, grazing areas and make them accountable. And then this problem about taxes is the problem of accountability. When taxes where being paid, people were behaving themselves but now without taxation, people are doing whatever they like.

Reaction to clamour for devolution of Powers If the three tiers of government, the federal, state and local governments are being followed properly, we wouldn’t have all these social problems. But the problem is that the local governments have been actually killed and that is not good for this country.

Those who became the local government chairmen have been compromised. If your local government, which is supposed to receive N300 million and you are given only N100 million, it is not fair.

I think this question of accountability is very important. The schooling and education sector is suffering so much. For example, in my generation, I spent nine years in boarding school and the teachers then treated us as they would treat their own children and if you do well, you would be brought before the classroom and praised. But if you misbehave, they would flog you in front of the class; so, you would have to behave yourself. But now, one of the chancellors in Ogun State said that when he went to his alma mater, he couldn’t differentiate between the teacher and the children there.

The teachers used to take students as their children and they had all the time for them but over time, the standard has virtually collapsed.

Impact of bandits’ attacks

Try and appreciate what efforts the federal government has done. We have moved all the service chiefs and brought in new ones and we have allowed them to go round and see the problem. They have been part of it all these times but now they are in charge and we have made sure that their priorities are to make sure they uphold normalcy.

They are working very hard on this and they cannot give it enough publicity because we don’t want to give warning to the real criminals. The ones in North-east we know and the ones in South-south we know but the problem is North-west. The same people with the same culture are killing each other, stealing each other’s cattle, burning their villages and that is why we have said we want to treat them in the language they would understand. We have given the police and the military the power to be ruthless.

You watch it; in a few months’ time, it would be different. We have told them if you keep people away from their farm, we are going to starve. And the government cannot control the public because if you allow hunger to reign in the whole society, the government would be in trouble. We are already in enough trouble and we have warned them and sooner than later, you would see the difference.

South-east, IPOB and Twitter controversy That IPOB is just like a dot in a circle, if they want to exist, they would not have access to anywhere. And the way they are spread all over the country, having businesses and having properties, I think IPOB doesn’t know what they are talking about. In any case, we said we would talk to them in the language they would understand; we would organise the police and military to pursue them and that is what we can do and we would do it.

What about Twitter?

the plan and why we are constructing the railway. Niger has discovered oil as you know and we don't want them to go through the Benin Republic. We want them to come through Nigeria. We hope that they will send through Maradi all their exports, through Nigeria rather than through Benin.

With the roads and the railways working, those from Maiduguri to Port Harcourt, those from Kano to Lagos and so on, definitely, if you make the infrastructure, road, rail, work, I can assure you that Nigerians will keep themselves very busy and they will leave you alone. But when the roads are not working, the roads are virtually crippled; people will have so much time to harass you.

Plan after retirement in 2021 Thank you very much for thinking that I am okay. I have never avoided my farm. I still have a number of cattle. When I leave, I will still go to my farm daily. I will try and keep myself busy. Between now and then, I will keep on convincing Nigerians that I mean very well, I will make sure that the few identifiable problems that we have, security, economy, fight against corruption, we will continue to work on it and as I said, visibly, we have made progress in the North-east, we have made progress in the South-south but I am overwhelmed almost in the North-west and they are going to get it very soon Legacy I will like Nigerians to discuss it, I hope they will be fair to me. I wouldn't like to say it myself. I will like Nigerians to try and spend time when we came, both the security and the economy, where we were for the eight years I may be around and try to look at it. I hope Nigerians will be fair to me. This is all I need.

Massage on 6th Anniversary

That I would keep to myself.

On Nigeria – Niger Republic rail line How many rail routes do you have? We have to cultivate our neighbours. If you don't, you will be in trouble. If you could recall, when I came on board, I had to go to Chad, Niger and Cameroon, which was what happened with Boko Haram. If we were not on good terms with the three countries, Boko Haram would have done worst things to us than this.

About Niger, our border with Niger is about 1,400 kilometres. In Niger, I have to tell you this: the Europeans in 1885 sat down with ruler and pencil and drew lines and I say I have first cousins in Niger. There are Kanuris, there are Hausas and there are Fulanis in the Niger Republic just as there are Yorubas in the Republic of Benin. You can't absolutely cut them off.

But the rail, look at the plan, if you watch

Yes, under the system, Nigerians will say what they want to say. They are all republics.

They don't even talk of the resources; how we can engage ourselves, how we are going to share what we have invested when we are together; how are we going to share it out to ourselves, how are we going to be fair to ourselves and try and see our young population.

If we cut ourselves into pieces, can we win the confidence of investors, real investors to come in and provide employment, build factories, produce goods and services and earn from taxation and employment? I don't like the way Nigerian elite is allowing ignorant or careless people to talk all over the place.

We have so much to learn and so much to guard together than to disorganise people's way of thinking that if you become a republic, things will be alright. Look and see how long it took us between 1960 and now, how we came about; we have consolidated it.

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Buhari: Railway will Reposition Ports for Export, Import Businesses FG secures 10 convictions for maritime crimes

Deji Elumoye, Kasim Sumaina in Abuja and Sunday Okobi in Lagos President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday inaugurated the commercial operations of the $1.5 billion Lagos-Ibadan railway project at the Mobolaji Johnson Railway Station, Ebute

Metta, Lagos, with a declaration that connection through rail will reposition Nigerian ports as the choice for import and export businesses.

Buhari also said Nigeria had secured 10 convictions for various maritime offences since he signed into law the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Act

PDP: APC-led Govt Appropriating Our Executed Projects Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has appropriated the projects it executed while in government.

Reacting to Buhari’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan said the main opposition party was dismayed that “while millions of Nigerians eagerly expected President Buhari to use the interview to address salient issues confronting our nation, Mr. President bungled the opportunity by being evasive and dodgy while attempting to lay claims to projects done by PDP administrations.”

According to the PDP,

instead of addressing issues and providing direction for the nation, “President Buhari exposed his cluelessness, paucity of ideas for development while making very provocative comments that could embolden terrorists as well as serve as recipe for further division and violence in the country.”

On the issue of infrastructure, PDP said it was ludicrous to it that Buhari can disingenuously seek to subtract the deliverables achieved by past PDP administration from his so-called achievement on infrastructure.

The PDP argued that President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was elected on the platform of the PDP, introduced a 25- year national development plan upon assumption of office in 1999.

Gowon: NYSC Has Contributed More to National Devt than Other Organisations Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja Former Head of State and founder of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), has stated that the NYSC has contributed to national development more than any other organisation in the country.

He stated this yesterday during the formal unveiling of nine books on NYSC and the maiden NYSC film in Abuja to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the scheme.

Gowon, while speaking virtually, advised both the federal and state governments

to consider the idea of a trust fund being championed by the Director-General NYSC, Brig. Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, to improve the scheme.

According to him, “The NYSC has contributed to national development more than any other organisation in the country. The authorities should consider setting up a trust fund for the scheme.

“I thank all the stakeholders who have made this scheme a success, and I thank those who have documented all the achievements of the scheme and this will promote the understanding of its operations.”

Insecurity: El-Rufai Tasks DSS on Intelligence Gathering John Shiklam in Kaduna The Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Nasir El-Rufai, has declared that the Department of State Services (DSS), has a vital role to play in providing reliable information needed by the police, the Armed Forces and other security agencies for the total defeat of bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements terrorising the country.

El-Rufai stated this yesterday when he declared open the quarterly meeting of the Directors of the State Commands of the DSS in the North West in Kaduna.

He said: “As the lead agency for domestic intelligence

and counter-intelligence, the DSS has a vital role to play in providing the reliable information needed by the police and armed forces and other security agencies for the total defeat of these dangerous insurgents.

“This is an urgent priority in the face of the looming food crisis that we face if our farmers do not go to the farms.

“The rains are here, but farmers in various communities are unable to go to their farms; that is when they are lucky not to have fled their remote villages under pressure and attacks from the criminals. This cannot be allowed to continue.”

in June, 2019.

Buhari described the project ‘‘as another milestone in the drive of this administration to revitalise the railway system and establish it as a choice mode of transportation for both passengers and freight.’’

He pledged that his administration would continue to prioritise the railway system as a transportation backbone

that can transform industrial and economic activities in the country.

On the benefits of the Lagos-Ibadan corridor as well as other on-going railway projects nationwide, Buhari said: “This vital line establishes an end-to-end logistic supply chain in railway transport within its short corridor, Lagos – Ibadan, as goods to the hinterland would

now be transported by rail directly from the Apapa Port quayside straight to the Inland Container Depot located in Ibadan from where it can be distributed to other parts of the country. ‘‘In clear recognition of the challenges posed to our economic growth by absence of strong and effective infrastructure, we have in the rail sector, further to other

ongoing railway infrastructure projects, embarked on the completion of the outstanding segment of the Lagos-Kano railway, which is Ibadan-Kano. ‘‘The Lagos-Kano railway project, when complete will link the Kano-Maradi line at Kano and a rail link from the Nigeria southern ports of Lagos to Maradi in Niger Republic will be achieved.

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT …

L-R: Director, Technical Programmes, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr. Joseph Onoja; General Manager/ Head of Sustainability, Dangote Cement Plc, Eunice Sampson; Head, Community Affairs and Environment, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Tukur Lawal; Director General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr. Muhtari Aminu-Kano, and the Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Nglan Niat, during the commemoration of the World Environment Day at the Lekki Conservation Centre, Lekki, Lagos...yesterday

Okowa: Why Southern Govs Called for National Dialogue Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, said that Southern Governors’ Forum’s call for a national dialogue was to discuss various issues and challenges currently confronting the country.

Speaking when he received the National Coordinator and members of the Chartered Institute of Information and Strategy Management (CIISM) led by Dr Mustapha Olayinka, at Government House, Asaba, Okowa noted that there were many agitations for secession due to perceived injustice in the polity.

He explained that proposed national dialogue would discuss and resolve the

agitations in the interest of unity of the country.

According to him, there are too many things going on now in this country but it’s of voices that tend to create a challenge for us and we need voices that will unite us as Nigerians.

The governor, however, said that “in seeking for that unity, if we have voices that are getting strong because of one reason or the other, we need to be able to listen to them.

“We need to be able to accommodate those voices and that is why the Southern Governors’ Forum actually did call for a national dialogue

because when people sit together to dialogue with themselves, they are able to speak their inner minds, they are able to find ways of resolving.

“So, we truly believe that in the communication process there must be a space for people to air their views and we also advise that there is still a lot of room to talk; so, our people should not take up arms instead of talking with their voices.

“We believe that in taking up arms, we are not doing any good to Nigeria and we are not doing any good to our individual communities.”

He called on leaders across

the country not to stifle the voice of the oppressed, but urged them to close ranks and build a consensus to ensure that peace pervaded the nooks and crannies of the country.

“For those of us in the governance space, we also need to continue to hear the people and to give room for people to air their opinions on national issues.

“We believe that if there is a national dialogue, obviously it will help to reduce the tension that we have today as a nation.

“There is no doubt that we are stronger together as a nation and everything that is possible to keep us together as a nation, the better for us.

Ondo Doctors Commence Warning Strike

James Sowole in Akure

Citing poor welfare, including non-payment of their salaries by the state government, doctors in Ondo State under the auspices of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), have embarked on a two-week warning strike.

Specifically, the doctors alleged that the government

had failed to pay their salary arrears for some months, and also failed to resolve the issue of exodus of doctors and other health workers, among other issues.

The association stated this in a letter “Notice of Withdrawal of Service,’’ to the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu.

The letter was signed by the State Chairman and Secretary of the NAGGMDP, Dr. Roland

Arohunmolase, and Dr. Richard Obe, respectively.

According to the letter some the grounds for the industrial action include “non-payment of salaries arrears being owed health workers in Ondo State (January, 2017, March, April and May 2021), gross under-staffing of government hospitals, following mass exodus of doctors and other health workers from the state, nonregular payment of salaries and

non-harmonisation of doctors’ grade level in Ondo State Civil Service as approved by Mr. Governor, which is contained in the letter written to Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ondo State in March, 2021.”

Other grounds are, “percentage payment of salaries to health workers, non-payment of third tranche of COVID-19 allowance, non- implementation of Group Life Insurance for all Health workers.”

Buhari Salutes 9th N’Assembly on Second Anniversary Deji Elumoye in Abuja The federal government has felicitated with the leadership and members of the Ninth National Assembly on their second anniversary, extolling their sense of duty and diligence in handling issues relating to the development of the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Mr. Femi

Adesina, said he believed the legislative arm has brought dignity and honour to the country, and looked forward to more years of harmonious working relationship, with focus on improving the livelihood of citizens, and creating an enabling environment for a prosperous nation where both the young and old can fully realise their dreams.

President Buhari saluted the

vision, courage and patriotism of the Assembly, noting, with appreciation, the understanding and maturity of the lawmakers in speedily processing bills that directly impact the welfare of Nigerians, courageously finding common grounds to move the country forward, and passionately carrying out their oversight functions with justice and fairness.

The President presented his goodwill to the Senate

President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, congratulating them for using their wealth of experience, wisdom and knowledge to ensure a peaceful working relationship among lawmakers, between both chambers, the Judiciary and the Executive, by always focusing on the larger picture of nation building

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Catholic Bishops Insist on Restoring Nigeria to Secular State

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Leadership of the Catholic Church in Nigeria (CCN), under the auspices of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), has asked the National Assembly to expunge all sections of the Nigerian constitution that made references to Sharia or any other discriminatory or divisive law.

The CCN said that there must be an end to the practically established status that Islam enjoyed in the constitution in order to maintain the peace and unity of the nation.

“We note in this regard that while Islam is mentioned very many times in the constitution, there is not a single mention of Christianity or any other religion in the constitution. This should be redressed,” it said.

In a position paper submitted to the National Assembly Commitee on Constitutional

Amendment, which was signed by the President of CBCN and the Archbishop of Benin City, His Lordship Augustine Akabueze, said there is an inherent contradictions in the present constitution that had not augured well for the unity and progress of the country.

Akabueze listed Sections 260 to 264, Sections 265 to 269, Sections 275 to 279, as well as Sections 280 to 284 of the 1999 Constitution as some of the examples of contradictions in the legislations that needed to be corrected.

He said that Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution provided that “the Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion. And that Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution, among other things, provides that ‘every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief,

and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or

belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.’

“Contrary to the above provisions, the 1999 Constitution,

as entirely composed, is evidently inflicted with inherent fundamental contradictions.

These inherent fundamental

contradictions entrenched the operation of diverse legal systems and regimes in the one nation that is Nigeria.”

WITH DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS…

L-R: Kwara State Governor, Mr. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; his wife, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq; British Deputy High Commissioner, Ms. Gill Atkinson; and Country Director, Royal Commonwealth Society of Nigeria (RCS), Mr. Olaseni Blackson; during a dinner in honour of the British High Commission and the RCS delegation to the state, at Government House, Ilorin…recently

Telecoms Workers to Commence Three-day Ebonyi Not Part of Secession Agitation, Says Umahi Warning Strike Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

Sunday Ehigiator The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN), has planned a three-day warning strike to protest what it described as the “Precarious Working Conditions and Gross Disregard for Laws and Institutions of Nigeria by Employers in Telecommunications and Communications Sector.”

A signed statement by the President of the PTECSSAN, Mr. Opeyemi Tomori, which was made available to THISDAY yesterday, revealed that the industrial action would commence by 12 midnight of Tuesday, June 16, and expected to last for three days.

The statement reads: “This strike has become inevitable because of growing precarious working conditions in the sector and gross disregard for our laws and its institutions.

“This is the 21st Century; workers in the sector are still being treated like slaves even though slavery has long been

abolished all over the world.

“We have made series of efforts in the past, including but not limited to escalating the issues to the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and the House Committee on Communications, yet, these employers believe they are bigger than the nation and would not respect our institutions.”

The association also listed some of “the anti-labour practices in the sector” and lamented the breach of freedom of association and right of the members by their employees as well as the “victimisation of union members and poor and discriminatory remuneration.”

Other issues highlighted by the PTECSSAN were increasing spate of precarious work, 24 hours working conditions, lack of hazard allowance, disregard for occupational health and safety and “gross disregard for the laws and institutions of government in Nigeria.”

2023 Presidency: Rescue Us, Northern Youths Tell Saraki, PDP Chuks Okocha in Abuja

A coalition of northern youth groups in the 19 northern states has called on former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to come to the rescue of Nigeria by 2023.

The youth groups under the aegis of ‘Saraki is Coming’ made the appeal during a peaceful protest at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja yesterday.

The President of the group, Umar Kazaure, while speaking during the protest, apologised to Saraki on behalf of the youths for not heeding his advice to vote for the PDP in the 2019 general election.

According to him, “In 2019, Saraki warned us to vote PDP, but we did want anti-party, but now we are regretting our

action, because this government has failed us. We are regretting our actions, and we are tired.

There is no security and food in the country, and that is why we are here. We have come to the PDP for rescue in 2023.”

He said going by the present challenges Nigeria, the country is in need of a leader like Saraki with quality leadership character to rescue it According to the coalition leader, “As the Senate leader, he evinced the capacity to connect with all levels of government and levers of power in a compelling, compassionate and credible manner, and in this challenging time the country finds itself, we should go for the most credible, most believable and most authentic person, who has the genuine interest of the people at heart.”

Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, yesterday stated that the people of the state are not interested in any secession agitation, as they prefer a united Nigeria.

Umahi, who stated this at an enlarged Security Council and stakeholders’ meeting at the Christian Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki, the state capital, maintained that the state government would not allow

any form of violent agitation to prevail in any part of the state.

The governor noted that any agitation by group of persons or region must follow due process.

He called on the Ebonyi people to protect themselves by forming vigilance groups across the state, as the state would confront any criminal or herder coming into the state with AK-47 rifles.

According to Umahi, “We have agreed that we are not interested in any secession as a

people of Ebonyi State. We prefer a united one Nigeria of equality of rights, equal opportunities, justice, fairness and equity.

“As a state, we have vowed not to allow any form of violent agitation; any agitation must follow due process; we prefer one Nigeria and not secession.

Any alleged injustice must be complied and given to leaders of the zone who will in turn send same to the National Assembly.

“We have heard of rumours of herdsmen planning to attack the

state. We’ll confront anybody or herder or criminal with AK-47 rifle. Protect yourself in all every nook and cranny of the state.

“Form your vigilante, and if they write you that they are coming, tell them to come. We are not afraid. We have also resolved to employ 5,000 civil servants between now and December, and empower 3,000 Ebonyi people. This meeting will be heard once every month. We will do everything possible to protect our people.”

Police Arrest Nine Suspects over Attack on Uzodimma’s Home Imo State Police Command yesterday said it has arrested nine suspects in connection with the attack on the country home of the Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Also, the command disclosed that it has arrested suspected native doctor who prepared charms for fighters of Eastern Security Network (ESN).

This disclosure was made through a statement by the state

Police spokesman, SP Bala Elkana.

It partly read; “On the 8/6/21 at about 1630 hrs, Tactical teams of the Command through diligent and painstaking investigations, stormed Ukwuorji, Mbaitoli Local Government area, along Onitsha road, and arrested one Ezeugo Ordu, male and 65-year- old native of Ubachima, Omuma, Oru West LGA. “He confessed to be a member

of IPOB/ESN, and made useful statements to the Police as regards to the recent attacks on Police stations as well as the residence of Governor Hope Uzodinma.

“He further led operatives of the Command to the IPOB/ESN camp a bush close to Njaba River; nine persons were arrested at the criminal hideout while planning another attack; assorted charms were recovered from them.

“However, two out of the nine arrested in the hideout, Chinedu Nwakaire, aka One Door, 48 years old Uzoamaka Ugoanyanwu, their native doctor, 40 years old, were identified to be part of the hoodlums that attacked the private residence of Gov. Hope Uzodimma and also some Police stations as well; they confessed to the crime, and also stated their roles during the operations.

House Passes Bill Seeking to Ban Bankers from Operating Foreign Account Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives at the plenary yesterday passed for a second reading a bill seeking an amendment to the Bank Employees Declaration of Asset Act to ban bank employees from owning foreign accounts.

The proposed legislation entitled: ‘A Bill for an Act to Amend the Bank Employees, Etc. (Declaration of Asset)

Act, Cap. B1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to reflect the prevailing situation in the country, and for Related Matters’, is sponsored by Hon. Abiola Shina Peller (APC, Oyo).

The bill, among others, also seeks to remove the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) as custodian of declaration forms.

Leading the debate on its general principles, Peller said

the intendment of the Act, among others, is to make provisions for the declaration of assets by employees of banks operating in Nigeria, and to empower the president to extend its application to other categories of persons.

According to him, the policy behind the Act was aimed at monitoring the activities of bank employees and Customs officers to ensure that their life style

reflect their earnings, and to discourage them from engaging in corrupt practices.

He also said the amendment being sought would also ensure that the process of asset declaration for Customs officers is made less cumbersome, as they would no longer be required to declare their assets to the SGF, but to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as contained in the 1999 Constitution.

Adebayo: New Trade Policy to Reflect Global Reality James Emejo in Abuja The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, yesterday said a new trade policy to reflect the current realities in the global economy would be unveiled by the end of the year.

He said the document which was currently being updated would soon be submitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.

Analysts have severally

lamented the absence of a trade policy for the country, a development which they linked to the increasing cases of dumping of substandard products and other adverse trade practices by foreign countries.

However, Adebayo at a press conference on the Nigeria at 60 celebration, pointed out that the proposed blueprint would be “one that would be applauded

by Nigerians.”

He also described Nigeria as a

‘colossus’ that should be respected when compared with other regional economies, particularly Ghana, following recent comments that the economy of the latter may have edged out the former in recent times.

The minister, however, said preparations had commenced towards the continuation of the Nigeria @60 celebration.

Although the country turned 60 on October 1, 2020, Adebayo explained that President

Muhammadu Buhari had directed that the celebration be year-long to last till September, considering the “significance of the age in our journey to nationhood.”

As a result, the minister said an inter-ministerial ownership sub-committee on the anniversary had outlined a series of activities aimed at drawing attention to those attributes that the country is endowed with and which needed to be harnessed for the common good of all.

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NBA President, Lafia Emir, Others to Monitor Govs’ Compliance with JUSUN Agreement Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata; the Emir of Lafia, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sidi Bage; the President of the National Industrial Court (NIC), Justice Benedict Kanyip; the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Onuoha Ogwe; and Dr Muiz Banire (SAN) are the members and chairman of the committee set up by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to monitor the implementation of Memorandum of Action (MoA) signed between the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) on the financial autonomy for the judiciary.

Akpata disclosed the identities of the committee members in an update report

on the suspended JUSUN strike through his email newsletter to members yesterday.

According to the newsletter sighted by THISDAY, Bage was named the chairman of the five-man committee.

The NJC had in a statement by its Director of Information, Soji Oye, on Wednesday said it had set up a five-man monitoring committee to ensure that the state governors do not renege on their obligations under the MoA. In the email, Akpata said: “The move by the NJC is to ensure that the governors do not renege from their financial and ancillary commitments, which influenced JUSUN’s decision to suspend the strike,” he said in the mail.

In a speech delivered yesterday at the presentation of official vehicles to Magistrate

Again, Suspected Herdsmen Kill 11 Farmers in Benue George Okoh in Makurdi Suspected herdsmen have ambushed farmers in Benue State and killed 11 of them in some communities in two local government areas of the state.

The armed herders were said to have attacked Anyom community of Mbatyula council ward in Katsina-Ala on Wednesday, while some herdsmen also invaded ZongoAkiki village in Mbalagh council ward in Makurdi Local Government Area.

One of the locals in Makurdi LGA said that the suspected herdsmen stormed ZongoAkiki community in the early hours of Thursday where they killed five persons.

The Chairman of Makurdi LGA, Hon. Anthony Dyegeh, who confirmed the killing of the persons, said the youths were still searching for the missing persons.

Dyegeh said, “The Fulani

CHANGE OF NAME I formally known and address as OGBU UGOCHUKWU EMMANUEL, now wish to be known and address as NWABUEZE UGOCHUKWU EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

laid ambush for some villagers who were going to the farm this morning, knowing full well that many of the villagers would be going to farm after the downpour.

“They hid in the bush and allowed many of them to go and then ran after them, macheted them. As am talking to you now, we have been able to recover five corpses and the youths are searching for others who are still missing.”

The second attack at Anyom community of Mbatyula council ward in Katsina-Ala was said to have occurred Wednesday afternoon.

According to the media aide to the chairman of Katsina Ala LGA, Tertsea Benga, six persons were reportedly killed.

Addressing journalists on the incident, Benga said the attackers invaded the victims’ farmlands with their cows.

He further disclosed that the herders killed the farmers they met on the farm and took away some women while the whereabouts of others remained unknown.

Benue State Police Command’s spokesperson, Catherine Anene, said she did not have details of the incidents.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formally known and address as TAKAI ABBA NAHUNGU, now wish to be known and address as ABBA ALHAJI KAWU. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANWARA ALPHONSIA CHIDINMA now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS. ONYEGBULA HENRIETTA CHIDINMA. All former documents remain valid.

Coventry University and the general public to please take note.

I formally known and address as OBELEZIKE JOY ONYEDIKA, now wish to be known and address as OFFIA JOY ONYEDIKA. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formally known and address as AU USMAN MUHAMMED, now wish to be known and address as USMAN A. DATTI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formally known and address as ADAORA LUCYMARY EMEJULU, now wish to be known and address as ADAORA LUCYMARY IKE-OKAFOR. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formally known and address as IBRAHIM MONSURAT BISOLA, now wish to be known and address as MRS YUSUF MONSURAT BISOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

and Shari’a Courts Judges in Zamfara State, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar

Malami, has expressed hopes that with the presentation of vehicles, the state and federal government will work towards

the implementation of the Executive Order 10 for the financial autonomy of the state legislature and judiciary.

Malami stated this in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Gwandu.

WAR AGAINST CRIMINALS…

L-R: Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; Governor Douye Diri; and the state Commissioner for Police, Mike Okoli, during the presentation of operational vehicles to security agencies in the state at the Government House, Yenagoa…yesterday

CDS Meets Top Military Officers over Planned Retirement of Generals Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja In line with THISDAY’s exclusive report, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, yesterday met with senior military officers, who are members of the Regular Course 36 over their fate following the appointment

of their junior, Major General Farouk Yahaya, as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

No fewer than 29 major generals were said to be senior to Yahaya who is a member of Regular Course 37.

With Yahaya as the army chief, the fate of his senior continued to hang on the

balance.

THISDAY had reported that the CDS would meet with the affected officers yesterday to fashion out how best to handle their case.

Irabor had directed the officers to proceed on courses of their choice for one year.

He was also said to have

directed that all their course mates in the Navy and the Air Force would also be eased out While some of the generals would go to the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos, others would go to other elite institutes.

NEXIM Bank Opens Window for Youth, Women Exporters in Kebbi Ismail Adebayo in Birnin Kebbi The Managing Director of Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM), Mr. Abba Bello, has given reasons why Kebbi State became the first state where the women And Youth Export Development Facility (WAYEF) was launched after the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

According to Bello, the United Nations Population projection for Nigeria in 2020 indicated that about 62 per cent

of Nigerians were below 25 years, while over 50 per cent belong to the female gender and as such, these segments of the population can, therefore, not be ignored by an interventionist agency like NEXIM “ hence our decision to establish the Women and Youth Export Facility (WAYEF) as a deliberate and targeted funding scheme to address the needs of these vulnerable groups.

The Managing Director disclosed this yesterday in

Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

He added that the decision to also launch the scheme in Kebbi was informed by the strong enthusiasm shown by youths in the state, under the auspices of the Kebbi Youth Connect Initiative and in recognition of the wide array of exportable products, including groundnuts, Cotton, Onions, which are available in the state and could be harnessed by women and youths.

NEXIM as the Trade Policy

Bank of Nigeria, whose mandate is to diversify the external sector of the Nigerian economy towards increased jobs creation and foreign exchange earnings from the non-oil export sector, observed also, the unfolding dynamics of the Nigerian economic environment and the need for specific policy intervention to promote economic and social inclusion of key segments of the population, in particular the women and youth.

Ondo Govt, PDP Clash over N2bn Governor’s Lodge

James Sowole in Akure

The Ondo State Chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the Ondo State Government (ONSG), clashed yesterday over the government’s decision to build a new Governor’s Lodge.

The PDP, at a news conference addressed by its State Chairman, Hon. Fatai Adams, described the proposed project as a

misplaced priority in view of unpaid workers’ salaries.

But the state government in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, described the PDD’s position as a demonstration of ignorance.

Adams challenged the Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to make public the

claimed structural defects in the Governor’s Lodge that was built by his immediate predecessor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

Akeredolu laid the foundation for the building of a befitting new Governor’s Lodge last week and clarified that the project became imperative because of the structural defect in the lodge built by Mimiko’s administration.

He argued that it would be cost effective to build a new lodge than to correct the defect in the one built by the immediate past administration.

But the PDP chairman said it was unexpected for a government that has a backlog of unpaid salaries for workers to embark on the proposed Governor’s Lodge at N2 billion.

NSCDC to Establish Rapid Response Squad in All States

Michael Olugbode inAbuja

The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi, has ordered the immediate set-up of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in all the state commands of the corps.

Audi gave the matching order on Thursday during an orientation programme organised for the newly promoted commandants and serving state commandants at the national headquarters of the

NSCDC as part of the efforts to rejig the activities of the organisation and enhance the capabilities of officers and men in the states.

He said it has become imperative to replicate the creation of the RRS in every state command to respond to all forms of crime and criminalities in real and quick time and ensure prompt and timely intervention in times of emergencies, disasters and unforeseen security breaches.

The NSCDC boss also maintained that the confidence

reposed on the corps by the Commander in Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian citizens must be sustained and improved upon.

He charged the state commandants to beef up security in their respective states to forestall any breakdown of law and order before, during and after the Democracy Day celebration.

Audi said: “Power is not a gift but a responsibility and to whom much is given much is expected.

You must be determined to clamp

down on all bad elements in your area of assignment and avoid any tribal, religious and ethnic sentiment to justify your posting and prove your competence.”

He urged the commandants to ensure that the RRS would adhere to all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in line with international best practices and to rejuvenate the intelligence gathering capabilities in order to address the security challenges peculiar to their area of assignment and the nation in general.

FRIDAY JUNE 11, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

House Urges FG, Niger Govt to Rescue 136 Abducted Students Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to maintain constant collaboration with the Niger State Government to secure the immediate release of the 136 students abducted from Islamic School in Tegina,

Rafi Local Government Area of the state.

The House also called on the National Security Adviser (NSA), Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police and other security agencies to re-jig security architecture with a view to putting in place effective strategies and counter-measures

ZLP: NEF’s Statement on Attacks in South-east Exaggerated to Deny Igbo 2023 Presidency Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has lamented that the attacks allegedly carried out by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South-east region was exaggerated by the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) just to deny the Igbo people the presidency in 2023.

The NEF had recently frowned at the alleged attacks carried out

by IPOB in the region, stressing that Nigerians are paying the price of failure of two sets of leaders, as it added that at the national level, “the administration appears to have lost the capacity to halt the gradual descent of the country into anarchy, while political leaders in the South-east region appear to have submitted to violence and terror of IPOB and ESN.” However, the National Chairman ZLP, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, in a chat with

journalists yesterday in Abuja, noted that the legitimate agitation for an equitable and fair society in Nigeria and the anger against marginalisation against the Igbo people can never be resolved through violence.

Nwanyanwu noted that the Igbo cannot cut their noses to spite their faces, saying it would be embarrassing, counterproductive and primitive to do that.

He stated: “The utterances of supposed prominent Nigerians in high places, including misguided leaders of pseudo organizsations purporting to speak for the North, have ceased every opportunity to exaggerate the direction of the attack in the Southeast, and follow up such deliberate incitement to threaten death and genocide on Igbo people all over the country. This is being intensified as we approach 2023.

FG Employs 4,452 Monitors for NSIP Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The federal government has offered engagement letters and tablets to 4, 452 trained independent monitors of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, at the unveiling of the Social Investment Management Information System (SIMIS) application to monitor programmes under the NSIP yesterday, said the monitors would be paid N30, 000 monthly as a stipend after meeting 80 per cent of their deliverables monthly to be eligible for their stipend.

She said the SIMIS application would provide a real-time update on the government National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme and others.

Farouq said out the 5,000 independent monitors identified and shortlisted for the training, which was flagged off on February 4, 2021, 4452 were trained across the country.

According to her, “The first batch of the training was carried out from February 17, 2021, to February 27, 2021 in the 36 states and the FCT. Mop-up training was organised and carried out zonally from March 25, 2021, to April 1, 2021, to provide all the independent monitors that missed the initial training with the opportunity to train.

Stop Bloodletting, South-east Women Group Cries Out Oluchi Chibuzor Igbo women in the South-east region under the auspices of Credible Igbo Women Initiative (CIWI) yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari, and other state actors in the region to intervene in the massive bloodletting in their region.

According to them, the call was necessary because of the alarming level of insecurity in the region and the country in general, which has resulted in lives being wasted on a daily basis.

Speaking at a conference held in Lagos yesterday on the theme: ‘Enough of this Killing’, the spokesperson of the

group, Onyeka Onwenu, said: “Something dreadful is happening in our states, and we demands the immediate intervention of the president.”

She urged the government to ensure there is peace and stability in the region as enshrined in the constitution.

Owenu said: “Please Mr. President stop the killings in our states, as we can no longer endure burying our children. We want peace and progress in the region.

“The federal government is obliged to protect all the people of Nigeria, including the lgbo, who are currently under heavy armed attack by air and land daily.”

to curb escalating insecurity across Niger State.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion moved at the plenary yesterday by Hon. Saidu Abdullahi.

Moving the motion, Abdulahi said for the past few months, Niger State has been making critical headlines in the news due to the worsening activities of bandits, kidnappers and Boko

Haram elements in the state.

He recalled that there was a mass abduction of about 136 children from Mallam Salihu Tanko Islamic School in Tegina recently.

The lawmaker lamented that two weeks after the abduction, the children are still in captivity.

Abdulahi decried that the bandits have been gruesomely torturing and killing innocent lives; destroying critical

infrastructure and property; carting away food stuffs, rustling cattle and other domestic animals, and instilling fear in the minds of people across the state and country.

The lawmaker said the huge investments of this administration in the agriculture sector across the state have been practically frustrated, as the farmers can no longer cultivate their farms as a direct result of

the fear of being attacked.

Abdulahi stressed that the aftermath is the aggravation of food insecurity and threats to the peaceful co-existence and socio-economic stability of the country.

He added that recently, a prince from Kontagora Emirate and others were killed, while about five people were abducted from Batati in Lavun LGA in the state.

CONGRATULATIONS…

L-R: Comptroller of the Lagos State Command of Nigeria Immigration Service (NlS), Bauchi Aliyu ; newly promoted officer, Chief Superintendent Immigration Udeme Ndifreke; and her husband, Mr. Nathan Ndifreke, during her decoration in lkeja, Lagos…yesterday

I Didn’t Resign, Says Imo Deputy Gov Imo Deputy Governor Prof.

Placid Njoku has denied reports he has resigned, dismissing them as baseless.

Njoku, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ozioma Ukwuoma, insisted the reports have no iota of truth, attributing them to those who had been working to distabilise the state The statement reads partly:

“My attention has been drawn to the fake news circulating in the social media purporting that the Deputy Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Prof Placid Njoku has resigned.

“While it remains our practice to ignore such baseless stories, the need to put the truth out to concerned imo citizens has necessitated this rebuttal.

“This story has no iota of truth in it but is a mere figment of the imaginations of those working against the Government and people of Imo state “The Imo State Deputy Governor, His Excellency Prof. Placid Njoku enjoys a robust working relationship with his boss, His Excellency,

Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, Executive Governor of Imo State and indeed with every member of the state executive Council, including members of the state legislature.”

He enjoined Imo people to disregard such unfounded rumours and continue supporting the peace and development of the State.

Tension as Protesting Youths Lay Siege to Conoil Platform in Delta Sylvester Idowu in Warri Palpable tension yesterday enveloped Obodo community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, as hundreds of protesting youths laid siege on Conoil oilfield in the area over alleged neglect by the oil company.

THISDAY learnt that the quick intervention of security men stationed at the company prevented the oilfield from being shut down by the angry youths.

It was learnt that the youths from seven host communities under the Auspices of OML 150 Consultative Forum, established

for easy management of relationship with the oil company, were angry over non recognition of the leadership put in place since January 8, 2021, in spite of letters written by the Olu of Warri palace as well as that of Delta State Government to Conoil Producing Limited.

Some of the placards carried by the youths read: ‘We want recognition of Monday Agbeyiled Executive’; ‘Conoil is dividing our leaders to cheat us’; ‘Conoil is denying us of our rights’; ‘We will shut down Conoil operations soon’, among others.

Chairman of OML 150 Communities Consultative

Forum, Monday Agbeyi, who led the protesters, told journalists that Conoil should vacate the area for allegedly disrespecting constituted authorities in the state.

He said: “Today marks the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum given to Conoil Producing Limited to respect the proclamations made by the seven landlord communities, the palace of Olu of Warri and the Delta State Government to recognise and commence dealings with the Agbeyi-led executive of OML 150 Communities Consultative forum or should vacate our land.

“The seven landlord communities namely: Ifiekporo,

Uwakeno, Omadino, Ewekwara, Jaluwa Efueye, Aka Osolo and Obodo are saying, with this protest, we are tired of the disrespectful disposition of Conoil Producing Limited for constituted authorities, and of course left with no other option than to issue quit notice to the company.”

Explaining further, Agbeyi maintained that they had no other issues with the oil company other than to respect the positions of the people, Olu of Warri Palace and the Delta State Government, and deal with the new executive, or quit operations on their land.

Bagudu: Communities Need to Do More to Fight Banditry Deji Elumoye in Abuja The recent bandits’ attacks on some parts of Kebbi State have provoked reaction from the state Governor, Atiku Bagudu, who emphasised on the need for communities to do more to assist security agencies, who are also having some challenges, in routing out criminal elements in their domains.

Speaking with journalist after meeting separately with President Muhammadu Buhari and his Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, at the State House, Abuja, the governor

advised that rather than being in a hurry always, communities should realise that security personnel are also human beings who require support especially by way of passing information.

He said: “We call for vigilance and support for security agencies. Security agencies are doing a great job but they are also human beings. They need a lot of community support for information and understanding because sometimes, we are all in a hurry when we are facing challenges. But the security agencies also have modus

operandi.

“Sometimes, they get risk reports in places that 500 people are coming to attack and maybe the local Divisional Police Officer (DPO) can only mobilise 20 policemen.

Already, that confronts him with a challenge. So, they need truthful information. They need synergy with vigilance groups and community support so that they can continue to respond more appropriately.

Also, sometimes they need support with logistics.

“Communities hardly reflect on all the logistic

needs of security agencies.

The government will never be able to provide enough.

Much is being done. But it will never be enough for communities, and I’m sure that in all communities, there are people who can support the police.”

Commenting on his meeting with the president, Bagudu said: “I met with President Buhari to brief him, among others, on some security issues relating to my state, because about two weeks ago, there was a boat incident that claimed many lives.

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FRIDAY JUNE 11, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

NPFL: Akwa Utd Back at the Top, MFM FC Hold Abia Warriors Femi Solaja

The Nigeria Professional Football League’s Match-day 26 between Akwa United FC and Heartland ended 3-1 in favour

of the hosts team.

The victory catapulted Akwa United back to the top of the NPFL table, in place of Kano Pillars who lost 0-2 in Port Harcourt 24 hours earlier.

‘World Athletics, CAA, AFN, Agree on Kebbi Elections’ The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) under the leadership of Engr Ibrahim Shehu Gusau has announced that any election planned for Abuja will be null and voided in line with the agreement between the World Athletics, the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) and the AFN statement stressed.

According to the AFN President, Engr Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, the claim that World Athletics rejected the amended Constitution of the AFN was false, malicious with the sole intention of scuttling the roadmap for the 2021 AFN elections slated for Kebbi State.

“The claim by these other people that the World Athletics has rejected the amended constitution is false and intended to deceive the delegates and the Athletics family.

“It is in recognition and acceptance of the amended Constitution that the world body reflected and still has Mr Siminialayi Young Pepple as the Director General of the AFN, with Engr. Gusau as President,” the AFN statement announced.

Gusau termed the purported Congress slated for Abuja as a meeting of friends because according to Article 6.1.2 of the 2017 AFN Constitution, only the President of the AFN

shall convene the Congress, while Article 19.1 of the 2019 edition states: The President of the AFN shall convene all Congress Meetings.

Hence, any congress not convened by the President will be termed illegal and decisions taken therein will be null, void and of no consequence.

“Furthermore, it is on record that the July 1, 2020 ruling by His Lordship, Hon. Justice A. I. Chikere, in suit number FHC/ ABJ/CS/113/2020 between Hon. Engr. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, Ph.D (Plaintiff) and Hon. Minister of Youth & Sports Development, Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports Development, Prince Adisa A. Beyioku and Mr Olamide George (Defendants) gave an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants from taking any or further actions/steps that undermine the powers of the plaintiff under the Constitution of the AFN as the President, including the powers to convene the Congress of the AFN. After the reconciliatory meeting held in Abuja, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare thanked the CAA for their prompt response to the resolutions of the AFN crisis in a letter dated April 30, 2021.

Over 200 Kids for U-17 Kenny Taekwondo Over 200 enthusiastic kids drawn from over 20 schools and 17 clubs across the state stormed the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Surrulere, Lagos for the Kenny Taekwondo Academy U-17 Championships which held last weekend.

D’ Young Taekwondo Academy, Kenny Martial Art Academy, Panama Taekwondo Academy, St Rita School, Ovie Brune Foundation and Goodness School were among some of the schools and clubs that featured at the one- day championship.

Proprietor of Kenny Taekwondo Academy, Mr. Kehinde Salawu, thanked God for the successful stagging of this year’s event which is the 10th edition.

Salawu described it as a huge success unlike the 9th edition which was almost marred by the Coronavirus pandemic.

He owed the consistency in stagging the annual event to God and his desire to see taekwondo grow beyond it’s

present state in Nigera.

Salawu added that he will not rest until more of the likes of Emmanuel Peters, Chika Chukwumerijes and Margaret Binga are discovered in Nigeria’s taekwondo.

Medals and certificates were awarded to all the children that excelled at the championship. .

Chairman of Lagos State Taekwondo Association, Mr Jimmy Ogunowo who was at the event alongside the matron, Tayo Popoola, commended Mr Salawu for spreading the gospel of taekwondo at the grassroots and promised that his association will continue to provide logistics and technical support when necessary to all it’s affiliate members.

He urged all clubs practicing in the state to forward their programme of activities to the Secretariat of the Lagos State Taekwondo Association without further delay.

Charles Atshimene was the two-goal hero for the home side with Ubong Friday reducing the tally for the visitors before Chijioke Akuneto restores Akwa United’s two-goal lead.

Earlier, MFM FC failed to break the defence of visiting Abia Warriors in

a fixture that was played Thursday morning following Wednesday’s heavy rain. both sides remained where they were before the match MFM 10th and Abia Warriors 13th.

Meanwhile, clubs in Akwa Ibom State have unanimously chosen Akwa United as the

state’s representatives in the 2021 AITEO Cup. This resolution was reached in a meeting between Club Owners and the State’s Football Association Wednesday morning in Uyo. The club owners based their decision on the limited time available to prosecute

a state preliminaries in view of the NFF Monday 14th June 2021 deadline day for submission of state representatives.

The Akwa Ibom State Football Association will therefore submit Akwa United FC as the state’s sole representative.

Rafael Nadal (left) in epic battle with Novak Djokovic in the semi final of the French Open 2021...today

Nadal, Djokovic in Epic Battle for French Open Final Ticket Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal clash for the 58th time today on the same court where they first met 15 years ago with a place in the French Open final at stake.

It is tennis’s greatest modern rivalry between two men who have harvested 38 Grand Slam titles between them and 72 Masters.

Djokovic has spent more weeks at world No 1 than any other player while 13-time French Open winner Nadal has not been out of the top 10 in 16 years.

Nadal will start Friday’s semifinal as favourite, buoyed by his record of 105 wins and just two losses in his Roland Garros career.

The 35-year-old also has the

edge over Djokovic on clay with a 19-7 career lead and 7-1 in Paris.

Djokovic hasn’t beaten Nadal on the surface since Rome in 2016.

He can, however, boast being one of only two men to have defeated Nadal in Paris, in the quarterfinals in 2015.

“It’s a well-anticipated semifinal and here we are,” said Djokovic of a rivalry which started on Court Philippe Chatrier in 2006.

“We had some battles over the years on this court.”

Nadal defeated 2016 champion Djokovic in straight sets in last year’s final, the Serb’s third loss in the championship match in Paris to the Spaniard.

There is plenty at stake on Friday as the two rivals close in on Sunday’s final.

Djokovic can win a 19th Slam and become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Slams twice.

Victory for Nadal would give him a record-setting 21st major, breaking the tie with Roger Federer.

“The vibes are different walking on the court with him,” added Djokovic. “But that’s why our rivalry has been historic.”

It’s been a topsy-turvy tournament for Djokovic.

After racing through the first three rounds, he had to come back from two sets down to defeat Italian 19-year-old Lorenzo Musetti.

In the quarterfinals, he dropped the third set against Matteo Berrettini.

With the exception of a second-set blip in the quarterfinals against Diego Schwartzman, Nadal has reached his 14th semifinal relatively unscathed.

Despite his clay court stranglehold on Djokovic, Nadal isn’t getting too far ahead of himself.

“It is a semifinal, not a final.

That’s a big difference,” he said.

The latest chapter of Djokovic v Nadal has overshadowed Friday’s other semifinal between Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and sixth-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany.

Super Eagles Supporters Club Set for Inauguration of Grand Patron in Minna Laleye Dipo in Minna

Niger State chapter of the Super Eagles Supporters Club has appointed the state’s Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, as it’s Grand Patron.

The Supporters Club also appointed Dr Mohammed Mohammed former Chairman of the Niger Tornadoes Football Club of Minna Management Committee, Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly Alhaji Abdullahi Bawa Wuse and a Minna-

based philanthropist, Alhaji Yakubu Abubakar as its patrons.

Chairman of the Supporters Club, Alhaji Mohammed Mohammed, who disclosed this to sportswriters in Minna yesterday said the inauguration and award presentation to the patrons and footballers that have distinguished themselves and made Niger State proud has been slated for the 5th of Octoberthis year in Minna.

Mohammed said the Supporters Club with a population of 250

members has also begun e-membership drive in the 25 local government areas of the state.

The Chairman who doubles as the Northern Coordinator of the Super Eagles Supporters Club said all the activities of the organisation are geared towards the World Cup elimination series and next year’s Africa Cup of Nations football competitions, adding that “we want to attend these competitions to cheer the Super Eagles to victory”.

“We therefore want more

philanthropists to partner us to enable our club achieve this loudable object,” stressed the state’s supporters boss.

Mohammed insisted that there was no faction within the Supporters Club in Niger State.

He however pleaded with Dr Rafiu Ladipo whom he described as the ‘Father of Supporters Club in Nigeria’ to assist in reconciling all the football supporters clubs in the country so that “we will all come under one umbrella for effectiveness coordination.

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FRIDAY JUNE 11, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

FridaySports EURO 2020...EURO 2020...EURO 2020...

UEFA Demands Ukraine Make Changes to ‘Political’ Jersey UEFA has demanded that Ukraine make changes to their jersey for Euro 2020 starting today by removing a “political” slogan that sparked protests from Russia European football’s governing body UEFA said the message “Glory to our Heroes”, a rallying cry during the 2014 anti-Russia protests in Ukraine that is featured inside the shirt,

was “clearly political in nature”.

On Tuesday, Russia had sent a letter of complaint to UEFA over the yellow jersey which also features on the front the outline of Ukraine including Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.

But UEFA said the map would not need to be changed because a United Nations General Assembly

Resolution “recognises the territorial borders as broadly depicted by the design”.

The slogan “Glory to Ukraine” was also approved by UEFA as

“on its own (it) may be considered as a generic and non-political phrase of general national significance”.

That chant was used by protesters who ousted a

Kremlin-backed leader during the Maidan demonstrations seven years ago.

The revolt was condemned by Moscow and sparked a crisis in ties

between the two countries.

Russia annexed Crimea and supported Russianspeaking insurgents in Ukraine’s east. The conflict has claimed the lives of more than 13, 000 people.

Euro 2020 Tournament Kicks off Live on DStv, GOtv DStv and GOtv subscribers can look forward to major international football as UEFA Euro 2020 kicks off today. The European continental tournament will run from 11 June to 11 July 2021.

The Euro tournaments begins with the group stage matches, which will all air on the SuperSport dedicated Euro 2020 channel, SuperSport EURO2020 (DStv channel 203 and GOtv channel 32).

The group A fixtures sees the clash between Turkey and Italy today, 11 June at 8pm.

Italy will be the team to watch in Group A and Turkey will be their main threat, with the Eurasian team’s brilliant veteran, Burak Yilmaz, who recently fired Lille to a surprise Ligue 1 triumph.

Wales and Switzerland are not to be underestimated either, as they are scheduled to meet on Saturday 12 June at 2pm. The Dragons famously got to the semifinals of the last European Championship, while the Swiss are an efficient and experienced outfit that will win no style points but will be extremely tough to beat.

Belgium and their ‘Golden Generation’ of players will be the centre

of attention in Group B, but there are concerns for the Red Devils as Kevin De Bruyne is suffering a facial injury and Eden Hazard has hardly played for Real Madrid this past season.

Belgium is scheduled to face Russia on Saturday 12 June at 8pm.

Denmark is a capable if somewhat limited team, while Finland are the fairytale story of the group.

Their match is scheduled earlier on Saturday at 5pm.

The Netherlands are the ‘big dogs’ of Group C, and they will be facing Ukraine on Sunday 13 June at 8pm. Earlier in the evening, Austria will meet with North Macedonia at 5pm. This will be North Macedonia’s first major international tournament.

Austria and Ukraine are set to battle for the group’s runner-up spot.

Group D features the tournament’s favourite, England, who will face Croatia on Sunday 13 June at 2pm. England will play all of their matches at Wembley Stadium in London and look to take full advantage of a squad which includes the likes of Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford. World Cup runner-up, Croatia, will represent the Three Lions’ biggest threat.

CAS Reduces Ajax Keeper Onana’s Ban Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Andre Onana’s year-long ban by European soccer’s governing body UEFA for violating doping rules has been reduced to nine months after an appeal, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said in a statement yesterday.

Traces of the banned substance Furosemide were found in the Cameroon international’s urine during an out-of-competition test on 30 October, Ajax said in February, leading to a year-

long ban for the player from all football activities.

A panel of CAS arbitrators in charge of the matter partially upheld the player’s appeal and reduced his ban that commenced on 4 February, meaning he will now be eligible to play from 3 November.

Onana had said the violation was the result of a mistake, as he accidentally took a medicine meant for his girlfriend on the morning of 30 October.

Referees to officiate the Euro 2020 tournament at training ahead of tonight’s opening ceremony...yesterday

PSG Target Barca’s Dembele Paris Saint-Germain have expressed an interest in signing Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele, who has entered the final year of his contract.

Talks over a new deal for Dembele have dragged on for months but are expected to step up in a meeting next week, which was scheduled after the Frenchman confessed he is not in any rush to extend.

Barcelona have made it clear that they want Dembele to sign a new deal, but they are also prepared to sell him this summer if he continues to stall as club officials don’t want to lose a player who cost almost £140m four years ago for free at the end of

Ousmane Dembele is on the radar of PSG his deal. want to try and encourage However, according to Dembele to reject a new Marca, there are now some contract and also refuse a fears that may happen as move away this summer, PSG have reached out to allowing him to walk away the winger to express an for free and return to his interest in signing him on homeland in 2022. a free transfer next summer.

That plan is obviously It seems as though PSG not going to sit well with

Barcelona, who want to know Dembele’s decision as soon as possible so they can try and sell him before his value really starts to fall.

It’s also not going to do much to help the frosty relationship between the two clubs, which stems from Neymar’s world record move from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 and was not helped by the French side’s late swoop to sign Georginio Wijnaldum on a free transfer this summer.

Barcelona thought they had tied up a deal for Wijnaldum, only for PSG to offer him nearly double the wages on offer at Camp Nou to lure him over to France instead.

Opuama Blames Jigawa’s Defence for Draw with Wikki Abdul Raheem Jigawa Golden Stars’ inconsistent home form continued on Wednesday as they were held to a score draw by visiting Wikki Tourists in a Nigeria Professional FootballbLeagye (NPFL) Match-day 26 tie at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.It certainly was a result that Coach Gilbert Opuana never wished for especially against a Wikki side that have struggled lately.

Opuama though laid the blames on the team’s defense as well as what he called bad moments.

Speaking after the match, Opuana said the team is

going through a difficult time. “It was not the result we expected but we accept it in good faith. We conceded the equalising goal due to loss of concentration. We are facing a difficult time and we have a few worries in the midfield”, he told www.npfl.ng “The defence is costing me lots of goals. This is not the type of goal we should be conceding. When you are playing to win and you have scored the next thing to do is to defend the goal but our defence failed to do that. We will continue to work on the team ahead of our next match against Pillars.”

The Northern derby, as the two teams share borders,

lived up to expectation as the two sides made efforts from the kick-off to pick all the points. While the Badaru Boys were trying to control the midfield, the Yankari Boys resorted to long range shots, two of which were on target.

Though Wikki brought in Idris Guda and Sale Mohammed few minutes into the second half, it was Jigawa Stars that made hay.

First, Mohammed Gidado’s shot was smothered by Wikki’ keeper, Ibrahim Pius, then Abdullahi Lala made a pullout which Saidu Abdullahi nodded home.

The lead didn’t last long as 12 minutes later, the Yankari Boys equalised when striker and captain,

Manu Garba volleyed home a pass from the right wing beating Paul Godwin in Jigawa goal.

For Wikki Tourists Coach, Baba Jibrin, it was a good result which made him happy, saying he is going back to Bauchi to prepare for their next home match against FC IfeanyiUbah.

“I’m happy that we picked up a point here.

We would go back home, work hard to prepare for IfeanyiUbah.

“This is my fourth match here but I’m very sure we will end the season in a better position. We lacked the scoring ability because we create lots of chances but we have failed to score many of them.”

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US to FG “Unduly restricting the ability of Nigerians to report, gather, and disseminate opinions and information has no place in a democracy.

Freedom of expression and access to information both online and offline are foundational to prosperous and secure democratic societies” – US condemning the federal government for suspending Twitter.

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26 years

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

The Return to Igangan “I

have been asked to speak to you all on the topic Nigerian Unity and Nation Building.

Under normal circumstances that would have been considered an easy task to undertake. However, given that the circumstances in our times can no longer be considered normal in the light of the level of violence, criminality and divisiveness which is now our daily experience, the undertaking becomes a challenge and a dilemma. There was a time that some of our leaders especially in the military era would glibly tell us that Nigerian unity is non-negotiable. Most people in the present situation we find ourselves will consider such an affirmation not only hollow but clearly now as uninformed and ignorant.

This situation would not have arisen five, ten or twenty years ago. So what went wrong and why?”- Professor Anya. O. Anya Whatever becomes of the spiralling interethnic (mutually assured destruction) cycle of violence in Nigeria, Igangan, Ibarapa in Oyo State, will be remembered as a turning point. Symbolically, Igangan has always been associated with critical phases of Yoruba history. Those familiar with this history will recall that at the institution of the Aare Ona Kakanfo in the sixteenth century, the first title holder of the unique institution was Kokoro Igangan. The warlord was said to hail from Iwoye but my gut feeling is that the coincidence of his name with the ancient town of Igangan was not accidental.

The appointment was reserved for the best acclaimed warlord of the day and could be appointed from any part of the empire.

‘It is a title akin to a field marshal, and is conferred upon the greatest soldier and tactician of the day. After installation, the Kakanfo leaves Oyo, the Alaafin’s city for his own domain; it is forbidden that the Kakanfo and the Alaafin live together in the same town. In addition, the Kakanfo is required to wage war against any peoples and territories at the behest of the Alaafin, and is expected to win, or return a corpse’. Like so many cultural innovations, the institution was a testimony to the sophistication of the Oyo Empire. And, ironically, when the empire was going to unravel, the Kakanfo (in the person of Afonja) proved to be its nemesis.

In a manner of speaking and given the rapid political retrogression of Nigeria back into its precolonial ethno national elements, the Yoruba appears to be reliving this history especially in the aspect of securing the realm against external aggression. It is what has given rise to warlordism encapsulated in the Sunday Igboho phenomenon. And we now talk more of charms than bullets as an instrument of prosecuting local wars.

In the contemporary experience of the savage humiliation to which the Yoruba have been subjected right in their regional homestead, there is not much that is exceptional about Igangan. What is exceptional was the long imagined retributory response mounted by a counter Yoruba militia spearheaded by Igboho. Hitherto pummelled and stupefied into inaction and self-pity and endlessly betrayed by a conniving (by omission or commission) Nigerian security forces, the

Igboho response captured the imagination of the Yoruba community and ignited a spirit of militant nationalism. In the circumstance, the Igboho embodied rebellion was a direct consequence of this connivance (running the gamut of wilful neglect and covert complicity) of a compromised Nigerian security establishment.The Alaafin of Oyo recently lamented the futility of seeking the law and order intervention of the Nigerian police into crimes involving the fulani who appeared to enjoy a licence to impunity and would sooner be spared of any penalty regardless the severity of the crime at issue.

It was a fraught situation that brought to the fore the legitimate imperative of recourse to self-help and self-defence.

General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma had captured the moment a few years ago: “The armed forces are not neutral. They collude with the armed bandits that kill people, kill Nigerians. They facilitate their movement.

They cover them...If you are depending on the armed forces to stop the killings, you will die one by one,” he said.

“The ethnic cleansing must stop in Taraba State. It must stop in all the states of Nigeria, otherwise Somalia will be a child’s play.

I ask everyone of you to be at alert and defend your country, defend your territory, defend your state. You have nowhere else to go,” he further added.

Taking the cue in Igangan, the compound and properties (including several luxury vehicles) of the suspected godfather of the Fulani kidnap-for-ransom-consortium, the

Seriki Fulani were torched and burnt down.

He was declared persona non grata and banished from the community along with his proteges and sundry field operatives.

There was bound to be a reprisal attack and the surprise was that when it came, it caught both the Igboho guerilla army and the regular security forces pants down.

More shocking was the disproportionate scale of the violence, in magnitude and sheer savagery, reminiscent of the Fulani militia campaign of terror and pacification in the Middle Belt region. Obadiah Mailafia sounded the early warning system.

About a week ago, the Oyo State Amotekun Commander, Kunle Togun, similarly raised the alarm (that the worst is yet to come) that was more remarkable for its potential to obfuscate and misdirect. There was an inherent exculpation of domestic Nigerian component in his obsessive attribution of all that is going awry in the South-west to non-Nigerians. “The foreign Fulani herdsmen have invaded South-west. There is nowhere in the South-west that they are not. They are there. “They are the Okada riders. They are the ones using wheelbarrows to sell carrots and other things. I said they are foot soldiers. They said they have come in to take the inheritance given to them by Allah and that is Nigerian land, particularly South-west. So, they will still strike. I am not just screaming aloud. So, everybody has to be ready”. The question then arises, is the Seriki Fulani of Igangan a foreigner?

Are his accomplices including the notorious Wakili from Mali and Niger? To the contrary, many of those caught have identified and have been identified as Fulani with deep roots in Nigeria including, for that matter, the Yoruba society (especially Ilorin) dating back generations.

Adding to the confusion is the enactment (of the precedent of Moses and the Israelites) who were given to renouncing their liberation at the encounter of any difficulties in their journey to freedom. And so, with the savage reprisal attack on Igangan has come the criticism and strictures blaming Igboho for initiating the rebellion to begin with.

In the affectation of wisdom and sobriety and beyond the specific instance of Igangan, there have been remonstrations from those who identify with the status quo that coming to terms with cohabitation in hell can be a better option than the uncertain promise of heaven. As if anyone has cultivated belligerence and bellicosity as second nature and goes around looking

If Nigeria is ever to transcend this balance of terror predicate, it would have to learn that the road to enduring national unity does not go through the barrel of the gun and the imposition of unrestrained regional hegemony

for war as hobby. Short of the philosophy of turning the other cheek it is difficult to see what options are left for the oppressed confronted with the perennial menace of a murderous bully. In all of this, there is the psychological injury to the victims. They are liable to wonder if it is conceivable that a group of Yoruba marauders would have the audacity to besiege Azare or Daura the way the criminal Fulani militia are running rampant over Yorubaland.

In what is fast degenerating to an unbroken chain of violence and terror, it is near inevitable that in one form or another, a Yoruba response to this reprisal attack on Igangan is on the way especially if, typically, no one is called to account. The continuous radicalisation and escalation of the cycle of violence raises the question of how all this harvest of ill-wind will end. President Buhari has announced his preferred option in a revealing tweet and it is straight out from the civil war conquistador playbook.

“Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand,”. First, the fact that the social media tech giant, Twitter, deems it fit to delete this tweet and cite it as ‘abusive behaviour’ towards the Igbo, tells a familiar story of Buhari. It corroborates his well documented penchant for violent verbiage. You will recall such bloody minded threats as the ‘dog and the baboon will soak in blood’. ‘I can die for the cause of Islam if necessary. We are ready to fight another civil war’. For those at the pinnacle of the federal alliance power structure that prevailed in the war, resort to this ‘might is right’ precedent is always a irresistible temptation. The perennial utility of the threat to ‘national unity’ has come in handy as a blank cheque on which any pretext for scapegoating a convenient victim and target can be requested. Those who like Buhari are given to hacking back to the civil war and national unity in this proprietorial manner should be asked what are the lessons Nigeria should learn from this defining tragedy.

That any evil is justified in the self-serving pursuit of the distorted notion of national unity as an end unto itself? Shouldn’t we be told that prior to the declaration of Biafra secession, another group of Nigerians were openly contemplating Araba and the other verbalised the intention to follow suit if Biafra becomes a reality? I have always held the opinion that (on the template of equity and justice) if the Igbo should be blamed, it can only be for not being in a position to actualise its justified aspiration. At the end of the day what made the difference was not the moral imperative of sustaining a desirable and worthy national unity but that a protagonist was in a position to enforce its will and the other was not. If Nigeria is ever to transcend this balance of terror predicate, it would have to learn that the road to enduring national unity does not go through the barrel of the gun and the imposition of unrestrained regional hegemony.

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