TUESDAY 22TH JUNE 2021

WTO: Nigeria, S’Africa, Others Considered as Vaccine Production Hubs Ejiofor Alike with agency reports The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, has listed Nigeria and South Africa among nations being considered by Africa, in

conjunction with the European Union (EU) and other partners, to create regional vaccine manufacturing hubs on the continent.

Others are Senegal and Rwanda.

Speaking yesterday during a virtual meeting monitored by

Reuters, Okonjo-Iweala stated that regional production hubs would offer a more promising path to preparedness for a future health crisis.

"We have now seen that over-centralisation of vaccine production capacity is incompatible with equitable

access in a crisis situation.

"Regional production hubs, in tandem with open supply chains, offer a more promising path to preparedness for future health crisis," She stated.

Rwandan President, Mr. Paul Kagame, also confirmed yesterday at the Qatar

Economic Forum that Senegal, Rwanda, and South Africa were in talks with investors to start the production of COVID-19 vaccines in Africa.

Africa was "trying to find partners, to start manufacturing vaccines on our continent," Kagame said.

"We are discussing with people who will help with financing and I think in a few months we should hear a different story,” Kagame added.

The continent of 1.3 billion Continued on page 10

Analysts Upbeat about CBN's Proposed Digital Currency...Page 8 Tuesday 22 June, 2021 Vol 26. No 9569. Price: N250

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MTN GOES TO THE VILLA...

L-R: Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta; Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof.

Ibrahim Gambari; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Karl Toriola; Group CEO and President, MTN Group, Mr. Ralph Mupita; President Muhammadu Buhari; and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami; Chairman, NCC Board, Prof. Adeolu Akande; Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe; Group CFO, MTN, Ms. Tsholo Molefe; and Ag. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Nnenna Nwachukwu, during the visit of MTN Group to the president in Abuja…recently

Projects, Appointments Guided By Equity, Inclusiveness, Says Buhari Vows to prosecute criminals terrorising Nigeria Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday tackled critics that accused him of nepotism and lopsidedness in appointments and execution of projects, insisting that all decisions about policies, projects, and appointments by his administration have been guided by equity and inclusiveness.

The president also vowed to prosecute those he described as criminals terrorising the

country.

Buhari spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, in Abuja, at the maiden edition of the Progressives Youth Conference with the theme, "The Future is a Decision," against the backdrop of criticisms that his administration has strived to foist Northern hegemony on the nation through favouring the zone in key political appointments, particularly in the security agencies, and

allotment of projects.

The conference was organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) youth wing.

The president stated that there is no part of the country that has not been impacted positively in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, and economic support initiative based on peculiarities of the regions.

He said: "So far, all the policies, initiatives, projects, and even appointments by

this administration have been guided by equity and inclusiveness. There is actually no part of the country that has not been impacted positively in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, and economic support initiative based on peculiarities of the regions.

What an area lacks in one aspect is compensated for in another.

"As you are all aware, we are currently dealing with some internal security challenges and I will like

to reassure you that as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, no effort will be spared in tackling them.

"As I have repeatedly said in recent weeks, every criminal element that has taken up arms against the peace of the country and its citizens will be brought to book accordingly.

“I am happy to see that we are beginning to see the results and we keep improving until the country is rid of such divisive elements."

He expressed the

pleasure that the theme of the conference provided an opportunity for creating a movement, while the future is a decision that should be made today.

Buhari said the conference was timely coming up not too long after the membership registration of the party and just before the commencement of congresses starting from the wards.

He said he was confident Continued on page 10

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

BETTER FUTURE FOR THE YOUTH...

VP Osinbajo returning to his seat after his address at the Progressive Youth Conference yesterday in Abuja. Photo shows Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Ministers Fashola, Aregbesola, Ahmed and SGF Boss Mustapha applauding

Only Justice, Fairness will Unite Nigeria, Says Opadokun Warns country can’t stand test of time

James Emejo in Abuja The General-Secretary, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Mr. Ayo Opadokun, yesterday warned that Nigeria can only remain united when all citizens and the various ethnic groups are treated equally and respected.

He said no nation put together by the force of arms had ever lasted.

He said: "Nigeria will not be an exception. This entire clamour; all these agitations for the indissolubility of the Nigerian state and the likes- they are all wishful thinking.

"We can only remain together if we are equal; if we are treated equally; if the fundamental human rights of everybody are respected and if a group of people don't imagine themselves to be the owners of the Nigerian project and all others are spectators" Speaking yesterday on The Morning Show on ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, Opadokun, said centralised and unitary governance was unsustainable for the country.

He stated that with a skewed, warped and lopsided national structure, Nigeria cannot stand the test of time.

He also berated President Muhammadu Buhari for making comments which he said are unbecoming of a democratic leader, providing more insight into why NADECO wrote an open letter to Buhari as well as the United Nations over the deteriorating security situation in the country.

He said: "When a democrat in office starts issuing the kinds of statements he issued within the past two to three days, it is unfortunate because what it has shown is that he has not understood the fact that he's no more a military dictator; he sourced for the votes of Nigerians and because he secured them, that does not give him a licence to treat all of us with contempt as if we were minors."

Opadokun stated that the Nigerian electorate remained Buhari’s bosses.

“We are his masters; he is being paid through the tax that we pay. He's being fed through the taxes that we pay.

And so we are masters, and sovereignty remains with the Nigerian people," he said.

Opadokun said though Buhari had promised to secure and transform Nigeria, he had reneged on all of his electoral promises.

He stressed the need for the country to return to 1960 Constitution, adding that this could resolve the current challenges with only few amendments.

He accused the president of ignoring as well as expressing open disgust and disdain for the clamour for restructuring and return to a federal constitution.

He described the insecurity in the country as worrisome, stressing that the situation has further deteriorated.

Opadokun said: "The fact that non-state actors had become superior, much more dominant, much more effective than the Nigerian cohesive instrument - that's a sign that the Nigerian state security architecture has been totally undermined and cannot provide nor guarantee life and security, which is the first and primary business of any government in office."

However, he said NADECO decided to raise the alarm because it believed that the nation is at the end of its tethers.

He also described the 1999 Constitution as altered, which is currently being operated as fake.

"Let it be stated first that the 1999 Constitution that is being touted by President Buhari as the basic law that grants him the power to do and undo remains a fake and forged document which lied against itself," he said.

He stated that since the army struck on January 15, 1966, it abrogated the 1960 and 1963 Independence and Republican Constitutions, which were the basis upon which Nigeria secured its independence.

"A federal constitutional governance was arrived at as a negotiated constitutional document because it was realised that Nigeria is a heterogeneous society composed of over 350 ethnic groups with their different languages, culture, traditions, customs, artefacts, folklore, norms, morals and the likes," he said.

According to him, the National Assembly as currently constituted can't redress the current crisis facing the country.

He said: "When President Buhari and his kitchen

cabinet keep insulting us that we should go to the National Assembly to redress our grievances, they knew that just by their own individual preferences, individual prejudices, they comprised that National Assembly to give them an advantage over the South.

"We believe that the business at hand is beyond the National Assembly. In any case, the National Assembly itself is a subject matter of discussion by the ethnic nationality leaders that were the building blocks upon which Nigeria is constructed.

We must agree as to what kind of legislature we need - whether bicameral or unicameral."

Further justifying the group's resort to seeking help from the international community, he said since there was no place to seek redress, they resorted to writing to the UN. "We are appealing to them to take appropriate steps to resolve the dangerous paths the country is treading now; political upheavals, instability.

"Another civil war is better prevented now by the international community because it will cost the

international community far less if they prevent the possible open hostilities in Nigeria," he stated.

He said Nigerians were asking that the decrees that centralised Nigeria, which had, in turn, occasioned injustice, unfairness, inequity, total disregard and disrespect for the rule of law, be suspended.

He said it was in the best interest of the country to return to the independence constitution.

He added that that had been the clamour of Nigerians since 1992, and it grew wider and wider until the last two to five years “because we have seen a President Buhari who promised that he was going to secure Nigeria; he was going to transform the economy and he was going to fight a successful war against corruption.

"All that he had said to us, he had virtually reneged on all of them. The ethnic nationalities, highly valued Nigerians have clamoured that let us return to this federal constitutional arrangement that guaranteed the progress and development of every area, undeterred or held down by any other."

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Analysts Upbeat about CBN’s Proposed Digital Currency James Emejo in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos Analysts have welcomed the planned introduction of digital currency by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), saying it will improve the inflow of foreign exchange and boost the capacity of the apex bank to intervene in the economy.

The CBN had on June 10, 2021, unfolded plans to launch a digital currency before the end of the year.

But in separate interviews with THISDAY, some analysts said the move would also reduce pressure on the demand for forex and boost external reserves as well as enhance the value of the naira.

The analysts added that the development would deepen financial inclusion in the long run and lower the operational costs of handling physical cash and enhance the efficiency of payments systems.

Describing it as a step in the right direction, they added that the development will improve intra-African trade.

The Chairman of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Abuja Branch, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, said the plan by CBN to launch a digital currency was particularly welcome in view of the inherent benefits.

He, however, expressed concerns about the associated risks regarding the likely impact on monetary policy transmission, financial stability, inflation as well as the role of financial institutions.

Uwaleke said: "These concerns and the level of our economic development make the suggested time frame unrealistic.

"Even the central banks of developed economies such as the US Fed Reserve and the European Central Bank are still researching the implications of introducing

a CBDC. “Therefore, while welcoming the idea, I expect the CBN not to be in a hurry and to commit resources to research in the area of digital currencies, including possible mechanisms for controlling private virtual currencies such as cryptocurrencies."

The Divisional Chief Executive at Interswitch Group, Mr. Akeem Lawal, described the move as a forward-looking policy initiative from the regulator's perspective, adding that it will enhance the convertibility of the naira.

He said digital currency would also help the country to benefit from the technology, which is the future of payments in every sphere of endeavour.

He said: “It is a path to enabling naira to become convertible. One of the disadvantages African countries and Nigeria face is that our currencies are not convertible but if we create a digital currency, it is probably one step towards creating a convertible version of the naira.

“If you layer that on top of a pan-African payment ecosystem, it would create a very strong payment system for the continent where it is possible to exchange African currencies amongst themselves."

He said some forwardlooking countries, including China, had already started creating their digital currencies.

"If you listen to what IMF and some other international agencies have been talking about and all of them have agreed that a central bank digital currency would transform the way cross border payments are done," he stated.

In his contribution, Managing Director/Chief Executive, SD&D Capital Management Limited, Mr. Idakolo Gbolade, stated that the impact of digital

currency on the economy will yield positive results.

He described the digital currency as the advanced means of exchange currently trending all over the world, adding that some countries have already legalised it.

Gbolade said the initiative would improve the inflow of forex into the country and increase the CBN's capacity to intervene in the economy.

According to him, it will also help the bank to regulate the activities of digital currency traders and place Nigeria as a major player in the digital currency space.

On his part, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dignity Finance and Investment Limited, Dr. Chijioke Ekechukwu, said the new legal tender would eliminate restrictions on accessibility to foreign currencies and thereby enhance foreign payments and trade.

According to him, it will also reduce pressure on demand for foreign currency and external reserves.

“The value of the naira will improve significantly and forces of demand and supply will hardly affect the exchange rate. I think it is a good initiative.

"This is a welcome development. CBN wants a digital currency that can be regulated by them, unlike the cryptocurrency," he added.

Also, Investment Research Analyst at United Capital, Mr. Ayorinde Akinloye, said the initiative was a positive development by the CBN. He, however, sought for more clarity on the modalities and framework for the implementation of digital currency so it could be scrutinised by analysts to get quality inputs.

Akinloye said creating a digital currency was in line with most of the new trend seen across the globe,

adding that “it is definitely in line with what you think the future of money would be because money would evolve beyond paper."

He said the initiative would boost settlement time and support stock exchange activities by providing quick turnaround time on transactions.

Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Credent Investment Managers Limited, Mr. Ibrahim Shelleng, also described the CBN's plan as "possibly the boldest step that the CBN has taken and it will be interesting to see how it will be adopted and implemented."

He said digital currency was the way forward for financial systems, adding that the cost of printing fiat currency will eventually be eliminated in the long run.

He stated that the future possibilities are endless while the implications on contracts and financial

management cannot be overemphasised.

Shelleng said: "Of course change will always encounter resistance from those that have enjoyed the loopholes in the current financial systems.

"But the only thing constant is change. Adopting a digital currency will also provide an avenue for more foreign investment given that the digital currency is not subject to manipulation from governments and therefore subject to supply demand dynamics."

He said while the underlying blockchain technology provided transparency and efficiency to financial systems, it would be of invaluable benefits to the country.

"Bitcoin acceptance has gone mainstream now with global corporations and some countries adopting it as legal tender so certainly, the move by CBN is in the right direction," he added.

MEET THE MEDIA...

L-R: Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; Secretary, INEC, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony; and National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, during INEC's consultative meeting with media executives in Abuja...yesterday

Media Laws’ Amendment Not Plot to Gag Media, Says Senate Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday dismissed insinuations that the ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to amend the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act and other media laws are a ploy to gag the media and stifle freedom of expression.

It said it is not possible for anyone, including the National Assembly to attempt to stifle the media.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ajibola Basiru, said in Abuja at the opening of a two-day capacity building programme for media

aides to principal officers of the National Assembly that the current efforts to amend the NBC Act and other relevant laws should not be misinterpreted as an attempt to stifle freedom of speech and free press.

He, however, said while freedom of speech is an inalienable right of the people and effectively captured in the 1999 Constitution as altered, there is the need to ensure that some regulations are put in place to prevent abuse of such rights as exhibited by a few media establishments and individuals in recent times.

He stated that the current

attempt to amend the NBC Act and the Press Council Act is to improve and sanitise the media industry and not to stifle the civic space.

He added that the roles of media aides are rooted in journalism and a fact that cannot be denied is that the country needs viable and well-informed media personnel as intermediaries between the government and the governed.

Ajibola reiterated that media aides are, by the nature of their job schedule, the repository of the “secrets” of their principals and that their job schedule cuts across policy-making and projection

of their principals’ images.

According to him, media aides' roles are more sensitive than those of other aides because they are the mirror through which their principals are assessed by the public.

He charged the participants to be wary of journalists performing their duties and to always be mindful of their watchword when they are fielding questions from journalists, particularly on issues that may likely involve their principals.

He, however, warned politicians not to reduce their media aides to tools to further their political interests.

He said: “As politicians, we do not really acquaint ourselves with the important nature of the job description of media aides. Hence, we fail to maximise the benefits derivable from them. It is high time we realise that media aides have so much to offer if we allow them to function strictly within the context of their engagement and that the political class should not turn media aides to attack dogs that are let loose on others, which may not be in sync with their point of view or even of different political inclinations."

He harped on the important role of media

assistants, saying: "Undoubtedly, media aides are stabilising factors in the polity; they have the onerous task of mitigating tension in the society through their releases on behalf of their principals. The political class must accept the fact that media aides have so much to contribute in the area of mitigation of societal tensions in all ramifications if allowed and given the necessary support."

He also praised the media aides for being the catalyst for the relative peace, integration, and cooperation being currently witnessed by the National Assembly and the executive.

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Osinbajo: Nigeria will Not Break Up Chuks Okocha in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has declared that those waiting for Nigeria to break up will be disappointed, insisting that Nigeria will remain united as a strong nation to the frustration of those waiting to see the country broken into pieces.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the maiden edition of the All Progressives

Congress (APC) Progressives Youth Conference, Osinbajo said the country is stronger together than in little parts.

“In the area of disruption and disruptive innovation, the principle that we are stronger together than in little part is a sound principle and it is my respectful view that those who advocate the breaking up of the country are terribly wrong,” he said.

He added: “Our size is crucial for geopolitical and economic relevance.

Our people will be better served by a large populous and diverse country. As with all big and diverse countries, our business is to make this union work; it is to give everybody a sense of belonging.

“All of those waiting on the sidelines, hoping that this big country called

Nigeria will break up into bits so that they can pick up the pieces, will be very sorely disappointed and I am very sure that those of you who are seated here today will prevent that from happening.”

The vice president acknowledged the need for all Nigerians to be guaranteed a fair chance at improving their human condition and urged the

youth to be a part of conversations that will ensure this.

He asked the young generation not just to say it was time for them and for the older people to give way, stressing that such was unlikely to happen.

Osinbajo, however, stated that it was the strength of the ideas and the depth of the youths’ organisation and not age that would retire

those ahead of them.

“I am also frankly not very impressed with the notion that the role and power of young people are somehow postponed until elders have gone, or that there’s some kind of generational queue to which we all must subscribe.

“Even if that was true at some point, today, that notion stands on very weak legs indeed,” he said.

Ogun, Kogi, C'River Top States with Highest Solid Minerals’ Revenue Bayelsa, Ekiti, A'Ibom get least allocation Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Ogun, Kogi and Cross River States received the highest funds from the sale of solid minerals in 2019, inclusive of 13 per cent derivation, the latest report from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has indicated.

From the monies which were shared in May 2020, according to the report, Ogun State received N301.8 million; Kogi got N239.5 million while Cross River got N114.2 million.

In all, a total of N3.2 billion was distributed among the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with Bayelsa, Ekiti, and Akwa Ibom receiving the least sums of N49.9million, N54.8 million and N57.4million respectively.

In terms of accruals from 13 per cent derivation, the top three states, including Ogun, got N251.2 million; Kogi received N179.3 million while Cross River got N59.4

million.

In 2019, 43 mineral-buying centres were issued 325 licences to mine gold, with an official gold output quantity of 1,212.77 ounces estimated at N11.688 billion and a gross royalty payment of N6.46 billion by 31 companies.

Eight states produced 1,212.77 ounces of the mined gold in the country with Osun and Niger States contributing 70.3 per cent of the total production while Kwara came third with 14.74 per cent.

But aside from Ogun, Kogi and Cross River, Edo and Sokoto also joined in the overall minerals producing table with the three extracting close to 75 per cent of the commodities produced in 2019.

Limestone was the biggest contributor to royalties paid to the government with 37.6 per cent, followed by granite aggregate, laterite, and granite dust and lead/zinc ore.

The top five minerals listed as having the highest

exploration in the year under review were limestone, granite, laterite, lead/zinc ore, and granite dust.

In all, 74 private entities were engaged in mining in 2019 with the highest producing company being Dangote, BUA International, Lafarge, Reynolds Construction, Julius Berger, Setraco and Mothercat among others.

According to the report, the top five countries which were Nigeria's minerals export destinations were China, Poland, India, Vietnam and Germany.

Nigeria's export to China included columbite, crude mica, fluorite, granite, manganese ore, silica and quartz sands, tin ore, zinc and lead ore as well as zircon sand.

Germany's major import from Nigeria was lead ores and concentrates, India's were zircon sand and crude mica, while Poland's were also lead ores and concentrates.

Out of the 61 companies engaged in the export of mineral ores and concentrates in 2019, a total of 25 could not show evidence of paying royalty to the federation, amounting to a liability of N482 million.

"The disaggregated royalties by state shows that Ogun State-provided the largest share, contributing 25.94 per cent of the total royalty earned in 2019, while the lowest royalty was paid by Borno with 0.06 per cent contribution,” the report indicated.

By corporate entities, Dangote Cement Plc paid the highest royalty of 25 per cent to the government, followed

by Lafarge, which was 12.7 per cent, Dangote Industries, 5.71 per cent, Julius Berger Plc, 4.31 per cent while Reynolds Construction paid 3.76 per cent of total royalties in the year under review.

While the total revenue generated by the federal government in 2019 was N10.2

trillion, the solid minerals sector's contribution stood at N74.8 billion.

In terms of employment, local employees accounted for 54 per cent of the total workforce, African nationals were 39 per cent while expatriates employment quota stood at 5.1 per cent.

The report described the potential of solid minerals to enhance the economic development of the country as considerable, adding that mining, quarrying and processing activities as well as transporting of mineral products have a negative impact on both the environment and health of the miners.

It stated that there were instances of environmental degradation from the activities of artisanal miners who focus on ‘winning’ minerals such as gold, barites, tourmaline, zircon, lead, zinc.

“The environmental impact of these operators is visible in Nasarawa, Plateau, Osun,

Niger, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Oyo States,” NEITI stated.

According to the report, a review of a recent visit to some communities in Nasarawa State by stakeholders showed environmental devastation as a result of the action of some operators in the sector.

NEITI said a review of the activities of various companies operating in the sector showed that no company had carried out any mitigating programmes in recent times as required by law.

“The Independent Administrator (IA) identified major channels through which environmental degradation occurs: there are those caused by construction companies wherein they leave behind borrow pits across the various landscapes.

"Also included are abandoned mine sites caused by quarrying and mining activities and those caused by artisanal and illegal miners,” the report added.

leadership that would protect party interest above personal and primordial interests and promote unity and take the party to a more prosperous state."

Buni added that as the theme of the conference suggests, the decision for the future of the party and country cannot be at any other time better than now when the corporate unity and security in the country are being challenged.

"As the most energetic segment of the population, retrogressive elements with evil interests in causing confusion, creating and fanning hate and disunity will always rely on you to achieve such negative and unpatriotic tendencies and to destroy your future. You must resist them. You should never allow yourselves to be used as tools in the hands of

these treacherous elements," Buni stated.

A former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, urged youths to stop procrastinating, to be focused, and rise to take their place.

Okorocha said: "There should be an industrial revolution. I travelled to China and I saw smoke everywhere.

They're producing one thing or the other, but the only smoke you see here in Nigeria is that of Ishiewu."

PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS GUIDED BY EQUITY, INCLUSIVENESS, SAYS BUHARI that deliberations at the conference would impact the party's activities and even trickle down to his administration.

The president added that he was mindful of the fact that his administration came into leadership on the back of the victory achieved at the polls by the party on two consecutive occasions.

He stated that it was, therefore, pertinent that party members should remain bound by the tenets of the APC manifesto and constitution.

According to him, while those documents might not be perfect, they were put together so that elected and appointed members of the party could conduct themselves in most responsible manner possible, while implementing and executing policies that are not only beneficial but fair

to all Nigerians.

Buhari urged the youths not to despair, or relent in their joint task of nation-building, saying they have no other country but Nigeria.

He said: "It is the responsibility of every one of us to work towards the development and advancement of this country.

Let us seize the opportunity to put unpleasant experiences and controversies of the past behind us as we forge a better future for the APC and for our dear country, Nigeria."

Earlier, the Chairman, Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the party and the Governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, had said the event came at a time the party was undergoing rebirth, recovery, rehabilitation, rejuvenation and repositioning.

According to him, it is a fact that the future of the party and the country lies in the youth and the party cannot afford to discard the youth in its affairs.

Buni said the ruling party had in the last 12 months been administered by the caretaker committee due to problems and internal squabbles.

He stated: "I am pleased to say that collectively, we have rescued a troubled party that was heading towards imminent collapse and disintegration, to a very strong, solid, reliable and ever-growing political party."

He said APC youths had remained progressively united to the course of the party throughout the turbulent times.

Buni added that this informed the caretaker committee’s decision to engage the youth in every

process.

He said as part of the strategic approach to youth engagement, a committee on youth, women and people with special needs was constituted during the membership registration and revalidation.

The chairman added that their support to the committee has translated into the rebirth of a new APC that gives every member a true sense of belonging and pride.

Buni said the ruling party had repositioned itself as Nigeria's leading party and Africa's largest political party.

He said: "I also want to assure you that the committee is making great efforts to approach the proposed congresses and convention with a united front to produce a strong leadership that would enjoy the support, trust, and confidence of all members. A

WTO: NIGERIA, S’AFRICA, OTHERS CONSIDERED AS VACCINE PRODUCTION HUBS people has fully vaccinated only about one per cent of its people against COVID-19 even as some wealthier countries have inoculated enough of their citizens to begin reopening their economies.

Okonjo-Iweala; Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Kristalina Georgieva; Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; and President of the World Bank, Mr. David Malpass, recently pledged

to commit an estimated $50 billion in the fight against the COVID-19.

The amount was expected to help bring the pandemic to an end faster in the developing world, reduce infections and loss of lives, accelerate the economic recovery, and generate some $9 trillion in additional global output by 2025.

“It is a win for all — while around 60 percent of the gains will go to emerging markets and developing economies, the remaining 40 per cent will

benefit the developed world.

And this is without taking into account the inestimable benefits on people’s health and lives.

“Investing $50 billion to end the pandemic is potentially the best use of public money we will see in our lifetimes. It will pay a huge development dividend and boost growth and well-being globally,” they added.

The leaders of the four multilateral institutions said it had become clear there would be no broad-based

recovery without an end to the health crisis.

Okonjo-Iweala had stated that a rapid global and equitable vaccine rollout would be the best stimulus for a strong and sustained economic recovery for the global economy.

She had acknowledged that large monetary and fiscal injections in advanced economies helped prevent a bigger economic downturn last year and served as a major factor in why growth and trade both outperformed

projections from last year.

She, however, had stated that these support measures would not “be enough to bring an end to the crisis. Only by ramping up production of vaccines and making them more widely available can we hope to get the world economy back to full speed.”

She added that stakeholders should pay adequate attention to effective vaccine rollout because COVID-19 has continued to pose the greatest threat to the global outlook for trade.

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NGN NGN 0.05 0.62 0.12 2.10 0.90 20.00 0.02 0.52 0.03 0.97 NGN 0.50 4.60 0.14 1.36 0.03 0.30 MBENEFITS 0.04 0.41 CORNERSTONE 0.03 0.55 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,420.00 Volume: 209.213 million shares Value: N1.763 billion Deals: 3,390 As at yesterday 21/6/2021 See details on Page 29

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NEWS

INEC: Continuous Voter Registration to Last 12 Months Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said the continuous voters’ registration (CVR), expected to commence on June 28 would last for 12 months.

INEC Chairman, Prof.

Manhood Yakubu, told media executives in Abuja that the commission would deploy 5,346 personnel in 2,673 registration centres for the registration.

"We intend to undertake the CVR exercise over a period of at least one year. The success of the exercise depends to a considerable extent on citizens’ awareness through voter education.

"There will be new registrants, requests for intrastate and inter-state transfers as well as the replacement of voters’ cards as provided by law," he said.

According to him, with the relocation of voting points to underserved areas as autonomous polling units, there would be a need for massive publicity so that citizens are familiar with their voting locations well ahead of all forthcoming elections.

He appealed for the media’s cooperation.

Yakubu also made a presentation of INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) and online registration portal for the exercise to the meeting

with the media executives.

IVED is an Android tablet to be used in place of the existing Data Capturing Machine used for CVR in previous exercises.

Yakubu said before now, INEC had 1,446 registration centres where it registered 14.

2 million voters between 2017 and 2018.

“Learning from the experience of what happened, we have now almost doubled the number of those centres.

“Our hope is that unlike 14.2 million we registered in the previous exercise, we are targeting a minimum of 20 million registrants this time.

It will take the number of registered voters to about 100 million,’’ Yakubu said.

He added that majority of the 5,346 personnel to be deployed would be INEC officials, while ad hoc staff would be used where the commission lacked the required number of personnel.

He said the commission was working with stakeholders for the security of personnel and equipment to be deployed.

He also briefed the media executives on the preparations for the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election, scheduled for November 6, 2021, and the area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), holding on February 12, 2022.

"Working in consultation with you, we expanded the

number of polling units in Nigeria to 176,846 for the first time in 25 years. Let me, therefore, extend the commission’s appreciation to you for your support.

“The complete list of the polling units has since been uploaded on our website.

A summary of the polling units is also available on our website while hard copies are enclosed in your folders for this meeting,” Yakubu said.

According to him, the expansion of voters’ access to polling units prepares the ground for the discharge of another important responsibility of the commission.

He stated that the registration of eligible Nigerians as voters

is one of the immediate tasks before the commission.

“Consequently, in the next one week, that is, Monday, June 28, 2021, the commission will resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) nationwide.

"In doing so, the commission is introducing a portal to enable eligible Nigerians to commence registration as voters online before completing the exercise physically at designated centres nationwide. This is the first time a major exercise of this nature is handled partially online consistent with the commission’s commitment to continue to deepen the use of technology in the electoral process in Nigeria,” he added.

Customs Threaten to Impound Unverified Private Jets by July 6 Say only six owners have complied with directives

Udora Orizu in Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday warned that private jet owners risk having their airplanes impounded if they fail to verify their documents before July 6, 2021, when the one-month grace period given them would have expired.

The Public Relations Officer of NCS, Mr. Joseph Attah, said in Abuja, at a media briefing to update the public on the ongoing audit of privatelyowned aircraft operating in Nigeria, that failure to comply with the verification mandate

would be met with appropriate sanctions.

THISDAY had reported that NCS had directed all private aircraft owners to present their importation clearance documents to the agency for verification.

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

“Consequently, Nigeria

Customs Service, in line with its statutory functions as provided for in Part III Sections 27, 35, 37, 45, 46, 47, 52, 56, 63 & 64; Part XI Sections 144, 145, 155, 160, 161 & 164 and Part XII Sections 167, 168, 169, 173, and 174 of the Customs and Excise Management Act hereby invites all owners of private aircraft in the country to come forward with their relevant importation clearance documents for verification,” Attah had said.

He, however, said yesterday that only six private jet owners had responded to the invitation.

He added: “Within two weeks into the 30 days

verification period, only six owners of private aircraft have responded to the invitation, necessitating this update and reminder to those who have not responded, to do so in order to avoid possible detention of their aircraft.

“We learnt some are coming today or tomorrow for verification. We also know that some brought their private jets under a temporary import certificate, which has expired and not renewed. These are infractions.

“At the end of the verification, some of the things we want to expose will

come to light. We will make our findings known on July 6 after the expiration of the 30-day grace window “Those in default risk detention of their aircraft as nobody is above the law.”

According to him, the NCS believed that owners of private aircraft are highly placed individuals who would be willing to comply with extant laws governing the importation of the aircraft they own; including payments of all appropriate duties and taxes.

“As an agency of government responsible for enforcement of laws governing imports

and exports in Nigeria, NCS will not hesitate to invoke appropriate sanctions on any defaulting private aircraft owner immediately after the expiration of the verification period on Tuesday 6th July 2021," he stated.

He listed the documents required for verification as: Aircraft Certificate of Registration NCAA’S Flight Operations Compliance Certificate; NCAA’S Maintenance Compliance Certificate; NCAA’S Permit for non- Commercial Flights; and Temporary Import Permit where applicable.

Buhari Approves N18bn for Take-off of Four Specialised Universities Kuni Tyessi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N18 billion as take-off grants for the establishment of four universities of technology and health sciences.

The universities of technology will be located in Jigawa and Akwa Ibom States, while the universities of health sciences will be established in Azare, Bauchi State and Ila Orangun, Osun State.

The Minister of Education,

Malam Adamu Adamu, said yesterday in Abuja that the approval was to fulfill Buhari’s promise to establish an apex National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Abuja with six satellite universities of technology - one in each of the six geo-political zones.

The minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Sonny Ochono, said the new universities of technology would be established this year, while the upgrade of four others and the National

Institute of Technology would come on stream next year.

He stated that after a review of the policy by key stakeholders in the education sector, it was resolved that the federal universities of technology located in Yola (North-east), Akure (South-west), Owerri (South-east) and Minna (North-central) be upgraded and equipped.

According to him, two additional universities of technology located in Jigawa and Akwa Ibom States will also

be established.

He said: “Similarly, a National Institute of Technology (NIT) shall be established in Abuja.

The institute shall be patterned after similar institutions in Singapore and Malaysia to serve essentially as a postgraduate centre devoted to research and innovation, drawing the best graduates from the six universities of technology, as well as other exceptional graduates from reputable universities within and outside Nigeria.

“With the recent establishment of the only federal governmentowned University of Health Sciences, Otukpo in Benue State and the huge gap in doctor-patient ratio, as well as in medical research and production of pharmaceutical products, government recognised the compelling need to establish two other specialised universities in health, nutrition and medical sciences to be located at Azare, Bauchi State and Ila Orangun, Osun State.

“These shall lay a solid

foundation for building national preparedness and resilience in anticipation of future challenges in the health sector while reducing medical tourism to countries like India, UAE, Egypt, Europe, and the USA,” he said.

According to him, to ensure early the take-off of the institutions, the president approved a take-off grant of N4 billion each for the universities of technology and N5 billion each for the universities of health science from the funding resources of TETFund.

Lawan: APC’s Future Uncertain after Buhari’s Exit in 2023 Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, has disclosed that the future of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) appears uncertain after the exit of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in 2023.

He said the APC may face challenges after the exit of President Buhari from office in less than two years, except timely interventions are taken by the ruling party to avert defeat.

Lawan, who gave the warning last night in a speech delivered to close the First Progressives Youth Conference 2021 in Abuja, stressed that the party must begin to plan

ahead to sustain the goodwill and legacies of the present administration by ensuring that its leaders hand over power to competent youths in the All Progressives Congress.

According to him, by doing so, the party would be able to retain its appeal and nationalistic outlook beyond the 2023 general election.

He said: “Whether we like it or not, the truth is, President Muhammadu Buhari remains the person with the bulk of the support we get across this country in APC. And when he leaves, he would still have some roles, but I dare say that it is after he leaves office that APC will face its challenge.

Yes, we have to know our value then, and the value of

APC presently is APC minus President Muhammadu Buhari.

Whatever it is, that is the value of APC. “So, we need to do a lot to build this party, and we need our youths more than ever before for them to continue with this legacy that this administration has established all over the country. That means we have to see ourselves as brothers and sisters regardless of where we come from.”

The Senate President added that, “our tribe or even ethnic group, our religious persuasion should not matter when it comes to uniting this country.

“And as APC, the onus is on us to provide security and an economy that will bring growth and development to

give people the kind of life that is meaningful. We can ask others to join us, but we are the ones to do it, so we need all hands on deck.”

He lamented that the plan of the APC to deliver on most of its promises to Nigerians was stalled in the first tenure of the President Buhari-led administration as a result of the feud between the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government.

“When we were voted in 2019 as leaders of the National Assembly, we were conscious of one thing, that our mandate that was given to us by Nigerians in 2015 had suffered disruption and dislocation. For four years (2015 to 2019), our government

could not perform optimally because of the then crisis between the parliament – the National Assembly – and the Executive arm of government.

So, APC had already lost four very important years. And, that was supposed to be the years that we should have convinced Nigerians that they took the right decision by voting out a PDP administration in 2015.

“What are our options? We are one party in different arms of government. Our policies are supposed to be the same.

Our programmes and projects are supposed to be the same, whether you’re in the legislature or the executive. So long as you are APC, that is your programme and project, that is your government and you

are bound to make it succeed.

“So, we took the conscious decision of working in harmony that our relationship must be characterised by consultation, coordination, partnership and mutual respect, that we must succeed in the second tenure (2019 – 2023). Otherwise, in 2023, many would like to see our backs if you can’t provide the services expected of you in your first four years.”

Lawan further disclosed that the ongoing amendment to the 1999 constitution will accord priority to inclusion of youths in governance.

He explained that the aim was to ensure that power is divested to younger generation in a way that allows them to participate in the process.

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TUESDAY JUNE 22, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Court Orders Mobil, NNPC to Pay A’Ibom Communities N82bn Directs FG to pay Bayelsa $951m derivation arrears

Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court yesterday ordered oil giant, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and its Joint venture partner, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to pay the total sum of N81.9 billion as damages to Ibeno communities in Akwa Ibom State over oil pollution.

In a similar judgment, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, also yesterday ordered the federal government to pay the Bayelsa State Government a total of $951million being the 13 per cent derivation sum due as arrears of revenue and payable to the state.

The N82 billion, according to the

judgment must be paid within 14 days, after which eight per cent interest will be accruable on the principal sum annually.

The Akwa Ibom communities led by Obong Effiong Archianga and nine others had in April 2012 dragged the NNPC, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and ExxonMobil Corporation to court over oil spillages in their communities between 2000 and 2010.

The oil spillages, the plaintiffs had claimed badly affected their environment as well as destroyed their means of livelihood which was mainly fishing and farming.

Delivering judgment in the matter, Justice Taiwo held that the American oil company and NNPC were negligent in the

way and manner they handled oil spills that caused environmental degradation in the communities.

He particularly took swipe at the NNPC for being interested in the revenue generations from oil exploration at the expense of the lives of the people of the communities.

The judge held that the oral and documentary evidence adduced by the plaintiffs supported their claims that lives were made miserable for them when their waters and land were polluted through crude oil leakages from

old oil pipelines belonging to the defendants.

The judge described as unreliable the witnesses called by Mobil, adding that for no reason they became evasive during cross examination by counsel to the plaintiffs.

The court further held that both Mobil and NNPC were negligent when they failed to visit farmlands, rivers and creeks said to have been contaminated by the oil leakages from their pipelines.

Justice Taiwo also rejected the claims of the NNPC that the suit

was statute-barred in 2012 when it was filed by the aggrieved plaintiffs.

The judge consequently awarded the sum of N42.8 billion as damages for intangible losses, N29.1 billion special damages as annotated and N10 billion as general damages.

However, the third defendant, ExxonMobil Corporation was removed from the court action when the court established that there was no cause of action

against it In a related development, the federal government has been ordered to pay the Bayelsa State Government a total of $951million being the 13 per cent derivation sum due as arrears of revenue and payable to the state.

Justice Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja gave the order yesterday in a judgment on a suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/175/2021 filed in the name of the Attorney General of Bayelsa State.

Again, UAE Halts Emirates’ Plan to Resume Flights to Nigeria Chinedu Eze Barely 48 hours after Emirates Airlines announced that it would resume flight operations to Nigeria on June 23, 2021, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday insisted that flights to Nigeria should be suspended.

In response to UAE’s new directive on COVID-19 protocol, Emirates Airlines stated in a message to travel partners that passenger flights to and from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) have been suspended with effect from June 21 (yesterday) until further notice.

It directed that customers travelling to and from Lagos and Abuja would not be accepted for travel, while those who have been to – or connected through – Nigeria in the last 14 days would not be permitted to board from any other point to the UAE. Emirates on its website stated, “In line with government’s (UAE) directives, passenger flights to and from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) have been suspended with effect from 21 June 2021 until further notice.

“We regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or Emirates call centre for rebooking. Emirates remains committed to Nigeria, and we look forward to resuming passenger services when conditions allow”,

the airline said.

Emirates’ also said that flights from South Africa would remain suspended until July 6, in line with government’s directives that restricted the entry of travellers originating from South Africa, into the UAE. The airline said that daily passenger flights to Johannesburg would operate as EK763, but outbound passenger services on EK 764 remained suspended.

It added that customers who have been to or connected through South Africa in the last 14 days would not be permitted on any Emirates flights bound for Dubai.

It also advised Nigeria passengers to either keep their tickets for future flights or rebook flight to another date.

A statement from Dubai Media Office, which was later confirmed by Emirates Airlines’ statement, indicated that UAE on Saturday conceded that Nigerian passenger that wished to travel to Dubai “must have received a negative test result for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken within 48 hours before departure, thus jettisoning the Rapid Antigen Test, which the federal government resisted and banned the Middle East carrier in February, insisting that government would allow the test wh e n i t w a s a b l e t o p ro v i d e t h e i n f r a s t ru c t u re .

Buhari Appoints EFCC Secretary, Names Board Members President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed George Abang Ekpungu as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to a statement issued yesterday the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr. Umar Gwandu, the appointment is for a fresh tenure of five years.

Also appointed as Board Members of the EFCC are Luqman Muhammad (Southsouth); Anumba Adaeze (South-east), Kole Raheem

Adesina (North-central) and Yahya Muhammad (Northeast).

“This appointment was in line with Section 2 (1) and Section 4 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004,” the statement said.

According to the statement, EFCC has been operating without Board Members since 2015.

The statement added that Buhari has already directed that the names of the nominees be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.

A NEW MILESTONE…

2nd National Deputy President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. Dele Oye (left); and legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), during the inauguration of Afe Babalola University Industrial Park in Ado Ekiti… yesterday

Anti-Buhari Protesters Block Abuja Airport Road Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Youths protesting under the banner of #RevolutionNow yesterday set up barricades along the Abuja International Airport Road to protest against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The protest was led by the convener of #RevolutionNow movement, Mr. Omoyele Sowore.

Similar protests were staged across the country during the June 12 Democracy Day celebrations.

Many of the protesters were carrying ‘#Buhari-Must-Go’ banners while they also set up bonfires on the highway.

Some of the protesters claimed they could not even burn tyres because there was no fuel to do so due to the high cost of petrol.

The protesters could be heard chanting: “Se democracy be this,’ ‘se democracy be this,’ ‘people dey die like flies,’ ‘Se democracy be this,’ meaning (‘People are dying like flies, ‘is this a democracy)?

However, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, said the situation was under control.

Spokesperson of the command, ASP Mariam Yusuf, told THISDAY that the protest

started unusually about 5am, eliciting complaints from residents, who were hindered from going about their normal duties.

She, however, said the situation was later brought under control by police operatives within the area.

“The situation is calm now.

There is presently free flow of traffic in the area”, she added.

Buhari: Nigeria will Forge Closer Co-operation with Iran Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has said the election of Iranian new President, Ebrahim Raisi, will further strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and the country.

He stated that Raisi’s success at the poll once again reinforced the centrality of the will of the people to the success of democracy

anywhere in the world.

Reacting to the outcome of the election in Abuja yesterday, Buhari in a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, said: “Raisi deserves his victory in the presidential election.”

“Democracy affords voters the opportunity to change or re-elect their representatives by peaceful means.”

The president described Raisi as “a consummate politician with experience to lead his country to greater heights and a better future.”

He urged Iranians “to brush political differences aside and support Raisi to succeed in efforts to help the country overcome its challenges, including the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and the

crippling sanctions imposed on the country.”

While congratulating Raisi on his victory, Buhari advised the Iranian president-elect “to unite the country for the sake of protecting the common interests of Iranians that transcend party lines.

“May God guide and grant you wisdom in the discharge of the heavy responsibility your election

INEC May Disqualify APGA from Contesting Anambra Poll, Party Faction Claims Chuks Okocha in Abuja A faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), led by Mr. Jude Okeke, yesterday raised the alarm that the fears that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) might exclude the party from the Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 6.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the Publicity Secretary of the faction, Mr. Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, accused the Victor Oye-led faction of the party of alleged refusal to submit the statutory 21 days’ notice on the

Special Ward Congress to the Commission.

Chukwunyere specifically said the Oye faction did not duly notify INEC on the plan to hold ward congresses ahead of the governorship poll within the 21 days recommended by its regulations and Section 85 of the Electoral Act. The Publicity Secretary, who distributed copies of the INEC letter confirming the non-receipt of APGA’s 21 days notification, said the Electoral umpire had communicated its position on the matter to the Okeke’s faction in two separate letters.

In one of the letters, obtained

by THISDAY, the commission addressed his position to the principal counsel of a law firm, Omas and Partners, who had earlier written and asked for the information while relying on the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. The letter dated June 18, 2021 and signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, read, “This is to inform you that the commission did not receive the statutory 21 days’ notice for the nomination of APGA Anambra State governorship

candidate from Victor Oye led APGA. Accordingly, the commission did not monitor the said ward congress and as such, there is no monitoring report of the Commission.”

The second letter, also signed by Oriaran-Anthony, and addressed to the National Chairman of APGA also read, “Please refer to your letter dated June 16, 2021 forwarding the list of delegates for the nomination of APGA’s Governorship Candidate in the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election

TUESDAY JUNE 22, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021

COMMENT

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

FEMI OSOFISAN AT 75

Olu Obafemi pays tribute to Osofisan, writer, playwright, and scholar

F

emi Osofisan is 75, in the morning Season of Winter and midway on the journey towards the Season of the Octogenarian. But it is yet early noon of creation and creator’s day. If you look at his spell- bounding oeuvre—over 60 published and stage produced plays, undoubtedly Nigeria’s most staged dramatist; his four volumes of poetry, five novels, three biographies, including the most authoritative written testament on the departed JP Clark, seven seminal essayistic and polemic outings, you would certainly wonder, what else at 75? But if you are close to this great, irrepressible weaverbird; you find that his fingers twitch, the smiling face and tricky eyes roam, gazing at the horizon, like all visionaries’ are wont to do, then you will come to know that there is still so much creative water to fetch from his endless spring of knowledge. Happy Birthday then, our emerged literary patriarch and icon of the humanities. Welcome to more industry in your restless search for answers and solutions to our world of chaos and incoherence.

So much has been said already of your many exploits as a teacher, public intellectual, creative and theatre artist, translator, biographer and humanist.

This little tribute is to your rare engagements as an unacknowledged transcultural ambassador of our nation and a critical creator in the domain of meta-inter-textual aesthetics, through which you have traversed the globe with your stage scripts and, reinterpreting the world’s drama classics from the lens of the Yoruba cosmogony and Africa’s world view. That, dear friend, is the area in which you have transferred and renewed cultures to inform the world about us and inform us about the world. This is a rare role for which you must be hurray-ed. Unfortunately, nobody has sent you, or those before you, on such a noble journey. And so, that task is unacknowledged, as I began to say, by the state, mainly of course, because if you asked them, right from the beginning, they will not confess it, but they seldom appointed our men of culture to be their image- makers outside of our shores. So if our cultural creators and practitioners have, as many of them have —Hubert Ogunde and his troupes across West Africa, Duro Ladipo, with the help, guide and support of that cultural boundarysmasher, Ulli Beier-- played the role of our cultural ambassador in Germany.

And of course since the mid- fifties, as a student and fresh graduate till he won the Nobel Prize for Literature, the first one by Blackman, Wole Soyinka has carried the image of Nigeria across the world even at moments when the notion was at its most abjured and contemned during the Abacha Gulag days. Ditto, Achebe and the very many humanists and writers of Nigerian origin who have burnished and elevated the name and stature of Nigeria abroad when the politicians have wrecked and rubbished it—Professors Echeruo, Irele, Obiechina, the late Owomoyela and Nwoga, Egudu, Emenyonu, Jeyifo, Dare, Osundare, Falola, Olupona, Omofolabo Ajayi--Soyinka, Ojaide and their many successors— Olaniyan, Adesanmi, Adebanwi, Adeeko, Otiono, Garuba, Habila, Adichie, Adesanmi, Ifowodo, and so on —have carried their Nigerian identities on their foreheads as they make a living abroad and building Nigeria’s exile literary and humanistic culture for the nation, out there. Femi Osofisan’s role as a trans-cultural ambassador, is both unique and inimitable. He stays here and goes there to build in both ways. In the last four decades, he has traversed the world stage, almost like the modern Alarinjo, with his plays, poems and essays. He has directed, acted and taught in several countries and universities of the world; in the United States, he has been on the acting and performance spaces at Evanston in Northwestern, Indiana’s Bloomington, Emory in Atlanta, Cornell at Ithaca, Iowa, Philadelphia. His plays, my of the more than 50 of them published, went up on stage at the Guthrie theatre in Minneapolis, Madison, DePau, of Indiana, Stanford, and

FEMI OSOFISAN’S ROLE AS A TRANSCULTURAL AMBASSADOR, IS BOTH UNIQUE AND INIMITABLE. HE STAYS HERE AND GOES THERE TO BUILD IN BOTH WAYS. IN THE LAST FOUR DECADES, HE HAS TRAVERSED THE WORLD STAGE, ALMOST LIKE THE MODERN ALARINJO, WITH HIS PLAYS, POEMS AND ESSAYS

NYU, the Chipping Norton, and Tricycle In the United Kingdom where he has played and/or talked in Leeds, Edinburgh, and Southampton. In the Caribbean he has mounted the stage in Trinidad. He has mounted the stage in Sri Lanka, Sierra-Leone, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa. In Canada at York. in Ghana’s Legon doing plays, as well as accrediting theatre courses (along with me) in all Ghanaian universities.

Now, in the past 10 years, until Covid-19 rudely / callously interrupted and disrupted his movements in and out, he had been spending a minimum of three months each in China and Germany. In China, he has been teaching, researching, developing curriculum, and opening minds to African modern theatre. With his primal soul-mate, Biodun Jeyifo, he had started a course in African theatre and drama at the Peking University in China to the delight and enthusiasm of Chinese students—helping to develop postgraduate programmes and getting some Nigerian academics to do sabbatical there. He has been engaged across the country in conferences ‘talking about the developments in African literature,’ arranging translations with publishers, including doing adaptations and staging the Chinese playwright’s Cao Yu’s Thunderstorm (‘All for Catherine’).

Through these, he has, in his words, ‘ increased Nigeria’s profile in the country (China)through our courses and through the students’ In Germany, the pathway has been equally fascinating. First, he was a Fellow (for 12 months, split-able to four months every year) at the International Research Centre at the Freie University in Berlin, founded to investigate ‘Interweaving Performance Cultures (the equivalent of intercultural and multicultural performances, in sync with his now famous ‘international adaptations and the search for truly African modern theatre.’ He was deservedly promoted to the Board of the Centre, which is ‘available, with good stipend to do one’s work’, and write one’s plays, poems, after paying diligent attention to the regular seminars and workshops, visit productions and exhibitions. This is where he has written some of his more recent scripts and laundering the image of Nigeria, largely un-appointed, thanklessly, long after he was awarded the Nigerian National Order of Merit!

Given his kind of global engagements, it is to be expected that he would engage in reading and re-interpreting literary texts and works –from the classics to the contemporary- imbuing them with new meanings, new philosophies, new aesthetics and new ideologies in a way that brings the world closer together, not in the strict sense of globalization, or even Glocalization, but for narrowing differences in cultures, expounding mutual understanding of inter-cosmic essences, and in the humanizing process of the universe. In a sense, this dramatist has, quite wittingly I suppose, benefited from the poststructuralist theory which contends that interpretation is dependent, largely, on an individual reader of any given text, in accordance with the ideological persuasion of the reader/writer. Beginning from textual oral history and mythology of African texts, Osofisan has made dialectical re-interpretation of the works of the First Generation of Nigerian writers—especially, Wole Soyinka and Clark Bekederemo. He has relieved the tragic notion of the scape-goat in Soyinka’s The Strong Breed and sewed into a positive vision through No More the Wasted Breed. Similarly, Clark’s The Raft is no longer caught, tragically, in the whir-pool of Osikaboro in Another Raft to explore the dialectics of unifiable diversity of the Nigerian nation. For the classics, Osofisan has turned Sophocle’s Antigone into Tegonni: An African Antigone, where Antigone had been catapulted from the past to combine forces with Professor Obafemi is a playwright and poet

REVERSING THE ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE DEFICIT The ongoing power sector reforms will end power outages, writes Ofem Uket

T

he Managing Director of Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Mr Peter Ewesor has said the ongoing power sector reforms to standardize power equipment to boost power supply will end the incessant power outages and restore regular supply of electricity to consumers in the country.

Speaking at a conference of certified engineers, The Nigerian Society of Engineers Ikeja Branch, Lagos state, the chief electrical officer of the Federation disclosed that some of the electrical equipment currently being used were installed 20 years back, saying the ongoing power sector reforms is addressing holistically the standardization of power equipment to restore steady supply.

He warned that excess load on the 33kv line will lead to the total collapse of the system, since it was meant to transmit power to sub-injection stations, recommending a feeder unit to be provided if consumers especially manufacturing industries must be connected to the 33 kv line, which is a conveyor of power to injection stations.

He said standard network practice, design and operations must be adhered to in the practice of electrical engineering, especially as it concerns the national grid, which if allowed to collapse will lead to a total black out in the country.

Ewesor lamented the lack of cohesion amongst major actors in the industry, which allows uncertified contractors and engineers to infiltrate the power sector, and introduced sub-standard works that cause havoc and fire outbreak that leads to destruction of lives and property. On metering, he said, the federal

government is currently distributing one million meters to electricity consumers across the country, while about four million meters are yet to be delivered for distribution, under the National Mass Metering Proramme, and the meter asset provider regulation to address short supply of power.

He disclosed that about three indigenous electrical companies assemble meters in Nigeria; some of the companies are doing knock down assembly, while some are doing semi knock down. “We approved licenses for knock down and semi knock down, until the companies demonstrate capacity to commence full blown manufacturing we cannot certify them to manufacture’, she said. Our responsibility as contained in the act that established NEMSA, is to certify power equipment and engineers handling power projects, because sub-standard equipment and incompetence in the handling of electrical projects has always been the major challenge in the power sector, especially in Nigeria where nobody wants to do the right thing’.

On inter-agency and international collaboration, NEMSA had in March this year secured accreditation from the Nigeria National Accreditation System (NiNAS) established to provide accreditation for Conformity Assessment Bodies with traceability to international standards.

Recently, the Federal Executive Council approved the Nigeria National Quality Policy. Among other requirements of this policy, Conformity Assessment bodies are required to secure accreditation in relevant standards related to their services, processes and operations.

Nigerian Electricity Management Services

management as part of their commitment to quality services to her customers, therefore obtained accreditation to relevant standards related to its mandate.

In other to provide a solid framework and consolidate on the inter-agency cooperation NEMSA and NiNAS, both entered into a Memorandum of Understanding which focuses on training and accreditation among other services. This MOU is quite remarkable and unique because NiNAS through trainings and services will provide the needed support and facilitate processes that will enhance institutional systems improvement, compliance to international best practices, and global recognition that will ensure the efficient production, delivery of safe, reliable and sustainable electricity power supply and guarantee safety of lives and property in Nigerian.

It accredited NEMSA in four standards namely ISO 17025, ISO 17020, ISO 17024, and ISO 17065, making history for being the first agency of the government to submit all her processes to international accreditation, in furtherance of the requirements of the new government policy.

On the same note, the incumbent government of President Muhammadu Buhari says it has invested N1.5 trillion as part of its interventions in the power sector through the Central Bank of Nigeria in the two years to June 2021. According to government, the aim is to increase generation to 11,000MW by 2022 and 25,000MW by 2025 in partnership with Siemens. If so, the regime has a lot on its plate. Idle power is one of them. Represented by the West African Power Pool, Niger, Togo, Benin, and Burkina

Faso have expressed their interest to buy unutilized power off Nigeria. That is a paradox since Nigeria has an acute electricity deficit.

However, the ongoing power sector reforms, especially the re-visiting of refurbishing and upgrading electricity and power infrastructure by NEMSA, enjoying the cooperation of stakeholders and all Nigerians will lay to rest some of the electricity supply challenges besetting the country for many decades now.

Again, the Chief Electrical Officer of the Federation has called on actors in the industry to comply with regulations and guide lines, saying the agency will at all-time carry out enforcements that will bring erring players to submission, especially at this critical point of revamping the sector after setbacks caused by incompetence and sub-standard materials.

He clearly noted that the sector is on the part of growth in the present circumstance in-spite of the enormous challenges across its sectorial reforms, saying all regulatory and technical agencies in the power sector are working together right now to fix power and deliver same to consumers in rural and urban areas.

Ewesor, who is an author of two electrical and technical books, disclosed that his collections can be found in the library of some Nigerian Universities to expose students in the faculty to the practicality of electrical services globally. He said that NEMSA has laid a solid foundation for more and improved competence to carry out its mandate, haven’t trained and built the capacity of electrical engineers that would continue to maintain the standard that has been set to sustain efficient power sector reforms.

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021

EDITORIAL CURBING CYBERCRIMES IN NIGERIA The law on cybercrimes should be enforced

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n March this year, six Nigerians were charged in three criminal complaints in connection with their roles in expansive online fraud schemes (including romance scams and pandemic unemployment assistance fraud) targeting individuals in the United States. Three of them were later charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, two with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud and the last with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. A month later, another Nigerian was charged for mail fraud, attempted mail fraud, and mail and wire fraud conspiracy, in connection with an advanced fee fraud scheme using social media to target elderly victims. And last month, an aide to a Southwest governor was arrested by operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) following his alleged involvement in COVID-19 unemployment fraud in the same country.

Cybercrimes, as most people are aware, refer to those criminal TO DEAL WITH THIS EMBLEM acts such as identity theft and bank OF SHAME, THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO IMPROVE frauds facilitated through the use of THE CAPACITY OF CYBER the internet. But SECURITY OFFICIALS AND as most Nigerians THE SHARING OF CYBER also know, to our SECURITY BEST PRACTICES collective shame, FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE that our country is often cited as a breeding ground for these nefarious practices because of the activities of few of our citizens.

While cyber criminals in some other countries are using their negative skills for espionage and technology theft, their Nigerian counterparts are using their skills to defraud individuals and companies mostly to display obscene wealth. But it is not only abroad that these people perpetrate their criminal activities, they also do it at home.

So endemic is the problem that the Senate re-

Letters to the Editor

cently disclosed that Nigeria has lost about $450 million to 3,500 cyber-attacks on its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) space, representing about 70 per cent of hacking attempts in the country.

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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 OGED ENGBE 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

rom social networking and research to business and commerce, ICT systems are ordinarily deployed to perform simple as well as complex tasks. But what marks out the Nigerian fraud gangs operating internationally is their predominantly financial and economic focus. For instance, in June 2019, a damning statement by the American Department of Justice (DoJ) said, “Foreign citizens perpetrate many BEC scams. Those individuals are often members of transnational criminal organisations, which originated in Nigeria but have spread throughout the world.”

In 2015, the Cybercrimes Act was passed into law to address the challenges. The law criminalises a variety of offences – from ATM card skimming and identity theft to possession of child pornography. It imposes, for instance, seven-year imprisonment for offenders of all kinds and additional seven years for online crimes that result in physical harm, and life imprisonment for those that lead to death. But like almost every law in the country, there is the problem of enforcement.

Committed mostly by the young, often called ‘Yahoo Boys’, a precursor of the infamous ‘419’ email scammers, the fraudsters are increasingly taking advantage of the rise in online transactions, electronic shopping, e-commerce and the electronic messaging systems to engage in all manner of crimes that have sullied the image of Nigeria abroad. To deal with this emblem of shame, there is an urgent need to improve the capacity of cyber security officials and the sharing of cyber security best practices from across the globe. In addition, we must build the capacity for local law enforcement.

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.

BUHARI, GOVERNORS AND APC CONGRESSES

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun the processes of its ‘make or mar’ congresses for wards and local governments slated between July 10 and August 6, 2021. The congresses are critical because of the nature of the APC - a conglomerate of diverse interests and competing blocs. The 2023 presidency politics will be highly embedded in the congresses and the national convention.

All the blocs and interest groups will flex their muscles in order to have an upper hand in the wards and local government congresses. The game will climax in zonal and national conventions.

In Nigerian politics, the formation of the National Working Committee (NWC) of political parties during the national convention is mainly a product of consensus rather than competition, but interest groups will still try to have an upper hand.

The APC has not announced a definite date for its national convention, but intense horse-trading, ploys and scrabble for ‘who gets what’ are already ongoing. This is normal in political parties and most common in Nigeria. However, the outcome of the APC’s national convention is expected to be a product of consensus within the various interest groups in the party.

The big question is; what is the position of the Progressive Governors and President Muhammadu Buhari? This is very key because all the interest groups know that the position of Buhari and sometimes that of the governors ultimately determines

who gets what. This is also common in Nigerian party politics, though not a written rule, but it is generally accepted. The position of the president is the deciding factor.

There are hints that the APC governors are silently trying to make sure that the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led caretaker/ extraordinary planning committee (CECPC) continues as interim caretaker- a tactful strategy ahead of the 2023 presidency politics and to keep control of the party structures as well as not take any chance.

The APC governors may succeed with their schemes, because, come 2023, the APC has no reason to retain presidential power in the north. Besides, the ruling party has no strong presidential candidate from the north. Most of the presidential hopefuls in the APC are from the south- Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Kayode Fayemi, Governor Dave Umahi, and Governor Ben Ayade may not be left out.

So, keeping the Buni committee keeps the control of the party within their grip. That said, allowing Buni, a serving governor to continue steering the affairs of the party is very strange to Nigeria’s political party system. The best and the most strategic option for APC is to elect people to manage the party before the 2023 elections.

There are some candidates from the northeast and northcentral who have shown interest in leading the APC. All of them are strong candidates and are being promoted by many groups and bigwigs. From the northeast, we have people like the former governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala

Nyako; Senator Kashim Shettima, Senator Ali Modu Sherif and the well-educated Sunny Moniedafe from Adamawa State. From the north-central there are former Governor and Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, former Governor George Akume and former Governor and Senator Adamu Abdullahi. All these hopefuls are highly qualified- but politics, consensus and interests will determine the emergence of the new NWC of the APC. In fact, someone can get into the NWC of a political party even if he/she is not on the ground at the venue of the national convention, because as earlier stated; consensus often produces the members of the NWC. There are rumors that one of the candidates from the north central is being promoted by Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who seems to be carving a bloc to promote his clinching of the APC presidential ticket. This is not strange, because many people seeking to be a member of the NWC are being promoted by one interest or individual or a bloc.

The forthcoming APC congress and national convention will be a make or mar for the party if consensus failed and one interest bloc hijacks the key positions because of the politics 2023 presidency. APC must align the membership composition of the NWC with its strategies for the 2023 presidential election.

For instance, it must look for youths to fill some positions and that of the vice-presidential candidate in particular. However, at the end of the day, President Muhammadu Buhari’s input will definitely determine the direction of the convention and who gets what.

Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja

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TUESDAY JUNE 22, 2021˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

MTN to Invest N640bn in Broadband Expansion Emma Okonji MTN Nigeria has unveiled plans to invest N640 billion

($1.5 billion) over the next three years to expand broadband access across Nigeria, in line with the federal government’s 2020-2025 National Broadband

FG Unveils Nigeria’s Tallest Flagpole in Jigawa Olawale Ajimotokan in Dutse The federal government yesterday inaugurated the Nigerian tallest flag project at the Malam Alu Agro Allied complex in Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State.

The unfurling ceremony was graced by the Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, and the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammadu Sanusi, while the federal government entourage was led by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The flagpole, which stands at 50.3 metres, is the second tallest in Africa with a flag width of 20 metres by 10 metres that is visible within a five kilometre radius.

The project was designed and fabricated by a team of Nigerian engineers. Its foundation is about eight metres deep and is subjected to wind analysis.

The Chairman of Malam Alu Agro Company, Hon Farouk Adamu Aliyu, said the 70 hectares farm settlement boasts of 120,000

birds, 400 cows, a 40 tonnes per hour fertilizer blending plant and a greenhouse that produces between 15 and 20 tons of tomatoes per week.

He said the hoisting of the flag has furthered the effort of uniting the country and instituted the spirit of patriotism among Nigerians, while also promoting tourism and other sites in Jigawa State as well as helping to improve the local economy around those locations.

The Director-General of the National Commission for Museum and Monuments, Prof Abba Tijjani, said a mini museum would be built around the site, while the process of making the flagpole a national monument would soon be initiated by the federal government.

Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, described the project as a clear testimony to the success of the agricultural revolution embarked upon by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Plan.

The telecoms company said the investment would also support MTN Group’s strategy, Ambition 2025: Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.

MTN made the commitment in a statement it issued yesterday, after a three-day visit by a delegation from MTN Group in South Africa, to Abuja and Lagos, where they met with President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, among other key

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Office of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have arrested two suspected fraudsters, Konne Israel Barieeba and Osuji Miracle Obieze, for obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N768, 585, 000. 00.

A statement by the commission said the suspects, alongside Obialor Christian Worenwu (now at large), allegedly approached

an investment company, Luxury Gold, for an investment loan facility.

Subsequently, the sum of N110, 000, 000 was paid into the GT Bank account of Barieeba, while the sum of N255, 000, 000 was paid into the First City Monument Bank account of Obieze.

The third suspect, Worenwu, who is at large also received the sum of N403, 585, 000 in his GT Bank account.

The petitioner also alleged

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has promised that the federal government will continue to interact and engage with the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in the country, with a view to improving the Nigeria’s business climate, knowing fully that the sector is the real engine room of growth and development.

Osinbajo gave this assurance during a virtual interaction yesterday with representatives

of the OPS led by its Chairman, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, who made a presentation on the progress of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, with suggestions and proposals about its future.

Adeniyi said there has been a general optimism especially among medium-scale businesses that the AfCFTA will generate positive effects on the Nigerian economy.

Responding, the Vice President

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed 26 insurgents in the North-east as the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, yesterday ordered troops on the frontline to sustain the momentum of attacks on insurgents.

Separate statements issued by the Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, said troops of Sector 2 Joint Task Force Northeast Operation Hadin Kai in conjunction with the Air Task Force inflicted heavy casualty on Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist groups, who were camping around Wartek in

that the loans were to be repaid sometime in March, 2021.

However, all efforts by the petitioner to make the suspects repay the loans granted them proved abortive.

The anti-graft agency said investigations revealed that the suspects, who were arrested sometime in June 2021, diverted the money obtained from Luxury Gold for their personal use and also bought cars, jewelry and landed properties.

noted that the private sector is the engine of growth and there is no way the federal government can do anything in the economy without the private sector.

“The private sector is the engine of growth, there is no way the federal government can do anything in the economy without the private sector. Our role is to make it easy for the sector to operate, and we are committed to that.”

Gbajabiamila: APC Must be Committed to Its Manifesto to Succeed UdoraOrizuinAbuja

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) must be committed to its manifesto for it to succeed in governance.

Gbajabiamila said members of the party must also not forget that they will answer for “what we have done with our time in government”.

A statement from the speaker’s spokesman, Mr. Lanre Lasis quoted

him as saying this at the progressives youth conference organised by the APC in Abuja yesterday.

He described manifestoes as “statement of vision and vision is the foundation of all achievements.”

“For a nation such as ours to succeed, we must first define a common vision that will inspire us, bring us together, and provide the focus that allows us to persevere through the inevitable difficult times,” the speaker said.

“As is the case with all

Nigeria’s plans to auction 500MHz of 5G spectrum; five blocks of 100MHz in the 3500MHz band, which Mupita said would facilitate accelerated broadband access.

He said MTN Group’s plans to sell down 14 per cent of MTN Nigeria to Nigerian investors were well advanced, adding that this would happen as soon as conditions were conducive.

“To mark the 20th anniversary of MTN’s operations in Nigeria, MTN Nigeria plans to build a new flagship headquarters in Lagos,” Mupita said

COAS orders sustained offensives

Osinbajo Assures OPS of Improved Business Climate Deji Elumoye in Abuja

digital transformation.”

The MTN Group President, who was accompanied by MTN Group Chief Financial Officer, Tsholo Molefe; MTN Nigeria Chairman, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe and MTN Nigeria CEO, Mr. Karl Toriola, reiterated MTN’s support for Nigeria’s plans to secure 90 per cent broadband population coverage by 2025.

He said “it aligns with MTN Group’s belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life and our work to extend digital and financial inclusion across Africa.”

The delegation welcomed

Troops Kill 26 Insurgents in North-east

EFCC Arrests Two for Alleged N768.5m Fraud Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

stakeholders.

They also met with the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof.

Umar Garba Danbatta and the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ralph Mupita, who led the delegation, said:, “Nigeria is one of our most important markets.

We have a proud history of partnering with Nigeria and Nigerians to drive faster and more inclusive growth through

other contractual documents, the commitments contained in the party manifesto are the basis upon which the party’s record in government will be measured and its leaders will be assessed both in real-time and in the judgment of history.

“As it has been throughout history, so also will it be for us in the All Progressives Congress (APC) as we too will answer for what we have done with our time in government

the general area of Lamboa forest.

Acting on credible intelligence, the troops with close air support from the Nigerian Air Task Force component swiftly carried out a simultaneous land and air offensive, penetrating deep into Lamboa forest in Borno State.

It said “troops overran the position of the terrorists with heavy volume of fire from both land and air, killing over 20 insurgents.

It said troops also captured heavy fire weapons and arms, including three anti-aircraft guns, three AK-47 rifles and two gun trucks, aside two other gun trucks that were destroyed by the troops.

In another statement, it said troops of Joint Task Force

North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) deployed at the Forward Operational Base (FOB) of 152 Battalion, Kumshe on Sunday, killed members of the terror group, Boko Haram.

The statement said the terrorists attempted to infiltrate the camp.

“The terrorists mounted on four gun trucks and several motorcycles attempted to infiltrate and attack the camp through the northern part of the troops’ deployment, but were met with the fierce fire of the highly alert troops, resulting in the instant killing of six terrorists.

“The troops, who remained dogged and sustained heavy gun fire on the terrorists during the encounter, routed and forced the

terrorists to flee in total disarray, leading to the capture of six AK-47 rifles, one hand-held grenade, assorted drugs and other first aid items”, it said.

Following the fierce confrontation, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Faruk Yahaya, ordered troops to sustain the momentum of attacks.

He enjoined the troops to sustain the ongoing offensive under Operation Hadin Kai until the insurgents were completely surmounted.

The COAS reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army under his leadership to bring terrorism and insurgency to an end in the North-east.

TUESDAY JUNE 22, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JUNE 22, 2021

POLITICS

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

Onochie’s Nomination for INEC Job Inflames Passion Can pressure from the Peoples Democratic Party, civil society organisations and other rights groups stop the confirmation of the Special Assistant on Social Media to the President, Lauretta Onochie, by the Senate as an National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission? Asks Davidson Iriekpen

Buhari

Lawan

Abaribe

Lauretta Onochie

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Already, the PDP has rallied its members in the Senate to block the confirmation. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said it was a shame that the APC-led government would nominate a card-carrying member of a political party as a National Commissioner of INEC. He said the nomination of Onochie breached the establishment act of INEC that states that no political party card-carrying member should be appointed as a National Commissioner.

Ologbondiyan said: “Our position is clear, we call on all our members, particularly the senators and the House of Representatives members, to ensure that Lauretta Onochei is not confirmed as an INEC commissioner. Our position is predicated on the fact that Onochie is a card-carrying member of the APC. And as such, she cannot be an electoral umpire.

“The way the President Buhari administration is doing, they have shown that they have no modicum of shame when it comes to electoral issues. How can President Buhari nominate Onochie who is a card-carrying member of the party, APC as a member of INEC to become a national commissioner? She is a card-carrying member, a registered member of APC as an umpire to serve in INEC in the 2023 general election. What are they telling us? Are they telling us that there would be no election in 2023? Or that it would be as they did in 2019 when they just write numbers and results?”

So far, there have been outbursts in many quarters by opposition forces. The forces include various ograns like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Abaribe, erstwhile Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, Campaign for Equal Voting Access for Persons With Disabilities (EVAPWD), and CSOs led by the Convener of Nigeria Civil

Society Situation Room, have risen against her nomination and confirmation.

The PDP has threatened to resist the appointment, describing it as a provocative assault on the Nigerian Constitution and democratic process.

Its spokesman, Ologbondiyan, stated that the president’s nomination of his aide portrayed him as having a personal interest in the 2023 elections. He, consequently, urged the President to withdraw the nomination to disabuse the minds of angry Nigerians.

“We had hoped that, as Mr. President had professed in the past, he is truly running his second and final term in office. If that were so, then Onochie’s nomination as INEC National Commissioner clearly points to a totally different direction.”

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has equally condemned the nomination. The Christain umbrella body described it as executive recklessness, a dirty slap on the populace, and a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution.

CAN President, Samson Ayokunle, stated that Nigerians were happy when President Buhari said he wanted to leave a legacy of the free, fair, and credible election behind not knowing he was deceiving the citizens. He added that the nomination of his personal aide to such a sensitive position has revealed the type of electoral legacy he is working on.

The CAN President also stated that Onochie lacks objectivity, justice, and fairness that are mandatory for every member of INEC as a result of her partisan membership of a political party and by being an appointee of the ruling party.

He called on the Senate to reject the nomination, stating that Onochie’s nomination clearly violated Section 156 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution.

“When President Buhari said he wanted to

leave a legacy of free, fair and credible election behind, all right-thinking Nigerians were happy and CAN have been praying for God to grant him the grace to do so. But the nomination of his personal aide to such a sensitive position may have revealed the type of electoral legacy the President is working on,” the CAN president said.

He called on the Senate to reject the nomination, stating that it clearly violated Section 156 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution.

“According to Section 156 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) Act No 1, 2010, a member of the INEC “shall not be a member of a political party.” Whereas Onochie is reportedly said to be a card-carrying member of the ruling party, that disqualifies her from being nominated and appointed to serve in INEC,” he said.

In a statement by Situation Room led by Clement Nwankwo said: “…Situation Room calls on President Buhari to immediately withdraw her nomination. Should the president fail to withdraw this nomination, the Senate is hereby called upon to disregard her nomination without any consideration whatsoever.”

Also, a non-governmental organisation, EVAPWD, faulted Onochie’s nomination. Its Chairman, Mr. David Anyaele, noted that the group was highly worried on the nomination of Onochie, who had been a politically exposed person for over five years running. He said the momination should be reversed in overriding public interest. The EVAPWD boss, however, called on the Senate to reject her nomination to avoid contamination of the successes recorded so far by INEC. “The EVAPWD is worried over the nomination of Onochie, a foot soldier and senior sympathiser of the ruling APC and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Media as National Commissioner of INEC. The honesty and integrity of Onochie to serve as an INEC official is questionable as she has been very partisan in the last five years. Hence, Item F, paragraph 14 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) prohibits a person with questionable integrity from serving as a member of INEC. The Senate should protect the election management body from political party influences,” he added.

The icing on the cake was a petition by the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA/ SPIDEL), Dr. Monday Ubani to the Senate Committee on INEC to halt the confirmation,. In the petition addressed to the Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Ubani pointed out that Onochie’s nomination is a clear contravention of Section 152 of the Electoral Act which provides amongst other things that no registered member of a political party shall be eligible for or be appointed to carry out duties of a returning officer, an electoral officer, the presiding officer or Poll Clerk.

ust when Nigerians thought the controversy had been rested, the Senate penultimate Wednesday stirred up the hornets’ nest when it referred the name of the Special Assistant on Social Media to the President, Lauretta Onochie, to the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for screening as a National Commissioner.

Onochie’s nomination had generated controversy with critical stakeholders in the polity arguing that her choice was not in order in view of her alleged ‘partisanship and identification’ with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Recall that Buhari had in his letter of nomination read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan, said the appointment was pursuant to Paragraph 14 of Part 1F of the First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The nomination of Onochie who hails from Delta State, did not go down with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), civil society organisations and pressure groups which vehemently kicked against it on the grounds of her being a registered member of the ruling APC. Their argument was that it was in violation of Section 14(2a) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, states that “a member of the commission shall be non-partisan and a person of unquestionable integrity.”

The outrage by the opposition had made the Senate to step down the consideration of the request last October. But at the plenary penultimate Wednesday, the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, resurrected the issue when he read the executive communication from Buhari dated October 12, 2020, saying the confirmation request was made by the President in accordance with paragraph 14 Part I(F) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

No sooner did Lawan finish talking than the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, challenged the nomination of Onochie. He said he was surprised that the name resurfaced again after the matter had been dealt with.

Since then, a cacophony of voices have been clamouring for the Senate to reject her.

For instance, Abaribe said: “In seconding this motion, let me point out that our people say that it is not when we have passed the evil forest that the demon will still catch us. Mr. President, we had dealt with the matter of the nomination of Lauretta Onochie. So we feel surprised that the same name has resurfaced, no longer, as a National Commissioner but now as a Delta State commissioner. Mr President, reluctantly, I second the motion that these nominations be referred to the relevant committee for action and we shall meet in Philippi.”

Responding to Abaribe’s observation before referring the nominees to the Senate Committee on INEC, Lawan, said: “Thank you very much Minority Leader. But before I put the question let me clarify an issue. The nominees are not State Resident Electoral Commissioners. They are National Commissioners and there was no change of request. I think we need to clear the air on that.”

The outrage by the opposition had made the Senate to step down the consideration of the request last October. But at the plenary penultimate Wednesday, the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, resurrected the issue when he read the executive communication from Buhari dated October 12, 2020, saying the confirmation request was made by the President in accordance with paragraph 14 Part I(F) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. No sooner did Lawan finish talking than the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, challenged the nomination of Onochie. He said he was surprised that the name resurfaced again after the matter had been dealt with. Since then, a cacophony of voices have been clamouring for the Senate to reject her

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JUNE 22, 2021

POLITICS

It is the Week of Decision for 30 Anambra Guber Aspirants This week, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress are expected to conclude the selection process for their candidates for the Anambra governorship election, write Nseobong Okon-Ekong and David-Chyddy Eleke

Obiano

Soludo

Maduka

Ubah

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the party is continuing with the scheduled primary election, and aspirants have been in last minute struggle to reach the delegates.

The 16 aspirants expected to slug it out at the party’s primary election are; Hon Chuma Nzeribe, a chieftain of the party, Mrs Chidi Onyemelukwe, daughter of late former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme and deputy governorship candidate of the party in the 2017 election; Engr Chris Azubogu, a member of the House of Representatives; Val Ozigbo, immediate past president of Transnational Corporation, also known as Transcorp; Dr Obiora Okonkwo, billionaire businessman and owner of United Nigeria Airlines; Mrs Genevieve Ekwochi, a former Commissioner in Anambra State, Dr Godwin Maduka, billionaire owner of Las Vegas Pain Institute; Mr Godwin Ezeemo, famous businessman and investor; Senator Uche Ekwunife, a serving senator and Senator Ugochukwu Uba, a chieftain of the party and former lawmaker.

Others are; Johnny Maduafokwa, a technocrat and oil engineer, Tony Nwoye, a former lawmaker and chieftain of the party; Barr Winston Udeh, a United States based Attorney, Barr Emeka Etiaba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and son of former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Walter Okeke a businessman and Ifedi Okwenna a chieftain of the party and a former Commissioner in the state. State publicity secretary of the party, Hon Nnamdi Nwangwu said all is set for the primary election, and that the party has hired three venues already. “We have booked Marble Arch, Prof Akunyili Women’s Development Centre and Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, hoping that which ever the national representatives of the party choose, we will use.”

It is not clear if the closed door meetings of the 12 aspirants from Anambra South who have been insisting that it will be assumed that the PDP did not have any

candidate in the election if one of them does not emerge as the party’s flagbearer has produced a consensus candidate. The likelihood of candidates stepping down in Anambra, where big ego and wealth are major considerations to aspirants, rather than the reality of political calculations is slim. So after all The huff and puff, all the 12 PDP governorship candidates from the Southern part of Anambra may not be able to present a United front. However, one of them, Dr. Godwin Maduka has lately been fraternising with former governor of the state, Mr. Peter Obi, who is believed to have a commanding influence on the party’s candidate for the November 6 governorship poll.

The PDP governorship primary in Anambra may have unwittingly set the stage for eventual multiple litigation, the way things are going.

Willie Obiano.

Though the National Executive Committee (NEC) of APGA convened and announced the sack of the National Chairman of the party, Dr Victor Oye and another factional national chairman, Edozie Njoku with a new chairman, Chief Jude Okeke installed, there is no indication that the primary election of the party would not hold. The Okeke leadership had announced the suspension of some member of the House of Representatives, Hon Chinedu Obidigwe who is known to be a staunch supporter of Prof Soludo. It also annulled the disqualification of the five governorship aspirants, while calling on members of the public to discountenance their disqualification, insisting the primary election of the party was scheduled for July 1, as against the June 23 date earlier announced.

A chieftain of the party who spoke to THISDAY said the July 1 date should be discountenanced, stating that all is set for the primary election of the party. “Plans have already been concluded, and you know already that the INEC recognises the Victor Oye faction of the party. So, nothing will stop the election,” he said.

hile the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will hold it’s primary election tomorrow, Wednesday, June 23, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC ) have both scheduled their primary election for June 26. These three political parties that collectively present 30 governorship aspirants, are the most dominant in Anambra State, and known to have the capacity to do well in the election.

Currently, the political atmosphere in the state is charged, with aspirants from the various political parties making frantic efforts to reach the delegates of their parties for support. Meanwhile, two of the political parties that are dominant in the state, the PDP and APC are currently enmeshed in leadership tussle which may either affect the outcome of their primary election and/or also affect their chances in the main election in November 6.

Though many political pundits believe that the fortunes of APGA, the ruling party in Anambra has dwindled since Obiano became governor, it still has more than a fighting chance, if the Anambra Governor’s heart and soul is in APGA. He could stake everything in his control to retain the state for APGA. He may already be executing this game plan with his tacit support for Soludo, the APGA candidate who has the capacity to win the election on his personal steam.

But it may not be a smooth sail for Obiano and his desire to deliver Soludo as governor of Anambra State. Some APGA aspirants are stubbornly refusing to bury their governorship ambition, despite attempts to persuade them to do so by Obiano.

APGA is also playing up the sentiment of being the political party that can best care for the Igbo ethnic group. The party is conjuring the name of the late acknowledged Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who held APGA together until his demise.

Peoples Democratic Party The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently experiencing crisis, occasioned by leadership tussle. Though it is one of the prominent political parties in the state. It first clinched power in the state in 1999, and again in 2003, but was removed by the court in 2006, with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) replacing it. The November 2021 governorship election in the state is another opportunity for the party to try it’s hands at taking back leadership in the state, but currently there seems to be infighting in the party that may cost it the opportunity.

A factional leadership of the party in the state emerged last week, led by Mr Chuma Umeaba. In asserting his leadership, Umeaba announced an annulment of the recently concluded three-man adhoc delegates election conducted by the Nwobu-led executive.

Though the Umeaba faction has suspended the three-man adhoc delegates election conducted

by Nwobu-led exco, THISDAY gathered that

All Progressives Grand Alliance The ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance is also encumberedwith crises. One week ago, the story of the disqualification of some of its top governorship aspirants upset the peace in the party. The party had disqualified five of its governorship aspirants. The aspirants disqualified are: Hon Chuma Umeoji, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, Cater Dike Umeh, Hon Nonso Smart and Ozoka Odera Ifeanyi.

The party will tomorrow, Wednesday hold it’s primary election. Those cleared to participate in the election are; Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Barr Damian Okolo, a lawyer; Hon ThankGod Ibe, a legislator in the Green Chambers and Hon Ezenwankwo Okwudili, who is also a member of the House of Representatives.

Political pundits believe that the disqualification of five aspirants of the party was simply a ploy to clear the way for Prof. Soludo, who is seen as the candidate favoued by the incumbent governor of the state, Chief

The political atmosphere in the state is charged, with aspirants from the various political parties making frantic efforts to reach the delegates of their parties for support. Meanwhile, two of the political parties that are dominant in the state, the PDP and APC are currently enmeshed in leadership tussle which may either affect the outcome of their primary election and/or also affect their chances in the main election on November 6. Though many political pundits believe that the fortunes of APGA, the ruling party in Anambra has dwindled since Obiano became governor, it still has more than a fighting chance, if the Anambra Governor’s heart and soul is in APGA

All Progressives Congress APC is the only party in the state, known to have less rancour for the time being. The party has screened 11 aspirants to stand for it’s primary election on June 26 The 11 aspirants include; Sen. Emmanuel Andy Uba, a chieftain of the party and former lawmaker; Dr. George Nnadubem Moghalu, a chieftain of the party and current Director General of National Inland Waterways; Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo, a billionaire business man, Engr. Johnbosco Onunkwo an oil servicing engineer and chieftain of the party and Sir. Azuka Okwuosa, a former Local Government Chairman, Commissioner and grassroot politician.

Others are Mr. Paul Izuchukwu Orajiaka, a billionaire businessman and industrialist, Chief Ben Etiaba Jnr, Col. Geoffrey Onyejegbu (rtd), Rev. Godwin Okonkwo, Comrade Maxwell Okoye and Amobi Nwokafor.

A totally unconnected occurrence which could exploited by opponents of Dr. Andy Ubah happened as a financial institution which he is allegedly indebted to went to town with the news which may have unsettled the former presidential aide who was believed to be in comfortable position to win the governorship ticket of the APC. The timing of this embarrassing public disclosure against Ubah may very be the handiwork of his political enemies.

In the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the serving senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District is having a successful solo run. No one is challenging him for the governorship ticke of the YPP, which is assumedly safely tucked into his pocket. Ubah is surely looking ahead to main governorship contest in Anambra State on November 6 to face the candidates of the other political parties.

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

Harnessing Critical Role of Climate-smart Infrastructure Design, Development in Nigeria As plans for the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow intensifies, Chiemelie Ezeobi writes on the efforts by UK Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility, a UK Aid-funded demand-led technical assistance programme that helps the Nigerian government deliver socially inclusive, climate-smart infrastructure

UKNIAF’s 3-day capacity building training on Climate Smart Infrastructure Public-Private Partnerships

UKNIAF MD, Prof, Chidi Onyia meets with the COP26 President Alok Sharma in Abuja

UKNIAF engaged in a COVID response survey to identify bottlenecks on major routes critical to supply of food and fuel in Nigeria

KDSG and UKNiAF signing a mutual accountability framework agreement to support the work of InvestKaduna

F

or the UK Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), a UK Aid-funded demand-led technical assistance programme that helps the Nigerian government deliver socially inclusive, climate-smart infrastructure, its goal is to harness the critical role such programme plays as a delivery component of UK Aid. Recently, the Managing Director of UKNIAF, Prof Chidiebere Onyia spoke with the British Deputy High Commissioner, Ben LlewellynJones about the aspects of UKNIAF's work on Energy, Infrastructure Financing, and Roads.

They also discussed how the programme can support the Energy Transition Councils' efforts to prepare Nigeria for COP26 and beyond.

During the discussions the Deputy High Commissioner explained that UKNIAF remains critical to the UK-Nigeria collaboration in the Energy Transition Council, not only in preparing for COP26 but also for initiatives beyond this event.

UKNIAF supports COP26 through its work with regulators and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the energy sector, where they highlight opportunities to mitigate the challenges of the energy transition, both on-grid and off-grid. These opportunities are also matched with potential investments. The Energy Transition Council allows UKNIAF to step up our engagement and efforts in the run-up to COP26; and beyond COP26, the focus will be on resolving the obstacles hindering Nigeria from making the energy transition a reality where our programme’s assistance in this respect is critical.

During the talk, they both agreed that coordination and capacity across key MDAs must be improved in the run-up to COP26 and beyond if policy objectives are to be met, adding that already, a lot of work is being done to encourage energy transition, however, the challenges of the energy transition remain, and they must be acknowledged as we work

to overcome them.

During the discussions, the Deputy High Commissioner, Ben Llewellyn-Jones said: “We live in a competitive world where investors are looking for a location that provides adequate return on investment. It is important, therefore, to make Nigeria as competitive as possible to attract those investments.

"There is a lot of goodwill, effort, and application; consequently, we must work with the Nigerian leadership while also highlighting this to potential investors. This is one of UKNIAF’s key component areas – Infrastructure Finance.”

Prof Chidiebere Onyia, the Managing Director of UKNIAF said: “The UKNIAF's efforts to assist the regulator in developing evidencebased regulatory practices are critical in raising climate awareness and will go some way to aligning Nigerian government priorities with climate-smart principles.

"Looking at government priorities through the lens of climate sensitivity does not preclude seeing the broader issues that require attention, such as bankability, efficiency, and access. Data is always critical for regulators and investors, and understanding the impact of policy and allowing data to inform predictable regulation is vital.”

Additionally, the Press and Public Affairs Officer, British Deputy High Commission, Lagos, Ndidiamaka Eze, disclosed that "the UKNIAF is collaborating with relevant MDAs, building the capacity regarding infrastructure investment, to boost the confidence of potential investors in the energy, roads, and infrastructure sectors in general. Increasing the capacity of MDA personnel is an issue that has arisen across the board, including at the sub-national level.

"UKNIAF is a demand-led technical assistance programme funded by the United Kingdom Aid that assists the Nigerian government in delivering socially inclusive, climate-smart infrastructure. The program began in October 2019 and will last four years, until September 2023.

"The program has made the following significant achievements in the 20 months since its inception and they include road conditions surveys: in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, UKNIAF has developed a road survey method that provides a good coverage level (with regard to kilometers per day).

"Between mid-2020 and March 2021, three road survey programs were carried out in collaboration with FERMA and FMWH personnel. Two of them focused on key agricultural

routes (in collaboration with FERMA), while the third focused on gathering information to support FMWH's Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), a high priority project for the Ministry that aims to place concession-specific routes on the FRN; "Infrastructure Finance: in March 2021, we provided out a three-day training workshop on climate-smart infrastructure public-private partnerships to selected staff of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Debt Management Office, Bureau for private Enterprise and Rural Electrification Agency. We have screened over 164 projects to identify a pipeline of 11 climate smart infrastructure projects with a value of $2.8bn.

"Engaged and secured support from key stakeholders including the ICRC, BPE, FMFBNP, and key federal and subnational MDAs, as evidenced by draft and signed Mutual Accountability Frameworks with seven MDAs that will guide the implementation of UKNIAF technical assistance to advance climate resilient, inclusive, and pro-poor projects, prepare concept notes and Outline Business Cases, and access early-stage financing for projects and; " Power Transmission: We are working with Transmission Company of Nigeria’s National Contol Centre (NCC) and have conducted a review of the processes and procedures deployed at the NCC. During this process, we identified a number of recommendations for improvements, which, if implemented, would significantly improve grid performance and power throughput.

"We are collaborating with the Transmission Company of Nigeria's National Control Centre (NCC) and have conducted a review of the NCC's processes and procedures. During this whole process, we identified a number of improvement recommendations that, if implemented, would significantly improve grid performance and power throughput."

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The Key to Reviving the Continent’s Economic Backbone is at Its Fingertips

Aderemi-Makinde Mojolaoluwa Aderemi-Makinde

O

ver the past year, the term ‘digital transformation’ has gone from an industry buzzword to a firmly entrenched necessity for survival. Hard lockdowns and stay-home orders, while necessary, also created a huge challenge for some of the continent’s largest economies grappling with the pandemic’s cost to gross domestic product (GDP).

Suffice it to say, life, work, and business on the continent are nowhere near back to normal just yet. A look at COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports paints a picture clear as day. These aggregated, anonymised insights chart movement trends over time by geography, across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential areas.

When comparing the coronavirus’ impact on mobility across Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, based on data from 28 May 2021, versus baseline data gleaned during a five-week period from 03 January – 06 February 2020, a picture emerges. Visits to retail and recreational places such as restaurants, cafés, shopping centres and cinemas have only slightly increased (by 9% in South Africa, 15% in Nigeria and 21% in Kenya).

The picture is less promising when looking at visits to workplaces

with a decrease of nine percent in South Africa compared to the baseline, and increases of six percent and 12% in Nigeria and Kenya consecutively.

These retail, recreational, and workplace sites account for a large number of the small and medium businesses (SMBs) on the continent (which incidentally make up roughly 90% of African businesses according to the International Finance Corporation) to have particularly been affected by the pandemic. These same SMBs make up the backbone of the continent’s economy as they account for 80% of the region’s employment, establishing a new middle class and fuelling demand for new goods and services.

The African Development Bank’s African Economic Outlook 2021 notes that the effects of COVID-19 could reverse the past two decades’ hard-won gains in poverty reduction as the pandemic plunged the region into its first recession in more than 25 years and impacted vulnerable populations such as the poor, informal sector workers, women, and young people.

More positively, however, the World Bank (in the April 2021 edition of its Africa Pulse report titled COVID-19 and the future of work in Africa: Emerging trends in digital technology adoption) notes that the way forward for African economies may just lie in “policies that foster investments in innovation and digital technologies”.

So, the picture is not all doom and gloom if we can ensure that African SMBs are not only included in the digital economy but afforded the necessary skills and opportunities to adopt technology that is essential to their survival.

This can also place them in a position to generate more jobs and contribute meaningfully to the continent’s economy once again, despite limitations to everyday mobility across the board.

Google Search Trends data shows that the fall in mobility has been matched with an increased number of people looking for small to medium businesses online, with interest reaching a five-year high in September 2020 in Nigeria alone. As more consumers look for products and services online, it is important that businesses looking to grow now start to show-up.

Helping SMBs take advantage of the solutions at their fingertips is a collective effort of availing digital technology, skills and knowhow, and raising awareness. For example, at Google, we’ve been growing our Grow with Google tools and programmes to continue helping businesses and individuals in Africa to restart, rebuild, and find new work, particularly the most vulnerable groups who have been hardest hit. Yet, while many small businesses understand the importance of the Internet, many have been slow to adopt online strategies due to varying challenges around understanding how

to use available tools.

Our Google for Small Business portal has been developed with these challenges in mind and presents itself as a one-stop shop featuring not only the solutions and tools but also much-needed guidance on how to use these tools for growth and success.

Challenges brought on by the pandemic don’t have to mean the end of the story of Africa’s rise.

The solution to the revival of the continent’s economic backbone is quite literally at its fingertips and we remain committed to helping individuals and businesses in Africa use technology to digitally transform, restart, recover, and thrive again.

About Google Google's mission is to organise the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people, and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. For more information, visit our Google Africa Blog: google-africa. blogspot.com. You can also follow Google's Africa team on Twitter: twitter.com/googleafrica. ...Aderemi-Makinde is the SSA Head of Brand and Reputation, Google.

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY JUNE 22, 2021

LAWYER

A

WEEKLY PULLOUT

22.06.2021

Mrs Joyce Oduah, Mr E. C. Ukala, SAN, Mr Seun Abimbola, SAN, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, Hon. Justice Abdul Aboki, JSC, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Moses Ekpo, NBA President, Mr Olumide Akpata, Former NBA President, Mr Paul Usoro, SAN at the NBA-SLP Conference in Uyo last week

NBA-SLP: GROOMING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LAWYERS

2/DASHBOARD

22.06.2021

LAWYER

A

WEEKLY PULLOUT

22.06.2021

Mrs Joyce Oduah, Mr E. C. Ukala, SAN, Mr Seun Abimbola, SAN, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, Hon. Justice Abdul Aboki, JSC, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Moses Ekpo, NBA President, Mr Olumide Akpata, Former NBA President, Mr Paul Usoro, SAN at the NBA-SLP Conference in Uyo last week

NBA-SLP: GROOMING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LAWYERS QUOTABLES ‘Nobody was moving cattle from the North to the South at that time, because there was no basis for it. And so, if the President has now directed the Attorney-General to go around looking for grazing routes, they are just not there.’ - Femi Falana, SAN, Human Rights Lawyer and Activist, Recipient of the Bernard Simmons Award of the International Bar Association ‘…..Start by talking to the people like a leader who is awake to the reality of the situations…..I’m tired of hearing, ‘you will see differences in a few weeks time’…..He’s got to stop exuding false confidence…..and we’ve got to see an acceleration of actions, to retrieve this nation from the very edge.’

- Professor Wole Soyinka, 1986 Nobel Laureate in Literature

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22.06.2021

New Constitution: A Case for Referendum Constitutional amendment, or the redrawing of a new constitution is certainly not a new phenomenon. The debate as to whether our 1999 Constitution should be completely jettisoned for a new one, or whether it should simply be amended, has been ongoing for a while now. Last week, I read with keen interest, the opinions of Dele Adesina, SAN, Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, Ahuraka Yusuf Isah and Professor Auwalu Yadudu in their discourse in this publication titled, “Nigerian Constitution: New or Reviewed?”. While Mr Adesina supports the drawing of an entirely new Constitution and Mr Ayorinde further seeks the reintroduction of State Constitutions, Prof Yadudu seems to prefer the option of constitutional amendments. Afenifere, the Pan-Yoruba Group, through its leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has called for Nigeria to revert to the 1963 Republican Constitution or similar, while others have called for an amendment or redrawing of the extant Constitution to include the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference.

In a television interview I watched recently, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege stated that there is no provision for a new Constitution in the present one, only amendments by virtue of Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution. Naturally, I could go into an academic argument with the Deputy Senate President, to say that his assertion is not strictly true, since Section 9(1) allows the alteration of any section of the Constitution, in which case we could amend all the sections which amounts to the redrawing of a new document!

A New or Amended Constitution for Nigeria?

The reasons for the desire for a change in the constitutional order, should be the determinant of whether a constitution should be amended or totally redrawn. If it is simply to make a few changes, or to update the existing document to reflect some of the changes in the society, or include a point which may have been previously overlooked, then a simple amendment may be required. In short, the essence of constitutional amendment simpliciter, is to address anomalies in specific provisions.

In the 22 years of the Fourth Republic, issues which were not envisaged by the 1999 Constitution have arisen. For instance, the Constitution does not provide for inconclusive elections in the case where a candidate has already fulfilled the conditions set by the Constitution to be declared as the winner of an elections, as was the case in the 2019 Osun State Gubernatorial election where Senator Ademola Adeleke, having already fulfilled the conditions to be declared as Governor as per Section 179 of the Constitution, was not so declared by INEC, as the election was declared inconclusive and a rerun ordered. It is my considered opinion that, whatever the reason for INEC’s declaration of inconclusivity, once Senator Adeleke had fulfilled the Section 179 conditions, INEC was constrained to declare him as the winner of the election, as the said provisions of Section 179 do not accommodate a scenario of inconclusive elections when the conditions of Section 179 have been met, and inclusion of this new concept cannot be done by means of anything else but a constitutional amendment, not even by statute, let alone the decisions or actions of a Government agency.

Again, the Constitution did not anticipate a situation in which the death of a candidate occurs before he/she is declared as the winner of an election, as in the case of Prince Abubakar Audu of Kogi State. Anomalies like this can be rectified, by simply making constitutional amendments to the various provisions dealing with elections to the various political positions.

But, where an entirely new constitutional order is to be established, and this obviously involves more than specific constitutional provisions, whether to create a more equitable society, or to change the existing political order, or maybe the need for reform has arisen as a result of internal conflict, then a new Constitution will more than likely be required, with the retention of only the useful or relevant parts

of the previous Constitution in the new one.

Why do Nigerians Desire a Change in the Constitutional Order?

At this juncture, the pertinent question to ask therefore, is why Nigerians desire changes in the 1999 Constitution? Is it for some minor or major reasons? This sounds like a rhetorical question, because it is obvious that it is for major reasons - all the aforementioned elements which I have just cited, that may necessitate the drawing of a brand new Constitution, exist in our country today.

Aside from the numerous issues which the 1999 Constitution did not forsee, and therefore, does not deal with, and those which have arisen freshly in the last 22 years, there is also inequity and inequality in the grundnorm and our society. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the fact that the South East zone has the least amount of States, or that Kano (having more than double the number Lagos has), Katsina, Oyo, Osun, Akwa Ibom and others have more local governments than Lagos which has a larger population than them all, are prime examples of inequity and inequality. Some are clamouring for scrapping the States and having the Zones/Regions instead; others, a change in our Legislative architecture, because the current bi-cameral National Assembly is much too expensive to operate. More importantly, the 1999 Constitution is a Unitary Constitution, and not one that reflects true Federalism, yet we refer to ourselves as the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Of the greatest importance however, is the fact that the requisite participation of all parts of our society in the drawing of the 1999 Constitution is absent, since the Constitution is actually Military Decree No. 24 of 5th May, 1999, with the false claim that the Nigerian people firmly resolved to provide it, superimposed on the document just to fulfil all righteousness. The list of inadequacies of the 1999 Constitution is almost endless, as those which I have cited are just a tip of the iceberg.

It is crystal clear that, from the foregoing, the 1999 Constitution requires more than just constitutional amendments, because apart from making it equitable, the people must participate in the constitution building process in order to achieve a successful document, and the whole political order must be changed to reflect Federalism which is the most suitable system for a heterogeneous nation like ours, as opposed to the Unitarianism which we are presently practicing.

Reasons for People’s Participation in Constitution Making Several reasons have been given for why people’s participation in the constitution building process is crucial - it can increase the level of democracy; it helps the people become more knowledgeable about democracy and governance in general; it creates trust and confers legitimacy on the document; and especially where there has been conflict within a country which has necessitated the constitution building process or change in political order (as in the case of Nigeria), the

inclusion/participation of the people from the various divides will assist the process of understanding, healing and reconciliation.

Means of Securing the People’s Participation There are different levels of participation in the constitution building process, ranging from False Participation which we had for the 1999 Constitution, in which it was the military that created the document to the exclusion of all others, and final authority rested with the military regime; to Substantial Participation, in which all segments of society, including civil society organisations etc (except those who choose to boycott the process) participate, and final authority is vested in the people by means of a referendum (and the other types of participation that lie between these two extremes).

How then should we secure the participation of the Nigerian people in the constitution building process to create a more acceptable document, since it is obvious that a substantial number of Nigerians are not happy with what obtains presently?

I must state that I disagree with Prof Yadudu's submission, that we cannot have a referendum in order to effect the much needed changes that the 1999 Constitution requires, until the document is amended to provide for referendum, and an enabling statute enacted to define the questions which can be referred for resolution by means of a referendum.

It is a fact that, Section 8(1)(b) & (3)(b) of the Constitution seems to be the only provision in the grundnorm that expressly provides for a referendum of the people of an area who are demanding for the creation of a new State or Local Government Area, respectively. But, the truth of the matter is that, the provisions for a referendum (at least, Popular and Advisory Referenda) can be implied from certain provisions of the Constitution, starting from Section 14(2)(c) of the Constitution. How will a firm resolution of the people, as stated in the Constitution’s Preamble be achieved, without the people’s participation? How will sovereignty belong to the people (Section 14(2)(a) of the Constitution)? These provisions, to me, imply that there has to be some mechanism which will sample the people’s opinions and wants, and some of the mechanisms known for achieving these objectives include a combination, but are not limited to public hearing, plebiscite, referendum, constituent assembly and sovereign national conference, the difference between the referendum and some of the other mechanisms being that, the outcome of a referendum is binding.

And, even if these provisions were not included in the Constitution, or some argue that they do not translate to providing for referendum, if we agree that the 1999 Constitution is a faulty document (which most do), and that Nigeria should be restructured to reflect a new political order - ‘True Federalism’ etc, why must we be constrained to rely on or be confined to the 1999 Constitution’s inadequate and unclear provisions, in a matter that is so crucial to creating a better and more acceptable Constitution for Nigerians?

Why should we rely on a document which was prepared by a military dictatorship, the evidence of this authoritarianism being the deliberate exclusion of the will of the people in its production, thereby resulting in its rejection by many, and then seek to use this inadequacy (which is the antithesis of democracy) and this imperfect document, as our Bible to create a new document? I fail to see the sense or logic in this. Surely, it is absurd for us to be prevented from doing the right thing (secure the participation of the people, which is the first step to creating a better Constitution and promoting true democracy), because of a constitutional malefaction which sought to surreptitiously perpetuate dictatorship by excluding the people.

Practical Steps What prevents NASS from organising a nationwide campaign to create public awareness, by using its members, instructing them to go

“OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE HOWEVER, IS THE FACT THAT THE REQUISITE PARTICIPATION OF ALL PARTS OF OUR SOCIETY IN THE DRAWING OF THE 1999 CONSTITUTION IS ABSENT, SINCE THE CONSTITUTION IS ACTUALLY MILITARY DECREE NO. 24 OF 5TH MAY, 1999, WITH THE FALSE CLAIM THAT THE NIGERIAN PEOPLE FIRMLY RESOLVED TO PROVIDE IT, SUPERIMPOSED ON THE DOCUMENT JUST TO FULFIL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS”

back to their constituencies to conduct townhall meetings where, in their native languages, all the major issues which have arisen for debate in the country for the past few years, and which will likely form the subject-matter of a referendum will be explained to the people so that they can be better informed in order to vote consciously at the referendum? What prevents INEC from organising the referendum using the Voter’s register, where Nigerians can vote on the many questions which, by now, we are all too familiar with? In the past I had thought that a Sovereign National Conference should precede the referendum, but on second thoughts, I think it should be the other way round. The outcome of the referendum will then be the basis for the debate of a predominantly elected-members National Conference, on how to adapt the will of majority of Nigerians into a brand new Constitution. My dear readers, kindly, share your opinion on this matter.

Thank you.

4/LAW REPORT

Effect of Incompetent Court Process Signed by a Law Firm Facts The Respondents commenced an action against the Appellants at the High Court of Ogun State, seeking inter alia, a declaration that they are not members of or related to a certain Adoku-Ogbo Family of Ewupe, Ota, Ogun State. Several amendments characterised both the Statements of Claim and the Statements of Defence filed by both parties, spanning to 2002.

The trial court delivered its judgement on 25th May, 2007 in which it granted two of the reliefs sought, and dismissed the rest of the Respondents’ claims. The Appellants appealed the judgement to the Court of Appeal. However, the Court of Appeal affirmed the judgement of the trial court, in respect of two reliefs which it granted in part.

Aggrieved, the Appellants filed an appeal at the Supreme Court. Thereat, they ultimately challenged the competence of the suit at the trial court, and the judgement of the Court of Appeal delivered in the appeal that emanated from suit.

Honourable Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, JSC

Issue for Determination The Appellants formulated a single ground of appeal, from which it distilled a sole issue for determination thus:

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 22nd day of January, 2021 Before Their Lordships

Whether the Court of Appeal had jurisdiction to sit on an appeal that emanated from the judgement delivered on the 25th day of May, 2007, in an action that originated by a Writ of Summons signed by the law office of Chief Toye Coker & Co. Arguments Counsel for the Appellants argued that the law firm of Chief Toye Coker & Co, is not qualified under Section 2(1) of the Legal Practitioners Act to sign processes. Relying on the decision of OKAFOR v NWEKE (2007) All FWLR (Pt. 368) 1016 at 1025 – 1027, he contended that the law firm of “Chief Toye Coker & Co” is not a person entitled to practice as a Barrister or a Solicitor, and the processes signed by the law firm are null and void.

He submitted that the suit commenced based on the said processes is incompetent, and the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

Conversely and in an attempt to distinguish the facts in OKAFOR v NWEKE (supra) cited by the Appellant and the instant case, counsel for the Respondents argued that the offending processes signed in the name of a law firm in OKAFOR v NWEKE were a Motion on Notice, a Proposed Notice of Appeal exhibited with the affidavit in support of the motion, and the written address in the motion. The issue before the court in the case was predicated on a breach of the rules of court, contrary to the ground of objection in the instant case. He relied on OMNIA NIG. LTD v PYKTRADE LTD. (2007) SCNJ 288 and argued that the Statement of Claim is part of the originating process, and when it is filed, it supersedes the Writ of Summon and the contents therein determine the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit. He submitted that the Statement of Claim was signed by a legal practitioner; hence, the suit was competent and the Court of Appeal had the jurisdiction to entertain the appeal that emanated from the decision of the trial court in the suit.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale The Court held that by the provision of Sections 2(1) of the Legal Practitioners Act, CAP 201, LFN 1990, no person or institution other than that prescribed in the Act shall be allowed to

Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta John Inyang Okoro Chima Centus Nweze Ejembi Eko (Dissenting) Uwani Musa Abba Aji Justices, Supreme Court SC.254/2012 Between 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Adekunle Ajibode Karimu Ajibode Chief Raimi Ajibode Chief M. A. Ajibode John Ayinde

Appellants

And 1.

Dauda Gbadamosi 2. Prince Sadiru Obalanlege 3. Yisa Akinboyede 4. Muraina Abatan (For themselves and on behalf of Aidokun-Ogbo Family of Ewupe)

Respondents

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, JSC)

“….. ANY DOCUMENT OR PROCESS FOR FILING IN COURT, AND NOT ONLY AN ORIGINATING PROCESS, MUST BE SIGNED BY A PERSON

practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria. The Apex Court held that by the description of a legal practitioner under Section 24 of the Act, a legal practitioner means a natural person who must have been duly called to the Bar, and must have enrolled in the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The court held further that the combined effect of these provisions is that for a person to be qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria, he must have his name on the roll of Legal Practitioners, otherwise, he cannot engage in any form of legal practice including the signing of legal documents to be used in court.

The Court held that the decision in OKAFOR v NWEKE (supra) which the Respondents tried to distinguish, did in fact establish that any document or process for filing in court, and not only an originating process, must be signed by a person qualified to practice under the Act, and any other mode of signing or authenticating a legal process will render the process a nullity.

The Court referred to FBN PLC & 3 ORS. v MAIWADA & ORS (2012) 5 SC (Pt. III) 1 and ALAWIYE v OGUNSANYA (2012) 12 SC (Pt. III) 1. A process filed in violation of the provisions of the Act, cannot be said to have been duly filed before the court. In the eye of the law such process does not exist, and cannot invoke the judgement of the court.

The court held that, the principle that the Statement of Claim when filed supersedes the Writ of Summons would not apply in a situation where a Writ of Summons is filed in violation of the Legal Practitioners Act and ipso facto null and void, because the Writ is a nullity and there is nothing in existence that can be superseded by the Statement of Claim or anything.

In the instant case, the writ of summons filed and signed by “Chief Toye Coker & Co.” which is a law firm and not a legal practitioner on the roll of Legal Practitioners in Nigeria as mandatorily required under the Legal Practitioners Act, is substantially and fundamentally defective to give the general proceedings any life. The defect which is a breach of the Legal Practitioners’ Act, cannot be treated as a mere irregularity that a party can waive. The trial court thus, lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit and the Court of Appeal did not have the competence to determine the appeal arising from the proceedings which were void ab initio.

Dissenting Opinion of Honourable Ejembi Eko, JSC Dissenting, His Lordship opined that it was too late in the day for the Appellants to be heard complaining about any defect in the Writ of Summons to which they unconditionally entered appearance, filed pleadings and called evidence. His Lordship referred to HERITAGE BANK LTD v BENTWORTH FINANCE (NIG.) LTD (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt. 1625) 420 (SC).

QUALIFIED TO PRACTICE

Appeal Allowed on a Ratio of 4:1.

UNDER THE ACT, AND ANY

Representation S.A. Sanni Esq. for the Appellants.

OTHER MODE OF SIGNING OR AUTHENTICATING A LEGAL PROCESS WILL RENDER THE PROCESS A NULLITY”

F.T. Shotikare Esq. with J.T. Komolafe Esq. for the Respondents.

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

NEWS/5

22.06.2021

Abdulateef Abdul Emerges Winner of YLF Lagos Essay Competition Abdulateef Olasubomi Abdul and Miracle Eme have been declared the winner and runner-up of the Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) Lagos Essay Competition on the topic: “Revenue Generation through Taxation and Investment Attraction through Tax Incentives; In Search of a Balance”.

After a painstaking assessment process, the Panel of Asses-

sors comprising Mr. Chinyereugo Ugoji, a Partner at Aelex, Mr. Okanga Okanga LLM, a PhD candidate at the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University, with specialisation in Tax, and Mr. Kenechukwu Uzodimma LLM, Senior Advisor, Ernst & Young, London, adjudged Abdulateef the winner, and Miracle, the runnerup of the Competi-

tion. To forestall any bias, interference or influence that could undermine the credibility of the assessment, the Assessors conducted a blind assessment, and did not know the identities or contact details of the authors. In the same vein, the identities of the Assessors were equally veiled from participants in the Competition, throughout the assessment process.

Lagos Judiciary: Two Judges Retire, Another Four to Exit Soon Steven Aya Two Judges of Lagos State High Court, have retired from Bench after attaining the statutory age of 65.

The Judges are Justice Grace Onyeabo and Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo.

Justice Onyeabo, until her retirement was the Administration Judge, Ikeja High Court, while Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo was said to have retired voluntarily on health grounds.

Similarly, about four other Judges are also said to be in line for retirement from the Lagos State Judiciary. It is understood that both Justices Babajide Candide-Johnson and Iyabo Kasali, will be retiring at the end of this month, also on attaining the statutory retirement age. Justice Owolabi Dabiri will be retiring in September, while Justice Marian Olajumoke Emeya will be retiring later in the year.

This development will deplete the number of serving High Court Judges on the

Lagos Introduces Justice Clock App for Case Management Steven Aya

Lagos State C.J, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba

Lagos Judiciary Bench from 61 to 56.

Already names of some legal practitioners and senior Magistrates have been sent to the National Judiciary Com-

mission, for screening and consideration as High Court Judges.

Sources with Lagos State Judiciary and the Lagos State Ministry of Justice say the list

of those approved as new Judges is being awaited, and as soon as the list arrives, it will be made public and the new Judges will be sworn in as soon as possible.

Twitter Ban: Ubani Sues FG Former 2nd Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Monday Onyekachi Ubani, has taken the Federal Government, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Information and the Nigerian Communication Commission to court, challenging the ban of Twitter use in Nigeria.

In the originating summons ÀOHG DW WKH )HGHUDO +LJK &RXUW Lagos, Ubani is seeking for the enforcement of his fundamental rights under ‘1. Section 39(1) (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. Article 9(1)(2) of the African Charter on Human DQG 3HRSOHV· 5LJKWV 5DWLÀFDWLRQ and Enforcement) Act CAP 10 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990’.

He furthers seeks: ‘A dec-

Miracle Eme

Abdulateef Olasubomi Abdul

ODUDWLRQ WKDW WKH LQGHÀQLWH suspension of Twitter by the 1st Respondent without an order of a competent court of jurisdiction, is unlawful and violates the fundamental right of the Applicant to freedom of expression, freedom to hold opinions and receive and impact ideas and information without interference, as guaranteed by Section 39(1)(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Article 9(1) and (2) of the African Charter on Human and 3HRSOHV· 5LJKWV 5DWLÀFDWLRQ and Enforcement) Act (CAP 10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

‘A declaration that the instruction given to the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON)

by the 4th Respondent to stop Nigerians (including the Applicant) from getting access to Twitter, violates the fundamental right of the Applicant to freedom of expression, freedom to hold opinions and receive and impact ideas and information without interference as guaranteed by Section 39(1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Article 9(1) and (2) of the African Charter on Human and 3HRSOHV· 5LJKWV 5DWLÀFDWLRQ and Enforcement) Act (CAP 10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

‘A declaration that the directive given to the security operatives and the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPP) by the 3rd Respondent to arrest and

immediately prosecute users of Twitter in Nigeria (including the Applicant), infringes on the fundamental right of the Applicant to freedom of expression, freedom to hold opinions and receive and impact ideas and information without interference as guaranteed by Section 39(1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Article 9(1) and (2) of the African Charter on Human and 3HRSOHV· 5LJKWV 5DWLÀFDWLRQ and Enforcement) Act (CAP 10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, and a gross violation of Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids any act or omission to be referred to as a crime unless a written law says so.

A new electronic platform called ‘Justice Clock’, for WUDFNLQJ FDVH ÀOHV DQG FDVH management has been launched by the Lagos State Government. The ‘Justice Clock’, which is WKH ÀUVW RI LWV NLQG LQ WKH nation’s Judiciary sector, is also expected to fast track issuance of legal advice.

Speaking at the launching of the platform, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, described the platform as a remarkable development that would be sustained for improved justice delivery.

The AG noted that the issuance of legal advice remained a contentious issue, as litigants frequently FRPSODLQ WKDW FDVH ÀOHV VWD\ WRR ORQJ LQ R΀FH RI Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) without legal advice.

“So, we have decided to deploy technology to further improve the process of issuing legal advice”, he said.

“Anybody wanting legal advice can simply log on to our website, www.lagosstatemoj.org, to FRQÀUP LI OHJDO DGYLFH KDV been issued in respect of his case”, adding that such a litigant or Lawyer can HYHQ DSSO\ IRU D FHUWLÀHG copy of the legal advice on line for a fee.

He said litigants, Lawyers, Magistrates and Judges can track PRYHPHQW RI FDVH ÀOHV DQG ÀQG RXW LI OHJDO DGYLFH has been issued on any matter before the court.

He disclosed that cases

ÀOHV IRU WKH SHULRG EHWZHHQ January 2020 to date, have already been uploaded on the website. Onigbanjo said technology has been LGHQWLÀHG DV RQH RI WKH GHvelopmental processes, for HͿHFWLYH MXVWLFH GHOLYHU\ He said this explained why Government is partnering with Citizen’s Gavel, on the deployment of the new application.

“We recognise the importance of technology and it is in light of this that we have in partnership with Citizens Gavel, a civic tech NGO, with the support of Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), deployed a Case management solution to improve the operational H΀FLHQF\ RI WKH '33V R΀FH Also speaking at the event, Director, Citizen’s Gavel, Nelson Olanipekun explained the development of Justice Clock as a solution platform became imperative, because of the need to improve access to justice in the period of the pandemic. Olanipekun said it was also to eliminate pre-trial problems, delay in issuance of legal advice.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi said the new platform will improve H΀FLHQF\ DQG VHUYLFH delivery, and solve many problems associated with issuance of legal advice.

“We will not fail on the time line given for issuance of legal advice, as it would enhance our service delivery. There will be no more running after counsel and chasing of ÀOHVµ VKH DGGHG

6/

22.06.2021

Are the FHC (FIRS) Practice Directions 2021 Valid?

This question is prompted by the disquiet generated specifically by the provisions of Order V Rule 3 of the said Directions, which enjoins a person who is charged with tax evasion, and intends to contest an assessment of tax served on him by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (“the FIRS”) to pay half of the assessment into an interest-yielding account of the Federal High Court, pending the determination of the claim by that court. Some commentators have questioned the legal and/or constitutional validity of this provision on a variety of grounds.

This intervention seeks to offer a fresh perspective (a different take, if you like) on the issue. Before doing that, though, the usual preliminaries . . .

Nature of Practice Directions Practice Directions are at par with rules of court, and they have the force of law. See BUHARI v INEC (2008) 19 NWLR Pt. 1120 pg. 246; ABUBAKAR v YAR’ADUA (2004) 4 NWLR Pt. 1078 pg. 465 @ 511 and ORAEKWE v CHUKWUKA (2010) LPELR-9128. With regard to the specific Practice Direction under review, the enabling provisions would appear to include the following, inter alia: i. Sections 4(3), 36(1) & (2), 44(1) & (2)(a) & (k), 68, 254 and Item 59 and Paragraph 2(b) of Parts I & III of the 2nd Schedule to the Constitution; ii. Section 44(1) of the Federal High Court Act; iii. Section 10(2) of the Interpretation Act. They provide as follows, respectively: - Section 4(3) (read along with Item 59 of Part I (the Exclusive Legislative List) of the Constitution) empowers the National Assembly, to the exclusion of any other person or institution, to legislate on taxation of incomes, profits and capital gains; - Section 36(1) of the Constitution provides that in the determination of the civil rights and obligations of any person, he or she shall be entitled to fair hearing within a reasonable time by a court or other tribunal constituted in such a manner as to secure its independence and impartiality; - Section 36(2) of the Constitution provides that, without prejudice to Section 36(1), a law shall not be invalidated solely on the ground that it confers on any Government or authority power to determine questions arising in the administration of a law that affects or may affect the civil rights and obligations of any person if such law: (a) provides for an opportunity for that person to make representations to the administering authority before the latter makes a decision affecting the former; and (b) contains no provision making the determination of the administering authority final and conclusive; - Item 68 in the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution empowers the National Assembly to legislate on any matter incidental or supplementary to any matter contained in that List; - Paragraph 2(b) of Part III of the Second Schedule to the Constitution provides that the reference to ‘incidental and supplementary’ matters in that Schedule (i.e., in Item 68 thereof) includes “the jurisdiction, powers, practice and procedure of courts of law”;

Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Tsoho

- Section 254 of the Constitution provides that “subject to the provisions of an Act of the National Assembly, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court may make rules for regulating the practice and procedure of the Federal High Court”, - Section 44(1) of the Federal High Court Act provides that: “the Chief Judge may, with the approval of the National Council of Ministers, make rules of court for carrying this Act into effect”; - Section 10(1) of the Interpretation Act provides that “any enactment which confers power to do an act, shall

“….. IT IS ARGUABLE THAT, UNLESS THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LEGITIMATELY DELEGATED THAT FUNCTION TO THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT IN THE INSTANT CASE, THE SUBJECT DIRECTION IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL”

be construed as also conferring all such other powers as are reasonably necessary to enable that act to be done or are incidental to the doing of it”.

Are the Practice Directions Valid?

This is the million Naira question, the answer to which I believe will be provided by an objective analysis of the foregoing provisions. To start with, under the Constitution (Section 44(1)), the right to property is all but sacrosanct, only being subject to the exceptions provided for in Section 44(2)(a) and (k), inter alia, namely, any general law for the imposition or enforcement of any tax, rate or duty or relating to the temporary taking of possession of property for the purpose of any examination or investigation.

There is no question that the prescription of Order V Rule 3 of the subject Directions are neither final nor conclusive, but are temporary, being contingent on the determination of a substantive application against the tax payer at the behest of the FIRS. To that extent, they evidently satisfy the requirements of Section 36(2) of the Constitution which saves such provisions. This is because in BAKARE v LAGOS STATE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION (1992) 6 NWLR Pt. 262 pg. 641, the Supreme Court held that, identical provisions (Section 33(2)) of the 1979 Constitution were in the alternative, and not conjunctive.

This is not the end of the matter, however, as, to the extent that the said Directions are expropriatory and tax-related, they are required to be construed strictly. See AFOLABI v GOVERNOR OF OYO STATE (1985) 2 NSCC Pt. II pg. 1151 and 7-UP BOTTLING CO. LTD v LAGOS STATE INTERNAL REVENUE BOARD (2013) 2 NRLR 105. This means that if there is any ambiguity or anomaly in their construction, it should be resolved in favour of the subject. It is with this in mind that we now construe the provisions of Items 59 and 68 of Part 1 (the Exclusive Legislative List), Paragraph 2(b) of Part III, both of the Second Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, and Section 44(1) of the Federal High Court Act. It will be recalled that, whilst the former (i.e., Item 59) confers on the National Assembly the exclusive power to legislate

on taxes, the latter, i.e., Item 68 and Paragraph 2(b) of Part III of the 2nd Schedule to the Constitution, authorises the National Assembly – also exclusively – to legislate on ‘incidental and supplementary’, matters such as the jurisdiction, powers, practice and procedure of courts of law. There is no doubt that Practice Directions are an incident of the practice ad procedure of courts of law. To that extent, it is arguable that, unless the National Assembly legitimately delegated that function to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in the instant case, the subject Direction is unconstitutional.

Accordingly, on the question whether the power to make the said Directions were delegable, the concomitant question is whether the power to make them was delegated in the instant case – and, if so – whether any factor exists which vitiated the purported delegation.

I believe the answer to the first question, is an unequivocal ‘yes’. This cannot but be so, given the provisions of Section 44(1) of the Federal High Court Act which specifically authorises the National Assembly to delegate that function to the Chief Judge of the FHC. As to the second question, however, for the said delegation to be valid, it is subject to the fulfilment of a condition precedent imposed by Section 44(1) of the FHC Act, namely, the approval of the National Council of Ministers. Accordingly, the over-arching question is whether the Directions enjoy this status. If they don’t, the answer is obvious: MACFOY vUAC (1961) 3 All E.R. 1169 at 1172. You cannot place something on nothing and expect it to stand: it will fall.

To this, we might add that the Apex Court held in AMASIKE v REGISTRAR – GENERAL OF THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (2010) LPELR – 446, S.C. pg. 106 C – D, that: “where a person or a public body or authority claims to have acted pursuant to a power granted by a statute, such person, body or authority must justify the act, if challenged, by showing that the statute applied in the circumstances, and that he or she was empowered to act under it”.

Conclusion But, for the special status of the Directions in question, they might have been saved by the provisions of Section 10(2) of the Interpretation Act. It will be recalled that they stipulate that, an enactment which confers a power to do a thing should be construed as also conferring all such powers as are necessary, to give effect to the main power or are incidental to its doing. Fortunately, or unfortunately, this is otiose, as the FHC (FIRS) Practice Directions 2021 will stand or fall on its own. However, is there yet a sting in this tale – something none of us is presently aware of, such as, perhaps, the said approval of the National Council of Ministers – which might possibly save it? It remains to be seen. For now, it appears that its maker is, for once - with the greatest respect – ‘in the dock’, at least, in the court of public opinion, to justify its validity. No doubt, His Lordship is eminently qualified to do that, and he will most probably pull a rabbit out of his judicial hat on the issue. Sooner than later. With the greatest respect, and utmost diffidence.

22.06.2021

/7

Are Those Clamouring for Restructuring Ignorant?

Unquestionably, the most fundamental topic and issue of discussion in our polity today centres on the need to either restructure our Government, and devolve powers away from the centre, or alternatively amend the 1999 Constitution appropriately. Last weekend, President Muhammudu Buhari weighed in on this argument, when he was reported to have said that no government will cede its authority to people that are not elected, and was further quoted as saying that those calling for restructuring and secession are ignorant. The President made his thoughts known at the launching of the Kudirat Abiola Sabon Gari Peace Foundation, held at the Congo Conference Hotel in Zaria last Saturday. He made his position known in an address made by the Executive Secretary of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Bello Shehu.

President Buhari was quoted to have said: “If you ask many Nigerians what they are going to restructure, you will find out that they have nothing to talk about. Some of them have not even studied the 1999 Constitution. The 1999 Constitution is about 70-80% the 1979 Constitution… It is okay to demand for restructuring, renewal of the Constitution, but what is most important now is, how States make local governments functional, how can States make the Judiciary and Legislative arms independent… So that If this were to be done, some of those issues like insecurity, you will find a solution where local government chairmen, in collaboration with traditional rulers, will form a chain of communication to figure out what is really happening”.

“There is no government in the world, that would cede its authority to people that are not elected. You are telling us to dissolve a system and call for an obscure conference to come and discuss how we can move forward as a nation; that can never be done, and no country would agree to that.”

military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. It was partially enacted on March 11, 1981, and has been fully effective since March 11, 1990.

It was amended considerably on August 17, 1989 (via referendum) and on 22 September, 2005 (legislatively), and also in 1991, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001 ,2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

It is Chile’s eighth Constitution, replacing the Constitution of 1925. The Chilean people in the 2020 national plebiscite, overwhelmingly voted to draft a new constitution. On October 25, 2020, a referendum was held which saw Chilean voters overwhelmingly approve 78% in favour of writing a new constitution by a convention. This draft Constitution is to be approved or rejected, by another popular vote referendum in 2022. A Constitutional Convention to write the new constitution, was elected in May 2021.

There is no conceivable reason why Nigeria cannot follow the Chilean example. If anything, unlike Chile, Nigeria did not even ratify the 1999 Constitution through a plebiscite or Referendum, before it began implementing it. Therefore, it is rather ironic for any government that came to power under the 1999 Constitution, to state that “it would not cede its authority to people that are not elected” The question therefore, is whether the Chilean model can be achieved here in Nigeria.

Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which contains the provisions on the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy provides some useful answers.

Section 13 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states: 13. It shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government, and of all authorities and persons, exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers, to conform to, observe and apply provisions of this Chapter of this Constitution.

Direct Challenges In making these remarks, the President has thrown a direct challenge to those requesting and agitating for restructuring. Many professional bodies and leaders of thought such as: the Patriots, Afenifere, Ohaneze, the Nigerian Bar Association etc. have been arguing about restructuring for several years now, without ever fully explaining how it can be achieved. We all follow debates on satellite television through news outlets such as: Sky and CNN. We also know that you cannot even begin a debate about restructuring on those sorts of platforms, if you cannot articulate and explain how you intend to achieve it.

The challenge for us today, is twofold. The first is simply about rewriting our Constitution or restructuring our polity, whilst having in place an existing Constitution. When you have an existing Constitution and a system of governance in place, it would be unconstitutional for anyone to attempt to usurp the Constitution without first receiving a clear mandate from the people, the source and donor of all political power. If the Government and its organs are created by the 1999 Constitution (as amended), then it is logical that they can only be in possession of the power that is granted to them by the instrument from which their existence is derived. There is no direct provision for a Referendum in our Constitution, but it is more than implied. We may criticise the 1999 Constitution (as amended) for being imperfect, but there are several aspects to it that have not been fully explored or understood.

The second challenge, is whether there is a legal framework that exists within the 1999 Constitution (as amended), that can provide ample basis for a future Referendum that may ultimately lead to a new and radically changed Constitution?

Furthermore Section 14 provides: 14. – (1) The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice. (2) It is hereby, accordingly, declared that(a) Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom the government through this Constitution derives all its power and authority.

Now, if the Constitution states that sovereignty belongs to the people, it stands to reason that the power can be given back to them whenever they ask or require it. The Conundrum however, is that no one seems to know how to go about doing this. A clue can be found in the Second Schedule of the Constitution which outlines the various items on the exclusive legislative list.

Item 60 provides as follows: 60. The establishment and regulation of authorities for the Federation or any part thereof(a) to promote and enforce the observance of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles contained in this Constitution.

The Chilean Example It is not true as reported by the President or the Presidency as the case may be, that no country in the world would cede its authority to people that have not been elected. A most recent example of where this has taken place, is the Republic of Chile. The current Constitution of Chile was approved by Chilean voters in a controversial plebiscite on September 11, 1980, under the

Establishing a Referendum Authority under the Control of INEC The combined effect of Sections 13 and 14 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as item 60 on the exclusive legislative list under the Second Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is that both the executive and legislative arms of government are empowered to establish a Referendum Authority if deemed

necessary, ‘for the good of the people’ of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I would even further state that they are not only empowered to do so, but tasked with the duty and responsibility to do so as outlined under Section 13 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) with regard to the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.

Some might argue that our Courts have long decided that Section 6(6)(c) of the 1999 Constitution as amended states that, except as otherwise provided by the Constitution, any issue or question as to whether any act or omission by any authority or person as to whether any law or any judicial decision is in conformity with the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy set out in Chapter 11 of the Constitution is not justiciable. Since item 60 of the exclusive legislative list is spelt out elsewhere in the Constitution, Section 6(6)(c) does not apply, and issues relating to item 60 will serve as an exception to those provisions and is as such justiciable.

See Archbishop Okogie v AG Lagos State 1981 2 NCLR 337 and AG Ondo State v AG Federation & 35 Ors 2002 9NWLR Part 772.

Creating a Referendum Authority Item 67 of the exclusive legislative list also provides that laws can also be made with regard to any other matter with respect to which the National Assembly has power to make laws, in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. Item 68 further states that the National Assembly can also make laws, with regard to any matter incidental or supplementary to any matter mentioned elsewhere in the exclusive legislative list. It is interesting to note that, Section 8 (3)(b)(c) and (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides for the use of a Referendum when there is a proposal to create a new local government area. A Referendum Authority could therefore, also be used at State level whenever there is a request to create a new local government area. In summary, this means that the National Assembly has more than enough powers to establish a Referendum Authority, which could also be the precursor to a restructured Federation or a radical new Constitution ‘for the good of the people’.

Significantly creating a Referendum Authority does not, in my view, dispense with the role of the National Assembly who, depending on the regulatory framework ascribed to the Referendum Authority, will still have to sanction and approve a National Referendum. What the establishment of a Referendum Authority will do, is decentralise power, and ensure that the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are allowed to exercise their power of sovereignty and use it to take control of their destinies, and resolve the many pressing problems afflicting their lives. Without the establishment of a Referendum Authority, the public is completely excluded from the possibility of asking for a Referendum, which cannot be right, as it is against the purpose and spirit of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Therefore, the purpose of a Referendum Authority would be to reassert the suppressed rights of the people of this country, which have been trampled upon for decades due to our inability to interpret the Constitution correctly. The Proposed Referendum Authority, does not necessarily have to be set up to be an Independent Statutory Authority. Part one of the Third Schedule to

“IT IS NOT TRUE AS REPORTED BY THE PRESIDENT OR THE PRESIDENCY AS THE CASE MAY BE, THAT NO COUNTRY IN THE WORLD WOULD CEDE ITS AUTHORITY TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ELECTED. A MOST RECENT EXAMPLE OF WHERE THIS HAS TAKEN PLACE, IS THE REPUBLIC OF CHILE”

the 1999 Constitution as amended outlines the Federal Executive Bodies under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Section 14 of the Third Schedule provides for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Section 15 of the same Schedule outlines the power of the Commission.

Subsection 15 (i) states as follows: (i) Carry out such other functions as may be conferred upon it by an Act of the National Assembly In other words, INEC could be given the responsibility by the National Assembly to manage a Referendum Authority within the purview of its responsibilities without the need to set up a separate Act for this purpose.

Conclusion The most pernicious of practices, are those that continue to afflict us out of indifference.

In calling for a Referendum Authority which ideally should be embodied within INEC, a trite little point about having a Constitution for the benefit of the people is being made. In the same vein, a much more interesting point about not having to amend the 1999 Constitution in order to have a Referendum, is equally being made.

When the power of direct democracy is given to the ordinary man in the strict sense, it means that as a people, we are free to do or request what those in the corridors of power might not necessarily approve, or do what the average politician or you or I might think is beyond their understanding.

For far too long, we have tolerated a system that is designed to allow perceived leaders of thought to make fundamental decisions for us.

That is simply unfair to the many generations of unborn Nigerians. We need to build a country that works for everyone. Leaders, however wise, cannot change Nigeria, unless “We the People”, bring ourselves to the realisation that we alone have the capacity to shape our own destinies, and until we do so nothing can really be achieved.

The people need to be asked whether they want to fundamentally reshape our political structure, and as a consequence, our Constitution. A People’s Referendum is an important plank, in achieving the above objectives. In short, those calling for restructuring are not ignorant; they have simply failed to articulate and explain how to achieve it.

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NBA-SLP: Grooming the Jude Igbanoi who was at the just concluded Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice (NBA-SLP), reports on the proceedings of the four-day event which held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from the 13th to the 16th of June, 2021 The Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort in Uyo last week, played host to some of Nigeria’s top Lawyers who converged in Akwa Ibom State for 2021 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice.

The event was graced by the Hon. Justice Abdul Aboki, Justice of the Supreme Court, who represented the Special Guest of Honour and Chairman of the occasion, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.

Other distinguished guests were Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, Governor of Ondo State and a past President of the NBA; Paul Usoro, SAN, the immediate past NBA President; and current NBA President, Olumide Akpata. Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel was represented by his Deputy, Chief Moses Ekpo.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the NBA-SLP, Oluseun Abimbola, SAN, described SLP as the mother from which all other Sections derive their strength. He expressed his gratitude to all who have defied both distance and the pandemic to be in Uyo, as well as those who would be partaking virtually in the deliberations.

The theme of the 2021 discourse ‘Law, Lawyers and the Next Generation’, was an examination of the sort of legacy the present generation of legal practitioners would bequeath to the next one.

Opening Remarks by the Chief Justice of Nigeria Declaring the four-day Conference open, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad who was represented by Hon. Justice Abdul Aboki, JSC, said there was need for women and men of good conscience and leaders of thought, not stand aloof and watch the country degenerate further than it has today.

“Our country is officially weak, and the leaders of the population have a virtual role to play as the conscience of the society to secure equity, fairness and justice”, he said.

Keynote Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, Urges NBA Sanitise its House Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, in delivering his Keynote Address at the Conference, advised Nigerian Lawyers to ‘fix evident dysfunctions’ that corrupt the legal profession, and undermine its age-long integrity.

Femi Gbajabiamila who was represented by the Chairman House Committee on Judiciary and member representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency, Mr. Onofiok Luke, stressed that as Lawyers and citizens, we need to make an effort to try to do things differently for the profession and the country.

He noted that, the nation is desperately in need of honest brokers to mediate a national dialogue to resolve various pressing issues, and give the nation a new lease of life.

“This Conference is coming at a time in our country when we are confronted with, and must answer critical questions about the terms of our nationhood and the conditions for a sustained national union.

“Throughout history, it has often fallen to Lawyers to do a lot of the heavy lifting of nation-building. That is still the case today.

We have a lot of work to do, and the destiny of our nation may well depend on how well we do the job that this moment requires of us.

“The work of fixing our country must begin in our own house, within our profession. Before we can begin to play our full and proper role as Lawyers in the difficult, yet necessary task of nation building, we have to fix those evident dysfunctions that corrupt the Nigerian legal profession and undermine its prestige.

“When in a world of inexorable change, we deliberately, or by inaction, maintain fidelity to outmoded practices and dated conventions for their own sake, we do ourselves a disservice and risk becoming relics, rather than the innovators we ought to be for our sakes and the benefit of our nation”, he added.

Remarks by Governor of Akwa Ibom In his remarks, the Guest of Honour and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, asked ‘Is it by any chance possible, that the current challenges with the Nigerian project, are a consequence of the justice that Lawyers failed to dispense in the past?’

L-R: Ayodele Akintunde, SAN, President, NBA, Olumide Akpata; former President of NBA, Paul Usoro, SAN.; Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, Justice of Supreme Court, Justice Abdul Aboki; Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Moses Ekpo, Representative of Rivers State Governor, Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Zaccheus Adangor, SAN, Members, NBA-SLP, Oluwaseun Abimbola, SAN, NBA-SLP and NBA, General Secretary, Joyce Oduah

Emmanuel who was represented by his deputy, Chief Moses Ekpo, stated that the theme of the conference, “Law, Lawyer and the Next Generation”, says it all on the cross-generational impact of what Lawyers do or fail to do in their capacity as Ministers in the temple of justice.

“As you take the law practice this time around through the crucible of this Conference, I urge therefore, that you do so within the context of the larger concerns about our country. I hope that you will find a way of reshaping our sense of nationhood, towards building a land of peace and justice and unity”, Emmanuel stated.

Remarks by the NBA President Earlier in his welcome address, the President of the NBA, Mr Olumide Akpata, identified globalisation and technological advancements as the two primary factors that are changing all global industries, at a rate that has never

“THE SESSIONS WERE SO WELL COORDINATED AND SYNERGISED, SO MUCH SO THAT THEY WERE EXHILARATING AND NONEXHAUSTING. THE SPEAKERS DELIVERED THEIR PAPERS AND WITH SO MUCH BRILLIANCE, CANDOUR, PASSION AND SINCERITY……A TOPNOTCH CONFERENCE OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARD”

been imagined.

“May the day never break, when members of the Nigerian Bar Association, the largest Bar in Africa, wake up to the rude shock that they are unable to stand shoulder to shoulder with their counterpart in the world because they have refused to equip themselves with the skill sets necessary for global practice.

“In welcoming you to this Conference, I am confident that with the line-up of the stellar faculty, the participants would leave the Conference charged and well-equipped for the challenges of a changing time and business climate”, Akpata noted.

State of the Nation The first working session was chaired by the immediate past President of the NBA, Paul Usoro, SAN and had as Speakers, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN; the Deputy-Governor of Akwa Ibom, Moses Ekpo, and the Rivers State Attorney-General, Prof. Zach Adangor, SAN who represented Governor Nyesom Wike. Two other panelists – Prof. Pat Utomi, one of Nigeria’s foremost political economists, and media entrepreneur and civil society advocate -Kadaria Ahmed, spoke virtually at the session.

Participants were unanimous on the fact that, Nigeria is not working. They further agreed on the urgent need for fundamental and drastic reforms in every facet of the polity, in a bid to salvage it and make Nigeria work.

What Lawyers Had to Say of the Conference Their Takeawys from the 2021 Conference in Uyo ‘Despite Pandemic Challenges, the Conference was packed full, Physically and Virtually - Seun Abimbola, SAN, former Oyo State Attorney-General Let me first thank God for giving us a truly memorable and successful NBA-Section on Legal Practice Conference in Uyo. No doubt, this has further raised the bar in NBA's conference experience generally.

In spite of our security and pandemic challenges, the SLP Conference still packed a remarkably outstanding turnout of participants, physically and virtually, and we are extremely grateful to our colleagues for their faith in our assurances on security plans and safety protocols, to still turnout in large numbers.

Great appreciation to our Council members and the Conference Planning Committee for the great planning, sacrifice, and commitment to delivering a conference like no other. The support of all our sponsors and host State of Akwa Ibom, all contributed in no small measure

to the success recorded. The participation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria ably represented by Hon. Justice Aboki, JSC, the Speaker of the House of Representatives represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Hon. Onofiok Luke, Governors of Ondo and Rivers, President of the NIC, CJ Akwa Ibom, Judges of various courts, and the highest turn out of Senior Advocates of Nigeria at any Section conference, all enriched the audience at this conference.

I think our takeaways are, to ensure that we continue to deliver on SLP objectives of building our specialised committees to continue to provide excellent content for professional development, not just at our conferences, but also for our workshops, trainings and programmes. Participation at conferences for me, as with many, is usually driven by the rich programme and content (working sessions and social events), choice of panelists, and conference location (in this case, the Ibom Icon Golf Resorts, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State).

The SLP Uyo 2021 Conference, fully delivered on all three grounds of attracting participation.

The well appointed five- star facilities of Ibom Icon, complimented the very rich content and excellent panelists across generations. The SLP 2021 Conference was indeed, truly a conference to prepare the next generation of laws and Lawyers.

We look forward to similar participation of all Lawyers at our next outing at our numerous programmes being rolled out for the development of legal practice.

Folashade Alli, Treasurer NBA- SLP The 2021 NBA-SLP Conference was indeed, very enlightening. It was filled with such insightful topics, most especially a lineup of excellent Speakers that brought the theme of the conference ‘Law, Lawyers and the Next Generation’ to life. There were so many takeaways for me.

On the 1st day of the Conference, the panel for the Second Plenary Session – ‘Judicial Autonomy; To Whom Much is Given: What is Expected?’ – did justice to the topic. What even made it better, was listening to the perspective of individuals who have been at the battle front for Judicial Autonomy in Nigeria. In the words of Honourable Onofiok Luke, ‘If the Government was carrying out its duties as they ought to, will the Judiciary feel the need to fight for autonomy?’.

The contribution by the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Honourable Justice B.B. Kanyip and Honourable Justice Olusola Williams (Rtd), brought to the fore the challenges faced by the Judiciary and how important it is for the Judiciary to be autonomous. Honourable Justice B.B. Kanyip, highlighted the structural adjustment that has been made to the Federal Judiciary, and how the adjustment has aided the autonomy of the Federal Judiciary. His analysis of the constitutional provisions relating to the independence of the Judiciary and the contradic-

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Next Generation of Lawyers tions contained therein, was very educating.

The takeaway from this session is that, there is an urgent need for constitutional review to strengthen the independence of the Judiciary.

Another key takeaway was from the second plenary session on Tuesday 15th June, 2021 titled ‘Financing the Law Firm: What Models’. Mrs. Ummahani Ahmad Amin spoke about her journey from setting up her law firm as a Sole Practitioner, to later growing the firm to a Partnership. She examined the model of financing law firms, and concluded by stating that forming Partnerships is a path to sustainable growth for law firms.

The Plenary Session Three titled, ‘Data Protection and Cybersecurity: Are Law Firms Prepared?’ totally embodied the saying, ‘saving the best for last’. Though it was the last session of the four-day conference, it was thought provoking, revealing and enlightening. It was amazing to learn how things we overlook, could make or break our legal profession. This session also emphasised the new frontier that has been opened in the legal profession through Data Protection, and encouraged all Lawyers to take courses in the field to become experts. I look forward to going back to my chambers, and implementing some of the data protection and cyber security measures.

In addition, the Conference was a perfect blend of work and play. Each day started with either a Marina walk, golf tournament or aerobics, and ended with a social event – ‘Lawyers Nite Out’, ‘Lawyers Got Talent ’ and after party – and these served as the perfect opportunity to network and unwind.

Once again, kudos to the Chair of NBA-SLP Mr. Oluseun Abimbola, SAN and Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN , the Chair of the Conference Planning Committee, for delivering an excellent Conference.

What were your Challenges and how did you surmount them?

My trip to Uyo from Lagos, the Conference and my stay as a whole in Uyo, was a very seamless one. There was no challenge that I experienced.

It is clear that the Conference was meticulously planned, and no stones were left unturned.

The organisation was perfect. Big ups to the President of the NBA-SLP, the Exco-Members, the Secretariat and every single person who came together to make the Conference a success, it was excellence at its best.

Conference was a Wakeup Call - Usman Sule, SAN Topical issues were discussed at this year’s SLP Annual Conference in Uyo. The theme "Law, Lawyers and the next Generation ", is a wake up call to legal practitioners of both the old and modern Lawyers of our time.

I commend the organisers for the choice of title, timing, venue of the programme, and most of all, the arrays of Speakers like Governor Akeredolu, SAN, Usoro, SAN, Pat Utomi, Kadaria Ahmed, Hon Justice Kanyip, Mrs. Adekoya, SAN, Ummahani Amin, amongst others, who brought their experience to bear. It challenged all attendees, to come out of their shell to reality of the 21st century of legal practice.

Personally, the Conference has sharpened my knowledge on the existing working of the law in practice now and next generation. I have to work harder in the modern trend, in the field of my legal practice. The young ones too have been challenged to embrace law as it is now, and the next Generation that awaits them.

It was thought provoking - Joyce Oduah, NBA General Secretary The 2021 Nigerian Bar Association-Section on Legal Practice Annual Conference, held at Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and which had in its attendance a hybrid of partly physical and partly virtual, with the Theme: ‘Law, Lawyers and the Next Generation’, was quite insightful as well as impactful. The Conference had a roll out of thought provoking topics affecting the legal profession, in the light of the socio-economic, as well as cultural cum ethnic challenges facing our country Nigeria. These topics were well handled by very resourceful discussants. The following are my takeaways from the conference: 1. There is the pressing and urgent need for our extant laws to be modified to accommodate various other streamlines of income for legal practitioners, especially as the requirement of the Rules of Professional Conduct makes it asphyxiating for Lawyers to delve into other sources of money making, other than law practice.

2. Nothing in our laws debars a Lawyer from seeking or sourcing out loans or grants for the purpose of building a law firm, provided of

L-R: Former President of NBA, Paul Usoro, SAN.; Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Moses Ekpo and Representative of Rivers State Governor, Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Zaccheus Adangor, SAN

course, that the proper background checks are put in place to ensure that such a Lawyer who seeks such loans or grants, has a practice base capable of sustaining and repaying such loans or grants when obtained. This is of course, bearing in mind the quite herculean challenge associated with heavy loans (high interest rates).

3. The work of fixing our country must begin in our own house, and within our profession as Lawyers. Before we can begin to play our full and proper role as Lawyers in the difficult, but necessary task of nation building, we have to fix those evident dysfunctions that corrupt the Nigerian legal profession and undermine its prestige.

It Helped Rejig the Legal Profession, to Reflect Current Realities - Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Past General Secretary, NBA The sessions at the Conference achieved the major objective of helping to rejig the legal profession to reflect current realities, particularly as regard strengthening the rule of law, guaranteeing the independence of the Judiciary, and harnessing technology to cope with extraordinary challenges.

The other major takeaway is that, the legal profession in Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind while the rest of the world moves on. Indeed, as the Conference has shown, lawyering for the next generation is in top gear.

The Hybrid Conference Enabled as many Lawyers as Possible to Participate, Physically and Virtually - Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN As always, this year’s SLP conference provided the opportunity for mainstream legal practitioners who constitute the vast majority of the legal community, to discuss events that impact upon legal practice generally. And, by making the

“THE ANNUAL SLP CONFERENCE HAS BECOME A REFERENCE POINT FOR TIMELY, TOPICAL AND RELEVANT DISCOURSE. THIS YEAR WAS NO EXCEPTION…..”

Conference a hybrid event, the organisers were able to accommodate delegates who wanted to participate, but were unable to travel to Uyo for the event.

While all the sessions focused on how we as legal practitioners can give the profession an enduring appeal for entrants, my session which was titled, “The End of Litigators? Awakening The Next Generation”, gave us all an opportunity to discuss the impact of the closure of courts, firstly by Covid and then by JUSUN on both Lawyers and litigants, and the erosion of confidence in the court system as a result of delays in delivery of litigation remedies. It was refreshing to learn that the problems that face litigators are the same, wherever we practice, whether in large or some cities, or full service versus boutique law firms.

Younger practitioners had the opportunity to discuss what needs to be put in place by the profession, to ensure that neither age nor gender become a detriment to successful legal practice.

I am eagerly looking forward to next year’s Conference. For me, the Section on Legal Practice (SLP) has again, lived up to its responsibilities.

Sessions were Anchored by Seasoned Legal Practitioners - Desmond Yama – Past Chairman, Abuja Branch The sessions at the Conference, were anchored by experienced legal practitioners. Emerging areas and opportunities in the legal profession were fully explored, and all conferees applauded the level of intellectual exposure at the Conference.

The Conference was a full package. All events took place in one location. and there was no need for the conferees to transverse one end of Uyo to another to attend sessions.

The 'Young Lawyer's Debate', was the icing on the cake. It was a mix of intellect, and an exposition of the future of the legal profession.

Conference Venue was Bespoke - Inam Wilson – Lagos Branch My Takeaways: 1. Very rich intellectual contents, and the resource persons were excellent; 2. There was better interaction between in person and remote presenters, with few technical glitches... Thanks to better use of technology; 3. The Conference venue was bespoke, the facilities of Ibom Icon Hotel were world class. and the ambiance was very conducive for learning.

Need for Training and Retraining Cannot be Over- Emphasised - Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, Conference Planning Committee Chairman Your question presupposes that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Legal Practice (SLP) Uyo Conference, was a quality one. We accept your compliments, with utmost humility and gratitude. The takeaway from this year’s Uyo Conference is that, as Lawyers, the need for training and retraining cannot be over-emphasised.

Apart from the fact that we are in a digital age, many emerging new areas of legal practice make the type of Conference we delivered in Uyo an imperative.

Apart from the usual logistics challenges associated with the type Conferences such as the one we had at Uyo, we encountered two

major challenges. The first one was the Covid-19 pandemic challenge, and the second one, was the general insecurity that is currently ravaging our dear country Nigeria.

The Conference was initially scheduled at Uyo in 2020. We all know that the year 2020 was eaten up by the Covid-19 pandemic locust, and as such, the Conference was postponed.

When we eventually rescheduled the Conference, we mounted a vigorous campaign to convince the attendees and the resource persons, that we would observe all laid down Covid-19 protocols.

And we did. A similar campaign was waged, to convince delegates that we had adequate security arrangements for the Conference.

The massive number of attendees at the Conference, is testimony to the fact that, our two pronged campaign to meet the challenges was successful in no small measure. The SLP Chairman, Oluwaseun Abimbola, SAN, and the members of the Conference Planning Committee, worked tirelessly to make sure that the Uyo Conference was in line with international best practices.

We give God the glory, for the success story which the Conference turned out to be.

It was Well Coordinated and Synergised - John Aikpokpo-Martins, 1st Vice President, NBA The Section on Legal Practice Conference held in the peaceful and serene city of Uyo was very successful, both in organisation and in the presentation and delivery of quality, meaningful and impactful contents by the Planning Committee and the faculty members.

The sessions were so well coordinated and synergised, so much so that they were exhilarating and non-exhausting. The Speakers delivered their papers and with so much brilliance, candour, passion and sincerity. I was particularly impressed by the sincerity of the Governor of Ondo State, in his contribution on contemporary national issues.

The papers were on contemporary, topical and living issues directly connected and relevant to the legal profession, and the nation in general.

It was a Conference that again, affirmed the conviviality and fraternity in the legal profession in Nigeria, and again afforded members the opportunity to network and forge new friendships and alliances.

All in all, it was an unforgettable experience, and the national officers are very proud of the Chairman of the SLP and his team, for delivering a top-notch Conference of international standard.

We Must Embrace Technology - Mrs Oyinkan Badejo- Okusanya The annual SLP Conference has become a reference point for timely, topical and relevant discourse.

This year was no exception, and I am always reminded that any practitioner, who takes his or her practice as a Barrister seriously, ought to join the Section and find time to attend SLP events.

My major takeaway from this year's Conference is that, we must be disruptive if we want to remain relevant. We must keep ahead of the curve of emerging trends, and we must embrace technology.

This was amply demonstrated at the session on Lawyers and Data protection co-hosted by my Committee, the International Legal Practice Committee.

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ere are some of the Conferees who attended the NBA-SLP Conference in Uyo last week PHOTOS: KOLAWOLE ALLI L-R: Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN, and President, National Industrial Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip

Cross-section of Conferees at the 2021 NBA-SLP Annual Conference Aisha Ado Abdullahi (left) and Ummahani Amin

Deputy Governor, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Moses Ekpo, a.k.a Uncle Mo Former Governor of Bauchi State, M.A. Abubakar (left) and former Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL, Joseph Kyari Gadzama, SAN

L-R: E.C. Ukala, SAN, Mrs. Mia Essien, SAN, and Ken Njemanze, SAN

L-R: Mrs. Boma Alabi, SAN and Mrs. Folashade Alli

Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Hon. Luke Onofiok

Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice (NBA-SLP), Oluwaseun Abimbola, SAN

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Akwa Ibom and Lagos State AGs, Uko Essien Udom (left) and Moyo Onigbanjo, SAN

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Cross-section of Conferees at the 2021 NBA-SLP Annual Conference

L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Hon. Luke Onofiok and Akwa State AG, Uko Essien Udom Former NBA 1st Vice President, Monday Ubani

L-R: Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) General Secretary, Joyce Oduah, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN and Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya

Olutayo Nylander, SAN (left) and Usman Sule, SAN

Former Chairman, NBA Lagos Branch, Mr. Alex Muoka, (left) and Immediate past Chairman, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom Dr Orowhuo Okocha (left) and Awele Ideal

L-R: Oluwaseun Abimbola, SAN, Members, Conference Planning Committee, Mr. Tonye Krukrubo, and Mr. Omubo Victor-Frank Briggs

Yakubu Maikyau, SAN (left) and NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata

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Southern Governors’ Asaba Accord to Rescue Nigeria’s Sinking Ship (Part 4) Introduction In the last three parts of this vexed issue, we saw how the Southern Governors had met to rescue the sinking ship of State from hitting the very bottom of disintegration.

They desired that it is better to stay together as one big country, than to split into smithereens. But, under one condition: social justice and equity. It appears that Buhari and his handlers, are not capable of understanding the dire straits of today’s Nigeria. There is an obvious disconnect between them and the Nigerian people. Today, we shall be drawing the curtain on the above topic, starting with pro-active steps taken by some State Governors.

Pro-Active Steps Taken by Some State Governors Some State Governors and Houses of Assembly in Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Oyo and Osun States, have since taken steps by getting anti-grazing laws passed by their Houses of Assembly. Indeed, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has already taken proactive steps to stop being the wailing Chief Mourner of his people being murdered daily in cold blood by Fulani herdsmen (many a time with the active connivance of federal troops). He got the House of Assembly to enact the anti-RUGA (Rural Grazing Area) and Cattle Colony Law, called the “Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law” No 21 of 2017. He went further by challenging the Federal Government RUGA policy at the Federal High Court, Makurdi, in the case of AG OF BENUE STATE v AG OF THE FEDERATION. On 4th February, 2020, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the FHC, Makurdi, held that any move by the FG to acquire land for RUGA or a cattle colony in Benue State without the State Government, was null and void. The Judge granted an order nullifying every action of the FG, to establish RUGA or cattle colony. Many constitutional provisions such as Sections 5(6), 9(2), 20, 44(1), 58 and 315(5) and 6(b) were considered. Also considered were Sections 1, 2, 5, 6, 26, 28 and 49 of the Land Use Act vis-à-vis Sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 19(c) of the Benue State Anti-Grazing Law. It must be pointed out that, the Governor of a State is the Chief Executive and Chief Security Officer of that State (Sections 176(1) and 214-216 of the 1999 Constitution).

By virtue of Section 1 of the Land Use Act, 1978, all land comprised in the territory of each State in the Federation has been vested in the Governor of that State, and such land shall be held in trust and administered for the use and common benefit of all Nigerians.

Thus, a Governor of a State commands great power in the usage of the land in his State. In the case of NIGERIA ENGINEERING WORKS LTD v DENAP LTD & ANOR (2001) LPELR-2002(SC), the Supreme Court, per Umaru Atu Kalgo, JSC, noted at pages 18-19 that: “From the provisions of Section 1 of the Act set out above, it is very clear that all land in the State is “vested in the Governor” who shall hold it “in trust and for the use and common benefit of all Nigerians”. From this, it is very clear to me that the powers vested in the Governor by the Act in dealing with the land entrusted to him is a public and not private power, which he must exercise for the use and common benefit of the Nigerian public.”

Nigeria is a Federation that operates the principles of federalism. Under this, the FG, States and LGAs have their respective rights and spheres of influence. There is the Exclusive, Concurrent and Residual lists under the Constitution. This was why Justice Olajuwon of the FHC, Makurdi held that, since land in every State is controlled and managed by the Governor and LGs of such States, the FG cannot whimsically and capriciously grab lands in States; but must go through either the Governor or LG of such State.

Recall also that on September 10, 2019, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, had also inaugurated the National Livestock Transformation Plan at the Gongoshi Grazing Reserve, in Mayo-Belwa LGA of Adamawa State.

Inaugurating the said project, Osinbajo said the plan was designed to run from 2019-2028, as part of Federal Government’s initiative in collaboration with States under the auspices of the National Economic Council. He said the plan, targeted at supporting the development of Nigeria’s livestock sector, was to be implemented in seven pilot States of Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara.

According to the Vice President, the plan will be implemented as a collaboration project between the Federal and State Governments, farmers, pastoralists and private investors. He said: “In this plan, the State Government or private

Governors arriving Asaba for the meeting

investors provide the land, the Federal Government does not and will not take any land from a State or Local Government…Any participating State will provide the land and its own contribution to the project. The Federal Government merely supports…

It is a plan that hopes to birth tailor-made ranches where cattle are bred, and meat and dairy products are produced, using modern livestock breeding and dairy methods…This solves the problem of cattle grazing into and destroying farmlands. It ensures a practical response to the pressures on water and pasture, by forces of climate change”.

He noted that the plan was designed to provide modern meat and dairy industry, and, in some cases, integrated crop farming. According to Osinbajo, the unique feature of the plan is that any participating State will determine its own model. Osinbajo continued: “I wish to emphasise that, this is not RUGA. Because, the idea of RUGA settlements launched by the Ministry of Agriculture, created a problem when it was perceived as a plan to seize lands to create settlements for herders…RUGA was not the

“PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI SHOULD ENGAGE NIGERIANS. HE SHOULD STOP TREATING HIS ELECTORATE WITH DISDAIN. HE SHOULD SHARE IN THEIR PAIN, AND NOT BE COCOONED AWAY LIKE A HERMIT. HE MUST RISE UP TO HIS DUTIES…..”

plan designed and approved by the Governors, and the President rightly suspended the implementation”.

Thus, even the Federal Government at the centre had already opposed anti-grazing and embraced ranching. So, where did the Southern Governors go wrong? I cannot see it. Or, can you?

Some Suggested Solutions to Insecurity in Nigeria Insecurity generally, poses a major threat to life and property; retards business activities and discourages local and foreign investors. All these hamper a country's social and economic growth and development.

The following are some of the areas the Government must urgently address to tackle insecurity in Nigeria headlong, once and for all: i. President Muhammadu Buhari should engage Nigerians.

He should stop treating his electorate with disdain. He should share in their pain, and not be cocooned away like a hermit. He must rise up to his duties, develop the wherewithal to tackle our problems. He begged and even cried for this position in 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015. It was only 2015, he got it. He repeated it in 2019. Both elections were fundamentally flawed. But, Nigerians innocently but gullibly believed in his assumed talismanic prowess to solve our problems. He has, so far, failed abysmally in his tripodal campaign promises of (i) revamping the economy; (ii) dealing with insecurity; (iii) fighting corruption. ii. The Federal Government must immediately, through the NASS, devolve powers to the federating units so as to enthrone true fiscal federalism, and not the present unitary system of Government. iii. There is the urgent need for the establishment of State Police and Community Policing within each locality, to help curb insecurity effectively. iv. The Government must declare a national emergency on insecurity and bring about urgent improvement in our security network, regarding the training of security officers in modern security methodologies; provision of state-ofthe-art equipment; appropriate remuneration; good service conditions; and convenient after-service arrangements. v. The Government must declare a national emergency on youth unemployment and create job opportunities for the youth, as this will make them abstain from committing crimes. vi. The Government must immediately endeavour to boost people's living standards by boosting food production, creating job opportunities for all, and establishing more entrepreneurship centres across the nation. vii. Politicians who use thugs to campaign for and win elections should be fished out, tried and barred from politics for life. viii. The Government must promote good governance, openness, transparency, accountability and inclusiveness through the use of print and digital media. (The End) THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK “You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude towards what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.” (Brian Tracy) “We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.” (Charles R. Swindoll)

˾ TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021

13

22 June 2021

s

Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index down 23bps The Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index declined by 0.23% to

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

1,651.25 points. This was driven by sell-ŽīƐ ŝŶ BUACEMENT (-2.8%) which accounts for 11.2% of the index.

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

Local Bourse Records Losses... ASI down 27bps Yesterday, the local bourse resumed the week with losses

due to sell pressure in BUACEMENT (-2.8%), ETI (-1.0%) and

Price Previous Current Change Price YTD Weighting Change

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

1,651.25

-0.23%

753.30

0.0%

29.9%

71.95

-2.8%

11.2%

28.55

0.0%

8.9%

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 BUA Cement Plc

FIDSON (-9.8%) as the All-Share Index fell 27bps to

3 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC 4 Zenith Bank PLC

38,545.30 points. Consequently, YTD loss worsened to -

5 Dangote Cement PLC 6 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

5.3x

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

12.5%

65.1%

15.0%

3.5%

-11.6%

-11.6%

10.0%

3.5%

0.6x

5.6%

13.3%

-7.0%

-7.0%

19.1%

11.2%

34.6x

6.5x

2.5%

2.9%

-11.7%

-11.7%

26.6%

4.3%

4.1x

1.0x

10.5%

24.3%

2.4%

23.90

0.4%

7.0%

-3.6%

-3.6%

23.1%

2.9%

3.2x

0.7x

12.6%

31.0%

230.00

0.0%

6.1%

-6.1%

-6.1%

32.0%

15.5%

12.9x

4.1x

7.1%

7.8%

165.00

0.0%

5.1%

-2.9%

-2.9%

97.1%

11.4%

14.7x

13.3x

5.7%

6.8%

1,400.00

0.0%

4.0%

-7.0%

-7.0%

104.8%

17.8%

28.3x

37.9x

4.3%

3.5%

21.00

0.5%

3.6%

-0.2%

-0.2%

8.8%

6.2%

10.6x

0.9x

4.8%

9.5%

9 Access Bank PLC 10 United Bank for Africa PLC

8.55

0.0%

3.1%

1.2%

1.2%

16.4%

1.4%

2.6x

0.4x

9.4%

38.5%

7.30

0.0%

2.4%

-15.6%

-15.6%

0.3x

7.1%

11 FBN Holdings Plc 12 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

7.30

0.0%

2.7%

2.1%

2.1%

11.1%

1.1%

3.9x

0.3x

6.2%

59.00

0.0%

2.3%

5.4%

5.4%

4.5%

1.8%

63.9x

2.9x

1.6%

1.6%

39.90

2.3%

CESS (22.7m units), MANSARD (16.7m units), and ZENITH

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC 14 International Brew eries PLC

1.9%

5.7%

-9.4%

20.7%

2.9%

7.1x

1.4x

8.6%

14.1%

5.40

0.0%

1.5%

-9.2%

-9.2%

-15.5%

-3.4%

(16.1m units) while ZENITH ;േϯϴϰ͘ϲŵͿ͕ ACCESS ;േϭϵϰ͘ϬŵͿ͕

15 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 16 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

29.90

0.3%

1.3%

15.0%

15.0%

700.00

0.0%

1.9%

74.0%

4.3% ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ േϱϰ͘ϬďŶ to േϮϬ͘ϭƚŶ͘ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĂƐ ǁĞĂŬ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĨĞůů ďLJ ϱ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϯϬ͘ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ƚŽ ϮϬϵ͘Ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ േϭ͘ϴďŶ͘ dŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁĞƌĞ AC-

and SEPLAT ;േϭϱϵ͘ϬŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ ͘

7 Nestle Nigeria PLC 8 Lafarge Africa PLC

17 11 PLC 18 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

0.0%

19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 Ecobank Transnational Inc

Mixed Sector Performance

21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 22 FCMB Group Plc

ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ

23 Sterling Bank PLC 24 NASCON Allied Industries PLC

as 3 indices lost, 2 ŐĂŝŶĞĚ͕ ĂŶĚ ϭ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů

25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 26 Presco PLC

'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ůĞĚ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϭ͘Ϯй ŽŶ the back of sellŽīƐ in BUACEMENT (-2.8%). Similarly, the Insurance and Oil & Gas indices declined by ϭ͘ϭй ĂŶĚ ϳďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĨŽůͲ

27 Unilever Nigeria PLC 28 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC 29 United Capital PLC 30 Guinness Nigeria PLC

ůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĚĞƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ in WAPIC (-3.5%), MBENEFIT (-

31 Custodian and Allied Insurance 32 AIICO Insurance PLC

8.9%) and OANDO (-ϭ͘ϳйͿ͘ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ͕ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ

33 Total Nigeria PLC 34 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŝŶĐŚĞĚ ŚŝŐŚĞƌ by 11bps and 6bps ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ ZENITH (+0.4%), STANBIC (+2.3%) and FLOURMIL (+0.3%). On the other hand, the AFR-/ d ŝŶĚĞdž ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘

35 Wema Bank PLC 36 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

1.6%

0.9%

7.4%

3.2%

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ ϭ͘ϭdž ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϳdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚͲ ĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ ϭϴ stocks advanced while 17 stocks declined. MEYER (+8.8%), CHAMPION (+6.1%), and JBERGER (+4.7%) ůĞĚ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ ǁŚŝůĞ FIDSON (-9.8%), LASACO (-9.3%), and FTNCOCOA (-9.1%) led decliners. In the

T ic k er

catalyst.

0.6x

5.9%

1.0%

15.9%

15.9%

24.6%

16.0%

12.8x

2.9x

6.6%

7.8%

0.0%

0.7%

-9.9%

-9.9%

11.4%

1.1%

2.3x

0.2x

9.7%

44.2%

13.8%

5.15

-1.0%

0.6%

-14.2%

-14.2%

0.6%

0.0%

68.5x

0.2x

17.70

-0.3%

0.6%

0.6%

0.6%

25.5%

12.6%

7.3x

1.7x

8.5%

3.15

-1.3%

0.6%

-5.4%

-5.4%

4.8%

29.3%

1.61

1.3%

0.3%

-21.1%

-21.1%

9.2%

0.9%

4.0x

0.3x

3.1%

25.1%

14.50

0.0%

0.4%

0.0%

0.0%

18.4%

5.8%

8.4x

3.1x

2.8%

11.9%

0.91

-1.1%

0.4%

1.1%

1.1%

-1.3%

-0.3%

0.6x

1.1%

-2.3%

76.00

0.0%

0.3%

7.1%

7.1%

17.9%

7.3%

2.4x

2.7%

13.20

0.0%

0.2%

-5.0%

-5.0%

-6.2%

-4.1%

1.5%

3.4x

14.4x

1.2x

5.80

0.0%

0.2%

9.4%

9.4%

6.17

0.0%

0.3%

31.0%

31.0%

35.5%

4.2%

29.00

0.0%

0.3%

52.6%

52.6%

-17.8%

-9.0%

5.95

0.0%

0.2%

1.7%

1.7%

25.0%

7.8%

3.0x

0.7x

1.09

0.0%

0.2%

-3.5%

-3.5%

20.5%

3.3%

3.0x

0.2x

145.00

0.0%

0.2%

11.5%

11.5%

20.00

4.7%

0.2%

13.5%

13.5%

8.3%

1.1%

8.8x

0.0%

0.1%

-20.3%

-20.3%

8.4%

0.5%

0.0%

0.0%

-100.0%

7.4%

0.9%

1.7% 4.7x

1.5x

11.3%

0.9x

2.92

-1.7%

0.1%

-21.1%

-21.1%

14.5%

2.6%

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-28.7%

-7.6%

52.95

0.0%

0.1%

-4.4%

-4.4%

9.3%

6.4%

3.57

0.0%

0.0%

-0.8%

-0.8%

-10.6%

-5.5%

9.2%

33.4% 4.6%

0.7x

2.0%

11.4%

4.3x

0.4x

7.3%

23.1%

6.6x

0.7x

4.5%

15.1%

1.3x

0.2x

79.5%

1.9x

-16.8%

7.6x

0.7x

2.0%

0.6x

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

A C C ESS

22.7

0.0%

C H A M P ION

2.10

6.1%

M A N SA R D

16.7

0.0%

J B ER GER

20.00

4.7%

Z EN IT H B A N K

16.1

0.4%

R EGA LIN S

0.52

4.0%

M B EN EF IT

14.7

-8.9%

IKEJ A H OT EL

0.97

3.2%

CHA M S

13.5

0.0%

2.9%

ST ER LN B A N K

9.9

1.3% -3.8%

VIT A F OA M

12.40

2.5%

SOVR EN IN S

9.5

UA C -P R OP

0.83

2.5%

FB NH

8.8

0.0%

39.90

2.3%

D A N GSUGA R

8.4

-0.3%

9.90

2.1%

C H IP LC

8.3

-3.0%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

384.6

0.4% 0.0%

4.60

-9.8%

Z EN IT H B A N K

LA SA C O

1.36

-9.3%

A C C ESS

194.0

F T N C OC OA

0.30

-9.1%

SEP LA T

158.9

0.0%

M B EN EF IT

0.41

-8.9%

D A N GSUGA R

147.7

-0.3%

C OR N ER ST

0.55

-5.2%

ST A N B IC

143.4

2.3%

R OYA LEX

0.69

-4.2%

NB

118.2

0.0%

SOVR EN IN S

0.25

-3.8%

F LOUR M ILL

99.8

0.3%

M TNN

65.7

0.0%

F ID SON

WA P IC

0.55

-3.5%

C H IP LC

0.65

-3.0%

FB NH

63.7

0.0%

-2.0%

UB A

37.5

0.0%

0.49

13.1% -22.5%

8.8%

UA C N

33.0%

4.2%

P ric e C hg %

ST A N B IC

21.2% -22.4%

21.9x

62.50

1.44

6.9% -5.2%

0.62

H ON YF LOUR

2.4%

0.0%

P ric e

J A P A ULGOLD

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

41.0x

M EYER

ŶĞdžƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ďŽƵƌƐĞ ƚŽ ĞdžͲ tend bearish performance in the absence ŽĨ ĂŶLJ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ

4.7%

2.27

T o p 10 G a in e r s

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ tĞĂŬĞŶƐ

-8.7%

0.8x

105.50

0.55

37 Oando PLC 38 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 39 Beta Glass PLC

74.0% -100.0%

1.0x

25.7%

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

14

22.06.2021

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

GEF USD 281.1m Work Programme to Address Biodiversity Loss, Climate Change Bennett Oghifo

T

he 60th meeting of the Council of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) approved a Work Programme comprising 33 projects and three programmes.

According to Earth Negotiations Bulletin, total resources in the Work Programme amount to USD 281.1 million. The projects and programmes include actions to address global challenges related to biodiversity loss, climate change, chemicals and wastes, and international waters.

Nigeria is expected to benefit from these programmes and projects, considering the rapid loss of forests that hosts its biodiversity. According to the Federal Ministry of Environment, “Nigeria is a producer and consumer of forest-risk agricultural commodities.

Domestically it produces cocoa and palm oil but it also imports palm oil from Southeast Asia.

“Forests are the largest natural

carbon sink and a vital harbour of biodiversity but they are disappearing at an alarming rate. Nigeria has one of the highest deforestation rates globally, it loses approximately 350,000 – 400,000 hectares per year. Logging, agriculture and collection of fuelwood are the leading causes of forest loss in Nigeria.

The 60th Meeting of the GEF Council took place online from 14-18 June 2021. On 11 June, the GEF Consultations with Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples focused on the theme, “Enhancing Climate Resilience: The Role of Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.”

In addition to the Work Programme, the GEF Council addressed agenda items including: Formative Evaluation of the GEF Integrated Approach to Address the Drivers of Environmental Degradation; Evaluation of GEF Engagement with Micro, Small, and

Medium Enterprises; Evaluation of the Country Support Program; and Long-Term Vision on Complementarity, Coherence and Collaboration between the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility.

The 30th Meeting of the Least Developed Countries Fund/Special Climate Change Fund (LDCF/SCCF) Council took place on 17 June.

Prior to the 60th meeting of the GEF Council, the Council engaged in a consultation with civil society organisations (CSOs) on the theme, “Enhancing Climate Resilience: The Role of Civil Society, and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.”

The consultation took place virtually on 11 June 2021, with the participation of approximately 240 individuals. It was organised collaboratively by the GEF Secretariat, the GEF CSO Network, the GEF Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group (IPAG), and the GEF

Small Grants Programme (SGP), with support from the GEF Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP).

Using concrete examples from the SGP, speakers highlighted how CSOs, local communities, and Indigenous Peoples can be engaged at all stages of climate adaptation and resilience projects, from design to implementation, and in the process fine-tune projects to local needs and aspirations, build local capacity, increase buy-in and long-term benefits, and promote replication and scaling-up of lessons learned.

Akhteruzzaman Sano, Chair, GEF CSO Network, opened the consultation and called for: setting indicators for outputs, outcomes, and impacts for each project; creating a country-driven monitoring and reporting system; and recognising the GEF CSO Network as a special GEF Agency.

Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, GEF CEO and Chairperson, said the GEF needs to “dive

deeper” in addressing fragile and conflict-affected communities within the countries it supports. He highlighted three key elements for GEF climate resilience projects: rights associated with ownership of environmental services, including implementation

and enforcement of payment for ecosystem services (PES) frameworks through market mechanisms; upscaling and mainstreaming existing successful experiences in PES; and helping internalise Nagoya Protocol provisions on access and benefit sharing.

Zonal Head, Victoria Island Zone, FCMB, Omowunmi Kalejaiye, planting fruit tree at Plumbreed Schools, Sangotedo during NCF’s tree planting exercise in schools in commemoration of 2021 World Environment Day… recently

FHA Demolishes Over 500 Illegal Makeshift shops in FESTAC Town Fadekemi Ajakaiye As part of its drive to sustain the demolition of illegal structures in FESTAC Town in the ongoing clean-up operation in the area, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has said it would continue the exercise having reportedly demolished over 500 stalls and makeshift shops.

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Senator Gbenga Ashafa, who disclosed this at a meeting with stakeholders in the estate, said the measure was to ensure a proper survey in line with the FESTAC master plan, of also giving possession to the real allottees as several quit notices

were served on the illegal occupants before the actual demolition was carried out.

Ashafa, who was represented by the southwest zonal manager of FHA, Mr. Akintola Olagbemiro, said that the demolition of illegal structures was not done to target religious organisations or any group as was being speculated in some media

Periwinkle Condos to Sign New Land Acquisition in Eko Atlantic City Tomorrow Bennett Oghifo Leading real estate developer and luxury lifestyle provider, Periwinkle Condos is set to sign the acquisition of a land in EkoAtlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos tomorrow, Wednesday 23rd June 2021and announces its readiness to begin the construction of Pan Atlantis Tower on this land. A press released signed by the Managing Director, Barr. Chiedu Nweke explained that the flag off exercise would be undertaken by Mr. Gilbert

Chagoury of Chagoury and Chagoury Group of companies in Eko Atlantic City. He said the choice of Eko Atlantic City as the host of the multibillion Naira luxury lifestyle project was “more than just providing accommodation and shelter to the people of the state, it drives economic growth”; addIng that “the location is one of the few prime areas in Lagos which is highly sought after due to its potentiality and amazing features like the Eko Boulevard, which has a six-lane carriageway for smoothly-flowing traffic.”On

the project, Nweke said “Pan Atlantis Tower would be an iconic tower on 15 suspended floors and exclusively situated on Northern Boulevard District, just a blockaway from the U.S Consulate in Eko Atlantic City.This Land acquisition agreement will see that Periwinkle Condos Limited provide expertise and insight for several residential and commercial projects within Eko Atlantic City, as well as expand its vision of building luxury and premium condos at a prime location within Lagos.

Lagos State, RGL to Remove 400MT of Plastic Waste Dike Onwuamaeze Recyclan Global Limited (RGL), the market leader in sustainable recycled PET supply from Africa, is collaborating with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment (LSME) and the Humanity Nigeria to recycle 400 metric tonnes of plastic bottle waste across Lagos State.

The exercise would rid the state of 20 per cent of its estimated monthly PET plastic waste and might set a new Guinness World Record for the “largest volume of plastic bottles collected for recycling by a team.”

The previous Guinness World Record attempt is 56 metric tons recovered within 14 days.

The RGL’s Chief Executive Officer for Africa, Mr. Harold Okonoboh, stated that the RGL is excited to partner with the Humanity Nigeria, the LSME, and the general public to achieve this objective.

Okonoboh said: “We, at the Recyclan believe in collaborating. That is why we are partnering with Humanity Nigeria and the Lagos State Ministry of Environment because we know that we will achieve our goals by working together. We are

also calling on the public to join us and contribute their quota towards achieving this laudable goal.”

He noted that Lagos State has been experiencing growing prevalence of plastic waste and its negative effect on the environment in recent years, which also constituted significant proportion of solid wastes that litter the state.

He added that the environmental challenges posed by the trend included ecosystem degradation, drainage clogging, flooding, lagoon, and ocean debris with attendant harm resulting in high socio-economic impacts on the state.

reports. He said, “Last Sunday, we started the implementation of the second phase of the consent judgment, which was for clearing the illegal structures within the buffer zones along the 2nd Avenue as well as the expressway.

“Before then, we had earlier implemented the first phase of the judgment, which was to dredge the canal along the buffer. This will allow the clearance for the proper survey and development of parcels of land

along this axis in accordance with the master plan.”

Recall that the Managing Director, FHA, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, had earlier in the year issued quit noticed to the illegal occupants to relocate as the authority would embark on demolition of illegal structures in FESTAC and environs. Ashafa, had earlier expressed readiness to embark on restoration of original master-plan and sanitation in FESTAC and environs, while giving assurances that

upcoming FHA Estates expected across the geo-political zones of the country would provide housing and job opportunities for teeming Nigerians.

For the Chairman of 1st -2nd gates allotees, Kole Olatunji, said the land between first and third gates was allocated to different allottees over 30 years because of the court case between FHA and the resident association. He regretted that the delay gave room for illegal squatters and occupants on the land.

Nigerian, African SMEs Advised to Explore new Business Models Post-COVID Operators of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria and across Africa have been advised to change their business models for more profitability in the post-COVID era.

According to Soromfe Uzomah, Head: Strategic Partnerships, Microsoft 4Afrika, for every company, innovation is tremendously important, but in many cases, innovation is only associated with new products or technical renewals. However, he explained that business model innovations can be significantly more profitable, and current pandemic-driven changes in customer behaviour and technological innovations have created a window of opportunity for companies to explore new business models.

“Every company has a business model, but at times, this must change to ensure the company’s ongoing success and ultimately, its survival. Even minor changes to a business model can have great benefit to customers and businesses – and the goal of business model innovation is to better satisfy the needs of

the customer than the existing one allows for. Most innovation is incremental, such as product innovation, but changing a business model is likely more radical, as it changes the foundational decisions on which the business operates and as such, brings higher risk, but also the chance of long-term survival and success. One only has to think of companies like Uber, AirBnB or Spotify, who were able to disrupt each of their industry’s traditional business models by tweaking or inverting them.”

Times of change require new thinking In times of significant change, such as those stemming from a global pandemic and the associated impacts of the disruption to global trade, it’s pertinent for companies to think about how the business environment is changing, and what business model changes might help the company adapt to this shifting landscape. Whether this is a reinvention of a business model to manage fundamental industry changes, adaptation and

experimentation to accommodate fluctuations or pivots in an industry, a maverick approach that embraces employing an advantage to revolutionise an industry, or the adventurer approach that explores or expands into altogether new or adjacent territories, businesses cannot afford the luxury of complacency.

McKinsey reports that Africa has large unserved markets and companies need the imagination to see unmet demands or unsolved problems as opportunities. Indeed, smaller and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) have a critical role to play in accelerating economic development, serving the unmet needs of African markets, and especially creating jobs.

Four innovation practices are important here: creating products and services that fulfil Africa’s unmet needs; rethinking business models to truly engage with customers; getting lean to drive down costs and price points; and harnessing technology to unleash the next wave of innovation.

15

22.06.2021

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

COP25, COP26 Presidents Urge Governments to Strengthen Climate Ambition Alliance Bennett Oghifo

A

head of this year’s UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in the Glasgow, President of the conference, Mr. Alok Sharma, and the President of the UN Climate Change Conference COP25 in Madrid in 2019, Ms. Carolina Schmidt of Chile, are calling on all countries to either follow through on commitments made under the Climate Ambition Alliance, or to join the efforts of the Alliance.

As this year’s UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow draws near, all countries have been called to either follow through on commitments made under the Climate Ambition Alliance, or to join the efforts of the Alliance.

The call was made by the President of the conference, Mr. Alok Sharma, and the President of the UN Climate Change Conference COP25 in Madrid,

Spain, in 2019, Ms. Carolina Schmidt of Chile, according to a statement by United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Climate Ambition Alliance brings together countries, businesses, investors, cities and regions which are working towards achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, as well as countries committed to updating their national climate action plans -Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) -under the Paris Agreement.

Alluding to the analysis of national climate action plans submitted in 2020 and compiled by the UN Climate Change secretariat, the COP Presidents write: “The leadership from governments and non-state actors starts our pathway to net zero. But it is not enough.

We are currently a long way off what science tells us is needed over the course of this decade.

Together we need to go further and faster to ensure that we build a healthier and more

sustainable future, one which respects the natural systems that underpin our existence and delivers dignity for all of humanity.”

Through the Climate Ambition Alliance launched in 2019, over 120 governments joined together, committing to come forward with plans to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and to submit more ambitious NDCs. This means countries covering around 70% of global GDP have made net-zero commitments.

Country engagement in the Alliance is led by the governments of Chile and the United Kingdom, with support from UN Climate Change and UNDP. Mobilization of non-government actors is led by the High-Level Climate Champions for Climate Action Nigel Topping and Gonzalo Muñoz under the ‘Race to Zero’ campaign.

Beyond governments, over 3,000 organisations have joined the Race to Zero campaign led by the High-Level Champions.

Last week, the UN-led Race to

Zero campaign strengthened and clarified criteria that outline the minimum standard for initiatives of businesses, investors, cities, regions and universities for robust and credible net-zero commitments.

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa

endorsed the call by the COP Presidents, saying: “2021 will be the most important year for the international response to climate change since the inception of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. All efforts during the year will culminate at COP26, which must be a suc-

cess. More countries joining the Climate Ambition Alliance and following through on existing commitments, backed by new commitments made under the Race to Zero campaign, will provide crucial impetus to put the world on a pathway to a safer and healthier future.”

L-R: Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Education District Six, Mrs Okelola Oludara; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, representing the Governor, Principal, Babs Fafunwa Millennium Senior Grammar School, Mrs. Owolabi Abimbola and Principal, Mrs. Adams Folake, during the Commissioning of Block of Classrooms at the School in Ogudu area of the Lagos… recently

N’Delta Monarchs Decry Environmental Degradation in Host Communities Sylvester Idowu in Warri Niger Delta monarchs, under the aegis of the Association of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON), have decried environmental

degradation, unemployment and lack of social amenities in oil and gas-producing communities in the region.

The monarchs made their position known during the 27th Conference of the association which held in Asaba, Delta State, with the theme: ‘The Relationship

between the Oil Producing Communities and the International Oil Companies operating in Niger Delta Area: What impact has it made on the People?’

At the conference were traditional rulers from six of the nine member-states of the association: Abia,

Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, Ondo and the Rivers States while Akwa-Ibom, Cross River and the Edo states.

The conference, in a communiqué issued and signed by the newly-elected national chairman and secretary of TROMPVON, Orodje of Okpe, HRM Maj.

Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (Retd) and Dr I.O. Asor, averred that the muchanticipated socio-economic advantages derivable from the natural resources of the Niger Delta people have eluded the region.

The conference, which called for the restoration

of constructional roles for traditional rulers, further decried the state of infrastructural development in the Niger Delta, particularly the state of roads, standard schools, healthcare system, as well as the parlous state of the East-West road.

Ivenson: Anambra was Ravaged by Erosion Before NEWMAP’s Intervened Micheal Ivenson, the project coordinator of Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) in Anambra State, gives David-Chyddy Eleke an insight into some of the organisation’s projects in the state Tell us why Anambra State joined NEWMAP project Anambra State was one of the pioneer states that actually requested the federal government’s intervention in the very devastating erosion problem experienced by the state and most south eastern part of the country. We are talking about fatalities, loss of lives, critical infrastructures, livelihoods, impact on roads, impact on farmlands, power lines, schools, churches and what have you.

So for us it became a matter of life and death literally, and the state government thought it wise to escalate the intervention request to the federal government and Anambra was one of the pioneer states that kicked off this project as far back as 2013 and, over time, several other states have actually joined.

Simply put, we were basically ravaged by erosion and other forms of land degradation.

The state thought it wise to

Ivenson

seek assistance of the federal government and other development partners to support this programme.

Has the state been able to achieve the objective of joining NEWMAP? We have not only achieved it but have exceeded the target that was set under this programme. A minimum target of five intervention sites was set as part of our international benchmark. Right now, we are intervening in 13 sites.

Therefore, from that perspective alone, we have met and exceeded our expectations.

More importantly, NEWMAP is about the human aspect of this programme. Basically, I mean erosion impacts human beings.

On the flip side as well, its human activity that actually causes erosion and, therefore, having the right programme and components and intervention activity to support that aspect, is very critical. Not only are we reclaiming landscapes and restoring lives, we are also empowering people at the grassroots, women and children are affected by every form of devastation, whether it is civil war, farming, healthcare crisis in this case erosion and flooding. Women and children are critically impacted therefore we thought it wise to include the livelihood restoration aspect of this programme. You probably would have spoken to some community members where

some of the real life cases, that is families that have been affected by erosion who lost their livelihood, farmland were given soft grant to be able to re-establish businesses to support themselves and that has been extremely successful as part of the programme that we are doing. So besides the civil works and the physical intervention that you see, hope has been restored and people are once again happy, life is good, so to that extent we have really exceeded the target set for ourselves.

As a follow up on that, what would you say are the key areas the project has actually intervened?

There are several areas. I’ll start from the one that is very obvious, which is basically the landscape restoration. I said earlier the reasons why we intervene is because livelihoods, properties, farmlands are affected, the restoration aspect of it is really one of the things that are very visible to people. The other part of it is the one people don’t really see which is the human aspect of it. As at last count, we have approximately about 150,000 beneficiaries across the state.

We have what we call direct beneficiaries and then we have other people who benefit as part of their connection with the community where we intervene.

So, when you link communities together, you make it easier for

school children who would have walked several kilometers to bypass the erosion to now have their time to school cut short from as long as one hour to 15 minutes. If you look at that in itself, then it is very impactful.

Women and daughters who had to go long distances to fetch

firewood or go to the market or interact with other members of their community will have that significantly shortened and therefore we are in very many ways able to discuss what we have achieved not only from the physical intervention part of it but also from the changes

in lives that we have impacted.

Now, we also talked about the people who were given some money to reestablish their business, and then we talked about the capacity that have been built amongst the participating MDAs, the institutions that have been developed.

Work Place Design: Standard Bank Partners Microsoft to Drive Nigeria, Africa’s Growth Fadekemi Ajakaiye Standard Bank and Microsoft recently announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the digital transformation of Africa’s largest financial institution and further drive the continent’s growth.

According to a statement

by Microsoft, creating a digital platform, application modernisation and cloud migration of the continent’s largest financial institution will enable innovation, resilience and cost-efficiencies allowing Standard Bank to respond to customer needs.

The Bank’s growing investment in the Microsoft Cloud will enable the innovation, efficiencies, and resilience required to respond to market dynamics and customer needs.

This partnership builds on the 30-year relationship between the two companies and involves migrating workloads, applications, and platforms to Microsoft Azure to drive organisational efficiencies, as well as workforce collabora-

tion with Azure, PowerApps, Workplace Analytics and Microsoft Teams.

“Investing in the cloud will allow Standard Bank to achieve its strategy to transform from a traditional financial services company into a digital platform company, providing financial services, plus ancillary and associated services. We have adopted a cloud-first strategy, underpinned by end-to-end security and data-driven insights that will enable transformation with tangible results,” said Standard Bank Group Chief Executive, Sim Tshabalala.

“Standard Bank’s cloudfirst strategy underlines the growing momentum in financial services to deliver differentiated experiences that today’s customers expect,” said Judson Althoff, Microsoft’s executive vice president of Worldwide Commercial Business. “As a long-standing technology partner, we are pleased to collaborate with Standard Bank in realizing this strategy and in becoming

Africa’s future-first financial services firm through digital skilling-focused initiatives that will expand economic opportunity for young people across Africa.”

As part of the partnership, the companies will also: r &TUBCMJTI UIF "GSJDBO Digital Foundry (The Foundry), a strategic alliance, for Standard Bank and Microsoft to collaborate to co-create unique solutions through new technology to meet the financial needs of Africa’s consumers. Through the Foundry, the companies aspire to reach 100 million customers in Africa over the next five years. r #SJOH UPHFUIFS UIFJS resources and know-how to provide youth with the relevant digital skills needed to secure future-ready jobs and equip Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with digital skills and capabilities so that they can take advantage of the growing shift to digital technologies.

16

TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 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 18Jun-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 154.48 156.02 -4.51% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 4.31% Nigeria International Debt Fund 311.21 311.21 -23.78% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 111.39 111.39 -0.63% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.91% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.21 3.38 -5.36% 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 3.14% Anchoria Equity Fund 131.18 132.62 -1.38% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.07 1.07 -19.62% 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 19.08 19.66 5.21% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 417.45 430.04 4.27% ARM Ethical Fund 37.62 38.75 11.59% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.96 0.96 -8.65% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.92% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 104.69 104.69 2.93% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 129.58 130.23 2.59% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.24% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.96 1.96 -20.40% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.03 2.07 -19.03% mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.02 1.02 1.58% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.03% Paramount Equity Fund 16.06 16.35 0.40% Women's Investment Fund 133.37 134.82 0.18% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.05% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 116.62 117.39 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 106.85 106.85 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 3.01% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.97% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,166.85 1,176.09 -2.50% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,377.81 1,377.81 10.14% FBN Balanced Fund 187.69 188.90 0.00% FBN Halal Fund 110.02 110.02 9.04% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.50% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 125.55 125.55 3.47% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 154.78 156.89 2.38% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy USD Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Balanced Fund 3,632.34 3,682.86 -3.00% Coral Income Fund 3,358.16 3,358.16 2.50% Coral Money Market Fund

100.00

100.00

5.57%

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 6.75% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.84 2.91 23.91% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 149.91 150.36 -3.54% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.25 1.29 31.97% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.09 1.09 6.37% 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 1,146.67 1,146.67 3.79% 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 10.94 10.9820 4.45% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 6.56% 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 1.63 1.65 7.33% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.46 11.51 -5.56% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.84% PACAM Equity Fund 1.62 1.63 2.38% PACAM EuroBond Fund 111.03 112.70 1.00% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 126.68 126.34 5.69% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 3.41% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,174.16 3,200.00 -1.29% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 230.48 230.48 2.50% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.20 1.21 2.12% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 302.43 302.43 2.64% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 220.20 222.83 0.75% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.62% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,361.97 10,491.94 -1.34% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.26 1.26 2.57% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 114.42 114.42 3.01% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 101.60 101.60 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 1.37 1.39 -0.06% United Capital Bond Fund 1.95 1.95 3.05% United Capital Equity Fund 0.92 0.95 6.65% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.95% United Capital Eurobond Fund 121.11 121.11 3.44% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.11 1.13 2.61% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.05 1.05 5.36% 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 12.69 12.79 6.89% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.08 14.20 15.23% Zenith Income Fund 24.12 24.12 0.60% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.21%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.09 51.54

2.77% -1.64%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.91 122.90 98.20 17.25 17.67

13.01 125.44 99.97 17.35 17.77

-2.33% 2.00% -1.21% -

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

3.75 5.64 17.19 1.00 19.41 147.52

3.79 5.72 17.29 1.00 19.61 149.52

-0.89% -0.81% 5.11% 4.10% -5.36% -31.99%

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.

23

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ JUNE 22, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

A S

REPO 19.25 18.75

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

A T

INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

J U N E

S & P INDEX 18 18.50 20

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima

1 8 ,

2 0 2 1

S & P INDEX 520.51% 0.71% 2.42%

1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

EXCHANGE RATE -6. 85% - 22.34%

N411//1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes AfDB Appoints Dunford Vice President

SEALED DEAL

L-R: Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Kombowei F. Benson; Executive Director/ Chief Operating Officer, United Nigeria Airlines(UNA), Osita Okonkwo; Director of Administration, Linus Awute; and Attorney General/ Commissioner for Justice, Bayelsa State, Biriyai Dambo, during the signing of an MoU on Service Agreement between Bayelsa State Government and UNA at Bayelsa International Airport, Bayelsa State...recently

NEITI Seeks Reconciliation in NNPC’s JV Partners’ Accounts Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has called on Joint Venture (JV) partners of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to reconcile a $183.07 million discrepancy in their 2019 transport accounts.

In its latest report on the oil and gas industry covering 2019, NEITI noted that whereas a total of N571.41 was reported as transportation fees by the JV partners in the year under review, NNPC’s financial statement indicated it was actually $334.34 million.

The transparency initiative, in its 12th cycle report on the oil and gas industry, therefore called on both parties to reconcile the $183 million difference to ensure that the discrepancy is sorted out in the next report.

ENERGY “A total sum of $517.41 million was reported as transportation fees by the JV companies. Of this amount, NNPC confirmed $334.34 million.

“A total of $183.07 million is under reconciliation by the NNPC. NNPC should conclude the detailed reconciliation. This should be carried out on a regular basis as a mechanism for checks and balances,” the report noted.

The initiative further asked the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to reconcile the disparity in its reporting processes which it said poses a challenge on representation of NNPC data that has been systematically disclosed.

“NNPC should align its reporting systems with the DPR, being the entity statutorily responsible for metering in the industry,” it added.

Recently, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, had called on International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the country to be more accountable to the Nigerian people and not just to their respective shareholders and companies.

Speaking on the third day of the Nigeria International Petroleum Summit (NIPS) in Abuja as head of the “Chief Executive Officers’ Roundtable”, Kyari had stated that although oil companies plying their trade in the country have a responsibility to their home companies, they must also strive to incorporate the interest of the government and its people.

He had said: “For instance, my partners here, we will expect that they operate responsibly, that they are transparent to all of us, not just to the shareholders of the external nature , but also to

us and even to Nigerians. “ And as you do this, they will expect you to produce at the least of costs that is possible, because what that means is that there’ll be more tax revenues and also probably better margins for the national oil company.”

Government entities covered by the report include the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), DPR, NNPC and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

Others are: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), federal ministry of finance, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

“NEITI further recommends that NNPC should carry out detailed reconciliation on transportation revenues regularly Continued on page 24

StakeholdersSeekSupportforNEMSA’sStandardsEnforcementEfforts Stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) have called for support for the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) drive to enforce standards in the power sector.

The stakeholders who spoke during a roundtable meeting for legislature and judiciary on the enforcement of technical standards and regulations, mandate, roles and responsibilities of NEMSA included the Minister of State, Power, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba; Chairman, NEMSA Governing Board, Mr. Suleiman Yahaya; Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Gabriel Suswam, and Managing Director of NEMSA, Mr. Peter Ewesor.

Others were a former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Patrick Ikhariale and former Chairman,

ENERGY Senate Committee on Power, Philip Aduda.

In his comments, Jedy-Agba urged members of the judiciary and legislature to assist in enforcing the standards, noting that it is in the interest of the entire nation.

The minister said the ministry of power was working with lawmakers to strengthen the extant Act guiding the sector, noting that it would address a lot of problems in the power sector.

“It has been observed that NEMSA’s attempts to enforce these standards have met with resistance on some occasions which is attributed to lack of adequate knowledge about the agency,” he said.

Also speaking, Suswam, said a lot of changes had taken place since the enactment of the law, stating that it was time to rework it since new entities have emerged.

“So what we are trying to do is to put up an Act that comprehensively covers all sectors of the power industry. New issues have arisen from those entities that have been taken over by private companies.

“You also know that we now have the renewable energy sector, which was not covered in what we have in the reform Act. All of these are going to be covered,” he stated.

He also noted that the Senate would look at areas of conflict between the mandates of NEMSA and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), with a view to sorting them out.

“These are things to be comprehensively covered in the Electricity Act. The first reading of the bill has been read already and we are going to the second reading, which I think will be done before we go on recess,” he noted.

In his presentation, Ewesor, explained that there are issues of poor electrical equipment and substandard electrical materials, adding that NEMSA had resolved to tackle them head-on.

He stated that the agency was optimistic about having the new Act enacted, adding that the enforcement of the National Low Voltage Standards of government would begin from July.

According to him, no equipment would be allowed to come into Nigeria from next month Continued on page 24

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has announced the appointment of Dr. Beth Dunford as its Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development.The appointment becomes effective from July 1, 2021.

A statement explained that Dunford, a national of the United States of America, brings extensive experience to this role. She has held senior level leadership positions in the US government, where she managed large and complex programs, working with the private sector, civil society, and multilateral and bilateral institutions, as well as with African governments, to deliver agricultural, social and human development impact at scale.

Prior to her appointment, Dunford worked as the Assistant to the Administrator in the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Bureau for Resilience and Food Security, as well as the Deputy Coordinator for Development for Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative.

“In this dual role, she coordinated Feed the Future across multiple U.S. government agencies, oversaw a $1 billion annual budget and leveraged millions of direct private sector investment annually. In this capacity, she also coordinated a $2.3 billion Feed the Future presidential initiative across 11 US government agencies and forged partnerships within the private sector and civil society targeted at reducing hunger and poverty.

“She also led USAID’s technical and regional expertise focused on improving agriculture-led growth, resilience, nutrition and water security, sanitation and hygiene,” the statement added.

President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said he was delighted to appoint Dunford asVice President to lead the Bank’s work on Agriculture, Human and Social Development.

YBR Clinches USAID’s YPE4AH Account

Creative solutions company, Yellow Brick Road (YBR), has been appointed by the Development Alternative Incorporated (DAI) as its partner to manage the branding and communications campaign for the USAID funded Youth-powered Ecosystem to Advance Urban Adolescent Health (YPE4AH).

The programme, which seeks to improve the health and well-being of unmarried, out-of-school, urban adolescents in Lagos and Kano, by increasing access to and giving a more holistic context to issues surrounding family planning, was unveiled by First Lady of the Federal RepublicofNigeria,Dr.AishaMuhammaduBuhari,whowasrepresented

by Senior Special Assistant to the President on administration (office of the First Lady) Dr. Hajo Sani in February, 2021.

The five-year contract, awarded to YBR, would see the company provide overall strategic direction to the project, especially around social & behavior change, brand identity, partner marketing and other areas of communication.

The company described the appointment as further testimony to its increased presence in the behaviour change communications sector, following the successful launch of its social impact division in Abuja in 2019.

Stakeholders Support for LAAC Conference

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation industry are already keying into preparations for the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Conference slated for July 28, 2021.

The conference with the theme: ‘Nigeria Aviation Industry: Management, Policy and Regulation,’is the 25th edition in the series and would be held in Lagos.

While the Ministry of Aviation has indicated interest to be part of the event, all the aviation agencies, including: Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA),FederalAirportsAuthorityofNigeria(FAAN),Nigerian AirspaceManagementAgency(NAMA),AccidentInvestigationBureau, Nigeria(AIB-N)andtheNigerianCollegeofAviationTechnology(NCAT), Zaria have equally expressed their desire to be fully involved in the whole arrangements.

Expressing their commitments to the forthcoming event, the NCAA said it would always support the league at all times.

“This is a landmark issue for Ecobank, and indeed the success of this first Sustainable Tier 2 issuance is testament to our clear strategy, solid positioning across the panAfrican banking space as well as our deliberate and long term focus on sustainable Group CEO, ETI, Ade Ayeyemi

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BUSINESSWORLD NEITI SEEKS RECONCILIATION IN NNPC’S JV PARTNERS’ ACCOUNTS as a mechanism for checks and balances,” the document stressed.

The report further disclosed that in 2019, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) produced 78 million barrels, Aiteo had 11 million, Eroton was 10.6 million barrels, New cross produced 6.1 million and Chevron drilled 60.4 million barrels.

In addition, it showed that Agip produced 5.9 million, Mobil’s share was 92.7 million, Total drilled 41 million, Belema had 2 million, Seplat produced 1.3 million while Pan Ocean Oil produced 469, 000 barrels of oil for the year.

The total barrels produced in 2019 was 310 million as opposed to 314 million in the previous year. Of this quota, NNPC’s share was 180.8 million barrels in 2019, while the JV partners had a cumulative share of 129.4 million barrels.

Aiteo’s Nembe Creek Line, Shell’s Bonny terminal, Total’s Amenam all declared force majeure during the period.

According to the report, losses due to theft and sabotage totalled 42.2 million barrels and was valued at $2.7 billion, using an average of $65.6 per barrel, but was 11 million barrels less than the loss recorded in 2018.

Also, the total losses were 27.1 million barrels in 2015, 101.05 in 2016, apparently at the height of restiveness in the Niger Delta, 36.4 million in 2017 and 53.28 million in 2018.

STAKEHOLDERS SEEK SUPPORT FOR NEMSA’S STANDARDS ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS if it failed to meet the required voltage standard, adding that NEMSA organised the roundtable to further educate the lawmakers and the judiciary on the mandate of the agency.

To promote safety, Ewesor said NEMSA certifies electricians too to “ensure only competent and qualified people carry out electrical jobs in Nigeria.”

The agency, he said, inspects, tests and certifies all electrical materials and equipment to ensure sound use.

“The national assembly actually passed a resolution that NEMSA should follow up to ensure that all structures under power lines are demolished,” he said.

NEWS

TCN Establishes New Transmission Region in Kano Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has carved out a new transmission region from the old Kaduna area, bringing to 10, the number of the company’s regional operations centres.

The creation of the Kano transmission region, the TCN stated, became necessary owing to the rapid economic and industrial development being witnessed within Kano State and its environs as well as the diligent implementation of TCN’s strategic plan.

According to the organisation, the Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion and Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP) has enabled the TCN complete some ongoing projects and invariably increasing the number of substations within the axis.

A statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, stated that Kano transmission region has under its supervision one sub-regional office and

several work centres, all housing a total of 13 transmission substations (TS).

They include the Kumbotso station, Dan Agundi, Dakata , Tamburawa , Kwanar Dangora , Wudil, Kankia , Katsina, Daura, Dutse, Hadejia, Azare, and Gagarawa.

“The new Kano region currently has ongoing transmission substation projects which when completed would further increase bulk transmission capacity in the new region,” the statement added.

According to the TCN, the new Kano transmission region would further improve operational ef-

ficiency within the region and enable TCN engineers to readily access and resolve technical issues within the new region.

“Before the creation of the new Kano region, major decisions had to be referred to Kaduna region for directives, and supply of materials were sometimes

delayed due to logistic From Kaduna.

“The proximity of the new region would radically reduce downtime and eliminate time lost when materials have to be conveyed from the Kaduna region,” the wholly owned federal government entity stated.

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Financial Secretary, Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), Justus Adejumoh; Head, Legislative and Government Relations, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Bashir Bello; Treasurer, NITRA, Chioma Ezike; Chairman, Chike Onwuegbuchi; Director, Public Affairs (NCC), Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde; Head, Online Media and Special Publications, Grace Ojougboh; Secretary, NITRA, Chidiebere Nwankwo; and Head, Media and Public Relations, NCC, Truddy Tony-Awusaku, during a courtesy visit and award presentation by NITRA to the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC in Abuja... recently

NDPHC Sets September for Completion of Lafia Sub-station The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Ltd has said the 330/132/33KV sub-station project in Lafia, Nasarawa State, will be completed by September, 2021.

Executive Director Networks, NDPHC, Mr. IfeOluwa Oyedele, who disclosed this during an inspection of the project , said work on the substation had

reached 90 per cent completion stage.

Oyedele, who expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of work at the sub-station noted that the project was one of the legacy projects of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

He explained that the company had maintained its original design,

pointing out that the completion of the sub-station was delayed due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oyedele further explained that the company had carried out more than 90 per cent work on the project and was putting finishing touches to hook up the sub-station to the national grid.

“By September, the company

would have completed the hook up to the national grid and the inauguration will take place as soon as the president approves a date,” he said.

He added that all stakeholders in the power sector were working together to see the completion of the project, pointing out that when completed, distribution

companies (Discos) would then connect and distribute the light to electricity consumers in Nasarawa State and environs. He stated that the project would facilitate rapid growth in socio-economic activities in the state and attract foreign investors who would create jobs that would eventually change the standards of living of residents of the state.

Egbin Power Seeks $1.8bn to Expand Output Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report Egbin Power Plc, the biggest in Africa’s most populous nation, plan to raise $1.8 billion to more than double generation capacity as it seeks to boost output and export electricity to West African countries.

The company is looking at a combination of debt and equity to meet the funding requirements ahead of the start of construction work in the second quarter of

next year.

“The plan is to raise the fund to be available to kick off,” it said in an email, without giving more details as the funding arrangements are being firmed up, a Bloomberg report noted.

Egbin Power Plc, owned by Sahara Group, plans to build the second phase of its 1,320-megawatt power plant by installing “high efficiency gas combined cycle power plants,” that will produce an additional 1,754 megawatts electricity.

The first phase of the expansion project will begin with the construction of open-cycle turbines next year and will be completed with a closed cycle by 2025, it said.

The company acquired the power plant in 2013 when the government disposed of stateowned electricity generation and distribution assets to the private sector to make them efficient and help curb blackouts. It hit the generation peak of 970 megawatts on the asset this year helped by

an increase in gas supply.

Africa’s largest economy has 13,000 megawatts of installed electricity-production capacity, with only about 4,500 megawatts dispatched to the grid daily, in part because of dilapidated transmission infrastructure.

The government’s privatisation agency is now proposing to sell the transmission network in a bid to attract the investment needed to improve its capacity.

The government of President Muhammadu Buhari is targeting

improved electricity supply as a priority for the West African nation, where poor maintenance and a lack of investment has left the population of about 200 million chronically under-served.

Besides boosting local supply, Egbin plans to sell power to neighbouring countries through the West Africa Power Pool, a specialised institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) established to create a common electricity market for the region, the company said.

Fashola Wants Surveyors to Explore Technology, Innovation

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe

Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola has urged estate surveyors and valuers in the country to explore modern technology and innovation in the practice of their profession.

Fashola, who spoke in Abuja as a special guest at the 44th induction ceremony of newly registered professionals was represented by the Minister State for Works and Housing, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu.

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ÙÝË ÖÏÕÒßÙÑÓÏ (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

service delivery in your day to day tasks”.

“Your responsibilities have now been increased as the thrust of government is about infrastructure, which requires professionals like you to help drive her interest and safeguard it against wastages” he said The minister also charged the new professionals to look at the potentialities and contributions their work can unlock at this time

that the nation’s infrastructure and national assets are experiencing a huge deficit.

He noted that the ESV board has so far registered up to 4,000 practitioners, 4,000 firms and accredited about 35 institutions of higher learning and charged it to ensure that the stock of valuers is increased to meet the needs of the nation.

“The challenges are

extremely large, especially in the areas of legislation, little recognition by the public as well as invasion of the industry by unlicensed and non-professionals amongst others he said.

He assured that the expression of interest submitted by the professionals for valuation of works in all federal secretariats across the country, was already going through the procurement processes.

DPR Clarifies Request for Daily Stock Record

Senior Correspondent Correspondents

The Minister described the induction of the new members to fully practice estate surveying and valuation as timely, especially at this critical time that the infrastructure in Nigeria is undergoing re-engineering and rehabilitation.

“As newly inducted estate surveyors and valuers, I implore you to explore modern technology and innovation in enhancing professionalism and good

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has clarified its decision to request for daily stock records from members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

IPMAN, Suleja/Abuja Unit, had threatened to embark on an

industrial action over alleged extortion by officials of the DPR, with the Chairman of the unit, Yahaya Alhassan, saying that DPR’s request for daily transaction records from filling stations was unacceptable.

“IPMAN has no other alternative other than instructing our

members not to load from Suleja depot in Niger State to express our frustrations after all efforts to make DPR officials desist from unethical practices failed,” he stated.

But a statement by the Head, Public Affairs of DPR, noted that the attention of the regulatory

agency had been drawn to the misunderstanding over the request for daily stock records.

“This development follows an online publication on allegations of extortion against the DPR by the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Suleja/Abuja branch on the stock

request.

“We want to state for the records that request for daily stock of products supplied is a statutory regulatory requirement for any retail outlet license holder, which enables DPR to provide accurate petroleum products consumption data for the country.

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Kyari: Why Nigeria’s Transition to Renewables Will Be Slow The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mallam Mele Kyari, in this interview spoke on the future of hydrocarbons, vis-à-vis the much talked about ongoing transition to carbon-free fuels. Emmanuel Addeh who participated in an online energy forum, presents the excerpts:

T

us but on a net basis, you know, the high prices , as long as it doesn’t exceed $70 to $80, it’s okay for us.

here’s a lot of talk going on with the ongoing energy transition. What’s your take on this?

The world wants to get carbon neutral by 2050 and many things will have to happen between now and then to get to that. One of the many things is the reduction in reliance on fossil fuels.

A number of estimates are on across the industry and many believe that by 2050 we will probably be at 35 per cent contribution of fossil fuels to the energy mix.

Obviously, in the next five to six years, things are already happening. A number of investment decisions are delayed, a number of lending institutions are very reluctant to put money on fossil fuel related businesses.

And that has got its own challenges because in a short time, what you see is some form of inability to make maximum use of the market and in five years’ time, we will have a potential energy crisis if this is not properly managed. But we know that a number of things are going on in the transition journey at renewables. Many oil companies are transiting to renewables in the future. And that means that emphasis will be on gas and I see a very turbulent next five years and potentially some stability in the next 10 years.

What does that mean for Nigeria and the NNPC; have you diversified or are you giving yourself a little bit of more time to actually understand the best way to do it?

First of all, the transition is a reality. Many businesses are doing it across the industry.

But for us in Nigeria, what is very clear is that we are deficient in infrastructure. Power is a key issue, electricity is a big problem for us and there’s significant poverty in the country and therefore, to solve this, you need resources to do that. We do know that we have a transition fuel available and we are an enormous gas country, over 203 TCF in reserve. So, for us, to transit means to go for a low-carbon option and move towards more of gas development than the liquids. Of course, the liquids will provide the resources of today, but in the long term, we do need to see a way out of it such that our emphasis moves away from it. This is what we are doing as a country. Renewables are real and we are making efforts to go in that direction, but obviously our first step is to develop our gas resources.

If you look at some of the transition overall for the industry, will it really be pushed by public companies where you have shareholders up in arms, forcing them to do more work quickly or is it also like corporations like yourself really leading the charge?

I think it’s a combination of both. In this industry, you can’t do anything except you have the financing and financing is now clearly constrained both in terms of available resources and the decision of some of the shareholders of some of the lending institutions. There are a number of activist investors that are very prominent in our business today. So, it’s a combination of the decisions that companies want to make sure that we face the reality of carbon neutrality in 2050 and the very fact that we need other people’s resources to out that in place. So, it’s actually a combination of the two and both must speak to each other and there’s the reality that some countries will move faster than the others, but ultimately, those realities must come out.

One of the things really invaluable in this transition is carbon pricing.

Do you just need the price of oil to be a little bit higher to force change

OPEC plus will meet on July, 1, to consider restoring these 5.8 million barrels a day that it still has offline since the pandemic. What do you think they’ll do in terms of consensus?

It will be a difficult decision to make because today, oil is at $72 per barrel benchmark and the industry is apprehensive.

We know that consumers will make the decision to probably go down lower on demand and therefore, adding that number to the market today will surely stabilise the price and bring in down to $60 level or a little below $60 and that’s a comfort zone for every producing company or country. I don’t see them having any difficulty agreeing to add additional volume to cushion the effect of these obviously high prices for this period. And we also know that having the high prices could actually impact people’s decision to transit more and more into renewables. And I am not sure oil and gas companies are very keen on that at this moment. Yes, they will like to transit, but they will like the cash of today to invest in renewables.

So what do you think the position for Nigeria is actually; will it support such an increase in August?

I don’t think we would have any difficulty in doing that. As Nigeria, we are already producing well below our capacity. As you may be aware, in early 2020, we actually produced up to 2.4 million barrels of oil per day for both oil condensates, but today, we are in the region of 1.7 million to 1.8 million barrels of oil and condensates. We do have a very huge capacity that is so clearly aligned to ensure that we come back, but without also compromising the price level.

Kyari in the industry?

First, the whole idea around the energy transition is to find a more climate friendly energy source. The second issue is to find alternatives and what technology can do.

You can see the movements towards electric vehicles. People are looking at options of producing much cheaper and much cleaner energy, and when you look at all these, the carbon credit issues, it’s a fallout of these engagements. And carbon credit must be surely a deliberate effort by operating companies, including national oil companies to ensure that they invest in areas that give them carbon credit. Yes, they will do things that will add little to carbon dioxide emissions and as you do this, you must be aware that you need cash to get this done and you need resources from banks.

Therefore, what you are dealing with is a very complex situation and that is the reality of what the whole world is trying to do.

So when do you think that we’ll actually see peak oil. Is it sooner than some corporations think?

It is tough to fix a time on peak oil.

Everybody is saying next 10 years, we will get to peak oil. But nobody has said peak gas. And it’s too difficult to distinguish the two because as you get peak oil, in many cases, you know, oil is produced alongside gas. In most countries, you will see that exploration for gas only is very minimal and therefore, peak oil is naturally in a decision point, probably in the next 10 years.

Yes, it’s possible, it can be in 10 years’ time but you also know that what we are doing today in the industry is also curtailing investment and meeting the transition target in 2050. What that means is that in five years’ time, you could be in a situation of shock and this shock will mean that people will have to come back and put more money to producing the liquids and

that means that it will defer the date for liquid oil and potentially pushing it by 20 to 30 years.

Does the pandemic actually make it easier to transition because there’s the thinking that it’s easier to wean ourselves off oil into something that is more transition friendly?

There were real issues before the pandemic and demand collapse. Actually about four million barrels was being lost to that. And that led to loss of optimality in the market and that also led to the economic decline that we saw. What the pandemic did was to affect pricing due to excess supply last year. We were forced to reduce supply and of course we have still not got to the level we want. And then of course, getting back to that level is not a commercial decision.

The four million barrels we lost may never come back because people’s choices have changed, patterns of lifestyle have been changed by the COVID-19. That means that you will see those losses of demand sustained. What COVID-19 did was actually to distort new balancing for demand and supply.

What’s the perfect price for the barrel of oil in your opinion; are higher prices automatically good for Nigeria?

Crude oil prices in a resource-dependent nation like Nigeria, when it gets too high, it creates a big problem because your consumers shut their demand. Demand will go down and obviously even as the prices go up, you will have less volume to sell.

So, it’s a chicken and egg story and that’s why in the industry, when people make estimates for the future, they always make it about $50 to $60. Nobody says beyond $60. But for us as a country, as prices go up, the burden of providing cheap fuel also increases and that’s a challenge for

The next phase agreement basically means that Nigeria could go up to 1.9 million barrels a day and you’re pretty comfortable that you can reach that level?

Today, we are doing 1.7 to 1.8 million barrels per day for both crude oil and condensates. As you are aware, the OPEC quota is about 1.4 to 1.5 million barrels and that’s what we are doing today. The other difference is coming from the condensates.

So, what that means is that we would like to see crude oil only production hit 1.8 million barrels without the one from condensates.

Have you lost any capacity as a result of a lack of investment or militant attack on pipelines or even uncertainty over the petroleum industry?

Yes, of course, it’s very obvious to say that there’s some instability issues. I am happy to say that the senate of the country has declared that the petroleum industry bill will be passed this month. What this means is that we will have more clement business environment, clarity and much more competition, and therefore it will allow more investments into our country. In the last 20 years, there’s been some instability and investment has been very low, so we are conscious of these things, and the PIB will sort that out. Of course we didn’t wait for that and I am sure that you know we had a commercial agreement with our partners just two weeks ago, and the meaning of that is that the deep-water is now open for business because we did not wait for the petroleum industry bill. We have created some stability in the production sharing agreement and it’s competitive and the world can put their money on it. We have that in our line of sight and there are a number CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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KYARI: WHY NIGERIA’S TRANSITION TO RENEWABLES WILL BE SLOW in the last 10 years, we don’t know what the future will look like but we know a lot of researches are going on and as you scale up, prices will come down and as costs will come down more people will come into the business. The future still remains something to balance. I am sure you are aware that most of the forecasts we have, nobody is seeing the end of gas in 10 years, so as we move towards renewables, we are increasing the use of our natural gas resources.

of deep-water projects this year.

How do you see the global oil market this year and 2022?

Yes, uncertainty will remain, decision to invest will continue to be a challenge and of course, ultimately, the business environment that will survive is where you have low production costs, and that’s where we’re focused on. This is to make sure that anyone finding oil in this country, can produce at the least cost and you know that we have one of the sweetest oil anyone can find. It is premium oil we produce in this country.

It’s a very turbulent two years to come in terms of inability to produce oil, in terms of pricing of petroleum in the market and the decisions that will be made across the industry in terms of financing. It will be very tough few years. But we are positioned to take advantage of the new opportunities and properly positioned to take advantage of the situation and producing gas both for the domestic market and for export.

With the price of Brent at around $70 a barrel, what does it actually mean for shale producers; Will they come back online?

They will come back online and introduce additional barrels for the OPEC+ cartel.

Obviously, price will come down and shale producers will still come back to the same situation. We will still need up to $45 to survive.

Overall, what’s been the biggest surprise; you’ve worked in hydrocarbons for quite some time. What’s been the biggest shift?

Let’s put this in contest by geography. For clearly underdeveloped countries that are resource-dependent, the transition will be much slower, but obviously they don’t have a choice than to do a few things to make things work. This journey will probably be a difficult one for most countries, including my country because of the absence of the clear infrastructure that we need. The other side of it is that we have companies that are resident in very developed nations, where poverty is much lower than what

Kyari we have in this country and they will have different decisions to make. Therefore, for international companies and national oil companies, they will make decisions for their shareholders and the reality that this business is changing and there’s a new way of doing business. As you are aware, 20 years ago, the top five companies were oil companies. Today, that has changed. The industry is changing and must do new things to survive. Ours is to improve on our gas production, so that we can have the resources to compete and get more employment for our people, reduce poverty level and bring lasting peace in our country.

So, do you think that we’ll see the end of oil era in our lifetime?

Lekoil Cayman’s Directors Resign over Alleged Breaches

by Company’s Board Peter Uzoho A number of directors and senior executives of Lekoil Cayman, a company with 40 per cent equity holding in Lekoil Nigeria Limited, have resigned their appointments from the board of Lekoil Cayman, citing alleged breaches by the company’s board.

A statement issued at the weekend by Lekoil Nigeria, announced the resignation of the Chair of Lekoil Nigeria, Mrs. Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode as a non-executive Director of Lekoil Cayman.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer of of Lekoil Nigeria, Mr. Lekan Akinyanmi, resigned as an executive Director of Lekoil Cayman, while the Company Secretary of Lekoil Nigeria, Gloria Iroegbunam, resigned from her position as the Company Secretary of Lekoil Cayman.

According to the statement, the resignation was with immediate effect and all three officials will remain in their current positions at Lekoil Nigeria.

The statement alleged that the resignations had been prompted by the recent behaviour and actions of the Board of Lekoil Cayman.

It said, in particular, Mr. Akinyanmi vigorously disputed his unilateral termination as the CEO of Lekoil Cayman and all the statements made by Lekoil

Cayman in connection with his employment contract and the loan agreement between him and Lekoil Cayman.

The statement quoted Muhammed-Oyebode, as saying that, “The Board and management of Lekoil Nigeria remains committed to its vision of developing the company’s assets and we wish to assure our numerous stakeholders, especially our shareholders, partners and colleagues, that the strategic national assets under our purview will be protected by all legitimate means available to us.

“This in turn will ensure the restoration of value for all shareholders, both in Lekoil Nigeria and Lekoil Cayman.”

According to her: “The Board of Directors of Lekoil Cayman continue to show a blatant disregard for the Shareholder Agreement, a legally binding agreement which governs the relationship between Lekoil Cayman and Lekoil Nigeria and which was implemented at the time of Lekoil Cayman’s listing to meet the requirements in Nigerian law in respect of control of indigenous strategic assets.

“The continuous breaches of due process and corporate governance by the Board of Lekoil Cayman has left us with no option but to resign collectively from the Board of Lekoil Cayman.

For me, I’m 56. For a lifetime, it is tough, but if you mean 50 years to come, I am not sure that will happen. I don’t believe that will happen in 50 years to come. In 50 years, we will still need energy, people will need to move around. There are limitations with renewables like we all know. Uses of petroleum is changing. I don’t know how the 50 years will be. But obviously, petroleum will not just be used for what it is now. I am not sure it will vanish. It will still be useful in years to come.

What about the price of renewables.

Do you think if they fail to make huge progress, that’s what will kind of accelerate the change?

Obviously, if you look at cost of renewables

Africa Agility Promotes Entrepreneurship Raheem Akingbolu Africa Agility Foundation in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, Impact Lagos and Eko Innovation Centre have concluded the second edition of ‘Lagos Girls in Tech,’ it’s Bootcamp for 100 undergraduate and unemployed females in Lagos, recently.

The Bootcamp aimed at intentionally closing the gender gap in tech by empowering the young female with a strong foundation towards building a career in tech, agile or becoming a techpreneurs.

This edition was designed to provide Lagos females with education, mentorship, career and entrepreneurship opportunities in tech, agile, and human skills.

Participants were awarded certification from Scrum Alliance, an agile organisation after completing the 2-day intense training facilitated by Mrs. Aanu Gopald and Jesse Fewell and in the field of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, UI/UX, Web Development, and Data Science.

The last week of the camp was an innovative hackathon challenge using Scrum Framework, an iterative and incremental product development method to design digital solutions that help to solve Lagos State complex problems (Traffic, Waste Management, and E-Healthcare which aligns with the first three themes of the SDG development agenda.

The Bootcamp was concluded with a “show and tell” and pitch deck of the innovations to the state Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, alongside his cabinet members and MDs of corporations.

In his speech at the grand finale, Sanwo-Olu commended the participants over their dedication, commitment and innovative solutions to solve pressing problems of Lagosian.

The Governor promised all the participants laptops, adding that the state would also adopt some of the innovations created by the girls in solving some of Lagos State pressing issues. Program Manager West Africa, Google Inc., Mr. Aniedi Udo-Obong, spoke with the girls on how to pitch their ideas and sell the value propositions before the “show and tell”. Commenting on the initiative, Founder, Africa Agility, Aanu Gopald said: “All around the world, digital transformation is becoming a critical factor in long-term, sustainable social and economic growth, and Africa is no exception. “As Africa is poised to be one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, the key action that will drive growth over the next two decades is the adoption of Agile and digital technologies, hence equipping the youth particularly the underrepresented gender with digital competencies must be a staple in every country’s social economic development Agenda.

In NNPC, what do you see as the biggest challenge in the next 12 months; you were looking at cutting costs, how is that going?

The biggest challenge we have today is the cost of production. We have been focused on this and now we are engaging our partners to make sure this comes down.

We are achieving that and we have seen substantial decline in our cost of production, and that’s one area we keep focusing on.

Second is to get the stakeholders and partners to understand this. We have had agreements on OML 118 and other assets that are subjects of conflict and that understanding will create opportunities for us.

Thirdly, the security around our areas of operations. In the Niger Delta we had a lot of issues, but the good news is that we have made significant progress. We’re not where we were five years ago. There has been significant decline in the number of vandal activities on our assets. Yes, we still have issues, but I am also aware that there is concerted effort by our partners and government agencies to protect these areas to make sure that we bring it to near zero. Lastly is automation. This industry is undergoing automation in all our assets and its one key area we are focusing on. In addition, this company is going to focus on more transparency and making our accounts more accessible to all. We have released our statement of accounts and we publish our transactions for people to access from any part of the world.

Bolt Introduces Vehicle Financing Initiative for Drivers Raheem Akingbolu One of Africa’s leading ride-hailing platforms, Bolt, has launched a vehicle financing programme that will enable drivers to own a car with low equity repayment.

The offering in Nigeria is part of Bolt’s commitment to improving earnings for drivers while allowing them to maintain flexibility as vehicle owners.

According to a statement issued by the promoters of the brand in Nigeria, the initiative was made possible through Bolt’s operative verification of driver identities and extensive data on driver activities in partnership with Sterling Bank’s Alternative Finance.

The programme will provide a better alternative for drivers who currently lease a car via the hirepurchase or rental model to drive on the Bolt platform.

“This initiative reiterates our continued commitment to helping our drivers earn more as our partners in moving Nigeria,’’ Bolt Country Manager Femi Akin-Laguda, was quoted to have stated.

“Our drivers are vital to our business operations, and improving the earnings of every driver is fundamental to keeping

the trust and loyalty that we have earned over the last couple of years.

“As we expand our presence into more cities across the country, it is important to provide solutions that ensure working with Bolt is more flexible and profitable for drivers, which inherently improves the overall experience for our riders as well.

More importantly, the vehicle financing programme will enable drivers to earn at their own pace either driving full time or part-time”.

In the pilot phase, existing Bolt drivers who meet specific performance benchmarks while driving with Bolt will be prioritised for vehicle financing. These drivers will be able to enjoy upfront equity contributions as low as a 15 per cent mark-up and minimum weekly-instalment payments.

Commenting on the initiative, the CMO for Sterling Alternative Finance, Temiloluwa Desalu, said the management of Sterling Alternative Finance, understood that Nigeria is a predominantly cash-centric society, hence the programme.

According to him, “This sometimes cripples the purchasing power of the average Nigerian and in effect can have a negative impact on our economy.”

27

T H I S D AY ˾ ͰͰ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Winning Big With Marginal Fields Awards Emmanuel Addeh writes that apart from giving a boost to local oil and gas companies, the recent conclusion of the marginal oilfields award by the Department of Petroleum Resources, said to be one of the most transparent in the country’s history, also helped the federal government get the badly-needed funds to keep the nation afloat

B

y mostly keeping to its timelines and completing the marginal oilfields bids awards within schedule, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), has again put on display the, “can do” Nigerian spirit, especially given the several failed attempts to achieve that goal in the last 18 years.

So, exactly a year after the process started, the oil and gas industry regulator, which prides itself as a business enabler, successfully generated over $500 million for the federal government through the awards, handed over 57 marginal fields to successful Nigerian bidders and by extension ramped up the country’s oil and gas production.

With the process out of the way, the marginal fields, which are basically smaller oilfields that have been discovered and left unattended for not less than 10 years, from the testimonies of the Nigerian winners, showed how the resilience of the organisation, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, paid off.

As the successful bidders toast to the process and begin the next stage, which is the execution of farm-out agreements between existing OML holders and the designated recipients of the marginal fields, including negotiation of the farm-out agreements, many industry stakeholders have lauded the development thus far.

In sticking with his pledge earlier during an earlier interview with Arise News Channel, THISDAY’s broadcast arm, the DPR Director, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, promised that having reviewed the first awards, the agency will deploy all the lessons learnt from the 2003 experience.

In that awards, only 13 out of the 24 ever produced, with the regulator revoking 11 nonproducing ones to guarantee the revenue for the nation. Tactically, to avoid unnecessary litigations, the 11 fields that were revoked were not added to the 57.

In all, over 630 companies applied for the oilfields, of which over 500 were pre-qualified and 160 eventually picked for the grand finale of the process that lasted one year.

The criteria were open; the marginal fields were exclusively for Nigerians and one of the key criteria for pre-qualifying any company was being able to carry people of the host communities along, having Nigerian spread and outlook, having some experience in the industry as well as possessing a strong financial base.

In addition, all relevant government agencies like the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Department of State Service (DSS) and Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) were brought in to help validate or repudiate all the information supplied by the applicants.

Added to that, to simplify the process, Nigerian companies were allowed to pay signature bonuses either in dollars or in naira, whichever one they preferred.

Expectations were high as the DPR set the application and processing fee at N5 million per field, with cost of data prying and data leasing put averagely at $65,000 to $115.

The 57 onshore and near-shore fields contain an estimated one billion barrels of oil and almost 5 trillion cubic feet of gas.

But aside keeping to schedule, the DPR’s promise to be open and transparent were largely adhered to, after all, all eyes were on the regulatory agency to deliver to the Nigerian people.

And on May 31, the DPR concluded the 2020 marginal oilfield bid round, the first successful exercise since 2003 when 24 assets were put on offer.

The process culminated in the presentation of letters to the bid winners in Abuja by the industry regulator, with marginal fields spanning land, swamp and offshore put up for lease by the federal government.

However, during the event, the DPR stated that 161 successful companies were eventually shortlisted to advance to the final stage and were selected from 591 entities that applied for pre-qualification.

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

Auwalu Oodua Oil, MRS and Petrogas.

A few others that succeeded in crossing the hurdle and had fully satisfied all conditions were: North Oils and Gas, Pierport, Metropole, Pioneer Global, Shepherd Hill, Akata, NIPCO, Aida, YY Connect, Accord Oil, Pathway Oil, Tempo Oil, Virgin Forest among others.

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

Speaking during the presentation of letters to the winners, DPR Director, Auwalu, noted that a total of 591 corporate entities submitted the expression of interest form, out of which 540 were pre-qualified, while 482 were bids submitted by 405 applicants.

He stated that following the evaluation of the bids, 161 companies were shortlisted as potential awardees out of which 50 per cent has met all conditions and therefore eligible for awards.

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

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

An excited Auwalu said the exercise will enhance economic growth, increase Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and create employment, stressing that with the experience garnered before now mistakes of the past will be avoided.

The DPR boss noted that the desire of the government is that the awardees hit “first oil” in record time, stressing that a technical workshop will be organised with all bid winners for guidance on field development and operations.

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

“Despite the daunting challenges of the triple force (Oil price crash, global pandemic, and production cuts) in 2020, which dealt a severe blow on the world market and global economy,

the DPR forged ahead with government aspirations for the industry,” he said.

According to him, the exercise was carried out in two phases; expression of interest and prequalification phase as well as technical and financial phase.

He stated that phase 1 ensured that applicants were subjected to screening of basic documentations such as shareholders’ details, directors, management team, procedures and systems, legal and association status, basic technical capability, financial capability and corporate accountability.

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

“The DPR will continue to follow-up and guide the awardees every step of the way. For instance, a guiding template of working agreement has been drafted for joint awardees and discussions have reached advanced stage between DPR and lease holders on the farmout agreement and other technical enablers,” he added.

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

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

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

He said that marginal fields were only producing a miserly two per cent of the country’s total production, which needed to be boosted, assuring that the non-commitment to contractual agreements in the past will not be allowed to happen again.

Indeed, the multiplier effect on the economy through increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), job creation employment cannot be over-emphasised.

All through, there was a conscious effort to consistently be as open as possible, with little or

no discretionary action by individuals.

Former President of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) Bank-Anthony Okoroafor, who spoke on behalf of the awardees in Abuja, lauded the entire process from beginning to the ending.

“Since 2003, this is the most transparent exercise carried out by the DPR. It was made open to everybody. Communication with all bidders was consistent, credible and sincere. And they did their home-work very well,” Okoroafor stressed.

He added: “That was when I knew this was serious business. But they will call you to clarify issues where necessary. It was strictly formal and in line with laid down rules and processes. I was really impressed.”

However, he urged the DPR for further support with the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and ensure they are not suffocated with rules that will disrupt the awardees’ ability to run the assets.

To this, Auwalu responded thus: “Let me assure you, we are not leaving you alone. We have reached advanced stage on the farm-out agreement. As a matter of fact, the agency has been meeting with the leaseholders,” stressing that the agency would not allow the original multinational owners of the leases to suffocate the indigenous awardees.

While first oil from most of the marginal fields is expected next year, the DPR is also working closely with the awardees to sort out any challenges they may encounter to ensure that the reserves are boosted and that the federal government begins to earn taxes from the fields as soon as possible.

While the much-needed revenues continue to trickle into the Nigerian economy from the expected development of the nation’s marginal fields, going by the rebound in global oil prices, plans to increase crude oil reserves to 40 billion barrels, will be further ramped up by the recent exercise.

Nigeria currently has roughly 37 billion barrels in its reserves, although the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had envisaged the country would increase crude oil reserves by one billion barrels yearly to meet the 40 billion barrels target last year.

As members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) open their taps to rev up production and the recent directive by President Buhari to the national oil company to work towards a 4 million per day oil production, the DPR’s successful marginal fields awards will come handy in achieving that goal.

To further douse any misgivings and reduce the chances of approaching the courts with associated long-drawn-out legal battles , the DPR also recently concluded the inauguration of the Advisory Council and Body of Neutrals of the oil and gas industry’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC) in Lagos.

The ADRC, one of the centres in the DPR National Oil and Gas Excellence Centre (NOGEC) recently inaugurated by Buhari, has already settled down to work, offering arbitration, mediation and conciliation services for the industry.

In addition, the centre will leverage industry technical experts, alternative dispute resolution practitioners and resources of the national data repository to provide fair and balanced resolutions of industry-related disputes from an informed position.

Structured to adequately resolve disputes in a manner consistent with regulatory and commercial interests of the industry, it will in addition, address suboptimal development of oil and gas assets associated with lingering disputes and eliminate the attendant consequences of value erosion in terms of national resource growth, global competitiveness, investment attractiveness and investors’ profitability.

What that effectively means is that cases can now be settled without recourse to full-blown court trials which was one of the factors that hindered and indeed crumbled the last marginal fields awards before this latest round.

Having crossed the hurdle of concluding the process in record time, the DPR has asked all stakeholders to keep faith with it. From its antecedents, the Auwalu-led organisation says it is set to keep working with the winners to strike first oil in no distant future.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ JUNE 22, 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

‘Lack of Digital Infrastructure May Push Millions of Rural Families into Poverty’ Hamid Ayodeji Despite massive increase in migrants sending money home via digital transfers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of their rural family members struggle to access the mobile banking services which could help lift them out of poverty.

Owing to this, the President of the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has called for urgent investments in digital infrastructure and mobile services in developing countries to ensure rural families are not left behind.

“Migrants have shown their continued commitment to their families and communities during the pandemic with more remittances transfers made digitally than ever before,” IFAD President, Gilbert Houngbo, was quoted to have said in a statement while speaking on the International Day of Family Remittances, recently.

“Unfortunately, families in rural and remote areas where remittances are a true lifeline - battle to access cash outlets or even more convenient alternatives such as mobile money accounts. Governments and the private sector need to urgently invest in rural digital infrastructure to address this,”

he added.

Mobile remittances increased by 65 per cent last year, rising to $12.7 billion. This change was driven by a switch from cash due to lockdowns that limited informal channels and social distancing rules for senders and recipients alike, the statement disclosed.

In spite of the global economic recession due to the pandemic, migrants continued to send money home to their families, with remittances in 2020 reaching $540 billion – a drop of only 1.6 per cent compared to the previous year.

However, in many countries, people living in remote rural areas have sparse local access to banking services or limited mobile connectivity.

In addition, there is a limited availability of agents offering mobile money services such as pay outs in cash. Often mobile money service providers are only located in urban centres.

This means millions of poor, rural people have to travel long distances to towns or cities, often at significant cost, to receive the cash sent digitally by their migrant family members.

Digital transfers are cheaper than traditional cash transfers, and mobile banking services also provide the opportunity

for migrants and their families in their countries of origin to access useful and affordable financial products to better manage their finances, including savings, loans and insurance.

Across the globe, 200 million migrants regularly send money to their 800 million relatives. This plays a crucial role in their lives and livelihoods. Almost half of these families live in rural areas of developing countries, where poverty and hunger are highest.

Families use the funds sent by migrant workers to cover basic household needs such as food, housing, school and medical bills, as well as to start small businesses. These resources can often transform both families and local communities.

“While the pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital transfers and mobile money accounts, it also highlighted pervasive gender inequality,” the head of IFAD’s Financing Facility for Remittances, Pedro de Vasconcelos said.

“Research shows that women are 33 per cent less likely than men to have a mobile money account. We must focus on closing the gap by addressing the barriers that prevent women from accessing and using mobile financial services.”

Ecobank Nigeria Promotes Staff Ecobank Nigeria has announced the promotion of 682 of its staff members.

The promotion, according to a statement, for those that were affected became effective on May 1, 2021.

The bank said the exercise represented 26 per cent of its core staff despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and all the attendant impact on business performance globally.

According to the statement signed by the Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan, the promotion was targeted at recognising and rewarding employees for their efforts and commitment, stressing that it was also in alignment with the unrelenting desire of the bank to grow its people.

The Managing Director explained that the exercise

was part of steps taken by the bank to realign its work force for better efficiency in line with best practices, adding that its workers remain the greatest asset to maintain high service quality standards, constantly improve on customer satisfaction and enhance the Ecobank brand experience.

“It is commendable that the Board and Management of Ecobank Nigeria exceptionally approved the promotion exercise at this time. As we progress on the journey to becoming the Bank of choice in Nigeria, the empowerment and growth of our people remain a critical cornerstone for achieving the desired market leadership, the Ecobank brand promise, and a respectable return

to our shareholders.

“We are re-building our bank and our people continue to be the most valuable contributors to our present and future success. While these individuals have been recognised at this time, it by no means belittles the contributions of other colleagues who have also done well.

“The promotion is a continuous exercise and all hard working employees will eventually be promoted,” Akinwuntan stated.

Advising members of staff, the Managing Director said, “let us continue to grow the bank and delight our customers to enable us achieve our desired target of becoming the preferred bank in Nigeria and contribute positively to the growth of the Ecobank Group and Africa.”

Nanono

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)

Hope PSBANK Partners FG on Special Works Programme Hope Payment Service Bank, a subsidiary of Unified Payment Services Limited is collaborating with the federal government through the Ministry of Labour and Productivity on the Special Public Works Programme.

The initiative is to engage no fewer than 77,400 people across the country and in 774 local government areas.

Speaking at the official kick-off of the collaboration, the Managing Director, Hope Payment Service Bank, Mr. Ayotunde Kuponiyi, was quoted in a statement to have noted that the digital bank serves as an enabling platform that would interface with 77,400 beneficiaries selected from the programme.

Kuponiyi stressed that the focus of the collaboration was geared towards empowering beneficiaries

through the agency banking platform in carrying out financial services such as account opening, bills payments, fund transfer, cash in/cash for Nigerians while they earn commission in return with just the use of their smartphones.

According to him, the initiative comes at no cost to the beneficiaries as they can use their phones to carry out agency banking activities for which they earn commissions on each activity carried out. “Once onboard, these beneficiaries will become HOPE PSBANK agents.

They will undergo training on the various activities by the bank at no cost to them,” he added.

“We are very excited about this collaboration with the Ministry, which is in line with the thrust of the social

objectives of Hope Payment Service Bank - poverty reduction through financial inclusion and diffusion of digital financial services,” he said.

He also affirmed that the strategic initiative would go a long way in taking or bringing banking closers to Nigerians most especially the unbanked and the under banked resident in the nook and crannies of the country.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Mr. Festus Keyamo, explained that the federal government was committed to creating employment opportunities for the people adding that this collaboration is one in a long list of activities taken up by the government to address the poverty and unemployment gap in Nigeria.

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

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $71.56 a barrel on Friday, compared with $72.29 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).

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͰͰ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Lafarge Africa Completes Repayment of N34 Billion Bond Goddy Egene Lafarge Africa Plc has repaid its N33.6 billion bond and has no outstanding under its N100 billion Bond Issuance Programme.

In a notification to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, the company said it had registered a N100 billion bond issuance programme in June 2016, out of which the sum of N60 billion was issued

in Series 1 and 2.

According to the company, the matured Series 1 bond was issued on June 10, 2016, with a 3-year tenor and at a fixed coupon of 14.25 per cent, which has been repaid, while the matured Series 2 bond issued on June 15, 2016 with a 5-year tenor at a fixed tenor of 14.75 per cent had now been repaid.

“The company leveraging on its performance

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

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and its recently concluded management strategic plans to systematically deleverage the company, has redeemed the Series 2 Bond from internally generated cash flow. In view of this, the company has no outstanding issued Bond under the N100 Billion Bond issuance programme,” it said.

Market operators said the full repayment of the bond would impact positively on its operations and bottom-line as the

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cement firm would now channel its cash towards the enhancement of its performance.

Lafarge Africa Plc had reported a growth of 13.3 per cent in profit after tax (PAT) to N9.14 billion for the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2021. Analysts at Cordros Securities had said profit before tax (PBT) grew by 36.1 per cent to N12.77 billion, while PAT grew slower by 13.3 per cent following the significant increase

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in tax expense (+176.4 per cent) which pushed the effective tax rate higher to 28.5 per cent in Q1-2021 as against 14 per cent in Q1-2020.

“We like that the company kicked off 2021 with doubledigit growth in the bottom line, a trend that we had observed since Q3-2019 when the loss-making South African subsidiary was sold. We are also impressed that the company was operationally efficient

O F

during the quarter, given the improvement in operations expenses/sales ratio (-211bps to 6.2 per cent) despite the elevated inflationary pressures in the broad economy,” they had said.

Meanwhile, the stock market opened the week on a negative note yesterday as the NGX All-Share Index fell 0.27 per cent to close at 38,545.30, while market capitalisation shed N54 billion to be at N20.1 trillion.

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TUESDAY JUNE 22, 2021, ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Obasanjo, Obaseki, Ehanire, Others Seek Local Solution to Healthcare Problems Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osage Ehanire and the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, stated yesterday that Nigeria, and indeed Africa, must begin to harness their local resources to solve problems in the healthcare system.

The trio spoke during the launch of the Independent Task Team (ITT) of the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA) on

equitable and universal access to vaccines and vaccination in Africa at the Igbinedion University, Okada, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Obasanjo, who was represented by a Senegalese, Professor Abdoulaye Bathily, said that Africa’s main challenge is not fund or resources, but the inability to harness available resources to provide homemade solutions.

He said: “I have always believed that Africa’s main challenge is not lack of funds or

resources. Our main challenge is the inability to harness available resources to provide customised home-grown solutions that will address the challenges we see across the continent.

“We need to begin to take

actions to harness our local resources to solve our local problems. Through initiatives like this one, Africa will be able to encourage and retain its talent and support them in finding solutions to its age-long health challenges

and protect people from other vaccine-preventable diseases.”

Ehanire, who participated virtually in the event, urged the stakeholders to support the production of a home-grown COVID-19 vaccine.

In the same manner, Obaseki noted that his administration is currently implementing a wide range of healthcare reforms geared towards achieving high quality healthcare and universal health care services for Edo people.

JAMB Gives New Directive to Candidates in 24 Delisted Centres Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has advised candidates who were initially assigned to the 24 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres delisted by the Board to reprint their examination slips for their new schedules.

Moving forward, the board has put another 40 CBT centres under watch for poor performance in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Head of Protocol and Public Affairs of JAMB, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, made this known in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja.

The statement said: “Candidates

who were scheduled to take examination in the delisted centres can proceed to print their examination notification slips from last Sunday for their new scheduled date and time. This applies only to centres delisted.

“You will recall that 24 centres were delisted for performing below the tolerable limit of the Board while over 40 others were put on the watch list.”

The examination commenced nationwide last Saturday with some hitches recorded at some of the affected CBT centres.

Over 1.3 million registered candidates are taking part in the examination, a far less than the about 1.8 million recorded in the last exercise.

COLLABORATING AGAINST INSECURITY…

Plateau State Governor, Hon. Simon Lalong (left), and Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Alkali Baba, during the handover of 50 new patrol vans and 200 security motocycles procured by Plateau State Government to fight crime, at the Government House, Jos… yesterday SERIKI ADINOYI

NGOs, Journalists Challenge FG’s Twitter Ban at ECOWAS Court Alex Enumah in Abuja Five non-governmental organisations and four journalists have filed a suit against the federal government at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja.

In the suit filed yesterday, they asked the court to declare the indefinite suspension of Twitter in Nigeria a violation of their human rights under international law.

They also want the court to order

the government to immediately rescind the suspension order and compensate them for the violation of their rights.

The NGO applicants are: Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Paradigm Initiative (PIN), Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), the International Press Centre (IPC), and Tap Initiative for Citizens Development (TICD), while the journalists are:David Hundeyin, Samuel Ogundipe, Blessing Oladunjoye, and Nwakamri Apollo.

The suit, lodged with number ECW/CCJ/APP/29/21 ECW/ CCJ/APP/29/21, in a 73-page documentation, was filed on their behalf by Abuja-based human rights and free expression lawyer, Mojirayo Nkanga, under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Revised ECOWAS Treaty, and the Nigerian Constitution, among others.

The applicants claimed that

Nigeria’s ongoing suspension of Twitter, which came into effect on or around June 4, violated their right to freedom of expression and interfered with the ability of the journalists to do their work.

Similarly, they alleged that the general situation in Nigeria with respect to human rights has created an environment where freedom of expression was stifled, stressing that it has contributed to creating a chilling effect on press and media freedom.

Lagos Assembly Amends Law Setting Ekiti Community Wants Buhari, Fayemi to Immortalise up State Electoral Commission Foremost Architect, Alade Segun James The Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday amended a portion of the law, which created the state Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

The Assembly amended the law by creating a subsection for Section 2 of the law.

The newly added subsection 5 gives the state governor the power to extend the tenure of the commission based on exigencies.

While the Leader of the Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, told his colleagues that the amendment was permitted by the existing law, his colleague and Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions and

LASIEC, Hon. Victor Akande, explained that the amendment was to resolve the lacuna that could occur between the period the tenure of the commission elapses and when new members are appointed by the governor.

“The bill is just for a singular amendment or a fraction of the law and the major issue is that it is seeking us to give the governor the leverage in case of scarcity of time,” he said, while urging his colleagues to support its passage.

While contributing, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2) said the amendment was in good faith for the progress of the state and effective running of the government.

Ebonyi Police Parade 50 Suspected Killers of Security Operatives Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki Ebonyi State Police Command yesterday paraded 50 suspected criminal elements who allegedly masterminded the killings of security operatives and destruction of government facilities in the state.

Briefing journalists in Abakaliki, the state Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba, also disclosed that 39 suspected hoodlums were arrested in Agubia Ikwo, where they were allegedly planning to attack Onueke Police Station and INEC office both in Ezza South Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, “Eight

of these suspects made useful statements to the police, while one of them, Elom Daniel, 17, took police operatives to their hideout at Agbaja-Izzi community in Abakaliki LGA of the state, where the owner of the house escaped leaving behind his wife and a child. Upon intensive search ofthehouse/premises,theseveralitems were recovered.

Some of the items recovered were one AK-47 riffle with 35 live ammunition; two riffles with eight live ammunition; eight magazines; two locally fabricated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) (tested and certified); five machetes; one police belt, and some suspected charms.”

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The people of Aramoko Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State have called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to immortalise the late architect, Fola Alade, for his contributions to national development.

Alade’s kinsmen described him as an icon and national

asset, who contributed to nation building in the areas of education, urban renewal and philanthropy, worthy of celebration.

Alade, a native of Aramoko Ekiti, who died at the age of 87, was one of the first set of architecture graduates in Nigeria.

The Secretary of Alara in Council, Chief Bola Fasanmi, in a statement issued yesterday, described the renowned public servant and professional as a “priceless national

asset” that never lost touch with his community despite his robust national and international profile.

While expressing sincere appreciation to President Buhari and Fayemi for identifying with the family and the people of Aramoko Ekiti at this trying period, the council requested the federal and state governments to immortalise his name with appropriate monuments.

“The national figure, Chief

Fola-Alade, lived his life for Nigeria and Aramoko in particular.

While we are identifying with his immediate family at this trying period of the exit of our dear illustrious son, we also condole with the Alara of Aramoko Ekiti, Oba Adegoke Olu Adeyemi, and all indigenes of the town, who are currently mourning the passage of a man who opened up Aramoko and found a place for the town on the global map,” the council said.

Kwara Court Jails Corps Member for TwoYears over Sex Scam Hammed Shittu in Ilorin A member of National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) currently serving in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Oyeyemi Caleb, has been jailed for two years for offence bordering on sex scam.

The Ilorin zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission( EFCC) has preferred the offence against him and

consequently arraigned him before an Ilorin High court on two-count charges.

Oyeyemi, 21, a native of OdoOwa in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of the state, was arrested on March 16, 2020, by operatives of the EFCC based on intelligence reports.

According to the report, Oyeyemi allegedly posed as a white lady, an online prostitute, to scam one

Wilson (a white man) to the tune of $100 in order to offer the latter sex.

He confessed to the crime and was arraigned in court on November 26, 2020.

Count one of the charge read: “That you, Oyeyemi Caleb, sometime in January 2020 or thereabout, in Ilorin, Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of this court dishonestly induced one Wilson, a white man, to send you $100

when you knowingly pretended and represented yourself to be a white lady, an online prostitute, who was ready to have sex with him for money which representation you knew to be false as it is contained in your gmail account, ‘caychatty414@gmail.com’, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria.”

Two Million Rural Dwellers Benefit from NYSC Healthcare Scheme OghenevwedeOhwovoriolein Abuja The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Maj. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, has stated that over two million rural dwellers have benefited from the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD).

The DG disclosed this yesterday in Abuja when the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) unit of the NYSC flagged off its HIRD activities

in Damaganza Hausawa rural community in Abuja.

Speaking in his welcome address, Ibrahim said he was very pleased that the NYSC HIRD programme was bringing healthcare services to the rural dwellers.

According to him, “I am pleased to report that so far over two million persons have been attended to by the NYSC medical teams on the HIRD platform in addition to the treatment of patients.

“Driven by our determination to deepen the impact of our healthcare services, the management launched the NYSC-HIRD in 2014. It is a platform for contribution towards promoting the well-being of indigent persons at the grassroots by granting them easier access to free and quality healthcare.”

The NYSC boss added that the programme is largely implemented through medical outreaches in communities across the country,

where corps medical volunteers carry out diagnosis, treatment, minor medical procedures, and referrals of patients, while drugs, eye glasses and other medical consumables are also given to patients free.

Ibrahim said the HIRD activities is ongoing simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, adding that it will last for one week after which follow ups will be carried out.

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TUESDAY JUNE 22, 2021 ˾ THISDAY

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Siasia Unfazed by CAS Judgement Reducing His Life Ban to Five Years Says: I remain innocent and should have been freed by CAS

Duro Ikhazuagbe After the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) yesterday reduced his life ban by FIFA to five years, Samson Siasia, remains unimpressed by the judgement, stressing that his legal team will examine it.

“From the judgement by CAS, it is obvious that I remain innocent of the trumped up charges of bribery for which FIFA banned me.

“I expect CAS to exonerate me and allow me return to the only business that I know how to do.

It has been harrowing since 2019 when the life ban stopped me

from coaching football,” Siasia told THISDAY yesterday morning, few minutes after CAS released its ruling on the appeal filed by the former Nigerian coach.

Siasia who as coach in 2005 led Nigeria’s Flying Eagles to finish as runners up to a Lionel Messi inspired Argentine side in the Under-20 World Cup, is the only indigenous gaffer to win Olympic football silver and bronze at Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016 respectively.

He further insisted that he was going to accept whatever his legal team says but wants it on record he was unjustly punished for an offense he did not commit.

Team Nigeria Relay Teams Get Final Chance to Qualify at Lagos Open Athletics Championship Four out of the five relay teams Nigerian is hoping to present at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics will get the final chance to get the tickets to the quadrennial event on Thursday at the Teslim Balogun stadium where the Lagos Open Athletics Championship is scheduled to hold.

The teams failed to take advantage of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Olympic Trials and Invitational Relays which ended on Sunday but they now have the now or never opportunity to book their flights to Tokyo to participate in the Olympic Games which holds between July 23 to August 8, 2021.

While the women’s 4x100m team led by the in-form Blessing Okagbare further staked a claim to one of the available two slots on offer in the event by moving one step up from 16th to 15th position following their 42.98 seconds return at the Trials on Sunday, the men’s team still has a lot to do to outrun Trinidad and Tobago who are presently occupying the final qualification (16th) spot.

With Divine Oduduru and Raymond Ekevwo absent, it will always take more than talent for the team to run inside 38.46 seconds which is the time that has provisionally qualified Trinidad and Tobago for the Games.

Officials are confident the team can run much faster than the 39.40 seconds it ran on Sunday if the baton exchange can be perfected.

The women’s 4x400m team will also have to put behind them the disappointment of not even breaking 3.31 on Sunday and will go all out after a four day rest to break 3.29 and get on the plane to Tokyo.

The team is presently down by one step to 18th after Belarus and Switzerland moved into 13th and 15th spots respectively following their impressive performances at the weekend.

Belarus improved to 3:28.14 at a meeting in Cluj-Napoca, Romania on Sunday while Switzerland also moved up in ranking and are provisionally through to Tokyo 2020 Olympics after their 1600 relay quartet ran 3:28.77 also at the same event.

Maltina Showers Naira Rain on 44 School Games Gold Medalists Segun James Forty-four gold medal winners of the just concluded Maltina School Games in Lagos went home with N500,000 each for their efforts during the track and field and track competition.

At the ceremony held at the Eko Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, said that he looks forward to seeing some of the winners represent Nigeria at next XXII Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.

The Maltina School Sports presentation ceremony was aimed at recognising and celebrating top athletes that emerged in this year’s edition of the Games from the different participating schools across Lagos State.

Dare applauded the Maltina brand for its immense contribution to school sports development in the country, stressing that “Indeed, the Maltina School Games has achieved what has been the

need of the hour and that is to keep the spirit of sportsmanship alive in Nigeria.”

He said the brand has not only achieved this but exceeded expectations. Today, School Sports is back because of the Maltina School Games”, he noted with excitement.

Also speaking, the Senior Brand Manager, Maltina, Elohor Olumide-Awe said “In the past few years, the Maltina School Games has enriched and revived the dying national sport culture of our nation. The reception each edition receives is testament to the need that exists in Nigeria’s sport ecosystem and we are truly honoured to be at the forefront, ensuring this need is met.”

The President of the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Mrs Olabisi Joseph, said that school sports are the bedrock of any meaningful sport development in the country.

She stressed that the nation must return to the basics to get back to Nigeria’s glory days of sporting leadership in Africa.

CAS yesterday reduced the life ban from football activities slammed on Siasia to five years and also quashed the 50,000 Swiss franc fine on the ex international.

The CAS ruling is the fallout of the appeal filed by Siasia challenging the decision rendered by the Adjudicatory Chamber of FIFA on 11 April 2019.

The FIFA decision found Siasia guilty of infringement of article 1 (bribery) of the 2009 FIFA Code of Ethics and sanctioned him with a life ban from footballrelated activity at national and international level and a fine of CHF 50,000 was imposed on him.

According to FIFA, a notorious match fixer tried to involve Siasia as a coach of a club under his strict instructions way back in 2010. It

was speculated that Siasia would have had to always field several players under the control of the match fixer.

Siasia however denied ever agreeing to any shady deal with the match fixer.

“Besides, the club he was trying to get for me to coach (in Australia) did not accept my terms and so there was no deal. So, I don’t know how I can be punished for what never happened,” was Siasia’s defence at the time FIFA banned him.

The Coach didn’t have the benefit of defending himself before the FIFA committee as he claimed not to see the invite from FIFA in his email.

But yesterday, CAS Panel confirmed the Challenged Decision,

with the exception of the following elements: *Mr Siasia is banned for 5 (five) years from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level (administrative, sports or any other) as of 16 August 2019. *The imposed fine of CHF 50,000 (fifty thousand Swiss Francs) on Mr Siasia is set aside.The Panel determined the imposition of a life ban to be disproportionate for a first offence which was committed passively and which had not had an adverse or immediate effect on football stakeholders, and that a fiveyear ban would still achieve the envisaged aim of punishing the infringement committed by Mr Siasia.”

The CAS panel acknowledged the need for sanctions to be sufficiently high enough to eradicate bribery and especially match-fixing in football.

However, the Panel considered in the particular circumstances of this matter that it would be inappropriate and excessive to impose a financial sanction in addition to the five-year ban, since the ban sanction already incorporated a financial punishment in eliminating football as a source of revenue for Mr Siasia, and considering that Mr Siasia had not obtained any gain or pecuniary benefit from what it termed “his unethical behavior.”

Samson Siasia...life ban reduced to five years

Fight for Survival in Euro 2020 Group of Death Live on StarTimes Uncertainty rents the air on who qualifies for the knock-out stage in Group F since Portugal and France failed to win their second group match.

All Euro 2020 matches air live and in HD on affordable pay-TV platform, StarTimes as low as N1700 monthly.

The Euro 2020 group stage ends on Wednesday with crucial matches in the Group of Death.

Group F contains three teams considered among the favourites

to win the competition in France, Portugal and Germany, who are joined by Hungary. Only two are guaranteed safe passage to the last 16, although it is likely that all three will progress.

European champions Portugal face world champions France to get qualified for the knockout stage while Germany face Hungary. Both matches will be played at 8 pm.

In the second group stage matches, the unexpected

happened. France needed an Antoine Griezmann goal midway through the second half to draw 1-1 with Hungary, while Portugal gave away a Cristiano Ronaldo lead in Munich against a rampant Germany that ended up winning 4-2. It was the first time that a title holder conceded four goals.

The results leave France topping Group F with four points, Germany and Portugal both have three points, but

Germany are second on the head-to-head basis. Hungary have one point.

This leaves the group-wide open ahead of the final round of group matches, with all four teams still having a chance to progress.

According to StarTimes, football fans need not miss the best actions as the Euros air live and in HD on its sports channels for as low as N1700 monthly.

ALAT by Wema Bank Supports SociaLiga League Nigeria’s first fully digital bank, ALAT by Wema Bank has renewed its sponsorship of the SociaLiga football league for the third consecutive year.

The semi-professional football league which is in its fifth season kicked off at Digital Bridge Institute, (formerly Nitel Training School), Cappa, Lagos on Saturday, May 22, 2021, with representatives from Wema Bank in attendance.

SociaLiga football league is an annual tournament created in 2014 and endorsed by the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA).

The league is aimed at providing a platform for young Nigerians to cultivate and satisfy their sporting interests while networking with others and participating in fun activities.

In its six years of existence, SociaLiga has recorded an attendance of over 37,000 individuals who use the exciting activities and colourful atmosphere during the games for social engagement purposes.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the league was postponed in 2020. However, for this year’s edition, precautionary measures have been put in place to ensure strict compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines and procedures in order to safeguard the well-being of players and attendees at the event.

The six-month tournament will field over 200 football players across 14 teams of which four of these teams are exclusively female.

The inclusion of more female teams in this edition was part

of the league’s advocacy for increased female participation and representation in the Nigerian football community.

Speaking on the league and ALAT’s renewed sponsorship, Head, Marketing, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, Wema Bank, Fumilayo Falola, said, “for the past three years, we have embarked on the journey of passion and excitement with SociaLiga because we are aligned in our vision to give young Nigerians a space that encourages expression, networking and communitybuilding.

“As a socially responsible financial institution, we are committed to building and nurturing a value-driven relationship and in doing so, we are collaborating with SociaLiga

to support football and provide a platform for young players to achieve their goals and aspirations.”

Managing Director of SociaLiga, Olaniyan CaxtonMartins while unveiling the participating teams for this year’s edition acknowledged the impact of ALAT’s threeyear sponsorship. “we have received tremendous support from partners like ALAT by Wema Bank, who have been consistent in their sponsorship since they came on board as one of the major partners of this league. We sincerely appreciate their support in accelerating SociaLiga’s vision of being the preferred outfit for sporting, lifestyle and entertainment in Africa.”

Tuesday June 22, 2021

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Price: N250

MISSILE Opadokun to Buhari “When a democrat in office starts issuing the kinds of statements he issued within the past two to three days, it is unfortunate because what it has shown is that he has not understood the fact that he’s no more a military dictator” – General-Secretary of NADECO, Mr. Ayo Opadokun, insisting that Nigeria can only remain united when there’s ethnic equality.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

INEC Polling Units and The Future of Elections

S

ome of the major challenges bedevilling the electoral process in Nigeria, and thus abbreviating the integrity of democracy in the country include over the years: lack of access to polling units, the location of polling units in problematic parts, overcrowding, conflict, violence, the designation of places like shrines, mosques, churches and private residences as polling units which grant the owners of such premises unassigned powers of control over the voting process. There is also the general climate of fear, opaqueness, insecurity and manipulation during every election season. Last week, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) made notable progress in addressing these challenges when it announced the completion of its delienation of new polling units for the country.

The last time new polling units were defined in Nigeria was 25 years ago by the defunct National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON), as INEC was then known. At the time the country had on the voters’ register, 50 million voters. Over the years, it worked with an estimate of 120,000 polling units across the country but an eventual census put the exact figure at 119, 973 polling units.

As the number of voters nationwide increased, the number of polling units remained static. Section 22 of the Electoral Act says each polling unit is not supposed to have more than 500 registered voters. But as more persons attained the age of franchise (18 in Nigeria), the polling units became congested, with many of them serving up to 2,000 to 3,000 voters. As new communities also emerged, especially in urban centres, voters had to travel long distances to get to the next available Polling Unit (PU). Many did not even bother, because of the stress involved, and so voter turn-out in every election was not a true reflection of the people’s commitment. Analysts often explained this away superficially as voter apathy whereas there were underlying constraints that needed to be addressed.

In 2007, the predecessor of the current INEC Chairman, namely Professor Attahiru Jega tried to update the polling units in the country to reflect the changing voter statistics and demographics.

The exercise ran into troubled waters on the grounds of ethnicity and religion. Jega’s INEC was accused of trying to give advantage to the North.

He tried again in 2014. The exercise was, after a pattern, sabotaged by the politics of suspicion and motive-reading. In 2019, Jega’s successor, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu also tried to bring the polling units in line with realities. He also failed. What is common to all those earlier efforts is that the exercises were proposed very close to the elections in 2007, 2015, and 2019, and hence, in a country where there is mutual suspicion and angst, and doubts about the integrity of electoral umpires, the populace was sceptical. So, what has Mahmoud Yakubu done this time that is different? It has been a week since the new polling units were announced: a total of 56,872 new polling units have been added, bringing the country’s total number of polling units up to 176,846. Despite the fact that the 19 states of the North and the FCT got additional 31,196 polling units, and the 17 Southern states an additional 25,676 polling units, there has been no usual outcry about ethnicity and imbalance or complaints about any surreptitious attempt to manipulate the figures. The expected reaction may be delayed, especially as INEC has promised to publish the entire list of polling units in 37 volumes ahead of the commencement of the Continuous Voters’ Registration Exercise on June 28.

What is different however, is that INEC has conducted this exercise far ahead of the 2023 General elections. The new polling units have been created out of voting points and voting point settlements which the electoral body introduced

Yakubu during the 2019 general elections to enhance access and the sovereignty of the voter. When the process of reviewing what was done in 1996 began, the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on INEC received over 10,000 requests from 26 states of the Federation for new polling units to be created in their areas. In the end, INEC has arrived at an addition of 56,872 polling units. It also consulted not just the National Assembly but groups in civil society, including the political parties and development partners. The inclusiveness of the process must have helped but INEC must now go a step further and publish the entire volumes of the designated polling units. Transparency is crucial. That should provide opportunities for scrutiny, review and amendments where necessary.

INEC’s efforts in solving a 25-year electoral riddle is commendable. With the expansion of polling units, voter access and representation will be enhanced. The average voter would not have to travel across kilometres to get to the nearest polling station. The problem of congestion has also been addressed. Room has also been created for the test-running of the new structure long before the 2023 General elections. These new polling units will first be used beginning with the November 6, 2021 Gubernatorial election in Anambra state, and subsequently in the Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, February 12,2022, Ekiti state gubernatorial election on June 18,2022 and the one in Osun state scheduled for July 16,2022.

What many Nigerians would even find more instructive is the announcement by the INEC Chairman that 749 polling units have been removed from inappropriate places: shrines, churches, mosques and private residences. The figure that has been announced is probably modest. The publication of the polling units must provide room for the electorate to help identify more of such strange locations where the integrity of the electoral process has been routinely compromised. This may sound strange to the international community or even to the uninitiated in the mores of Nigerian politics.

But it is true. Can you imagine anyone walking into an open, communal shrine in a village, with the Chief Priest wearing INEC tags, asking the voter to support a particular party? How much freedom of choice can voters exercise under such circumstances? Every election season, pastors and imams also become agents for candidates and political parties as they struggle to support members of their own faith, and clients. They help to rig elections and cheat in God’s name. Nigerian clerics do not see anything sinful or criminal in this regard. Their moral compass is dictated by the conviction that “heaven indeed only helps those who help themselves.” There is so much doubtful spirituality in Nigerian politics.

Traditional rulers are just as notorious. You can’t

run for an electoral office in Nigeria without visiting the traditional rulers in your constituency. They are regarded as men of influence and authority who can determine electoral outcomes by simply telling their people what to do. Many of them are partisan politicians in traditional garbs. When they tell you that a traditional ruler does not promote any political party, or that he is everyone’s father, believe that and deceive yourself. Even if a particular traditional ruler would not support you and you know, you still must go to his palace to pay homage and receive prayers and the blessing of ancestors. Yes, those ancestors! Nigeria must be one of the very few countries in the world where the dead also have a say in elections: they are served kolanuts, bitter kola and exotic drinks! During the 2019 elections, we visited a particular traditional ruler, a few days to the election. When the king invited us to his living room after a reception in the palace premises, the first thing I noticed was a big box beside the king’s throne. It contained voters’ cards! Someone had actually told us that every election season, this particular king controls most of the polling units in his domain, and no one would dare challenge his directives. On election day, there were reports in other communities as well, of traditional rulers similarly acting as party contractors, and landlords threatening tenants with eviction or increased rent.

It is therefore, precisely for this same reason that I think good as the expansion and enhanced delineation of polling units by INEC may be, certain other critical steps would still have to be taken to safeguard the integrity of Nigerian elections. First on my list is the legal framework for elections. In 2018, the proposed amendment of the Electoral Act 2010 ran into troubled waters because the President refused to give his assent to the Bill, the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2018, as passed by the National Assembly. The excuse then was that the process was out of time, given the closeness of the submitted Bill as amended, to the 2019 general elections. The President refused to give his assent on three different occasions. The 9th National Assembly, upon its inauguration in June 2019, promised to make the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, a major priority to be treated expeditiously. Public hearings on the Bill have been concluded since December 2020, there was even a retreat of lawmakers over it in January 2021 but the federal legislators have been crawling at snail speed over this Bill and others, such as The Petroleum Industry Bill. They have been playing deaf and dumb.

It is as if there is a deliberate attempt to frustrate demands by the electorate and other stakeholders for a modernisation of the electoral framework in Nigeria in line with observed realities and omissions.

The Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan even promised that the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021 would be ready by May 2021. One major concern is that in 2021, Nigeria should be able to have an electronic voting system, INEC must have a national data base through which results can be collated real-time with the aid of technology in order to ensure the transparency of outcomes.

Many stakeholders have also called for a review of the cost of electoral participation, access for persons living with disabilities, and specific provisions to enhance women participation.

There is obviously no political will to reform the electoral system. Ahead of the Continuous Voters Registration exercise beginning June 28, INEC has now introduced an online Voter Enrolment Device to enable voters register online. It should be possible for Nigerians to vote online as well. A hybrid system can be experimented with, whereby disadvantaged voters without access to technology can vote physically at polling units while in the urban centres, technology can be deployed. For this to work, INEC must have enough time to

test run the new reforms. As things stand, the extant Electoral Act 2010 makes no allowance for the use of technology. Without the much-needed electoral reform, INEC’s innovations may be of no serious consequence.

The reviews of the 2019 elections by INEC and the high volume of litigations that followed the elections clearly indicated that the politicians and the political parties are part of the problem, if not the main problem, with elections in Nigeria. In the absence of an Electoral Offences Tribunal and the lack of capacity to pursue electoral offenders, big or small, to bring them to justice, Nigerian politicians have learnt to operate like bandits. They kidnap votes, disrupt the system, cheat, rig, promote violence with the aid of able-bodied thugs, high on dangerous, mind-altering drugs, and they get away with it. INEC Chairman Mahmoud Yakubu has also been preaching to Nigerian politicians to ensure internal democracy among their ranks, and to avoid a situation whereby excessive litigations place electoral outcomes at the mercy of the courts.

Professor Yakubu’s admonitions sound like mere wishful thinking. For the Nigerian politician, the end justifies the means. He is groomed to win elections by any means possible, and those means do not exclude the assassination of opponents, arson, blackmail, and assault. The key strategy is this: win at all costs and let the opponent go to court.

When the matter gets to the courts, another level of mischief is initiated. Nigerian judges are not as neutral as they should be in election matters. From dubious arithmetic to inverted judicial activism, Nigerian courts have gifted elections in surprising manners without ever stating their reasons. The INEC Chairman may preach as he wishes, but what powers does he have to stop the Nigerian judiciary from jumping into the arena of partisan politics?

Insecurity is another thing to worry about.

In the last two years alone, 42 INEC facilities have been attacked in 14 different locations across the country. It got so bad INEC had to appeal to the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency over INEC units nationwide.

The leadership of the electoral body also visited the President to present a detailed report. They were told that the government would ensure that those attacking INEC facilities will soon have “the shock of their lives.” Nobody knows what that means. What is known is that the biggest threat to future elections is the general insecurity in the country. INEC has increased the number of polling units. It does not have enough staff to man every polling unit. Every election season, it recruits ad hoc staff, which means from November 6, 2021 in Anambra, INEC would recruit more ad hoc staff. But who will allow his or her daughter or relation to work for INEC when there are threats that no election will be allowed in the South East?

With kidnappers and separatists running riot? It is the same in the South West where promoters of the Oduduwa Nation have warned politicians to stay away from the 2023 elections. Will the Nigerian government provide security and protect the integrity of future elections? Otherwise, INEC will be grossly handicapped.

Matters have not been helped by the President’s contemptuous and divisive rhetoric on the key issues agitating the minds of the people. President Buhari says nobody will be allowed to restructure Nigeria under his watch because there is nothing to restructure. “No country will allow that”, he says.

He is also opposed to the idea of a completely new Constitution. He has declared that his government will speak to those who want to dismember Nigeria in “the language they will understand”. President Buhari at the twilight moment of his tenure should be more concerned about his legacy. The least he can do, is to leave behind a Nigeria that does not tip over the edge of the precipice, after him.

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