THURSDAY 16TH JULY 2020

Akpabio Replies Nunieh, Denies Alleged Harassment, Corruption 'I love my wife and daughters, and I have been a champion of women and children' Ndubuisi Francis and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has denied sundry allegations, including

harassment levelled against him by a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ms. Joi Nunieh.

Nunieh, who headed the former Interim Management

Committee (IMC) of the NDDC, in an interview on ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, on Monday, said she slapped the minister for harassing her.

She also accused the minister of other misdemeanours.

However, Akpabio in a statement yesterday by his media aide, Mr. Anietie Ekong, said his attention had been drawn "to a cornucopia of

false, malicious, and libellous press interviews granted by Ms. Gbene Joi Nunieh, the erstwhile acting Managing Director of the Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development

Commission, (NDDC) in some news and social media platforms and a series of concerted vicious campaigns of calumny deviously Continued on page 8

OPEC Insists on Total Compliance with Oil Production Cuts... Page 6 Thursday 16 July, 2020 Vol 25. No 9229. Price: N250

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Magu Writes Panel, Demands Copies of Malami, Others’ Petitions Says media reports prejudicial to proceedings Regains freedom after nine days in detention Presidency: Suspended EFCC boss’ invitation by panel in his best interest Commission’s secretary, 11 other top officials suspended Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, yesterday wrote to the Justice Ayo Salami-led presidential panel investigating a 21-point allegation of corruption and insubordination filed against

him by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, asking for copies of the AGF’s petition and others that might have been filed by other individuals.

Magu, who regained his freedom after nine days Continued on page 8

FEC Proposes N12.66tn as 2021 Spending Estimates Targets N7.50tn revenue Okays 2021-2023 MTEF Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/

FSP) with N12.66 trillion budget projections for each of the three fiscal years.

Briefing State House correspondents in Abuja after Continued on page 8

THE NEW NORMAL...

Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari (left), and Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Sulieman Adamu, during the Federal Executive Council’s virtual meeting in Abuja…yesterday

Okonjo-Iweala Unfolds Plans to Rejuvenate WTO...Page 5

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NEWS

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

Okonjo-Iweala Unfolds Plans to Rejuvenate WTO Pledges strong collaboration with member countries, support for MSMEs To convince US not to exit organisation Obinna Chima and Dike Onwuamaeze Nigeria’s candidate for the position of Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday assured membercountries that if given the job, she will rejuvenate WTO. Okonjo-Iweala, who spoke during a media briefing after making a presentation to the General Council of the WTO, however, added that she would ensure that her plans for the Geneva-based institute are achieved by proactively working with member countries.

“The WTO DG has no direct decision-making authority. But the WTO DG can work to make things move along with influence and that influence can be proactive.

“And that is the kind of DG that I intend to be if I am selected; to proactively work with members, to deliver outcomes, starting with the next ministerial, to show that the WTO is back and that the WTO is rejuvenated.

So, I intend to be a proactively supportive DG,” she said.

The former Managing Director (Operations) of the World Bank added: “The organisation has never had a woman or an African as DG, but my insistence is that choosing a DG for WTO should be on merit.

“The best person to lead the institution should be chosen.

Now I will say to them, if that person happens to be a woman, let it be, if she happens to be an African, so be it,” she said.

While noting that micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) have been bruised by the COVID-19, she stressed the need for discussions on how to integrate such businesses in the multilateral trading system, which is very important.

According to her, “One crucial thing arising from COVID-19 and the impact it has had on economic growth and the predicted contraction of the world economy and economies around the world is that MSMEs have been badly affected. So, they need liquidity.

“So, we need to make sure that for them to survive, they should have adequate liquidity to keep their businesses going. My worry is that there have been countries globally who have been able to make this liquidity available to their MSMEs and there are others, like many developing countries

and least developed countries who have not.

“And, one of my roles as African Union envoy, with my other five colleagues, has been to see how we can facilitate and encourage additional resources from outside and inside to these MSMEs, so that they can regain their position and be able to stand, not only to keep jobs but to thrive in the future and create more jobs.

“So, I am very keen. I think it is a very important sector and the WTO would work hard to make sure such types of enterprises are supported.”

Okonjo-Iweala, who is Nigeria’s two-term former Minister of Finance, faulted the insinuation that she doesn’t have experience in trade negotiations, saying: “That is a totally wrong notion.”

She explained: “I have paid respect to my competitors because that is my nature. I do not criticise other people. I respect them. The competitors who are saying that I am not a trade expert are wrong. I am a development economist and you cannot do that without looking at trade, which is an essential part of development.

“So, I have been doing it. My whole career at the World Bank, I was working on trade policy reform in middle and low-income countries at the bank. As finance minister, the customs service in my country reported to me. And that is all about trade facilitation.”

Responding to a question on what she would be saying to the United States President Donald Trump or the US president-elect to convince the country not to exit the WTO, Okonjo-Iweala, said: “I would say to the president that the WTO delivered for all countries, including the United States, in the past. It is because of the multilateral rules-based trading system that we have had prosperity and the lifting of millions out of poverty and it has brought about shared prosperity and we could do it again.

“I would say to him, where the trading system has failed, we need to fix it so that it can be more inclusive and can benefit more people.

“And that truly, it’s not the time now to leave the WTO that matters. We need an institution that can promote a rules-based system. I would also say to him – remember the trade wars of the past, we don’t want that. We want peace, security and stability.

“That is why the WTO is needed with its ability to arbitrate disputes among members. So, don’t leave now, let’s try to fix what needs fixing and if we didn’t have the WTO, we would have to invent it.”

Also responding to a THISDAY question on what she would do to ensure that an agreement is reached on e-commerce by WTO members, Okonjo-Iweala said: “I happen to believe that e-commerce and digital economy are tremendous and the COVID-19 pandemic has shown it. People are now buying online, trading online.

They are going to school online.

“So this is the wave of the future. But we have to pay attention to something very difficult from developing and least developed countries and this is the digital divide. They cannot participate in it unless we find a way to take care of this digital divide. They cannot be left out.

“Even people from our rural areas cannot be left out.

I will be very keen, if I become the WTO DG, to see what bundle of resources working for multinationals institutions could we put together to help countries that do not have this infrastructure to get it so that

they can work with e-commerce.

“That will advance negotiations because if you look at those not participating, a lot of them are from developing countries. Their thinking is what is in it for me? I do not even have the infrastructure.

Why should I be negotiating on e-commerce? Why should I be agreeing to rules that I am not equipped or competent to discuss this time? So, we must bite the bullet and help them to get the infrastructure. And I think that we need to move and give them that assurance and then move the e-commerce negotiations along the line where all members can agree on the rules because this is the wave of the 21st century.”

She said as a minister in Nigeria, she helped the country on trade negotiations with the then minister of trade on the ECOWAS Common External Tariffs.

“So, I do not know how much trade you can have than that.

Those who are saying that I do not have trade experience are mistaken. I think that the qualities I have are even better because I combine development economics with trade knowledge along with finance.

“And you need those

combinations of skills to lead the WTO. I am confident that I have the skills that I needed.

This is familiar territory to me and not an alien world. I am a trade person,” she stated.

Considering the headwinds in the global economy due to the pandemic, Okonjo-Iweala suggested the need for a rapid decision on who the next DG of the WTO should be.

She added: “Let me start by saying that it is up to the members to make a decision as to when they want the next WTO DG. But I would hope that it would be a rapid decision.

Why? Not from personal reasons, but from the fact that the world is at a very uncertain juncture and we don’t know the trajectory of this pandemic.

“We don’t know what is going to happen and therefore an institution as important as the WTO should have leadership as quickly as possible, to be able to make sure that the WTO contributes what it can to the multilateral trading system and that in turn contributes to the recovery of the world economy.”

Commenting on her strategy to address trade challenges that could arise from the COVID-19, she explained that being privileged to be the Chair of

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and some other global bodies have exposed her to issues around finding solutions to ameliorating the impact of the pandemic.

“If I become the DG, I will have a very strong collaboration with the tool accelerators like the WHO to make sure that there are no barriers, no restrictions on the availability of these vaccines. One respecting the intellectual property rights of those who have manufactured the vaccines, the world should be able to come to the point where mechanisms are put in place to make those vaccines available.

“And the world trading system should be a facilitator of this and not an impediment.

That will be mean combining the role of the DG of the WTO with the experience I have had from Gavi to ensure this because I think it is critical that everyone has access to life-saving vaccines,” she said.

Also commenting on why it is difficult for Africa to back one candidate, she said: “I think that that question is better answered by the African Union. But let me repeat again that I think it is an honour to have three qualified candidates from my continent.

AMBASSADORIAL VISIT...

Envoy of the Republic of Somalia to Nigeria, Ambassador Jamal Barrow (left), and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Geoffrey Onyeama, during the ambassador’s visit to the minister in Abuja…recently

INEC: Shifting Edo, Ondo Elections, Recipe for Constitutional Crisis Chuks Okocha in Abuja Amidst calls for a shift in the dates for elections for the Edo and Ondo States' governorship elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday insisted that to shift the two elections would be an open invitation to a constitutional crisis.

Rather, the commission said it would ensure strict observation of the COVID-19 guidelines and protocols as there would be no voting without face masks.

The commission said it would be using August 8, 2020, Nasarawa State House of Assembly election to perfect the conditions for the two governorship elections in Edo State and Ondo State scheduled for September 19 and October, respectively.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Voter Education and Information, Mr. Festus Okoye, said in an interview with newsmen yesterday that any attempt to move the two governorship elections outside the stipulated dates would amount to inviting a constitutional crisis.

Okoye, who described the two states' elections as "the Rock of Gibraltar," said it would be legally difficult to shift the polls.

He said the two elections were guaranteed by sections 178 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), stating, that "the two elections must be conducted between 150 and 30 days to the end of the tenure of the sitting governors.

"The provisions of these two elections are cast in stones and are, therefore, unmovable. These

elections will just have to go on as planned."

According to him, constitutionally, there are only two instances that elections can be shifted, but both instances do not apply in the Edo and Ondo States.

For instance, he said elections can be moved forward if, in line with Section 180 of the 1999 Constitution, Nigeria is invaded or in a state of war.

He added that an election can be shifted as stated in Section 305 of the same constitution, where there is a state of emergency, stating that in both cases, they are out of control of the commission.

He explained that as stated in Section 178(2) of the constitution "these days are unmovable and like the Rock of Gibraltar."

Okoye said INEC was strictly following the Nigeria Centre

for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 guidelines and protocols, adding that in line with security guidelines for elections during the pandemic there shall be a strict observation of ‘no face mask no voting procedures.’

He said the commission had mapped out plans to test-run its preparedness for the two governorship elections with the Nasarawa State House of Assembly election on August 8.

"This is going to be a stimulus election to the Edo and Ondo States' governorship elections.

"Everything about the election, from media accreditation, security, voters and all that concern the election would be a trial, test-run for what we will do in the two governorship elections," he stated.

He said the commission

would deploy members of the National Youth Service (NYSC) as ad hoc staff for the two elections, while the assistant presiding officers 1, 2 and 3 would also come from students of tertiary institutions.

“Basically, the NYSC would provide the bulk of the ad hoc staff,” he said, adding that there is already a data basis of the NYSC in both states.

On the voting processes and procedures during the elections, Okoye said there would be level of queues, consisting of the inner queue and the outer queue and that the voters must wear their face masks.

He reiterated that at the collation centres that usually witness a huge crowd, that there would be only an agent of political parties and expressed optimism that there would be full compliance.

For the Edo State governorship election, there will be 15 political parties on the ballot papers although only 14 political parties fielded candidates in line with the guidelines.

On Ondo State, Okoye said 17 political parties would participate in the governorship election.

Okoye said, all things being equal, the Anambra State governorship election in 2021 might be conducted electronically.

According to him, almost all processes of the Edo and Ondo States governorship elections were conducted electronically, starting from nominations of candidates, media accreditation and meetings with security and civil society groups.

He advised political parties to conduct issue-based campaigns, stressing that "election is not war."

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OPEC Insists on Total Compliance with Oil Production Cuts NNPC gives conditions for relocation of Lagos tank farms

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allied oil producers, known as OPEC+, yesterday insisted that defaulting countries, including Nigeria, must adhere to total compliance with the oil production output cuts agreement in April.

This is coming as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday kicked against a swift relocation of tank farms from their current locations along Ijegun, Kirikiri areas in Lagos and other parts of the country, saying that it will cause a dislocation in the supply and distribution chain of petroleum products across the country.

The corporation said the country should achieve the full rehabilitation of the refineries and the completion of the Dangote Refinery to enable the country exit fuel importation before their

relocation.

OPEC also expressed optimism that market conditions are gradually improving, but noted that all participating countries must renew their commitment to ensuring stability in the international oil market.

However, contrary to earlier speculations that the cartel will make pronouncements on the next phase of easing of output cuts to about 7.7 million barrels per day, the OPEC failed to make that announcement, but scheduled the next meeting for August.

According to the original agreement from April, OPEC+ was to cut 9.7 million bpd in combined production for two months—May and June—and then ease these to 7.7 million bpd, to stay in effect until the end of the year.

Then, from January 2021, the production cuts would be further eased to 5.8 million bpd, to remain in effect until end-April 2022.

But at its 20th Meeting of the Joint Ministerial

Monitoring Committee (JMMC), which took place via video conference yesterday, under the chairmanship of Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Salman, assisted by his Russian counterpart, the committee said it reviewed the monthly report prepared by its Joint Technical Committee (JTC).

A statement after the meeting noted that the committee also considered market prospects for the second half of 2020 and reiterated the importance of the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ (DoC) in supporting oil market stability.

“The outcomes of the June meetings extended the first phase of the production adjustments until 31 July 2020; provided a compensation mechanism in respect of the months July, August and September for participating countries that were not able to achieve full conformity in May and June.

“The committee reviewed and reaffirmed

the commitment of all participating countries to achieve full conformity and make up for any shortfall under compensation plans presented to the committee.

“It stressed that achieving 100 per cent conformity from all participating countries is not only fair but vital for the ongoing rebalancing efforts and to help deliver long term oil market stability,” the cartel said.

After a review of the crude oil production data for the month of June 2020, OPEC said it welcomed the significant performance in the overall conformity level for participating countries at 107 per cent in June 2020, an achievement that found wide recognition in the market.

It reiterated its appreciation of additional voluntary contributions made by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait in June.

It noted that removing the credit for over-conformity results in a conformity level of 95 per cent in June, the

SEEKING GLOBAL COLLABORATION...

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (left), and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon, during a virtual meeting in Abuja…yesterday

highest since the inception of the DoC in January 2017, and mandated its secretariat to closely monitor and report to the JMMC the implementation of the required compensation by the underperforming participating countries.

“It also requested underperforming participating countries to submit their plan for implementation of the required compensation for the month June 2020 to the OPEC Secretariat by the end of July 2020,” the statement added.

OPEC said it welcomed the participation of Angola, Gabon, South Sudan and Congo, and noted that they had reiterated their commitment to the DoC production adjustments and compensation plans.

“The committee observed that there were encouraging signs of improvement as economies around the world open up. While there could be localised or partial lockdowns re-imposed in some places, the recovery signs are clear, both in physical and futures markets.

“Moving to the next phase of the agreement, the extra supply resulting from the scheduled easing of the production adjustment will be consumed as demand recovers,” the organisation stated.

It projected that there will be an increase in demand for utilities, as well as changes in travel patterns, boosting domestic demand for gasoline and diesel, explaining that as a result, the impact on participating countries’ exports will be limited.

“In addition, the compensation schedule that has been agreed will mean that the effective level of adjustments will be deeper,” it said.

The collective OPEC+ cut in August and September would be some 8.54 million bpd in the next two months, as Iraq, Nigeria, Angola, Russia, and Kazakhstan are expected to cut output to compensate for the previous lack of compliance, while Saudi Arabia is also expected to keep its August oil exports at the same level as in July.

NNPC Gives Conditions for Relocation of Lagos Tank Farms Meanwhile, the NNPC has kicked against a swift relocation of tank farms from their current locations along Ijegun, Kirikiri areas in Lagos and other parts of the country in order to avoid dislocation in the supply and distribution chain of petroleum products nationwide.

The corporation made the submission at a hearing by the House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc Committee on the relocation of tank farms in residential areas of Ijegun, Kirikiri.

A statement by the NNPC’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, quoted the Managing Director of the corporation, Mr. Mele Kyari, as saying that NNPC is not averse to the relocation of the tank farms and depots sited in residential areas.

But he said the corporation would rather that some time be allowed to achieve the full rehabilitation of the refineries and the completion of the Dangote refinery to enable the nation to exit fuel importation before their relocation.

The GMD who was represented by the corporation’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Umar Ajiya, told the committee that the tank farms and depots were a major artery for receiving and distributing imported petroleum products to all parts of the country.

He added that their abrupt relocation would trigger a crisis not only in the downstream sector but also in the nation’s economy in general.

“We are not opposed to the yearnings of the communities or the relocation of the tank farms and depots, but we want it to be done in phases because of the huge financial commitments by the stakeholders.

“If they are relocated abruptly, even the banking sector would be affected because of the loans they granted for the establishment of the depots,” he stated.

Ex-NIMASA Director Jailed Seven Years over N1.5bn Fraud Davidson Iriekpen A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a former Executive Director of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Captain Ezekiel Agaba, to seven years imprisonment for laundering N1,541,408,666.

Justice Ibrahim Buba convicted Agaba of the seven counts of conversion and criminal breach of trust filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Buba ruled that the EFCC proved beyond reasonable doubt that the convict stole the sum from NIMASA while he was in charge of Maritime, Safety and Shipping.

He sentenced Agaba to seven years imprisonment on each of the seven counts, totalling 49 years.

But the sentences will run concurrently, the judge said, meaning Agaba will spend a maximum of only seven years in jail.

“The sentence runs with effect from today (Wednesday),” the judge

held.

The court declined the application of EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, for the forfeiture of property allegedly bought by Agaba from the proceeds of the laundering.

Buba upheld the submission of the Agaba’s counsel Mr. E.D. Oyeneke, that the property is the subject of another suit at the Federal High Court.

Oyeneke had also in his allocutus prayed the court to order a non-custodial sentencing for Agaba, in

view of his age being in the high-risk category for COVID-19 infection in prison.

“In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, counsel should consider approaching the state for pardon for the convict,” Buba added.

The EFCC had in 2015 arraigned Agaba alongside a former NIMASA Managing Director, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former NIMASA staff, Ekene Nwakuche, and the Chairman of Ndokwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, Juan Amechee

Governor, for allegedly laundering N2.6 billion.

They pleaded not guilty.

Akpobolokemi filed a no-case submission but Buba, on October 16, 2017, dismissed it.

This was overturned by the Court of Appeal in Lagos on June 1, 2016, which unanimously discharged and acquitted Akpobolokemi.

Following the appellate court’s decision, the anti-graft agency on October 10, 2019, withdrew the charges against Governor and Nwakuche.

But the EFCC maintained

an amended charge against Agaba.

The commission told the judge that between December 23, 2013, and March 13, 2014, in Lagos, Agaba converted the N1.5 billion in tranches of N437,726,666.60, N66,800,000, N21,802,000 and N402,480, 000.00, N525,000,000, N70,000.000 and N176, 000,000.

The funds were laundered through Seabulk Offshore Operator Ltd, Ace Protehesis Limited, Extreme Vertex Nigeria Limited and Aroward Consulting Limited.

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PAGE EIGHT FEC PROPOSES N12.66TN AS 2021 SPENDING ESTIMATES the virtual FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clement Agba, listed other projections in the budget as $40 per barrel oil benchmark, oil production volume of 1.6 million barrel per day, inflation rate of 11.9 per cent, projected gross domestic growth (GDP) rate of three per cent and revenue target of N7.50 trillion.

The minister also spoke on GDP projection at the end of 2020 fiscal year, saying that at the end of 2020, GDP projection is expected to cruise at -4.42 per cent and later improve to

about -1.8 per cent.

He said whereas the revenue target for 2020 budget was N5.84 trillion, it would rise to N7.50 trillion in 2021.

According to him, even though the projected oil production volume is lower when compared to the earlier projection in 2020 budget as a result of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) restriction quota, 63 government-owned enterprises (GOEs) have been brought in "to get prices at par."

He said the GOEs had been drafted to raise another

N2.17 trillion to fund the budget, adding that despite the N7.50 trillion budget revenue projection for 2021 and the projected additional N2.17 trillion to be driven by the GOEs, the figures would eventually, match the N12.66 trillion budget projection.

The minister added that the budget deficit would be funded by a borrowing and repayment plan as well as sinking funds.

He stated that the Debt Management Office (DMO) has the responsibility to properly guide the federal government on borrowing.

He said: "On projected revenue for 2021, yes I spoke of the various assumptions that have been made in terms of parameters, and those assumptions are what drive revenues that we get and in terms of how you are able to reflate the economy and spend helps your GDP. "For Nigeria, it was projected that by the end of this year we should have the GDP top at -4.42 per cent. However, with the stimulus, if properly done and executed, we expect that the GDP will improve to about negative -1.8 per cent.

So, in terms of the revenue

projection, for 2020 it was N5.84 trillion but for 2021 we expect that it will be N7.50 trillion.

"Even though oil production is much lower than our capacity because we are restricted by the OPEC+ quota in order to get the prices at par, we have brought in 63 GovernmentOwned Enterprises(GOE).

"We are bringing them into the budget in order to be able to shore up the budget by additional N2.17 trillion, hence we are saying we are projecting a larger budget size for 2021 over and above the N10.84 trillion for the revised 2020 budget.

"When you look at the N7.5 trillion and the expectations to spend N12 trillion, yes definitely there will be a gap and that gap has to be financed.

"Is there a plan for borrowing payment? Yes, there is. Even in the 2020 budget, we had provisions to repay debt and in the 2021 projection, there is a provision to repay debt. "There is a sinking fund, we look at the ratio and ensure that we are able to pay our debts. Of course, that is why we have the debt management office to run those numbers and advise us."

true. Waiting till July 10 and 13, 2020 when the National Assembly appears to be probing some of her actions as the acting Managing Director of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) exposes her motive, especially at a time when the momentum for the Forensic Audit.”

On the allegations of involvement in contract racketeering, the bombing of oil pipelines, corruption/ diversion of funds, the minister stated that several times and at various fora since his assumption of office, he had only awarded three contracts to date.

He listed them as the appointment of the lead forensic auditors, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC); the emergency procurement

contract for COVID-19 intervention in the Niger Delta area, which due to its urgency, had his interim approval and presidential approval in line with the Bureau of Public Procurement Act; and the award of vehicles procurement duly approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Federal Executive Council but yet to be consummated.

All these contracts, the statement added, went through due processes.

On Nunieh’s allegation that the minister directed her to change the dollars in the NDDC’s account, the statement said: "For the records, it should be noted that NDDC’s account is domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria. Every inflow and outflow is known and traceable."

instead arrived at the venue on the listed days only to wait from 9 am to 9 pm before being taken back into custody.

He said the clarification became necessary after it was reported that Magu was grilled by the panel on Monday.

“The allegation that our client was grilled by the panel on Monday, 13th July 2020, as reported above is [a] complete falsehood.

“The correct position was that our client and his counsel (Mr. Wahab Shittu) arrived [at] the venue of the ongoing investigations on Monday 13th July 2020 by 9 am. Our client and his counsel were kept at the waiting room of the venue of the sittings unattended to from 9 am to 9 pm when our client was taken back to custody.

“This followed the same pattern on Thursday and Friday last week when our client waited for 12 hours without being called upon by the panel to partake in the proceedings. Witnesses called by the panel were interrogated by the panel without the participation of our client or his counsel in the proceedings. This was also the pattern on Tuesday, 14th July 2020. Our client chose to wait patiently on the panel,” he said in the letter.

protested the suspension in view of the fact that they were not connected or worked directly with Magu.

"If this is a purge, let us see it as it is but those who have nothing to do with the suspended chairman should not be lumped together with those under investigation", one of the affected directors, who spoke anonymously, said.

Meanwhile, the presidency has directed that all visitors to EFCC be barred from entering the premises.

The same directive affects EFCC offices in the states.

"No visitor is allowed to enter the premises. This is an order from the presidency.

Visitors are not allowed in. This directive has been in place since this week," an EFCC official told THISDAY. THISDAY observed that visitors were turned back at the major entrance of the commission's Abuja office.

AKPABIO REPLIES NUNIEH, DENIES ALLEGED HARASSMENT, CORRUPTION orchestrated by her against his person ranging from the allegation of corruption, sexual and workplace harassments, pipelines bombings, secret cult activities, abuse of office, amongst other lies peddled by her."

According to Akpabio, his initial attitude was to allow his lawyers and the judicial system vindicate him of the false allegations against him, "but was compelled to react to some of the wayward allegations levied against his person by Ms. Nunieh, especially the one bordering on sexual harassment."

The statement added: "To start with, let it be known that there is no scintilla of truth in all the allegations peddled around by Nunieh. They are simply false! The honourable minister did not at any time,

place or circumstance make any form of sexual advances to Ms. Nunieh, not even to put himself in a position or posture suggestive of sexual advances towards Ms. Nunieh, or any female staff of his ministry or the NDDC. "For the records, the honourable minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio, is happily married and content with his wife. Together they are blessed with children, four of whom are young women.

The honourable minister is an avid believer of the affirmative action and that was visible in the appointments he made as a two- term executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State between 2007 and 2015. Under his watch, he appointed several women into various high-level positions as chairpersons of local government councils,

magistrates, judges, and heads of parastatals, directors, permanent secretaries, and commissioners."

The statement described the minister as the first governor in Akwa Ibom State to have a female deputy governor, as well as the first to appoint female chief judges of the high court, recommended women for ministerial appointments, citing a former minister of housing and urban development.

Akpabio, the statement stated, also supported for an appointment the first female vice-chancellor of the only federal university in the state, among others, adding that "he has always championed and still champions the cause of women and young children."

"The honourable minister has never hidden his

admiration and respect for his wife, Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio, children and sisters, he, therefore, felt compelled to react to the malicious attack on his person by Ms. Nunieh bordering on allegations of sexual harassment. The honourable minister, therefore, finds the said allegation nauseating and very cheap blackmail, for Ms. Nunieh to suggest or insinuate that he sexually harassed her, while she was the acting Managing Director of the NDDC. "The honourable minister also finds it appalling that Ms. Nunieh never deemed it fit to report the alleged incident to the police at the earliest opportunity she had, before, during or after her tenure as the acting Managing Director on February 17, 2020, if indeed the allegation was

MAGU WRITES PANEL, DEMANDS COPIES OF MALAMI, OTHERS’ PETITIONS in detention also called the panel’s attention to what he called “serial falsehood publications in the media in respect of matters which never featured in the proceedings” of the panel, saying they were prejudicial to the work of the enquirers.

The suspended EFCC boss in a 16-point letter signed by his lawyer, Mr. Wahab Shittu, a copy of which was made available to THISDAY yesterday, complained that despite his request, he had been denied copies of allegations against him.

“Our client is spending the 9th day in custody without being given [a] copy of the allegations against him to enable him formally respond to same,” it stated, adding: “Our client is ready to formally respond to [the] allegations and furnish documentary evidence in support if served the copy of the allegations.”

He, therefore, demanded a copy of the report of the Presidential Audit Committee; a copy of the memo of the AGF to the president; and individual petitions submitted to the panel.

“Our client observes that rather than being afforded copies of the allegations against him, some of these allegations are flying [a]round the social media platforms with prejudicial consequences,” it said, adding: “Our client requests that these allegations be formally served on him to enable him [to] respond to the same immediately.”

Magu cited 13 publications in the media, which he said were orchestrated to prejudice the proceedings against him and dismissed them as false.

One of the publications he called the attention of the panel to is THISDAY’s lead story of July 13, ‘Revealed: Magu Failed to Submit EFCC Audited Account for Four Years.’

“The truth is that EFCC under our client’s watch is not in arrears of submission of Audited Accounts. EFCC has complied in the submission of

Audited Account for four years running,” it said and explained the account for 2020 would be submitted by September by virtue of section 37 of the EFCC Act, 2004.

Copies of the commission’s covering letters submitting its Annual Reports for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 to the National Assembly were sent to THISDAY yesterday as proof of compliance with the law.

However, standing by its story, THISDAY Board of Editors pointed out that while the newspaper’s emphasis was on annual audited reports, the EFCC sent purported covering letters of annual reports.

Even then, whereas the law requires submission not later than September of each year, the covering letters were signed well after September, signifying none compliance with the law.

In any case, added the editors, certified copies of the reports were not made available to THISDAY. More importantly, the commission showed no evidence of compliance with the law with respect to the Annual Audited Account.

“As we speak, there is none of those audited reports in the public domain,” the editors said, pointing out that the EFCC has not published anywhere the names of their external auditors who ought to have audited the account.

“Had the commission submitted the audited accounts, many of these issues and allegations that are now being raised against Magu would have been cleared,” THISDAY editors said.

Magu had been arrested on July 6 by security operatives at the Abuja zonal office of the commission on his way to a meeting and taken before the Justice Ayo Salami-led presidential panel.

But despite reports that he was undergoing interrogation daily since his arrest, except on weekends, his lawyer, Shittu, said yesterday that he had not appeared before the

panel for days, claiming that he is yet to be given a copy of the allegations against him.

The presidency, however, said the suspended anti-graft agency chief's invitation by the panel was in his best interest.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, told a television network last night in Abuja that Magu was invited to give him an opportunity to clear his name, explaining that the enquiry was not a trial.

The presidency also reportedly suspended the commission’s Secretary, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, and 11 other directors of the antigraft commission to ensure an unhindered enquiry.

THISDAY gathered that visitors have been barred from the EFCC headquarters and other offices in the country.

Earlier yesterday, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, had asked Magu to direct his bail application to the presidential panel.

Counsel to the suspended EFCC boss, Mr. Tosin Ojaomo, told THISDAY that Magu regained his freedom yesterday evening.

"Yes that is correct," he responded to inquiries about Magu's release.

Magu's lawyer had written Adamu seeking his release.

A source said the suspended boss of the anti-graft commission was in high spirits and had also vowed not to give up on the fight against corruption.

He also denied all the allegations levelled against him, saying they were fabricated to tarnish his image.

“As for me, I will forever wage war against corruption.

I urge Nigerians to continue to support the fight against corruption. They should not give up on the fight because corruption kills a nation faster than any other thing," he was quoted as saying.

Before his release, his lawyer, Oluwatosin Ojaomo, was said to

have written the IG requesting for his bail.

But the IG replied that Magu's detention was not authorised by him but the presidential panel and urged the lawyer to redirect his attention to the presidential panel.

In a letter dated July 14, 2020, and addressed to Ojaomo, the IG said the police were not investigating and detaining Magu, so, they could not grant the bail request.

The letter, signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IG, Mr. Idowu Owohunwa, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, advised the lawyer to redirect his request to the chairman of the presidential panel for appropriate attention.

He said: “The InspectorGeneral of Police directs that your attention be drawn to the fact that the Nigeria Police Force is not investigating CP Ibrahim Magu (your client), and he is accordingly, not being detained by the police but by the presidential panel that is investigating the activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, advises that you reconsider directing your request to the chairman of the presidential panel for appropriate attention.”

Magu Denies Facing Panel for Days However, despite reports that he was undergoing interrogation daily, except on weekends, since his arrest, Magu's lawyer yesterday said he had not appeared before the presidential committee for days.

The suspended EFCC boss was said to have appeared before the panel about a week ago.

Shittu, in a letter written and submitted to the panel yesterday, said his client had not been brought before the panel between Thursday and Tuesday.

He added that Magu had

Commission’s Secretary, 11 Other Tops Officials Suspended The presidency has barred visitors from the EFCC headquarters and other offices across the country even as it suspended 12 directors of the commission.

Although there was no official statement, it was gathered that the AGF authorised the suspension.

The Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr. Umar Mohammed, reportedly received the letter suspending the directors late Tuesday."

Some of the affected directors, however, have

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THURSDAY, ͹;˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

CRIME

The Gruesome Murder of Gokada Founder, Fahim Saleh U Vanessa Obioha

ntil his dismembered body was found on Tuesday, July 14 in his Manhattan apartment by his sister, little was known about Fahim Saleh, son of Bangladeshi immigrants who was born in Saudi Arabia. Touted as a successful entrepreneur, the 33-year-old was professionally assassinated in a manner that may be similar to that of Saudi Arabian author and journalist Jamal Khashoggi whose body was never recovered.

The technology entrepreneur who founded Nigeria’s Gokada ride-hailing app was found decapitated and dismembered in a luxury New York apartment with a power saw plugged in nearby, New York media reported.

News of his death filtered in the air on Wednesday morning after news outlets such as the Daily News and New York Times broke the news. The international publications reported that Saleh's body was found in his luxury Manhattan condo, decapitated and dismembered.

"When detectives began investigating, they found the man’s torso and an electric saw nearby, two law enforcement officials briefed on the matter said. The man’s head and limbs were later found in the apartment, a Police Department spokesman said," writes the New York Times.

Saleh's sister was said to have discovered her brother's torso when she visited him on Tuesday afternoon at 3.30pm. She had been worried about him since she didn't hear from him for a day. Panicked and horrified, she called the police who found the saw that was supposedly used to carry out the inhumane act still plugged into an electrical outlet. The piece of evidence led the police to assume that the sister may have interrupted the killer by her arrival. The victim’s head and limbs were later found in the apartment.

Further investigations by the detectives revealed that the killer had followed the deceased in the building’s elevator with another person who was wearing a black suit and black mask as captured in a surveillance camera.

"On the video, the elevator door opens and Mr. Saleh goes into the apartment, the official said. The masked person follows directly behind him, and the two immediately start to struggle, the official said. The sister is seen on the video arriving a short time later. There is a second way out of the apartment through a service entrance, the official said," writes New York Times.

The Daily News reports suggested that the victim was possibly shot or stunned as he fell immediately after walking out onto his floor.

“The perp had a suitcase. He was very professional,” one police source told the publication.

“We have a torso, a head that’s been removed, arms, and legs. Everything is still on the scene.

We don’t have a motive,” Police Spokesman, Carlos Nieves told the Daily News.

Saleh, 33, founded the Gokada motorbike

hailing app. It was popular in Lagos until the state government in February banned all motorcycle taxis, known locally as ‘okada’.

Gokada, funded by US and Gulf investment and venture capital funds, has one of the largest fleets of motorcycle hailing taxis in Nigeria.

Mail Online reported that at the time of his death, he was being sued by a former prison guard- turned criminal, who was jailed for using his app PrankDial to secretly record and listen to employees' phone calls.

He founded the app in 2015. The app let Kirk Eady, the former deputy director of Hudson County Correctional Facility, place a call between two employees without them knowing he was behind it, then listen to whatever they said.

He listened to their complaints about him and about their jobs then retaliated against them in the workplace, according to prosecutors.

He was jailed for 15 months and in 2017, sued Saleh for fraud, claiming the app made him think what he was doing was legal.

Though the case has officially been ruled as a homicide, there are suspicions that Saleh was perhaps in a financial trouble, a possible motive for his murder.

The late technology entrepreneur who grew up in the United States was said to have a knack for tech right from his younger days. He delved into business while in his teens, finding social media websites such as Salehfamily.com and teen-hangout.com “We used to call him the Elon Musk of the developing world. He was like the Energizer Bunny,” a friend told The Post.

In a 2016 interview with Radiche, the deceased credits his knack for technology to the hours he spent playing video games.

By high school, Fahim was generating $100k-$150k in profit from websites according to the publication.

“I would stay up super late, work on it and would be worried my Dad would catch me.

He thought it would hinder my schoolwork, which it didn’t. Then, I got my first paycheck from Google for $500 as a teenager and showed it to my Dad. He was like, ‘Okay, let’s open an account.’ The same website was sold on eBay for $2,000.”

Early success came to Saleh in 2009 when he founded PrankDial, an app he invented for making prank telephone calls, shortly after graduating from Bentley University.

By 2015, the young millionaire co-founded the ride company Pathao, which is popular in Bangladesh and Nepal. He would however launch the first motorbike hailing service in Nigeria in 2018 and in 2019, the company raised $5.3 million in venture capital.

“We are deeply saddened to inform you about the sudden and tragic loss of our founder and CEO, Fahim Saleh,” the firm said on Wednesday.

Saleh reportedly bought the condo where the remains of his body were found for $2.25 million last year in a building on East Houston St. at Suffolk St. on the Lower East Side, Manhattan. No official statement from his family yet.

L-R: Gokada Founder, Fahim Saleh; his two sisters, Rif Saleh; and Ruby Bashir

Saleh

The building where Saleh was murdered

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY JULY 16, 2020

POLITICS

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

‘Akpabio Ensured He Got 30 Contracts for Water Hyacinths’ In an interview monitored on Arise TV, by Nseobong Okon-Ekong, Joi Nunieh, a former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission reacts to sundry issues raised by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, insisting that no forensic audit is currently ongoing at NDDC, and therefore imploring President Buhari to urgently inaugurate the NDDC Governing Board that has already been screened and approved by the Senate

Y

ou listened to the Minister’s interview. You were accused of one, insubordination, and secondly of not having an NYSC Certificate or any evidence that you served in the NYSC scheme There was a statement by the Minister and members of IMC that I had spent over N22 billion. I thought it was important that I go to the National Assembly to make my case and state to all Nigerians and the President that I did not spend N22 billion, I only spent N8 billion.

I am very happy that members of the National Assembly do have copies of all the monies spent by the NDDC from the Central Bank and from the Accountant General’s office.

Five issues were raised by Akpabio. The first thing that he said was that I have been married to four husbands. Unlike Akpabio I have already asked my lawyers to sue him, a Senior Advocate, he will be hearing from us. I expect that Akpabio should also follow suit and sue me for the comments that I had made during my press conference. They were issues based on his integrity. I expected that in Africa we say that good name is better than gold and silver, but he chose to come to that interview not to explain the allegations that I have personally made against him but the world saw that as my supervising Minister the only relationship that we should have had would have been a relationship of work to supervise me, relationship of a supervisory minister over the CEO of the NDDC. He chose to come to tell the world that his main interests has always been my love life and the issue is did he want to be my fifth husband? If no why is my love life very important to him. Secondly why is it that six months after he is still interested in my love life. Why is he interested? I have challenged Akpabio, he will come to court to give a list of my four husbands. I know that I have not married four husbands so the onus is on Akpabio to come. I am not going to give the name of my husband so that he doesn’t use it in his testimony. He should come and give the names. The law is that he who alleges must prove.

The second thing that Akpabio alleged was that I do not have an NYSC certificate. He came with some documents showing the world that it was handwritten. I am here to tell the world that I wrote that application. That letter that Akpabio showed you was my letter. It was handwritten.

There’s no law that says you cannot write, and for a minister to say can you imagine, it was written by hand. Handwritten letters are more authentic than the typewritten letters. The typewritten letters can only be authenticated by my signature.

I wrote that application to the Nigerian Law School. I was requesting for three things from the Nigerian Law School. The question Akpabio should be asked, is when she wrote that letter did the Law School reply, did they give her what she requested, yes. Is the Law School NYSC? The Law School is not NYSC so coming with a letter to Law School is just very silly. I requested for a certified true copy of my call to bar certificate, my enrolment certificate, and the third thing I asked for was a list of those people who were in my set that went for NYSC that Law school sent, they have a list of all those. Did the Law school give it to me?, were they certified, yes they were certified. Now the issue is you can see that Akpabio didn’t have any issues which he said look at the date she graduated three months It was on television that I learnt why I was removed. He said he sent her seven letters and she didn’t respond and that was insubordination.

As a former Governor, he should know that rules apply, the public service rules are what I would have been bound by as MD of the NDDC and that requires that at least I get a query about insubordination. I want to tell all Nigerians and even Mr. President that I did not receive one query from Mr. Akpabio to explain myself. I have a constitutional right of fair hearing and I think I know the reason why Akpabio would

house at Apo. Why did he not tell Nigerians what insubordination was about? Why did I stop going to meet him. He told the Senate committee that I refused to come to meet him to have meetings. Why didn’t we hold our meetings at the office? I told Mr. Akpabio that I will not go to any meeting outside his office or my office. The last time before that week before I left, he came to Port Harcourt, I did not go to the Meridien hotel to meet with him.

You literally slapped his face. Why did you slap him?

I slapped him because of his Plan B. Since he couldn’t get me to allow him to take that money, he thought that with Plan B, if he could come up on me he, didn’t know that I am a Port Harcourt girl, Port Harcourt girls are not moved by money, by telling me that you will make me, that you will make me the substantive MD. Can we clarify this because we cant gloss over a slap. What is the Plan B? He came upon you? What exactly does that mean?

We were having a meeting. Akpabio’s meeting with me is either in Apo or at Meridien or whatever. Those are his meetings. I slapped him well.

Nunieh never have given me that query. He knew that if he wrote me to give me the query I would have responded. Why didn’t he use a more substantial case of NYSC certificate to remove me? Why? That would have been a more genuine case if he truly believed that that was a case against me.

He should have used the NYSC but he could not substantiate his case. All he had was a letter that I wrote long hand so he couldn’t use anything about NYSC against me so he chose to use the one about the letters. The law is that he must have written me, but he didn’t write me because he couldn’t prove insubordination against me why because Akpabio wrote me more than 20 letters, he wrote me letters for “appeal for your intervention towards amicable settlement judgement”. He wanted for us to pay for legal fees.

NDDC is not to pay legal fees to help people. He doesn’t just understand that NDDC’s money is not to be used to assist people. This is it (shows the letter). The one that he wrote me is “Request for assistance”. Am I supposed to respond to request to get assistance for some people?. Now this letter is from the Chief of Staff to the Honourable Minister. Can you imagine, “Request for assistance” from NDDC money. How do I respond to this kind of letter? (Brings out another request for assistance letter) for us to pay for contracts.

This one is written by the Director of Special Duties(shows the letter). This is the reason why Joi Nunieh was removed. Now there is another one by the same director , “Reminder for long overdue payments”. I have never seen where a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria would write. He could have phoned and not written, its documented here for me to make payments to his cronies. Another one to a different person.

Now I have this one for payments for water hyacinth. Look at it.

I want to focus on the issue of NDDC and general perception. I am sure you will agree it has underperformed. How do we ensure service delivery for the people of the Niger Delta in the next 20 years so that is not flushed under the tube as the last 20 years has been. In all of this back and forth, what happens to the people of the Niger Delta?

I think it is very important that I answer this issue of insubordination because that was the reason why I was removed as MD, so it cannot be irrelevant. He accused me and made a case and made a memo to Mr. President that I was removed because I did not respond. Now when I told Mr. Akpabio that Sir, please let your directors not write me letters, it can implicate you, its very embarrassing, and I saw that Mrs Walton Jack who was the Permanent Secretary refused to write those letters that was why the director and the chief of staff wrote those letters. And upon that Akpabio now did me a letter based on my advice that she should never write these letters again. He now wrote me this letter, “restriction of correspondences with the ministry””. He now said that I should never again acknowledge letters from all these people again. (shows the letter).

So, now he forgot that he wrote me this letter and then he used it against me.

When Akpabio saw that he could not make me bring out the money, he now tried Plan B of insubordination.

Why did he not tell Mr. President what happened that I slapped him. Why did he not tell Nigerians that I slapped his face? In his guest

When Akpabio saw that he could not make me bring out the money, he now tried Plan B of insubordination. Why did he not tell Mr. President what happened that I slapped him. Why did he not tell Nigerians that I slapped his face?

In his guest house at Apo. Why did he not tell Nigerians what insubordination was about? Why did I stop going to meet him. He told the Senate committee that I refused to come to meet him to have meetings. Why didn’t we hold our meetings at the office? I told Mr. Akpabio that I will not go to any meeting outside his office or my office

Well, Joi, are you accusing him, Senator Akpabio of attempted rape. Is that the point you are making? Or sexual harassment?

Harassment sounds better not rape So you are accusing him expressly of sexual harassment?

Yes. I’m accusing him. Most Nigerian women face lots of these pressures and that’s why you see that Akpabio is more interested in my love life. Its because of that incident that he said I am temperamental.

Two, Akpabio’s girlfriend supplies the diesel at NDDC. I looked at that diesel situation and I said why don’t we give the young Niger Delta boys, divide it into the nine states for them. And this is most important, NDDC in the past had paid for us to get light directly from Afam power station connected straight to the NDDC headquarter building. That was disconnected at the gate of NDDC. Millions of Naira was paid to get that light source to NDDC. It now stopped at the gate.

To connect it from the gate, it was sabotaged not to go inside the building. So when I came, I said all this money on diesel, how do we cut it down. I am not here to spend money, I am here to cut down, how do I tell Mr. President that I came to do forensic audit and I come in here to commit the same offence, I will not do it. So we went down and looked at the system, I said how much will it cost instead of spending money on diesel. To cut a long story short, I approved, we got the engineer to repair that thing. Now I have a view only of the Remitta platform, I am not the one to pay. The ED, FA (Executive Director, Finance and Admin) is the one that presses for payment. Do you know that they refused to pay the money to connect that light into the office so that we can keep buying that diesel.

He also wanted me to bring money for his presidential ambition. He got upset that I saw Mrs Amaechi and Mrs Sylva at the airport and I spoke to them because they are his political enemies.

Now that same lady had the audacity to go to the National Assembly to put projects. She went to the Clerk of the Committee. I don’t say things that I cannot back-up. She is not a staff of NDDC but went to the National Assembly and told the Clerk that the Minister had authorised her to put projects into our budget after I submitted the budget. She didn’t come to me, Akpabio did not come to me.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY JULY 16, 2020

POLITICS

‘No Igbo Man Can Do What Northerners Have Done For Me’ Prince Engr. Arthur Eze, a billionaire oil mogul, philanthropist and respected Igbo leader inn this interview with journalists in his palatial mansion in Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, what Igbo politicians must do to become Nigerian president. David-Chyddy Eleke was there.

J

ust recently, police zonal command was inaugurated in your community.

We would want you to use this opportunity to clear the air on some rumours that first, it was sited here in order to muscle the opposition to your town and that the governors of the south east shunned attending the event because of some misgivings?

First of all, all the governors attended. The governor of Enugu State sent the Secretary to the State Government. He was there in person. Ebonyi sent, Anambra later sent his security adviser.

About sitting, in Anambra, Dunukofia or Ukpo is in a centralized position. From here to Enugu with the new express road is 20 minutes. From here to Ebonyi is about one hour using the road Buhari built for us. Here is a centralized place. Governor Obiano wanted it to be sited in Aguleri, his hometown. Aguleri and Umueri are fighting war for many years, killing themselves. They are not in good terms.

He has never reconciled them. He was talking about where to site zone 13. The most important thing is for him to reconcile Aguleri and Umueri communities. They are still fighting up till today. This is important. If he wants to take Zone 13 let him go and take it. It does not bother me where it is sited. How many years shall I live? Five or 10 years, and I will go. Where you site it does not bother me and doesn’t make sense to me.

We heard the governor almost took it to his town, but you fought to bring it to Ukpo?

The point is that I didn’t even fight. I didn’t have the impression that I was fighting but when I heard that Obiano wrote petition against me, I knew that there was war. I thought that he could have been happy we brought it to the centre. From here to his place is less than seven minutes; from here to Onitsha is seven minutes. I thought that we were working together until I heard that he went to Abuja to spray money. Some people threw him away.

The other man told him “take this bag (money) you kept here. I don’t want to take it. I know Prince Eze since over 30 years. I didn’t know him because of money.” So, they are sharing your money everywhere.

In 2023, Ndigbo are saying that they should be allowed to produce the president of this country. As an illustrious Igbo man, what is your position in this project?

I started politics when I was very young.

My father was a member Eastern House of Chiefs during the time of Nnamdi Azikiwe and then Premier, Okpara. I used to open doors for politicians whenever they come around.

I was very small then. My father never opposed any leader, be him Yoruba or Hausa man. It is not in our blood. We preferred to live in peace with everybody. For the Igbo to be president, they must love themselves. Do you love yourselves?

These South East governors, does any of them ask whether you eat or not? Abacha attended a meeting with General Husseni as chairman. He allocated 5 percent to each local government.

The North is implementing their own up till today. Governor of Enugu State is implementing their own. Does Anambra governor implement it? Dunukofia Local Government Area makes about N150 million every month. Has Governor Obiano built anything in Dunukofia? Has he brought any industry in this Anambra? Tell me. Your children, where are they going to go tomorrow? Go to Yoruba land in Ogun, you will see industries. Go to Rivers you’ll see industries. We have no war with anybody.

The north is very kind. If you go to Northern

Eze Nigerian, you will see Christian churches everywhere. There are Christian churches in Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Abuja and others yet they say there is hatred. Do we love ourselves?

Provide something for you people, your own children. Very soon we shall die. Your children, where are you going to engage them? Which industry did they build? They didn’t build anyone, even if it one that is producing toilet tissue. That is the problem.

It’s obvious you are in love with northern leaders and they love you too. Are you saying that the 2023 presidency being canvassed by Ndigbo will not work? Again, why are you not going to use your position to make a case for Ndigbo?

Listen, only God can make Igbo man president. We shall pray to God to find an Igbo man who has character to help people. Northern people are kind. I would prefer someone who has conscience; somebody who will remember you. I don’t care where you come from. I went to the north; they didn’t know who I was.

Abubakar Rimi gave me $12 million for Kano TV in 1980. I didn’t have N1. He called Governor Lar and he gave me Plateau $12 million. It was the same thing in Katsina, Borno and Kaduna.

Then, they put me in oil business. They didn’t care where I came from. Tell me any Igbo man who can do that.

During the time of Jonathan, we had the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Pius Anyim. What did he do for Igbo people? He brought Julius Berger and they tarred his own road; the one leading to his house. All our roads were bad. It is President Buhari that is tarring our roads now. Look at Enugu – Onitsha Road, Enugu – Port Harcourt Road, Second Niger Bridge. He went and modernized Zik’s grave. Did Jonathan do that?

Jonathan’s people wrote petition against him.

His people said that he took their land and built a house. They copied me the petition and I showed it to him. I said look at it, they are your people. You could not even help your people. What do you want the north to do?

By next year, Anambra will be electing another governor for the state and there is this argument over zoning. Where do you stand on this issue?

The point is, if you see a good man, no matter where he is from, go and help them.

Let them have the opportunity; provided that there is a good human being from that area; not a criminal that will deal with the people when he acquires power. Any man from the minority who has not gotten that power should be allowed. This is because if you don’t do that, God can change. God can change the situation anytime.

DISSENTING VOICE...IN HIS OWN WORDS

On the Matter of Equity, Justice and Fairness in Enugu Akpa Francis, a public affairs commentator revisits the current succession controversy in Enugu State aheadof2023andquestionsthezoningarrangement that excludes people of old Awgu division

I

n my previous write up with the title, “The Deceitful Zoning Propaganda in Enugu State”, I tried to show how Greater Awgu (cultural zone) people comprising Awgu, Aninri and Oji River local government areas of Enugu have been reduced to the political weeping child of the state.

This is due to the worst form of political marginalization foisted on the people before, during and after the creation of Enugu state.

Expectedly, the write up attracted mixed reactions. In that write up, many pertinent questions were raised challenging proponents of zoning in the state to provide evidence as to when and who sat together to draw the agreement on zoning (written or unwritten).

While many hailed the logicality of the argument, some people with opposing views made feeble attempts to counter the argument even as they were lacking in facts and failed woefully to provide answers to the basic questions raised.

Their best attempt was to say that zoning was conventional and that it has come to stay! We shall return to that later.

In this second intervention, I basically want to present further historical evidence to buttress the point that 2023, by reason of equity, justice and fairness, Ndi Awgu, whether by “cultural zone” or old divisional structure (or even affirmation), should be supported to produce the next governor of Enugu state. Power can still shift to Nkanu cultural zone (still part of old Udi division) afterwards. By so doing, equity is still served.

The old Awgu Division was created by the British colonial authorities in 1919 and later gave birth to Oji River Local Government during the nationwide Local Government Reform of 1976 while Aninri LGA was later carved out of Awgu in 1996.

From the introduction of a Federal Constitution in Nigeria in 1954 until the end of the Nigerian Civil war in 1970, our dear Enugu State of today that was officially created in August 27, 1991, made up of three old administrative Divisions: The old Awgu Division, old Nsukka and old Udi Division, the old Udi Division covers both Agbaja and Nkanu clans.

This unique and constitutional position of the three defunct divisions in Enugu State has long been recognized by successive Governments pre and post independence.

In the 1957-1959, the cabinet of Eastern Region led by the then Premier of Eastern Region, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, historically, three (3 ) Ministers were selected to represent the three divisions that were to later constitute Enugu State.

The Ministers; Chief. Basil Okwu from Achi (Old Awgu Division) then Minister for Information.

Chief John Nwodo from Ukehe (Old Nsukka Division) then Minister for Commerce.

Chief. Elias Aneke Chime from Udi town (Old Udi Division) then Minister for Welfare.

Also under the post-independence government of Eastern Region led by Dr. Michael Okpara as then Premier of Eastern Region (1960-1963), we had: Chief. BC Okwu (Old Awgu Division) as Minister for Health.

Chief. JU Nwodo (Old Nsukka Division) as Minister for Local Government.

Chief. EA Chime (Old Udi Division) as then Provincial Commissioner, Enugu.

The above is equity and fairness.

What then happened later?

Ugwuanyi Governorship; Verifiably, the old Udi Division has produced the following elected Governors of Enugu State, they are: Chief. Sen Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo from Amechi Awkunanaw (old Udi Division): Governor, old Anambra State, 1979-1983.

Chief. Christian Chukwuma Onoh from Ngwo (Old Udi Division): Governor old Anambra State, October 1983 till December, 1983.

Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani from Agbani Nkanu, (old Udi Division): Governor Enugu State, 1999-2007.

HE. Barr Sullivan Iheanacho Chime from Udi town, (old Udi Division): Governor Enugu State,2007-2015.

Old Nsukka Division has also produced the following elected Governors of Enugu State, this includes: Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo from Ukehe, (old Nsukka Division): First elected Governor of Enugu State, 1992- 1993.

HE. Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi from Oba Nsukka (old Nsukka Division): current Governor of Enugu State, 2015-2023, God’s willing.

Then old Awgu Division???

Note, all these governors both past and present, became Governors based on the wish of God cum relationship and interest and not based on “Zoning” as has been deceitfully planted in the minds of Ndi Enugu State.

It is therefore logical and equitable that old Awgu Division (or Greater Awgu cultural zone) should be given the chance to produce the next Governor of Enugu State come 2023.

For the sake of equity, justice and fairness we call on our Udi/Nkanu old Division and Nsukka old Division brethren to support Ndi Awgu come 2023 in the interest of equity and fairness provided we present an electable and acceptable candidate.

On the argument that zoning is a conventional practice, may I remind such school of thought that zoning is dynamic and expediential in nature. It is not cast in stone. Many would rather prefer to use the term ‘power shift’, which to me is more democratic and just.

In the same vein, the people of old Awgu division are saying that while still maintaining equity and justice (and even if by affirmative action), and without jettisoning power shift, they should be supported to start the fresh power rotation (in line with power shift) and based on political expediency, since they have never tasted the governorship position before. After them, power can still rotate to Enugu East (old Udi division/Nkanu cultural zone).

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍ´Ëœ 2020

COMMENT

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

HISTORY FIGHTING SILENCE

Okello Oculi underlines the importance of teaching History in schools

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project run by AFRICA VISION 525 INITIATIVE uses research and simulations of Assemblies of the African Union to train participants from several secondary schools with knowledge about African countries and orientation to be Heads of States of specific countries. They fill a questionnaire about geographical, historical and political aspects of Africa.

Responses are often shocking; alarming and hilarious.

Examples include a question asking for names of current presidents of specific countries. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo emerges as president of Mozambique, Tunisia and Chile. Former President Nelson Mandela has earned the presidency of Ethiopia, Senegal and Sudan.

A question about Nigeria’s date of independence has yielded various dates, including: 1979, June 12 (without the year), 1966 and 1999. Similar dates for other African countries draw blanks.

Other historical questions also elicit alarming answers.

Obafemi Awolowo has been identified as a Rap musician, a player for Arsenal, and the capital of Botswana. A considerable number of students do not even try to make guesses.

Nnamdi Azikiwe does not enjoy the title of a former ceremonial President of Nigeria or leader of either NCNC or NPP. Names of political parties during Nigeria’s First and Second Republics mainly draw blanks. Names like Mallam Aminu Kano, Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, Chief Akintola and Michael Okpara have never existed in the awareness of most participants.

A question about African countries which share borders has blessed Ethiopia with sharing borders with Katsina and Mali. On countries which border Nigeria, only Benin gets wide mention; while Cameroun comes next.

During a decade when the late Dr Yusuf Bala Usman was an ‘intellectual fertilizer’ as a writer and speech-maker (on Ahmadu Bello University campus and on a trans-Nigeria space), there was a paradox of very few students registering to study the subject of HISTORY of which he was the Head of Department. Students flocked into Economics, Sociology and Political Science. The only other field of study suffering malnutrition of student enrolment was DRAMA which was unwisely downgraded as a zone for jokers and clowns.

The immediate post-colonial generation of Historians had been preoccupied with asserting that information carried in dramatic oral narratives had the same historical merit as those held inside cold written texts. African-American scholar W.E.B. Dubois had, in his doctoral thesis at Harvard University, elevated the issue of Africans having footprints in human history by asserting that the evidence indicated that Black Africans were the Pharaohs who created the Civilization of Ancient Egypt. This revolutionary punch had used

RESPONSES ARE OFTEN SHOCKING; ALARMING AND HILARIOUS. EXAMPLES INCLUDE A QUESTION ASKING FOR NAMES OF CURRENT PRESIDENTS OF SPECIFIC COUNTRIES. FORMER PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO EMERGES AS PRESIDENT OF MOZAMBIQUE, TUNISIA AND CHILE

written sources.

Dubois was confronting teachers brought up on the myth that European civilization had roots in Ancient Greece. The location of Greece, across the Mediterranean Sea, to Ancient Egypt made his case as sweet to him as it was pungent his racist protagonists.

At Stanford University, Professor Mothershead (who in 1964 taught a compulsory course titled ‘’History of Western Civilization’’), shielded us from Dubois’s combative scholarship. His cultural context was reflected in the student-edited newspaper ‘’THE STANFORD OBSERVER’’ removing from a ‘’Letter to the Editor’’ my protest that Speke and Livingstone could NOT have “DISCOVERED’’ rivers and mountains in Africa where various African communities had lived with them for thousands of years.

Professor Cheik Anta Diop would use nuclear research to confirm that Pharaohs who build the civilization of Ancient Egypt were Black Africans. He analyzed skin taken from mummies in museum in Paris. In a 1980 interview in his Dakar office, Anta Diop revealed studying Ancient Greek, Ancient Latin, Ancient History, Anthropology and Hieroglyphics (Ancient Egyptian alphabet), to fight critics who were alarmed by his scientific results.

History is intensely contested.

Walter Rodney carried this combative historical work to economic analysis. He took off from forced labour migration out of African economies to the transfer of their productivity to build agricultural and industrial productivity in the Americas and Western Europe. The process of blocking the growth of an economy from which physical and creative labour; natural resources, financial profits is extracted, is central to his work. His work exposed ever evolving tools used to rob Africa.

British, Belgian, and Portuguese colonial officials denied education to Africans; caused self-contempt by teaching European geography, history, religion and languages but not about local environments, histories and languages.

Local economies are drained by consuming products by industrial growth in foreign economies.

This is History for achieving national freedom. It stands above lionizing ethnic heroes; dates of empires and tribal wars. It offers guides to extracting growth from international economic relations. It has eyes for Africa. It is a book that must be compulsory reading at university level. Primary and secondary school pupils deserve their own editions.

The book provides a model to be used by conducting research on; and writing and teaching histories of states and local governments.

ALUTA CONTINUA!

AKPABIO, NUNIEH AND NDDC TRILLIONS Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă‹ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?Ăœ ĂŒĂ™Ă‹ĂœĂŽ Ă‹Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă–Ă‹ĂĄËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ&#x;Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ÚÖËĂ?Ă? Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ— ÞÒĂ? Ëœ ĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂ?Ă? Olusegun Adeniyi Continued from backpage

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omrade Alex Kalejaiye, described as a community leader in Niger Delta, last year told a newspaper that Abuja is complicit in the problem of corruption in the NDDC, starting from inception when the Managing Director operated from the office of the SGF’s office. “The implication of this is that you will bring projects to them and say ‘Oga this is for you, Oga na you get this one’, as if you are bringing returns.

It’s like a sergeant bringing returns to the DPO at the police station� said Kalejaiye who also blamed the civil servants who have been at the commission from the start and the NDDC contractors he considered a special breed who have perfected the art of collecting money without doing the work.

However, when I spoke to one the contractors, he placed the blame at the doorstep of the political authority in Abuja. “Go and look at the people they appoint as either MD or Executive Directors in NDDC. They are always politicians with ambition to run for governor or senate.

So invariably, what they are telling those people is, ‘go and make money in NDDC’.

There is also hardly anybody appointed into the NDDC without a godfather or godmother to whom such a person will be making returns�, the contractor said as he recounted his experience. “I have been a contractor in NDDC for more than13 years

and I can tell you that upfront, you yield 20 percent of the contract sum to these politicians and NDDC is a place where collecting money after you have done the work is not a right but privilege. You have to beg to be paid and in the process, you negotiate. So contractors now know they are not expected to do any work, it is all about sharing money. But whether you believe it or not, most of this money also goes to service people in Abuja. That is why there is so much recklessness in the place.�

Whichever way you look at it, the NDDC is just one of several ways in which the people of Niger Delta are being short-changed, despite the huge resources that have gone to the region from the federation account since the 2002 Supreme Court ruling on onshore/offshore dichotomy. In year 2008 for instance, the allocation to Akwa Ibom State alone (then governed by a certain Godswill Akpabio) was N204.5 billion. To understand how enormous that is, the allocation to the entire five states in the South-east that year was N176.2 billion! When you then add the figures for NDDC, the hundreds of billions of Naira that have been voted for the amnesty programme, the 13 percent derivation and the Ministry of Niger Delta, it is obvious that the people of the region have long been short-changed by those who feed fat on their misery. We can of course say the same for the country.

A NEITI analysis of the disbursements

by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) for the year 2019 is revealing. Five states, according to NEITI, received above N100 million: Lagos (N117.76 billion), Bayelsa (N139.69 billion), Rivers (N158 billion), Akwa Ibom (N171.43 billion) and Delta (N218.58 billion). “Four of the top five states were in the Niger Delta region. This owes largely to the impact of 13% derivation,� which analysed the FAAC allocations to the 36 states. “While Osun State had the lowest disbursed figure of N24.14 billion, Delta State had the highest of N218.58 billion.

This implies that Delta State received over nine times the amount that Osun State received.�

While poor governance is not restricted to the Niger Delta region, the story of NDDC is that of waste, monumental debts and abandoned projects. The Isaac Jemide presidential committee report, covering between 2005 and 2011, listed a total of 609 projects spread across three states (Cross River, Edo and Rivers) that were abandoned at various levels of completion.

Some of these projects, according to the committee, were completely outside the statutory operational scope of the NDDC. We can also glimpse that from what is already coming out of a senate committee investigation.

Although Akpabio is making a song and dance about some ‘forensic audit’, what the situation at NDDC requires is a more fundamental structural reform. In

his paper ‘From the OMPADEC to the NDDC: An Assessment of State Responses to Environmental Insecurity in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’, Shola Omotola argued that given the performance of both OMPADEC and the NDDC, these agencies remain inadequate and ineffective because they are not disconnected from “political influences, corruption, unrepresentativeness, and other underlying structural problems that render them cosmetic.�

It is sad that the NDDC has in the past 20 years been very notorious for scandals.

But we must also come to terms with the fact that an ad hoc arrangement like the one currently in place is antithetical to the promotion of accountability. Incidentally, it was Akpabio who came up with this Interim Management Committee (IMC) arrangement after the Senate had confirmed the presidential nominees for the NDDC board. In his statement yesterday, Akpabio said the allegations against him were meant to “kill the forensic audit, and continue business as usual at the NDDC�.

But there is nothing in the law establishing the commission which provided for some administrators with elastic mandate.

Now that he and Nunieh are fighting dirty in the public square, President Muhammadu Buhari has a responsibility to intervene on the side of probity. And the only way to do that is to constitute a proper board, as demanded by law, and put in place measures to reform the NDDC.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020

EDITORIAL THE ‘MISSING’ BILLIONS IN MDAS The compromised agencies should be held to account

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he essence of audit is to determine whether financial reports are fairly stated or breach accepted standards. The purpose is to make those accountable to accept responsibility.

The 2017 Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation revealed large-scale infractions and lapses in the management of public funds by the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government. A combination of weak and compromised institutions has allowed the culture of impunity to thrive. Sadly, there are no consequences.

The report, submitted since April last year, has added to the public cynicism among Nigerians and organised labour about the propriety and intention of the current administration’s anti-graft war. Last week, a civil right group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urged President Muhammadu Buhari to compel the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and the anti-graft agencies, to investigate the reported N300 billion missing or stolen funds as documented in the auditor-general’s report. “We urge you,” wrote SERAP “to take meaningful and effective measures WHY DOES THE to clean up an apPRESIDENT NEED ANY parently entrenched FURTHER PROMPTING system of corruption TO INSTITUTE A PROBE in these MDAs. The INTO THESE GRAVE 2017 audited report ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD? reveals grim allegations WHEN WILL WE OPERATE of mismanagement, A GOVERNMENT OF diversion and stealing LAWS? of public funds, as well as unaccounted-for spending. The report suggests a grave violation of the public trust….”

The widespread violations documented in the report range from irregular expenditures to failure to surrender surplus revenues to the treasury, all running into billions of naira.

There were also unauthorised deductions from money due to the federation account by revenue collecting agencies, irregularities in payment and expenditure, irregularities in contract award and execution. Others include unretired

loans and advances, inadequate disclosure of aids and grants, unreconciled cash and cash equivalents and more. The report noted significant weaknesses in expenditure control, accounting, financial reporting and in the completeness and accuracy of the consolidated financial statements. Even more frustrating, previously identified lapses have not been adequately addressed leading to a situation of repeated violations. For instance, the executive summary of the report noted that 160 agencies defaulted in submission of audited accounts for 2016. But the number of defaulting agencies increased to 265 in 2017 while 11 agencies have never bordered to submit any financial statements since inception. Yet they have continued to receive appropriations from the National Assembly.

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

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

or instance, contrary to Section 162 of the Constitution which states that “the Federation shall maintain a special account to be called ‘the Federation Account into which shall be paid all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation,” the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) recorded revenue in the sum of N2.407.7tn; on its own deducted N1.332.07tn and remitted only N1.075.62tn to the federation account. In the same vein, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) failed to remit N2.297bn of the Internally Generated Revenue to the treasury.

Thus the compelling questions on the lips of many are: why does the president need any further prompting to institute a probe into these grave allegations of fraud? When will we operate a government of laws? Why should overpaid individuals and groups in the public sector continue to fleece the nation and yet walk the streets freely? Why has the government shirked its responsibility to hold to accounts individuals and groups who undermined the system and abused public trust? And why has the National Assembly failed to rise to the occasion by properly carrying out their responsibility of oversight? Or are they complicit?

Increasingly, there are mounting instances of tardiness in taking prompt decisions on issues of transparency and accountability in public office and institutions of government.

We demand a better and swift scrutiny of our public officials and institutions implicated in corruption. That is the only way the unscrupulous ones among them can be held to account.

TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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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.

It’s Time To Scrap The EFCC

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ust like we got it wrong with our COVID-19 response whereby we only resorted to “copy-andpaste” approach because we were shamefully lacking in local medical statistical know-how that would have ensured we correctly inferred the nature of the probable pandemic before us, we have also got it very wrong in our avowed attitude and false determination to fight the so-called public-office “corruption.” Let us all face the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Public-office corruption is only detrimental to societies where the government provides basic amenities and healthcare-insurance for its citizens. Even at the local government level, it is the responsibility of the functionaries at that tier to provide council flats (furnished and with running water and electricity supply) for its destitute citizens. But this does not happen in Nigeria despite the monthly allocations to all the 774 local governments of Nigeria. At the state and federal tiers, government fails woefully. Thus, those who reasonably make any meaningful impact in infrastructure development (real estate, especially), healthcare investment (private healthcare facilities and hospitals), education (privates schools at all levels), hospitality and tourism, commerce, etc., are those who have raided our collective national tills. These are the ones who are bold to venture into commitments to growing the economy because the government is

lethargic in that regard. Now, enter the chase-dog, that Rottweiler known as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); the EFCC basically exists to frustrate cash-flow processes and investment portfolios of private citizens who may or may not have raided the public till. Why confiscate private jets when a fad to own private jets would ensure that graduates of the NCAT at Zaria will have assured means of employment? Why confiscate hotel project of individuals when that business would have provided healthy competition for the NICON-class hotels at Abuja? Why threaten others with forfeiture of real estate assets at Lagos and Abuja when property managers and their assistants will be gainfully employed managing those assets on lease to expatriates? It goes on and on. See, the over half trillion naira that was reportedly mopped up from the national cash-flow process by Ibrahim Magu of the EFCC is essentially lost or has been parlayed to other investment portfolios in Dubai and elsewhere. What’s all this EFCC nonsense? An ex-EFCC boss allegedly absconded with over a trillion naira and now the narrative around Magu smacks of déjà vu.

Basically, EFCC is bad for Nigeria’s economic growth prospects.

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

A New Sign Of The Times

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he world’s headlines seem to be full of gloom and doom at the moment but a new sign of good times has appeared - Ophiuchus, the snake bearer. Like most people with any education in the science I consider Astrology to be in the same category as snake oil salespeople and it appears I was right, snakes do have an influence over our lives.

The only real concern is the mention of NASA in an article about star signs as many believers will seize on that and not read the rest of the article. The basic information from NASA is that the constellations have slowly moved relative to the earth and are now not where they should be in terms of the calendar. Astrology has not included the 13th constellation, perhaps because 13 is considered an unlucky number. NASA should probably have just laughed and not tried to convince the unscientific of the truth of science.

Like most people, I have glanced

at the Stars and considered what the day holds for me and it is generally positive, none specific and sometimes full of mumbo-jumbo. As a science teacher I used a simple approach to show students the falsehood of these predictions by giving them a set of predictions without the star sign name, the apparent characteristics of the star signs and asked them to identify which was which - the students failed to do this correctly.

For interest, mine, Aries, says in the local paper that I seem to be in a castle under attack, but there is a rescue party on the way. I’m not sure what to make of this but I think staying at home while the COVID pandemic is happening and waiting for a vaccine to be developed might be the only scientific reading of it and I didn’t really need to be told this again.

We’ll see if tomorrow is more positive.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯʹ˜ 2020

FEATURES

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

Flying Officer Arotile: Escaped Bullets from Bandits, Died in Freak Road Accident Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that the recent death of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first ever female combat helicopter pilot, who continuously escaped enemy fire during her combat operations against banditry in the North-central, only to die in a freak road accident in Kaduna, has defied logic

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he death of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first ever female combat helicopter pilot, is the stuff ironies are made of- she had successfully evaded death as bandits shot at her aircraft during one of her recent operations, only to die in a freak accident inside the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Kaduna on Tuesday, July 14.

She had just come back from Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State, where she was deployed in the fight to rid the North-central states of armed bandits and other criminal elements by flying several combat missions.

Ironically, in one of her most recent operations, she was targeted by the bandits who shot repeatedly at her aircraft but the dogged fighter engaged her combat skills and evaded them, while successfully carrying out what she was deployed for.

It was on her return to the NAF base in Kaduna with her pass that an excited excited former Air Force Secondary School classmate saw her strolling and reversed his car to greet her, a move that proved fatal as his car pushed her down and squished part of her head.

Although she was rushed to the hospital immediately, she was pronounced dead on arrival.

She was only aged 24.

Her Passion Arotile loved to fly-that was truly one of the things she was passionate about, little wonder she aced her courses as the best flight student from the NAF Academy, which qualified her for the helicopter training she received in South Africa.

In an exclusive interview this reporter had with the deceased on October 15, 2019, after she was winged at NAF headquarters in Abuja, her passion for flying was contagious and showed none of the grueling hours and pain it took to gain her license.

“Throughout my training I have always looked towards flying. The major thing I have come to realise in my field is that there is just no break in my career, you just have to keep pushing and doing your best.

“My advice to younger ones out there is that they should keep doing their best, they should keep running the race until they finish and they should not set limit for themselves because the only limit they have is the one they set for themselves,” she told THISDAY. NAF’s Reaction NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said until her death, Arotile, who was commissioned into the NAF in September 2017 as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64, was the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the service.

He said: “During her short but impactful stay in the service, late Arotile, who hails from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, contributed significantly to the efforts to rid the North Central States of armed bandits and other criminal elements by flying several combat missions under Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State.

“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, commiserates with the family of late Flying Officer Arotile over this irreparable loss. We pray that the Almighty God grants her soul eternal rest.”

According to the DOPRI, she has “gone too soon like a candle in the wind, and she will be greatly missed by the entire Nigerian Air Force family”.

The CAS in his statement said he was heartbroken by the incident, just as he described her as “one of our shining young stars”.

In a statement on Wednesday, Abubakar said Arotile was “a very intelligent, disciplined, confident and courageous young officer who added value wherever she served.”

He added, “as a squadron pilot in Operation

Late Arotile

GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State, she flew her quota of anti-banditry combat missions to ensure a safer, more secured Nigeria.”

Condolence Messages President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the family of the late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile.

The president in a statement on Wednesday signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, extolled the virtues of the first female combat helicopter pilot in the history of the Nigerian Air Force.

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari received with deep pain the passing of Flying Officer, Tolulope Arotile, condoling with the family on loss of such a promising officer, whose short stay on earth impacted greatly on the nation, especially in peace and security.

“The President salutes Arotile’s bravery in the field to protect the country from onslaught of bandits and terrorists, assuring that her memory will be indelible, and her efforts remembered.

“President Buhari commiserates with the Nigerian Air Force, airmen, airwomen and all friends of the deceased, recalling her deft skills in manoeuvring combat helicopters, which he had physically witnessed with pride.

“The President sympathises with government and people of Kogi State on the loss. President Buhari prays that the Almighty God will receive the soul of the departed, and comfort the family she left behind.”

Also mourning her was Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, who described her death as shocking and devastating.

In a condolence message by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, Bello said the death is a national disaster, saying she was a fantastic aviator. ”It was with great sorrow and shock that I received the news about the passing of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the first female combat Helicopter Pilot in the history of the Nigerian Airforce,” the statement added.

“Late Flying Officer Arotile brought the country to a standstill on October 15, 2019 when she was decorated as the first female combat Helicopter Pilot. This was a huge honour to her family and state, the nation, and the entire women in the country and beyond.”

Governor Bello said the late Arotile combined professionalism and patriotism in the discharge of her duties and was instrumental to Nigeria’s fight against banditry and other criminal activities

especially in the North Central region.

“We are devastated by the tragic death of this young promising lady who took bravery to the next level, demystified prejudicial stereotype and flew her parents, state and nation high in honour and professionalism,” he added.

He stated that “at the age of 23, late Arotile has woven her own story into the Nigerian Folklore as a patriot who died in defence of her nation. On behalf of the state, I commiserate with the family of late Flying Officer Arotile over this irreparable loss and I pray that the Almighty God grants her soul eternal rest, She will be sorely missed.”

Also condoling the family, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, expressed shock and sadness at the tragic death.

In a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Ola Awoniyi, Lawan said despite her brief service, the deceased flying officer, 24, left indelible footprints as a dedicated officer and Nigeria's first female combat helicopter pilot.

The Senate President noted the attestation of the Nigeria Airforce that Arotile flew several combat missions and made remarkable contributions to the military efforts against banditry and other criminal activities particularly in the North Central states.

Noting that Arotile was a role model for young women and the Nigerian youths in general with her focus and dedication to service and calling, he condoled with the family of the deceased, CAS, her officer colleagues, other airmen and airwomen, as well as the government and people of Kogi State.

Also, the Speaker of the House or Reps, Femi Gbajabiamila wrote on his Twitter page, “I received with great shock the death of our country's first female combat pilot, Tolulope Arotile, I saw her months ago display her talent to the admiration of many of us at a @NigAirForce event. Indeed we have lost a great talent! My condolences to the Arotile family and N.A.F.” NAF’s Women of War For the first time in the history of the Armed Forces, value beyond desk jobs (manning the schools and hospitals etc) have been emplaced on its female personnel, thus breaking the mould of gender discrimination. Championing this laudable feat is the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as it has engaged its female personnel to operational and combatant roles.

NAF had seven female pilots who have distinguished themselves in a field often seen as the exclusive preserve of their male counterparts, but with Arotile’s untimely and bizarre death, the

flanks have been reduced to six.

From Flight Lieutenant Blessing Liman and Flight Lieutenant Chika Ani to Flying Officer Genevieve Nwaogwugwu, Flying Officer Olubunmi Ijelu; Flying Officer Kafayat Sanni, and Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile and Flying Officer Chinelo Nwokoye, they all play combat support roles.

These seven female pilots have proven to be a new breed of high flyers whose passion push them to soar the skies in service to nation and mankind.

The feat has again reinforced the fact that their dreams remain valid as they are nurtured and also harnessed for greater heights. With Arotile’s death, things might never be the same again but soldier on they must.

Biography Born on December 13, 1995 to the family of Mr and Mrs Akintunde Arotile in Kaduna, Arotile hails from Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

She attended Air Force Primary School, Kaduna from 2000 - 2005 and Air Force Secondary School, Kaduna from 2006 - 2011 before she later gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna as a member of 64 Regular Course on September 22, 2012.

Arotile was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on September 16, 2017 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

She was winged as the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force on October 15, 2019, after completing her flying training in South Africa.

She held a commercial pilot license and also underwent tactical flying training on the Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter in Italy.

Incidentally, she introduced the newly acquired Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, during the induction ceremony at Eagle Square in Abuja on February 6, 2020.

Before her untimely death, she made significant and outstanding contributions to the war against terrorism, armed banditry and other forms of criminality in the country, flying several combat missions.

Flying Officer Arotile joined the Nigerian Air Force out of passion for the job. In her words “I joined the military simply out of passion for it.

Being a military personnel has been a long time ambition, the carriage and what it stands for are simply exceptional”.

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FEATURES

Ayo Bassey and Her Beauty Magic Wand Vanessa Obioha writes that beauty expert Ayo Bassey is keen on grooming a generation of beauty entrepreneurs that will take the global beauty industry by storm

A

t the beginning of the year, beauty expert and coach Ayo Bassey was confident that her laid-out plans will be executed.

It involved taking her students to Dubai, China, Morocco and Istanbul for training. The students only made it to Dubai in February before the mysterious COVID-19 pandemic made its entry into the country. Other plans were shelved, pending when normalcy returns. Nowadays, Bassey spends her time adjusting to the new normal, studying new trends and keeping motivated despite the strains of the pandemic on the economy.

The young entrepreneur has always evinced an interest in beauty, fashion and music, although she is a graduate of mathematics and computer science. She dabbled into fashion where her pieces were featured on multiple runways.

However, the certified cosmetic formulator, herbologist and perfumer needed no crystal ball to show her that her true calling lies in the beauty industry. With her supportive family and an unwavering faith in God, Bassey embarked on a journey to fulfill her dreams, but the search wasn't anything she imagined.

"In my quest to launch my dream beauty product line, I searched for where to learn all that I needed. I couldn't find any standard place in Nigeria. I had to learn from several specialists in different countries,” she said.

She bagged different diplomas from different institutions including Institute of Natural and Modern Cosmetech in India, Perry Romanowski in the U.S.A, Formula Botanica in the U.K, Sandir Perfume School in Spain and multiple online certificates. Overall, she has accumulated a 10-year experience in cosmetic product formulation.

Having garnered enough knowledge to start her beauty product lines, Bassey was motivated to provide education to others who may be interested in toeing similar paths.

That decision gave birth to COC Beauty School, a Nigeria-based institute that offers training in skincare product formulation, makeup, haircare and perfumery.

“I noticed that not everyone had the excellent environment I had growing up; not everyone had people to tell them that success is possible.

Not everyone was privileged to have a support system that motivates, inspires, fills in the gap, and shines the light. I decided to build that environment in any way possible, for as many that come in contact with me. This is one of the primary reasons why I'm more passionate about COC Beauty School than my other products. It was inspired by my desire to create the type of school I wish I had while starting.”

In its few years of running the school, Bassey has trained quite a number of people who are now running their beauty empires. The flexibility of the school curriculum which allows for both online and offline classes have seen 300 graduates bagging certificates while over 500 are still studying. To see her students excel gives the beauty guru an inexplicable joy. You could tell her excitement from the way she gushed about their successes.

“There's Nma Arua, founder of Classic Organics.

She came to COC Beauty School with no prior skincare formulation skill, a blank slate. Nma attended our Skincare Product Formulation Course, completed her course on November 30, 2019, and in less than a month, precisely December, she launched her kids' care range. By December 30, her kids' care range was sold out!

She made over N2,000,000 from her first launch with standby orders waiting for the next batch of products. She's been doing a great job since.

Nma produces 100 per cent organic kids' products using USDA certified organic ingredients. The value COC Beauty School gives is priceless,” she enthused.

Nma’s story is similar to that of Queen Eke and Amina Ahmed, both graduates of the beauty institute.

“Before I started my course with COC Beauty School last year in Lagos, Nigeria, all I had in mind was to learn for personal use, because I love to look radiant and healthy,” said Ahmed who specialises in herbal-based skincare products.

Beauty expert, Ayo Bassey

Amina Ahmed, graduate of COC Beauty School

Queen Eke, graduate of COC Beauty School.

“After my course in Lagos, I knew I had to join them for the masterclass in UAE. I went on COC Beauty School’s Dubai tour and it

gave me insight on how to merge my prior academic knowledge in botany with product formulation. It has helped me to create beautiful

herbal-based skin care products that produce that natural glow and healthy skin. Learning at COC Beauty School provided me with business strategies that I have used to secure partnerships with organizations that I supply products to.”

Before joining the beauty school, Eke who is the founder of Qrush, a brand that produces effective beauty products and herbs for vitality was a laidback beauty entrepreneur. She merely attended classes just to get basic knowledge, Her attitude changed after she encountered Bassey.

“COC Beauty School did not just perfect my formulation skills; it also fine-tuned my way of thinking. It gave me what I needed to stand out in life, and I carry it wherever I go now. I gained confidence. I can confidently and boldly defend my products anywhere. I am more positive now, and I look forward to having one of the biggest beauty production factories in Africa.”

More than anything, these testimonies are proof to Bassey that she is on the right path. At the same time, she is worried about the numerous myths surrounding the beauty industry in Nigeria. These misconceptions, she fears, are responsible for the bad reputation given to the industry which is valued at an estimated US$3 billion according to Euromonitor. She shared some of these false theories.

“One of the misconceptions making rounds is that organic products do not cause reactions. As much as organic products are nature in bottles, there are lots of ingredients from nature the skin reacts to. Natural products are not necessarily safer than synthetic,”she explained.

“Another false theory is that toning is mild bleaching of the skin. In Nigeria, people believe the word toning implies bleaching the skin mildly.

In the professional world of beauty, toning is a different process entirely and has nothing to do with skin bleaching. Toning is deep cleansing, removing dirt from the pores on the skin, and shrinking these pores back to promote an even skin tone, correct dark spots, discolourations, balance the skin’s pH and more.”

Perhaps, the biggest misconception is the effectiveness of organic skincare products within a short period.

“The huge lie hovering on social media is how organic skincare products can brighten the skin in 5 days. 100 per cent organic products take a minimum of four weeks to begin to show brightening results. They need to understand what is certified as organic and what is not. It is wrong to label a product as organic when the ingredients used to produce the products are not certified as organic. There’s so much misleading going on.” Nevertheless, she acknowledges that the black skin which in recent times have become a racial subject is a shoe of resilience, strength and depth.

As the pandemic rages, consumer behaviours towards beauty products have been altered, but not in a negative way.

“I noticed that consumers are more aware of how essential personal care products are. They now stock up their supplies in bulk in case a lockdown comes up. Consumers have also gone more digital in their shopping behaviour. You find more purchases being done online. I also noticed a newfound appreciation for beauty product formulation. More consumers have seen how huge the market behind personal care products is and have made moves to learn personal care product formulation online,” the beauty expert disclosed.

She added however that the demand for niceto-have products have plummeted drastically compared to need-to-have products. The shard decline in the latter is one of the significant impacts of the pandemic on the beauty industry, according to the specialist. She disclosed that face masks have replaced the need for lipsticks.

“Hygiene products are doing very well, especially the hand soap and sanitizer category, so most retailers have shifted focus from makeup to hygiene to stay afloat. It’s also been challenging for local manufacturers; some have been able to balance out by diversifying. I believe the key to recovering is diversifying, being innovative, and going virtual until the uncertain times are over,” she advised.

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T H I S D AY ˾ JULY 16, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S

A S

MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A T

J U L Y

12 % 13 %

S & P INDEX INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY

REPO 13.80 % 14.10 %

CALL 1-MONTH

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

1 0 , 2 0 2 0 S&P 573.42 % -0.32 %

1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

EXCHANGE RATE 1.88 % 19.17 %

N381/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes FirstBank Rewards Verve Cardholders

IT PROFESSIONALS’ ASSEMBLY

L-R: Vice President/Vice Chairman-in-Council, Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), Mr. Kole Jagun; President/Chairman-in-Council, Prof. Charles Uwadia, and Registrar/Secretary to Council, Mr. Allwell Achumba, during the 14th CPN IT Professionals’ Assembly, held online...recently

5G Technology a Necessity, Says FG Stories by Emma Okonji The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami has said the committee for 5G network deployment has concluded and submitted its report.

Pantami, who explained that technology remains a necessity for rapid transformation of the Nigerian economy, however said government would seek the input of industry stakeholders on 5G deployment, before the report would be released as well as before licences would be issued for the network deployment.

The minister who spoke at the recent 2020 Virtual IT Professionals’ Assembly, with the theme: “Adoption of 5G in Nigeria,” organised by the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), said the theme around 5G network deployment

TELECOM became necessary because of the many benefits that 5G network presents.

According to him: “Shortly after I resumed office as a minister last year, there was a plan by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator to roll out 5G network in Nigeria, but I had to put it on hold to enable me get in touch with the wider industry stakeholders, before we eventually had a trial 5G network rollout in collaboration with MTN in November 2019.”

Pantami further said: “After the trial 5G rollout, a committee was set up to look at the possibility of its rollout. The committee has submitted its report, but I believe now is the right time for all industry stakeholders to

take a critical look at the report and make recommendations that will enable government take a decision on the deployment of 5G network.

“If we take a decision to deploy or not to deploy 5G network, then it becomes a collective decision.

We have listened to several complaints about the perceived health risks associated with 5G rollout, but as government, our priority is to protect the citizens, but we do also know that 5G is a necessity and it has been deployed in other regions like US, South Korea, China, and South Africa.”

On his part, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Sonny Echono, said: “5G wireless network will deliver ultra-low latency and high speed

connectivity that would support Nigeria’s drive for digital transformation.”

The General Manager, Network Operations at MTN Nigeria, Mr. Uche Osuji, who was the keynote speaker, said the technology would open up new use cases in areas of mobile broadband, Internet of Things (IoTs) and mission critical applications.

Addressing the economic impact of 5G network, Osuji said global industry projections had it would enable $12 trillion worth of economic activity by 2035, and that the manufacturing sector would account for $3.4 billion, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) would account for $1.4 billion, and that global 5G adoption would reach 16 per cent, which would represent Continued on page 22

Experts Highlight Importance of Data Protection Regulation Following the implementation of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) law coupled with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation policy put together by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), experts at a recent webinar have stressed the need for Nigerian businesses to implement the NITDA’s Data Protection Regulation policy.

They highlighted the importance of data protection across all businesses.

The conference which was organised by the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), in conjunction with NetHost Nigeria Limited, sought to create awareness on data protection compliance and to encourage businesses to implement the Nigeria Data

TELECOM Protection Regulation.

President of ATCON, Mr. Olusola Teniola, in his opening speech, said: “As we all know the regulation aims at protecting and guarantying the safety of all users of web from the unscrupulous people who use their knowledge to defraud and cheat people who are genuinely transacting business over different websites, both public and private.”

Teniola emphasised that data was now the new gold and as such, must be treated accordingly.

He commended the Director General/CEO of NITDA, Mr. Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi, for putting the Data Protection Compliance Organisation docu-

ment together for the benefits of Nigerians who have moved their physical transactions online.

The Chief Executive Officer, NetHost, Dr. Abiola Abimbola, in his presentation, gave an overview of the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation Act 2019, the need for compliance and lawful processing of data.

According to him, “The Nigerian Data Protection Regulation Act is meant to protect data transactions and personal data manipulation. Most countries of the world have the Data Protection Regulation Act and Laws and this will ensure that there are authorities in those countries that are responsible for safeguarding personal information of people and organisation, which made it a global best practice.”

He said sensitive data could

be regarded as personal data but that they have been classified as sensitive data because they pose greater risk if exposed in terms of privacy or security exposures.

Abimbola explained that any organisation that acquired the personal data of a subject, determines what to do with it and how the data is processed through the backend, while taking instructions from the data controller and processes the data on behalf of the data subject. He said there would always be a mechanism in place where the subject could make request from the data controller on how his or her data is being used and processed.

He gave insight into the duties of data protection Continued on page 22

First Bank of Nigeria Limited is set to reward customers for Verve card usageinitsfreefuelpromotion.

The promo which is activated by FirstBank in collaboration with Verve International and Oando Plc kicked off on July 6, 2020 and would last till July24,2020between6amand6pm.

Astatementfromthebankexplainedthatinthepromo,foraminimumof N3,000 fuel purchase, FirstBank Verve Cardholders would receive five extralitresoffuelforfreeinstantlyatselectedOandoFuelStationsacross LagoseveryMonday,TuesdayandThursday.

“TheOandofuelstationswherethepromowillrunareAbijo(LekkiStillwaters), Fola-Agoro,Maryland,Agege-Bypass,Lakowe,Lawanson,Ojodu-Berger, Alapere, Shiro Road (Fadeyi Ikorodu Rd.), Awolowo Rd (by Fire Service), Marina,andTradefairstations,”thestatementadded.

Vervecardisasecuredebitcardthatallowsthecardholdertoconveniently meetdaytodayfinancialneedssuchaspaymentforgoodsandservices, airtimerecharge,billpayments,fundstransfer,etc.Itisacceptedacross allATMs,POS,WebandMobilePlatformsinNigeria.

PickupyourFirstBankVervecardtodayatanyofourbranchesandstart gettingrewarded!

FirstBankofNigeriaLimitedisthepremierBankinWestAfricaandoneof theleadingfinancialinclusionservicesprovidersinNigeriaforover125years.

Withover750businesslocationsandover57,000BankingAgentsspread across99percentofthe774LocalGovernmentAreasinNigeria,FirstBank providesacomprehensiverangeofretailandcorporatefinancialservices toserveitsover15millioncustomers

BMP Launches Car Hailing Service

BMPCarhaslauncheda2-in-1car-hailingtransportationsysteminLagos, Nigeria.

BMPCarisatechnologyride-hailingtransportserviceusing2-in-1model, CarSharingandVIPTaxionthesameplatform,whichallowsuserstolink-up andjoinanyoneembarkingonthesameroutewiththemorbookaninstant ridetotheirvariousdestinations.

The idea was designed to reduce hassle for online transport users, the Car Sharing mode is useful for both intra and interstate, while VIP Taxi modeismainlywithinLagosstate.

TheplatformaimstoofferNigerianssimple,reliable,securedandcheap transportationservicetoreducestressandaidsmoothinterandintrastate travels.

Thecompany’sChiefExecutiveOfficerandFounder,EzekielOjosaidthe platformwassetupwithauniquemodelofprovidinga2-in-1serviceofCar SharingandVIPTaximodelwithinstantbookings,unlikeitscompetitors.

He said through the initiative, car owners could find nearby people that are travelling on the same direction with them through a few clicks and get paid while users can also easily get across to available car owners embarkingonthesameroutewiththem.

Ojo added that people can request for a ride through theVIPTaxi model addingthatitwaspositionedtoofferdriversandpartnersthebestearnings whilealsoofferingusersexcellentservice.

Njalo.ng Offers Online Trading

Njalo.ngisaplatformthatenablessellerstoofferthebestpricestobuyers.

LaunchedinJanuary,Njalo.ng,aclassifiedplatform,statedthatitempowers individualsandbusinessesinNigerianwithfreeaccesstosellsmartphones, cars,laptops,clothes,shoes,bags,property,furniture,books/literature, andkiddies’clothes,amongothers.

“AsCOVID-19crisisisexertingsuddenandunprecedentedpressures— sometimes up, but more often down—on demand and pricing, it offers sellersadoortoreachouttobuyersbyofferingfreeplacementofitems andpromotingsuchproductsacrosssocialmediachannelsatnocharge tothesellers,”thefirmadded.

Expatiating on the why they chose to support sellers, the Chief Operating Officer of Njalo.ng, Mrs. Sandra Ani, said, although it was difficult to take a long-term view during a crisis of this nature, they expected that the sellers that emerge in the strongest positions would be those now takinga“through-cycle”viewoftheirrelationshipswithcustomersandthe communitieswheretheydobusinessaspartofanintegratedapproach withmarketingandsales.

ShesaidNjalo.ng’sstepisinlinewiththefederalgovernmentandvarious state governments’ call for support from the companies to assist with palliatives,especiallyinthefightagainstcovid-19.

“With the harmonisation of SIM registration database with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database, it is assumed that most of the challenges around national identity registration and management will be resolved” President Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON),

Mr. Olusola Teniola

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BUSINESSWORLD 5G TECHNOLOGY A NECESSITY, SAYS FG about 1.4 billion connections.

In his opening remarks, the President/Chairman-in-Council at CPN, Prof. Charles Uwadia, said: “There is no doubt that the adoption of 5G, which has been touted as the next frontier of investment, has the proficiencies and potentials to drive economic growth and social inclusion.

Presently, Nigeria’s ICT sector contributes more than oil and gas to the GDP. 5G is important because it has the potential to support millions of devices at ultrafast speeds; it is also capable of transforming the lives of people around the world.”

Highlight of the 14th IT Professionals’ Assembly, was the induction of 500 persons into the computing profession.

The Chairman, Registration, Regulation and Control Committee at CPN, Prof. Adesina Sodiya, advised the new inductees on professionalism and legitimisation.

“We have designed a professional development programme that will enable you to grow professionally and keep you abreast of new developments in the profession,” Sodiya said.

EXPERTS HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANCE OF DATA PROTECTION REGULATION compliance organisations that have been licensed by NITDA to perform data compliance and implementation functions, whom he regarded as agents of NITDA who are performing the compliance and implementation of data usage and protection.

He said third party data processors like telecoms operators who keep subscribers data and MainOne and Rack Centre who keep data of companies, could be described as data controllers.

He added that data controllers could only process personal data, through certain conditions such as consent from the data subject; legal obligations like registration of voters’ card or SIM card registration; vital interest to save lives; Public interest or based on Contract.

Abimbola also spoke on the need for data security in order to check against threats, adding that those involved in telemarketing who make unsolicited calls to subscribers, may be doing so unlawfully because the subscriber information may have been obtained unlawfully without the consent of the data subject.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

NEWS

TradeDepot Secures Additional $10m for Retail Supply Chain in Nigeria Stories by Emma Okonji TradeDepot, a B2B e-Commerce platform for consumer goods in Africa, has raised a further $10 million in a pre-Series B equity round co-led by Partech, International Finance Corporation, Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) and MSA Capital.

This was in addition to the $3 million that it raised in 2018.

The firm disclosed that it would use the new investment to continue its integration of the fragmented informal retail supply chain in Nigeria, expand into other African cities and launch a suite of financial products and credit facilities, to support its retailers.

The company has also tripled its volume of trade in the last 12 months.

Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of TradeDepot, Onyekachi Izukanne, said: “We are excited to strengthen our team and welcome on board some incredible strategic investors and partners, as we double down on our mission to digitalise and simplify retail distribution for the continent.

Africa’s offline retail market is estimated at $1 trillion, and this new investment allows us to capture an even greater segment of that market.

“We will continue to use data to drive efficiencies and provide an easier stock acquisi-

tion service for our over 40,000 retailers, driving down costs for them by negotiating even better deals with our global manufacturing partners, whilst simultaneously providing a better, faster route to market for our suppliers.”

Head of Africa Venture Capital Investment at IFC, Wale Ayeni, said: “TradeDepot is a rising star in the African internet landscape, helping digitize a substantial underserved infor-

mal retail segment, which is the pillar of economic growth in Africa. The founders’ vision to build a digital platform that improves the unit economics of serving the mass-market is one that we feel privileged to support.”

Program Manager and Implementing Partner of WeFi, Hanh Nam Nguyen, said, “Women play a pivotal role in driving economies across Africa, but lack of access to

capital, limited market linkages, cultural norms and other challenges often prevent them from achieving the success they want.

We-Fi financing will incentivize TradeDepot to build stronger women-led small and medium enterprises (SME) retailer and distributor networks, which will support them to become drivers of economic growth in their communities.”

General Partner at Partech, Tidjane Dème, said: “We are

proud to continue our partnership with TradeDepot as they continue their work to transform the huge informal markets that are present in Africa.

The founders have a wealth of experience that puts them in a great position to execute on their vision, and their approach and results to-date are why we are so excited by the extraordinary entrepreneurs harnessing the power of technology to address issues across the continent.”

SUPPORT FOR COVID-19 FIGHT

L-R: Director of Administration and Corporate Services, Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, Mr. Isaac Igbanoi; Lagos State Sector Commander, FRSC, Mr. Olusegun Ogungbemigbe, and Executive Director, Sales and Marketing, Neimeth Mrs. Roseline Oputa, at the presentation of COVID-19 public enlightenment kiosks to the FRSC by Neimeth in Lagos… recently PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

StarTimes Increases Content Offerings, Reaffirms Affordability Emma Okonji and Raheem Akingbolu StarTimes has increases its content offerings, through the addition of 15 channels that will enhance customers’ experience.

This is even as a new blockbuster Hollywood movie channel and two premium sports rights are coming on the platform.

The pay-TV entertainment provider said it pioneered

and remained the only player in the Nigerian market offering flexible subscription options such as daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly, which fits into the Pay-As-You-Go model, allowing Nigerians to subscribe according to their needs and means.

Marketing Manager of StarTimes, Viki Liu, who made the disclosure during a virtual conference meeting with journalists recently, said

due to StarTimes’ efforts to make digital TV affordable to all families, the price of pay-TV has been greatly lowered, from average $50 per month to 3 or 5 dollars per month.

She noted that the pay-as-yougo options are available for all bouquets, adding, “whether a customer subscribes daily, weekly or monthly to a bouquet, he or she will have access to the same channels and services.

The flexible billing systems are reasonable for people who do not spend reasonable time watching television after subscription.”

She explained that although the sharp drop in naira has forced the brand to adjust some of its bouquet prices upwards from August 1, subscribers would get more value for what they are paying, without compromising affordability.

According to Liu, “Over the

last couple of months, StarTimes has been adding new and exciting channels, great local and international channels for the viewing pleasure of our teeming subscribers without an additional charge. These channels, including other existing flagship channels and content, were acquired at a cost which StarTimes has continued to bear to cushion the economic pressure on subscribers.

Olam to Address Global Food Security through Innovation Olam International, in partnership with Agropolis Fondation, has set aside $75,000 grant to support development and implementation for a ground- breaking scientific research that can deliver transformational impacts within global agriculture.

Unlike other research awards, the Olam Prize for Innovation in Food Security requires clear evidence of potential short-term impact on food availability, affordability, adequacy, and accessibility. The fourth edition of the biennial Prize followed

the recent warning from the UN World Food Programme that the COVID-19 pandemic would double the number of people suffering acute hunger by the end of 2020, bringing food security firmly into the world’s spotlight.

Co-Founder and Group CEO at Olam, Sunny Verghese, said: “At a time when the world faces a potential rise in food insecurity from the coronavirus crisis, with vulnerable parts of the developing world, particularly in Africa, most at risk, the new scientific

insights and techniques being developed by research teams around the world are more significant than ever.

“The Olam Prize aims to support breakthrough innovations so that together we can re- imagine agriculture for greater food security.”

The winner of the previous Prize was a pioneering mapping approach that is reimagining subsistence farming in Ethiopia, co-ordinated by Dr. Tomaso Ceccarelli of Wageningen Environmental Research and Dr

Elias Eyasu Fantahun of Addis Ababa University.

Innovation Mapping for Food Security (IM4FS), is supporting Ethiopia’s REALISE programme to give smallholder farmers a ‘best fit’ for what to grow, where and how, with the goal of improving productivity in food insecure areas.

Commenting on what the funding has meant to the implementation of their research, Ceccarelli said: “The funding from the Olam Prize has allowed us to start scaling

up our approach and shift our focus from areas of high potential agriculture, to the food insecure and drought prone regions of Ethiopia. Specifically, the funding is being applied to four key areas: engaging local and regional planners, in-situ data collection on bio-physical and socio-economic conditions, developing the GIS-based tool behind IM4FS, and application of site-specific crop recommendations based on the research fed into and information generated by the tool.

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Female Group Seeks Full Deregulation of Oil Sector

Senior Correspondent

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Emma Okonji

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Eromosele Abiodun (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafo (Energy) Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT)

Female professionals in the energy sector have called on the federal government to carry out full deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector and free the industry for investment.

Coming under the umbrella of the Women in Energy Network (WIEN), in a position paper titled:

‘Exiting Petroleum subsidy: Ensuring Self-sufficiency in the Domestic Refining of Petroleum Products’, presented to the senate, they called for far-reaching reforms in the oil and gas industry.

The women body led by its president, Mrs. Funmi Ogbue, noted that though the recent attempts to deregulate the petrol prices were laudable, it was also

an opportunity to urgently and holistically address the fundamental problems hindering the overall growth of the oil and gas sector.

“WIEN joins other industry stakeholders to advocate for an open, transparent, and free market environment with clear rules and regulations guiding competition, consumer protection,

health, safety, quality, and the protection of the environment,” the organisation said.

It urged the government to ensure that all market players should be subject to the same rules and regulations, backed by appropriate legislation, insisting that a situation where government imposes prices cannot guarantee efficiency and sustainability of

the industry.

“The federal government should establish a clear guide or timeline indicating its plans for the complete deregulation of the industry. Price modulation could be subject to political interference and relies heavily on the capacity and political strength of the agency or agencies involved for success” the group opined.

23

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ´, 2020

Purple Unveils New Identity Stories by Raheem Akingbolu The Purple Group has announced the rebranding of Purple Capital Partners Limited and change of name to Purple.

Also its flagship multi-use centre, Maryland Mall in Lagos will now be known as Purple Maryland while the ongoing development in Lekki is to be known as Purple Lekki.

The decision, it said, was in line with the group’s core belief in continuous innovation and customer satisfaction.

The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Olayide Agboola, who made the announcement in Lagos, noted the rebranding and repositioning takes effect from this month.

He also indicated the process would be implemented on all the

company’s physical and digital touch-points.

Speaking on the new direction for Purple, Agboola explained: “We are refocusing our brand and extending our reach beyond just real estate development. We see the need to curate affordable lifestyle experiences by leveraging our expertise in real estate development. “With MarylandMall, now Purple Maryland and our ongoing development with PurpleLekki, we are integrating retail, arts, entertainment, media and advertisement, family fun, food and drinks, e-commerce and financial services all in one through superior mixed-use centres and services. Our new focus is clear; working with our range and network of partners, we are creating affordable lifestyle

experiences for our consumers across all income levels.�

The CEO further pointed out that all the group’s facilities and ongoing development were also rebranded and would be addressed with the Purple prefix (PurpleMaryland, PurpleLekki) while its new services would also bear a touch of the Purple Identity as well. He, however, added that to keep in touch with the group’s brand heritage; they had kept the same colors and logo symbol.

Speaking on what the new identity connotes, Agboola stated that the new Purple identity signified growing strength, resilience and elegance, which he noted accurately represents the significant growth and successes it has recorded over the past few years.

Marie Stopes Nigeria Donates Items to Lagos State Marie Stopes International Organisation Nigeria (MSION), has donated maternal health medications Misoclear, its brand of socially marketed misoprostol used in the management of postpartum hemorrhage in women after childbirth to the Lagos State Government.

The product donation was presented to the Lagos State Ministry of Health at Alausa Ikeja, Lagos State. Speaking on behalf of MSION, the South West Regional Manager, Mr.

Abimbola Faloye, stated that the donated medicines will help more women stay alive, thus, contribute to Lagos state’s effort at improving maternal health.

He expressed concern that Nigeria has an unacceptably high maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 451 deaths per 100,000 live births and through this donation in Lagos and similar donations to state governments, MSION is supporting Nigeria’s effort at meeting the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals

(SDG) to reduce global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100, 000 live births by 2030. “With this donation, we are contributing to prevent the needless deaths of women from bleeding after childbirth, one of the leading causes of maternal deaths in Nigeria. Most factors causing maternal deaths are preventable through combined safe motherhood strategies of focused antenatal care, immediate post-partum period and access to family planning� he said.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯʹ, 2020

24

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

All Eyes on Digital Oloruntimehin: Government Needs to Identity Project Steering Lower Bandwidth Cost Committee

Cisco Nigeria Country Manager, Mr. Kunle Oloruntimehin, speaks on the increased volume of data usage since COVID-19 and how organisations should leverage technology for sustainability.

Emma Okonji presents the excerpts:

B

usinesses are facing challenges that are threatening their survival, occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19. What are some of the economic effects of COVID-19 on businesses and how best can they be addressed?

What we have seen so far in three core business areas, occasioned by COVID-19, is the need for businesses to be resilient and to maintain business sustainability and continuity. To address the negative effect of COVID-19 on businesses, Cisco looked at key support around three core areas like: Overall employees’ experience; Transformation of the work place; and Customer experience. For the employee experience, we have seen companies migrate at very short notice to working from home.

Cisco staff for instance, have been working from home since the lockdown was introduced. Other technology companies have moved 100 per cent of their staff to start working from home. Cisco was able to achieve this feat by deploying secured connectivity solutions. Cisco, for instance, is using its online platform called Webex to hold online meetings with staff, while working from home. Since we started using Webex, we have seen increase in the volume of data growth, to three and a half times between February and June, 2020. The increase in data usage is as a result of Cisco, supporting customers across multiple segments, including small business through the collaboration of Webex tools.

We also have security tools to provide for secured connectivity like Bank Verification Number (BVN). The second one is the work place evolution and transformation. After the lockdown, most companies asked their workers to return to office and Cisco is providing the right technology that will enable such company workers to maintain all safety precautions like social distancing among others. In the Cisco WiFi system, there is something called the DNA spaces that we use to leverage the WiFi networks as a censor to ensure that people are properly spaced when they are on work place environment.

For customer experience, we look at key areas like contact centre environment. Cisco provided a lot of capabilities to allow for greater insights and leveraging the cloud to achieve effective cloud calling, in order to improve customer experience.

What is your view on the availability and affordability of broadband, since broadband connectivity will drive the new normal where people can work from home and hold business meetings online?

Government, no doubt, has a lot to do in order to ensure ubiquitous broadband access at affordable rate, since everyone, including organisations need broadband connectivity to survive the new normal. We are partnering with various governments on this, to ensure cheap and available broadband for all. The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami is aware of the need for easy broadband access and he is in talks with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) to ensure reduction in the cost of Right of Way (RoW) that will enable telecoms operators roll out broadband across the country at cheaper rate.

From the economic point of view, there has been increased demand for broadband because the COVID-19 pandemic has compelled more people to stay at home and work from home using internet connectivity, and broadband connectivity is not cheap. But as more people connect to the

The recently inaugurated Steering Committee for Nigeria Digital Identity for Development Ecosystem Project is a pointer to the commitment of government to sustain its digital transformation drive, writes Emma Okonji

S Oloruntimehin

internet, the cost is internet broadband will reduce. To ensure availability of bandwidth, government must be willing to drive down the cost of bandwidth and I can see such willingness in this government. With what the NCC is doing in the area of licensing Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos) to roll out broadband infrastructure, will again help to deepen broadband penetration across the country. Cisco on its part is democratising the use of technology by making technology available to everyone, irrespective of their status, which will further help to deepen broadband penetration in the country.

How has Cisco impacted businesses in Nigeria since the inception of its operations in the country?

Cisco has been in the forefront of providing solutions from a Business-to-Business (B2B) point of view and we have been very relevant in the enterprise space. Specific to Nigeria, we are relevant in supporting businesses in the entertainment and small business spaces, helping them to be able to go through the digital transformation drive of the federal government and to providing relevant services to customers.

We have also taken the line of success to small businesses in recent times by offering specific services around security, collaboration and in providing secured access for small businesses, thus giving small businesses the same experiences we are also offering enterprise businesses.

How can Cisco eliminate challenges that organisations face in digital network experiences?

We at Cisco are addressing organisational challenges in different ways. Most organisations in the country are already taking the part of the digital transformation journey. Cisco is taking them through that journey by working closely with them, by looking at organisational imperatives and marching it with technology interventions to deliver those imperatives and outcomes for organisational growth. We are also giving organisations the opportunity to adopt the best of technologies. There are evolving technologies that are world-class, but it takes the right technical skills to adopt the right technology and maximise its potential to the fullest. The support from Cisco will help organisations realise their returns on investments, while they still remain in business.

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

ince the commencement of the registration of National Identification Number (NIN) and the issuance of national identity cards in 2012 by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the government agency has been struggling to achieve its mandate of ensuring that all Nigerians including those in Diaspora, are registered and are issued with NIN and permanent identity cards.

The NIMC Act of 2007 stipulates that the NIN is a unique identifier for all citizens and legal residents; and must be presented and verified to confirm their identities before other functional agencies can provide service.

According to NIMC Act, all Nigerians are expected to register for NIN and NIMC is mandated by law to ensure the enforcement of the provisions of the law on NIN registration.

In spite of the law, NIMC has encountered many challenges, especially financial, in achieving its mandate. For instance, in eight years, NIMC has struggled to achieve only 41 million NIN registrations, even though the figure accelerated from seven million in 2015 to 39 million by the end 2019 and 41 million.

Worried by the challenges militating against the speedy registration of NIN, the federal government, in September 2018, through approved a strategic roadmap for accelerating the development of digital identity in Nigeria using the ecosystem approach by leveraging the capabilities and facilities of public and private sectors to speed up enrolment. Government also got commitment and approval from three development partners - the World Bank, Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) and the European Union (EU) – to fund the roadmap implementation in the tune of $433 million.

Recently, the federal government went ahead to inaugurate a Steering Committee for the Nigeria Digital Identity for Development Ecosystem Project, to fast-track the implementation of the strategic roadmap for accelerating digital identity development for Nigeria.

The committee Inaugurating the committee, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, who also doubles as the Chairman of the team, said digital identification is central and critical to realising the objective of the government’s Economic and Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP).

He said the strategic roadmap, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2018, “is a culmination of the enormous collective efforts and contributions of so many institutions and stakeholders which began in the year 2015 when this Government took a decision to forge a credible and cost-effective pathway for identification management.”

To accelerate the implementation of the strategic roadmap, therefore, “Government considered and adopted a three-tiered institutional arrangement comprising a Steering Committee, a Strategic Unit, an Implementation Unit situated in the NIMC, and with responsibilities for providing overall governance and coordination, ecosystem partners’ coordination and communication and day-to-day project implementation respectively.”

The Project Steering Committee was established as the highest body with the responsibility of providing policy, institutional and operational guidance towards delivering on the identification vision and promise of the strategic roadmap. Members of the Steering Committee were appointed by President

Mustapha

Muhammadu Buhari.

Members of the committee include Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha as Chairman; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed as Alternate Chairman/Member; Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami as member. Other members of the committee are: Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu; Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami; Director-General, National Orientation Agency, Dr. Garba Abari, and the Director-General of NIMC, Aliyu Aziz, who is member/secretary.

Committee’s mandate Among other things, the committee is charged to positively steer the project to accomplish government’s objectives, consolidate efforts to date and deliver goals outlined in the strategic roadmap.

Mustapha said the work of the steering committee shall be guided by the following terms of reference as approved by President Buhari, which include: to review the legal and regulatory framework for digital identity development; implement the strategic roadmap; utilise foundational identity to access services; determine the location of the ecosystem strategic unit; and receive the report on the implementation through the DG NIMC and provide necessary guidance and approval.

Addressing the committee at inauguration, Mustapha said the strategic roadmap would offer a credible pathway for the government to develop identification, at a low cost, fast pace and in a trusted environment.

“The task before the committee is to ensure that Federal Government of Nigeria leverages the existing ecosystem of government agencies, states, and trusted private partners to carry out nationwide enrolment through a viable partnership strategy with an effective public awareness campaign.

“As a nation, we have a lot of grounds to cover and our fundamental ID goal can only be reached through joint efforts and coordinated approach.

“Of course, without meaning to enumerate the issues associated with the absence of a foundational ID system which you are all familiar with, the existence of a National Identification Number (NIN) for all Nigerians would improve our delivery of Government services,” he said.

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

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯʹ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

IMAGES

Representative of the Area Commander, Nigeria Police, Suleja, Chief Suprehintendent of Police Onah Reuben discussing with the leader of the wives of Nigeria Police Special Force squad during a protest over poor welfare packages for their husbands at Zuma Rock village near Suleja...recently

L-R: Executive Secretary, Oyo State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Lukman Arasi; Deputy Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Tayo Ayoade and Zonal Director South West, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Slaku Luggard, during an interactive session for Emergencies Stakeholders, in Ibadan...recently

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Mahmoud Dutse (right) and Director General, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr Lamido Yuguda, during the latter’s to the permanent secretary’s office in Abuja...recently

L-R: Kaduna state Caucas Leader Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, Garba Dati, Ibrahim Hamza and Kaduna state First Lady, Aisha-Ummi El-Rufai, during a visit to the speaker by the members of Say No to Rape group at the National Assembly, in Abuja...recently

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Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

Kano State Governor, Umar Ganduje(left) distributes free Antimalarial drugs to patient during his visit to Kura Public Health Centre and Garun Mallam General Hospitals in Kano...recently

R-L; Representative of Director General, National Commission for Refugees, Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons, Mr Sodongi Jibrin; Representative of plateau state Governor, Mrs Roseline Dakwari Traditional Ruler of Brra Nggwe of Rigwe Land, Rev. Ronku Aka, during the distribution of relief materials in Miango, Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State...recently

Group Chief Commercial Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Rabiu Abdullahi Umar; Group Managing Director/CEO, Dangote Cement Plc, Michel Puchercos; Marketing Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Funmi Sanni; and National Sales Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Adeyemi Fajobi, during the Dangote Cement Bag of Goodies 2 National Consumer Promotion press launch in Lagos,recently

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chief Operating Officer of IHS Nigeria Limited, Mr. Giscard El-Zoghbi and CEO, Page International Financial Services Limited, Mr. Segun Akintemi during the commissioning of a State-of-the-Art 36-Chamber Morgue, donated by IHS at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, on Tuesday

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26

T H I S D AY ˾ JULY 16, 2020

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

The Pain of Living with Sickle Cell Anemia David-Chyddy Eleke reports on the plight of those living with the Sickle Cell Anemia and how they rarely get support

I

t was about 3:15am, at Odoagba Estate; a sleepy community in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State. A painful cry of a girl pierced the air.

The cry which was laden with pain sent chill up the spines of residents of the neighbourhood.

The voice was that of Agnes, a 21 year-old patient of sickle cell anemia. She is a secondary school graduate who lives with her mother and four other siblings. Her mother is a widow who was left with five children, three of which are anemic, most commonly known as sicklers.

One of their sisters; Chisom had died less than a year ago at the age of 13, leaving Agnes and her immediate younger brother; Okwudili as the two sickle cell children in the house.

Her elder sister and brother were lucky to have escaped being carriers. Agnes had leg ulcer, a known characteristic of sickle cell anemia patients, which left her with a smelly sore on her right leg that has refused to heal, despite medical attention. The shout that early morning was not new to most people in the neighbourhood, because once in a while, she or any of her other siblings usually suffered midnight crisis.

Mrs Theresa Nwachukwu, mother of Agnes in an interview with THISDAY said that, “Since my husband died, I have been left with the pain of taking care of the children. Having a sickle cell child is not a good thing. No matter how much I have in my hands, once they experience crisis, all the money goes down to taking care of them. I am a trader, and being the only one taking care of the children, I experience a lot of setback especially in finances,” she lamented.

Cause of Sickle Cell Anemia A hematologist, Dr John Azuka told THISDAY that the disorder results from genetic incompatibility. He said, “There are three genotypes carried by everyone, one is SS, the other is AS and the other is AA. If your genotype is SS and you marry someone who is SS, you will have sickle cell children. If you are AS and you marry SS, chances are that you can have children who are SS too, or AS marrying AS. In Nigeria many people do not know their genotype, but we are working towards sensitizing people.

“Midnight crisis is very dangerous period for patients of sickle cell anemia. Loss of water, mosquito bites and infection are the key things that trigger the crisis. Midnight crisis is what kills sicklers, and it is very popular and dreaded among sicklers. It is a general body pain that looks like someone is using saw to cut your bones. It is usually very painful. It is a condition where the blood in your body has congealed, and is trying to force itself to pass through your vein, and that is what causes the pain. What can stop it is setting up a line to rehydrate the patient. That is what can stop it, that is when water has passed in and flushes the bad blood and there is enough water in the blood.

Drug Addiction among Carriers Investigations showed that there is high rate of drug addiction among sicklers, and this is due to either the quest to reduce pain during crisis period, or the cost of receiving treatment at designated health facilities.

The national coordinator, Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disease (APLSCD), Mrs Aisha Edward Maduagwu alluded to high level of drug addiction among sicklers, but attributed it to a number of factors including carefree attitudes of doctors, high cost of treating patients among others.

Maduagwu, a carrier said, “When you don’t go to hospital during crisis period, the tendency is that you may become addicted to the drugs you usually use to treat yourself by over using them. What also causes this addiction is high hospital bills, which pushes the patients to resort to self medication. The only thing that can stop it is low hospital bills. What do you think will make a person to open a syringe, suck up some

Red-blood cells

doses of drug and inject themselves?

“Sicklers are endowed intellectually, and I believe they are smarter than a normal being.

These are people I lead. Most of them are curious and they keep asking you questions when you are managing them, so the next time they have crisis they just keep injecting themselves, because they have seen the drugs used on them by the doctors.

“Most of them will turn to beggars just to get money to buy drugs to inject themselves. I was addicted for 13 years, but I stopped it myself because it was ruining me. I was in the military then and was very brutal. I am speaking out of experience. Because of addiction, I didn’t want to associate with people, I was very strong and tireless, but I found out that most times it made me feel drowsy and even losing concentration, so I decided to stop.

“The medical practitioners are supposed to know when to administer a drug and when to talk to the patient by way of counseling, but they are so lazy and so business minded. The doctor wants to sleep without the screams from patients disturbing him, so he will just knock you off with a painkiller. When you wake up again and you scream, another lazy doctor on duty who does not want to be disturbed and didn’t know or doesn’t care that you have had one already will not ask the last time you had the dose, but will simply use the drug to knock you off again and this will continue and your system will begin to get used to it.

“So, when you eventually leave hospital, you find out that you are used to killing pain with that same drug, and with time, you get to take it even more regularly than you should, before it can work. When you go to a pharmacist to buy, you find out that instead of the pharmacist to demand for prescription from doctors, they rather inflate the price and if you can afford it, they sell it to you, because once they suspect that you are an addict, you are a potential customer, because no matter the price, know you are very crazy about it, and will always return.

Confession of Addicts A sickle cell anemia patient, who is an addict, but refused to give his name who spoke to THISDAY said, “I am 29 years old. I am old enough to be a man of my own, but because of this sickness, I still depend on my parents. There is nothing I hate more than falling sick because this my sickness has drained my parents wealth, and they us to look at me as a witch who was sent to punish them. To prove that I can live without being a burden to them, I have copied down the drugs they used to administer to me when I am in crisis condition, so instead of me to be hospitalised for less than one week, and the doctors charging us as much as N100,000

in some cases, I simply go to the pharmacy and buy the drugs and administer to myself.”

Daniel (not real name) confessed to having packs of syringes at home, which he uses to administer drugs to himself. He also stated some of the drugs he uses to ameliorate his pain to include; Fortwin, Morphine, Petildine, Tramadol among others. Most of the drugs listed are banned drugs, but he insisted that he had designated places where he buys them, even though not at a normal price, as it is usually higher, but he insists it is much cheaper than what hospitals charge after administering them to him.

“If you doubt, go to any chemist shop and ask for these drugs and you will get them.

Even though they are restricted drugs, if you present yourself as one who has a child who is a sickle cell patient, without behaving like a security personnel, they will sell to you,” he said.

Maduagwu corroborated the claims, saying, “I for one, during December, I was hospitalised. I was admitted on December 31, and discharged on January 9, my bill was N78,000. I knew the drugs I was placed on. They were anti malaria, antibiotics, anti ulcer, the rest were drips, and I drank about 15 bottles of drip, which I know each is about N200 per bottle. So, let’s assume I took 20 bottles of drip, which is N2,000. There is no anti malaria that is more than N1,000, there is no antibiotic that is more than N2,000, there is no anti ulcer; Omiprazole, gestid and others that can be more than N2,000 so when you sum up all these things, plus the nurses charge and doctors charge, there is no way it can be more than N10,000, so why are they taking N78,000 from me? Did you inject cocaine into my system because I need to know?

“They were so manipulative, dubious and criminally minded. They could see that I was reading all the drugs they brought. There was something I did for all our members, I gave them a surgically equipped first aid kits which contained all their drugs, so when you go to hospital, you just find out that all you need is things like syringe and drip that is missing or in the case of drug transfusion. The most expensive drug is blood, and let’s assume I was transfused, is that what would make them to collect as much as N78,000 from me? This was a missionary hospital, Are they making me to feel bad because I am a sickler or they want me to go and commit suicide because of my condition? Even if it is a parent that will pay, don’t you know the kind of hatred that will be inflicted on me at home,” she lamented.

APLSCD Advocates for Passage of Sickle Cell Law Maduagwu took this reporter on a journey of the group’s fight for the passage of the

sickle cell law by the Anambra State House of Assembly, saying, “If this law is passed by the House of Assembly and signed into law by the state governor, our people will be able to get jobs, and by so doing will be able to fend for themselves. A lot of our members are suffering untold hardship. That is also why most of them go into drug addiction. You will see some of them, just look at their arms and you will see that they have injected everywhere in their hands with needles until there is no more space to take more needles.

“Some of our members are even kept in homes and locked there because people believe that they are ashamed to show that they have children that are sicklers. Some are taken everywhere for prayers and subjected to all manner of deliverance, and made to drink anointed oil, whereas their problem is simply genetic. This law if passed will help us too to get help from people and be taken seriously too.

“HIV and AIDS patients get support from donor agencies, and several groups advocate against their being stigmatized against, but sicklers are stigmatised against, everyday.

Imagine going through pains all the days of your life, just because your parents refused to adhere to genetic compatibility before marriage. You now bear the brunt of their ignorance and live in pain all through your life. This law will address it, Maduagwu said.

Obiano Signs Sickle cell law In Anambra State, reprieve may have come the way of persons suffering from sickle cell anemia as Governor Obiano in marking the 2020 world sickle cell on June 19,2020 signed the sickle cell bill to law.

The law which has immediately becomes operational criminalises marriage without test for genetic compatibility, just as it will also help sufferers to cross the hurdle of discrimination in seeking for jobs among others.

The law read in part, “As from the commencement of the law, persons with unqualified Sickle Cell Status Certificate, SCS, shall NOT be married as husband and wife. No parent, guardian, person or group of persons shall give out a maiden in marriage without verification of a qualified SCS certificate of the couple. No religious body or registry shall wed any person (s) without verification of a qualified SCS certificate of the couple.

“Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offense and is liable on conviction to the fine of #200, 000 or imprisonment to a term of three years or both. The Sickle Cell Status Certificate shall be issued by a qualified and licensed medical laboratory scientist. Anyone guilty of the offense shall be liable on conviction to the fine of #200, 000 or imprisonment to a term of three years or both. The Sickle Cell Status Certificate shall be issued by a qualified and licensed medical laboratory scientist,” the law stated.

Maduagwu reacting to the law noted that the group will remain grateful to the Anambra State government for leading the fight/awareness on the disease by enacting a law prohibiting couples of AS or SS genotypes from marrying each other.

“No government in Nigeria or Africa has done what Anambra State government did for APLSCD under the administration of Chief Willie Obiano. The law stops individuals of AS or SS genotypes from marrying each other and giving room for more enlightenment campaigns against the disease.

“Our people are the most hit essentially during this period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is because of some underlying health challenges we normally face before COVID-19.

But the Anambra State government through the wife of the governor, Dr. Ebelechukwu Obiano donated food items that were rich in proteins and vitamins as palliative for our people.

T H I S D AY ˾ JULY 16, 2020

27

NEWS

‘COVID-19 May Increase Unintended Pregnancies, Unsafe Abortion’ Martins Ifijeh Health experts have raised the alarm that the COVID-19 pandemic may increase unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions among women and girls in Nigeria.

Speaking during a webinar organised by the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists, Nigeria recently to commemorate this year’s World Population Day, the experts said the COVID-19 lockdown prevented many women and girls from accessing family planning services.

Sharing his thoughts, the former Country Director, Ipas

Nigeria, Dr. Ejike Oji, said some women who became pregnant during the lockdown and have had the number of children of their choice, would resort to unsafe abortion, adding that young girls caught up in the same scenario may end up with unsafe abortion.

He said: “This would have a severe consequence on maternal health. There is the need for increased use of modern contraceptive methods in preventing unplanned pregnancies.

“We are worried that seven or eight months from now after the lockdown, there would be a lot of unintended pregnancies.

Some women will say, well, the

pregnancy has come; we would keep it, especially women in wedlock. But some of them would want to terminate the pregnancy in an unsafe way.

“Remember that 38 percent of women who have unsafe abortions are married people.

Some married women would say, I don’t want to have any other child and that would lead to terminations that are not safe and that would have severe consequences out of it.

So with adolescents. .“There is no doubt that there would be unintended pregnancies and a lot of unsafe abortions are going to happen.

Certainly, it is something we

are going to expect.”

Oji called for innovative ways to making family planning commodities available to women and girls despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Listing other way forward, he said, “We need to develop strategies to live with the virus pending the discovery of vaccine. We need to develop other ways of offering family planning services to women and girls.

The use of technology is being canvassed and the use of motor cycles to supply commodities to women.

“I understand the challenges of funding because

most state governments had passed their budget before the pandemic struck. The opportunity cost of the pandemic is huge and going to affect women’s health and rights.

“However, we need to reduce the rate of transmission of the virus and hospitalization to avoid overwhelming the health system.

“The National Assembly has the wherewithal to redirect resources and money budgeted for family planning should be released to buy commodities.”

On his part, the Assistant Reps/Head, Lagos Liaison, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Omolaso

Omosehin, blamed the rise of unintended pregnancies and its attendant consequences on delay in the distribution of family planning commodities during the lockdown.

He said, “There was a delay in the distribution of commodities. It is quite unfortunate. Also, many women and girls are afraid of going to the hospital.

It is a major problem.”

He noted that from UNFPA’s study, more than 47 million women could lose access to contraception in 114 low- and middle-income countries owing to disruptions to health services occasioned by the multiple impacts of the pandemic.

RB Donates 800,000 Units of Hygiene Products to FMOH As the fight to curb the spread of the COVID-19 rages on, RB Nigeria through its brands, Dettol and Jik, has donated hygiene products to the Federal Ministry of Health.

This move is part of its global project “Fight for Access Fund”, which aims to improve access to health, hygiene and nutrition.

Speaking during the product hand over in Abuja recently, the General Manager, RB Nigeria, Dayanand Sriram said the donated items are worth over N65 million, adding that they include antiseptic disinfectants, dettol soaps, Jik bleach, full Personal Protective Equipment’s (PPE), and 100 mobile hand wash units which will be installed at locations advised by the health ministry.

He said: “RB’s purpose is to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We are delighted to support the Federal Ministry of Health and also to play our part in stemming the effects of the pandemic in Nigeria. We will continue to support the Federal and State Governments, as well as the health authorities’ efforts in the fight against COVID-19.” He further added, “We have a critical role

to play in promoting hygiene, and Dettol has been supporting the Government’s effort through its School Hygiene and New Mum’s education programs over the past 7 years.”

Also speaking, the Country Manager, RB Hygiene West Africa, Mr. Asif Hashimi said, “For decades, Jik has been a popular feature in Nigerian homes and hospitals and known for very effective surface cleaning and laundry for up to 99.9 per cent germ-kill. This is a critical time, and this contribution is in line with Jik’s long term mission of helping Nigerian households maintain good hygiene and a clean environment that helps to curb the spread of infectious diseases caused by germs.”

While receiving the products, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire thanked RB for the donations, stating that: “You have been in business for five decades, which tells us you know the health history of Nigeria”. He further added that “The need for hygiene cannot now be any more emphasized. What you have brought here will go a long way. We will distribute it to our agencies. We’ll take an inventory of all of it and declare it to the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.”

Emirates Airline Introduces Disinfectants against Contaminated Air As the world embraces safety as a measure of keeping safe in the post-COVID- 19 era, Emirates Airline has introduced an air disinfecting mechanism, High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters (HEPA), to ensure passengers breathe in uncontaminated air while on board.

In a statement made available to THISDAY recently, the airline said it has released an infograph that explains how the newly introduced HEPA works, adding that the development was necessary against the COVID-19 pandemic.

It said while travellers are on board, the cabin air is extracted into the air conditioning unit through HEPA. It removes 99.9 per cent of microscopic particles like bacteria, viruses and fungi

viruses from the cabin air.

The air is fully renewed every two to three minutes. This is as effective as the filters used in hospital theatres.

All installed HEPA filters are used during the flight. For instance, in the B777 aircrafts, eight filters are installed, while in the A380 aircraft, about 18 or 19 filters (based on configuration) are installed.

The cleaned and filtered cabin air is mixed with fresh air drawn in from outside. The mixed air is circulated back into the cabin at the right pressure and temperature for passengers’ comfort. Air circulates downwards from the ceiling to the floor to minimize the movement of particles along the cabin. The air is completely changed every two to three minutes, even more frequently than in a hospital.

L-R: Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi; and Governor, Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the commissioning of 48-Chamber morgue facility at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba recently

Lagos Govt Yet to Pay Our Allowances, Frontline Health Workers Lament Martins Ifijeh Frontline health workers in the battle against COVID-19 Lagos State have lamented over months of unpaid salaries, THISDAY has gathered.

Some of the workers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of being victimised, said their salaries have stalled for three months now, noting that there could be a possibility that the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu may not have been aware of their plight.

According to one of the health workers, she said the governor may not be aware of their plight because there was a period their feeding was stopped, before being brought back after some of them complained.

“They employed some people from outside who cook and bring the food down to our hotels.

Then they suddenly said that our breakfast will be cancelled.

Some of us spoke out and at the end of the day, we held a meeting with the administration and they started feeding us again.

They withdrew the circular that said there would be no feeding and said the governor must not hear about it. Most of the times, these things are done by those at the helm of affairs,” she said.

Speaking further, the health worker gave a detailed explanation of the current issues they face pertaining to their remuneration.

“The first set of people started in the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, while some were later posted to Onikan and other isolation centres. The Infectious Disease Hospital is where any pandemic or endemic is first tackled. Other isolation centres are around like the one by GTBank at Onikan, the one in Gbagada and

others. Trained health workers were deployed to these hospitals.

“The first remuneration some health workers were paid was N480,000. Then the second month, it was reduced by N100,000 to N380,000 “I started working at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in May, and up till now, we are yet to be paid. Everyone who resumed May is yet to be paid anything. They also asked the first set of people they employed at the isolation centres to withdraw this month and new set of people are to resume.”

In a chat with another health worker, she corroborated the point made earlier and expressed dissatisfaction with the manner with which the health workers who worked previously were withdrawn.

“Those told to withdraw had

their samples taken. Although, not all results are out yet, those who tested positive were taken to isolation centres and those negative were asked to go on self isolation at home, which I think is wrong. It’s not every one of them that can afford hotels, and they are being asked to reunite with their families. They were meant to be joyous about reuniting with their families but they have to be careful. It’s like they are being asked to put their families at risk.”

She added that; “Health workers who started in May, regardless of isolation facility have not been paid at all – Doctors, nurses and pharmacists but we are still in hotels and are still being fed.”

According to one of the health workers, the commissioner for health should be directly responsible for their remuneration.

Pre Diagnosis Calls for Effective Deployment of Health Resources Rebecca Ejifoma Nigeria’s Tele-health pathfinder, Pre Diagnosis International (PDI) has called on public health managers who wish to contribute to reviving the country’s dilapidated health infrastructure to embrace modern digital healthcare model.

Reacting to the recently announced plan by the Private Sector Health Alliance of

Nigeria (PSHAN) to build new PHCs across the 774 LGAs of the country, PDI’s Managing Director, Dr. John Iguve said digital healthcare will help the country to deliver quality healthcare even in rural areas.

He said: “It also believed ADHFP will be sponsored by a group of Angel Investors and other institutions who will each take responsibility for one or more PHCs for the period of

adoption under strict rules and guidelines.”

While lauding PSHAN for coming out to help, Iguve said the focus of building PHCs, in the light of the country’s experience, could not offer an innovative solution to the existing challenges of providing efficient healthcare services, especially in rural, hard-to-reach areas.

“Nigeria is in a race against time due to various global fore-

casts on the exponential nature of the country’s population growth as the country’s population is expected to hit the half a billion mark in the next thirty years.

“PDI has achieved remarkable progress in its burning desire to harness modern technology to effectively distribute quality healthcare to two million vulnerable Nigerians annually, in a cost-effective way that maximises the scarce human resources.”

28

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ëœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

NEXIM Bank Disburses N52.9bn to Boost Non-oil Activities James Emejo Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) has refuted allegations that it mismanaged a N50 billion-Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Export Development Fund (EDF).

Rather, it noted that following the release of the fund in February 2018, to support export-oriented projects towards achieving the zero oil plan of the federal government, a total of N52.9 billion had been disbursed to support 62 projects as well as 8,062 jobs created.

The bank in a statement by Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Tayo Omidiji, described the allegations by a faceless organisation identified as Citizens Committee for Corruption Free Nigeria (CCCN) which petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as “malicious lies, amounting to unpatriotic act of disservice to the Bank and to the country

at large.�

Omidiji stated that the management found it necessary to put the records straight and allay the concerns of its numerous stakeholders, since the perpetrators of the campaign of calumny appeared to be relentless.

According to the statement, the current management of the bank, led by Mr. Abba Bello, had been able to reposition the bank within three years of assuming office by turning its fortunes with profits of N2.03 billion recorded in 2019 and N1.09 billion in 2018.

It noted that, “This was against a loss of N569 million in 2017 and a much bigger loss of N8.03 billion in 2016, which explains why the previous management could not produce an approved financial statement for three years, 2014 to 2016.�

The current management resumed office in April, 2017 to replace the erstwhile management, which was removed by President Muhammadu Buhari

over issues relating to gross incompetence, which had rendered the bank almost insolvent, with huge non-performing loans, exacerbated by reckless abuse of process, insider related loans and lack of professionalism in loans administration, among other issues.

Nevertheless, the bank noted that the projects support through the EDF were to reputable exporting companies with verifiable track records, many of them ranking highly on the list of top 100 exporters published quarterly by the CBN. The statement read: “The loans granted are adequately secured, mostly with bank guarantees, and are all performing, with export proceeds received from 2019 to date amounting to $90.1 million and â‚Ź80,000, translating to N34.8 billion, from projects that have so far repatriated their revenues. “In addition, an estimated 8,062 jobs have been created and/or sustained as a result of the intervention.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

Start-ups Emerge Winners in Incubation Programme Titilayo Medunoye, Founder of Milky Express; Jide Ayegbusi, Founder of Edusko; Isaac Oladipupo, Founder of Afrilearn; Victor Emaye, Founder of Medipal Health care and Kenneth Okonkwo, Founder of IrriTech Services, have emerged winners in the Innovation Fund at the Orange Corners Nigeria Incubation Programme Stream 2.

The fund, which is a total of â‚Ź135,000 start-up capital with a 75 per cent grant, 25 per cent loan ratio will be divided amongst the five winners.

This was disclosed in a statement made available to THISDAY. Orange Corners Nigeria is a Dutch initiative, supported by the Netherlands Enterprise

Agency and implemented by FATE Foundation.

The programme which was launched in Nigeria in July 2019, has to date supported 40 Entrepreneurs with Enterprise Training, Business Incubation and Advisory Services, Mentoring and Funding valued over Eighty Million Naira for prototype development and testing. “Stream 2 of the six months long programme began in February, 2020 and rounded up with a business pitch competition in June 25, 2020,� it stated.

According to the statement, during the pitch, incubates presented their businesses to expert Jury comprising Tim Spaans, Deputy Programme Manager, Orange Corners;

Pradeep Pahalwani, MD Securisk Brokers, and Temitope Onitiri, Partner Audit, KPMG Nigeria.

The Jury also determined the winners of the Orange corners Innovation Fund.

Speaking shortly after the programme, Executive Director, FATE Foundation, Adenike Adeyemi, expressed delight about the successful conclusion of the programme stating that, “the foundation is very proud of to record the success of the second stream of the programme and its achievements over the years.� “The entrepreneurs have proved to be resilient, socially impactful and innovative, by developing sustainable solutions pre and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fortune Global Bags ISOCertification Fortune Global Shipping & Logistics Limited (FGSL) has been awarded the ISO 9001:2015 certification.

The company said the feat was an attestation to its effective quality management system which it stated ensures optimum customer and stakeholder satisfaction. “The esteemed accreditation is a statement of commitment to the brand’s business principles of compliance, transparency, and adherence to global best practices. “To obtain ISO 9001:2015, which is the world’s most popular

quality management system, the FGSL teams in Lagos and Port-Harcourt, Nigeria, underwent extensive stages of internal and external audits that included the development and implementation of a Quality Management System (QMS), documentation review, pre-audit, initial assessment, final audit and close-out of all identified non-conformities,� it explained.

Also commenting on the feat, the Chief Executive Officer of FGSL, Eric Opah said: “After several years of commitment to

aligning our business with the ISO standard, being ISO certified is no longer a subject of when and how; it is now a reality. “I must commend the team and all process owners for your commitment towards ensuring that this had to happen and I must say that this whole process was inspired by the customercentric culture we are building to make sure that we serve our customers excellently, while also maintaining the national and international regulatory standard requirements that are applicable

Chivita Launches New Product Chivita has announces the launch of its new Happy Hour Flavoured Drink in Orange Safari flavour.

The fruit juice manufacturer descried the launch as another testament to its continuous drive for product innovation, high quality, and sustained consumer satisfaction.

According to a statement, with its consistently high quality product offerings over the years, Chivita, the leading fruit juice brand of CHI Limited, has remained the undisputed leader in the Fruit Juices and Still Drinks category. “This new product launch is expected to drive value and

excitement in the flavoured drink segment as it offers yet another appealing product for consumers to choose from. “At a retail price of N50, the new Happy Hour Orange Safari offers value for consumers seeking to enjoy the same great taste of the orange fruit at a pocket-friendly price. “Packaged in a hygienic, easy to use and convenient 180ml pack, Happy Hour Orange Safari provides a direct response to consumers who seek natural refreshment with no added artificial preservatives at a very affordable price,� the company explained.

CHI Limited’s Marketing

Director, Mrs. Toyin Nnodi, noted that the launch of Happy Hour Orange Safari was a strategic move for expanding the company’s portfolio of value-added products to meet consumers’ needs. “We are excited to launch Happy Hour Orange Safari; a product we are sure will delight consumers with its natural and refreshing orange taste. “Happy Hour Orange Safari delivers on our commitment to provide consumers with more beverage options, while staying true to our strong company focus of ensuring quality and affordability for all our products,� she added.

(MILLION NAIRA)

SEPTEMBER 2019 Money Supply (M3)

35,029,779.72

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

7,374,356.91

Money Supply (M2)

27,655,422.82

-- Quasi Money

116,533,891.21

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,121,531.60

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,625,047.69

---- Demand Deposits

9,496,483.91

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

13,911,335.83

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

21,118,443.89

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

35,918,179.45

---- Credit to Government (Net)

10,452,199.38

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

11,007,422.79

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

25,465,980.07

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-14,799,735.56

--Other Assets Net

7,000,253.07

Reserve Money (Base Money

2,005,600.83

--Currency in Circulation

4,677,530.81

--Banks Reserves

317,121.43

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ ͯͲ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $43.02 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $43.38 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), A SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

29

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

NSE Simplifies Capital Market Investing with Comic Book Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has issued the second edition of its comic, StockTown, dedicated to providing financial literacy to Nigerians.

The initiative is part of efforts to empower individuals across all levels to make good financial decisions and better their lives now and in the future.

The comic, available in digital

format builds on The Exchange’s advocacy for safe and trusted investment schemes.

The story picks up from the first edition, following the life of Mora Johnson as she seeks to liberate her family from their financial struggles by investing in the capital market. The second edition highlights some major lessons for potential and existing investors including the need for vigilance in avoiding

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

Ponzi schemes and unregulated investments, whilst advising prospective investors to seek proper guidance before making investment decisions.

Commenting on the importance of this comic book, Head, Corporate Communications, NSE, Olumide Orojimi said: “Investor education is a priority for us at the exchange. We have identified the need to empower individuals across all levels to make good

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financial decisions and better their lives now and in the future. “As the investment landscape continues to evolve to accommodate more retail participants, we are excited to leverage new and existing platforms to present investment products and processes in ways that are both appealing and easy to understand, particularly in this new normal. We hope that

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

StockTown becomes a widelyread resource for potential and existing investors, the financially excluded, millennials and the larger public.�

According to him, StockTown is just one of the many ways NSE demonstrates its strong commitment to promoting financial literacy in Nigeria.

Even amidst the Coronavirus pandemic and the temporary closure of The Exchange’s

O F

facilities, NSE continues to host virtual financial literacy workshops with students and young upwardly mobile professionals. Furthermore, The Exchange has hosted several webinars on various products including Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), Green Bonds, and Securities Lending to provide more information to the market on available securities and how to trade them,� he said.

1 5 / 0 7 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

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30

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

eTranzact International Plc’s N7bn Rights Issue Opens Goddy Egene The eTranzact International Plc’s rights issue of

4,666,666,667 ordinary shares of N0.50 each, at N1.50 per share on the basis of 10 new ordinary shares for every nine

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

ordinary shares held as at March 25, 2020 has opened for subscription.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange

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 14Jul-2020, unless otherwise stated.

(NSE), in notification to stockbrokers, said the rights issue opened last Monday and is expected to close on August

10, 2020. A total of about N7 billion is expected to be raised from the issue.

Shareholders of the company

had last year given approval to the board of directors to raise additional capital to boost its operations.

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.92 0.92 1.71% ACAP Income Funds 0.78 0.78 9.64% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.41% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.85 2.92 15.89% info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 13.97 14.39 -8.82% ARM Discovery Fund 332.14 342.15 -3.85% ARM Ethical Fund 30.07 30.98 3.41% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.91% 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 91.54 92.18 -4.73% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.01% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.17 2.17 24.78% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 1.81 1.83 -6.49% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 0.06 0.04 5.95% Paramount Equity Fund 10.91 11.11 -12.83% Women's Investment Fund 107.69 108.59 -2.49% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.08% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 98.37 98.59 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 100.43 100.67 Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 101.20 101.20 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.75% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.91 0.92 -2.07% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.54 1.54 16.16% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,360.74 1,362.03 11.67% FBN Balanced Fund 146.83 147.84 0.01% FBN Halal Fund 107.12 107.15 7.12% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.65% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 117.38 117.97 1.14% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 112.58 114.35 -13.49% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.27% Legacy Debt Fund 3.79 3.79 3.61% Legacy Equity Fund 1.07 1.09 -5.34% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.11 1.11 2.74% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,074.75 3,106.32 1.08% Coral Income Fund 3,195.30 3,195.30 3.89% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 4.44% 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 4.12% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.26 2.30 3.21% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 8.72% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 146.58 147.13 2.20% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.23 1.25 5.38% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,118.21 1,118.21 5.70% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A 3.40% PACAM Equity Fund N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund N/A N/A 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 111.90 114.72 -10.75% 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 1.00 1.00 5.14% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 -0.74% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 0.25% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 -2.87% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 0.32% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 -1.40% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.36% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -3.46% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.16 1.16 0.19% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 118.18 118.18 0.00% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.14 1.15 -5.74% United Capital Bond Fund 1.83 1.83 5.69% United Capital Equity Fund 0.63 0.64 -10.54% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.15% United Capital Eurobond Fund 115.98 115.98 3.68% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.06 1.06 -2.75% 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 9.99 10.10 -2.87% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.55 11.63 -0.75% Zenith Income Fund 24.43 24.43 9.74% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.55%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

116.13

3.64%

53.10

2.02%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.88 81.78 64.99

8.98 83.51 66.15

1.97% -3.78% -1.55%

Union Homes REIT

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

2.69 4.12 11.03 1.00 10.90 197.56

2.73 4.20 11.13 1.00 11.10 199.56

-24.20% -30.16% -8.87% 5.27% 4.85% 4.47%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.26

16.90%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

32

THURSDAY JULY 16, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

WTO: APC Governors’ Forum Backs Okonjo-Iweala Elected governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegis of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) has thrown their weight behind, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Nigeria’s candidate for the office of Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) The forum also called on member countries of WTO to support Nigeria’s candidate for the global job.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja and signed by the Chairman of the forum and Kebbi State Governor, Mr. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the governors commended President Muhammadu Buhari for nominating the former

Minister of Finance, describing her candidacy as not only the best to the world, but also a presentation of a credible person with integrity.

“In nominating our own Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, President Buhari is not just presenting a Nigerian candidate but is presenting to the world one of its best, albeit from Nigeria, and one who is eminently qualified to lead the task of fixing the world trading system.

“An economist, international development expert and a global public servant, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is one candidate that comes with all the experiences and expertise required to reposition the WTO. Both President Buhari and Dr. Okonjo-Iweala deserve

commendation for giving the world the opportunity towards correcting the distortions in the world trading system.”

Endorsing Okonjo-Iweala, the forum chairman said, “I am privileged to have interacted with Okonjo-Iweala during her 2011 Senate confirmation hearings as Minister of

Finance as well as the in a 2013 negotiation between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government over the implementation of an agreement which led to closure of universities for a long time.

In both she was at her best.

“Africa matters, not least

because it remains the least developed continent but have a young and growing population that is willing to join the world.

Equally African countries and indeed many other developing countries have been responsible trading partners that give opportunity to others. They also seek more opportunities from

others, and occasionally the two worlds may seem to differ in their views but Okonjo-Iweala is able to make the case for both.

She is capable of energising the World Trade Organisation and give confidence to all countries of the world that we shall be more prosperous together,’ Bagudu stated.

Magu’s Invitation in His Best Interest, Says Presidency The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, has stated that the invitation of the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, by the Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential panel was in his best interest.

Adesina said this yesterday during Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme.

The President’s spokesman said Magu, who was released after nine days in police custody, was not on trial but was only invited to tell his own side of the story.

On the legality of Magu’s prolonged detention, Adesina said, “If anything illegal has been done, there are ways to seek redress for it but I think it is in the best interest of everybody, including Magu for the panel to have invited him to hear his side of the story “I can tell you on authority

that before this became a public issue, the panel had been sitting for weeks and when the panel established some grounds for Mr. Magu to be invited, the President then gave approval for him to be invited and he was invited and he came.”

Adesina said Magu was told to step aside to allow for a seamless investigation.

When asked if it was legal for Magu to have been detained for nine days without charge, Adesina said he was not a lawyer and as such he could not comment on legal matters.

The President’s aide said the investigation of the suspended EFCC boss was a credit to the regime of Buhari.

According to him, Magu’s ordeal is evidence that no one was above the law.

Magu’s lawyer, Mr. Tosin Ojaomo, who was also on the programme, said all the allegations levelled against his client were false.

Ex-gov Yari’s Protocol Breach Irresponsible, Says FAAN Chinedu Eze The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has described actions of former Zamfara Governor Abdulaziz Yari as “irresponsible”.

Yari was reported to have refused to adhere to safety protocols and procedures put in place at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Saturday.

The former governor was said to have described himself as a “VIP” was reported to have forcefully pushed the officer who was trying to disinfect his luggage.

FAAN, while condemning Yari’s action, said his behavior was capable of endangering other airport users.

The reaction to his conduct was contained in a series of tweets posted yesterday by FAAN on its official twitter handle, @FAAN_Official.

The tweet, which was titled Public announcement reads: “The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) hereby strongly

condemns the conduct of the former Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari who blatantly violated the public health procedures (COVID19) on travels at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

“He refused to adhere to the protocols and procedures put in place by the federal government through the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on #COVID19 by forcefully pushing away an officer of the environment department when he insisted that his luggage must be disinfected.

“The former governor said the officer should have known he is a VIP. This irresponsible act endangers all other airport users, it is unacceptable and as such it has been duly escalated.

“FAAN hereby cautions all airport users, especially our esteemed VIPs, to please respect the presidential directive by observing the public health travel protocols put in place to protect all air travelers against infection and the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

CURBING FARMERS, HERDERS’ CLASHES...

Emir of Maradun, Alhaji Garba Muhammad-Tambari (left), and Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai , during the CoAS’ visit to the monarch as part of his guided tour of the ongoing Ruga Settlement Project by Zamfara Government...recently

APC Clears 12 Guber Aspirants for Ondo Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The governorship screening appeal committee set up by the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared all the 12 aspirants to contest the party’s forthcoming Ondo State governorship primary election of the party.

The Ondo State APC governorship primary election is scheduled for July 20, 2020, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed October 10, 2020 for the governorship election.

The spokesman of the APC National Caretaker Committee, Mr. Yekini Nabena, stated this

in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja.

He revealed that the screening appeal committee has submitted its report to the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker/Extra-ordinary National Convention Planning Committee.

The aspirants cleared to

contest the primary election are: Governor Rotimi Akeredolu; Mr. Joseph Olusola Iji; Odimayo John; Olayide Adelami; Kekemeke Isaacs; Olusola Oke; Ifeoluwa Oyedele; Olajumoke Anifowoshe; Awodeyi Akinola; Adetula Olarogha; Dr. Abraham Olusegun and Dr. Nathaniel Adojutelegan.

Two Clinical Vaccine Trials in UK, US Show Promising Signs Martins Ifijeh with agency report

Hopes for a working COVID-19 vaccine are growing as two clinical trials conducted in the United Kingdom and the United States have reported promising results in their early experiments, THISDAY has learnt.

Teams from Oxford University in the UK and the American pharmaceutical company, Moderna, have both revealed that those in their studies are showing signs of immunity against the disease.

The two organisations are among several others working on experimental jabs that would

help in protecting people against catching COVID-19 in future.

Oxford scientists have already said they were ‘80 per cent’ confident they can have their jab available by September.

It is believed that people being given the Oxford vaccine have been developing antibodies and white blood cells called T cells,

which will help their bodies to fight off the virus if they get infected.

And experts at Moderna based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, said participants in their trial of a different type of vaccine all successfully developed antibodies.

WAEC May Postpone 2020 Senior Secondary Examinations Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) may postpone the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) scheduled for August 4 to September 5, the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, disclosed in Abuja yesterday.

The minister who made this disclosure while answering questions from State House

reporters at the end of the eighth virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, however, said schools would remain closed because the ministry believes that it is still not safe to reopen schools in view of the threat posed by COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, WAEC is currently negotiating with West African countries on the possibilities of shifting the hitherto scheduled West Africa

School Certificate Examinations (WASCE) from August.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, had last week announced the federal government’s decision to pull out of the scheduled WASCE, saying he could not afford to expose Nigerian children to COVID-19 infections.

Nwajiuba therefore explained that after the ongoing negotiations and

consultations, if the ministry then deems it fit to shift grounds and reopen schools, it will be communicated to the general public, emphasising that till then, the status quo remains.

“We are still meeting with parents over the decision of the ministry. What the minister (Adamu) said reflects the true position of the ministry. We are not confident yet that everywhere is safe.

Poor Funding Stalling Appointment of More Justices for S’Court Alex Enumah in Abuja The Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) has revealed that poor budgetary allocation to the judiciary was stalling the appointment of new justices for the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

Secretary to the commission, Bassey E. Bassey, who disclosed this when the House Committee on Federal Judiciary visited

the commission, said at the moment, the Supreme Court was operating with only 12 justices, with lots of vacancies to be filled.

Bassey said the judiciary in the country was struggling because the appointment of new justices for the Appeal Court and Supreme Court has to wait as a result of lack of funds to take care of them.

He said ‘This year our budget

is the least, very small and in spite of operational activities our budget is extremely small.

The judiciary is struggling because the appointment of new justices to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court has to wait.

“Before you appoint them, you have to make adequate preparations for their welfare and as they are going, vacancies are created and they have to be

filled. That is why bulk of the budgets will always be given to the Courts.

“The budget has always been an issue. In 2019, the budget was N100 billion and we have the 2020 slightly above the one of 2019 which is N110 billion.

Taking into consideration some of the priority areas like appointment of Justices of Supreme Court, you discover that this is not enough.

THURSDAY JULY 16, 2020 • T H I S D AY

33

THURSDAY JULY 16, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

34

NEWS XTRA

South-west States Agree to Reopen Schools The six South-west states have agreed to reopen schools for SS3 students to participate in the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) next month.

The states are: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti.

At a virtual meeting by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, commissioners,

CBN Asks Senate for Power to Freeze Criminals’ Accounts The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approached the Senate to grant it powers to freeze accounts linked to criminals.

The CBN made the appeal yesterday at a Senate Committee public hearing on its Bill for an Act to repeal the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2004 and re-enact the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020.

The CBN, represented at the hearing by the Director Legal Services, Mr. Kofo Salam-Alada, proposed to the Senate to reinstate the powers of the CBN governor “to apply to the court for orders to freeze accounts which are deemed to be linked with criminal and other civil infractions.”

He lamented that this power was omitted in the Bill.

The apex bank also wants legislation for the Creation of Credit Tribunal to address the issue of non-performing loans.

According to Kofo SalamAlada “as part of measures to address the role of nonperforming loans, we propose the creation of a Credit Tribunal.

“The overarching objective is to create an efficient regime for the recovery of eligible loans of banks and Other Financial Institutions (OFls) and enforcement of rights over collateral securities.”

Salam-Alada noted the powers of the CBN to intervene in the process of managing a failing bank and reinstatement of a bank in a grave situation and bring it back to sound financial health was omitted in the Bill.

special advisers on education and SUBEB chairmen reached an agreement to reopen schools for SS3 students to write their final examinations.

The meeting also agreed on the needs for South-west states to implement a 2016 plan to establish a regional examination body akin to IJMB in the North.

The plan was laid out at the roundtable on creating a collaborative framework for education development and

advancement in Western Nigeria in Osogbo, the Osun State capital in 2016.

A statement by the DAWN Commission indicated that all the states will reopen schools for SS3 students by August 3 with COVID-19 preventive measures in place.

According to the statement, the states will approach the federal government, at the first instance, to seek postponement of the WASCE by at least three

weeks from the proposed resumption date.

At the second instance, states are to directly approach the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to seek postponement of the examination to August 24. On resumption, all schools are to appoint incident managers and classroom wardens, according to the document.

There will also be designation of quality assurance department

for each state to issue a safety compliance certificate to each school before reopening.

The state will also encourage intensive advocacy campaigns to stakeholders including parents, teachers, caregivers, school owners and pupils on what is expected of them when schools resume.

The meeting also called on the WAEC to encourage Computer-Based Tests (CBT) in the future.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY...

L-R: Deputy Chief of Staff, Bayelsa State Government House, Yenagoa, Dr. Peter Akpe; General Manager, External Relations, Nigeria Liquefied Court Dismisses FG’s Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), Mrs. Eyono Fatayi-Williams; and the Manager, Community Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, Mr. N34bn Fraud Case against Godson Dienye, during the presentation of medical equipment to Bayelsa State Government at the Government House, Yenagoa...yesterday N’Assembly Leadership to Meet Buhari over 774,000 Jobs Tompolo’s Firm, Others Davidson Iriekpen Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday dismissed the entire 40 counts bordering on alleged N34billion fraud filed by the federal government against Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, a company linked to a former leader of the Niger Delta militants, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.

The other defendants in the case were a former DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpolokemi, Kime Engozu, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Warredi Enisuoh.

Three other firms – Odimiri Electrical Limited; Boloboere

Property and Estate Limited; and Destre Consult Limited – were also defendants in the criminal case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2015.

Tompolo was initially joined as the first defendant in the case, but following his refusal to answer repeated court summonses, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), who handled the case for the EFCC, had to apply to the court for Tompolo’s name to be removed from the charge sheet.

In a ruling yesterday on the defendants’ no-case submission, Justice Buba pronounced that the prosecution “failed to establish a prima facie case” against the defendants.

Former Lafiya Dole Commander, Adeniyi to Face Court-martial

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Strong indications emerged last night that a former Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi, may face court martial.

Adeniyi had in March appeared in a video complaining about poor equipment after an attack by terrorists left many soldiers dead.

Military authorities were miffed by his outburst but decided to play down the matter for an opportune time.

He was later redeployed to the Nigerian Army Resource Center (NARC) in Abuja.

Adeniyi had appeared in the video lamenting poor equipment of troops to contain

insurgents, and decried loss of men and equipment in a fierce encounter with terrorist group, Boko Haram.

He said the insurgents confronted troops from “every flank with not less than 15 gun trucks.”

He also pooh-poohed poor intelligence, which contributed to the heavy casualty figure.

THISDAY gathered that he is expected to appear before the court-martial, which would commence sitting

by July 20 this year. When contacted on phone, Army Spokesperson, Col. Sagir Musa, said “Impossible. How is that possible?”

But other military sources confirmed the impending court-martial.

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The Senate at an executive session yesterday mandated the leadership of the National Assembly to urgently meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over the contentious issue of the employment of 774,000 public workers.

The issue had led to exchange of words between the National Assembly and the Minister of State for Labour, Mr.Festus Keyamo, who had

announced on Tuesday that President Buhari had given him go-ahead to recruit the social workers without recourse to the National Assembly.

Sources told THISDAY that Keyamo’s latest assertion on the programme which is to gulp N52 billion formed the basis of the closed-door session that lasted from 10.30am 12.30 pm.

Senators across party divides were said to have expressed reservations about Keyamo’s

vituperations and called for urgent steps to be taken against the junior minister by the legislative arm.

A ranking senator said it was on this basis that all the Senators present at the executive session agreed that the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, should meet with President Buhari and impress it upon him the need to maintain the

cordial relationship between the executive and the legislative arm of government.

THISDAY learnt that the meeting with the President is expected to hold before Tuesday which is the next adjourned date of the Senate “as the upper legislative chamber is scheduled to hold another closed-door session on that day to discuss the outcome of the Assembly leadership’s meeting with President Buhari.

UN, EU, NGF to Fight Gender Based Violence Chuks Okocha in Abuja The United Nations (UN) and the European (EU) Union have jointly applauded the efforts of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) for imposing a state of emergency on Gender Based Violence (GBV) towards addressing the various indignities that women go through in their own homes and that is now becoming rampant in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

This commendation came yesterday at the United Nations building at the

Central Business District in Abuja during a meeting organised at the instance of the UN between the UN, EU and the NGF, on a program code-named the Spotlight Initiative.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss possible areas of partnership between the initiative and the NGF. Although it was essentially a physical meeting, the representatives of the European Union attended virtually from the UK. The Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Ekiti State,

Dr. John Kayode Fayemi who led the NGF to the meeting commended the UN and the EU for the initiative which he described as a game changer when considered in relation to what the world is going through, especially the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Fayemi added that this initiative couldn’t have come at a better time, coming on the heels of the last NGF meeting where all the governors took conscious steps to mitigate the unwholesome incidences of rape and other Gender Based Violence in the

country. He was accompanied to the meeting by the Director General of the NGF, Mr. Asishana Bayo Okauru; Alhaji Abdullateef Shittu, the Executive Director, Research; Dr. Abdulwahab, Ahmad the NGF Health Advisor and Hauwa Halliru, Technical Assistant to the DG NGF. Fayemi said there are other related issues that the governors are looking at including the Child Rights’ Act and that have plagued the country in the past and they are being seriously considered for action.

ECOWAS Court Fines FG N50 for Violating Rights of FCT Judge Martins Ifijeh The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice sitting in Abuja has awarded a N50 fine as nominal damage against the federal government in favour of a judge of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice S.E. Aladetoyinbo.

In the suit marked ECW/CCJ/ APP/27/18 Justice Aladetoyinbo had claimed that his fundamental rights to freedom from torture was violated as a result of the publication of a letter of

warning issued to him by the National Judicial Council (NJC), which is an agent of the federal government.

He also claimed that the NJC breached his right to a fair hearing because the committee was irregularly composed and incompetent.

Justice Aladetoyinbo submi-tted that the warning emanated from a petition to the NJC by dissatisfied judgment debtors following a judgment he delivered in a land dispute that was later upheld by the Supreme Court.

He said the NJC committee whose proceedings were marred by irregularities had issued him a warning in addition to placing him on a judicial watch list for nine months.

The applicant added that the actions of the NJC traumatised and demoralised him and also “destroyed his integrity, respect, honour and good name built over three decades of unblemished service to the respondent”.

He prayed the court to issue an order setting aside the letter of warning, and issue cost

N855,625,000 as general damages, another N12,230,750 as cost of litigation as well as a formal apology in print and broadcast media, among others.

Delivering judgment yesterday, a three-man panel of judges led

by Edward Amoako Asante agreed with the plaintiff that “the composition of the committee that conducted the disciplinary investigation was irregular, thus incompetent and its decision being null and void as it violates the applicant’s right to fair hearing.”

THURSDAY JULY 16, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS XTRA

Buhari, Lawan, Kogi Gov Mourn First Female Combat Helicopter Pilot We are devastated, says deceased’s father

Omololu Ogunmade, Deji Elumoye, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja President Muhammadu Buhari; President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; Kogi State Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello and the Federal

Executive Council (FEC) yesterday mourned Nigeria’s first female combatant helicopter pilot, Tolulope Arotile.

The father of the late combatant pilot, Mr. Akintude Arotile has also described her death as shocking and devastating to the entirely family members.

US Authorises Marketing of IQOS as Modified Risk Tobacco Product

Peter Uzoho

The United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday authorised the marketing of IQOS, Philip Morris International’s (PMI) electrically heated tobacco system, as a modified risk tobacco product (MRTP).

The agency found that an IQOS exposure modification order was appropriate to promote the public health.

According to the agency, the decision demonstrates that IQOS is a fundamentally different tobacco product and a better choice for adults who would

otherwise continue smoking.

IQOS is the first and only electronic nicotine product to be granted marketing orders through the FDA’s MRTP process.

The FDA authorised the marketing of IQOS based on its belief that the IQOS System heats tobacco but does not burn it; this significantly reduces the production of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals;and because scientific studies had shown that switching completely from conventional cigarettes to the IQOS system reduces your body’s exposure to harmful or potentially harmful chemicals.

Ize-Iyamu Has Practical Plans for Women, Youths, Says Wife Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, wife of the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the September 19 governorship election has said that her husband, Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu, has a “thorough and practical manifesto’’ plan to train and empower Edo State women, provide infrastructure, and create gainful employment opportunities for the youths.

Appealing to the electorate to support her husband and vote for the APC on September 19, the Professor of Medicine, said that the APC candidate has a ‘’SMART and SIMPLE’’ manifesto containing specific policy plans to address the socio-economic challenges confronting the people of Edo and hindering the development

of the state.

In a treading virtual broadcast, Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu who is a lecturer at the College of Medicine, University of Benin, said that a vote for Ize-Iyamu would bring about good leadership that will promote social welfare programmes for the people.

Quoting from the manifesto, she stated that with the population of 3.2million people and a landmass of 18,000 square kilometres, Edo State is bigger by land size and population than many countries.

“Despite this status, Edo State does not have an institutionalised social welfare system to cater for the needs of our people.

Ize-Iyamu will develop a comprehensive plan to make social welfare programs work for our people.

PDP Denies Sponsoring Protest against Ize-Iyamu’s Running Mate Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has denied sponsoring the reported Sunday attack on Gani Audu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship running mate in Agbede.

The PDP said the accusation by the APC was unfounded, as it said the attack ‘flowed’ from what the party described as Audu’s poor performance as a local government chairman and legislator.

It was reported that the attack by youths occurred when Audu visited the traditional ruler of Agbede.

Responding to the APC’s claim that the attack was sponsored by the PDP, spokesman of the PDP in the state, Chris Nehikhare, said: “The people of Agbede in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state last Sunday woke up to a protest against one of their sons who they had declared persona non grata in their town, following his poor performance while serving as the chairman of the local government area, and for denying them representation at the state House of Assembly after he was duly elected, but refused to present himself to be sworn into office.

Buhari said he received with deep pain the untimely death and condoled with her family.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the president lamented the loss of the promising officer, whose short stay on earth, he said, impacted greatly on the nation, especially in the area of peace and security.

Adesina said the president saluted Arotile’s bravery while in the field to protect the country from the onslaught of bandits

and terrorists and assured that her memory would be indelible, and her efforts ever remembered.

He also said the president also commiserated with the Nigerian Air Force, airmen, airwomen and all friends of the deceased, recalling her deft skills in manoeuvring combat helicopters, which he said he had physically witnessed with pride.

On his part, Lawan has expressed shock and sadness at the tragic news of the death of Nigeria’s first female combat

helicopter pilot.

Lawan, in a statement said despite her brief service, the deceased left indelible footprints as a dedicated officer and Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot.

FEC has also extended deepest and heartfelt condolences to Buhari, the Chief of Air Staff, the Arotile family and people of Ife Community in ljumu Local Government Area of Kogi State on the death of Arotile.

The commiseration was conveyed in a condolence

letter issued last night by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha. In his condolence message, Bello described her death as shocking, devastating and a national tragedy.

In the message signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, the Kogi State governor described Arotile as not only a combat pilot but a fantastic aviator who reached the sky in her professional calling at a very tender age of 23.

PROMOTING SKILLS ACQUISITION...

L-R: Edo State-born artist/beneficiary of Edo State Skills Development Programme, Mr. Eromosele Ozah; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; another artist, Mr. Toma Fortune; an official of the programme, Mr. ThankGod Dieberuo; and the Executive Director, Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs), Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, during the courtesy visit of the artists to the governor at the Government House, in Benin City...yesterday

Gunmen Kill Two Persons, Abduct One in Nasarawa Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia Suspected kidnappers last Tuesday evening invaded Gudi, the ancestral home town of Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State in Akwanga Local Government Area, killing two persons and abducting other.

The victims are both nephew and niece of former Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku.

The scene of the incident is not up to 500 meters away

from the railway crossing and the Governor Sule’s farm gate, where a detachment of police officers is stationed.

When THISDAY visited the scene of the incident, it was gathered that the gunmen stormed the residence of Salisu Usman, immediate elder brother to Labaran Maku, along the railway line in Gudi around 8p.m. last Tuesday evening and shot sporadically killing his daughter and taking his son and wife to

an unknown destination.

The late Sa’adatu Usman, was a 400 level student of Usman Danfodio University Sokoto, while her elder brother, Salisu Usman, who was kidnapped along with his wife, was an officer with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Lafia.

Usman (Immigration officer’s) corpse was later discovered behind the house in the bush yesterday afternoon.

Father of the victims, ASP

Salisu Usman (rtd), who spoke to THISDAY, said the house was besieged by the gunmen via the fence and fired three shots at the late Sa’adatu through her room window and killed her.

“I was at the dining table eating when I heard the gun shots, and as a retired police officer, I concluded that these are robbers, then shortly, I heard my children screaming, as their late sister was in a pool of blood.

House Uncovers N81bn Spent by NDDC in Five Months Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) yesterday discovered that the NDDC has spent N81.5 billion on frivolous things from January to May this year.

Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Olubumi TunjiOjo, who made the disclosure at the investigative hearing on alleged financial malfeasance in the NDDC, said the discovery was made after going through books submitted by both the

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Auditor General of the Federation (OAGF).

The lawmaker gave breakdown of the expenditure as follows:-Community relations, N1.3 billion; condolences- N122.9 million; consultancy, N83 million; COVID-19, N3.14 billion; Duty Travel Allowance (DTA), N486 million; Impress, N790.9 million, and Laser fever, N1.956 billion.

Others are: Legal services, N900 million; maintenance, N220 million; overseas travel, N85.6 million; project public communication, N1.121 billion;

security, N744 million; staffingrelated payment, N8.8 billion, stakeholders’ engagement February 18 to May 31, 2020, N248 million.

He frowned at the nonsubmission of financial reports

by NDDC and the frivolous expenditure of funds running into billions of naira without developmental benefits to the people of the Niger Delta region.

According to him, “The forensic audit ordered by the president in NDDC must have been premised on these critical questions, perhaps the unremitting cry of the

people in the region and the need to see maximum value for successive allocations, and that underscores the reason this House rightly recognised the need to appropriate fund for the exercise when the commission failed to reflect this in the its 2019 budget estimates.

“The all-important audit is believed to be ongoing, albeit must be without needless controversies and disconnecting allegations of corruption, hence, the need for us as a committee to be thorough, patriotic and unbiased in the national call to duty.”

MTN Nigeria to Begin Trial of e-SIM Technology Emma Okonji MTN Nigeria, yesterday launched a new initiative that would enable it begin the trial of e-SIM services on its network, based on approvals received from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator.

Announcing the launch during a virtual meeting yesterday, the telecoms

company said “the launch is in line with its continued drive to lead digital transformation, foster inclusion, improve customer experience and maintain the highest quality of service for its customers”.

The e-SIMs, which are different from the physical SIM cards, is the next step in the evolution of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIM) cards.

The e-SIMs are designed to

deliver unprecedented freedom and flexibility.

Unlike the physical SIMs, e-SIMs are built into smartphones, devices and wearables.

They support multiple profiles and allow customers to connect multiple numbers to their e-SIM devices.

Notwithstanding the sophistication of e-SIMs, MTN said the onboarding requirements would remain

the same as are required for a physical SIM, adding that SIM registration, in line with existing regulatory prescriptions, remains a requirement for activating a device embedded with an e-SIM. e-SIMs are particularly useful for people who want to manage personal and business lines easily and effectively or want a separate profile for data.

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THURSDAY JULY 16, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Appeal Court Strikes out Sacked LG Chairmen’s Suit against Oyo Govt Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The local government chairmen sacked by the Oyo State

government yesterday lost the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, the state capital, as the apex court ruled that

Dangote Cement Targets to Produce 1,000 Millionaires in Promo Season 2 To reward consumers and improve the livelihoods of its consumers around Nigeria, Dangote Cement Plc yesterday unveiled plans to produce an astonishing nine millionaires daily in its new Spell and Win “Bag of Goodies 2” Consumer Promo.

The promotion, scheduled to run from Wednesday, July 15, to November 15, is expected to produce 1,000 millionaires within 16 weeks. Besides, consumers also stand a chance to win tricycles, motorcycle, television sets, refrigerators, Dangote Food Goodies packs, recharge cards and many other exciting gifts.

To be a part of the promotion, “all the consumer needs to do is to buy any promo bag of Dangote Cement during promo period, pick out the scratch card inserted in the bag, scratch open the inserted card to see what you have won, go to the nearest redemption center to collect your

prize. To win a million naira, the consumer is expected to collect cards to spell, D-A-N-G-O-T-E and win star prize of N1million”, the company disclosed.

The manufacturing giant also noted that the Dangote ‘Bag of Goodies 2’ Consumer Promo is a huge investment aimed at rewarding new and existing consumers, especially in this period of COVID-19 with the much-needed palliatives.

At the unveiling of the promo in Lagos, the Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Michel Puchercos, in his remarks, said it is part of the company’s strategies to continuously reward consumers who are the backbone in the cement business.

“It is to reward valued consumers for their unflinching partnership in ensuring that our range of cement products remains today the first choice for construction purposes across the country,” he added.

their cause of action was “pre-emptive, premature and speculative and therefore failed to disclose reasonable facts”.

The court said the case, which the council bosses elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), instituted at the twilight of the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who swore them in, was based on rumour, declaring that the then governor, now late, intended to dissolve them and appoint caretaker chairmen.

The apex court noted that

the veracity of the rumoured action was not actualised before the administration wound up on May 29, 2019.

The court in the 46-minute judgment delivered by Justice H.A. Tsammani on behalf of his learned brothers - F. Ojo and Jimi Bada, held that the fact that Makinde dissolved the council chairmen was not an issue before the court because the then action of theirs at the High Court was merely speculative and not binding on the current administration.

The Appeal marked CA/

IB/300/2018 filed by Otunba Kunle Lalejaye (SAN) on behalf of Governor Makinde, was against the 6th May 6, 2019, judgment of Justice Aderonke Aderemi, which ordered the then APC governor not to dissolve the 33 local government councils and the 35 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

The suit had been instituted by the past Governor of Oyo State, his Attorney General and Justice Commissioner, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy

Matters, the Accountant General of the State, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, the Oyo State House of Assembly and the then Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) against Basorun Mojeed Bosun Ajuwon and 10 others.

While Kalejaye, led other counsel to represent the appellant at the Appeal Court, the respondents were represented by Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), who led other counsel.

PRODUCING MILLIONAIRES...

L-R: Group Chief Commercial Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Rabiu Abdullah Umar; Group Managing Director/CEO, Dangote

Plc, Mr. Michel Puchercos; Marketing Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Funmi Sanni; and National Sales Director, Dangote Cement Accounting Body Advocates Cement Plc, Mr. Adeyemi Fajobi, during the press launch of Dangote Cement Bag of Goodies 2 National Consumer Promotion in Lagos...yesterday Strategies to Stop FG’s Annual Alaibe Congratulates Diri on Supreme Court Victory Loss of N2.5tn A former governorship aspirant was principally the process of conduct of the primaries. this point move on and draw The Society for Forensic Accounting & Fraud Prevention (SfFAFP) has declared that it would focus on institutional building and strengthening of the capacity of law enforcement agencies and key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the government in order checkmate Nigeria’s loss of N2.5 trillion annually to fraud and corruption.

The society also stated that the African continent also suffers the loss of 25 per cent of its budgeted public revenue to corruption.

Speaking during the society’s recent 4th virtual induction of 192 associates in Abuja, the Chairman of the SfFAFP, Mr. Iliyasu B. Gashinbaki, said the society would pursue strategic domestic

and international partnerships and capacity development of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and corporations in the areas of internal control processes and systems to ensure proper book keeping and regulatory compliance.

Gashinbaki said that the society would commence professional development programmes and deploy technology enabled online programs such as e-inductions, e-professional training and e-mandatory continuous professional development in the fourth quarter of this year to raise young agile professionals that would tackle corruption and fraud in the country.

PDP Campaign Council Meets, Reviews Strategies on Edo Election Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Campaign Council for the Edo State’s governorship election has announced that the party is confident of electoral victory for its candidate and the incumbent State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

A public statement that was issued by the campaign council sad that the Edo electorates are desirous to consolidate their democratic gains by voting massively for Obaseki.

According to the statement, “this resolve was announced shortly after the inaugural

meeting of the council that was held behind closed doors in Port Harcourt,” which was presided by the Chairman of the National Campaign Council, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

Other attendees of the meeting include the Governors of Adamawa State, Mr. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, his Oyo State counterpart, Mr. Seyi Mankinde and other members of the campaign council as well as all the chairmen and secretaries of all the sub-committees for Edo 2020.

Fintiri, who briefed newsmen, said the meeting adopted the best strategies to retain what rightly belonged to the PDP.

of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Mr. Timi Alaibe has congratulated the Governor of the state, Senator Douye Diri on his emergence as the governor of the state and his victory at the Supreme Court.

In a statement issued yesterday by his Personal Assistant, Ogio Enize, the former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) said his challenge of the governor’s victory at the PDP primary

leading to the nomination and sponsorship of the candidate of the party.

According to him, the process was orchestrated deliberately to meet a pre-determined end in favour of a particular person (Diri) contrary to the express provisions of the PDP constitution.

He said his challenge was based on obvious lack of a level-playing ground and the brazen violation of a subsisting court order directing the mode

Alaibe noted that in spite of the outcome of the case, he felt satisfied by his action because “when criminality is ignored or allowed to continue unchallenged, those responsible for such actions and even the uninformed observers could accept it as a way of life. It also has the capacity to encourage further lawlessness.

“To our supporters, we appeal for calm. The Supreme Court has spoken, and as lawabiding citizens, we must at

the curtain on this particular issue. We have followed the due process of the law; and can go no further.

“Therefore, in the true spirit of political brotherhood and friendship, irrespective of the uncharitable processes and the outcome of our legal action, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe hereby congratulates and extends his unreserved hand of fellowship to Senator Douye Diri on his emergence as the Governor of Bayelsa. Congratulations”.

80-year-old Infected Lagos Landlord Allegedly Defiles Four Minors Rebecca Ejifoma An 80-year-old HIV positive landlord, Mr. Ebenezer Oyewole, of 29 Aranseolu Street, Orile, Agege is currently facing charges at the Sam Ilori Court Ikeja for allegedly defiling tenants’ aged nine, six, three and one year old girls.

Oyewole, who is the landlord of the compound, is accused of having sexual intercourse with the three minors and fingered the genitals of a nine-year-old despite his HIV status.

Other charges preferred against the landlord include sexually abusing the nine year old, elder sister to the six years

old, since she was age two.

The distraught father of the six-year-old and the nine-yearold only learnt of the abuse of his daughters at the Gender Unit Ikeja on Tuesday.

The mother of the two abused daughters, Mrs. A said that when her nine-year-old daughter “kept complaining

that baba was putting his finger into her ‘private,’ I warned her not to go near Baba again,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Director, Stop the Abuse Against Women and Children Foundation, Ms. Toyin Taiwo-Ojo, told THISDAY that carelessness, ignorance and poverty were at work.

Colleges of Education Workers Issue 21-day Strike Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (C O E A S U) has threatened to declare a nation-wide industrial action if nothing concrete was done by the federal government to address their grievances within 21 days.

A communiqué issued by the union after its Expanded National Executive Council

(ENEC) meeting held on July 8, said that its grievances ranged from the non-implementation of Needs Assessment, checkoff dues, infractions and deprivations as a result of the implementation of the Integrated Personnel and. Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, the President of COEASU, Mr. Nuhu Ogirima, said the College of Education

subsector has been treated with neglect and nonchalance.

Ogirima said: “The expanded National Executive Council (ENEC) at its meeting of July 8, therefore, challenged government to shut the teachers’ education industry since the quality of infrastructure, welfare and service delivery takes no preference in the scheme of governance at all levels.

“Alternatively, the ENEC

wishes that you take notice hereby that should the government refuse to redress all the issues in contention within 21 days, the Union would have no other option than to declare a nation-wide industrial action.”

He said the union was compelled by circumstances to bring to the fore the prevailing rapid and awful condition of both staff and infrastructure in public colleges of education.

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THURSDAY JULY 16, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

Report: Nigeria to Become Global Power in 80 Years To overtake China, US in population by 2100

Peter Uzoho with agency reports A new report has predicted that by the end of the century, the world will be multipolar, with India, Nigeria, China and the United States being the dominant powers.

The report projected Nigeria’s population to surpass those of China and the United States by 2100.

According to the world population growth forecast by a group of scientists, published in the Lancet Medical Journal yesterday, the number of people would peak in 2064 and drop to about 8.8 billion by 2100, a figure two billion less than the UN’s estimate.

The study showed that the five countries with the largest population by 2100 will be India with 1.09 billion, Nigeria with 791 million, China with 732 million, the US with 336 million and Pakistan with 248 million.

China’s population, however, is projected to decline by 48 per cent.

“Findings also, suggest a shifting age structure in many parts of the world with 2·37 billion (1·91–2·87) individuals older than 65 years and 1·70 billion (1·11–2·81) individuals younger than 20 years, forecasted globally in 2100,” the article added.

The report noted that working-age populations decline in developed countries, more liberal immigration systems could become a necessity.

The global population is likely to shrink after the middle of this century, triggering shifts in economic power, the report noted.

There will be around 9.7 billion people on the planet by 2064, but that number will decrease to 8.8 billion by the year 2100, according to the report.

The analysis said

improvements to modern contraceptive methods and the increasingly widespread education of women could be a catalyst for a decline in global fertility rates.

The study predicted a major shift in the way age is distributed throughout the global population.

That, according to the report, means that populations will not be sustained at current levels without a more liberal immigration approach.

Populations in 23 countries, including Japan, Spain and Italy, are forecast to decline by more than half, according to the research, with another 34 countries, including China, seeing a drop of more than 25 per cent.

However, sub-Saharan Africa will buck the trend, and is set to see the growth of more than three times its current population, thanks to falling death rates in the region and the rising number of women reaching child-bearing age.

Across the world, over-80s are set to outnumber under-fives by a factor of two-to-one by 2100, marking a shift in the working age population.

Countries such as China, Spain, the UK and Germany are all expected to see a dramatic drop in the size of their workforce, resulting in a slowing of economic growth that will open the way for African and Arab countries to take the lead economically.

Editor-in-Chief of The Lancet, Dr. Richard Horton, said: “This important research charts a future we need to be planning for urgently. It offers a vision for radical shifts in geopolitical power, challenges myths about immigration, and underlines the importance of protecting and strengthening the sexual and reproductive rights of women.

The 21st century will see a revolution in the story of our

human civilisation.

“Africa and the Arab World will shape our future, while Europe and Asia will recede in their influence. By the end of the century, the world will be multipolar, with India,Nigeria, China, and the US the dominant powers.

“This will truly be a new world, one we should be preparing for today.”

African nations will lead the way in terms of total population growth.

Nigeria, which currently has the seventh-highest population in the world, will rocket up to second place by 2100, while the Japanese population will plummet from the 10th to 38th.

The Lancet study also predicted a major shift in the way age is distributed throughout the global population.

By and large, age is currently structured as a pyramid with more young people than older people, with people in their mid-20s being an outlier.

However, the journal predicted that the population will become more middle-aged by 2100.

The Lancet report said immigration could be a way to offset population decline.

Western countries that will have a lower birth rate by 2100, such as the US, Australia and Canada will likely be able to maintain a working-age population by liberalising their stance on immigration, it added.

The report warned, however, that population decline should not compromise global progress made on women’s rights and reproductive health.

Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, from University College London and the chair of Lancet Migration, said if the predictions made in the Lancet “are even half accurate”, then “migration will become a necessity for all nations and not an option.”

N’Assembly Commission, Clerk Disagree over Workers’ Retirement Age Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha andUdora Orizu inAbuja There was power tussle at the National Assembly yesterday as the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and the Clerk of the Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, disagreed over the retirement age of parliamentary workers.

The commission had in a statement by its Chairman, Ahmed Amshi, said it has approved 35 years as retirement age of the staff of the National Assembly Service or 60 years of age whichever comes first.

The Clerk of the National Assembly, Sani-Omolori, was quick to reply few hours after via another statement that the commission has no such power to say that 40 years of service or 65 years of age approved by the eighth National Assembly subsists.

The NASC had in its statement approved the retirement of those who have attained 60 years or put in 35 years in the service.

The directive would have affected Sani-Omolori and about 150 other workers, including

directors who have either attained the mandatory 35 years of service or age 60.

The commission statement read in part: ‘’Pursuant to its mandate as provided in the National Assembly Service Act 2014 (as amended), the National Assembly Service Commission at its 497th meeting held on July 15, 2020, has approved the retirement age of the staff of the National Assembly Service as 35 years of service or 60 years of age whichever comes first. ‘’To this effect, the commission has approved the immediate retirement of staff of the National Assembly Service who have already attained the retirement age of 35 years of service or 60 years of age. Retirement letters would be issued to the affected staff accordingly.’’

Rejecting the commission’s move, the National Assembly management asked the staff as well as the public to disregard the statement from the NASC. In a counter statement titled: ‘Retirement age for staff of the National Assembly is 40 years of service or 65 years of age whichever comes first’, the

Assembly Clerk stated inter alia: “The attention of the National Assembly management has been drawn to a press release dated July 15, 2020, signed by the chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, informing the public that the commission has approved the retirement age of staff of the National Assembly as 35 years of service or 60 years of age, whichever comes first.

“The management of the National Assembly wishes to inform all staff and the public that the extant regulation as contained in our Revised Conditions of Service duly passed by both chambers of the eighth National Assembly puts the retirement age of staff at 40 years of service and 65 years of age, whichever comes first. “The resolution of the eighth National Assembly on the Conditions of Service of Staff has not been rescinded nor abdicated by the National Assembly, who under the authentic National Assembly Service Act 2014 as passed, is empowered to review any proposed amendment to the Conditions of Service by the commission.

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˜ ͹;˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS Obafemi Martins Returns to Shanghai to Replace Ighalo

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Duro Ikhazuagbe

With Odion Ighalo’s loan stint at Manchester United extended till January 31, 2021, his Chinese Super League club, Shanghai Shenhua have signed Nigeria and Inter Milan veteran forward, Obafemi Martins, on a free transfer.

The 35-year old returned to a familiar terrain having played for the CSL outfit between 2016 and 2018.

On Wednesday, Ighalo shared a video of himself on

Instagram, wearing Shenhua kit with the rest of the squad, a source close to the player confirmed to Goal.com that he has been re-signed in a playing capacity.

Martins who returned for a second stint at Shehua’s Hongkou Football Stadium ground, scored 32 goals in 59 matches across all competitions for the Chinese heavyweights, while playing a key role in the giants’ Chinese FA Cup success in 2017.

The former Super Eagles forward however left the

Shanghai-based team in 2018 after suffering a hamstring injury, and has been without a club ever since.

Martins’ return is expected to bolster Choi Kang-hee men’s firing power ahead of the resumption of the Chinese Super League. The former Super Eagles striker recently told reporters that retirement was not on his agenda despite being without a club since leaving Shanghai in 2018.

“After my career-threatening injury in China, many people advised me to quit, but I told myself I still have a lot to offer the beautiful game,” he told Goal.com “Football is my life; I eat, drink and sleep football so I don’t see any reason to call time on something that makes me happy.

“I’m 34, but I feel like a teenager, and with this sensation, I can still play for any big team across the

world. I’m thankful for what I have achieved in football but I thirst for more.

“That desire is still there, the desire to score more goals and win more titles. For my next move, I have got offers from the United States, China and Saudi Arabia but I will only move when I see the right bargain,” observed the players Lagos fans dubbed ‘Obagoal’ due to his proclivity for scoring goals.

Martins who played his debut for the Super Eagles in 2004 against the Republic Ireland scored 18 times from 42 caps.

His club career saw him ply his trade at Reggiana, Inter Milan, Newcastle, Wolfsburg, Rubin Kazan, Birmingham City and Levante before moving to Seattle Sounders in 2016. It was from Seattle he moved Far East to join Shanghai.

Sacked Osimhen’s Agent Heads to Court as Napoli May Confirm Switch Today Femi Solaja with agency report

With Victor Osimhen’s expected switch to Napoli to be officially confirmed today, there seems to be a little twist in the deal following reports that his unnamed agent has headed to court to sue the Super Eagles forward.

The agent, according to

Victor Osimhen...may complete switch Napoli today

sources close to the player and as reported by RAI Sport and CalcioNapoli24, has been sacked

by Osimhen on the ground of allegedly trying to negotiate extra bonuses for himself rather than focusing on the best deal for the player.

The sacked agent has now threatened to drag Osimhen to court if he did not get his share of the contract, according to Football Italia.

The source close to Osimhen also confirmed that it was on account of this under-the-tabledeal that the striker initially turned down the Napoli offer last week after he had visited the club in Naples.

However, that has since been sorted out with the arrival of a new agent.

Radio Punto Nuovo also reported that Osimhen has joined the negotiations on Lille President Gerard Lopez’s yacht off the coast of Sardinia.

By all accounts, he could have his medical with Napoli today.

2022 WORLD CUP

FIFA Confirms Schedules with Four Matches a Day FIFA has mapped out the final dates for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with the final to be staged on December 18.

The tournament will begin on November 21 with four group matches held each day until December 2.

The group games will be played over a 12-day period, with matches not being assigned to particular venues until after the finals draw in March 2022 in order to choose optimal kick-off times to suit television audiences in different countries as well as supporters out in Qatar.

Kick-off times for the first two rounds of matches will be 1pm, 4pm, 7pm and 10pm local time, and with the stadiums all within a 40-mile radius of each other it will enable supporters and media to realistically attend two games on the same day.

For all but three games there

will be a three-day rest period in between. There will also be no need for teams, supporters or media to spend time flying or taking long rail or road journeys between matches.

Kick-off times in the final round of group games and knock-out round matches will be at 6pm and 10pm local time.

The tournament’s opening match will be played at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Monday, November 21 in a match which will feature the host country.

The 2022 final venue is the Lusail Stadium in Doha, with the showpiece game to be played on Sunday, December 18.

A start date has not yet been fixed for the European section of World Cup qualification.

The announcement comes two years to the day since the 2018 World Cup final.

Obafemi Martins...returns to Shanghai

Usman/Masvidal UFC Clash Fetches 1.3m Pay-per-view Buys President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Dana White, has hailed ‘massive star’ Jorge Masvidal for his part in the headline UFC Fight Island clash with champion Kamaru Usman which pulled in a huge 1.3million pay-per-view buys.

The success of UFC 251, the mixed martial arts company’s maiden show since lockdown on Sunday, was justification for their massive investment in securing four behind-closeddoors events on the island in Dubai.

Masvidal’s highly-anticipated last-minute challenge of Usman, in which headlined a card with two other title fights and a host of other high-quality match-ups.

UFC President White highlighted Masvidal’s key

Kamaru Usman

role in the event’s success in and overall popularity in the post-fight press conference, calling the welterweight standout a ‘star’.

The 35-year-old stepped in with six days notice to challenge

Usman for the welterweight title to rescue the main event after Brazilian Gilbert Burns was forced to pull out having tested positive for Covid-19.

“I said it to you guys the other night, when you put on a fight, a successful promotion of an event, it’s a big melting pot of different things,” White explained. “Fight Island was a massive star in this thing. Masvidal is a massive star.

Obviously, Usman, the champion and a guy that we’re all start to realise is tough to beat and a great card underneath.”

Masvidal was a breakthrough star in 2019 after winning three straight feats through knock-out while also claiming the BMF title.

The positivity around how the event played out were sentiments echoed by White ahead of the next three yesterday and the next two

Saturday’s on 18 and 25 July.

“It all came together perfectly.

It was a major success.

Everybody’s healthy. It’s all good. Literally, not one negative thing that, I could point out.

“It was a very successful event,” White added, “We’re happy. The thing killed it across the board in every way you could possibly kill it. It was awesome. The thing did really well.”

UFC 251 reportedly secured 900,000 pay-per-view buys in the United States and totalled 1.3m when including international sales.

Using the standard $64.99 price to watch UFC 251 in the United States, that means a whopping estimated total of $77,988,000 (£62.3m) in TV revenue.

Sports Alive Partners Dekaizen on Abioye Insurance for African Athletes As sportsmen and stakeholders of insurance products and stressed that plans are Never again will such happen,” prepare for the post-Covid19 era, Sports Alive Ltd UK has officially announced a partnership with Nigeria-based Dekaizen Worldwide Limited to bring specialty insurance and promotions to Africa The partnership is geared towards expanding specialised sports insurance and insured promotions frontiers across Africa.

According to the Chief Task Assigner of Dekaizen Worldwide, Abioye Femi, he described the partnership as a fantastic platform that will bring together two great companies capable of offering African clients a wide range

promotional activity.

“This is a wonderful milestone for everybody involved in this project as well as all stakeholders in the sports industry.

“Sports Alive Ltd has been around since 2001 with a deep wealth of experience and rich understanding of the market and managing risk for clients both in the sports world and in the marketing.

“From performance bonus cover for sportspeople to big prize promotions, the partnership is positioned as the go-to people African wide to manage this risks.”

afoot in the coming weeks to roll out their products.

“In the coming weeks, we will be rolling out our products and services specifically tailored to service the African market.”

He reasoned that with the growing interest of the world in Africa’s young population and sports professionals, “It is pertinent for their future to be protected with comprehensive insurance packages.”

“We have heard so many sad stories of athletes who suffered career-ending injuries. Some athletes have died in their primes with their family left with nothing.

pledged Abioye. “As a company, we feel these unfortunate cases can be avoided if athletes are properly insured. This is why Sports Alive is partnering Dekaizen Worldwide to make life easier for athletes,” Abioye further noted.

Apart from the insurance products, Sports Alive Ltd and Dekaizen Worldwide will also be launching the ‘Sporttheball’ in Africa where people can win amazing prizes.

“We have tried this in Europe and it’s a huge success. We believe we can bring this to Africa where people have the chances of winning,” he concluded.

THURSDAY JULY 16, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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Thursday, July 16, 2020

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Price: N250

MISSILE House of Reps to Army “The House is worried that if this palpable drift currently ravaging the Nigerian Army is not brought under checks and control by nipping the inux of able ex-army oďŹƒcers into our society without job security, it may become a serious security threat and an impending military mutiny that may imperil our democracyâ€? – Resolution by the House of Representatives to investigate the resignation of 356 soldiers from the Nigerian Army

OLUSEGUNADENIYI Akpabio, Nunieh and NDDC Trillions THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

I

f taking public money was considered such a big deal, according to Joy Nunieh’s account, her colleague confessed he would kill anyone at the instruction of Godswill Akpabio before bothering to ask why the person had to die. But Akpabio has countered that Nigerians must not believe that story until we seek clarification from “all her (Nunieh’s) former husbands--at least four of them that she had married in the past�.

Video clips of allegations and counterallegations by the Niger Delta Minister and the former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director may provide entertainment, but the real issue is the ease with which public trust is abused in Nigeria.

Most unfortunate is that the NDDC scandal is simply one of the many we have dealt with in recent weeks. The ongoing investigation of the suspended Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu has become a media circus at the same time Hushpuppi, Woodberry and other alleged internet fraudsters are facing trial abroad and the Managing Director and two Executive Directors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) had to be suspended, suggesting that our woes in Nigeria have been compounded by a new malaise of corruption-virus.

While we wait for how the Magu drama will end amid the suspension yesterday of 12 EFCC Directors, the spat between Akpabio and Nunieh speaks more to the challenge of development in the Niger Delta, regardless of whether or not a Minister received an uncommon slap from a Port Harcourt girl!

The NDDC Act was signed into law 20 years ago last Sunday (12th July 2000) by President Olusegun Obasanjo to find “a lasting solution to the socio economic challenges of the Niger

Akpabio, Niger Delta Minister Delta� while facilitating the rapid, even, and sustainable development of the region into one “that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative, and politically peaceful�. With a well-structured and statutory funding regime, sources of funds accruing to the commission include first line deductions from the Federation Account as well as contribution of a certain percentage of their profit by all oil producing (and gas processing) companies operating in the Niger-Delta area and mandatory contribution by the federal government.

From these sources, the commission has received approximately four trillion Naira in the past two decades. Available records reveal the following accruals between 2007 and 2016: 2007 (N64.721 billion); 2008 (N84.790 billion); 2009

(N141.575 billion); 2010 (N135.097 billion); 2011 (167.778 billion); 2012, (N140.605 billion); 2013, (N149.352); 2014, (N207.553); 2015, (N140.512) and 2016, (N181.637 billion). However, despite these enormous resources, the consensus among stakeholders is that there is little to show for it in the Niger Delta.

Nobody has captured the situation better than the man at the centre of the current storm. Shortly after he was appointed Niger Delta Minister last year, Akpabio made it clear that he was going to focus on the NDDC. “We currently have about 12,000 abandoned projects across the nine states of the Niger Delta. If those things were completed, you can imagine that the area would have been turned into an Eldorado,� Akpabio said before he added: “There is no way NDDC road can last (for) even two years. I think people were treating the place as an ATM, where you just walk in there to go and pluck money and go away. I don’t think they were looking at it as an interventionist agency.�

Akpabio’s conclusion tallies with that of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) that has issued two detailed reports on ‘Revenues, Deductions, Analysis of Disbursements and Application of Funds’ on specified federal government agencies, including NDDC. In the 2013 report which examined years 2007 to 2012, for instance, key findings include among others, that NDDC had not prepared audited accounts for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 as at July 2013 whereas section 20 (1) of the enabling law requires the commission to submit such audited accounts to the president not later than 30th June of the preceding year; duplication of a total number of 22 projects and payment of mobilization fees of about N63.558 billion on a significant

The Burden of a Columnist

Last week, I goofed big time. And I was flogged mercilessly on Twitter. A campaign of calumny was also launched against me on WhatsApp. Since I do not expect to be judged by a standard lower than the one with which I pass ‘Verdict’ on this page, I took them in stride. But let me tender my apology to former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and former Defence Minister, Lt General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd).

My sources failed me on information that the duo were victims of power-mongering by the now-suspended EFCC acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu. Rather than make excuses, let me also apologise to Magu and my readers who I do not take for granted.

The experience has taught me several lessons, including how seriously many take the views expressed on this page. That is significant considering how this column started 23 years ago and a quick reflection may be necessary here. I was essentially a political reporter until one afternoon in 1997 when my then editor (and current Lagos State Commissioner for Environment), Mr Tunji Bello broached the idea. After nominating me as his deputy to replace Mr Sam Omatseye, FNAL (current chair of The Nation editorial board) who had left for the United States, he also asked me to take up the column

Omatseye was writing in the Sunday paper. “You cannot write like Sam so don’t even try. But you have your strengths. You are a reporter with a nose for gist. You are a good story teller. And you have humour. Play to those strengths,� he told me that day. So, right from the outset, my column has always been reportorial, based essentially on ‘field experience’. Incidentally, it was my friend and colleague, Louis Odion who suggested that the column be called ‘The Verdict according to Olusegun Adeniyi’.

I left Sunday Concord in December 1998 and joined THISDAY in January 1999. Shortly after, the Chairman decided the backpage would be taken up by in-house columnists and he allocated to me Thursday. I ‘resumed’ The Verdict and decided to continue with the reportorial style. From the mundane to the serious, I tried to reflect everyday reality. If I interacted with a yam seller it could be a subject of my column. Ditto if my engagement was with the richest man in Africa. And I travel a lot in order to speak to people on ground whenever a major event occurs. I am well aware that some readers are put off, especially if the subject of my intervention is a ‘big man’. But feedback suggested I had my followings too, until the column went on ‘sabbatical’ in May 2007.

I returned from government older and more mature in my approach to issues when I resumed the column in June 2011, and resolved to use the benefit of my experience in government and wide network of contacts to proffer solutions. Meanwhile, the style and character of the column remained the same.

But I am human. In writing about the ongoing crisis within the EFCC last week, I spoke to several people in government as I always do, before drawing my own conclusions.

While my intervention provided insights, what some remember are the anecdotes that added no real value to the narrative and turned out to be incorrect. That provided an opportunity for those who had vested interest in the ongoing EFCC tragicomedy and the perpetually angry social media mob to hit back at me.

My long held belief is that a columnist with a measure of following carries a huge public burden. My genre of reportorial commentary makes such a burden even greater and I accept it even with its hazards of source reliability. As in all public roles, a columnist cannot expect universal acclaim. The best that anyone can crave is a consensus of tolerance. I am content with that. But the responsibility of a columnist cannot be diminished by occasional lapses of judgment or the pressures of circumstance.

number of projects worth about N284.884 billion that were largely abandoned by ‘dishonest contractors’.

Therefore, if there is any value in the ongoing battle between Akpabio and Nunieh, it is the fact that Nigerians now know the quantum of resources in the NDDC and the level of mismanagement within a commission that seems solely preoccupied with the awards of contracts. Aside sharing N1.5 billion as ‘Covid-19 relief’ among staff almost like a bazaar, other projects recently embarked upon

by NDDC include ‘community relations’ costing N1.072 billion; condolences, N61.7 million; consultancy, N4.1 billion; duty tour allowances, N486 million; Impress (October 2019 to May, 2020), N790.9 million; Lassa fever, N1.956 billion; legal services, N906 million; logistics, N61 million; maintenance, N220 million; medicals, N2.6 billion; overseas travel (February to May, 2020 when we were all supposed to be on lockdown), N85.6 million; public communication, N1.121 billion; security, N744 million; engagement of stakeholders (February to May, 2020), N248 million etc.

Even the Police got N475 million to buy face masks, hand sanitizers and PPE! r/05& $PODMVEFE PO QBHF

WTO and Okonjo-Iweala When I saw the list of eight candidates vying for the position of World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General, it was obvious that President Muhammadu Buhari took a wise and strategic decision to replace the earlier nomination of Yonov Frederik Agah. By nominating Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the president has strategically positioned Nigeria.

That the two other African countries (whose nationals are also in the race) tried to prevent the substitution is because they know the weight of the Nigerian candidate. In terms of qualifications, experience and exposure, there are fewer people within the continent who would match the stature of Okonjo-Iweala.

Sadly, at a time we should be doing everything to promote our candidate, cowards are circulating false but damaging allegations against Okonjo-Iweala. I have seen quite a few on WhatsApp. But linking her with the Indegenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) is not only cheap, it betrays the mindset of those running the campaign of calumny against her.

In two instalments on why Okonjo-Iweala is an ideal candidate to head the WTO and why Nigeria needs to mobilise around her, Dr Reuben Abati has raised several critical issues. Two stand out. One, the propensity by some Nigerians to subvert the elevation of the best and brightest of our people. Two, the envy with which other African countries relate with Nigeria. Until we deal with the first, the second will always be a problem.

President Buhari did the correct thing by nominating Okonjo-Iweala for the WTO job for which she is eminately qualified. What remains is to put all our support behind her nomination. It is in our interest as a nation.

And also for Africa!

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