MONDAY 26TH JULY 2021

NNPC: Nigerians Spent N2.07trn on Petrol in 12 Months Consumption rises above 100% in three months Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Nigerians between February 2020 and February 2021, with petrol taking a huge chunk of N2.070 trillion of the entire sales.

Making the disclosure in its delayed full Monthly Financial

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has revealed that it sold a total of N2.106 trillion of refined products to

Operations Report (MFOR) for February, the corporation also disclosed that in terms of quantity, 17.215 billion litres of fuel, accounting for 99.37 of total refined products were imported

during the period under review.

In its breakdown of total sales for the month, the NNPC noted that N188.15 billion was made on the sale of white products (cooking gas, gasoline, kerosene,

diesel and petrol) in the month of February 2021, lower than N190.72 billion sales recorded in January 2021.

In the review month, the NNPC stated that 1.414 billion

litres of white products were sold and distributed, compared with 1.436.40 billion litres in the month of January 2021.

According to the national oil Continued on page 49

Bandits Release 28 Abducted Students of Kaduna School...Page 10 Monday 26 July, 2021 Vol 26. No 9604. Price: N250

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Court Restrains FG from Accessing N200bn Unclaimed Dividends Goddy Egene A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta has granted an interim order restraining the federal government from taking over the unclaimed dividends

of shareholders in the capital market estimated to be over N200 billion. The order followed a suit instituted by shareholders under the aegis of Palm Wealth Shareholders Association (PWSA).

The Finance Act 2020 signed into law last February by

President Muhammadu Buhari provides that any unclaimed dividends of a public limited liability company quoted on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and any unutilised amounts in a dormant bank account maintained in or by a

deposit money bank, which has remained unclaimed or unutilised for a period of not less than six years from the date of declaring the dividend or domiciling the funds in a bank account, shall be transferred immediately to Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund.

But shareholders and other stakeholders in the financial sector had faulted the proposal.

As part of efforts to stop the federal government from taking over the funds, PWSA instituted a case against the government at the Federal High Court in

Abeokuta.

The shareholders (Applicants) sued the Attorney General of the Federation; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning; and Accountant General of the Federation as Respondents and Continued on page 49

Big Five Banks’ Loans to Customers Hit N50trn in Five Years Access Bank leads with N11.929 trillion, followed by Zenith Bank's N11.297 trillion Obinna Chima The five tier-1 banks in Nigeria gave out a total of N49.999 trillion as loans and advances to their customers between January 2016 and December 2020, data compiled by THISDAY have shown.

The banks are Access Bank Plc., Zenith Bank Plc., FBN Holdings Plc. (First Bank), United Bank for Africa Plc. (UBA), and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. (GTBank). The data were gathered from the respective lenders’ financial statements.

The data showed that in the five-year period, Access Bank lent out a total of N11.929 trillion to its customers. The amount lent by Access Bank rose sharply in the last two years due to its acquisition of former rival, Diamond Bank.

Continued on page 49

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Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322

Okonjo-Iweala Decries Low Rate of COVID-19 Vaccination in Nigeria WTO foresees 11 billion doses of vaccine production by year-end Michael Olugbode in Abuja and Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has lamented the low rate of COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria and Africa, in general.

Okonjo-Iweala said to fill the wide immunisation gap, WTO was ramping up vaccines’ production, with a target of 11 billion doses by the end of this year, way beyond the present output level of 3.8 billion.

Speaking at the National Diaspora Day 2021, organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), with the theme, “Diaspora Integration for National Peace and Development,” Okonjo-Iweala said the vaccines production volume had been increasing, with the figure in June growing by 1.1 billion, representing a 45 per cent increase from May production.

However, the former Nigerian finance minister said, “The bad news is that most of those doses ended up in the developed countries and the vaccine inequity continues and that is why we are trying to work with them (vaccines producers) to change the story.”

She explained, “Right now, one of the things I am trying to do since we are in the pandemic and you know all the numbers we are struggling with, when you have so many people vaccinated in developed countries and only a small percentage in Africa or developing countries and the issue is how do we improve the vaccine productions so we can get more?

“How do we even shift the production to African countries? The WTO has the job of monitoring export restrictions and trade facilitation measures, and what I am trying to do is to leverage that, to actually work with companies; to persuade them that ‘if we work with you to monitor supply chains, remove export restrictions, will you invest in our country?’

“Just a few days ago, last Thursday, we had a conference with manufacturers of vaccines, all the CEOs of the major companies were there; from Moderna to Pfizer to AstraZeneca, J& J; the Chinese ones also. And the idea is supporting them to invest in Africa, including in Nigeria. I just want to say the president set up a taskforce headed by the Minister of Health to look at the issue of how we manufacture our own vaccines. All of us from the diaspora are there to see how we can help support the country to do better. From a personal point of view as well as WTO point of view, these are some of the things we are doing.”

The WTO director general also revealed that the organisation was working with the International Trade Centre to support women to upgrade the quality of their products so that they could enter the international market.

She said, “I met with a group of women from Oyo State who were making Shea

butter and they could not export their products to US or Europe because it didn’t meet the standards. The WTO and the ITC worked with them to upgrade the quality; NAFDAC approved it and they have been able to export. This is another area we have been helping the small and medium scale business.”

Okonjo-Iweala commended Nigerians in the diaspora for contributing billions of dollars to the country’s economy, which had been helping in sustaining the economy. She said this had helped people in rural areas to send their children to school, take care of their health, and run businesses.

The former minister stated, “Wherever you are in the diaspora, there is nowhere like home. I think what you need to think about is, what can I do to make things better, wherever you are, either creating employment or business or civil society organisation, helping to support what the local government is trying to do.”

In her opening remarks, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NIDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said necessary measures were being put in place to ensure that Nigerians in diaspora were allowed to vote in the on-going constitutional review.

Dabiri-Erewa said, “As part of the mandate of NIDCOM, the leadership and team of the Commission is putting its best at ensuing that the issue of diaspora voting tops the agenda of the current constitution review by the National Assembly. I assure you that both Committees on Diaspora and our Civil Society Organisations are strongly supporting diaspora voting to be actualised in Nigeria in the shortest time possible,

especially with the contributions of the Nigerians in diaspora to national development.”

In his keynote address, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, assured that the federal government would constantly strive to create an enabling environment for the diaspora population through policies meant to guarantee their safety and wellbeing. Dada said government had adopted the National Diaspora Policy 2021 (NDP) and its Action Plans.

According to him, the National Diaspora Policy 2021 aims to provide a comprehensive and supporting framework for facilitating diaspora engagement in national development, empowering the diaspora to contribute effectively, and maximising the value

of diaspora contributions to Nigeria’s development.

WTO Foresees 11 Billion COVID-19 Vaccines Production Meanwhile, WTO has expressed optimism that the production of COVID-19 vaccines could rise from the current output level of 3.8 billion to 11 billion by the end of this year. This was disclosed by the spokesperson of the global trade body, Mr. Keith Rockwell, during a virtual press conference he hosted from Geneva, Switzerland, at the weekend.

Rockwell also revealed that Director General of the WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had proposed a fund that would

provide technical assistance to developing countries for the implementation of an anticipated agreement on the removal of fisheries subsidy.

Rockwell said, “There was an important discussion on Wednesday on the importance of ramping up production of vaccines. But what the producers said is that for them, the biggest problem is getting access to raw materials.

This is the thing that has been hindering them from ramping up production.

“But there is a positive feeling, which we have to wait and see materialise, that production of dosage for the vaccines, which is currently at 3.8 billion, could ramp up to 11 billion by the end of the year. "its materialisation will be good news. There was a big

jump in June and it seems production is going up in July.”

He also disclosed that fundamental disagreement still persisted over the waiver of trade agreement for diagnostics required for the manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines.

Rockwell said, “It is almost an ideological difference, which is a source of frustration to the proponents of waivers that expected text based negotiation and an agreement on the issue by the end of this month.

"Now the commitment is to try and resolve this along with other areas that have not been attended to because of the focus on trade waiver. These areas are export restrictions, trade facilitation measures and how to make compulsory licensing easier to do. All these things are important issues.”

AMBASSADOR DEBO ADESINA MEETS TOGOLESE PRESIDENT… Nigeria’s Ambassador to Togo, Ambassador Debo Adesina (left) and Togolese President, Mr. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, when Adesina went to present his letter of credence to the President ...recently

Senate Directs AGF to Recover N76bn 'Illegal' Loans Given to INEC, Army, NSA, NYSC, Others Since 2013 Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate has ordered the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) to without further delay recover all illegal loans totalling N76 billion given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian Army, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Office of National Security Adviser (NSA), and six other ministries and agencies.

The directive also affects ministries, departments and agencies.

They are all to refund to government coffers different amount of unauthorised loans. They include Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Labour and Productivity, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Defence, Nigerian Communication Satellite Operation (NIGCOSAT), and Revitalization of Universities Infrastructures Account.

The upper chamber gave the directive while adopting the recommendations of its Public Accounts Committee

on the 2015 Auditor General of the Federation's report, which indicated that the said loans released in 2013 and early 2015 did not go through due diligence and without authorisation by the National Assembly.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Mathew Urhoghide, had while presenting the report which was adopted by the Senate before proceeding on its annual recess recently, revealed how the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) collected the said N76 billion from the Office of Accountant General, illegally.

The funds were drawn from 25 per cent Husked Rice Levy, 1 Per cent Comprehension Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) Pool levy , 15 per cent Wheat Grain Levy and 10 per cent Rice Levy

by Office of Accountant General of the Federation and given to the aforementioned MDAs, which had since refused to pay back the said loan.

The report particularly mentioned INEC as receiving N17.92 billion in January, 2015 as loan from AGF to finance the 2015 general election and

six years down the lane, the electoral umpire was yet to pay back.

The report also revealed that from the 15 per cent wheat grain levy, a total of N31.4 billion was released to Nigerian Army, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Revitalization of Universities Infrastructures Account and Federal Ministry of Agric and Rural Development.

The breakdown showed that Nigerian Army got N4.7 billion to fund some of their activities, NYSC collected N6.4 billion to also fund their activities including passing out of corpers at orientation camps, Revitalization of Universities Infrastructure Account received N10 billion for funding of Federal Universities, while Federal Ministry of Agric and Rural Development got N10.2 billion to fund execution of 2013 dry season farming.

The MDAs that benefitted in form of loan from Rice Levy account, which is about N37.4 billion include Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Office of National Security Adviser, Nigerian Custom Service (NCS), Nigerian Communication Satellite Operation

(NIGCOSAT).

The breakdown revealed that NIGCOSAT got N450 million, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity received N5 billion to pay the allowance of unskilled youths in Public works programme, ONSA got N3.5 billion, Ministry of Defence had N428 million while revitalisation of Universities Infrastructure Account received N5.3 billion.

These unapproved loans subsequently resulted in the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF) issuing two queries to AGF over the mode of disbursing the loan.

The first query from Auditor General of the Federation read, "It was observed from 2014 audited account that mandate No FD/ LP2014/57/1/82/DF dated 12th of January 2015, amounting to N922.4 million, was withdrawn from 25 per cent Husked Brown Rice Levy as Loan given to INEC to finance 2015 elections.

"The loan is contrary to the purpose, which the fund was established which is to help local production of brown rice in Nigeria.

The second query also stated, “It was observed from the 2014 audited Accounts that audited account that mandate No FD/ LP2014/57/1/82/DF dated 12th of January, 2015 amounting to N7 billion was withdrawn from 1 Per cent Comprehension Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) Levy as loan to INEC to finance 2015 elections .

"The loan is contrary to the purpose for which the fund was created, which is to fund the destination Inspection Service Providers as provided in the law, because they are not paid from Annual budget."

The Senate thereafter ordered the Office of Accountant General of the Federation to immediately set in motion the process for the recovery of the loans and pay back to Special Funds Accounts of the Federation.

It also directed that henceforth, payments from these special funds should be strictly applied for the purpose for their creation while ensuring the stoppage of further withdrawal from these Accounts without a resolution of the National Assembly.

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Bandits Release 28 Abducted Students of Kaduna School Others to be freed in batches

By John Shiklam in Kaduna Twenty eight of of the remaining 180 abducted students of Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi, Kaduna, have been freed by their captors.

The students were released on Saturday night at a location along Kaduna-Abuja road and were picked on Sunday by leaders of the Baptist Church led by President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention,

Rev. Israel Akanji.

But the remaining students, Akanji, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, said would be freed in batches.

Bandits, on July 5, invaded the school and abducted the children, aged between 13 and 19 years.

The students were reunited with their parents at the school premises amid jubilation after their release.

Many of the children were

emaciated, weak and could barely walk.

But some of the parents were heartbroken as their children were not among those released.

Some of the parents wept profusely while others collapsed and had to be revived when they realised that their children were still in captivity.

The bandits had earlier released one of the students based on health grounds, while two others were

reportedly “rescued” by the police.

According to the President Kaduna Baptist Conference, Rev. Ishaya Jangado, the bandits will be releasing the children in batches.

“I have been talking with the bandits and they told me that the children would be released in batches and they have released the first batch of 28. I appealed to parents whose children are not among the first batch not to despair as they will be released too by the grace of God. “If your child is not among those released don’t be

disappointed, let’s keep praying”, he said.

Also speaking in an interview after praying and reuniting the children with their parents, Israel Akanji, said a lot of efforts were made to ensure the release of the children.

He, however, denied claims by some parents that N100m was paid as ransom.

According to him, “a lot of efforts were made to ensure the release of the students. The number one effort was prayers.

We prayed and prayed. We spoke

BIRTHDAY THANKSGIVING SERVICE… L-R: Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; his wife, Tamunominini; Presiding Pastor of Living Spring Chapel International, Pastor Femi Emmanuel and his wife, Modupe, during the 66th birthday thanksgiving service of Pastor Emmanuel held at Dominion Cathedral, Ibadan... yesterday PHOTO: Oyo State Government.

Insurgency: Will A-29 Super Tucano Fighter Jets Change the Game?

Long term solution goes beyond military, say security experts Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The arrival, last week, of six A-29 Super Tucano fighter jets, the first batch of 12 ordered by the federal government from the United States, raised hopes that the fighter planes would make a difference in the raging war against insurgency and banditary.

But military experts have argued that the long term panacea to security challenges confronting the nation lies with the nation coming together to address the root cause of the problem.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, said last week that the military would not tolerate any form of violence directed at the country’s unity.

The six fighter planes bring to 32 the number of platforms procured by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

They include 10 Super Mushshak aircraft, five Mi-35M helicopter gunships, two Bell 412 helicopters, four Agusta 109 Power attack helicopters, two Mi-171E helicopter, three JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, which were delivered and inducted in May 2021.

The aircraft ranges from fighter planes to training and support platforms. The expectation by defence and military authorities are that the attack aircrafts would change the tide in the war against insurgency and bring it to an end.

The aircraft "is armed with two wing-mounted 12.7mm machine guns with a rate of

NEWS REVIEW fire of 1,100 rounds a minute and is capable of carrying generalpurpose bombs and guided air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.

"A-29s are turboprop planes armed with one 20mm cannon below the fuselage able to shoot 650 rounds per minute, one 12.7mm machine gun (FN Herstal) under each wing and up to four 7.62mm Dillion Aero M134 Miniguns able to shoot up to 3,000 rounds per minute", a military source said.

Super Tucanos are also equipped with "70mm rockets, air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9L Sidewinder, air-to-ground weapons such as the AGM-65 Maverick and precision-guided bombs. It can also use a laser rangefinder and laser-guided weapons. The aircraft is used by air forces of 15 countries.

"There are plenty of countries that have an extremist threat – the Middle East and South and Central Africa. SOCOM (Special Operations Command) is asking for this for Nigeria, Somalia and Libya. It is a perfect platform for where we are fighting,” US Rep, Michael Waltz, (R) Fla told Warrior, a military publication.

The US-trained pilots with the Afghan Air Force had launched air strikes against the Taliban with A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, a platform which seems wellsuited for the air force’s intended mission scope.

Its integrated weapons and laser-firing technology enable the platform to both lay down suppressive fire in support

of advancing infantry and pinpoint targets for precision strikes. This mission envelope seems to enable a wide sphere of operational possibilities, to include counterinsurgency and great power challenges.

"The pilot is protected with Kevlar armour and provided with a zero/zero ejection seat.

The clamshell canopy, hinged at the front and rear and electrically activated, is fitted with a de-icing system and features a windshield capable of withstanding, at 300k, the impact of a 4lb (1.81kg) bird. A Northrop Grumman onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS) is installed.

“They have long loiter time and can stay close to the fight.

They are interoperable in a very close-knit way with operations on the ground,” Waltz said.

The publication listed war situations in which A-29s could change the equation when it comes to counterinsurgency.

"First and foremost, they can save lives. If overhead fire support is able to identify and attack pockets of enemy fighters, fewer ground troops have to enter into enemy fire. Also, an overhead asset of this kind can be an intelligence node able to send targeting information and data regarding troop movements.

"When it comes to actual close-in counterinsurgency combat, fighters often obscure themselves in defilade or in buildings, requiring a need for precision strikes. The air-ground Maverick precision weapon can use a laser rangefinder and other kinds of advanced targeting technologies – providing what could be called an indispensable

element of attack support".

Naturally, advancing ground forces can benefit from air support while advancing on enemies for direct targeting or suppressive fire to enable forces to maneuver", it said.

But a military expert, who spoke to THISDAY on the condition of anonymity, said the solution to the security crisis facing the nation lied with the stakeholders in the Nigerian enterprise.

"The super Tucano aircraft will no doubt boost military operations especially, the air force. But is that all? It requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-the-nation approach.

"Other factors will link government, unemployment and the issue of almajiri. The aircraft is not going to stop banditary and it's not the responsibility of the military, we are concerned when matters get violent.

"The root cause has to be addressed. We have to ask how did we get here. Do you think that as the military, we are happy to be killing our citizens? We have to come together to ask how did we get to this level", he said.

Speaking in a media interview, a security expert and analyst, Col Tony Nyiam (rtd) attributed the recent downing of a Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet by terrorists to the age of the aircraft and the inadequacies of fighting an unconventional warfare without accompanying modern technological devices that could aid the quick detection of enemy positions from the skies.

Nyiam said the fighter jet involved in the air mishap had

been in use for over thirty years.

He affirmed that it was possible that the aged Alhpa Jet lacked a laser-guided capability and the pilot might have flown low to carry out a successful dive bombing, a field craft technique that may have rendered the old military aircraft vulnerable to small arms fire.

“It’s also possible that Flt Lt Abayomi Dairo may have been coming low to confirm that his target is not civilians.

This is why he deserves our commendation.

“It may be inferred from all stated so far that the Alpha Jet aircraft didn’t come under the more dangerous surface to air missiles (SAMs) attacks, which is a much more sophisticated threat,” he said.

On the super tucano aircraft, he said: “What in my humble opinion is needed to combat the kind of unconventional armed forces is helicopter gunships.

For example, Mi 17 or 24 or 32, Airborne platform, such as ‘Aerostat’ to act as the nucleus of the required tactical deployment.

“The use of first responders from the locals of area of military operations are essential. It’s through this type of combined tactical operations that real-time intelligence can be provided, thus making it easier to direct air and ground forces operations,” he said.

No fewer than 3,868 persons, it would be recalled, were killed in different states of Nigeria between January and June 2021, a midyear report by an international human rights organisation based in Washington DC, Global Rights, reported.

The group, which tracked daily incidents of mass atrocities across the country, also put the number of persons who were abducted within the timeframe at 3,016, a 79.6 per cent increase compared to 615 incidents recorded within the same period in 2020.

to security agents, we spoke to the governor of Kaduna State and he promised that he was going to do his best to ensure the release of the children.

“We have waited, it is about three weeks now and finally we are grateful that we have this batch that have come. All together we have received 34 students out of the 121. We are still expecting 87, who have not come back yet.”

Akanji said further that the children were released by the bandits themselves.

“The children were just released by the people, who abducted them.

They kept them in a place and they called us and we went and carried them in our vehicles and brought them. Our prayer is that they will release the remaining students,” he said.

Akanji said the church did not pay any ransom to the bandits.

“I don't know where you got your information. I have heard a lot of information in the media.

Some said we paid N60 million, some said we paid N100m. What we said is that as a church, we will not pay ransom, because it is not right to pay people who have done what is wrong. However you know that we are not the only ones concerned about the children”, he said.

According to him, there were parents, well-wishers and neighbours, who were struggling for the children for the children to be released, “therefore, we cannot really restrict people from their actions in getting the children out, but as a group we do not believe in paying ransom. I cannot answer for those who probably must have been involved in certain ways.”

Akanji said the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, had promised to assist when the students were abducted.

“He (the governor) told me that security matters cannot be divulged. We actually expected that whatever he was doing should have resulted in the release of the children before now. However, they were not released and we kept agitating. We wanted the promise of the governor to be fulfilled earlier than now.

“Right now I cannot say exactly what he has done, because he himself was not willing to give us details of what he would be doing. Whatever it is that he has done, what we all know is that God has released the children.”

Unlike in the past when the state government and security agencies took charge of students freed by bandits, no government official or security agency was present as the leaders of the church drove the students straight to the school and handed them to their parents.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, was chased away by angry parents, when he visited the school the day they were abducted.

Probably as a result of that incident, the state government and security personnel, who the parents had always accused of not doing much, might have decided to hands off.

In another development kidnappers of pupils of an Islamic school, Tegina, Niger State, have abducted a man, who was sent to deliver a N30m ransom for the release of the children.

In May, the bandits invaded the school and abducted 136. Parents of the children were said to have contributed N30m for the release of their children.

Kaduna, Niger and Zamafa States have become a den for bandits, with people being killed or abducted almost on a daily basis.

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COMMENT

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

LAGOS STATE AND COMMODITIES MARKET AGENDA The government’s decision to raise long term fund through the LCFE is a smart move, writes Sola Oni

F

ive leading national dailies recently broke the news with different captions that Lagos State Government is set to raise $2 Billion by floating Agricultural Commodities Notes in partnership with the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange (LCFE) to guarantee food security. The story emanated from the visit of the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Abisola Olusanya, her Finance counterpart, Dr Rabiu Olowo and their respective permanent secretaries to Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange (LCFE) as part of the preliminary discussions to activate what is gradually becoming Lagos State and Commodities Market Agenda.

For the avoidance of doubt, Lagos State government is not the owner of LCFE. It’s just a mere similarity of name. As emissaries, the commissioners held a closed -door meeting with some of the board members and management staff of LCFE as well as other key stakeholders on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his team’s plan to reform agriculture in the state with special emphasis on food security. By the strategic plan, the state is prepared to leverage commodities space to raise the initial capital. Lagos State towers above its peers over the years in sourcing funds from the Capital Market for infrastructure projects. For instance, in 1992, Lagos Island Local Government floated N100 Million Municipal Bond to build Sura Shopping Complex. The state government itself had raised huge amounts from the market on several basis, of which the latest was the N100 Billion issued last year to finance infrastructure. On comparable basis, Lagos State has a more viable economy. It accounts for over 60 percent of economic activities in Nigeria. The state has demonstrated proven creditworthiness over the years.

The beauty of government bond is the issuance of Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) which hedges bond holders in the event of default. Many state governments had in the past taken advantage of the market to mobilize funds for infrastructure development. Lagos government’s decision to raise long term fund through the LCFE is a smart one. Nigerian commodities space is a virgin land waiting to be tapped. Although food inflation in Nigeria dropped from 22.28 in May to 21.83 in June, it is still higher than headline inflation of 17.75 as at June. A peep into the challenges of food security in Lagos State is quite revealing: The state has fragmented markets that make their location cumbersome. The markets are generally dirty despite the efforts of the waste management section. Lagos State is literally the hub of traffic congestion in Nigeria with attendant effects on logistics issues.

THE PROPOSED CAPITAL INJECTION INTO THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR IN LAGOS STATE HAS PROFOUND BENEFITS: IT WILL ACCELERATE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE, CONSOLIDATE VALUE CHAINS, OPEN EYES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND OTHER STATES TO RENEW THE OPTION FOR MEDIUM AND LONG TERM CAPITAL FORMATION

It is no longer news that the state is the headquarters of substandard and adulterated products while the markets in this economic centre of Nigeria are not integrated with international markets. Any market that lacks central logistics, market governance, especially sanctity of contract, social responsibilities and central legislation and others cannot compete in the global market space.

The federal government should take a cue from the Lagos State’s commodities market agenda to address the pain points of the operators in the agricultural space in Nigeria. Post-harvest storage risk is everywhere. Apart from weak incentives and structures, farmers’ profit margin is poor and demotivating. It is appalling that after 60 years of Nigeria’s independence, there is no reliable database of those operating in the agricultural sector while inadequate trading capital is a norm.

The proposed capital injection into the agricultural sector in Lagos State has profound benefits: It will accelerate economic growth and development in the state, consolidate value chains, open eyes of the federal government and other states to renew the option for medium and long term capital formation through commodities exchanges, enhance job opportunities, data gathering and position the state government to intervene in the market activities at any time.

The body language of the two Lagos commissioners and their permanent secretaries look exciting while the LCFE is awaiting the offer. The need for market reform and food security in Lagos State is a metaphor for other states in the federation. There is a compelling need for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to do a comprehensive impact analysis on its various interventions in agriculture and the worrisome level of food inflation. We all know and appreciate the debilitating effects of insecurity on agricultural sector in Nigeria today. This may present an escapist route for the government to defend itself by blaming it on insecurity. But what accounted for the lackluster contribution of agriculture to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the activities of herdsmen? The sector has suffered untold neglect. This is where utilization of commodities’ exchanges presents an ample opportunity for the government at all tiers for capital raise. The market also enables farmers to trade agricultural products’ receipts electronically through commodities brokers. This explains why the proposed controversial N50 Billion which the CBN’s Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele said would be sunk in Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX) will make a better investment decision if it is shared among the commodities exchanges in Nigeria or optimized to set up a central cleaning system for all the commodities exchanges .

Oni, Communications Consultant, Chartered Stockbroker and Commodities Trader, is the Chief Executive Officer, Sofunix Investment and Communications

NIGERIA AND THE DEBT TRAP Ayo Oyoze Baje argues that the country’s debt burden is excessive “Our political leaders have suddenly developed not just a taste for, but a voracious appetite for debt. As usual, most of such debts that are procured are hardly thought through. Predictably, ability to repay such debts is lacking” -Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

O

ne recurring ugly decimal of Nigeria’s inexcusable economic paradox in the midst of abundant Godendowed resources is the ever-increasing debt profile, at both the state and federal levels. It is sad to note that it has been so over the decades, spanning different administrations with variant political colourations.

More worrisome is that there is inadequate empirical value on ground, that is in terms of infrastructural development, appreciable human development index and economic production for the humungous sums of money so borrowed, year after year. It would seem that our set of successive political leaders have refused to adhere to the biblical admonition that: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender,” according to Proverbs 22 verse 7.

It would be recalled that yours truly has over the years raised the alarm on the critical issue, as a concerned citizen. These include the ones titled: “Nigeria’s debilitating debt profile” (January 2013), “Who will pay these huge debts?” (July, 2017), “Nigeria’s dehumanizing debt profile” (July, 2019) and “Nigeria’s free fall into China’s debt trap” (July 2020) as published by different newspapers and magazines. But painfully, things have not changed for the better ever since.

For instance, as of 8th July 2021 the news media was awash with the following headlines: “Fresh loan request pushes Nigeria’s

public debt to over N35.5 trillion”. “Buhari gets Senate’s approval for N2.3tr foreign loan request”. “FG to fund N5.62tr deficit in 2022 budget with loans”. “Nigeria on debt precipice, spent N1.8tr on debt servicing between January and May 2021”. “Government records debt service to revenue ratio of 98%”! You should be similarly worried about these scary economic indices.

The reason is simple - one does not want Nigeria, our dear country to go the way of some other African countries that are currently enmeshed in the debt marsh to China.

For instance, as of 2020, the countries in Africa with the largest Chinese debts include Angola ($25 billion), Ethiopia ($13.5 billion), Zambia ($7.4 billion), the Republic of Congo ($7.3 billion) and Sudan ($6.4 billion).

The warning given here is that our current political leaders should prevent Nigeria from being taken over by the overtly ambitious China because all Chinese loans are tied to infrastructural developments. In fact, some of the African debtor nations have had to forfeit some to China. For instance, $7.4 billion of Zambia’s total $8.7 billion foreign debt is owed to China. It was reported in late 2018 that China may soon take over the state electricity company, ZESCO as a form of debt repayment since the country had defaulted!

Also, Kenya may soon lose its largest and most lucrative port, Port of Mombasa to its creditor (China) after it defaulted in the refund. This could force Kenya to relinquish control of the port to China.

This unfortunate economic situation throws up some salient questions, all begging for answers. Have we, as a country not been making money from crude oil sales, multiple company taxes including VAT, inflow from the ports and that from the Customs Service?

It would be recalled that back in June, 2017 Prof. Pat Utomi and Mr. Bismarck Rewane, both seasoned economists asked questions about the increasing debt burden at both the state and federal levels. As at March that year the nation’s total debt had risen by N7.1trn to a mind-boggling N19.16trn.

While as at June 30, 2015 the country’s total debt was N12.12trn by September 2018, the debt stood at N22.43trn. That means that within the first three and a half years of the current administration the debt rose

by N10.31trn which is 85.06 %. The external debt component of both the federal and state governments including the FCT increased by 109.21% according to the DMO. Are you not worried?

Fast forward to 2019. Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank(AfDB) raised similar concerns to that of Utomi and Rewane. According to him, Nigeria was as at that year using 50 per cent of its revenue to service its debts, compared to the average of 17 per cent for other African countries! This is unsustainable.

Furthermore, going by the frightening figures made public by the Debt Management Office (DMO) the total debt stock stood at some humongous amount of N24.047 trillion as at March 31, 2019. Reports have it that N560 billion out of these was borrowed in only three months!

In fact, on May 21, 2020 the online platform ‘Nairametrics’ in its ‘Economy & Politics’ page warned about Nigeria falling into China’s debt trap. According to Dr. Bongo Adi, the Director of Centre for Infrastructure Policy Regulation and Advancement (CIPRA), Nigeria lacks accountability, transparency, and responsibility to refund its loans. He is of the Lagos Business

School and surely knows his onions.

We surely do not need rocket science to understand that the country’s economic growth is undermined by the huge debt stock as well as other obvious factors include sheer profligacy in running government apparatus. With decrepit infrastructure and some 23 out of 36 states at a point unable to pay 100% salaries to deserving workers there is crass corruption in high places.

This is exacerbated by the huge pay package of political office holders, with that of our lawmakers ranking amongst the highest in the world, even as Nigeria remains the poverty capital of the world. All these have no doubt led to an unprecedented unemployment level and an upsurge in the wave of crimes.

The way forward is for government to cut its economic coat according to available resources. It should allow for a holistic economic restructuring so that the states can control their resources and pay an agreed percent of income as tax to the federal centre.

We have to become more creative now so that the commercial banks can start lending to the real sector to boost manufacturing. Government should ban sundry consumables including textile materials and electronic equipment that are either being imported daily at astonishing rates and giving smugglers a field day.

One’s current concern, however, is who will pay these huge debts? Will the burden being left by the reckless and frivolous political class not be too weighty for the lean shoulders of our jobless children? Those in government should heed the words of caution by Chief Obasanjo so that generations yet unborn will not be turned to slaves and beggars in their own country by the creditor nations.

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EDITORIAL

ISSUES WITH THE DSO PROGRAMME There is urgent need for a digital switchover legislation

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hree years after it came to an abrupt halt, the national digital switchover (DSO) programme has been resuscitated. The elaborate flag-off ceremony in Lagos on 29th April for its second phase was the culmination of activities, including the establishment of a 13-member ministerial task force headed by the Minister of Information and Culture. This followed approval by the Federal Executive Council of N9.4billion for the payment of outstanding debts to companies providing services.

Alongside these have been giddy projections of what the programme will deliver to the country.

There is no doubt that the DSO holds much promise, especially in job creation and value-chain addition. Aside from kick-starting the digital economy, the successful actualisation of the DSO has the potential to boost the floundering effort in diversifying the nation’s economy. It is projected that the federal government will earn an estimated $1billion from the sale of spectrum to ensure that the programme is self-financing. There are also projections that the broadcasting THERE IS CURRENTLY industry and digital NO LAW ENCOMPASSING economy will grow ELEMENTS OF DIGITISATION through increased advertising, revenue OR DEFINING ROLES from Nollywood and AND RESPONSIBILITIES value-added services.

OF THE THREE TIERS OF However, while GOVERNMENT AND THE these projections are PRIVATE SECTOR heart-warming, we are less than optimistic that the country will reap these munificent dividends, given how the DSO programme is being implemented. The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has hardly covered itself in glory. Its squalid handling of the programme, we recall, resulted in missed switchover deadlines in 2007, 2012, 2015 and 2017. In those years, less resourced countries, including in Africa, completed their switchover programmes.

There are other fears. Experts have identified the absence of a legal framework, as recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as a major

Letters to the Editor

hindrance to successful DSO implementation. There is currently no law encompassing elements of digitisation or defining roles and responsibilities of the three tiers of government and the private sector. Besides, the programme is driven by the recommendations of the 2014 DSO Whitepaper, which many do not consider an actual law. We find it strange that a national undertaking of such significance is being implemented without any legislation.

T T H I S DAY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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NNAMDI KANU, IGBOHO AND INSECURITY

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ith the recent arrest of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the subsequent arrest of the lead agitator for a Yoruba nation, Chief Sunday Igboho one would have been forgiven for thinking that insecurity in Nigeria will automatically abate.

Alas, in spite of the arrests, Nigeria continues to lurch further into the lair of lethal insecurity.

Both Mazi Kanu and Igboho, whatever their motives, found in the theatre of the absurd that Nigeria has become, the perfect stage for their aspirations both personal and communal. Like visionaries and prophets, they were able to reach into the hearts of their people and amplify cries of historic injustice that were muffled for ages.

In Nnamdi Kanu `s case, the ghosts of the Nigerian Civil War which ended decades ago were invoked to ghoulishly evoke the historic injustices which even the most cynical of the Igbos believe have been their lot since the war ended.

For Sunday Igboho, the wounds of his people fresh and bleeding in a country whose breakup now seems to be only a matter of time have been the driving force. The government`s response has been predictable and portentous: shoot the messenger. It explains Nnamdi Kanu`s arrest and stealthy extradition to Nigeria. It explains the current legal battle going on in Benin Republic over the Nigeria`s government desperate attempts to extradite Sunday Igboho.

Nigerians have been left to scratch their heads and even bloody their fingers over whether there is a better way and manner than the options the government has chosen to address agitations and quell insecurity. At the juncture, the Nigerian government appears to be the awkwardly incompetent surgeon who takes the scalpel to gouge

his point was noted as far back as 2016 by the House of Representatives DSO Ad hoc Committee in its report on the investigation of the programme’s implementation. The conspicuous absence of a legal framework encourages implementation on an ad hoc basis. The Ministry of Information and Culture, which has the duty to propose appropriate amendments to existing laws or enact new legislation for the DSO, has shown no interest along that direction. This, among other things, has rendered the programme an ethics-free trade zone in which middlemen run the show.

Meanwhile, the report of the House probe contains copious instances of rule-bending and indifference to due process. One company that serves as contractor/ consultant on middleware payment and encryption for the national Set-Top-Box (STB) system secured its contract eight months before registration. This was in breach of the Procurement Act and other extant local legislations.

The House also reported that the company usurped some of the functions of licensed signal distributors to earn money without any investment. The company provides the FreeTV decoder, NBC’s vehicle for digital migration; and conditional access system on which it charges users conditional access fee (CAF) despite being just a contractor.

The goal of the DSO is to convert Free-to-Air analogue television signal to digital. It is not to birth a pay television enterprise with government resources. We therefore view the DSO implementation process as an extension of the country’s trademark fire brigade approach to a matter of huge national significance. The DSO Whitepaper on which NBC relies is nothing more than a policy direction that requires its recommendation to be meshed into an actual law to have any legal effect.

out the eyes instead of to excise a tumor. It is no secret that Nigerians groan. Under the bootheels of rampaging criminals who have mastered the eternally dark arts of razing down villages, ravaging lives and livelihoods and ravishing women and girls, Nigerians lament the pain that has become their portion in this increasingly precarious platter that the country has become. It is no rocket science that Nigeria`s young, whom by reason of age and ideas, should be the pallbearers of its scandalous, blood-stained past, and torchbearers of a better future have been left to lament the jarring disintegration and denaturing of the country they were taught to love from the womb.

Yet, the vultures continue to gather with gluttonous glee and telling temerity. Drawn by the dark, fetid smoke of burning houses, bodies and farms, those responsible for the country`s woes see only visions of the trophies they can yet take.

The government may have found the actions of Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu gravely exceptionable but it is beyond argument that desperate times require desperate measures. Nigeria is going through unprecedented times. What fuels the child`s piercing screams through the night is no ordinary ant bite. It is the sting of a scorpion.

Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho may be the faces of the agitations rumbling in the bowels of the country like an earthquake. But they are just only that. They are only amplifiers of the angry voices of countless Nigerians irreducibly demanding that things must change in the country. The government and Nigerians will be better served dissecting their message, digesting same and abiding same. To heckle and harass the messengers is to fatally miss the point. It is to miss an opportunity to bind up instead of break up.

Kene Obiezu, Abuja

ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF RESULT: IS APC JITTERY?

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he glimmer of hope that the country will have a free and fair election in 2023 general election had been dashed by our senators. Section 52(3) of the electoral amendment bill 2021 which provides for electronic transmission of election results from the polling unit received a kiss of death by the APC senators after a rowdy session in the Senate. In 2015, when President Jonathan introduced the card reader machine which was part of technology drive to checkmate multiple voting, detect election fraud and ensure free and fair election, the APC which was desperate to clinch power commended the bold initiative. There is no gainsaying the fact that APC was the beneficiary of the card reader machine in 2015 general election. The election victories recorded by the party across the country could be credited to such technological innovation. Little wonder many Nigerians expected the National Assembly to maintain the momentum in 2019 by passing the section 52(3) of the electoral bill into law, and pave the way for electronic transmission of result. By its name, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), should act independently according to the laws that established it. For the Senate to insist that INEC should collaborate with Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on the possibility of adequate network coverage in the country and seek for its approval before it adopts electronic transmission of result raises serious suspicions on its part.

The million-naira questions begging for answers are: why did majority of APC senators vote against the electronic transmission of result? Are they acting on the script of their party to frustrate any genuine efforts to have a credible and acceptable poll in 2023?

Lawal Adamu Usman, Kaduna State

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JULY 26, 2021

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

POLITICS

Email: nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com 08114495324 SMS ONLY

M O N D AY D I S C O U R S E

Court Dramas Rocking APGA, APC, PDP Primaries Ahead of Anambra Election The Anambra governorship election is slated for November 6. Ahead of the election, the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance are knee-deep in intriguing politicking regarding the authentic gubernatorial candidates to represent their parties, write Nseobong Okon-Ekong and David-Chyddy Eleke.

Yakubu

Obiano

Soludo

Ozigbo

L

ast Friday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sent tongues wagging in Anambra when it released the list of party candidates in the state’s November 6 governorship election.

For example, INEC did not approve any candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party as the electoral body cited “court order” as a reason. INEC listed Sen. Andy Uba as All Progressives Congress gubernatorial candidate. It listed Chuma Umeoji as All Progressives Grand Alliance’s choice though ex-CBN governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, was widely favoured to get the APGA ticket.

Events leading to the parties’ separate primaries indicated the courts would settle the score in the choice of gubernatorial candidates. APGA is the ruling party in Anambra. The PDP has a measure of a foothold with two senatorial districts in its grip. The APC has shown vast improvements in its electoral fortunes, mostly holding out the promise of integration with the central government in Abuja.

Depending on who has their back, the different candidates took a hardline, not prepared to yield any ground.

The chance of the candidate of another political party winning by default is slim.

The high stakes and the contestants’ apparent war chest have combined to make the pathway to secure the party ticket intriguing and tortuous, with the three parties

featuring accomplished billionaires.

It could have been anybody’s game.

Nothing was left to chance, including the deployment of every legal instrument possible. In the end, whoever

emerges victorious would have been thoroughly badgered on all fronts.

PDP and APC held their primaries on June 26. PDP held two separate primaries, producing two different

Let me speak to my judgment now in a way that all will understand. When a court makes a pronouncement, it is not for you to come and begin to cite constitution or to tell us that party is supreme. Yes, party is supreme, but the court is supremacy. The court is the only person that can say something that is green is now blue, and everyone will be bound to see it as blue. It will only take the court to rescind the decision, or a higher court upturning the decision before you can start seeing that thing as green again. So, what I am saying is that there is a court order on this matter that is still alive. It is not for you to come and be citing authorities, but for you to go back to the court and beg it to rescind its decision or you go to a higher court to upturn it

candidates. APC held one primary, through direct means, Uba emerging the winner but not without acrimony as other aspirants disowned the election, claiming it never held, casting aspersion on Governor Dapo Abiodun-led committee. To further legitimise the claim, one of the aspirants, Dr George Moghalu, sued Uba and APC. There are fears the aggrieved APC aspirants may work against the party if they are not placated.

Moghalu told THISDAY in Abuja that the aspirants are “angry at the arbitrariness.” “If there was an election and we were defeated,” he argued, “nobody will say anything. I challenge anyone to produce a video of the APC governorship primary in Anambra. There was no election. It will be very unfortunate if the party goes ahead with this daylight robbery. I wish them luck.”

In APGA, the party is still battling legal fireworks over which faction should produce the party’s candidate. The party known for years as peaceful is currently in a messy web of crisis. While the Chief Victor Oye-led party had on June 23 elected Soludo as its candidate, another faction led by Edozie Njoku as the national chairman also nominated him to double as the gubernatorial candidate. A third faction led

by Jude Okeke also sprang up, sacking Oye and his leadership while also suspending Soludo for being involved in the primary held by the Oye faction. The factions have

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JULY 26, 2021

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MONDAY DISCOURSE

Uba

been moving from one court to another to validate their primary results.

The Okeke faction was first to secure a high court order in faraway Jigawa, compelling INEC to recognise Umeoji as the party’s candidate. Last week, the Oye-led faction got a favourable judgment from a high court in Awka presided over by Justice Charles Okaa. The court ordered INEC to withdraw Umeoji’s name and replace it with Soludo as the rightful APGA candidate.

PDP fielded 16 aspirants in its June 26 primary. While its electoral committee was harmonising delegates’ lists, news filtered in Chukwudi Umeaba-led faction (as state chairman, loyal to a self-styled godfather of politics in the state, Chief Chris Uba) had held a primary. The former presented Valentine Ozigbo (ex-president and CEO of Transcorp Plc) as its candidate. The latter has Sen. Ugochukwu Uba (a former senator representing Anambra South and elder brother of Chris Uba) as flagbearer.

While the primary that produced Ozigbo used ‘super delegates’ list to conduct the election, to avoid a court order mandating it not to use delegates earlier produced, the other faction used delegates’ list from all the wards in the state. INEC is in a quandary regarding who it should recognise amid conflicting court cases and even more contradictory court orders.

Recently, the Awka Division of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Nganjiwa allegedly ordered the INEC to Ozigbo as the authentic candidate. THISDAY does not have the judgment details, but the Ozigbo faction is in a jubilant mood.

The Uba faction quickly sent out a press statement, stating that the Ozigbo camp’s celebration was misleading. Umeaba insisted he was in court and that the judge simply mentioned the matter and asked that the status quo be maintained while the matter would be heard on September 21.

Meanwhile, a notice seen on social media had already notified Anambra people to look out, stating that a high court in Awka would give judgment in favour of Uba on the same day, accusing Uba of perfecting the plan. On the same day that the Ozigbo group jubilated about a favourable court judgment, another court, a state high court presided over by Justice Obiora Nwabunike, delivered a judgment as foretold by the Uba group, asking the INEC to list Uba as the authentic PDP candidate.

In a suit by Uba against Ozigbo, the Anambra PDP chapter, and INEC, the judge stated that Uba’s faction held its primary in line with the party’s guidelines and should be listed as the governorship candidate. The court also awarded N10 million against Ozigbo and PDP, to be paid to Uba as a cost of litigation.

Nwabunike said, “Let me speak to my judgment now in a way that all will understand. When a court makes a pronouncement, it is not for you to come and begin to cite constitution or to tell us that party is supreme. Yes, party is supreme, but the court is supremacy. The court is the only person that can say something that is green is now blue, and everyone will be bound to see it as blue. It will only take the court to rescind the decision, or a higher court upturning the decision before you

Umeoji

Andy Ubah

can start seeing that thing as green again.”

He added, “So, what I am saying is that there is a court order on this matter that is still alive. It is not for you to come and be citing authorities, but for you to go back to the court and beg it to rescind its decision, or you go to a higher court to upturn it. That is why it is ‘My Lord’ that said it. It is only a court that can say a woman is a man, and it will stand. A decision may be wrong against the constitution of the party, it may be against the Electoral Act, or even against the constitution of the country, but what is important is that ‘My Lord’ has spoken. I salute the parties involved, but I want to say that Senator Ugochukwu Uba has proven his point more clearly.”

Then, he gave the final verdict saying, “Sen. Uba’s faction having followed the order of the court in holding its primary election is hereby validated as the candidate of the PDP. INEC is hereby ordered to list Sen. Ugochukwu Uba as the candidate of the PDP, and a cost of N10 million awarded against the first and second defendant to the plaintiff as legal fees.”

Reacting to the judgment, PDP’s national leadership faulted the judgment, alleging that Nwabunike was tried to thwart the party’s chance to field a candidate of its choice. In a statement by its spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan, the party alleged Nwabunike derailed the course of justice by making away with the case file on Uba Vs PDP & Ors in a desperate bid to frustrate an appeal against his judgment.

“The PDP charges O.A Nwabunike to immediately release the case file, as the compromises in the case are already known to the public, especially the people of Anambra state,” a PDP statement claimed. “The only reason Justice Nwabunike disappeared with the case file and refused to make copies of his judgment available to the PDP and its candidate, Valentine Ozigbo, is because he (Justice Nwabunike) is aware that his perverted judgement cannot stand in any appeal.”

It added, “Uba, who did not participate in the PDP primary, instituted a suit against the PDP, our

candidate, Valentine Ozigbo, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), wherein he challenged Ozigbo’s candidature for the November 6, 2021 governorship election.

“Barely 24 hours after Senator Uba instituted the suit, Justice Nwabunike curiously granted an ex parte injunction restraining INEC from carrying out their constitutional duty and also abridged the time within which the defendants are legally obliged to file their defence from 42 days to only three days in violation of Order 16 Rule 1(2) of the Anambra State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.”

Despite the obvious hardship created by “this strange ex parte order, the judge, on the day of the hearing, being July 16 2021,” denied the defendants time to respond to the processes served on them and proceeded with the hearing of the plaintiff’s case, PDP further alleged. It also pointed out that regardless of the 180 days provided by the constitution for the hearing and determination of pre-election matters, the judge hastily concluded proceedings and delivered judgment within 14 days.

“The most unfortunate part of this episode is that the judge,” said PDP, “after hastily delivering the judgment, made away with the case file and refused to release copies of his judgment to the defendants despite their application in the open court as well as the officially written application to the judge.”

However, to the chagrin of the defendants, “the court has gone ahead to issue copies of the judgment to the plaintiff, Sen. Uba.” PDP further accused the trial judge of making efforts to frustrate the party and Ozigbo’s notices of appeal.

“Justice Nwabunike must be made to release the case file as well as the copies of the judgment because his continued refusal is capable of pitching the Judiciary against the people of Anambra, whose mandate, as being expressed in our candidate, Valentine Ozigbo, is being undermined by Justice Nwabunike,” the party pointed out.

Weighing in on the crisis, a social

Events leading to the parties’ separate primaries indicated the courts would settle the score in the choice of gubernatorial candidates. APGA is the ruling party in Anambra. The PDP has a measure of a foothold with two senatorial districts in its grip. The APC has shown vast improvements in its electoral fortunes, mostly holding out the promise of integration with the central government in Abuja.

Depending on who has their back, the different candidates took a hardline, not prepared to yield any ground

Moghalu

commentator and member of the Ozigbo group, C. J. Ubaka stated, “To begin with, INEC did not ‘drop’ Valentine Ozigbo from the list of candidates as some mischief makers are making it seem. His name was omitted in obedience to an existing court order, restraining INEC from publishing the name of anybody as the PDP candidate.”

He further noted, “Following the dictations of the PDP constitution, the NWC transmitted the outcome of the election to INEC, a process that included the submission of the candidate’s name to the electoral monitoring authority. At the same time, Valentine Ozigbo received his Certificate of Return from the national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, putting a final nail to the coffin of the shadows of doubt cast around the authenticity of his emergence.

“Hence, it is safe to say that the omission does not in any way undermine the validity of the candidacy of Valentine Ozigbo.

Hence there is no cause for alarm.”

He anchored his argument on a statement credited to Festus Okoye, an INEC national commissioner.

“In the case of Valentine Ozigbo, INEC simply acted on an existing court order, stopping them from publishing the name of Valentine Ozigbo. However, the same INEC confirmed that Valentine Ozigbo is the candidate produced by their party’s primary election the commission monitored,” said Ubaka. “Therefore, the PDP has the opportunity to vacate the existing court order, and as soon as that is done, Ozigbo’s name will be published by the commission.”

If Ozigbo was ‘dropped,’ there would have been a replacement for him on the list, as in the case of the candidate of APGA, when Soludo’s name was replaced with Umeoji’s in obedience to a court judgment.

The triad of APC, APGA and PDP’s troubles may be the turning point for other parties in the governorship race.

The national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralphs Okey Nwosu, told THISDAY: “What these parties held is not primary elections, and they should not participate in the November 6 governorship election in Anambra state.

“If, after 22 years of practising democracy, we cannot do the right thing, then we are doomed. INEC must learn to sanction people because none of these three political parties had a primary election.”

ADC fancies itself to win the election as the crisis-ridden big three parties race against time to resolve their separate malaise.

“ADC has a strong chance in the forthcoming election and we know our candidate, Akachukwu Nwankpo, has all it takes to govern the state. We have been in the political system of this state for decades, and we have always participated actively in the state’s transition process, and I can tell you that people are not happy with the ruling party in the state, APGA. “We are working with a lot of people to sack APGA in Anambra state. You already know that both PDP and APC have lost the confidence of the people. So, the next option is the third most popular political party in the country, which is ADC,” Nwosu said.

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JULY 26, 2021

POLITICS

As Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial Resumes As the trial of rearrested leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) resumes Monday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Alex Enumah, takes a peep into some of the issues that may likely play up in and outside the courtroom

Muhammad

J

ustice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, late June fixed July 26 for the continuation of trial of secessionist leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The judge fixed the date to enable kanu meet with his lawyer so as to prepare adequately for the continuation of the trial which started before the court in 2016.

Kanu and four orders were standing trial on an amended six-count criminal charge bordering on terrosim, treasonable felony among others until 2017, when he fled the country few months after he was granted bail on health grounds.

Following his abscondment, the federal government applied to separate the trial of Kanu from others, pending when he would return or be arrested since the court has already issued a bench warrant for his arrest. Justice Nyako in a subsequent ruling on February 20, 2018 severed the trial of Kanu from the three others.

The self-acclaimed IPOB leader, was first arrested in October 2015 at a Lagos hotel, by the Department of State Service (DSS), barely few days he stepped into Nigeria from the United Kingdom where he had been coordinating activities of IPOB as well as operating the Radio Biafra.

The federal government had then charged him with criminal conspiracy, intimidation and membership of an illegal organization and had arraigned him before a Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, area of Abuja. However, citing lack of jurisdiction, the federal government applied for a discontinuation of the case at the magistrate court which was accordingly struck out by the judge, Justice Shuaibu Usman.

Kanu was then taken to the Federal High Court, Abuja, before Justice Adeniyi Ademola, where fresh charges including treasonable felony, maintaining an unlawful society as well as illegal possession of firearms were filed against him and two others; Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi. But the defendants accused the judge of bias and sought for the transfer of the case to another judge.

The defendant also accused the next judge, Justice John Tsoho of bias after the court ruled that Kanu and his co-defendants can be tried secretly by shielding witnesses the prosecution had listed for the trial. Justice Tsoho in addition, denied the defendants bail on grounds of national interest.

However, when the case was brought before Justice Binta Nyako, the federal government increased the charges to 11, including terrorism and added one Chidiebere Onwudiwe as 4th defendant.

Like previous judges, Justice Nyako initially denied the defendants bail until Kanu’s health in prison custody worsened and she had to grant him bail in the sum of N100 million on April 25, 2017, so as to get medical attention since only the living can stand trial. Part of the conditions are that Kanu must produce a serving senator, a Jewish leader and a reputable Nigerian who must present a bail bond of N100 million each.

Other conditions were that when released on bail, Kanu must not grant media interview, must not be seen in a crowd of more than 10 persons and can only travel out of the country

Malami

with the court’s permission.

The bail conditions were met and kanu was accordingly released to attend trail from home. Those who secured the bail include; Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, High Priest, Emmanuel El-Salom Oks BenMadu and Uchendu.

However, on the next adjourned date in July 2017, Kanu was not in court. He was also not in court in subsequent adjourned dates, prompting the prosecution to ask for a revocation of his bail. His lawyer, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor initially informed the court that he does not know the whereabout of his client and cannot even tell whether he was dead or alive since September 2017 when soldiers invaded Kanu’s home in Afarakwu in Abia State. The invasion which was carried out during the operation python dance by the Nigerian Army witnessed the lose of several lives as well as destruction of part of Kanu’s family house.

In her ruling on March 28, 2019, justice Nyako granted the request of the prosecution and went ahead to revoke Kanu’s bail and also issued a warrant for his arrest.

Justice Nyako, in line with section 352 (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, ordered Kanu’s trial behind his back. According to the judge, the first defendant’s lawyer failed to give cogent, compelling and verifiable reason why his client has not been attending his trial.

But after about three years and seven months Kanu was on June 29, 2021 brought face to face with trial judge to continue from where they stopped. He was brought to the Federal High Court, Abuja, just as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, along with some Heads of security agencies in the country were announcing his arrest to journalists in Abuja. Malami who disclosed that Kanu was intercepted by security agents and is being taken to court for continuation of his trial, was however silent on where

Kanu

kanu was arrested.

Although, it was later discovered that the IPOB leader was arrested in Kenya even as the government of Kenya has since denied any involvement.

“Self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services.

“He has been brought back to Nigeria in order to continue facing trial after disappearing while on bail regarding 11 count charge against him.

“Recent steps taken by the Federal Government saw to the interception of the fugitive Kanu on Sunday the 27th day of June, 2021.

“Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Ngozichukwu Okwu-Kanu, born 25th day of September, 1967 at Afaraukwu, Abia State is a holder of Nigerian Passport No. A05136827 first issued 17th October 2013 at FESTAC, Lagos”, Malami had said.

The AGF recalled that Kanu was arrested on October 14, 2015 on 11 count charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.

Malami added that Kanu, upon jumping bail, engaged in subversive activities that include inciting violence through television, radio and online broadcasts against Nigeria and Nigerian State and institutions.

“Kanu was also accused of instigating violence especially in the Southeastern Nigeria that resulted in the loss of lives and property of civilians, military, para military, police forces and destruction of civil institutions and symbols of authorities”, he added; an indication that the government may likely file fresh charges against him.

Inside the courtroom, prosecution counsel, Mr Shuaibu Labaran had applied to the court for an order to remand Kanu in

But after about three years and seven months Kanu was on June 29, 2021 brought face to face with trial judge to continue from where they stopped. He was brought to the Federal High Court, Abuja, just as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, along with some Heads of security agencies in the country were announcing his arrest to journalists in Abuja. Malami who disclosed that Kanu was intercepted by security agents and is being taken to court for continuation of his trial, was however silent on where kanu was arrestede

the custody of the DSS because Kanu’s lawyers were not yet abreast with his rearrest. The judge accordingly granted the request and ordered that the Prosecution should inform Kanu’s lawyer of his rearrest and remand in the custody of the DSS as well as the next adjourned date.

Although the continuation of Kanu’s trial in absentia was originally slated for October 20, 2021, it was brought down to July 26 for his lawyers to appear for his defense.

Before the adjournment Kanu had sought permission from the court to explain why he has not been able to appear in court for his trial since, 2017. His request was prompted by Labaran’s statement to the court that he had jumped bail to escape trial by running out of the country.

Speaking shortly after he was given permission, Kanu told the court in the presence of heavily armed security operatives that his house was unlawfully invaded by security men with his life seriously threatened. The IPOB leader claimed he would have been killed along with others on the day of the invasion if not for the wisdom he applied to run out of the country.

He was afterwards taken away into custody of the DSS pending the next adjourned date.

However, a lot of issues are expected to crop up when the matter comes up Monday in Abuja. Going by statement of Malami during the announcement of Kanu’s rearrest, the government is likely to file fresh charges against him. Before jumping bail kanu was standing trial on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, illegal possession of firearms and management of an unlawful organization.

Considering recent events in the southeast before his rearrest, the federal government may charge him for murder and inciting violence against the country and state institutions, particularly in the southeast.

“Kanu was also accused of instigating violence especially in the southeastern Nigeria that resulted in the loss of lives and property of civilians, military, paramilitary, police forces and destruction of civil institutions and symbols of Authority”, Malami had claimed.

Another issue that may come up is likely where he should be remanded throughout the trial. It would be recalled that when he was arrested in October 2015, Kanu was in the custody of the DSS until Justice Tsoho in January 2016 ordered his remanded in the Correctional Center. This issue of where he would be remanded can only come up if the court eventually deny him bail. It is certain that Kanu will on Monday ask the court to be admitted to bail probably on health grounds or any other since his earlier bail has been revoked by the court in 2019. Recall that he had last month told the judge that he did not jump his bail but escaped to save his life.

Although bail is usually at the discretion of the court, however whether it is granted or denied depends on a lot of factors such as the possibility of the defendant jumping bail or being a threat to the whole proceedings.

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

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IMAGES

L-R: Chairman, Rivers State Football Association, Mr Christopher Green; special guest of honour, Amb. Desmond Akawo; Commissioner for Sports, Rivers State, Boma Iyaya and Permanent Secretary of State Ministry of Sports, Mr Honour Sirawoo, during a send-forth party in honour of Rivers Angels football club in Port Harcourt..recently

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱʹ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari; Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and Hon. Alhassan Ado Goguwa during the visit of the Speaker to the President in Daura..recently

L-R: Mike Ozekhome (SAN); Director Pace Setter Schools, Mrs Kate Imansuagbon; Governor Edo State, Godwin Obaseki; Chairman Pace SetterSchools, Barr Ken Imansuagbon; former vice-president of the world Bank, Oby Ezekwesili; and Senator Matthew Urhoghide at the Graduation and prize Giving Ceremony of Pacesetters Schools in Abuja…recently PHOTO: JULIUS ATOI

L-R: Assistant Most Superior Evangelist, Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Makoko Parish, Olusegun Olarinde; Most Superior Evangelist, Samson Banjo; and Chairman, 70th Harvest Anniversary, Gbenga Daniel-Adebayo, during a press briefing to announce the forthcoming 70th Harvest Anniversary of the Parish in Lagos… recently

L-R: Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje shortly after the Eid-Fitri prayers in Kano... recently

Wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun flanked by Children during the 2021 Ileya’s Children’s Party held in Abeokuta…recently

APC Chairmanship Candidate for Oshodi ISOLO Local government, Otunba Kehinde Oloyede Almaroof casting his vote at Igbeyinadun Ward, Oshodi ,during the Chairmanship and Councillorship Elections in Lagos State..recently

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱʹ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

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L-R: General Manager, Commercial SKLD Integrated Services, Mrs. Ogunjimi Seun; Managing Director, Commercial SKLD Integrated, Mrs. Adepetun Temilola; Executive Director, Raberto schools, Mr. Ozigi Michael and Deputy Managing Director, SKLD Integrated Services, Mr. Odiyemi Tayo; during the opening ceremony of SKLD Integrated Service regional office in Abuja...recently PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

L-R: Head, Anti-Vandal, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Robert Ibuh; Edo State Commandant of the NSCDC, Aniekan Udoeyup; and Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, during a courtesy visit by the NSCDC team to the Government House, Benin City…recently

L-R: Representative of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bolaji Akinremi ; Author, Dr. Uchenna Emelonye; Representative of Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abiodun Aikomo; Human Right Advisor, UN, Mr. Martin Ejidike; Emeritus Dean of law, Faculty of Law UNN, Prof. Joy Ezeilo and Executive Secretary, National Human Right Commission, Tony Ojukwu, during the public presentation of a book titled “ The Dialectics of Rights” in Abuja..recently PHOTO: ENOOCK REUBEN

L-R: Sadiq Kyari; Mohammed Kyari; President Muhammadu Buhari; GMD, NNPC, Mele Kyari and MD, NNPC Trading, Lawal Sade; during the Sallah visit to the President in Daura...recently

L-R: Newly Elected Officers of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce(NBCC), Vice-President , Mr. Akin Osuntoki; Immediate Past President, Mr. Kayode Falowo; President/Chairman of Counci, Mrs. Bisi Adeyemi; Deputy President, Mr. Ray Atelly; and Vice President, Mr. Seyi Adeyemi, at the NBCC 2021 Annual General Meeting in Lekki Lagos...recently PHOTO: ABAYOMI AKINYELE

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and his wife, Oluremi Hamzat during a funeral service of Bashorun Rotimi Odugbesan at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja..recently

L-R: Chairman, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria(AMLSCN), Lagos Branch, Olumide Fadipe; Managing Director, ISN Products Nigeria Limited, Felix Ofungwu; Laboratory Manager, IVD Lab, Offutalu Paulinus and Project Consultant, ISN Medical Laboratory Scientist of the Year Award, Daniel Adewuni during the official flag-off of the 2021 ISN Medical Laboratory Scientist of the Year award held in Lagos…recently PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

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MONDAY JULY 26, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JULY 26, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

J U L Y

REPO 27.50% 28.75 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

08056356325

2 3 , 2 0 2 1

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

4% 6% 10%

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com

535.12% 0.13% 0.40%

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

0.40% -20.10%

EXCHANGE RATE N411.50/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

FOR BETTER IDENTIFICATION…

L-R: CEO Youverify Incorporated, Dr Gbenga Odegbami; General Manager, Business Development and Commercial Services, National Identity Management Commission, Mrs Carolyn Folami; Director of Sales & Marketing, Youverify Inc, Yemi-Joshua Oladeji and Head of Product, Youverify Inc, Akinkugbe Oluseyi; at the unveiling of the YOUID App in Lagos…recently photo: etop ukutt

Takes COVID-19 Infections, Vaccination Quick Bank of Industry Alerts Public On Fake Grants Will Determine Nigeria’s Economic Growth in H2-2021 –Experts Eromosele Abiodun As the global economy continue to suffer the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria’s economic growth will be determined by developments around Covid-19 infections and vaccination rates, analysts at United Capital Limited have said.

As at June this year, Nigeria received 3.9m of the 16.0m doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine pledged by the COVAX facility.

In addition, Nigeria also received 100,000 doses from the government of India, bringing total vaccine doses received to 4.0m doses according to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency

ECONOMY (NPHCDA). So far, according to NPHCDA, as of June 29, Nigeria has administered 3.4m doses in two rounds of vaccination, of which 2.2m people have received the first dose while 1.2m have received a second dose (0.6% of total population).

In their economic outlook for the second half of 2021, the analysts said the success of the federal government’s external debt issuance plans will be critical for the government’s ability to finance its budgetary obligations, stronger foreign reserves and consequently, the exchange rate.

According to the analysts, “The subsidy program, which is expected to last till October

2021 is also key to watch as the rising cost of subsidies (estimated at over N100.0bn/ month) continue to weigh on federal government’s finances.

Furthermore, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will be meeting three times before the end of H2-2021. The committee’s decision on the monetary policy rate at these meetings would be a key factor to watch in the second half of the year.”

They predicted that Nigeria’s gross domestic will hit 3.1 per cent as against their initial forecast of 2.1 per cent with rapid economic growth of 7.4 per centyear-on-year (y/y) and 4.4 per cent y/y in Q2-2021 and Q3-2021.

“The upward adjustment to our GDP forecast reflects the

faster than expected recovery in economic activities, as well as the low base impact of 2020.

Despite continued inflationary pressures, we expect the high base effect of H2-2020 to create an inflection point for consumer prices, causing the headline rate to continue trending downward.

“Lastly, we expect to see sustained stability in the foreign exchange market as oil prices are expected to remain strong while the upcoming Eurobond issuance is expected to support external reserves.

“Certainly, downside risks abound, mostly tied to the key factors highlighted above, but also due to the rising insecurity bedeviling the country. We Continued on page 26

ACCI Kicks Against Generator, Equipment Taxes in Abuja Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has cautioned the Abuja Municipal Area Councils (AMAC) and other government bodies against the imposition of N100,000 tax or any form of levy on bakeries and other businesses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The organization has therefore called on the leadership of AMAC and other government agencies to suspend the planned imposition of generator and equipment taxes, saying it is inconsistent with the federal government’s drive to create a conducive environment for business owners.

AMAC is imposing a N100,000 fee on bakery

operators within the council as a permit for “gaseous emission”.

The Council, in a letter addressed to the bakery owners, said the levy is for the discharge of hazardous substances into the air, water and land.

But the ACCI in a statement issued over the weekend by its President, Dr. Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, called the attention of the Abuja area councils to the current high inflation rate in the country.

It stated that imposing generator and equipment taxes on businesses would further increase the cost of doing business.

While urging the councils to explore other means of raising revenue, including public-private partnership,

among others, the ACCI reminded the councils that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, had previously restated his desire to harmonise taxation and tax administration within the FCT as a way of incentivising businesses and boosting economic activities in the territory.

ACCI said: “The Imposition of new taxes like the generator and equipment taxes will not only be additional burden to be borne by business owners.

It will accelerate the collapse of more businesses, deepen unemployment and further hike inflation rate in the country.

“This is clearly not in the best interest of government and people of the country.”

The chamber recalled that

participants at its webinar to mark the World MSME Day had unanimously advocated for harmonisation of SME taxation, warning that targeting bakery and other businesses for generator and equipment taxes is insensitive and a threat to food and national security.

According to the ACCI, “We already wrote a letter to Mr. President and other relevant authorities calling for harmonization of taxes for SMEs. This is the best way to stop the high rate of business failure, create jobs and boost the GDP, as over 90 per cent of Nigerian businesses are SMEs.” The Chamber added that “bakery businesses across the country are under serious Continued on page 26

The Bank of Industry (BoI) has denounced messages in social media in which criminal elements are soliciting applications for purported grants from the bank.The bank in a statement warned the general public to disregard such messages, stressing that it is not giving grants. “In one of the messages sighted, members of the public are urged to go to “No. 13 Umo Edem Street, off Ekpo Abasi junction, Calabar, for image capturing to process their application. “The Bank warns that this is a scam and it has no direct or indirect relationship with the persons behind it.For the avoidance of doubt, BoI does not give grants and it has not asked any agency or organization to do so on its behalf.

The bank warned that anyone who entertains such invitations or deals with the fraudsters does so at his or her own risk. It added, “The Bank of Industry continues to prioritize its support for genuine MSMEs to stimulate national economic recovery and growth and wishes once again to advise members of the public to be careful of fraudsters.”

Oriental Energy Announce New Managing Director

The management of Oriental Energy Resources Limited, has announced that it has appointed Mustafa Indimi as the new Managing Director of the leading indigenous oil exploration and production company. The company in a statement said Mustafa takes over from Mr. Ignatius Ifelayo who served the company meritoriously for seven years. “Prior to the new appointment, Mustafa was the Executive Director (Technical) and a member of the company’s Board of Directors. He brings with him an in-depth knowledge of the business and he is well-positioned to drive the company forward. “A master’s degree holder in petroleum production engineering from Robert Gordon University Aberdeen, Mustafa has an impressive track record of leading teams to deliver outstanding performance and results, “it said. On his new challenge, Mustafa commented: “It is an exceptional privilege to be appointed as Managing Director at a time that provides great opportunity to take the company to new heights.

“The issues that have led to improved safety in Nigeria air transport are complex.

But I think education and training have contributed to that. Operators have become more conscious of air safety with the introduction of safety management system (SMS)” Accountable Manager/COO, Dana Air, Obi Mbanuzuo

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MONDAY JULY 26, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD COVID-19 INFECTIONS, VACCINATION WILL DETERMINE NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH IN H2-2021 –EXPERTS express concerns that failure to stem the recent tide of instability could lead to a country-wide breakdown, disruption of economic activities, destruction of oil installations and weakened investor sentiments. Thus, government’s action or inaction regarding the security situation would be a critical factor to watch,” they stated.

On the financial markets, they said the yield environment reversed higher in H1-2021, setting the tone for financial market performance.

They added, “Stop rates at primary market auctions in H1-2021 rose sharply through the auctions due to investors’ demand for higher rates and federal government’s huge fiscal deficit financing needs amidst tight liquidity in the financial system before moderating following strong investor demand for bills amidst limited offering by the apex bank. At the bond markets, the narrative was similar as average yield across the yield curve climbed 617bps year-to-date (YTD) to 11.3 per cent as at Jun-2021, from 5.1 per cent at the end of 2020. “ C o n s e q u e n t l y, Nigerian sovereign bonds underperformed peers in emerging markets, as the S&P/ FMDQ Nigeria Sovereign Bond index has lost 21.1 per cent YTD, compared to a YTD loss of 2.9 per cent on the JP Morgan EM Government Bond index.”

The analysts noted that the Nigerian stock market, which kicked off the year with some of the bullish momenta from 2020, gaining 5.3 per cent in Jan-2021, subsequently reversed as various drags, particularly the yield reversal, weighed on sentiments.

Accordingly, the equity market has slumped 5.9 per cent YTD, closing at 37,907.28 index points at the end of H1-2021.

Although q/q, the NSE ASI shed 8.7 per cent in Q1-2021, the bleeding has eased somewhat in Q2-2021 as the market has gained 2.8 per cent in 2021.

ACCI KICKS AGAINST GENERATOR, EQUIPMENT TAXES IN ABUJA operational challenges due to high cost of raw materials, epileptic power supply and high cost of logistics which have necessitated the steady increase of prices of bread.”

The ACCI regretted that consequently, many bakeries have shut down operations.

NEWS

SPOMO Act: Ten Pirates Bags 48 Years Imprisonment Eromosele Abiodun A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has sentenced ten (10) pirates to a total of 48 years each in prison under the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences, SPOMO ACT, for hijacking a Chinese fishing vessel, FV Hai Lu Feng II, in May 2020.

Justice Ayokunle Faji convicted the defendants for 12 years each on all four counts as charged.

The 48 years imprisonment is however to run concurrently.

In addition to each of the convicts spending 12 years behind bars, they would also pay a cumulative fine of N10 million.

The convicts, who reside in Nigeria, are Frank Abaka, Jude Ebaragha, Shina Alolo, Joshua Iwiki, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobajo Saheed, Adekole Philip, Matthew Masi, and Bright Agbedeyi.

They were arraigned in July 2020 by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) for allegedly hijacking the Chinese vessel in international waters off the coast of Cote D’Ivoire.

They pleaded not guilty and were remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Navy, following which trial commenced. Delivering his judgment Friday, Justice Faji said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that the pirates did hijack the vessel, FV Hai Lu Feng II, belonging to Haina fishing company.

Reacting to the landmark judgement, Director General

of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh said that history has been made adding that a huge lacuna has been filled in the battle against maritime crimes in Nigeria and the entire Gulf of Guinea.

According to the NIMASA boss, “Today history has been made, our industry has made

a huge leap in the battle to rid our maritime domain of illegalities. We are not going to rest on our ours as we now have a tested legal instrument like the SPOMO ACT which is a major tool in Nigeria’s quest to end Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea” “In the course of the trial, the government told the court that

the defendants “while armed with weapons, committed an illegal act of violence against the crew on board FV Hai Lu Feng II belonging to Haina Fishing Company by putting them in fear in order to take control of the vessel.”

Prosecution counsel, Mr Magaji, said they violated Section 3 of Suppression of

Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, 2019, punishable under Section 2 of the same Act. The SPOMO ACT was signed into Law by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 which was a major stride in Nigeria’s quest in ensuring prosecution of criminals in the Nigerian maritime domain.

FACILITY TOUR OF LEKKI PORT…

L-R: The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani; Acting Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello Koko and Chairman Lekki Port, Biodun Dabiri during Port facility appreciation tour of Lekki Port in Lagos...recently

Huawei to Invest $150m in Africa’s Digital Talent Devt Emma Okonji Huawei has said it plans to invest $150 million in digital talent development over the next five years, which will be beneficial to about three million youths in Africa.

The technology company in a statement quoted its Chairman, Liang Hua, to have said: “Today we are announcing Huawei’s Seeds for the Future Program 2.0. As part of our commitment to continuously develop talent, we will invest $150 million in the program over the next five years and help college students and young people improve their digital skills. The program is expected to benefit another three million people.”

In 2008, Huawei began to

expand its talent development programs, through scholarships, technology competitions, and digital skills training, and has invested more than $150 million in these programs. Huawei has tremendously benefited more than 1.54 million people from over 150 countries.

Seeds for the Future is a program that aims to help cultivate young talent around the world, providing them with training from global ICT experts on the latest technology to help them develop the skills and mindsets needed to be competitive in the workplaces of the future, the statement further said.

Huawei introduced the program to Africa in 2014.

Over the past years, the program has benefited nearly 2,000 students in more than 25

African countries. The program and Huawei’s efforts in ICT talent development has been recognised by many African governments.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, had said: “Nigeria is positioning to be the continent’s leader in digitalisation. Burkina Faso already has a ministry of digital economy but we have so many advantages” The advantages, according to him, include the country’s population and location, the contribution of the ICT to Gross Domestic Product, and the level of the ICT literacy among Nigerians.

He added that the government would henceforth be proactive in the ICT through effective application of emerging

technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Robotics, and Virtual Reality.

He noted that in a few years, Nigerians might no longer need to travel to India or other foreign countries for medical treatment, as surgeries could be performed on patients anywhere in the world by means of 5G technology.

Pantami urged the 10 Nigerian students selected from different institutions for the Huawei internship programme to see themselves as future entrepreneurs in order to make the best of the opportunity. “The ICT has the potential of employing and lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty,” Pantami said, while commending Huawei for investing in Nigerian youths

as part of its corporate social responsibility engagements.

The Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited, Mr. Trevor Liu, said Nigeria population remained the largest in Africa, which according to him, would be an advantage to fast-track digital transformation in the country.

“The youths are the continent’s greatest resource, which will power the economy in the future. Huawei will continue to partner with the Nigerian governments, education institutes and industry to equip the future leaders with the latest knowledge at the highest global levels and provide them opportunities to apply the knowledge in order to achieve a better future for the continent,” Liu said.

IATA Warns Govts on High Cost of COVID-19 Testing Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents Chinedu Eze (Aviation) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafo (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

Chinedu Eze The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on governments to take action to address the high cost of COVID-19 tests in many jurisdictions and urged flexibility in permitting the use of cost-effective antigen tests as an alternative to more expensive PCR tests. IATA also recommended governments adopt recent World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance to consider exempting vaccinated travelers from testing requirements.

According to IATA’s most recent traveler survey, 86 per cent of respondents are willing to get tested.

But 70 per cent also believe that the cost of testing is a significant barrier to travel, while 78 per cent believe governments should bear the cost of mandatory testing.

“IATA supports COVID-19 testing as a pathway to reopen borders to international travel.

But our support is not unconditional. In addition to being reliable, testing needs to be easily accessible, affordable, and appropriate to the risk level. Too many governments, however, are falling short on some or all of these. The cost of testing varies widely between jurisdictions, with little relation to the actual cost of conducting the test. The UK is the poster child for governments failing

to adequately manage testing.

At best it is expensive, at worst extortionate. And in either case, it is a scandal that the government is charging VAT, ”said IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh.

The world body said the new generation of rapid tests cost less than $10 per test.

“Provided a confirmatory rRT-PCR test is administered for positive test results, WHO guidance sees Ag-RDT antigen testing as an acceptable alternative to PCR. And, where testing is a mandatory requirement, the WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHRs) state that neither passengers nor carriers should bear the cost of testing.

“Testing also needs to be

appropriate to the threat level.

For example, in the UK, the latest National Health Service data on testing arriving travelers show that more than 1.37 million tests were conducted on arrivals from so-called Amber countries. Just 1 per cent tested positive over four months. Meanwhile, nearly three times that number of positive cases are being detected in the general population daily, “he said.

“Data from the UK government confirms that international travelers pose little to no risk of importing COVID-19 compared to existing levels of infection in the country. At the very least therefore, the UK government should follow WHO guidance

and accept antigen tests which are fast, affordable and effective, with a confirmatory PCR test for those who test positive. This could be a pathway for enabling even unvaccinated people access to travel,” Walsh said.

He added that restarting international travel is vital to supporting the 46 million travel and tourism jobs around the world that rely on aviation.

“Our latest survey confirms that the high cost of testing will bear heavily on the shape of the travel recovery. It makes little sense for governments to take steps to reopen borders, if those steps make the cost of travel prohibitive to most people. We need a restart that is affordable for all, ”said Walsh.

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JULY 26, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Herbert Wigwe: Offering Goal-oriented Leadership Herbert Wigwe, Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, and Chairman of the Body of Banks’ Chief Executive Officers, is facilitating the desired collaborations by in the public and private spheres to benefit the Nigerian economy. Ugo Aliogo tracks his recent footprints

L

ike a man on an uncommon mission, Herbert Wigwe has since the creation of the group continued to offer value-driven leadership to the banking industry as well as the much-needed collaboration with managers to drive development of the Nigerian economy.

The urbane Wigwe, who formed a formidable alliance with Aigboje AigImoukhuede, to transform Access Bank into a household name in the Nigerian banking landscape, is today one of the most respected bankers on the African continent.

Under his watch Access Bank has gone from a lower ranked Nigerian bank when he was the Deputy CEO to become one of Africa’s leading financial services groups.

He has shown a relentless pursuit for growth, albeit in a measured and calculated manner.

As leader of the Body of Bank CEOs, he has collaborated with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in introducing initiatives to support Nigerians, especially micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) operators as well in ensuring stability in the banking system.

For instance, the banks in collaboration with the CBN, under the aegis of the Bankers’ Committee, are presently renovating the National Arts Theatre, Lagos. Cappa and D’Alberto Limited, the contractor handling the project, had indicated that the renovation of the iconic theatre would be completed next year. When completed, the edifice would be the number one event centre in Africa. In addition, there would be the development of clusters to support the creative industry.

Not only will the National Theatre be restored, there would not be a single job loss. Instead, more jobs would be created during the reconstruction of the facility.

Nigeria is a country with over 250 ethnic groups. This is a reflection of the country’s rich cultural heritage. Through music, movies, writing, food, fashion, dancing, arts among others, the country’s treasure are continuously showcased to the world.

One of the factors that have hindered the growth of the entertainment sector is poor state of infrastructure. For instance, the National Arts Theatre, the principal centre for the performing arts in Nigeria, had lost its glory as well as its potential as a means of non-oil revenue generation for the country.

The national asset was built in 1976 as one of the four main venues of the historic Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) that took place in 1977, had completely lost its splendor before the intervention by the CBN and the bank chiefs.

Indeed, just like the National Stadium at Surulere, Lagos, this facility had been turned into a meeting point for mostly town unions and indigenes from other tribes that reside in Lagos State.

The sorry state of the national monument then and the desire to aggressively ramp up activities in the non-oil sector forced the Bankers’ Committee, in collaboration with the CBN to intervene in the National Theatre as well as the creative sector.

Wigwe explained that the entire banking industry came together and decided to intervene to rescue the moribund national asset.

“It is not just about the banking community; we are also partnering the Lagos State and federal governments. Lagos State government is going to support us as far as the dredging issues are concerned and ensure that there is an entire urban

Wigwe

“The coalition was the first cross sectoral effort among private sector leadership to tackle the pandemic.

It succeeded in mobilising private sector thought leadership, private sector resources, increased general public awareness…” regeneration around the whole of that area.

“We are doing this for some reasons.

The first is that we need to restore our national heritage. The national theatre is one of the most iconic buildings all over the world.

“The second thing is that this will help to create employment to millions of Nigerians over the next five years, apart from those who are going to be involved in construction and all of that.

“The third thing is that it is a classic example of an urban regeneration exercise in line with the sustainability principles of the central bank,” Wigwe added.

The project is being funded through the Creative Industry Funds Initiative (CIFI) of the Bankers’ Committee.

The CBN and the bank CEOs had set up the Creative Industries and Financing Initiative through which banks set aside, on an annual basis, five percent of their profit after tax (PAT).

“This facility will be a convenor – providing space, support network, business development and community engagement for the creative, cultural and technology sectors.

“The Signature Cluster will consist of a building each for music, film, fashion

and information technology verticals.

In addition to these, a welcome/ visitor’s centre, police and fire stations and structured parking for up to 500 vehicles will be built, “CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele explained.

Emefiele stated that the 44-hectare site adjourning the National Theatre would be developed and utilised for the development of purpose-built creative hubs for the music, film, fashion and information technology.

He said the aim was to deliver a successful creative and entertainment city that would encourage additional investment into Nigeria’s creative industry.

The intention is that before the end of President MuhammaduBuhari’s tenure in 2023, the entire project would be completed.

The anticipation is that there would be at least 10,000 direct and indirect jobs created during the construction phase and that over 25,000 people would be engaged in different sections of the centre when the Signature Cluster is completed, with anticipated multiplier effect of other job opportunities.

Another area where the leadership qualities of the chairperson of the Body of Bank also manifested was the full support he gave the CBN Governor towards the creation of the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) as well as in actualising the objectives of the group whose aim was to actively support the federal government in taming the spread of the deadly virus.

The coalition was the first cross sectoral effort among private sector leadership to tackle the pandemic. It succeeded in mobilising private sector thought leadership, private sector resources, increased general public awareness, education and buy-in; provided direct support to private and public healthcare’s ability to respond to the crisis; and supported government’s general efforts in the COVID-19 fight.

The group received a total of N39.64 billion as donations from members of the private sector and spent N43.272 billion on various interventions, including N28.7 billion on food relief, as palliatives to 1.7 million households translating to eight million Nigerians.

According to Wigwe, the coalition right from the onset knew the fight against coronavirus was not going to be easy but would require collaborative efforts of all.

He said CACOVID-19 approached the fight against the virus from three levels.

“One, it was clear from beginning that no one institution can go it alone, so we solicit everybody’s cooperation in tackling this scourge. “Two, while several measures are being taken to stop the spread, including lockdowns, restriction, social distancing, there was the need to address the hunger.

“How do we cater for the feeding needs of the people if these measures are to be effective?” he asked.

Wigwe explained that the third level was the thought leadership aspect of the plan, which was to tackle the post-pandemic aspect.

According to him, “a lot of businesses have been badly affected and economies have been disrupted. How do we get them back to life after we might have defeated the coronavirus?”

The Access Bank GMD explained the modalities adopted to get the food relief materials to the targeted households, pointing out that it was done from the bottom of the pyramid, which is the 774 local government areas where the CACOVID partners were assigned to deliver the materials.

In order to tackle some of the challenges created by virus, CACOVID early this year unfolded plans to commit over N150 billion to set up and implement a youth development programme to support the federal government’s job creation drive.

The group said the youth development programme would provide technical and vocational education to over four million Nigerian youths over the next five years.

In addition, the private sector-led coalition unveiled plans to raise and spend N100 billion over the next two years to renovate and buy rifles as well as other security gadgets for the Nigeria Police Force, with special focus on the 44 police stations destroyed by hoodlums in the wake of the #EndSARS protest against police brutality.

Wigwe said: “Every transformation comes with its own pain and hitches.

CACOVID right from inception came to help with the issue that came with COVID-19 and also to protect the livelihoods of people.

“Obviously in that process, there would be hitches from time to time. As we share more information, people will have a clear picture of what we are trying to do. The most important thing has to do with issues of employment.

“COVID-19 and the lockdown have created several problems. What I will say to young people who are seeking funding to start their own businesses is that they should reach out to their banks.”

Beside other interventions, the banks also collaborated with the CBN in introducing the Agricultural Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS), to improve access to affordable and sustainable finance by agri-businesses and MSMEs. This has enhanced the creation of productive employment opportunities and boosted the managerial capacity of agri-businesses and MSMEs. So far, a total of N111.7 billion has been disbursed to 29,026 beneficiaries.

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MONDAY JULY 26, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Onyung: NNPC Should Reverse Coastal Shipping Contracts given to Foreigners The President of Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) and Chairman of Jevkon Oil and Gas, Capricorn Maritime Limited, Dr. Mkgeorge Onyung in this interview with Adedayo Adejobi outlined the main challenges facing Nigeria’s Shipping industry, the need for NNPC to reverse coastal shipping contracts given to foreigners and explained the importance of leadership and multi-stakeholder collaboration to innovate feasible solutions that benefit customers, shipping companies. Excerpts The global maritime industry generates $6 trillion a year, $24 billion a day, $980million an hour and $11million a minute. One would think that it’s a business that should salvage Nigeria. What is the current state of the shipping industry and what exactly do you see wrong with Nigeria’s maritime industry? hat’s a big question. Maybe you should ask the Minister for Transportation that question. But I will limit myself to the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria. The state of shipping as it pertains to ship owners is that we are still in a very rudimentary stage of shipping development. We are also over time trying to battle with maritime infrastructure.

The Apapa Port is a clear example of the situation that needs emergency surgery, and the need to think of how to solve the problem. Ships come to berth in ports and it’s like a chicken and egg; tongue and teeth situation because without ships there would be no ports. Without ports, ships will not have a place to discharge their goods. And by extension without seafarers, there would be no ships, because ships will not be able to be maned. So if we are looking at the status of shipping in Nigeria, we must have a situation where we tinker a holistic approach to the solution and not just pinch it on the corner or take a small plaster to cover a gaping wound. It starts with training Seafarers.

That way, you can have ships that run efficiently.

If you have ships that run efficiently, you must have ports that function efficiently. If we don’t have that, there would be a disconnect. The ocean was created billions of years ago and it has been adjoining our country Nigeria like it borders other countries in the world, and those people are making it. But if you don’t wear soccer boots, you cannot play international football. Norway has 45,000 ships, China has 60,000 ships and that’s how they are making it. If we must join the ace we must find out how they succeed. And that takes us to laws that are supposed to guide us in conforming. We have conventions and IMO (International Monetary Organisation) regulations. The rules are all laid out and if you don’t follow the rules, you are bound to have accidents.

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If the purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable.

Do you think the regulators’ understand the Ocean?

Nice question. When you talk abut regulating the ocean, we are talking about Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) other agencies, which regulate the ocean economy- the Nigerian Content Development Board and Department for Petroleum Resources (DPR). I would assume they understand the ocean because if you get a job, you must know your job and do your job.

But, my perspective is that there is ‘Sea-blindness’.

I have invented the phrase because there is a lack of knowledge of the Ocean. I think that we have to understand the Ocean very well. I’m a physician and I operate in the Maritime sphere. The only way I can operate in this sphere is by having knowledge.

Regulators must have in-depth knowledge, not necessarily relying too much on consultants. If you don’t know, you must seek help. But the regulators must have the knowledge and I believe they do.

If the laws are there and you not regulating based on the law for over 18 years. I would not say it’s a lack of knowledge, instead of a deliberate disregard for the laws and principles they should uphold in their regulation of the industry. If you don’t regulate properly, there would be chaos in the Ocean.

What prevailing shipping market trends do you think could positively affect Nigeria?

The trend in Nigeria is that we are an import nation. The shipping trend can change if we start exporting, that way it would be two-way traffic.

The trend in Nigerian can change from being an import nation if we start thinking export as well. If we want to turn the table around, we must equip ourselves. Trade involves the goods, the ships, and the health of the Ocean. Where Ship Owners are impacted is that the enabling environment to create opportunities for shipping development is still not being tackled with sincerity. As a Ship Owner, there is money to be made. I don’t see any business in the world that makes $1bn an hour. Even if we are to tap into that and catch as little as $50m an hour, that is something. Apart from deploying people, we can deploy ships that would make those kinds of monies and turn around the economy. We have the key to unlock the economic prosperity of Nigeria. We can’t get to the promised land without addressing the Ocean economy.

The Cabotage Act, which is 18 years, was created to restrict foreign vessel participation in coastal trade, to promote the development of indigenous

Onyung shipping capacity, and establish the Cabotage finance fund. 18 years after, do you think it has been properly implemented?

I would say no because it has not been implemented at all. For 18 years, I have not seen any implementation whatsoever. The Cabotage is to restrict foreign vessel participation in coastal trade, to promote the development of indigenous shipping capacity, and establish the Cabotage vessel finance fund. All of it has been done, we have not seen any restrictions.

There is no strategic implementation of that. If there is no gap to be met, then there is not entrepreneurship, we have o bridge the gap. There is no vacancy. All the contracts are being given to foreigners. There is no room to promote indigenous capacity. And that is what we are demanding. Just implement it.

There is the N72.4 billion Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF). Have ship owners accessed those funds?

No, those funds have not been established up to date. The monies are supposed to be applied to develop shipping. Has it been done, No? For 18 years, they are still tinkering around it, and this absolutely no excuse because the law is clear as to what needs to be done if there was any problem.

It is not going to be another Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). implementing the Cabotage law has to be done and done quickly.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) is moving its operations to Victoria Island. Do you think they would be able to monitor the ocean with Helicopters? And how effective do you think their operations would be in after its relocation?

We read it just like everybody on the pages of the newspaper.N3.4bn story building with some car parks. The only advantage of the building is that it is very high and has a helipad. Other than that, it is not on a waterfront. On whether it would be of benefit to NIMASA, the Director-General of NIMASA can answer the question. They have bought a few helicopters and air crafts to monitor what is happening in the ocean, but the building at a waterfront would have given NIMASA a better opportunity to take off from there and be able to monitor the ocean. Now, NIMASA rents vessels to do the monitoring. I think they need to work very hard in that area. How can you restrict foreign ships if you don’t put your boots in the water? Asides from the fact that the building is beautiful, I don’t think it is of an advantage to the agency. At this point, we need to take more proactive action in terms of developing the maritime sphere.

Ship Owners want to see action in the waters. We commend the Federal Government for the deep blue project, but we feel the strategy to be able to take full control of the security means you need to have armed Navy personnel on the water and proper security boats patrolling so that all the network of communication and intelligence will be put to use.

Piracy is no longer fashionable. We are owners and we take Seafarers as members of our family. Any time any of them is lost, kidnapped, or hijacked, we don’t sleep until we find them.

We talk the heat and write big tick transactions, weather the storms and surfer the waves and pay ransoms so that we can bring back the Seafarers because without them there is no trade. Whether it is a Nigerian or foreign ship, the strategy must be a holistic approach towards solving this problem. We Shipowners are already securing the oilfields. IOC’s charter navy approved ballistic security boats to patrol

the oil fields. That method is straightforward and there are no risks to the oil fields. If that approach is deployed to the territorial waters as well, it would help. But those vessels have to be manned, repaired, fuelled, and people on board the ships have to be fed. It is a strategy that has to be Government and private sector collaboration to ensure that we secure our ocean. We also need widespread collaborations with stakeholders and users of the ocean.

What domestic political or legislative developments that you think may have an impact on Nigeria’s shipping market?

We have enough legislation. There is the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the best thing that can happen to Africa. By Sea, Africa is linked by 34 countries, and as such Nigeria stands in a good position now, to be able to export our goods to reach Ivory Coast or Angola before anything comes from China. That is our advantage because we’re not going to fly them in airplanes, or by road. We have to send ships there. So there are opportunities for vessels, ferries, Ro-ro vessels, fishing boats, cargo vessels, and container ships. These will bring African prosperity.

What do you see as the biggest challenge in terms of Safety and Environmental protection? How will this affect the industry and how should we prepare to face this?

When you talk about safety, we are still going back to the same issues of piracy and maritime crime. The POMO Act, which has been enacted to try pirates and ocean criminals is a welcome approach. These people operate daily, so if you catch them once in 90 days, it means you have to step up. We need to have a proper strategy to ensure ocean security. The same thing goes for the environment, as the same patrol monitoring pirates will monitor spills, environmental dumpings, illegal and uncontrolled fishing because at night people come to take our fish and we are scared to death. I used to be a fisherman with 7 fishing trawlers and I fished within Nigerian, Gabon, and Cotonou territorial waters for 11 years years and exported shrimps to Europe and America. I sold my fish here is Ijora. But that industry has gone down, because asides from the price of fuel that is so high, the security of the ocean calls for concern.

Because of exploration, technology can be deployed transparently to monitor pollution.

The global maritime industry is transitioning toward cleaner operations, thus decarbonization has become so important. Do you see the center innovating feasible solutions that benefit customers, shipping companies, the environment, and the Nigerian shipping industry’s move toward decarbonization?

There’s a big talk about decarbonisation and two conferences have already been held this quarter of the year. I see that Nigeria is gearing up, even though they are not going to throw away the reserves that we have for gas that would take us another 150 years, and oil which will last us another 50 years.

Many places still don’t have electricity whilst many places cook with firewood, so there’s a lot of gaps to close and the centre is doing something about it.

There is the opportunity for us to have ships that transport the gas and LPG tankers and cleaner fuels.

There are autonomous ships, Unmanned ships are coming into the sphere. It is already here. That is why the knowledge of the ocean and decarbonisation, must be taken seriously. It is ridiculous to know

that part of the raw materials used in creating the solar system is sand, which we have in abundance.

The time is now to get to the drawing board and get ourselves ready.

One year into your leadership as President, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), what would you say have been the high points of your tenure?

I don’t know what the high points are, but I have a duty as President, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), to ensure that we promote Ship Ownership and have genuine Ship Owners and not people who call themselves stakeholders and are just in the maritime sphere. In order for Ship Owners to thrive in Nigeria, the Cabotage law must be maintained. So what we have done is to cry out to the National Assembly and various tiers of government that these laws are not being implemented.

We have been able to stimulate a public hearing on foreign ship ownership dominating our waters.

Although the Group Managing Director Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Minister for Transportation, Director-General Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) were at the hearing, we have still not seen the traction yet.

The problem is that we are still waiting on NNPC, even though they came out to openly accept that for 40 years Nigeria has not done anything about moving Nigeria’s crude by Nigerians and Nigerian Ships and that this administration would change the narrative. We are still to see the impetus up till this moment, rather we have been disappointed by a contract that has been recently awarded for coastal shipping- the crux of Cabotage, was with impunity granted to a foreign company, Unibros Shipping Corporation, to bring 14 Ships to work in our waters when we have the capacity in Nigeria.

We are talking to NNPC to reverse those contracts and use Nigerians because there is no other way you can thrive without obeying the laws of Nigeria.

Also when people talk about capacity, there is nobody that was born with capacity. The hardest thing anyone did in our lives before the age of one, was to get up and work and no one was able to get up and work without being held up in the hand by a brother, sister, mother, nanny or relative t be able to take that step.

Therefore, that is why the Nigerian Content law has been promulgated. In a situation where there is inadequate capacity, whoever is awarding the contract, must ensure that they have a strategy approved by the Nigeria Content Development board to create those jobs for Nigerians within one or two years.

And the awardee of the contract must also have that strategy for Nigerian content implementation.

There is absolutely no excuse for anybody to give the excuse of capacity. Whoever is in the position of Authority is saddled with the job of developing the capacity and he needs help. The Cabotage Vessel Fund is there to give is the help. Even the 25% income of NIMASA is supposed to applied for that help, and NIMASA is getting huge amounts monthly and just sitting on the money. We have to continue to engage the regulators and government agencies.

The building of Nigeria’s capacity is paramount on our agenda. That is why we organised the maiden Lagos International Shipping Expo in November 2019, with participants from different countries like Thailand, China, Norway, Italy, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon.

Over nine countries were represented with major players in the industry. In this light, we are putting out the voice that Shipowners are here to build this economy because it is 95 percent of global trade and no industry is bigger than the Shipping industry in Nigeria. In my tenure, I have insisted that we should take out duties for ships. Airplanes, private jets, and agricultural equipment’s come in without duty. Recently, all medical officers were on the front line so they took out all duties on medical equipment. but the ships that bring in the supplies and the Seafarers who are supposed to be on the frontline, are charged duty. We must recognise the hen that lays the golden egg.

Nigerian Ships pay full import duties, whereas the foreign ships trade on temporary import permits which is little or nothing- yet they take undue advantage of us. In the areas of security, we are collaborating to ensure that the regulators make sure that piracy is s thing of the past. Meanwhile, the ship owners have lent their vessels for training in collaboration with Man Oron to train them. There are so many things to do in my second term and I believe we would be able to get more work done.

What’s your advice to the government?

We must speak truth to power and let them understand that they are a government of the people, for the people, and by the people. We want them to understand that shipping, is going to help Nigeria.

The government needs to also understand that the law needs to be followed. There is no agency above the law

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JULY 26, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

‘Take Advantage of Reduction in US EB-5 Investor Programme’ Goddy Egene International investors have been urged to take advantage of the reduction in the minimum investment in the EB-5 Investor Programme in the United States (US) to $500,000 from $900,000.

The Houston EB5, through the years, has worked diligently towards helping international investors gain permanent United States (US)residency in return for making a qualified real estate investment.

However, in 2019, the US government implemented changes to the EB-5 Investor Programme as part of a comprehensive EB-5 modernisation law passed by Congress, which led to the increase in the minimum investment amounts from $500,000 to $900,000 for Targeted Employment Area (TEA) investments and $1 million to $1.8 million for non-Targeted Employment Area (TEA) investments.

A new hope was reinstated following the recent court ruling

by The U.S Northern District Court of California, which reduced the EB-5 Minimum Investment to $500,000 on June 23, 2021, on the ground that the decision to increase the minimum EB-5 investment amount from $500,000 to $900,000 must be vacated as the USCIS Acting Director lacked the authority at that time to issue that regulation.

Although there are currently two new EB-5 bills including

Regional Center reauthorization circulating in the U.S. Senate, both contemplating a higher investment amount and this is expected to happen in September 2021, investors have between now until September 30th at the latest (per key USCIS Sunset dates) to secure their spot in an EB-5 project at the $500,000 investment level.

Beside, everyone in the industry is unsure how long this the ruling will remain effective, it is clear that for a short period of time investors

can invest $500,000 to become eligible for an EB-5 green card.

Hence, the Chief Executive Officer of 3INVEST, a real estate investment group and the African partner to Houston EB5, Ruth Obih, has advised intending investors to key into this opportunity.

“Just like the US lottery, this may just be a rare and final opportunity for families who want to obtain a 2nd passport through US EB5 Investing,” she said, noting that the 2019 increase to $900,000 saw a

REWARDING SHAREHOLDERS…

Food experts have called on Nigerians to use Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) as part of their seasoning because of the nutritional value it represents.

Speaking during the commemoration of Umami Seasoning Day in Lagos, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University Dutse, Prof. Abdulkarim Sabo Mohammed said MSG, also known as Ajinomoto, was safe for consumption and that it was beneficial to the brain as well as the nervous system.

He said: “MSG is found naturally in some foods including tomatoes and cheese. Glutamate is essential for living bodies, it is a good energy source of the brain and helps boost good feeling by regulating impulse transmission in the nerves.

“In fact, 30 to 40 per cent salt

“Serving as the future of EB5 Investing, Moderno Porcelain Works, is currently one of the few approved operational businesses in the EB-5 industry ready and able to process direct EB-5 investments in the US. Moderno Porcelain Works offer a more personalised investment opportunity and smaller capital raise to begin each project,” said.

According to him, Houston EB5 chose to offer an EB-5 Visa investment in Moderno for several strategic reasons

including the ability to provide repeatable, predictable results.

“Moderno is a matured business model with several large retail and builder accounts to service. Your investment will fund the opening of new service locations (HUBs), expanding Moderno’s national reach.

With six operational centres currently, in Texas, Florida, and Minnesota, EB-5 Houston completed the raise for three additional locations with plans to expand to a total of 60 cities by 2026,” Azuike said.

L – R: Director, Beta Glass Plc, Ms Lola Adefope; Director, Beta Glass Plc, Ms Wuraola Abiola; Company Secretary, Ms Bola Adebisi; Chairman, Beta Glass Plc, Abimbola Ogunbanjo; Chief Executive Officer, Beta Glass Plc, Darren Bennett-Voci and Director, Beta Glass Plc, Ms Seun Oni, during the company’s Annual General Meeting held recently in Lagos…recently

Experts Harp on MSG‘s Nutritional Value Sunday Ehigiator

drop in the level of investors.

The Managing Director, Houston EB5, Acho Azuike, said: “Additionally, another attractive aspect of the new opportunity is that returns are paid yearly instead of being accrued.”

He explained that going forward, only direct EB5 Investment and projects creating direct employment such as Moderno Porcelain works, which is the latest project currently offered

by Houston EB-5 will qualify for the EB-5 Visa.

reduction can be achieved by adding MSG without changing the taste of the food. It is a healthy product that has been consumed by Billions of people across the Globe and there is no scientific proof yet to directly associate MSG with any health issues as suggested” he added.

The Managing Director, West African Seasoning Company Limited (WASCO), Niki Junichi said safety of Ajinomoto has long been scientifically proven and its safety approved by authorised agencies of the United Nations.

He said: “An extensive body of research which has been reviewed by scientists and governments around the world, including the US FDA, the American Medical Association, experts of the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organisation and

the European Commission’s Scientific Committee for Food demonstrates that glutamate is safe.”

Junichi noted that based on its safety, Ajinomoto Umami Seasoning was consumed in over 130 countries, adding that the usage of MSG was to enhance taste and increase deliciousness of food.

The Umami seasoning, according to him, has been safely used as a food ingredient since 1908 after it was discovered by a Japanese scientist, Dr. Kikunae Ikeda.

He assured that the company was committed to providing products that make food more delicious and nutritious, urging Nigerians to dispel any myth or misconception about Ajinomoto.

The Umami Seasoning Day is celebrated on July 25 every year to raise awareness about the importance of the Umami seasoning, popularly known as Ajinomoto On his part, Prof. Abiodun Sanni of the Department of Microbiology, University of Ibadan, who wants Nigerians to work with facts and not rumours, explained that glutamate has no health issues as purported in some quarters.

Sanni noted, “MSG produces a unique and fifth taste known as Umami. We have a lot of glutamate in our local foods. Iru for instance is umami. When you take Iru, you take a lot of glutamate. So, people should debunk the rumours about glutamate. The human body metabolizes both the natural and added glutamate in the same manner.”

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MONDAY JULY 26, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Guaranty Trust to Hold Annual Autism Conference August Nume Ekeghe Guaranty Trust Bank is slated to host to its eleventh edition of the Guaranty Trust Annual Conference on Autism.

The bank in a statement said the conference will hold on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 3 in, Lagos with the theme, “Life Beyond the Diagnosis.”

The conference, the bank

added, will feature in-depth conversations on supporting people living with autism facilitated by medical experts and specialists from around the world.

In his comment, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust said Segun Agbaje said: “The theme of our Annual Autism Conference this year strikes at the very heart of why we are pas-

sionate in our advocacy for people with developmental disorders. We strongly believe in building a world of equal opportunity for everyone, and through this Conference, we constantly challenge ourselves and the society at large to do more to help people with autism live a full and rewarding life beyond their diagnosis.”

He added, Guaranty Trust

has been at the forefront of the advocacy for children and adults living with autism. Its Annual Autism Conference is the major rallying point for driving awareness about Autism, campaigning against the social stigma associated with developmental disorders, and helping people with autism live a full and productive life.

In 2020, the Guaranty Trust Annual Autism Conference

was held via live stream, bringing together people from around the world at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This year, alongside the livestream option, attendees will be able to physically participate in the Guaranty Trust Annual Autism Conference, whilst observing all health and safety guidelines. At the twoday event, seasoned specialists from renowned institutions,

such as Duquesne University, Pennsylvania and The Color of Autism Foundation, USA, will deliver keynote presentations, panel discussions, and topical Q&A sessions on managing Autism. Some of the facilitators include Dr. Waganesh Zeleke of Duquesne University, USA, Lanre Duyile of Behaviorprise Consulting Inc, Canada, and Kora Hardy of Nuru Behavioral Network, USA.”

APCON, GAGE Awards Set for Strategic Collaboration The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) is ready to throw its weight behind the annual GAGE Awards. The apex advertising and marketing regulatory body is also poised for a solid and strategic collaboration with the leading organisers of awards in Nigeria’s digital space.

This was revealed during a recent courtesy visit paid by Johnson Anorh and his GAGE Awards’ team on the Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, APCON Registrar.

It can be recalled that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) also endorsed and threw its corporate support towards the successful staging of the maiden edition of the annual GAGE Awards which was held on the 22nd of February, 2020 at the exclusive Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island in Lagos.

The NCC had partnered with the award organisers towards a successful staging of the awards which aims at celebrating brands and individuals who have made positive impact to the growth and advancement of the digital technology space in Nigeria During the courtesy visit, Dr. Fadolapo said that the GAGE Awards is a good platform for creating rating, as it affects the marketing communications in the tech space. He hinted that APCON will see where and how it can come in as marketing communications cannot be talked about without the mentioning of APCON.

“We must know what is happening in terms of creating rating, but what you are saying now is creating rating as it affects the marketing communications in the tech space,” he said.

On the issue of creative rating for creatives, Dr. Fadolapo highlighted that craftsmanship is supposed to be paramount, but noted that while tech is taking the space, craftsmanship has absolutely little or nothing to do with tech. “Software is now writing copy; but you cannot compare copy that is written by software with what someone like Lanre Adisa or Steve Babaeko will sit down to do. So, what exactly should be the area of focus? Where is the uniqueness in the campaign you are looking for?” he queried.

Dr. Fadolapo said that the credibility of the judges on ground must be brought to bear when talking about the creative because they are going to judge different campaigns, and campaign is more about branding and marketing.

“There will be lot of conversation around it, and so if we are going to be bringing people on board, they must be people that can ….if there are opportunities for us to help you look at it, or opportunities for us to have our own input as APCON….” the association can only liaise with us for camaraderie and for regulation in terms of industry growth.

200 Students Benefit from SIFAX-Sponsored Safe School Training A total of 200 students drawn from selected public schools in Lagos State have been trained on various ways and means as well as strategies to live a drug-free life and how to avoid pitfalls of juvenile delinquencies.

The programme, tagged “Safe School Initiative”, was an initiative of a non-governmental organization, Community Health Safety & Environmental Rescue Initiative (CHESRI) and sponsored by SIFAX Group.

The beneficiary schools are - United Christian Secondary School, Apapa; Apapa Senior High School, Randle Senior Secondary School, Surulere and New Era Senior Girls School, Surulere.

According to CHESRI’s Executive Director, Lilian Azu the training was aimed at creating and promoting awareness about the dangers of various juvenile delinquencies that are prevalent among secondary school students in the state and to equip them with the right knowledge to combat such menace. Some of the topics focused on during the training include: Basic CPR skills, dangers of drug abuse,

menstrual health and sexual abuse.

She lauded SIFAX Group for supporting the initiative, adding that the students trained would be supported to become ambassadors who will in turn train and guide other students.

Head, Corporate Communications, SIFAX Group, Olumuyiwa Akande while speaking at one of the schools, emphasized the importance of safety education among students and reinstated the company’s commitment as a socially-responsible establishment in supporting projects that are beneficial to the society.

He said: “At SIFAX Group, we believe that safety is synonymous with prosperity. It is only a safe society that translates to a prosperous living. This is the reason we have thrown our weight behind this “Safe School Initiative” in order to equip the young ones with the skills needed to build a bright future. From what we have seen so far in the training, we are convinced that projects of this nature are needed in all our schools and as a company, we will not relent in our support for such initiatives.”

SOLIDARITY VISIT…

R-L: Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh; former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd.) and Umar Abdulsalam Abubakar, when the NIMASA DG paid a visit to the former Head of State...recently

FG Appoints Gambo Registrar of Meteorological Institute Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The federal government has appointed Dr. Bishir Gambo as the Registrar of the Meteorological Institute of Science and Technology, Katsina.

The appointment, which is for a four year term in the first instance, was conveyed in a letter signed by the Director of Human Resources, S.D. Mohammad, on behalf of the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

A statement made available to Journalists in Abuja by General Manager, Public Relations, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Mr. Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim stated that Dr. Gambo holds a Doctorate Degree in Environmental

Science with specialty in Land Degradation/Desertification from the University of Botswana.

He is a member of World Overview on Conservation Approaches and Technology (WOCAT), a global network on Sustainable Land Management (SLM) that promotes the documentation, sharing and use of knowledge to support adaptation, innovation and decision-making in SLM. He is also a member of the National Association of Environmental Professionals Seattle, W A. Dr. Gambo as an academic, has several publications to his credit including; Impact and Control of Desertification in the Frontline States of Nigeria:

A Case Study of Katsina State.

An Assessment of Community Participation in Agroforestry: A Case Study of Batagarawa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Impact of Desertification on Livelihoods in Katsina State, Nigeria amongst others.

Dr. Gambo has worked in various capacities both in the private and public sectors.

These include, General Manager, Katsina State Transport Authority (KSTA); Special Adviser to the Katsina state Governor on Labour and Productivity, and part time lecturer at the Al Qalam University in Katsina state. He had also served as Commissioner, Ministry of Rural Social Development,

Youth & Sports, Katsina State.

Until his appointment, Dr. Bishir Gambo was the Senior Special Assistant on Environment to the Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is believed that Dr. Gambo will bring to bear his wealth of knowledge and experience garnered over the years to the institute.

The Meteorological Institute of Science and Technology Katsina was commissioned by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika on the 21st of May, 2019.

The Institute was established to serve as a centre for training and research on meteorological and climate change sciences.

Bedmate Unveils Showroom

Hamid Ayodeji

The management of Bedmate furniture has officially unveiled its 8000 square meters Lekki showroom which comprises of various furniture units, including office furniture showroom sections.

The organisation revealed that the initiative was birth from the need to deepen the reach of its consumers, grow employment within the society and also erect a structure that stands out from others within the developing Lekki axis.

Speaking at the event, Managing Director, Bedmate Furniture, David Liu said nineteen years ago the furniture

company came into Nigeria as a small investment company with a determination to bring uniqueness to the furniture business in the country.

“Driven by that resolve, we have evolved over the years into creating jobs for over three hundred employees.

“Like the proverbial acorn we have grown into a formidable organisation that boasts of a factory located at Magboro Ogun State, ten branches cut across the the nation which includes four in Lagos, three at Abuja and three at Port harcourt.

“In tandem with our vision, Bedmate furniture has maintained quality products

and great customer service since its inception. We attribute this achievement to the strength and ingenuity of our workforce, ”he added.

Liu further said: “This project which started two years ago, comprises of our various furniture units, Sofa and Sofia office furniture showrooms sections, offices furniture for staff.

“It is situated here in the highbrow area of Eti-Osa as a way of bringing our products closer home to our high end clients and a reflection to of our determination to maintain our position as a lead destination of choice in the furniture industry.

On his part, His Royal

Majesty, Oba Alayeluwa Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla said, “We applaud the economic contribution of Bedmate furniture into our society as this project would be providing employment for several Nigerians.

“This milestone is not merely an achievement to Bedmate furniture, but an achievement for the entire community as a whole.

“Also, I am proud to have such a structure in my community as we know that it is an opportunity for Bedmate furniture to further impact the economic activities of the society while giving back to the society in which it operates.

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FEATURES

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

As Insecurity Tears across the South-east Chiemelie Ezeobi in collaboration with Christopher Isiguzo and Gideon Arinze in Enugu State, David-Chyddy Eleke in Anambra State, Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Abia State, Benjamin Nworie in Ebonyi State and Amby Uneze in Imo State report that the rising insecurity in the South-east occasioned by attacks on security and public infrastructure and acts of extra-judicial killings have turned the region into a hotbed of violence

U

ndoubtedly, the growing security threats from Nigeria’s South-east region gives cause for concern.

But it was not always so. Until recently, the South-east region was arguably the most peaceful part of the country, but now, it has evolved into a hotbed of violence targeting state security institutions by armed men popularly referred to as unknown gunmen.

In fact, between January and April 19, 2021, over 17 police stations, in addition to a correctional facility, have been targeted by the gunmen, leaving in their trail dead officers, charred police stations, freed prison inmates, and empty armoury.

Before 2021, the South-east region was mainly known for the hustle and bustle associated with markets. Although just like other regions, there also were cases of criminal violence manifesting as cult wars, ransom kidnaps and armed robbery. Added to these are sustained episodes of pro-Biafra secessionist agitations that turned fatal in some instances. Five months into 2021, 149 people have been killed in 36 attacks in south-east Nigeria according to Nextier Security, Peace and Development (SPD) violent conflict database.

Nextier SPD, an international development consulting firm based in Nigeria which utilises evidence-based research and policy in developing knowledge and skills for governing the society, also disclosed that multiple attacks, especially at police stations, courts, and other state infrastructure, have been recorded. " The now-unstable region is increasingly witnessing gruesome murders and incessant attacks by violent actors widely regarded as "unknown gunmen", they added.

They further posited that "while Nigeria's security operatives have fingered the indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its offshoot, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the pro-Biafra group, have continually denied responsibility for the ongoing carnage in the South-east. The situation leaves many conflict experts perplexed towards a comprehensive understanding of the triggers and consequences of insecurity in South-east Nigeria.

"Also, if the violence persists, it spells doom for the region and the country in general. For instance, terrorism in the Lake Chad basin may be more demanding with the death of the resilient Chadian's president, Idriss Deby and the new power ascendancy of Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP).

Recently, ISWAP was reported to have killed Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram.

The volatile South-east, and by extension, the South-south zone, adds to a long list of security challenges the Nigerian government has to manage".

In its analysis of insecurity in the region, they disclosed that from its violent conflict database, about 724 people were killed and 802 kidnapped in 336 incidents in the first quarter of 2021, while in the last quarter of 2020, 384 people were killed, 510 persons kidnapped in 256 incidents. "The statistics portray an increasing wave of violence despite the Nigerian government’s efforts to contain these issues. The result is the emergence of non-state actors in some instances complement efforts the state security -Amotekun, Vigilantes- and some cases challenge- IPOB, ESN- the state.

"In the last five months, 55 attacks were recorded in the South-east, ranging from communal clashes to farmer herders. The attacks have led to the death of over 155 persons. The new wave of insecurity indicates that the Nigeria Police Force expected to maintain law and order during the polls are as vulnerable as citizens... The increased deployment of soldiers to the region rather than quell violence has led to human rights

Buhari

Ikpeazu

violations and growing violence," they added.

For the attacks on police formations, they have continued unabated in the South-east since January.

Anambra: At the Mercy of Unknown Gunmen, Cultists David-Chyddy Eleke in Anambra reports that insecurity in the state has hit an all-time-high, leaving the citizens at the mercy of cultists, armed robbers and unknown gunmen In Anambra, despite the menace of unknown gunmen and armed herders, there is the combined threat from cultists in Awka, the state capital, and touts and armed robbers in Onitsha, its commercial capital.

Awka has been worse hit by cult clashes by various groups, which has led to several killings of young people, most of who are believed to be members of one cult group or the other, from January 2021 to date.

Meanwhile, no less than 16 police formations in Anambra State have been attacked by yet-to-be identified gunmen, and this has rendered the police incapable of discharging their duties, leaving the entire state to the mercy of hoodlums. For instance, when the B Division Police Station and the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Anambra were attacked simultaneously by gunmen, on the same night, armed robbers took time to move from hostel to hostel in Ifite area, robbing residents while gunshots rent the air. A source said the entire operation lasted for three hours from 9pm to about 12am, yet there was no resistance from security forces.

In Onitsha, the near absence of police on the road has also emboldened both petty thieves and armed robbers, including youths who accost passersby, and ask them to part with valuables or regret any resistance. A resident of Onitsha, who deals in clothing materials in Onitsha main market told THISDAY

that: "We pray for a time when normal trading will commence again in this market. As I speak to you, people are afraid of coming to Onitsha to buy goods, and traders are suffering. We have goods, but we cannot find people to sell to. Can you imagine that for buying small goods, just to get to the motor park, touts will be harassing you for no reason, yet, everyone will just look away.

"There is no form of night life in Anambra anymore. In Onitsha, once it is evening, people are already in their houses because of fear of touts, robbers and others. I pity those whose businesses are done at night, like those women who bring food to sell at motor park at night, because automatically, they are out of job now. Things are very tough these days."

THISDAY investigation shows that in Awka where night life recently gained momentum, even though it has not been totally phased out, people no longer stay out late, leading to poor patronage for people who do business at night.

Enugu State: Widespread Fear Reigns amidst Rising Insecurity Christopher Isiguzo and Gideon Arinze in Enugu report that amidst rising insecurity in the state, there are widespread fears that the state and other states in the South-east could become like the North-east which has been torn apart by incessant attacks by insurgency Enugu State, like other states in the South-east region, has had its fair share of security challenges in recent times.

From attacks on electoral facilities to those on police stations, residents in the state hardly sleep a wink at night.

In the past two months, at least six police officers have been reported killed when gunmen, who till now have remained unknown, attacked and burnt police stations in Eziagu and Uzo Uwani Local Governments.

While the government has blamed

In the last five months, 55 attacks were recorded in the South-east, ranging from communal clashes to farmer herders. The attacks have led to the death of over 155 persons. The new wave of insecurity indicates that the Nigeria Police Force expected to maintain law and order during the polls are as vulnerable as citizens

members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and what police call its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) for the attacks, the IPOB has denied involvement repeatedly.

Currently, major roads leading to the Enugu State government house have been cordoned off for fear of attacks by members of the IPOB who appear to have reawakened their demand for a sovereign state.

On Monday, May 31, the group’s order for a sit-at-home, completely crippled commercial and economic activities in the state as well as other states in the region. Banks, schools, government offices and motor parks were also closed. Residents were afraid of both members of the group who had threatened to deal with anyone who disobeyed the order and security operatives who they felt were on a mission to destroy the South-east.

At the entrance to the government house, security remains tightened with security officers constantly subjecting visitors to thorough examinations before they are allowed access into the building.

For the two months also, tricycle riders have been banned from operating beyond 9pm. This was against the backdrop of reports that some individuals were using it to carry out robbery attacks.

In a bid to in the state, to deal with the rising tide of insecurity in the state, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, flagged off a new Operation to “restore peace”.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Police Command, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, the launching of the operation is one major step that is helping the state to deal with the prevailing security challenge.

The launch of the operation came 24 hours after the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Enugu State was attacked and property burnt.

The attackers, according to reports, reportedly tried to set buildings in the premises ablaze but were resisted by security operatives who were guarding the premises. They however succeeded in burning a number of Hilux vehicles inside the building.

After the attack, a combined team of the Nigerian army and the Nigerian Police force were drafted to the headquarters of the INEC to keep it safe from further attack and destruction. Roads leading to the building have since been blocked.

Speaking during the launch, the IG said it was part of the federal government's effort to address growing insecurity, attacks on security infrastructure and secessionist agitation in the zone.

He said that in order to addresss the prevailing security threats in the state, everyone must bedetermined to build a consensus, partner in condemning any act of criminality and resolve to work with the police and other security agencies towards identifying, isolating and bringing the criminal elements within communities to deserved justice.

Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who was present during the launch, expressed optimism that the operation will lead to the retooling of security architecture in the state and the entire South-east.

He said "today's event could not have come at a better time than now given the point of insecurity in the country. In the past week, we have been saddened by the spate of killings of security operatives in their line of duty as well as destruction of security infrastructure as well as other public institutions.

The launching of Operation Restores Peace” has been interpreted to be part of plans by the federal government to extra-judicially kill members of the IPOB. On a particular Sunday last June, a

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FEATURES day to the sit-at-home order given by the IPOB, security operatives raided a church located at Owerri Road in Enugu where they marched members out, claiming that they were members of the group.

Without making reference to the incident in the church, ASP Ndukwe, in a statement, said, “54 persons were seen to be unlawfully gathered at Owerri Road, Ogui, Enugu, and brought to Headquarters for questioning.

“After nothing incriminating was found on them, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu, addressed and cautioned them to go home and maintain peace. They all left happily.”

Also in June, the Enugu Nigerian Correctional Centre, Enugu Custodial Centre, on its part, beefed up security to prevent attacks that could lead to a bridge of security.

The development followed the attack on a correctional facility in Owerri, the Imo State capital, that led to the disappearance of over 1,800 inmates The Public Relations Officer of the centre, ASPEmeka Monday told THISDAY that they had been working closely with other sister security agencies in the state to forestall any attack that could lead to jail break.

"We have tightened up our surveillance outside the custodial centre and we are doing something entirely different to ensure that the security of the facility is tight" he said.

When THISDAY visited the Enugu Custodial centre then, men of the Nigerian Army were seen manning several spots, in addition to officers of the centre. At intervals, they stopped and searched individuals who walked past the centre.

With the security situation looking like it is not going to end soon, there are widespread fears that the state and other states in the South-east could become like the North-east which has been torn apart by incessant attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.

The insurgent group began their onslaught by attacking government facilities, after which they graduated to destroying lives and property. Now, they have taken over, launching attacks incessantly on the military.

Abia: Ikepazu's Battle to Make State Safer Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Abia reports that after emerging from the clutches of kidnapping and armed robbery, the relative security that residents of the state had been enjoying is fast disappearing with the incursion of unknown gunmen creating havoc After emerging from the scourge of kidnapping and armed robbery that brought the state to its knees over a decade ago, Abia State had been relatively peaceful. Things really returned to normalcy following the successful war against kidnappers and other criminal elements. It was common to hear the state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu boast that Abia is one of the most peaceful state in Nigeria with emphasis that no bank robbery has been recorded in the state since 2015 when his administration came into being.

But amid the escalating insecurity in the entire South-east geopolitical zone, the relative security that residents of Abia have been enjoying is fast disappearing. Every day people sleep, wake up and begin their daily activities in fear and panic. In fact, the panic mode is easily triggered by any hint of rumoured attack by criminal herdsmen or the unknown gunmen, which has become the buzz word after every attack.

At the last count, about seven police stations across Abia have been attacked and razed by the unknown gunmen, with some of the attacks resulting in casualties on the side of the police and the attackers. The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have not been spared. The offices of both agencies were attacked at Ohafia in Ohafia Local Government Area. The attacks on police facilities have led to allegations of extra-judicial executions due to the reactionary response of the police after each attack on their facilities In its efforts to resolve the security problem the two major cities - Umuahia, the capital city and Aba, the commercial hub - have been placed under curfew since April 5, 2021. The curfew regime of 10 pm to 6am was imposed apparently as a proactive response after the police headquarters and the correctional facility in neighbouring Imo State were attacked by hoodlums. In announcing the curfew the state Commissioner for

Uzodinma

Umahi

Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu had said it was "sequel to security reports received from multiple sources, and informed by the need to continue to protect innocent citizens and residents of the state".

With the insecurity situation unabating, the state government has continued to expand the curfew areas. First, Ohafia and Arochukwu Local Governments were added and on May 11, 2021 while Umunneochi and Bende Local Governments were dragged into the curfew web. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Chris Ezem, said Governor Ikpeazu had directed the inclusion of the two additional local governments in the curfew areas after reviewing the security situation.

The SSG also announced that all local government chairmen had been "directed to urgently mobilise local vigilante groups to support conventional security agencies to enforce the curfew and effectively safeguard lives and property". The curfew period was reviewed to run from 8.00pm to 6.00am in Umuahia and Aba while it comes into effect between 6.00pm and 6.00am in Ohafia, Umunneochi, Arochukwu and Bende.

Not done yet in its quest to find answers to the security challenges, the Abia government convened a security summit which held in Umuahia from May 26 to 28, 2021. Governor Ikpeazu invited to the summit all retired security personnel of Abia origin that served in the Army, Navy, Airforce, Police and DSS, from the rank of Assistant Police Commissioner(ACP) or its equivalent. Heads of security agencies in the state were also included. The security experts were joined by other stakeholders, including the governor and his deputy, Speaker of State House of Assembly, members of state security council, council chairmen and their deputies as well as traditional rulers.

For the three days, the stakeholders on security brainstormed on the way out of the security problems facing the state.

Speaking at the security summit, Ikpeazu said his administration was fine-tuning the existing Abia State Vigilante Law to complement efforts of the Abia State Homeland Security outfit in readiness of being deployed "for strategic security operations" based on the recommendations of the summit. He hinted on the role of the new regional security outfit, Ebubeagu, approved by the South-east Governors Forum.

"My thoughts for Ebubeagu is that it should be the intelligence gathering arm of the security architecture of the South-east supported by the Hunters Association and every other group who depend on the bushes and forests for their living on a daily basis".

The Abia chief executive further

outlined other measures his administration had adopted to stem the tide of insecurity pervading the state. He said: "The ongoing exercise of flushing out criminals from our forests will be steady until the state gets rid of criminal elements from across our bushes and forests in Abia".

He stated that the deployment of ICT in crime fighting in Abia had recorded "remarkable success" through the Abia CPAMS Initiative conceptualised to take records of criminals using apps on internet-enabled phones.

"This government has tried to deploy science and technology in the fight against crime," Ikpeazu said, adding, "it is my intention to ultimately rest it on the shoulders of the various LGA chairmen". According to him, the council bosses "will have the responsibility of making sure that the geographical entities they superintend over are well supervised and adequate security intelligence and report made available timeously".

At the end of the two days of deliberations, the Abia State Security Summit 2021, chaired by the former Chief of Army Staff(COAS), Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, recommended "a new security architecture" for Abia State.

The stakeholders said that the new outfit "will incorporate a community based vigilante services, Homeland Security (CPAMS) and ABSAS(Abia State Vigilante Services)". They emphasized that all the local security outfits would be required 'to work in conjunction with the statutory security agencies to enhance the security and safety of the State".

Governor Ikpeazu, who has consistently faulted the centralised security architecture of Nigeria, describing it as counterproductive, would be well disposed to a local alternative to complement the federal security agencies. He has already expressed his "firm commitment towards implementing workable and responsive recommendations" of the security summit for improved security in God's own state.

Imo: Dire Acts of Extrajudicial Killings Occasioned by Reprisals Amby Uneze captures several cases of extrajudicial killings and harassments of innocent citizens perpetrated by security personnel in Imo State, which has exacerbated into reprisals by unknown gunmen A female food vendor operating at Timber market located in Naze Industrial and Building Materials layout, Owerri North Local Government Area popularly called “Ogbosisi” had her son recently arrested and brutally tortured when police personnel dressed in unknown gunmen outfit stormed market to inflict injuries on the people there, intimidate and arrest them.

There is a need to initiate non-combative strategies that will counteract the growing distrust people may have towards the government. This distrust is evident in the reported raiding of communities in South-east Nigeria and large scale arrest of youths

Mrs. Nwadike later came to a popular radio station, Ozisa FM to cry to the governor, Commissioner of Police and indeed all concerned Imolites to appeal to those that arrested her 25-year son, who assists her on daily basis in her restaurant business.

Mrs. Nwadike was lucky a week later to have her son released to her by the police in the state after passing through excruciating and psychological trauma. But for more than a score others who could not make it alive in the midst of shooting, clamping down on innocent citizens, the experiences of their loved ones were only but wailing, heartbreak and loss of hope.

For instance, Mrs. Ijeoma Unachukwu, whose beloved husband had just returned from Germany where he was based for over 20 years, was not lucky as her husband, Mr. Oguchi Unachukwu was gunned down by an airforce security personnel at the checkpoint near the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport on his way back to his base in Germany enroute Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

In a petition to the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abutu Yaro, to investigate the murder and bring the culprit to book, through her, lawyer, Ihediohanma Akponye, the bereaved widow had explained how her husband was gruesomely murdered on that Monday morning of May 31, 2021.

According to the widow, her husband met his untimely death while driving with her and their two infant children to catch a flight to Lagos at about 8.40am on that very day, enroute to his base in Germany through Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The late Unachukwu had been living in Germany for over 20 years and only visited home to be with his family and was scheduled to fly back to Germany in line with his flight schedule to Hamburg, Germany through Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on May 31, 2021 when he was murdered on his way to the airport.

She narrated that, before getting to the airport checkpoint, they met and passed over three other military and police checkpoints where they calmly identified themselves and explained their mission on their way to the airport to catch a flight to Lagos.

“That when they got to the airport checkpoint of the Airforce, my husband stopped for a check and cleared his car only for the airforce personnel to open fire on him in my front and the children and he fell to the bullets that hit his forehead.

"The security men ferried him to the Naval Hospital at Aba road, Owerri before he was referred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, where he was unfortunately confirmed The same unfortunate incident also occurred in Afo Enyiogugu market square where an innocent youth was killed while running for his dear life when the Inspector General of Police crack team said they were chasing the killers of the former political aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak on that fateful Sunday morning of May 30, 2021.

Gulak was also murdered on his way to Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport to catch a flight to Abuja by yet-to-be-identified assassins. The young innocent boy was probably a victim of stray bullet that hit his forehead while running for his dear life and he fell on top of his motorbike.

However, the police said that the killers of Gulak were also killed on that same day (six of them) as they stopped a truck carrying onions and were busy distributing to the villagers. The police tagged them “IPOB/ ESN” members.

As if the harm on the citizens was not enough, a week earlier, in an attempt to attack the Orji Police station in Orji near Owerri Municipality, unknown gunmen (UGM), about three innocent people fell to the bullets of the security personnel.

The two women who were selling their petty things in their respective shops were hit by stray bullets while the man, a bus driver who was hit on the chest late gave up the ghost.

Reports have it that in the last one month, soldiers have killed not less than two scores of innocent people, mainly youths who were going about their normal activities to fend for themselves. Recently, security personnel, particularly the army have gunned down Continued on page 36

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FEATURES

As Insecurity Tears across the South-east two innocent passersby in front of Imo State Government House, Owerri.

The deceased persons met their untimely death while attempting to cross the road in front of the government house when the soldiers opened fire on them without flagging them down to identify themselves.

It was learnt that one of the deceased, identified as 24 years old Miss Divine Nwaneri and a first year student of Imo State University was in company of three other friends in a custom-colour Lexus 250-IS car was shot as they drove pass the Government House roundabout at about 10pm on Sunday.

Another victim, a farmer, delivering his pigs in a bus was also shot dead in front of government house roundabout. The lifeless body of the farmer was left in the driver's seat for a long time until the body was removed.

As if that was not enough, the same security personnel (soldiers) usually shoot sporadically across the major streets of Owerri Municipality, specifically around Hausa Quarters (Ama Hausa), Douglas road, Mbaise road, Wetheral road, most time at night, leaving inhabitants to scamper for their safety. In one of those incidents, one young man also identified as a final year student of Imo State University was also killed by a stray bullet along Ama Hausa area.

Recently, a video clip went viral online showing a distraught lawyer, who was held by soldiers on patrol in Owerri, for allegedly mounting a Biafran flag inside his car. The lawyer, whose car was eventually damaged by the officers before they let him off the hook, had claimed that his offence was “putting Biafra flag in my car. “One of them told me, he would have killed me, but for the fact that I am a lawyer”.

If the lawyer was lucky to have escaped with his life intact, a businessman, Noel Chigbu was not. Noel, the operator of Sharwarma Zone in Akwakuma area of Owerri, was killed by military men at the Amakohia flyover in Owerri at about 10pm for allegedly “violating check point rules”.

It was gathered that the soldiers, who snuffed life out of him at the checkpoint had dumped his remains at the Federal Medical Centre, morgue, Owerri, took his badly shattered car to the police station and made an entry that his relatives should visit the health facility and claim his body.

Noel was said to have acquired a new Camry car and had gone to drop off his friend that fateful night. But, he never returned.

He left a four-month pregnant wife, a twoyear-old son and four year old daughter.

Already, Imolites are worried over the maltreatment, harassment and unnecessary punishment soldiers are subjecting the innocent people in the state capital. Several commuters and pedestrians are also feeling the heat as they are being asked to raise hands up, do frog jump and other inhumane treatments.

Also, the number of abducted or arrested innocent citizens and falsely labeled “ESN hoodlums/Gunmen” in Imo by security personnel are legion.

John Chinonso, a 24-year-old from Nchoko Dikenafai Community in Ideato South, Imo State and living at Apiti Street by Hardel Junction, Orji-Uratta in Owerri North, Imo State, was one of such. An orphan living with his elder brother Emmanuel, Citizen Chinoso owns and manages ‘Daddyfresh Barbing Saloon’ at Ogboru Umuchoke by Hardel Bus Stop, Orji.

He responded to his elder brother’s call for him to close his shop and return home before dawn owing to precarious security situation in Owerri and environs and as he was going home in the evening of Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at about 4pm, the police patrol personnel blocked and arrested him at gunpoint. Citizen John Chinonso was in the same evening paraded alongside four others as “ESN hoodlums who attempted to burn down Orji Police Station”.

Chukwudi Okoro, another 29-year old and a shuttle bus transporter/owner, plying Owerri-Orji route with his apprentice. He is from Akabo-Amata in Orji, near Owerri, Imo State and his wife, Chioma, who is heavily pregnant. Okoro and his driver were heading home in the early evening of 25th May 2021, having closed early as a result of insecurity situation in Owerri and environs and rising wave of army and police abductions and extrajudicial killings.

Ugwuanyi

Obiano

They sighted riotous police patrol personnel shooting indiscriminately around Orji and environs, forcing Citizen Chukwudi Okoro to jump out of his shuttle bus in fear and ask his driver to take the bus to the driver’s house so that he can find a safer route to his house. He barely trekked meters when police patrol personnel blocked his way and arrested him at gunpoint.

He was paraded in the same evening alongside four others as “ESN hoodlums that attempted to burn down Orji Police Station”.

Casmir Ibegbulem, 40 years old and a father of one, expectant father of another and a “Permit Holder” staff of LNG Company at Bonny Island in Bayelsa State and a native of Ogwa Community in Mbaitoli, Imo State was also arrested.

He had just returned to Imo for the burial of his in-law, which eventually took place on Friday, May 28, 2021.

He was in Owerri on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 to pick up personal items needed when police patrol personnel bounced on him at gunpoint and arrested him.

He was paraded in the same evening alongside four others as “ESN hoodlums that attempted to burn down Orji Police Station”. He was later released from the force headquarters, Abuja after he allegedly paid N1.5 million.

Chigaemezu Sebastian, 26-year old and single, residing at Naze, Owerri, Imo State, is a trader/plumber at Ogbosisi (Timber) Market, Owerri and hails from Asaa, Ngugo in Ikeduru, Imo State. He was also unjustly arrested enroute to his village at Ikeduru when the attack took place and while, he alongside others were scampering for safety following indiscriminate shootings and raining of live bullets by police and army personnel, he was arrested by police on May 25, 2021 and was in the same evening paraded alongside four others and falsely labeled “ESN hoodlums that attempted to burn down Orji Police Station”.

The lawyer hired by the family for the matter was denied access and audience with him at Imo State CID and on Saturday evening, May 29, he called his elder brother from Abuja (Force Headquarters where he has been transferred alongside four wrongly accused and falsely labeled others) with his personal phone number and further gave his side of the story. In tears he pleaded for his family’s intervention as he is presently under severe torture alongside four others.

Daberechi Alozie is 25 years old from

Obokofia-Egbema in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Imo State and was living with his relative, a retired permanent secretary in the Imo State Civil Service who was his guardian for over 20 years at Jerusalem Lodge, Umukoto Nekede,Owerri. He recently became an apprentice as Aluminum Fabricator worker with Chief Chindu C Chindu popularly known as Oceanic Aluminum in Owerri located at No 45 Onomuonu Street, Owerri. He was on his way to Ogwa for a job for one Mrs. Onyenaka when he ran into decurity agents at Orji on May 25, 2021 and was arrested. He was also among those transferred to Force Headquarters, Abuja Ugbo Casmir Nnaemeka & Ojukwu Ukonu, who reside at World Bank Housing Estate, New Owerri and Igwe Allen Okoro Street, off MCC Road, Owerri, were arrested differently on trumped up allegations on May 13 ( Ukonu) and May 14, (Ugbo) by the operatives of the anti kidnapping squad of the Imo State Police Command. The two had served in various capacities in the administration of former Governor Rochas Okorocha and are still aides working for the former Governor.

Surprisingly, on Friday, May 28, 2021, the Imo State Police Command released a statement that they arrested five additional ESN hoodlums. The police command not only named the duo alongside two (three) others as “ESN hoodlums” but also claimed to have arrested them on Thursday, May 27, 2021 “during a coded raid operation to fish out “ESN hoodlums”. Available evidence has not only countered the claim by police, but also incontrovertibly shown that they were arrested and detained since 13th and 14th May 2021, a period of two weeks before Another victim was 50-year-old Ikechukwu Okomah, a graduate of Engineering from Enugu State University, class of 1996 and Masters Degree holder in Chemical Engineering and a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers as well as a licensed petroleum dealer and an executive member of IPMAN (Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria). Married with kids and living with his wife, he is from Ubahaezike, Awo Idemmili in Orsu Local Government Area, Imo State and resides at MCC Road, Uratta, Owerri and religiously, he is a member of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement of Nigeria of St Mathews Catholic Church, MCC Road, Uratta, Imo State and also owns and runs a big pig farm in his

Rather than resort to unlawful raiding and arrest of people, the Nigerian security operatives must demonstrate openness to work with the people in managing the escalating crisis in the South-east zone. The tensions in the area suggest that relying solely on combat actions will not achieve sustainable peace but widen the growing gap between government and the people

community.

He was accused and arrested on May 19, 2021 by the anti kidnapping squad of the Imo State Police Command and shockingly on Friday, May 28, 2021, was co-labeled by the Imo State Police Command as “ESN hoodlums that attacked Imo State Prison Headquarters”, which also falsely claimed to have arrested him alongside three (four) others on Thursday, May 27, 2021.

What of Emeka Mbonu, 39 years old and Ibe Chisom Amadi? Emeka Mbonu is a father of three kids and happily married, residing at MCC Road/Amawire, Owerri. He is presently into real estate and was a staff of Owerri Capital Development Authority under former Governor Rochas Okorocha.

He hails from Osina in Ideato North, Imo State and was arrested and detained by the operatives of the Imo State Police Command since May 13, 2021 and was co-labeled “ESN hoodlums that attacked Imo State Prison Headquarters”.

The poice also claimed to have arrested him alongside four others on Thursday, May 27, 2021. It is noteworthy that Citizens Ikechukwu Okomah and Emeka Mbonu were arrested and originally framed and accused of “possessing firearms” (Dane guns and pump action guns used by their street vigilantes) from where the police changed and accused them of “being ESN hoodlums that attacked Imo State Prison Headquarters”.

Citizen Ibe Chisom, on his part, is a Port Harcourt based father of three and a surveyor who was arrested by police/SSS since March 18, 2021 and whisked away with his white Toyota Camry car. He had returned from Port Harcourt to his Umuodiya, Umuegwum in Mbaise, Imo State for a funeral ceremony when he was arrested around 12noon and since then he has not been seen or located.

The list is endless as the Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna seeing that if nothing urgent is done, the state would become another Iraq, and called for truce. He urged the governor, Hope Uzodimma to “Stop the Killing - Convoke a ceasefire meeting, Save Imo. He almost wept on seeing over 35 lifeless bodies dumped by security personnel at the Federal Medical Centre on the bare floor stake naked.

National Assembly members from Imo state have also expressed serious concern and called on the governor to arrest the situation by sending back to the barracks the military personnel that are deeply involved in the shooting and killing of innocent citizens in the state.

Also the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the resignation of the governor for failing to protect the lives and property of the state which he swore to defend and protect.

A number of civil society organisations, such as the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEY), the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, a leading research and investigative rights group based in Onitsha, Eastern Nigeria, and the religious leaders in Imo State otherwise known as leaders of faith-based organisations under the auspices of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had also recently sued for peace and called on political leaders in the state to sheathe their sword and work as a team to secure the people and property of the state.

The leaders comprised about 50 Bishops from the Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Pentecostal and Evangelical Churches under the umbrella body of All Churches in Imo State (Christian Association of Nigeria).

The church leaders noted that the recent insecurity in the state was as a result of political contestation and insisted that all political gladiators regardless of their political leaning must come together to restore peacef as it used to be.

Ebonyi: Umahi's Balance of Terror Benjamin Nworie in Ebonyi reports on the incessant cases of attacks and killings by armed herdsmen, amidst communal clashes despite concerted efforts by government to restore peace Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has warned that any herdsman or hoodlum who Continued on page 37

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FEATURES

As Insecurity Tears across the South-east wields AK-47 to unleash mayhem must receive balance of terror in the state. The reason is not far-fetched- since the second quarter of the year, the land of Ebonyi State has witnessed unfortunate deadly attacks, most of which were reportedly masterminded by killer herdsmen. Ebonyi State has lost several lives of indigenes to herdsmen, bandits and communal dispute for the past one year. This ugly development is not only worrisome but strange.

Ebonyi State has been relatively peaceful and adjudged as the most peaceful state in the country. Except some pockets of communal land dispute and cult clashes, the state barely has another insecurity situation.

Despite the fact that Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has since assumption of office braced up to fight any form of insecurity, the new trend of attacks are either perpetrated by herdsmen or hoodlums. Umahi also believes that apart from herdsmen killings, indigenes are responsible for some killings in the state.

And his balance of terror for any killer or weapon wielders is not limited to herdsmen.

While herdsmen kill innocent citizens of the state, unknown gunmen and hoodlums have recently unleashed mayhem on government facilities and maimed security operatives. Some security operatives, mostly the army and policemen have been gruesomely murdered in the state by hoodlums. The attacks were also extended to police stations and government facilities like offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Since the #EndSARS protest, it seems Ebonyi State has not known peace again.

People no longer sleep with their two eyes open. On daily basis, there are rumours and speculation that killers are around. Agents of fake news are deeply committed to ensure that citizens live in fear. Since the herdsmen's attack in Ekile community in Benue state, where Izzi people of Ebonyi State were massacred, rumours and speculation have been high that herdsmen are all roaming the streets of Abakaliki for another attack.

The irony is that everyone complies to whatever rumour and would not want to be a scapegoat. Even the security situation in other places also contribute to the fear raging in Ebonyi. However, amidst of the attacks, Ebonyi people have not lost confidence on Governor Umahi's bold steps and courage to protect his citizens at all measures and costs.

The governor has warned that there will be a balance of terror for any herdsman or hoodlums not minding his ethnic affiliation who wields Ak-47 in the Ebonyi State. The governor's action is based on some attacks which have taken place in the state.

Tuesday March 30, 2021 seems to be one of the saddest moments in this administration as the pains and agony of the attack on three communities in Ishielu Local Government Areas of the state cannot be healed. It was the first bloodletting terror unleashed to Ebonyi people by the maurauding herdsmen.

Officially, over 25 persons were sliced to death. The victims included young children, women, men and a pastor. The people of Egedegede, Obegu and Amuzu became prey to herdsmen, reported to have struck on revenge mission.

The attack on Egedegede, Obegu and Amuzu communities became the most unexpected, most shocking. It was shocking because the governor admitted that all the local herders vacated the local government before the incident. This, he suspected conspiracy on the part of the local herders, whom the governor may have seen as untroublesome and have lived peacefully in the state.

The attack was also shocking to Umahi because some of the local herders are lolitical office holders in the state. They attend security meetings and were actively involved in the administration of the state. So, to contemplate and execute such carnage was an eye-opener for Umahi. The attack so much stung Umahi to the bone marrow that he declared that he can't control the consequences if another attack happens in the state.

Ebonyi people are known warriors. If retaliation was an option, if allowed, the effect may have been catastrophic. But, the governor was proactive and the people saw his sincerity and love and the people have seemingly calmed down. He also appealed to the federal government for N5billion intervention fund for the families of the

for over 39 times but he didn't pick, the victims were evacuated to the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. The state Governor was furious and unhappy on the incident. He described the Benue killing as act of wickedness and satanism.

As the respective government continues to seek for and implement solutions that would bring lasting peace, all the citizens and residents of the states want is peace and security to thrive.

IG Baba

victims to help them shelter, feed and cloth themselves.

The Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo who visited the communities assured that justice must be served. He was accompanied by Minister for Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Minister for state for Mines and Steel, Uche Ogah.

According to the vice president, the massacre was very sad and very unfortunate. Osibanjo said " this massacre is very sad indeed and very unfortunate. I am not here just by myself, I am here also at the direction of Mr. President. At times when things like this happen, when people are killed, when incident like this happen and you feel particularly outraged.

"The reason is that those who have been mercilessly massacred are people like you and I who have hopes and aspiration; young ones, females and children who are people who woke up in the morning and are expected to go about their normal business, they are expected to go out and fend for themselves but they ended up dead not because of anything they have done wrong but because of cowardly wicked act by some other people who live in the same community with them".

The attack came at a time the state was battling to resolve yet another dreaded communal clash between Effium and Ezza-Effium community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.

The clash claimed several lives. The community has almost been razed down and has become a desert of sort.

Regrettably, since after the presidential visit, nothing substantial has happened as the attacks occurred in sequence and the people of Ngbo community became the next victims as they lost about 23 lives in April, shortly after the Egedegede incident. The attack on Ngbo community generated controversy over the actual perpetrators. However, Ebonyi State government insisted that the people of Agila in Benue state were responsible for the attack over the boundary dispute between the people of Ngbo in Ebonyi State and Benue State. But, other sources accused herdsmen of masterminding the attack.

However, the security situation in the state is highly troubling. Tensions have wrecked havoc in the minds of the people. Peddlers of fake news have increased. Every time, rumours of herders attack in other communities have increased. Gunshots and similar

sounds always filter into the town as another invasion. But, Umahi seems prepared in all fronts. He is deeply prepared to save the life of outsiders and indigenes.

Given the worsening insecurity, the South-east Security Network, codenamed, Ebubeagu, the Ebonyi State Command, has become the hope of the people. The security outfit has made remarkable progress in confronting the insecurity challenge.

In the last enlarged security council meeting, the state government announcement the immediate recruitment of 700 vigilantes to safeguard the 13 local government areas. Security agencies were seriously ordered to secure themselves, their facilities and the people.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Secretary to Ebonyi State Government and Coordinating Commissioner, Dr Kenneth Ugbala noted that the state government would no longer rebuild any police station attacked by hoodlums. Solar light and closed circuit television will now be installed at police stations and strategic places.

The commissioner for Internal Security, Mr Stanley Okoro also announced that 80 Sienna Vehicles and over 30 Hilux Vans have been procured for security agencies including Ebubeagu.

As the state was still battling to consolidate on the stability of peace, herdsmen struck again in Ekile community in Benue State. Though it happened in Benue State, the victims were Izzi people of Ebonyi state. The incident claimed about 45 lives who are predominantly from Ebonyi State.

Ekile is a community in Ado Local Government Area of Benue which has boundary with Izzi people in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The community is predominantly occupied by Izzi people. Izzi people migrated to Ekile about 100 years ago for agricultural enterprise and had continued to live there even though they speak Izzi dialect and still regard themselves as Izzi people.

When the incident happened, the Chairman of Ebonyi Council area, Mrs Chinyere Nwogbaga and the Speaker of Ebonyi state House of Assembly, Hon. Francis Nwifuru mobilised to the area for rescue mission. Obviously, noticing laxity from the government of Benue State, as Nwifuru claimed that he called the telephone number of the deputy governor of Benue state

While Nigeria's security operatives have fingered the indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its offshoot, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the pro-Biafra group, have continually denied responsibility for the ongoing carnage in the South-east. The situation leaves many conflict experts perplexed towards a comprehensive understanding of the triggers and consequences of insecurity in South-east Nigeria

Recent Effort by Police In a recent parley with THISDAY and other select media houses, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, addressed the incessant attack on police formations, especially in the South-east part of the country. He said concerted and intelligence-driven efforts of his team had drastically reduced such criminal activities.

"When last did you hear of such attacks on our formations? It is part of what we did and I can assure you that we are working hard to defeat insecurity in the country. But on the question concerning our strategy, you know quite well that I wouldn’t divulge such here,” he queried.

Emphasising on the collaboration with other security agencies and the traditional institutions including the monarchs and community-based groups, he opined that it was all targeted at a better secure nation.

Way Forward It was to address these concerns that the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) with support from European Union recently sought to convene a team of experts and stakeholders to review the growing violence.

The Multi-Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Peace and Security in Nigeria was themed "Examining the Current Security Crisis: Attacks on State Security Institutions in the Southeast Region".

In his presentation as earlier reported by THISDAY, on " What does it take for a State in Crises to Provide Security and Restore Hope for its People in the Face of Despair", Senior Lecturer and Researcher, Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Dr. Chris Kwaja, posited that the way out was for the Nigerian state to reclaim its monopoly of the instruments of coercion and ensure its usage in a legitimate and accountable manner, adding that "national dialogue as a key pathway for healing and rebuilding trust and national cohesion.

"De-militarise the public space as a condition for rebuilding trust with the military and empower the police to effectively law and order. Bridge the gap with the communities by providing for their security and welfare as a basis for making it difficult for them to be mobilised or recruited by violent extremist groups.

"Design and implement a robust programme on community policing or state police in ways that empowers the state and local government to effectively respond to early warning signs in a proactive manner".

Summarily, Nextier SPD posited that the Nigerian government has a duty to protect lives and livelihoods in the country, "however, in doing so, it must appear to be objective and not a government-sanctioned operation against the people. For instance, there are reports of unlawful arrests and detention of people in cities across South-east Nigeria as part of the current securitisation efforts of security operatives. The ongoing insecurity in the region and echoes of self-determination presents a highly delicate environment for security agencies to securitise.

"There is a need to initiate non-combative strategies that will counteract the growing distrust people may have towards the government. This distrust is evident in the reported raiding of communities in southeast Nigeria and large scale arrest of youths.

"Rather than resort to unlawful raiding and arrest of people, the Nigerian security operatives must demonstrate openness to work with the people in managing the escalating crisis in the southeast zone. The tensions in the area suggest that relying solely on combat actions will not achieve sustainable peace but widen the growing gap between government and the people", they added.

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BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

National Assembly Okays CAC Reform Initiatives James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË The National Assembly has commended the reform initiatives of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), which is geared towards boosting current efforts by the federal government to improving the ease of doing business in the country.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Senator Francis Fadaunsi, who led members of the committee on oversight function to the commission’s Port-harcourt office, particularly lauded the digital transformation process at the CAC adding that it had contributed immensely to the growth of the economy.

Fadahunsi commended the commission’s Registrar-General, Garba Abubakar, whom he said deserved a pat on the back for the great work he is doing implementing reforms to ease the registration processes.

The committee therefore, charged the commission to sustain the tempo of reforms noting that registration processes were now faster.

Fadahunsi, who described Abubakar as a “very courageous young man who fits the job”, urged him to keep up the good work by improving the commision’s revenue in order to remit more operating surplus to the federation account.

He also thanked President Mu-

hammadu Buhari for appointing a “brilliant young man to head a very important government agency like the CAC”.

Similarly, vice chairman of the committee, Senator Elisha Ishaku, alongside other members, also lauded the reform initiatives implemented by the commission and urged the registrar-general to sustain the tempo.

Highlights of the visit included a facility tour and interaction with staff of the CAC. Following the amendment of the Companies and Allied Matters (CAMA) Act, 2020, the commission had embarked on several initiatives particularly the digitisation of its operation for speed and quality delivery.

Court Restrains Union Against Picketing FIRS Offices James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË The National Industrial Court, Abuja Judicial Division has stopped the National Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) from either picketing the offices of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) nationwide or calling for a strike at any of the service’s offices across the country.

Justice O. Y. Anuwe issued the order of interim injunction on Friday in a suit, which the FIRS as claimant/applicant instituted against NCSU, the defendant/respondent. The court ordered that, “the respondents are restrained from picketing the offices of the applicant on 26th July 2021 or any other day pending the determination of the Motion on Notice. They are also restrained from going on strike, as by so doing, the very essence of the substantive suit is defeated.

“What this translates to in other words is that parties are to maintain the status quo, and are not to do anything that may be detrimental to the interest of the public, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice. The order to maintain status-quo however binds both parties in this suit.”

In another suit, NINC/ ABJ/157/2021 in which the

NCSU is suing the FIRS, the court refused the prayer of the NCSU seeking an order compelling the FIRS to continue the automatic deduction of check-off dues for the NCSU, which is a defunct union at the FIRS, from the salaries of the Service’s workers.

The two cases were adjourned to October 15, 2021 for a hearing of the motion on notice and originating summons.

The board of the FIRS, had in the July 18 announced the dissolution of the NCSU FIRS Unit (whose executive members are senior staff) which purportedly represents the junior staff cadre that is non-existent in the service.

Director, Communications and Liaison Department, FIRS, Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad, in a statement said the FIRS took that decision for reasons outlined in an official announcement circulated to all staff. “In line with Gazette No. 6 Vol 65 dated 8th February 1978 and National Industrial Court Judgement dated 27th June 1995, it is noted that the operations of Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) FIRS Unit as it is constituted today in FIRS is considered illegal as there are no longer any junior staff cadre employees in the service.

“There is accordingly no legal or another basis whatsoever

for the continued existence of a junior staff cadre union in FIRS as the cadre of staff it is deemed to cover do not exist within the organisation.

“A letter from Federal Ministry of Labour to the Head of Service of the Federation dated 19th February 2015 confirmed the above position in categorical terms,” the statement read.

It further clarified that “the right of workers to decide which union to belong is not absolute but must be exercised within the limits of Trade Unions Act CAP T14 LFN 2004. This position was confirmed in the Judgment of the National Industrial Court – NCSU vs ASCSN (2004) 1NLLR Part 3, 427.

“In the light of all the above, The FIRS Board at its Meeting No. 30 held on the 24th June 2021, therefore, directed that given items 1 & 2 above, the activities of NCSU FIRS Unit in the Service are henceforth considered illegal and the Union (NCSU FIRS Unit) is hereby proscribed with immediate effect.

“The Management also assured staff that it is unreservedly willing to work and cooperate with the only legitimate representatives of staff, that is to say, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

As part of efforts aimed at further simplifying tax remittances in Nigeria, SystemSpecs has collaborated with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to strengthen tax administration through its Remita Payment Gateway which powers payments on TaxPro-Max, a solution newly introduced for filing tax returns.

The company in a statement said the Remita Payment Gateway platform for private sector and government payments, has been integrated with the FIRS’s new TaxPro Max e-filling platform to automate tax filing, enable hassle-free registration, ease tax payments as well as provide a single-view of transaction records.

Tax Payers, it added, can now register online or visit the FIRS tax office nearest to them to get onboarded on TaxPro Max. Divisional Head, Business Development, SystemSpecs, Abayomi Oniku said the part-

nership between SystemSpecs and FIRS is expected to promote digitalisation of tax administration in Nigeria.

He noted that in fulfilling the organisation’s brand promise, the Remita Payment Gateway will continue to meet the payment needs of individuals, businesses and governments at all levels.

“In furtherance of our support for various sectors of the Nigerian economy, we have now also advanced our brand proposition to ensure that tax payment is faster, more convenient and efficient. Our latest partnership with the FIRS is geared towards helping individuals, corporate organisations and government agencies enjoy a convenient process of paying their taxes, anywhere and at any time to facilitate compliance.”

Oniku added that one of the benefits of paying taxes with Remita, on TaxPro-Max,

is the availability of multiple payment channels, including internet banking, card, transfer, USSD and if preferred, payers can also walk into a bank branch for their tax payments.

“Tax payers are expected to log on to the TaxPro-Max website, and click on the Remita logo to generate the Document Identification Number (DIN/RRR), and effect payment, using the most convenient of available Remita payment channels. For Government agencies, they would complete the transaction using their existing Remita profile.

“The new TaxPro-Max e-filling platform was developed to facilitate easy registration, filing, payment of taxes and enable the automated credit of withholding tax as well as other credits to the taxpayer’s account, among other features. The platform also avails taxpayers a single view for all transactions, “he explained.

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

FIRS, SystemSpecs Partner to Ease Tax Remittances

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ͯͳ ͰͮͰͯ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $73.15 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $75.29 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

39

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱʹ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Equities Market Rebounds on Improved Half-year Corporate Earnings Darasimi Adebisi The equities market rebounded last week as investors reacted positively to the beginning of the half year earnings season.

Although the market was opened for only three days following the public holiday declared on Tuesday and Wednesday to mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebration by Muslims, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) All-Share Index (ASI) appreciated by 1.9 per cent

compared with a decline of 0.12 per cent the previous week.

Specifically, the NGX ASI closed higher at 38,667.90, while market capitalisation closed at N20.147 trillion.

Market analysts attributed to positive performance to investors’ reactions to improved results for the half-year ended June 30, 2021. Unilever Nigeria Plc, Total Nigeria Plc and United Capital Plc reported their unaudited results, showing improvement

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

in all performance indicators.

Total Nigeria Plc recommended an interim dividend of N4.00 per share.

According to analysts at Cordros Securities, this week, investors will be focused on the outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting to gain further clarity on the movement of yields in the fixed income market.

“We also expect the NGX floor to be flooded with

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

corporate earnings as more companies publish their unaudited H1-21 numbers, accompanied by dividend declarations. We believe this should provide respite for market performance. Overall, we advise investors to take positions in only fundamentally justified stocks as the weak macro story remains a significant headwind for corporate earnings for corporate earnings,” they said.

Meanwhile, investors traded

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

896.174 million shares worth N5.235 billion in 11,714 deals last week, down from 1.008 billion shares valued at N10.923 billion that exchanged hands the previous week in 17,297 deals.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 718.570 million shares valued at N3.009 billion traded in 6,223 deals; thus contributing 80.18 per cent and 57.48 per cent to the total equity turnover volume

O F

and value respectively. The Consumer Goods followed with 46.437 million shares worth N948.489 million in 1,856 deals. The third place was Conglomerates Industry, with a turnover of 39.798 million shares worth N207.132 million in 366 deals. Trading in the top three equities namely; Jaiz Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc accounted for 369.879 million shares worth N385.516 million in 785 deals.

2 3 / 0 7 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

40

MONDAY, ͺ;˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

41

MONDAY JULY 26, 2021 • T H I S DAY

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 22Jul-2021, unless otherwise stated.

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS

GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Equity Fund 157.17 158.73 -4.18% Nigeria Entertainment Fund Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 4.85% GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Nigeria International Debt Fund 317.33 317.33 -21.35% Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Afrinvest Dollar Fund 111.53 111.53 -0.72% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.67% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Vantage Balanced Fund 2.92 2.99 2.46% Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 1.00 1.00 4.50% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 151.58 151.85 -2.52% AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.32% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 1.29 1.33 2.30% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.27 3.43 -3.83% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.09 1.09 0.37% info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 4.51% Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.42 1.44 4.17% Anchoria Equity Fund 135.38 136.93 1.78% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,137.23 1,137.23 4.78% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.10 1.10 -17.58% info@meristemwealth.com ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name 11.61 11.66 10.84% ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Equity Market Fund 10.00 10.00 8.17% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund info@pacassetmanagement.com ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD ARM Eurobond Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 ARM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Balanced Fund 1.64 1.68 7.23% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.68 11.74 -3.71% Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 4.74% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Equity Fund 1.65 1.66 4.42% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 105.28 105.28 3.51% PACAM EuroBond Fund 112.29 114.01 2.17% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,010.77 1,010.77 1.08% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1280 2227 Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name 132.76 135.04 9.69% AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM Capital Frontier Fund AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 10.11% CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.98 1.98 -14.32% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.07 2.11 -12.18% Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,275.92 3,310.65 2.00% 231.48 231.48 2.95% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 1.22 1.24 4.24% CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 304.57 304.57 3.36% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 223.34 226.70 2.34% Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 100.00 100.00 7.64% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,343.16 10,489.76 -1.44% Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.76% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.26 1.26 3.05% Paramount Equity Fund 16.61 16.92 3.87% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 114.85 114.85 3.39% Women's Investment Fund 137.17 138.76 3.07% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 102.45 102.45 CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.82% Fund Name United Capital Balanced Fund 1.29 1.31 1.16% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 118.38 119.13 United Capital Bond Fund 1.90 1.90 3.66% Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A United Capital Equity Fund 0.87 0.89 9.18% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 107.19 107.19 United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.89% CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com United Capital Eurobond Fund 119.10 119.10 4.07% Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.05 1.07 3.23% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 5.70% Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.38% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Coronation Balanced Fund 1.19 1.20 -1.20% Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.36 1.36 -14.00% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Zenith Equity Fund 12.96 13.07 9.17% Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Zenith Ethical Fund 14.24 14.36 16.55% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 24.21 24.21 0.97% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 2.22% Zenith Income Fund 1.00 1.00 5.33% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 3.61% Zenith Money Market Fund EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,134.10 1,147.76 -1.59% REITS FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 SFS REIT 124.53 10.25% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Union Homes REIT 51.79 2.65% FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,391.86 1,391.86 11.41% EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS FBN Balanced Fund 191.20 192.54 1.88% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Halal Fund 111.34 111.34 8.20% Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund 13.45 13.55 1.78% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.42% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

126.23 157.90

126.23 3.51% 160.08 4.45% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.96 1.58 1.18

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 4.95% 3.96 2.27% 1.62 4.02% 1.18 3.87% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 3,701.14 3,358.16 100.00

Offer Price 3,753.19 3,358.16 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn -1.18% 2.50% 5.57%

SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

127.19 100.85 18.01 18.34

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

130.26 102.99 18.11 18.44

5.74% 1.62%

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.95 5.91 17.66 1.00 19.91 150.68

3.99 5.99 17.76 1.00 20.11 152.68

4.58% 3.83% 8.76% 4.98% -2.96% -31.18%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.40

13.11%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

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MONDAY JULY 26, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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48

MONDAY, ͺ;˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

SERAP Sues FG over Gag Order on Reporting of Terrorist Attacks Udora Orizu in Abuja Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development have filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, asking the court to declare illegal, the gag order stopping journalists and broadcast stations from reporting details of terrorist attacks and victims.

The suit followed the recent directive by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) asking journalists, television and radio stations in Nigeria to stop glamourising and giving too many details on the nefarious activities of

terrorists and kidnappers during their daily newspaper reviews.

In the suit number FHC/ ABJ/CS/725/2021 filed last Friday on behalf of SERAP and PTCIJ by their lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Opeyemi Owolabi, they sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the government of President Buhari or any other persons from imposing fines or other sanctions on broadcast stations for carrying out their constitutional duties of reporting details of terrorist attacks and victims.

The organisations also sought an order to compel the NBC and Lai Mohammed to withdraw the directive asking journalists and broadcast stations to stop reporting details on terrorist attacks and

victims, as the directive was unlawful and inconsistent with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended], and the country’s international human rights obligations.

According to SERAP, "Unless the reliefs sought are urgently

granted by this Honourable Court, the directive by the NBC and Mr. Lai Muhammed would be used to impermissibly restrict Nigerians’ rights to freedom of expression, access to information, media freedom, and victims’ right to justice and effective

remedies.

“The failure by the government of President Buhari to direct the NBC to withdraw its directive on reporting of terrorist attacks and victims violates sections 5[a] and [b], 147 and 148 of the Nigerian Constitution, Code of

Conduct for Public Officers [Fifth Schedule Part 1], and Oath of office [Seventh Schedule] of the Constitution."

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the application for interim injunction, and the substantive suit.

PDP Govs Meet in Bauchi Today on Security, Economy, Electoral Act Chuks Okocha in Abuja Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will today meet on the state of insecurity, dwindling economy and controversy over the yet to be resolved electoral act amendment bill.

The meeting has as part of its agenda, the state of insecurity in Nigeria, stated in its agenda that it "will continue to interrogate the federal government’s response to the insecurity still pervading the country and profer workable solutions."

The meeting is taking place in Bauchi State today, Monday, July 26.

According to a statement by the Director General of the PDP Governors Forum, Cyril Maduabum, the agenda of the meeting include state of the Nigerian economy, the health of Nigeria's democracy including the Electoral Act Amendment and Constitution Alteration bills pending before the National Assembly The statement read in part: "The PDP Governors Forum will meet on Monday 26th July, 2021 at Bauchi, Bauchi State, the Pearl of Tourism..

"The meeting will examine and deliberate on the current

state of the nation, and the state of their respective states.

"Issues of unemployment, the general parlous state of the Nigerian economy, the health of Nigeria's democracy including the Electoral Act Amendment, Constitution Alteration bills pending before the National Assembly will top discussions at the meeting.

"The meeting will continue to interrogate the federal government’s response to the insecurity still pervading the country and profer workable solutions.

"The governors will continue to benchmark and exchange information and ideas on best practices on various aspects of governance in their respective states, as the PDP States and their governors are currently the major beacons of light, delivering substantial democracy benefits through projects and policies impacting on the lives of Nigerians, within the limits of the general bad governance by APC led federal government.

"The governors will also receive reports of some of the committees working on various aspects of party repositioning including the e-Registration programme of the Party."

LAST OFALA FESTIVAL… L-R: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Chief Ugochukwu Agballa; Prince Victor Ogakwu; Mrs. Sylvia Onwubuemeli; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, and Deputy Governor of the state, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, during the Last Ofala Festival of HRH Igwe (Dr.) Chris Ogakwu, held at Udi Town, Udi Local Government Area, yesterday.

Tension in FCT as IPOB's Leader, Nnamdi Kanu's Trial Resumes Today As security operatives take over roads linking Federal High Court Alex Enumah in Abuja There is palpable tension in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the trial of leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu resumed today at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu had in 2017 jumped bail and escaped out of Nigeria after a contingent of the Nigerian

Army attacked his family house in Afaruku in Abia State in September 2017.

The pro-Biafra secessionist agitator and three others were standing trial on a six count criminal charge bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony amongst others before his escaped from the country.

However following his rearrest and repatriation to the country late June, trial judge,

Justice Binta Nyako had fixed July 26 for continuation of his trial.

Owing to the importance of the trial and the spate of violence attributed to supporters of IPOB and Eastern Security Network (ESN), security has been beefed up in and around the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu, since his extradition to Nigeria has been in the

Offa/Erinle Crisis: You Can't Review Supreme Court Judgment, Babalola Warns Kwara Governor Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti A Legal Icon, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), has warned the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdurahman AbdulRazaq against reviewing the Supreme Court Judgement on the land dispute involving Offa and Erin Ile, saying he lacked the powers to undertake such action.

Babalola said he handled the Erin Ile's matter against Offa before Justice Funsho Daramola Commission of Inquiry on Offa/ Erin Ile boundary dispute in 1971, after which the court gave a judgement in favour of the town, by affirming that a place named 'Kere Ipinle', a boundary between the two feuding towns, belonged to Erin Ile. The Supreme Court had in its separate judgements delivered

by Justices Teslim Elias and Mary Odili, ceded the disputed

land to Erin Ile in 1973 and 2018 respectively, but the Kwara State government refused to implement the verdicts.

Babalola, who spoke, yesterday while receiving a delegation from Erin Ile at his office in Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti(ABUAD), said no individual could review the judgement of any court.

The six-man delegation comprised prominent members of Frontiers Club, Erin Ile, and other leaders, including Mr. Kolapo Usman, Muideen Bello, Ganiyu Daromosu, Adeola Ibrahim, Daromosu Azeez and Mr. Adamu.

Addressing the issue, the legal luminary said, "I was the one, who handled the matter in 1971 before Justice Funsho Daramola Panel of inquiry and we won.

"Later, the supreme court, the highest judicial body in the land, gave favourable judgement to Erin Ile on the same matter

in 1973.

"With this, nobody, no matter how highly placed can review what the Supreme Court had said. That can't happen", Babalola warned.

He added: "I am personally interested in this case, because I handled the case ab initio and by practice and convention, I am part and parcel of Erin Ile Community".

The Spokesman of the Erin Ile delegation, Bello, applauded Babalola for his service in ensuring justice for the town, but regretted that some powerful forces were working against the implementation of the apex court's verdict.

"It is very unfortunate that Supreme Court could be this debased. The powerful people were blocking the implementation of the judgements we got in 1973 and 2018. This shouldn't happen in a democracy," he said.

Describing the constitution of a review committee by the Kwara Governor on the land dispute as a desecration of the judiciary, the Secretary of Frontiers Club, Erin Ile, Adeola, accused a top member of President Muhammadu Buhari's cabinet of working hard to scuttle the implementation of the court's pronouncement.

"We are aware that in the past few weeks, the Buhari's aide has played host to the Olofa of Offa in Abuja, and has taken the latter to meet with some political office holders. We are also aware that top on the agenda of these engagements are the land issue, particularly how to undermine the undisputable ownership of the land by Erin Ile. "No amount of moves and the dropping of the President's name would however change that. The Kwara State government has one duty

and obligation on the land matter, and that is to enforce the Supreme Court judgement.

Any attempt to use subterfuge to fraudulently seize the land for Offa for any project whatsoever will not work.

"Constitutionally and legally, an administrative panel cannot sit on appeal of the decisions and judgement of the Supreme Court and neither can it impeach judicial pronouncement", Adeola said.

The Kwara government's review committee chaired by a former governor, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, has other statesmen like Justice Saidu Salihu, Alhaji Lak Jimoh, Chief Titus Ashaolu, Senator Simeon Ajibola, Alhaji Abubakar Ndakene, Senator Mohammed Ahmed, Permanent Secretary (Political, Cabinet and Special Services), Sabitiyu Kikelomo Grillo, and Professor Hassan Saliu, as members.

custody of the Department of State Service ( DSS), who are expected to produce him in court today, in addition to scores of Mobile Police officers that normally appear in court in such high profile cases.

While the government has warned that people who have no business in court that day should stay away, extra security measures have also been put in place to avoid possible security breach, considering the large turnout of IPOB supporters who usually throng to the premises of the Federal High Court each time Kanu's case came up.

Besides all roads linking the Federal High Court, are to be barricade to on Monday to prevent any disturbances during the trial.

An unverified memo on security alert stated that, " All roads leading to the Federal H/Court, Central Area, will be blocked tomorrow 26/07/21.

"This follows the commencement of the trial of proscribed IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

"Employees are advised to seek alternative routes, exercise caution".

Justice Nyako had adjourned Kanu's trial in absentia to October but had to bring it forward following his re-arrest and extradition.

The judge had in 2019 issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the secessionist agitator, after revoking Kanu's bail.

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FOURTY-NINE

House Asks EFCC to Probe NIMASA over Non-rendition of Account in Five Years Urges anti-graft agency to prosecute NSITF DGs

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The House of Representatives has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) over what it called “the reckless refusal” by the agency to render accounts of its financial transactions in the past five years. The lawmakers said the NIMASA management’s

action was despicable and in clear violation of Section 85(3) (b) of the 1999 Constitution.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of recommendations of the House Committee on Public Accounts.

This was after an inquest into allegations of deliberate refusal by non-treasury funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to remit audited accounts covering 2014 – 2018 to the Auditor General for the

Federation.

In a copy of the report seen by THISDAY, the lawmakers alleged that NIMASA had only rendered the 2014 audited accounts to the Auditor General and was yet to remit its 2015 to 2018 audited accounts. The House frowned on the recklessness of the agency’s management, stating that in spite of the huge revenue being generated by it from the coastlines, it refuses to be audited.

In the course of the investigative hearing, the report stated that the committee invited the Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation, and some Directors of NIMASA to give reasons for the non-rendition of the accounts by the Director General to the Auditor General’s Office in compliance with Section 20 of the Procurement Act, 2007,

and FR. No. 3129.

The House stated, "The reckless refusal by the management of the agency to render accounts for their stewardship for the past five years now is despicable and is a violation of Section 85(3) (b) of the 1999 Nigeria Constitution.

"All those in office that were responsible should be disciplined and referred to the EFCC to refund all monies received by them from the government for the period 2015 - 2019 to the

Treasury in line with FR 3129 of 2009."

The House also expressed displeasure over the refusal of the National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to render its audited accounts in the last 13 years, despite benefiting from the federal treasury over the years. It noted that the Auditor General’s office confirmed that the last time NSITF rendered its audited account was 2005, leaving 2006 to 2018 still outstanding.

B I G F I V E B A N KS ’ LOA N S TO C U STO M E R S H I T N 5 0 T R N I N F I V E Y E A R S Access Bank was closely followed by Zenith Bank, whose total loans and advances in the review period stood at N11.297 trillion, despite its penchant for organic growth.

First Bank lent out a total of N9.825 trillion in the five year-period, UBA supported its customers with a total of N9.488 trillion, while GTBank lent N7.460 trillion to its customers within same period.

A further breakdown of the customers’ loans and advances showed that Access Bank gave out a total of N3.218 trillion in 2020; N2.911 trillion in 2019; N1.994 trillion in 2018; N1.996 trillion in 2017; and N1.809 trillion in 2016.

For Zenith Bank, its total loans to customers in 2020 was N2.779 trillion; N2.305 trillion in 2019; N1.823 trillion in 2018; N2.100 trillion in 2017; and N2.289 trillion in 2016. In the same vein, FBN Holdings reported total customer loans and advances of N2.217 trillion in 2020; N1.852 trillion in 2019; N1.670 trillion in 2018; N2.001 trillion in 2017; and N2.084 trillion in 2016.

A breakdown of the five-year period for UBA showed that in 2020 it gave out a total of N2.555 trillion as loans to its customers spread across the continent, and did N2.061 trillion in 2019, N1.715 trillion in 2018, N1.651 trillion in 2017, and N1.505 trillion in 2016.

For GTBank, in 2020 it gave out a total of N1.663 trillion as loans to its customers; N1.500 trillion in 2019; N1.259 trillion in 2018; N1.448 trillion in 2017; and N1.589 trillion in 2016.

Despite the relatively high

aggregate loan, experts say there is need for financial institutions to do more considering the country’s wide infrastructure gap, which reports indicate would require about $3 trillion over the next 30 years to close.

Global management consulting firm, Mckinsey & Company, noted in a recent report that the unprecedented scale of the COVID-19 slowed down bank lending in Nigeria and forced the financial institutions to re-examine and reimagine the way they did things.

The report said, “For financially strong tier-1 banks with scale (resilient and market leaders), now is the time to consider investing in technology infrastructure and talent to expand beyond current customers and products.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and other on-going pressures present the sector with a new vantage point from which to address structural vulnerabilities and position itself for sustainable long-term growth.”

To thrive beyond the crisis, Nigerian banks would need to bolster their capital levels and grow capital faster than the rates of inflation and devaluation, the report noted.

The report said, “This will be no small feat in the current environment. Given the need to meet Basel III requirements, the possible deterioration of asset quality, and some foreignexchange-based commitments to service, it is likely that another round of consolidation and capital raising is approaching.”

On their part, Senior Analyst at Coronation Asset

Banks

2020 (N’trn)

2019 (N’trn) 2018 (N’trn)

2017 (N’trn)

2016 (N’trn)

1,993,606

1,995,988

1,809,459

Access Bank

3,218,107

2,911,580

Zenith Bank

2,799,027

2,305,565

1,823,111

2,100,362

2,289,365

FirstBank

2,217,268

1,852,411

1,670,476

2,001,223

2,083,894

UBA

2,554,975

2,061,147

1,715,285

1,650,891

1,505,319

GTBank

1,662,732

1,500,572

1,259,010

1,448,533

1,589,430

Management, Ope Ani, and the company’s Head of Research, Guy Czartoryski, told THISDAY in a recent interview that loan growth in the present climate remained challenging, as it

increased risk pressure and asset quality concerns for banks.

They pointed out that an improvement in structural issues and the overall macro environment would help

COURT RESTRAINS FG FROM ACCESSING N200BN UNCLAIMED DIVIDENDS Representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the Suit NO. FHC/AB/FHR/14/2021.

The applicants sought an order restraining the respondents from calling for or transferring the unclaimed dividends of the applicants from their respective companies to the Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund in accordance with Part xv of the Finance Act,

2020.

Hon. Justice J. O. Abdulmalik last Friday, July 23, granted interim orders restraining the respondents from bringing into force the “proposed new rules on unclaimed dividends (E-dividend mandate) or any new rules on unclaimed dividend not in force before 31st December, 2020.”

The court also restrained the

NNPC: NIGERIANS SPENT N2.07TN ON PETROL IN 12 MONTHS company, this comprised 1.414 billion litres of petrol and 0.17 billion litres of diesel, consumed

by Nigerians during the period.

However, it was unclear how local consumption figures jumped from just 50.53 million litres in February 2021 to 103 million litres in May, as recently announced by the Group Managing Director of the corporation, Mallam Mele Kyari. Although Kyari, who spoke during a stakeholders meeting organised by the corporation to discuss how best to stop smuggling in the country, had blamed illegal sales across the borders for the development, no new reasons were given for the over 100 per cent increase in consumption from February to May ,2021.

“In very recent data, we saw what we really wanted in the beginning of May and June. There was a day we loaded out about 103 million litres of PMS (petrol) within one day across the depots,” he had said during the meeting.

The petrol consumption figures showed that from February to May 2020, 59.6 million, 53.16 million, 33.01 million litres and 30.67 million litres were distributed by the Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC) respectively.

In June 2020, it was 44.84

million litres, in July 2020, consumption was still relatively low at 33.42 million litres, it was 30.67 million litres in in August 2020, while in September 2020, daily distribution was 20.1 million.

Furthermore, average daily product distribution sales volume was 39.50 million litres in October last year, 57.53 million litres in November and was 73.10 million and 46.34 million litres in December and January 2021 respectively.

In addition, the just-released NNPC data showed that during the Covid-19 lockdown last year, fuel importation decreased from an average of 1.812 billion litres in April 2020 , to a miserly 495 million litres in May, but increased to 767 million in June before stabilising and hitting 2.39 billion in October, the highest in the entire 2020.

Furthermore, the NNPC stated that between January 2020 to January 2021, cumulative production from all fields totalled 704.30 barrels of crude oil, translating to an average daily production of 1.77 barrels per day.

According to the report, comparing the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) performance to national production, the company’s production share was

assuage the concerns and spur loan growth.

The analysts stated, “Recent developments around credit infrastructure (collateral registries, credit bureaus)

have certainly been positive with respect to driving risk asset creation. So, there is a foundation for banks to increase their loan books going forward.

However, loan growth also needs to be looked at in the context of capital.

“The distribution of capital across the banks featured in the report is unequal in terms of the percentage of total capital to assets (or, more technically, interest-earning assets). We have seen some banks hold back by not wanting to increase capital and actually changing their strategy to maximise the returns from the loan portfolios that they already have.

“So, for loan growth to take place, and because it requires capital, it is necessary to achieve and maintain a certain level of profitability. Of course, the regulator’s response, in the middle of 2019, was to impose the loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) regime that requires banks to make customer loans equivalent to 65 per cent of their deposits.

“This worked very well in 2019, with overall gross loans rising sharply. However, once most banks were compliant with it, the effects of the policy were not as strong during 2020.”

10.16 per cent, with the NNPC subsidiary projected to ramp-up production level to 250,000bp/d in the near future.

Production from NPDC wholly operated assets amounted to 27,096,285 barrels or 38.47 per cent of the total NPDC production, with Okono Okpoho (OML 119) alone producing 19.42 per cent of the NPDC wholly owned operated assets and 7.47 per cent of the total NPDC production.

Also, the report stated that in the NPDC operated JV assets, in which it owns 55 per cent controlling interest, crude oil production amounted to 30,537,911 barrels or 43.36 per cent of the NPDC total production.

In January 2021, NNPC revealed that a total volume of 49.26 million barrels of crude oil and condensate was lifted by all parties, adding that out of this volume, 10.22 million barrels was lifted by NNPC on behalf of the federation, while the balance of 39.04 million barrels were lifted by the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and the independents.

“Of the 10.22 million barrels lifted on the account of NNPC in January 2021, 5.74 million barrels and 0.57 million barrels were for domestic and export markets respectively.

“At an average oil price of

$56.80/barrel and exchange rate of N379/$, the domestic crude oil lifted by NNPC is valued at $326,134,455 or a naira equivalent of N123,604,958,630.71 for the month of January 2021.

“The remaining crude oil lifted for export was valued at $30,993,088 at an average price of $54.16/barrel. The total value of crude oil lifted on the account of NNPC in January 2021 was thus $357,127,544,” the report noted.

From January 2020 to January 2021, NNPC revealed that a total volume of 698 million barrels of crude oil and condensate was lifted by all parties.

As had been the trend for some time, in February 2021, the three refineries processed no crude and had a combined yield efficiency of zero per cent, “owing largely to ongoing rehabilitation works in the refineries,” NNPC noted.

“The combined value of output by the three refineries (at Import Parity Price) for the month of February 2021 amounted to approximately N0.10billion.

No associated crude plus freight cost for the three refineries since there was no production but operational expenses amounted to N6.98 billion. This resulted to an operating deficit of N6.88billion by the refineries,” the corporation said.

federal government from harassing, intimidating, inviting and/or ordering public limited liability companies or their Registrars for questioning for purpose of taking or giving accounts of the unclaimed dividends, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.

A copy of the judgment obtained by THISDAY showed that the case was adjourned to October 25 for hearing of the applications as well as the substantive matter.

The chairman of PWSA, Mr. Simon Emokeraro, said the shareholders were seeking “an Order of the Honourable Court for the enforcement of the applicants' fundamental rights to acquire and own immoveable and moveable personal property; an order restraining the federal government, that is, the Respondents, from calling for or transferring the unclaimed dividends of the Applicants in public quoted companies to the Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund; an order restraining the Respondents from harassing, intimidating, inviting the companies or their Registrars for the purpose of transferring the unclaimed dividends belonging to the applicants to the Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund contrary to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the African Charter on Human and People's Rights Act, Laws of the Federation.

“Others are: an order of the Honourable Court restraining the Respondents from borrowing the unclaimed dividends belonging to the applicants; a declaration by the Honourable Court that the applicants have rights guaranteed and protected under sections 43 & 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

Articles 14 and 24 of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights and Article 17 of the United Nation's Charter on Human Rights 1945 and sections 42 (1) and (2) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act; a declaration of the Honourable Court that Part XV of the Finance Act 2020 calling for or transferring the unclaimed dividends of the applicants in public quoted companies to Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund by the respondents without any constitutional grounds is unconstitutional, null and void and of no moment as it violates the applicants fundamental rights; and a declaration of the Honourable Court that the applicants are entitled to claim their dividends without coercion, stampede, and intimidation from the respondents.”

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN % UNIVINSURE 0.02 0.22 10 OANDO 0.36 3.97 9.9 TOTAL 20.18 203.20 9.9 CUTIX 0.43 4.38 9.8 GUINNESS 2.65 31.65 9.1 TOP LOSERS NGN % UPL 0.14 1.41 9.0 CHAMPBREW 0.20 2.05 8.8 REDSTAR 0.10 3.20 3.0 INTERBREW 0.15 5.20 2.8 NAHCO 0.06 2.26 2.6 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,540.00 Volume: 230.254 million shares Value: N2.311 billion Deals: 4,135 As at yesterday 23/7/2021 See details on Page 39

50

MONDAY JULY 26, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Bakare Condemns Clampdown on Kanu, Igboho, Tackles Unnamed FG’s Official The General Overseer, Citadel Global Community Church (formerly called The Latter Rain Assembly), Lagos, Pastor Tunde Bakare, yesterday, condemned the recent clampdown on the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, (a.k.a Sunday Igboho), saying the federal

government has replaced the search for justice with intimidation and brutality.

Bakare, who was the running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari when the President contested election on the platform of the former Congress for Progressive Change in 2011, said this during a sermon in his church in Ikeja,

Lagos State.

The cleric, who said his recent pronouncements had been making some people uncomfortable, dared a particular official of the regime of Buhari to come after him if the government was offended by those comments.

“I dare you to come after me since that is the usual style

now. You might have done it to others; you are about to learn a lesson if you touch me,” said the cleric, who did not name the government official. If you know what I have done in secret, bring it to the open. I dare you to come after me if you can. I worked with you; I worked for you; I supported you to get there (where you

are). When I talk now, I now have a smelly mouth. I am not interested in meeting you any longer; no more visits. Now, it is war, because Nigeria must be set free,” Bakare said.

The cleric, who went down memory lane to narrate how he supported the top official to get his current position in the President Buhari

administration, said the official could move against him, if he so wished.

He asked the official if had forgotten what transpired between them when only himself and the official were alone in a room after the official had vowed never to contest the post he had contested and lost out on three occasions.

Igboho: Olubadan Sends Delegation to Cotonou Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oyo State, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has sent a delegation to Benin Republic to observe the proceedings of the court case involving a Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

The Ibadan monarch, who did not disclose the identity of the members of the delegation, yesterday said those to observe the court proceedings would be in couwrt unfailingly today.

Oba Adetunji stated this at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace yesterday while exchanging views with some leaders of thought among whom were the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) PresidentGeneral, Prince Yemisi Adeaga; first Vice President-General, Dr. Tirimisiyu Oladimeji; Ekefa Olubadan, Chief Lekan Alabi; Ajia Olubadan, Chief Wasiu Aderoju Alaadorin; Mogaji Makusota, Prof. Oluwasegun Adekunle, and his Personal Assistant, Mr. Adeola Oloko.

The monarch in a statement made available to THISDAY

by Oloko said the action has

become necessary in order to allay the fears of several people, including protesters, who besieged Olubadan’s palace often that he is not folding his arms over the travails of Igboho and his loyalists.

According to him, “Sunday Igboho lives in Ibadan, got married in Ibadan, breed his children in Ibadan, built houses in Ibadan, and as such, he has the rights to be protected by Ibadan traditional institution within the ambit of the law just like any other person in Ibadan.”

The traditional ruler, who stated that he was in constant touch with other Yoruba prominent royal fathers, including Igboho royal crowns, allayed public fears of a repeat performance of Yoruba-Fulani coalition of 1814.

According to Oba Adetunji, “Students of Nigerian history may wish to be reminded that when some people, during the period under reference, chose to engage in territorial expansion to the sea, it took the Ibadan army under Balogun Oderinlo to repel the attack and stop the incursion near Osogbo.”

Expose Criminals in Your Midst, Emir Charges Fulani Leaders Chuks Okocha in Abuja Emir of Muri, Alhaji Abbas Njidda Tafida, has met with Fulani leaders in his palace in Jalingo, Taraba State, charging them to weed out criminals amongst them.

The meeting, coming six days after the Emir warned criminals among Fulani herdsmen to stop their criminal activities or face the wrath of the people, was attended by all Hardos, Jauros and Fulani associations.

It was held to further find a lasting solution to the criminal activities of some herdsmen.

Tafida’s statement after the Sallah prayers last Tuesday had rattled security agencies as he issued death threat against criminal Fulani herdsmen.

He issued a 30-day ultimatum to criminal Fulani herders to vacate the forests within the State or be forced out over atrocities linked to them.

At the meeting yesterday, THISDAY gathered that Emir said his marching orders were not directed to all Fulani herdsmen but to those among them who engage in kidnapping and other criminal activities.

The Chairman of Miyyetti

Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Taraba State branch, Sahabi Tukur, who was at the meeting, said that the Emir had expressed his displeasure over some herdsmen who have been linked with kidnapping.

He said the Emir, who is also Fulani, was not happy that Fulani herdsmen were linked to kidnapping and warned that the bad eggs must be sorted out and dealt with in accordance with the law.

Tukur added that the Emir had further told the Fulani leaders at the meeting that they must act positively to bring sanity among all Fulani herdsmen.

“You must weed out all criminal elements among you and restore the good image of Fulani which is gradually being tarnished by activities of bad eggs that engaged in kidnapping and other forms of criminal activities,” the Emir was quoted as saying.

However, Sahabi revealed that various committees would be set up to address the issue of criminal activities by some Fulani herdsmen and to restore the damaged image of the Fulani herders.

HOSTING THE SPEAKER…

Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (left); and Chairman, Waltersmith Group, Mr. Abdulrasaq Isa, during a dinner hosted in honour of the speaker by Isa in Lagos...recently

Ogun LG Poll: APC Wins All 20 Chairmanship Seats Nseobong Okon-Ekong

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has won all the 20 chairmanship seats in Saturday’s local government elections in Ogun State.

The results were announced on Sunday by The Chairman of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGISIEC), Babatunde Osibodu, who announced the results in Abeokuta, said the total number of votes cast in the chairmanship elections in the 20 local government areas was 396, 641.

“I want to say that APC won all the chairmanship seats in the 20 local government areas in the state,” Osibodu said.

Other political parties that took part in the election include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), African Action Congress (AAC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP), Accord and the Young Progressives Party (YPP).

The APC candidates won with high figures, scoring more than 90 per cent of total votes cast in all the local government areas.

In Ifo local government area, out of a total votes cast of 24,944, APC’s Delano Kikelomo recorded 23,886 votes. Her closest rival Awodeji Babalola of the PDP scores 980 votes, Akinboro

Olanrewaju of the AA had no votes to his name, Falabi John of the LP scores 39 votes, while Gabriel Somoye of the NNPP also scored 39 votes. In Egbado (Yewa) South, Akinpele Ishola of AA had 128 votes, Hon. Salami Adebayo of the APC was elected with 12, 249 votes. APC’s Fadipe Akande was elected chairman of Imeko-Afom local government area with 12,171 votes, while Adeyemi Abosede of the NNPP scored 209 votes. In Ikenne local government area, AAC’s Oyebamiji Bamidele scored 58 votes, while 8238 votes were recorded for Olusegun Ogunleye of the APC, Adesanya Albert of the PDP had 731 votes The elected chairmen also include: Agbetokun Akibu

Olawale for Ipokia Local Government Area; Ogunsola Adesina for Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area; Ladejobi Shuaib Adebayo for Odogbolu Local Government Area; Mudashiru Adekunle for Ogun Waterside Local Government Area; Odunsi Adedapo for Remo North Local Government Area; Odulate Olashile for Sagamu Local Government Area; Adeyemo Folasade for Odeda Local Government Area; Majekodunmi Omolaja for Abeokuta South Local Government Area; Adebayo Ayorinde for Abeokuta North Local Government Area; Ogunyomi Gabriel for Egbado (Yewa North), Musa Adewale for Ado-Odo Ota.

Build More Hospitals for Ekiti, Not Cemetery, PDP Tells Fayemi Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ekiti State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), has mocked Governor Kayode Fayemi for celebrating the inauguration of cemetery as part of development project that was initiated by his administration.

The PDP told Fayemi that what Ekiti residents demanded from the state government were hospitals and life-saving projects that could prolong lives.

The party stated that it

has become evident that the governor was providing enough burial spaces for the victims of his alleged bad policies.

The party was reacting to the commissioning of a 260,000 capacity first private cemetery in Ekiti by Fayemi last week.

The Ekiti State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Raphael Adeyanju, said that the government wants to profit from the high mortality rate occasioned by insecurity and bad economic policy of the APC controlled administration,

both at the state and the national level.

Adeyanju said: “We are not surprised that Governor Fayemi has decided to make provision of cemetery his major priority since his administration is not interested in building good hospitals to promote sound health for Ekiti. This is government takes no joy in taking food from the table of Ekiti people and watch them starve to death. “ The PDP spokesman described the APC government

as harbinger of sorrows and death, and recalled that workers in the services of the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, had met their untimely death because they were wrongly sacked by the administration.

He said: “Many innocent job applicants that bought their employment forms and pass through rigorous examination were not given employment letters even after passing the interview. Many of these could not survive the shock of double standard of the APC.”

Zulum Allocates Land for Skills Acquisition Centre for Police Widows, Orphans Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri The Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has directed the allocation of land to Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) for the establishment of a skills acquisition centre that would train widows and orphans of deceased police personnel.

Zulum also ordered the renovation of Police Primary School in Maiduguri.

He gave the directives on Saturday while receiving the wife of the Inspector General of Police, who is POWA’s President, Mrs. Hajara Usman Alkali, at the Government House in Maiduguri.

She informed Zulum

about deplorable conditions of the Police Primary School in Maiduguri, seeking the governor’s intervention.

She also requested allocation of land to POWA for establishment of a skills acquisition centre to train widows and orphans of policemen.

The governor also directed

the Borno State Geographic information services (BOGIS) to immediately identify and allocate suitable land to the POWA. The IGP’s wife, who hails from Borno State, commended Zulum on his laudable efforts towards restoration of peace and progressive development to the state.

MONDAY JULY 26, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

51

NEWS XTRA

Technology Experts Write INEC, Insist on e-Transmission of Results Emma Okonji

Experts in information technology (IT) have insisted that electronic transmission (e-transmission) of election results from polling units to designated servers of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), is realisable in Nigeria with the 3G technology that adequately covered the country and support electronic transmission of results.

The President of Nigeria

Computer Society (NCS), Professor Adesina Sodiya, told THISDAY yesterday that electronic transmission of results would be possible in Nigerian elections and that the NCS had at the weekend, wrote to the INEC, giving it instances why it should adopt electronic transmission of results for all elections.

Sodiya explained that electronic transmission of results is one of the components of electronic voting

(e-voting), which the NCS has always advocated for because of its many benefits to national development.

He said: “If Nigerian government is sincere about the use of technology in enhancing electoral processes, government should not be afraid of a component of the entire e-voting

system that Nigerians have been clamouring for.

“Electronic transmission of results is not rocket science because Nigerians are already using the same technology to transfer money, send text messages and video images to people. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), conducted exam

recently in over 700 centres and was able to transmit results electronically to JAMB’s central office in Abuja and it worked.”

Sodiya said that the NCS made it clear that it would give the INEC all necessary technical support it would require to ensure smooth transmission of election results electronically.

He explained that one of the goals of the NCS is to provide technical support for the adoption of technology in the country and warned against a situation where politicians would play politics with election results, adding that electronic transmission of results will bring about transparency in election matters.

We Can’t be Gencos’ Obligor in Deal with Gas Suppliers, Says NBET Peter Uzoho The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc has said it cannot provide securitisation or be an obligor to power generation companies (Gencos) in the gas supply contracts existing between them and their gas suppliers.

The company added that the recent claim by the Gencos that NBET as their obligor had not fulfilled its securitisation obligation to them in the last seven years was not a true reflection of realty in the Nigerian electricity market.

NBET also stated that the federal government was aggressively bringing liquidity and stability back to the comatose power sector through various initiatives and

interventions as contained in the Power Sector Reform Programme (PSRP) currently under implementation.

THISDAY had reported last week that the Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), Mrs. Joy Ogaji, had claimed that one of the challenges facing Gencos was the request by gas suppliers that Gencos should provide “securitisation” before they could supply them gas.

Speaking at a session recently in Abuja, Ogaji had explained that NBET was expected to provide the securitisation in the form of a bankable commercial letter of credit from a commercial bank to the Gencos, but that NBET had not given them such since the privatisation in 2013.

Alleged Rape: We’ve Nothing to Hide, Says Premiere Academy Kuni Tyessi in Abuja Premiere Academy Lugbe, Abuja, which is the secondary school at the centre of controversy over the death of Mr. Keren Akpagher, has pushed back on allegations of sexual harassment that lead to the death of the 14-year-old SS1 student.

The Acting Principal of the School, Mr. Christopher Akinsowon, in a statement yesterday said the school has zero tolerance for sexual harassment of any kind, whether verbal or physical, as well as in-campus misconduct.

Akinsowon vowed that “in the unlikely event that any form of sexual assault happened to Keren Akpagher in the school,

leading to her death, the school board and management will join hands with all relevant security agencies to prosecute such a person in line with the laws of the land.

“The autopsy result is not out yet. It is a part of the investigation process the school insists must be allowed to take its course. We earnestly await the result and plead that nothing should be said to pre-empt whatever the outcome might be,” he said.

He described reports that their students have sworn to an ‘oath of secrecy’ as very disturbing and asked: “how can secondary students take an ‘oath of secrecy; this is nothing but blackmail and an attempt to divert the minds of the public from the truth.”

Dangote Emerges Nigeria’s Most Impactful Local Content Company of the Year For its strict adherence to the local content policy of the federal government, the Dangote Oil Refinery has been awarded the National Oil Company of the year with the most impactful local content development initiative and opportunity in the downstream sub-sector of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.The award was presented to the company virtually at the 2021 edition of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) with the theme: ‘Leveraging Opportunities and Synergies for Post Pandemic Recovery of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry’, wish was held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, recently.

The NOGOF award, according to the organisers, was a confirmation of the efforts of Dangote Oil Refinery in local capacity development in the oil and gas industry.

According to the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, the 2021 NOGOF award is local content-driven looking at how projects by related organisations are using the criteria per each award category to gauge contributions to the success of the local content development in the oil and gas sector being monitored

by NCDMB as mandated by the Local Content Act of Nigeria, 2010.

EMPOWERING THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED…

L-R: Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Tajudeen Olusi; Oba of Igbobi-Sabe, Oba Owolabi Adeyemi Adeniyi; APC chieftains, Hon. Wale Osun; Hon. Akeem Adeyemi; Senator representing Lagos Central senatorial district, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; and the beneficiary, Mr. Adebayo Adewunmi , during the Financial Empowerment and Presentation of Wheelchairs to Persons Living with Disability by Tinubu at Yaba LCDA Secretariat, Lagos...recently

Delta Monarchs Sue for Peace over Olu of Warri Kingship Tussle Sunday Okobi The Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers has called on all interested parties in the Olu of Warri Kingship tussle to maintain peace and harmony and assured them that lasting solution is being sought to resolve the lingering impasse in the Itsekiri kingdom.The monarch warned that recourse to self-help would bring the reverend ancient throne

to disrepute.

This plea was made in a nine-point communiqué issued and read by the Chairman of the traditional Council, His Majesty, Obi of Owa Kingdom, Dr. E. O Efeizomor II, at the end of the monthly meeting held in Asaba, the Delta State’s capital.

The traditional rulers noted in the communique that they received a position paper from the embattled Ologbotsere of Warri

Kingdom, Mr. Ayiri Emami and warned that the warring parties to sheathe their swords and return to a roundtable in order to find amicable solution to the crisis rocking the throne.

The council said: “The council appeals to all stakeholders in the Warri kingship dispute to please respect the sanctity of peace and dignity of the kingdom, as we pray for peace to return to that great kingdom.”

It also used the forum to deplore the worsening insecurity in the country, and called for all hands to be on deck to arrest the situation. The council also noted with interest the increase in political activities in the state ahead of 2023, urging all political gladiators to join hand with the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration to enable it finish strongly in the area of democratic deliverables.

Military Move against Bandits in Niger Forest Laleye Dipo in Minna The Nigerian military has announced its readiness to carry out a major operation against kidnappers and other undesirable elements in the Kwangai forests of Niger State.

The Former Niger Police Commissioner, Mr. Adamu Usman, disclosed this while speaking at a send forth organised in his honour by the Niger State Police Command following his elevation to the rank of an Assistant Inspector General of Police.

Usman, who said his major regret in his two year stint in

Niger State was the inability of the command to flush out bandits from the different forests in the state.

He added that “my sadness is that I could not clear the forests of bandits before leaving, but my brother in the Military is moving to Kwangai forest to do what I could not do.

“I am saddened by my inability to destroy the hideouts of bandits in the forest wreaking havoc in parts of the state.”

He observed that the state is facing a lot of security challenges like banditry and kidnapping, adding that “crime

and criminality are also ongoing and there is nothing you can do to just wipe them away at once, you just have to mitigate the challenge and that is what we have been doing and this will continue whether I am here or not here.”

Usman also observed that the country is presently going through a lot of security challenges, stressing that “the force is trying it’s best to mitigate it.

“What we are committed and determined to fight bandits, kidnapping and other criminalities confronting our nation.”

In a message to the ceremony, the Niger State Governor, Mr. Abubakar Sani Bello, reiterated the commitment of his administration to synergise with and support police in the task of tackling the security challenges facing the state.

Speaking through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, Bello described AIG Usman as a principled but flexible leader, “who is unbendable when an action cannot be justified, but bendable, if such action can be justified.”

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Edo State Police Command has arrested two persons suspected to be cultists at the weekend in Benin City, capital of Edo State.

The two suspects whose names were given as Ratmond Imasuen (32) and Precious Ajayi (24) were said to have been arrested at Etiosa community, along the BeninSapele Road bypass.

According to a statement by the Edo State Police

Public Relations Officer, Bello Kotongs, the suspects were caught with one pump action gun and some dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

Kotongs disclosed that the suspects belonged to one of the deadly cult groups terrorising innocents citizen within Benin City and environ, adding that the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Phillip Ogbadu, has reiterated his commitment for a crime free Edo State by directing all area commanders, DPO’s

and tactical commanders to intensify visibility within the state with the aim of arresting unrelenting criminal element in the state.

The statement reads: “Today 24/07/2021 at about 10.46 hours, operatives of the Anti-kidnaping and Cyber Crime Unit of Edo State Police Command while on township patrol along Benin-Sepele Road bypass by Etiosa Community intercepted an ash coloured Lexus 330 car with registration number FUG 571 SB with two

occupants.

“On the spot search conducted on the vehicle led to the recovery of one pump action gun and some dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

The suspects are, one Imasuen Raymond ‘M’ 32 yrs and Precious Ajayi ‘M’ 24 years were subsequently arrested. The suspects also confess to be a member of one of the deadly cult group in Benin City. They will soon be charge to court accordingly.”

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NEWS XTRA

Flying Doctors: PPP, Tech Innovation Solution to $66bn Finance Gap in Africa Goddy Egene

Public Private Partnership (PPP) and technological innovation have been cited as part of the solutions to plug the healthcare financing gap in Africa countries put at $66 billion.

The Founder of Flying Doctors Healthcare Investment Company, Dr. Ola Brown, stated this during a panel session to mark the launch of the 2021 Africa Healthcare Report titled: ‘Impact Investing and Healthcare Financing in Africa.’

A statement quoted Brown to have disclosed that poverty and financing constraints have prevented African countries from plugging their healthcare gaps, noting that, this was one of the several reasons why the report was written and where impact investing would come into play.

“In order for quality healthcare to be supplied, someone has to pay for it; the government, the patient or an insurance company.

In Africa all three of these parties (insurers, patients, and the government) face constraints and that no country in the world had achieved universal healthcare without significant state support,” she said.

Brown explained that when investments are made into healthcare, it creates a ripple effect on other unrelated issues that have continued to plague the continent. “According to the Healthcare federation of Nigeria, investment in healthcare could create up to 16 million jobs across Africa, making the continent not just more productive, but also helping to combat security challenges.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has

Nigeria-Togo Joint Commission to be Reactivated Michael Olugbode in Abuja Nigeria has expressed her willingness to resuscitate the bilateral trade agreements she has with Togo by reactivating the Nigeria-Togo Joint Commission.

Nigeria’s renewed interest in trade and commerce with Togo was communicated to the President of the Republic of Togo, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe at the weekend by Nigeria’s Ambassador to the West Africa country, Adebowale Adesina.

Adesina, who was the Editor-in-Chief of the Guardian Newspapers, while presenting his Letter of Credence to the Togolese President at the Presidential Palace in Lome, said, he has been mandated by President Muhammadu Buhari to vigorously pursue economic diplomacy and strengthen the partnership of the two countries in the areas of trade and economic

development.

He told the Togolese President that, “Nigeria and Togo are strong allies and strategic partners.

We have a long history of togetherness. Our joint leadership in fostering unity in the West African sub-region and our shared vision of dignity for our people remain examples for many to follow. “It is in this regard that the key component of my mandate, as given by President Muhammadu Buhari, is to vigorously pursue economic diplomacy and strengthen our partnership in the areas of trade and economic development for the benefit of our people.

“Therefore, as Ambassador, I will seek to expand the frontiers of our trade relations and economic cooperation. I will work for the resuscitation of the Bilateral Trade Agreements between Nigeria and Togo as well as the reactivation of Nigeria-Togo Joint Commission.”

Anambra Poll: Group Accuses Judiciary of Victimising Ozigbo David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka A youth group, Youths Off The Street Initiative (YOTSI), has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, is being victimised by the judiciary.

The non-governmental organisation (NGO) in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Mr. Kennedy Iyere, based its submission on the recent court judgment which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enlist Senator Ugochukwu Uba as the candidate of PDP against Ozigbo, ‘who was elected by the party’.

Uba and Ozigbo had emerged PDP candidates for the forthcoming state governorship election from different factions.

While Uba emerged from a faction loyal to his brother;

Chris Uba, Ozigbo emerged from the faction ‘recognised’ by the PDP national leadership.

Iyere, a social entrepreneur and activist in the statement made available to THISDAY in Awka at the weekend, called on Judges of the Appeal and Supreme Courts to help Ozigbo, who he alleged is, being frustrated by some Judges, “even though he is the people’s choice.”

The national leadership of PDP had last weekend pledged to rally Nigerians against an Anambra High Court Judge, Justice Obiora Nwabunike, for entering a judgement against Ozigbo in favour of Uba, and refusing to release the judgment to aid Ozigbo’s appeal of the judgment.

In the statement Iyere promised to mobilise youths in the state and in Nigeria against Justice Nwabunike, calling for the intervention of judges in the Appeal and Supreme Courts in the matter.

shone a light even more harshly on these gaps, and showcased how technology can help in bridging them. Impact Investing, being a more suitable way for financing this technology across the

continent, can be introduced into the Africa healthcare value chain and will create sustainable impact in different ways, for example on the micro side - providing remote care to patients- among

other things,” she said.

Also speaking, the Cofounder/ Chief Operating Officer of Lifestores Limited, Andrew Garza, one of Flying Doctors Healthcare Investment Company’s

portfolio companies, revealed how impact investing has assisted his company in making cost-effective, genuine medicines easily accessible and affordable to ordinary Nigerians.

RECOGNISING MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTISTS…

L-R: Chairman, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSCN), Lagos Branch, Mr. Olumide Fadipe; Managing Director, ISN Products Nigeria Limited, Mr. Felix Ofungwu; Laboratory Manager, IVD Lab, Mr. Offutalu Paulinus; and Project Consultant, ISN Medical Laboratory Scientist of the Year Award, Mr. Daniel Adewuni, during the official flag-off of the 2021 ISN Medical Laboratory Scientist of the Year Award in Lagos…. yesterday

NURTW Chairman, Three Others Arrested for Alleged Drug Trafficking Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ijero Ekiti Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Babatunde Babade, has been arrested by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for allegedly trafficking illicit drug.

Babade, 45, according to a statement issued by the

spokesman of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, was arrested along with two others persons, Ilesanmi Shola, 35, and Babajide Johnson, 45, for alleged involvement in illicit drug.

According to Babafemi, the transport union leader was caught with 52.5 kilogrammes of skunk in Akure, the Ondo state capital, following intelligence that he was conveying bags of the banned drug in his Mazda car with registration number:

Ekiti JER 194 AE from Akure to Ekiti State.

He said Babade, popularly called BB, “was taken into custody along with others soon after his arrest on July 18, 2021, for interrogation, and in his statement, he (Babade) admitted he owned the vehicle used for conveying the drug, and further confessed that the car was earlier intercepted by some security agents who detained the two other

suspects, his car and eight bags containing cannabis sativa while his brother who drove the vehicle fled.”

The agency’s spokesman, however, claimed that following his intervention, the security agents released the suspects and his car to him after taking two of the eight bags containing the drug and N60, 000 from him, before he later ran into NDLEA officers while on his way back to Ekiti State.

Shun Divisible Actions, Cleric Tells Nigerians Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The National Ameer of a Muslim Dawah organisation, Daaru-rRahmat (DARMAT) Islamic Society, Ustaz Misbahudeen Olawale, has called on Nigerians, irrespective of their religious affiliations, to shun actions capable of threatening the unity and peaceful coexistence of the country.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin at the weekend on the

sideline of the just concluded Eid-el Kabir celebration, Olawale opined that “it is in an atmosphere of peace that the much expected socio-economic growth can be achieved.”

The Islamic cleric added that: “Offering fervent prayers remains the only way to overcome the challenges in the country. And this requires the support of everyone irrespective of our religious inclinations.

“Muslims Ummah should

always endeavour to pray for the leaders and assist them in tackling challenges facing the country.”

Olawale further urged Muslim Ummah to apply all the Eid-el Kabir lessons as taught by Prophet Muhammed in the Holy Quran-such as love, sincerity, integrity, and justice-to build the country for peace and progress.

The DARMAT Ameer also advised members of the public

to shun hate speech as well as seek forgiveness from all their shortcomings.

He appealed to wealthy people in the society to continue to rise to meet the needs of the less-privileged people so as to reduce poverty in the society.

Olawale, therefore, called on the Muslims to shun all forms of actions capable of promoting violence, and join hands with the government to move Nigeria forward.

FCC Chairman Debunks Certificate Forgery Allegations The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hajiya Muheeba Dankaka, has debunked the allegation of certificate forgery levelled against her by a group under the aegis of Youth and Leadership Initiative Group (LYGEL).

In a statement personally signed and made available the media, Dankaka stated that the allegations were false, despicable

and desperately fuelled by clandestine motives.

According to the statement, “Recently, the media was inundated with publication by some faceless group hired by some unscrupulous people to tarnish the image and integrity of the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hajiya M. F. Dankaka, for reasons best known to them.

“One would have ordinarily dismissed the allegation with a wave of the hand as the so called group is just formed on paper to settle unknown scores for their masters, we, however, feel that it is necessary to put the record straight for the public to know.

Dankaka attended Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, where she obtained a diploma certificate in Insurance and later proceeded to

the Bayero University Kano for her BSc in Business Administration.

She further obtained a Master degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.”

The group had alleged inconsistencies in the credentials Dankaka submitted to the National Assembly prior to her appointment as the executive chairman of FCC.

Ondo APC, PDP Bicker over Defection of Members James Sowole in Akure Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the weekend slammed each other over the defection of some members from the latter to the former.

Some prominent leaders of the PDP and their supporters, who at the weekend defected to the

APC, mocked their former party, just as leaders of their new party described the party (APC) as the only one with ideology.

The defectors were led by the former National Youth Leader of the PDP and former Chairman of Ose Local Government Area of the state, Mr. Dennis AlongeNiyi; former Chairman of Akoko South-East LGA, Akin Aibinuomo,

and former Financier and leader of the PDP in Irele LGA, Prince Thompson Atayase.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Alonge-Niyi said they were attracted to the party (APC) by the “outstanding achievements of the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,” noting that they have no hope in the case instituted by the PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede,

against the reelection of Akeredolu.

Commending the achievements of Akeredolu’, Alonge -Niyi said: “We see your agenda as one that unites the people of Ondo State.

You have a general agenda for the overall well-being of the people of the state. I mentioned the quality of your work in the state as our attestation to the quality of your leadership.

MONDAY JULY 26, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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MONDAYSPORTS D'Tigers Go Down to Australia in Olympic Games Opener Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe

Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

TOKYO 2020...TOKYO 2020...TOKYO 2020...

Upset as France beats defending Olympic champions USA Olawale Ajimotokan with agency report Nigeria’s national men’s basketball team, D’Tigers began their Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games campaign yesterday conceding last quarter 84-67 blow out to Australia’s Boomers.

However, the defeat wasn’t a total failure for the D’Tigers given the gulf between both sides on global rankings. The Aussies gave what to expect when they spanked D’Tigers by 32 points when they met July 13 in a pregames friendly in Las Vegas. But yesterday, the difference was just 17 points.

It could all have been different though if D’Tigers had been more proficient with their shooting, especially from the free throw line where they made just 13 of their 24 attempts – or 54.2 per cent. The Australians, meanwhile, made 18 of their 20 attempts from the charity line.

D’Tigers also made 8 of their 24 three-point attempts – or 33.3 per

cent – compared to the Aussies who made 11 of their 24 attempts from downtown (or 45.8 per cent).

Both teams were tied 23 points apiece at the end of the first quarter, and were still tied at 34 points apiece with just under four minutes left in the second quarter when D’Tigers got into foul trouble.

But D’Tigers were in even bigger trouble as they struggled to make their free throws. Their struggle from the free-throw line was the main reason Australia went into the half-time break three points ahead, 43-40.

A 13-2 push by the Aussies at the start of the third quarter, gave the Boomers a 53-42 lead, but a revival of sorts, led by Jordan Nwora, midway through the quarter saw D’Tigers cut the lead to six points with just over three minutes on the clock.

The third quarter, however, ended 58-52 in favour of the Aussies, but the low-scoring 27-point quarter was probably due to a five-minute pause in

action caused by an issue with the stop clock.

The stoppage seemed to affect the Nigerians more than it did the Aussies, as D’Tigers continued to struggle on the court, while the Boomers, led by the impressive Patty Mills, soared in confidence, and with six minutes left on the clock, had a comfortable 12-point

lead.

The 31-year-old NBA superstar, who was playing at his fourth Olympic Games, would finish the game with 25 points as Australia won by 17 points to go top of Group B on points difference ahead of Italy who defeated Germany 92-82 earlier in the day.

Obi Emegano led D’Tigers

in scoring with 12 points, with Jordan Nwora (10 points) the only other Nigerian to hit double figures.

Up next for D’Tigers will be a date with Germany at 2am Nigerian time on Wednesday, July 28.

Elsewhere, world's No.7 ranked team, France mounted

a tremendous comeback in the fourth quarter led by Evan Fournier (27 points) and RudyGobert (14 points, 9 rebounds) to upset the 15-time gold medallists and defending Olympic champions 83-76!

The United States will have an opportunity to rebound against the Islamic Republic of Iran on Wednesday while France will play the Czech Republic (who beat Iran 84-78) on the same date.

X...

Scene from the Nigeria v Australia clash at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games... yesterday

NPFL: Rangers' Israel Abia Decorated with Eunisell Boot West Africa’s largest independent chemical as well as oil and gas engineering solutions company, Eunisell, has presented the prestigious Eunisell Boot Award for the top scorer in the Nigerian topflight to Enugu Rangers’ striker, Israel Abia.

Abia emerged top scorer during the 2019/20 Nigeria Professional Football League season with 12 goals.

The Eunisell Boot was instituted by Eunisell in 2018 and former Kano Pillars forward, Junior Lokosa, won the inaugural edition. Abia emerged winner last season but his coronation was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Abia was presented with the Eunisell Boot and a cash prize of N2,400,000 million, yesterday at a ceremony held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu in line with Covid-19 protocol.

Speaking during the award, Eunisell Group Managing Director, Chika Ikenga, represented by Manager, Corporate Finance, Eunisell Limited, Kenneth Okeiyi, said: “Eunisell remains committed to sponsoring the Eunisell Boot award for players in the NPFL, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is our desire to inspire, recognize and celebrate players and see the NPFL develop into

a top-class league.”

Abia expressed gratitude to Eunisell and his teammates at Rangers.

“This award will serve as a catalyst for me. It is a recognition I will cherish”, he stated.

The Eunisell Boot presentation ceremony was also attended by General Manager of Enugu Rangers, Davidson Owumi, who is the first recognized highest goal scorer in the domestic league.

Akwa United’s Mfon Udoh and former Nasarawa United forward, Ibrahim Sunusi, now with Canadian side, Montreal Impact of the Major League Soccer (MLS), in the United States of America (USA), emerged joint-winners of the second edition in 2019.

MATCH DAY 35 Akwa Utd 3-0 Jigawa GS Rivers Utd 2-0 IfeanyiUbah Plateau Utd 0-0 Lobi Stars Warri Wolves 1-0 Wikki Nasarawa 4-0 Sunshine K'Pillars 1-0 Abia Warriors Heartland 0-0 Kwara Utd Katsina Utd 2-0 Dakkada Adamawa Utd 1-1 Rangers Enyimba 2-1 MFM FC

L-R: General Manager, Enugu Rangers International FC, Davidson Owumi, Highest Goal Scorer in the 2019/20 NPFL season, Israel Abia and Manager, Corporate Finance, Eunisell Limited, Kenneth Okeiyi at the presentation of the prestigious Eunisell award to Abia at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu...yesterday

Okagbare Leads Nigeria’s Track & Field Team into Olympic Village Today To begin medals chase from Friday Blessing Okagbare’s experience and bright performances will be a tonic to the track and field athletes of Team Nigeria when they begin competing from Friday July 30th.

Alongside Okagbare are 11 other athletes namely: Oluwatobi Amusan, Ese Brume, Divine

Oduduru, Grace Nwokocha, Chukwuebuka Enewechi, Enoch Adegoke, Usheoritse Itshekiri, Patience Okon-George, Imaobong Uko and Emmanuel Ojeli.

Favour Ofili and Ruth Usoro both US-based collegiate athletes, who came into the Nigerian Olympics radar late in the

qualifiers have completed two of the three mandatory out of competition tests, OCT, required and are awaiting final clearance.

Ten Nigerian athletes most of whom are alternates who have not fulfilled the three mandatory OCT tests required are in the process of taking their tests.

They must take the final tests one day before competition.

Lewandowski Voted German Player of the Year Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski was voted Germany's Footballer of the Year for the second year running yesterday.

The 32-year-old Pole was once again the runaway winner of the title awarded by the football magazine Kicker, following a vote by journalists.

Lewandowski, who equalled Gerd Mueller's 49-year-old scoring record in May as he netted his 41st Bundesliga goal of the season, received 356 of the 563 votes on offer.

"I am aware of how big this honour is. It is a reason for great pride and joy for me, because it is rare to win the title of Footballer of the Year in Germany twice in a row," Lewandowski said.

Second-placed Thomas Mueller of Bayern Munich was 315 votes behind, while third place went to Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund, who received 38 votes.

"Of course I am happy that I have scored 41 goals in 29 Bundesliga games. This number of goals fills me with great pride and is certainly a spectacular achievement in view of my injury," said Lewandowski, who was out for three weeks from late March with a knee problem.

Lewandowski's former

manager Hansi Flick, who was named the second-best manager behind Chelsea's Thomas Tuchel, said he was an "absolute professional with enormous quality" and "the best there is as a centre-forward".

Since joining Bayern in 2014, Lewandowski has scored 203 goals in 219 games.

In 2020-21, he was the

architect of Bayern's 31st German league championship win, their ninth consecutive Bundesliga title.

Lewandowski has netted over 500 goals for his clubs and country since starting his career.

Voted FIFA's best male player of 2020, the goal-scoring sensation also won the European Golden Shoe, beating out Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The process to get them tested has since been activated by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

The athletics team has moved into the Olympic Village from their training camp in Kizarazu and will be in action from day one of competition with Okagbare leading Grace Nwokocha in the women's 100m heats.

The mixed relay team will also be in action as the team strives to return to the podium 13 years after it last did at the Games of the XXIX Olympiad held in Beijing, China in 2008.

While Okagbare will be competing in the event for the third time since she made it to the final at the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London in 2012, Nwokocha, the fastest home-based athlete since Mercy Nku ran 11.04 seconds in 1997 in Benin will be making her debut in the event at the biggest sporting fiesta on earth.

Tunisia, Japan Stun Superpowers in Swimming, Cycling, Judo Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games delivered a day of high drama yesterday with a stunning surprise in the swimming. It was one of the great David v Goliath with cycling victories and double sibling judo gold as Japan continued their golden start.

The host nation bagged skateboarding's first gold medal courtesy of Yuto Horigome, then saw Uta Abe and her brother Hifumi make history as the first siblings to win gold medals in different events on the same day in any sport. With swimmer Yui Ohashi also victorious, Japan's overall gold medal tally rose to five, one behind China and

one ahead of the United States.

Tunisia are unlikely to add to their solitary gold but no medal of the Games will be celebrated more wildly than that earned via the astounding achievement of 18-year-old Ahmed Hafnaoui, who stunned the swimming superpowers with victory from lane eight in the men's 400m freestyle.

"It's a dream and it became true - it was my best race ever," Hafnaoui said in an Olympiclevel understatement after he held off heavily-fancied Australian Jack McLoughlin and American Kieran Smith despite qualifying slowest for the final.

Hafnaoui received the ultimate

validation as American medal machine Michael Phelps, the greatest swimmer in history, labelled his performance as an "unbelievable swim.”

“The difference between these Olympics and the past is that every single person in the final has a chance of winning gold," said Phelps.

Skateboarder Horigome, who grew up in the Tokyo ward where the event is being held, took gold at the Games debut of a sport once seen as a symbol of counter-culture and, ironically, still symbolised by the "no skateboarding" signs plastered on the outside walls of the venue.

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SPORTS

Ese Brume

Aruna Quadri

Odunayo Adekuoroye

How Successful Would Team Nigeria Be at Tokyo 2020?

Olympic Gold Medalist, ENEFIOK UDO-OBONG, here examines Team Nigeria’s chances at the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Games IN THE BEGINS...

Four-time tennis Grand Slam champion, Naomi Osaka lit the flames of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games torch last Friday night signaling the beginning of the Games but as the world watches how this pandemic affected Games turn out, millions of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora would only be bothered on how their 60-man contingent perform in Tokyo.

So what should Nigerians expect? Here is my candid perspective on Team Nigeria’s chances in Tokyo.

TAEKWONDO

As one of the five sports that have given Nigeria medals at the Olympics, a lot can be expected from the sport. However the growth trajectory has not been impressive since we won the bronze in 2008. We have struggled to even qualify any athlete for the Games.

In Tokyo, Nigeria is represented

by ANYANACHO Elizabeth Oluchi in the 67kg class. She will be up against 4th ranked Turkish competitor TATAR Nur. Despite the disparity in ranking (Oluchi is 13th), a lot is expected from the All Africa Games bronze medalist, especially as she is coached by Olympic Bronze medalist Chika Chukwumerije.

VERDICT: Tough to call but to be considered successful, a bronze medal is required here. However if she defeats her round of 16 opponent Tatar Nur, then she can be proud of her feat. Exit in the first fight is my prediction.

TABLE TENNIS

All eyes would be on Aruna Quadri here. He has lifted Nigerian table tennis to heights unknown to us in recent years. He is ranked 21st and may offer our best hope.

However, it is the young protégé, Olajide OMOTAYO, on who is generating a lot of talk. The 94th ranked player is exciting and a joy to watch. If he reduces his exuberances and plays smart, he could go far.

The ladies are led by the ageless Funke Oshonaike, seven time Olympian who crashed out in the first round to an American player in first round. Nigeria’s other female player, Offiong Edem, is only ranked 123. Any win here

would be considered progress.

Table tennis is due a medal for Nigeria in the Olympics, but this would be a bridge too far in Tokyo.

VERDICT: Quarter Final showing at best in any event but to be considered a success, a semi-final placing is required.

WRESTLING

Do we dare to dream? Wrestling presents Nigeria’s genuine chance at Gold in this Olympic Games.

These wrestlers tutored by Olympic Gold Medalist Daniel Igali (albeit for Canada) have shown that with commitment, singular focus, proper planning, sacrifice and dedication we can be amongst the world’s best. Nigeria would be represented by five wrestlers led by former world number two ADEKUOROYE Odunayo Folasade. Alongside OBORODUDU Blessing, they have our best chance at Gold if they can keep focus and remain disciplined. Ekerekeme Aigomor, Aminat Adeniyi and Adijat idris have all shown tremendous progress over the years.

VERDICT: Breeding ground for a Gold medal here. It would be a massive failure based on the high standards they have set to come back without a medal. Minimum a silver and a bronze projected from these great wrestlers.

BADMINTON

A great experience for the team.

In the past four years the team has developed and improved greatly under the presidency of Francis Obih. There has been technical trainings, competitions and even during the lock down, the federation was giving online development to their officials. In Tokyo, the team would have succeeded if they manage a win.

It is all about experience for them.

The duo of OLOFUA Godwin and OPEYORI Anuoluwapo Juwon ranked 148 and 113 in the world play their team game against the Japanese duo of ENDO Hiroyuki and WATANABE Yuta (ranked 4th) in their first match. If the match is close, even if they lose as it is likely, that would be a victory for them.

VERDICT: They are there for the experience only. If they even manage a win, then that is a massive success.

SWIMMING

For a nation as populated as Nigeria, with her talents and resources, both natural and human, this sport has been a major disappointment. Lack of facilities and even more inadequate funding has made this sport rudimentary in Nigeria. We lag behind other African countries and are not reckoned with at all in the international scene. We are represented by 17-year-old Abiola Ogunbawo. In a sport that is handing out about 111 medals, it’s a poor representation.

She would be doing the 100m freestyle and though she has had a lot of experience competing internationally, her time of 52.83 seconds is impressive but far from the 51 seconds needed to medal.

VERDICT: Future star. In here for the development. If she succeeds in progressing over a round, that is massive success.

CANOEING

Emmanuel Ayomide Bello flies the nations flag in another event that we are in just for participatory experience. Ayomide has grown in leaps and bounds in the canoe sprints (C-1 200m) and canoe slalom events winning Gold in the African Youth Games and All African Games. She also participated in the Youth Olympics in Argentina. However Tokyo 2020 may be one step too far.

VERDICT: A top 15 rank would be a massive success.

ARTISTICGYMNASTICS

Nigeria would present her first ever Olympic gymnast through American-born Uche Eke. Eke won Gold in the All African Games and is set to be a strong contender in the Olympics.

Though still an under-developed sport in Nigeria, the talent of the 23-year-old Nigerian-American and his training in the US has brought hopes to the expectant nation.

VERDICT: A top 12 finish would be an amazing result. No medal expectation here.

ROWING

Esther Tamaraebi Toko would be flying Nigeria’s flag in rowing.

Toko won bronze and silver medals at the 2019 African Beach Games and she also qualified

to row single sculls at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Not much expected from her but a good showing.

VERDICT: In the Games for the experience.

BASKETBALL

The victory of D’Tigers over the USA recently changed Nigerians’ perspective of their basketball team. Everyone started to believe in the team. The defeat of USA was followed by victory over another powerhouse and world number 4 team Argentina.

Suddenly, the basketball team felt like the Dream Team. However, the Australians whom we play first in Tokyo brought us back to a reality check with a crushing defeat in our third friendly last week. That defeat could be seen as a blessing in disguise as the weight of expectations would have been too much for Coach Brown and his boys. A team dominated

by NBA players, Caleb Agada, Ekpe Udoh, Nnamdi Vincent, Chikeze Okpala, Ike Ireogbu and others, the Nigerian team have a lot to live up to and with the long camping in the US, they should be prepared. Now, they have lost their first Group B game to Australia.

The female team, D’Tigress also have expectations on them too.

VERDICT: Anything short of a semifinals for the men would be seen as a disappointment. This is how high they have set their standards. The female team should finish top eight too. That would be an acceptable level of success.

ATHLETICS

The holy grail of Nigeria’s Olympic participation remains the track & field team. Always the sport that defines the Games but ironically one that is most neglected in terms of sponsorship and support. However, athletics, the only ever present sports in Nigeria’s history of Olympic participation is once again expected to deliver medals.

The sports has contributed 13 of Nigeria’s 25 Olympic medals and two of her three Gold medals. So it is no understatement saying it is the King of Nigerian Sports.

Along with Taekwondo, they are the only sports in Tokyo for Nigeria that have won an Olympic medal for the country before. And a lot of hopes are

hinged on this sport. But Nigeria’s preparations as usual have been hampered by off field problems.

The federation is in a battle within two factions to establish legitimacy. There is trouble brewing over a kits sponsor deal shrouded in secrecy and there was the problem of our chances heavily reduced due to the absence of our relay teams at the World Relays which led to their inability to qualify for the Games.

But in the broth of all these trouble, we have always had our athletes soar with that Nigerian fighting spirit. It would not be different in Tokyo. The good news in Tokyo is that Blessing Okagbare would not be the one to singlehandedly carry our hopes as she has in the past two Games. In fact on paper, she is not expected to win a medal in her preferred 100m event. A final placing is a result that mirrors her position in the world of sprinting. A medal would be an over achievement if we see the trajectory of her rivals.

I believe for the 100m, the medals would be shared by Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, Elaine Thompson-Herah( all of Jamaica) and Dina Asher Smith (Great Britain), while American Javianne Oliver, Teana Daniels and Ivorian Maria Tanou would be outsiders to win medals. The 200m is Okagbare lesser preferred event and even a final placement here may be difficult.

Ese Brume and Tobi Amusan ranked 2nd and 7th respectively in the Long Jump and 100m hurdles are Nigeria’s brightest propects for individual medals in track & field in Tokyo. If conditions are right and injuries are avoided, we could see two medals here. A silver and bronze my optimistic projection but at the worst one bronze from both events. If we win nothing from these two, that may count as a disappointment.

The men do not promise as much as the women though the early results of Divine Oduduru gives hope that he may still have it in him. But all his great performances have been run in the US. Outside the US, he has not been in the same form.

Also, his absence at the trials prevented one from giving an on site assessment of his form.

On a good day however, Divine is a dynamite and could give an

explosive result. A final showing in either 100m or 200m would be considered a very successful outing for him.

Not much is expected from the relays as the 4 x 400m women seemed our best bet but their qualification was not accepted

by World Athletics. So all hopes would be on the 4 x 100m women.

Considering the forms of the other countries like the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, Great Britain, a finals qualification would be a good result for the team.

The 4 x400m mixed relays too can also be in that medal mix if their tactics are right.

In the field events, Nigeria brings her most talented set of throwers ever to the Games.

Chioma Onyekwere has been in the best form of her life this year, throwing 63.30 meters in the Discus throw event. That would have placed her fifth in the last Olympics. So at the worst a final placing is expected from her, and who knows she could just sneak in a medal.

Even more impressive is Annette ECHIKUNWOKE. The Hammer thrower whose 75.49 meters thrown this season would have earned her a bronze medal in the last Olympic Games. The National record holder in my opinion is our brightest Olympic medal hopeful.

Third and by no means least is Chukwuebuka ENEKWECHI. The commonwealth Silver medalist and African Champion. His highest ranking of 8th in the world tells us he should at least be in the finals. He has thrown 21.56 meters this year and this would have won him a bronze medal at the last Olympics.

An outsider for the field event medal is the young Ruth Usoro, whose 14.50 meters in the triple Jump earned her an NCAA title.

VERDICT: Medals must come from athletics to consider it successful. There is hope for a Gold, a silver and two bronze medals if we are being the most optimistic. Two bronze medals is the least we should consider as successful with at least 8 athletes in the finals of their events.

TEAM NIGERIA VERDICT/ PREDICTION

After an examination of the team, my verdict for Team Nigeria would be to return home with 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 3 Bronze medals. And this would be a great outing for them.

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MISSILE

Oyebode to Buhari “It is a question of reasonableness or should I say common sense because Buhari has become the most divisive president who, despite his affirmation of belonging to none and belonging to all, has been clearly partisan and ethnocentric.”

Renowned Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence, Akin Oyebode, accusing President Buhari of running a divisive administration

OKEYIKECHUKWU What Does Ohanaeze Have to Say? EDIFYING ELUCIDATIONS

okey.ikechukwu@thisdaylive.com

A

good question, no doubt. But, first, what is the subject on which Ohanaeze is supposed to say something; or on which it is supposed to have said something? The state of the nation?

Unknown (now-vanished) gunmen? The arrest and detention of Nnamdi Kanu? The Igboho saga? The increasing brigandage of bandits in the north? The downing of an aircraft by bandits? The fact that it takes more than ordinary bandits to bring down a military aircraft? The fact that we are calling fully armed soldiers who are waging a war against the Federal Republic of Nigeria bandits? The question of who is really the true President-General of Ohanaeze, since there are several claimants to the title? Or, perhaps that there is now one Ohanaeze President-General and not three? Oh, I get it, Ohanaeze’s position on the meeting of Southern Governors in Lagos, where most of the Igbo governors were only represented? No, the matter of how an Ohanaeze that has been quoted as pushing for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction has been dumb over the conduct of the South-east Governors in many respects? What?

An Igbo proverb says that to keep silent when speaking is not only expedient, but an absolute necessity, is not a sign of wisdom.

Some of the statements credited to Ohanaeze Ndigbo in recent weeks have created a mixture of dismay and confusion. Reason?

Not many are entirely sure which faction of Ohanaeze is the authentic one. Even if we graciously assume that there is an authentic one, in which case all the others are mere pretenders to the title, has the response to pressing national issues been timely, focused, credible and possessed of real substance? I think not. And it all boils down to the fact that the reprehensible fallouts of the last election Ohanaeze held in Owerri have not been resolved, despite elaborate pretensions to the contrary. It was observed on this page, on January 18 that: “An epidemic of Ohanaeze Presidents General is not the way to go.” There was a call, at that time, for “Igbo stakeholders of all political persuasions to work towards avoiding a situation wherein several masquerades of stature that are already in the village square are so badly managed that they begin to fight over Right of Way before women and children.” Six months down the road, there is no evidence that anyone then was paying attention.

As was also Observed in the aforementioned article: “Ndigbo say that a person who is in a daze and who is staggering and swaying while on his feet is never given the title of “The Pillar that Holds the Edifice” (Onye aju na ebu anaghi aza ide ji uno”). The reason is obvious! Igbo will also tell you that the vulture and the eagle do not fight over food (Ugo na udele anaghi azo nri); because one is a scavenger, while the other is a grade one predator.

It is also a known fact of the Igbo world that no family, or kindred, of yore would

Obiozor

send out its mad offspring to represent it in the village square as “The Voice of the People” (Onu n’ekwuru oha). These proverbs show that Ndigbo have a set of core values that make a clear distinction between the sublime and the ridiculous.”

Ohanaeze must be reminded that it has probably lost the true capacity to say: “He who brings kolanut brings life.” The kolanut is not a snack, but a symbol of communion. It is because the breaking of kolanut presumes “the interdependence in every community and among all living things that it is said: “May the river not dry up and may the fish not lack water to swim in.” The river’s beauty is enhanced by the presence of the fish, while the life of the fish depends on the steady flow of the river. Ndigbo also pray thus before eating the kolanut: “Elders shall live and the young shall live. Our harvest shall be rich and none shall pray for the misfortune of another, lest his farm be the only patch of earth without rain,” etc.

As this prayer is the first event in every serious gathering of Ndigbo, is it not obvious that an Ohanaeze that can no longer hear its own voice may have difficulties breaking kolanut today? Some may argue, obviously with very limited understanding, that Igbo republicanism makes what we are seeing today unavoidable. Wrong! As was said in the article of January 18, “Those who use the saying ‘Igbo enwe eze’ (Ndigbo do not have kings/Igbo are not ruled by kings) to suggest that Ndigbo are traditionally ungovernable should please note its true meaning and import: “No single feudal authority is allowed by the traditional Igbo leadership structure to visit tyranny on the community unchallenged.” That is why

you have the Igbo saying that when your talisman begins to presume to have a life of its own, and to even presume to oppress and terrorize you, then it is time you showed it the tree from which it was made. Instead of “disrespect for constituted authority” the way some people try to misrepresent “Igbo enwe eze” today this saying means this: The collective will and rights of the people should be invoked to remind anyone with tyrannical aspirations that a hero is always a people’s hero. That is also why Ndigbo say that “A masquerade that flogs its drummers and followers ceases to dance, because it then walks alone”.

Ohanaeze must remember, as it was reminded six months ago that “the Igbo concepts of power and authority rest more on respect for the laws of the land, and respect for those who rise by merit while respecting the laws of the land. That is also why the true Igbo concept of success is always linked with respect for Omenala (The laws of the land); as the ultimate determinant of right and wrong. That is also why Ndigbo say that it sometimes becomes necessary to cover your face and walk up to a leader and tell him a few home truths. The idea of covering the face with a basket is not out of fear for the life of the person who decides to speak out. Whereas tradition forbids anyone to just walk up to the community leader and insult him, only one who is sent by the community may do so. Once sent, you no longer represent yourself. The human being is then presumed to have transcended this world once dressed up as a masquerade. The covering of the face allows this mysterious being from the beyond, speaking for the gods and men but using the voice of a man, to do so to any unworthy occupant of an office.

It is against the background of the foregoing that Ndigbo make a distinction between heroes and charlatans. … A charlatan is a never-do-well (onye ome k’ome), whose exercise of courage and dare devilry is always for self-interest. The major trademark of the traditional Igbo charlatan is that nothing he does can ever lead to sustainable development,

It is now time for Ohanaeze to speak.

Speak credibly and responsibly it must.

To do that, it must first address the little matter of proper self-definition and identification.

The dignity of Ndigbo demand, and deserve, it!

or a healthy communal, religious or Family life. But he may impress the uninformed or mislead those who are on the fringes of social and spiritual morality. He parrots proverbs like: “The goat only follows the person who is carrying its preferred green leaves” – which is palm fronds (Ewu na-eso onye bu igu). This statement is true, but it applies only to goats and to whoever behaves like a goat. Such sayings were originally admonitions against thoughtless materialism and immorality. Today it is freely used to justify irresponsible leadership and followership. In the traditional Igbo society, where the cardinal communal philosophy says: “The human being is not a goat” (nmadu abughi ewu), the person who exhibits the irrational reflexes of a goat stands diminished.

The fact that this proverb and others like it have become the most popular in Igboland in recent times shows that the region may well have been taken over by the dregs and never-do-wells in our society. Those who will do everything possible to turn our values upside down!”

It is true, as was pointed out, that “…the ongoing drama, following the Ohanaeze elections, has occurred in similar organizations in every geopolitical zone in the country. …

What needs to happen is for Igbo stakeholders to seek and obtain consensus and rein in dissenting voices. Ndigbo need not lose face in national politics because of this. This is not the time for (real and imagined) non-inclusive political conspiracies. Let it not be, or turn out, that Ndigbo will appear unstable at home and are also deliberately misrepresented at the national level. It is time to move from leadership charlatanry to a strategic response that would create a new profile.

The fundamental focus should be to restore the values of effective/responsible leadership and followership. Only an accommodating, large hearted and forward-looking leadership consensus can create such badly needed group solidarity today. It is time to say: “Thus far and no further”. The foregoing was also said six months ago.

Also said six months ago was this: “Igbo leaders must bear in mind that there is a desperate need to fully incorporate the people (OHA) into the defining essence of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Who likes to feel taken for granted? Who likes not to be consulted, or noticed, as being part of what is going on around him? Does the average Igbo like to feel hurried, or tricked, into a decision? … Has the Igbo spirit of competition and visible, effective and dramatic engagement not suffered a setback? Who likes to give up fair/open processes for one in which he feels derided, insulted, or cheated? For a people who are fundamentally republican and who sometimes celebrate success, even to the point of self-inflation, the various contenders must now sit down and talk.”

That said, it is now time for Ohanaeze to speak. Speak credibly and responsibly it must. To do that, it must first address the little matter of proper self-definition and identification. The dignity of Ndigbo demand, and deserve, it!

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