MONDAY 27TH JULY 2020

South-east Govs Set to Unveil Regional Security Outfit Urge Anyim, Eze to sheathe sword Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki The governors of South-east geo-political zone yesterday expressed their readiness to unveil a security outfit for the region.

They said the name of the security outfit would be made known to the public during the South-east Governors' Forum next meeting, adding that all the necessary arrangements for the take-off of the outfit

are on course.

Briefing journalists yesterday after a virtual meeting of the forum alongside other Igbo leaders in Abakaliki, the Chairman of the forum and Governor of Ebonyi State,

Chief David Umahi, said after unveiling the outfit, the commissioners for justice of the different South-east states would finalise a draft bill for passage into law by each state's Houses of Assembly to give

a legal backing to the security outfit.

Umahi said while the Second Niger Bridge would be completed and handed over in 2022, the August 30 completion deadline for Enugu

airport was still on course.

The Igbo leaders commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the speedy Continued on page 9

Report: Lagos’ IGR Surpassed 20 States Combined in 2019... Page 8 Monday 27 July, 2020 Vol 25. No 9240. Price: N250

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APC, PDP Intensify Battle for Edo, Trade Words over Violence Ruling party accuses opposition of plotting to eliminate its govs, leaders Chuks Okocha in Abuja Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The battle for the soul of Edo State became intensified yesterday as the two leading parties in the September

19 governorship poll, All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), traded accusations over Saturday's clash between their supporters near the palace of the Oba of Benin.

The PDP, the ruling party in the state, accused APC of plotting to eliminate its governors and leaders by attacking them when they were on their way to pay homage to the Benin monarch,

Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, as part of activities heralding the campaign of the party's governorship candidate in the September election, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the incumbent.

The APC, however, countered, accusing the PDP of inviting its “tax collectors” to feast on the state’s treasury.

Youths, suspected to be APC supporters, had blocked the convoy of Obaseki and his

entourage, as they made their way to the palace.

The youths booed the PDP delegation and hauled a stream of invective at the governor.

Continued on page 9

Akpabio Fires Back, Lists Senators, House Members Awarded NDDC Contracts He is confused, says Nwaoboshi Tunji-Ojo: Allegation spurious Deji Elumoye and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has finally picked up the gauntlet thrown down by the National Assembly to name lawmakers who got contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The minister, in a document attached to his response to the threat by the House of Representatives to sue him over the allegations that federal lawmakers were the major contractors of NDDC, listed four senators as receiving 74 contracts from the commission between 2017 to date.

He also accused the Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, of inserting 19 contracts worth N9 billion into 2019 NDDC

budget.

House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, had last week given Akpabio a 48hour ultimatum to identify lawmakers that are NDDC contractors as he alleged during his testimony before the House Committee on NDDC. However, a few hours after the expiration of the ultimatum, Gbajabiamila had signified the House's readiness to head to court to seek the prosecution of the minister for criminal defamation.

He was to later read a letter from Akpabio, in response to the one written to him by the House Clerk, in which the minister reportedly denied making the allegations.

However, it was learnt at Continued on page 9

Magu Denies Misappropriating N332bn Recovered Funds... Page 5

CONDOLENCES...

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum (left), and Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, during a condolence visit to Abdulrazaq over the passing of his father, Alhaji AbdulGaniyu AbdulRazaq (SAN), in Ilorin…yesterday

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

Magu Denies Misappropriating N332bn Recovered Funds Dismisses alleged false asset declaration as untrue

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, yesterday denied alleged misappropriation of N329 billion recovered for the Nigerian National Petroleum

Corporation (NNPC) and another N3 billion recovered for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Magu spoke through his lawyer, Mr. Wahab Shittu, and said he remitted N329 billion recovered from fuel marketers direct to the NNPC. He also dismissed an

14 Airports Now Open for Domestic Operations, Says Sirika Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has said 14 airports nationwide are now open for full domestic operations.

Sirika, in a tweet on his Twitter handle, @hadisirika, said ministerial approvals in and out of those airports were not required.

He tweeted: "Glad to announce that the following airports are open for full domestic operations, hence ministerial approval in and out of them is not required. This includes private and charter operations. We will keep you informed on the remainder airports in due course."

Sirika added that the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja were approved for domestic operations on July 8.

According to him, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa; Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri; and Maiduguri Airport, Maiduguri, were approved for resumption of operations on July 11.

Victor Attah Airport, Uyo, opened on July 15, while Kaduna Airport, Kaduna; Yola Airport, Yola; Margaret Ekpo Airport, Calabar; and Sultan Abubakar Airport, Sokoto, were approved for resumption of operations on July 19.

Others are Birnin Kebbi Airport, which resumed operations on July 20, while Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos; and Benin Airport, Benin were given approvals to resume operations on July 24.

According to him, inspection has been completed at the listed airports and resumption of operations approved.

allegation that he falsely declared his assets, saying the Justice Ayo Salami-led presidential panel, probing allegations of malfeasance against him has never confronted him with such an allegation.

Shittu added that his client would henceforth respond to every allegation against him “point by point.”

Shittu said in a statement yesterday that the suspended EFCC chief denied misappropriating funds recovered for the NNPC. He said the allegations against him bordered on matters that were never brought before the panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the activities of the EFCC under him.

He added that the allegations were prejudicial to the proceedings of the panel.

Shittu said: “Take notice that our client can no longer fold his hands in the face of

these sustained malicious attacks to prejudge him in the public space. Our client will henceforth, point by point, reply to all false allegations orchestrated against him in the public space on a daily basis as well as present his comprehensive defence for the world to see.

“This is without prejudice to the willingness of our client to defend himself in the ongoing proceedings at the Presidential Investigation Panel.

“The truth of the matter is that well over N329 billion recovered by EFCC under our client’s watch was remitted directly into NNPC dedicated accounts via Remita under a special arrangement endorsed

by NNPC, EFCC, and the affected NNPC’s indebted marketers.

“By virtue of the said special arrangement, NNPC had requested formally the EFCC to recover the said amount from the affected

NNPC’s marketers who were expected to pay such funds directly to NNPC while NNPC, in turn, confirmed receipt of such payments to EFCC. “Therefore, EFCC never took custody of any of the recovered funds and so, the question of misappropriation of such funds by EFCC or our client could not have arisen as falsely published.”

He also described the allegations of false asset declaration against him as gross misrepresentation and blatant falsehood.

“Our client has never been confronted with any such allegations purportedly arising from the panel’s proceedings.

The story attributed to the panel, which has become a recurring decimal, is a dangerous attempt to discredit the work of the honourable panel,” he added.

On the allegation that N3 billion recovered from FIRS was not accounted for, he described

the report as “falsehood from the pit of hell”.

He said: “Investigations were painstakingly conducted

by EFCC under our client’s watch. The matter has since been referred for prosecution.

Charges have been prepared ahead of arraignment in court.

"Our client has no interest in shielding anyone found culpable from the long arms of the law. At any rate, time does not run against the state in criminal prosecutions. It is tendentiously wicked to suggest that our client excluded major approving authorities from the criminal process.

“As a matter of fact, one Peter Hena, head of the FIRS coordinator support services group, who allegedly authorised the illegal payment, is one of those listed to be arraigned. The case was properly investigated and professionally vetted with our client deploying no influence whatsoever on the outcome.”

TUC Rejects 6% Stamp Duty on Rent Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has opposed to the recent move by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to charge property owners and their agents 6 percent stamp duty on all tenancy and lease agreements they enter into with all leases, and remit promptly to the Service.

The TUC said it viewed the move as another ploy to further impoverish Nigerians.

In a statement jointly issued yesterday and signed by TUC President, Quadri Olaleye, and Secretary General, Musa-Lawal, the union urged the federal government to immediately order FIRS to stay action if it does not want to incur the wrath of workers and Nigerians.

“We are calling on the federal government to immediately order the FIRS to stay action if it does not want to incur the wrath of workers and Nigerians,” it said.

According to the TUC’s statement, “Sometimes we wonder if there is any milk of human kindness left in our

leaders. Should enforcement of stamp duty on house rent and Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) be on priority list of the FIRS at a time the country is experiencing housing deficit and millions of Nigerians have lost their jobs?”

TUC said there are countries that are still giving out palliatives to cushion the effect of the coronavirus pandemic, adding that some of the countries, apart from giving out palliatives, also took responsibility of the utility bills like power, water, data among others.

“We read that Ghanaians will not be paying for power throughout this year. Why is our case always different? Why increase our burden now?

“There are many bills Nigerians pay without enjoying commensurate services. Already, tenants pay rent, agreement, caution, maintenance, LAWMA, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), security, among others, and if they again add 6 percent charge on rent, it makes nonsense of the new minimum wage which many states are not even paying.

COURTESY VISIT...

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma (left), and Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Capt.

Rabiu Yadudu, during a courtesy visit by the FAAN boss to the governor in Owerri…weekend

Stop Kaduna Killings, Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Tell FG Deji Elumoye in Abuja Southern and Middle Belt Leaders yesterday implored the federal government to do all it can to end the orgy of killings in the southern part of Kaduna State.

The leaders, under the aegis of Southern and Middle Belt Forum (SMBLF), expressed concern over the latest killings, which, according to Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), have claimed 63 lives.

The forum, in a joint statement signed by Mr. Yinka Odumakin (South-west); Chief Guy Ikokwu (South-east); Senator Bassey Henshaw (South-south) and Dr. Isuwa Dogo (Middle Belt), said it

was quite worrisome that the killings had continued in spite of the curfew imposed by the Kaduna State government.

The leaders called on the federal government to wade into the crisis "and stop the killings, bring the perpetrators to book and stop making statements seeming to justify the killings and deceive the world about the situation in the area as only bloodyminded people will refuse to heed this advice now."

"In the past weeks, there have been reports of killings, especially in the southern part of Kaduna State with the most recent massacres at Kukum Daji and Gora Gan put at 33 deaths, aside from the scores who are in hospitals receiving

treatment from various degrees of gunshots.

"However, instead of the Buhari-led federal government of Nigeria stepping in to find a lasting solution in the midst of tardiness by the state government it is unfortunate that it has resorted to provocative statements.

“One of such is the annoying claims credited to the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the President of Nigeria, Malam Garba Shehu, on the 21st July 2020 that "the problem in Southern Kaduna is an evil combination of politicallymotivated banditry, revenge killings and mutual violence by criminal gangs acting on ethnic and religious grounds."

"As if the above confusion is not enough, Garba Shehu further misinformed the Nigerian and the international communities that "Southern Kaduna enjoys comprehensive security deployments, including the army, Special Forces of both the army and the air force, surveillance aircraft by the airforce and mobile police units that are on the ground on a 24-hour basis to forestall criminality and keep the peace.

"These are not responsible statements from any government in the midst of body bags daily being counted by the people of Southern Kaduna in the hands of alleged Fulani marauders," it added.

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Report: Lagos’ IGR Surpassed 20 States Combined in 2019 Katsina, Borno, Bayelsa, four others on bottom ranking

Peter Uzoho A new report by the Economic Confidential, an intelligence magazine, has indicated that the N398 billion generated as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by Lagos State in 2019 is higher than those of 20 other states put together.

The report, which was released yesterday, showed that in 2019, the IGR generated by Katsina, Borno, Bayelsa and four other states were far below 10 per cent of their receipts from the Federation Account Allocations Committee (FAAC) in the same year.

The Annual States Viability Index (ASVI) released by the Economic Confidential also showed that without the monthly disbursement from FAAC, many states remain unviable and cannot survive.

The IGR are generated by states through Pay-ASYou-Earn (PAYE) tax, direct assessment, road taxes and revenues from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The IGR of the 36 states of the federation totalled N1.3 trillion in 2019 as compared to N1.1 trillion in 2018, an increase of about N200 billion.

According to the report, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) generated N74 billion against N30 billion received from the Federation Account in the same period.

Lagos State remained steadfast in its number one position in IGR with a total revenue generation of N398 billion compared to FAAC allocations of N270 billion.

It is followed by Ogun State, which generated N70.92 billion in IGR, compared to N92 billion received from FAAC, representing 77 per cent. Rivers got N140 billion compared to FAAC of N219 billion, representing 64 per cent difference and Kwara State, has maintained its impressive IGR by generating N30 billion compared to FAAC receipts of N80 billion.

Others with impressive IGR include Kaduna with IGR of N44 billion compared to FAAC receipts of N129 billion representing 35 per cent; Enugu generated N31 billion compared to N103 billion from FAAC, representing 29 per cent; Ondo with IGR of N30 billion compared to N103 billion from FAAC representing 29 per cent; Edo with IGR of N29 billion compared to FAAC allocations of N108 billion, representing 27 per cent and Anambra with IGR of N26 billion compared to FAAC receipts of N98 billion, representing 27 per cent.

Also, Cross River State earned N22 billion IGR against FAAC receipts of N99 billion, representing 25 per cent.

The 10 states with impressive IGR generated N894 billion in total, while the remaining 26 states merely generated a total of N440 billion in 2019.

The report showed that most states have improved their IGR compared to previous years.

In 2019, only seven states generated less than 10 per cent IGR compared to 17 states in 2018.

The seven states may

not survive without the Federation Account due to their extremely poor internal revenue generation of less than 10 per cent compared to their federal allocations.

Top on the list is Katsina, which generated the poorest and lowest IGR compared to its federal allocation in 2019.

It realised a meager N8 billion compared to a total of N136 billion received from the FAAC in 2019 representing six per cent.

It is followed by Kebbi with IGR of N7.3 billion compared to FAAC receipts of N100 billion representing seven

per cent; Borno, N8 billion compared to FAAC allocations of N121 billion representing seven per cent and Taraba with IGR of N6.5 billion compared to N86 billion FAAC receipts, representing eight per cent.

Others include Bayelsa, with IGR of N16 billion compared to N176 billion of FAAC receipts, representing nine per cent; Yobe with IGR of N8.4 billion compared to N88 billion of FAAC allocations, representing nine per cent and Gombe with IGR of N6.8 billion compared to N75 billion of FAAC allocations, representing 75 per cent within

the period under review.

The report noted that the seven poor states with lower IGR may not stay afloat outside the monthly allocations from FAAC due to lack of initiatives for revenue generation drive coupled with arm-chair governance.

According to the report, some of the states cannot attract investors due to socio-political and economic crises, including insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and herdsmen-farmers clashes.

The Economic Confidential ASVI further showed that only three states in the

entire Northern region have IGR above 20 per cent in comparison to their respective allocations from the Federation Account. They are Kwara, Kaduna and Kano states in that order.

However, 10 states in the South recorded over 20 per cent IGR in 2019.

They are Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Enugu, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Cross River and Delta states.

Only Bayelsa State has the record of having the poorest IGR of less than 10 per cent compared to its receipts from FAAC in the South in 2019.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY...

L-R: Representative of Plateau State Governor, Mr. Cornelius Shiolbial; Chief of Civil-Military Cooperation Project, Rear Admiral Habila Ngalabak; and Commander, Operation Safe Haven in Plateau, Maj.Gen. Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, during the inauguration of new boreholes constructed by Operation Safe Haven in Nkindero community of Plateau State...recently

Presidency Rejects Senate’s Call to Terminate Azura Power Agreement Says Nigeria can't spare $1.2bn to pay off firm Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The presidency yesterday rejected the call by the Senate, asking the federal government to pull out of its power purchase agreement (PPA) with Azura power plant and allow the company to pull $1.2 billion from the foreign reserves.

The presidency, in rejecting the call made by the legislature during its debate on the report of its committee on power last week said no investor could so cheaply pull any money out of the country's foreign reserves.

The Senate Committee on Power, in its report presented by its Chairman, Senator Gabriel Suswam, had described the agreement as a drain on the country's treasury and called for its immediate termination.

The power plant had signed the PPA with the federal government in 2013 with a clause that the federal government would "take or pay'' for power generated as declared by Azura "whether or not it is taken

by the government-owned transmission company."

Reacting to the call, a top presidential source, who did not want to be named, told THISDAY that contrary to the claim by the Senate that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, signed the agreement on behalf of the federal government, both men were not in office between 2013 and 2014 when the agreement was signed.

He explained that following the PPA signed on April 22, 2013, the Put/ Call Agreement was also signed by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan with the power plant in October 2014.

Explaining the reason money could not be pulled from the foreign reserve, he said: “No investor can just pull out $1.2 billion or any amount from Nigeria’s foreign reserves like that.

Yes, there was a Put/Call Agreement signed with Azura on October 22, 2014, whereby Nigeria reserved the option to buy over the assets or the company to

give up the assets and seek payment if Azura defaults.

"However, the amount to be paid can only be determined when the option is exercised and nobody can simply pull out money from our foreign reserves just like that."

The source described the claim that Osinbajo and Fashola signed the agreement as misplaced, wondering how persons who were not in office when an agreement was signed could have been accused of signing such an agreement.

The source also described as mischievous claims that Azura is draining the country's financial resources, saying that such claims are mere attempts to blackmail the company, which has been generating 10 per cent of the country's power supply.

He explained: “With the agreement having been signed before the inception of this administration, the questions one may ask are who profits from claiming that it was done by Osinbajo and Fashola?

"What is the motive behind this mischievous falsehood?

And in their desperation to attack these gentlemen, why are they willing to rubbish a company that produces nearly a tenth of our nation’s power as things stand today?

“Neither Vice President Osinbajo nor Mr. Fashola signed any such agreement.

They were not even in office when the Azura agreements were signed. Records show that the Power Purchase Agreement or PPA for the transaction in question was signed on April 22, 2013, during the tenure of the then President Goodluck Jonathan."

On the "take-or-pay" agreement, he said the clause as contained in the PPA "is fairly standard, especially where, as in this case, the plant is a huge one requiring enormous setup cost and the country is in dire need of the power anyway."

Speaking further on a claim that the federal government, by the agreement, was obliged to "pay $30 million and $33 million monthly to Azura for power generated, even if not dispatched," he said: "Nobody would build a power plant, which is a

very costly and capital intensive venture, and no lender would put money in one unless someone had committed to pay for the power.

"Much of the payment goes straight to Nigeria Gas Company, Nigerian National Petroleum Company and other gas suppliers who make the power generation possible.”

The source explained that it is the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET), which he described as a 100 percent government-owned company, that takes power from electricity generating companies (Gencos) and sells to distribution companies.

According to him, in 2013, when the agreement was signed, it was a good deal for Nigeria, which he said was desperate for stable power supply and simultaneously seeking the establishment of power plants.

Also speaking on how the transaction became complicated later, to the extent of generating the current controversy, he said: “I will imagine that no one

quite envisaged the current situation where electricity generating companies are kept idle because when power is produced, the transmission company may not be able to wheel the electricity fully for distribution to customers.

"It is no longer news that even when the electric power is made available for distribution, the distribution companies (Discos) at times reject it because they have failed to improve their networks and to meter their customers.

“The fear of the Discos is that they might be unable to deliver the power to customers or to collect tariffs.

On their part, customers are reticent to pay because service is appalling and most of them feel cheated by estimated billing.”

While dismissing the pull-out call by the Senate, the source said: "Over 80 per cent of Azura’s power is currently being transmitted and distributed, while the rest is being used by the Transmission Company of Nigeria to stabilise the national grid.”

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PAGE NINE AKPABIO FIRES BACK, LISTS SENATORS, HOUSE MEMBERS AWARDED NDDC CONTRACTS the weekend that Akpabio's annexure to the letter included a list detailing the names and NDDC jobs given to the lawmakers.

According to the list, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, allegedly executed 53 NDDC projects from 2017 to date.

He also accused three other senators namely: Matthew Urhoghide, James Manager and Sam Anyanwu of executing a total of 21 NDDC contracts during the period under review.

But in a swift reaction, Nwaoboshi described Akpabio as a confused individual.

He told THISDAY yesterday that he is challenging Akpabio to publish the names of the directors and shareholders of the companies that executed the said 53 NDDC contracts.

"He (Akpabio) is confused.

I challenge him to publish the directors and shareholders of these companies. I don't award contract and I don't pay for contracts. My brother, go to CAC and find out the truth.

I pity him," Nwaoboshi said.

But in the bulky document with a three-page covering letter entitled: “Some Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Contracts Allegedly Given to some Members of the National Assembly – Senate and House of Representatives,” Akpabio also fingered the Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC in 19 contracts worth N9 billion inserted into the 2019 NDDC budget.

The contracts listed against Nwaoboshi's name included Emergency Repairs of Asue Street, Owa Phase 2; Emergency Repairs of ldumuogbe Road via

Ojemaye; Emergency Repairs of Otolokpo College Road, Otolokpo; and Emergency Repairs of Police lshu Ani Ukwu Road, Issele Uku in Delta State.

They also included Emergency Repairs of old Sapele Agbor Road, Obiaruku; Emergency Repairs of Ehwerhe Obada Road Agbarho Road; Emergency Repairs of Hon. Ifeanyi Eboigbe Street, Boji Boji Owa/ Goodwill Street, Owa Alero; and Emergency Repairs of Ahiama Okwu to Obuocha Okwu among others, all in Delta State.

Other lawmakers that Akpabio listed projects against are, Senator Mathew Urhoghide (six projects), Senator James Manager (six projects); former Senator, Sam Anyanwu (19 projects), and others simply identified as Ondo and Edo representatives while the project cost was not supplied by the minister.

Akpabio also listed one Mutu's name against 74 projects which included various emergency road projects in Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Rivers States.

In accusing the Chairman of the House of Representatives committee on NDDC, Tunji-Ojo, of padding the 2019 budget of the NDDC with 19 contracts worth N9 billion, the minister revealed that "in the 2019 budget, the Executive Director in charge of projects forwarded to me the attached list of 19 Nos. old contracts amounting to almost N9billion after tax, that the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on NDDC, Honourable Tunji-Ojo, insisted that the IMC of NDDC must pay before 2019 budget details could be released to the commission."

In the letter addressed to

the House speaker routed through the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Akpabio further stated, inter alia: "It has always been known that the two chairmen of the committees on NDDC in both chambers yearly exhibit unusual influence to the exclusion of committee members and even the management of the NDDC in appropriating funds to details embellished in the budget after the passage of line items at the plenaries.

"To show you some typical examples, herewith attached are documents showing nature of contracts amount of such contracts (in some cases), date of awards and beneficiaries.

Some were awarded to the two chairmen of both committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate, respectively, serving at the period of the awards (Annexure 'B', 'C' and 'D'). However, due to the 48 hours’ notice, the forensic auditors could not sift through the thousands of files in their possession to provide more.

He stated: "The investigating Committee on NDDC refused and/or neglected to give me the opportunity to explain that reference to most NDDC contracts yearly being awarded since 2001 from the records allegedly to members of the National Assembly in both Chambers were done without the knowledge of the alleged beneficiaries.

"However, the two Chairmen of the Committees in both Chambers had adequate knowledge; “I never referred to members of the 9th National Assembly as beneficiaries of NDDC contracts as NDDC is yet to fully implement any NDDC budget since the commencement

of the 9th National Assembly.

In fact, the 2019 budget passed in February and harmonised between the 4th and 5th of March 2020 was received by the commission in the middle of April 2020, when same was designated to expire on the 31st of May, 2020.

"However, it is pertinent to point out that the Clerk of the National Assembly forwarded a letter Ref. NASS/CNA/115/ VOL.38/1175, dated March 20, 2020, without attaching the budget details indicating that the 2020 budget of the NDDC passed into Law was being forwarded (copy of the letter is attached as Annexure 'A').

This anomaly was brought to the attention of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee investigating a purported financial recklessness by the management of the commission in July 2020, though the first outcry was on allegation of missing N40bn which was totally untrue."

Rising in his won defence, Tunji-Ojo described the Akpabio’s allegation as spurious and diversionary.

In a telephone interview with THISDAY yesterday, he insisted that the allegation made

by NDDC was a ploy to divert the attention of Nigerians from the real issue, which has to do with the mismanagement of NDDC resources by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) from January to date.

The committee chairman denied padding the budget and even challenged the IMC to provide evidence to back the claims.

He said: “He didn't say I padded the budget; what he wrote in his letter that was read which I heard was that the Executive Director in charge of

Projects told him that I said they should pay for 19 old contracts before we could pass their 2019 budget. That is what he said, not that I padded the budget, they are two different things.

"I have never made such request and I have challenged them to bring evidence that I told them to do that. These are just spurious allegations as usual. And again, thankfully, he did not say the contracts are my contracts; he said 19 old contracts; that is, they are already existing contracts, not new contracts."

The lawmaker said even though there was nothing criminal in asking the NDDC to pay contractors being owed, he insisted that he did not make such a request.

Tunji-Ojo said: “Even though there is nothing criminal to say go and pay your debtors.

After all, I'm not asking them to pay me. But I did not even say so and I have challenged them since last week Thursday publicly that they should go and bring evidence.

"There is nothing like that; all these things is just to divert attention from key matter and of course, that's what they are trying to achieve. There is absolutely nothing like that.

They started by saying I have 17 kilometres of road, later on, they came back and said it is six kilometers, later on, they came back and said that I told them to make payment. They have said too many things over too many times. Lies are variables, only the truth is constant.

"They keep changing their stories just to get public sympathy to divert the attention of Nigerians away from the crux of the matter, which has to do with the activities of the IMC

from January till date."

Meanwhile, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has asked the House Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to make public the list of federal lawmakers, who benefitted from the contracts awarded by the NDDC, as contained in a letter sent to him by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Akpabio, last week.

President of the group, Mr. Solomon Adodo, who made the call, while addressing the press declared: "Mr. Speaker did not do us justice when he did not disclose to the National Assembly that the list of the beneficiaries he demanded had been disclosed and attached to the letter sent to him."

According to him, the speaker's decision to cover up his colleagues is unfair to the fight against corruption, the quest for transparency, and to the commonwealth of the nation.

The group stated: "We, therefore, urge Mr. Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to rise up and expose the lawmakers, who were awarded contracts but failed to execute them.

"All the National Assembly members who benefitted from the contracts without executing them should be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to those who may want to follow a similar path. It is a clear case of organised crime to have individuals who benefitted from illegality now rising to probe the fact that their illegality is being exposed.

"We call on all the anti-graft agencies and security agencies to, in line with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, immediately proceed and go ahead with their investigation of the matter.”

He also accused the governor of planning to prefer trumpedup charges against APC former National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, in order to stop him from mobilising support for Ize-Iyamu.

According to him, "Obaseki’s simple plan is to arraign Oshiomhole for a probe that has been revealed as nothing but a targeted political witch-hunt and then deny him bail on eve of the election to paralyse the APC. "We have also been reliably apprised of the fact that a top security aide of the governor has been frenziedly coordinating different meetings with thugs, cultists, and other agents of state like the discredited politically Wabazigan, pseudo-state police, which he has weaponised as a tool of oppression, to devise various demonic plans to ransack the homes of our party members and leaders with the view of destroying their properties and planting incriminating items that would serve as a basis for unjust harassment and illegal

detainment.

"These people emboldened and funded by our state resources are also plotting to set fire on the farm of Captain Hosa Okunbo because the governor believes he is entitled to his support and will see to the destruction of his businesses and reputation if he won’t offer this support.

"Names of prominent leaders of the APC have been compiled to be dealt with, intimidated, harassed, terrorised, physically assaulted, and lacerated by state-sponsored goons.

"These anomalies and acts of political desperadoes are direct affront on the country’s constitution and the rule of law."

APC, PDP INTENSIFY BATTLE FOR EDO, TRADE WORDS OVER VIOLENCE National Vice-Chairman of PDP (South-south), Chief Dan Orbih, in a statement, however, wondered what the APC members were doing at the gate of the Oba of Benin's palace on a day that the APC did not have any activity in the neighbourhood.

The party accused the APC of masterminding crisis with the prospect of setting up interstate conflicts on the premise of threats against the visiting governors.

This is coming as Ewuare II yesterday said plans were underway to summon the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs to pray for a peaceful election in the state.

Orbih, while calling for a high-powered investigation, flayed the desecration of the palace by those he called APC operatives.

He stated that the attack was pre-planned as there was no official APC activity to warrant the gathering of the APC loyalists at the palace gate.

Orbih said: “The invasion of the palace gate by armed APC youths was a well-coordinated assault by the leadership of Edo APC to eliminate the national leadership of the PDP and all democratically elected governors of PDP that were expected to be with the governor.

“This action to my mind was aimed at throwing the country into crisis. The security breach must be investigated and all those connected with it must be arrested and tried in accordance with the laws.

“The APC-organised attack at the palace is in our view a political mutiny against constituted authority capable of causing interstate conflict and war between Edo State and the affected states of the governors that were marked

down for elimination.

“There have been several videos in the cyberspace where these thugs have been instructed, directed and motivated to intimidate and cause chaos and mayhem in the state."

He explained that the PDP delegation, comprising governors and members of the PDP National Campaign Council were on an official visit to the palace and there was no justification for their being attacked.

He said: "I want to place it on record that the visit was officially communicated to the palace and the various security agencies as PDP leaders visit that included the party's National Chairman, members of the National Working Committee, governors of Rivers, Sokoto, Delta, and of course the host Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

"I want to place it on record that there was no official APC event in the palace or anywhere in Benin that was so communicated in accordance with INEC guidelines.

"There was no official communication to the security agencies and the palace that APC was also going to have an event at the palace."

He called on the security agencies to bring all those connected with the incident to book, adding that, “choosing the palace to unleash their evil plans is an abomination and a total disrespect to our royal majesty and highly respected traditional institution."

Addressing journalists in Benin, yesterday, Orbih alleged that the intention of the attackers from information available to him was to eliminate all the PDP governors present and the entire NWC of the party, a situation he noted would

have ignited interstate wars since other governors were involved.

Orbih who was flanked by the Director-General, Obaseki Campaign Organisation, Mr. Osarodion Ogie, and the party's state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, described the development as not only dangerous but a political mutiny to eliminate all those who came calling at the palace of the Oba. Also addressing a press conference at its party campaign office, Benin City, the Vice-Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, APC National Campaign Council, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, said instead of fixing the humongous problems bedeviling the state such as the payment of salaries and fixing the ecological issues, Obaseki chose to invite "taxcollectors" to the state to further feast on the state's treasury.

He said: "Only yesterday, Saturday, July 25, the governor’s army of thugs and cultists descended on protesters at the entrance of the palace of our great King, the Oba of Benin, and other parts of Benin metropolis, sending many to the hospital with gunshot wounds because they dared to express their rejection.

"We are made to understand that the outgoing governor, who instead of fixing the humongous problems bedeviling the state such as the payment of owed salaries and fixing the states challenging ecological issues inter alia, rather chose to invite "tax-collectors" to the state to further feast on the state's treasury.

"We are shocked that after that palace incident, APC’s supporters and all our party members wearing Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu's caps and T-shirts were physically assaulted in the

streets of Benin and we have those willing to testify to this brazen act of unprovoked street assault. This is unacceptable to us as a party. How long more can we persuade our teeming party loyalists to hold back?

"Worse still, information has also reached us from sources in Obaseki’s government who are but disillusioned with his nefarious acts, that the governor has plotted and perfected a criminally appalling initiative aimed at subverting the will of the people."

Obahiagbon alleged that the state government is recruiting cultists and providing them official cover and funding under the guise of appointing aides.

He said: "Mr. Godwin Obaseki is planning to use COVID-19 as a ruse to neutralise grassroots leaders of our party, the APC on the eve of the gubernatorial election by abducting and detaining them in isolation centres, this way, disenfranchising them and forestalling the political force they would deliver in pursuant of APC’s victory."

SOUTH-EAST GOVS SET TO UNVEIL REGIONAL SECURITY OUTFIT completion of the Second Niger Bridge and the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

Umahi, who expressed optimism that the two major projects would be completed as scheduled, said they would interface with the federal government to seek funding for the rehabilitation of the eastern corridor railway line.

Umahi added that the meeting also waded into the rift between a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, and billionaire businessman, Prince Arthur

Eze. The two leaders of the region have been engaged in recriminations over unresolved disagreements dating back to the time of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

The meeting, according to Umahi, directed Ohanaeze Ndigbo National President, Chief Nnia Nwodo, to interface with the two leaders with a view to amicably resolving the rift.

According to him, the forum also urged the two leaders to cease fire to enable the governors settle the dispute between them.

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN % CUSTODIAN 0.50 5.50 10 CUTIX 0.16 1.76 10 JBERGER 1.55 17.05 10 HONEYWELL 0.09 1.04 9.4 NAHCO 0.17 2.20 8.3 TOP LOSERS NGN % SEPLAT 38.60 347.40 10 LEARNAFRICA 0.05 1.01 4.7 UNILEVER 0.60 12.25 4.6 TRANSCORP 0.03 0.62 4.6 LASACO 0.24 0.24 4.0 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,256.80 Volume: 174.199 million shares Value: N2.384 billion Deals: 3,723 As at Friday 24/7/2020 See details on Page 29

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MONDAY JULY 27, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Group: 620 Christians Killed in 18 Months in Southern Kaduna Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja A human rights group, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), at the weekend raised the alarm that 620 Christians were killed in 18 months in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State.

The group also alleged that 300 Christians were killed in the past 200 days this year in the same area.

This comes as the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) said additional 63 people were killed in the last seven days by Fulani herdsmen in the area.

In a letter addressed to the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu, Intersociety said 620 Southern Kaduna indigenes were killed in 18 months, and 300 killed in the last 200 days this year without commensurate action by the authorities in spite of a curfew imposed by the state government.

In a letter signed by the Board Chairman of the group, Emeka Umeagbalasi, and four others, it also called on the IG to remove the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Musa Muri, for failing

to contain the situation.

According to the group, “It is shocking to note that in 565 daysJanuary 1, 2019, to July 20, 2020, (18 months and twenty days)-Southern Kaduna had lost not less than 620 Christians. They include 320 lives lost in 2019 and 300 lost in the past 200 days of 2020.

“In 2019, the Adara community and environs alone lost 240 lives. In other parts of Southern Kaduna, no fewer than 80 people were killed, and in the past 200 days of this year (January 1 to July 21, 2020), same Adara and environs in Kajuru Local Government Area have lost 152 lives and the rest parts of Southern Kaduna lost 148 lives.”

Intersociety declared that “with the current rate of anti-Christian butcheries going on in the state with the central government of Nigeria and its security forces and law enforcement agencies doing little or nothing, the Christian populations in the state are at high risk of being completely wiped out in the next few years.”

It also called on the Nigeria Police authorities to secure and protect Nigerians secularly without bias or soft spot for any ethnic or

Nigeria’s COVID-19 Cases Rise By 555 to 40,532

Martins Ifijeh

Nigeria has recorded 555 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 40,532 the number of confirmed cases in the country.

Announcing this yesterday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said Lagos recorded 156 new cases; Kano, 65; Ogun, 57; Plateau, 54; Oyo, 53; Benue, 43;

Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 30; Ondo, 18; Kaduna, 16; Akwa Ibom and Gombe, 13 each; Rivers, 12; Ekiti, nine; Osun, eight; Cross River, three, Borno and Edo, two each; and Bayelsa one.

It said: “Nigeria has recorded 40,532 confirmed cases of COVID-19. 17,374 patients have been discharged, while 858 persons have died”.

Police Kill Two Kidnap Suspects in Ebonyi Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki A combine team of operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping and Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Ebonyi State Police Command has killed two suspected kidnappers in Ezzagu community of Ishielu council area of the state.

The team also arrested three of the kidnappers.

Parading the suspects in Abakaliki, the police command’s spokesman, DSP Loveth Odah, said the suspects were killed during a gun duel.

In one of the cases, three business persons from Enugu who went for a business meeting in Ezzagu, Ishielu LGA, were kidnapped by the village executives and held hostage for three days.

Similarly, a man in Awugu, Enugu State, was kidnapped and taken to Ikwo, Ebonyi State, where they collected N1milion ransom.

The kidnappers gave the man N5, 000 to go back home. But luck ran out of them when police got wind of it and stormed Ikwo as they abandoned their victim’s vehicle and the N1million, and fled.

The police was able to arrest one of them, Raphael Nworie, from Nkanu East in Enugu.

Nworie said: We

kidnapped one man in Awgu, Enugu State, on July 24 and brought him to Ikwo, Ebonyi State, to identify where we came from. On our way going back, we parked on the road, and that was when police started shooting at us and we all ran into the bush. In the morning, when I came out to find my way, I was caught by the villagers. Three others are still on the run. I was the only one that was arrested.

It is one of us that knows Ikwo, and we decided to bring the man to Ikwo area.

“The man gave us N1million cash as ransom and the money is in the man’s vehicle which we kidnapped him with. We abandoned the money inside the vehicle and fled when we exchanged gun fire with the police. I have been in this business since two weeks and this is the first time we kidnapped somebody,” one of the kidnappers said.

On his part, one of those who kidnapped three persons in Ishielu, Ebonyi State, Nonso Ugboh, narrated that: “There were some persons from Enugu who came to our community to sell some goods, including noodles, pampers among others, and were looking for house for them. They got the house, and started planning venturing into another business.

religious grouping.

The human rights group urged the IG “to detect and end the perceived raging conspiratorial fraternity or ‘brothers-at-jihad’

among the deployed security and law enforcement agencies in Kaduna State.”

It said such special police detachments must particularly

be dominated by secularly composed experienced and well-trained police intelligence personnel or detectives from the Force Intelligence and Criminal

Investigation (FCID) as well as anti-terrorism and special operations squads drawn from the high command’s department of operations.

SEEKING ROYAL BLESSINGS...

Governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, during his meeting with the Enigies (traditional rulers) of Edo State in Benin City... yesterday

Okunbo Distances Self from Attack on PDP Govs Near Oba of Benin’s Palace

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Prominent Edo businessman, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo (rtd), yesterday denied any link with the sponsors of the attackers of the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP,) chieftains in Benin City on Saturday.

Vehicles belonging to PDP governors, national leaders and chieftains of the party were attacked when they paid courtesy call on the Oba of Benin, prior to the flag-off of the governorship election campaign at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

PDP leaders had accused leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the attack.

In a statement issued by Okunbo, billionare businessman condemned the attack, especially as the unfortunate incident happened near the palace of the revered royal father of Benin Kingdom.

“While I condemn the booing of the governor and the PDP team, and

the reprisal attack, I am particularly pained that some ungodly insinuations in some quarters have linked me with the unfortunate saga,” he stated.

Okunbo explained that he was invited to the palace of the Oba of Benin for a very private ceremony, adding that the private ceremony, which had no bearing at all with politics, took place hours after the incident happened outside the Palace.

“That I was not privy to the ugly incident during which Governor Godwin Obaseki was reportedly booed; “That as a responsible citizen and elder statesman who respects constituted authorities, I would not subscribe to any act that tends to disrespect or denigrate any constituted authority whether in Edo State or any other state in Nigeria; “That I sincerely frown at the brazen act of disrespect for constituted authorities by the crowd of young men who reportedly became unruly on sighting the entourage of the PDP

National Campaign Council and Governor Godwin Obaseki at the palace of the Oba of Benin; “That I will never, ever be a party to any plan, plot, action or inaction to embarrass our most revered father, Oba Ewuare II, who is non-partisan; and who plays the role of a father to all sons and daughters of the great Benin Kingdom; “That I was not associated with the activities of the unruly crowd and therefore could not have been sent to the palace by me to embarrass the PDP entourage, including the state governor whom I respect as the number one citizen of the State; “That I have equal measure of respect for other state governors who were on the entourage with Governor Godwin Obaseki; some of whom are my personal friends; and could not have encouraged any plot to boo or embarrass them; “That just as I was not privy to the ugly incident outside the

palace of the Oba Of Benin, our revered Royal Father, Oba Ewuare II, was also not even aware of what transpired outside until later after he had been briefed about it; “That those who made insinuations linking me with the ugly incident were just trying to drag me into their politics and create the impression in certain quarters that I was responsible for their rejection by the people; “That I state solemnly that, in my position as a role model to our teeming youths who look up to me for guidance and support, I cannot, under any guise, undertake directly or sanction indirectly any action that will place me in a position of disrepute before them and other well-meaning members of the society; “That, for the records, our revered Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, will not, at all times, condone any act of indiscipline by the youths;

Group Gives IG Seven Days’ Ultimatum to Explain N475m NDDC Gift Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Lawyers to the Global Forum for Accountability, a prominent Niger Delta rights group, have written to the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr Mohammed Adamu, to explain the circumstances surrounding the N475 million allegedly donated to the police for the purchase of face masks.

The leadership of the Niger

Delta Development Commission (NDDC) had told the National Assembly during an investigation of the activities of the agency that the said sum was given to the police for the purchase of the masks and hand sanitisers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Writing through his lawyers, Worenwu andAssociates, Coordinator of the organisation, Mr. Joseph Ambakederimo, noted that the silence

of the police could be misinterpreted for connivance, urging the IG to speak on the matter.

In the letter which was received and acknowledged by the Finance andAdministration Department of the Force Headquarters, Abuja, the group said it was requesting clarification on some “obscure facts surrounding the donation of the COVID-19 palliatives pursuant to section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 laws of

the federation.”

The group asked the police boss to explain where, when and how the so-called palliatives totaling almost half a billion were donated, insisting that till date, a similar incident concerning claims by the then NDDC management of purported supply of Hilux trucks to an arm of the security agencies have not been corroborated.

Edo Guber Election: Ize-Iyamu Receives Blessings of Enigies in Benin Kingdom Obaseki visits religious leaders, sues for peace ahead of poll

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Edo State governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has received the blessings of the Enigies in the Benin Kingdom to emerge victorious in the September 19 governorship election.

The event took place yesterday, when Pastor Ize-Iyamu, alongside other leaders of the APC including,

Adams Oshiomhole, visited the Enigies at the palace of its President, His Royal Highness, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbean, the Enigie of Egbaen town, to present the core policies and plans of his campaign manifesto, the SIMPLE agenda.

He lamented the elitist, detached style of administration of the incumbent which, according to him, has resulted in the implementation of wrong policies

that failed to address the problems of the people, especially at the grassroots.

This is coming as the Edo State Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 19 governorship election, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday, sued for peace among political actors ahead of the forthcoming election.

Ize-Iyamu cited the worsening conditions of security in Edo State,

explaining that the governor has failed to tackle the problem due to his poor investment in the security architecture of the state and refusal to work with traditional rulers and community heads closer to the people and in possession of vital intelligence reports.

He also criticised the government’s failure to address the acute shortage of teachers in rural communities across the state.

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COMMENT

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

COVID-19 DEBT RELIEF AND THE SMALL STATES

Moratorium on external debt repayments should be extended to small and vulnerable states, argues Patricia Scotland

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lethal combination of disease, extreme climate events and economic crises is threatening the smallest and most vulnerable nations of the world. To tackle it, we must overhaul how we understand and address economic vulnerability.

The COVID-19 pandemic has already triggered a massive global recession. Meanwhile, a record number of super cyclones have wreaked havoc in Asia and the Pacific while the Caribbean braces itself for up to six major Atlantic hurricanes over the coming months.

There is good reason to feel anxious. When Hurricane Maria struck my native Dominica in 2017, it obliterated 226 percent of annual economic output, to say nothing of the emotional and psychological pain of having communities destroyed and lives lost. More recently, Cyclone Harold ploughed through Vanuatu, Tonga and Fiji, incurring US$750 million of damage, while exacerbating the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Very often after hurricanes, countries must borrow heavily to rebuild their crippled economies, pushing them further into debt.

For the 32 disaster-prone ‘small states’ in the Commonwealth – most of whom have a population of 1.5 million or less – the reality is that COVID-19 profoundly compounds the ongoing risks they already face on a daily basis. Not only are they highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters, but their remote locations, high levels of debt, scant domestic markets and limited range of exports further expose them to other external shocks.

Within a few months, COVID-19 has ravaged their tourism industries, which contribute up to 50 per cent of national income in countries such as Maldives and Grenada, while slashing a fifth of vital remittance inflows. Overall, Commonwealth small states are set to lose 8.6 per cent of projected economic growth, with knock-on effects such as unprecedented levels of unemployment and disruption to social services.

Yet, despite the patent vulnerabilities they share, many small states are excluded from vital international financial support designed to help cope with COVID-19, including debt relief.

This is due to outdated eligibility criteria based mainly on per capita income which classifies them as ‘middle’ or ‘high income’ countries, without fully taking into account their current challenges.

MANY SMALL STATES ARE EXCLUDED FROM VITAL INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT DESIGNED TO HELP COPE WITH COVID-19, INCLUDING DEBT RELIEF. THIS IS DUE TO OUTDATED ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA BASED MAINLY ON PER CAPITA INCOME

For example, the IMF has offered USD213.4 million worth of COVID-19 related debt relief to 29 of the poorest and most vulnerable nations. While commendable, the initiative will only benefit six of 54 Commonwealth countries - The Gambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Tanzania. It will not cover any of the 25 small island developing states in the Commonwealth, which remain prone to the existential threat of climate change.

Similarly, the G20 has offered to temporarily suspend debt repayments for more than 70 countries classified as ‘least developed countries’ or which meet certain criteria under the World Bank International Development Association. In this case, 30 Commonwealth countries are eligible, but a number of small vulnerable states such as Jamaica, Belize and Eswatini do not qualify because their average annual income per person is above the US$1,175 threshold, or they are deemed creditworthy enough to borrow from other funds.

So, while acknowledging these huge efforts of the global community to deal with the financial impacts of the pandemic, it is clear the nature and size of the support on offer is simply not enough.

Still, the extraordinary circumstances brought about by COVID-19 offer a rare opportunity to reform the international debt architecture so it is more fit-for-purpose.

Most urgent is that the moratorium on external debt repayments is extended to all developing countries – including small and vulnerable states classified as middle or high income – recognising their specific vulnerabilities.

The Commonwealth Secretariat’s ongoing work on a Universal Economic Vulnerability Index will also be vital.

Still in development, this index aims to better capture different aspects of vulnerability – such as remoteness, economic exposure and proneness to natural disasters – rather than focus on per capita income alone.

We hope to build a consensus among our members on the definition and measurement of vulnerability, to help us better understand the needs of countries in crisis and propose the best solutions.

Without this altruistic approach to debt relief, many vulnerable countries are at a great risk of a debt crisis with alarming socio-economic impacts. We simply cannot afford to sit back and allow such a setback to human development Scotland is Commonwealth Secretary-General

THE DANGERS OF COVID-19 VACCINE Chris Okotie argues the need to be circumspect about the vaccine in the making to fight the virus

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his article is an excerpt from my broadcast on YouTube concerning the Covid-19 pandemic. It deals with the issue of the vaccine being prepared to fight the virus.

You may have to listen to the full broadcast to fully understand what I am talking about here. Here is the link- https// youtu.be/8uPbf7TOKbQ What the devil has attempted to do, is to create the pattern of communion in this situation.

How? Communion involves that which is solid, and that which is liquid. The bread is solid, the wine is liquid. That’s what this vaccine project is all about.

Bill Gates, as Commander of the Ten, like I mentioned in the numerology of his name, has dealt with the solid, which is what the bread is, by affecting what we eat, in what is called GMO; Genetically Modified Organisms, now found in what we eat. This is the pattern for the bread. The vaccine on the other hand, brings the liquid to you, just like the blood, and it is injected into you. So, it is received into you, because, when you drink the wine, it goes into your system, so that when you consume the GMO’s, and you receive the vaccine, you bring the body and blood together; so to speak, just as it is in communion; the body of Jesus Christ and His blood. That’s what replicates that pattern. And I told you that the reason for the communion is because it affects you on three dimensions: Your eyes, your vision. Your mouth, the words that you speak, because, the power of life and death resides in the tongue. Your hands, your enterprise, what you can do.

So, what Bill Gates is doing; under the auspices of the United Nations, is to make sure that you receive the food ‌ Many people did not complain about GMOs’, because they didn’t understand where this was leading.

They thought it was just changing whatever

nutritional values these things have. They did not understand the spiritual import: But now, they do.

So, when you eat the genetically modified organisms that you eat, and you take the vaccine, you’ve entered into communion with Satan, with Lucifer, and that communion involves blood. Now, since the blood of Jesus is not what he’s talking about, or what he has to offer, he will require you to seek blood somewhere else, and the only place that you can find blood, is another human being. So, one of the things that the vaccine will make you do, is to become a ‘vampire’, who needs to drink blood for sustenance. But we as Christians, we don’t drink blood, we drink the wine, which is an emblem of the blood, and that sustains us spiritually. But his communion will require you drinking blood spiritually, so that you are a vampire for your sustenance. That is why you have seen all of the movies about vampires.

Hollywood is one of the mouthpieces of the god of this world. He has many prophets there that are directors, and a lot of actors and producers. You say, why does he say what to do ahead of time? Because he is an imitator of scripture; of our God. Martin Luther called him the ape of God. He imitates God, because God; through prophecy, will tell you what He wants to do ahead of time; and you can’t change it. So, to provide the same pattern, he has his people telling you things, like Rockefeller Foundation, and all these things that they say to you; ahead of time: And they assume that there is nothing that you can do about it, because this thing going on now, was already predicted, they already talked about it. They MUST provide the pattern ‌ The pattern, because that’s where the power comes through, so, they must provide that pattern.

That’s why they do their movies, to tell you what they are going to do, because the drugs

inside this vaccine, will make you a zombie; you are a walking cadaver, you’re neither dead nor alive, so, you can be controlled by the power of Satan ‌ Zombified, so he can control you. He has the power, that’s why it’s called sorcery. In the book of Revelations, when the Bible talks about the reason why the people on earth cannot turn away from their sin, even though the judgment of God is manifest, the Bible says it’s because of their sorceries. That word is a translation of the word Pharmachaea; it’s a reference to drugs. That is not talking about drugs that you can easily swallow, or pills that you take, because, that will be too expensive for the devil; to turn all of the world into drug addicts; all of us. Now, he can do that, so, the easiest way to do it, is through vaccines.

So, everything he needs to put in the drugs, is in the vaccine. That’s why you see in the movies that deal with witchcraft like Harry Porter, things like that, you will see them stirring this liquid, because, when you take that, that’s the drug, that’s the pharmachaea, the reference to the drugs. It opens doors in the soul realm, in the mind realm, that God had shut, because of the sin of Adam. That’s why those who play around with drugs, when they take these drugs, they begin to hallucinate, and they begin to see things. Because doors that were shut, are open, because when you take these things, you become susceptible to witchcraft, and you can now leave your body into what they call astral travels, and things like that. You need those things as a catalyst, they facilitate the movement from physical into the spirit realm. And all of those things are in the drugs.

So, just as communion connects you to the Lord, through the bread, which connects you to the body, which gives you healing, and the wine connects you to the blood, which gives you forgiveness. That’s exactly what the devil will do, or is already doing. The GMO’s will

connect you to Lucifer, the vaccine will connect you to Lucifer, concerning your body and your spirit, or your soul, so he can control you. That way, he can determine the population of the world, because, all he has to do, is command you to die; you kill yourself. Or command the disease to kill you, and he can reduce the population of the world through that, or turn you into a zombie, just like I said: he can do that. And he controls what you say, because that’s what communion does. Our mouth has power of life, and for Satan to control our mouth, we must begin to say words that are contrary to the Bible.

In the New Testament, there are two words that describe evil. There’s the word, kakos: When a man is doing evil, and just wants to do evil, and deals with the consequence of that evil, he doesn’t care about anybody else. He just wants to do evil, and then he’ll bear the consequences. But there’s another word called, poneros, which is used to describe the evil of this world. That is evil that is done by a man and he does it in such a way that he drags you down by the evil that he commits. So he wants you to be a partaker of the consequence of the evil, even though you did not partake in the evil, because those two words are used to describe Satan’s operations. kakos; people who do evil on the internet, and then do not care about anyone else. They just purveyeur, they sell evil, they do evil, they attract evil, they communicate evil with the things that they say, they blaspheme God, they speak enchantments and divinations contrary to the word of Almighty God. Then you have others who are poneros evil, who do things to seduce others, so that they can participate in the consequence of the evil, and drag you down with them.

Rev Okotie is the Pastor of the Household of God Church, Lagos

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EDITORIAL DEALING WITH THE NDDC SCANDALS The commission must entrench a culture of transparency and accountability

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hese are not the best of times for the current administration and its image minders. When Nigerians expect firm and decisive steps, what they get are tentative actions bordering on inability to rein in disparate interests of gullible and often greedy politicians. With allegations of sleaze and financial malfeasance against the interim managers of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the senate last week directed its Interim Management Committee (IMC) to refund the N4.923 billion payments made to staff and contractors in breach of the procurement process.

The senate resolution was sequel to the adoption of recommendations of its ad-hoc committee which investigated the alleged misappropriation of N40 billion by the current IMC. A breakdown of the refund demanded by the senate includes overseas travel to the United Kingdom (N85.7million), scholarship grants (N105.5 million) and union members’ trip to Italy, N164.2 million. They are also to refund payment made for Lassa fever kit (N1.96 billion), payment for IF WE MUST ENTRENCH public communicaA CULTURE OF tion valued at N1.12 TRANSPARENCY AND billion and the ACCOUNTABILITY IN expenditure of N1.49 THE AFFAIRS OF THE billion purportedly on COMMISSION, IT IS COVID-19.

IMPORTANT TO HAVE A The senate has SUBSTANTIVE BOARD IN also called on the PLACE president to dissolve the IMC and set up a board for the commission; transfer the oversight of the forensic audit to the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, ensure transparency and appoint a renowned auditor to supervise the exercise. Exposing the soft underbelly of extant practices that fuel abuses and strengthen the life wire of financial misconduct at the NDDC is a necessary preamble to a sustainable solution. We subscribe to the demands by the senate. It is important if we must entrench a culture of transpar-

Letters to the Editor

ency and accountability in running the affairs of the commission. It is only in such an atmosphere that the agency can facilitate the rapid and sustainable development of the region.

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

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

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In Praise Of Okonjo-Iweala

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n the cesspool of corruption and continuous A-grade drama that is Nigeria, only a handful of names have stood out to tell a different story, not only in Nigerian circles but across global scenes. One very prominent name to reckon with is the iconic Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, who through sheer hard work and pristine service has risen to the rank of a national hero. She is a woman of reckoning across the world, sitting on many seats without breaking them, standing at many a podium, accepting heavy responsibilities and handling them all with classy aplomb, thus deserving the countless feathered caps that sit so immaculately well on her head.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is not a name that suddenly leapt out of nowhere. It belongs to a personality that has worked hard and tirelessly in the economic echelon of Nigeria. One quick mention of this is, to quote Forbes, “helping to increase the economic value of Nigeria by an average of 6%, consistently for three years”. This is no small feat as Nigeria’s economy is considered one of the largest in Africa and had been on a steady decline. This Harvard and MIT-trained epitome of excellence has left a long line of achievements in her trail and, at the risk of sounding repetitive, recounted they must be.

Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has shown her devotion to Nigeria’s progress since as far back as 1981

ith revelations of how hundreds of billions of Naira end up in private hands at the NDDC, the federal government can only allow the problem to fester at our collective peril. While the social media is now awash with memes on mega fraud allegations in the NDDC and the drama of the probe in the House of Representatives, most discerning people are asking pertinent questions: How would an efficient and effective NDDC be midwifed to meet its major objectives? What interventions would be done to bring the NDDC to the dreams of improving the standards and means of livelihood of the people of the Niger Delta region? How could the IMC, inspired by the Minister of the Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio, have within four months (February to May, 2020) spend a whopping sum of N81bn without any projects?

Established in 2000 by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, the NDDC was charged with facilitating the rapid, even and sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region “that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful.” The commission’s mandate area is comprised of the nine oil producing states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers. Sadly, while the NNDC has a comprehensive master plan and hundreds of billions of Naira have been spent over the past 19 years, there is little on ground to justify the investment.

The Act establishing the NDDC leaves no room for a situation that empowers a few people who report to the Niger Delta Minister to practically run it as sole administrators. If we must entrench a culture of transparency and accountability in the affairs of the commission, it is important to have a substantive board in place rather than leave it to the whims of a minister. Now that the senate has joined the call by stakeholders, the president must rectify this situation without any further delay.

when she earned a PhD in Regional Economics with a thesis on Credit Policy, Rural Financial markets, and Nigeria’s Agricultural Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She has since then, had a 25-year career with the World Bank, rising to the position of the Managing Director, the second-highest position there, and making indelible waves in procuring aid and support for developing countries. She also served as a two- time Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2003-2006, 2011-2015), Coordinating Minister of the Economy (2011-2015) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (June-August 2006).

During this time, she established herself as a leader who doesn’t turn up her nose at the mess made, but as one who rolls up her sleeve to clean up the debris. This she proved by embarking on several groundbreaking projects, including helping to increase the economic strength of the country, driving negotiations that led to the relief of Nigeria’s over USD30 billion debt, initiating transparency and accountability in the system with tools and policies such as publications of monthly financial allocations to each state, the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

Oluwakemi Makinde, an advocate of both art for art sake and art for life sake

The NDDC And Development

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n 2000, when the President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration announced the establishment of a commission that will cater specially for the need of the oil-rich Niger Deltans, observers like me concluded that the selfless efforts of the likes of Ken Saro Wiwa and many other activists from the oil -bearing region are not in vain.

It will end the banditry and criminal activities in some states in the region. The oil producing region cuts across nine states in southern part of the country namely Abia, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Edo, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, Rivers and the only western state, Ondo, comprising of about 185 local government areas.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was established with the core mandate of training and educating the youths to curb hostilities and militancy while developing key infrastructure to promote diversification and productivity.

With this in place, the perception of many is that the region would be a new emirate and be a place of attraction to many in terms of development across all ramifications. But things seem not to improve.

Again in 2008 during the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration, an independent ministry was established for the region and by implication, the NDDC would become a parastatal under the ministry. The ministry would have a minister who would be in charge of development and a minister of state whose sole responsibility is

youth empowerment.

These and many other allocations such as 13% derivation from the ministry of finance and amnesty programme, the region is primed for development.

But what we have seen is a show of shame by the representatives of these wonderful people. So much money could not be accounted for as the big men in charge are stealing the place blind.

While the NDDC was established for the region, the north-east ravaged by the terrorism of the Boko Haram group got the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in 2017 to strive to restore normalcy to the lives of its people through development and rehabilitation. The impact of the commission is gradually being felt by the people.

Journeying through some north eastern states such as Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and you see a sense of hope in the people. Unlike NDDC, NEDC did not have a ministry to itself. The Niger Delta region, in terms of infrastructural development, education, health, etc., is nowhere close to the allocation it gets from the government. A brief review at the commission’s expenses from January to May 2020 came to about N81.5billion. Some N85.6million on overseas travel, N1.3billion on community relations; condolence and consultancy took N122.9million and 83million and about N1.3billion was given to management as palliatives. A whopping N1.3billion as palliatives?

Shotonwa Waheed, shotonwa.waheed@gmail.com

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JULY 27, 2020

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

Nigeria’s Killing Fields, Service Chiefs and Buhari Kingsley Nwezeh looks at the security challenges facing the nation, the continued stay in office of the military service chiefs, the senate resolution calling for their resignation and the trillions of Naira sunk into the security sector since 2015 without any appreciable impact

Buhari

Buratai

Chief of Air Staff, Siddique

Chief of Naval Staff, Ibas

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ast week, President Muhammadu Buhari, gave a spirited defence of the military service chiefs, who literally cowered behind him as the Senate and the citizenry, who have borne the brunt of frequent killings across the country, fired verbal missiles at them, calling on the president to effect their sack.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, also drew the ire of some sections of Nigerians when he stated that the end of the insurgency war depended on Nigerians.

He predicated his argument on the fact that 100 percent of the actors involved including the insurgents are Nigerians.

Some have interpreted this to mean that the military has abdicated its constitutional responsibility and waited on Nigerians to take a decision to end violent crimes or allow it to fester.

This is without prejudice to the genuine efforts made by the military in terms of sacrifices, several war strategies deployed in spite of operational difficulties, joint operations and the decimation of scores and scores of insurgents via aerial and artillery bombardments in the North.

The Grim Insecurity Statistics Boko Haram insurgency alone is believed to have claimed at least 100,000 lives, displaced more than 2.6 million people, caused pain to over 52, 311 orphans and 54,911 widows,

and led to about $9 billion worth of damage.

UNICEF blames the militant group for killing around 2,295 teachers and destroying more than 1,400 schools destroyed since the conflict started ten years ago, according to Al-Jazeera Study Center, citing statistics provided by UNICEF. Data generated by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) in its 2019 policy brief on Nigeria and it’s National Early

Warning System (NEWS) showed that the war against armed banditry recorded a death toll of over 1,058 people in Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Niger States between January and December, 2019.

This figure has since moved up with killings recorded daily.

A letter addressed to the Inspector-General of Police by the the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety)

It is shocking to note that in the 565 days gone by or 1st Jan 2019 to 20th July 2020 (18 months and twenty days), Southern Kaduna had lost not less than 620 Christians involving 320 lives lost in 2019 and 300 lost in the past 200 days of 2020 or 1st Jan to 20th July 2020. In 2019, the Adara Community and environs alone lost 240 lives and other parts of Southern Kaduna no fewer than 80 people and in the past 200 days of this year (1st Jan to 20th July 2020), same Adara and environs located in Kajuru Local Government Area lost 152 lives and the rest parts of Southern Kaduna 148 lives

last week said 620 Christians were killed In 18 months and 20 days in Southern Kaduna.

“It is shocking to note that in the 565 days gone by or 1st Jan 2019 to 20th July 2020 (18 months and twenty days), Southern Kaduna had lost not less than 620 Christians involving 320 lives lost in 2019 and 300 lost in the past 200 days of 2020 or 1st Jan to 20th July 2020.

“In 2019, the Adara Community and environs alone lost 240 lives and other parts of Southern Kaduna no fewer than 80 people and in the past 200 days of this year (1st Jan to 20th July 2020), same Adara and environs located in Kajuru Local Government Area lost 152 lives and the rest parts of Southern Kaduna 148 lives”, the group said.

The letter signed by Mr Emeka Umeagbalasi and four others said “with the current rate of anti Christian butcheries going on in the state with the central Government of Nigeria and its security forces and law enforcement agencies doing little or nothing, the Christian populations in the State are at high risk of being completely wiped out in coming few years.”

This killing trend occurred in other parts of the country with increasing number of casualties.

The Senate Weighs in Worried by the worsening insecurity in the country and the rising number of casualties of military and security personnel, the senate last

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JULY 27, 2020

MONDAY DISCOURSE

Magu

Masari

Ndume

Apiafi

week passed a resolution asking the service chiefs to step aside following a motion by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, who is also from Borno State.

The resolution asking the service chiefs to resign was moved by Senator Francis Fadahunsi (PDP, Osun) and seconded by Senator Betty Apiafi (PDP, Rivers).

Fadahunsi said that the present crop of service chiefs should step aside for the new ideas to come in order not to jeopardise the security system.

The motion was approved after a voice vote.

Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi), said the armed forces were under a lot of pressure.

“This pressure is reflected in the amount and number of soldiers we are losing due to ambush by terrorists and bandits. This particular issue needs to be tackled.

“It means our security forces will have to reorganise their deployment, they have to employ new tactics in this fight,” he said.

The senate had earlier adopted a similar resolution last January.

The Presidency Fights Back As was the case in previous resolutions asking the service chiefs to resign, the presidency was on hand to provide reasons why the service chiefs should stay on.

“The presidency notes the resolution, and reiterates that appointment or sack of service chiefs is a presidential prerogative, and President Muhammadu Buhari, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will do what is in the best interest of the country at all times,” a statement signed

by Presidential Spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, had said.

The Arguments: Why They Can’t Be Sacked Various reasons have been adduced as regards why the service chiefs should not be sacked. The arguments range from the rational, sublime to the ridiculous.

President Muhammadu Buhari had consistently pushed the idea that removing military service chiefs in the middle of hostilities would be counter productive. Many agree with this view but it quickly dissipates when

the carnage spirals.

There are also the allegations that many stakeholders including foreign interests, government officials, top military brass, international and local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), arms, food and other logistics suppliers are all in the mix since it has become the booming business of war.

There are also conspiracy theorists, who believe that there’s a pact between the president and service chiefs to deliver the 2019 elections to the former and remain on their seats till 2023.

The contribution of some stakeholders in escalating the security situation may also have partially informed Buratai’s recent position that the end of the war depends on Nigerians.

“As to whether banditry, terrorism and so on will end, I think it all depends (on us). If Nigerians want it to end today, I can assure you, it will end if everybody joins hands.

“These bandits are not outside Nigeria. They are not from foreign land. Ninety-nine per cent of them are Nigerians. These kidnappers, I will say 100 per cent of them, are Nigerians. So it is not just a military, security agency’s task to end the insecurity in this country. Everybody has a responsibility to discharge,” he said.

Gov Masari’s Position Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari, also accused politicians of sponsoring

insurgency and armed banditry.

He said such politicians believe that by sponsoring violence and other acts of criminality, they would be blackmailing the Buhari administration in order to contest the forthcoming general election.

Masari, who spoke in Katsina recently, said most of the bandits and Boko Haram attacks in the country were sponsored by some politicians.

In commending the military he said, “the military and the police cannot do it alone, they don’t have the numbers, neither do they have all the equipment required to complete the fight alone.

“Community members have all that it takes to inform and support the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Nigeria Spent N5.62 trn on National Security in Five Years So far, government has spent more than N5.62 trillion on national security in the last five years.

In the 2020 budget, N784.037.271.876 was allocated to Ministry of Defence.

In 2019, the budget stood at N9.12 trillion of which defence got N580.145 billion or 6.26%.

By 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari had spent N1.864 trillion (30.57%) to the defence sector since coming to power on May 29, 2015.

For 2016, it was N429.128 billion (7.08%)

Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari, also accused politicians of sponsoring insurgency and armed banditry. He said such politicians believe that by sponsoring violence and other acts of criminality, they would be blackmailing the Buhari administration in order to contest the forthcoming general election. Masari, who spoke in Katsina recently, said most of the bandits and Boko Haram attacks in the country were sponsored by some politicians

of N6.061 trillion budget; and 2017, N465.87 billion or 6.26% of the final N7.444 trillion budget.

Terror-Financing and NGOs with 40 Bank Accounts There is also the case of Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) involved in money laundering using Nigerian banks in suspicious transactions believed to be linked to terror financing.

In a bid to track the movement of laundered funds in the banking system used to finance terrorism, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had declared that it would commence an investigation into the financial dealings of some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating in the North-east.

Speaking at a recent meeting with banks’ compliance officers in Maiduguri, suspended Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, had queried the rationale behind a single NGO keeping forty bank accounts.

He warned that banks should comply with the Money Laundering Act by reporting to the anti-graft agency, any person or persons moving cash above the allowed threshold.

“Nobody should carry cash above the threshold of above N10 million for corporate organisations and N5 million for individuals.

Anything above the threshold must be routed through financial institutions,” he said.

Magu said EFCC would soon commence the profiling of Non-Governmental Organisations with a view to monitoring their financial activities.

He had said: “We must profile all the NGOs in the North-east. I don’t know why an NGO will open more than 40 bank accounts.

“We are going to ask your various banks to give us statements of accounts for each and every NGO. “The issue of money laundering, terrorist financing and leakage of information will be eliminated by the commission with the help of bankers across the country.”

But in spite of the huge budgetary expenditure over the years, security challenges have remained intractable.

It remains to be seen how this national tragedy will end.

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Quick Takes Wema Establishes New Training Academy

STOCK-TAKING

L-R: MD/CEO, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr. Fidelis Ayebae; Chairman of the board, Mr. Segun Adebanji, and Company Secretary, Mr.Yomi Adebanjo, during the company’s21stAnnualGeneralMeetingheldinLagos...recently

NAICOM Sets to License Four New Insurance Firms Ebere Nwoji After over 10 years of embargo on licensing of new insurance underwriting firms, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), at the weekend said it has received applications from four insurance firms seeking to obtain operational licenses to commence operation in Nigeria.

The Commission, gave the names of the four firms as Heir Insurance Limited, which is seeking to be licensed as General insurance business underwriter; Stanbic IBTC Insurance Limited, which yet to declare its area of interest; Heirs Life Assurance Limited, for life insurance underwriting; and Enterprise Life Assurance Company Nigeria Limited, which is seeking for life

INSURANCE insurance underwriting license.

Confirming the receipt of the applications from the above four companies, NAICOM in a publication titled: “public notice on registeration of new insurance companies,� stated: “NAICOM has received applications from the under listed companies for registration as insurance companies to transact insurance business in Nigeria. In fulfillment of the statutory provisions of extant laws for the registration/licensing of insurance companies, the general public is hereby informed that the commission, has commenced the process of registering the companies. “Members of the public are

requested to submit/report any objection or otherwise against these registrations to the Commission within 21 days from the date of this publication, please,� the commission stated.

In a telephone chat with NAICOM’s Head of Communications, Mr. Rasaaq Salami, on why the commission lifted the embargo on fresh licensing of underwriting firms, he said it was in accordance with resolution of the regulator commission in the initial guidelines for recapitalisation of insurance firms which it released to the public last year.

Among the applicants, Heirs Insurance Limited, incorporated in February 2015 has Olaniyi Stephen as its Managing Director and Tony Elumelu as its chairman.

Stanbic IBTC Insurance Ltd,

incorporated in May 2012, has Akinjide Orimolade as its Managing Director and Yinka Sanni as its chairman.

Similarly, Heirs Life Assurance Ltd, incorporated in February 2019, has Abah Okoriko as its Managing Director and Abdulquadir Jell Bello as its chairman .

While Enterprise Life Assurance Company Nigeria Ltd, Incorporated in October 2019 , has Mrs. Fumilayo Omo as its Managing Director The company’s chairman is yet to be disclosed by the commission For over a decade now, NAICOM, had placed an embargo on the registration of fresh insurance underwriting firms insisting that Continued on page 22

Shonubi Highlights Path to Greater Financial Inclusion Nume Ekeghe The Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Adebisi Shonubi, has said operators of agency banking in the country can significantly increase financial inclusion if they offer customers more than just pay and receiving money services.

He said this at the Nigerian- South Africa Chamber of commerce (NSACC) webinar held recently, where he spoke, on ‘Digital Economy and the Opportunities in Nigerian Banking Industry.’ Shonubi, also pointed out that the first half of the year saw an increase in new account opening,

ECONOMY growth and in cashless transactions and also an increase in electronic channel fraud.

On agency banking, he urged banks be more creative in ways to attract customers by firstly focusing on offering the unbanked services they need and that current method in place does not encourage enrolment of new customers.

Shonubi explained: “The narration of agent tends to be driven by financial institutions who are looking at pay and receive services and that assumes that there is someone who is already within the system and wants to

carry out a transaction. “And if you have two people who are not within the existing financial system, it becomes difficult. So, you have already limited people who can participate.

It therefore suggests also that you are looking at this as an alternative or compliment to what you already have which is either a POS or internet banking.�

The CBN Deputy Governor added: “The first thing we need to realise is that an agent is actually helping with communication and the education for people. It is not about the transaction first and most times we are thinking is about the money and how much is transferred and how much cash does he keep.

“It is actually about educating that would engender confidence in the system rather than going to ask people to open account to transfer money.�

According to him, the role of the agent is misunderstood because the intent was driven by those who are putting it in place which are the financial institution, who see it largely as an extension of their branches.

Furthermore, speaking on the increase in banking activities and transactions in the first half of 2020, he said: “We have seen a growth in transactions to about 50 per cent. One of the upsides of COVID-19 is that people aren’t Continued on page 22

WemaBanksaidithasbuiltanewtrainingschool,WemaPurpleAcademy, with the multi-purpose function of providing quality training for sta as well as a space for innovators to collaborate.

A statement from the bank explained that theWema Purple Academy, formerly at Oba-Akran Ikeja is now located at Town planning way Ilupeju Lagos and serves as a pathway for new sta to join the bank as well as a learning centre for current sta to increase individual and organisational productivity. “Itassiststhebanktoidentifyanddeveloptalentsandprepareastructured career progression for the superior performers thereby guaranteeing a sustainable performance culture in the future. “ThenewlybuiltAcademywillalsohouseaninnovationhubwhichwillbring together technologists, tech enthusiast and creators alike to collaborate and create innovative solutions targeted at critical business and human needs. “This is to serve as one of the numerous channels through which Wema Bank fosters creativity, instils the bank’s work ethics, culture and high-professionalism. “By building the Academy to include an innovation hub and state-of-theart learning software and systems, the bank continues to deliver on its promiseforinnovationandcreativitythroughdigitisationandtwenty-ďŹ rst century technology,â€? the statement added.

Accordingtothebank,thetrainingsoeredattheWemaPurpleAcademy are of relevant world-class curricula in skill areas that correspond with the requirements to achieve its strategic pillars in a more structured manner.

Itnotedthattheinstitutewouldhelpdriveandentrenchthemuch-desired performance and innovation culture within the bank - employees across dierent levels will be equipped with competencies required for now and future, geared towards achieving superior performance needed to deliver innovative solutions to customers.

NIMN Elects Olufade Council Member

A former Executive Director, Marketing, NigerianTelevision Authority (NTA), Mrs. Adenike Olufade, has been elected Council Member, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN). Olufade was one of the four membersinductedattheswearing-inatitsannualgeneralMeeting(AGM).

The four council members were sworn in last Thursday, following a week-long electronic voting. The new Council member is the CEO/ Managing Director of Digimage Consult and the Chairman of the Lagos Island chapter of the NIMN. Olufade, who got 163 votes, said her goal is to support the NIMN leadership in building an institute that would attract the best talent in marketing, enhance the skills of members and position the NIMN for the challenges in a post-covid-19 era. Other elected members included Bewaji Babatunde, Hope Gbagi and Walter Okafor.

NB Supports Imo-based Journalists

The Nigerian Breweries Plc recently made some donations comprising food items, sanitiser and non-alcoholic drinks to members of the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Imo State.

Presenting the items, the company’s Corporate Aairs Manager, South-east, Mr. Chukwuemeka Aniukwu, said the items were meant to help cushion the eects of COVID-19 pandemic on the journalists who he described as a very important segment in the ďŹ ght against the virus, but usually neglected by the society.

Aniukwu, also maintained that journalists as a vulnerable group needed tobeassistedtremendouslyhavingbeenthefourthestateofrealm,hence the gesture was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

He said Nigerian Breweries was aware of the huge role journalists play in society, adding that no amount of gift would be enough as compensation for their roles. According to him, journalists play a frontline role in the curtailment of COVID-19 pandemic. “We are not unaware of your role in society, especially during this period of COVID-19 pandemic.This is our second phase of giving palliatives in Imo, and this time, we want to touch lives directly and we consider journalists as very relevant in this second phase.

Responding,theChairmanoftheChapel,Mr.SteveUzoechi,commended thecompanyforthegesture,saying“Wearehappythatyouhaveremembered us today and your palliative donation came at the right time.

“Over the past three years, Nigerians in the diaspora have brought in over $25 billion annually as home remittances to the Nigerian economy through official and nonformal channels�

President Muhammadu Buhari

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BUSINESSWORLD NAICOM SETS TO LICENSE FOUR NEW INSURANCE FIRMS would be operators instead of seeking for fresh licenses to float new firms should buy into existing, but weak firms to inject life into them.

During this period, both local and foreign investors into the sector were compelled to buy into existing firms instead of seeking for fresh licenses.

This saw Sanlam from South Africa with investment interest in Nigerian insurance sector buying over oasis insurance which it converted into FBN General insurance having previously invested in BNInsurance, a life insurance underwriter. Also, INSIA Insurance had bought over ADIC Insurance; Old Mutual Insurance bought over Oceanic Life Insurance; Assur African Holding bought 67.68 in Mansard Insurance formerly owned by GTB , while prestige Assurance received capital injection to the tune of 51 percent stake from the new India Assurance.

SHONUBI HIGHLIGHTS PATH TO GREATER FINANCIAL INCLUSION

moving a lot and using as much cash and therefore resorted to a lot of more electronic channels. “And in the evening when people were allowed out, people would troop to the ATMs to take cash out. Part of the increase in also the increase in volume. “I also feel that the number of people that are in the banking system especially the newer customers may not be as conversant in term of training and knowledge on the best practices to put in place so that may have made them a bit more susceptible to fraud. “But we would see how it pans out for the rest of the year and if the fraud rates come down, we would know that bleep was as COVID inspired,� he added.

THISDAY had reported that the value of electronic payment transactions through the point of sale (PoS) terminals, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System Instant Payment (NIP) and Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) increased significantly by 82 per cent to N11.676 trillion in May 2020, compared with the N6.421 trillion recorded in April 2020.

NEWS

NSE All-Share Index Rises Marginally on Gain by Dangote Cement Goddy Egene The stock market recorded a positive performance last week as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) appreciated 0.58 per cent compared with a decline of 0.08 per cent the previous week. The NSE ASI index rose to close at 24,427.73, while market capitalisation added N73.1 billion to close at N12.743 trillion.

Sentiments remained weak because the market depreciated in four days. However, a one-off gain of 6.5 per cent by Dangote Cement Plc on Thursday lifted the market to the positive territory. The cement manufacturer’s gain was obviously influenced by investors’ reaction to its positive half-year (H1) financial results. Contrary to apprehension that the COVID-19 might affect most corporate results for H1, Dangote Cement posted increase in revenue and profitability.

The leading cement firm posted a revenue of N476.852 billion for the H1 ended June 30, 2020, showing an increase of 2.0 per cent, from N467.730 billion in the corresponding period of 2019. Profit after tax rose by 5.8 per cent from N119.240 billion to

N126.143 billion in 2020.

Also, apart from the NSE ASI closing higher last week, volume and value of trading improved as investors exchanged 1.350 billion shares worth N14.433 billion in 16,723 deals, compared with 1.016 billion shares valued at N7.436billion that were traded in 18,092deals the previous week.

Following the gain by Dangote Cement only the NSE Industrial Index closed positively last week.

The Oil & Gas Index led the decliners with 4.7 per cent, while

the NSE Insurance Index shed 0.8 per cent. The NSE Banking Index went down by 0.6 per cent just as the NSE Consumer Goods Index fell 0.4 per cent.

The Financial Services industry remained that most trading leading the activity chart with 847.677million shares valued at N5.649billion traded in 9,068deals; thus contributing 62.7 per cent and 39.1 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Conglomerates industry followed with 176.425mil-

lion shares worth N821.337million in 400 deals. The third place was The Consumer Goods industry occupied the third position with a turnover of 158.022million shares worth N3.768billion in 2,563deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely: FBN Holdings Plc, UAC of Nigeria Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc accounted for 434.502million shares worth N2.408billion in 2,270deals, contributing 32.2 per cent and 16.7 per cent to the

total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The price movement chart showed that 28 equities appreciated higher than 26 equities in the previous week while 25 equities depreciated lower than 36 equities in the previous week.

Fidson Healthcare Plc led the price gainers with 18.1 per cent, trailed

by Unity Bank Plc that chalked up 15.5 per cent. Royal Exchange Plc garnered 14.8 per cent, just as Custodian Investment Plc appreciated by 14.5 per cent.

BUSINESSREVIEW

L-R: Director, International Breweries Plc, Mr. Bruno Zambrano; Marketing Director, Mrs. Tolulope Adedeji; Chairman, Mr. Michael Ajukwu; and Company Secretary, Mr.MuyiwaAyojimi, atthe43rdAnnualGeneralMeetingofthecompanyheldinLagos...recently ETOPUKUTT

IFC Offers Access Bank $50m for On-lending to SMEs Obinna Chima The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has provided a loan of up to $50 million to Access Bank Plc to help the bank increase liquidity to thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria which are navigating the economic challenges of COVID-19.

A statement from the corporation explained that funds from the loan, made through IFC’s global COVID-19 fast-track financing support package, would allow Access Bank to provide increased trade financing and working capital to their business clients experiencing disrupted cash flows, supporting business activity and preserving jobs.Commenting on the development, the Chief Executive of Access Bank, Herbert

Wigwe said: “In Nigeria, SMEs contribute over 45 percent of national GDP, account for about 96 percent of businesses and 84 per cent of employment. Access Bank, therefore, recognises the importance of SMEs to economic stability and is going the extra mile to ensure that such businesses are adequately financed to weather these testing times. “IFC’s funding will not only enable us to extend financial relief

to our clients across all sectors during the pandemic but beyond the COVID-19 crisis as well. Our partnership with IFC will help Nigerian businesses weather COVID-19 and set a course for recovery.�

On her part, IFC’s Country Manager for Nigeria, Eme Essien Lore, said: “It is crucial to support smaller businesses to keep Nigeria’s economy going during this unprecedented economic challenge. “IFC’s

longstanding partnership with Access Bank means together we can move much-needed funding to businesses that need it most, helping them remain in business and retain their employees.�

IFC’s $8 billion global COVID-19 fast track facility, launched in March 2020 to support business activity and preserve jobs in the face of COVID-19, has so far invested nearly $400 million through the facility in Africa.

$14m Debt: Court to Hear Sahara Group, Ecobank Settlement Report Davidson Iriekpen Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Lagos, has adjourned till August 12 for report of settlement in a $14million debt lawsuit between Sahara Group Limited and Ecobank Nigeria Limited.

Justice Aikawa adjourned the case at the instance of counsel

for Sahara Group Limited and Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Messrs Bode Olanipekun and Mr. Kunle Ogunba, respectively.

The lawyers had on July 3 told the judge of the intention of their clients to resolve the legal dispute amicably out of court.

It was the third time since July 3 that the judge will be adjourning the matter in anticipation of an

amicable settlement between the oil firm and the bank.

The judge had earlier adjourned till July 10 and subsequently July 23 at the request of the parties to hold settlement talks.

Sahara Energy Resources Limited, Isle of Man, and Sahara Group Limited had dragged Ecobank to court seeking an order to stop the bank from carrying out

a “unilateral review of interest rates� on loans obtained by the oil firms.

But Ecobank filed a counterclaim, insisting that it “reserves the right to review its interest rates from time to time in line with prevailing market conditions.�

The bank claimed that based on computation, Sahara Energy

Resources Limited and Sahara Group Limited were indebted to it in the sum of $14,069458.30 “being the principal sum and interest due to the counter-claimant as of 21st August, 2019.�

However, Sahara Group Limited urged the court to dismiss Ecobank’s counter-claim and all the processes filed by the bank for being incompetent.

‘IoD’s New Code to Guide Whistleblowing, Conflict of Interest’ Dike Onwuamaeze

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

The President and Chairman of Council of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria, Mr. Chris Okunowo, has declared that the new Code of Ethics of the institute to be launched on August 6, will provide guidance

Senior Correspondent Correspondents

Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT)

impact and effect on institutions of poor governance practices and ethics and the positive impact and benefits of good ethical practices on organisations.�

He said the IoD Nigeria prides itself as a, “champion of good corporate governance and our pride is our ability to spread

the gospel of sound corporate governance in both the private and public sectors of the Nigerian economy.�

The President of the IoD Nigeria said the code would serve as a guide for all the institute’s members and personnel on the practice of sound business ethics

and principles. “Let me also add that though the Institute has always had a Code of Ethics, the governing council, at some point, decided to review the codes to conform to present realities and the current challenges faced by directors in their roles.

Kano Agro Pastoral Project Partners Dantata Foods

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Eromosele Abiodun (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor ((Energy)

on topical issues such as whistle blowing, conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality policy in Nigeria.

Okunowo, while speaking during a media briefing on the new Code of Ethics of the IoD Nigeria, recently, said it would provide “illustrative ethics examples and case studies to showcase the

Chris Uba Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project has expressed its readiness to collaborate with Dantata Foods and Allied Products Ltd for improved agricultural value chains, according to Project Communication Specialist ,

Ameen K. Yassar.

This was in line with the project’s objective to enhance linkages between smallholder farmers and the private sector, in order to improve production, storage, processing, off-taking and marketing of agricultural commodities. The state Project coordinator, Malam Ibahim Garba Muhammad

disclosed this during a meeting with the management of company led by its chairman, Tajuddeen Aminu Dantata, in Kano recently.

As part of the crop products value addition and market access component of the project, he said farmers in Kano would be provided with specialised extension services and would be

linked with off-takers of grains and food processors. “Therefore, private sector actors like Dantata Foods will play a key role in off-taking crops like rice, maize, sorghum, soy beans, cowpea, groundnut, etc, produced by farmers in the state,� the Project Coordinator stated.

Ibrahim, also pointed that his

project was ready to collaborate with the company in livestock development, specifically animal fattening and meat off-taking as well as commercial fodder development. “The project will support investment in commercial large-scale fodder production in partnership with the private sector.

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Covid-19:Safety,OurPriority, SaysTranscorpHotels Dike Onwuamaeze The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Hotels Plc, Dupe Olusola has said the key priority of Transcorp Hilton Abuja and Transcorp Hotels Calabar, is safety amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said this at the Africa Tomorrow Hospitality conference where she was among the panelists.

The focus discussion was to deep dive into the leading hospitality brand’s strategy to keep both its hotels open at the onset of the pandemic, the ancillary revenue streams it tapped into and their post Covid-19 plans for recovery.

Commenting on the impact of the pandemic, Olusola said: “The Covid-19 crisis is challenging

for all industries. However, the hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit due to the lockdowns implemented globally. The African Union estimated that Africa’s tourism industry lost about $55 billion in Travel and Tourism revenue. “Bringing this home, we witnessed a drop in numbers in our occupancy and revenue metrics when the virus hit. Regardless, we set our priorities at the onset of the lockdown which was to stay open to cater to our extended stay guests, make their safety and that of our employees our topmost priority and also keep operations running at a minimal level. “Not closing down the hotel during the lockdown was one of the best decisions we made. It gave our hotels clarity on the hygiene standards we wanted to maintain,

constantly training the staff on operating cleaning protocols and set guidelines from health experts to get to where we are now. Our learning curve has been quick as we are better prepared more than ever to welcome all our loyal guests back.�

When asked to shed some light on the guidelines the hotels are working with, she referenced that being part of the Transcorp Group, which also owned a power plant with hundreds of staff who were in full operation during the lockdown, gave her insights into some things that needed to be done. Also, the strategic partnership with Hilton birthed the Hilton CleanStay Program which Transcorp Hilton Abuja has currently employed.

Olusola expatiated on the pro-

gram, saying that it emphasises on extra disinfection of frequently touched areas in guest rooms such as light switches and door handles, increased cleaning frequency of public areas including elevator buttons, hand rails etc.

Other aspects of the program include the use of a Hilton CleanStay Room Seal applied on the doors of all cleaned guestrooms to let guests know that no one has accessed the rooms since they were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Also, the application of an anti-viral solution to sanitise the air within the hotel space regularly, amongst many other guidelines. The focus on enhanced cleanliness is visible to guests throughout their entire stay experience from check-in to check-out.

SON, Nigeria Police Strengthen Collaboration Chris Uba The collaboration between the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) was further demonstrated recently when the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ebute Ero, Lagos handed over 504 cartons of seized suspected substandard Bic brand of shaving sticks to SON representatives in Lagos.

According to the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Bello Taofeek, while handing over the suspected substandard shaving sticks to SON, they were apprehended in a truck waiting to be offloaded inside

the Ebute Ero Market, following information provided by some patriotic Nigerians in response to the call by regulatory agencies for all to join the quality vanguard.

Taofeek, alluded to the existing collaboration between the Ebute Ero Police Command and SON as well as other regulatory agencies towards apprehending substandard and unwholesome products and the purveyors and pledged the continuous support of the Divisional Police Headquarters.

He stated that investigations were still ongoing to unravel those behind the consignments and the source with a view to bringing them to book.

Receiving the suspected

substandard Bic brand of shaving sticks on behalf of SON, Coordinator of the Lagos State Office 1, Victoria Island, Nwaoma Olujie, expressed appreciation to the Police authorities of the Ebute Ero Division for the existing collaboration, which according to her has yielded results in the apprehension of several suspected substandard products and those behind them in the past.

Olujie alluded to another 196 Cartons of the suspected substandard Bic brand of shaving sticks earlier evacuated by SON officials from the same Ebute Ero Market, bringing the total to 700 cartons with a street value of over N6.4million.

She reiterated the promise of the SON Director General, Osita Aboloma, to ensure that all apprehended standards infractions would be prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the SON Act number 14 of 2015 and the Nigerian Criminal Code.

The SON State Coordinator assured members of the public of the agency’s preparedness to work closely with the Police to unravel those behind the suspected substandard shaving sticks.

Samples of the suspected substandard shaving sticks, according to her, would be sent to the laboratory for quality verification tests and analysis as part of the investigation.

NAICOM to Establish Sub-regional Training Academy Ebere Nwoji The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has said that it will set up an institution it tagged ‘NAICOM Academy,’ to provide the training need of regulators across West Africa.

The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Sunday Thomas, who stated this recently, during the investiture of 50th president of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Muftau Oyegunle, said establishment of the regulators’ training academy was necessitated by NAICOM’s concern for specialised regulators’ training.

He, however, assured that the

new academy would not compete but complement the activities of the CIIN, which is the training arm of the industry. “Let me remind us all that to achieve the objectives of the founding fathers of the Institute, greater commitment and collaboration is required of us. “The institute has come thus far due to the sacrifices and selflessness of all its past leaders and members of the Council. We can only improve on this and take it to the next level,� the Commissioner stated.

Thomas, reiterated that the COVID-19 has presented a new challenge to the insurance sector, thus, a paradigm shift from the

usual way of practice has become inevitable. “What this means in essence is that insurance practitioners must learn to inculcate the new world order brought about by the COVID-19 experience. This has become an imperative rather than an option. “Suffice it to say that critical times require critical measures.

The challenges before the institute during and post COVID-19 are enormous; how you do your marketing for new members, how you run your education, seminars, where and how you conduct your examinations for prospective members will all be affected by the prevailing

circumstance,� he said.

He said the institute, more than ever before must embrace technology as a key driver of development. “It is no longer news that the Commission is committing huge resources to actuarial development in the country in collaboration with the institute through the College of Insurance and Financial Management though the entire process has been affected by the advent of the COVID-19,� he added.

In his acceptance speech, Oyegunle, said the theme and focus of his tenure will be on reinforcing professionalism and ethics.

HP Introduces New Global Partner Program Raheem Akingbolu HP Inc. has unveiled ‘HP Amplify,’ a global channel partner program that will drive dynamic partner growth and deliver consistent end customer experiences.

According to the technology company, the new offering which was said to have been built on a single, integrated structure, provides the insights, capabilities and collaboration tools needed to drive growth as digital transformation and customer purchasing behaviors continue to evolve. The company pointed out that the new program goes into effect in November for commercial partners with retail

partners slated to transition in the second half of 2021.

By consolidating HP’s best partner products, tools and trainings into one intuitive program, HP Amplify removes complexity, making it easier for partners to take advantage of its many benefits and engage customers on a deeper level.

Now comprised of just two distinct tracks – Synergy and Power - with clear compensation levels, HP Amplify provides partners with the flexibility to invest in value-added services and capabilities. The more a partner invests in these capabilities, the higher the rewards. “Today’s buyer expects stream-

lined, automated and personalised experiences. To thrive in this changing environment – with data as the new currency - requires a combined shift to relate to our customers as individuals, not markets,� HP Chief Commercial Officer, Christoph Schell said. “HP Amplify not only makes it easier for partners to do business with HP - it provides partners with a clear path to ready their business and succeed in today’s environment and beyond – to capitalise on emerging trends and play a central role in the evolving customer buying journey,� he added. With the introduction of HP Amplify, HP is taking decisive actions to capitalise on shifts that

have seen customers buying more products and services through digital channels. By so doing, HP is arming partners for future growth and to deliver a more satisfying customer experience. “HP and its partners have an enormous and exciting opportunity to reinvent the way we do business and our route-to-market,� said Luciana Broggi, HP’s Global Head of HP Route-to-Market. “Yet addressing these opportunities requires overcoming system inadequacies, legacy habits and embracing new business models.

We’re making this leap together, embracing and investing in important changes to our ecosystem and our shared capabilities.�

Kano Agro Pastoral Project Partners Dantata Foods Chris Uba Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project has expressed its readiness to collaborate with Dantata Foods and Allied Products Ltd for improved agricultural value chains, according to Project Communication Specialist , Ameen K. Yassar.

This was in line with the project’s objective to enhance linkages between smallholder farmers and the private sector, in order to improve production, storage, processing, offtaking and marketing of agricultural commodities.

The state Project coordinator, Malam Ibahim Garba Muhammad disclosed this during a meeting with the management of company led by its chairman, Tajuddeen Aminu Dantata, in Kano recently.

As part of the crop products value addition and market access component of the project, he said farmers in Kano would be provided with specialised extension services and would be linked with off-takers of grains and food processors. “Therefore, private sector actors like Dantata Foods will play a key role in off-taking crops like rice, maize, sorghum, soy beans, cowpea, groundnut, etc, produced by farmers in the state,� the Project Coordinator stated.

Ibrahim, also pointed that his project was ready to collaborate with the company in livestock development, specifically animal fattening and meat off-taking as well as commercial fodder

development. “The project will support investment in commercial large-scale fodder production in partnership with the private sector. It will identify 20 private sector investors interested in fodder production on plots of no less than 50 hectares each, assist them in the development of the pastures and provide them with harvesting and bailing equipment, in addition to marketing facilities�, he explained.

Ibrahim thanked Dantata Foods for expressing interest to partner with KSADP and reaffirmed commitment to support initiatives towards making agriculture a winwin venture for farmers and entrepreneurs.

In his remarks earlier, the chairman of Dantata Foods and Allied Products, Alhaji Tajuddeen Dantata, said his company has the potential to work with the project, as off-takers and producers of agricultural products. “With your project, we can work together to solve the many problems facing the northern part of country.

We have enormous potentials but we are not using them to our advantage. With this kind of arrangement, we can be self-sustaining,� he affirmed.

Dantata, said his company is interested in working with KSADP in the areas of grains off-take from farmers, commercial fodder production, livestock fattening, livestock off-take and halal meat certification as well empowerment of women and youth, through agriculture.

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Czartoryski: Investment Opportunities Abound in Nigeria’s Market The Head of Research at Coronation Asset Management, Mr. Guy Czartoryski, in this interview speaks about the impact of the Covid-19 on investment in Nigeria’s financial market. Obinna Chima brings the excerpts: is difficult to obtain and difficult to assess. The Nigerian authorities took the approach of imposing a lockdown which was held in place and then gradually lifted. The point about doing this is that you can assess the impact of easing restrictions as you go along. We also need to understand that all decisions on public health are made in a political context. For example, it would be impossible to impose a strict lockdown for a long period of time because a large number of people need to work every day. On balance, we think the authorities have steered a prudent course.

What is your assessment of the investment banking climate in 2020?

In total, the climate will be quite good, though the winners will be the ones that adapt quickly.

In essence, the investment banks are swapping volumes for margins. So, if you were depending on a high volume of transactions in the past, then that presents a challenge. But if you are now able to offer products suitable for the times, such as hedging products and other derivatives and structured solutions, then you will do well this year.

There appear to be limited investment instruments in the market as fund managers and institutional investors are looking for where to invest as any offer that hits the market is oversubscribed. What should be done to deepen the market and increase investment outlets?

This is the key question. In our publication ‘Navigating the Capital Market: the Investors’ Dilemma’ we described how fund managers have had it easy over the past ten years – just invest in treasury bills and you beat inflation most of the time. They won’t get desirable returns by going back to the same place. There will be a market for risk-taking and for creating products that match their requirements with a controllable level of risk. So fund managers are going to have to start measuring risk again. Some adjustment to the investment rules may be in order, as well.

Coronation Asset Management recently released a research report, can you take us through the major ďŹ ndings?

We conducted a ten-year study of the market, and concluded that Nigerian Pension fund managers and mutual fund managers used to enjoy easy returns, because they could buy Treasury bills and beat inflation for most of the period from 2010 to 2019. In 2020 they cannot, so we set out to measure the benchmarks which they should use to measure risk-free returns like treasury bills and bonds, and also risky assets like equities. Rather than use inflation as our benchmark – inflation is different for different geographic areas of Nigeria and for different people – we used long-term naira deprecation against the US dollar. And, when we added the US dollar yield on Nigerian sovereign US dollar Eurobonds to that percentage, we came up with a target 14.7 per cent per annum target risk-free return – not far from what naira treasury bills have yielded in the past, interestingly enough.

Czartoryski As for equities, we examined the data and calculated that, given the risks, investors should demand a 20.5 per cent per annum return, which is clearly difficult to obtain. However, there are listed companies that deliver this kind of internal return, or return on equity, so it is a matter of reconciling the returns that some companies can generate with what investors expect. If investors just say “that’s too risky� then that shows they have forgotten how to manage risk, and they definitely need to learn again.

The Central Bank of Nigeria recently adjusted the Naira exchange rate against the US dollar.

How will that affect the level of investment in the country?

The Central Bank of Nigeria has adjusted the official exchange rate twice this year, and it now stands at N380/US$1, which is close to the rate which we observe in the NAFEX market (and the Importers & Exporters window). This is a good development and it will be welcomed by some of our creditors such as the World Bank. However, we still have an economic recession to work through in 2020 and we need to see where oil prices will settle, so restoring faith in our markets may take

a little while. It will take a bit of patience, though there are opportunities to take right now.

Ination as predicted has remained on the upswing. What is your take on that?

In time, we believe that the policy objectives will return to a focus on inflation: but, for understandable reasons, the current focus is on growth. Investors have not abandoned Nigerian investments in the past just because inflation was in double digits, but clearly a higher rate of return needs to be offered when inflation is high than when it is low. The main thing, in time, is to see it trending down and then investors are likely to become comfortable with the situation.

Do you think policymakers in the country have responded appropriately to the economic challenges posed by Covid-19?

The response to Covid-19 needs to balance out the medical emergency with the economic impact, and you have to realise that both are potentially fatal. So, government has a tough job. And it is made even more difficult by the fact that – and this is true of any country in the world – data

Exchange rate uniďŹ cation and fuel subsidy removal were some of the things Nigerians advised the federal government to implement which have all been done. What other measures you will advise the government to adopt to stimulate economic growth?

If you had told me, a year ago, that exchange rate unification and fuel subsidy removal were on the cards, I would have been sceptical that such things were possible. So, a lot of progress has been made in a short period of time, perhaps because of the exceptional circumstances. If I could choose, I would ask for power sector liberalisation, with a strong element of deregulation across the industry, and the removal of much current regulation. I think that would set the entrepreneurial spirit free and you would be amazed by the results.

How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected the Asset Management sector?

There are some profound, though indirect, effects of Covid-19 on the Asset Management sector. The monetary authorities used to strike a cautious balance between pro-growth and anti-inflation policies. But, with the impact of Covid-19, it is pro-growth policies that hold sway. What does this mean? It means that treasury bills yield close to three per cent per annum when inflation is close to 12.5 per cent per annum. So, Pension Fund Administrators and mutual fund managers cannot just buy treasury bills. They really have to re-learn risk management and start buying risk-bearing assets, such as credit solutions and equities, if they are going to make the returns which their clients require. This what we explore in our recent publication ‘Navigating the Capital Market: the Investors’ Dilemma’. Fund management is about to change very profoundly, with an emphasis on risk management. And, if you cannot management risk, you will not succeed.

Okonjo-Iweala: Perfect Fit for WTO Oluwakemi Makinde In the cesspool of corruption and continuous A-grade drama that is Nigeria, only a handful of names have stood out to tell a different story, not only in Nigerian circles but across global scene. One very prominent name to reckon with is the iconic name of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who through sheer hard work and pristine service has risen to the ranks of a national hero. She is a woman of reckoning across the world, sitting on many seats without breaking them, standing at many a podium, accepting heavy responsibilities and handling them all with classy aplomb, thus deserving the countless feathered caps that sit so immaculately well on her head.

Okonjo-Iweala is not a name that suddenly leapt out of nowhere. It belongs to a personality that has worked hard and tirelessly in the economic echelon of Nigeria.

One quick mention of this is, to quote Forbes, “helping to increase the economic value of Nigeria by an average of six per cent, consistently for three years.�

This is no small feat as Nigeria’s economy is considered one of the largest in Africa and had been on a steady decline. This Harvard and MIT trained epitome of excellence has left a long line of achievements in her trail and, at the risk of sounding repetitive, recounted they must be.

Okonjo-Iweala has shown her devotion to Nigeria’s progress since as far back as 1981 when she bagged a PhD in Regional Economics with a thesis on Credit Policy, Rural Financial markets, and Nigeria’s Agricultural Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

She has since then, had a 25-year career with the World Bank, rising to the position of the

Okonjo-Iweala Managing Director, the second-highest position there, and making indelible waves in procuring aid and support for developing countries. She also served as a two time Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2003-2006, 2011-2015), Coordinating Minister of the Economy (2011-2015) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (June-August 2006).

During this time, she established herself as a leader who doesn’t turn up her nose at the mess made, but as one who rolls up her sleeve to clean up the debris. This she proved by embarking on several groundbreaking projects, including helping to increase the economic strength of the country, driving negotiations that led to the relief of Nigeria’s over USD30 billion debt, initiating transparency and accountability in the system with tools and policies such as publications of monthly financial allocations to each state, the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the Integrated Payroll

and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). She also spearheaded several notable projects such as the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Corporation (NMRC), the Growing Girls and Women in Nigeria Programme (GWIN) and the Youth Enterprise with Innovation Programme (YouWIN), which has been proclaimed as one of the most effectual agendas deployed for economic balance by the World Bank.

She has not only clinched remarkable notches to her bedpost on a national level. She has also gained acclaim on an international level, as someone capable of deriving positive results from the most strenuous of situations. The results of her work in Nigeria, a country renowned for its complacent and fraudulent elements with a high rate of corruption and poverty, are only testaments to this fact.

Apart from her position at the World Bank, this remarkable woman has held and still holds several positions with international organisations.

Some of these include Chair on the Board of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI); Senior Adviser at Lazard, one of the foremost financial and asset management firms in the world; Chair of the Board of the African Risk Capacity of the AU; Nonresident Distinguished Fellow with the Africa Growth Initiative in the Global Economy and Development Programme at Brookings; Adviser on Stolen Assets Recovery Initiative at the World Bank; Board of Directors, Twitter; Special Envoy on COVID-19 for the African Union, to mention a few.

With the endless economical threats the infamous COVID-19 pandemic poses, Dr Okonjo-Iweala, a recipient of several awards and honorary degrees has written several articles and accepted several speaking engagements with World Economic Forum, CNBC Africa, World Bank among others.

These were steps taken in a bid to give solid and practicable solutions to the economic and health problems caused by the pandemic.

Little wonder local, national and international organisations all over the globe have been more than eager to engage her expertise in just a few short weeks she was appointed not only as an AU Special Envoy on COVID-19 solutions and a special envoy for the newly inaugurated Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) accelerator. She also sits on the External Advisory Board of the International Monetary Fund and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council of South Africa and since she has been appointed for this latter role by the President of South Africa in March, she has been nothing but a positive influence on the growth of their economy, despite the economic influences of a global pandemic.

This unbeatable portfolio of effective leadership is no doubt a solid launching pad for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to head the World Trade Organisation. She has the experience to deliver.

She has promised to work at bringing the World Trade to a point of unity and purpose and to deploy the WTO as a platform for sustainable growth and economic recovery. From the much we know, she is more than capable of this. She is a woman that has carved a niche in a field where few can stand and walked a path where many have slipped.

While it is obvious that it will take more than a few well-constructed sentences to achieve these promises, it is also more trustworthy to say that if anyone can walk her talk with tangible results, it is Dr Okonjo-Iweala. rMakinde is dedicated to informative writing that drives positive change and impact in the society

MONDAY JULY 27 2020 • T H I S D AY

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IMAGES

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍľËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

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

L-R: Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.), making a presentation to the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh when the NIMASA DG paid a working visit to the Customs CG at the Headquarters of the NCS in Abuja...recently

L-R: Deputy Commissioner of Police (State CID), Amaechi Oliver; Deputy Commissioner of police (Finance and administration), DCP John Ayuba Babangida jointly receiving a hilux van from Ekiti State First Lady and Chair, Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi for the use of the State Juvenile and Women Centre in Ado-Ekiti‌recently

Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) secures setencing of Johnson Uche and Kingsly Meteke (middle) after their conviction for producing adultrated engine oil at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos...recently

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Training.and Pensions Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye, his counterpart from Public Service OďŹƒce/Head of Service,Mr. Samson Ajibade, Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola with the recipients of Y2019 Awardee Mrs. Abosede George and Mrs. Mopileola Olasunkanmi Oyegbola during the y2019 Lagos State Productivity Order of Merit Award at Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja,...recently

L-R: Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde; Executive Advser to the Governor on Agribusiness, Dr Debo Akande; Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr Nteranya Sanginga; and Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Ojemuyiwa Ojekunle, during the inaugurations of “Start Them Early Programme (STEP)�, in Oyo state and STEP Agribusiness Facility, at Fasola Grammar School, Oyo, in Oyo state...recently

L-R: CEO, Brand Point Media (BPM), Blessing Umebali, presenting 10th edition of Brandmatters Magazine to the Olympic Gold Medalist and Assistant Commissioner of Police, CID, Alagbon, Mrs. Chioma Ajunwa- Opara, during the BPM team’s courtesy visit to her oďŹƒce, Alagbon in Lagos...recently

L-R: Assistant Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Akinsola Aderemi; Chief Security OďŹƒcer to the Governor, Mr. Adeleke Smith; NSCDC State Commandant, Mr. Adeyinka Fasiu Ayinla; Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in charge of Lagos, Mr. Olusegun Ogungbemide; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folasade Jaji; NSCDC Deputy Commandant in Lagos, Maria Ihuoma and Special Senior Assistant on Security to the Governor, Mr. Bayo Ogunlana, during a courtesy call on the Governor by the Commandants, at Lagos House, Marina... recently

Third Mainland Bridge was temporarily closed for maintanance repairs...recently

27

T H I S D AY Ëž JULY 27, 2020

CITYSTRINGS

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 08038901925

Nteje: Anambra Community at the Mercy of Brigands Nteje community, the headquarters of Oyi Local Government Area in Anambra State, a once peaceful community, is today being threatened to its very soul of existence by lawless youths who have seized the communal land and unleashed mayhem on her people, reports David-Chyddy Eleke

Igwe Rowland Odegbo, the traditional ruler of Nteje community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State

Indigenes of Nteje protesting the killing of three youths in the community in 2017, over land dispute

N

teje was once a peaceful community with a sizeable number of its people excelling in every field of human endeavour. What the community lacks in terms of riches it makes up in human capital endowment and the manner of its politics. To its credit, out of the five communities of Awkuzu, Ogbunike, Nkwelle Ezunaka, Umunya and Nteje that make up the Oyi Local Council Area, only Nteje has five political wards and hosts the council headquarters. All the other communities have two wards each with the exception of Awkuzu which has four.

The community also has top personalities including; Professor Philip Ozuah, formerly University Chair at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and now CEO of Montefiore Medicine, Bronx, New York and whose father Philip Ozuah Snr. brought electricity to Nteje. Other prominent sons of the community include; Pete Edochie, Bar. Johnnie Egwuonwu SAN, Sir Jerry Nwakobi of Jerico Holdings, Ezigbo Obiligbo, Chief Peter Orakwue Odegbo, chairman of the Nigerian People’s Party in the old Omambala division. But the community today has been robbed of peace and serenity as most of its sons have fled home because of the rampaging youths.

But now, things that once held Nteje community together – time honoured ethos that bound its people are now violated with impunity, and to the violators, nothing again matters except land acquisition and meting violence on the people. A band of reckless youths have taken up arms against the community in an attempt to subjugate it and silence every voice of reason. The escalation of lawlessness has been so hard and fast that if not sufficiently restrained will stop not just the progress of the community but will foist on it a leadership that is inured to the reign of impunity.

About two weeks ago, the said youths unleashed mayhem on the community, sacking the villagers from their homes.

The youths, said to be sponsored by some rich individuals in the community, beat up persons opposed to their indiscriminate sale of the communal land, burning down their homes and injuring so many others along the line.

In 2017, three youths in the community; Udoka Obi, Chinweze Ibefuna and Sunday Obika, were on March 11 killed by armed hoodlums comprising the same group of youth from the community. Three years on, the community is yet to experience

Some youths of Nteje who were attacked during a recent crisis in the communtity peace as violence has continued in the community because of disagreement over communal land. Two weeks ago, houses and properties were burnt down in the community by the same band of reckless youths for no obvious reasons.

When THISDAY visited Nteje, leaders and members of the community lamented that the crises in the community has brought hunger and famine as they no longer have land for farming. They lamented that those who have land dared not go to their farms anymore for fear of being maimed, while the women among them were raped.

A poor widow, Mrs Janet Okonkwo said, “Because of them, we no longer have land to farm on. I am a farmer, and my husband is late, so I have to cater for my children, so I joined other women to go to Aguleri, where we hire a plot of land for N5,000 just to farm and feed

our families. This is very bad. Our once peaceful community has now been taken over by violence, and anyone who dares to speak is attacked. We want government to come to our aid.�

The former President General (PG) of the community, Barr. David Enuah speaking with THISDAY decried the level of menace unleashed on his people by a few persons from the community because of the influence of their sponsor. He narrated how as the PG in 2017, he had to shuttle between Port Harcourt to Nteje to ensure that peace was restored but all were to no avail. He said that despite his efforts, the condition has persisted till date.

One of the victims of the recent incident whose house was razed by the hoodlums, Mr. Uche Oraegbunam while speaking with THISDAY said, "What currently obtains in the town is most worrisome. I am not a member of any of the groups that is

at war in the community, but I wonder why I have to be a victim of what I am not a part of�.

A source in the community told THISDAY during a visit that since the announcement of the construction of the Anambra Cargo Airport located in Umueri, Anambra East Council Area of Anambra State by the Willie Obiano government, communities around the area have been enmeshed in protracted land crisis, just as the demand for properties in the area has increased in demand and cost.

"The price of land has increased in all the communities around the airport project, and since that 2017, we have had problem.

We are a co-host of the airport project and its ancillary services like camps, the dual carriageway and others. Since the last two years, owing to the appreciation in the cost of properties around the airport project that massive land grabbing in Ifite Nteje by some youths suspected to be sponsored by powerful individuals from the community has intensified, often degenerating into bloodletting.

"We are appealing to the state governor to come to our aid and help us to overcome this violence that has taken over our land because we cannot continue to live in fear of hoodlums who have taken up arms against the community", the source added.

However, reprieve may be coming the way of the community as Anambra State government has recently set up a panel of inquiry headed by Rtd AVM Ben Chiobi.

The committee also has three traditional rulers and others as members. It is hoped that the panel would help unravel the trouble in the community and also punish those behind the violence in the community.

The traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Rowland Odegbo as well as the President General, Chief B U Chinweze though could not speak to THISDAY, but it was gathered that they have done all in their power to restore peace in the community and also rein in the hoodlums and return peace to Nteje, but their efforts have not yielded much.

Meanwhile, leaders of the community have expressed happiness at the interest of the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano to resolve the crisis in the community by setting up the panel. Former president general of the community, Chief David Enuah thanked Governor Obiano for setting up the panel to look into the matter, pointing out that its report will go a long way in unraveling individuals behind the brigandage that reigns in the community.

28

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍľËœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Shippers’Council, NAICOM Partner on Ease of Doing Business Kasim Sumaina Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) recently collaborated on how to reduce the cost of doing business through the introduction of insurance cover on containers as well to manage risks at the various ports.

The Executive Secretary, NSC, Hassan Bello, disclosed this when the council’s delegation paid a courtesy visit on the management of NAICOM in Abuja.

Bello, noted that the issue of insurance should be looked at in the area of policies involving goods on transit, accidents, loss, damages away from religious sentiments that everything happened for a reason which could be prevented.

He said the deposit at the ports is about N150, 000 to N200, 000

on each container, which runs into billions making supply costly.

According to him, “as our functions as ports regulator, we have our eyes on the cost of doing business in Nigeria, so in the ease of doing business and the cost of doing business, we want to make our ports competitive, so we have to moderate the cost. “One of the cost is insurance deposits that shippers pay for taking the containers out of the Port.� He explained that containers are the assets of the shipping companies, “they must be returned in perfect condition.

If the containers are not returned, the deposit is not refunded, when you returned the containers in good time , you collect your deposit back. “However, that is not as simple as that. Access to the port may be difficult and if a container is not returned within a certain time

limit, they could be a problem.

One loses his deposit or part of the deposit and so the shippers has to forgo the deposit.�

He added that sometimes, the shipping company even when the containers are returned they don’t pay the deposit in good time and the money is lost, saying, “So, what we are saying is there are a lot of issues like that, that we could have the insurance company come to take care of.�

He said the insurance company could come in, to make sure the containers are covered at a lesser cost, to reduce some of the challenges faced by the Shippers. “We want policy on the participation of insurance in container regime, there is policy on goods in transit of course, we want the policies to cover most of the risk that shippers, freight forwarders incur including demurrage, rent.

MARKET INDICATORS

Ecobank Assures Farmers of Support Ecobank Nigeria has assured farmers who are beneficiaries of the Anchor Borrowers programmes for the 2020 wet season and members of the Maize Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MAGPAMAN), of a seamless account opening and loan processing.

According to the bank farmers need not panic, saying it would

make sure all beneficiaries get the loans.

In a statement the bank said farmers’ accounts have been opened across the 36 states based on CBN prequalification for account opening for farmers.

It stated that KYC regularisation could be done simply by visiting a nearby Ecobank branch or input collection centre with two passport photograph to execute the account

opening documents .

Ecobank’s Head, Agribusiness, Mojisola Oguntoyinbo, said the initiative spread across the 36 states was one of the several efforts by the bank to support the government to create an ecosystem that gives small holder farmers access to funding and the required support to increase food production in the country.

FCMB Asset Management’s Dollar Fund Gets Top Ranking Legacy USD Bond Fund, a dollar mutual fund managed

by FCMB Asset Management Limited (FCMBAM) has been ranked as the top United States Dollar (USD) mutual fund in Nigeria in the first half of 2020,

by Nairametrics.

According to a statement, the ranking, published in a research report by online news platform, was based on an assessment of the prices of USD mutual funds in Nigeria over a six months period, from January to June 2020.

This development was a recognition of the investment expertise and professionalism of the Fund Manager, FCMB Asset Management, a member of FCMB Group Plc. Legacy USD Bond Fund, which is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ((SEC), gives investors the opportunity to invest in US Dollar denominated fixed income securities on a con-

tinuous basis and aids currency diversification. It seeks to generate stable income for investors by investing primarily in a portfolio of high quality, registered, and tradeable US Dollar fixed income securities.

Explaining the rationale behind the rating, Nairametrics stated that, “the Legacy USD Bond Fund is the best performing mutual fund if you are looking for dollar-denominated fixed-income debt securities like Eurobonds. “At 24.4 per cent, they seem to be holding bonds with good yields and market values respectively. Apart from the Bond Fund, managers of the Legacy USD Bond Fund also manage a Fixed Income Fund, a Money Market Fund and an Equity Fund.

If you are looking to invest in Eurobonds then this mutual fund is the best performing.�

Commenting on the feat, Chief Executive Officer of FCMB

Asset Management, Mr. James Ilori, said, “we are delighted to, once again, be recognised for our commitment to assisting investors to achieve their investment goals. The increased interest in efficient currency diversification and portfolio risk minimisation among investors, makes the Legacy USD Bond Fund a necessary part of any portfolio construction strategy. We will continue to apply our wealth of local and international investment management expertise in creating value for our numerous clients�.

Legacy USD Bond Fund is easily accessible to the investing public both in Nigeria and the diaspora. In 2018, the Fund won the NSE CEO Award for “Fund Manager with the Largest Listed Fund Size�. This followed an impressive 244.44 percent subscription in the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the Fund.

LearnDeck Launches Digital Educational Platform Dike Onwuamaeze LearnDeck, a learning management system that would enable seamless virtual learning and ensure the continuation of education at all levels in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic disease, has been launched into the Nigerian market.

The LearnDeck Limited Product Manager, Ms. Emmanuella Ladipo, said the platform would alter Nigerians’ perception that the only place teaching and learning could take place was inside the classroom at a particular time frame and requirement of physical presence and tedious routines.

The platform, according to Ladipo, would provide virtual structure for primary, secondary and tertiary institutions and enable educators/entrepreneurs to create and sell their online courses.

She noted that the restriction of movement and shutdown of schools that resulted due to the pandemic had led most educators across educational institutions, training institutions to halt the teaching and learning process in Nigeria and most parts of the world. “Some educators are struggling to adapt to this new reality, using available instant messaging and video conferencing applications

to teach their students. This has had numerous limitations as it has proven difficult for the students to follow and has made tracking progress and carrying out assessments strenuous. “But the newly launched platform, The LearnDeck, seems to have erased all these limitations as it allows educators to customise, deploy and track curriculum, assess their students learning and monitor their development. “It also allows for multimedia content including video, text, mp3 and other learning content format, all without geographical limitations,� she said.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

SEPTEMBER 2019 Money Supply (M3)

35,029,779.72

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

7,374,356.91

Money Supply (M2)

27,655,422.82

-- Quasi Money

116,533,891.21

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,121,531.60

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,625,047.69

---- Demand Deposits

9,496,483.91

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

13,911,335.83

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

21,118,443.89

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

35,918,179.45

---- Credit to Government (Net)

10,452,199.38

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

11,007,422.79

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

25,465,980.07

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-14,799,735.56

--Other Assets Net

7,000,253.07

Reserve Money (Base Money

2,005,600.83

--Currency in Circulation

4,677,530.81

--Banks Reserves

317,121.43

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ Í°Íą Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $44.62 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $44.24 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

29

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍľËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

C& I Leasing Raises N2.3bn Fresh Capital to Boost Operations Goddy Egene C & I Leasing Plc has raised about N2.26 billion through a rights issue to boost its operation. The company had set out to raise N3.234 billion through the issuance of about 539 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N6.00 per share.

However, it succeeded in raising N2.26 billion through 377.394 billion shares at N6.00 per share.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) last Friday said the new shares of 377.394 billion have been listed and have increased the total issued and fully paid shares of C & I Leasing, from 404.252 billion shares to 781.646 billion shares of 50 kobo each.

Meanwhile, the company is to pay a dividend of N278.351 million dividend at 20 kobo per share for the year ended December 31, 2019. The dividend

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

was endorsed by shareholders at the the company’s 29th annual general meeting (AGM) held last week in Lagos.

Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of C & I Leasing Plc, Chief Chukwuma Okolo, expressed confidence in the company’s ability to maintain its winning streak given its dedication and penchant for teamwork and excellent service delivery in all its

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

business lines. “C&I Leasing has emerged as the foremost company in its industry. In any organisation or in life, we are running a marathon, not a 100-meter dash. There might b a few potholes over the next one year, but the board and management remain resolute that the successes in the past 30 years will be more than replicated in the next 30 years

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

for the coming generation,� he said.

Also speaking, Managing Director, C& I Leasing Plc, Mr. Andrew Otike-Odibi, said the company’s 30-year journey is worth celebrating and being ‘thankful for’, considering the times we live in.

According to him, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, oil price slide and its attendant impact on the economy, the

O F

company is keeping in step with its promise to exceed shareholders’ expectation just as it seeks growth opportunities in its marine and telematics business amongst others. “The marine business is one of our fastest growing businesses. But in 2020 with the COVID-19 and slide in oil price, being focused on the oil and gas industry, it has taken its own beating in that process.

2 1 / 0 7 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

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MONDAY JULY 27, 2020 •T H I S D AY

MONDAY JULY 27 2020 • T H I S D AY

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32

MONDAY JULY 27, 2020 •T H I S D AY

MONDAY JULY 27 2020 • T H I S D AY

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˾ MONDAY, JULY 27, 2020

34

േ േ

േ

േ േ

േ

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 R O X P H T ic k er

7 R S * D L Q H U V

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

P ric e

Z EN IT H B A N K

34.6

-0.3%

C UT IX

1.76

10.0%

FB NH

28.1

-1.0%

J B ER GER

17.05

10.0%

UB A

10.0%

14.5

-1.6%

C UST OD IA N

5.50

A C C ESS

9.8

0.0%

H ON YF LOUR

1.04

9.5%

NB

9.7

0.0%

NA HCO

2.20

8.4%

F LOUR M ILL

6.4

0.0%

LIN KA SSUR E

0.41

7.9%

T R A N SC OR P

6.3

-4.6%

R OYA LEX

0.31

6.9%

J A IZ B A N K

5.8

0.0%

F ID SON

3.13

4.3%

GUA R A N T Y

5.7

0.7%

ST A N B IC

30.00

3.4%

ST A N B IC

5.1

3.4%

PZ

4.45

2.3%

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 D O X H

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

P ric e C hg %

7 R S / R V H U V

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

Z EN IT H B A N K

537.5

-0.3%

T ic k er SEP LA T

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

347.40

D A N GC EM

362.8

0.0%

LEA R N A F R C A

-10.0%

1.01

-4.7%

NB

301.3

0.0%

M TNN

158.0

0.0%

UN ILEVER

12.25

-4.7%

T R A N SC OR P

0.62

ST A N B IC

153.4

-4.6%

3.4%

LA SA C O

0.24

FB NH

140.1

-4.0%

-1.0%

B UA C EM EN T

39.00

-2.5%

GUA R A N T Y

122.6

0.7%

ST ER LN B A N K

1.18

-1.7%

F LOUR M ILL

108.8

0.0%

UB A

6.00

-1.6%

UB A

87.9

-1.6%

IN T B R EW

3.40

-1.4%

B UA C EM EN T

80.5

-2.5%

FCM B

1.90

-1.0%

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Ola Belgore | obelgore@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com Oluwarotimi Ashimi | oashimi@afrinvest.com

Adedayo Bakare | abakare@afrinvest.com

35

MONDAY, JULY 27, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Shareholders of GlaxoSmithKline Approve N658m Dividend Goddy Egene Shareholders of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria (GSK) Plc have approved the N657.7 million

dividend recommended for the year ended December 31, 2019. The dividend, which translates to 55 kobo per share, was endorsed by the shareholders at the company’s

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

49th annual general meeting (AGM) held last week.

GSK’s turnover increased from N18.41 billion in 2018 to N20.76 billion in 2019, representing a 13

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 23Jul-2020, unless otherwise stated.

per cent growth while profit after tax (PAT) rose by 48 per cent from N617.62 million to N917.10 million.

In his address to the shareholders, Chairman of GSK Plc, Mr. Edmund

Onuzo, said that despite 2019 being a challenging year for manufacturers in the country, the company was able to achieve a sustainable performance on all its

healthcare portfolio.

“GSK delivered a good performance in 2019 with growth in sales, earnings and strong cash generation,” Onuzo said.

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.92 0.93 1.74% ACAP Income Funds 0.78 0.78 9.79% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.41% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.96 3.03 20.47% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 6.19% Anchoria Equity Fund 95.09 95.42 -7.19% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.27 1.27 10.24% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 14.00 14.43 -8.58% ARM Discovery Fund 332.82 342.86 -3.65% ARM Ethical Fund 30.22 31.13 3.90% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.77% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 92.37 93.02 -3.86% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.01% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.16 2.16 21.99% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 1.80 1.82 -6.47% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 0.06 0.04 5.71% Paramount Equity Fund 10.78 10.98 -13.86% Women's Investment Fund 107.42 108.32 -2.73% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.91% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 99.97 100.20 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 100.20 100.43 Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 101.27 101.27 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 4.27% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 4.65% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,173.26 1,183.70 5.72% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Halal Fund 107.67 107.69 7.67% FBN Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 118.16 118.83 1.79% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.17% Legacy Debt Fund 3.79 3.79 3.77% Legacy Equity Fund 1.08 1.10 -4.82% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.11 1.11 2.87% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,062.11 3,093.14 0.66% Coral Income Fund 3,202.83 3,202.83 4.13% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 4.43% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.90% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.28 2.32 3.95% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 8.22% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 147.01 147.55 2.50% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.24 1.26 6.23% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,121.53 1,121.53 6.00% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.35 1.38 10.84% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.02 12.09 6.67% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.60% PACAM Equity Fund 1.00 1.01 PACAM EuroBond Fund 107.16 109.56 SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 118.50 121.32 -7.87% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 5.50% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 -0.35% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 0.42% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 0.00% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 0.52% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 0.98% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.37% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -1.30% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.16 1.16 0.31% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 118.18 118.18 0.00% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.13 1.15 -5.56% United Capital Bond Fund 1.83 1.83 5.92% United Capital Equity Fund 0.63 0.65 -10.55% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.19% United Capital Eurobond Fund 113.43 113.43 3.84% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.02 1.03 -2.66% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.07 10.17 -2.10% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.61 11.67 -0.29% Zenith Income Fund 24.45 24.45 9.80% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.66%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

116.39

3.85%

53.25

2.31%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.06 82.04 65.49

9.16 83.78 66.66

4.08% -3.47% -0.79%

Union Homes REIT

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

2.68 4.01 11.13 1.00 11.08 200.36

2.72 4.09 11.23 1.00 11.28 202.36

-24.26% -32.00% -8.02% 5.21% 6.56% 5.85%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.03

16.90%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

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Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 08038901925

How Corruption, Diversion Affect Distribution of Palliatives in Enugu As part of measures to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Enugu State government commenced distribution of palliatives across its 17 local governments. Sadly, series of complaints have dogged the distribution of these relief packages, with many alleging corruption and diversion.

Arinze Chijioke who visited several communities reports

Ani

Ajibo

Uwabike

W

ith the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant effects on the economy and society, governments have had to cushion the effect on its citizens. In Enugu State, as part of measures to cushion the effects of the pandemic, the government commenced distribution of palliatives across its 17 local governments. Sadly, series of complaints have dogged the distribution A 15-member committee, headed by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Cecelia Ezeilo, was set up to coordinate the distribution. The government distributed food items, including bags of rice, beans, garri, gallons of oil, noodles, cartons of Tomato paste, tubers of yam to local churches to pass on to their members. Since the palliatives were shared, allegations of corruption and diversion have trailed the exercise.

Ezeugwu Victoria, 80, is all alone in her world of misfortune. Before the entire country went into lockdown as a result of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, she had been indoors.

Blind. Old. Weak and Wrinkled. Her day literally begins and ends within the confines of her dimly lit one-room apartment. She calls out for help each time she needs to ease herself and when she wants to eat. On days when there is no one to help with food, she sleeps hungry and only prays to wake up again the next day.

On a hot Tuesday afternoon, Ezeugwu sat on a black wooden mortar at the entrance to her room located at Onuiyi, a community, just one kilometer away from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), dipping her shaky hand inside a pot containing Ayaraya, a locally made dish from Yam and Pigeon Peas.

Beside her lay a walking stick. After dipping her hand inside the pot, it took her several seconds to raise it to her mouth and back again for some more- a clear sign of ageing.

Two years ago, Ezeugwu had someone she called her daughter who always provided for her needs of food, water and ran other errands for her. She had lost her husband years ago.

They both had no children. “She was the only one I always shared stories with. She was like the daughter I never had.

We were always happy together and she made me want to live longer� Ezeugwu said, tears beginning to well up in her tired eyes.

But one day, Chiamaka, the girl helping her, took her bags and said she wanted to travel.

She did not say where she was travelling to.

She did not even tell anyone when she would return to continue taking care of Victoria. “I insisted that she stay back, but she said no and told me that the angels would take care of me while she was away. That was the last time I heard from her,� Ezeugwu said her voice shaking and tears now dripping down her cheeks and settling on her lips.

The next story she heard was that Chiamaka had died mysteriously after she became pregnant.

Onyishi

Atama

That broke her world and the thought of who would reassure her of the need to be alive troubled her every other day.

the LG distributed food items. She has had four different surgical operations in the last 15 years and has suffered from an illness she can’t even explain. On one of the several occasions when she went to be operated upon, she almost lost her life.

Before the lockdown, she had a major challengehow to get what to eat. With her husband dead, no work to do and age beginning to weigh in on her, she had to depend on food from her neighbours. There was no choice of what to eat.

Whatever came her way was good.

Ngwu prayed to be remembered when the government started distributing food items.

Sadly, nobody has come to deliver any food package to her. “If some people are receiving anything from the government, I am not aware�, she said insisting that the only time she got food was when one of the Catholic churches in Nsukka invited some vulnerable households and gave them rice tied in black nylon.

Ngwu says she does not have any food item inside her house as the one she received from the church had finished. She said she would have sought loans to establish a business. But she can’t since she has been ill.

Failed Promises by Local Government When Ezeugwu heard from her neighbours that the government had decided to provide palliatives across local governments for households that could barely feed during the lockdown, she could not contain her joy. Like others who belong to the class termed poorest of the poor, she prayed to benefit from the packages.

But her hopes were soon dashed. It is well over four months since she heard that her local council had been distributing palliatives to vulnerable households. But no one has come to her doorstep to deliver food items from the government. “Those who bring me the food I eat are reverend fathers. Sometimes, when I go to church, they tell us that some individuals made donations for the poor. Sometimes, members of the Legion of Mary also bring me food items and I find anybody to help me prepare it so I can eat,� she said dipping her hand inside her tongue and raising it up to the sky to affirm that she was speaking the truth.

Like Ezeugwu, there are several vulnerable households spread across communities in Nsukka who are complaining that they have not received anything from local government officials and are wondering when and where the palliatives were shared.

For these households, the means of survival within the period of lockdown has been donations from private individuals in different churches, although the local government has claimed severally that they have made sure that households in Nsukka got palliatives. ...The Government Lied to Us Ngwu Victoria, 53, completely disagrees that

We Had More Than Enough-LG Samuel Ngwu, media aide to the late Chairman of Nsukka, LG, Patrick Omeje told THISDAY that they employed the services of ward councillors, traditional rulers and town union presidents and monitored the distribution process just to ensure that no household was left out.

He claimed that the items were “too massive�, reaching down to all the 20 political wards and 45 autonomous communities in Nsukka. He said that the chairman donated a total of 500 bags of rice, 400 cartons of noodles and 300 gallons of oil to the 20 political wards and 45 autonomous communities that make up the council.

Traditional ruler of Alor Uno, Chibuzor Ogbonna This is apart from a total of 300 cartons of noodles and 20 gallons of oil donated by the MD/ CEO of Wilson Nigeria Limited, Chief William Agbo and an additional 400 bags of 10kg Rice and 600 tubers of yam donated by the member representing Nsukka West at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Emma Ugwuerua.

When contacted, the Councilor of Ihe, one of the wards that make up Onuiyi, Okoro Onyekachi, said that the LG used community leaders who brought names of people with which they collected palliatives.

He, however, noted that there were people who did not get palliatives as the items were not enough to go round. His submission contrasts that of the media aide to the former LG chairman who said they had enough to go round every household.

One of the community leaders in Onuiyi, Leornard Ngwu, maintained that the government did not visit doorsteps to deliver palliatives as claimed. He added that he only heard when the LG invited some people in the community and gave them N1,000 each and three packs of noodles. “That was all I heard about relief packages from the government. Lockdown has kept everyone at home. We no longer go to the market. I have had to borrow on several occasions to get food for the family, even when the government promised us food�, he said.

We Only Heard about Palliatives on Radio Ajibo Rosemary has packed out of her home located at the backwoods of Alor Uno- another community in Nsukka after it was destroyed by erosion which has lasted for over 30 years.

She now stays at a family compound with some of her rescued property. Before the lockdown, Ajibo would traverse her community in search of palm fronds which she uses to make brooms and sales at her local market.

But since the lockdown, when the government asked people to stay in their homes, Ajibo has not been able to sell.

She says it has been difficult feeding. “The suffering is too much. We don’t go to the market because the government says we should stay at home,� she said as she tried to make fire with a matchbox.

Ajibo who lost her husband years ago said she was excited when she heard the government was coming to deliver food items to households who could barely feed as a result of the lockdown. “They told us on the radio that they were giving palliatives to households. But I have not received anything�. No member of my family has received either. They are just deceiving us,� she said.

Letting out a smile, she alleged that it was possible that some leaders had brought the packages and kept them in their houses.

One Community, 4 Cartons of Noodles,

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Ezeugwu

Chinedu

Ngwu

Ugwudike

6 Bags of 2kg Rice The traditional ruler of Alor Uno Community, Nelson Chibuzor Ogbonna said the local government was only trying to attract attention by reporting in the media that they distributed palliatives to households.

He, however, explained that the only time they got food items from the local government was when he was invited and given four cartons of noodles and six bags of 2kg rice and was told it was for the entire community. “At first, we did not know how to share it amongst our people because we have six quarters in this community and each quarter is made up of five to nine villages. We decided to give each quarter a bag of the two kg rice and some packs of noodles. Most of them just gave it to their women. Many households could not benefit since it was very small,� he explained.

Some members of his community have had to come together to help those families who are hardest hit as a result of the lockdown. “As far as I am concerned, we have not received anything from the government. If you go and ask many of them, they will tell you they have not received anything�, his voice switching from contempt to rage.

not know how else to share them. That is the only thing we have got from the government as palliatives� he said.

palliatives for members of ASUU in the institution.

Peter’s decision equally became a subject of intense controversy with many linking his decision to his desire to regain favour from the university where he was suspended as President of the Student Union Government (SUG) after he led a violent protest against the increase in school fees and the alleged mismanagement of the institution by the then V.C, Prof Bartho Okolo and his management team in 2010.

Efforts to get the chairman to react to the allegations were unsuccessful as he neither picked calls nor responded to text messages.

In his reaction, the traditional ruler of Alor Uno Community, Ogbonna condemned the distribution of palliatives to staff of UNN, saying that the two chairmen only placed their personal interests above that of their people who have been suffering as a result of the lockdown. “Our own chairman here in Nsukka only wanted to save his face after he saw what the chairman of IgboEze South did to members of ASUU in the university. The allocation that comes into UNN every month is more than what each council gets in a year,� he explained.

items were shared. It was one of her church members who came home and gave her a painter of rice, two packs of Indomie noodles, four balls of onion and six cubes of Maggi and told her it was the remnant of what was shared.

Augustina Ani was into garri processing before the lockdown. She has been into the business for the past 28 years after her husband died and made money that was enough for her to at least take care of her basic needs.

Since the lockdown, she has not been able to work, making feeding difficult. She is one of over 20 widows who attend St. Michaels Church and whose source of livelihood have been cut affected by the lockdown. “It has not been easy for me and my children since the lockdown. Some of them are married.

But everyone is struggling. Sometimes, there is nothing to eat� I have been seeking help. But it is not coming� she said outside her church, her face looking pale showing signs of ageing.

Ani was not informed her church got palliatives from the government. She was not even aware when it was shared, how it was shared.

Like Chinedu and Ani, over 100 households who attend the church are not still aware that the church got relief packages from the government.

Reacting to this, the priest of the church, who does not want to be named said he only got one bag of rice, four cartons of Indomie noodles and other food items from the Cathedral and because the items would not go round every member of his church, he invited some of the widows and shared the items amongst them.

Another church leader, who preferred not to be mentioned, revealed that the church got little because the palliatives were shared on the basis of population and how each church contributes in terms of financial resources to the central church.

Using this method, he said the Cathedral church, being the headquarters in the diocese, with members who are rich, got more palliatives than churches in local communities with far less financial contribution but more vulnerable households. “There are smaller churches that do not even contribute up to 100,000 to the centre. But the bigger churches that contribute as much as 3 to 5 million were the ones that got more palliatives� he disclosed.

Efforts to get the Archbishop of Enugu Province of the Anglican Communion, Emmanuel Chukwuma to react to the allegations of corruption in the distribution of the palliatives proved unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls nor replied text messages.

Palliatives, Only for Selected Household Atama Augustina, has been cutting bitterleaf she intends to sell at her local market before the day runs out. That is the only business she does presently to support her husband who works on people’s farms and earns money barely enough to run the family.

Before the lockdown, Atama an indigene of Ajuona, another community in Nsukka, worked as a cleaner at UNN where she has not been paid for the past four months. She has had to put up with the delay since there is nothing else to do.

Sadly, her family has not received anything from the government, though she has heard some households say the government brought palliatives. “Our village head is being selective in the distribution of the palliatives because he invites some people to his house and gives them food items. I have not been asked to come and collect anything and you can’t go there if you are not invited� she explained.

Tall, dark and lanky, James Uwabuike sits in front of his house also at Ajuona. He has been thinking of how to get the next meal for himself and his family.

Uwabuike who is in the works Department at the UNN told THISDAY that things have not been easy since the lockdown as he no longer goes to work. “When we went into lockdown, I expected the government would come to our aid, but I only heard over the radio that they had begun sharing relief packages.

He said he has not seen anybody coming to distribute palliatives to households in his area except maybe they bring it and give to indigenes.

Ugwudike Francis is the Chief Security Officer of Owerre Ede-oballa, another community in Nsukka with six different villages. He spoke of how the community became a victim of ill-distribution of palliatives by the local government.

He told THISDAY in front of his shop that the LG brought a total of 12 cartons of noodles, six bags of rice and six litres of groundnut oil and gave to the traditional ruler to distribute to different households.

Explaining how it was shared, a visibly irked Francis said each village got one bag of two kg rice, two cartons of 70kg noodles and a litre of groundnut oil. “We had to look out for the most vulnerable households and gave them the items. We did

Challenge of Re-distributing Palliatives The Village Head in Ede-Ukwu, another community, Onyishi Vincent Ugwu remarked that the government has not been fair in its distribution of palliatives to the people. He noted that there has been a major challenge of how to re-distribute items among villages because of how small they are usually.

On one of two occasions when the government brought palliatives, Ugwu’s quarter, with eight villages got one bag of 25kg rice and two cartons of noodles and after it was shared, his village got some cups of rice and 10 packs of noodles. “When we came back and I showed the people what we got, they were angry and said we should give it to the poorest household in the village. It is like bringing a tuber of yam and asking 100 people to divide it. How is possible is that?�, he asked.

He said it was annoying how the government would ask people to stay indoors and fail to provide them with food items to keep them alive.

Alleged Diversion by LG Chairmen On June 7, the social media space buzzed with news of how the late chairman of Nsukka LG visited UNN where he donated a total of 300 bags of rice and other food items as palliatives to the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Charles Igwe.

The palliatives, according to him, were meant to help cushion the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the institution.

On hand to receive the donation, apart from the V.C were principal officers of ASUU in the institution, including the chairman of the union, its treasurer, financial secretary as well as the secretary.

The decision by the former LG boss stirred up controversy, with many wondering what must have informed his move to donate palliatives to ASUU, a union that is made up of lecturers who earn salaries and apparently do not belong to the vulnerable class of the society, leaving behind many households who could barely afford a meal.

When contacted, media aide to the late LG boss, Ngwu said that he gave palliatives to members of the ASUU because they were being owed some months salaries at the time the decision was reached by the council.

He noted that the late chairman simply gave them a sense of belonging, considering the fact that the council is the host community of the prestigious university. “While the salaries of the ASUU were cleared by the FG few days to the visitation, it was not necessary to cancel the already planned visit which had been well communicated�.

He maintained that they made sure that they only took palliatives to the university after vulnerable households in the council got their share.

When asked, UNN branch Chairman of ASUU, Dr Christian Opata confirmed to THISDAY that members of the union were truly owed salaries and added that they could not have rejected the palliatives that were brought to them. “I would not know whether he had any hidden agenda for bringing the palliatives to us. But he told us the day he came that he wanted to give us a sense of belonging since some of us had our families too,� he said.

Weeks earlier, there were similar reports of how the Chairman of Igbo Eze South LG, Peter Andy visited the university where he donated 200 bags of rice to UNN’s Vice-Chancellor as

How Allegations of Corruption Trailed Distribution in Church In order to further reach out to the poorest of the poor, the Enugu State government distributed palliative to different church denominations in the state. The perception was that the church, being a sacred institution, was the best means through which deserving members of the society could be reached.

The benefiting churches include: The Catholic Dioceses of Enugu, Nsukka and Awgu, the Anglican counterparts of Enugu and Nsukka Communions, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Internal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim.

Sam Ngene, one of the members of the committee in charge of palliatives distribution in the state, said the government made sure that enough food items that would get to vulnerable members of different churches were provided.

Sadly, days after the palliatives were shared; it was discovered that some of the benefitting churches adopted certain modalities for distributing the palliative, sidelining many of those who deserve them.

Blessing Chinedu, 30, lay face down in her single cramped room, her face partly burned from an accident she had a long time ago. Her husband was sitting on a couch with their three kids. They had just returned from one of the local Anglican Churches in the state- ST. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, Ugwuaji- and were thinking of what to have for the day.

Before lockdown, Chinedu and her family lived in two rooms. She had a provision store which helped provide food for the family and pay their rent after her husband lost his job.

But since the country went into lockdown in March, she has not been able to sell. Her goods are finished and there is no money to buy. Now, she barely feeds with her family. She has had to work on people’s farms for weeks. “It has not been easy on me and my family.

I worked on a particular farm for two weeks.

It was not easy on me. But I just had to do it.

If I don’t go out to work, nobody will give me and my family� she said, letting out a smile, tinged with sadness.

When she heard that the Cathedral Church of the Good Shephard, the Central Church of the Anglican Diocese in Enugu, got palliatives from the government, she felt succour had returned finally. She hoped to be given relief packages that would serve her family for some time.

But she was not invited on the day the food

Civil Society Reacts The Project Manager, Advocacy Partnership for Good Governance, an NGO that engages with the government to ensure that they are responsive to the need of the citizenry, Comr. Onyebuchi Igboke said the distribution of palliatives among certain groups in the state was a derailment from the original purpose.

He said the distribution to members of ASUU in UNN was particularly unacceptable and wondered where to classify the staff who receive salaries from the FG. “It would have been a different story if the LG chairmen gave the palliatives to cleaners and other contract staff whose source of income is barely enough for them to feed�, he noted.

When the FG and states commenced distribution of palliatives, it clearly stated that they were intended to help tackle the widespread hunger brought about by the national lockdown.

Sadly, that objective has clearly been defeated.

But Ezeugwu would always be grateful to her church for always remembering her during the lockdown period.

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Falana’s Group Blames FG’s Lack of Capacity for Violence in the North A coalition of 70 labour and civil society organisations (CSOs), Alliance for Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), has blamed the federal government for the killings and violence in the north.

It also said the government has shown lack of capacity to deal with the mayhem in the north.

Reacting to recent killings in Kaduna and other northern states, ASCAB said the central authority has the constitutional responsibility to ensure the protection of lives and property in the country.

In a statement by its chairman

and human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), ASCAB said it is undoubtedly clear that the government “has shown lack of capacity to deal with the sad events”.

It said the government appears to be running out of ideas in bringing an end to violence and armed brigandage constantly recorded in Kaduna and other affected states.

It warned that the killings have the potential of leading to a round of national crises that may threaten the fabric of democracy

in the country.

The coalition said the mayhem in Kaduna “only reflects the community version of the growing culture of brigandage within the political class”.

It said the violence in the northeast has spread to the north-central

and the north-west, warning that if unchecked, it might threaten peace and co-existence across the country and set the nation on the path of ruin.

ASCAB said the lack of opportunities, poverty, and the imposition of tough economic

measures on Nigerians are partly responsible for prejudices, hate and expression of violence found in many communities in the country.

“Corruption, politics of exclusion, growing unemployment, and lack of creativity continue to fuel public resentment across the

country backed by an increasing breakdown of public trust in those holding public officers,” ASCAB said.

“The situation has been compounded by weak institutions and inept leadership both at the state and national levels.

Dogara Accuses Bauchi Gov of Mismanagement of State’s Resources The immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has given reasons why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying it was because the mistakes the former administration made are being repeated by Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed.

Dogara, who represents Dass/ Tafawa Balewa/Bogoro federal constituency in the House of Representatives, in a letter written to the Chairman of the PDP Bogoro ‘C’ Ward, Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi said he was resigning his membership of the ruling party in the state.

In the letter dated July 24, 2020, Dogara said he left the PDP because of failure of governance and mismanagement of resources in Bauchi, which have remained unanswered to him.

He said, “I write to formally intimate you of my decision to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party. This became necessary because the same reasons why we fought hard in 2019 to effect change in the governance of our dear state

are festering now.

“I intend to bring these issues to the front a burner once again as the fight to instill decent and egalitarian government in our dear state continues.

“Specifically, I intend to ask questions about the following: What has happened to LGA allocations since May 2019?

What happened to our campaign promise to conduct LGA elections within six months of the PDP government?

“What happened to the N4.6 billion loan taken from a bank and paid directly into a private company’s account?

“Why are we segmenting salaries and why is payment of salaries of state workers outsourced to a private firm as consultants?

“Why are contracts inflated, awarded and payment of mobilisation done in violation of extant rules on procurement?

“Why are our highly revered traditional rulers and elders treated with odium contrary to the guarantee we have during the campaign that such will not happen under a PDP government?”

Edo Guber: PDP Plans to Unleash Violence, Says APC Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the last Saturday’s violence at the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign as a glimpse into the “do-or-die” plot the PDP plans to unleash in the lead up to the September 19 election.

The APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, in a statement issued yesterday said to imagine that the PDP chose to desecrate the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, was despicable, unheard of and a new low even by PDP’s ignoble standards.

According to him, “The disturbing images and reports of the destruction of property and violence meted on hapless victims during Saturday’s campaign of the PDP governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, in Benin-city is a glimpse into the plot which the PDP plans to unleash in the September 19 governorship election.

“Why is a show of force needed

on citizens you wish to govern?

“The PDP in Edo State is not campaigning for votes but relying on brute force, violence and intimidation ahead of the governorship election. The Governor of River State, Nyesom Wike, promised last Saturday to ‘make sure that everything needed is done’ to foist the PDP governorship candidate on the good people of Edo State.”

The APC alleged that Wike was bent on importing to Edo State his Rivers State model of violence and intimidation, assuring the state that he would not succeed.

Nabena stressed that APC would not watch helplessly and allow the PDP and Wike to turn Edo State into a killing field in their attempt to foist an unpopular candidate on the people.

The party, therefore, condemned the violence and called on the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and their sponsors.

The APC reiterated its stand that the people’s will and votes would determine the state governorship election, not voters’ intimidation and electoral violence.

OIL THIEVES IN TROUBLE...

Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Semiu Adepegba (left), and Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, Rear Admiral Saidu Garba , during the flag-off of Operation DOUBENI 11 in Warri, Delta State... weekend SYLVESTER IDOWU

Gunmen Kill Illegal Miner, Injure Five Others in Niger Laleye Dipo in Minna Unknown gunmen yesterday morning killed one illegal miner and injured five others in the Tunga area of Minna the Niger State capital.

The incident was said to have occurred at about 4.00a.m. when

the miners numbering over 50 embarked on their usual illegal mining business.

An eyewitness gave the name of the deceased as Ayuba, and was said to be 14 years old.

Those injured, according to the eyewitness, have been taken to the Minna General

Hospital for treatment.

Villagers say the identities of the gunmen were not known, but explained that the miners have been warned against carrying out their illegal activities which have been affecting farming activities in the area.

It was, however, suggested that the illegal miners could have been ambushed by “some aggrieved farmers.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Wasiu Abiodun, when contacted promised to get back to THISDAY but did not.

Woman Accuses Police of Killing Husband during Shootout with Armed Robbers Rebecca Ejifoma A wife and mother of two, Mrs. Seunfunmi Joan Stephen, has accused officers of the Lagos State Police Command of killing her husband, Patrick Stephen, during a shootout with armed robbers on Ogombo road in Ajah area of the state.

The police officers were said to be escorting money said to belong to Wema Bank when they were accosted by armed robbers on Ogombo road, and in the process, the tricycle the late Patrick and others were in rammed into the crossfire between the police and the criminal.

Seunfunmi took to her Instagram page to narrate her ordeal after she accused the police of not only killing her husband, abandoning him in front of a hospital but also extorting money from them before releasing his corpse.

According to her, “Patrick went out that morning and promised to return at 12p.m. I had started getting a little upset when I didn’t see him because it was 3p.m. and a package of small chops I ordered as a surprise for him had just been delivered.

“My neighbor came to knock on my door and told me not to panic that my husband was at Doreen Hospital in Ajah and that I was

needed there.”

When Seunfunmi called her husband’s number, she said someone picked the call, and “I told the person I wanted to speak with my husband, and she refused and said: ‘No, just come now’.”

Confused by the sudden call, she took her two children, and left for the hospital.

When she arrived at Doreen Hospital, she described what she saw as the most horrible sight. “My husband, my best friend, was outside the hospital gate, inside a tricycle with a drip on him and a bandage on his head, bleeding from his head,” she lamented.

While her kids cried to meet their

dying father, Seunfunmi said she saw the intestines of the guy who was shot in the stomach beside her husband. “He was in great pain, unresponsive as I called out his name. I was like a mad person holding two kids. I asked why no one was helping him, and was told they were making arrangements to take them to the General Hospital in Marina,” she said.

While Good Samaritans urged her to call a member of her family, she said she noticed that her husband stopped breathing, “and when a doctor used the stethoscope to check him, I asked him if he was okay, he replied ‘he is not okay’ then walked away.”

Mali Trip:Visit Katsina, Kaduna, Borno, Others Now, PDP Challeges Buhari Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of a photo-op trip to troubled Mali while failing to find solution to the myriads of political, economic and security crisis ravaging Nigeria has once again called to question his determination to face the challenges the country under his “incompetent watch.”

The PDP further said since President Buhari has shown that he can leave the comfort and safety

of the Presidential Villa, he should respond to the distress calls by Nigerians and immediately visit Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Adamawa, Sokoto, Yobe and other states being daily pillaged by bandits, insurgents, kidnappers and marauders.

The party in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, described President Buhari’s prioritisation of the situation in Mali over the worsening political and economic instability, festering corruption as well as escalated banditry, killings

and bloodletting in various parts of the country as a misplacement of governance urgency as well as an inexcusable dereliction of statutory responsibilities vested on the person and office of the president.

The PDP lamented that a resident who cannot live up to his statutory governance responsibility at home but is always preoccupied with seeking photo opportunity abroad, leaves much to be desired.

The spokesman of the party said: “While the PDP has nothing against Nigeria’s participation in

seeking peace in the troubled Mali, it is however depressing that upon re-opening his doors, President Buhari had Mali as his priority destination and could not demonstrate the littlest solidarity with Nigerians, even if it is a whistle stop at any of our military posts or any of the distressed states.

“Our party believes that the president receives regular briefing on the worsened security and economic situation in our country and ought to take these issues as priority.”

MONDAY JULY 27, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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CAC Seeks to Bar Companies Withholding Returns from Public Contracts James Emejo in Abuja The Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr. Garba Abubakar has said it is collaborating with relevant government agencies to ensure that registered companies that do not file their returns are henceforth barred from public transactions.

He said there is an existing collaboration with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) through systems integration to identify the companies in default, adding that “it is not enough for you to pay taxes without filing returns”.

He added that a status page will soon be created for all companies where information regarding tax and returns and whether they are active or dormant will be published.

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists at the weekend, Abubakar also said the commission planned to perfect its electronic system architecture by December in order to completely phase out manual searching and registration in order to preserve the integrity of public documents.

He said in an effort to sanitise the registry going forward, the commission will no longer allow external clients particularly lawyers to manually conduct searches on its records, citing instances of theft of public documents and use of fake signatures, among other infractions.

The registrar general also clarified its recent decision to withdraw of certificate issued Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly, adding that the certificate “should not have been

issued in the first place” as the group never got the mandatory security clearance.

He also took time to refute recent allegations that members of the National Assembly were colluding with CAC staff to remove information concerning their either membership or ownership of some companies amidst the ongoing investigative hearing into the allegations of corruption in the Niger Delta Development commission (NDDC).

Abubakar also said the CAC will soon be vested with powers to suspend trustees where there is any misconduct, suspicion of fraud as well as order inquiry into the affairs of any registered association under Part C. He said the amendments to its establishing Act which have been passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and awaiting the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari.

On the withdrawal of certificate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, he said: “Yes, we have withdrawn the certificate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly because the certificate should not have been issued in the first place.

“We have an established protocol that all organisations with ethnic, religious or political implications should be referred for security clearance before such organisations are registered.

“In 2017, a similar organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide applied to register, the security agencies rejected it. It would amount to double standards to allow another organisation to register. Up till now, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is not

Insecurity: Retired Air Force Chief Tasks Military on Disengaged Officers Raheem Akingbolu A retired military officer, Air Vice Marshall Femi Gbadebo, has expressed the fear that many disengaged and retired officers from the Nigerian Army, who have been trained in various military operations and technicalities, may be rendering such military services to Boko Haram fighters.

Speaking yesterday at “The Morning Show,” a programme of the ARISE NEWS Channel, a sister broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, Gbadebo, however urged the military to put measures in place to monitor the activities of newly disengaged officers or even those who voluntarily retired from services and know their career path after leaving the army.

While admitting that Nigerians are currently living in a precarious situation as a result of insecurity which is rampaging many parts of the north and neighboring zones, Gbadebo said the easy disengagement from the army in recent years, compared to the previous years, has made it easy for young officers who quit early, to be recruited by Boko Haram.

“We are facing a difficult time now because the insurgents which used to be

well pronounced only in Borno and Yobe states have extended to other states in the north. On the other hand, kidnappers and hoodlums parading as herdsmen have spread across all the states of the country, making traveling on road more difficult than the years back. I have the feeling that some well-trained Nigerian soldiers who leave the army may be finding their way into the fold of the insurgents. Unlike when we were in service, when one’s declaration for Army was like service for life after being commissioned, things have changed now as people now voluntarily leave the service after 18 years,” Speaking on the recent attacks on the people of Southern Kaduna, Gbadebo, linked the origin of the crisis to the mismanagement of the settlers, citizens’ imbroglios by the government.

He also faulted the current Muslim-Muslim ticket being enjoyed by Governor Nasir ElRufai and his deputy, insisting that the situation has further deepened suspicion and mistrust among the people.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket that brought in the current administration in Kaduna State is not only retrogressive but an intentional attempt not to recognise diversity in the state,” he added.

registered because they were not given security clearance.

“We have the South-south Youth Forum and so many other organisations that have not been allowed to register.

So, what we have done after withdrawing the certificates, we now referred the application for vetting and if at the end of the day we are advised that the objects are in consistent with what

about pilfering of our documents when our documents were being handled by external persons. We had instances whereby files were removed from this building and you can’t place responsibility on staff because you have other people coming to check these records.

“But now that these documents will be exclusively handled by our staff, you have staff assigned to handle specifically files and if

the law says and that the trustees are proper, then we will go ahead and register them. But until then we have withdrawn the certificate and we have published that that certificate has been withdrawn.

They have threatened to go to court; we are lawyers, we will face them in court.”

Also, on the need to need to eliminate manual registration, he said: “I have alluded to concerns

anything happens to a file, you know who to hold responsible.

“So, these are some of the reasons why we say external customers should not handle it in as much as we may have bad eggs within the system even among the customers; some of them were doing that. So, as a way of safeguarding the integrity of these records, we will only process these applications without any

ENGAGING RELIGIOUS LEADERS...

L-R: Wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu; her husband, Hon. Philip Shaibu; wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; her husband, Governor Godwin Obaseki; and Archbishop Margaret Idahosa, during the governor’s visit to Archbishop Margret Idahosa, in Benin City... yesterday

Navy Commences Exercise to Tackle Resurgence of Militants, Sea Robbers Chiemelie Ezeobi To tackle the resurgence of militancy and sea robbery in its maritime domain, the Nigerian Navy at the weekend commenced Exercise Calm Waters II. The exercise, which was flagged off simultaneously in Western, Eastern and Central Naval Commands, was necessitated by the need to contain the spate of sea robbery, militancy and piracy, which has posed a threat on sea farers and economic prosperity at the sea.

At the flag-off ceremony at the

Western Naval Command (WNC) at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT jetty inApapa, Lagos, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), WNC, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, said the exercise was for an initial period of 30 days.

To participate in the exercise, the navy deployed eight ships, two helicopters and a Special Boats Services (SBS) detachment to cover up to 200 nautical miles of the Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Also, gunboats and patrol crafts were deployed to cover the back waters especially creeks

along the Lagos to Badagry flanks where militants were said to have terrorised recently.

Daji said naval personnel have already been deployed to cover identified creeks where the militants are suspected to be hibernating, noting that Calm Waters II was simultaneously flagged off across the three operational commands of the navy to smoke out criminals.

He said the exercise was aimed at furthering the strategic directive and vision of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, adding that it would enhance the capacity of the command’s fleet.

Daji listed the participating platforms as NNS PROSPERITY, NNS EKUN, NNS NGURU, NNS EKULU, NNS OSUN, NNS OSE, TUG RIMA, TUG CDR UGWU and two maritime patrol helicopters.

He said: “We have been conducting series of exercises at the command level. The purpose of OKUN ALAFIA II (Calm Waters II) is in three folds-one is to consolidate on the gains of the previous operations; Western, Central and Eastern Naval Commands to have handshake at sea, so that criminals moving from one area to the other do not have the leeway to do that.

Lai Mohammed Dragged to Court over Non-payment of Retirement Benefits Alex Enumah in Abuja A former presidential award winner, Malam Yushau Shuaib, has approached the National Industrial Court in Abuja for an order compelling the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to immediately pay him his retirement benefits as ordered by the court in its November 22, 2017, judgment.

Shuaib also urged the court to

hold that refusal of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture under Mohammed to pay his retirement benefits since 2017 in line with the court judgment amounts to contempt of court which is punishable with imprisonment.

Shuaib, in a motion on notice filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Mr. James Abah, applied for an order of the court for the enforcement of the judgment

delivered on November 22, 2017, against the Federal Civil Service Commission and the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

Specifically, Shuaib, who is the publisher of PRNigeria Limited, an online news medium, prayed the court to order the two respondents to immediately compute salaries, allowances and other emoluments due to him from July 2013 when he was ‘unlawfully’ sacked as the

Chief Information Officer in the Federal Ministry of Information, and November 22, 2017, when court ordered his reinstatement.

The applicant also requested the court to compel the two respondents to present before the court the total sum as computed in respect of the judgment which ordered payment of his salaries from the period he was unjustly sacked to the period he was lawfully reinstated.

Court Orders IG to Protect Lugbe Estate Residents against Firm Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice O. C. Agbaza of an Abuja High Court has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to provide protection and security to allotees of Lugbe Estate in Abuja pending the hearing and determination of a suit alleging encroachment and trespassing into plaintiffs’ property by an estate firm.

Justice Agbaza made the order on July 17, 2020, while delivering ruling in an exparte application

brought by some allotees/owners of plots of land and or house in Lugbe extension 1 layout, Abuja.

The plaintiffs, who sued on behalf of themselves and others, are Mrs. B. A. Shuaibu, Collins Anomneze, Hannah Omuya, Rosemary Omuya, Saliu Aliyu, Desmond Ihejirika and Rita Nduka.

Those affected by the court order which was sighted by THISDAY over the weekend are Mr. Paul Odili, Paulo Homes Limited, River Park Estate and the Inspector General of Police.

According to the plaintiffs in the matter, “The application was filed after the first respondent allegedly began extending its portion of the estate through the third respondent to other areas of Lugbe extension albeit through criminal trespassing, using thugs and all forms of violence.”

Speaking through their lawyer, Victor Giwa, the plaintiffs alleged that the first respondent violently grabbed the land belonging to others in the vicinity on the claims that the said land belongs to him.

They, therefore, prayed the court

to intervene by restraining the first to third respondents from further encroachment and trespass of the property.

Delivering ruling, Justice Agbaza restrained the defendants from “further trespass, encroachment, demolishing and disturbing the peaceful and quiet state of the plaintiffs of the land, properties and interests described in various title documents but not limited to the attached document described at Lugbe Extension 1, Abuja, pending the determination of motion on notice.”

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Analysts Seek Reforms to Attract Investment in Infrastructure

Dike Onwuamaeze

Analysts at Afrinvest West Africa Limited have stressed the need for policymakers to implement reforms to boost the federal government’s finances, enable a conducive business environment and attract investment into human capital development and infrastructure.

The Lagos-based investment and research firm, in a report on the first half 2020 economic review and the outlook for the year noted that the outbreak of the COVID-19 caused severe damage to the Nigerian economy through the transmission of external shocks and local containment measures.

The report, titled: ‘Opportunity in a Crisis?,’ which THISDAY

obtained yesterday, stated that the ensuing risks to the health systems and the economy have been unprecedented, with the downside economic risks worse than the 2008/9 global financial recession while the health risks have been described as the worst since the Spanish Flu of 1918.

It stated: “In Nigeria, COVID-19 has only further exposed the country’s structural weakness given economic and health system vulnerabilities prior to the pandemic. The sharp fall in oil prices to a 20-year low of $17.70/ bbl in April 2020, following the contraction in global oil demand led to weaker prospects for government revenues and export earnings.

“Accordingly, there was a

downward revision of 37.2 per cent to the federal government’s 2020 revenue target to N5.3 trillion while the currency was devalued to enable the economy cope with external account pressures.

“In our opinion, even though we admit that there is no escaping the devastating impact of COVID-19, decades of poor policy choices have elevated risks in Nigeria. The continued

reliance on oil for forex receipts and government revenues, together with poor investment in the healthcare sector weakened the resilience of the economy.

“We believe the impact of this pandemic would reverse the marginal gains recorded since the 2016 economic recession, thereby hurting businesses and households. Beyond the initial response of removing fuel

subsidies to support revenues, the upside is new priorities for the federal government in the areas we have highlighted in the medium-term.

“We believe the economic crisis brought by COVID-19 presents an opportunity for policymakers to propose and implement reforms that would boost the federal government’s finances, enable a conducive

business environment and attract investment into human capital development and infrastructure.”

Commenting on the country’s rising debt profile, Afrinvest stated that while it was cheaper for the federal government to borrow locally at current yields, it did not rule out the possibility of ‘Ways and Means’ funding by the Central Bank of Nigeria, especially when fiscal deficit overshoots the target.

Prioritise Reopening of Private Varsities, Afe Babalola Tells FG The founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Chief Afe Babalola, has expressed disappointment with the federal government for not giving consideration to private universities in the plan to reopen schools that were shut in March due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Babalola, who said both private and public universities had been left out by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in its daily briefings, made the assertion in a goodwill message at a Zoom Meeting of the Pro Chancellors of Private Universities in Nigeria on Saturday.

In the message made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday, the ABUAD founder recommended that “private universities should be given the first consideration for resumption”.

This, he said, was “on account of the moral and physical discipline, quality and functional education, hygienic and safe environment, predictable academic calendar, absence of trade unionism,

committed teachers, modern teaching equipment and laboratories, and adequate preparation to prevent COVID-19 as well as fully residential status of private universities.”

Babalola added, “Private universities are fully residential for both the students and staff.As a result, the students in private universities are better disciplined, better and easier to control, better mentored unlike their counterparts in public university 80 per cent of who come from home in public transport. Most, if not all, of the private universities, have their campuses fenced with full control over who comes in and who goes out.

“I believe that most private universities have complied or are in a position to comply with the provisions required by the PTF before the universities can reopen. I, therefore, suggest that the Pro-Chancellors should ask any university that has all the requirements to apply for inspection of the university and where a university has all the equipment and materials, it be given approval to reopen.”

Court Declines Stopping FG from Auctioning 10 Marginal Oil Fields Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos has refused to stop the federal government from auctioning 10 revoked marginal oil fields, by dismissing an application for interlocutory injunction filed by the operators.

Justice Aneke dismissed the application for orders of interlocutory injunction at the weekend, while delivering ruling on the application filed by the marginal oil fields’ operators against the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), who were the defendants, on the grounds that the plaintiffs failed to satisfy the court why the order ought to be granted.

The 10 marginal oil fields’ operators in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/597/2020, were: Associated Oil & Gas Limited, Dansaki Petroleum Limited; Bayelsa Oil Limited; Bicta Energy and Management Systems Limited: Del-Sigma Petroleum

Nigeria Limited; Sogenal Energy Limited; Independent Energy Limited; Sahara Energy; African Oil & Gas Limited and Goland Petroleum Limited.

In dismissing the marginal oil fields operators’ application for interlocutory injunction, Justice Aneke after perusing all the processes filed before him and citing plethora of judicial authorities, ruled that: “the court having considered the papers filed and exchanged by the parties, refused the application by dismissing same for lacking in merit”.

The judge held that the Plaintiffs failed to satisfy the court that an order of interlocutory injunction ought to be granted in this case.

Consequently, the judge adjourned the matter till October 29, 2020, for hearing of the substantive suit.

Justice Aneke had on May 29, 2020 refused to grant the Ex parte application seeking to restrain the defendants from withdrawing the marginal oil fields operators licenses.

ASSESSING DANGERS ON ROADS...

L-R: Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide SanwoOlu; and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, during an inspection of manhole access points and illegal removal of its covers at Eric Moore in Surulere... weekend

SERAP Demands Reports of Corruption Probes By N’Assembly Anti-corruption advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the National Assembly to furnish it with the reports of various corruption probes it has carried out as part of its oversight functions on government agencies since the return to democracy in 1999.

In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request signed by its Deputy Director, Mr. Kolawole Oludare, SERAP said it would like to know the number of corruption probes so far undertaken by the National Assembly; the number of such

probes that have resulted in an indictment and the names of individuals or corporate bodies so indicted.

SERAP said it believes that the National Assembly ought to have, over the years, been forwarding to anti-graft agencies the reports of its corruption probes that have resulted in an indictment.

The group said it was demanding the results of the corruption probes to test whether or not the multitude of corruption probes so far conducted by the National Assembly were not politically-

motivated and initiated to serve the personal interest.

It said, “SERAP is concerned about the systemic and widespread corruption allegations in MDAs and among high-ranking public officials, and the negative impacts on socio-economic development, as well as access of Nigerians to public goods and services, including quality education, adequate healthcare, clean water and regular electricity supply.

“There is legitimate public interest in the publication of the reports of these public

hearings and probes. The public hearings and probes can only serve as effective mechanisms to prevent and combat corruption if their reports are widely published.

“We would be grateful if the requested information is provided to us within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of the FoI requests. If we have not heard from you by then, the Registered Trustees of SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions under the Freedom of Information Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to compel you to comply with our requests.”

Sanwo-Olu Promises Improved Traffic in Lagos Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, spent an ample time, weekend, at the popular Allen Junction on Obafemi Awolowo Way in Ikeja, monitoring flow of vehicular traffic at the newly re-designed junction.

The governor expressed satisfaction with the new layout of the ever-busy junction, following the removal of a broad roundabout to create seamless flow of traffic.

The Allen Junction is one of the vulnerable spots across the

metropolis notorious for vehicular logjam due to the roundabout, which was identified as an impediment to free flow of traffic.

In line with his administration’s traffic management agenda, Sanwo-Olu awarded contracts for the re-designing and construction of the identified traffic-prone spots across the state. Sixteen highways are currently undergoing re-construction and junction improvements.

Three of the six junctions captured in the first phase of

road improvement programme have been completed. They are Allen Junction, Ikotun Roundabout, and Maryland Junction. Work is almost completed on three roundabouts in Lekki and Ajah of Eti-Osa area of the state.

Sanwo-Olu said the state government considered the road improvement programme as one that would relieve commuters of burden of heavy traffic, stressing that the aim was to reduce journey time and increase

productivity.

He said: “I am particularly excited that the famous Allen Roundabout is a lot more befitting now, with the new design and road furniture we have put in place. This project is now completed and there is no need for a formal handover because the junction is ever busy.

What is now required of those plying the road is maintenance of the road furniture, because it is a new better experience for the road users.

COVID-19: British Govt Commends Nigerian for Ingenuity in MassVentilator Production The British Government has described a Nigerian information technology consultant, Mr. Victor Osagie, as one of the best Britain has to offer due to his ingenuity in the mass production of ventilators to boost the National Health System (NHS) fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

In a commendation letter from the Cabinet Office of the United Kingdom and jointly endorsed by all partners including Ford and Airbus, Osagie was commended for his role in the just concluded ventilator challenge project which was an

initiative of the cabinet office.

“Thank you for your invaluable contribution to our ventilator challenge UK team. As we battled together to save lives threatened by Covid-19 your energy, ingenuity and camaraderie made a tremendous difference. You are a shining example of the best UK has to offer.”

Osagie’s team delivered the quality control system that rapidly converted disused warehouses into assembly lines.

His team swiftly converted Ford Motors vehicle production lines and Airbus Aircraft production lines

into ventilator production lines.

They produced over 14,000 ventilators within a 90 day period to boost the NHS ventilator capacity from less than 9,000 pre COVID-19 era to the over 25,000 capacity in July 2020.

British Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson, noted that the ventilator challenge has proven how much Britain can achieved when confronted with difficult problems.

“Bringing together the best minds in manufacturing, innovation and design was a right decision. Thanks

to your effort, everyone who needs a ventilator had access to one. And the NHS has the vital machines needed to continue providing lifesaving support against the deadly virus,” he said.

On his part, Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancook said: “We protected the NHS during this global pandemic. The impact of COVID – 19 showed the best and the brightest stepping forward to serve their country.

The response the government received to this challenge was astonishing.”

MONDAY JULY 27, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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PDP Campaign Council Condemns Attack Near Oba of Benin’s Palace Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s National Campaign Council for Edo Governorship Election, Governor Nyesom Wike, last night condemned the attack on the party’s entourage, including state governors, near the Palace of Oba of Benin on Saturday by thugs allegedly sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike, who described the attack as despicable, said the campaign council has commenced investigation into the roles played by certain individuals, including a businessman in the dastard and desecrating act.

In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP Edo State Campaign Council said that it is also looking into the roles played by another chieftain

of APC in the attack against the entourage.

PDP said that the governorship candidate of the APC, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, also needed to understand clearly that there is a limit to intimidation and thuggery, particularly in this election.

According to the spokesperson of the PDP, “It is highly irresponsible for anybody to attempt to harass, intimidate or cause harm to an assemblage of governors and leaders of the PDP, let alone at the palace of the highly revered Oba of Benin.

“We are already investigating this attempt and if we confirm the involvement of the said businessman, the APC gubernatorial candidate or the said chieftain, we will not hesitate to take a strong and very decisive action. Enough is Enough!” the party said.

PDP said that the ancient seat of

Ondo 2020: ADC Elects Akeredolu’s Kinsman, Adelegan as Candidate James Sowole in Akure The African Democratic Congress (ADC) at the weekend elected Mr. Dapo Adelegan, a kinsman of the incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, as its candidate for the October 10, 2020, gubernatorial election.

Adelegan, who was elected through a voice vote at the primary of the party, held in Akure, the state capital, earlier, showed interest in the primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before he pulled out of the race.

The candidate, in his acceptance speech at the event monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), expressed optimism that he would defeat the incumbent, who is also from Owo, in the forthcoming governorship election.

While presenting his plan for the state, Adelegan said Ondo State has no reason to be poor in view of the abundant natural

resources waiting to be tapped and harnessed for its transformation.

He promised to open up the economy of the state and provide social welfare package, infrastructural facilities and equip all the hospitals in the state with the modern equipment.

The candidate also promised to establish student loans package in order to encourage youths to have access to quality education.

Adelegan, who said Akeredolu lacks exposure to attract the needed foreign investment, posited that he would use his wealth of experience to attract Local and international investors into the state.

While stating that it is the turn of the northern senatorial district, where he hails from, to contest for the position, he said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, would lose just like it happened in 2016 because his zone must complete its remaining four-year term.

‘Nigeria Can Earn N12.7bn Yearly from Cowpea’ Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

A professor of crop science, Dayo Phillip, has suggested that if Nigeria can adopt Pod Borer Resistance (PBR) cowpea (beans) with adequate water supply, the country can earn up to N12.7billion yearly from it.

He stated this over the weekend during a virtual meeting organised

by Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology Nigeria (OFAB) to enlighten farmers, members of the public and update the media on the efforts of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) towards food security and sustainability by 2030.

In his explanations, he highlighted the value of PBR cowpea, which he said can resist pod borer insect that is devastating to cowpea According to him, “One agricultural innovation was recently approved which is the SAMPEA20-T cowpea variety. It protects cowpea from the devastating pod borer insect.

“Taking into account that agriculture employs 37 percent of the national labour force, adoption of PBR cowpea can, through higher production, potentially increase employment along the overall/ entire value chain, reduce import dependency, import bill, increase households’ overall protein and nutrition status.”

The professor said cowpea is critical for food security and nutrition and relevant than ever to maintain and increase cowpea supply during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking earlier, the Deputy Director of NABDA/Country Coordinator, OFAB Nigeria chapter, Dr. Rose Maxwell Gidado, highlighted the importance and main objectives of the meeting, as to improve biotechnology reporting in the media, capacity building of the media practitioners, enlarge the scope of the biotechnology reasoning by the media practitioners and to update journalists on the status of agricultural biotechnology research in Nigeria.

the Oba of Benin is respected and revered across the globe, adding that, “as a mark of honour for the

Oba of Benin, the governors and leaders of our party considered it imperative to pay a visit and

honour the monarch”.

The PDP said that it is therefore reprehensible that any true Benin

son or daughter will choose such an occasion to demean the monarch and his chiefs.

MEMORIAL SERVICE...

L-R: Director-General, Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu; his in-law, Mrs. Ezinne Okafor; and Okpalarian III of Enugu-Agidi, Igwe Mike Okekeuche, during a one-year memorial service in honour of the late wife of the Director-General, Mrs. Tina Okechukwu, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Amankwo-Eke community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State...recently

Zamfara Commissioner: Army, NAF’s Lack of Collaboration Prolonging Banditry in N’West Innocent Onuminya in Sokoto The Zamfara State Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Muhammad Abubakar has said that inadequate cooperation between the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Army has prolonged banditry in the North-west.

He expressed worry that North-west, which was noted for its peace and stability, has turned to haven of horrors as a result of the activities of bandits.

Speaking to THISDAY in his

office in Gusau, at the weekend, the commissioner argued that for the military to succeed in fighting the war against bandits and other criminal activities in the region the rancour between the Army and NAF needed to be resolved.

Abubakar further explained that both the Army and the NAF needed each other for successful operations.

“The problem between the Army and Air force is that either one wants to take the glory of defeating the bandits; but if they cooperate and the bandits are

defeated it is all of us that win.

“The common enemy is the bandits. There should not be rancour or division within the military as we cannot win this battle if we are not united,” he said.

“As things is now the Air Force needs the ground troops for total elimination of the bandits; when you strike and there is no ground troops for back-up you only succeeds in scattering the bandits. I advise that we close rank to defeat the common enemy,” he added.

According to him, the recent attack by bandits in the state was

due to air strike and bombardment that made some bandits to flee to Katsina and Niger states, stressing that if soldiers were strategically manning some border towns those fleeing bandits could have been wiped out.

He lauded the Nigerian Army for its gallantry and onslaught on the bandits, saying Governor Bello Mutawalle has given them free-hand to deal with any bandit that don’t want to embrace amnesty provided by the state government.

N100bn Bond: Makinde Accuses Adelabu of Playing Cheap Politics Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, yesterday asked the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 election, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, to rise above cheap politics in his criticisms of the state’s Prosperity Bond unveiled last Wednesday.

Adisa, in a statement made available to THISDAY in Ibadan,

said the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has a duty to the people of Oyo State and Nigerians in general to make sound inputs into economic debates and justify that he truly merited a seat at the apex bank, where he once sat as deputy governor.

The media aide to the governor also maintained that the terms that will be agreed to by the state, whenever discussions on the Bond issuance begin, will protect the

interest of Oyo State people, as Governor Makinde has continued to show that protecting the interest of Oyo State and lifting it from poverty to prosperity have remained his greatest goals.

According to him, “The announcement by the Oyo State government on the issuance of a N100 billion Bond tagged Prosperity Bond, has generated several reactions especially from the opposition.

“While one would not expect

some members of the APC in Oyo State to see anything good with the development, it has become imperative to react to some of the inane ideas being passed off as sound economic commentaries. “This becomes particularly important, seeing how the governorship candidate of the APC in the 2019 election, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, ran amok with imbalanced economic analyses on the matter in order to score cheap political points.

Buhari’s Govt Has Failed Miserably, Says Former NHIS Boss Yusuf said: “The primary to address the nation or visit Peter Uzoho

Worried by the escalation of security challenges in the country, particularly the mindless killings and kidnappings in the north, the immediate-past Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf, has said the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has miserably failed to live up to its solemn responsibilities.

The Professor of HaematologyOncology and Bone Marrow

Transplantation, stated this in a statement issued yesterday entitled: “Insecurity is a Symptom of Corruption and Bad Governance”, saying Nigerians are fed up with repeated excuses for the failure.

He said despite the bloodshed in the north, Buhari could not think it worthwhile to address the nation or visit the people in the affected areas, but that he was able to find time to speak to Nigerians on COVID-19 and even traveled to Mali to help them solve their problems.

responsibility of any government is to protect the lives and properties of its citizens; in this regard, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has miserably failed to live up to its solemn responsibilities.

“Our people are sick and tired of repeated excuses and conspiracy theories as reasons for the failure. It is inexcusable that despite all the bloodshed in the region, the president has not thought it worth his while

the people of the affected areas.

“But he made time to address the nation twice on COVID-19, flew out to Mali on July 23, 2020 to help them solve their problems, and addressed Nigerians in diaspora via video conference on July 7, 2020. This is why in my previous write-up, I said that the president seems distant, uncaring, and out of touch with the sufferings of his largest support base.”

‘Youth Bank will Give Economic, Political Powers toYouths’ The establishment of Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) just approved by President Muhammadu Buhari would bring the best out of Nigerian youths, solve youth unemployment, and promote positive engagement of the youths, the founder of Ojo Ola Oyo, a youth development

movement, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan has said.

He said the actualisation of the Fund initiated by the Minister of Sports and Youth Development Mr. Sunday Dare at this critical moment has confirmed that Nigeria has finally got the right person to run the affairs of her

youths.

Speaking with journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku , Ibadan, weekend, Olaosebikan stated that the Youth Bank, first of its kind in the history of Nigeria was the impetus the youths required to unleash their

potentials in the development of the various aspects of the country and excel among their peers globally.

According to him, “approval for the establishment of the Fund is very heart-warming. It is the finest development coming from Abuja of late.

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Dangote Cement Rakes in N162.9bn Profit in Six Months Winners emerge in company’s consumer promo

Africa’s largest cement producer, Dangote Cement Plc has announced a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of N162.90 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2020 even as two block makers have emerged winners in its ongoing ‘Spell and Win a Million’ national consumer promo.

According to the unaudited results of the company released on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the declared profit was 4.7 per cent higher than N155.49 billion in the corresponding period of 2019. The results indicate a resilient half-year 2020 performance despite the impact of COVID-19.

The Group revenue went up to N476.9 billion, Group Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) was N218.1 billion representing a 45.7 per cent margin while Pan-Africa EBITDA was up by 31.6 per cent to N31.5 billion; a margin of 21.7 per cent.

The period under-review saw the maiden clinker shipment from Nigeria via the Apapa Export Terminal to Senegal in June while plans are on track to ship more vessels of clinker to West and Central Africa in the second half of 2020.

Speaking on the results, Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement, Mr. Michel Puchercos, said: “I am humbled by the fact that we continue to be in a strong position despite the economic downturn that the world is facing due to COVID-19. Although April was greatly impacted by lockdowns and restrictions across our operations, we experienced a strong quarter. We achieved a record high volume and

EBITDA margin in Pan-Africa of 4.7Mt and 21.7 per cent respectively.

Group EBITDA was up slightly despite the impact of COVID-19.”

He added, “I am particularly pleased to announce that Dangote Cement shipped its first clinker cargo to Senegal from our new cement terminal in Apapa, Lagos. It has been a long journey for Nigeria, from being one of the largest bulk importers of cement, to being selfsufficient in cement production, and now an exporter of clinker.

“We are on track to ensure West and Central Africa are cement and clinker independent, with Nigeria as the main supply hub. We want to continue developing regional and continental trade between the ECOWAS countries and beyond.”

On the company’s measures against the COVID-19 pandemic, Puchercos stated, “We are committed to protecting our team members and communities by being fully compliant with health and safety measures. We remain focused on adapting to the rapidly evolving markets in which we operate. We continue to deploy our efforts to maintain our cost competitiveness while ensuring that our balance sheet is resilient.”

Barely a week after its launch, two Block makers from Lagos and Oyo States have become first star prize winners of N1 million each in the ongoing Dangote Cement Bag of Goodies Season 2 Consumer Promo.

The promo, which the management said was partly to reward loyal customers and ameliorate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on consumers, offered

South-west APC Backs Buhari, NEC on Withdrawal of Litigations Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The South-west caucus of the All Progressives Congress(APC), has ratified the position maintained

by President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party, directing all pending litigations filed by members against the party to be withdrawn.

Sequel to this, the caucus has directed all members across the six states in the zone to comply with the directive in the interest of the party.

This was contained in a communique issued by the caucus after its meeting held in Osogbo, Osun State capital, at the weekend.

The communique released by the South-west Publicity Secretary, Hon.Karounwi Oladapo, in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, said: “The caucus reaffirmed the directive of President Buhari and NEC to the effect that any member or group of individuals that instituted court cases against the party in any state within the zone should withdraw such cases in deference to the highest decision making organ of the party.

“This is going to be the best way for the APC in the zone to be cohesive and remain solid ahead of future elections. We need unity and filing litigations against the party may hinder its progress and the much sought unity of purpose”. i said the caucus adopted Osun State Governor , Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, who is the representative

of the South-west in the APC National Caretaker Committee as the chairman of the zone.

“The caucus reviewed the situation reports of the APC from the various State Chairmen of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states. We are satisfied with the general situation of the party in the South-west zone.

“We also paid special attention to the APC in Ondo State and felt the need for all the APC gubernatorial contestants to work together to secure victory for the party in the October election.

“Consequent upon this, the caucus agreed to the setting up of a zonal reconciliation committee of eminent and respected APC Leaders in the South-west Zone to meet with all the gubernatorial contestants and other APC leaders in Ondo State for proper harmonisation of interests in the overall interest of APC, which is to retain Ondo State as APC-controlled state.

“We reviewed the issues around registration of APC members, membership cards and registers in the six states within the zone. The Caucus came to the conclusion that what the South-west APC needs is an update of the existing registers and not fresh registration exercise”.

The caucus saluted the late former Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, describing his death as devastating, coming at a time his wealth of experience was required to galvanise support for APC in the zone.

the winners cash prizes apart from other commercial and household items, and it is expected to run from July 15 to November 15, 2020.

A block maker based in Lanlate, in Ibarapa East local government area of Oyo State, Ojediran Kayode

Stephen, who emerged the first N1 million winner in the “Spell Dangote and be a millionaire” promo, said he got the winning letters from among the 500 hundred bags of cement, which he bought to make blocks for customers.

Apart from the N1million, Ojediran said that he also won several recharge cards and extra N2,000 in the promo.

On what he would do with his winnings, he explained that he is going to invest the N1 million to expand his block making business.

“I am very happy for becoming one of the first sets of people to win in the Dangote Cement Promo. I intend to use the money to expand my business. I am going to buy more bags of cement to produce more blocks.

SIXTY-SEVEN HEARTY CHEERS...

Former Chief of Army Staff, retired Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (left), and Commadant of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Maj. Gen. Sagir Sarhan, during the final exercise of ‘Camp Highland’ by cadets of NDA 67 Regular Course and Nigerian Army Short Service Course 46, at the Shooting Range in Kachia forest, Kaduna State...recently

Outrage as Lagos Allegedly Plans to Demolish 400 Houses in Ogun Landlords of Agbado-Okearo in the Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State have raised the alarm over plan by the Lagos State Government to demolish their houses and appealed to the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to stop what they described as an alleged attempt by the Lagos State Water Corporation (LSWC) to demolish over 400 houses in the area.

The Chairman of the Agbado-Okearo Community Development Association,

Mr. Samson Abegunde, in a statement issued yesterday, begged the Ogun State governor to prevail on his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to order the LSWC to stop further demolition of houses in the area.

Abegunde said houses numbering about 400 had been marked for demolition to pave the way for pipelines that the LSWC plans to lay in the area through to Lagos State.

According to him, most of the landlords have been living

in the area since 1972 without any problem.

“We are appealing to Governor Dapo Abiodun, a listening and sympathetic governor, to assist us, the landlords, by prevailing on his Lagos counterpart to stop the demolition of our houses.

“The community has been in existence since after the civil war, while the water corporation was established in 1986.

“Also, most landlords in the community have the

necessary documents, including approved plans by the Ogun State Government.”

Abegunde said the last time the corporation embarked on laying of water pipes many landlords died without getting compensation.

He advised that the LSWC could lay the pipelines behind the waterworks in the area as an alternative route to Lagos.

Abegunde also advised the corporation to use the pig farm in the Oke-Aro area as an alternative route to Lagos.

Osun Federal Lawmakers Disagree over State’s Debt, $20m Loan Members of the National Assembly from Osun State have engaged in a war of words over the rising debt profile of the state and how the state government is using a $20million World Bank grant for the upgrade of primary health centres in the state.

The issue degenerated into a war of words yesterday between the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus and Senator Francis Fadahunsi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the APC Caucus, led

by Senator Ajibola Bashiru, disagreed with the comments of Fadahunsi, who raised the alarm that the state had exceeded its debt threshold and had become too insolvent to borrow more.

Basiru accused Fadahunsi of trying to create confusion in Osun State, adding that the claim by PDP lawmaker could not be substantiated with facts and figures.

Basiru said, “The alarm being raised by Fadahunsi is unwarranted. It’s only meant to whip up sentiment that is not rooted in facts, except perhaps in favour of his failing political party.”

Basiru said contrary to Fadahunsi’s claim, the Osun State Government under former governor Rauf Aregbesola and the incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola had exhibited accountability and prudence in the state’s finances.

According to him, part of that prudence was the reduction of

the state’s 2020 budget to N82bn in response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said, “Whether you are open or not, you cannot escape mischievous remarks like those of Senator Fadahunsi. The government is transparent with the books audited quarterly and annually.”

Also speaking, a member of the House of Representatives, Femi Fakeye, described Fadahunsi’s comments as mere grandstanding.

He said, “Let’s forgive him.

He was a Customs officer and he may not know how the world of loan works.

Even the Federal Government is taking loans. It is not taking loans that is bad; it is what you do with it that matters.”

But Fadahunsi maintained that additional loans amounted to mortgaging the future of Osun people.

He said, “With a total debt profile of over N170bn, Osun State currently ranks as the sixth most indebted state in Nigeria.

“Regarding the $20m World Bank grant, the APC caucus lied when it said the state government had used the money to establish primary health centres in all the wards in state.”

He challenged the APC Caucus to come forward with details of the contracts awarded for the primary health centres, the equipment and drugs bought as well as those engaged to work at the PHCs.

N’Delta: Navy Launches New Operation, Impounds 31 IllegalVessels Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Sylvester Idowu in Warri The Nigerian navy at the weekend launched a new operation, codenamed Doubeni 11, to curb criminal maritime activities in the country’s oil-producing Niger Delta region.

The Central Naval Command (CNC), which is spearheading the operation, said the 90-day

operation in the waterways, which commenced from the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) jetty, Warri, is aimed at conducting evolutions to make the area crime-free and boost economic activities.

Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) CNC, Rear Admiral Saidu Garba, during the launch of the programme, stressed that it was to consolidate on the impressive achievements recorded by the navy during the conduct of

operation ‘Calm Waters’ which was activated in May 2019.

A statement by the command’s information officer, Commander Blessed Nuhu, quoted Garba as saying that the operation had, to a large extent, contributed to the reduction in reported incidents of sea robbery, piracy, illegal bunkering, smuggling, illegal refining and other maritime crimes within the Nigerian waters.

He stressed that within the period of the operation, the navy recorded a total of 27,918 hours of sea patrol which resulted in the arrest of 31 vessels and357personssuspectedtobeengaged in maritime illegalities.

The FOC added that naval bases cumulatively neutralised a total of 186 illegalrefinerieswith2,036metaltanksand ovens as well as seizing a total of 23,102,900 litres of illegally sourced products.

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Ëœ ÍşÍżËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

MONDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Arteta Wants Saka to Snub Nigeria for England Duro Ikhazuagbe

Out of the four London-born players with dual nationalities on the radar of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Bukayo Saka, 18, appears to be of more interest to England as Arsenal Manager, Mikel Arteta Wants him to pick the Three Lions ahead of Nigeria.

The other three player include; Queens Park Rangers’ Eberechi Eze, Ademola Lookman (RB Leipzig) and Ovie Ejaria (Liverpool).

Speaking at the weekend, the Gunners gaffer, Arteta, despite insisting that making the choice of choosing between England and Nigeria rests with Saka and his family, said; “Absolutely (he is good enough to play for England) – and he’s

Bukayo Saka

very clever to make the right decision, as well.�

Arteta also admitted that Saka has not come to seek his opinion on the matter. “He hasn’t come to me with that so for now I will leave it totally independent with the player and his family as they normally have a big say with their background, their culture and where they are coming from. I don’t want to step in there,� stressed the coach of the north London club.

The Hale End Academy product whose first team career at Arsenal got wings with the restart from the Covid-19 lockdown, also admitted making a choice between Nigeria and England will be a tough one for him.

Saka told Sky Sports at the weekend: ‘It’s a tough choice. I’m happy to have represented England at youth level but I’m also proud of my Nigerian heritage from my parents.�

If Saka who has played for England’s Under19s accepts to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Alex Iwobi, Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi who all featured for the youth teams of England before accepting to switch to Nigeria, the move with be an addition of quality to the Super Eagles.

Just in the recent past, Chelsea and England duo of Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham have previously turned down a chance to play for Nigeria.

Smarting from that volte-face

by Tammy and Tomori, NFF’s President, Amaju Pinnick said in an Instagram chat recently that Nigeria is not ready to go looking for any player not willing to wear the country’s green and white colors.

“Saka is an excellent prospect but we have other players in his position who are playing so well. “We have talents everywhere so we won’t beg people to play for Nigeria. It is about ardour

and fervour, If it’s their desire and they merit it, they’ll be given a chance to represent Nigeria,� stressed the NFF boss who also doubles as a CAF Executive Committee member.

Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy scored 23 goal to emerge winner of the Golden Boots of the 2019/20 Premier League season which ended ...yesterday

Kano Pillars Reappoint Ibrahim Musa as Technical Adviser FIFA Slams G’Bissau FA Kano Pillars FC have Covid-19 pandemic. “Alhaji Surajo charged him by working with all relevant Ibrahim Musa as According to the Spokesman to to work closely with his stakeholders in order to move President with Ten-year Ban reengaged their Technical Adviser. of the team, Rilwanu Idris assistants, players and the entire the team to the next level.

Football’s world governing body FIFA have banned the GuineaBissau FA President Manuel Nascimento from all football activity for 10 years.

Nascimento has been implicated in an incident of mob justice, but was nonetheless seeking a third term in charge of Guinea-Bissau’s FA, with election set to have taken place yesterday.

However, FIFA stepped in on Saturday and announced that Nascimento had breached article 23 of their Code of Ethics, earning himself a 10-year ban and 100,000 Swiss Francs fine. “The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has found Mr Manuel Nascimento, President of the BissauGuinean Football Association (FFGB), responsible for having

breached his duty to protect the physical and mental integrity of others, in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics,� FIFAsaid in a statement. “Based on the information, including video material, gathered by the investigatory chamber, Mr Nascimento had breached his duty, as per the FIFA Code of Ethics, to protect the physical and mental integrity of the man who was the victim of the mobbing. “Consequently, the adjudicatory chamber found that Mr Nascimento had breached art. 23 (Protection of physical and mental integrity) of the FIFA Code of Ethics and sanctioned him with a ban from all football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level for ten years.�

The Sai Masu Gida finished the 2019/20 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Season 7th on the log after the league ended abruptly at Match-day 25 due to the

Malikawa said that Ibrahim Musa was reengaged by the Alh. Surajo Shuaibu-led management based on his performances in the past seasons as the technical adviser.

staff of the club for a successful 2020/2021 campaign.�

The Chairman further reaffirmed his determination in giving more attention to the welfare of the players

Covid-19: Obiano Threatens to Arrest Anambra FA Leaders over Planned Election David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has threatened to arrest leaders of the state Football Association over plans to hold election in violation of Covid-19 safety protocols.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba who disclosed this in a press statement said the election which is scheduled for today is in violation of the coronavirus safety

protocol, and that the state government has alerted security agencies in the state to arrest the group’s leaders or anyone else who goes ahead with the election.

Adinuba said, “It has been observes with profound regret that in spite of the efforts of the people and government of the state to make our dear state remain the safest place in the country and beyond, even in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, there are certain individuals and groups determined to brazenly

flout the directives and law meant to prevent the spread of the contagion in the state. “Despite the growing number of Covid-19 infections and even fatalities in the state, some people in the Anambra State Football Association have planned to hold elections on Monday, July 27, 2020, into the Board of the Anambra State Football Association and into the Anambra State Local Football Councils. “This decision is reckless and in flagrant violation of the directive by the Anambra State Government

Juventus Win Ninth Record-extending Serie A Title Juventus Sunday night clinched a re c o rd extending ninth successive Serie A title as they defeated Sampdoria 2-0 in Turin.

M a t h e m a t i c a l l y, second-placed Inter Milan can only get to 82 points, one few e r t h a n Juventus’s current tally of 83. Atalanta, Cristiano Ronaldo s c o re d h i s 3 1 s t l e a g u e goal of the season f ro m M i r a l e m P j a n i c ’ s short free-kick in firsthalf injury time and F e d e r i c o Bernardeschi

sealed the victory after 67 minutes.

Maurizio Sarri’s side are the only team to win nine consecutive titles in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

It extends their own re c o rd , w h i c h B a y e r n Munich had matched in June.

Ronaldo missed the chance to get closer to C i ro I m m o b i l e ’ s t a l l y of 34 at the top of the Serie A goal charts as he struck a penalty against the crossbar in the final minutes.

Responding shortly after he signed the contractual agreement, Coach Ibrahim Musa pledged to justify the confidence shown in him and his his assistants.

Juventus players celebrating clinching the 2019/20 Serie A title...last night

prohibiting elections in the state until further notice.�

Adinuba said elections into the board of the Anambra State Football Association and Anambra State Local Football Councils are by no means an emergency, adding that there is nothing urgent about them. “The Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies have been directed to ensure that no elections are held anywhere in the state until further notice, so that our state will not be consumed by Covid-19 which has been ravaging the whole world,� Adinuba said.

Ëœ ÍşÍżËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

46

MONDAYSPORTS

Sports and the NDDC Question

I

n this season of staycation caused by an unwelcomed virus, people are closer to the news more than ever.

So it is no surprise that as the story over the past week, the audit and probe of the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) floods our news streams, conversations have built up amongst Nigerians.

Despite the gravity of issues involved, we as a people, have adopted a general slackness, rhathymia, jovial and unserious attitude in addressing these issues that affect our development. We generally shoot for risibility rather than let the cupidity of some of our leaders dampen our spirits.

This can be seen in the numerous jokes and memes posted all over the internet on different social media platforms.

But we know that the dream of creating a truly inclusive, egalitarian democracy hinges on how the people believe that fairness and justice is addressed in the society not just how a lady’s detractors increasingly rely on ‘ad hominem’ attacks to blunt her influence or how a syncopal episode is triggered by a series of questions on accountability of funds.

However for sports lovers, (fans, managers, athletes, business people and pundits alike) all the concern seem to be that in all the expenditure or utilisation of funds in the region there were

no sporting infrastructure of note developed or built despite the huge resources earmarked for development of the region and the amount of money being revealed at the hearings. This has been debated passionately and the discussions of these stakeholders were not always polite or courteous. In fact, they were always inappropriately calibrated in tone of arguments: In one instance, they are too deferential; in another, too bellicose.

And the conversation comes with a special conviction central to their passion: an adamantine, unshakable conviction that what needs to be done is to build sporting infrastructure with the funds of the NDDC. Their arguments are valid. In a region hurt by environmental issues, insecurity, unemployment, poor educational level, poverty of its people, lack of infrastructure, poor healthcare and youth restlessness(Militancy). And to a great extent sports can help in all these.

Insecurity and militancy are easily minimized by sporting engagements. When the youth have where to exert their excess energies, fighting communities would not be common.

Participation in sports can keep numerous young men and women busy. Sports training can take you 4 to 6 hours daily and improve your sleep time to 8 or 9 hours.

You would then have so little time left for any vice.

In addition to sports participation, it is believed that watching sporting activities also reduces crime. A study in the Journal of Sports Economicsin 2018 found evidence of “consistent decreases in crime during games�.

As part of its efforts to support the implementation of the Doha Declaration, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has launched a global youth crime prevention initiative that builds on the power of sports

Sunday Dare Minister of Sports

as a tool for peace. The initiative aims to promote sports and related activities to prevent crime and to effectively build resilience of at-risk youth.

Hosting sporting event leads to complementary development too.

Roads, hotels, hospitals and other infrastructure are some necessities to be in place before a hosting right is granted. This compels government at different levels to ensure some development within a certain time takes place.

Jobs and other economic activities are increased because of sports. Food vendors, clothing manufacturers, construction workers, doctors, hoteliers, etc.

are all needed when sporting events are held regularly increasing number of employed people. But the sporting activity in itself is a big money spinner with sports being more professional and sportsmen earning huge amounts of money.

As a matter of fact, Sports acts as a quick means to escape poverty.

There are numerous stories littered in our country and beyond on how sports changed the social and financial status of individuals.

Poor education is also one problem that is solved by sports. One constant in sports is travel and this brings about an informal education in teaching one about different people, places and cultures. In fact the level of enlightenment one gets as a result of these sports interaction cannot be quantified justifiably with words. Formal education is also easily achievable when sports is encouraged as many schools home and abroad have scholarships for talented sportsmen and women. They know that these people would bring pride and prestige to their schools and so design programs for them where they can harness their talent as well as get a sound education.

Despite the merits of these arguments in support of expenditure on sports project by the NDDC, we have to remember that what is good is not always right, and what is right is not always good. In this case we have to look at the laws and the functions of the NDDC as

prescribed by the Act that set it up. Niger-Delta Development Commission (Establishment etc.)

Act of 2000 states clearly in part 2 section 7, as its function that the commission shall conceive, plan and implement, in accordance with set rules and regulations, projects and programmes for the sustainable development of tie Niger-Delta area in the field of transportation including roads, jetties and waterways, health, education, employment, industrialization, agriculture and fisheries, housing and urban development, water supply, electricity and telecommunications; Sports is conspicuously left out.

Though people will argue that projects in sports could fall under education and perhaps employment but seeing that the act stipulates a structure with eleven directorates namely: Administration and Human Resources; Community and Rural Development; Utilities Infrastructural Development and Waterways; Environmental Protection and Control; Finance and Supply; Agriculture and Fisheries; Planning, Research, Statistics and Management Information System; Legal Services; Education, Health and Social Services; Commercial and Industrial Development, and Projects Monitoring and Supervision. None for sports.

While one can postulate that the

Directorate of Education, Health and Social services can oversee projects in Sports, it would be a long shot to hope that the director would be a sports person or a professional who will see his or her interest in sports more important than that of education, health or social services.

So if sports were to get a priority in the NDDC funds, it would need its own directorate and that, I think will bring us to a huge inflection point and I believe that means that we change the rules by amending the act. This in itself, knowing our interests, is an Augean task.

The last time the senate sent a bill to amend the NDDC Act was in 2017 and the recommended amendments were more political than developmental.

So for now, while the problems of the region lingers on and the funds earmarked for its development runs into trillions of Naira, we can enjoy the drama and spectacle that the hearings in the national assembly will bring because at least for now, there is no sport to enjoy there.

* EneďŹ ok is an author, Speaker, administrator, Life coach, businessman and Nigeria’s ONLY Male two Time Olympic Medalist

Man Utd Seal Champions League Spot at Expense of Leicester Frank Lampard’s Chelsea beat Wolves to ďŹ nish fourth

Manchester United secured a place in the Champions League at the expense of Leicester City with a 2-0 victory at King Power Stadium.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side needed a point from this decisive final-day meeting to confirm a place in the top four - and break the hearts of the Foxes, who were in a Champions League spot for so much of the season.

Leicester needed victory once Chelsea took command at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers but their dreams were dashed as Bruno Fernandes scored a 71st-minute penalty after Anthony Martial tumbled under challenge from Wes Morgan and Jonny Evans.

Both sides had their chances, with Leicester City keeper Kasper Schmeichel saving well from Marcus Rashford in the first half and Jamie Vardy seeing a

header glance off the frame of the goal after the break.

Leicester pressed but could not break Manchester United down and their misery was compounded when Evans was sent off against his former club for a wild, late lunge on Scott McTominay.

Manchester United confirmed the formalities seconds from time when substitute Jesse Lingard robbed Schmeichel and rolled the ball into an empty net.

It is a result that fulfils the usual minimum requirement of Champions League qualification for Manchester United.

But while Leicester City’s fifthplaced finish is highly creditable and earns a place in the Europa League, this will undoubtedly be a huge disappointment and anticlimax after being in a position to reach the Champions League for so long.

It will be scant consolation for them that striker Vardy will claim the Golden Boot, as the Premier League’s top scorer with 23 goals.

Elsewhere, Chelsea sealed fourth place in the Premier League to wrap up qualification for next season’s Champions League with a comfortable victory over Wolves.

Frank Lampard’s side needed a point from the potentially nervy encounter at Stamford Bridge in order to clinch a top-four place - but they claimed all three in style.

Mason Mount’s delightful 25-yard curling free-kick and Olivier Giroud’s effort from close range were just 144 seconds apart just before half-time and they settled the contest.

The defeat means Nuno Espirito Santo’s men finish seventh behind Tottenham on goal difference after Jose

Mourinho’s side drew 1-1 at Crystal Palace.

However Wolves’ league position could still be enough to claim a Europa

League place for next season, should the Blues beat Arsenal in the FA Cup final next month.

Chelsea ended the season on the same points as

Manchester United, who beat Leicester City 2-0, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side finish third on goal difference.

Manchester United defeated Leicester City 2-0 to finish third as the 2019/20 English Premier League season ended

..How Fernandes Transformed Bournemouth, Watford, Norwich Drop out of Topflight Bournemouth’s five-year stay in a second penalty soon afterwards grabbed a third and much-needed a tame Junior Stanislas shot slip the Premier League came to an for a handball by Lucas Digne but breathing space in the final 10 under his gloves and into the Man Utd from Lockdown end despite beating Everton 3-2 neither the referee or the video minutes after Jordan Pickford let back of the net.

After Fernandes had made an impressive debut in a goalless draw at home to Wolves on 1 February, Manchester United stood 14 points adrift of Leicester City, who were third.

Fast forward to his decisive role in this victory that sees United qualify for next season’s Champions League by taking that third place, and you can see the extent of his impact.

The Portuguese attacker - a mid-season signing from Sporting Lisbon in a deal that could eventually be worth around ÂŁ68m has provided the missing link for this Manchester United side.

He has built a bridge between midfield and a talented attacking array of strikers with his talent and his positive style, looking forward every time he receives possession.

Fernandes was not at his best yesterday but he was the man who unlocked Leicester’s defence as Martial won the crucial penalty, then performed his usual hop, skip and jump to send Schmeichel the wrong way and ease any lingering United nerves.

It capped a remarkable recovery for Manchester United - with credit also due to manager Solskjaer for guiding his side into the top four.

at Goodison Park as Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw at West Ham meant they were relegated to the Championship.

Watford that lost 2-3 to Arsenal joined already relegated Norwich in the journey out of the topflight.

The Cherries needed a win, and for Watford and Aston Villa to both lose against Arsenal and the Hammers respectively, if they were to retain their top-flight status.

The Hornets lost 3-2,but a 1-1 draw for Aston Villaensured survival for Dean Smith’s side.

It was a disappointing outcome for Bournemouth, who had done all they could in their game to give them hope of staying up.

Eddie Howe’s side looked determined to fight for their survival right from the outset and deservedly wentaheadwhenJoshuaKingscored from the penalty spot after Richarlison handled inside the area.

Bournemouth could have had

assistant referee felt there was an infringement.

Despite all their dominance, the visitors conceded an equaliser as half-time approached when Moise Kean tapped in Theo Walcott’s cross.

But Bournemouth restored their lead just before the break as Dominic Solanke headed in from Diego Rico’s delivery.

The second half was nervy affair as the Cherries looked to hold onto their slender lead, but they

RESULTS Arsenal 3-2 Watford Burnley 1-2 Brighton Chelsea 2-0 Wolves Cry’ Palace 1-1 Tottenham Everton 1-3 Bournemouth Leicester 0-2 Man Utd Man City 5-0 Norwich Newcastle 1-3 Liverpool Southampton 3-2 Sheffield West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

PREMIER LEAGUE Team ` P 1 Liverpool` 38 2 Man City ` 38 3 Man Utd `````38 4 Chelsea `````38 5 Leicester 38 6 Tottenham 38 7 Wolves 38 8 Arsenal 38 9 Sheff Utd 38 10 Burnley 38 11 Sou’ampton 38 12 Everton 38 13 Newcastle 38 14 Cry Palace 38 15 Brighton 38 16 West Ham 38 17 Aston Villa 38 18 Bou’mouth 38 19 Watford 38 20 Norwich 38

W 32 26 18 20 18 16 15 14 14 15 15 13 11 11 9 10 9 9 8 5

D 3 3 12 6 8 11 14 14 12 9 7 10 11 10 14 9 8 7 10 6

L 3 9 8 12 12 11 9 10 12 14 16 15 16 17 15 19 21 22 20 27

GD Pts 52 99 67 81 30 66 15 66 26 62 14 59 11 59 8 56 0 54 -7 54 -9 52 -12 49 -20 44 -19 43 -15 41 -13 39 -26 35 -25 34 -28 34 -49 21

MONDAY JULY 27 2020 • T H I S D AY

47

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Monday July 27, 2020

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Ize-Iyamu to Obaseki

“The state of insecurity assumed its peak when Governor Godwin Obaseki cultivated and nurtured the habit of fanning the embers of divisive politics by making unguarded statements, particularly with words and phrases as ‘crush,’ and ‘my second term is nonnegotiable. His determination to physically assault any fellow party faithful who aspires to run for governor or is not willing to support his ambition has created a tense and volatile environment” – Edo State APC governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, accusing Governor Obaseki of fanning the embers of divisive politics.

ALEXOTTI OUTSIDE THE BOX

alex.otti@thisdaylive.com

Slicing the Fat from Our Pot Bellies (II) “The children of the poor you failed to train will never let your children live in Peace” Chief Obafemi Awolowo “When you are skinning your customers, you should leave some skin on to heal, so that you can skin them again.” Nikita Khrushchev, Former Leader of the Soviet Union

W

e started a discussion penultimate week on reining in the cost of governance, which has clearly become an intractable challenge to Nigeria’s 4th Republic. This problem has been exacerbated by the twin problems of dwindling revenue and mounting debt. We have an economic crisis in our hands, though some people still live in denial as if by so doing, it will cease to exist. Those problems cannot just disappear simply because we have chosen to ignore them. We had earlier dwelt on the Executive arm of government. Today, we are going to look at the Legislature.

From information available to the public, our federal legislators are amongst the highest paid in the world. Specifically, a study shows that they are the second to the highest earning worldwide.

The only country that beats us is Singapore, a city state that has one of the highest levels of income per capita, in the world. The reason for the high pay in Singapore is said to be to encourage professionals to participate in legislative functions.

Everyone familiar with the matter agrees that the Singaporean civil service is arguably the most professionally run in the world.

Again, America the model of our own democratic experiment, does not occupy a pride of place in countries with jumbo pay for their legislators.

Before now, the compensation package of our National Assembly members was not in the public domain. There was not much to really depend upon except some veiled references to jumbo packages being enjoyed by members. The first authoritative source of information on this matter came from Senator Shehu Sani, the outspoken Senator, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate. Senator Sani had revealed that Senators went home with a monthly salary of N750,000.00 in addition to allowances of N13.5m per month. This represents a total package of N14.25m per month. He had also said that they were entitled to constituency projects of N200m per year which was domiciled in different ministries.

Theoretically, the way constituency projects work is that Senators are expected to liaise with the ministries to get projects worth N200m done in their different constituencies in a year. In practice, we know that this works differently. In Nigeria, it is more like the funding for such constituency projects sometimes find their way into the pockets of the politicians.

Also not captured by Senator Sani are a few other allowances, which include furniture, car and severance packages for non-returning senators.

Translating the numbers into dollars for purposes of comparison, our senators earn about $450,000 per annum. This is over two and half times the $174,000.00 per annum that their counterparts earn in the United States of America. Meanwhile, there are 3 senators per state and one for Abuja, totaling 109. The 109 senators have a combined staff of 829 aides on payroll and a retinue of support staff who are also paid by the National Assembly.

The House of Representatives, in its own case, has 360 members from the different constituencies in the federation. Together, they are entitled to 1,880 legislative aides amongst other support and

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan personal staff. The compensation package for House members is a minimum of N600,000.00 per month or N7.2m per annum. In addition, they receive N12m monthly for ‘running costs’, bringing the total to about N151.2m per annum.

The dollar equivalent of this package would be about $398, 000.00 per annum. Interestingly, the package for House of Representative members in the US is the same with that of the Senate at $174,000.00 per annum. The average House of Representative member in Nigeria earns a clear $224,000.00 more than his counterpart in the United States. The US has 435 house of representative members and 100 senators for a country of 50 states and population of more than 330million people. When one puts the GDP of the USA alongside that of Nigeria and what their respective legislators earn, one begins to appreciate the sorry state of things.

Nevertheless, the issue of the size of the economy and general wellbeing of the populace viz a viz the size of the legislature and welfare of legislators, is not within the scope of this discourse. The relative productivity of the National Assembly of both countries is also not within the contemplation of this piece. We are also not going to pay much attention to the fact that our National Assembly is expected to sit for 180 days in a year and be on holidays and recess for the remaining 185 days in the year. Again, the vexatious and much discussed issue of the renovation of the National Assembly Complex, is not our focus today. After all, that is a one-off cost and will not feature in the national budget for next year.

We shall also not factor in the allegation that about 60% of jobs in the NDDC is allocated to National Assembly members, after all, that has not been proved and may soon become a subject of debate, if not litigation. We will also ignore the allegation made recently by Prof. Attahiru Jega, the former INEC Chairman, that legislative committee work and oversight functions have been turned into bribe taking and bribe giving pursuits. The fact that the hallowed chambers have become such a safe haven for National Assembly staff that civil servants who were ordinarily supposed to retire after 35 years of service or on clocking 60, have decided to stay put, preferring to continue to contribute their quota to legislative work until death does them part, is an area that this treatise is not willing, even if competent, to discuss.

What concerns us today is how the National Assembly can help Nigeria to reduce her cost of governance. How can the legislature contribute towards saving our democracy and preserving

our economy? We strongly believe that this may not be out of altruism but out of self-interest and self-preservation. The budget allocations to the National Assembly have hovered between N125b and N150b annually. In absolute numbers, this may not be a lot of money, except that it is over 15% of the annual combined budgets for education and health for 200m Nigerians. Again, looking at our peculiar circumstances, where close to half our population live below poverty line of less than N720 per day and in the face of the pandemic that has grounded the world economy, ours included, this amount becomes an issue that deserves closer scrutiny and calls for immediate redress. Furthermore, spending on social services and infrastructure, which affects most of the people, continues to decline, while that of the legislators remains at high levels. While the number of legislators remains steady at 469, the general population of Nigeria keeps growing and about 6 Nigerians drop into poverty every minute. It would not be out of place to ask how fair this arrangement is and even if not important, whether it is really sustainable.

Given all these considerations, we plead with the National Assembly to consider some of the suggestions that we are going to make to reduce cost of governance and make democracy work for the rest of the country. We are addressing the National Assembly directly because they are the law makers and amending the constitution falls squarely within their purview.

The first issue to consider is the whole concept of operating a bicameral legislature. The pivotal questions are; Is it necessary? Is it desirable?

Moreover, is it sustainable? Our belief is that we should do away with the bicameral system and maintain a single National Assembly structure. This simple step will immediately save the country a lot of money. If we must be honest, we would agree that many times, there is a duplication of functions in the National Assembly. While we admit the argument in the literature about the need for two pairs of eyes seeing better, we quickly add that it depends on how clear the vision is. A clear pair of eyes would definitely see better than ten bad pairs of eyes. Not too long ago, Senegal dumped its 100-member senate, maintaining a single National Assembly of just150 members.

The net effect of this action is that the poor West African country is saving about $15m annually from its budget.

Our second recommendation deals with the size of the National Assembly. This, we would refer to as right sizing. So, what is the ideal size of the legislature for a country like Nigeria with all its multifarious economic problems? America’s 535 legislators for a country of 330m people translates to one legislator to every 618,000 people. India with a population of 1.38billion people has a parliamentary size of 790 people. This means one legislator to 1.7m people. Even the European Union, with a population of 446m people, has a parliamentary size of 751, giving a ratio of 1 to 600,000. Nigeria with an estimated population of 200m and National Assembly size of 469 works out at 1 legislator to just 426,000 people. One may not say for sure what the ideal number should be but from the numbers thrown up here, we have fewer people per legislator than the countries considered here and one of them is the model of our democracy. Given our peculiar circumstances, if we take a cue from India, we should be looking at about a National Assembly size of about 117 people. This number will be justified shortly in this discourse.

Our third issue of focus is on the compensation package for members. There is no doubt that the National Assembly members take more

than their fair share of the national cake. We should remove all perks and pay only sitting allowances to members. This means that they only get paid when they sit. Again, the legislative function should be part-time. That is the standard practice for board members of institutions and companies. When this is done it will help to ensure the success of the next suggestion.

The fourth issue is in the quality of people who would be fit to serve as National Assembly members. The minimum standard should be people who have succeeded in their chosen fields of endeavour and are not merely in search of jobs or relevance. If corporate organisations and multinational institutions would insist that to qualify to be a board member, one must attain a minimum level of experience and achievement, amongst others, we believe that for a country like Nigeria, we should collectively define high standards. We should also take away the pecuniary benefits which seem to be the major attraction for many people. Call it an elitist club if you will and you won’t be wrong. We, like Singapore, should be represented by the best amongst us.

The fifth suggestion is in the structure and mode of sitting. The Pandemic has forced us to devise alternatives to physical meetings. Today, many meetings are held virtually including the Federal Executive Council. Events like weddings, birthday celebrations, burials and graduations are attended virtually, through such applications as Zoom and Skype. In like manner, we should adopt virtual meetings for the National Assembly. Members should live and remain in their locations and hold meetings for which they would earn allowances each time they sit. We would therefore save on travels, accommodation and other inconvenience allowances. Physical meetings should be held, say, quarterly if and where necessary.

Finally, there is the long pending issue of the issue of the constitution. When we hear people refer to the constitution, there is this impression created that our constitution is flawless and sacrosanct.

We all know that this is not true. For starters, the 1999 constitution was foisted on us by the military. The flaws are so glaring that there is no gainsaying the fact that it is one of the major factors holding the country down. We have tried to work with it in the past twenty years and should boldly change part of it that doesn’t work for us, if not the entire document, if we so choose. This is where the National Assembly comes into focus again. The National Assembly should help us save our fragile economy, and indeed democracy, by legislating out, any pressure on us. We are aware that some of the recommendations made in this piece cannot be implemented without amending the constitution. In addition, to achieve the optimum number of legislative seats recommended earlier, the National Assembly should pass a law requiring that each of the 6 geopolitical zones elect only 20 members to the National Assembly from 2023. It can even go the whole hog and legislate away the state structure in favour of the 6 regional structure to help us rein in the persisting high cost of governance. All the building blocks to the required change can be put together prior to the 2023 elections. Some people would wonder what is in it for the current legislators. There comes a time when citizens would choose patriotism over selfish interests, even if at the minimum, to secure the future of their children and their children’s children. We think we are at that point where we need to look beyond personal interest and work to save this country from collapse. Where we choose to leave things the way they are now, at the time when we would be “resting in peace” our children, just like Awolowo prophesied, may not be allowed to live in peace.

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