FRIDAY 11TH DECEMBER 2020

CBN Boosts Market Liquidity with N4.1trn Special Bills Unveils new capital requirement for payment service providers Emefiele lists ABP achievements

Obinna Chima in Lagos and James Emejo in Abuja

Following last week’s introduction of 90-day special bills by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the apex bank

yesterday sold N4.1 trillion worth of the instrument in the money market.

The instrument is expected to avail the monetary authority additional liquidity management tool, support the

country’s economic recovery efforts and deepen the financial market.

The CBN has also announced new capital requirement and licence categorisation for payment

service providers (PSP).

The sale of the 90-day special bills into the money market came just as CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, outlined the impact of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP),

set up to finance smallholder farmers.

He said the programme has revolutionised agricultural credit financing and remained the fulcrum of transformation initiatives in the sector.

Features of the special bills, introduced by the CBN, include zero-coupon, applicable yield at issuance to be determined by the CBN; Continued on page 10

W’Bank Considers States’ $1.5bn Loan Request Next Week... Page 8 Friday 11 December, 2020 Vol 25. No 9377. Price: N250

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20 Designers Walk ARISE Fashion Week Runway Today Campbell wants African designers given global attention Vanessa Obioha After being hosted to a glamorous dinner last night at Eko Hotels and Suites, 20 designers out of the 30

selected will walk the ARISE Fashion Week runway today.

The designers will go in four batches, each set consisting of five designers.

Also lined up are music

stars that will perform alongside the fashion catwalk.

The electro-fusion singer WurlD will open the show, performing for the first set of designers. For the second

set, multi-talented artist and fashion designer Wavy the Creator will take the stage.

Since his emergence on the creative scene three years ago, the artist has been on

a meteoric rise.

Highlife crooners The Cavemen will accompany the third set. The Lagos-based musical group is made up of two brothers, Kingsley and

Benjamin Okorie, who are bent on reintroducing Highlife to a new generation.

Saving the best for last, Continued on page 12

House Stands Up to AGF, Insists on Power to Summon President ACF, Afenifere, Ohanaeze, PANDEF criticise Buhari for ignoring invitation Agbakoba, Utomi, Kukah, 43 others demand service chiefs' resignation

Adedayo Akinwale, Udora Orizu, Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja, John Shiklam in Kaduna, Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu and Sylvester Idowu in Warri The House of Representatives yesterday faulted the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), for querying its power to summon President Muhammadu Buhari.

It fired back at the minister that contrary to his claim, the constitution empowers it to invite the president.

The president, who was earlier scheduled to appear before the House yesterday to brief lawmakers on efforts by his administration to check the worsening insecurity in

the country, expectedly failed to turn up.

THISDAY, in its major story in yesterday's edition of the newspaper, had exclusively reported that Buhari would no longer honour the House's invitation, which he had earlier committed himself to do last week when House Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, led a delegation to brief him on the invite, on account of pressure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governors.

However, presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, while responding to THISDAY inquiry on whether or not the president will honour the invitation had cited a statement by Malami, in Continued on page 10

Buratai, Others Self-isolate as COVID-19 Scare Hits Army ... Page 5

WELCOME BACK...

L-R: National Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Muazu (rtd.) (left), and National Chairman, Prof. Mamood Yakubu, during the handover of office to Yakubu, who began his second term of five years in Abuja…yesterday julius atoi

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

Buratai, Others Self-isolate as COVID-19 Scare Hits Army GOC's death from virus causes panic COAS scales down son’s wedding

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, General Officers Commanding (GOCs), field commanders and other participants, who attended the Chief of Army Staff Conference have gone into isolation following the death of the GOC 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Maj. Gen. Olubunmi Irefin, who died of complications arising from COVID-19.

Irefin's death caused panic in military circles, especially amongst those that attended the conference most of whom have undergone tests to ascertain their status.

It was also gathered that Buratai has barred participants at the conference from attending the wedding of his son, Hamisu, scheduled for today.

THISDAY checks showed that the late GOC fell sick last Monday at the beginning of the conference and was taken to a military hospital for treatment.

His health degenerated and he later died.

THISDAY learnt that the army chief and some senior officers who attended the conference have undergone the COVID-19 test while others are in the process following an Army Headquarters' directive.

A military source, who spoke anonymously to THISDAY, said many of the participants have taken the COVID-19 test while others are in the process.

THISDAY further learnt that most of the commanders were told to conclude the isolation and treatment process in Abuja before returning to base except on medical clearance.

"Most of the participants have gone for the test and are awaiting the result. Others are in the process.

"We have many military hospitals in Abuja designated as treatment and isolation centres," a senior military source said.

The military high command had at the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic designated 48 treatment and isolation centres in the six geo-political zones of the country.

The COVID-19 scare forced the army leadership to cancel the closing ceremony of the COAS

conference.

In the first statement by the army yesterday, it said the cancellation followed the circumstances surrounding the health status of an officer, who tested positive for COVID-19.

"The Nigerian Army wishes to inform members of the public that due to resurgence of COVID 19 pandemic in the Federal Capital Territory in what appears to be a second wave of infection cycle and the unfortunate incident on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, where an officer participating in the

ongoing Chief of Army Staff's Annual Conference 2020 here in Abuja tested positive for COVID 19, the remaining activities of the conference have, therefore, been immediately cancelled.

"All the participants have been mandated to immediately proceed on self-isolation in line with the federal government's protocol for COVID-19 and to prevent any further spread of the disease," the statement, signed by army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sagir Musa, said.

But THISDAY gathered that most of the senior officers and

some participants who attended the conference have undergone COVID-19 test and are presently awaiting their results.

In the second statement titled: ‘Scaling down of activities for the wedding Fatiha of Buratai’s son, Mr. Hamisu Tukur Buratai, the army said participants at the COAS conference would not participate in the wedding.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai, wishes to inform all dignitaries and other invited guests that activities earlier scheduled for the wedding of his son, Mr Hamisu Tukur

Buratai, will proceed as arranged albeit pruned down without the participation of all those who were at the conference.

“The Chief of Army Staff, on behalf of his family, feels honoured to sincerely appreciate, thank and welcome all dignitaries and invited guests to his son’s wedding Fatiha slated for Friday, December 11, 2020. However, due to the resurgence of the pandemic in the FCT, Gen. Buratai will be unable to personally attend to, receive or meet you at the event. All inconveniences hereby regretted, please,” the army said.

AIDING DRY SEASON FARMING...

L-R: Niger State Deputy Governor, Mr. Ahmed Ketso; Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar; Governor Abubakar Bello; Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Edward Adamu; Director, Development Finance, CBN, Mr. Philip Yila; National President, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Aminu Goronyo; Niger State Coordinator, RIFAN Special Project, Mallam Idris Usman; and Branch Controller, CBN, Minna, Dr. Muhammed Tulu, at the national inauguration of dry season rice farming in Minna…yesterday

Nigeria Tolerates Religious Violence, US Insists Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The United States has shed more light on why it added Nigeria to the religious freedom blacklist, attributing it to the federal government's alleged violations of religious freedom.

The US, despite the federal government's protestation of innocence, accused Nigeria of widening terrorism with little or no government response.

But the US Ambassador-atlarge for International Religious Freedom, Samuel Brownback, said on Tuesday night that

Nigeria has been “tolerating egregious acts taking place in that nation.”

Brownback, at a press conference, said the US is seeing “a lot of religious-tinged violence taking place.”

The US, on Monday, had designated Nigeria, China, Burma, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, as countries of ‘particular interest’ for violating religious freedom.

The US Department of States, in a statement by the Secretary of State, Mr. Michael Pompeo,

had described religious freedom as an inalienable right, and the bedrock upon which free societies are built and flourish.

Also, the US had earlier expressed concerns over the high rate of religious intolerance in various parts of Nigeria following acts often perpetrated by state actors.

But the federal government repudiated the allegation in its reaction on Tuesday and expressed its readiness to open talks with the United States for the delisting of Nigeria from the religious freedom blacklist.

It also denied accusations by the US that it is suppressing religious freedom in Nigeria.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Ferdinand Nwonye, had said the engagement would afford Nigeria not only the opportunity to demand the country’s removal from the blacklist but to also express its displeasure at Nigeria’s inclusion on the list “The secretary and really the world has great concern about what’s taking place in Nigeria at this time, and a number of

terrorist groups are organising and pushing into the country,” Brownback said during the briefing of which statement was obtained by TheCable yesterday.

“We’re seeing a lot of religioustinged violence taking place in that country and indeed in West Africa. It’s an area of growing concern about what’s happening, in particular, the tension that’s taking place there between religious groups. And it’s often the religious affiliation is used to try to recruit and inspire violent acts.”

The ambassador added

that a major concern for the US regarding Nigeria is “the lack of adequate government response in Nigeria.”

“You’ve got expanded terrorist activities, you’ve got a lot of it associated around religious affiliations, and the government’s response has been minimal to not happening at all.

“A number of cases – there have not been criminal cases brought forward by the government. The terrorism continues to happen and grow, in some places unabated,” he added.

FG Directs COVID-19 Isolation Centres to Prepare for Reopening Says Nigeria to receive 20m doses of vaccine early next year Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government has asked COVID-19 treatment centres across the country to prepare for reopening.

Some of the centres were shut after the country recorded a decline in cases.

However, there has been a surge in COVID-19 cases, with a warning that there might be a second wave of the pandemic in the country.

Speaking at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 yesterday, the Minister

of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said he had directed health workers to be on red alert.

“We are seeing the increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the last few days, which we have frequently alluded to in recent times. This rightly suggests that we may just be on the verge of a second wave of this pandemic. Last week, we recorded 1843 against 1,235 two weeks before that and 1,126 the week before that,” he said.

“In the past 24 hours, 474 new confirmed cases and 2 deaths were recorded, with an

indication that this week’s figure will beat last week’s. As at today, we have crossed 70,000 mark with a total of 70,669 confirmed cases of which 65,242 have been treated and discharged. Sadly the number of deaths has now reached 1184 as against 1,167 two weeks before.

“Everyone of us has a role to play in the effort to prevent the explosive spread of this infection in Nigeria. While we strive for the best, we must prepare for a possible second wave which we must ensure, does not get to be worse than what we have

seen so far, judging from what we observe in other countries.

“The US, UK and other countries are going through very difficult times, and we do sympathize with them.

To prepare ourselves, I have directed that all Isolation and Treatment Centres, which were hitherto closed due to reduced patient load, to be prepared for reopening and the staff complement put on alert.”

Meanwhile, the government yesterday said it had put in place the machinery for receiving 20 million doses of COVID-19

vaccine in early 2021.

Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, broke the news at the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 media briefing in Abuja.

He said Nigeria is a member of COVAX, an international coalition, under the World Health Organisation (WHO) umbrella.

Shuaib added that 92 countries came together to ensure access and safety of vaccines.

He said the expected 20

million doses would first be given to workers in the health sector and vulnerable citizens.

“We are on course to access safe vaccine in the first quarter of 2021. We will be leveraging on the polio platform to ensure effective delivery of vaccines to our vulnerable population,” he said.

“We have established a supraministerial advisory committee to ensure a seamless administration.

A technical group meets every week and has devised a risk communication plan to deliver safe vaccines to Nigerians.”

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W’Bank Considers States’ $1.5bn Loan Request Next Week Insists deepening reforms critical in mitigating COVID-19 crisis Obinna Chima The World Bank will next Monday deliberate on a fresh loan request of a total of $1.5 billion by states in Nigeria.

The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, while responding to a THISDAY question during the virtual presentation of the latest Nigeria Development Update (NDU) by the multilateral institution, however, said the other part of the loan request, which is the federal government’s demand for $1.5 billion budget support, is “still in the works.”

“The $1.5 billion request is slated for presentation to our board next week (on Monday) actually, for approval. That is two separate $750 million request. One of them is to support the states’ fiscal resources, but on a performancebased mechanism. Also, it is for financing states’ fiscal transparency, accountability and sustainability programme.

“And the other is meant to support the respond of the states towards protecting livelihoods, food security and local economic activities. So, those are the two requests that are going to be considered by our board by Monday,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Washingtonbased institution in the NDU predicted that in the next three years, an average Nigerian could see a reversal of decades of economic growth and the

country could enter its deepest recession since the 1980s.

The bank, however, said the forecast could be avoided if progress in the current reforms could be sustained and the right mix of policy measures is implemented.

The report titled: “Rising to the Challenge: Nigeria’s COVID response,” took stock on the recently implemented reforms and proposes policy options to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and foster a resilient, sustainable and inclusive recovery.

It projected that the Nigerian economy could shrink up to four per cent in 2020, following the twin shocks of COVID-19 and low oil prices. The pace of recovery in 2021 and beyond remains highly uncertain and subject to the pace of reforms, the report stated.

It noted that the pandemic was disproportionately affecting the poor and most vulnerable, women in particular, adding that in the absence of measures to mitigate the impact of the crisis, the number of poor could increase by 15 to 20 million by 2022.

“Food insecurity has increased substantially and economic precarity is on the rise because unemployed workers have migrated to the low-productivity agricultural sector. The NDU acknowledges measures taken by the government since April, including the efforts

to harmonise exchange rates, introduce a market-based pricing mechanism for gasoline, adjust electricity tariffs to more cost-reflective levels, and reduce non-essential expenditures and redirect resources towards the COVID-19 response.

"It also highlights the greater transparency in the oil and gas sector and public debt as essential steps for a resilient recovery,” it added.

The NDU recommended policy options in five areas to help mitigate the effects of

the crisis and support Nigeria’s recovery.

These include managing the domestic spread of COVID-19 until a vaccine is available for distribution; enhancing macroeconomic management to boost investor confidence; safeguarding and mobilising revenues; re-prioritising public spending to protect critical development expenditures, and supporting economic activity and access to basic services and providing relief for poor and vulnerable communities.

“Nigeria is at a critical historical juncture, with a choice to make. Nigeria can choose to break decisively from business-as-usual, and rise to its considerable potential by sustaining the bold reforms that have been taken thus far and going even further and with an even greater sense of urgency to promote faster and more inclusive economic growth,” Chaudhuri added.

On his part, World Bank Lead Economist for Nigeria and co-author of the report,

Marco Hernandez said: “Nigeria can build on its reform momentum to contain the spread of COVID-19, stimulate the economy and enable the private sector to be the engine of growth and job creation. It can also redirect public spending from subsidies that benefit the rich towards investments in Nigeria’s people and youth in particular and lay foundations for a strong recovery to help make progress towards lifting 100 million people out of poverty.”

HOMAGE TO THE LEADER...

L-R: Wife of senator-elect, Lagos East Senatorial District, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru; her husband, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru; National Leader, All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Tinubu; and Speaker, House Of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, during Abiru’s presentation of his certificate of return to Tinubu in Abuja...yesterday

Crude Oil Price Hits $50 on Vaccine Rollout New price portends higher cost of petrol Emmanuel Addeh with agency report Brent crude hit $50 a barrel yesterday, for the first time since oil prices crashed in early March, as hopes of swifter-than-thought vaccine rollout fuelled bullish expectations of strengthening demand early next year.

It reached the $50-price-abarrel threshold for the first time since the first days in March,

when Saudi Arabia and Russia broke up the previous OPEC+ pact, contributing to massive slides in oil prices exacerbated by the demand crash in the lockdowns in the spring.

Oil Price.Com reported that the WTI crude price also hit its highest level since the price crash and traded at $47.23, up by 3.82 per cent on the day.

The prices were boosted

by Canada approving the

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, joining the UK, the online medium reported.

Canada’s health authorities approved on Wednesday the vaccine, and the first doses of the vaccine are expected by the end of this year.

The UK has already started vaccinating vulnerable people and essential personnel and the first person in the UK received the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesday.

Hopes of faster-than-expected vaccine releases turned the oil market sentiment bullish even after the EIA reported on Wednesday a massive crude oil inventory build of 15.189 million barrels for the week to December 4.

This rise in crude inventories came close to the largest crude build ever, which was recorded earlier this year for the week ending April 10, when the EIA

reported a 19.25 million barrel inventory build.

The market was already ignoring the massive build last week due to the vaccine hopes and signs that oil demand in Asia continues to recover and be a bright spot on the market.

Indian Oil Corp, the biggest refiner in the world’s thirdlargest oil importer, said its refineries operated at 100-per cent capacity in November, for

the first time since the pandemic started, in order to meet growing domestic fuel demand.

The rise in the price of the commodity is both good and not-so-good news for Nigeria, which on one hand is expected to earn more dollar revenue for the month, while the pump price of petrol, which the government says is now determined by market forces, will likely jump in January.

Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Others Push for Regional Electricity Market Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Despite recent setbacks, especially with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the West African Power Pool (WAPP) yesterday expressed its determination to go ahead with its plan to have a regional electricity market to connect Nigeria to Niger Republic and other West African countries.

Giving the activity report of WAPP for the period from January to December 2020, the sub-regional organisation, chaired by the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr. Sule Abdulaziz, said soon member countries would have interconnected power systems.

Secretary-General of the body, Mr. Apolonaire Seingui,

said despite the negative impact of the pandemic, WAPP had continued to make giant strides towards the implementation of a competitive regional electricity market.

A statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, noted that Seingui spoke at the 15th session of the General Assembly for 2020, holding in Lome, Republic of Togo, where he informed the board that the membership of the organisation had increased to 36 member utilities, including one observer.

Speaking on the status of implementation of the various projects handled by the WAPP secretariat, which are at various stages of execution, Seingui

lauded the members for the steadfastness, urging them to continue to support the ongoing projects.

Some of the projects include the 330kV WAPP North Core Interconnection Project linking Nigeria to Niger, Benin, Togo and Burkina Faso as well as the 330kV Median Core Interconnection Project to connect Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, among others.

WAPP noted that the establishment of regional electricity market remains the ultimate goal set for the body by the ECOWAS heads of state and government and the Information and Coordination Centre (ICC).

The organisation stated that its next set of activities would

include the implementation of the synchronisation project of WAPP interconnected power systems and the improvement of distribution utilities, performance targeting and distribution loss reduction.

The WAPP executive board consists of 15 members, with 11 permanent members, three rotating members and one honorary member.

Delivering his welcome address, Abdulaziz noted that the power sector, as the engine of every economy, has been significantly impacted by the current global pandemic.

He said this has led to, in most cases, a reduction in electricity demand, financial stress and other disruptions.

According to him, the pandemic has introduced

several challenges for every country and institutions globally as increasing unemployment and poverty has prevented many from paying their electricity bills.

“Payment delays and sometimes delinquency of utility bills by end consumers is having a detrimental effect on the electricity supply chain.

“With the pandemic's effect on the supply and demand side of the value chain and the already existing liquidity crisis, strategic options must be deployed to assist utilities bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 negative consequences,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has said that power supply to

Kontagora, Tegina, Kagara and surrounding towns and villages will be interrupted from December 10 to December 14 as a result of the need to maintain the Kontagora 132/33kV transmission line serving the affected areas.

A statement by the company’s spokesman, Mr. Fadipe Oyebode, said during the blackout, the Kainji line maintenance crew of the TCN, which handles the exercise, will fabricate and replace the cross arms on tower 244 and 246.

"Our colleagues at the TCN have assured us of their readiness to complete the exercise within the stipulated time and restore supply immediately,” the AEDC said.

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PAGE TEN HOUSE STANDS UP TO AGF, INSISTS ON POWER TO SUMMON PRESIDENT which he challenged the power of the House to invite the president, as the reason for Buhari’s volte-face.

But Gbajabiamila yesterday downplayed the president's refusal to honour the invitation, saying the House is still awaiting official communication from the presidency to know why the president backtracked after agreeing to appear before the House.

The president's walk-back drew the ire of the nation's foremost socio-cultural groups, Afenifere, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Ohanaeze and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), which expressed concerns about the matter.

Meanwhile, 46 prominent Nigerians, including senior lawyers, the clergy and businessmen, drawn from the academia and other professions, yesterday demanded the resignation of all the service chiefs as a prelude to combating insecurity.

But countering Malami, House spokesman, Hon. Ben Kalu, told reporters yesterday in Abuja that the legislature did not act in error to have invited the president.

He recalled that when that motion was passed last week, it was rowdy because some members wanted the president to appear before the House while some felt otherwise.

Kalu noted that majority of the lawmakers took the

mandate of their constituents and moved a resolution even against the position of the speaker, adding that the decision of the parliament overrides the presiding officer’s because to do otherwise would be biased, undemocratic.

He explained that in deference to Buhari’s office, the House leadership sent a delegation, which included the speaker; Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Wase; and House Leader, Hon. Alhassan Doguwa, to engage the president beyond the resolution of the House.

Kalu said: "When they met with Mr. President, he assured them that he will visit and address Nigerians. As the days went by, it was narrowed to Thursday. There was official communication from the presidency committing to the position of Mr. Speaker that the president has accepted to come. So, the speaker and deputy were not operating on the frolic of their own; it was backed up by the president.

"As you know, what we operate is a democracy that hinges on party supremacy.

Beyond the president lies the supremacy of the party. The president answers to the party.

He’s there as president on the platform of the APC, given to him by the party. So, if he took a position as the president and his political party asks him to alter his position, if he’s truly a party man, he

must oblige his party while the discussion goes on."

Reacting to Malami's statement, Kalu stated that the AGF's position is not that of the court, adding that he is neither a judge nor the spokesperson of APC. He said: "Regarding whether it is constitutional to invite the president, somehow I would have said let’s leave the judicial interpretation of the provisions of the constitution to be in the hands of the judiciary, but as a lawyer, I can assure you the parliament did not act in error and this I say based on the constitution.

"There’s a mandate and that mandate is well expressed in Sections 88, 89. The position of the law says that granted

by Section four of the Armed Forces Act, the president is the chairman of the Security Council. The Armed Forces Act is a piece of legislation made by the parliament.

"It is the provision of Section 89 that we have the right to investigate issues bordering on anything we have the capacity to legislate on. We have legislative competence to legislate on all this and, therefore, if there are things we need to find out in such areas, the law in Section 89 empowers us to invite anybody for the purposes of obtaining pieces of evidence, either in oral or documentary form and that includes everybody.

"There’s also a part of the

law, which is the power to arrest and command the president. That particular one, because of Section 308 of the constitution that gives immunity to the president, you cannot exercise that."

Kalu also stated that the House has not received any formal communication from the presidency that the appointment has been cancelled or shifted.

He added: "Our channel of communication is not with the attorney-general; he’s not part of the presidency, neither is he a judge. His position cannot be seen as the position of the APC. I insist that no official communication from the presidency to counter the initial position. Until we receive a contrary position in a formal form where the reasons why they will not be coming will be explained, it will be difficult for me to jump the gun at this point.

Wait until you receive formal communication from the presidency. If he’s not coming, the reasons will be highlighted and we will communicate that to you."

Earlier at plenary yesterday, Hon. Solomon Bob had demanded that the speaker should address the House on why the president refused to honour the invitation after he had initially agreed to it.

Bob, relying on the order of privileges, said: "If this House can pass a resolution and we have a situation where such a

resolution is abused, it means our very existence is being questioned. I think that the speaker should address us on the current situation. The entire country is watching. It bothers me.''

Responding, Gbajabiamila said: ''Honourable, your point of privilege is well noted. We wait for official communication from Mr. President as opposed to newspaper publications."

However, speaking with THISDAY in a telephone interview yesterday, the Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, said it was unfortunate that some people were playing politics with the issue of security.

He said: "If you recall, even during the 7th Assembly, we had a PDP speaker, Governor Aminu Tambuwal. President Jonathan increased pump price of fuel- a PDP president; we convened the House on a Sunday, we sat and condemned it regardless of the argument they put forward from the party's angle and we said no, that this is unfair to Nigerians and we asked that it should be reversed.

"Today, the pump price is increased almost every other month, if we talk about it; they say you are playing politics.

Now to the extent that people are being slaughtered like chicken, their heads placed on their chests and the president is not even making

critics wrong that the country currently lacks sufficient rice to feed its growing population.

The rice farmers said the country has sufficient commodity to feed its citizens and export to earn foreign exchange.

Emefiele said with the deployment of technology which covered farmers enumeration, biometric capture and GPS mapping of farms, all embedded to enhance the operational efficiency of the ABP, the 2018 wet season witnessed a geometric rise in beneficiaries.

He added that about 275,000 farmers were empowered to cultivate 220,000 hectares across all the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Emefiele, represented by CBN Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Mr. Edward Adamu, explained that since the launch of the ABP

by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, rice has remained the focal crop under the programme given its crucial role in the diet of average Nigerians.

According to him, with the current population of about 200 million, importation of any major food item will continually drain the country's external reserves, export jobs to countries where these food items are produced and distort the commodity value chains as Nigeria will not be able to guarantee the supply of raw materials for its agro-allied companies.

He described loan recovery as the hallmark of any credit process, adding that the combination of input distribution and loan recovery drive further demonstrated that the ABP remained a sustainable credit programme towards repositioning the sector.

He stated that the CBN has continued to enhance

its risk mitigation strategies to guarantee the intended outcomes of the ABP. He added that beyond rice, the commodity association window has been expanded to cover more commodities, including maize, cassava, sorghum, soybean and ginger.

He said: "We are hopeful that all these efforts will contribute to our national aggregates and galvanise our drive to economic diversification.

"Despite the devastation caused by numerous floods in the 2018 wet season, farmers have been submitting produce and cash as part of their loan repayment but we need the association to intensify efforts in this regard in the spirit of the partnership and sustainability of the programme for the transformation of the sector."

He added that the partnership with RIFAN under the Commodity Association Window of the ABP was a flagship programme to explore the potential inherent in agricultural commodity associations and position them strategically as drivers of enhanced agricultural productivity in the country.

He said linking the divisions to the innovative financing model under the ABP delivered quality inputs and mechanisation services to farmers at a competitive price and the right time.

He stated that from a modest pilot of 75,000 farmers in 26 states, the RIFAN-CBN ABP has now been fully established in all states of the federation, including the FCT. Emefiele, however, said the participation of other commodity associations posed a leadership challenge to RIFAN to remain the lead association and role model for others in terms of members’ engagement and loan recovery.

However, RIFAN President, Mr. Aminu Goronyo, told

any statement to Nigerians."

Hon. Ben Igbaka said the president missed a golden opportunity to tell his side of the story when he refused to appear before the House as Nigerians believed that he was doing nothing on the issue of security.

Also, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, while responding to THISDAY enquiry stated that the constitution empowers the parliament to invite any Nigerian to appear before it and offer explanations to any issue of public interest.

"The cancellation of the visit to the parliament without any strong reason, in my opinion, represents a lost opportunity for the emboldening of our democratic culture and ethos, particularly in a parliament controlled by the ruling party," he said.

Afenifere, ACF, Ohanaeze, PANDEF React to Buhari's Volte-face The Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere; the ACF; Ohanaeze and PANDEF yesterday reacted to the president's last-minute decision to ignore the House's invitation.

Afenifere said it was not surprising that Buhari refused to honour the invitation, adding that his decision is Continued on page 12

CBN BOOSTS MARKET LIQUIDITY WITH N4.1TRN SPECIAL BILLS the instrument will be tradable amongst banks, retail and institutional investors.

Also, the CBN stated that the instrument shall not be accepted for repurchase agreement transactions with the CBN and shall not be discountable at the CBN window.

In addition, the instrument will qualify as liquid assets in the computation of liquidity ratio for deposit money banks.

Speaking on Arise Television yesterday, the Head of Research at United Capital, Mr. Wale Olusi, who confirmed the development, said: “With this instrument, there is a new outlet for non-bank financial institutions who can go ahead and buy the bills from the banks.

“Technically, it is another form of Nigerian Treasury Bill or Open Market Operations (OMO). But regardless of what name they call it, as long as it is a zero-coupon instrument, it means that it is discounted at a particular rate, which is almost like treasury bills.”

In terms of pricing, the special bills are not different from OMO or treasury, Olusi said.

CBN Unveils New Requirements for PSP The CBN has announced a new capital requirement and licence categorisation for payment service providers.

The CBN, in a circular posted on its website yesterday, which was signed by its Director, Payment System Management Department, CBN, Mr. Musa Jimoh, put the new capital requirement for mobile money operations as well as switching and processing companies at N2 billion respectively. The circular was dated December 9, 2020, The minimum capital requirement Payment Solution Services (PSS) was pegged at

N250 million while that of super-agents is now N50 million.

Also, Payment Terminal Service Providers (PTSP) and Payment Solutions Service Providers (PSSP) are required to have N100 million minimum capital requirement respectively.

The CBN said the move was in line with its commitment to promote a strong and credible payment system.

“The new licensing framework offers clarity for new and existing market participants given the significant evolution and innovation in the Nigerian payment system,” it added.

According to the CBN, payment system licensing has been streamlined into four broad categories. These it listed to include switching and processing; Mobile Money Operations (MMOs); PSS and Regulatory Sandbox.

It said: “Only MMOs are permitted to hold customer funds. Companies with licences within any of the other categories are not permitted to hold customers’ fund.

Companies seeking to combine activities under switching and MMO categories are strongly permitted to operate under a holding company structure with the subsidiary entities delineated to prevent comingling.

“Payment system companies in the PSS category may hold any of PSSP, PTSP and super agent licence or a combination of the licences thereof. All licensed payment service providers in any of the categories covered by this framework holding or seeking any other CBN issued licences are required to obtain a no-objection from the Payment System Management Department.

“The object clauses in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Payment Service

Providers shall be limited to the permissible activities under their licensing authorisations.

Collaboration between licensed payment companies, banks and other financial institutions in respect of products and services are subject to CBN’s prior approval.

“All new licensing requests including those with approvalin-principle are to comply with the new requirements immediately. Existing licensed payment companies are to comply with the new licensing requirements where applicable not later than the end of June 2021.”

Emefiele lists ABP Achievements The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday outlined the impact of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), set up to finance smallholder farmers.

He said the programme has revolutionised agricultural credit financing and remained the fulcrum of transformation initiatives in the sector.

He also said through the use of technology to boost productivity, the apex bank will work with farmers to achieve one million hectarage cultivation during the 2020 dry season; an improvement from the 500,000 hectarages in the preceding farming year.

Emefiele said in Minna, Niger State, during the national flag-off of the 2020/2021 dry season rice farming and loan recovery drive that beyond being a tool for economic empowerment, job creation and wealth redistribution, the ABP had also galvanised financial inclusion in rural communities.

The programme was jointly organised by the CBN and Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN).

The event witnessed the display of four massive rice pyramids apparently to prove

THISDAY at the occasion that contrary to speculations that there's no sufficient rice in the country, Nigeria currently has enough for local consumption and for export to other African countries.

He said: "They say there is no rice in Nigeria but we that are farming knew there's rice; enough rice in Nigeria and more than enough to export to other African countries.

"That is why we portray the Egyptian and Nigerian rice pyramids for all to see.

The paddy that you see here is just a fraction of what we cultivated in Niger State."

He added that the success story in rice production is currently replicated in different parts of the country.

CBN Director, Development Finance Department, Mr. Yusuf Yila, however, said about 500,000 hectares would be cultivated in Niger State alone under the new farming dispensation.

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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Zoning of Presidency Not Priority Now, Says PDP Secondus chides Buhari for ignoring N’Assembly Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday foreclosed making a decision on the zoning of the presidential ticket of the party so soon, saying that Nigeria has more serious issues such as insecurity and the poor management of the economy to grapple with than the race for the 2023 presidency.

The party also described the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to appear before the National Assembly to brief the lawmakers on efforts by his administration to combat the worsening insecurity in the country as an indication that Nigeria has become a broken country.

In addition, the party, at a news conference in Abuja by its National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, dismissed the

possibility of the PDP making a pronouncement on its zoning formula soon.

The PDP has been under pressure to declare which of the six geopolitical zones will get its presidential ticket, especially in the wake of the furore generated by the defection of Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Dave Umahi, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the grounds of the opposition party's alleged refusal to concede the presidency to the South-east.

But Secondus said yesterday the party can't be focusing on the 2023 race when Nigeria is in a crisis.

He said: "You don't talk about the party zoning or announcing where the presidential ticket of the PDP will come from when

the country is in crisis. There must be a country first before you talk about politics and zoning of presidential office.

"There must be governance, security as well as sound management of the economy before politics. As we talk, the country is in serious trouble.

For us in the PDP, [it is] Nigeria first."

Although he acknowledged the public interest in the zoning issue, he said the party would not be rushed to make a decision as it has its methods of dealing with the matter.

He explained that the party, after the last general election, had set up a panel to appraise its performance and recommend how to do better in future contests.

Secondus said: "The Governor of Bauchi State,

H.E Alhaji Bala Mohammed, is heading the committee and they are still working.

We did the same thing when we lost the election in 2015, when we set up the Senator Ike Ekweremadu committee to look into why we lost. It was from that report that the party took action towards 2019.

"The same way this time, we must study our last outing before looking ahead. We can't be talking of zoning when we have not appraised how we faired in the last election.

"Moreover, the state of the nation today is such that politics or anything concerning 2023 of three years away should take backstage. Nigeria is in a comatose state today where APC brought it, that should be our concern now."

He added that when the Mohammed-led Committee

submits its report, PDP will make decisions on the next steps.

"And I believe that whoever that is interested in 2023, may be including the former president, the chances are there because the PDP is a party of all. Everybody will have that opportunity but in clear terms, we have not taken any decision to give anybody ticket for now," he added.

On Buhari's refusal to honour the House of Representatives' invitation, Secondus said it showed that Nigeria is adrift.

He said: "This back and forth from the president on a vital issue as security that is overwhelming our nation underscores our position as an opposition party that nobody is in charge and that this is a broken government.

"Disregarding the nation's parliament is disregarding the Nigerian people because they are representatives of the people. The truth, which is worrisome, is that the president either does not know what is happening or does know what to do; otherwise, he should not be afraid to face the people."

On his stewardship as the national chairman in the last three years, Secondus said the PDP, through reform, has enhanced its image and status.

"States under the party's control rose from 11 to 16 and it could have been more if not for the shameless ambush by the APC in Osun, Kano, Kogi and Imo states.

"Internally, the party has also used it’s in- house means to resolve issues making PDP the right party to belong in this country today," he stated.

They urged the federal government to draw redline from the recent killing of farmers in Zabarmari, Borno State and secure the country.

In a statement signed on behalf of the 46 by Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and Prof.

Jibrin Ibrahim, the group called on Buhari, as the Commander- in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to take charge and halt the unbridled violence in the country.

Other members of the group are: Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), Mr. Abubakar Mohammed, Mr. Adeyemi Candide-Johnson (SAN), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Mr. Salisu Mohammed, Mr. Dayo Olaide, Mr. Danlami Nmodu, Dr. Chris Kwaja, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, Dr. Dipo Fashina, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, Dr. Udo Jude, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, Dr. Kole Shettima, Dr Usman Bugaje, Mr. Ene Obi and father George Ehusani.

Also listed were: Mrs. Funke Adekoya (SAN), Ms. Idayat Hassan, Hon. Rima Shawulu, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), Mallam Kabiru Yusuf, Mallam Hamza Ibrahim, Mallam Y.Z. Yau, Mr. Ledum Mitee, Mr. Chino Obiagwu (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), Mr. John Odah, Ms. Ngozi Iwere, Ms.

Amina Salisu, Prof. Auwalu Yadudu, Prof. Attahiru Jega, Prof. Adele Jinadu and Prof.

Godini Darah.

Prof. Joy Ezeilo, Prof.

Mohammed Tabiu (SAN), Prof.

Pat Utomi, Prof. Rufai Alkali, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie and Prof. Konyinsola Ajayi (SAN) are also members of the group.

They stated: “What we see, like others, is incompetence in governance demonstrated by a lack of ideas on how to tackle insecurity, a poor understanding of the situation and a clear failure in the pursuit of government engagement to address these problems.

“The Zabarmari incident is a grave indictment of the government. At the minimum what we should have seen is the honourable exit of the persons responsible for the defence and security of our country.

“In spite of numerous calls on the president to sack his service chiefs, the president has persisted in his policy of guaranteeing them longevity in their positions.

“His message to Nigerians appears to be that he is not ready to sanction his security chiefs for failure. The president must therefore take responsibility for the failure

as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces."

The group expressed concern about the worsening insecurity and urged the federal government to stop what it described as "senseless killings."

It reiterated its belief in the freedom of all Nigerians to exercise the rights guaranteed by the constitution, including the right to life, dignity, personal liberty, freedom of speech, right to freedom of association and to participate in peaceful protests and in processions without harassment or intimidation from any person or authority.

It accused the federal government if deploying force to end the #EndSARS protest.

The group also deplored the unlawful detention and blocking of bank accounts of innocent protesters; the unceasing attempt to delegitimise #EndSARS, presenting it as a move to initiate regime change; and inconsistent, high handed treatment of the people by the federal government.

It expressed concern about the security situation in the country and called on the federal government to remedy it.

grandest fashion event in Africa. Since 2018, Campbell has been a regular face at ARISE Fashion Week, strutting the runway in iconic pieces by designers, including the young designer Kenneth Ize who is participating at this year's edition.

“Kenneth has had a lot of great attention. It’s been wonderful how he’s been embraced. But we still have a lot to do in terms of getting him set up and recognised worldwide in the way designers should be.”

Her thoughts echoed the theme of 2020 stanza.

Ize and 29 other young

designers from the continent have been selected to showcase their creativity on the runway while competing for cash prizes.

For the organisers, it is a way of supporting the young designers financially and giving them the exposure they need to compete favourably on the international scene.

“The stuff I’ve seen so far, I’m really happy with.

Although this has been a pandemic and a time of loss and sadness for many, it’s also been a time of people really using their minds and being so creative,” she said of the designers.

Other designers participating include Onalaja, Bibi, Pepper Row and Fruche.

Right from inception, ARISE Fashion Week has been keen on taking African fashion to the next level. It continues to push the envelope by introducing emerging designers on its platform while giving established brands the needed spotlight.

The 2020 virtual edition kicked off yesterday and will continue till December 12 when the overall winner will be crowned. Viewers can catch all the excitement on ARISE Play streaming service and ARISE NEWS Channel.

HOUSE STANDS UP TO AGF, INSISTS ON POWER TO SUMMON PRESIDENT consistent with the character of his administration.

“The Boko Haram that is opposed to western civilisation is more like it for people who have that jurisprudence. And such people can never imbibe democratic virtues in 10 lifetimes. So, we should not do as if he did the unusual,” its spokesman, Mr Yinka Odumakin, said.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, berated Buhari for refusing to honour the House invitation.

The organisation’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chuks Ibegbu, described the president’s action as an insult to not just the lawmakers but to Nigerians.

He said: “It’s very unfortunate that the president refused to honour their invitation. This is a huge disrespect for the lawmakers; it’s also an insult to the entire country."

The organisation said such a situation could snowball to a constitutional crisis as well as a crisis of confidence in governance.

The ACF said the country might be heading for a constitutional crisis following Buhari’s decision not to honour the invitation of the

House.

Spokesman of the forum, Mr. Emmanuel Yawe, told THISDAY in a telephone interview yesterday that since both the House and the president based their actions on the provision of the constitution, the matter should be left to the judiciary for interpretation.

He added that Nigeria has security and economic problems to contend with and a constitutional crisis will further compound the situation.

“Here we have two interpretations of the same constitution. The executive says they are not under any compulsion by the constitution for the president to appear before the House and explain the security situation in the country; that is what the Attorney-General of the Federation said.

“He quoted some sections of the constitution to support his position.

“The House of Representatives also based their decision to invite the president on the basis of the constitution.

“The constitution provides that they have a supervisory role over the executive,” he said.

He appealed to the two arms of government “to be civil and follow the constitutional way of resolving issues so that we do not have another problem.

PANDEF, however, said yesterday that it was not surprising that Buhari failed to honour the invitation by the House.

National spokesman of PANDEF, Mr. Ken Robinson, in a telephone interview, wondered why the president is finding it difficult to explain whatever challenges he might be having in tackling insecurity.

"It is not surprising that he decided not to honour the summon by the National Assembly.

It's very unbecoming and unacceptable," he stated.

Agbakoba, Utomi, Kukah, 43 Others Demand Service Chiefs' Resignation Forty-six prominent Nigerians, including senior lawyers, the clergy, businessmen, academics and other professions yesterday demanded the resignation of all the service chiefs to pave the way for tackling the worsening insecurity in the country.

20 DESIGNERS WALK ARISE FASHION WEEK RUNWAY TODAY foremost musician Wizkid will perform to bring the show to an end.

Usually held early in the year, the 2020 fashion event is hosted virtually due to the ongoing pandemic that is still upending travels and social gatherings. Also, this year marks the first time the award is solely focusing on young and emerging designers. Themed '30 Under 30:The New Stars,' 30 young designers were selected from a pool of 150 to compete in the show, making it the first time a monetary reward is attached to the grand fashion event.

According to Co-producer Ruth Osime, the seed money provided to the designers is a way of supporting young designers who face pecuniary challenges when setting shop.

Echoing similar sentiments, renowned supermodel Naomi The event will be livestreamed on Arise Play and Arise TV/THISDAY platforms.

Campbell Wants African Designers Given Global Attention Meanwhile, at age 50, international supermodel

Naomi Campbell who is currently in the country for the ARISE Fashion Week has one ambition: to see the fashion world embrace African designers.

“I want to see the fashion world embrace African designers and all these young designers from emerging markets. They need to be accepted and given a platform.

Whatever I can do to help make that happen, that’s why I’m here, that’s what I’ll do,” she said in a recent interview with UK publication, The Telegraph.

This explains her unflinching support for the

FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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COMMENT

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

ARTHUR NWANKWO GOES HOME Uzor Maxim Uzoatu pays tribute to Nwankwo, writer, publisher, and a radical with a cause

T

he inimitable Chancellor of the Eastern Mandate Union (EMU), Arthur Agwuncha Nwankwo, was interred in his home in Ajalli, Anambra State, on Thursday, December 10, in this year of our lord. He passed away at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu in the afternoon of Saturday, February 1, 2020. The COVID-19 outbreak put his interment on hold until now.

In his cherished lifetime, Arthur Nwankwo spoke truth to power with unconquerable courage. His clarity of vision was nonpareil. He had an endearing common touch, mixing with the mighty and the lowly with consummate ease.

An author, publisher, polemicist, columnist, administrator, socialist, politician, intellectual, activist etc, Arthur Nwankwo was indeed a remarkable legend. He was to all around him “a strategic source”, according to the eminent journalist Uche Ezechukwu. He knew the roots of the who’s who in the vast terrain of Nigerian cleavages and could give precise information on literally every mover and shaker anytime, anywhere.

As a history maker per excellence, Arthur Nwankwo through his trailblazing publishing company, Fourth Dimension Publishers, Enugu, published the vast majority of books on the Nigeria-Biafra war.

It can even be argued that without the intervention of Arthur Nwankwo, a procrastinating Chinua Achebe would not have published The Trouble with Nigeria.

Achebe’s words in his Preface to the little masterpiece are here: “To Arthur Nwankwo, publisher, who asked for this book years ago, listed it in his catalogue, then waited patiently, only occasionally prodding delicately; to Mamman Vatsa whose kind but soldierly poem on my fiftieth birthday bluntly reminded me of the unredeemed promise of a certain publisher’s list…”

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka penned in his memoirs, You Must Set Forth At Dawn, that Arthur Nwankwo was the personage who fainted amid the mammoth crowd that came to Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, to welcome home the renowned playwright from self-exile after the death of General Sani Abacha. Well, Arthur denied that he ever fainted, stressing that the fainting episode was just a figment of Soyinka’s vast imagination!

Controversy sits on the head of Arthur Nwankwo like an eagle feather. He had a spine-chilling encounter with General Olusegun Obasanjo which made him to write the book Before I Die. His missile-like book, How Jim Nwobodo Rules Anambra State, elicited end-of-the-world-like battles. He eventually released a book on the concomitant sedition charge, his imprisonment and acquittal. It was through Arthur Nwankwo’s court case that sedition was thrown out of the Nigerian statute books.

Arthur Nwankwo was an astute believer in the power of the written word, and he was as prolific as they come.

Starting out with his 1972 title, Nigeria: The Challenge of Biafra, Arthur Nwankwo wrote well over 50 books on politics, the economy, literature, etc.

Born on August 19, 1942 in Ajalli, Orumba North Local

HE JOINED EFFORTS WITH HIS COMPATRIOTS SUCH AS CHINUA ACHEBE, MOKWUGO OKOYE, FLORA NWAPA, CYPRIAN EKWENSI, TO UNLEASH THE LITERARY FERMENT EAST OF THE NIGER THAT HELPED HEAL THE WOUNDS OF THE DEVASTATING WAR

Government Area of Anambra State, Arthur Nwankwo was educated at Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA, and Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He began his working life at Gulf Oil Headquarters, Pittsburgh. With the start of the war in his native Nigeria he was involved in the Propaganda Directorate of Biafra and served as the editor of the Biafra Newsletter.

When the war ended in 1970 he took the option of rebuilding his beloved Igbo land by serving as an insider in the refinement of minds through publishing, first as a co-founder of Nwamife Publishers, Enugu, and then Fourth Dimension.

He joined efforts with his compatriots such as Chinua Achebe, Mokwugo Okoye, Flora Nwapa, Cyprian Ekwensi, Obi Egbuna, etc., to unleash the literary ferment east of the Niger that helped heal the wounds of the devastating war.

He was quite close to Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. A stay in Arthur Nwankwo’s New Heaven home in Enugu was almost always an intellectual party. Meeting and arguing with Chief Chuba Okadigbo, for instance, was always enlightening, especially with the dogged politician dismissing all your arguments as being “sophomoric”!

It was in Arthur Nwankwo’s house that he introduced me to Okadigbo’s former wife, Prof Miriam Ikejiani, and her then army officer beau, Henry Clark, with these words: “We are taking Anambra beauty to the Ijaw people via JP Clark’s younger brother.”

One day I was having a discussion with Arthur Nwankwo when Orji Uzor Kalu, before he became Abia State Governor, came to be with us only for the publisher to say: “Orji, go to Danic Hotel and enjoy because you will not understand the intellectual disputation we are having here!”

When Arthur Nwankwo set up his Outlook newspapers in Enugu he hired me as a consultant.

He never hid his views about Nigeria, as can be seen in these words: “I have always maintained that Nigeria’s only safety valve lies in a roundtable discussion to fashion out a framework for the continued existence of Nigeria as a corporate entity. The best we have gotten close to the Republican constitution of 1963 was the outcome of the 2005 National Political Reform Conference and the last one convoked by former President Jonathan. What Buhari owes Nigeria is the political will to implement the recommendations of those constitutional conferences. Any other way leads to doom and self-destruction!”

A Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that fought Abacha to the death, his membership of political parties such as Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Alliance for Democracy (AD) clearly showcased his broadmindedness and radical bent. The Chancellor of the Eastern Mandate Union (EMU), he was indeed the strongman of war as his traditional title, Ikeogu of Ajalli, proclaimed.

Unforgettable – that’s the last word for Arthur Agwuncha Nwankwo.

LET’S BUILD THE FUTURE

Higher institutions are not just grounds to learn, but places to build character, writes

N

igeria is interesting. And every day across its length and breadth and even on social media, the country is never dull. There is always something to cause agitation.

Last week, Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) party took to Facebook to abuse the Akwa Ibom State government over the suspension of a student, Ekpo Iniobong Isang, by the Akwa Ibom State University.

Sowore stated on Facebook: “Dear Comrade Iniobong Ekpo: I’ve not met or communicated with you personally before now, however, just read a disturbing piece on Inibehe Effiong’s timeline regarding your unjust suspension from the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) …

“Here is my take, please do not take your life because of these loafers and political junkies masquerading as academics, your future, brotherly, is greater than theirs and I could share a bit of my life experience with you to buttress my point. I was expelled twice while I studied at the University of Lagos. First in 1992 and later in 1994.

“When I was done with my studies at UNILAG they withheld my results such that I missed the NYSC for almost one year. When I completed my NYSC in 1996 they came for me at the passing out parade ground in Yola, Adamawa

State they claimed I was plotting against the Abacha military regime, I was arrested and detained for a week at the Nigerian Airforce facility and then they seized my NYSC certificate.

“But I dusted myself up and acted as if I lost nothing, worked hard with other compatriots and allies around the globe to push the military out of power and then headed to the US from where I obtained a Masters degree from an Ivy League University. This write up shouldn’t be about me. But I travelled this length with you just to let you know that SUICIDE should not be contemplated when dealing with cowards whose office tenures are transient and at best ephemeral. Stay strong, you will come out on the other side a diamond!”

But let us examine the matter.

According to the gist, Isang, a student of the department of Agricultural Engineering of the Akwa Ibom State University was suspended by the institution. His offence? He had posted what the university termed ‘abusive post’ against the state governor on social media. But the sealer was that Isang who was invited to appear before the students disciplinary committee failed to do so, hence, the letter suspending him till he appears before the committee. And with this letter, Isang ran to social media where, often, wolves attack without much thought.

What exactly are the facts on ground

that qualifies the use of the phrase “mini-tyrant and a former bank thief” in the eyes of Sowore? While it’s good to offer advice, it should be done without insulting or denigrating another person. Else, we become guilty of what we accuse others of. The online publisher did not show example in journalism in telling his story. No facts, just fanciful fiction.

Now, higher institutions are not just grounds to learn academics. Rather, it is where students are rewarded with certificates evidencing not only ‘learning’ but also ‘character.’ While I appreciate the need for young people to find their voices and be vocal, it is like quite a handful of youths nowadays misuse their voice. They confuse noise with substance and brashness for confidence. Maybe it comes from observing how leaders like America’s Donald Trump get away with abusing virtually anyone that holds contrary views from him.

But Trump’s ways should not be held as ideal. And young people must recognise that their conduct on social media is important and it is not okay to abuse or accuse people unfairly. It is worrisome that social media is seen as no-man’s-land where some people behave badly and hide under ‘free speech.’ It is essentially because of such abuse that some persons support the regulation of social media.

Sowore showed a contempt not only

for authority, but due process. He calls himself a revolutionary but does not understand processes, evident in when he ran for president on a party platform. How can a man who did not understand how to be a student begin advising another student who did not know how to be a student? Why did he not follow due process? If he were sure of his acts why did he not show up at the disciplinary panel? Only a moralist will support discipline.

Rather than ask his Ekpo prodigy to do well, learn and be a man of exemplary student, he is following the path of a rabble-rouser. The Ekpo fellow did not need to put himself to commit suicide. He only had to obey the law.

It is also amusing to note that Sowore in his tirade, focused more on himself, writing about how he was expelled twice from the University of Lagos and hounded by security officials after graduation before he fled to the US. Sadly, no one knew him as a student union front runner.

For a public figure aspiring to the highest office in the land, Sowore would do well to check his utterances.

In this modern age, the internet never forgets. Anything that is published online leaves a trail and it is difficult to completely eradicate. Hence, even if an embarrassing article, image or video is pulled down, that may not be the end of the matter. He will do well to mend his ways with Nigerian youths.

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EDITORIAL

LAND BORDERS AND SMALL ARMS There is need to establish special border patrols to contain the flow of arms

T

he closure of Nigeria’s land borders for more than a year has not in any way diminished the country’s security challenge.

But the borders cannot forever remain closed, especially by an administration that has adopted a selective approach to who uses them. The issue of illicit arms flow, however, needs to be addressed as a national security imperative. Incidentally, the President reportedly assured the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) governors last week that “Now that the message has THE ISSUE OF ILLICIT sunk in with our ARMS FLOW NEEDS TO neighbours, we BE ADDRESSED AS A are looking into NATIONAL SECURITY reopening the borders as soon IMPERATIVE as possible.”

We understand the pressure that is making the federal government to rethink the issue of the border closure. But we should also not gloss over the fact that just last year, the president had lamented that the West African sub-region is not only a victim of illicit financial flows but also of human trafficking, arms and drugs, and with dire consequences on the wellbeing of the people and on national security. These, he added, continue to fuel terrorism and the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs). His views were corroborated by deputy head, Policy and Analysis of Munich Security Conference, Mr Julian Voje, who said that illicit financial flows posed a double threat to global community.

According to Voje, an estimated 1.7 trillion to 4.2 trillion dollars were laundered in 2018 alone, much of it across borders.

The challenges posed by illicit flows, particularly through Nigeria’s borders, are enormous. Nigeria has hundreds of porous borders where illegal movement and smuggling of people and goods are done on a daily basis. Besides huge losses to the economy,

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the borders have also aided human and drug trafficking, while fuelling terrorism and communal violence in the country.

The level of insecurity and conflicts across the nation perhaps highlights the prevalence of weapons in the hands of non-state actors.

Nigeria is awash with illegal small arms and light weapons many of which were trafficked through the unmanned borders. A recent research showed that out of the 857 million small arms and light weapons in the world, 500 million are illegal with 100 million found in sub-Saharan Africa. About 7.5 per cent of that is in Nigeria. The UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament and the Presidential Committee on SALWS also found not too long ago that 350 million of the 500 million such weapons in West Africa are in Nigeria.

The ease of access to these weapons has made individuals and communities more fortified and hence less amenable to entreaties to make peace. The increasing wave of bloody violence between farmers and herdsmen as well as the serious security challenges on the country’s highways can be traced partly to the ease to SALWs by some unscrupulous elements. This is a common phenomenon on the continent as it has resulted in breakdown of law and order in some of the failed states in Africa of which Somalia and Libya are prime examples. Such proliferation equally led to difficulties in conflict resolution as was the case in Liberia and Sierra Leone in the recent past.

While we are not oblivious to the existence of the Immigration and Customs Services at many of our border posts, these agencies have proved incompetent or compromised in the discharge of their duties. We had in the past advocated the need to establish a special border patrol unit that should be well-equipped with modern high-tech surveillance gear. Now that there are considerations for the borders to be reopened, we hope that President Buhari will work with the security agencies on how to safeguard lives and property in the country.

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

ASUU AND NASS MATTERS

iscerning minds knew all along that President Muhammadu Buhari would not honour the invite to be at the chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) to address the House of Representatives on pressing national security issues; it was just empty posturing when the president’s handlers joylessly informed Nigerians that their boss was poised to “talk” to Nigerians’ elected representatives. I joked with my lecturer colleague (we meet up every other day to bemoan the state of the country’s tertiary education and encourage each other to remain steadfast with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the face of punishing adversities resulting from non-payment of five months salaries) that the president’s planned meeting with state governors was to create a diversion for him by which he’d be excused from meeting with the House of Representatives members; I posited that the governors will constitute a “buffer” by doing a hail-fellow-well-met visit to the House on behalf of the president and say that all was “under control,” the governors getting their rewards by way of tapping into the N21 trillion rip-off from the national pension fund. I was nearly on a bull’s-eye

run because, true to their shady hue, news outlets reported that the governors actually impressed it on Buhari not to honour the House invite, although that view was meant to make the president save face. On ASUU, if “democracy has come to stay,” according to a key operative of this APC government, Lt.-Gen. Yusuf Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff, whilst issuing stern threats to newly-piped “soft generals” to desist from “coup plot,” then this government should know that the democracy Gen. Buratai has “vowed” to protect was nurtured to its 2015 stage by the likes of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan. Thus, according to the constitution on which this democracy runs, their legacies must be sustained. In the year 2013, during Jonathan’s tenure, ASUU suffered the humiliating situation of a six-month period of withheld salary during strike (eerily similar to this strike of 2020 where salaries have not been paid to ASUU faithful for the sixth month now).

At the conclusion of talks between the government team and ASUU team in the year 2013 and upon agreeing to terms that “gentlemen” will agree to, the government promptly paid us our backlog of six months pay before strike was called off.

Still being the “gentlemen” that they were,

the government of Jonathan promptly released the first tranche of N220 billion for revitilisation of universities across Nigeria; the remaining five tranches were scheduled for release in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 and thence government could challenge universities to prove the reason for their existence knowing that some N1.2 trillion has been “invested” in public university education. My school here got its share of N2.5billion from that 2013 first tranche and just as universities had put up project evaluation and monitoring committees to parlay their share of this initial fund to the required objectives, Buhari popped up with a debilitating TSA policy that mopped up all funds from this Jonathan’s first revitilisation tranche and thus threw universities and sundry MDA to confusion. What we have been getting since from the government is a collage of subterfuge policy jaw-jaw blaming its incompetence on “past government,” “corruption,” “recession,” “dwindling revenue,” “COVID-19,” “#EndSARS,” “recession” one more time, etc.

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

WHY PULL DOWN THE BLINDS?

C

hina has not always been a supporter of open information sharing although this has taken a weird turn now that they have blocked Tripadvisor as it considers it ‘illegal’. Nearly every traveller would look at that site to get some idea of accommodation and local attractions, however it does also include a ‘traveller’s forum’ and that may be the problem as a cursory glance shows that not all feedback is positive. Having visited China twice and enjoyed these visits I am aware that there is a range of accommodation levels, as in all countries, and not all match up to the photos in their brochures or on their websites.

In reality people will still be able to find out about China and its activities when this site is blocked but it is only one of many attempts to stop people criticising the country and its leadership. If they are blocking comments about hotels what else are they blocking? Also hasn’t China heard of VPNs and many other ways of accessing the Internet?

If there is nothing to hide, then why pull down the blinds?

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Don’t Borrow from Pension Funds, NLC Warns Governors

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to mobilise Nigerian workers in protest against the move by the state governors to borrow N17 trillion from the pension funds purportedly for infrastructural development.

The union asked the state chief executives to steer clear of the pension funds, warning them against tampering with the money.

Speaking at the 47th National Executive Council meeting of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, in Abuja yesterday the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, insisted that the governors have no authority over the funds.

The Nigerian Governors Forum had last week endorsed the proposal of the Chairman of the National Economic Council Ad hoc Committee, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, to borrow N17trn from the pension funds for infrastructural development.

But reacting to the proposal, Ayuba said, “The pension is

not for borrowing, pension money is the retirement savings of workers, it cannot be borrowed. It’s like money in your savings account that nobody can borrow.

“You must go through the bank and in this case, you must go through the PFAs and their guidelines; even the guidelines they want to play down but to the glory of God, the board of Pencom commission has been constituted “I stand here to represent all of you (workers), we are not going to agree; less than 5 per cent of the states are keying into the contributory pension, yet they want to borrow the money. The bulk of the money is from the federal government workers and private-sector workers; so how do you want to borrow from where you have not sown?”

The NLC leader lamented that over 18 state governments were delaying the implementation of the new national minimum wage, noting that it was unheard of that the same governments would want to borrow the

Gunmen Kill 16 Kano Travellers Along Abuja-Kaduna Road Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Gunmen on Wednesday killed 16 Kano indigenes along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

The incident occurred when the indigenes were travelling from Abuja to Kano.

The 16 indigenes, who were from Dambatta Local Government Area of the state, were in a private vehicle when they were attacked by gunmen.

Kano State Governor, Mr Abdullahi Ganduje, while reacting, expressed shock at the gruesome murder of the business tycoons.

In a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Abba Anwar and made available to THISDAY in Kano yesterday, Ganduje expressed shock over the incident.

“We were shocked with the bad news of the death of 16 Dambatta indigenes on Abuja-Kaduna highway, who

were travelling from Abuja to Kano, as a result of an attack from unidentified gunmen.

“The news is devastating and frustrating.

We commiserate with the families of the deceased, the people of Dambatta Local Ggovernment, and the people of Kano State.

“May Allah accept their martyrdom and may He punish all the perpetrators of this heinous act. There is nothing more shocking than this. We urge people to pray fervently for the reposed souls.

And we pray that may Allah give their families the fortitude to bear the great loss.

“On behalf of the government and people of Kano State, I am condoling with the families of the deceased and the people of Dambatta Local Government, over this tragedy. May Allah forgive all their wrongdoings and reward their good deeds,” he prayed.

workers’ pension.

“It’s not free money, and let me sound a bit of warning: any day that we hear the pension fund, our money has been borrowed, I will declare a protest and everybody is going to be on the street to protect our hard-earned money.

“The money belongs to workers, we contribute that money so that when we retire, we can have something for retirement, so they have no say whatsoever; both the principal and the capital belong to us,” he said.

Commenting on the fuel pump price, Wabba argued that it should not be determined by the market forces “whose sole aim was targeted at making profits even at the detriment of the masses.”

He noted, “Anything you leave to market forces, citizens will suffer because the primary focus of governance is actually to defend the interest and welfare of our workers and even the citizens and therefore when you leave it to market forces, it is then about profit.”

The National President, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Biobelemoye Josiah, condemned the Federal Government’s alleged involvement in scuttling strike actions through the use of some non-governmental organisations, stressing that workers have the rights to embark on industrial actions to drive home their demands.

He said, “In a plethora of cases, the courts have affirmed the right of the workers to embark on strike. Strike is a legitimate weapon available

to the trade unions to ventilate their grievances, especially when the provision in section 41 of the Trade Dispute Act bordering on the number of days has been compiled with.

“I would, therefore, appeal to the Federal Government to enrich our industrial relations practice through the interplay of the relationship between the management (Government) and the workers (Trade Unions) rather than scuttling the relationship through a third party interloper represented by the NGOs.”

MEETING WITH AIRLINE OPERATORS...

L-R: President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan; Chairman, Azman, Azman Abdulmunaf Sarina; and Minister of Aviation, JULIUS ATOI Senator Hadi Sirika, during a courtesy visit to the National Assembly by Airline operators in Abuja...yesterday

INEC: Yakubu Assumes Duty, Lists Priorities Chuks Okocha in Abuja Professor Mahmood Yakubu has assumed office as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second term.

Also, the INEC boss has listed his immediate priorities to include ensuring the passage of a new electoral law for Nigeria and the registration of voters in the first quarter of 2021.

Yakubu, who was first sworn in to office on November 9, 2015, was again sworn in for a second term on Wednesday by President Muhammadu Buhari, following his clearance by the Senate.

Speaking at a brief

ceremony to formally take over the affairs of the commission, he pledged to discharge his responsibilities without bias.

According to Yakubu, “We will continue to discharge our responsibilities to our father land. Our work continues; the quick passage of the Electoral Act amendment is a top priority, and we will be happy if the Electoral Act amendment is passed by the end of March 2021.”

He further noted that the immediate area of attention for the commission is the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which will also take in the first quarter of 2021, and to continue at least

until six months to the 2023 general election, adding that INEC hopes to introduce a new technology for voter enrollment in 2021.

The commission chairman said: “We will also seize the opportunity as required by the law to update and clean up the voter register. We are happy with the register of voters, but will continue to seek ways to improve the quality of the register as the credibility of any democratic election is drawn from the credibility of the register of voters.

“Without a clean credible register of voters, you can’t have a credible democratic election.”

He thanked Air Vice

Marshal Ahmed Mu’azu (rtd) and other National Commissioners of INEC for overseeing its affairs in the last 31days.

Speaking earlier, Mu’azu congratulated Yakubu on his reappointment, and explained that INEC was confronted with several challenges, especially security during the bye-elections.

He expressed dismay over the loss of six police personnel who drowned in Bayelsa State during the just concluded bye-election in the state.

The INEC Chairman, Yakubu, had on November 9, 2020, handed over the affairs of the commission to a National Commissioner, Muazu.

Luther King’s Daughter, US Lawmaker, Others Ask Buhari Buhari Congratulates to Release Detained #EndSARS Protesters, Journalists Akufo-Addo on Re-election Global activists and celebrities the incident at the Lekki toll transparent investigation by Nigerian people, especially Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari last night congratulated Ghanaian President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on his re-election for a second term in office.

Presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, said Buhari also commended the people of Ghana on the successful conclusion of the presidential and parliamentary elections.

He said Buhari noted that with the right institutions and political leadership, constitutional democracy has come to stay in the West African sub-region.

The statement added that Buhari appealed to other contestants in

the elections to put national interest above personal and partisan considerations and maintain the peace, while seeking resolution of grievances through established legal avenues.

The statement also said the president noted that Nigeria and Ghana share close historic and cultural ties, adding that he looks forward to working with his Ghanaian counterpart in realising shared goals that bring peace, security and prosperity to citizens of both countries in particular and the ECOWAS community in general.

Buhari wished Akufo-Addo a successful new tenure, peace and stability in his country as well as improved bilateral relations.

have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the release of all #EndSARS protesters, as well as activists and journalists jailed in various parts of the country.

They made the call in an open letter dated December 10, 2020, and addressed to the president yesterday.

The 60 activists and celebrities, under the auspices of Diaspora Rising, asked President Buhari to ensure the reinstatement of the international passports, bank accounts, and other items seized from the jailed persons.

They demanded that the military, security, and intelligence officers found culpable in

plaza, either giving the order or carrying out the shooting, must be made to face the consequences of their actions.

Signatories to the letter included Reverend Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr; US activist Opal Tometi; as well as actors Danny Glover and Kerry Washington.

Swedish teenage ecowarrior Greta Thunberg, singer Alicia Keys, civil rights campaigner Angela Davis, US congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and Nigerian-American rapper Jidenna, among others, also signed the letter.

According to them, the president should allow a

human rights monitors into the actions that led to the shooting at the Lekki tollgate and ensure the findings are published by media outfits accredited nationally and internationally.

The signatories also called on the president to support peaceful demonstrations in any part of the country to allow citizens exercise their constitutional right to protest.

“As people who have supported the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States and throughout the diaspora, we cannot be silent when similar atrocities take place in African countries.

“We demand respect for the

as they engage in their constitutional right to protest grave injustices,” part of the letter read.

It added, ”As president of the world’s most populous Black republic, you assume a leadership role on the global stage. Nigeria matters.

“We expect nothing short of care for your people and concern for the reputation of your country. As Nigeria is a major powerhouse for the continent of Africa, you must know, President Buhari, that your response has exponential implications for the continent and the African diaspora.”

FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020 • T H I S D AY

17

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020

18

POLITICS

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

Abiodun Threads the Path of Recovery, Sustainability Olalekan Osiade, Special Assistant on Information to the Governor of Ogun State writes that the state’s next fiscal year will follow the same pattern of an inclusive approach which has always allowed the people to make inputs and take ownership of the budget

“T

he main thrust of our capital spending programme in 2021 is the completion of many ongoing and new projects as possible across the State. Accordingly, we have prioritised projects that can be rapidly completed to benefit our people.

Those were the words of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, while presenting the 2021 budget to the state House of Assembly on Wednesday, where he emphasised the need to improve on the welfare of the people.

The Appropriation Bill, which is now before the state lawmakers, is expected to be passed into law by the third week or fourth week in December, going by the assurances from some of the lawmakers that the passage of the Bill would be expedited, and not exceed this year.

Abiodun had during the presentation pleaded with the Speaker of the state Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, and his colleagues, to allow the state run the January to December fiscal year by passing the Appropriation Bill into law on time.

Recalling how challenging the implementation of the previous budget had been, the governor noted the difficulty that characterised the outgoing year due to the outbreak of coronavirus and the EndSARS protests that rocked the nation, but he was quick to add that the state was able to address the needs of the people despite the challenges that faced his administration.

He noted that the next fiscal year will follow the same pattern of an inclusive approach which has always allowed the people to make inputs and take ownership of the budget while thanking the monarchs and all stakeholders for standing by the government in the period of difficulties.

He said: “We are proud of how, in spite of a difficult year, we have continued to record giant strides in infrastructure development across the state, youth empowerment, job creation, human capital development, agriculture and food security, education, conducive environment for business, as well as fiscal responsibility, amongst others.

“The preparation for the next fiscal year has followed the same inclusive approach our administration instituted last year, with Town Hall meetings held across the three Senatorial Districts. The meetings afforded us to obtain inputs of all relevant stakeholders into the 2021 budget, achieve the ownership of the budget process and the outcome, and align the budget with the expressed needs of the people.

“I fully understand the difficulties many of our people are going through as a result of the effect of the coronavirus pandemic, however, the road to economic growth is the establishment of a sustainable public finance management that will bring about, better allocation of our scarce resources and improved public service delivery”.

To many people that witnessed the budget presentation and listened to the governor on Wednesday, there is every reason to leap for joy. This is because Abiodun has raised their hopes and given them a new confidence through the ‘Budget of Recovery and Sustainability’.

Abiodun did not only increase the expectation of his people, he equally reminded them of how he had been a caring and responsive governor, as he relayed his efforts in the last few months, especially how the government was able to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recalling that the state government under his watch was able to alleviate the sufferings of many people and rescued many businesses, Abiodun implied that many households would have been left in jeopardy if not for the prompt intervention of his administration.

He said: “Apart from medical and

pharmaceutical interventions, we also extended palliatives, at different times, to about 400,000 households across the 20 local governments of our state. With an average of between five and six individuals per household, we were able to reach

close to three million people with various items to cushion the effect of the pandemic and consequent reduction in household incomes.

“Businesses were not left out. Palliative measures to provide reliefs included

As Sanwo-Olu Gifts N60m, scholarships to Families of Officers Killed During #EndSARS Protests Gboyega Akosile, Chief Press Secretary to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu describes the prevailing emotions when families of the six police officers killed in different parts of Lagos State during the EndSARS received a cheque of N10million each

I

t was an emotion-laden moment for the widows of the slain Police officers, all of whom could not hold back the tears as they received cheques from the Governor. Some guests, especially women who were also overtaken by the emotion, wept uncontrollably as they watched families of the late Police officers mount the stage one after another to receive the modest compensation from Lagos State Government, after the gruesome killing of their bread winners.

It was a difficult task to get an almost inconsolable Anato Edward, widow of the late Yaro Edward, an Assistant Inspector of Police who was killed while on his legitimate duty, to speak on behalf of the other families.

To Governor Sanwo-Olu, Anato merely found courage to say: “Thank You for what you have done for us. I am very grateful.”

The compensation without any iota of doubt brought back bitter experience as widows of the slain Police officers and the children were in sober mood throughout the entire programme. After receiving the 10 million Naira compensation, the widows and their children could not control their emotion when Governor Sanwo-Olu further announced scholarship for all the children of the deceased officers.

The scholarship offer would cover each of the children from their current academic stage to the university level.

Tears of joy and perhaps of sorrow rented the air. Governor Sanwo-Olu and some other eminent personalities had the onerous task of calming the women down.

The presentation of the N10million cheque to the deceased families and scholarship to children of the late Police officers during the 14th Annual Town Hall Meeting on Security organised by Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) last Thursday was in fulfillment of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s promise to the Lagos Police Command during his visit to the police personnel after the EndSARS protests.

The slain Police officers whose families received a cheque of N10million each are late Yaro Edward, Assistant Inspector of Police (ASP), Inspector Ayodeji Erinfolami, Sergeant Bejide Abiodun, Inspector Adegbemiro Aderibigbe, Inspector Samson Ehiboh and Inspector Igoche Cornelius.

During Governor Sanwo-Olu’s visit to the police command on Thursday October 28, he promised that Lagos State Government would not abandon the police for their role in protecting lives and property in the State, and further boost the morale of officers after the EndSARS protests. The Governor said the Government would take care of the family members of the officers killed in the violence that trailed the EndSARS protests.

As parts of the measures put in place to heal the wounds of the police officers lynched in the State, the Governor also directed the Lagos State Scholarship Board to immediately award scholarship to the children of the slain officers, up to the university level.

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

six-month extension of the 2019 income tax returns deadline for self-employed residents from March 31, 2020 to September 30, 2020. Others were eight-month extension of filing of 2019 annual PAYE returns by PAYE operators/tax agents from January 31, 2020 to September 30, and complete waiver of interest and penalty for late filing for the extension period These statements were corroborated by some of those that witnessed the legislative event, as they recalled how they were given succor with palliatives and how their businesses were saved from collapsing.

One of the respondents, a female retailer in Adire clothing business, who identified herself as Mrs Taibat Sharafa, informed of how she and her friends were given tax waivers from their businesses after the COVID-19 lockdown. She also explained that she and many of her colleagues and even some artisans got so much support from the state government during the tough period.

“Truly, a new life is possible in Ogun State. We have seen a remarkable difference since the inception of this administration.

There is a fresh hope in the air and we believe that there are goodies in the pipeline. If the governor could help us when we needed to get relieved, there is no doubt that he will do more as he promised in this new budget.

“If you get to town, ask people, they will tell you how many people were helped in the past six months, some were given money, some got drugs, others got foods and many welfare packages. Some of our schools and students are still being funded till now, especially with the digital and online classes.

“Somebody who did all these will definitely do more, we are in for a good time in the gateway state. We are so grateful to God and the governor for helping us out of our difficulties. We have no doubt that this 2021 budget will impact positively on us”, she said.

On his part, Chief Adebodehinde Afonkagba, who travelled all the way from Ijebu-Igbo to witness the presentation of the financial estimates was so much elated as he expressed hope in the new budget.

He was also hopeful that the budget would truly recover the economy and sustain the growth of the state.

Afonkagaba further noted that the governor did not just come up with the budget, noting that Abiodun had the inputs of almost all the stakeholders in the state before compiling the needs of the people.

He also pleaded with the Assembly to accede the governor’s request and return the budget to the January to December cycle by quickly passing the Appropriation Bill into law before the end of December.

He said: “It is called a Budget of Recovery and Sustainability; it is an estimate that will bring about all inclusion. The financial estimates will no doubt put our dear state on the path of recovery and it will sustain all the efforts so far, so it is truly of recovery and sustainability.

“We hope that the lawmakers will further help the course of the state by quickly passing the Bill into law. It is better to return the budget to the January to December period so that we can go back to our normal fiscal year system”, he said.

One of the students and youth leaders, Moshood Olaola, who led some of his mates to the venue of the budget presentation, also thanked the governor and all those that made his efforts come to fruition saying that the people of Ogun State are grateful to God for giving them a governor like Abiodun at this time.

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

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020

19

PERSPECTIVE

Values, Re-orientation and National Renewal

Joe Biden Delivers on His Promise to African-Americans Chido Nwangwu, Publisher, USAfricaonline appreciates the noble gesture of American Presidentelect for appointing a good number of AfricanAmericans into strategic offices in his cabinet

I

n politics, the common saying is that there are no permanent enemies or permanent friends but there are only permanent interests. To a great extent, this is true especially regarding the politics nations and groups play. It is probably true for some individuals and groups whose commitments are only determined and calibrated by the barometers of short term, tactical interests.

On the other side, I do know that movement politics are about loyalty and commitment to shared interests.

And so has it been between the Democratic Party of United States and the African-American community since the 1950s to date.

African-Americans constitute without a doubt the most loyal support group for that party. One of the leaders of the United States who, even before being sworn into office in January 2021, has shown an extraordinary appreciation for that support group is the President-elect Joseph Biden — presented by the facts and the composition of his cabinet. I commend them and that is why I wrote on this page in November 2020 that “I voted for America” by voting for Joe Biden. The man appreciates the fact Black-Americans and recent immigrants were vital, valuable and critical to his victory, ratified victory over the incendiary and divisive antics of President Donald Trump. And, Biden promised “I got your back.”

First of all, he went into the elections with a Black woman as Vice Presidential candidate — in the person of Senator Kamala Harris. It was a history making pick.

Second, for the second highest position in the very influential and important U.S Treasury department, Joe Biden did not only pick an African-American he chose a Nigerian-American, Adewale Adeyemo.

Among the other key members of his financial economics team is Cecilia Rouse, who would be the first Black official to serve as chairperson of the Council of Economic Advisers.

Third, Biden has nominated longtime diplomat Linda Thomas-Greenfield, an African issues specialist and former Foreign Service officer, to be ambassador to the United Nations.

Fourth, only a few hours ago, Biden stated “Today (December 9, 2020), I ask Lloyd Austin to once more take on a mission for the United States of America—this time as the Secretary-

designate of the Department of Defense.

I know he will do an outstanding job….

The fact is, Austin’s many strengths and his intimate knowledge of the Department of Defense and our government are uniquely matched to the challenges and crises we face. He is the person we need in this moment.”

If confirmed by the United States Senate, retired Lieutenant General Austin would be the first Black man in history to hold the position.

Biden recalled that “In late August of 2010, I traveled to Iraq for the fifth time as Vice President. While there, I participated in the change-of-command ceremony for United States Forces–Iraq.

President Barack Obama had charged me with overseeing the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and we were committed to ensuring the orderly withdrawal of our forces and equipment from Iraq. Standing in the garish al-Faw Palace, once home to Saddam Hussein but by then part of Camp Victory, I watched as General Lloyd Austin assumed leadership of a national-security priority on behalf of the President of the United States of America.

Just over a year later, in December 2011, I returned to al-Faw Palace, joining Austin in a ceremony honoring American and Iraqi service members as our forces left the country.

General Austin got the job done. He played a crucial role in bringing 150,000 American troops home from the theater of war. Pulling that off took more than just the skill and strategy of a seasoned soldier. It required Austin to practice diplomacy, building relationships with our Iraqi counterparts and with our partners in the region. He served as a statesman, representing our country with honor and dignity and always, above all, looking out for his people.”

Fifth, Biden has promised to name a Black woman to the Supreme Court of United States.

That would be a significant advancement to have a mix of life experiences in the context of the interpretation and disposition of constitutional and related judicial matters. Without a doubt, there are hundreds of eminently qualified women. I know a couple of them.

Sixth, it is important to make special mention of the roles of Black women in the 2020 November elections. Also, deserving of special commendation is the former President Barack Obama for his excellent relationship with his former Vice President Biden.

Of course, there is the U.S congressman, the distinguished Jim Clyburn of South Carolina. Clyburn, one of the most important power players within the Democratic Party who, practically, saved Biden from being defeated and distressed during the primaries in South Carolina when it mattered most.

It’s the same man who choked off the critical votes the Clintons needed to advance from South Carolina during her competition for votes against Obama.

He blunted the Clinton machine, and ensured Obama got the electoral juice to power forward towards nomination.

Finally, it is accurate to say that we are seeing a cabinet that looks like America.

A new day seems to be coming.

Noah Dallaji, Founder, African Children Talent Discovery Foundation draws attention to the infamous Nigerian factor which weighs down on great ideals and opportunities

“S

ixty years of nationhood provides an opportunity to ask ourselves question on the extent to which we have sustained the aspirations of our founding fathers. Where did we do the right things?

Are we on course? If not where did we stray and how can we remedy and retrace our steps?”

These were the candid words of President Muhammadu Buhari in his speech marking the nation’s 60th anniversary.

These words obviously speak to our collective essence, a crucial concern, I believe, we need to consider and reconsider, in tandem with our burning desire to attain our deserved greatness.

From the era of the founding fathers to the present, we have made some significant progress even though many also believe we could have performed better, in alignment with some profound projections by eminent commentators about the nation’s potentials for greatness. Indeed, sharing his high optimism in this regard in the eighties, renowned political economist, the late Claude Ake wrote that “The future of Nigeria is very bright more than any country on earth. The country has a very important role to play in reshaping the future of man”.

Regrettably, we have come to see a trajectory of our national development as one fraught with societal failure, policy and leadership challenges.

With deeper reflection, however, it is observed that the issue hadn’t been much about good policies but with actualization.

Yet a key part of this unfortunate reality is the so-called Nigerian factor which continues to weigh down on great ideals and opportunities with the attendant negatives in our development narrative.

Even with the swelling bluster in the polity over where the power pendulum swings ahead 2023, the overriding concern, I think, is how we can make the nation truly work to serve the greater good on Nigerians.

It is in this regard that one would want to make the important case for national regeneration of our society, making sure the nation truly works, with a major focus on value re-orientation without which the best leader in the world will find it difficult to make any headway in running a modern and efficient administration that delivers the goods.

I strongly hold the view that the society as currently constituted, in critical social formations, is bedeviled by value crisis and unless this is corrected in gradual but effective succession, there is danger ahead, a situation that would continually militate even compounding our quest for greatness. In which case, the challenge we face transcends that of power acquisition but getting the fabric of society behave in some acceptable manner that can make the power holder do his or her job and deliver on it since the society functions in agreement with those values that help to make society truly work and for the betterment of all.

Nigeria is not the only country facing socio-economic challenges, virtually all countries are having their own bout occasioned by global factors especially the Covid-19 pandemic and some structural problems, but the clear difference is the level of adaptation, consistent value system and hope to overcome such challenges. Both the leaders and the led work in consonance with the ideals of society to produce results, cohesion and stability. And no matter the circumstance, the people know and understand the rules of engagement as everyone behaves responsibly knowing full well that there

are sanctions for deviant behavior, and no matter whose ox is gored. Everyone appreciates the need for decorum, basic norm, discipline and orderliness. Agreed, no society is free of crime and delinquent behaviour but the point of divergence is the degree and bizarre nature of occurrence and regularity, essentially and continually threatening the survival of such society and consequently the jarring alarm bell.

Now you begin to understand the huge concern when you consider the spate of kidnapping, banditry, terror, insurgency, rape, ritual killings, mind boggling high scale fraud both in style and organization, corruption, baby factory where babies are sold to any bidder, mother and father selling their children to raise money, jumping queues and all sorts of sharp practices to beat established protocols and a general failing of standard in family, desecration of institutions and society. You are likely to be amazed and very worried as widely reported in the media that one Owolabi Adeeko had to kill her girl friend, a 400 level student in a university and prepared her body as ritual pepper soup for him and his mother all in a rabid quest to make money.

You further begin to wonder why a legitimate protest by the youths (#EndSARS) was hijacked by hoodlums to perpetrate such heinous act of massive looting and destruction of private and public properties never witnessed in this country. It’s indefensible either situated as unemployment pang or socio-economic deprivation especially in view of government/s prompt response to the demands of our youths and other related economic reliefs in policies and programmes. Yes, governments everywhere are challenged on this and must continue to respond with effective policies and reforms but the resort to brigandage does not show civility.

I hold the view that the situation is now in a free fall and something urgent has to be done to arrest the drift. Reordering the society through some necessary democratic reforms should now be a priority, top on the shelf of constituted authorities.

We must emphasise that failure to embrace the basic values which can uphold society to function optimally in the diverse elements of society is the root cause of our degeneration and must be rectified to create the enabling stability in our social system. Yes, attitudinal reorientation is well known as the most basic step to take in addressing such sociological issues Thus there is urgent need for reorientation, a total overhauling, embracing critical values that can regenerate society, a must if our nation would ever fulfill her promise of greatness.

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

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020 •T H I S D AY

21

T H I S D AY ˾ BER 11, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 3.63 % 4.25 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

3% 4% 6%

D E C E M B E R S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

745.13 % -0.01 % -0.98 %

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

4 , 2 0 2 0 S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE 18.90 % YEAR TO DATE 54.86 %

EXCHANGE RATE N379/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes

Air Traffic Controllers Demand Insurance Cover

CIBN INVESTITURE

L-R: Registrar. Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria(CIBN), Mr. Seye Awojobi; First Vice President, Dr. Ken Opara; Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Ernest Ebi; President, CIBN, Mr. Bayo Olugbemi; and Member, Board of Director, Odua Investment Group, Mr. Bimbo Ashiru, at the 2020 CIBN fellowship investiture held in Lagos... recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

‘FG Granted N342bn Waivers to Importers in Two Years’ Eromosele Abiodun The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed has disclosed that the federal government granted about N342 billion waivers to importers in the last two years.

She stated this while speaking at the second phase of a one-day sensitisation seminar on the Automated Import Duty Exemption Certificate at the Nigeria Customs Training College, Ikeja, Also, she urged importers to embrace the automated Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) as part of measures to promote trade and enhance ease of doing business at the nation’s seaports.

Ahmed, who was represented

by Permanent Secretary in

MARITIME the ministry, Aliyu Ahmed, described the digitisation process of import duty exemption as a way to eliminate corruption, save time and promote transparency.

She said the scope of waiver request was expanding hence need to have modern technology to drive the administration.

According to the minister, “Approximately N341.94 billion worth of waivers was granted from August 2017 to August 2019. The scope of such request are expanding; hence the need to have in place modern technology to drive its administration.

The minister further highlighted the importance of the modernised process as being in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision for the importation sector.”

She said the automated gateway portal for IDEC processing and issuance has been in operation since April 1, 2020, stressing that manual applications were no longer accepted.

The minister added that the bottlenecks associated with import duty exemption and related sharp practices will be eradicated by the new procedure.

“The kernel of the mandate of the FMFBNP is the overall fiscal management of our national economy. One critical incentive which the FMFBNP provides, in line with extant laws, rules, regulation and executed international protocols, is the issuance of import/customs duties certificates to applicants “Up until March 2020, we processed the grant of the IBEC incentives manually. This process

was quite cumbersome, tedious, time consuming, and was beset with undue human interface, with its attendant challenges,” she said.

She added that the automated process, in line with the Ministry’s Strategic Revenue Growth Initiative (SRG) will improve the revenue profile of the government by blocking leakages, stop apparent financial losses associated with the process, standardise and simplify the process, as well as ensuring effective monitoring, evaluation and tracking.

Also speaking at the event, Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), said the new platform will eradicate trade related vices such as impersonation and forgeries of Continued on page 22

FAAN Can Shore Up IGR with Non-aeronautical Revenue, Experts Say Chinedu Eze Experts in the aviation industry have said the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) can boost its revenue significantly by fully exploiting non-aeronautical revenue sources.

FAAN generated about N30 billion last year, but about 80 per cent of its revenue came from aeronautical sources.

But industry experts argued that the agency could boost its revenue with such nonaeronautical sources including intra-airport transport fee, advertisement at its 26 airports, electricity bills and cargo sales tax.

They said FAAN could also earn more revenues from toll gate fees, landing fees, parking fee, fuel tax, luxury items tax, car parks, shopping complex, cinema, training centers and conference halls; estates, water bills, transit hotels, restaurants, games and

AVIATION sports centers.

The experts spoke to THISDAY in reaction to the call by the House Committee on Aviation for FAAN to fully exploit its non-aeronautical revenue sources.

Aviation economist and the lead consultant at ETIMFRI Group, Amos Akpan, said the agency has to fully close loopholes on revenue and take advantage of other sources of revenue not currently being exploited to boost its revenue.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mainstream Cargo Limited, Seyi Adewale said if FAAN has a plan to develop infrastructure and build a smart airport city, it could double its revenue annually for the next five years, adding that it could build smart airport city across major international airports.

“Please note the capacity of its customers to pay in a depressing and COVID-19 world. Presently, many of FAAN customers owe significantly and money realized in real terms annually is pitiable,” he said.

Former General Manager, Business Development, FAAN and currently the Managing Partner, TMSS Logistics, Alhaji Nuhu Adam, said the agency has not fully taken advantage of generating huge revenues from advertisement, noting that taking advantage of above and below the line advert opportunities could generate over N30 billion for FAAN annually across 26 airports currently under its management.

The House Committee on Aviation, recently advised FAAN during its facility tour of Lagos airport to explore more of the revenue potential within the nonaeronautical sources to shore up

its internally generated revenue.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji observed that the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 pandemic on aviation should be an eye opener to the authority, stressing that if there were adequate plans to harness the potential available in the non-aeronautical aspects, the challenges of meeting up with the demands of running the airports would have been minimal.

He also pointed out the air transport has remained the fastest and safest means of transportation, adding that the prevailing security challenges in Nigeria today has put more pressures on the sector which requires greater attention to the provision of adequate infrastructure and security.

The chairman during the Continued on page 22

The Nigeria Air Traffic controllers Association (NATCA) has called for the implementation of comprehensive health or life insurance scheme for its members.

Theassociationsaidthecallbecamenecessarybasedontheenormityofwork andthedangerstheyareexposedtointheirduties,whichtheysaidclaimed thelivesofsixmembersthisyear.

ThePresidentofNATCA,AbayomiAgoro,madethecallduringtherecently heldAnnualGeneralMeetingoftheassociation.

HecommendedtheMinisterofAviation,SenatorHadiSirikaforthesupport extendedtoairnavigationsafetyandalsoforconsistentlyensuringthathis transformationagendawasfeltparticularlyinNigeriaAirspaceManagement Agency(NAMA)andintheentireaviationindustry.

AgoroexplainedthattheMinisteryieldedtotheirappealbyreleasingmembers ofNATCAadvancementletterswhichhesaidmadeitpossibleforthemtobe upgradedinbatchesAandBtogradelevel12afteroverfouryearsofstagnation Henotedthathissupportnotonlyhelpedinengenderingindustrialharmony, butalsofosteredareneweddedication,commitmentandmotivatedNATCA memberswhohadhithertobeendemoralisedandfrustratedbythedelay.

The NATCA President also commended the support given to him and the executivemembersbytheentiremembersofNATCA,addingthatithadbeen twoyearsofraisingthebarofrelevanceforNATCAintheaviationindustry.

HeassuredtheMinisterofassociation’sstrongdeterminationandcommitment tocollaboratecloselywithhimtocontinuallymaketheNigerianairspacesafe andgloballycompetitiveforaworldclassAirTrafficManagement(ATM).

MMIA New Terminal Ready for Use Q1

The newly constructed terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport(MMIA),LagosbuiltbyChineseengineeringfirm,CCECC,willbecome operationalbyfirstquarterof2021.

ThiswasdisclosedbytheManagingDirectoroftheFederalAirportsAuthority ofNigeria(FAAN),CaptainRabiuYadudu,duringthefacilitytouroftheairport byHouseCommitteeonAviationMembers.

The completion of the terminal was delayed by structural extension of the newterminaltotheold,sothattherewouldbeeasyfacilitationofpassengers usingthetwofacilities.

The FAAN Boss said the connection between the new terminal and the old onehadbeencompleted,whilefinishingtoucheswerebeingputonthefour bridgesinstalledatthenewterminal.

Duringtheinspectionofthefacility,theChairman,HouseofRepCommittee on Aviation, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, commended the management of FAAN for makinggreatstridesinthepaceoftheproject.

Speakingattheconstructionsite,Nnajisaidhiscommitteememberswere notarmchairlegislators,butdecidedtovisitprojectsitesanddosomemental correlationontheprojectsandbudgetapprovedwiththequalityandvolume ofworkbeingdonewiththetaxpayers’money.

HecommendedthemanagementofFAANfortheprovisionofapronlinking thetwo-terminalbuildings.

Nnaji urged FAAN management to pay more attention to safety critical infrastructure such as the runway lightings, taxiways, aerial lighting and comprehensive safety monitoring of the airside of the airports through close-circuittelevision(CCTV)andsecuritypersonnel(AVSEC).

Delta Launches Contact Tracing for US Travelers

DeltaAirLineispartneringwiththeCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention tokeepinternationalcustomersinformedofpotentialCOVID-19exposure throughcontacttracing.

Along with the airline’s nine global airline partners, Delta said it is working withgovernmentagencies,healthofficialsandaviationauthoritiestooffer safertravelateverypointinyourjourney.

BeginningDecember15,DeltaannounceditwouldbecomethefirstUSairlineto askcustomerstravelingtotheUSfromaninternationallocationtovoluntarily providefivepiecesofdatatoaidcontacttracingandpublichealthfollow-up efforts.Theseinformationinclude:Fullnames,E-mailaddress,Addressinthe US,primaryphoneandsecondaryphone “IndependentstudieshaveshownthatthemanylayersofprotectionDeltahas alreadyputinplaceareeffectivelyminimizingtheriskofCOVID-19transmission, andcontacttracingaddsonemoreimportantlayertooureffortstoensure safety throughout travel,” said Delta’s Chief Customer Experience Officer, BillLentsch.

“Wewantcustomerstofeelsafewhentheyreturntotravel,andthisvoluntary programisanotherwaywecanprovideadditionalreassurancetocustomers andemployeesalike,”headded.

Deltasaidcustomersandthoseintheiritinerarycanvoluntarilyparticipate initscontact-tracingprogramiftheyareflyingonanyDelta-operatedflight and a foreign national and/or a US passport holder traveling to the United Statesastheirfinaldestination

“We want airlines to see us as partners in progress, so we want to see them grow. That is our new approach” Director General, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),

Captain Musa Nuhu

22

T H I S D AY ˾ BER 11, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD ‘FG GRANTED N342BN WAIVERS TO IMPORTERS IN TWO YEARS’ signatures in the importation process.

Ali, who was represented by Assistant Comptroller General and Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone A, Katherine Chinwe Ekekezie, also said the automation will boost investors’ confidence and make for easy detection of all forms of illegalities.

The CGC said the federal government is committed to achieving a more viable economy but over the years, some players in the importation business have abused the opportunities created for them to thrive.

He said as an institution responsible for the implementation of the policy, the Nigeria Customs Service will remain committed to its success with its personnel giving their best to it.

“The IDEC portal is a simpler and smarter end-to-end automated process for Customs Import Duty Exemption application. The sensitisation featured guidelines for accessing of IDEC and refunds of custom Duty in Nigeria First phase of the sensitisation programme began in Kano while the third and final phase will be taken to Portharcourt, the Rivers State capital,” Ali said.

FAAN CAN SHORE UP IGR WITH NONAERONAUTICAL REVENUE, EXPERTS SAY visit, further disclosed that his committee has continued to consistently demand that the 25 percent compulsory remittance

by FAAN and other agencies in the aviation sector should be retained within the sector for the next ten years to develop the infrastructures.

Nnaji, who stated that the committee members were in Lagos to access what FAAN was able to do with the money appropriated to it in 2020 budget before appropriating for 2021, assured that the lawmakers would continue to work with the agencies and the Ministry of Aviation to reposition the industry for greater efficiency.

He also promised that the amendment Bill for the FAAN Act, which is before the National Assembly when passed would ensure equity for both the authority and organisations doing businesses at the airports.

NEWS

MSC, CMA CGM Shipping Performing Below Expectation, Says FG Stories by Eromosele Abiodun The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has warned two shipping companies - CMA CGM and MSC Shipping to sit up or face sanctions if they continue with their shabby way of doing business in Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary, NSC, Hassan Bello, stated this during an on-the-spot assessment of shipping companies and terminal operators operations in Nigeria.

He said the shipping companies currently score very low in performance index, adding that this was unacceptable.

Bello, who led top management of the agency on the exercise, charged shipping companies to use barges to evacuate their empty containers from the port corridors.

Freight forwarders at Nigerian ports have continuously raised alarm over the lack of holding bays by the shipping companies.

The freight forwarders had specifically accused MSC Shipping of using trucks as their holding bay while still charging demurrage.

Speaking on the cries from shippers and freight forward-

ers, Bello said the agency was going round shipping companies and terminals to ensure that processes are as quick as possible for cargoes to exit the ports.

He maintained that reports had shown that MSC performed below 50 per cent, while CMA

CGM performed above 80 per cent, but urged the liners to step up in terms of compliance.

While addressing journalists at the end of the exercise, Bello said: “We know there are challenges in the ports, but we should improve on our services. CMA CGM is

80 per cent Compliance in its operations but we still want them to improve to about 90 per cent or 95 per cent.

“We Know that there is high cost of doing business at the Nigerian ports but we want to state that no terminal operator, shipping companies

EMPOWERMENT PLATFORM

L-R: Divisional Head, Retail Services, Wema Bank Plc, Dotun Ifebogun; former MD/CEO, Wema Bank Plc, Segun Olaketuyi; Entrepreneur, Mrs. Elenda Giwa-Amu; Founder, ZigZag Nation, Mr. Obafemi Giwa-Amu and Acting Chief Digital Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Richard Madiebo, during the media launch of ZigZag Nation online empowerment platform, held in Lagos... recently

FG Directs Terminal Operators to Speed up Automation Process The federal government has expressed displeasure over the slow pace of automation of businesses at the nation’s seaports by terminal operators.

To this end, it stressed that manual operation remains one of the major challenges at the ports.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, stated this when the management of the NSC paid a courtesy visit to Ports & Cargo Handling Services

Limited, a subsidiary of Sifax Group.

Specifically, the NSC, the port economic regulator, charged the Port & Cargo Handling Services to fast track its automation processes in order to have seamless cargo evacuation at the terminal.

Bello said the company has to improve in its operations in terms of efficiency, as it takes a cargo about four months to exit the terminal via barges based on the reports received by NSC.

The company, he disclosed, scored 25 per cent out of a possible hundred in the area of port automation.

“There are issues we will like this company to work on. These issues bother on efficiency and a host lot of others. Government is trying as much as possible to fix the roads, which is about 75 per cent completed. We know the roads are bad, but we will not take that as an excuse for Nigerians to be exploited.

“We know that this company

has outlets where containers are stemmed to, to avoid port congestion. However, we expect this to be done at zero cost to the shippers. We have heard instances where P&CHS bills shippers for stemming cargoes to bonded terminals. This is unacceptable. It is against the international contract of carriage and freight, ” he added.

The NSC also called on the company to minimise delays associated with transfer and loading of barges despite the

ENL Consortium, operator of Terminals C and D of the Lagos Port Complex Apapa, has donated various types of office items including desktop computers, photocopy machines, laser jet printers, and UPS backups to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to cushion the effects of the damage done to the NPA headquarters on October 21 by suspected hoodlums.

The suspected hoodlums, under the guise of the #ENDSARS protest organised against Police brutality in the country, had set

the NPA headquarters annex building and several vehicles on fire. The arsonists also carted away several office equipment belonging to the agency.

Speaking during the donation of the items in Lagos on Tuesday, the Executive Vice Chairman/ CEO of ENL Consortium, Vicky Haastrup, reiterated her condemnation of the attack on the NPA headquarters building.

She said: “It is rather sad that anyone would attack a national asset like the Nigerian Ports Authority which is the gateway

to the Nigerian economy where vital services are rendered for the good of the generality of the people. Without the services rendered by NPA, the wellbeing of Nigerians will be in jeopardy.

“It is through the ports that vital goods come in and go out of the country. It is through the ports that goods are shipped to other countries to earn muchneeded foreign exchange.

“Thousands of Nigerians earn their living and feed their families from the work they do at the ports. NPA is

also a major revenue earner for the government. In essence, all Nigerians own NPA and benefit from the services of NPA. “It is therefore befuddling that some Nigerians would conceive the idea of attacking this institution that benefits us all and that is crucial to the economic well-being of the country.”

Haastrup, who doubles as the Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), reiterated her earlier call for security operatives to

Firm Harps on Timely Delivery in e-Commerce Business

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Emma Okonji

Goddy Ogene

Comms/e-Business Editor

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fact that these barges belong to P&CHS, adding that delays span around four months before barges are loaded and transfered.

He added: “We won’t accept this anymore. The port is a transit point, not a warehouse. In the area of automation, P&CHS has not been found to be appealing. In fact, the terminal was scored 25 per cent when other terminals were scoring 60 percent and 75 per cent. By first quarter of 2021, we need all the ports to be fully automated.”

Attack: ENL Donates Computers, Printers to NPA

Group Business Editor Capital Market Editor

or government institutions have raised any charges except for disruption and distraction by failure of infrastructure because the roads are not just too good at the moment especially Tin Can axis, but government is doing everything possible to address these worries.”

Dellyman, a tech logistics startup, with a mission to disrupt the last mile delivery system in e-Commerce business in Nigeria, has stressed the need for timely delivery of items purchased online, through a technology platform.

The company, which raised about $250,000 in pre-seed funding in addition to $50,000 in bootstrapped funds, has set up technology driven platform where customers and logistics

partners meet to transact eCommerce deliveries, designed to bring efficiency to the logistics industry.

Chief Executive Officer of Dellyman, Mr. Dare Ojo-Bello, who stressed the importance of same day delivery in logistics business, during a Partners’ Forum organised by the company in Lagos recently, said: ”Dellyman’s unique selling preposition is same day delivery, which seeks to address a peculiar industry challenge. In the logistics industry, no company

can guarantee priority and time sensitive package within a short period of time. So Dellyman’s model clearly addresses that particular industry challenge and we are very focus about same day delivery within the shortest possible time.”

Having identified the impact of COVID-19 pandemic that has brought about a new normal of digital lifestyle, increased internet penetration, increased access to smartphones and mobile devices, among others as key drivers of logistics business,

Ojo-Bello said: “Our targets and growth plans are to do between 10,000 and 30,000 deliveries per day by 2021, and later increase it to between 50,000 to 80,000 deliveries per day in the next 18-36 months and then between 150,000 and 200,000 deliveries per day in the next 48-60 months. We will also increase brand awareness and visibility through aggressive marketing campaigns and deepen technology for better customer experience and usability.”

fish out the perpetrators of the attacks.

“Those who committed this heinous crime must not be allowed to go scot-free.

I wish to once again appeal to our security operatives to fish out the criminal elements and prosecute them to serve as deterrent to others and to protect our national assets,” she said.

Haastrup said the office items were donated by ENL Consortium to support NPA “at this very difficult time”.

We do not operate warehouses and hubs and we do not sell items of any sort. What we have is an e-Commerce platform that handles logistics in terms of deliveries. Customers call us for on the spot booking of items for deliveries and we deliver same day within Lagos and its environs, Ojo-Bello said, adding that Dellyman will continue to leverage technology to meet up with all our services like training, same day delivery, insurance of packages, technical clinics, verifying riders, among others.

23

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

NCAA Adopts New Debt Collection Method for Domestic Airlines Stories by Chinedu Eze The Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu has said the agency has adopted new method of debt collection for airlines.

Also, Nuhu said NCAA has reached a compromise with airline operators to ensure that debts owed the agency are reconciled and payment plan agreed in a way that it would not hurt the airlines’ operations, considering the cash crunch facing the industry.

Nuhu also said between now and 2024, NCAA would be developing all its regional offices, providing adequate training, manpower to ensure that the regulatory agency provides its services in all parts of the country.

The Director General made this known on Wednesday when he played host to the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation carried out facility

tour of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos as part of its oversight function of the industry.

Nuhu who enumerated some of the immediate needs of NCAA said the regulator understands the difficulty brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the agency would institute a payment plan that would be favourable to both the agency and operators and also establish robust relationship between it and the airlines.

“We are empowering five regional offices to ensure the job in smaller areas get done and they do not have to refer to Lagos or Abuja. It brings regulation closer to the operators outside Lagos and Abuja, opening more regional offices in the country.

“Already Port Harcourt takes care of the South-east and South-south and we are looking at opening a regional office in Enugu for the South-east.

We are looking at another one in either Maiduguri or Yola

for the North-east, Ilorin for the middle-belt and Uyo or Calabar for the South-south,” he said.

The Director General also explained that training for inspectors and other regulatory staff was key to the agency, adding that the NCAA was competing for manpower especially pilots and engineers with airlines that pay better.

Nuhu, however, said it was important because the inspectors with the NCAA needed more training to be in touch with the trends in the industry so that they can do their job better and the only way to retain these pilots and engineers was to make the remuneration nearly at par with the airlines to keep them.

The Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nnoli Nnaji said the lawmakers were on oversight function and would look at what the NCAA has done and intends to do with what as been allocated and would be allocated to them

NDLEA Uncovers New Methods of Concealing Drugs The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Special Area Command, Abuja has uncovered two new methods drug traffickers adopt to evade the prying eyes of law enforcement personnel.

Spokesman of the agency, Jonah Acheme disclosed in a statement that the new methods were uncovered in two separate operations at the airport, leading to the seizure of 14.4 kilograms of Cocaine.

“In the first operation, the Command intercepted a consignment of four packets of chocolate sweets of white substances which tested positive to Cocaine weighing 7.2 kilograms while in the second operation it uncovered 12 parcels of cellophane wrappers with whitish substances which also tested positive to Cocaine weighing another 7.2 kilograms.

“The first operation involved

Da Silva Mailson Mario, a Brazilian aged 23 who was arrested with a suit case containing the packets of the chocolate sweet during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airline ET 911 which originated from Brazil en-route Addis Ababa to Abuja.

“The second operation involved Elechi Adindu Kingsley, a Nigerian aged 39 who was arrested with a bag containing cellophane bags during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airline flight Et 911,” the agency said.

The statement also explained that Mario who spoke through an interpreter decided to be silent on all questions put to him.

“He was only inquisitive about the jail terms his alleged offence may attract in Nigeria,” the statement said.

But Kingsley, an indigene of Umulolo Local Government Area of Imo State who has been living in Brazil for the past 13

years said he would not blame anybody for his involvement.

“I am an adult and I am fully aware of what I was going into.

I agree that somebody gave it to me but I offered to carry it”, Kingsley who was promised N3 million upon safe delivery of the drugs to somebody in Nigeria said.

According to him, he was in Nigeria preparatory to his wedding in January 2021.

Also speaking on the discovery of these new modes of concealment, Commander of NDLEA Abuja Airport Command, Kabir Sani Tsakuwa said there is no underestimating the imagination of drug merchants.

“What is expected of us is not only to counter their devices but to think ahead of them.

As we can see, any step they take, we are many steps ahead, hence the results we are seeing.

I wish to promise them more frustration,” he said.

Airlines Recorded 78.6% Fall in Passenger Traffic in October African airlines’ traffic sank by 78.6 per cent in October, which was an improvement from an 84.9 per cent drop in September and the best performance among the regions. Capacity contracted 67.5 per cent and load factor fell 23.8 percentage points to 45.5 per cent.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the recovery of passenger demand continued to be disappointingly slow in October.

Total demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was down 70.6 per cent compared to October 2019. This was just a modest improvement from the 72.2 per cent year-to-year decline

recorded in September. Capacity was down 59.9 per cent compared to a year ago and load factor fell 21.8 percentage points to 60.2 per cent.

International passenger demand in October was down 87.8 per cent compared to October 2019, virtually unchanged from the 88 per cent year-to-year decline recorded in September. Capacity was 76.9 per cent below previous year levels, and load factor shrank 38.3 percentage points to 42.9 per cent.

Domestic demand drove what little recovery there was, with October domestic traffic down 40.8 per cent compared to the prior year.

This was improved from a 43.0 per cent year-to-year decline

in September. Capacity was 29.7 per cent below 2019 levels and the load factor dropped 13.2 percentage points to 70.4 per cent.

“Fresh outbreaks of COVID-19 and governments’ continued reliance on heavyhanded quarantines resulted in another catastrophic month for air travel demand. While the pace of recovery is faster in some regions than others, the overall picture for international travel is grim.

“This uneven recovery is more pronounced in domestic markets, with China’s domestic market having nearly recovered, while most others remain deeply depressed,” said IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac.

‘Why Nigeria Needs Aircraft Maintenance Facility’ Chinedu Eze The cost of aircraft maintenance for Nigerian airlines overseas has become very expensive because of the drop in the value of the naira.

According to industry experts, Nigerian operators would save about 35 per cent of the cost of aircraft maintenance, put at over $2.5 billion annually if the facility were located in the country.

Since five years ago some industry stakeholders have been canvassing for the establishment of free zone at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos that could house maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, aircraft spare facility and other aviation related services.

Aviation investment expert and Managing Partner, TMSS Logistics, Alhaji Nuhu Adam, told THISDAY that the need to have free zone for such facilities at the Lagos airport was crucial if domestic airlines must grow and if Nigeria must benefit from the air transport sector.

Adam, who was former General Manager, Business Development, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said the choice of Lagos was important because presently, the state ranks as the commercial capital of Nigeria and the nerve centre for multidimensional economic activities in the country. He noted that the state is arguably the most industrialised and developed city in the country with the highest individual per capita income.

“The neighboring Ogun state and its host status to a multiplicity of industries constitute another reason for the establishment of the MMIA, Ikeja – Lagos Free Zone, considering that companies in these region can set up Free Zone Enterprises (FZE) arms of their organizations in order to tap from, and benefit maximally from the free zone when established.

“The neighboring nations of Benin Republic, Togo and Cameroon stand to benefit from the backward integration gains of the establishment of an aviation hub and a modern free zone at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

“The main objective for start-up of a modern free zone with industrial characteristics is to attract those investors who will build the industrial infrastructure for the production of goods ready for exports, and for engendering world class service delivery and fostering international best practices within the free zone and its adjoining business clusters,” Adam said.

Adam listed the benefits of the free zone to include the increase in national exports and decrease in deficit in the country’s current account, the creation of new jobs and new added value and the increase in the dynamics of economic activities and generation of new entrepreneurial opportunities.

Others include the transfer of new technologies, knowledge, skills, good organisational and managerial business practice, the reduction of any existing regional imbalance and the encouragement and advancement of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).

The main objective for start-up of a modern free zone with industrial characteristics is to attract those investors who will build the industrial infrastructure

Nuhu “It is our considered belief that the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja-Lagos Free zone, will achieve these and more when established. Possibilities and advantages available with the establishment of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja-Lagos Free Zone.

“We envisage that myriad of opportunities will accrue to the nation’s economy when the MMIA, Ikeja-Lagos Free zone is established and become operational. These include the following among others: the call for an aviation hub and an aviation based Free Zone in Nigeria will not only address the critical infrastructure deficit, but will curtail capital flights in the country.

“It is on record that the Nigerian airlines, the nation’s Presidential fleet, Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Police spend an estimated $2.5 billion annually in conducting C-checks and other levels of aircraft maintenance overseas. These services can be done by the companies that will be attracted to establish their presence within our aviation hub and the MMIA, Ikeja-Lagos Free Zone.”

Adam said establishing the MMIA, IkejaLagos free zone would provide employment, grow aviation technology, which will eventually lead to manufacturing of aircraft spares.

There will also be the formation of Aircraft Maintenance Organizations (AMO) in the country, comprising of Fixed Base Operators, Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MROs) and all those involved in the maintenance of aircrafts.

“Today, the dominant MRO players on the continent can be divided into African and non-African operators. The African MRO providers include South African Airways Technical (SAAT), Ethiopian Airlines Maintenance and Engineering, Kenya Airways Technical, Air Algerie Technics and Tunisair Technics.

“This leaves a huge market for the West and Central Africa which the MMIA, IkejaLagos free zone will seek to serve with the provision of trade facilitation incentives to MROs who will establish their presence at the zone. An estimated $2.5 billion revenue is expected to be accrued annually.

“The aviation sub-sector in Nigeria had suffered because of its inability to establish a proper One Stop Shop solution in the aviation value chain. Thus, the establishment of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja-Lagos free zone and the aviation hub will mitigate some of the missing links and strengthen the weak supply chains that will ensure that the airline aspect of the business maintains a balance in its cost-intensity,” Adam said.

He also observed that it was logical to look at areas of synergy to grow the budding market, as domestic airlines and Nigeria would benefit immensely from the facility.

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T H I S D AY ˾ BER 11, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Lawan: Moral Decadence Aiding Drug Use in Nigeria The Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Federal Capital Territory Command, Hamisu Lawan, in this interview says moral decay, lack of parental guidance and greed are the key factors fueling the use and trafficking of illicit drugs in Nigeria. Chinedu Eze presents the excerpts:

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guideline. You know the moment you have his lordship on the bench, he decides what happens depending on what other facts that are available to him.

hat made you choose to build your career in a para-military organisation, NDLEA? For me I have always been thinking of service to my country and specifically I am more concerned and touched by what service I can do that will add value to security and wellbeing of the citizens. And I think NDLEA incidentally falls in line with that. Not only security but also the wellbeing of citizens; so that is clearly what informed my decision to join the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Is NDLEA looking at adopting new strategies because I heard that the traffickers are becoming more sophisticated?

Clearly, these criminals will always want to try another strategy to delude the watchful eyes of the law, but we always catch them up through training and intelligence. That has always been the situation world over, they try the first point and succeed and then they come, the second or the third might not be as successful, as it were. So for us collaboration is key, because manpower is there, capacity building is there, partnership is very, very important and I think that is the way to go. I can assure you now that the present leadership fully understood that, training is important and it requires more hands and government has graciously approved that and it is ongoing.

Having put so many years in the service and still committed to serving the country, would you say that you are fulfilled?

Yes, I must say that I am fulfilled somehow, I can also say no. Why yes? Because to the glory of God I am able to contribute and I am still contributing my own quota to what I believe in and what I thought the government is equally concerned with. So I am certainly fulfilled on that. No, because I am still not too comfortable because the drug challenge still remains. So, in a sense, I can say that it is still work in progress.

You know every country has a drug issue and most countries make attempts to curtail the movement and use of drugs.

So, what is the progress report and can you say drug use and trafficking is abating in Nigeria with all the efforts the agency is putting in the fight?

One thing I will take as an advantage and opportunity to explain on matter of drug abuse and drug trafficking is that it is an evolving phenomenon. It keeps on changing shapes, so what every country tries to achieve is to be on top of the situation. That is being in control of the situation. Because when you control cocaine and heroin trafficking the tendency of switching over to such other substitute is there. And I think that is where the challenge is in Nigeria now.

People argue that many youngsters are abusing drugs as a way to escape from hardship due to poverty, unemployment and so on. Do you agree with this view?

It shouldn’t be because I am a practitioner, I am in the field; I have cause to arrest persons that have some legitimate business. Our records indicate that many who have been arrested in the past were well to do. I am sure if you are following our presentations, our engagements with the media, you will have quite a number of people that are well established and doing well and professionally inclined; but yet well into drug dealings. Well, for the abuse, incidentally you have some people from very big and established homes. So, how do you now explain the situation using the issue of poverty and unemployment? So, I think it falls on other factors, and for some others I can assure you, we are losing the societal value. And somehow we have quite a number of parents that are found wanting in the society especially in the responsibility of parenting. Collectively, the family is the first state of the society. I think in a number of families are dysfunctional. They are not inculcating the right behaviour in their children and wards. The families are not necessarily broken down but dysfunctional.

I think these are the clear explanations as to what accounts for some of these gaps.

What would you say are the immediate challenges for you and the agency?

Well, you know there are three pillars per task – competency, which is the law, capacity, that is the manpower, then completing, that is the resource. So now, competence, yes, we have the competence, we have the enabling act that says NDLEA should do A and B. That is supply reduction and demand reduction.

Now in terms of capacity, I think it is still work in progress because we still need more manpower, we still need more training and I think these are big inhibitions. Then the other one is the capability. The capability we

Lawan are talking of the platform. How many state commands we have? What infrastructure do we have in such state commands? How capable are those area commands? What is their strength? I think this is an area resources remain a challenge.

In terms of partnership or collaboration with other countries, training and intelligence, which countries would you say have been cooperating with Nigeria?

When you asked this question, it equally reminds me of even the competency. Locally, we do cooperate with quite a number of sister agencies within the country. But I think what is important is that the government should take a look at some of the existing laws that were hitherto domiciled in other institutions.

Those laws can be reviewed, moderated or even repealed. This is because in some cases it creates overlap of work. In term of collaboration with international community, NDLEA has always been there, we have been key. And remember, part of the assessment of the NDLEA is not necessarily even from within Nigeria because what happens in Nigeria, what the NDLEA does attracts the international community, so international community is interested party. At one time, we belong to one of the drug major list in the world, the list that is being championed by the United States. So somehow, we were lucky, after resilience and hard work, we exited out of that drug list. And in terms of collaboration especially in the area of training, I can tell you that the United Nations Office on Drugs and crime (UNODC) this year has remained quite wonderful. This is because over the last 10 years, UNODC has been closing quite a number of gaps,

especially in specialised training of most of our officers under the auspices of what they call Response Drug and Crime. And I think that is quite a wonderful partnership that we have with organisation. But that is not to underestimate the operational collaboration with UK border force and other support from other countries and organisations.

I noticed that most often NDLEA is always disappointed with the sentencing the court gives to drug traffickers who lose their cases?

Well, this is one issue that is outside you and me. What we know is what I told you, but the law establishing NDLEA made adequate provision in the books. If a person is found wanting, he get pronouncement, and for us it is quite adequate. But remember in the judiciary they equally have what they call principles directing guidelines of sentencing and you know I might not be too competent to comment on what happens in the judiciary.

I think that is something for the judiciary to answer.

Is it possible for NDLEA to push a bill in the National Assembly to strengthen some of those laws so that they will get higher sentencing?

Everything is possible, it all depends on what you really want to achieve. Like I said, take a very close look at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, you can see that it has made provision to the extent of even life imprisonment. But you hardly hear of life sentence. So like I said it is clearly something that has to do with the judiciary, which they will have to answer. Because like I said, there is what they call sentencing

Our records indicate that many who have been arrested in the past were well to do. I am sure if you are following our presentations, our engagements with the media, you will have quite a number of people that are well established and doing well and professionally inclined

In terms of rehabilitation, what is your view about rehabilitating drug addicts?

That is one key responsibility assigned by law to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. Where it states that we are to carry out demand reduction efforts. But over time I must admit, over the last 30 years of NDLEA existence, I think that is one area that we are having some challenges. But now we understand and I can guarantee you going forward, the present leadership understood that there is need for more counseling centres.

Not only counseling centres appropriate counseling centres with appropriate staffing and appropriate skills. And I think that is the way to go, because most of what we are now having or most of the people or the new entrant into drug addiction are principally involved because of the gaps. Due to the serious work NDLEA is doing many drug users have not been able to access cocaine and heroin, they could readily get codeine.

It is because these are medicines that can be obtained somewhere in the pharmacy.

What they do is, they are doing essential drugs, which even by normal convention that they must be made available and affordable by every responsible company. But unfortunately because of some of these gaps of not enlightening people of the dangers of some of these things, most people are getting into it as substitute for cocaine and heroin.

Recently media association recognised you for the excellent job you are doing.

How did you feel when you got this award?

Well, the feeling is mixed, mixed response because one, I was just thinking and believing that I was just doing my routine work. I felt encouraged when I realised that the mirror of whom I thought am serving equally recognised that. So, when the press crew decide to now appraise and award you, it is like society doing it, because it is the mirror of society, so I was quite honoured.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is about the most sensitive formation of the agency because of the high profile nature of the people there. How is the Commander copying with pressure from the highs and low?

You see, it is not about the person; already professionally everybody is expected to have been trained as to how to respond to such issues. Except that with additional training your skills can now come out clearly. And that is what we are striving to achieve and to the glory of God, I think we are trying our best and we will keep on trying.

What message do you have for the Nigerian youths concerning drug abuse?

I have always been saying this: that we must know and be conscious of our tomorrow.

And we kept on saying that youths are the future of this country, so you must not ruin that future. We must say no to drugs.

T H I S D AY ˾ BER 11, 2020

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BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Building Sustainable Transport Infrastructure in Nigeria If the federal government implements recommendations at the national transportation summit organised by the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria, it will help Nigeria to build infrastructures that will sustain its development, writes Eromosele Abiodun

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ustainable transportation is any means/mode of transport that does not impact negatively on the society or the environment but enhances economic growth, promotes trade opportunities, and improves access to basic facilities. The United Nations defines it as a transport means that better integrates the economy while respecting the environment.

For a transport system to be reckoned with as sustainable, it must be economically, morally, socially, and environmentally friendly.

Transportation infrastructure in Nigeria includes road and highways, railway, canal and navigable waterways, seaports and lighthouses, airports, mass transit systems, bicycle paths and pedestrian walkways and ferries.

Transportation infrastructure is very essential for the economic and social development of all countries as well as for supporting regional and global co-operations and economies.

However, poor transport infrastructure and lack of access to safe and effective transport infrastructure,constrain development in many developing countries. These problems are exacerbated or exasperated by population growth and urbanization.

At independence in 1960, Nigerians inherited a vibrant, buoyant flourishing and efficient system from the colonial administration.

Although, the single-tracknarrow gauge network train diagonally across the country, it was well able to haul all the agricultural products growth in the far north to the seaports at Lagos and Port Harcourt. Sadly, that is not the story today. Nigeria, a country of over 200 million inhabitants and an annual population growth rate of 2.6 per cent according to the World Bank, faces several transportation challenges.

Lagos, Nigeria’s most populated state is home to over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s transport problems; a population of over 18million people and 7 million passengers per day, who get the limited roads congested and the air polluted from transport activities.

It is also the economic hub of Nigeria yet, suffers from limited transportation facilities and produces half of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.

However, efforts are now being made to address the several challenges.

Leading the charge is the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA).

Since last year, the institute has been working to bring experts together to fashion out ways to remedy the situation. Last week, the institute held its annual transportation summit where experts proffered solution to transportation challenges in the country.

The summit was tagged, “Building Sustainable Transport Infrastructure in Nigeria: Opportunities, Innovation and Technology.”

Gowon advocates PPP Speaking at the summit, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd) advocated Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement between the government and private sector to bridge Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit and transform the nation’s transportation sector.

Gowon, who was the chairman of the summit, said development of Nigeria’s transport Infrastructure shouldn’t be left in the hand of the private or public sector alone.

He said critical stakeholders in the transport sector, policy makers and technical experts must think deeply on how to evolve and create innovative strategies to advance the transport system in the country.

According to him, “The task of advancing the transport system cannot be left to government alone. It requires partnership between the public sector, the private sector, civil society and the general public. Public participation, confidence and support are paramount in this campaign of building a virile transport system in our country.

“We must embark upon an intensive campaign to make more public and private sectors accountable and performance oriented, with a view to provide the citizenry with proficient transport system. We must inculcate code of ethical conduct, transparency and accountability into the whole of the transportation system for national development.”

Nigeria had embarked on a programme of transport sector reforms since 1999, adding that the reforms were ongoing to rebuild the transport infrastructure base of the country.

He reiterated the need to create competitive environment in the transport market, which could be achieved by unbundling of the existing monopoly structure, represented by the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

Ogwude, who is also the President and Chief Consultant Socent Management Consult Limited, said that there was need to unbundle the monopoly structure of Ministry of Works, Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) as well as Federal Air Port Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to enable fair trading and enhanced private sector participation in the industry.

According to him, “Until the transport industry transforms onto a truly market economy, with legislative institutions on technical as well as economical and economic regulation adding that opportunities for innovation and technology in sustainable transport infrastructure development would remain challenged.

Jamo

“May I therefore, at this juncture implore all the critical stakeholders in the transport sector, policy makers and technical experts at this summit to think deeply on how we can evolve and create innovative strategies to advance the transport system in the country, “ he charged.

He, however, charged transport experts at the summit to unveil additional strategies for the nation’s transport system to improve.

“I leave this to the transport experts present at this summit, who will help us to unveil these strategies at this summit for implementation for our transport system. It is worthy of note that the summit is designed to provide a platform for critical examination and participation on the way forward of the concept of the economy that affects all other sectors for national development.

“Therefore, we all have to be involved in finding ways to improve the transportation sector in our country, and not to destroy what we have as recently happened in Lagos during the #EndSARs crisis when over 150 Lagos buses were destroyed. I think the citizenry; the public have really cautioned themselves not to repeat this sort of thing,” he said.

“The nation must embark on a realistic and honest assessment of our national transport system in Nigeria and reposition the transport sector. Unfortunately, the nation has come under the burden of economic challenge of Covid-19 pandemic and the dwindling oil fortunes , which marred critical impact we ought to have made , in order to revitatlise our transportation system in the country,” he stated.

Also speaking, the President, CIoTA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said the crux of the discussion at the summit was on how to improve nation’s transport infrastructure through PPP. “The brain of the summit is how we can improve our infrastructure. Not necessarily rely on Government but the PPP arrangement.

You can look at Lekki expressway to Epe. Now we have numbers of tollgate for the investors to recoup their investment.

“We can now venture into other means of creating extra bridges maybe across Tin Can port or Apapa to other side where we can be able to park containers and then move easily in terms of planning, which is what we are thinking is the best way to fast track infrastructure development, “he said.

Value of road assets Also speaking, Prof. Damidele Badejo said Nigeria is losing a whooping N250 billion

annually in value of its roads assets and motor vehicle operating costs.

The university Don stated this while delivering a paper Titled, “Transport Infrastructure and Smart City Development in Nigeria.”

Badejo, who is of the Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, added that Lagos State is suffering far greater losses than other states because of the commercial activity in the state.

He said: “The road mode is the dominant mode of transportation in Lagos, it accounts for about 95 per cent of all movements by transportation both for goods, passengers and services. Transportation in Lagos state can therefore be described as unimodal, predominantly used by cars, buses, motorcyclists, bicycle and pedestrians.

“Furthermore, the strategic road network in Lagos can be described as primary, distributor and collector roads that more than 650km.

Available information indicated that more than 300,000 vehicle and over 400,000 motorcycle are registered annually in Lagos, with very high deteriorating and depreciating rate.”

He stated that the challenges associated with road transportation system in Lagos is very glaring in the daily commuting of over 10 million passengers between Lagos mainland and Lagos Island using about 60,000 unregulated mini and midi informal buses, which are operated predominantly by the private sector in addition to less than 1000 BRT buses in use.

The university don said smart transport infrastructure should be designed to be valuable.

Badejo said a smart city would change the governance of a city as it influences the cooperation among stakeholders acting in the transport field.

“Smart city, smart transport and smart transport infrastructure appears to be a promising evolution but can also bring about potential reinforcing inequalities segregation effects. San Francisco is one of the top-ranked in smart mobility challenge were high vehicles ownership and congestions such that drivers in the waste an average of 150 hours every year in traffic, having realised the effect of mobility change of the efficiency of the city, “he stated.

Also speaking, Chairman of the CIOTA Summit Intellectual /Technical Committee, Prof. Innocent Ogwude, advocated competitive environment for transport sector to attract more investment in transport infrastructure.

Ogwude added that following global trends,

FG’s investment In his speech, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, said President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to transforming the sector hence the investment in railway across the country.

He said Buhari will inaugurate the newly constructed Lagos-Ibadan rail line by January 2021.

Amaechi said Buhari is a committed reformer and is determined to change the face of transportation in the country.

He noted that the rail project had been delivered, but its usage would commence before the official inauguration. He also disclosed that he had approved the fares for the route.

“I just got the mandate from President Buhari that he would inaugurate the LagosIbadan railway in January 2021. However, they should have been operating even before that time. I also have approved the cost of transportation by rail from Lagos to Ibadan.

We just transferred the cost, as that of Kaduna, which we think is quite fair,” he said.

Amaechi stated that the Buhari administration was committed to reviving and improving the entire transport infrastructure in the country.

He stressed that there were already many visible changes, especially in the aviation and maritime subsectors of the transportation industry.

The minister stated: “In the transport sector under this government, a lot is going on, like working to complete the terminals under aviation. I am sure you would have seen changes at the Port Harcourt airport and Abuja. I am sure the Minister of Aviation will tell us very soon when the airport in Kano and the one in Lagos would be completed.”

While commending the activities of CIoTA under the leadership of Jamoh, Amaechi stated that the Federal Ministry of Transportation would partner with the Institute to encourage professionalism in the transport sector as well as ensure seamless and effective transportation across all modes.

In his remarks earlier, Jamoh, who is also Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), lauded the effort of the federal government to upgrade the transport infrastructure.

He said CIoTA was promoting professionalism and training to aid the government with the right manpower to man the transport infrastructure.

“The journey for the Institute has begun.

We are building on broad policies anchored on a tripod of professionalism; education, research and development; and advocacy.”

To ensure professionalism, Jamoh said CIoTA was working hard to empower members with the required skills, knowledge and expertise to man the country’s transportation infrastructure.

“The Institute is also working with universities and other tertiary institutions to try to build professionalism in the transport sector from the undergraduate level, he said, adding that committees have been set up to follow up on policy recommendations from CIoTA to ensure their implementation,” he said.

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T H I S D AY ˾ BER 11, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Bridging the Gap in Governance Idris Rufai

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he events that took place in October, 2020, have been the most challenging in Nigeria’s history, particularly since its return to democratic governance in 1999.

For the benefit of hindsight, the #EndSARS protests that engulfed the country and shook its fabric and foundation were reportedly triggered by the alleged brutal killing of a young Nigerian in his SUV during a chase by the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Delta State.

While there was (or is still) no evidence to the effect that the young man died eventually at the hospital, the unfortunate incident ignited a momentous and monumental nationwide protestation of historic proportion.

It is pertinent to state that the failure of the federal government to implement necessary recommendations from different reports submitted to it on police reforms, and in particular, its flip-flop approach at dealing with the notorious police unit codenamed SARS before it was scrapped, created a policy gap in modern policing in Nigeria for far too long.

The #EndSARS protests, like never before, have revealed the fragile state of the Nigerian state. Police brutality, especially by the disbanded SARS, is just one of the many symptoms of bad policing in our country.

In the course of my official duties over the past 10 years as co-Founder/Executive Director of Peoples Leadership Mission (PLM) – a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting leadership and human capital development, and policy advocacy – I have taken up several cases of police brutality with different police divisions and formations in several states, bringing me to face-to-face discussions with commissioners of police, area commanders, divisional police officers, and the rank and file. And in all of those years, I have witnessed police brutality in different forms – extortions, intimidation, torture, unlawful arrests and detention, and

Buhari

other forms of injustice against the people they (police personnel) are paid to protect. I have also experienced, I must add, excellent and professional conduct by exemplary police officers and men.

My wonderful and interesting encounter with Mr. Ahmed Iliyasu, former commissioner of police in Ogun state, and now Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone ‘2’ Lagos, readily comes to mind.

Indeed, the effects of the #EndSARS protests have not only exposed the symptoms of bad policing, they have more than ever before revealed the unacknowledged and undeniable rot in governance system in Nigeria.

This was evident in the constant change of the protests’ narratives from, for instance, #EndSARS, to #EndPoliceBrutality, and to #EndBadGovernance.

I was opportune to participate and observe the protests on October 13, 2020 at

three locations – Lekki Toll Plaza, Gbagada and CMS in Lagos Island. The experience was remarkable. For me, the greatest message or take away from the protests in Lagos and across several states in the country is that contrary to the consensus or notion before now, the Nigerian society is not an entirely a docile society, and that people will get good governance whenever they make up their minds.

More significantly, the #EndSARS protests have revealed the gap in governance in Nigeria, and sounded a strong warning to the ruling class, that they can only continue to take the people for granted at their own peril.

The protests also echoed the fact that in a working democracy, power truly belongs to the people.

However, the events that followed the protests were to damaging to be ignored.

The hijack of the protests by the so-called enraged hoodlums, and the derailment of the protests message by unseen forces have set this nation back in terms of the quantum of years of development strides that have been eroded, and the amount of resources required to rebuild.

No matter the divide anyone belongs to, using the unfortunate, avoidable incident in Lekki Toll Gate on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 as a pretext or opportunity for morbid expression of dissatisfaction and disapproval of the state of governance, and the obvious deteriorating living condition of majority of Nigerians to cause carnage, is highly regrettable.

But this actually calls into question, the primary responsibilities of government. For instance, how can one explain the irony of a Nigerian state where a few who are extremely rich and influential always call for ‘patience’ and ‘sacrifice’ from vast majority who are indigent, hopeless and insecure?

This clarion call is usually heard whenever Nigeria’s corporate existence or national security is threatened by protests or revolt from its angry populace. Why is it that those in charge of governance refuse to

understand that equitable distribution of national prosperity is the best form of nation security?

Many have argued, (and I am inclined to agree), that the widespread looting and destruction across the states after the unfortunate disperse of the EndSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Plaza by Army personnel even before the Lagos state curfew was to come to effect is a manifestation of the level of hunger and anger in the land, and that the only existing fault line in our country is the widening inequality gap.

The wanton destruction of public and private property; small, medium and large sized businesses in Lagos metropolis, other state capitals and major cities across several states, is condemnable. This, clearly, was never the intention of the #EndSARS protesters – it is never a Nigerian value!

That said, filling the huge gap in governance at these critical times is the greatest task before those who are in charge of Nigeria. Nigeria is in a new phase of its existence where public office holders, particularly elected officials, must rethink their approaches to governance, and embark on series of policy changes and interventions to prevent the ‘imminent.’ They must, like never before, redistribute and reapply people’s commonwealth by investing in real and sustainable social protection programmes with certainty and potential to lift poor Nigerians out of their present state of lack, into a condition of comfort and convenience.

The world’s attention was drawn to Nigeria last October when its young people decided to take their destinies in their own hands, and led a cause for the survival of millions of voiceless Nigerians. They demonstrated to those who care to listen that they must have a say in the way they would like to be governed – and their message was loud and clear.

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

Samsung Heavy Industries Strengthens Leadership Position in Offshore Technology Peter Uzoho

D

espite the slump in crude oil prices, which may push the oil majors and minors to defer projects, the global shipbuilding giant, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has continued to improve on its technological expertise to maintain its leadership position in the offshore industry.

The company has also improved on its expertise in topside design and construction, which are key components of offshore development facilities.

The drop in oil prices following the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which eroded demand in the oil market in March 2020, led companies to cut costs to remain competitive.

But even with the uncertainty in the offshore market outlook, SHI has remained undaunted due to the global oil industry’s belief that fluctuations in short-term oil prices do not affect oil projects, given the long-term nature of oil and gas projects.

SHI announced on Monday 23rd, November that it has signed a $2.5 billion deal with a European company to provide ship blocks and other equipment.

The deal, the largest order ever the shipyard has clinched will be finalised in December 2025.

The company has continued to wax stronger and stronger with the expectation that the market environment can be turned around when oil prices rise given that projects of oil companies are not dependent on the short term changes in oil prices.

A recent update issued by the Korean company on its technological innovation, showed that it has invested heavily to build more capacity and capability in offshore projects, where companies manufacture, supply, and operate equipment for drilling and producing oil and gas buried on the seabed.

Its main customers are major oil producers

Mohammed and state-owned oil companies in oil-producing countries.

According to the update, SHI has built more Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units than any other shipbuilder around the world.

In addition, the report also showed that SHI is recognised by world’s leading oil producers for its accumulated shipbuilding technologies in offshore development facilities.

These facilities include fixed offshore platform, TLP, and floating offshore structure, which require a high level of stability and technology.

With these technological acquisitions, the company said it has effectively demonstrated excellent turnkey-producing abilities.

As a result, it was awarded the order for the world’s largest offshore platform by the SEIC (Sakhalin Energy Investment Company) and the order for the world’s largest Egina FPSO

by Total in France.

These major achievements by SHI were game changers in the oil and gas industry.

The Managing Director of Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria (SHIN) Limited, Mr. Jejin Jeon, attributed the company’s successful bid for the Egina project to the company’s commitment to developing Nigeria’s economy and investing in its workforce.

“Before the Egina project, most maritime construction for Africa’s oil and gas projects took place outside of Africa. Nigeria did not have the capacity to fabricate and integrate an FPSO locally,” Jeon explained.

“A component of our winning bid was its emphasis on meeting the stringent new local content law, which requires foreign investors into Nigeria’s oil and gas sector to involve a high proportion of local workers.

“In order to achieve this, we invested heavily in training to develop the skills needed to construct the FPSO locally. Many were skeptical as to whether local fabrication would meet international standards, but through rigorous training and health, safety and environmental oversight, the Egina project stands as an example

of that local fabrication can be world-class and positions Nigeria as a fabrication hub of Africa,” Jeon added.

The Egina FPSO, which has a total storage capacity of 2.3 million barrels, contributes 10 per cent of Nigeria’s total oil production.

There is no doubt that SHIN’s involvement in the Egina project will help ripple effects far beyond the construction of a single FPSO. It would be recalled that in 2010, the company unveiled a method of construction combining the upper structure with the lower structure of a drilling facility on the sea while undertaking a project for Gazflot in Russia. SHI is especially pioneering new markets, such as the market for FLNG (Floating Liquefied Natural Gas facility) making LNG produced on the water.

In 2011, SHI received an order to build the world’s first and largest FLNG with an annual production capacity of 3.6 million tonnes from Royal Dutch- Shell and successfully completed the delivery in 2017.

With the successful completion of this project, SHI secured FLNG orders from Petronas of Malaysia and Italy’s ENI, taking the lead in the market of new vessels.

SHI had earlier set a goal to win orders for offshore plants worth $2.5 billion in 2020.

To achieve this goal, it made proactive efforts to win orders for offshore facility building projects of which bidding processes were underway, such as Shell Bonga SW Aparo FPSO, Petrobras FPSO and HI-Block Platform.

By winning orders for projects similar to those it successfully executed in the past and making the most use of its experiences in shipbuilding, the company aims to achieve the optimum level of profit and loss as well as minimise risks that hindered it from achieving its goals.

SHI had in 2019, secured an order for one FPSO from Reliance in India, which is worth $1.05 billion.

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 08038901925

Hon. Oluwabunmi Amao: Championing the Revival of Africa’s Rich Cultural Heritage

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Hon. Oluwabunmi Amao: Championing the Revival of Africa’s Rich Cultural Heritage On Tuesday, September 1, 2020, Hon. Oluwabunmi Ayobami Amao assumed office as the new Director General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation. Few months down the line, CHIEMELIE EZEOBI writes that Amao has established herself as a champion of Arts and Culture with her constant move to revive and restore the rich cultural heritage of Africans and African Diaspora

U

ndoubtedly, Africa is a continent endowed with a diverse and rich cultural heritage.

But over the years, some of the hitherto rich cultural heritage have been greatly eroded, with some phased out completely, due to certain factors like colonialism, westernisation and religion.

To tackle these issues, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), a department under the Ministry of Communication and Information was borne.

CBAAC’s Role The role of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) in restoring Africa’s rich cultural heritage cannot be understated.

In fact, when CBAAC was established, it was on the premise that it would promote African heritage and culture.

Strategically, as a foremost cultural agency, CBAAC has a key mandate and plays a crucial role in making Nigeria the arrowhead in the presentation, preservation, promotion and propagation of African cultural heritage.

To achieve this, CBAAC preserves, utilises and augments materials, which represent the invaluable contributions made by intellectuals, writers and artists who were the moving spirit behind the execution of FESTAC ’77.

Appointment As it is with such critical centers, the leadership is often by appointment. Thus, on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, Ms. Oluwabunmi Ayobami Amao assumed office as the new Director-General of CBAAC. The appointment took effect in accordance with a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 by the Special Assistant to the President (Media), Office of the Minister of Information and Culture, Segun Adeyemi.

With the appointment, Amao became the sixth substantive DG of the centre. She took over from Mrs Osaro Osayande who served in the capacity of the director overseeing the office of the Director-General between December 2019 and August, 2020.

Upon assumption of office, she appealed for maximum cooperation among members of staff and the management team, as she also sought for their full support, team work and utmost synergy in order to accomplish more feats for the centre in the next four years of her tenure.

Immediately she assumed office, she threw herself into her role and has over the past few months proven that her appointment was not a fluke.

Championing Cultural Revival, Restoration As a champion of culture, Amao has in each forum she appeared, reiterated CBAAC’s commitment to championing the revival and restoration of the rich Cultural Heritage of Africans and African Diaspora.

According to her, culture as a bedrock of the society must be cherished and showcased as it define humans.

She noted that culture is one of the inexhaustible resources Africa is endowed with, adding that unlike other resources

Hon. Oluwabunmi Amao

that are not renewable, investment in culture and cultural programmes represent true economic diversification with the advantage of being in-exhaustive.

Meanwhile, to achieve several of the center ’s set goals, Amao has since assumption of office organised international conferences and public lectures.

Also, she has sustained the pedestal of ensuring that CBAAC, as a research centre, is open to academic and research collaborations with other allied institutions.

Commitment to the Girl-Child Asides other causes she constantly champions, she is also known to promote the empowerment of the girl-child. During the recently commemorated 2020 International Day of the Girl Child, CBAAC and by extension, Amao, reaffirmed commitment to end scourge of violence against adolescent girls and to promote their empowerment in all ramifications.

According to her, the girl child faces

multiple challenges largely attributed to their age and gender, adding that such ”ethnic biases, cultural norms, religion, societal pressure, peer group, and denial to qualitative education have all in one way or the other heightened the existing disadvantages the girl-child in the society, thereby preventing her from realising her full potentials”.

Stressing that girls have the right to a safe, educated and healthy life not only through their critical formative years but also as they mature into womanhood, she noted that “if properly equipped, they have the potential to change the world to a more equitable and prosperous one”.

She further joined the clarion call to action for radical social and political change to tear down barriers of discrimination and prejudices that continue to cause impediment to the growth of the girl child.

Biography Before her appointment, Amao was a

Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism as well as Special Adviser on Establishment and Training under the administration of the erstwhile Executive Governor of Oyo State from 2011 to 2015.

Born in Kano, Amao is an indigene of Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria. Her educational background spanned through England and America, where she obtained B.Sc (Business Admin and Accounting), MBA ( Business Admin and Finance) in 1981 and 1982 respectively.

Upon completion of the mandatory NYSC, she worked as the first accountant with Joas Group of Companies, where she eventually rose to the post of Group Managing Director of the companies.

Amao has vast experience in different capacities in various fields. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Tourism Professional (FITP) and was also a co-founder of the House of Furniture and Designs Ltd in Nigeria.

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HACEY, US Consulate, Access Bank Launch End Rape Campaign Stories by Mary Nnah Adevelopment organisation focused on improving the health and productivity of the vulnerable in Nigeria, HACEY Health Initiative, recently announced the launch of her End Rape Culture Campaign.

This was done with the support of the United States Consulate and Access Bank under the 16 Days Activism which commenced November 25, 2020 and ran till December 10, 2020.

The launch, which witnessed series of activities to campaign against Gender Based Violence (GBV), began with the commemoration of the international Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Wednesday November 25, 2020.

Other relevant days such as World AIDS Day, December 1, 2020 and International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2020 were commemorated in the course of the campaign.

The HACEY Health Initiative featured discussions on various

HACEY, US Consulate, Access Bank Launch End Rape Campaign

themes such as,Accelerating the Impact of GBV and also HIV interventions.

Led by league of experts, the event also featured the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), President’s Emergency Plan forAIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Women Radio and

Other Specialists on HIV/AIDS and GBV. In tandem to these event, there was a 16 Day of Activism Media Exhibition tagged “End Rape Culture”.

An End Rape Culture photo, video andArt Exhibition aimed at inspiring attendees to disengage from the culture of rape, promote and embrace consent.

According to the Executive Director HACEY Health Initiative, Rhoda Robinson, “the year 2020 has stretched our work in reducing the incidence of GBV in Nigeria due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The harmful practice of Gender- Based Violence has skyrocketed due to the lockdown and the loss of jobs in many homes. Nevertheless we will not relent. “ Therefore, this year, we are leveraging on the power of Media, Arts and Technology to reach more people and to influence a positive change in our society. We hope to inspire a consent culture through our work”.

In a bid to mitigate the spread

and adverse effects of GBV, aligned with the purpose of HACEY Health Initiative the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence sheds light on the harms of GBV and proffers better agencies to manage gender based relationships without the occurrence of violence. While speaking at the Forum on MediaAction against Sexual Violence through a virtual presentation; the US Consul General to Nigeria, Claire Pierangelo disclosed the pleasure of the US Mission in Nigeria to support the newly launched ENDRAPE culture website www.endrapeculture. africa, a brainchild of Hacey Health Initiative which is also a beneficiary of the US government’s alumni Engagement Innovation Fund grant.

In identifying the need for the website, she said, “Spotlighting this important policy priority is a cornerstone of the United States commitment to advancing human rights, promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls.

Access Bank ‘W’ Initiative Encourages Talk on Gender-based Violence In response to the rising cases of gender-based violence in Nigeria and across the world, Access Bank’s ‘W’ Initiative in partnership with the Nigerian Governors Wives against Gender-Based Violence (NGWA-GBV), recently organised a virtual webinar themed ‘Tackling the menace of genderbased violence in our society’.

The webinar featured notable guest speakers such as; Erelu Bisi Fayemi, the First Lady of Ekiti State; Dr Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the First Lady of Kwara State; Mrs Bola Tinubu, the Founder, Cece Yara Founda-

tion and Dr Kemi Dasilva-Ibru, the Founder, Women at Risk Foundation(WARIF).

Despite the increased awareness and violence prevention programmes in low-resource settings, social norms and beliefs still pose a major challenge to ending gender-based violence in the society.

In line with the vision of the ‘W’ Initiative to create a society where sexual and gender-based violence is eradicated, the conversation focused on the meaning and types of gender-based violence, contributing factors as well as how to respond, cope

and ultimately put an end to the scourge.

Group Head, ‘W’ Initiative at Access Bank , Ayona Trimnell said, “Violence against women is not just a Nigerian issue, just like the COVID-19, it has become a global pandemic.

Gender-based violence affects the physical and mental health, dignity and overall well-being of the victims, yet it remains masked in a culture of silence.

“For this reason, we, atAccess Bank, through the ‘W’ Initiative have taken it upon ourselves to address this menace publicly and on a national scale. We also

encourage victims to speak out and seek help.”

The speakers further encouraged continuous conversation on this menace to ensure that perpetrators face the full wrath of the law.

The ‘W’ Initiative offers bank products and services packaged to effectively meet the present-day financial and lifestyle needs of women. The ‘W’ community – an offshoot of the ‘W’ Initiative is the number one online community for women to share information, network and enjoy privileges that enhance their lifestyle.

Herbert Wigwe

Herbert Wigwe Recognised as ‘CEO of the Year’ The Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank PLC, Herbert Wigwe, has been recognised by Brandcom Awards as the ‘CEO of the Year (Financial Services)’.

The award was in recognition of his exceptional leadership and ingenuity in advancing Nigeria’s financial sector. The announcement was made at the Brandcom annual awards ceremony held recently. Access Bank was also awarded the ‘Best Brand in Sustainability’ and ‘SME Friendly Bank of the Year’ at the Awards.

Commenting on the award Wigwe said, “I appreciate this award, which recognises not just my effort but our collective contribution as a Bank towards the growth of inclusive and more sustainable banking in Africa. “Leading this talented team at Access Bank towards becoming Africa’s gateway to the world has been a pleasure. We have received several awards in recognition of our contribution towards building and developing the financial services industry as well as the economy.”

SAPPERZ, A Deluxe Bar, Lounge Space Set to Launch in Ikoyi

Simi Esiri, Maje Ayida, Keman, Others Join Dubai Fitness Challenge Following the commencement of the annual #30 days The Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC), Nigerians and fitness enthusiasts alike have endorsed the citywide celebration of fitness and wellness movement by participating virtually from Nigeria.

The Dubai fitness challenge 2020 which is aimed at energising the city, its residents and visitors, kicked off from October 30 to November 28, 2020 featuring flagship pro-

grammes- virtual and physical.

The packed calendar of free fitness events consisted of easily accessible sports activities and a robust timeline of virtual sessions. Delivering on its promise to ensure all-inclusive participation, the government of Dubai gifted individuals across Nigeria sports boxes that contained Yoga mats, skipping ropes, resistance bands etc. to encourage mass participation virtually. Some of the recipients and participants

include; Fashion and lifestyle editor, Simi Esiri; fitness expert, Maje Ayida; Actor & Fitness enthusiast, Jima James Chu; Dancer, Bunmi Olunloyo; and Fitness enthusiast, Ify Anadu amongst others.

The nature of this year’s edition presented room for flexibility and convenience, and also recognised the importance of fostering a virtual support network to encourage the whole city to keep moving wherever they are, whenever

they can.

This opened up the challenge for every individual to participate and stay connected fromanywhere;whetherathome or in safe, socially distanced settings. The fitness challenge also presented a one-stop destination content hub with an elevated focus on at-home sessions, allowing participants to unlock a wide range of premium fitness content for all ages and abilities and access trusted information to craft their individualised fitness

Nollywood Celebrity, Tayo Sobola, Unveils E-commerce Tech, Hicolumn Top Nollywood celebrity, Tayo Sobola, popularly called Sotayo Gaga, has unveiled the biggest e-commerce platform in the country, Hicolumn, with matchless qualities that connects consumers to choice stores, anytime, anywhere, thus bringing their usual places of shopping close to their neighbourhood.

The unveiling of the groundbreaking e-commerce platform took place recently in Lagos and held in grand style with a drone delivery of Hicolumn package to the top-notch celebrity indicating the swift and cutting-edge delivery service behind the e-commerce Tech.

Highlights of the event includes free shopping vouchers to fans of the celebrity and the online shopping she made,

L-R: Chairman of Hicolumn, Benjamin Madu; co-Founder/CEO, Hicolumn, Uche Elekwachi; Nollywood Celebrity, Tayo Sobola; Group CEO, Levene Energy Group, Nzan Ogbe; and Co-Founder, Hicolumn, Wunmi Egbebi at the event

which was delivered swiftly before 20 minutes, an attestation of Hicolumn’s uniqueness.

The screen idol expressed delight that shopping has been made easier than before

with Hicolumn’s entrant into Nigeria’s online market.

The award winning superstar said the platform is a mobile app that comprises the Hicolumn Customer, Merchant

and Delivery Apps that are all connected together and work as one Enterprise Resources Programme, to ensure customers’ usual places of shopping are made available for them, for real comfort and convenience.

Sobola, who is also an entrepreneur and a philanthropist enlightened merchants, store owners, consumers and the public on what e-commerce Tech entails.

She posits that it offers stores, merchants, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with existing and verifiable businesses, the opportunity to become active participants in the e-commerce ecosystem within 30 minutes after downloading the mobile app, which is absolutely free of any registration cost.

SAPPERZ

This December, a refreshing aura to casual dining is coming to Ikoyi as SAPPERZ-a fancy urban lounge and bar space is set to launch full operations in Lagos. Located in the upscale part of the city, Alfred Rewane Road, Falomo Roundabout, Ikoyi, the new establishment is set to flatter customers’ senses, and unravel a new way to relax in an exquisite ambience with good food and drinks.

With the festive season lurking around, the ever-teeming populace of Lagos is constantly searching for new spaces to explore uninhibitedly; SAPPERZ- is a timely addition to the restaurant and lounge scene. Whether you want to lounge with friends or take some shots, one thing is sure; every moment spent at SAPPERZ is a good time.

SAPPERZ will officially open its door to the promise of world class entertainment and relaxation today, Friday, December 11, 2020, Designed with lush interiors, the ambient lighting of the space gives a decorative effect, ushering the feel of an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city while providing satisfying comfort, class, and style.

The menu offers delicious and moderately priced options, serving a mix of grill cuisines with a distinguished variety of meals in a standard lounge setting. Eat-in, take-out and delivery are all available options to best meet your needs.

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E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

LadyBuckit and the Motley Mopsters is Off to a Good Start For an animation that is entirely created in Nigeria, LadyBuckit and the Motley Mopsters is a delightful time travel treat, writes VANESSA OBIOHA

T

he beauty of an animated film depends on how the production team gives life to the colourful shapes. The crew behind the LadyBuckit and the Motley Mopsters (LBMM) — the first Nigerian 3D feature-length animation to get a cinematic release — arguably did a remarkable job even if it was the first attempt for some of them like consultant producer Chris Ihidero.

Going by the laudatory remarks received at an exclusive screening recently, the movie is on its way to break box office records as it hits cinemas today.

Lovers of animation will find a delightful time travel story in LBMM.The story revolves around a precocious little girl Bukky, who loves to help her father solve arithmetic and easily get on the nerves of her mother. The year is 1956 in Oloibiri and Bukky’s parents are carrying out final sanitation on their bakery shop, hoping they will get approval from the inspection team. The inspection

team — a short, pot-bellied, jovial man and a tall, scrawny, mean-looking man — arrival at the shop turned the happy ambience to a tension-filled aura.

Everything seemed to be going well until Bukky mistakenly knocked an item under the table. The mean-looking inspector immediately noticed and scooped around to find the item. On discovering it, he let out a sigh of relief as if his mission was finally accomplished.

Without hesitation, he sealed the shop, leaving Bukky’s parents played by Patrick Doyle and Bimbo Akintola depressed. Bukky, voiced by 12-year-old Jessica Edwards, feels responsible for the closure and seeks the company of his mouse pet but it was nowhere to be found. She searches for it, leading her to the doorstep of a neighbour whom Bukky feels lives off her parents’ generosity.

Interestingly, she finds the neighbour friendly and approachable, bombarding him with questions and confiding in him that she wished she could turn back the hands of time. While going through the neighbour’s

Don Jazzy’s Deal with V Bank Gets an Extension Nigeria’s leading digital bank, V Bank has extended its brand engagement with Mavin Records CEO and digital influencer, Don Jazzy. At a recent event, the bank executives presented a V-branded hoodie to the renowned producer as a symbol of the one-year contract with the bank.

“Tonight we celebrate the birth and heart of a great man,”said the Senior Product Manager of V bank, Ebere Ahaotu. “We have worked with Mavin Records since we launched in March and they have shown nothing short of professionalism in our dealings.When you build a product that truly solves problems, and then find a genuinely lovable individual to complement it, the effect of that combination is amazing.”

Held in Lagos, the ceremony which coincided with the influencer’s 38th birthday was witnessed by select fans who are also clients of the bank,

Senior Product Manager V bank, Ebere Ahaotu (m) and Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Efeturi Doghudje (r), officially endorse Don Jazzy as V bank ambassador

as well as the ambassador’s father.

“I’m humbled to have celebrated this evening with the great minds atV Bank. I don’t take for granted the feeling of belonging to something so phenomenal in the wake of digital banking in Nigeria. It means so much to me spending a new phase of my life with a partner that effortlessly shares my vision to financially

empower digital natives,”said Don Jazzy.

V bank is an end-to-end virtual bank focused on providing simple, quick, convenient, secure,and seamless banking experience with zero transfer and SMS notification charges.

Since its launch, over 250,000 individuals and corporations use the banking app.The app is available on android and iOS stores.

Africa Magic Yoruba Goes to Showmax MultiChoice streaming service Showmax recently launched a pop-up live stream of Africa MagicYoruba in Nigeria. Fans of Yoruba movies can now watch their favouriteYoruba actors on the streamer.

New blockbuster movies such as ‘Torera’, ‘Omo Williams’, ‘Kumapayi’, will be added every weeknight at 7 PM, while episodes of the beloved ‘Battleground’ (Yoruba version) will be aired every day at 6 PM. ‘Mr and Mrs Kogeregbe’ will start streaming on the platform

from December 18 at 11:05 every weekday. Speaking about the addition of the popup live stream,Yolisa Phahle says,“We wanted to give our Nigerian subscribers even more value this December and a pop-up live stream of popular family channel Africa MagicYoruba is ideal for the festive season.”

“We have realised that technology and entertainment are two things that are important to our subscribers and that explains why,as we move into the festive season, we want our subscribers to enjoy their

favourite Yoruba movies on the go from their various devices,”adds Channel Director, Wangi Mba Uzoukwu.

The pop-up live stream of Africa MagicYoruba follows the launch of live streams of Channels TV, NTAi and SilverbirdTV in November and the announcement of the first Showmax Nigerian Original, ‘I Am LAYCON’, which is currently filming in Nigeria and premieres in February 2021. Africa Magic Yoruba pop-up will be available throughout December and into the NewYear.

stuff, Bukky stumbled on a hollow bucket. It immediately piqued her interest. What she didn’t know was that the bucket will transport her to the future where she will meet a band of unusual characters and have a chance to redeem her mistake.

As a first attempt, LBMM brings in the fun and entertainment with the eccentric characters. Dipped in family values and morals, the film is sprinkled with enough humour to elicit laughter and magical moments to educe gasps of surprise. LBMM doesn’t lose its Nigerian flavour. It is stippled with popular catchphrases in pidgin language. Although it doesn’t boast of high-pitched Disney songs,its score is no less entertaining. It is a melodious mix of upbeat, slow and haunting sounds.

LBMM is the product of Blessing Amidu’s imaginative mind who disclosed that she was inspired by her children.The animation gulped over $1 million and parades Nollywood stars like Kalu Ikeagwu as well as Awazi Angbalaga, Bola Edwards and Casey Edema.

LBMM starts screening at local and international cinemas today, December 11.

LadyBuckit

Livespot Wants You to Have a Merry X-Clusive Christmas with Wizkid, Burna Boy, Others In a year that has upended live music and concerts experiences, Livespot360 is returning with a special kind of concert, Livespot XClusive on December 19 and 20. Last year, the top-notch event production company, brought in American female rapper Cardi B to Nigeria and Ghana to the delight of fans.

This year, the planned concert will be the firstever live hybrid concert in Nigeria and will host a select few physically at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, while the rest of the world will get a chance to stream the concert live on Livespot

Wizkid

Nation. v“The event is going to be a fusion of incredible live performances; music, festival quality sound, impressive lighting, special acts, and immersive experiences, all rolled into one high-octane event which promises to

deliver an unprecedented level of quality which Livespot360 is known for. We’re very excited and grateful for the opportunity to keep bringing Nigerians the very best of entertainment,”said Deola Art Alade, CEO of Livespot360.

The two-day event will be headlined by Nigerian music superstars and Grammynominated artists, Wizkid and Burna Boy. Other music superstars like Darey, Yemi Alade and Simi will serve as co-headliners. Cuppy, Rema, Omah-lay and Reekado Banks are among the artists that will perform at the twoday event.

And the Winner of MTN Y’ello Star is…

On Sunday, MTN Y’ello Star will crown a winner for its debut season. Last weekend saw the last six contestants emerge for a spot in the finals.

It also marked the first appearance of the guest judge, MalikYusef.

Earlier in the week, all the finalists, including the earlier relegated talents had a chat with the Regional Director, Creative Economy Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa at British Council, Ojoma Ochia who spoke to them about intellectual property and grant opportunities to support their music careers and help them spread their work beyond their home country.They were also joined by the likes of renowned filmmaker Sesan, record label executive Paul Okeugo of Chocolate City, renowned

MTN Y’ello Star final six contestants

OAP, Gbemi of Beat 99.9 FM, and ace fashion designer Mai Atafo, who spoke to them about general branding.

Last Sunday night’s performances featured more soulful renditions. Freeborn sang ‘I Will Always LoveYou’

by Whitney Houston, Caesar performed Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey’s ‘When You Believe’while Gideon delivered Lady Gaga’s ‘Always Remember UsThis Way’with

a bit of his style.

The fates of the finalists are now in the hands of voters. But who will it be?

Fayfay Diamonds, Caesar, Gideon, Freeborn, Dotti, or Storm? The winner will receive N5 million in cash, a fully furnished house with an in-house studio, a scholarship to attend a summer program at the Berklee College of Music, amongst other benefits.

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IVLP Alumni Association Holds Mentorship Training for Grassroot Teachers Oluwabunmi Fache The United States International Visitors Leadership Programme Alumni Association (IVLPAA) recently held a mentorship training for grassroot teachers.

According to the association, the expectations of pupils will not be met if teachers do not make a conscious effort to equip them.

At the event, the Public Affairs Officer of the United States Consulate in Lagos State, Stephen Ibelli, while describing teachers as role models to pupils, he said “It all starts with teachers. I think if you ask anyone, they would always say, ‘I remember this teacher and this teacher inspired and really changed my life”.

“Whether you want it or not, all of you are role models and inspiration to all of the pupils that you teach. The work that you do is so hard, especially when budgets are tight and there is no funding.

“But we hope that this training helps give you some tools which you will be able to use with the pupils because the next generation that’s coming is really important.

“As we saw with some of these protests, it was all young students that started these things.

So, it’s really important that the next generation has some inspiration and idea about how to do that, and that is all because of you. You are the ones that will make this change.”

Stressing the commitment on the part of the US government to education, health and security,

IVLP Alumni Association members, guests and the Public Affairs Officer of the United States Consulate in Lagos, Stephen Ibelli

he said the support they give stretched to the Nigerian government, civil society organisations , and schools.

Earlier, the Lagos Chapter IVLPAA President, Ms Adetoun Tade, while underscoring the importance of grassroots development, said the workshop was organised with the support of the US Consulate General in Lagos.

She said they have been engaged in mentoring public school pupils aged 13-19 and graduated over 600 pupils in about five schools between 2018 and 2019.

According to her, “we realised that grassroots development is crucial to attain the kind of society that we desire and deserve, which is why we have been engaged in community development programmes and engage state governments at some levels.

“We have a lot that we do at the grassroots level, but one of our major programmes is the mentorship programme, where we mentor senior secondary pupils on leadership, decisionmaking, importance of peer influence and more, so that when they get out of school into the real world, they know what to do. ”We have heard different stories about these young ones that are shocking, encouraging and mind-blowing. The quality of input always determines the quality of the output.

“If we do not make a conscious effort to groom these ones correctly, then those expectations we have will never come true.”

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Stanforte Edge, Mr. Olusola Owonikoko mentioned that the leadership workshop program was designed to mentor students, particularly

in public schools between the ages of 13-19.

He said the mentorship program exposes them to broader knowledge which expands their scope and also positively influences their decision making process as they move into adulthood.

Another member of the leadership workshop, Dr. Maymunar Kadiri explained that though “COVID-19 took us to the basic thing we should know, it has affected Nigerians mentally, such as, anxiety, confusion, depression and experiencing suicidal thoughts.

“According to Nigerians statistics, it shows that 25 per cent of Nigerians are in need of mental health services, but as it is that we are within this pandemic, it has increased from 25 to 40 per cent.”

Maymunar said despite the pandemic, teachers should use this period to empower themselves and acquire new skills.

In his speech, an alumnus of Harvard University, Lagos Business School, Mr. Abiola Salami, stressed that teachers should be self motivated.

Noting that self motivation is an important skill, he said it drives one to keep going even in the face of set-back, adding that “this however requires that teacherslearneveryday,acquirenew information, and embrace more of technology”.

Other participants present at the program include a Nigerian Professor of Political Economy and Management Expert, Mr. Patrick Utomi and a retired teacher, Mr. Abishalom Johnson Nweze, who expressed delight at the Leadership Workshop Program.

Boomerang Unwraps Fun, Cheer with Magic Makers Festive Edition The festive season is bound to look very different this year, but, there are still a lot of ways to share the love with family and friends.

This December, Boomerang is continuing to celebrate the magic of children’s imaginations inits new series of Magic Makers, with a fourth edition of the campaign launching in time to celebrate the festive season.

With this hectic year coming to an end, the time that all children have been waiting for has arrived, and Boomerang is here to make sure that the celebrations are a lot more special!

Magic Makers is a video series

where kids get to raise their voice to celebrate important dates and magical moments, showcasing their wildest and imaginative ideas with other Boomerang viewers.

The Festive Season edition of Magic Makers will launch on-air and online on 16th December, with a pan-African twist, celebrating the rich, diverse culture and heritage of Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

In the spirit of sharing, Boomerang has put together a fun compilation of video testimonials where Boomerang fansacross Africa can find out how kids, from the four countries, celebrate

the special holidays with their different traditions and festivities with their families. The Magic Makers video clips will also drive fans to Boomerangafrica.com where they will find the testimonials packed with colourful ideas for cool festive crafts from across the continent, as well as fun tips on how to best celebrate this magical season.

Some local crafts representing Nigeria’s rich heritage includeScooby-Doo’s Traditional African Mask made from a paper plate, paint, and lots of bits and bobs, as well as Looney Tunes’ Bugs Bunny woven palm wreath to decorate a frontdoor with festive cheer.

Other interesting crafts include the Ghanaian-inspired Zig and Sharko and Papa Bronya colourful dot-to-dot colouring-in beach picture, and, Master Moley’s multi-coloured crepe paper Christmas neckpiece for kids to wear for the festive season celebrations.

Inspired by the traditional culture and art of the people in Kenya, Scooby-Doo’s Sunset Christmas Tree Decorationrepresenting a true Maasai Mara African sunset, and , Tom and Jerry’s Kenyan Christmas Housemade with popsicle sticks will showcase the beauty and culture of the Kenyan festivities.

RealnessInstitute,NetflixOpenCallsforSubmissionforNigerianWriters Realness Institute has launched its call for submissions for its latest offering, Episodic Lab, a series development lab presented in partnership with Netflix.

The Lab will take place remotely from June 1, 2021 to August 31, 2021, and is targeted at writers from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa with authentic and original stories of all genres.

The initiative is only open to writers from the three countries where Netflix is currently focusing its African Originals strategy. Selected writers will work on developing pitch documents for their story concepts.

Six writers will be selected to spend three months in a ‘Writers Room’ format.

These participants will work with a script consultant and a creative producer to fully develop their story concepts into an episodic pitch. Along with creative training, writers will receive feedback from the Netflix Originals’ development team. A stipend of $2000 per month will be paid to the participants to cover living expenses during the training.

Each writer will have an opportunity to pitch their finished product to Netflix and have their series developed for production.

If Netflix does not commission further development and/or production, the

rights to the developed material default to the authors. Creators should not be committed to a producer or director to participate in the Lab. Potential applicants can be a writer/writing team with either film or television experience, but one writer only will be able to participate if selected.

Entries can be in any genre of fiction, in English and/or local language and concept must be set in South Africa, Kenya or Nigeria. No producers or directors should be attached.

Speaking from Cape Town South Africa, Asanda Biyana, Realness Partner and Project Manager of the Episodic Lab says, “Series give writers the space to make bigger worlds and more layered stories.

“There is no limit for what can be submitted, and we believe that with the pool of talent on our continent, and our incredible ability to tell stories, that we will see some extraordinary talent emerging from this process. We are excited and are preparing to work really hard to select the first cohort for the Lab.” Applicants must fill out the online application on the Realness Institute website at www.realness.institute/ episodic-lab-application, and are advised to read through the form before submitting.

Interested participants are required to pay a submission fee of 30 Euros via Paypal or 55 Euros via international wire transfer to cover the banking charges.

The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2021.

For questions about the program or application, email submissions@realness. institute.

Realness Institute’s mission is to unearth the wealth of African stories – stories from the continent, told with an honest and unapologetic point of view by African filmmakers.

Their first programme, the Realness Residency, which started in 2016, has gone on to launch 30 film projects across 16 African countries in only five years.

The critical success of brave films such as The Wound, Rafiki, Akasha, I Am Not A Witch and Flatland is testament the artistic and creative contribution that African filmmakers can make to the industry.

In 2019, we launched our second programme, the Creative Producer Indaba. This ambitious programme has been designed, in collaboration with international partners, to catalyse producers across the continent, and in doing so help transform the landscape of African and international independent cinema.

Some exciting South-African crafts include Zig and Sharko’s Watermelon Craft Extravaganza because you justcan’t have a festive season without a juicy watermelon in South Africa.

And then there’s Tom and Jerry’s Macaroni Decoration, where kids can make their own Christmas tree with Tom and Jerry as the star on the top!

With so much to do, catch the Magic Makers Festive Edition,from Wednesday, December 16, on Boomerang, DStv channel 302, and Boomerang Africa’s webpage and get ready to make those magical festive moments shine just a little brighter!

FayemitoSpeakatHarvardKennedySchool AlumniAssociation’sMaidenSymposium Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is due to speak at the maiden edition of the Africa Policy Dialogue series organised by the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of Nigeria (HKSAAN) on Friday, December 11, 2020.

In a statement signed by the President of HKSAAN, Mr. Frank Nweke Jr., the group said Fayemi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, will deliver the keynote address on the theme of this year’s dialogue which is ‘Harnessing Africa’s Demographic Dividend for Peace, Security and Productivity through Investments in Youth’.

The event, which will hold virtually, is expected to begin at 10am. According to Nweke, the theme of this year’s symposium was borne out of the need to address the myriad challenges Nigerian youths are facing at this critical time in history.

Nweke, who is a former Minister of Information and

Communication, said Africa’s teeming youth population could be a significant source of productivity and growth if properly harnessed and could conversely have grave implications for peace and security due to high unemployment, lack of educational opportunities and high rates of poverty.

The HKSAAN President said there was therefore a need to invest in the youths.

He stated, “From the recent crisis in Nigeria as well as previous crises in Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria, it has become clear that a youth population without access to opportunities can lead to political instability or even conflict.”

According to Nweke, the interactions at the event will seek answers to the adverse conditions of unemployment, underemployment and lack of access to education, healthcare, skills development and opportunities for Africa’s young population.

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ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

Milkmaid Movie Faces Litmus Test For the 93rd Academy Awards, Nigeria’s selection for the International Feature Film Award category,‘The Milkmaid’may have ruffled some feathers within the film industry with some eyebrows raised on its eligibility. Yinka Olatunbosun writes

M

ilkmaid. First, its release date is November 27, 2020.

By December 1, it was announced as Nigeria’s official submission for the 93rd Academy Awards.

Then came the unverified social media reports that the movie had been rejected by the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) in 2018, 2019 and sometime in 2020 for being unsuitable for viewers.

THISDAY attempted to reach the DirectorGeneral, NFVCB, Mr. Adedayo Thomas on the phone with calls and messages but there was no response as at press time to confirm or refute this claim.

The Nigerian Official Selection Committee, 12-man strong, had made the decision. Out of the shortlist of six films that sailed through the first vetting exercise, the Hausa language thriller movie ‘The Milkmaid’ scored the majority votes, beating “Sanitation Day,’’ “Voiceless,” “Oloture,’’ “Ibi (The Birth),” and “Eyimofe.”

Written, produced and directed by Desmond Ovbiagele, the 2hour 16min drama recounts the story of insurgency in Nigeria through the eye of a Fulani milkmaid in a bewildering encounter with religious extremists in a rural African community. She is on a mission to find her missing sister but the twist of the past mixed with present leads to a knotty plot. Filmed in Taraba state, the movie had been screened privately since 2019.

If ‘The Milkmaid’ is selected and approved by the Academy, it will likely face other African titles such as ‘You will Die at Twenty’ (Sudan) and ‘Night of the Kings’ (Ivory Coast). THISDAY findings revealed that a twitter account, amongst other social media accounts, was set up in 2019 to promote the movie. Trailers had been posted and pictures of the private screening at the

L-R: Marvelous Odiete, Sammy Okposo and Joy Efe Odiete at the opening of the cinema, recently

Birth of Blue Pictures Cinemas Yinka Olatunbosun

A scene from The Milkmaid Movie

United Nations Headquarters in New York are on the thread.

According to the Academy Awards, films competing in the International Feature Film category must have been first released in the country submitting them during the eligibility period defined by the rules of the Academy and must have been exhibited for at least seven consecutive days in a commercial movie theatre.

However, due to the global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 restrictions, all dates and matters of rules and eligibility for the 93rd Academy Awards are subject to change based on national guidelines, statemandated government orders and Academy determined-best practices.

With the approval of the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19, the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) announced that all cinemas should reopen on Friday September 11.

Most cinemas reopened some weeks later as they had to set up necessary measures to create social distancing for safe practices.

Milkmaid was released to cinemas on November 27 and by December 1, it is Nigeria’s pick for the International Film Award.

This ‘meteoric’ rise to national and international limelight is not of much concern as its eligibility. Will ‘The Milkmaid’ make the final list of nominations? Or will it suffer the same lot as Genevieve Nnaji’s ‘Lionheart’?

Time will tell.

Affinity Art Gallery Formally Opens with Inaugural Exhibition Yinka Olatunbosun A new art gallery in Lagos, Affinity Art Gallery is trending for the right reasons. The gallery has launched its inaugural group exhibition titled “The Opening” on December 6, which runs till January 15, 2021.

The gallery’s arrival on the art scene is not just an architectural addition but an expansion of performance space, created to promote artistic exchange and gallery partnerships. Art enthusiasts relished the view last weekend as sprawling view is a calm contrast to the busy, effervescent nature of the city.

In a release by the Founder and Director,Affinity Art Gallery, Olugbemiro Arinoso, he noted that the new gallery is committed to promoting and supporting artists from Africa through diverse exhibitions and educational programmes.According to him, the gallery offers itself as an exhibition, installation and performance space, promoting cultural exchanges and global gallery partnerships.

“Our mission is to create a space that introduces the works of artists to a wide audience as well as make art accessible to everyone locally and internationally,’’ he said.

The gallery is a two-storey space parading paintings, sculptures and mixed media works from its existing collection by modern and contemporary artists.

The participating artists at this inaugural show include masters such as Sam Ovraiti, Rufus Ogundele, Tony Enebeli, Jimoh Buraimoh, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Muraina Oyelami, Tola Wewe, Yomi Momoh and Ben Osawe. Others are Bisi Fakeye, Amos Odion, Akachukwu Emeka, Segun Aiyesan, Toni Oshiame, Ebong Ekwere, Tega Akpokona, Emmanuel Ekefrey, Chike Obeagu, Tony Nsofor, Sokenu Abayomi and Olaoluwa Qozeem Abdulrahman.

A view of the exhibition floor

Established in 2017, Affinity Art Gallery is domiciled in Muri Okunola, Victoria Island Lagos. The place offers visual testimony to the years of its collection focused on African art.

The gallery hinges on two objectives: to celebrate Nigeria’s modern and contemporary artists and support emerging artists by enabling their projects known through exhibitions, installations and presentations. The gallery also has a public art education initiative that focuses on government and private-owned primary as well as secondary schools across the country.

Arinosho, who was sporting a mask during the opening of the gallery, explained why it was important to open up a gallery space even at a time of the pandemic.

“As a passionate collector of African Art, I see the need to not only set up a gallery to spotlight artists who are bustling with life and creativity but also to render advisory services to new and existing collectors. “ There is a shortage of institutions and infrastructure to support the creatives on our continent and this pushed us towards this project which would enable us to show and educate more people on African art.’’

Heart-thumping music vibrated wallto-wall inside the City Mall building where the Blue Pictures Cinema auditorium sits. Throngs of movie buffs arrived at the venue last Sunday to experience the birth of the cinema that replaces a defunct one.

In an effort to bring back the cinema culture while respecting the guidelines for social distancing, the Managing Director and CEO, Blue Pictures Films and Distribution, Joy Efe Odiete launched this cinematic experience amidst glitz and glamour.

“Blue Pictures Cinema is a dream that has finally come true 14 years after it was conceived. I remember the day I mentioned this dream to someone who was dear and near, a friend and colleague of mine back then. He laughed out so loud at the impossibility of me owning a cinema of my own one day.

After all, I was just a small, invisible but dedicated officer working in a film distribution company. With the help of God, elaborate research, dogged determination especially in a maledominated industry, relentless hard work and smart work, the right support system, and great commitment, I nursed this dream into a vision and then to reality,’’ she said.

The grand ‘reopening’ day saw the screening of a first feature film by Blue Pictures titled, “Gone” starring Sam Dede, Gabriel Afolayan, Bimbo Manuel, Stella Damasus and more. Compered

by Nollywood actor, Gideon Okeke, with some comical vibes from Acapela, the 130-seater capacity auditorium was half-filled in adherence to the Covid-19 regulations on physical distancing.

Known for curating varied content including kiddies content as well as short and feature films, the cinemas will have four screens in the next six months.

The red-carpet event was sponsored by Heineken and Amstel Malta.

Ajiri Onowotu, the Relationship Manager, Access Bank, opened up on why the bank supported the cinema project.

“Joy had been having an account with us while doing distribution. She came with the idea, which is the dream that has come true. As a bank, we want to associate with customers with inspiring ideas,’’ he said.

In her remarks, the Founder/CEO, EbonyLife TV, Mo Abodu congratulated Odiete, expressing her delight at seeing the milestones reached by women in the film industry.

“We need to see more women do what we are doing. It’s wonderful to be a role model and it’s wonderful joining the sector as another woman. And as you know, there is EbonyLife down the road.

“There is an eco-system based on wherever you are in Lagos. It’s just wonderful to see an industry that we can call our own. This Christmas is a Nollywood Christmas. There are so many releases. We need all your support this Christmas,’’ she said.

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Promoting Cultural Consciousness among Teenagers The National Assembly Committee on Culture and Tourism in collaboration with the National Institute for Culture and Orientation recently held a cultural orientation and sensitisation programme for junior secondary schools in Oredo Federal Constituency of Edo State. Adibe Emenyonu, who witnessed the event, captured the frills and thrills

Cultural dance display by students of Emotan Girls College, Benin City

Cross section of participating students and their teachers at the event

C

ulture generally is about people’s way of life which includes their values, beliefs, customs, languages and traditions. It also reflects their history, heritage and how they express ideas and creativity.

People’s culture measure their quality of life, vitality and the health of their society.

Through culture, indigenes of a place develop a sense of belonging, personal and cognitive growth and the ability to empathise and relate to each other. A strong and vibrant culture have direct benefits on the people which include health and wellness, self esteem, skills development, social capital and economic return.

Culture, experts also say, is not only an effective apparatus for human existence and achievements, but a vital force for accelerating human development especially when its untapped potentials are well harnessed.”

Over the years however, some of these values are gradually phasing out due to forces like colonialism, westernisation and erosion of cultural values such as religion, mode of dressing as well as influx of foreign languages.

To this end there is the general apprehension that if people’s culture is not maintained and inculcated in them, particularly the younger

R-L: Mrs. Franca Okoro of NICO, Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide Ihama, Member, Representing Oredo Federal Constituency; Edosa Eghbamien, Chairman of the occasion; Mr. Nosa Ogieva, PDP Chairman, Oredo LGA

L-R: Nosa Eghobamien, Chairman of the occasion; Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide Ihama, Member, representing Oredo Federal Constituency; and a guest

ones, a time will come when their identity, value system will be completely lost to foreign culture and influences.

For instance, it is not a gain saying that most of our youths have lost touch with the way of life of their people. Some if not most, cannot express themselves in their local language. Those who even attempt, speak a mixture of foreign and their local language.

It is on this note that Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide Ihama, member, representing Oredo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and the House Committee on Culture and Tourism in conjunction with the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), held four-day cultural orientation and Sensitisation Programme for junior secondary school students in Oredo federal constituency of Edo State.

The programme with the theme: “Cultural Consciousness and The Future of The Nigerian Student”, was aimed at awakening the value system on the participants.

The programme began in 2016 and this year’s outing was the fifth edition with two segments: competitive and non-competitive.

Commencement of non-competitive events was the showcase and rendition of the National Anthem in Bini language, roundtable discussions, fashion parade and culturally designer fabrics.

The competitive events was the presen-

tation of traditional music and dance, traditional hairdo, poetic rendition on culture, traditional cuisine and cultural quiz among others.

Speaking at the event, Hon Ogbeide-Ihama described culture as a way of life, adding, “If we don’t imbibe culture in our students and our children from birth we are going to have fundamental issues.”

He said the main objective of the cultural orientation and sensitisation programme for junior secondary schools in his constituency was derived from the Bible in Proverbs 22:6 “Train a child the way he/she should go and when he/she grows they’ll never depart from it”. According to him, “ what we are trying to achieve over the years is to be able to discover talents. You’ll not believe how amazing and how much talent we have in our children in Oredo.

“Today, there is hardly any student in public schools in Oredo Federal Constituency that cannot recite the national anthem and the pledge in Benin language. This we have done over the last five years.”

Culture, Ogbeide Ihama continued, “encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe in whether right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors.

“Culture is a strong part of people’s lives.

It influences their views, their values, their

humor, their hopes, their loyalties, and their worries and fears. So when you are working with people and building relationships with them, it helps to have some perspective and understanding of their culture”.

In his remarks, Ado Mohammed Yahuza, the Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, said: “Culture is the major make up of the content and character of man, irrespective of the level of education we might have attained.

He said the event serves as a medium for cultural revitalisation and reorientation for the young generation, adding “culture has been a vital force for accelerating human development especially when its untapped potential are well harnessed”.

At the end of the programme, Oba Ewuare Junior Grammar School came overall best in competitive events for the junior school; while Iyekogba Senior Secondary School emerged overall best for the senior school.

Speaking on behalf of participating students, Adesuwa Eghobamien, a form three student of Oba Ewuare Junior Secondary School, said she was excited with the programme as it has taught her the importance of culture, adding that it has also afforded her the opportunity to come together with others for the overall well-being of both individuals and communities.

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METRO

…Your city life in print

Awode Uplifts C&S Church with Hostel, District Homes Adedayo Adejobi

E

fforts to tackle the challenges of offices and accommodation for members of the Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide (Ayo Ni O) at the Galilee Land Headquarters of the church, located at Orile-Igbon in Oyo State, especially during conferences and conventions, have received a boost.

This was as a well-furnished 250-bed hostel, “The Most Reverend Dr. Samuel Adefila Abidoye Hostel,” named after the Spiritual Father and Chairman of C & S Movement Church Worldwide (Ayo Ni O), His Grace, The Most Reverend Dr. Samuel Adefila Abidoye; and a state-of-the-art storey building complex, “Delphine Modupe Awode Victory District House,” comprising 100-bed rooms, offices for District officials, Council Heads and District Units, were built and donated to the church.

The magnificent edifices were built and donated to the church by Senior Special Apostle Emmanuel Awode, a member of the church and the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Chemstar Group, manufacturers of Finecoat & Shield Paints, and other allied paints products.

The Victory District House was named after Special Mother-In-Israel (Prophetess) Delphine Modupe Awode, his mother.

The official dedication of the buildings was performed during the 80th International Conference of the Church at the Galilee Land, by the Spiritual Father and Chairman of the Church, His Grace, The Most Reverend Abidoye, as part of activities lined up for this year’s conference, held between Sunday, November 1 and November 8, 2020.

Apart from the church buildings, Awode also built and donated a modern Mosque to the Muslim community in Abuduka, the host community of the Galilee Land, Headquarters of the church.

Welcoming the church leaders and members, as well as other guests to the inauguration ceremony, the Victory District Secretary, Special Apostle Fasekomi, who glorified the Almighty God for the spiritual and infrastructural development of the Galilee Land, however, lauded the S/S/ Ap Awode for his immense and untiring contribution to the growth of C&S Movement Church, as well as the expansion and progress of God’s work.

Leaders and members of the church during the inauguration of the hostel projects

The Most Reverend Abidoye, cutting the tape to inaugurate the building project. With him are leaders and members of the church at the event

He, therefore, described the day as the day of joy, which the Lord has made for the entire C&S Movement Church, saying the District House and hostel would go a long way in addressing the problems of accommodation and office spaces confronting the District and the Church in particular.

While dedicating the building, Most Reverend Abidoye, who was full of praises to God Almighty, expressed gratitude to Awode for donating the buildings to the

church for the progress of God’s work, saying: “We are grateful to S/S/Ap Awode for honouring his mother with this building and on behalf of the entire C&S Movement Church, I thank God for his life as he has continued to work hard not only to take the Church to greater heights, but to also propagate the work of God in all ramifications with his time and money.”

According to Awode, the hostel, which is well terraced, ventilated, equipped and

furnished with modern facilities has a 250bed spaces, while the Victory District House, has a five-bedroom apartment in the upper floor with executive beds, well-furnished living room for women, and the ground floor with offices and room facilities for men.

Meanwhile, in her remarks, S/M/I Prophetess Modupe Awode, thanked God for the favour granted her to be alive to witness the day, even as she lauded the leaders of the church, particularly Baba Aladura and Baba Alogbo, for standing by her since the demise of her husband, Special Apostle Dickson Adekunle Awode, former Chairman of District Victory, who died two years ago.

He thanked her son, Emmanuel, for honouring and naming the building after her, describing it as a surprise gift, as she was not in the know until the project was ready to be inaugurated.

Other leaders of the church at the ceremony include Senior Special Apostle Alogbo; Sp. Ap Oladele; the Chairman, District Victory, Sp. Ap John Adegboyega Oyeku; the Leader, Divine Blessing Cathedral (DBC), Sp. Ap John Oyewole Idowu; other Special Apostles and Special Mothers, among others members of the church.

Meanwhile, as the curtains were lowered on the 80th International Conference of the church, the Spiritual Father and Chairman of the Church, Most Reverend Abidoye, has lamented the current economic hardship and rising threat of insecurity in the country.

He, therefore, called on the government to swiftly act by freeing the citizenry from further suffering unleashed on the country by the harsh economic situation, saying: “Many Nigerians are silently languishing in poverty and their agitations for good living has not yielded any positive dividend from the government.”

The Spiritual Father further expressed dismay that the country is still seriously confronted with insecurity, abject poverty, high inflation and bad roads, as well as youth unemployment, failed health care system, fast decaying infrastructure, poor quality of education, lack of electricity supply, and pitiable economy situation, among others.

He called on the government on the need for all tiers of government to pay more attention to the primary and secondary health care system, saying there is no doubt that there were several lessons to be learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the country.

Knights of St. Mulumba Inaugurates Youth Arm Ugo Aliogo The Knight of St. Mulumba, Lagos Metropolitan Council has inaugurated the Youth arm of St. Mulumba (YSM) group with the sole aim of laying a solid foundation for the growth of the Catholic Church in Nigeria.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Lagos recently, the Deputy Metropolitan Grand Knight, Sir. Don Ezeh, said the formation of YSM was informed by the need to keep the church strong, vibrant and resilient through the coming years.

According to him, the decline of Catholic Church in favour

and vibrancy in the United Kingdom and Europe from where the missionaries came with the holy gospel to Nigeria 150 years ago, holds great lessons for the catholic youths.

Ezeh stated: “Thinking about the future of the church and our society, we must invest time and treasure in our youths of today.

“We will nurture and groom them to take over from us and continue the laudable journey of providing strong leadership in various Catholic Laity Organisations, supporting in a special way the Catholic Church and the society.”

He enjoined the youths to see the YSM initiative a worthy

mission that needs strong commitment and sacrifice to make it work.

He hinted on the church’s commitment to the spiritual formation and growth of youths, adding that they plan to ensure by design that the YSM programme activities would reinforce spiritual formation in a manner that would prove spiritually enriching for the youths.

Continuing, he said: “Spiritual formation/growth activities and focus on reinforcing strong morals and ethics, and key catholic training perennial habits such as mastery of the Rosary/Mysteries and regular Catholic prayers and songs, the

habit of visitation to the Blessed Sacrament, active participation in Adoration, Station of the Cross, Confessions, informed dialogue and the search for inspiration in meditation and the exemplary lives of the saints and the lives of iconic world leaders that have impacted and inspired humanity.”

Ezeh also unveiled plans to train and empower youths to enable them develop multiple skills to face the present day economic realities, stating that to achieve this, the council has concluded arrangements to provide youths access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training, which would include Microsoft

package, Corel Draw, Internet Search skills and desktop publishing.

He said the empowerment programme would be based on individual aptitude, capacity and preferences.

He explained that the ICT training would be followed by other life skills development programmes, which would include computer servicing, video and photography; website design and hosting; printing, production of magazine, fashion design, confectionaries, public speaking/ debates; coaching/mentoring supervisory and leadership networking skills

“In addition to the above, we hope from time to time to invite subject matter experts to share their years of experience and insight with our youths to expand their competitive and entrepreneurial vision and horizon.

“Through this programme, we will strive to make our youths very relevant and competitive in employment and as entrepreneurs in contemporary Nigerian society and beyond.

“It is our hope that they will excel and be beneficiaries of various world class youth empowerment programmes that get advertised from time to time in the creative industry,” he stated.

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CRIME&SECURITY

Promoting Nigeria’s Bilateral Relations Towards a Secure Gulf of Guinea Chiemelie Ezeobi and Mary Ovie write that to promote Nigeria’s bilateral relations and in furtherance to the safety of Gulf of Guinea waters, the Nigerian Navy recently held a joint exercise with its Italian counterpart

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n October 2020, the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefano Pontesilli, paid a courtesy visit to the Naval Headquarters in Abuja and one of the fallouts of that meeting with the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, was the strengthening of ties between both countries.

At that meeting, the CNS had assured that the Nigerian Navy (NN) will continue to maintain existing relationships with its partners and work on the same trajectory towards sustaining the gains recorded in securing the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), especially since there was an already existing close collaboration between the GoG regional navies towards stemming the tide of recent incidences of insecurity in the region.

Ibas further assured that the navy is open to exploring other avenues in the areas of training and capacity building for its sailors in hydrography as well as technical expertise in the operationalisation and maintenance of the Leonardo helicopter.

Speaking earlier, the Italian Ambassador stated that Italy was favourably disposed to further cooperation with the GoG in antitrafficking and maritime security operations.

Exercise SHARK RIVER Months after that visit, a joint exercise came to fruition named Exercise SHARK RIVER. The exercise kicked off at the NNS BEECROFT Jetty Apapa and lasted from November 24 to 26 onboard five NN platforms and Italian Navy Ship FEDRERICO MARTINENGO. Aimed at promoting bilateral relations between both countries, the overall essence however, was in furtherance to safety of the Gulf of Guinea waters.

After taking the entourage on a brief tour, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, in his remarks at the commencement of the exercise, said it was a combined one with their Italian foreign partner.

He said: “The exercise is a combined exercise with one of our foreign partner, Italian Navy which is represented by Italian Navy Ship (ITS) FEDERICO MARTINENGO. It would be recalled that the ITS MARTINENGO has been in the Gulf of Guinea and in the shores of Nigeria as part of effort to strengthen regional cooperation with friendly navies and promote bilateral relations in order to ensure effective collaboration in the fight against all form of criminalities especially in the maritime domain.

“As you may be aware, the issue of maritime crime has international dimensions and could be characterised as a global challenge. This global challenge therefore requires a globally framed response and collaboration. In recent times, the trend has taken a new dimension where criminals carry out these atrocities outside the shores of Nigeria and thereafter relocate to parts of our country as safe haven to perpetuate these heinous act. ”In the past, the command have intercepted some of these criminals in our waterways.

For instance, the 10 suspected pirates that hijacked the Chinese fishing vessel, known as HAILUFENG 11 and others were intercepted

by Nigerian Naval deployments under the ECOWAS Zone E maritime protocols of the Yauode Accord. The case is currently been prosecuted under the recently enacted suppression of piracy laws.

“Looking at the current scenario, the activities of pirates in the Gulf of Guinea in particular is following the same dimension. It is therefore logical to synergise with friendly navies such as the Italian Navy to combat these crimes on all fronts.

out legitimate businesses in our waterways.

Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji (second right) with DA Italian Embassy, Col Michele Devastato (far right); Mr Tarek Chazli, Italian Deputy Head of Mission in Nigeria (second left) and an Italian Embassy Staff

Chief Staff Officer, WNC, Rear Admiral Yakubu Pani, reviewing the exercise as the Italian entourage and the Chief Operations Officer, WNC, Commodore Livingstone Izu, watches

Italian Navy Ship (ITS) FEDERICO MARTINENGO

Some Nigerian Navy platforms during the exercise

“In the cause of carrying out our statutory responsibility of protecting the Nation’s maritime domain in Western Naval Command Area of Responsibility, the command had earlier engaged in series of exercises and operations in the past like (OPERATION JUNCTION RAIN, OPERATION SWIFT RESPONSE, EXERCISE ATEGUN ALAFIA, EXERCISE OKUN ALAFIA I and TREASURE GUARD II) resulting in several arrests and handover of suspects/platforms used in committing illegalities to relevant law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

“The exercise would also provide the platform to align our training objectives with our operational requirements in furtherance of the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, which is “to develop a naval force that is well trained, organised and highly motivated to discharge its constitutional roles professionally and efficiently for the defense of Nigeria in ensuring her economic prosperity”.”

Additionally, Daji added that it will also

provide a test bench for the planning and execution of coordinated strike capabilities and assessment of some of our planning assumptions.

Thus, in line with the mission of the CNS, he said they gathered for EXERCISE SHARK SHIVER, adding that the exercise was among the series of similar ongoing exercises in Western Naval Command Area of Responsibilities and across the operational commands of the navy.

During the exercise, the command deployed several platforms with the ITS MARTINENGO and they include five ships and detachment of Special Boat Services. The participating ships include NNS PROSPERITY, NNS KARADUWA, NNS NGURU, NNS EKULU and NNS OSE as well as a detachment of Special Boat Service together with the ITS MANINENGO. Reiterating that the command would spare no efforts in ensuring a safe and secured maritime environment, he further assured the public, especially maritime operators, that the command will always be there to provide necessary conducive environment to enable seafarers carry

Italian Collaboration At the end of the exercise, the Italian government reiterated its commitment to collaborate with Nigeria on improved maritime security.

Making this pledge, the Deputy Head of Italian Mission to Nigeria, Tarek Chazli, said he was pleased the vessel had prior to the joint exercise, carried out several anti-piracy interventions in the region.

Chazli had earlier led members of the Italian diplomatic community from Abuja to receive the Italian Navy Ship, FEDERICO MONTENEGRO at the Fairway Buoy after the exercise.

In his remarks he said: “I recall one in front of the waters of Benin Republic and one in front of Nigeria’s waters where our ship was called upon and in cooperation with the local naval force, engaged with situations where there were acts of piracy going on and brought same under control.”

Harping on the bilateral relationship between both countries, he said it has transcended many decades without disputes and was mutually beneficial.

He further said: “As the representative of the Embassy of Italy here, I can say we are witnessing the conclusion of indeed very successful joint exercise which we were able to do despite the coronavirus pandemic. I want to salute the magnificent work done by the Nigerian Navy and by the Western Naval Command in particular.

Over the last three days, I had the chance to gather with my team, to witness the efficiency and the commitment to duty. “ I commend the high skills of the Nigerian Navy. That is why Italy is now extending commitment to the security of this part of the world.

The success of our joint exercise has guaranteed that more collaboration will follow and we are very confident that next year we will have longer presence and closer collaboration and we will be ready to welcome the ships.

“What we have done is only small part of the larger effort, to combine our forces, to fight common transnational and international issues like piracy and other security risks not only for the country or Gulf of Guinea but the larger world.“ Review At the end of the exercise, it was reviewed by the Chief Staff Officer (CSO), WNC, Rear Admiral Yakubu Pani, who said the security of the GoG and other neighbouring maritime domain is key to regional maritime stability and security.

Accordingly, he said the conduct of these forms of maritime exercises will be sustained with other friendly navies as “we continue to collaborate and partner for collective interest of the region. It is pertinent to state that the exercise was rewarding as it has impacted positively on the proficiency of personnel in several areas of training.

“The exercise also provided the platform to align our training objectives with our operational requirements in furtherance of the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IbokEtte Ibas”.

Additionally, he said it provided a test bench for the planning and execution of coordinated strike capabilities and assessment of some of their planning assumptions as some of exercises conducted include Anti-Piracy Operations, Rig Protection, Fleet maneouvre, Communication, Vessel Board Search and Seizure, Search and Rescue among others.

At the end, he said the exercise was generally adjudged successful and intended to assess and revised to stay relevant in their quest to conduct decisive maritime combat operations.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

PERSPECTIVE

ICPC and the National Integrity Initiative

By Olayinka Oyegbile

I

t is perhaps not a matter of sheer coincidence that as Nigeria marked her 60th year of Independence from colonial rule, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, was also marking its two decades of existence. Recall that the agency was created by an Act of Parliament in 2000, a year after the country returned to democratic rule after long years of military dictatorship.

In the 20 years of its existence, indeed ICPC has passed through three chairmen before the appointment of Professor Bolaji Owasanoye in 2019. The founding chairman was the late Hon. Justice Mustapha Akanbi, who saw the agency through its milking and growing years.

His tenure was followed by that of the equally respected Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, while the third Chairman was Mr Ekpo Nta. The mandate of the commission, as spelt out in its Act, is to investigate and where necessary prosecute corruption and related offences; prevent corruption by examining the systems and processes of public bodies that predispose to corruption and direct or supervise a review of such. In its two decades of operation, ICPC has methodically discharged its mandate, albeit with minimal applause from Nigerians who assume that fighting corruption is a tea party.

With modest achievements in prosecuting corrupt people, the agency is now poised to educate and enlist the support of the public against corruption.

The anti-graft agency has in 20 years recorded a number of milestones; some of these include but are not limited to the treatment of over 20,000 petitions. Of the lot, 5,000 have been worthy of investigation while no fewer than a thousand cases have been prosecuted.

A casual observer might wonder why such a wide disparity between the number of petitions submitted and the number investigated as well as those prosecuted. The answer is not far-fetched. Nigerians love sensation and bleeding headlines in the media, as long as they are not the one directly concerned! Many have acted as whistleblowers to the Commission and when cases reported are looked into, they are found to be empty and not worthy of attention because they are often borne out of envy, or lack of proper understanding of the mandate of the commission.

In order not to dissipate energy on what is not worthy of its resources, the Commission and its board have since changed strategy, determined to focus on activities that strengthen government’s desire to eradicate corruption in the revenue and expenditure sides of governance and take development closer to the people by ensuring value for money in the implementation of publicly funded projects.

Owasanoye

During its recent anniversary, the ICPC launched the National Ethics and Integrity Policy, which is meant to refocus the sight of citizens to the need to return the country to her much cherished creed of honesty, integrity and diligence as necessary ingredients for national development. The Policy which is broadly divided into five sections is meant to guide the populace and the leaders on the path of national ethics and integrity.

The first section seeks to lay the background and emphasis on the place of integrity in national growth, and its scope as a way of moving the nation away from the emerging decadence in public and private affairs.

The second section, which dwells on the framework of the national ethics and integrity policy, is the groundwork of what the policy is all about and why it became necessary to have such a policy. It reads: “The National Ethics and Integrity Policy is necessary to strengthen efforts at positive national transformation. This is possible when all citizens and those who relate with Nigeria imbibe and embody these core values. The country can reach national development goals when we reframe the meaning of the national purpose and adopt frames of mind, attitudes, behaviors, choices and actions based on the demands of national core values.”

This is important in the life of any nation because the policy has to set out for the country’s citizens what the national ethics is all about and for them to follow. Indeed, a country without a body of national ethics cannot grow in unity and in a desired direction because the citizens do not see a unified goal in the nation. However, with a national policy on ethics, the citizens would

have a direction to follow. This is necessary to save the nation from ethical values that had been eroded by greed, corruption and lack of national ethos. All these are contained in the country’s constitution and now with a policy to back it up it would be easily remembered by all.

The fundamental principle of what constitutes ethics in a nation is well enunciated in the third section. It says for any one to reside in the country or be called a citizen, there are some fundamental issues that such person must subscribe to and be considered as living within the policy framework. It spells out categorically that: “The National Ethics and Integrity Policy presents basic principles and values that obligate all Nigerians, and everyone who resides within the borders of Nigeria or who relates with the country in one form or the other, to commit to uphold these core values.” Anything contrary to this violates the national value.

Perhaps the most important part of the policy is contained in Section 4 which lists seven core national values. These are: human dignity, voice and participation, patriotism, personal responsibility and integrity. Others are national unity and professionalism.

“Importance of the individual human being, fairness, justice, respect forpersons, sense of humanity, tolerance, freedom, equity, acceptance, care and concern for persons” are key ingredients in upholding human dignity. The policy gives a detailed explanation of what this entails and it is very important for all citizens to read and imbibe. It emphasizes that the concept is not new to Nigeria as the major religions in the country recognize the importance of human dignity, and that human worth should never

be discountenanced or violated.

It recognises what is considered as important articles of human dignity. These include legal foundations, objectives of the value, participation of all and how to move it forward. Some of these important actions are fair hearing, which is guaranteed to all and should not be denied anyone. It does not end there because it also guarantees protection against retaliation and practical application of value.

Another fulcrum of importance in the policy is the issue of patriotism. This is very crucial to achieve the tenets of the policy because without patriotism, it would be hard for any nation to reach the Promised land. It defines patriotism as “Love of one’s country and the willingness to defend it. Embedded in this core value are the following sub-values: a sense of nationhood, loyalty, solidarity, national pride, sense of belonging, respect, tolerance, dedication, acceptance, unity, hard work, faithfulness, obedience, civic responsibility, service, respect for constituted authority, respect for national symbols and upholding the spirit, and a sense of the future.” It also sees the issue of sourcing raw materials by manufacturers in the realm of patriotism, this is true. All hands must be on deck to achieve this all important venture.

Now, the crucial question is: how do we achieve and get this important National Policy on stream? The document addressed this critical point because it believes that failure to show how to get it done would be a futile exercise.

To get this done, all stakeholders are properly identified. On board are the Public and Private Sectors, Traditional and Cultural Institutions, Women, Religious Institutions, Security Sector, the Media, Grassroots Communities. All sectors of the country both at national, state and local levels are to be involved in achieving set goals and targets.

In all, the unveiling of this important document by the ICPC has shown the way to go for the nation and the only means to achieve national integrity is to go along with it.

Indeed, as captured by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha: “It is the hope and expectation of government that all Nigerians will own this document and use it to hold public office holders accountable to the highest level of integrity and ethical behaviour. At the same time we expect that ownership will result in personal responsibility for us all as citizens to act with integrity towards building the nation of our dream. “Furthermore, we hope that key stakeholders – religious and traditional leaders and institutions, civil society, private sector, media, youths and all Nigerians will contribute to the critical next steps of deciding what actions should be taken and by whom towards actualizing the pillars of this framework.”

What words can say this better? We are on track with the National Ethics and Integrity Policy. Nigeria will rise again.

Diatom Impact Pushes for Women’s Participation in Politics with ElectHer Academy Sunday Ehigiator Diatom Impact, in partnership with ElectHer, Academy, has began push to activate and engage more women in the political process with the aim to build a productive, and healthy community.

This push stemmed from the belief that investing in girls and women would create a ripple effect that would yield multiple benefits, not only for individual women, but also for families, communities, and countries.

In a recent statement signed

by Diatom Impact in conjunction with the Co-founders of

ElectHer,Abosede George-Ogan and Ibijoke Faborede, it revealed that ElectHer was on a mission to support 1000 women to run for office in 2023, while enjoying funding support from Diatom Impact.

“In many African societies, women’s participation in development efforts, decision-making and politics is low.

“The national average of women’s political participation in Nigeria has remained 6.7 per cent in elective and appointive positions, which is far below the global average of 22.5 per cent, Africa regional average of 23.4 per cent and West African sub-

regional average of 15 per cent.

“Studies show that increasing women’s participation in politics leads to greater investments in education, and companies with female board representation boast higher returns on investment.

“Research also suggests that gender balance in the political sphere promotes gender balance in the workforce, which could double global GDP growth by 2025.

“In July this year, Diatom Impact, a member of Platform Capital Group, supported ElectHER with a grant of $50,000 in perpetuity.

“Founded by Abosede George-Ogan and Ibijoke Faborode, ElectHER is a nonpartisan end-to-end women’s political advancement organisation bridging inequality gaps in Nigerian politics by addressing the under-representation of Nigerian women in elective office through behavioral change communications, skills development, human capital mobilisation and campaign financing, with an end-goal to enable capable women to competitively Decide, Run, and Win elections.

“The funds donated by Diatom Impact, an arm of Platform

Capital, will go towards the setting up and launching the ElectHER Academy which will provide access to quality online and offline training for at least 1,000 women interested in politics.

“As part of Platform Capital Group, Diatom Impacta research and impact focused organisation is focused on five areas critical to economic and social development; health, education, entrepreneurship, gender equality and quality of life.”

Highlighting the work being done in the area of gender equality, the Founder, Platform Capital, Dr. Akintoye Akindele

said, “The great work that ElectHER is doing is aligned with our gender equality goals at Platform Capital.

“Promoting women into leadership and supporting their participation in politics, government, and business across all levels of society is key if we want to ensure the Africa of our dreams.

“Women are the cornerstone of the society and data has proven that empowering women has a greater net effect on the community. We must embrace this and continue to uplift women for the development of our continent,” he said.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020 • T H I S D AY

37

38

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Online Community Empowerment Platform Launched Emma Okonji ZigZag Nation, a financial technology platform designed to empower Nigerian youths, has been launched. The online platform, which is about empowerment of an online community of people into limelight, offers empowerment opportunities for the under privileged and unheard youths of the society who have talent and have something to offer to the society. ]Speaking at the launch in Lagos recently, the Founder of ZigZag Nation, Mr. Obafemi Giwa-Amu, said: “With Nigerian youths accounting for over 70 per cent of the nation’s population, it becomes necessary to arm the populace with a platform with which positive energy can be

channeled to higher productivity.

The ZigZag Nation is a highly interactive cyberspace with main focus on young demographics between 15 and 35 years of age, but nevertheless, older persons are also targets.”

He said eligible persons for full mentorship would be immediately equipped with a starter pack comprising a debit card to support operations of an e-wallet, a call-free SIM card for easy communication with the ZigZag online community, including a Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) locker for warehousing of purchased items.

He explained that members would have access to a robust e-Commerce platform where shopping or international trade is made easy from the comfort of homes, workplaces, and schools,

among other places.

According to Giwa-Amu, “We have lots of SMEs that have great skills and idea, but they are not empowered to grow. So we have a financial technology platform called the ZigZag Nation, where people could access online and get empowered. We are collaborating the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and some major banks to drive this initiative.

“Nigeria is gradually slipping into another round of recession and we need to edge it by empowering more Nigerians so that there will be something for everyone to do, which means more money in circulation. In ZigZag Nation, we have investment advisers who will look at the various business proposals and give professional advice.

FCMB Opens Cash Centre at Ipaja First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has taken its banking services to the doorsteps of residents and businesses at Ipaja, a suburb in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

This followed the opening of an ultra-modern cash centre of the bank, strategically located at 147, New Ipaja Road, Akinogun Bus Stop, Ipaja, Lagos.

According to a statement, the location of the branch took into consideration the convenience of residents and businesses in Ipaja and environs, including the popular Iyana Ipaja, Egbeda and Abesan areas.

“The development is in line with the commitment of FCMB to bring financial services closer

to the populace in order to promote financial inclusion. The cash centre, which commenced operations on December 7, 2020, is powered by solar energy.

Apart from the team of highly experienced staff deployed to the Centre, it is also equipped with top class traditional anddigital banking infrastructure, includingAutomated Teller Machines (ATMs), which ensures convenient and secured financial transactions for customers in a relaxed and tranquil environment,” the bank explained. Speaking on the opening of the FCMB Cash Centre at Ipaja, the Managing Director, Mr. Adam Nuru, reaffirmed the commitment of the Bank to grow its network to meet the individual

and business aspirations of its ever-increasingcustomer base across segments.

According to him, “we consider our presence at Ipaja as another veritable opportunity to further cement our relationship with Lagos and in turn, drive development in this part of the state. Ipaja is one of the most strategic and populated parts of Lagos. As an inclusive lender, we recognise that the only way we can succeed is when we engage and support our customers to succeed. We are committed to scale our operations, build the requisite capabilities and deploy the best ways to simplify banking for our array of customers to fulfil their personal and business aspirations.”

EKEDC Donates Medical Equipment to LUTH, LASUTH Peter Uzoho The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has donated ventilators to two tertiary health institutions in Lagos -the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

Thedonations which were part of the distribution company’s intervention in the fight against COVID-19 and future health emergencies, were made simultaneously in one day with two separate teams from EKEDC deployed to each of the hospitals for the presentation of the ventilators. The Chief Human Resources Officer, EKEDC, Mr. Aik Alenkhe, who led the team to LUTH, handed over

the equipment to the hospital, pledging the company’s readiness to continue to impact positively on its customers and communities.

Alenkhe said: “CSR is important for us at Eko Disco and we will continue to play a leadership role in making sure that we impact on our customers and the communities where we do business.

“It has been said that you make a living by what you earn, you make life by what you do and that is what we stand for in Eko Disco. We all know what COVID-19 is doing in the global community today.

“It’s not just a health crisis; it’s a social and economic crisis that has completely changed the landscape globally; and we don’t want to be taken unaware.

“We don’t want to be caught up in a second lockdown situation and we believe as a company that we should be proactive in supporting not just healthcare institutions like LUTH but also supporting the government and other stakeholders even the private sector to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. “And that’s exactly why we are here today. We hope this equipment will be deployed optimally, maximally and ultimately help to not only contain the COVID-19 pandemic but also save lives.”

Receiving the equipment on behalf of the hospital’s management, the Chairman, LUTH Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, appreciated EKEDC for the donation, noting that the corporate bodies in the country had supported them immensely.

ADVAN to Recognise Advertisers that Supported COVID-19 Fight Raheem Akingbolu The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has concluded plans to honour corporate organisations and other public sector players who have contributed immeasurably to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic thus far.

All prospective awardees would be honoured under a single award category tagged: ‘ADVAN Community of Heroes Award.’

Justifying the need for the recognition, in a statement signed by the Public Secretary

of ADVAN, Bukola Bankole, the association said: “ADVAN has over the years showcased and celebrated exceptional work by advertisers in building trusted brands. Categories such as Brand Innovation of the Year, CSR, Consumer Promotions, and Experiential Marketing were some of the categories ADVAN had awarded to deserving organisations in past editions.”

“However, seeing how 2020 has been an extremely difficult year for our nation and the world as a whole, due to the incursion of the coronavirus and its attended

social and economic hardships, we believed it was appropriate to highlight and honour the role of advertisers in providing support to government and communities during the pandemic.”

“Indeed it was with an immense sense of pride that we watched our beloved advertisers respond to the needs of society during one of the most difficult times in our nation’s history, they were at the front-line of the various efforts in providing relief and support to communities and individuals.”

L-R: Deputy Coordinator, Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Consults, Effurum, Joseph Ajima; Principal, Dr. Henry Adimula; Managing Director, Ambong Energy Services Limited, John Nwosu; and Business Development and New Venture Manager, Dave Day, at the signing of a Memorandum of Association in Effurum, Delta State…recently NJǐǍƾǀ˝ LjƽNJljǂ ljǀǍǂǔ

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JULY 2020 Money Supply (M3)

36,822,751.47

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

3,476,121.25

Money Supply (M2)

33,346,630.22

-- Quasi Money

120,764,479.02

-- Narrow Money (M1)

12,582,151.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,002,026.89

---- Demand Deposits

10,580,124.31

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,637,137.23

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

29,185,614.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

39,711,115.95

---- Credit to Government (Net)

19,521,851.08

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-130,189,264.87

--Other Assets Net

3,472,017.70

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,421,827.07

--Currency in Circulation

2,395,917.03

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,025,910.04 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month Inter-Bank Call Rate

March 2018 15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2020

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $48.31 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $47.79 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

39

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

LCFE Calls for Collaboration as Lawmakers, Regulators Lend Support Goddy Egene The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange (LCFE), Mr. Akin Akeredolu-Ale, has stressed the need for every effort to be geared towards ensuring that the exchange operates as a pan-African commodities market.

He, therefore, called on all participants in the ecosystem

to work together.

Akeredolu-Ale stated this while making a presentation at the maiden visit to the exchange by the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market, Hon. Babangida Ibrahim and Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Lamido Yuguda.

“Our business model provides for the integration of commodities stakeholders to

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

enable the commodities ecosystem. LCFE does not compete with the stakeholders of the commodities ecosystem, rather, we encourage alignment of all stakeholders in the ecosystem,” Akeredolu-Ale said.

Also speaking, the Chairman, LCFE, Chief Onyenwechukwu Ezeagu, explained that the exchange was an initiative of the Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) which is the trade

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

group of all dealing member firms of all the registered exchanges.

“ASHON, in recognition of the need to fully realise the potential of the federal government’s drive towards the development of the agriculture and solid minerals sector and to tap the opportunities thereof, took the initiative to establish a commodities and futures exchange, which will be well-positioned, to support

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

the government’s stride, to create wealth for the stakeholders, to put Nigeria on the global revenue map and enhance the flow of currency exchange in Nigeria,” Ezeagu said. Addressing the board and management of LCFE, Ibrahim, expressed satisfaction at the level of preparedness of the exchange to commence operations. Ibrahim said: “As lawmakers, we decided to visit the LCFE to familiarise

O F

with its workings in a bid to providing legislative support where necessary.

The capital market broadens access to economic prosperity by enabling the emergence of financially responsible citizens, accelerated wealth creation, and distribution in any environment.

We are impressed by what is on the ground at the LCFE. The government is ready to support the growth of commodities exchanges in Nigeria.”

1 0 / 1 2 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

40

˾ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020

Friday, December 11, 2020 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index declined 1.8% The Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index yesterday fell 1.83% to

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

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Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

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DĂƌŬĞƚ ZĞŵĂŝŶƐ ŽǁŶďĞĂƚ ĂƐ WƌŽĮƚ-ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŽŶƟŶƵĞƐ͙ ASI down 1.3%

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

Price Previous Current Change Price Weightin YTD Change g

Price Change Index to Date

5.3%

54.6%

15.6%

3.2%

5.5x

0.5x

5.5%

11.7%

-0.8%

30.4%

47.6%

42.2%

189.4%

11.9%

16.0x

26.9x

4.5%

6.2%

2 Airtel Africa PLC

640.00

0.0%

23.2%

114.1%

114.1%

7.7%

2.8%

ot Applicable

1.8%

27.9%

4.7%

-2.4%

9.2%

8.9%

10.8%

/Ŷ ƚŚĞ ƉĞŶƵůƟŵĂƚĞ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ǁĞĞŬ͕ ƚŚĞ ůŽĐĂů

-6.2%

5.9%

18.3%

17.6%

ĞƋƵŝƟĞƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͕ ĞdžƚĞŶĚŝŶŐ LJĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͛s loss as

6 Dangote Cement PLC

5 Nestle Nigeria PLC

ƚƵƌŶ ŵŽĚĞƌĂƚĞĚ ƚŽ Ϯϴ͘ϴй͘ ĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ϵϱ͘ϳй ĂŶĚ ϵϰ͘ϭй ƚŽ ϱϱϯ͘ϵŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ േϲ͘ϲďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ dŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁĞƌĞ GUARANTY ;ϴϳ͘Ϭŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ ZENITH ;ϲϱ͘Ϭŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ and TRANSCORP ;ϱϮ͘ϱŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁŚŝůĞ GUARANTY (േϮ͘ϴďŶͿ͕ ZENITH (േϭ͘ϱďŶͿ ĂŶĚ MTNN (േϰϬϱ͘ϬŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

ĂĐƌŽƐƐ

ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ

ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ

ĂƐ

all indices ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ƐŽƵƚŚǁĂƌĚ͘ dŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůŽƐƚ͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϰ͘ϭй ĂŶĚ ϯ͘ϳй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ƐĞůů-ŽīƐ ŝŶ ZENITH (-ϲ͘ϮйͿ͕ FBNH (-ϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ MANSARD (-6.1%) and AIICO (-ϱ͘ϰйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝͲ ůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ ĂŶĚ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƚƌĂŝůĞĚ͕ ƐŚĞĚĚŝŶŐ ϭ͘ϭй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϳй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ

ϲ͘ϰйͿ͕ ARDOVA (-1.1%) and MTNN (-Ϭ͘ϴйͿ ĚƌĂŐŐĞĚ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ &Z-/ d ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĚŽǁŶ ďLJ Ϭ͘ϳй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϰй ƌĞƐƉĞĐͲ ƟǀĞůLJ͘

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ tĂŶĞƐ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ

the 40 that declined. OKOMUOIL ;нϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ MBENEFIT ;нϵ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ FTNCOCOA (+8.1%) ůĞĚ ƚŚĞ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ ǁŚŝůĞ WAPCO (-ϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ FBNH (-10.0%) and UPL (-10.0%) led ƚŚĞ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ͘ DŽǀŝŶŐ ĨŽƌǁĂƌĚ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ ƚŚĞ ǁĞĞŬ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĚ ĂƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƌĞŵĂŝŶƐ ǁĞĂŬ͘

31.5%

3.6%

-4.8%

-4.8%

83.0%

20.5%

27.2x

26.5x

5.0%

3.7%

4.8%

40.1%

40.1%

30.8%

14.6%

13.3x

4.2x

8.6%

7.5%

7 Access Bank PLC

7.75

-6.6%

2.5%

-22.5%

-23.3%

16.8%

1.5%

2.5x

0.4x

8.4%

39.8%

8 United Bank for Africa PLC

7.90

-3.7%

2.4%

10.5%

9.7%

13.9%

1.3%

3.4x

0.5x

12.4%

29.8%

9 FBN Holdings Plc

6.30

-10.0%

2.1%

2.4%

-3.1%

13.5%

1.3%

3.1x

0.3x

5.9%

32.5%

10 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

55.00

0.0%

2.0%

-6.8%

-6.8%

6.6%

2.5%

40.8x

2.7x

3.2%

2.5%

11 Lafarge Africa PLC

20.25

-10.0%

2.8%

32.4%

46.7%

6.5%

4.6%

14.1x

0.9x

4.8%

7.1%

0.3x

9.6%

-3.4%

5.6x

1.4x

5.4%

17.7%

0.7x

5.6%

402.30

0.0%

1.2%

-38.8%

-32.1%

-0.3%

-0.2%

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

12 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

44.05

0.0%

1.7%

7.4%

10.1%

25.8%

3.8%

14 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

24.65

-2.6%

1.0%

25.1%

25.1%

15 International Brew eries PLC

7.18

0.0%

0.6%

-24.4%

-24.4%

-26.3%

-6.2%

16 Ecobank Transnational Inc

5.80

0.0%

0.6%

-10.8%

-11.5%

0.5%

0.0%

56.5x

0.3x

17 Fidelity Bank PLC

2.30

-9.8%

0.6%

12.2%

13.9%

10.7%

1.1%

2.6x

0.3x

18 11 PLC

1.3x

-24.2% 1.8% 8.7%

39.1%

228.00

0.0%

0.8%

54.2%

54.2%

16.4%

7.6%

12.4x

1.9x

4.0%

8.1%

19 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

88.00

10.0%

0.8%

58.3%

58.3%

20.6%

13.4%

13.1x

2.6x

2.3%

7.6%

20 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

17.60

-6.9%

0.5%

29.4%

25.7%

30.8%

15.6%

6.2x

1.7x

6.3%

16.0%

21 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

0.86

-9.5%

0.3%

-13.1%

-19.6%

-3.5%

-0.8%

0.5x

1.2%

22 Unilever Nigeria PLC

13.05

0.4%

0.2%

-40.7%

-37.0%

-9.8%

-6.5%

1.2x

23 Guinness Nigeria PLC

-6.7% -9.1%

16.05

-9.8%

0.2%

-46.6%

-46.6%

-16.2%

-8.4%

24 FCMB Group Plc

2.90

-5.8%

0.5%

56.8%

59.3%

10.3%

1.2%

2.8x

0.1x

4.8%

36.3%

25 Sterling Bank PLC

1.71

-9.5%

0.2%

-14.1%

-10.0%

8.8%

0.8%

4.8x

0.4x

1.8%

21.0%

26 UAC of Nigeria PLC

7.00

-4.1%

0.2%

-18.6%

-21.3%

7.8%

3.7%

99.3x

0.4x

1.4%

1.0%

27 Custodian and Allied Insurance

5.85

0.0%

0.2%

-2.5%

-2.5%

13.9%

4.8%

5.5x

0.7x

7.7%

18.3%

30 Total Nigeria PLC 31 Oando PLC

0.5x

-37.1%

71.80

0.0%

0.3%

51.2%

51.2%

18.5%

7.7%

13.7x

2.3x

2.9%

7.3%

5.40

0.0%

0.1%

-10.0%

-10.7%

8.0%

1.0%

6.3x

0.6x

4.6%

15.8%

130.00

0.0%

0.2%

17.2%

17.2%

10.7%

2.1%

15.7x

1.7x

5.0%

2.76

-6.4%

0.1%

-30.8%

-30.8%

14.5%

2.6%

1.2x

0.2x

6.4% 84.1%

32 NASCON Allied Industries PLC

16.00

0.0%

0.2%

23.6%

23.6%

18.4%

5.8%

10.4x

3.4x

2.5%

9.6%

33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

18.40

0.0%

0.1%

11.0%

11.0%

10.8%

1.2%

19.9x

0.8x

9.1%

5.0%

0.64

-4.5%

-5.9%

6.8%

0.5%

3.7x

0.4x

6.3%

26.9%

-1.1%

0.1% 0.1%

-13.5%

13.05

-27.9%

-27.5%

3.1%

1.1%

31.9x

0.9x

7.8x

34 Wema Bank PLC 35 Ardova PLC 36 Continental Reinsurance PLC

3.1%

-100.0%

37 Beta Glass PLC

55.40

0.0%

0.1%

3.0%

3.0%

10.3%

7.2%

38 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-21.3%

-6.4%

39 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

2.14

-6.1%

0.0%

8.1%

8.1%

21.5%

6.6%

40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

3.60

0.0%

0.0%

-26.5%

-26.5%

-10.4%

-5.0%

0.8x

0.0x

1.8x 3.6x

12.8% -13.3%

0.7x

27.6%

0.5x

0.0x

-20.8%

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

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

GUA R A N T Y

87.0

-2.4%

9.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

65.0

-6.2%

0.40

8.1%

T R A N SC OR P

52.5

-9.5%

UN ION D A C

0.29

7.4%

R EGA LIN S

46.6

-8.7%

GLA XOSM IT H

6.70

1.5%

FB NH

43.2

-10.0%

UN ILEVER

13.05

0.4%

F ID ELIT YB K

34.5

-9.8% -3.7%

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

OKOM UOIL

88.00

10.0%

M B EN EF IT

0.24

F T N C OC OA

T ic k er

1400.00

0.0%

UB A

31.0

C H ELLA R A M

2.51

0.0%

M B EN EF IT

30.9

9.1%

T A N T A LIZ ER

0.20

0.0%

A C C ESS

27.6

-6.6%

M A YB A KER

3.54

0.0%

R OYA LEX

13.1

-4.8%

N EST LE

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

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er WA P C O

P ric e 20.25

Value

P ric e C hg %

-10.0%

GUA R A N T Y

2826.0

-2.4%

1456.4

-6.2%

405.0

-0.8%

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

UP L

1.26

-10.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

FB NH

6.30

-10.0%

M TNN

P OR T P A IN T

2.35

-10.0%

FB NH

280.2

-10.0%

NNFM

6.20

-9.9%

UB A

243.0

-3.7%

GUIN N ESS

16.05

-9.8%

A C C ESS

216.8

-6.6%

F ID ELIT YB K

2.30

-9.8%

N EST LE

181.4

0.0%

0.28

-9.7%

WA P C O

111.8

-10.0%

1.71

-9.5%

CA P

99.9

0.0%

-9.5%

D A N GSUGA R

93.4

-6.9%

LA SA C O ST ER LN B A N K T R A N SC OR P

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

21.3%

12.2%

0.0%

;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘Ϯdž ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ Ϭ͘ϲdž ƌĞĐͲ ŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ as 6 ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ

8.7%

0.7x

0.0%

DANGSUGAR (-ϲ͘ϵйͿ͕ GUINNESS (-ϵ͘ϴйͿ͕ WAPCO (-10.0%) and CUTIX (-ϲ͘ϴйͿ͘ ĚĚŝƟŽŶĂůůLJ͕ ƐĞůů ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞƐ ŝŶ OANDO (-

1.3x

3.2x

199.00

29 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

ǁĂƐ

4.7x

1,400.00

28 Presco PLC

Bearish Sector Performance

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

-1.83%

32.35

ƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ േ232.1bn to േϭϴ͘ϭƚŶ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ƌĞͲ

P/BV

155.00

22.00

ϭϮϳďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϯϰ͕ϱϳϳ͘Ϯϲ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͘ ,ĞŶĐĞ͕ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝͲ

P/E

1,545.58

4 Zenith Bank PLC

ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĚ͘ ĐĐŽƌĚŝŶŐůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞdž ĨĞůů

ROA

1 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

3 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

ZENITH (-ϲ͘ϮйͿ͕ WAPCO (-10.0%) and FBNH (-10.0%)

ROE

0.86

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

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

Adedayo Bakare | abakare@afrinvest.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

41

MARKET NEWS

NSE Organises Workshop to Empower Retail Investors Goddy Egene

(NSE), will host a virtual and prospective investors on market.

Mr. Oscar Onyema, said the investors’ workshop next the opportunities and product Speaking on the development, exchange was committed to The Nigerian Stock Exchange Tuesday to educate existing offerings available in the capital the Chief Executive Officer, NSE, facilitating conversations that will A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an ETF are bought by investors.

Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Bid Price: The price at which Investors Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that return an investor would have earned on An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. his investment. Money Market Funds report of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, Yield while others report Year- to-date Total bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: Return. etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 09- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Dec-2020, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

expound on the retail investment opportunities available in the capital market.

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 Afrinvest Dollar 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 1.04 1.05 15.38% ACAP Income Funds 0.86 0.86 11.40% 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 1.89% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.74 3.88 53.12% 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 0.91% Anchoria Equity Fund 127.65 128.10 20.15% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.45 1.45 21.38% 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 17.87 18.41 16.66% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 396.87 408.84 14.89% ARM Ethical Fund 33.57 34.59 15.44% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.22 1.22 21.84% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.12 1.13 12.70% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.18% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 121.86 122.71 26.83% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.47% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.25 2.25 20.14% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.21 2.25 44.22% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.38% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 126.56 127.34 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 108.39 108.39 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 0.81% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.10 1.11 18.90% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.73 1.73 29.95% 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 0.87% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 1.27% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,208.76 1,226.91 9.10% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,466.59 1,468.30 23.57% FBN Balanced Fund 180.79 182.14 23.14% FBN Halal Fund 110.96 110.99 10.96% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.43% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 121.05 121.47 7.22% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 121.23 121.64 6.84% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 147.66 149.93 13.47% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy USD Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,731.02 3,770.08 22.39% Coral Income Fund 3,250.75 3,250.75 5.90% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 3.31% 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 100.00 100.00 1.58% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 126.59 127.12 17.72%

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 2.01% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.84 2.90 29.79% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 7.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 155.62 156.53 8.62% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.38 1.40 22.38% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,148.68 1,148.68 10.40% 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 1.60 1.63 29.50% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.11 12.21 7.53% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 2.10% PACAM Equity Fund 1.51 1.53 PACAM EuroBond Fund 108.75 111.09 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 133.73 136.75 9.40% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 8.85% 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 24.43% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 6.33% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 24.44% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 7.42% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 29.39% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.36% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 21.76% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.22 1.22 5.31% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 110.81 110.81 6.33% 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 1.36 1.38 13.83% United Capital Bond Fund 1.88 1.88 8.72% United Capital Equity Fund 0.84 0.87 19.29% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.27% United Capital Eurobond Fund 116.64 116.64 6.71% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.06 1.07 1.37% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.03 12.18 17.10% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.42 13.56 15.58% Zenith Income Fund 24.98 24.98 9.96% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.82%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

120.04

6.92%

52.14

0.17%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

11.51 112.93 87.62

11.61 115.39 89.26

36.63% 19.56% 16.64%

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

N/A

N/A

N/A

Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund

N/A

N/A

N/A

Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund

N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A

Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

N/A

N/A

N/A

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.71

13.11%

Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

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.

42

FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020 •T H I S D AY

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43

FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020 • T H I S D AY

AITEO EASTERN E&P COMPANY LTD OPERATOR OF THE NNPC/AITEO JOINT VENTURE (OPERATOR OF OML 29)

TENDER OPPORTUNITY PROVISION OF HELICOPTER SERVICES INTRODUCTION AITEO Eastern E&P Company Limited (Company) is the Operator of the NNPC/AITEO Joint Venture covering OML 29.

Company is currently operating the NEMBE, Santa Barbara, and Odeama Flowstations. Company, as part of its strategic production optimization work, requires the service of a technically competent Contractor to provide the services covered under the Scope of Work (SoW) below.

SCOPE OF WORK The scope of work for this tender includes, but not limited to the following; 1 Perform Provision of Aviation Services to support Company's Field locations.

2 Provision of adequate and appropriate Aircraft to assist with movement and crew changes within and around Company’s Fields and Locations 3 Provision of Medivac and Emergency Response Support Services MANDATORY TENDER REQUIREMENT 1 Bidders must be registered to do business in Nigeria with the CAC. 2 Bidders must be registered on NipeX Joint Qualification System (NJQS) in the product codes 3.08.03 (Ad-hoc flights, Aircraft inspection, Airport ground services, Aviation, Fixed wing, Flight information services, Helicopter, Offshore fuel services, Rotary), and on ‘live status’ at the tender advert closing date.

3 Bidders must have the required Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Permit for the services under this tender.

4 Bidders must meet the NCDMB Requirement to provide service to support the Oil & Gas Industry in Nigeria.

5 Bidders must meet Technical and Financial Requirements to provide this service.

OTHER RELEVANT REQUIREMENT – SERVICE SPECIFICS a Interested suppliers must be prequalified for this product/service category in NJQS. b Full tendering procedure will be provided only to contractors that have been successfully prequalified in NJQS. c This advertisement shall neither be construed as an Invitation to Tender (ITT) nor a commitment on the part of AITEO to award a contract to any supplier and/or associated companies, sub-contractors or agents. d This advertisement shall not entitle prequalified companies to make any claims whatsoever, and/or seek any indemnity from AITEO and/or its partners by virtue of such companies, having been prequalified in NJQS. e All costs incurred in registering and prequalifying for this and other product/service categories in NJQS shall be borne solely by suppliers. f Suppliers that are prequalified for this product/service category in NJQS must ensure that the name and contact details (physical address, email address and telephone number) of their company and authorized/responsible personnel is up-to-date in their company profile in the NJQS database. g AITEO shall communicate only with the authorized/responsible personnel of prequalified companies and not through unauthorized individuals or agents.

CLOSING DATE AND RELATED INFORMATION Only tenderers who are registered with the relevant NJQS Product Category/Codes 3.08.03 (Ad-hoc flights, Aircraft inspection, Airport ground services, Aviation, Fixed wing, Flight information services, Helicopter, Offshore fuel services, Rotary) - and who are on “live status” on the NipeX Code(s) at the end of 15 working days ( 16:00 hours) from the date of this advert, will be considered for the opportunity and included in the bidders list.

NIGERIAN CONTENT REQUIREMENT AITEO Eastern E&P Company Limited is committed to growing the industry through compliance with NOGICD Act 2010. We also collaborate with the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to ensure that all our Contractors comply with the Act. Bidders must provide the following document as part of submission for this tender; Evidence of Company's existence in Nigeria with clear photocopies of CAC forms C02 and C07, registration on NOGIC JQS, and current DPR certificate in the specific category.

Evidence of detailed location of in-country facilities; warehouse, office, and yard workshop, (certificate of ownership, lease agreement, layout drawings and photographs).

Provide evidence of 50% Nigerian equipment ownership with NCEC Provide corporate organizational and project/contract specific organogram and list of key project personnel showing the ratio of Nigerians.

Provide MOA with Local Training Service Provider (OGTAN member) for the provision of training services in specific technical disciplines involved in the project.

Please visit NipeX portal at www.nipex-ng.com for this advert and other information.

MANAGEMENT

AITEO EASTERN E&P COMPANY LIMITED

44

FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020 •T H I S D AY

AITEO EASTERN E&P COMPANY LTD OPERATOR OF THE NNPC/AITEO JOINT VENTURE (OPERATOR OF OML 29)

TENDER OPPORTUNITY PROVISION OF PIPELINE REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE SERVICES INTRODUCTION AITEO Eastern E&P Company Limited (Company) is the Operator of the NNPC/AITEO Joint Venture covering OML 29.

Company is currently operating the NEMBE, Santa Barbara, and Odeama Flowstations. Company, as part of its strategic production optimization work, requires the service of technically competent Contractor to provide the services covered under the Scope of Work (SoW) below.

SCOPE OF WORK The scope of work for this tender includes, but not limited to the following; 1 Emergency pipeline repairs for oil and condensate pipelines, composite repairs and upgrades/sectional replacement or re-routing.

2 Flowline leak repairs, sectional replacement, and new flowline construction.

3 Inspection of pipelines, flowlines, and non-piggable line; 4 CP systems survey, upgrade/repairs, UT inspection, coating inspection/repairs and pigging services 5 Manifold inspection, Riser inspection, and training.

6 Valve replacement works, valve maintenance works, riser burials, river crossings, road crossings 7 Gasline repairs, major sectional replacements of oil lines including welded valves 8 Civil and Structural Maintenance, Modification and Extension WORKS 9 Procurement / Supply of Equipment, Materials or Services either locally or abroad 10 Decommissioning / abandonment of disused pipelines and manifolds MANDATORY TENDER REQUIREMENT; 1 Bidders must be registered to do business in Nigeria with the CAC 2 Bidders must be registered on NIPEX, on the right category – 3.05.01 and 4.04.04 and on “live status” on the closing date of the advert for this tender.

3 Bidders must have the required Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Permit for the services under this tender 4 Bidders must meet the NCDMB Requirement to provide service to support the Oil & Gas Industry in Nigeria.

5 Bidders must meet Technical and Financial Requirement to provide this service

Provide evidence of 50% Nigerian equipment ownership with NCEC Provide corporate organizational and project/contract specific organogram and list of key project personnel showing the ratio of Nigerians Provide MOA with Local Training Service Provider (OGTAN member) for the provision of training services in specific technical disciplines involved in the project OTHER RELEVANT REQUIREMENT – SERVICE SPECIFICS a Interested suppliers must be prequalified for this product/service category in NJQS. b Full tendering procedure will be provided only to contractors that have been successfully prequalified in NJQS. c This advertisement shall neither be construed as an Invitation to Tender (ITT) nor a commitment on the part of AITEO to award a contract to any supplier and/or associated companies, sub-contractors or agents. d This advertisement shall not entitle prequalified companies to make any claims whatsoever, and/or seek any indemnity from AITEO and/or its partners by virtue of such companies, having been prequalified in NJQS. e All costs incurred in registering and prequalifying for this and other product/service categories in NJQS shall be borne solely by suppliers. f Suppliers that are prequalified for this product/service category in NJQS must ensure that the name and contact details (physical address, email address and telephone number) of their company and authorized/responsible personnel is up-to-date in their company profile in the NJQS database. g AITEO shall communicate only with the authorized/responsible personnel of prequalified companies and not through unauthorized individuals or agents.

Only Suppliers registered on both 3.01.05 (Pipeline Services Design, Pollution control and Routing) and/or Category 4.05.04 (Pipeline Systems) as at the last date of this advertisement will be eligible to participate in the tender CLOSING DATE AND RELATED INFORMATION Only tenderers who are registered with NJQS Product/Category 3.05.01 (Steel/Piping/Mechanical Services) and Category 4.04.04 (Pipeline Systems) - and who are on “live status” on the NipeX Code(s) at the end of 15 working days ( 16:00 hours) from the date of this advert, will be considered for the opportunity and included in the bidders list.

NIGERIAN CONTENT REQUIREMENT AITEO Eastern E&P Company Limited is committed to growing the industry through compliance with NOGICD Act 2010. We also collaborate with the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to ensure that all our Contractors comply with the Act. Bidders must provide the following document as part of submission for this tender; Evidence of Company's existence in Nigeria with clear photocopies of CAC forms C02 and C07, registration on NOGIC JQS, and current DPR certificate in the specific category.

Evidence of detailed location of in-country facilities; warehouse, office, and yard workshop, (certificate of ownership, lease agreement, layout drawings and photographs).

Please visit NipeX portal at www.nipex-ng.com for this advert and other information.

MANAGEMENT

AITEO EASTERN E&P COMPANY LIMITED

45

FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020 • T H I S D AY

AITEO EASTERN E&P COMPANY LTD OPERATOR OF THE NNPC/AITEO JOINT VENTURE (OPERATOR OF OML 29)

TENDER OPPORTUNITY PROVISION OF SUPPLYBASE/WAREHOUSE/STORAGE SERVICES

INTRODUCTION AITEO Eastern E&P Company Limited (Company) is the Operator of the NNPC/AITEO Joint Venture covering OML 29.

Company is currently operating the NEMBE, Santa Barbara, and Odeama Flowstations. Company, as part of its strategic production optimization work, requires the service of a technically competent Contractor to provide the services covered under the Scope of Work (SoW) below.

SCOPE OF WORK The scope of work for this tender includes, but not limited to the following; 1 Provide Supply Base / Warehouse / Storage Services Crane, Forklift truck, High security, Plant, Racking, Tanker bunkerage, Vessel discharge.

MANDATORY TENDER REQUIREMENT; 1 Bidders must be registered to do business in Nigeria with the CAC 2 Bidders must be registered on NipeX Joint Qualification System (NJQS) in the product codes 3.08.12- (Supply Base / Warehouse / Storage Services Crane, Forklift truck, High security, Plant, Racking, Tanker bunkerage, Vessel discharge.), and on ‘live status’ at the tender advert closing date.

3 Bidders must have the required Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Permit for the services under this tender.

4 Bidders must meet the NCDMB Requirement to provide service to support the Oil & Gas Industry in Nigeria.

5 Bidders must meet Technical and Financial Requirements to provide this service.

NIGERIAN CONTENT REQUIREMENT AITEO Eastern E&P Company Limited is committed to growing the industry through compliance with NOGICD Act 2010. We also collaborate with the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to ensure that all our Contractors comply with the Act.

OTHER RELEVANT REQUIREMENT – SERVICE SPECIFICS a Interested suppliers must be prequalified for this product/service category in NJQS. b Full tendering procedure will be provided only to contractors that have been successfully prequalified in NJQS. c This advertisement shall neither be construed as an Invitation to Tender (ITT) nor a commitment on the part of AITEO to award a contract to any supplier and/or associated companies, sub-contractors, or agents. d This advertisement shall not entitle prequalified companies to make any claims whatsoever, and/or seek any indemnity from AITEO and/or its partners by virtue of such companies, having been prequalified in NJQS. e All costs incurred in registering and prequalifying for this and other product/service categories in NJQS shall be borne solely by suppliers. f Suppliers that are prequalified for this product/service category in NJQS must ensure that the name and contact details (physical address, email address and telephone number) of their company and authorized/responsible personnel is up-to-date in their company profile in the NJQS database. g AITEO shall communicate only with the authorized/responsible personnel of prequalified companies and not through unauthorized individuals or agents.

CLOSING DATE AND RELATED INFORMATION Only tenderers who are registered with the relevant NJQS Product Category/Codes 3.08.12 - ( Supply Base / Warehouse / Storage Services Crane, Forklift truck, High security, Plant, Racking, Tanker bunkerage , Vessel Discharge ) - and who are on “live status” on the NipeX Code(s) at the end of 15 working days ( 16:00 hours) from the date of this advert, will be considered for the opportunity and included in the bidders list.

Bidders must provide the following document as part of submission for this tender; Evidence of Company's existence in Nigeria with clear photocopies of CAC forms C02 and C07, registration on NOGIC JQS, and current DPR certificate in the specific category.

Evidence of detailed location of in-country facilities; warehouse, office, and yard workshop, (certificate of ownership, lease agreement, layout drawings and photographs).

Evidence of detailed location of in-country facilities; warehouse, office, and yard workshop, (certificate of ownership, lease agreement, layout drawings and photographs).

Provide evidence of 50% Nigerian equipment ownership with NCEC Provide corporate organizational and project/contract specific organogram and list of key project personnel showing the ratio of Nigerians.

Provide MOA with Local Training Service Provider (OGTAN member) for the provision of training services in specific technical disciplines involved in the project.

Please visit NipeX portal at www.nipex-ng.com for this advert and other information.

MANAGEMENT

AITEO EASTERN E&P COMPANY LIMITED

46

FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020 •T H I S D AY

AITEO EASTERN E&P COMPANY LTD OPERATOR OF THE NNPC/AITEO JOINT VENTURE (OPERATOR OF OML 29)

TENDER OPPORTUNITY PROVISION OF ASSET INTEGRITY AND CORROSION PROTECTION SERVICES INTRODUCTION AITEO Eastern E&P Company Limited (Company) is the Operator of the NNPC/AITEO Joint Venture covering OML 29.

Company is currently operating the NEMBE, Santa Barbara, and Odeama Flowstations. Company, as part of its strategic production optimization work, requires the service of a technically competent Contractor to provide the services covered under the Scope of Work (SoW) below.

SCOPE OF WORK The scope of work for this tender includes, but not limited to the following; 1 Perform asset integrity checks with ultrasonic wall thickness measurements.

2 Perform pipe and structural welding works including NDT services.

3 Grit blasting and surface painting works.

4 Cathodic Protection (CP) design, installation and maintenance.

5 Pipe internal cleaning/flushing and pigging (including intelligent pigging for data acquisition) to address asset integrity issues.

MANDATORY TENDER REQUIREMENT; 1 Bidders must be registered to do business in Nigeria with the CAC 2 Bidders must be registered on NipeX Joint Qualification System (NJQS) in the product codes 3.07.01 - (Non-Destructive Testing/Examination Services - NDT/NDE), 3.05.06 - (Surface Treatment, Sandblasting, Painting, Coating & Fire-proofing Services) and 3.07.02 - (Pipeline Flushing, External/Internal Inspection, Pigging Services), and on ‘live status’ at the tender advert closing date.

3 Bidders must have the required Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Permit for the services under this tender.

4 Bidders must meet the NCDMB Requirement to provide service to support the Oil & Gas Industry in Nigeria.

5 Bidders must meet Technical and Financial Requirements to provide this service.

OTHER RELEVANT REQUIREMENT – SERVICE SPECIFICS a Interested suppliers must be prequalified for this product/service category in NJQS. b Full tendering procedure will be provided only to contractors that have been successfully prequalified in NJQS. c This advertisement shall neither be construed as an Invitation to Tender (ITT) nor a commitment on the part of AITEO to award a contract to any supplier and/or associated companies, sub-contractors or agents. d This advertisement shall not entitle prequalified companies to make any claims whatsoever, and/or seek any indemnity from AITEO and/or its partners by virtue of such companies, having been prequalified in NJQS. e All costs incurred in registering and prequalifying for this and other product/service categories in NJQS shall be borne solely by suppliers. f Suppliers that are prequalified for this product/service category in NJQS must ensure that the name and contact details (physical address, email address and telephone number) of their company and authorized/responsible personnel is up-to-date in their company profile in the NJQS database. g AITEO shall communicate only with the authorized/responsible personnel of prequalified companies and not through unauthorized individuals or agents.

CLOSING DATE AND RELATED INFORMATION Only tenderers who are registered with the relevant NJQS Product Category/Codes 3.07.01 - (Non-Destructive Testing/Examination Services - NDT/NDE), 3.05.06 - (Surface Treatment, Sandblasting, Painting, Coating & Fire-proofing Services) and 3.07.02 - (Pipeline Flushing, External/Internal Inspection, Pigging Services) - and who are on “live status” on the NipeX Code(s) at the end of 15 working days ( 16:00 hours) from the date of this advert, will be considered for the opportunity and included in the bidders list.

NIGERIAN CONTENT REQUIREMENT AITEO Eastern E&P Company Limited is committed to growing the industry through compliance with NOGICD Act 2010. We also collaborate with the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to ensure that all our Contractors comply with the Act. Bidders must provide the following document as part of submission for this tender; Evidence of Company's existence in Nigeria with clear photocopies of CAC forms C02 and C07, registration on NOGIC JQS, and current DPR certificate in the specific category.

Evidence of detailed location of in-country facilities; warehouse, office, and yard workshop, (certificate of ownership, lease agreement, layout drawings and photographs).

Provide evidence of 50% Nigerian equipment ownership with NCEC Provide corporate organizational and project/contract specific organogram and list of key project personnel showing the ratio of Nigerians.

Provide MOA with Local Training Service Provider (OGTAN member) for the provision of training services in specific technical disciplines involved in the project.

Please visit NipeX portal at www.nipex-ng.com for this advert and other information.

MANAGEMENT

AITEO EASTERN E&P COMPANY LIMITED

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AITEO EASTERN E&P COMPANY LTD OPERATOR OF THE NNPC/AITEO JOINT VENTURE (OPERATOR OF OML 29)

TENDER OPPORTUNITY PROVISION OF CATERING SERVICES INTRODUCTION AITEO Eastern E&P Company Limited (Company) is the Operator of the NNPC/AITEO Joint Venture covering OML 29.

Company is currently operating the NEMBE, Santa Barbara, and Odeama Flowstations. Company, as part of its strategic production optimization work, requires the service of a technically competent Contractor to provide the services covered under the Scope of Work (SoW) below.

SCOPE OF WORK The scope of work for this tender includes, but not limited to the following; 1 Provision Catering Services 2 Catering & Housekeeping Services to Offshore Location 3 Catering & Tea Services to all Office Locations MANDATORY TENDER REQUIREMENT 1 Bidders must be registered to do business in Nigeria with the CAC 2 Bidders must be registered on NipeX Joint Qualification System (NJQS) in the product codes 3.18.03 Catering and Housekeeping Services (Canteen/restaurant, Onshore, Offshore, Steward, Vending)., and on ‘live status’ at the tender advert closing date.

3 Bidders must have the required Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Permit for the services under this tender.

4 Bidders must meet the NCDMB Requirement to provide service to support the Oil & Gas Industry in Nigeria.

5 Bidders must meet Technical and Financial Requirements to provide this service.

NIGERIAN CONTENT REQUIREMENT AITEO Eastern E&P Company Limited is committed to growing the industry through compliance with NOGICD Act 2010. We also collaborate with the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to ensure that all our Contractors comply with the Act.

OTHER RELEVANT REQUIREMENT – SERVICE SPECIFICS a Interested suppliers must be prequalified for this product/service category in NJQS. b Full tendering procedure will be provided only to contractors that have been successfully prequalified in NJQS. c This advertisement shall neither be construed as an Invitation to Tender (ITT) nor a commitment on the part of AITEO to award a contract to any supplier and/or associated companies, sub-contractors or agents. d This advertisement shall not entitle prequalified companies to make any claims whatsoever, and/or seek any indemnity from AITEO and/or its partners by virtue of such companies, having been prequalified in NJQS. e All costs incurred in registering and prequalifying for this and other product/service categories in NJQS shall be borne solely by suppliers. f Suppliers that are prequalified for this product/service category in NJQS must ensure that the name and contact details (physical address, email address and telephone number) of their company and authorized/responsible personnel is up-to-date in their company profile in the NJQS database. g AITEO shall communicate only with the authorized/responsible personnel of prequalified companies and not through unauthorized individuals or agents.

CLOSING DATE AND RELATED INFORMATION Only tenderers who are registered with the relevant NJQS Product Category/Codes 3.18.03 Catering and Housekeeping Services (Canteen/restaurant, Onshore, Offshore, Steward, Vending) - and who are on “live status” on the NipeX Code(s) at the end of 15 working days ( 16:00 hours) from the date of this advert, will be considered for the opportunity and included in the bidders list.

Bidders must provide the following document as part of submission for this tender; Evidence of Company's existence in Nigeria with clear photocopies of CAC forms C02 and C07, registration on NOGIC JQS, and current DPR certificate in the specific category.

Evidence of detailed location of in-country facilities; warehouse, office, and yard workshop, (certificate of ownership, lease agreement, layout drawings and photographs).

Provide evidence of 50% Nigerian equipment ownership with NCEC Provide corporate organizational and project/contract specific organogram and list of key project personnel showing the ratio of Nigerians.

Provide MOA with Local Training Service Provider (OGTAN member) for the provision of training services in specific technical disciplines involved in the project.

Please visit NipeX portal at www.nipex-ng.com for this advert and other information.

MANAGEMENT

AITEO EASTERN E&P COMPANY LIMITED

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Boko Haram: Security Situation in Borno Still Volatile, Says UN Michael Olugbode in Abuja The United Nations has, again, warned that the security situation in the North-eEast, particularly in Borno State, remained volatile, stressing the need to ease the humanitarian pressure on the Lake Chad countries.

The global body said the situation is precarious for civilians, aid workers, humanitarian cargo, and assets.

The warning is coming against the backdrop of the killing of about 78 farmers by the Boko Haram insurgents.

The Country Representative, United Nations High Commission for Refugees Nigeria, Ms. Chansa Kapaya, handed down the warning at a stakeholder meeting on the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees in Abuja, yeserday attended by Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs

Sadiya Farouk.

She said more internally displaced persons were leaving their communities for Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, and noted the importance of enhancing refugee self-reliance to ease the pressure on the host countries.

Kapaya said “More Internally Displaced Persons have been forced to leave their homes with over 2 million internally displaced while another 300,000 Nigerians displaced externally have sought refuge in the neighbouring Lake Chad Basin countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

“The operating environment remains extremely volatile, particularly in Borno State, for civilians, aid workers, humanitarian cargo and assets.”

She commended Nigeria’s exemplary regional leadership for its commitment to the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees affirmed by the United Nations General

Assembly in December 2018.

The GCR is an act of solidarity, recognizing the international community’s shared responsibility for protecting, assisting and finding solutions to refugees.

The official said the UN in Nigeria is also implementing approaches aligned with the GCR and the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework through the UN Sustainable Development and Partnership

Framework 2018 -2022.

“Looking ahead, it is essential to develop a roadmap that lays out concrete next steps and priorities, identifies operational entry points and defines indicators for short-

and longer-term progress in areas such as health, education, water, sanitation, jobs and livelihoods, energy, infrastructure, solutions and protection capacity,” Kapaya suggested.

Gunmen Kill 16 Kano DISCUSSING ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE… Indigenes Along Abuja-Kaduna Road EFCC Confirms Arrest of Fleeing Maina’s Son

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola,SAN (left); and Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, during the 26th meeting of the National Council on Works in Port Harcourt...yesterday

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Gunmen on Wednesday killed 16 Kano indigenes along Kano-Abuja road.

The incident occurred when the indigenes were travellling from Abuja to Kano.

The 16 indigenes, who were from Dambatta Local Government Area of the state, were in a private vehicle when they were attacked by the gunmen.

Kano State Governor, Mr Abdullah Umar Ganduje, while reacting to the killings, expressed shock at the gruesome murder of the business tycoons.

In a condolence message signed by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Abba Anwar and made available to THISDAY in Kano yesterday, Ganduje expressed shock over the development.

“We were shocked with the bad news of the death of 16 Dambatta indigenes on

Abuja-Kaduna highway, who were travelling from Abuja to Kano, as a result of an attack from unidentified gunmen.

“The news is devastating and frustrating.

We commiserate with the families of the deceased, the people of Dambatta Local Ggovernment, and the people of Kano State.

“May Allah accept their martyrdom and may He punish all the perpetrators of this heinous act. There is nothing more shocking than this. We urge people to pray fervently for the reposed souls.

And we pray that may Allah give their families the fortitude to bear the great loss.

“On behalf of the government and people of Kano State, I am condoling with the families of the deceased and the people of Dambatta Local Government, over this tragedy. May Allah forgive all their wrongdoings and reward their good deeds,” he prayed.

APC Postpones Nationwide Membership Registration Akinwale Adedayo in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed the nationwide membership, update and revalidation excursus scheduled to begin on Saturday, December 12, 2020.

This was announced by the National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee, John Akpan UdoUdehe, at the APC National Secretariat, Abuja, yesterday.

He said: “On account of several factors however, including the fast-approaching Christmas and End of Year celebrations; as well as the

interest of our Christian members; and the objective of ensuring maximum participation, the CECPC has decided to shift the date of the Exercise to the second week of January 2021.

“The CECPC sincerely regrets any inconveniences that may arise out of the change in date; but appeals for the understanding of our teeming members and the general public, in the interest of preparing a solid foundation for a successful Exercise.

“The Party wishes you all; as well as members of the public, a peaceful and rewarding Yuletide, and End of Year celebration.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed to the court on Thursday that Faisal, son of the former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Taskforce Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, has been

arrested.

The EFCC said the 21-year-old Faisal, who jumped bail on June 24, was apprehended by security operatives on Wednesday night.

Faisal, son of the former Chairman of the defunct

Pension Reform Taskforce Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, was declared wanted by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Faisal is facing a three-count money laundering charge the anti-graft agency preferred

against him.

Trial Justice Okon Abang had in a ruling on November 24, revoked his bail, even as he issued a bench warrant for security agencies to arrest him wherever he is found.

NSA: New Cyber Policy will Address Security Challenges The National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), yesterday the new National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2020 would address security challenes in the country.

The strategy document which made provisions for the surveillance and tracking of bandits in the North-West and insurgents in the North-east is expected to address the security challenges in the country.

Receiving the policy document at his office in Abuja, Monguno said it would also boost readiness for global cybersecurity collaborations, and enhance digital economic competitiveness.

Monguno further noted that the document also reflected the global norms and was expected to foster cooperation with the nation’s international allies in the

areas of security and economic development.

He said, “There is no gainsaying that Nigeria is presently witnessing a surge in digital transformation. Many new activities are now migrating to the Internet, especially with the advent of the coronavirus pandemic.

Consequently, Nigeria’s cyberspace has become a centre stage for new innovations, governance and social interactions.

“This trend has created an opportunity for us to redefine our national objectives and address some of the major developmental challenges currently facing the country, including the emergence of new forms of criminality and terrorism perpetrated through the cyberspace.”

The Chairman of the NCPS

review committee, Mr AbdulHakeem Ajijola, explained that the committee worked for over 12 weeks to identify and amend gaps, collate relevant inputs from government and civil agencies and the international community.

He stated, “Globally, there is a shortage of 3.12 million cybersecurity workers. This is an opportunity I think Nigeria can grab hold of. This year, the Africa cybersecurity market was estimated at $2.32 billion and so, our document tried to see how we can get Nigeria to develop that sector so that we can not only see cybersecurity as an individual organization expense but as a societal income so that young people, preferably below 35 years can be gainfully employed, start their businesses.”

A member of the committee, Fatai Sanusi, revealed that

the cybersecurity strategy emphasised the need to develop the personnel and capacity to track down the terrorists and other criminals.

He further explained that the document also prescribed sanctions for those selling security equipment without proper registration with relevant agencies.

He stated, “For those who bring in security equipment without registering them with the appropriate agencies of government, there is a serious sanction because we observed that many people bring in equipment into the country but you don’t know their sources.

But if these equipment are registered with the appropriate agencies, we can track those who have them and how they are using them.”

FAAN to Optimise Revenue Generation, Unveils New Terminal at MMIA Chinedu Eze The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has plugged loopholes through which it loses money by introducing cashless transactions in order to optimise revenue generation.

The agency has also introduced a new system to promote efficiency, transparency in its operations and to maximise the skills of its well-trained personnel.

This was disclosed by the Managing Director of FAAN, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, who said that the agency is poised to boost its revenue base as it prepares to open its new international terminal currently under construction by the China Civil Engineering Construction

Corporation (CCECC) at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

The new terminal would be unveiled in February 2021.

Yadudu made this known when the House Committee on Aviation visited the agency’s facilities at the Lagos airport yesterday.

He noted that FAAN’s management had taken some critical steps to improve revenue generation and curb spending in recent months, assuring that the agency would continue in that stead.

Some of the steps taken according to Yadudu included the suspension of procurement of non- essential items, reduction in all staff related cost to the barest minimum and aggressive debt recovery drive, which he said was hampered by

the Covid-19 pandemic.

Others according to him are plugging of revenue loopholes, cash and fly policy, promotion and enforcement of cashless policy and the continuous strengthening of Business and Operational Excellence by improving on people, processes, platforms and performances.

“In keeping with our vision and mission, we have strategically positioned ourselves to ensure that we have modern and up-to-date high-tech equipment and facilities that will aid better security, safety and comfort of all stakeholders.

“I will like to say that aviation business is a global, technical and highly regulated with huge infrastructure requirements; furthermore, it is necessary to

reiterate that aviation business sis driven by volumes and turnaround with operating profit margin of between 2.5 per cent to 5 per cent. Without the required volumes and traffic, it will be difficult to breakeven.

“The aviation agencies will urgently need intervention fund from the Federal Government to address infrastructural gaps and position the industry for better service delivery and contribution to the national economy,” the FAAN Managing Director said.

Also, the Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, lauded FAAN for steps taken so far to improve services for airlines, air travellers and other users of the airports nationwide.

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SEC Opposes FG’s Move to Manage Unclaimed Dividends Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has opposed the amendment in the Finance Bill 2020 that allows the handover of unclaimed dividends worth N150 billion to the federal government.

A representative of the commission, Abdulkadir Abbas, expressed his displeasure at the public hearing of the bill organised by the Senate Committee on Finance yesterday.

According to him, dividends are a reward, cash or otherwise, that a company gives to its shareholders when it is unclaimed.

“Shareholders are required to claim dividend within 30 days of when the dividend are declared”.

Before Abbas’ submission, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, in her presentation while highlighting key reforms intended in the bill, noted that under Companies and Allied Matters Act, the federal government proposes the creation of an unclaimed dividends and unutilised bank Balances Trust Fund.

She explained that the platform would house dividends

that were declared but unclaimed and will be owed as a perpetual debt to shareholders “It is proposed that such unclaimed dividends should be handed over to the government as trustee, in a perpetual fund created under supervision or the CBN and DMO, etc with private sector involvement in the governance of the fund.

“The liability to shareholders of public companies will no longer be extinguished after 12 years as currently provided for in the CAMA”, she said.

Abbas, however, kicked against the government supervising the said platform particularly because the Investment Securities act mandates the commission to protect the interest of the investors.

He said: “We are not against the proposal to set up the unclaimed dividends and balances trust fund.

What I said is that we have concerns with respect to the governance structure of that proposed fund and appealing for reconsideration.

“SEC being the capital market regulator and mandated by the Investment securities act to protect the interest of the investors, to be the one to

administer or to manage or to supervise the operation of that fund. That is what I stated.”

Responding to SEC’s submission, Ahmed noted that what the government is proposing is in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution adding that the Debt Management Office will supervise it.

“Any funds that is lying

fallow after a certain period of time cannot be taken over but such funds could be borrowed.

“The Unit Trust is a borrowing arrangement of the government.

At the moment, the Debt Management Office issues securities to the registrars in case owners of such unclaimed dividends or deposit in dormant accounts come forward to claim their entitlement.

“The reason the Debt Management Office would be in charge of the unclaimed dividends and deposit in dormant accounts is because it has the mandate to manage debts on behalf of the government.

“That is why we recommend that the DMO as against to SEC, should manage the funds. It is possible that a different arrangement is in place in other

jurisdiction but I want to state that in the amended CAMA. “There is a provision that had modified the section that mandates the registrars to return unclaimed dividends after 12 years to the companies that paid the dividends in the first instance rather than the companies to collect back the money and redistribute, government wanted to manage the funds.”

GOOD TO SEE YOU...

L-R: Former Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime; state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, during the traditional marriage of Ezeilo’s daughter, Uzoamaka, at Aguobuowa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state...yesterday

DSS Arrests Osun Leader #EndSARS: Kaduna Panel Receive 29 of #EndSARS Protesters Petitions, Begins Sitting January 5

One of the leaders of #EndSARS protesters identified as Emmanuel Adebayo who is also known as “Captain” was arrested by the Directorate of State Service (DSS) on Thursday morning for alleged impersonation.

THISDAY learnt that he was arrested for posing as an officer of the Nigerian Army after a petition addressed to the DSS Command.

It could be recalled that Adebayo led the second wave of #EndSARS protest in Osogbo on Monday.

He led some youth to Osun

State House of Assembly after they marched from OgoOluwa area with placards with several inscriptions.

They demanded that the federal government should order Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to unfreeze the accounts of protesters, release all the detained protesters, probe the statement made by Police O/C legal, F. B Osei of valuing the worth of human life during the sitting of the panel and Osun Government should dissolve the panel of inquiry which is looking into cases of police brutality and extra-judicial killings.

John Shiklam in Kaduna The Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the Kaduna State Government to investigate police brutality and other related extra-judicial killings in the state has so far received 29 petitions.

Chairman of the panel, Justice David S. Wyom (rtd), disclosed this at the inaugural meeting of the panel yesterday in Kaduna.

Wyom also said the panel would commenced public hearing on the petitions on

January 5, 2021.

According to him, the dateline for submission of petitions has been extended to January 29, 2021, “due to logistic problems”.

Wyom said after series of meetings, the panel directed that persons with complaints to submit their petitions through the zonal offices of the Ministry of Justice in Zaria and Kafanchan, the Department of Citizens Right Ministry of Justice in Kaduna and the Panel’s Secretariat at Gen.

Hassan Usman Katsina House, Kawo, Kaduna as well as the zonal office of the in Kaduna.

He added that the panel also directed that petitions could be submitted to secretaries of the 23 local government areas in the state.

“It was also resolved that all petitions/memoranda were to be submitted on or before November 25, 2020.

However, due to logistic problems, we felt there was the need to extend the time frame

for submission to January 29, 2021.

“A total number of 29 petitions have been filed before this panel. Public hearing of this panel shall be conducted at the Banquet of State House on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays every week unless otherwise directed by the Chairman.

“This panel will strictly uphold the tenets of fair hearing to all persons or groups appearing before it.

Bill Seeking Timeline for Civil, Criminal Cases for Second Reading Ghana Election Should Passes within which civil and criminal record to deliver judgment on a of record to deliver its judgment Udora Orizu in Abuja

Be Eye-opener for Nigeria, Says Atiku Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has commended the conduct of the 2020 presidential election in Ghana.

He said the success of the election should be an eye-opener for Nigeria.

He said this in a tweet to congratulate the winner of the election, Nana Akufo-Addo, yesterday.

Atiku said, “Congratulations to President @NAkufoAddo on his reelection. The smooth conduct of the Ghana elections should be an eye-opener to our nation.

“We must undertake farreaching electoral reforms that address the shortcomings of our previous experiences and strengthen our electoral process.”

Ghana’s President AkufoAddo won a second term in office, the electoral commission announced Wednesday.

In the presidential race, Akufo-Addo received 51.59 per cent of the vote, beating opposition leader and former president Mahama’s 47.36 per cent, the electoral commission said.

The announcement was greeted with chanting and dancing by a crowd of supporters in the seaside capital Accra.

In a victory speech on Wednesday, the president-elect leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) addressed his jubilant supporters, calling for peace.

“Now is the time, irrespective of political affiliations, to unite, join hands and stand shoulder to shoulder,” 76-year-old AkufoAddo said.

Observers viewed polling as generally free and fair but police said five people were killed and 19 injured in election-related violence.

The House of Representatives yesterday passed for second reading a Bill seeking to set timeline within which to start and conclude civil and criminal cases in High Courts and Appeal Courts to eliminate unnecessary delay in justice delivery and administration and boost people’s confidence in the judiciary.

The legislation entitled: “Bill for An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to set time

cases and matters are heard and determined at trial and appellate courts in order to eliminate unnecessary delay in justice administration and delivery; and for related matters,” is sponsored by Hon. Onofiok Luke.

The bill seeks to amend Chapter VII, Part IV of the Principal Act (the 1999 Constitution), by inserting after the existing section 287, a new section ‘287A’, that will comprise of 10 clauses.

According to the clauses in the bill’s draft, clause 1 mandates every trial superior court of

matter before it within 270 days (a period of about nine months) from the date of the filing of the civil or criminal matter. Electoral matters are however exempted by this clause since such matters are specially regulated by other constitutional provisions.

Clause 2 also mandates trial inferior court of record or tribunal to deliver judgement on any matter before it within 210 days (a period of about seven months) from the date of the filing of the civil or criminal matter.

Clause 3 (a) however gives latitude to a trial superior court

within 330 days (a period of 11 months) where the circumstances of a particular matter warrants.

Such circumstances could be the complexity of the matter, number of parties and witnesses, number of documents or other exceptional circumstances.

Clause 4 mandates all appellate courts to hear and determine appeals within 180 days (a period of about six months) from the date of the filing of the appeal or such number of days not exceeding 270 days (a period of about nine months) if the circumstances of the appeal so warrants.

Lawan Refers AMCON, NDIC Nominees for Screening The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has referred the nominations of Ahmed Kuru as Managing Director; Ebelechukwu Uneze; and Aminu Ismail as Executive Directors of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to the Committee in Banking, Insurance and other Financial

Institutions for screening.

Also forwarded to the Committee yesterday during plenary were the nominations of Bello Hassan as Managing Director; and Mustapha Muhammed Ibrahim as Executive Director of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

President Muhammadu

Buhari in a letter dated December 7, 2020, had requested the Senate to confirm the appointments of the nominees.

According to the president, both requests were made in accordance with Section 10(1) of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Act, 2010;

and in compliance with Sections 5(4) and 8(3) of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, 2010.

The committee which is expected to screen the nominees is Chaired by Senator Uba Sani, and was given two weeks to report back to the Upper Chamber.

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Complete East-West Road from Sovereign Wealth Fund, Wike Tells FG Davidson Iriekpen Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has asked the federal government to include the East-West Road among other critical projects being funded from the Sovereign Wealth Fund to ensure its completion in 2022.

The governor also condemned the federal government’s directive stopping states from funding rehabilitation of failed federal roads describing it as inimical to the effective development, management, and maintenance of road infrastructure across the country.

Wike in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, spoke yesterday at the 26th meeting of the National Council on Works in Port Harcourt.

The governor said that the theme of the meeting, “Infrastructure Development, Job Creation and National Economic Growth”, was fitting to the view that road infrastructure plays a critical role in enabling economic development, poverty reduction and inclusive progress.

He said that the East-West

road was too important to the economic prosperity of the South-south region and the nation regretting that it had been under construction for over 15 years without any end in sight for its completion.

The governor observed that the federal government seemed overwhelmed with the construction and provision of too many road projects across the country.

He suggested it would be better for the federal government to complete most of the ongoing road projects before embarking on new ones.

He advised the government to reconsider its directive stopping state intervention on federal roads saying it would upset the economic growth of the affected states.

He said: “It makes progressive sense as a development strategy therefore for State Governments to reconstruct such federal roads with reputable contractors on behalf of the Federal Government and get refunded after due verification of the price and quality of work done.

“The federal and state governments need to consult

and collaborate regularly to accelerate the delivery of road infrastructure to advance and realize the hopes and aspirations of our people for development and decent living.”

Wike explained that the state government was presently constructing six flyovers at

a federal government road to ease the perennial traffic congestions on the problematic intersections of Port Harcourt – Aba expressway.

“Let me, therefore, appeal to the Federal Government to continue to collaborate with the State Governments on road development by allowing States

to fix federal roads with the assurance of a refund,” he said.

The governor said his administration had consistently dedicated over 65 percent of the state budget annually for the construction of new roads and reconstruction and maintenance of existing roads across the state, including federal roads.

In his remarks, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of human mobility to the health of any economy with the urban poor appearing to be the worse hit as a result of the lockdown.

EXPANSION DRIVE…

L-R: CEO, Ardova Plc, Mr. Olumide Adeosun; Controller, Lagos zonal office, Department of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Lukman Ayorinde Cardoso; Chairman, Ardova Plc, Mr. Abdulwasiu Sowami; and MD, IAO Trading, Olumide Oniru, during the official launch of Ardova Plc Oniru ABIODUN AJALA Station, Lagos...yesterday

Police: Kidnappers of Rescued Alleged Forgery: Court to Rule on Obaseki’s American Arrested, Plotted Stay Proceedings December 15 Revenge Abductions Alex Enumah in Abuja

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigeria Police yesterday paraded two members of a 15-man transnational kidnap syndicate responsible for the recent kidnap of an American citizen, Mr. Philippe Nathan Walton, in his farm in Masalata village in Niger Republic.

The United States of America’s Special Forces had on October 28, 2020, stormed the hideout of the kidnappers, killed four members of the transnational kidnap syndicate from Niger Republic and two from Nigeria and rescued the hostage in a daring move that was hailed by President Donald Trump.

Parading the suspects at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mr. Frank Mba, said that investigations have shown that the syndicate planned revenge abductions following the killing of their members by the USA’s forces.

Mba said the suspects, Mr. Aliyu Abdullahi (a.k.a Mallam), 21 and Mr. Aliyu Umaru (a.k.a Kwatte Kusu), 23, both from Sokoto State, were arrested on November, 25, 2020.

He said: “The two suspected members of a 15-man kidnap

gang of Nigerian/Nigerien extraction led by Mr. Barte Dan Alhaji and Mr. Dan Buda were arrested following a special intelligence-led operation aimed at arresting the criminal gang and disrupt and halt other criminal activities by them.

“Investigations by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) revealed that the gang was plotting other abductions to avenge the death of their cohorts, four Nigeriens and two Nigerians who died during the rescue operations.”

Mba said the police was collaborating with its Nigerien counterpart in the investigations to apprehend other members of the transnational syndicate presently at large.

Meanwhile, as part of efforts aimed at tackling transnational crimes, Mba said the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, is working in concert with other members of the West African Police Chiefs Organisation (WAPCO) to deepen intelligence sharing amongst security agencies in the ECOWAS sub-region and strengthen security along the international borders of member states.

He said the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigations.

Chuks Egbe is Dead Popular Lagos businessman, Mr. Chukwunedum Chuks Egbe, has died in Lagos after a brie illness.

Aged 70, Egbe hailed from Idumuje Unor, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family.

Egbe

Justice Ahmed Mohammed yesterday adjourned till December 15, to deliver his ruling in a motion by Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, asking him to stay further proceedings in his alleged certificate forgery trial.

Justice Mohammed fixed the date after taking arguments from lawyers representing parties in the suit.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and one of its

chieftains, Mr Williams Edobor, had dragged the governor to court, accusing him of forging his Bachelor of Arts Degree certificate he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the last governorship election in Edo State.

But Obaseki had applied to the court to adjourn indefinitely, further proceedings in the matter on the grounds that he had filed an appeal at the

Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, challenging the refusal of Justice Mohammed to expunge some paragraphs in the APC’s reply to his affidavit.

While moving a motion for stay of further proceedings, Obaseki’s lawyer, Ken Mozia, SAN, told the court that the records of proceedings have been transmitted to the Court of Appeal and that the notice of appeal has been entered at the appellate court with appeal number CA/ABJ/ CV/1072/2020.

The senior lawyer canvassed that since the decision of the high court refusing to expunge some paragraphs in APC’s reply is being challenged it is a law, for the lower court to hands off from the matter pending the outcome of the appellate court’s decision.

Mozia who cited several authorities in support of his argument insisted that the high court must await the decision of the Court of Appeal before anything could be done in the matter.

Two Lawyers Remanded for over NBA Elections in 2018 A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday remanded two lawyers, Sarah Ajibola and John Demide, in Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody, following their arraignment for allegedly rigging the August 2018 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) national elections.

Justice Chuka Obiozor ordered that they remain with the antigraft agency for seven days in order to fulfill their bail terms, a failure of which they will be transferred to the custody of Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS).

The anti-graft agency claimed that Ajibola, and Demide manipulated the election in favour of Mr. Paul Usoro SAN, who was elected 29th NBA President in 2018.

Mr. Usoro polled 4,509 votes to defeat his other contenders, Okafor Obi, and Ernest Ojukwu, who got 4,423 as well as 3,313 votes in the just concluded election.

One of the candidates, Mr. Ojukwu, condemned the election saying it was characterised by fraud.

The agency filed the 14-count charge, marked

FHC/L/118c/2020, against the defendant’s last May 5.

EFCC counsel, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari Bala, told the court that the defendants committed the offences in August 2018.

She alleged that they conspired and altered personal details including email addresses and phone numbers of about 1004 eligible voters for the elections, with the intention that such inauthentic data will be acted upon as genuine during the said election.

Some of the voters’ names allegedly falsified were: Gabriel Abijo Oladipo with

Supreme Court of Nigeria (SCN) No. 043280; Uthman Adeleye Oluwaseun with SCN No. 088449; David Anakor SCN No. 015233; Chiagoziem Bethel Aninilu, SCN No. 114439 and Bankole Isaac Toyin with SCN no. 024643.

The two lawyers were alleged to have used a smoke model on IP address 169.159.65.190 to commit the electoral fraud.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, contravened and were punishable under sections 27(1)(b), 13, 22(2), 22(3) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

Adefarasin: Technology an Important Platform for Expressing the Gospel Vanessa Obioha Following the decision to host The Experience Lagos — an annual gospel event — virtual, Head Pastor of the Rock Cathedral, Paul Adefarasin, has underscored the importance of technology in a pandemic-riddled year.

According to the convener of the event which is in its 15th edition, the pandemic provided an avenue for the church to globalise the gospel

by videography and internet.

“Virtual expression offers us a wider reach to take the message to the uttermost parts of the earth, and also to un-intrusively enter into people’s homes in a private and personal manner where we can speak to them in a private setting. And so the church, though it was locked down as far as public place gathering was concerned, God opened up a church in every single home that tunes into all these messages from various

churches that were ready at the time or got ready soon after the pandemic lockdown,” he said during a press briefing recently.

He disclosed that the Rock Cathedral saw a 5,000 per cent increase in attendance during the lockdown period.

“We’re going to see going forward that churches will now become savvy to technology and recognise that it’s an important platform for expressing the gospel, and it helps us to speak the gospel in an accelerated way.”

The clergyman also revealed that he’s been entertaining the thought of having a digital simulcast of The Experience for five years now. With the pandemic disrupting travels, an opportunity to reach a global audience through the digital platform presented itself. Some of the gospel artistes billed for the event holding today, December 11, include Donnie McClurkin, Don Moen, Sheldon Bangera, Chevelle Franklin, Travis Greene, Nathaniel Bassey and Sinach.

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Complete East-West Road from Sovereign Wealth Fund, Wike Tells FG Davidson Iriekpen Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has asked the federal government to include the East-West Road among other critical projects being funded from the Sovereign Wealth Fund to ensure its completion in 2022.

The governor also condemned the federal government’s directive stopping states from funding rehabilitation of failed federal roads describing it as inimical to the effective development, management, and maintenance of road infrastructure across the country.

Wike in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, spoke yesterday at the 26th meeting of the National Council on Works in Port Harcourt.

The governor said that the theme of the meeting, “Infrastructure Development, Job Creation and National Economic Growth”, was fitting to the view that road infrastructure plays a critical role in enabling economic development, poverty reduction and inclusive progress.

He said that the East-West

road was too important to the economic prosperity of the South-south region and the nation regretting that it had been under construction for over 15 years without any end in sight for its completion.

The governor observed that the federal government seemed overwhelmed with the construction and provision of too many road projects across the country.

He suggested it would be better for the federal government to complete most of the ongoing road projects before embarking on new ones.

He advised the government to reconsider its directive stopping state intervention on federal roads saying it would upset the economic growth of the affected states.

He said: “It makes progressive sense as a development strategy therefore for State Governments to reconstruct such federal roads with reputable contractors on behalf of the Federal Government and get refunded after due verification of the price and quality of work done.

“The federal and state governments need to consult

and collaborate regularly to accelerate the delivery of road infrastructure to advance and realize the hopes and aspirations of our people for development and decent living.”

Wike explained that the state government was presently constructing six flyovers at

a federal government road to ease the perennial traffic congestions on the problematic intersections of Port Harcourt – Aba expressway.

“Let me, therefore, appeal to the Federal Government to continue to collaborate with the State Governments on road development by allowing States

to fix federal roads with the assurance of a refund,” he said.

The governor said his administration had consistently dedicated over 65 percent of the state budget annually for the construction of new roads and reconstruction and maintenance of existing roads across the state, including federal roads.

In his remarks, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of human mobility to the health of any economy with the urban poor appearing to be the worse hit as a result of the lockdown.

EXPANSION DRIVE…

L-R: CEO, Ardova Plc, Mr. Olumide Adeosun; Controller, Lagos zonal office, Department of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Lukman Ayorinde Cardoso; Chairman, Ardova Plc, Mr. Abdulwasiu Sowami; and MD, IAO Trading, Olumide Oniru, during the official launch of Ardova Plc Oniru ABIODUN AJALA Station, Lagos...yesterday

Police: Kidnappers of Rescued Alleged Forgery: Court to Rule on Obaseki’s American Arrested, Plotted Stay Proceedings December 15 Revenge Abductions Alex Enumah in Abuja

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigeria Police yesterday paraded two members of a 15-man transnational kidnap syndicate responsible for the recent kidnap of an American citizen, Mr. Philippe Nathan Walton, in his farm in Masalata village in Niger Republic.

The United States of America’s Special Forces had on October 28, 2020, stormed the hideout of the kidnappers, killed four members of the transnational kidnap syndicate from Niger Republic and two from Nigeria and rescued the hostage in a daring move that was hailed by President Donald Trump.

Parading the suspects at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mr. Frank Mba, said that investigations have shown that the syndicate planned revenge abductions following the killing of their members by the USA’s forces.

Mba said the suspects, Mr. Aliyu Abdullahi (a.k.a Mallam), 21 and Mr. Aliyu Umaru (a.k.a Kwatte Kusu), 23, both from Sokoto State, were arrested on November, 25, 2020.

He said: “The two suspected members of a 15-man kidnap

gang of Nigerian/Nigerien extraction led by Mr. Barte Dan Alhaji and Mr. Dan Buda were arrested following a special intelligence-led operation aimed at arresting the criminal gang and disrupt and halt other criminal activities by them.

“Investigations by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) revealed that the gang was plotting other abductions to avenge the death of their cohorts, four Nigeriens and two Nigerians who died during the rescue operations.”

Mba said the police was collaborating with its Nigerien counterpart in the investigations to apprehend other members of the transnational syndicate presently at large.

Meanwhile, as part of efforts aimed at tackling transnational crimes, Mba said the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, is working in concert with other members of the West African Police Chiefs Organisation (WAPCO) to deepen intelligence sharing amongst security agencies in the ECOWAS sub-region and strengthen security along the international borders of member states.

He said the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigations.

Chuks Egbe is Dead Popular Lagos businessman, Mr. Chukwunedum Chuks Egbe, has died in Lagos after a brie illness.

Aged 70, Egbe hailed from Idumuje Unor, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family.

Egbe

Justice Ahmed Mohammed yesterday adjourned till December 15, to deliver his ruling in a motion by Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, asking him to stay further proceedings in his alleged certificate forgery trial.

Justice Mohammed fixed the date after taking arguments from lawyers representing parties in the suit.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and one of its

chieftains, Mr Williams Edobor, had dragged the governor to court, accusing him of forging his Bachelor of Arts Degree certificate he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the last governorship election in Edo State.

But Obaseki had applied to the court to adjourn indefinitely, further proceedings in the matter on the grounds that he had filed an appeal at the

Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, challenging the refusal of Justice Mohammed to expunge some paragraphs in the APC’s reply to his affidavit.

While moving a motion for stay of further proceedings, Obaseki’s lawyer, Ken Mozia, SAN, told the court that the records of proceedings have been transmitted to the Court of Appeal and that the notice of appeal has been entered at the appellate court with appeal number CA/ABJ/ CV/1072/2020.

The senior lawyer canvassed that since the decision of the high court refusing to expunge some paragraphs in APC’s reply is being challenged it is a law, for the lower court to hands off from the matter pending the outcome of the appellate court’s decision.

Mozia who cited several authorities in support of his argument insisted that the high court must await the decision of the Court of Appeal before anything could be done in the matter.

Two Lawyers Remanded over NBA Elections in 2018 A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday remanded two lawyers, Sarah Ajibola and John Demide, in Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody, following their arraignment for allegedly rigging the August 2018 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) national elections.

Justice Chuka Obiozor ordered that they remain with the antigraft agency for seven days in order to fulfill their bail terms, a failure of which they will be transferred to the custody of Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS).

The anti-graft agency claimed that Ajibola, and Demide manipulated the election in favour of Mr. Paul Usoro SAN, who was elected 29th NBA President in 2018.

Mr. Usoro polled 4,509 votes to defeat his other contenders, Okafor Obi, and Ernest Ojukwu, who got 4,423 as well as 3,313 votes in the just concluded election.

One of the candidates, Mr. Ojukwu, condemned the election saying it was characterised by fraud.

The agency filed the 14-count charge, marked

FHC/L/118c/2020, against the defendant’s last May 5.

EFCC counsel, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari Bala, told the court that the defendants committed the offences in August 2018.

She alleged that they conspired and altered personal details including email addresses and phone numbers of about 1004 eligible voters for the elections, with the intention that such inauthentic data will be acted upon as genuine during the said election.

Some of the voters’ names allegedly falsified were: Gabriel Abijo Oladipo with

Supreme Court of Nigeria (SCN) No. 043280; Uthman Adeleye Oluwaseun with SCN No. 088449; David Anakor SCN No. 015233; Chiagoziem Bethel Aninilu, SCN No. 114439 and Bankole Isaac Toyin with SCN no. 024643.

The two lawyers were alleged to have used a smoke model on IP address 169.159.65.190 to commit the electoral fraud.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, contravened and were punishable under sections 27(1)(b), 13, 22(2), 22(3) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

Adefarasin: Technology an Important Platform for Expressing the Gospel Vanessa Obioha Following the decision to host The Experience Lagos — an annual gospel event — virtual, Head Pastor of the Rock Cathedral, Paul Adefarasin, has underscored the importance of technology in a pandemic-riddled year.

According to the convener of the event which is in its 15th edition, the pandemic provided an avenue for the church to globalise the gospel

by videography and internet.

“Virtual expression offers us a wider reach to take the message to the uttermost parts of the earth, and also to un-intrusively enter into people’s homes in a private and personal manner where we can speak to them in a private setting. And so the church, though it was locked down as far as public place gathering was concerned, God opened up a church in every single home that tunes into all these messages from various

churches that were ready at the time or got ready soon after the pandemic lockdown,” he said during a press briefing recently.

He disclosed that the Rock Cathedral saw a 5,000 per cent increase in attendance during the lockdown period.

“We’re going to see going forward that churches will now become savvy to technology and recognise that it’s an important platform for expressing the gospel, and it helps us to speak the gospel in an accelerated way.”

The clergyman also revealed that he’s been entertaining the thought of having a digital simulcast of The Experience for five years now. With the pandemic disrupting travels, an opportunity to reach a global audience through the digital platform presented itself. Some of the gospel artistes billed for the event holding today, December 11, include Donnie McClurkin, Don Moen, Sheldon Bangera, Chevelle Franklin, Travis Greene, Nathaniel Bassey and Sinach.

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020 ˾ T H I S DAY

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FCT Minister Drags Rivers Judge, Aguma before NJC over Alleged Misconduct Alex Enumah in Abuja The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Muhammed Bello, has dragged a judge of the Rivers State High Court in Bori, Justice G. C. Aguma, before the National Judicial Council (NJC) over alleged judicial misconduct in a N329 billion judgment debt against his ministry.

The petition against the judge was in respect of an order seeking to attach funds of the FCT in six commercial banks in Nigeria over alleged judgment debt to a firm, Kohath Property Development Limited.

Aguma while sitting as a judge of a High Court of Bori, Rivers State, was said to have

made an order garnishee against the defendants in an alleged breach of contract.

But Bello in the petition submitted to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the NJC, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, who said he found the action of the judge “disturbing” is praying the NJC to investigate Justice Aguma for making a garnishee order against the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in disregard to judicial precedents.

Amongst others the FCT minister wonders why Aguma would take it upon himself to give a garnishee order in suits that was delivered by an FCT

High Court in Bwari, Abuja.

The FCT minister also wants the NJC to investigate the Rivers State High Court on why he attached the bank accounts of the FCT Inland Services and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board when they were not parties in the suit that led to the award of N329

billion judgment debt.

Bello in the petition dated November 20 and served on the NJC on November 24, also accused the Rivers judge of sitting as an appellate court over the decision of the FCT judge which had ordered a stay of execution of the judgment debt.

If found wanting, Bello wants the NJC to hand down the necessary punishment for such misconduct.

According to the minister, problem started when his attention was drawn to “attempts being made to attach the funds of the FCDA and FCTA by a so-called judgment creditor in

suit number BHC/23/CS/2020 before Justice Aguma,” sitting in Rivers State.

Bello who stated that he was alarmed over the development, engaged the services of his counsel to challenge the entire garnishee order proceedings as well as the judgment from which it emanated.

EndSARS: Eight IPOB Members Arrested for Torching High Court Asaba Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Eight members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who hailed from Ebonyi State have been arrested by the Delta State Police Command for allegedly burning down the High Court Complex and other public structures at Koka Junction, Asaba, capital of Delta State, during the #EndSARS protest in October this year.

Parading the IPOB members alongside 103 other criminal suspects yesterday in Asaba, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz M. Inuwa, said that the suspects who are also residents of Asaba pepetrated acts of violence under the guise of participating the #EndSARS protest, including torching several public structures.

Inuwa gave the names of the suspects alleged to be members of the IPOB as 18-year old Igwe Tobechukwu, Chidera Chukwu (20 years), Chukuebuka Aweke (20 years) Emmanuel Arigon (22 years), Chidoke Nwankwo (20 years), Obima Ebuka (20 years), Nwafor Joshua (20 years), and 20-year old

Esther Chukwu, who is the only female member of the secessionist group arrested by the police.

According to police commissioner, the suspected IBOB members burnt public property including the High Court complex along Ibusa Road, Asaba, the multi-million Naira Asaba Interchange and Recreation Park, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) operational office in Asaba and other public facilities.

Inuwa said that a tricycle belonging to one of the suspects, which was used in conveying used tyres and petrol to the scene of the crime and a Nokia mobile phone snatched from a passerby were recovered.

He also said that one Lucky Felix of ‘Mile 5’ in Asaba, who confessed his involvement in the burning of Akwofor Police Post, the High Court complex and other atrocities during the #EndSARS protests, was arrested with a gun and two cartridges stolen from the burnt court store with the court’s exhibit registration number still on them.

SPDC Dismisses Alleged Staff Involvement in Pipeline Vandalism The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has dismissed a report alleging that its staff were involved in crude oil pipeline vandalism for a gain It described the report as lacking substance and without proof.

“SPDC does not have any formal report of named SPDC staff members or contractors involved in pipeline vandalism or crude oil theft,” SPDC’s Media Relations Manager, Bamidele Odugbesan, said in a statement yesterday.

“SPDC, like other Shell companies globally, investigates all credible reports it receives of misconduct or unethical behaviour and takes robust action where evidence exists.”

According to Odugbesan, the company has multiple ways the

public can report allegations of wrongdoing by anyone working for SPDC, including a telephone helpline available round the clock and a dedicated email address.

He said the company monitored its joint venture facilities and “any incident or suspected criminal activities are promptly reported to the regulators and government security agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.”

Explaining one of the measures adopted by the company to discourage host communities from tampering with SPDC assets in their communities, Odugbesan said apart from not paying compensation for spills found to have resulted from sabotage activities, contractors from host communities are not awarded clean-up contracts for sabotage spills in their communities.

YOU HAVE MADE US PROUD...

L-R: Vice-Chancellor, Crawford University, Prof. Reuben Kolo, presenting a prize to the Best Graduating Bio-Chemistry Student, Mr. Samuel Ogunkunle, during the 12th convocation ceremony of university, Igbesa in Ogun State ...yesterday

Maina Collapses in Court as Lawyer Sidetracks Defence of No-case Submission

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, yesterday collapsed in court.

Following the incident, the presiding judge, Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja had to adjourn till December 21 and 22, 2020 for hearing on Maina’s no case submission, filed on December 9 and due to be heard today.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Maina, alongside his firm, Common Input Property

and Investment Ltd on a 12-count charge of operating fictitious bank accounts, corruption, and money laundering to the tune of N2 billion.

An EFCC statement said prior to Maina’s collapse, his counsel, Anayo Adibe, had sued for adjournment on the basis that he was yet to be availed with the copies of the proceedings from the date of his client’s arraignment, having taken over as defence counsel on December 4.

“I was not in the matter when he was arraigned. In the circumstances we will be

asking for a short adjournment to enable us to take the records of proceedings of this court and do what we need to do,” he said.

This was a trifle shocking, given that the defence lawyer sidetracked the business of the day, which was the defence of his client’s no case submission.

Prosecution counsel, Faruk Abdullah, who was surprised by the application for adjournment, wondered why the defence, which filed a “no case submission,” would seek for adjournment, rather than defend his application in line with the business of the day.

“How can a counsel tell the court in one breath that he intends to address the court on a “no-case” and on another breath says, he can’t proceed because he hasn’t studied the proceedings of the court.

“It is safe for this court to conclude that the application made by counsel to the defendant was made to stall the proceedings of this court. In the event that counsel is still unprepared to make his submissions, we urge the court to foreclose their right so that we can make progress in this matter,” Abdullah said.

House Urges CBN, BOI, BOA, Others to Embrace Interest-free Banking

Udora Orizu in Abuja

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government, especially its financial institutions to create more interest-free banking opportunities for Nigerians.

The House specifically urged the Federal Ministries of Finance, Budget, and National Planning; Agriculture and Commerce (now Industry, Trade and Investment) to provide “a deliberate policy

that will encourage the Bank of Industry, the Bank of Agriculture, Nigeria IncentiveBased Risk Sharing system for Agricultural Lending, micro-finance banks, and other government-owned financial institutions to provide non-interest banking to their customers.”

The House also urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to review its current policy on non-interest banking and direct the Development Bank

of Nigeria and commercial banks to integrate same into their systems.

In addition, the House urged the CBN to review its policy on non-interest banking to allow commercial banks “carry it out as a product rather than having to acquire a separate license for non-interest banking as is obtainable currently.”

These resolutions were based on a motion moved by a member of the House, Kabir Tukura, which was

unanimously adopted at the plenary on Thursday. It was titled, ‘Need for Banks to Adopt Non-Interest Banking System to Stimulate the Economy.’

Moving the motion, Tukura said, “The House is concerned that conventional banking is an interest-based system whose relationship with their customer is that of creditor and borrower, where interest is fixed in advance and risk or loss is only incurred by the borrower.

Nigeria, Czech Republic Sign MoU for Technology Transfer Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Nigeria is set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Czech Republic for technology transfer to the country.

Against this background, President Muhammadu Buhari represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, inaugurated a committee to implement the initiative yesterday.

At the inauguration ceremony, which took place in the State House, Abuja, representatives of various ministries, departments and agencies of government were in attendance.

Nigeria’s interest in the partnership will be represented by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) while Technology Agency of Czech Republic will represent the European country.

Elucidating on the initiative at a press briefing after the ceremony, the Executive ViceChairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Professor Mohammed Sanni Haruna, said plan has mutual benefits for both countries.

According to him, Czech was chosen because it is noted for advanced technology while Nigeria has huge population that Czech will explore.

Haruna listed target areas

for deployment of technology in Nigeria to include agricultural development and solid minerals.

“This was for the inauguration of the implementation committee of memorandum of understanding between Czech Republic and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on technology transfer and joint research for the mutual benefits of the two countries, but most importantly, for bridging technology gap between Nigeria and developed nations.

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WORLD OF ISLAM

Okonjo-Iweala: Nigeria to Access COVID-19 Seven Stages of Life in Islam – 2 Vaccines from Jan 2021

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Mohd Ebrahim Sulaiman/Kyaw Kyaw Oo/IslamiCity (continued from last week)

Africa needs $9bn to buy, distribute 1.4bn doses of vaccines, says WHO Davidson Irikpen The Chair of the board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Ngozi OkonjoIweala, has assured that Nigeria and other African countries will have access to COVID-19 vaccines from the end of January 2021.

This is as the World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday said Africa would need at least $9bn to procure and distribute 1.4 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

A statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Okonjo-Iweala as making this statement during a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama.

“As long as one person has it in the world, no one is safe.

And that is why poorer countries, lower-middle-income countries like Nigeria, need to get it as quickly as possible,” she was quoted as saying.

Okonjo-Iweala is currently the African Union special envoy on mobilising international economic support for the continental fight against COVID-19 and Nigeria’s candidate for the World Trade Organisation Director-General position.

She explained that there is an ongoing international initiative involving the WHO, the Coalition

for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), GAVI and the international community, to get vaccines delivered to developing and poorer countries, in an affordable manner and quickly.

According to her, the Pfizer vaccine and the AstraZeneca were presently being negotiated so that poor countries don’t have to stand in a queue behind rich countries.

The former finance minister described Africans as blessed, for not having the same incidence rate of COVID-19 like other continents, but warned African nations against complacency.

Okonjo-Iweala said a platform called the COVAX facility had been developed with 186 countries onboard to raise resources and get the vaccines to poor countries quickly.

“So, the Pfizer vaccine, the AstraZeneca, those are being negotiated now so that poor countries don’t have to stand in line behind rich countries,” she explained.

“So, we hope they are starting by the end of January. We will be able to reach these countries, including most of the African countries, Nigeria included, will be able to get access to some of these vaccines.

“Initially, it will be for frontline

health workers, followed by some other target groups – older people, those with underlying conditions and then, from there, the rest of the population. I think the COVAX facility can cover maybe 20-23 per cent of the population by the end of next year.”

Meanwhile, WHO has said Africa will need at least $9bn to procure and distribute 1.4 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

The Immunisation and Vaccines Development Programme Coordinator, WHO, Dr. Richard Mihigo, said this at the WHO Africa online press briefing on ramping up preparedness for COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in Africa.

Mihigo stated that there was a need to ensure an equitable and timely distribution of the vaccines.

Mihigo said, “We will definitely need to vaccinate between 60 to 70 per cent of the African population.

“So, if you consider that we have about 1.2 to 1.3 billion people on the African continent and you take 60 per cent of that with the assumption that you will need maybe two doses per population, we are talking about close to 1.3 to 1.4 billion vaccine doses that will be needed to immunise 60 per cent of the people in Africa to reach a herd immunity.”

Boko Haram: Nigerian Army One of the Best in Africa, Says Minister The Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd.),

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as UKEME JACK IBOK, now wish to be known and addressed as UKEME UDOUDO JACK. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formally known and addressed as MISS EDISUA EYO-OKON, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EDISUA EYO OKON-INOKON. All former documents remain valid. Nigerian Security Printing and Minting PLC and the general public should take note.

I, formally known and addressed as UKAOBASI CHIMA BRIGHT, now wish to be known and addressed as UKAOBASI CHIMAIJEM BRIGHT. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as STEPHEN CHIGOZIE OKEKE, now wish to be known and address as STEPHEN CHUKWUEDOZIE OKEKE and my DoB was wrongly written as 30th MARCH, 1985 instead of 30th MARCH 1989. All former documents remain valid, the general public should take note.

I, formally known and addressed as AKPOKODJE EJIRO JESSE, now wish to be known and addressed as AKPOKODJE JESSE EJIROGHENE. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formally known and addressed as ANI NWAULEKE OKOROAFOR, now wish to be known and addressed as ANI OKOROAFOR OBINNA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

yesterday said the Nigerian Army is one of the best in Africa and can defeat any enemy when given the right arsenals and assistance.

Magashi said the troops are capable of winning the Boko Haram war in North-east Nigeria given their exploits in many foreign missions in West Africa and other parts of the continent.

He said, “In Africa, Nigerian Army should be adjudged one of the best, we have conducted so many operations outside Nigeria.

We went to ECOMOG (Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group), we

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did the very best we can. We went to Sierra Leone, we did the very best we can and some other places. We are a force that is reckon with in Africa but because of the nature of the prolongation of this war, people are getting tired.

“They (Boko Haram terrorists) are not concentrated in one particular place, it is an operation that they hit and run, we don’t even know their bases. Now, we know that the best way to fight these people is to get enough intelligence and go out there to fight them and this is what we are doing. Every day, we are getting information and the Nigerian Army and Air Force are running them down.”

The minister noted that Boko Haram terrorists have been dislodged from Borno State but they occasionally launch fatal attacks to attract the attention of the international community and embarrass the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Magashi who spoke while featuring on a live television programme, said, “They don’t hold any ground in Borno State.

The only thing with this kind of insurgent operation is that they want to surprise you, embarrass you and do whatever they think will attract international news or commotion. That is what they have been doing and that is why we are trying very hard to adopt tactics and other forms of operations in order to stop these people embarrassing this nation.”

Magashi expressed optimism that though Nigeria has not been receiving the needed support from some nations, the country is determined to get rid of the Boko Haram sect.

Islam = submission to the Will of Allah (GOD).

Stage 3. Life in this world.

Muslims believe all the Prophets and their books (psalms, Torah, Bible and Quran). Quran is the latest divine revelation (words of Allah) revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) 1400 years ago and is preserved without any flaws and amendments done by humans up to date.

Whereas all the other Holy books were altered or corrected by humans and the original statements were corrupted and become doubtful. Allah said in Quran he will preserve the Holy Quran until the end of the world so no man can alter it. Quran is preserved in the hearts of Hafizs (Those who have memorized the whole book Holy Quran by heart). There are millions of Hafizs in this world.

Burning all the copies of Quran will not make miraculous Quran disappear from this world.

Quran is revealed in Arabic language whereas the Bible was revealed in Hebrew language.

Quran updates all the previous holy books and teaches mankind about universal laws, moral concepts and narratives. The Quran’s timeless text remains a miracle, an inspiration and guide to all humanity.

Muslims believe in Quran and follow Prophet’s saying and example of his way of life. Those who believe in one Allah, his prophets, his books, his angels, the last day of judgment, the next life, good or bad come from predestined decree of Allah, the existence of hell and heaven, reward for good people and punishment of bad people are called Muslims. All souls are provided with limited free will to choose. There is no compulsion in Islam. All souls have to taste death. When the soul leaves the body, relatives and friends cry. The soul of man will be extracted by the angel of death either gently or roughly when the time is ripe. When a soul is pulled out from the body man must remember his faith in Allah (that Allah is his Creator) otherwise he will be sent to hell.

Satan, the devil is proud and cast out by Allah because he is jealous of Adam, disobeyed Allah, and became avowed enemy of Mankind. He has the power to disturb man from the front, behind, by the sides and can enter the body, whisper evil in Man’s heart as approved by Allah. Satan, the devil’s job is to mislead man to hell. It is easy for Satan to mislead non-muslims to worship other than Allah but not true Muslims. Satan will destroy Muslims by using many tactics but especially by 1. Jealousy and 2. Greediness. Satan was punished because of jealousy and Adam was punished because of greed. Satan certainly will try to persuade muslims at the time of death when a person is in semi-conscious state to say that there are other gods than Allah. If Satan succeeds the soul of Muslim or non-Muslim will go out from the body at the time of death without faith and that soul will enter hell.

Muslims therefore practice and profess “there is no God except Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah” (in Arabic “La ilaaha illallah Muhammadur Rasullulah”) it must be said by mouth and believed in the heart all the time and practiced all the time to make it habitual during sleep or while awake or in shock or distress.

Allah has provided a way for mankind to drive away Satan by uttering the divine revelation ‘A-’oo thu bil-laa-hi mi-nash-shai-taa-nir ra-jeem.

Bis-mil-laa-hir- Rah-maa-nir Ra-heem.” meaning “I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast, In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful”. Whenever a Muslim starts to do anything e.g. eat, drink, sleep, travel, switch on the computer, open the book to read or write, enter bath room , twilight , travel, enter into vehicle, sleep with his wife, gets up from sleep, he recites this verse to drive away Satan.

Muslims always say in good or bad status Alhamdulillah (All praises and thank be to Allah), that is submission to the Will of Allah. Muslims will say to Allah “Thee do we worship and Thine aid we seek. Please show us the right way.” Muslims must understand that we are tourists travelling and not permanent in this world. We must love Allah more than our life.

Family and other worldly things come next.

Allah says in Holy Quran “Man and Jinn are created for nothing except to worship (serve) Allah”. So our first priority is to serve Him and to please Him with good intention. Allah will not accept the worship or service if performed without good intention e.g. To Pay charity or pray to show off will not be accepted. Intention of doing any good must be to please Allah.

Muslims are Vicegerent (representatives) of Allah.

Muslims always say Insha Allah (God willing) before they plan to do things. Masha Allah (will of God) to appreciate things.

In order to die as a Muslim with faith one must also practice virtues of Islam (good practice) such as the 5 pillars of Islam.

1. Faith (“Laa ilaha illallah Muhamadur Rasullulah”) “there is no God except Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”, it must be believed in the heart and said by mouth repeatedly to become habitual and to not forget at the time of accident or sleep or distress or death. This is the most important faith. This is the visa to enter paradise. Without faith one may not enter paradise. The biggest tug of war inside our soul is faith. A Muslim will not bow his head to anything living or non-living to worship except Allah.

2. Pray five times a day (dawn, afternoon, evening, sunset and night).

3. Pay Zakat (poor man’s money Alms) 4. Fasting one month in Ramadan 5. Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) once in a life time.

The first two are compulsory and a must for all Muslims. The other three depends upon one’s health and wealth. The above practice with good intention will make a Muslim the best person on the earth and remember Allah at the time of death. At the time of death if a Muslim or a non-Muslim remembers Allah and utters “La ilaaha illallah Muhamadur Rasullulah” (“there is no God except Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”), he will be taken to paradise and otherwise to hell. So non-Muslims may remember The Creator just before death and enter paradise because Allah has kept open His door of forgiveness and mercy until before his death. A Muslim cannot point at the non-Muslims and say he is going to hell because he himself is not sure about hell or paradise.

Therefore this stage 3 is very important testing ground for human being. It is the duty of Muslims to remind each other and his nonMuslim friends about Allah, death, the next life (resurrection), reward and punishment, hell and paradise. Muslims are like living in jail in this temporary world. Muslims must obey the laws stated in Quran, avoid adultery, alcohol, gambling, cheating, observe Halal (lawful) and Haram (unlawful) food and Halal and Haram money and usury, etc. Muslims must undergo many tests and practice Islam. Muslims must be patient constantly, must bear and accept that good and bad are preordained and decreed by Allah and say Alhamdullilah (All praise and thank be to Allah) all the time in order to enjoy reward in the Hereafter, which is everlasting.

Muslims must work hard in this third stage temporary world with fear, repentance , ask forgiveness for wrong doing mistakes with hope and mercy from God to prevent from hell fire and enjoy reward in the next life. Muslims will say “Our prayers, our good deeds, our life and death are for Allah our Lord, Creator of the Worlds.” Allah created evil but He does not like it. Allah created good and He likes it. He encourages us and guides us to do good. He will guide and protect the obedient servants.

But those who refuse to accept Allah’s revelation sent to prophets, and follow Satan, Allah will not guide them anymore. They will go astray. Allah will forgive all kinds of sins except Polytheism.

Stage 4. Death.

After the soul is drawn from the body Allah keeps it in a place called Alam Barzaak. Good people’s soul are kept in a good place and bad people’s soul in a bad place until Kiyamat (Judgment day) arrives, when everything is destroyed except Allah. There will be resurrection of all Mankind Stage 5. Resurrection on the Judgment day.

All souls will get up from the graves. Obedient souls will go to paradise forever. Disobedient souls will go to hell for punishment. Those who ignore or reject or refuse to believe Allah and who worshiped false gods rather than Allah, The Creator , in this world , will go to Hell forever in the next world. Muslims do not believe in Incarnation (reborn again) to this world.

Stage 6. The end stage for disobedient soul is to enter Hell fire.

Stage 7. The end stage for obedient soul is peaceful to enter paradise in the form of new creation with different forms. Allah said that it is easy for Him to do so (Holy Quran). In paradise they will be free from sickness, illness and will at all times be healthy, clean, peaceful and satisfied with provisions, with beautiful young companions and of no ageing, to dwell in forever. This is because Allah is satisfied with the soul who is obedient to His Divine laws and the soul is also satisfied with Allah.

Concluded

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FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

H E AV Y W E I G H T T I T L E D E F E N C E

Anthony Joshua to Pocket £10m from Clash with Kubrat Pulev World heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua will pocket a cool £10million prize pot from his title defence against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev on Saturday night.

Despite gate receipts at Wembley’s SSE Arena being limited to just 1,000 due to the Covid-19 restrictions as part of the new regional tier system, Joshua will still get a handsome payday in what will be his first fight in a year.

Pulev, who comes to London as the heavy underdog, will earn

just £3m from the fight - £7m less than the world champion, according to UK’s The Telegraph.

There are no set purses for the fight, and both men could exceed those figures with payper-view numbers expected to soar because of the lack of spectators allowed at the event.

Joshua last fought 12 months ago when he exacted revenge against Andy Ruiz Jr to reclaim his world titles and admitted that ring rust could be a problem.

Speaking ahead of the fight, AJ said: “That’s what makes

this fight so interesting. This year has just thrown every obstacle at us all.

“I might go in there, I can tell you that I’m a million dollars, I feel good, I’ve been knocking everyone out in sparring. I’m the one that’s coming up now and I’m going to be the undisputed champ and I go in there on Saturday night and I (might) get my head punched in because I’ve got ring rust. Who knows?

“But I feel good, I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t boxed

in such a long time, but that’s why in lockdown I’ve done a lot of training, mental training. I’ve done a lot of sparring, getting my body tough again, getting punched up.

“Sometimes in sparring in my head I’m going to take this round off and let this boy punch me up because I need to get tough. I need to get that thick skin. That’s the closest way I can prepare and I hope it comes to fruition on Saturday,” stressed the Sagamu-born British heavyweight

champion.

Pulev’s only other world title challenge ended in a knockout defeat against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014 but the Bulgarian is confident of seizing his chance on Saturday night.

With all due respect to Anthony Joshua, I don’t think he’s that good, nor do I think he’s invincible,” Pulev said in an exclusive interview with Sportsmail.

“I have been born for this.

Saturday is the most important

day of my life.

“This was my father’s dream for me to become a world champion. My father died when he was 80, before I had this chance. But he will be watching and I will make him proud.”

Similarly, the whole of Sagamu in Ogun State, AJ’s birthplace, will be awake all night to see their son take down the obstacle on his way to fighting Tyson Fury to unify all the heavyweight categories.

F I FA R A N K I N G

Super Eagles End 2020 Static 35th Spot, Fourth in Africa Femi Solaja with agency report Three-time African cham-pions, Super Eagles of Nigeria remained static on 35th spot yesterday as world football ruling body, FIFA, released the last ranking for Covid-19 ravaged year 2020.

Eagles’ no movement in the current December ranking was due largely to the unimpressive draws over two legs against Sierra Leone last month in AFCON 2022 qualifying matches.

Eagles are joint fourth with Morocco in the African standing.

The former African champions garnered same total of 1474 points with Morocco to stay as joint 35th globally and fourth in Africa with Morocco behind leaders Senegal, Tunisiaand Algeria.

In a year inundated by the Covid-19 pandemic which crippled sports-related activities globally, Nigeria played just four games.

Their first match of 2020 ended a 1-0 defeat by Algeria in an international friendly. This was followed up with a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in another international warm-up game staged at the Jacques Lemans Arena, Austria.

Nigeria’s back to back Africa Cup of Nations qualifier versus Sierra Leone ended 4-4 in Benin City and 0-0 in Freetown respectively.

Senegal are ranked first in the continent and 20th in the world with 1558 points, while the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia are 26th in the world and second

in Africa after amassing 1503 points. Algeria are third with 1488 points.

Globally, Belgium claimed the team of the year for the third consecutive time having won six of their eight matches played in 2020.

Their three immediate chasers – France (2nd), Brazil (3rd) and England (4th) – retain their respective rankings. The only change in the top five compared to 2019 is the appearance of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in fifth place.

The team with the most progress in 2020 were Hungary (40th), after a gain of 44 points and 12 places allowed them to end the year in the top 50.

In eight matches played in 2020, the Magyars lost just once (to Russia), a sequence of results that enabled them to secure a berth at UEFA Euro 2020.

Other notable climbers include Ecuador (56th, + 41 points compared to December 2019), Malta (176th, + 32 points), Brazil (3rd, + 31 points), and Equatorial Guinea (134th, + 31 points).

Burundi (138th), meanwhile, picked up 29 points and made the most significant move in terms of places, ascending 13 positions.

2022 FIFA World Cup hosts, Qatar boast of a striking 1391 points over the course of a year to finish fifth in Asian and 58th in the world.

Anthony Joshua (left) is to earn a hefty £10million from his title defence against Kubrat Pulev tomorrow night

Eagles Goalkeeper, Ezenwa, Thumbs up Monimichelle Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, was simply in cloud nine when his club, Heartland played out a goalless draw with Remo Stars in a preseason friendly in Ikenne, Ogun State on Wednesday.

Ezenwa was thrilled beyond words by the hybrid geotech turf at the Ikenne home of Remo Stars built by Nigeria’s leading stadium construction outfit, Monimichelle.

Immediately after the game, Ezenwa described the pitch

simply as world-classed.

He therefore urged NPFL clubs and the various state governments to partner Monimichelle as a way of having state-of-the-art pitches across the country.

“If we have this kind of pitch at all the league venues, fans would see the best of Nigerian club football. What we have here in Ikenne is the same with what the same company constructed for Enyimba in Aba. “I played for Enyimba and I

know the Enyimba Stadium in Aba boasts of one of best pitches in the country. I want to see this kind of pitch in Owerri and I would plead that other states should partner Monimichelle. He is doing a damn good job with playing turfs he has constructed in the country.

Ezenwa stressed that those who want the nation’s domestic league to grow must think first of the playing surface. “When you play on a good pitch, you are able to express yourself better. This is

why I am drumming my support for Monimichelle. Since this is an indigenous company with the right expertise there is need to get him construct this lush green turfs all over the country... that is the way to go,” Ezenwa said, adding, “I know what I m talking about because this turf here in Ikenne is not the same with the conventional artificial turfs which we (the players) would ordinarily not want to play on,” concludes the Eagles goalkeeper.

Edo Govt Dissolves All Sub-committees for Nat’l Sports Festival Adibe Emenyonuin Benin City

Edo State Government on Thursday dissolved all the Sub-committees set up for the organisation of the National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged: Edo 2020.

The dissolution of the committees was contained in a letter dated December 9, by the Secretary of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the festival, Dr Emmanuel Igbinosa which was obtained by THISDAY

The letter based the dissolution on the fact that no actual date has been fixed for the festival by the Federal Government.

The National Sports Festival earlier scheduled to hold between March 22 to April 1, suffered several postponement owing to the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.

Just recently, the festival suffered another postponement from the scheduled January 3 to 18, 2021before it was eventually put off indefinitely last week.

In a letter dissolving the Sub-committees, the Secretary of LOC said: “I am directed by the Deputy Governor who doubles as the Chairman, LOC for the festival, to inform you of the dissolution of all committees with immediate effect.”

Earlier in the week, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu described the new January 3rd to 18th date for the National Sports festival as ‘insensitive’.

Shaibu argued that the new

date as suggested by the Presidential Task Force(PTF) on Covid-19 was not realistic, stressing that the decision was made without proper consultations.

“The PTF is not sensitive to the feelings of our people. I think the Council of Sports is the highest decision-making body in the country as far as a sports competition like this is concerned,” observed the obviously angry deputy governor.

Kaduna Agog as First Bank Continues Journey with Georgian

Super Eagles ended 2020 as Africa’s joint 4th best team and 35th in the world

Following the hugely successful Centenary celebration of First Bank of Nigeria Limited sponsored Georgian Cup, action returns to the highbrow Kaduna Polo Club this weekend as the gladiators are back once again for the glamorous tournament.

Last year, Abuja Rubicon led

by Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, overpowered Lintex Agad,

captained by Bashir Dantata in a clash that drew polo fans from across the region to Kaduna.

The match played over 7-Chukkas saw Abuja Rubicon winning the coveted trophy 7-6 at full time.

The victory was the third for Abuja-based team. Rubicon first victory came in 2012, the second was in 2016 before winning the centenary edition in 2019.

This year, the team will once again battle for honour and fame as high goal contenders like Fifth Chukka, defending Champion, Abuja Rubicon, El-Amin, MRS, LintexAgad among others do battle in the international competition.

Notable dignitaries expected to grace this year’s event include Executive Governor of Katsina State, Rt. Honourable Aminu

Bello Masari, Emir of Katsina, AlhajiAbdulmumini Kabir Usman, Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Abubakar, former top polo star, Dawule Baba, President Kaduna Polo Club, Alhaji Suleiman Abubakar (Walin Keffi), Keffi Ponys founder, Honourable Wadada, Sayyu Dantata, Fifth Chukka Patro, Adamu Attah amongst others .

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FridaySports

Italy’s 1982 World Cup Hero, Paolo Rossi, Dies at 64 Paolo Rossi, who fired Italy to victory in the 1982 World Cup after almost missing the tournament through a matchfixing scandal, has died aged 64, prompting an outpouring of grief and tributes.

Rossi’s wife Federica Cappelletti announced his death in an Instagram post featuring a photo of the couple, accompanied by the comment “Forever,” followed by a heart.

“There will never be anyone like you, unique, special, after you the absolute nothing...,” she added on Facebook.

The cause of Rossi’s death was not revealed but Italian media reported he had been suffering from “an uncurable disease”.

Tributes flooded in for ‘Pablito’, who was banned for three years for his part in the betting scandal, but returned to win the World Cup in Spain and the Ballon D’Or the same year.

Rossi scored 20 goals in 48 appearances for Italy, and more than 100 Serie A goals with Italian clubs including Juventus, Milan and Verona.

In the 1982 World Cup he was top scorer with six goals.

Goalkeeper Dino Zoff, who captained the 1982 winning side, described Rossi as an “extraordinary footballer, excellent teammate and friend”.

He said Rossi’s ban -- later reduced to two years -- did

Madrid Derby, EPL, Serie A Matches Live on GOtv This weekend is filled with live football action from favorite leagues- La Liga, Premier League and Serie A. Matches are scheduled to air live on GOtv from 12 to 13 December.

Top picks for La Liga this weekend sees the first Madrid derby of the season as Real welcomes neighbours, Atletico to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. Atletico currently sits above their local rival in the table following a run of three straight wins while Real Madrid cannot afford another defeat after they were beaten this past weekend by Real Betis.

This is going to be a match to look forward to and will be showing live on SS La Liga (channel 32) at 9pm.

Also on La Liga this Sunday is Barcelona vs Levante which will air live on SS La Liga (channel 32) and SS Football (channel 31) at 9pm. Barcelona continues to lead at the top of La Liga and will hope to maintain its position by beating Levante.

In Premier League this weekend is the clash between Newcastle and West Brom, as Newcastle United will be welcoming West Bromwich Albion to St James’ Park.

Newcastle are aiming for a third win this season as they are currently 13th place on the league table.

The Baggies are 19th on the log. This match will air live on SS Football (channel 31) at 4pm.

On Sunday, Fulham hosts

Liverpool at Craven Cottage and the match is scheduled to air live at 5:30pm on SS Football (channel 31).

Liverpool are currently looking for three points to keep up their pursuit of their joints top spot of the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur.

Fulham are sitting 17th, just on top of the drop zone having lost their last four games while Liverpool remains unbeaten in six games.

In Italy, Genoa is set to face Juventus at 6pm of Sunday evening and this will be aired live on SS Select 1 (Channel 33).

Juventus have not been impressive this season although they are yet to suffer a loss in the new Serie A campaign. They will be looking forward to a win when they face Genoa at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris.

Also, on Sunday is the clash between AC Milan and Parma. Although, Milan had a relatively poor start to the Serie A season, they have been able to improve their form in recent weeks as they have had only one defeat in their last six games.

Parma have been equally unpredictable so far this season, as they have remained unbeaten in their last four matches prior to their defeat to Hellas Verona last week.

This match will air at 8:45pm live on SS Select 1 (channel 33)

Real Madrid Captain Sergio Ramos (right) battling Angel Correa of Atletico during their Super Cup clash earlier

not bother him, as “we knew who Paolo Rossi was, what a serious person he was and what an extraordinary footballer we had with us”.

“He was irreplaceable in that group. And the relationship with him was great. We were a team of friends, a great group,” Zoff said.

Juventus said on the club’s website: “’Pablito’ has passed away: for the entire nation, he was the man of an unforgettable Mundial, and for us, he was so much more.”

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte paid tribute to an “unforgettable champion”, saying that his goals that summer “gave a dream to an entire generation”.

His death comes just two weeks after Argentina football legend and former Napoli star Diego Maradona died aged 60.

Rossi won the hearts of Italian fans when his goals propelled Enzo Bearzot’s Azzurri -- who started the tournament with three

uninspiring draws -- to a third world title.

But he almost missed the whole tournament.

In 1980, he was caught up in match-fixing scandal known as “Totonero” -- a play on the Italian for football pools -- that also led to top teams including AC Milan and Lazio being relegated.

Rossi was banned for three years, missing out on the 1980 European Championship on home soil, where Italy finished fourth.

After protesting his innocence he was cleared to play after two years and was rehired by Juventus, going on to earn his spot in the World Cup squad.

A slight winger who converted to centre-forward, Rossi had an uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time.

He exploded onto the stage of the 1982 tournament with a hat-trick in the 3-2 defeat of Brazil.

In the semi-finals he scored

both goals as Italy beat Poland 2-0, and he hit the opening goal in the 3-1 win over West Germany in the final.

Rossi finished top scorer in the tournament with six goals.

He was also a member of the Italy side that finished fourth in Argentina in 1978.

Along with Christian Vieri and Roberto Baggio, he holds the Italian record for nine goals scored in the World Cup. He scored 20 goals in 48 appearances for Italy and was voted European Footballer of the Year in 1982.

Born in Prato in Tuscany, Rossi made his professional debut at Juventus in 1973, but his initial two-year spell at the Turin club was blighted by knee injuries.

His first club successes were with Vicenza, and helped the club into the top flight.

However, following relegation he left for a loan spell at Perugia, where scandal struck.

After his suspension Rossi returned to Juventus, and the

1983-1984 season was his most successful at club level.

He formed a formidable trio with Michel Platini and Zbigniew Boniek and accumulated trophies -- two Serie A titles, the Italian Cup, Cup of Cups, and European Supercup.

In 1985, Juventus won the European Cup amid the tragedy of the Heysel Stadium final against Liverpool, where 39 fans were killed. It was to be Rossi’s last match with the ‘Bianconeri’.

He went to rivals AC Milan for an unsuccessful season which was overshadowed by injury, as was his final season at Hellas Verona.

In 1987, aged 31, Rossi decided to turn the page after nearly 400 league games and 154 goals, and 48 caps and 20 goals for Italy.

After his career as a footballer, Rossi worked as a TV pundit.

Rossi is survived by his wife and three children.

Paolo Rossi (left) was the hero of the 1982 World Cup Win by Italy

Bosso Laments Missed Chances as Satellites Cage Flying Eagles Coach of Flying Eagles, Ladan Bosso has attributed Nigeria’s 1-0 defeat by Ghana’s Black Satellites in Wednesday’s WAFU U-20 Zone B qualifier to wastefulness.

After a stuttering 1-1 draw against Cote d’Ivoire in the regional competition’s opening game, the Flying Eagles needed to defeat the Black Satellites to brighten their chances of reaching the semi-finals.

However, the two-time FIFA U20 World Cup runners-up were pegged down at the Charles De Gaulle Stadium by Precious Boah’s beautiful free-kick that was unstoppable by goalkeeper Kolawole

Oladipo.

Before coach Abdul Karim Zito’s boys sealed the win with eight minutes left to play, Nigeria fluffed several scoring opportunities with Wisdom Ubani and Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi the major culprits.

Despite the dismissal of goalscorer Boah for a second caution, Bosso’s boys were unable to cancel their deficit.

“The quality of the game we played against Ghana was better than what we played in the first match (against Cote d’Ivoire) but unfortunately this time around, we were very wasteful,” the veteran coach said on Brila FM yesterday.

“We had chances that

would have finished this game in our favour in the first half but we couldn’t do that. We were very wasteful and that was what cost us this match.

“They (Ghana) had only one chance and they took it. We had three free kicks but couldn’t do anything with them.”

The Flying Eagles now stand a slim chance of making it to the next stage and that will be possible should pre-tournament favourites, Black Satellites defeat the Young Elephants by a two-goal margin in Group B’s last game.

The regional tournament serves as qualifiers for the 2021 Africa U20 Cup

of Nations billed for Mauritania. There, Africa’s four representatives for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup would be determined.

Nigeria finished fourth at the 2019 AFCON U20 staged in Niger Republic.

At the global fiesta held in Poland, the team led by Paul Aigbogun crashed out after the Round of 16 following their 2-1 defeat to Senegal.

The Flying Eagles are the most successful team in Africa having won the championship for a record seven times.

Their last triumph was achieved at the 2015 edition when they defeated hosts Senegal 1-0 in the final.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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Friday December 11, 2020

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MISSILE

Secondus to Buhari “The truth, which is worrisome, is that the president either does not know what is happening or does know what to do; otherwise, he should not be afraid to face the people” – National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, chiding President Muhammadu Buhari for refusing to honour the House of Representatives’ invitation.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

Let My People Go P

astor Tunde Bakare is in a near impossible situation-that of balancing his personal relationship with Major General Muhammadu Buhari with the obligation of his bully pulpit as a liberation theologian and social critic. He was caught in the Buhari web when their paths crossed in the 2011 presidential election where he paired with then candidate Buhari on the platform of the defunct Congress for Peoples Change (CPC). He caught national attention lately with his biblically themed ‘let my people go’ sermon at the Citadel church.

Bakare had prescribed to Buhari the adoption of the restructuring agenda as a systemic policy response to the imploding political crisis plaguing the nation. Buhari’s response was typical and predictable-’we don’t know what the advocates mean by restructuring’. The Pastor then reminded him of the masterplan on restructuring he presented to him in his first week in office as president. To educate the president, Bakare projected the utility of restructuring (restoration of federalism employing the 1960 and 1963 constitutions as guide and precedent) with the narrative of the regionalism enabled achievements of the leadership of Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello and Nnamdi Azikiwe in the Western, Northern and Eastern regions. As recalled

by Chief Afe Babalola, “the West was doing well under the old constitution, East was doing well under the old constitution, North was doing well under the old constitution”.

The truth, of course, is that, often than not, Buhari’s stock response is the default deflection within which hostility to restructuring advocacy is masked; and not a genuine confession of misunderstanding and confusion.To prove the point, Bakare reminded the president of the embarrassing fact that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) personified by Buhari had received a party commissioned report (elRufai committee report) on the advocacy of restructuring.The pastor warned the president of the potential consequences of stonewalling on doing the needful and extrapolated the biblical precedence of the foolhardy and obdurate Egyptian Pharaoh captioned with the battlecry of ‘Let my people go’. He characterised the Nigerian version of the Israelites freedom as restructuring and I agree with him. ‘Let my people go’ was the pronouncement of God and directive to the Pharaoh to set free the Israelites from the centuries old servitude, captivity and bondage of tyrannical Egypt.

The entreaty to the Egyptian king fell on deaf ears and in a carrot and stick model, God sought to intermittently persuade him with the escalation of consequential sanctions and punishment through seven stages.

Pulling his punch, Bakare understandably stopped short of drawing a full chart analogy between the reign of the foolhardy Pharaoh and Buhari whose presidential dispensation increasingly mimics the Egyptian precedent.

I owe Buhari no such obligation.

Contrary to misplaced general expectations of utilitarian leadership, the Buhari

Buhari dispensation has advertised itself as taking Nigeria hostage to a regime of primitive subversion of national governance. A severe health crisis was the first indication that his presidency was never going to do his welfare and the welfare of Nigeria any good. He is rapidly losing Nigeria to ungovernability but more telling is the escalating regression of the Northern half of Nigeria into a bloody and violent upheaval-in a manner that finds analogy in the graduation of the curse Pharaoh incurred on Egypt for his heedless intransigence.

The more Buhari cuddles the North with self-destructive parochial generosity, the worse the region sinks into unprecedented anarchy, underclass poverty and savagery.

“So the Lord said to Moses you shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to release the children of Israel from bondage. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My [a]armies and My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments”.

And God’s judgement followed with

incremental visitation of iniquities on Egypt. First with the turning of the waters of River Nile into blood, followed by the flooding of Egypt with frogs, then came the Gnats, flies, extirpation of all Egyptian livestock, excruciating boils and was finally crowned with the devastation of fire and thunderstorm.

According to the Daily Trust, “Killings, kidnapping by armed bandits and other non-state armed men have become the norm in most parts of the northern region.

Buhari rode on the electoral strength of the region to win the presidency in 2015 and 2019. Setting the tone, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) said President Buhari should resign, saying he had not demonstrated any will to bring an end to the insurgency and killings in the North. Through a statement by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the forum noted, “In civilised nations, leaders who fail so spectacularly to provide security will do the honourable thing and resign.” Summing up the situation, Sultan of Sokoto and President of Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, said the North was the worst place to live in the country, in view of the escalating insecurity. Also, prominent Islamic clerics like the National Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatul Bidi’ah wa Ikamatus Sunnah, Abdullahi Bala Lau; the Secretary- General of Jamatu Nasril Islam, Khalid Aliyu; and Abubakar Gero Argungu, among others, have all raised their voices calling on the president to wake up and save the North from extinction”.

Bulama Bukarti similarly agonised “From Benue to Borno, from Kaduna to Kebbi, the North is bleeding so badly. Northerners are killed like rats. Women and children are captured and violated freely. A presidency dominated by northerners keeps paying lip service. Our security agencies are clearly overwhelmed. It’s indisputable that northern Nigeria is today one of the most dangerous places on earth. While Boko Haram continues its rampage, launching deadly attacks in the northeast literally every day, criminal gangs in the northwest are operating with impunity.

Attacks have become so frequent that the

massacre of dozens no longer makes the headlines, much less capture the attention of those in authority. Just when you think things can’t get any worse, another incident proves you wrong. The slide into anarchy now seems inevitable. And very few of those who claim to speak for the North seem to care” Holding the North collectively guilty, another observer notes. “Today they have one of the champions of Northern Islamic hegemony as president, they now have their kinsmen as head of all the national security units except the Navy and Chief of Defence Staff. But the bad news is; the monster they created to paint Jonathan weak with the aim of killing “it” when they eventually grab power, has now metamorphosed into monsters that have overwhelmed the entire North. When they massacre in the North-east, we call them Boko Haram. When they kill in North-west, we call them bandits. When they strike in Middle Belt, we call them Fulani herdsmen.

I think we are just deceiving and confusing our already perplexed selves with these funny nomenclatures because they are the same terrorists that were created out of unquenchable lust for political power.”

I now conclude with the parable of the monkey and the peanut. I first encountered the illustration in a James Hadley novel titled “paw in the bottle” and subtitled ‘how they catch monkeys in Brazil’. The alcohol besotted Al Barney was the vintage raconteur, he of the ‘ear to the ground’ fame.

A bottle containing peanuts is hung on a tree as trap. As anticipated, on sighting the peanut container, the monkey dips its paws into the bottle to retrieve the delicacy.

But the bottleneck is not spacious enough for the monkey fist (bunched to hold the nut). To withdraw its paws the monkey needs to let go the peanut. Overcome with self-destructive greed, the primate fatally loses its thinking faculties and survival instincts and immobilised itself by holding on to the nut. The monkey thus voluntarily renders itself a sitting duck prey waiting to self- destruct. In my reckoning, the Niger Delta oil is the peanut and the monkey is Nigeria- literally.

For Mrs Omotola Oyediran, Segun Awolowo I am reminded that I grew up with two adorable mothers, Abah the one who bore me and Omotola the one who nurtured me.

I am reminded of the deep love she had for my late father, her brother whom she never stopped loving and never stopped talking about - indeed it was always “if brother Segun were alive .........”

I am reminded of this unquenchable love for her late brother which now arrogated to me the status of a young “sacred cow” that must be held guiltless’ no matter the gravity of infraction because I am Segun jnr. Thank God, Daddy and Papa kept me within the boundaries of discipline.

I am reminded of her kindness and meekness, I am reminded that she raised

me to care and love, I am reminded that she was the virtuous woman described in the book of Proverbs 31, a business woman, a home maker extraordinaire and a prayer warrior. The best multitasker you can imagine!

I am reminded of the words order, grace and beauty that best described her, I am reminded of her mild answers to every angry comment, like water cast on fire, I am reminded of her compassion and empathy for everyone, I am reminded of her wings of charity because for her, every living soul deserves kindness, I am reminded how she would alleviate all troubles with her wise counsel and sweeten everything with her endearing personality. Love would literally shoot out of her breast! I

am reminded of a mother that raised me through my helpless infancy and helped to address the forwardness of my youth, I am reminded of her prayers when demons were drowning out the better angels of my brain, I am reminded of her constant advice that being an offspring of Obafemi Awolowo means we must bear adversity with stoicism and courage. Also, to be temperate in prosperity, I am reminded that her acts of selfless generosity were the supreme moments of her earthly existence, I am reminded that God does not correct our weaknesses, all He does is save us. I am reminded that life is the most precious gift we possess because it makes each of us an agent of Divinity.

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