FRIDAY 12TH FEBRUARY 2021

FG Banks on Finance Act for Quick Economic Recovery Targets full implementation, strategic revenue growth

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos The federal government has expressed optimism that the implementation of the Finance Act, 2020 and

Strategic Revenue Growth Initiative (SRGI) will stimulate the economic recovery process through initiatives capable of growing fiscal revenues, improve Ease of Doing Business (EoDB),

counteract the impact of oil price fluctuations and integrate fiscal, monetary and trade policies.

The Finance Act (2020) was passed into law by the National Assembly

and assented to recently

by President Muhammadu Buhari while the SRGI was launched in January 2020 as a blueprint for growing fiscal revenues from six per cent to 15 per cent.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, at the Deloitte Economic Outlook 2021 webinar held in Lagos yesterday, said the federal government was upbeat that

the implementation of the its fiscal and economic policies would bring the economy out of recession and stimulate growth.

Continued on page 9

NIRSAL Facilitates N148 Billion Credit for Agric/Agribusiness Investment... Page 8 Friday 12 February, 2021 Vol 26. No 9441. Price: N250

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Buhari, Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Others Pay Tribute as Jakande Dies Atiku, Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, NPAN, IPI mourn

Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Udora Orizu in Abuja and Segun James in Lagos Tributes poured in yesterday as the death of the first

civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, was announced. He died in Lagos at 91.

Leading the pack of sympathisers, who paid

glowing tributes to the former governor was President Muhammadu Buhari who said Jakande lived for the good of others.

Others were President

To be buried today

of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; Lagos

State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu; Newspapers Proprietors

Association of Nigeria (NPAN), and International Press Institute (IPI).

Jakande, a foremost Continued on page 9

Shake-up Imminent as Service Chiefs Finetune Strategies to Combat Insurgency Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja A major shake-up is imminent in the military as the new service chiefs put finishing touches to a raft of strategies to revamp the counterinsurgency operations in the North-east as a step towards an earnest routing of the terror cartels in the area.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said yesterday in Abuja that the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor, and his colleagues had been brainstorming on fashioning a new approach to combating the insurgents in line with the marching orders given them by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Coordinator of the Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj. Gen. John Enenche, told reporters that part of the new approach includes carrying out a major shake-up in the military, which will entail personnel, operational and Continued on page 9

PAINFUL FAREWELL… L-R: Senior Pastor, Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; widow, Mrs. Helen Prest Ajayi; children of the deceased, Tomisin; Tosan and Tiffany, during the funeral service for Dr. Oluwatosin Ajayi in Ikoyi, Lagos...yesterday kunle ogunfunyi

FG Mobilises Security Agents to Thwart Fresh Lekki Tollgate Protest...Page 5

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NEWS FG Mobilises Security Agents to Thwart Fresh Lekki Tollgate Protest

Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike

Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Lagos sues for calm Organisers defiant, say march will hold

Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Chiemelie Ezeobi, Segun James, Abiodun Eromosele and Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos The federal government yesterday squared up to organisers of a fresh protest at Lekki Tollgate, the epicentre of last October #EndSARS protests, with a warning that they should jettison the idea.

It said security agents had been mobilised to scuttle the protest planned for tomorrow.

To also frustrate the planned protest, the Lagos State Police Command yesterday banned the gathering and vowed to arrest the protesters.

The Lagos State Government also appealed to the public and groups planning to stage protests to shelve the plan.

But notwithstanding the threats, the organisers of the planned protest remained defiant, saying the protest, over the ban on cryptocurrency accounts among other reasons will hold.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, told reporters in Abuja that no responsible government will allow a repeat of the violence that followed last year's #EndSARS protest, when hoodlums hijacked it.

He said: ‘’Any further resort to violence in the name of #EndSARS will not be tolerated this time. The security agents are ready for any eventuality. A situation

in which six soldiers and 37 policemen were murdered in cold blood by hoodlums will not repeat itself. ‘’The attack, looting, and razing of 269 private and public property will not happen again. The killing of 57 civilians will not be re-enacted.’’

He said intelligence report had shown that some Nigerian activists had linked up with others outside Nigeria, including subversive elements, with a view to destabilising the country. ‘’We cannot and must not allow this to happen,’’ he added.

Mohammed, in justifying the federal government’s plans to clamp down on the organisers and the would-be protesters, said despite the fact that only one policeman and four others were killed in the invasion of the United States Capitol in January, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had continued to hunt down and prosecute the perpetrators.

According to him, many of those actively promoting the planned protest on social media are not even in Nigeria, as they are in other countries inciting people to violence in Nigeria.

The minister added that the federal government is also watching the role being played by the various social media platforms in mobilising people to join the protest.

Police Vow to Arrest

Momoh Laid to Rest

Segun James

The remains of the former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh, were yesterday laid to rest at the cemetery located within Grail Land, Iju Hills, in Lagos, in line with his wishes.

At the Grail funeral, which lasted for just one hour, the head of the Grail Movement, Nigeria who presided at Temple, said Momoh joined the order on December 27, 1974, and had remained steadfast to his calling.

The Grail Movement refused photographs and journalists from entering the temple for lying-in-state and other rituals.

After the service in which only the leader of the Movement was only allowed to speak, the body was later taken to the cemetery where it was interred.

One of the children of the deceased, Mr. Abdulrasheed Momoh, who spoke with journalists at a restaurant situated in the premises of Grail Land, said: “Honestly, he has left a huge gap and I have to emulate him.

“He invested in humans, a father to all, and he was there for all. He had a list of people he was giving money to. We saw huge vouchers for these people in a bag.

“He was a rare man; I am happy for having him. I am proud of him.”

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Philip Shaibu, said that Momoh never discriminated between Christians and Moslems, Southerners or Northerners but stood for the sanctity of the constitution and unity of Nigeria.

Shaibu said: “He was an exemplary leader. He believed in the unity of the country and spoke about it a lot.

Through his speeches and commentaries, Tony Momoh made his opinion known.

“He didn’t care about what people say but about what unites us. We should do things that unite us. He was a man that believed in the sanctity of our constitution and unity of our country.”

According to him, Nigeria has reasons to celebrate Momoh’s life and not to mourn him.

Momoh, a lawyer and former editor of the nation's flagship newspaper, the Daily Times, was said to have requested that he be buried according to the Grail Movement doctrine.

Momoh was the 165 child of his father, the late Otaru (Royal father) of Auchi Kingdom, HRH Zaiki Momoh.

Protesters The Lagos State Police Command has vowed to arrest protesters who defy the ban to join the march being planned for tomorrow at the Lekki Tollgate.

The police said security forces had been put on red alert to dislodge any violent protest, gathering, and procession in any part

of the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, yesterday told the protesters to shelve their plans.

He stated that the decision to ban the protest was necessitated by intelligence gathering about a possible hijack by the same hoodlums responsible for the violence last year.

He said: “Permit me to state in clear terms that organising any protest in furtherance of the recent violent and destructive EndSARS protest will be counterproductive to the ongoing series of inquiries and investigations into many cases related to the EndSARS violence and the present security situation of the state.

“Above all, the command

has gathered intelligence that some hidden agents of destruction and shadow parties that planned and orchestrated the last EndSARS violence have concluded plans to cause another set of mayhem in Lagos State and spread same to other parts of the country, tactically and Continued on page 10

TALKING STATE MATTERS… Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi (left), and Minister of State, Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clement Agba, during a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja....yesterday

Govs to Partner NPHCDA on COVID-19 Vaccines Procurement Insist on ranching to address herdsmen crisis

Chucks Okocha in Abuja The governors of the 36 states of the federation are to partner with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on the procurement and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

The governors, after a virtual meeting resolved to address all issues of insecurity arising from the farmers, herdsmen crisis.

In a communiqué of the meeting signed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who is also the Ekiti State governor, the governors urged all relevant agencies and public-spirited organisations involved in the procurement of vaccines to cooperate in ensuring that the injections arrive in the country early.

Fayemi said the NGF would shortly inaugurate an advisory group of experts to provide high-level strategic guidance and support the NGF on the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines in the short time and the subsequent local production of the injections.

The governors are also engaging directly with NPHCDA to ensure that the vaccines are administered equitably, first to workers who are on the frontlines of the pandemic.

On insecurity, the communiqué said: "Following an update from governors on the various initiatives taken by state governments to address the rising insecurity in the country due to the activities of herdsmen, members reached a consensus on the need for the country to transition into modern

systems of animal husbandry that will replace open, night, and underage grazing in the country.

"State governments are encouraged to put in place systems to accelerate the grazing initiative of the National Livestock Transformation Plan and ranching in the country," it said.

The governors said they respected the rights of abode of all Nigerians and condemned criminality and the ethnic profiling of crime in an effort to frame the banditry and the herdersfarmers crisis as having ethnic undertones.

"In the light of the economic and security risks that have arisen from these circumstances, the governors resolved to urgently convene an emergency meeting,” it stated, adding: "The

Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Plateau State, Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, provided an update on steps taken by the governors of the 19 northern states and cautioned against the tagging of ethnic groups based on the misbehavior of a few criminally minded individuals."

It called on governors to address the matter head-on in their various states.

The governors also deliberated on the underutilisation of fiscal facilities, including the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Fund, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and the Saving One Million Lives programme for results (SOML), which are meant to expand the size and scope of resources spent on health and education in states.

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NIRSAL Facilitates N148 Billion Credit for Agric/Agribusiness Investment Says 500,000 farmers on 800,000 hectares of land benefit Commends CBN governor for support Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja In spite of the global disruption caused by COVID-19, the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agriculture Leading (NIRSAL) said it facilitated over N148billion in finance and investments for agriculture and agribusiness.

It also aggregated over 3,000 agro geo-cooperatives with 500,000 farmers on 800,000 hectares of land.

The Managing Director/ CEO of NIRSAL, Mr. Aliyu Abdulhameed, who stated this in Abuja on Thursday, also revealed that in the course of the last 13 months, the public

limited liability company facilitated the flow of over NGN30billion into agricultural value chains from commercial banks and other sources.

Attributing the success to the huge support by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, prudent management of resources and good corporate governance, the CEO added that as enablers of actors in the agricultural value chain, the company remained operational for those who were allowed by the federal government to move around for the purpose of producing food and rendering essential

DPR Tightens Monitoring of Petrol Distribution, Depot Operations Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), yesterday moved to curb the incessant loss and hoarding of petroleum products across the country, with the inauguration of the Downstream Remote Monitoring System (DRMS).

DRMS is an inventory management solution for petroleum products supply distribution, which the agency noted will act as a regulatory tool designed to ensure products availability throughout the country.

Director and Chief Executive Officer of the DPR, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, said at the launch that the newlylaunched digital platform would provide easy access to retail outlet information, enhance oil and gas industry service permit, access to coastal vessel licence data and seamless integration into the products import and export permit system.

In addition, it will provide advanced information on depots operations and licensing, tracking of refining and blending plants, licensing operations as well as enhanced domestic gas penetration and utilisation.

According to Auwalu, the programme will ensure real time data on the distribution of products nationwide, enhance product accountability, eliminate products hoarding, and checkmate artificial scarcity and adulteration He explained that as a business enabler and opportunity provider, the department will continue to employ technology and innovations to achieve government’s aspirations and policies for an efficient and vibrant downstream sector.

He said: “The Nigerian oil and gas industry is witnessing the digital transformation in line with the presidential mandate for transparency, accountability, and domestic energy security as well as ministerial key priorities for product sufficiency and availability.

“Today, we launch a

game-changing platform that will reshape the conduct of businesses and operations in the downstream. This solution will strategically position the industry for increased profitability and investments.

“DRMS is an inventory management solution for petroleum products supply and distribution designed to provide a holistic view of the downstream value chain in real-time. This system guarantees the availability and reliability of real-time data for decision making and planning purposes.”

For the downstream operators, Auwalu explained that it will provide the information to drive value from existing businesses, investments to fund expansions and growth opportunities for new ventures.

He said it would also enable business owners to monitor operations of their facilities from the comfort of their offices, reassuring stakeholders that the DRMS solution was robust enough to accommodate all their needs for efficient petroleum products tracking and monitoring.

“To make the system readily available across all locations, we have integrated the USSD code *7117# into the DRMS portal. This code can be dialed on any of the mobile networks to submit data using a unique facility identification code,” he added.

The Senate Chairman, Joint Committee on Petroleum, Downstream and Upstream, Senator Sabo Mohammed, who was represented by Senator Chris Ekpenyong, lauded the DPR for upgrading and overhauling their system.

“All along, we have been operating an analogue system.

This is an opportunity to join the rest of the world in monitoring petroleum products being produced in Nigeria," he stated.

The Chairman Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Aminu Abdulkadir, urged the DPR to ensure that there’s sufficient sensitisation on the new initiative.

services in the society.

According to him, ‘’By remaining operational, our numbers grew: As of Q4 2020, we had achieved the following: Facilitated over NGN148billion in finance and investments for agriculture and agribusiness. ‘’Aggregated over 3,000 agro geo-cooperatives with 500,000 farmers on nearly 800,000 hectares of land.

Enrolled 1.4 million persons onto innovative insurance products designed by NIRSAL in collaboration with a consortium of agricultural insurance underwriters.’’

Abdulhameed added that the company has also been up to some high-level advocacy, saying that in order to curb the dismal levels of post-harvest losses that Nigeria suffers,

and create efficient routes for commodity movement and storage, NIRSAL is engaging with and supporting the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in the development of a policy on Secured Agricultural Commodity Transport and Storage Corridors (SATS-C). ‘’While pursuing our mandate that translates to positively impacting Nigeria’s economy, we have been building a world-class corporate entity too. ‘’In the past year, we further improved NIRSAL’s structure and systems, maintained compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards and successfully implemented the Balanced Scorecard performance management

approach to tap the best from our talented employees. ‘’Along the line, we have grown our balance sheet to NGN140billion, our equity by 1,415% and our total assets by 87%. The number of farmers we have worked with has also grown, especially as we fully unveiled our Agro Geo-Cooperative model in the outgone year’’, the CEO explained.

While commending the media for their social responsibility – in helping to drive NIRSAL’s policies and programmes, he said that the company has used the media to communicate its plans and accomplishments to good effect.

He continued, ‘’More people now know NIRSAL and what it stands for better than ever

before. Your being here is so that we can continue to amplify our reach across the length and breadth of this country. ‘’We have had detractors like many others in a highly competitive society do. While we welcome competition, we hope that the malicious lies and blackmails will cease, especially with support from you – our partners in the media.’’

Abdulhameed said that NIRSAL is a vehicle that promises much to Nigeria and is currently delivering remarkably, advising that distractions from vested interests are unwelcome to the work of supporting the building of a resilient economy in Africa’s most populous nation.

AGRIC ROUNDTABLE… L-R: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Nanono; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Kebbi State Governor, Senator Atiku Bagudu; during a roundtable on Agriculture for Food Plan in Abuja...yesterday

Again, OPEC Cuts 2021 Oil Demand, Projects Q2 Rise Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), projected yesterday that world oil demand in 2021 will rebound more slowly than previously thought but added that it will pick up in the second quarter of this year.

The international oil cartel also forecasted that the prevailing rise in oil prices could brighten early economic recovery for the country, resulting in a medium-term Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expansion.

In its monthly report for February, OPEC projected that demand will rise by 5.79 million barrels per day (bpd) this year to 96.05 million bpd, trimming its growth forecast by 110,000 bpd from a month ago.

The prospect of weaker demand has already prompted OPEC and its allies, known as OPEC+, to slow their plan to boost output.

But more demand, rising prices, and lower rival supply

could support the case for more easing, even as Iraq said on Wednesday OPEC+ was likely to keep current cuts in March.

“While the global economy is showing signs of a healthy recovery in 2021, oil demand is currently lagging but is forecast to pick up in the second half of 2021,” OPEC said in the report.

OPEC has steadily lowered its 2021 oil demand growth forecast from 7 million bpd expected in July. Still, the latest forecast is stronger than the prediction made in an earlier internal OPEC report.

The group raised its forecast of world economic growth this year to 4.8 per cent from 4.4 per cent previously, despite the impact of “challenges” such as COVID-19 variants and the effectiveness of vaccines.

“The global vaccination rollout is gaining pace, infection rates are falling in some areas, improvements in treatment, and the growing use of rapid testing facilities all lend support to an acceleration of economic activity after the

first quarter,” OPEC said.

On its forecast for Nigeria, it stated: “The meaningful rise in of oil prices following the recent Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) decisions, along with a positive trajectory from COVID-19 vaccines, could brighten the 2021 outlook and lay the groundwork for a hopeful medium-term real GDP expansion.

“Moreover recent data showed that consumer confidence in Nigeria increased to 14.80 points in 4Q20 from -21 20 points in 3Q20. “ However, recent Central Bank of Nigeria composite Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the manufacturing sector edged down to 49.6 in December 2020 from 50.2 in November, signaling a renewed contraction in the country's manufacturing activity.”

For shale, OPEC trimmed its non-OPEC supply growth forecast to 670,000 bpd this year from 850,000 bpd previously, and said output

of U.S tight crude, another term for shale, would decline despite higher oil prices.

“Supply from the U.S. is challenged by shortterm uncertainties around COVID-19 (and) continued capital expenditure discipline leading to lower upstream capital spending by U.S. oil companies,” OPEC said.

Last month, OPEC raised its forecast for U.S. shale output this year, in a sign higher oil prices were helping a key competitor.

OPEC+ producers cut supply by a record 9.7 million bpd last year to support the market and agreed to pump an extra 500,000 bpd in January under a plan to unwind the curbs gradually.

Most producers are returning to supply restraint this month and in March.

OPEC crude production in January rose by 180,000 bpd to 25.50 million bpd, the report said, led by Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Venezuela.

This is less than the 300,000 increase allowed under the OPEC+ plan for January.

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PAGE NINE FG BANKS ON FINANCE ACT FOR QUICK ECONOMIC RECOVERY The economy slipped into recession in the third quarter (Q3) of 2020 when the gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 3.62 per cent (year-on-year), marking the second consecutive contraction from 6.10 per cent recorded in the previous quarter (Q2 2020).

While the federal government targets a three per cent GDP growth in the 2021 budget to exit recession before the end of the first quarter, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects the nation's recovery to start with a subdued growth of 1.5 per cent and output recovering to its pre-pandemic level only in 2022.

Ahmed, who delivered a paper titled ‘Federal Government of Nigeria’s Economic Recovery Plan for 2021,” expressed optimism on the nation's economic recovery efforts, noting that the SRGI is already yielding positive results in terms of growth and business activities.

The federal government, she stated, was targeting to grow

its revenue-to-GDP at 15 per cent by 2023 and expressed confidence that the target is realistic.

She said: “Economic activities in the country are recovering, reflected by a reduced contraction of 3.6% in the third quarter of 2020, compared to the previous quarter.

"Against the backdrop of global pandemic and significant international economic disruptions, Nigeria has certainly faced its own share of economic turbulence.

“With respect to monetary aggregates, the federal government maintained an accommodative monetary policy stance for the major part of the year, reflecting concerns about the impact of the pandemic.”

She said considerable efforts were also made to ease the effects of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns on households and businesses.

The SRGI and Finance Act, 2020, she said, would aid the economic recovery process of

the economy through initiatives and strategies that would grow fiscal revenues, improve the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), counteract the impact of oil price fluctuations and integrate fiscal, monetary and trade policies.

On the SRGI and the government's plan to boost its fiscal revenues to GDP from 6 per cent to 15 per cent, she said the target of the initiative was to enhance fiscal revenues from six per cent to 15 per cent of GDP by 2023.

According to her, the initiative seeks to achieve sustainability in revenue generation by identifying and enforcing new and existing revenue streams while achieving cohesion through people and tools.

She added that to achieve sustainability in revenue generation, the federal government will improve collections, close legal loopholes, collaborate with trading partners, manage performance, deregulate and provide funding for the

energy sector.

The minister state that the federal government would identify new revenues and enforce existing streams.

"The federal government would identify new taxes, broaden the tax base, expand and improve Value Added Tax (VAT), target high net worth individuals (HNIs), revive key economic sectors, identify funding models for specific sectors, deploy a National Single Window (NSW) and enact laws and executive orders (EOs) to enhance liquidity management," she said.

According to her, through the SRGI, the federal government is building and strengthening sustainable revenue generation systems through the application of the right incentives, safeguards and performance management systems.

She said: “There are several initiatives under the SRGI with revenue generation and enhancement potential, which are closely monitored

using data-driven performance management to achieve the results and set targets. With the SRGI, we are partnering with interested state ministries of finance and state revenue generating agencies in achieving the set target of attaining revenue to GDP of 15 per cent by 2023.”

Ahmed noted that the federal government is working on the second phase of the SRGI, having reviewed its strategies, identified the challenges and re-assessed the prospects and opportunities.

“Subsequently, the SRGI 2.0 involves a top-down approach that is driven by enhanced data and technology to complement a bottom-up approach aimed at improving operational efficiencies.

"We are willing and available to partner with all state governments yet to join us on this transformative journey,” she said.

She assured stakeholders that the federal government remains focused on economic policies aimed at improving revenue

generation, enhancing economic competitiveness, attracting foreign direct investments and ensuring the overall sustenance of macroeconomic stability.

According to her, this is evidenced by the efforts to return the economy on a sustainable growth path starting with early responses to the welfare implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on households, its targeted support to businesses via the launch of the Economic Sustainability Plan & Strategic Revenue Growth Initiative and timely passage of the 2021 Budget and the Finance Act (2020).

“We have significant headwinds to weather, including COVID-19, health and security challenges and volatility in oil and non-oil revenues.

"However, it is my hope, that by getting our processes, products and priorities right, we will be able to use this opportunity to bring the economy to a path of growth and sustainable development in 2021,” Ahmed stated.

SHAKE-UP IMMINENT AS SERVICE CHIEFS FINETUNE STRATEGIES TO COMBAT INSURGENCY logistics changes.

Enenche spoke barely 48 hours after the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, announced the presidential directive to the service chiefs to crush the insurgency.

Amao, during a tour of military formations in the North-east, including Sector 3 Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) and the MultiNational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), on Tuesday, had said in Maiduguri that the president routed the order through Irabor for them to come up with new strategies to subdue the insurgents.

He stated that he has had meetings with the other service chiefs leading to the continuing tour of the military formations.

“Mr. President had given the Chief of Defence Staff,

along with the service chiefs, the onerous task of bringing the war against insurgency to a decisive end in order to restore normalcy to all troubled parts of the country,” he added.

He stated that they had already begun to “take action in this regard, holding several meetings to evolve strategies for better synergy in the joint operations.”

However, shedding more light on the impending dispensation in the fight against insurgency, Enenche said in formulating the new counterinsurgency approach, the service chiefs had visited the North-east to meet minds with theatre commanders and other critical stakeholders in the epicentre of the insurgency.

According to him, the service chiefs, having

interacted with troops and commanders are working on new strategies aimed at ensuring victory for the armed forces.

He said: "You are all aware of the recent changes in the leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. There is no doubt the changes would usher in new modus operandi for tackling the security challenges in the country.

"The service chiefs, on assumption of duties, immediately hit the ground running by conducting an operational visit to the North-east. They have also visited some operational areas in the country to interact with troops and commanders in the field in the various theatres.

"The visit is aimed at ensuring that the military high command comes up

with new ways and means of tackling the security challenges."

On the expected shake-up Enenche said there would be changes in "all strata of the military in view of the change of service chiefs.

"There would be more re-organisation of military units. Change of service chiefs will bring about changes and new modus operandi and logistics.

"In line with the reorganisation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the appointment of new service chiefs, the operations of the armed forces are equally being reorganised to tackle the security challenges in the country effectively."

Enenche stated that the service chiefs had commenced action at all levels.

"These include carrying out strategic, administrative, operational and logistics adjustments, changes and reviews, to improve the security situation in the country.

"As such, all stakeholders are requested to give maximum support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff," he said.

The Defence Headquarters also solicited the support of Nigerians for the efforts of the military in tackling security challenges confronting the nation.

"Our collective efforts are essential in the fight against the various security vices in the country. The military high command reassures the general public of its untiring dedication towards securing

the country.

"Members of the general public are enjoined to continue providing timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the military and other security agencies for prompt and effective action," he added.

He said the military had sustained aerial and ground offensives in the various theatres of war in the Northeast, North-west and other geo-political zones.

"The gallant troops within the period in focus carried out several land and air operations. These include clearance and ambush operations as well as aggressive ground and aerial patrols in order to ensure the security of lives and property within the zones," he stated.

The statement described him as the pioneer President of NPAN, from where he was loaned to politics in 1979.

It said: “Between 1969 and 1979, Alhaji Jakande, midwife the association from infancy and it is to his eternal glory that NPAN became the octopus that it is today.

“Austere, selfless, peopleoriented, Alhaji Jakande transferred these core values from newspapering / newsroom into politics and acquitted himself.

“He became a reference point for performance not just in Lagos State, which he served as a governor but across the country. He was also Minister of Works under the Abacha administration “It is on record that Alhaji Jakande throughout his tenure lived in his personal house in Ilupeju area of Lagos and also used his personal car, apart from other landmark projects consummated by his administration.”

The association commiserated with members of the pen fraternity, his immediate and political families as well as the Lagos State Government.

“We could not but ask our today's politicians to learn from the life and politics of Jakande and emulate his modesty, selflessness and passion for the people,”

NPAN said.

IPI has also mourned Jakande, who was its former President.

In a statement by the Chairman of IPI Nigeria, Mr. Kabiru Yusuf, and the General Secretary, Mr. Raheem Adedoyin, the association stated that Jakande was not only a celebrated editor in Nigeria but also a devoted

BUHARI, LAWAN, GBAJABIAMILA, OTHERS PAY TRIBUTE AS JAKANDE DIES journalist, was the governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983 during the Second Republic.

He was also reputed to have built the Lagos State Government Secretariat at Alausa after the state capital was moved from Lagos Island to Ikeja.

After the overthrow of the civilian government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, he went into newspaper and books publications until he was made Minister of Works by late General Sani Abacha.

Jakande’s death comes just about a month after a former military governor of the state, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, also passed on.

Sanwo-Olu, who confirmed Jakande’s death yesterday, said: "With gratitude to God for a worthy life well spent in the service of Lagos State, Nigeria and humanity, I announce the death of a venerable statesman, outstanding politician, public administrator and the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.

"Baba Jakande's record of service as a journalist of repute and a leader of remarkable achievements as governor of Lagos State will remain indelible for generations to come.

"His death is a colossal

loss and he will be missed.

"On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and comrades of Baba Jakande."

Buhari in a statement issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Jakande's legacy of standing for all that was right for humanity would be long remembered.

The president, while condoling with the family, friends and associates of the elder statesman, affirmed that his imprint on the commercial nerve centre of the country, Lagos State, which was the former nation’s capital, will continue to awe and inspire, reminding everyone of the strength of character and sacrifices of the visionary leader.

Buhari noted the contributions of the first civilian governor of Lagos State and former minister of Works and Housing to the growth of democracy and good governance in the country, describing him as a patriot, whose wisdom will run through generations, especially in putting people first in his development plans.

He joined the government

and people of Lagos State, Nigerian Union of Journalists, and Nigerian Guild of Editors, in mourning the veteran journalist, praying that the almighty God will receive his soul and grant him eternal rest.

Atiku described Jakande as one of Nigeria's icons of nationhood.

He said in his tribute: "It is with a mixed feeling of soberness and joy that I join relatives and admirers to mourn the demise of the late first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

"I am sober because Alhaji Jakande until his passing today remained one of the last icons of our nationhood and in whose life is enormous examples that we can get inspiration from in the much-needed drive-in rebuilding our psyche as a people."

Gbajabiamila described Jakande’s death as a monumental loss.

The speaker, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Lanre Lasisi, said he was personally touched by the death of Jakande, whom he said was a man of peace, who lived all his life serving humanity.

He said the former governor would be sorely

missed by the people, especially Lagosians, and that he would be remembered for his developmental strides in the state.

Lawan said Nigeria has lost one of its exemplary political leaders and administrators.

According to him, Jakande lived a long and inspirational life that found fulfillment in the service of humanity, adding that he made sterling contributions to the development of journalism in Nigeria before replicating his indelible footprints on the political and economic development of Nigeria with his landmark achievements as the first elected governor of Lagos State.

"His feats and carriage as governor made Alhaji Jakande a permanent face of progressive politics which primary concern is the welfare and well-being of the people. Throughout his tenure as governor, he faithfully implemented the four cardinal programmes of his party, the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria,” Lawan said.

NPAN in a statement issued by its President, Mr. Kabiru Yusuf, and General Secretary, Mr. Mohammed Idris, said it was with great shock that it learnt of the passage of Jakande.

Continued on page 10

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NEWS

Soyinka Faults Police, Insists Cattle Invaded His Home

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Eromosele Abiodun in Lagos

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, yesterday faulted the police's account of the incident at his Abeokuta, Ogun State home, saying hundreds of cattle invaded it on Tuesday.

He said it took the intervention of himself and his grounds’ men to get them out of his property.

The police, in a statement on Wednesday, had said only a cow strayed into Soyinka’s compound and there was no danger to the laureate or his family.

Narrating the incident during an interview with ARISE NEWS Channels, the

broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, Soyinka, however, clarified that he was not personally attacked.

He said: “I am here physically. I didn’t suffer any injury. That never happened, but cattle invaded my home.

Why should the police go to such length as to suggest that I had nothing better to do than to go and be accosting cattle on the road? What is my business with cattle on the road? We drove them out of my house together with my grounds’ men. In fact, they began the expulsion process."

He stated that it was later that he called the police to take over.

Soyinka accused the police of lying over the incident.

He said: “Why should the police find it necessary to say these cattle and the herdsmen were never in my property? What kind of nonsense? It is a distraction from more serious issues. I hate to be personally at the centre of issues like this. I am more concerned about students in Ondo who were being waylaid by herdsmen, being kidnapped. I am more concerned about people in Ogun State who are being butchered. So, please, I wish to beg the police, don’t make a big issue out of this. Don’t lie.”

He also blamed the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) for the stereotyping of the Fulani.

“I am very glad you mentioned this issue of a Yoruba man being the owner of the cattle; it is very critical.

In fact, you will notice that I rarely use the word Fulani; it is unfortunate that any kind of crime has to be linked to any section of any ethnic community. It is something that nobody is comfortable with. But unfortunately, Miyetti Allah themselves and their spokespeople were the ones who identified and claimed this crime as their own. I know exactly when they did. So, the whole nation followed suit,” he said.

According to him, it is not the entire people called Fulani who are guilty of these crimes.

He accused the leadership of MACBAN of being 90 per cent responsible for the condition Nigerians found themselves.

Soyinka said the leadership of MACBAN should take back their words, apologise to the nation and even be subjected to some form of restitution to the whole nation.

On the ethnic division in the country and what political leaders should do, he said the first thing was to identify criminality.

“Cattle breeding itself is not criminal, it is when you encroach on other people’s right even to the extent of displacing them, humiliating them, dehumanising them, raping their women, and

killing them. That is when it becomes a crime against humanity and must be dealt with very firmly. Even with dealing with it, we must be careful to separate the grain from the shaft,” he said.

He stated that President Muhammadu Buhari does not understand how grave the situation is.

“I have said it again and again that I don’t believe that he is in charge because it is not possible in my view, for a Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to say he is presiding over a nation and things get to this level. Something is critically wrong within the leadership of this nation. That is why we civilians must come in,” Soyinka said.

FG Threatens to Seize Salaries of Striking University Workers Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government has warned that it may implement the law of ‘no work, no pay’ against members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions, who are currently on indefinite strike.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, who expressed the government displeasure at the resumed talks with leadership of the two unions in Abuja yesterday,

also threatened to drag the non-teaching staff of the universities to either Industrial Arbitration Panel or the Industrial Court.

He said the action of the unions to embark on an indefinite strike while negotiations on their grievances were going amounted to act of intimidation and against international labour law on social dialogue.

Ngige reminded the unions of the fate that befell other unions that tried to force government's hands during negotiations, saying most their members are waiting

to be paid withheld salaries.

The minister said: "There is a provision of the Labour Act which allows workers to go on strike, but there is equally another section of the status which permits the employers to keep his enterprise going by refusing to pay striking workers and to use it to ensure that the organisation is operational to avoid huge loses. If you are embarking on a strike during a negotiation, it is an of intimidation which is against social dialogue principle of the international labour law."

Ngige told SSANU and

NASU leaders that it is left for them to choose to continue with negotiations or opt out so that the government can refer the dispute to the industrial arbitration or industrial court for settlement.

"If you want, there are options left for you, I can transfer this matter to the industrial arbitration or industrial court," he said.

While speaking for the unions, General Secretary of NASU, Adeyemi Peters, said the non-teaching staff were responding to injustice and cheating meted out to them in the sharing of the N40

billion Earned Allowances.

Peters stated that a situation whereby the government gave N30 billion out of the Earned Allowances to only ASUU with the other unions being made to share N10 billion is not just.

He said the minister was aware of a similar situation in 2017 when ASUU took almost all the amount without considering other union in the university system.

According to him, "You don't beat a child and ask him not to cry. It is a matter of cheating, and you cannot cheat us and ask us to keep

quiet."

Peters said the strike embarked upon by nonteaching staff was imposed on them by the government's action, adding they are strike mongers.

He said while the unions repose confidence in the capacity of the minister to ensure that justice is done, they cannot usurp the powers of their members and relevant organs to alter resolutions already reached on the dispute.

Both the government side and the union leaders later went into a closed door session.

area of Lagos State.

The statement was signed by a former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof. Abisogun Leigh, Kamal Giwa, Prince Bayo Oshiyemi, Alhaji Gani Owolabi Dada, Mrs. Omolara Abeke Vaugh, and Alhaja Latifat Gbajabiamila.

The statement read, “The committee of friends LKJ first civil Governor of Lagos State wishes to announce the passing of our dear leader

the Baba Kekere of Lagos, Alhaji Chief Lateef Kayode Jakande, at the age of 91 years which sad incident happened on Thursday, February 11, 2021.

The burial arrangements are as follows – Pre-Burial prayers at number 2 Bishop Street Ilupeju, Lagos State on Friday, February 12, 2021, at 9 am.

“Interment at Volts and Gardens Ikoyi at 4 pm, on Friday, February 12, 2021.”

distancing and the use of face mask,” he stated.

20, 2020.

They stated that they are unmoved by threats by security operatives and counter-protesters under the aegis of #DefendLagos.

“After committing genocide by killing scores of people who were peacefully protesting at Lekki Tollgate and other parts of Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu, and other oppressors wants (sic) to spit on the dead and dance on the blood of the innocent by reopening the yahoo gate to be collecting their blood money as again.

“We say NO! We are undaunted! We will be occupying Lekki Tollgate again starting from Saturday, February 13. We urge all wellmeaning Nigerians to storm back all the barricades as our rulers have shown that they can never change," they said.

BUHARI, LAWAN, GBAJABIAMILA, OTHERS PAY TRIBUTE AS JAKANDE DIES member of IPI and President of IPI Executive Board.

Tinubu described Jakande as the last of the political titans.

According to a condolence message he issued yesterday, Tinubu said: “Jakande could be appropriately described as the last of the titans ranking with the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Abraham Adesanya,

Chief Bola Ige, Chief Olabiyi Onabanjo, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Alhaji Aminu Kano, among others.”

He said Jakande was also a “mature statesman never given to histrionics or fanning the embers of disunity,” adding that “at difficult moments in the nation’s history, such as the struggle against military dictatorship, he took personal painful decisions that cost him a lot, but his integrity

was never impugned.”

Tinubu said: “Showing his extraordinary natural ability, Pa Jakande was largely self-educated, yet he rose to become a man of great knowledge and a preeminent figure in Nigerian journalism who stood as one of the most incisive and brilliant editorialists of his generation.

He practiced journalism with the most audacious courage in defence of freedom, liberty and equity even in

the thick of vicious military dictatorship.”

Jakande to be Buried Today Meanwhile, Jakande will be buried today according to a statement issued by the Committee of Friends of the ex-governor.

According to the statement, there would be pre-burial prayers at the deceased's residence at the Ilupeju

FG MOBILISES SECURITY AGENTS TO THWART FRESH LEKKI TOLLGATE PROTEST spontaneously, like the recent violence."

Lagos Urges Organisers to Shelve Protest The Lagos State Government yesterday appealed to the organisers of the protest to shelve it.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, said on ARISE NEWS Channels, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, that the protesters should reconsider their decision so as not to “cause trouble” in the state.

He explained that there was nothing in the state to warrant any fresh protests by anyone, including the youth.

He said: “We all saw what happened in October

last year, how some of the iconic buildings in Lagos were razed. We saw how human lives were wasted, including policemen and nobody prays for that kind of thing to happen in Lagos again. Because of that, the Lagos State Government has been suing for peace.

“We have been meeting traditional rulers, youth organisations, civil societies, and people we think can influence things for us not to have the kind of thing that happened in October last year. As it is now, Lagos will require peace to grow our economy. We need peace for Lagosians to display their creative skills.

“Nobody wants to go back to the scene of October 2020.

We are appealing to both sides not to cause trouble in Lagos so that we can

continue to focus on the economic and social issues that are facing us.

“We have COVID-19, all manners of things that are coming up that the state government is tackling.

This is going to be a big distraction. We are appealing to both sides. Lagos belongs to all of us.”

Omotosho appealed to parents and guardians to prevail on their children and wards to give peace a chance and, therefore, not to be part of the planned protest.

The Lagos State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), also warned against the blockage of roads as a form of protest in the state.

In a statement yesterday, Onigbanjo stated that while

the state recognises the right to peaceful protests, the same cannot extend to blockage of roads, including preventing other members of the public from enjoying their fundamental rights to move freely.

“While the state recognises the importance of exercising the right to peaceful protests, same cannot extend to blockage of roads and or preventing other members of the public from enjoying their fundamental rights to move freely within the state.

“Any person or group with such desire to protest must also bear in mind the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Health Regulations 2021, which prevents any gathering beyond 50 and other safety measures, including but not limited to maintaining social

Protest Organisers Remain Defiant Despite warnings by the federal government and the police, the organisers of tomorrow's protest insisted yesterday that it would hold as planned.

They also cited the ban on cryptocurrency accounts as one of the reasons for the protest.

They said in a statement yesterday, titled, ‘EndSARS Season 2; Why we will #OccupyLekkiTollGate on Saturday – Campaigners,’ that the planned protest was more than the ruling of the Lagos State Judicial Panel probing alleged killings of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate on October

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Herdsmen on Rampage, Kill Two People in Ogun Communities Police nab family of 11 kidnappers in Ijebu-Ode Kayode Fasua in Abeokuta Hoodlums suspected to be armed Fulani herdsmen yesterday went on the rampage in three communities of Owode-ketu, Eegua, Igan-Alade and Igbogila in Yewa North Local Council Area of Ogun State, killing no fewer than six persons.

The Police authorities in the state, which confirmed the attack, however said only two deaths were recorded but local sources said no fewer than six persons were felled by the herders’ bullets.

While the attacks lasted, residents of the various communities reportedly ran helter-skelter, with many families still in disarray as at press time.

It was gathered that the attackers who invaded the communities in their hundreds, came on a reprisal, following a joint resolution of the communities, ordering the herders to evacuate their cattle from the host communities’ farmlands.

Meanwhile, a local independent radio station also reported yesterday’s evening that the killer herders, who were being hotly chased by security agents, had headed toward Wasimi, and were on their way to Abeokuta, the state’s capital.

Eyewitnesses recalled that the police promptly intervened but were overwhelmed as they could not the enter the forests, being the fortress of the armed herdsmen.

While speaking with THISDAY, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the attacks,

but said only two persons died.

Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said, “Some hoodlums attacked communities in the Igbogila area this morning and killed two persons.

“But as I talk to you, the police are in hot chase of the criminals, to get them arrested.

“The Divisional Police Officer for the area, with reinforcement from the state command, has entered the forests, in search of the hoodlums.

“They (the police) have been complemented by local hunters, men of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), and the youths of these communities, as all have been combing the forests to apprehend the criminals,” Oyeyemi informed.

Meanwhile, THISDAY also yesterday gathered from top police sources of arrest of a syndicate of a family of 11, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, who specialised in kidnappings for ransom.

The source, which asked not to be quoted owing to the sensitivity of the issue, said the family comprising father, mother and nine children, were all professional kidnappers.

“Four of them have been arrested and are currently being held at the Eleweeran Police headquarters in Abeokuta.

“In fact, we are grateful to the Delta State Police Command that helped us to effect some of the arrests, when some members of the family of 11 kidnappers ran to that state,” the police source

Ban Foreign Herders, Ganduje, Ortom Tell FG Ejiofor Alike The Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje and his counterpart in Benue State, Mr. Samuel Ortom has called on the federal government to ban foreign herdsmen in the country.

Speaking yesterday on Radio France International, Ganduje insisted that it is the foreign Fulani herders that commit crimes.

“There are three categories of Fulani. There are Fulani; there are herders and their foreign Fulani herders who commit crimes.

“It is often forgotten that there are foreigners among those Fulani herders but nobody is talking about them. The moment a foreign Fulani herder infiltrated into Nigeria and committed a crime, he would be considered as Nigerian Fulani. Therefore, it is high time to ban them from entering Nigeria.

“Secondly, those herders travelling from the north to south should be banned from doing so. Those that are saying they should not be banned from trekking to the southern part of the country for grazing should use their children to do so. ‘’This is a national issue. A robust bill by National Assembly is the only answer to the issue of farmer/herder conflict,’’ Ganduje said. He also faulted the recent comment credited to the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai on the security situation in the North-West region.

El-Rufai had reportedly told the BBC Hausa service that lack of synergy among governors of the North-West was hampering security efforts in the region.

But Ganduje argued that El-Rufai might not understand the security efforts put in place by the governors of the area.

According to Ganduje, security agencies in the country had advised Kano, Kaduna and Bauchi States to collaborate and check security challenges in the notorious Falgore forest in Tudun Wada and Doguwa LGAs of Kano State.

“The issue of lack of synergy does not arise in this context because security agencies have advised us to come and meet with Kano, Kaduna and Bauchi states to see how the activities of bandits in Falgore forest could be contained.

“I intimated both governors of Kaduna and Bauchi. Both had sent their delegations.

“There was the issue of the fund. Kano, Kaduna and Bauchi had all donated their funds and the exercise was eventually successful. ”The way I see it, the Governor did not understand security issues well because the security situation depends on the nature of a state.

For instance, no matter how we strongly collaborate as governors, how should we check ethnic clashes in Kaduna? How should we check religious differences in Kaduna? You see, this is a problem that can only be checked by the Kaduna State government itself.

disclosed.

In the meantime, the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has reacted to the “perpetrators of violence in Owode-ketu, Eegua, Igan-Alade and Igbogila areas of the state”, saying that his administration would leave no stone unturned in curtailing the activities of brigands in the state.

This was just as he deployed a special task force comprising the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, including

the Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilance groups, with representatives of other stakeholders in the crises-prone areas of Yewa-North, Imeko-Afon and Yewa South Council Areas of the state.

He noted that in recent times, the areas had witnessed criminal assaults and killings, leading to the closure of schools, public institutions and business facilities.

Abiodun thus directed that investigations be sped up and concluded so that indicted

persons could be charged to court and prosecuted in the interest of justice.

He said, “The government will leave no stone unturned in checking the activities of brigands and criminals in this state. Ogun cannot be defined by crimes and criminalities.

“Ogun does not have any haven – safe or unsafe – for killers, bandits, insurgents or cultists.

“We shall spare no action, including ruthless ones, to bring

peace, public order into every hamlet, town and city in the Gateway State.

“The provisions of the Constitution and the moral authority confer on the government the right to protect the lives and properties of the people. This is sacrosanct and shall not be compromised under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s watch”, a statement issued in Abeokuta by Kunle Somorin, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, said.

EXIT OF AN ICON…

L-R:Children of the deceased, Mrs. Zainab Momoh; Mr. Abdulrasheed Momoh; Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu; and former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, at the funeral service of a former Minister of Information, the late Prince Tony Momoh, at Grailland Temple, Iju Hills, Lagos…yesterday DAN UKANA

Lagos Police Arrest Six Suspects, Summon Transport Union Leaders over Obalende Clash The Lagos State Police Command yesterday said it arrested six suspected hoodlums responsible for the unrest in the Obalende area of the state.

There were gunshots yesterday morning when two rival transport unions –National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RETAN) –clashed in Obalende.

But the state police spokesperson, CSP Muyiwa

Adejobi, in a statement hours after the incident, said normalcy has been restored to the area.

He also said the leaders of the warring unions have been invited for interrogation.

Adejobi said, “The Command has deployed resources to disperse and suppress the hoodlums fomenting troubles at Obalende area of Lagos State.

Normalcy has been restored to the area.

“Based on preliminary findings, the crisis, that occurred

today Thursday 11th February 2021, was between transport unions in the area and no life was lost.

“Six suspected hoodlums have been arrested and handed over to state CID, Panti, Yaba for discreet investigation”.

Adejobi disclosed that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has warned that the command will not condone any act of lawlessness and criminality in the state.

According to him, the commissioner has however directed the area commander Area A, Lion Building, ACP Bode Ojajuni, to intensify efforts on flushing the hoodlums out of the area and on the Lagos Island in general, with the available recourses deployed to the area command.

“The leaders of transport unions in the area, however, have been invited for interrogation and further actions.”

ACF Writes CBN Gov, Recommends More Financial Inclusion of the North John Shiklam in Kaduna The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has complained about alleged financial exclusion of the North by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and suggested ways to deepen the inclusion of the region in the various financial intervention schemes of the apex bank.

In a letter addressed to the CBN governor, Mr. Godwin

Emefiele, the forum said the North is being “excluded from critical aspect of the nation’s financial life.”

The letter, which was made available to journalists in Kaduna yesterday, was dated January 29, 2021, and signed

by Chief Audu Ogbe, a former minister of agriculture and chairman of the forum.

In the letter, the ACF alleged that Northern Nigeria, which is the most populous region

in the country is unserved and underserved.

The forum regretted that government’s policy of financial inclusion targetted at the grassroots may not succeed in the north because many Microfinance banks in the region are not well positioned.

According to Ogbe, “the Microfinance Banks that are looked upon to serve the majority of the people all over

the country are not properly positioned to do this.”

He said, “Only one government-owned Micro Finance which is fairly new in the business is being patronised by CBN to disburse intervention funds, thereby neglecting and denying other duly licensed Microfinance Banks across the country the privilege and opportunity to participate in this noble cause”.

IG to Arraign Ohakim over Lady’s Nude Photos The office of the InspectorGeneral of Police (IG) will on February 15 arraign a former Governor of Imo State, Mr. Ikedi Ohakim, over alleged harassment of one Chinyere Amuchinwa.

The former governor is to be arraigned alongside one Chinedu Okpareke before Federal High Court judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, on a five-count charge bordering on cybercrime.

Okpareke was earlier arrested and detained in connection

with the alleged offences but was released upon fulfillment of his bail conditions.

According to the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/287/2020, the accused persons were said to have threatened to release a nude photograph of Amuchienwa, if she fails to drop the charges of attempted kidnap against them.

In the charge dated November 25, 2020 and signed by MO Omosun, a lawyer, the police

alleged that Ohakim and Okpareke “knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication through a computer system or network to harass and bully Amuchienwa”.

According to the police, the offence is punishable under Section 24(1)(a) of the Cybercrime Act 2015.

Some of the charges reads: ”That you Chinendu Okpareke ‘male’ 49, and Dr. Ikedi Ohakim ‘male’ and others now at large

on the 13th day of August 2020 within the jurisdiction of this court did conspire among yourselves by knowingly and intentionally sending messages by means of computer system or network in a grossly offensive, pornographic, nude of an indecent obscene and menacing character of one Chinyere Amuchienwa ‘female’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) of the Cybercrime Act 2015.

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

RE: JONATHAN’S 2023 SELFISH GAMBLE The attack on former President Jonathan is unfortunate, writes Bonaventure Melah

I

read with disbelief and shock an article written by Ike Abonyi, media adviser to the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and published on Thursday, February 28, 2021.

I waited for these few days before responding to the publication to see whether Uche Secondus would reprimand Ike Abonyi for the disrespectful write-up. His failure to do so is a confirmation that the PDP national chairman endorsed the publication.

It is surprising that Abonyi could summon such a negative audacity to publicly attack no less a personality than Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who apart from being a former president produced by the PDP, is still the leader of the party, going by PDP books.

In the article titled: “Jonathan’s 2023 Selfish Gamble,” Abonyi expressed disappointment that Dr. Jonathan had not come out to tell Nigerians and the world that he has no interest in returning to the office as president of Nigeria as well as rebuke those calling on him to contest the 2023 presidential election.

Although Abonyi grudgingly acknowledged that Jonathan has become a global icon and international statesman as well as the huge sacrifices he made in 2015 when he conceded defeat and handed over power to then Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (now President and Commanderin-Chief), he wondered why the former president is now romancing with northerners who he said ganged up against him in 2015.

“Some water may have passed under the bridge for the heavy twist in the tongue which ostensibly is intended to appeal to certain northern sentiments. Something must have happened for him to be dining with the same people who ganged up and threw him away; could it be that he is the man who will do their bidding now or they are setting him up for the usual use and dump?” he had questioned.

Let me say that I do not work for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. I am responding to this write-up as a Nigerian who loves and admires the former president who is also my hero. Knowing Dr. Jonathan, it would not be surprising if he told his media aides not to respond to any of such attacks. But since I don’t work for or with him, I do not bear the burden of waiting to get clearance before responding to anyone that attacked the former president, as I would continue to do, henceforth.

In my latest book titled “Dear President Goodluck Jonathan (An Open Letter)” which was presented to the public on December 15, 2020 at the International Conference Centre Abuja, I suggested that it would be good if Jonathan should play less politics in Nigeria to enable him concentrate on waging peace across countries as well as helping those in need through his Goodluck Jonathan Foundation as he is currently doing. But those were what they should be - suggestions. Because as I also stated in

IF ABONYI DOES NOT WANT TO HEAR THE NAME ‘JONATHAN,’ WHEN IT COMES TO POLITICS, THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN THE FORMER PRESIDENT’S CAPACITY TO RECONCILE THE COUNTRY AS WELL AS TAKE IT TO A NEW HEIGHT

the book, Jonathan has the right to pursue his destiny.

Therefore, if God says Jonathan’s assignment for Nigeria is not yet completed, not even Jonathan himself can stop the wave. Otherwise, he would be given the biblical Jonah treatment and sent to Nineveh through the belly of a fish.

One question I would like to ask Abonyi at this point is - what right does he have to direct Jonathan to rebuke those calling on him to contest the 2023 presidential election when the former president has equally ignored those that have called him all manner of insulting names over the years? If Abonyi does not want to hear the name “Jonathan,” when it comes to politics, there are millions of people, including highly placed citizens that believe in the former president’s capacity to reconcile the country as well as take it to a new height based on his experience on the job as well as those he has garnered since 2015 when he left office.

Having said that, many politically enlightened Nigerians know why Abonyi cannot be comfortable with any person asking Jonathan to run for president in 2023, especially under the PDP umbrella.

Going through Abonyi’s piece, one would easily see the level of frustration and outright anger that motivated the vituperation. As the Managing Editor of Daily Times newspaper then, I personally travelled to Port Harcourt in 2018 to cover the PDP National Convention. We heard stories of the huge financial inducement that went the way of some top PDP leaders by particular aspirants seeking to fly the party’s presidential flag for the 2019 election. Now that another party convention is not too far away, it is very clear that some people in the party desperately want to fence some aspirants out in order to narrow the race to their target money-bag(s) aspirants.

They are therefore applying blackmail and other dubious tactics to harass and intimate decent politicians out of the race - the overall aim is to make the final financial kill before leaving the office, thereafter. We know all these.

In the article, Abonyi attempted to pitch the South East against Jonathan by saying the former president should have said outright that he will not run in 2023 and that the office should be left for the zone that has not produced a president. This is coming from the mouth or brain of the same Abonyi, whose leaders have refused to respond to the call to declare that the PDP presidential ticket would go to the South, the reason why Governor David Umahi has decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with speculations that more South East governors would follow.

Maybe Abonyi has not heard. Let me therefore tell him what people are saying- that the PDP leadership is not interested in winning elections, but are more concerned with what would enter their individual pockets from conventions and state primaries.

NIGERIA, VACCINE DEVELOPMENT AND CRYPTOCURRENCY Victor C. Ariole argues the need to open up consumer, labour and investment markets to absorb the youths

In a crisis of over-accumulation, capital begins to lose its value, and according to the driving logic of capitalism, this cannot be allowed to happen... Someone needs to step in to provide a way to mop-up the excess capital to funnel it into some kind of profitable investment. It is an iron law.

–Jason Hichel (2017, 168)

N

igeria is reported to be the second highest holder of Bitcoins in the whole world after USA, and Nigeria’s holding is about $566 million. It is also noted that one bitcoin is valued at about N16 million. In effect it is like investment tradable at the Stock Exchange, like it is traded in competing Exchange in West Africa – BRVM in Cote d’Ivoire – where about 600,000 legally identifiable entities use it either as a Blockchain Technology product or whatever. Watching Chimezie’s programme on Channels Tv, she had contended that it is within the regulatory powers of SEC (Security and Exchange Commission) to regulate such investment portfolios as quotable on the Stock Exchange instead of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) decreeing against it simply because IMF boss was raising concern of such investment not matching any industrial output from Nigeria, hence as either investment out of laundered money or as another means of funding terrorist activities.

IMF and World Bank, no doubt, know best how the wealth of the word circulates to a point that they know that for every wealth created, real or fictitious, a zerosum game is always observed, and African sub-Sahara bears the greatest brunt of the suffering either as exploitation ground – as mineral resources and precious metals

are taken away both overtly and covertly; Zamfara gold extraction, Niger-Delta Oil extraction, uranium mining, etc. Or human beings are deliberately meant to feel despondent as macro-economics in the hands of CBN, as IMF tool, call for stricter financial measures that make labour and entrepreneurship less attractive. Here the youths are targeted and their frustration leads to conflagration of the country like Arab spring, Malian upheaval and EndSars debacle.

Sometimes I had wondered how Nigerians survived the combined rulership of IBB and later Abacha; especially that of Abacha, as Nigeria turned a pariah nation, thriving without the probing eyes of the IMF and the World Bank. It turned out ironical, as it was later discovered that Nigeria’s wealth was indeed siphoned out of Nigeria under the watch of CBN; and that instead of seeing it as Abacha loot, it ought to be seen as Abacha saving money for Nigeria outside Nigeria’s shores for clandestine activities beyond the purview of IMF and the World Bank. What a childish assumption that the two institutions cannot see you!

So, for whatever intent, both IMF and World Bank know when “Mop-up of excess capital is funnelled into some kind of profitable investment”; clandestine arms’ purchase, to destabilise Africa, being part of such profitable investment.

Recently, the Minister of Health mentioned that $1million is needed to develop Nigeria’s own designed vaccine to tackle Corona–19 and no one seems to see the locked-in $566million crytocurrency or blockchain technology investment held by Nigeria as capable of being a profitable investment that can make Nigeria soar, indeed, as the real giant of Africa.

Satoshi Nakamoto who launched that

industry is very much trusted to a point that USA bought into it and it should not be now that young Nigerians who had been frustrated by lack of level playing ground in both employment opportunities or restricted expansion of elite mining and agro-allied activities, are turning to such ventures. Paying sovereign debts or interest on sovereign debts seem to be the greatest preoccupation of CBN and the reserve level the CBN keeps is the only thing that interest the two institutions who are not accountable to any law enacted by countries to keep the body and minds of their people safe.

And Nigeria is the capital of poverty and it is intended to be palliated. Now CBN is asked to engineer raising VAT rate in Nigeria so as to shore up government saving toward paying debts or interest on debt as even government treasury bills seem not to be trusted any longer, no matter the wicked double digit yield they promise for “hedge fund” investors who are not better than those who ventured into blockchain technology in Nigeria.

Some of the youths I overheard discussing their investments in bitcoins claim that it is safer to hedge against inflation for savings towards what they intend to do in two years as they have been promised that after two years it could be doubled. Others claim that they are investing in it to ensure paying for their migration fees to Canada or Australia in years to come. Imagine one million Nigerian youths saving over N1million to pay for migration fees, and it happens annually and no one questions such fund repatriation, or organise useful work that could occupy than even if for 10-years programme.

That seems to be what happened, in different way, when IBB and Abacha were

in power as Nigerian funds were repatriated to such a tune that over $35billion debt was claimed by Paris club and other creditors supported by IMF, and Nigerian Banks and Finance companies became the highest employers of labour. Almost half of the students I taught from 1992 – 2000 ended up working in the bank, finance companies or such related or derived works.

Money invested into cryptocurrency can engineer new jobs as acceptable by IMF the way they did in those IBB/Abacha years.

USA, the power that dominates the two institutions, and the number one economic power of the world, operates over $3trillion budget deficit greater than the GDP of the whole Africa, making Africa looks like a suckling baby notwithstanding its bubbling youths that crave to be employed.

Nigeria, alone, is estimated to have such in millions – possibly 60million.

And like Hickel said, to avoid having to confront domestic resistance as the youths and cryptocurrency investors are gearing up for, there is need to open up consumer markets, labour markets and investment markets that can absorb the youths in or outside Nigeria as most African space is hungry for investment, and cryptocurrency is partially assuaging that; though, somehow, insurgency activities seem to be driving such investment, whether in west Africa, central Africa or east Africa; and the IMF and World Bank could do better by detecting money funnelled to arms purchase by insurgents and not blockchain industry helping the youths to save for their future migration to Australia or Canada; still profitable to the West. r "SJPMF JT 1SPGFTTPS PG 'SFODI BOE 'SBODPphone Studies, University of Lagos

15

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͰ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

EDITORIAL

LATEEF KAYODE JAKANDE (1929–2021) Former Lagos State Governor, Lateef Jakande, dies at age 91

T

he passing yesterday of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande marks the end of an era in our governance culture. He was easily the most noteworthy ambassador of a breed of state governors who were dedicated to delivering practical life changing dividends to the electorate. Within a short period of one term during the Second Republic (between 1979 and 1983), Jakande effectively delivered mass education, mass public housing and gave practical effect to governance anchored on service to the people.

An accomplished journalist and WHAT THE NATION SHOULD politician, Jakande MOURN IN THE PASSING OF was Minister for JAKANDE IS PERHAPS THE Works and Housing under the LOSS OF A MAN WHOSE late General Sani LIFE ILLUSTRATED SOME Abacha. But it was OF THE NOBLEST VALUES his stint as Lagos THAT ARE TODAY NEARLY State Governor that defined him as an ABSENT IN THOSE WHO RUN OUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS astute administrator and public servant. For much of that era, Jakande was the benchmark by which other governors were measured. His administration lasted only four years.

But that was long enough to make a huge difference in the lives of Lagosians. From schools to numerous estates and other facilities, many accomplishments bear eloquent testimony to Jakande’s acumen and strength of character.

It is significant that Jakande governed in the true spirit of ideas-driven partisanship. He gave practical expression to the ideological slant through his successful mass oriented programmes. An added value was his personal pragmatism and rapid result orientation. Throughout his period in office, Jakande never travelled abroad. It is also noteworthy that he opted to run the state from his modest personal home and chose to use his old Toyota car for public functions. These choices were made from the depth of original conviction and a desire to serve and not be served.

Letters to the Editor

I

t was last Wednesday, 3 February, 2021, that I spent about an hour with Kadaria Ahmed. She’d called the previous day that I’ll be a guest newsreader on her squeaky new station, Radio Now 95.3FM, Lagos, at 1.00pm. Despite the very short notice but largely on account of my deference to who put her on to me, I dressed up, showed up and took the short news bulletin. In my broadcasting days, that bulletin was what was named News Summary. They served as hors d’oeuvre for the main dish, the National News.

They were also taken by rookies and the duty announcers perfunctorily But on Ms Ahmed’s station, what I read is named News read by Newsmakers. So, I read the news. Not from sheets of paper, as I was accustomed. From a laptop operated by a charming young lady, Oprah Onyeador.

A minor mishap occurred while I was at it. My phone began to ring from inside my phone while on air. I almost laughed aloud in the middle of my performance because, I remembered an Eke saying that my wonderful friend, Kevin, shares from his homeland which translates to the chi of the crab has finally killed the crab! Because, for a moment, I thought I was in my Radio Nigeria days and of those - Dr Christopher Kolade, Mr Sunny Young-Harry, Mr Ishola Folorunso, Mr Bisi Lawrence, Mrs Stella Bassey, Mrs Marie Irikefe and Ms Inyang Olugu - who would’ve had a heart attack had this happened… Thank

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In his chosen profession of journalism, Jakande was also a colossus. For a decade between 1969 and 1979, he not only midwifed the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), he worked assiduously to make the professional group a force for good in the country. That perhaps explains why in his tribute yesterday, the current NPAN president, Kabiru Yusuf, said that in Jakande, “the nation has lost a great patriot, advocate of good governance and democracy.” There are perhaps only a few Nigerians who will disagree with that summation.

Following his education at Bunham Memorial Methodist School, Port Harcourt, King’s College, Lagos and Ilesha Grammar School where he edited a literary paper called ‘The Quarterly Mirror’, Jakande began his journalism career in 1949, first with the ‘Daily Service’ before joining the ‘Nigerian Tribune’, owned by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1953. Three years later, Jakande became the editor-in-chief of the newspaper where he served until 1975 when he left to establish John West Publications.

In 1979, Jakande joined the Awolowo-led Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) on the platform of which he contested and won election as Governor of Lagos State. He introduced several social welfare schemes, including free primary and secondary education as well as free health services for the poor. He established over 30,000 units of public housing, the Lagos State University (LASU) and several landmark infrastructural projects across the state.

The Metroline project he initiated to facilitate mass transit in the state was cancelled by the military administration of then Major General Muhammadu Buhari (current president), following the December 1993 coup.

Even after his years in power, Jakande’s lifestyle remained simple and modest. He resisted the urge for excessive amassing of personal wealth in easily Nigeria’s richest state. What the nation should therefore mourn in the passing of Jakande is perhaps the loss of a man whose life illustrated some of the noblest values that are today nearly absent in those who run our public affairs at all levels.

May God comfort the family he left behind. And may his soul rest in peace.

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.

A DAY BEFORE VALENTINE?

heavens I’m beyond being fired coz I wasn’t hired!

So, after the News, I sat in for a brief chat with Kadaria Ahmed. By the way, if there’s anything to take away from this short piece, which she caused me to write, it’s that her first name should be pronounced as if the K were a Q. It was during that chat, while telling her how I moved from radio to advertising that I recalled what occurred a day before valentine, 45 years ago.

On that Friday, 13 February, 1976, I was also reading News. No one telephoned me to read the News. That was my 9 to 5 work. I was on the Newsreaders Roster. That duty roster was drawn up weekly, if I remember aright, by the Head of Presentation. In that roster were names like Ikenna Ndaguba, Martins Okoh, Friday Ifode, Churchill Ifode, Mike Enahoro, Kevin Amechi, Marius Ugada and myself. We were called National News Readers. When you got on to that roster you felt like you’d won an Oscar. Why not! Radio Nigeria was akin to the Academy!

So that day, I’d driven up in my car to the Radio Nigeria premises which is stuck in the middle of the sleeping occupiers of the Ikoyi Cemetery. To be sure, Siene Allwell-Brown sometimes answered phone calls, especially if it was in the night, by saying in her beautiful voice: Ikoyi Cemetery. Who do you want? The callers often dropped abruptly. But we worked

around them joyfully. As for my car, it was a uniquely painted Beetle. I still wonder why my in-laws call that hardy Volkswagen, Ijapa, the tortoise, which in their lore is the husband of a lady named Yanribo. That’ll be a story for another day. So, I drove up. Read the News at 7.00am. Rosaline Ogunro nee Ogbangwo was the Continuity Duty Announcer on that day. I then crossed over, through a tunnel of a connecting corridor to read the 7.30am News on Voice of Nigeria, VON. In those days one read the News in Voice of Nigeria from a blind studio. One sat in the cold studio with about 43 sheets of paper which contained the news one was about to read. The table was acoustically treated - as the walls - with a green table cover.

At its centre sat an RCA Victor 77 DX Ribbon bi-directional unforgiving microphone which accurately, and not out of malice, “reported” whatever noise one caused or occasioned to one’s listeners wherever they were. They could be thousands of miles away. And they could be a few meters away, and upstairs, in Dr Kolade office as Director-General. The other furniture in that blind studio was a red electric bulb.

Whenever the lamp glowed you were O - Y O, brother, on - your - own.

I finished the news on time, at 7.40am. Casually I strolled over to the Continuity Studio to deposit the bulletin which the Newsroom would retrieve in order to update it for the next VON News at 8.30am, if necessary.

When I got there the Commentary, a

5-minute piece that sought to elaborate on any topical subject, was already running. It was then the drama began. The very heavy studio door swung open behind me. I turned, looked in utter disbelief when I saw a man, in army fatigue, with an AK-47 in his left hand. He swayed a bit, I’ll swear. He had alcohol in his breath, I attest. His eyes danced, I wager. His name I learned much later was Major Rabo. He then spoke: Be dead at ease.

Any movement you’re dead.

Stay dead at home.

Seeing his rank I also spoke: Major, what you’re hearing is from that tape-recording machine that’s running. Should we stop it? When he nodded, I requested Sam Uduma to obey his instruction. He did. The major left the studio, And a deafening quiet descended on VON. We now were wondering who he was. What was he there for? Was there a coup? Was he standing just outside the studio waiting to use his gun on any who poked his head out?

Remember that this was many years before the advent of mobile phones. Therefore we had no idea what was going on outside of the studio.

And fear had us in its firm grip. Having heard of earlier Nigerian coups my imagination was working overtime. r 3PO .HCBUPHV B CSPBEDBTUJOH BEWFSUJTJOH WFUFSBO BOE BDUPS XSPUF GSPN -BHPT

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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

TRIBUTES TO JAKANDE...

TRIBUTES TO JAKANDE...

Jakande Served Lagos Without Greed, Says Afenifere statesman and the first civilian Governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Works, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

The caucus, according to a statement by the Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, on Thursday, described the death of Jakande as an irreparable national loss.

The lawmakers said that Jakande was a selfless leader, who sacrificed his resources, intellect, energy and the totality of his personality toward to good and welfare of his people.

The statement reads: ‘’As a state governor and later minister of the Federal Republic, Jakande was an exemplary leader, who demonstrated that leadership is not about acquisitions but service to the people. Jakande would be remembered for his exceptional commitment towards the transformation of Lagos State and the nation at large with landmark infrastructural projects in critical sectors of life. ‘’We commiserate with the Jakande family as well as the government and people of Lagos, and pray to God to give the family and the nation at large, the strength to bear this huge loss.’’

By Our Correspondent The Pan Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, the Afenifere, has mourned the former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, who died yesterday at the age of 91 as a leader who served the Centre of Excellence from 1979 to 1983 without greed.

The Afenifere, in a tribute entitled “Adieu Our LKJ” that was signed yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, described Jakande as the last of the LOOBO governors who faithfully implemented the Unity Party of Nigeria’s (UPN) five cardinal programmes in the second republic.

The socio-cultural organisation noted that Jakande’s implementation of the free education program, especially the phasing out of the shift program in Lagos schools, was swift and revolutionary.

The group further stated that “he served Lagos without greed and covetousness; he never lived in Government House or drive a government car throughout his service to the state.

“Jakande developed the Lekki area and never took a plot for himself. His life was all about service.

We pray that God will send more of his type our way. Good night.”

Jakande Stood for Progressive Ideals, Says Fayemi The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has expressed his condolences on the death of the first elected Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, who passed on yesterday, aged 91.

Fayemi, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, described Jakande as a selfless leader, statesman and a role model who utilised public service effectively for the development of the people.

He described Jakande as a leader with uncommon accomplishments, one of the founding fathers of progressive politics in Nigeria and a committed Awoist who elevated service to the people above other consideration.

The governor described Jakande’s death as an irreparable loss to Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole, adding that the late statesman spent his life as a committed and diligent public servant and a leader who loved his people dearly.

He said the late elder statesman had immortalised himself in the hearts of the people through numerous impactful programmes and projects he executed while in office.

Fayemi noted that the deceased made his mark in the media as a reporter, editor, publisher and administrator, before venturing into politics where he excelled as an “Action Governor” and left behind an unblemished record.

Jakande was Best Gov in his Generation, Says Abiodun The Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, yesterday described the passage of the first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, as a colossal loss to Nigeria and the journalism practice, globally.

Abiodun also described him as the best governor in his generation.

Jakande, died yesterday, aged 91, in Lagos.

He eulogised Papa Jakande as a statesman of statesmen who “was not just a great disciple of the legendary Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He carried the Awoist traits everywhere he went.”

Abiodun said that Lagos has lost a visionary leader and also noted that “the Awoists’ family has lost a great inheritor and practitioner of the great legacy” and that Nigeria’s progressive politics had been weaned of a model.

A condolence message released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kunle Somorin, described the deceased elder statesman as a profound protégé of Papa Awo, an excellent welfarist, a democrat and diplomat of the finest pedigree “who was not found wanting in character and disposition throughout his professional and political career.

“There is no way good governance will be mentioned in Nigeria without a reference to the cerebral journalist and administrator, late Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

Osoba Pays Tribute to Jakande A former Governor of Ogun State and Chairman, Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mr. Olusegun Osoba, has joined members of the media and political class to pay tribute to the late first civilian Governor of Lagos State and Iconic Journalist, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who passed on yesterday at the age of 91.

Osoba, in a condolence message he issued yesterday, said that Jakande would be remembered in history as a personification of the best in journalism and a political colossus, pointing out that he singlehandedly founded both the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and the NIJ. He said the late governor of Lagos State was the first black African Chairman of the International Press

IN SEARCH OF PEACE…

L-R: Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. Festus Keyamo; and Chairman of APC National Registration Committee and Niger State Governor, Mr. Abubakar Sani Bello, during the visit of Delta State APC leaders to the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja … yesterday ENOCK REUBEN Institute (IPI) made up of publishers and editors all over the world and that he was a foundation member of both the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

Osoba described late Jakande as an astute politician who left giant footprints wherever he had the opportunity to serve at both state and federal level, adding that “as governor of Lagos State, he ran a daily political clinic where citizens consulted him on issues. In Yoruba parlance –Iroko tree as well as an elephant has fallen.”

Jakande was Selfless, Honest, Faithful Leader, Says Uzodimma The Governor of Imo State, Mr. Hope Uzodimma, has bemoaned the death of the Second Republic Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, and described him as one of the honest, selfless and faithful leaders Nigeria has produced.

Jakande died yesterday at the age of 91.

Uzodimma, who recalled the life and times of Jakande, said that Lagos Sate in particular and Nigeria in general would sorely miss him because of his populist programmes that stood him out as governor who endeared himself to the people.

He regretted that Nigeria has lost such a humble, sincere, committed progressive leader whose legacies, both tangible and intangible, are there for everyone to see.

The governor of Imo State commiserated with the government and people of Lagos State over the loss and encouraged them to be consoled by the fact that Jakande, popularly called Baba Kekere, left imprints that today’s generation and generation yet unborn would point to and learn lessons from.

Uzodimma also prayed God Almighty to console the widow and children of the deceased as well as all that he left behind to mourn his death.

He specifically prayed God to grant the soul of Jakande a peaceful repose.

Jakande was a Champion of the People, Says Ambode The immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has expressed deep shock over the demise of the first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.

Jakande passed on in the early hours yesterday at a ripe age of 91.

“The news of the demise of Baba Jakande came to me as a rude shock. He was ripe at age, but we had hoped he would live to celebrate a centenary.

“His life symbolised humility, uprightness and honesty. He was an exemplary leader, a perfect gentleman and a man of integrity and character.

Lagos will forever be grateful to him for his unparalleled service.

“When I was in office I always looked forward to his fatherly advice and encouragement. Apart from that was his visible presence at state events even with his health condition and was never deterred him from giving his support. This shows how he lived a very humbled and upright life throughout his sojourn here on earth”, Ambode said. He also sympathised with the entire family of Jakande and especially his wife, Alhaja Abimbola, whom he said had stood solidly by Baba throughout the period of his later years.

“This is a big loss to Lagosians and Nigerians in general. But we take solace in the fact that he left huge footprints that will remain indelible in the minds of progressive Lagosians,” the former governor said.

Oyetola Condoles Sanwo-Olu over Jakande’s Death The Governor of Osun State, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has sent heartfelt condolences to the government and the people of Lagos State over the death of the first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

Oyetola also commiserated with the entire Jakande family, friends and all those who mourn the late elder statesman and administrator in a statement that was issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ismail Omipidan.

He said that Jakande was a professional and respected journalist, progressive politician, distinguished public servant and an outstanding leader, who demonstrated strong concern and commitment to the welfare of the people he served.

Oyetola noted that the tenure of Jakande as governor of Lagos State between 1979 and 1983 brought significant developments to the state and left remarkable legacies that made him a reference point for politicians, not only in Lagos but across the country.

He said: “On behalf of the government and good people of the Osun State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the government and people of Lagos State over the death of the first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

NGE Mourns its Pioneer President The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has mourned Jakande, its pioneer president, saying journalism has lost a pillar of the profession.

In a condolence message signed by its President, Mr. Mustapha Isa, and its General Secretary, Mrs Mary Atolagbe, the guild of editors said Jakande’s death was particularly painful because it came at a period when the NGE had already lost many of its members and founding fathers, including Mallam Wada Maida, Mr. Ben Egbuna and lately, Prince Tony Momoh.

NGE said it was however, consoled by the fact that Jakande left an indelible mark on the sands of time as a journalist of repute, publisher, media entrepreneur, politician, astute administrator, governor, minister, as well as a statesman and conscience of the nation.

The NGE recalled with nostalgia and gratitude, the role of Jakande, not only in the empowerment of journalists, through his John West Publishing Group, but also in the establishment and sustenance of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ).

“The guild also feels very proud of Jakande’s achievements as the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, especially his impactful projects in Public Housing, Education and infrastructure development, which remain a reference point for good governance till date.

“The fact that the man, fondly called Baba Kekere and Arole Awolowo, recorded these achievements in just four years as the Governor of Lagos State makes it a reference point in governance in Nigeria.

The Jakande Schools and the numerous Jakande Estates, spread across several Local Government Areas of Lagos State, bear a testimony to the Jakande imprints on governance in Lagos,” the statement explained House Minority Caucus Mourns Jakande The minority caucus in the House of Representatives has expressed sadness over the death of an elder

Wamakko Mourns Jakande The Senator Representing Sokoto North Senatoral District, Senator Aliyu Magatarkada Wamakko, has said that the death of former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, has robbed Nigeria of a committed, iconic, pious and patriotic elder statesman.

Wamakko, who was a former Governor of Sokoto State, in his condolence message said that the deceased played invaluable roles in the entrenchment and sustenance of democracy in Lagos State and Nigeria, in general.

He stated that Lagos State had recorded tangible giant strides between 1979 and 1983, when Jakande was the governor of the state.

The former governor of Sokoto State also declared that the late Jakande had lived a life worthy of emulation, which was marked by utmost sacrifices to Lagos State and Nigeria, in general.

He prayed that the Almighty Allah should grant the deceased Aljannat firdaus and his family, people and government of Lagos State and Nigerians the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

Jakande’s Death, End of an Era, Says Oyinlola A former Military Administrator of Lagos State and former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has described the death of Alhaji Lateef Jakande as the end of an era.

Oyinlola, in a statement he issued yesterday on the death of the first civilian governor of Lagos State, described the deceased as a true definition of a progressive politician who was honest to the values he espoused.

He said: “Jakande was the father of Lagos State as we know it today. He represented the very best in humility, patriotic service and was a total Yoruba man in conduct and carriage.

“When I was military administrator of Lagos State, he gave me invaluable support and priceless pieces of advice. I ran to him on a number of occasions for help in that period of political tension and crises.

He had a ready solution to every problem. He was never tired of giving me his shoulders to lean on.

“His death marks the definite end of an era. We have been made poorer by this death. His position among patriots will be very difficult to fill. I pray for the repose of his great soul.

“I commiserate with the Jakande family, the government and people of Lagos State on the exit of this great man. Almighty God will give all of us the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Arogundade Mourns Jakande The Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC) and former Chairman of the Lagos State Council of NUJ, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, has also expressed appreciations to Jakande for being a pillar of the contribution of the Nigerian Press to Nigeria’s development.

In a statement he issued yesterday, Arogundade noted that from journalism to politics, Jakande was “such a wonderful pioneer of enduring media legacies - from being the Managing Editor of the Nigerian Tribune, to establishing the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), to the setting up of the first weekend 24/7 broadcast station in Nigeria - Lagos Weekend Television/Lagos Television as first executive Governor of Lagos State - the records speak volumes of who you were.

“Of Nigeria’s bourgeois political class from the second republic to date, you were peerless.

In four years and three months from October 1979 to December 1983 you simply opened up Lagos through a programme of massive public works mostly done by direct labour (facilitated by the establishment of the Lagos Bulk Purchase) that led to the construction of low and middle income estates all over the state, none of which you named after yourself nor even after your political leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who commissioned some of them; but which the people in recognition of your foresight gladly ‘named’ after you. Thus, till today you have Jakande in Isolo, Jakande in Agege, Jakande in Ogba ....and just everywhere,” Arogundade explained.

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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Bauchi Gov Accuses Benue, Southern Govs of Handling Herdsmen’s Crisis Wrongly Says nobody owns the forests Ejiofor Alike Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has alleged that his counterpart in Benue State, Mr. Samuel Ortom, started the herdsmen’s crisis by not

accommodating the herders.

Mohammed also accused the southern governors of mishandling herdsmen’s crisis, insisting that all forests belong to Nigeria and that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees all

Expose Criminal Herders in Ekiti, Miyetti Allah Charges Members Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Ekiti State, Alhaji Adamu Abache, has ordered his members to henceforth expose any herder seen perpetrating crime in order to live peacefully in the state.

Abache said revealing the identities of the Fulani herdsmen with criminal tendencies would protect the integrity of herders doing legitimate businesses in the state as well as disabuse the minds of Nigerians that all herdsmen are criminals.

The MACBAN leader stated this in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, during a

security meeting organised by the state chapter of the Police Community Relations Committee(PCRC) for all ethnic nationalities in the state.

Speaking at the event where participants brainstormed on how to ensure peaceful coexistence among ethnic different groups to tackle insecurity, Abache said MACBAN had banned the use of underage for cattle rearing in the state.

He said: “Fulani herdsmen living in Ekiti State are for peace, and we will continue to live together with our hosts in peace. Our own support will always be to the government of the day for all of us to enjoy peace.

Nigerians to settle in any place of their choice.

He also faulted the quick notice given to the Fulani herders in some southern states, particularly in Ondo State, pointing out that the move of the “Southern governors are wrong”.

He stated these yesterday at the closing ceremony of the 2021 Press Week of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Bauchi State Council, which was aired live on Channels TV. The governor, who was the Guest of Honour and an awardee, in his keynote address on the theme: “The Role of the Media in Promoting

Peace in Nigeria”, commended journalists in the state for their accurate and balanced reporting and for promoting peace in Nigeria.

The governor cautioned journalists against rushing to press on the issues capable of dividing the country Mohammed said, “On the herders/farmers clashes, you have seen what our colleagues in South-West are doing and some of them in South-East.

Some of us told them with all modesty and humility –you are wrong.

“But the person that is most wrong is the Governor of Benue State, my brother and my colleague, Governor

(Samuel) Ortom, he started all these. If you don’t accommodate other tribes, we are also accommodating your people in Bauchi and other places.

“We have so many Tiv people working and farming in Alkaleri, farming in Tafawa Balewa, farming in Bogoro Local Government areas of Bauchi, has anyone asked them to go? We have not, because it is their constitutional right to be there.

“We have Yoruba people in Bauchi for over 150 years, even before the birth of Nigeria.

Nobody has told them to go, some of them have risen to become permanent secretaries in Bauchi, Gombe, and Borno.”

“Nobody owns any forests; the forests are owned by Nigeria,” he argued.

He added, “And now, the Fulani man is practicing the tradition of pastoralism, he has been exposed to the dangers of the forests, the animals, and now, the cattle rustlers, who carry guns, kill him and take away his commonwealth, his cows, he had no option than to defend himself because the society and the government are not protecting him.

“It is not his fault, it is the fault of the government and the people, you don’t criminalise all of them because in every tribe there are criminals. You should be very sensitive.”

Ondo Proposes Bill to Regulate Livestock Grazing James Sowole in Akure The Ondo State Executive Council has approved a bill for a law to regulate rearing and grazing of livestock in the state, which will be transmitted to the state House of Assembly.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council (SEC)

meeting.

Ojogo explained that the law is also to provide for the establishment of ranches and other matters connected thereto.

According to him, “The objective of the law is clear. It is to prevent the destruction of farm crops, community ponds, settlement and property.

“Secondly, the bill is to prevent clashes between herders and farmers as well

as to regulate and support the growth of livestock; farming and also manage the environmental impact of open livestock grazing.

“The bill is also to prevent, control and manage the spread of disease as well as ease the implementation of policies that will enhance healthy breed of livestock for local and export market. It will promote modern technique of animal husbandry, particularly rearing of livestock.

“This is another phase of implementation of the order given by the governor that herdsmen should vacate the forest reserves that we bring to bear in Ondo State, the use of modern technology in rearing of livestock, not the other way livestock strays easily along the street, roads, and wherein hoodlums and kidnappers now hide under the business to disturb the ordinary citizens of the state.

T H I S D AY ˾FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2021

18

POLITICS

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

How Providence Propelled Ojo to Lofty Heights Adesoro Tolu Austen, Special Adviser on Media and Labour to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Ojo Olatunde Amos chronicles the eventful rise of his principal to an enviable height in his career “He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely t r u s t G o d ’s p ro v i d e n c e t o l e a d h i m aright” -Blaise Pascal

O

n Va l e n t i n e ’ s D a y ( F e b ru a r y 1 4 t h , 2021), the Clerk to the National Ass e m b l y, O j o O l a t u n d e Amos, will clock 58 years on Earth.

His elevation to the pinnacle o f h i s c a re e r o n F r i d a y, J u l y 17th, 2020, given the way he had masterfully and doggedly disc h a rg e d a n d a c q u i t t e d h i m s e l f , p ro f e s s i o n a l l y a n d i n t e l l e c t u a l l y, s h o w s t h a t h e i s i n d e e d i m b u e d w i t h p ro v i d e n t i a l f e r v o r.

Ta l k i n g a b o u t p ro v i d e n t i a l f e r v o r, G e o rg e Wa s h i n g t o n , t h e f i r s t c o n s t i t u t i o n a l P re s i d e n t of the United States, who was inaugurated on April 30th, 1789, i n N e w Yo r k , w a s a p e r s o n a l i t y of many parts; and was equally s h o w e re d a n d f l o w e re d w i t h p ro v i d e n t i a l f e r v o r.

At the peak of his success a s P re s i d e n t o f t h e U n i t e d States(1789-1797), he quite acknowledged the mighty inv i s i b l e h a n d s o f p ro v i d e n c e i n h i s c h e q u e re d e x i s t e n c e , w h e n h e w ro t e a s f o l l o w s : “ I f l a t t e r myself that a superintending P ro v i d e n c e i s o rd e r i n g e v e r y thing for the best, and that, in due time, all will end well” T h e re f o re , l o o k i n g s o f a r a t t h e o d y s s e y o f t h e c u r re n t C l e r k t o t h e N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y, O j o Olatunde Amos, it is not out of place to describe his intell e c t u a l , p ro f e s s i o n a l a n d c a re e r sojourn as that which have been p ro p e l l e d m a s s i v e l y b y p ro v i dence.

In 2004, when Ojo Olatunde A m o s j o i n e d t h e s t a ff o f t h e N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y, a s t h e C h i e f A rc h i t e c t i n t h e t h e n n e w l y c re a t e d D e p a r t m e n t o f E s t a t e a n d Wo r k s , h e w a s c o m i n g i n with a loaded bag of experience and with a mind wide open to p ro v e h i m s e l f a s a ‘ d i a m o n d i n t h e ro u g h ’ .

C e r t a i n l y, o n e o f t h e l a s t things or ambition in the heart o f A rc h i t e c t O j o O l a t u n d e A m o s was not to become the Clerk to the National Assembly in Nigeria, in 2004, because of the h e a v i l y c ro w d e d f i e l d o f e q u a l l y qualified and distinguished p e r s o n n e l t h a t w e re c o n s t a n t l y visible in the nation’s highest l e g i s l a t i v e b o d y.

L i k e G e o rg e Wa s h i n g t o n , w h o h a d p ro v e d h i m s e l f a s a n o ff i c e r i n t h e Vi rg i n i a m i l i t i a , s u r v i v e d s e v e r a l l i f e t h re a t e n i n g s i t u a t i o n s , b e f o re h i s b r a v e m i n d singled him out conspicuously as a soldier for American war of independence (1775- 1783), Ojo O l a t u n d e A m o s h a d t h ro u g h d i n t o f h a rd w o r k a n d u n c o m mon intelligence, made history as the first ever Ilobu- Asake indigene, to become a federal P e r m a n e n t S e c re t a r y i n N i g e r i a ; now he is the first ever Clerk to t h e N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y f ro m t h a t a x i s o f t h e c o u n t r y.

T h e i n t o x i c a t i n g t a l e o f G e o rg e Wa s h i n g t o n a n d O j o O l a t u n d e

In 2004, when Ojo Olatunde Amos joined the staff of the National Assembly, as the Chief Architect in the then newly created Department of Estate and Works, he was coming in with a loaded bag of experience and with a mind wide open to prove himself as a ‘diamond in the rough

Why Buhari Should Consider Sheikh Gumi’s Peace Initiative Huseyn Zakaria and Shuaibu Idris Miqati argue that instead of wasting collosal amounts of money and lives to insurgency and banditry, the Federal Government should consider amnesty and rehabilitation for the insurgents

F

rom time immemorial mankind has been confronted with poverty, injustice, inequality, insecurity and several other challenges too numerous to mention. Over the years, governments and indeed, leaders have used different mechanisms to address these challenges with varying degrees of successes and failures.

‘Islam’ which means ‘peace’ has the most realistic, sincere and time-tested mechanism for conflict resolution. It has provided the terms and conditions to be observed so as to live in peace and harmony no matter the extent, level and or degree of diversity in a society. Indeed, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has exemplified this during his lifetime as he lived in total tranquillity with Jews and Christians devoid of rancour, ill feelings, suspicion or injustice despite being in leadership position. Equity, justice, fairness and above all transparency were the order of the day while Muslims were in leadership positions.

Over the years however, societies metamorphosis brought about lopsided actions, transgressions, nepotism and unfair treatment of people leading to many being aggrieved as a result of the somewhat perceived rightly or wrongly maltreatment of certain part or class of people. In Nigeria, many citizens who are somehow denied of their means of livelihood by our society appear not to have any means of accommodation and have been forced to live in abject poverty for several decades. Many of them resort to vent their anger on almost anyone they come across irrespective of whether he or she is part of their ‘oppressors’, as our leaders or those who are perceived to be rich are called.

A certain stage of conflagration, anarchy, chaos and total breakdown of law and order is either in the offing or already happening in several societies from Asia to Latin America, Europe to Africa and

Middle East to North America. Most of the causes of these challenges are political, economic, ethnic, tribal, cultural, land and or, religion. As stated, earlier humanity developed several mechanisms to deal with these challenges’ with minimal success as most of the conflicts still persist. American societies are not safe from organised crimes and bandits nor is Italian society cleared of gangsters and organised crimes. The ecosystem of members of the underworld transcends continents, national boundaries, race and religion.

For instance, after several decades of fighting so-called terrorists all over the world, and despite its overwhelming supremacy in ground, air and sea fire power, the US government had to resort to dialogue in a number of areas so as to achieve lasting peace. An example is the truce it had with the Taliban. After several years of military exercise of power, loss of lives, properties and trillions of dollars, no appreciable progress was recorded in dealing with certain ‘criminals’ even by the so-called super-powers of the world through military might. Indeed, both the US and Russia had to resort to dialogue in order to achieve certain level of peace after exhausting their capacity for destruction using air power or even forced occupation using ground troops. This was evidence that fire power has limitations. Thus, the need to explore alternative approaches to achieve peace became imperative. One can argue that Al Qaeda was defeated through the use of force and Israel/Palestinian conflict remains intractable despite several dialogue sessions. However, even lawyers have identified Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a good means of resolving disagreements.

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

i s t ru i s m o f t h e p o s t u l a t i o n s o f legendary Blaise Pascal who c l e v e r l y c a p t u re d t h e n a t u r a l workings or manifestation of p ro v i d e n c e w h e n h e p o s i t e d t h a t : ” H e t h a t t a k e s t ru t h f o r h i s guide, and duty for his end, may s a f e l y t ru s t G o d ’ s p ro v i d e n c e t o lead him aright”.

L i k e Wa s h i n g t o n , O j o O l a tunde has not only taken the d o c t r i n e o f t ru t h a s h i s g u i d e , and commitment to duty as a c re e d , w h i l e G o d ’ s p ro v i d e n c e has steadily led him a-right to t h e z e n i t h o f h i s c a re e r w i t h i n t h e N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y.

Indeed, the characteristics or behavioral traits of Ojo O l a t u n d e A m o s a re f a b u l o u s l y saturated with intellect, selfc o n t ro l a n d s e l f - d e n i a l ; h e i s a man of Olympian courage and commitment.

B o r n o n F e b ru a r y 1 4 t h , 1 9 6 3 , f ro m J a g u n ’ s c o m p o u n d , l l o b u , Osun State, the young Ojo Olatunde Amos went to Ilobu Seco n d a r y C o m m e rc i a l G r a m m a r S c h o o l , I l o b u , f ro m 1 9 7 8 t o 1 9 8 3 .

In his Joint Admission and M a t r i c u l a t i o n B o a rd E x a m i n a tion (JAMB) subjects, he came out with distinctions, with ‘100 over 100 in Mathematics’. The a ro m a o f a c a d e m i c g re a t n e s s attracted him to the Obafemi Aw o l o w o U n i v e r s i t y i n 1 9 8 5 w h e re h e c a m e o u t w i t h f l y i n g colors in Bachelor of Science ( A rc h i t e c t u re ) 1 9 9 0 ; h e m a j e s t i c a l l y a d d e d a M a s t e r d e g re e i n A rc h i t e c t u re i n 1 9 9 2 .

B e f o re O j o O l a t u n d e A m o s v e n t u re d i n t o t h e s e r v i c e s o f t h e N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y, h e h a d s e c u re d a h i s t o r y o f c a t a l o g u e d o f s e l f l e s s s e r v i c e , o f g re a t p ro f e s s i o n a l c o m p e t e n c e , o f i n c re d i b l e g e n e ro s i t y o f c o m p a s s i o n f o r the poor and instinctive good taste, of liberal and enlightened values.

To d a y, a s t h e C l e r k t o t h e N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y, o n e o f t h e most populous parliament in African sub-Saharan Ojo Olatunde A m o s ’ s s h a re d v i s i o n i s t o b e re s p o n s i v e t o c re a t i v e a n d i n n o vative abilities of all stakeholders, so that under his watch the impossible things could become s u re s t .

As a genuine beneficiary of p ro v i d e n t i a l f e r v o r o f G o d A l m i g h t y, O j o O l a t u n d e A m o s has given a new character to commitment and competence, i n ru n n i n g t h e a ff a i r s o f t h e N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y.

The Clerk to the National A s s e m b l y, h a s s i m p l y i d e n t i fied himself as a think-tank, a strategic planner and a mobiliz a t i o n e x p e r t t h a t i s p ro d u c i n g s t u n n i n g re s u l t s i n t h e N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y.

In celebrating this icon of i n g e n u i t y a n d p u r p o s e l y l e a d e rship, is a wonderful opportunity to expose to the world a man d e d i c a t e d t o t h e i d e a o f p ro b l e m solving, of distribution of off i c i a l f a i r n e s s , , b ro a d - m i n d e d n e s s , s e l f l e s s n e s s , b ro t h e rh o o d and self-discipline.

On this occasion of his 58th b i r t h d a y a n n i v e r s a r y, t h e a c m e o f p ro g re s s , s e l f l e s s a n d f o c u s e d leadership has been attained by Ojo Olatunde Amos.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2021

19

PERSPECTIVE

EPISTLES of ANTHONY KILA

For Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Gumi is Wrong, Boko Haram Another Garland of Honour Not Same as Irredentists Chido Nwangwu, Publisher, USAfricaonline.com writes that the impending resumption of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General of the World Trade Organization is another feather in her cap as an international public servant

N

gozi Okonjo-Iweala, PhD., is the quintessential technocrat, She is both remarkable for her scholastic achievements as much as her governance experiences. The certainty of her manner of speaking and fact-wise content of her policy expositions have combined to make her one of the most sought after economists in the world. Evident in the fact, too, she sits on the boards of several corporations and offers advisory and management ideas to organizations.

Why is she in the news, this time?

All things being equal — as her fellow economists usually say on matters of demand and supply —she will this February 2021 make history, again. She is on track to become the first person of African heritage and the first woman to hold the top position of Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The position opened with the sudden, early exit of the man who was there; he left since August 2020.

Then the notorious administration of former American President Donald Trump blocked her from moving into the position after she was nominated by the Nigerian government.

Then, last Friday, her major opponent for the position dropped out of running. She got the critical nod of the American government now led by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. In a sunny signal toward the nomination, an official of the U.S government wrote that “The United States takes note of today’s decision by the Republic of Korea’s Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee to withdraw her candidacy for Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Biden-Harris administration is pleased to express its strong support for the candidacy of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next Director General of the WTO”.

Long before this support, some of the WTO key members/blocs, such as China, the European Union, the African Union, Japan and Australia had indicated their support of Okonjo-Iweala.

Also, she has a strong network

of influential friends — largely amassed during her 25 years at the World Bank.

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala whom I met in Maryland during the event by her alma mater Queens Girls Secondary School Enugu, almost 10 years ago — has been a major reference point for inspiration and role model for millions of women. Especially, while she was the Finance Minister and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy in Nigeria.

She was Minister of Finance May 19, 2015, under Goodluck Jonathan.

July 2003 – June 21, 2006, under Obasanjo. She was appointed into a new position, Coordinating Minister for the Economy, August 17, 2011 – May 29, 2015 Since January 2016, she was appointed the Chair-elect of the Board of Gavi which is involved in provide pandemic virus solutions.

Bob Zoellick, World Bank’s ex-president, is one of the heavyweight friends of the public finance heavyweight. He wrote a memo to World Bank employees on July 8, 2011, where he commended her for, among other things, pushing African economies to greater reliance on open free-market positions.

He noted that “Along with her oversight of the bank’s work in Africa, South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia, and Human Resources, Ngozi has played a pivotal role in overseeing the Bank’s work to help countries hurt by high and volatile food prices…. with Ngozi’s leadership, we put together a food crisis response fund to allow for fast assistance to countries in need. It has helped more than 40 million people in 44 countries.”

Two of her most recent books are ‘Fighting Corruption is Dangerous : The Story Behind the Headlines - A Frontline Account from Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, of How to Fight Corruption and Lessons Learned for Governance and Development’ — published by MIT Press, (2018) and ‘Reforming the Unreformable: Lessons from Nigeria’ (First MIT Press paperback ed. (2012) Hopefully, she will begin work at the WTO next week to help create a fairer trade relations between African countries and other parts of the world. At another level, it will be a new heights of inspiration for many girls. Remember that one of the most influential women of the 20th century Hillary Clinton did say regarding an entirely different issue. ”To all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful, and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.”

Okonjo-Iweala has been listed as one of the 50 Greatest World Leaders

by Fortune magazine in 2015; and has been featured as one of 100 of the World’s Leaders.

Anthony Kila, a Professor and Director, Centre for International Advanced Professional Studies, Lagos debunks the comparison drawn by Sheikh Ahmad Gumi between agitators for self-determination and Boko Haram insurgents and bandits

D

ear Sheikh Ahmad Gum Last week, you granted an interview in which you asserted that: “those agitating for Biafra and Oduduwa republics are not different from the Boko Haram sect terrorists.”. Well Sheikh, given that I have appreciated many of your positions both in private and public in the past, it is important that we take time to clearly, firmly and directly tell you that you are wrong on this one. Lest we become guilty of what we accuse others of doing, it is important we are honest and firm with each other; if we want to be honest with ourselves, then there is no other way to put it than to bluntly tell you that your position on this issue is historically wrong, logically flawed and intellectually unsustainable.

Dear Sheikh, I know you are an avid reader and aficionado of rhetoric and semiotics so I have no doubt that whilst some of your fans and loyalists might be upset with me for so being blunt and dismissive of your position, you the addressee will see through my chosen style of rhetoric and chuckle. I must also add that you are getting this missive also because you, more than many other cleric, have a measurable influence over bandits and audience across the land with non bandits. Lai Mohammed is right when he admits that bandits are probably more willing to listen to you than to government. Let’s be clear: Bandits and others are more willing to listen to you not because you are a bandit but because you have a moral authority that transcends what government has.

To whom much is given, much is expected, part of the consequences of so much influence and recognition are that your opinions and pronunciations cannot be allowed to go unweighted and unmeasured.

You are totally wrong when you equiparate Boko Haram or bandits to irredentist or nationalist asking for ethnic nations like Arewa, Biafra or Yoruba nations. It is an error that should not be allowed to pass even if you were being metaphorical, figurative or allegorical.

Boko Haram which means “Western education is forbidden”, that also refers to itself as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, meaning “People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad” is a group with international links whose claim to fame is through acts of violence and declared war against the Nigerian state and people, occupying territories and killing solders and civilians, kidnapping children and displacing families.

Those groups asking for Arewa, Biafra or Yoruba nations are activists asking for the restoration of nations existent before the advent of Nigeria. In the past 50 years none of these groups has engaged in any form of cogent violence. What irredentist groups are asking for is a return to a political grouping, community and nation based on common language and shared cultural values and worldview. They do so because they feel that this Nigeria as structured is not beneficial to their aspirations. They compare their past to the present and conclude that their future will be better in nations of theirs.

It is ok and even legitimate to be against them, it is allowed to insist and even make the case that Nigeria as it stands is the best thing for all but it is wrong to say those asking for their own nations are no different

from Boko Haram terrorists.

If you or anyone else or even the government of Nigeria genuinely and rationally feels the need to defend and promote one Nigeria, the way to do it is to confidently and calmly show strong reasons why it is safer and more prosperous to be in a one Nigeria and it must be done by promoting good governance not by coercion, fiat or distorting history. Please, let us leave crass propaganda to reckless agitators.

Your case for a one Nigeria built around the need to preserve marriages and businesses is also weak, wrong, obsolete and myopic. Eminent, accomplished and selfless leaders like Dr Amos Akingba and Chief Tola Adeniyi who have being patriotic to and made their mark in Nigeria have already clearly and repeatedly explained that in the new nations people will be free and safe to legally trade, love and worship as they please, just as Nigerians and other nationals can do in Nigeria and across every viable nation in the world.

Whilst we are it, let us point out that you are also wrong to say Yoruba leaders and others are not for the emergence of nations in Nigeria. Dr Amos Akingba, Chief Tola Adeniyi, Dr Fred Agbeyibe and Chief Solagbade Popoola are clear examples for you of professionally and personally accomplished personalities and globally influential leaders, there are many more out there across the country standing with irredentists, some real and coherent, some self-serving and confused but they are out there. Admittedly there are others who do not hold such positions but that is not to say Yoruba and other national leaders are not for and with the irredentist. To each its own.

In what was certainly a bad outing, you, dear Sheikh went on to make matters worse by asking the government to grant amnesty to bandits across the country just like it did for Niger Delta militants. That is not only wrong but also vexatious. In principle, I am against amnesty for militants, but to compare rebellious groups that emerge due to government’s failure to provide basic need and to equitably share the proceed of natural resources found the in the Niger Delta to terrorists who emerge to dethrone the State and kidnap children is intellectually revolting and morally repulsive.

Amnesty to Niger Delta militants is admission of guilt and atonement through bribery by an incompetent repentant government, amnesty to Boko Haram is a sign of surrender of sovereignty of a failing state.

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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2021 •T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͰ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 17.50 % 18 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

14 % 14 % 14.50 %

F E B R U A R Y S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

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

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Quick Takes

Etihad Crew to be Vaccinated Before Flying

GETTING SET FOR E-CALL UP

R-L: MD, NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman; Chief Operating Officer, Truck Transit Parks Limited (TTP); Temidayo Adeboye and MD/ CEO, Jama Onwubuani, during the inspection of Lillipond Truck Park towards the launch of the Eto E-Call Up System in Apapa…recently

Stakeholders Identify Factors Responsible for Abandoned Aircraft in Nigeria Chinedu Eze Aviation industry stakeholders have identified scarcity of foreign exchange, lack of maintenance facility and wrong aircraft usage as factors responsible for abandonment of aircraft by Nigerian airlines.

The stakeholders spoke in response to claim by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, recently, that Nigeria tops 10 countries with unserviceable aircraft.

The minister quoted CH Aviation to have stated that despite the small fleet Nigerian carriers have, they still topped the first 10 countries with unserviceable aircraft and attributed it to using old aircraft, equipment or

AVIATION airplanes not suitable for the routes they operate.

“According to CH aviation, Nigeria is topping the top 10 countries of unserviceable aircraft. That means our aircraft are not being utilised.

The staggering figure is 69.23 per cent as of the time the research was made, which was currently 2021.

“Now, Nigeria is at the top and in the top 10, you have Germany which is 51.2 per cent, it includes UK, Argentina, Malasia etc. But within those times, the top most is Nigeria.

And the reason is simple, one; they say it is capital, funding, to fund these airlines to be able to function well; to get the source

of funding to be able to carry out the maintenance as at when due. You can park airplanes in Nigeria on the ground for an engine change, and it may stay there on the ground for many months,” the minister said.

However, reacting to the minister’s comment, aircraft engineer and CEO of Seven Star Global Hangar Limited, Isaac Balami told THISDAY, that no airline operator would buy an airplane and keep it on ground to rot, saying there are factors responsible for having Aircraft on Ground (AOG). He identified scarcity of foreign exchange as one of such.

He explained that an aircraft may have bird strike and needs an engine change but the airline would have the money in naira

and would wait to exchange to dollars to get the needed spare, which might keep the aircraft on ground as long as the new engine is not acquired and fixed on the equipment.

Another factor he pointed out was airlines using wrong equipment in the sense that airline operators buy aircraft not suitable for the distance of the routes they operate, saying this leads to underutilisation of the aircraft, which might demand more money for maintenance than the money it is generating.

Balami also pointed out that Nigeria does not have Maintenance, Overhaul and Repair (MRO) facility that Continued on page 22

Amaechi: Maritime Can’t Spur Growth Without Environment Management Eromosele Abiodun The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has identified marine environment management as a crucial factor that will enable the maritime sector to contribute to economic growth in the country.

A clean and safe marine environment, he stated, is the bedrock that ensures the entire maritime industry contributes significantly to the growth of a nation.

Amaechi stated this in a keynote address he presented during the formal exit from Public Service and the launch of a book by a former Marine Environment Management Department at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Felicia Mogo in Lagos The book titled: “Regulating the Marine Environment of

MARITIME Africa for Sustainable Blue Economy – the Nigeria Scenario,” was written to celebrate her exit from public service.

Amaechi who participated virtually, said: “Maritime is key to national development and we can’t talk about this without the marine environment. It is in this area that Mogo has made impressive records with over two decades spent trying to make reforms in environmental assessment, especially for the oil and gas sector.”

Noting that the usual fear of most public servants is the uncertainty of life after service, the minister stressed that the basic thing is the contribution attained during one’s service years.

“Mogo has an impressive and well documented record which is why we are

celebrating her today. She is an environmentalist and her pedigree has been evident on the global terrain where she has represented Nigeria and NIMASA admirably. You can’t conclude the functions of NIMASA or talk about maritime without talking about environmental issues and you can’t ignore the contribution of Mogo in that area,” he added.

Amaechi stated that the Transport Ministry and the maritime sector were proud of Mogo’s contributions in marine environment management, noting that the industry will better appreciate her efforts now that she has exited public service.

Earlier, the chairperson of the occasion, Dr. Anne Ene-Ita stressed that it is imperative for the government to fully explore the potential of the blue economy, noting that

giving credence to Mogo’s book will be a good way to show commitment to the sector.

The former Senior Special Adviser to the President on Aviation Reforms described Mogo as a national asset and a global personality on marine environment management.

“Mogo has been an energetic and enterprising young woman since her maiden employment in the Federal Ministry of Works. This book is worth having and we need to disseminate the book at secondary and tertiary levels to get young ones involved in maritime,” she said.

On his part, the High Commissioner of Kenya to Nigeria, Dr. Wilfred Machage, also graced the occasion where he posited that Mogo wasn’t Continued on page 22

Etihad Airways has claimed that it will be the world’s first airline with 100 per cent of its operating pilots and cabin crew vaccinated against COVID-19.

The airline began vaccinating its crews earlier few weeks ago along with its Dubai-based counterpart, Emirates.

“We proactively made the vaccine available to all our employees to not only help combat the effects of COVID-19 but to make travellers feel confident and reassured the next time they fly with us,” said CEO of Etihad Aviation Group, Tony Douglas.

“WearetheonlyairlineintheworldtomakeCOVID-19testingmandatory foreverypassengerandcrewmemberbeforeeveryflightandnow,we’re thefirstairlineintheworldwith100percentvaccinatedcrewon-board.”

Douglas, who has already received the Sinopharm vaccination, urged all Etihad employees to get vaccinated early on.

VPMedicalServicesandCSR,EtihadAviationGroup,Dr.NadiaBastaki said,“Followingthenationalvaccinationprogramme,weworkedtirelessly tobecomeanapprovedCOVID-19vaccinationclinictosupportourstaff, and their dependants, be able to easily access the vaccine.

“Since December 2020, we have been offering in-house vaccination appointments to our employees and their loved ones to ensure we are focused on our employee’s wellbeing.”

However,Emirateshaswidenedthescopeofitsvaccinationprogramme buthasstoppedshortofmakingvaccinationscompulsoryforoperating crew.

Delta Extends Middle Seat Blocking

Delta Air Lines has announced that it will continue to provide more space on board, saying it is the only US airline to block middle seats and limit capacity on all flights departing through April 30, 2021. The initiative is to ensure that its customers can confidently plan and book their spring travel.

Theairlinesaidithasconsistentlylistenedtoitscustomersandprioritised their preferences by offering more space through seat blocking and reducing the overall number of people on board each flight since April 2020.

“We want our customers to have complete confidence when traveling with Delta, and they continue to tell us that more space provides more peaceofmind,”itsChiefCustomerExperienceOfficer,BillLentschsaid.

“We’llcontinuetoreassessseatblockinginrelationtocasetransmission andvaccinationrates,whilebringingbackproductsandservicesinways that instill trust in the health and safety of everyone on board – that will always be Delta’s priority.”

In addition to extending seat blocking commitments, Delta is taking otherstepstoreassurecustomersastheyreturntotravelinthemonths ahead, such as: making it easier to understand testing requirements andgettestedpriortotravel,whethercustomerspurchaseanat-home test or find a nearby location for in-person testing, with more options on the way.

It is creating an interactive travel map to help customers understand where Delta flies and the latest travel requirements or restrictions at their destination; streamlining travel by building a digital concierge to managebooking,testschedulingandautomaticdocumentverificationall inoneplaceondelta.comandtheFlyDeltaappanddeployingadedicated team of clean ambassadors who will ensure a consistently safe and sanitized experience at more than 55 airports.

Delta is also expanding rapid testing centers to Delta’s hub airports in MinneapolisandDetroit,whichfollowothertestingfacilitiesatAtlanta, Boston, New York-JFK and Seattle and Delta Vacations selling only international hotels and resorts that offer in-hotel testing for travel through April 2021.

Ibom Air Announces 94% On-time Performance

IbomAirhasannouncedthatitrecordeda93percentschedulereliability and 94 per cent on-time performance keeping its figures high in the first month of the New Year.

Theairlinewhichroundedoff2020witharecordon-timeperformance, displayeditsstatisticsacrossitssocialmediahandleswhereitshowedthat ofthe716scheduledflightsitoperated,694flightsofwhich668flights wereonschedulewhile650ofthoseflightswereontimeperformances.

The airline since 2019 has been consistently displaying its service reliability, a move that has endeared it to the travelling public Just on February 1 2021 the airline introduced a Customer Loyalty Program- the ‘Ibom Flyer’ giving customers the chance to get rewarded for their continuous loyalty to the Ibom Air brand.

“We need to think about developing regional hubs to boost air transport, so we have to rely on aviation to move people, goods and services across this country” Governor of Edo state,

Godwin Obaseki

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

STAKEHOLDERS IDENTIFY FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR ABANDONED AIRCRAFT IN NIGERIA

FG to Deploy Web Solution to Track Project Execution

has the capacity for major maintenance of aircraft.

“Airlines acquire the wrong aircraft in terms of the routes they operate. If you operate the wrong aircraft, you will spend more money on engine overhaul. If you operate the right aircraft, you could break even with 40 per cent load factor.

“Then with wrong aircraft you spend more money on fuel. The engine rotation will not be maximized,” Balami said.

On his part, the CEO/ Founder Topbrass Aviation Limited, Captain Roland Iyayi, also told THISDAY that to say that Nigeria tops 10 countries with unserviceable aircraft must be slightly exaggerated.

According to him, Nigeria does not have big fleet to warrant such positioning, saying it is rare for Nigeria to have abandoned aircraft, even though in the past, airlines had old aircraft which cost of maintenance could be so huge that it would be cheaper to abandon it and get another one.

The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clem Agba, has said the federal government plans to deploy the “Eye-Mark Web Application” to track, monitor and evaluate project execution across the country.

The minister explained that the GRID 3 geo-spatial technology, which is domiciled in the monitoring and evaluation department in the planning arm of the ministry would enhance transparency and integrity in projects execution through citizen participation going forward.

He spoke when he received a draft policy document on National Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E) to measure results and link evaluation evidence to policy, planning and budgeting processes and to promote public accountability and learning for improved performance.

The document, which is the first draft policy on M & E in the country, was developed by a tripartite team comprising Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund

AMAECHI: MARITIME CAN’T SPUR GROWTH WITHOUT ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT only an asset to Nigeria but the African continent at large.

“There’s nothing more gratifying than sharing knowledge with a generation of young leaders who will be taking up similar roles as Mogo in both public and private sectors.

“Even upon her exit from public service, Mogo joins the coveted list of our celebrated scholars in the field of marine science and we all know that intellectuals are paragon of virtues and the cream of intelligentsia in all societies.”

According to him, the book will serve as a repertoire of knowledge, which will be an asset especially for those who are in the field of environmental science, marine ecology and general field of environmental studies.

“This important book acknowledges the importance of marine environment and ecosystem as a life-support system for supplying resources that support livelihoods and economic development.

“African’s Agenda 2063 has

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Ogene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

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ÒÓØÏÎß äÏ (Aviation) ÜÙ×ÙÝÏÖÏ ÌÓÙÎßØ (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor (Energy) ××ËØßÏÖ ÎÎÏÒ (Energy) Reporters

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James Emejo in Abuja

(UNICEF) and a consultant, Ian C. Davies.

The minister, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Sufuyan Ojeifo, said that government would henceforth not only earmark money for development projects but also “eye-mark” the progress of work in the execution of such projects nationwide as

captured in the budget.

He explained that the intent of the, “eye-mark web app,” was to use geo-spatial technology to monitor the progress of all projects that are layered on the Nigerian map with the longitudes and latitudes of the projects clearly indicated.

According to him, whereas ministries, departments and

agencies were involved in their monitoring and evaluation, the national M & E would deploy the proposed solution in correlating evaluation claims and reports.

The minister said the country was big and therefore the web application will help to facilitate the process of robust and effective projects monitoring and

evaluation.

The application, according to the minister would serve as a platform where citizens could upload pictures/records on the progress of work regarding various projects in their jurisdictions in such a way that nobody can file in false or defective evaluation and monitoring reports/claims.

COURTESY VISIT

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (right) making a presentation to Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, when the director-general paid a courtesy visit to the governor at Alausa, Lagos…recently

…Distributes Free Inputs to Smallholder Farmers in Gombe James Emej and Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri has flagged-off yet another distribution of free agricultural inputs and quality seeds to smallholders farmers in Gombe State.

He said the move will enhance food and nutrition security, create more jobs for teaming Nigerian youths and boost dry-season farming.

While performing the exercise at Gombe, the minister said

the exercise was part of the mitigation measures against the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the flood disaster that wreaked havoc on farmlands.

Shehuri, also pointed out that the ministry would support breeder and foundation seed production and link up with the private seed companies to ensure that certified seeds are available to local farmers nationwide.

The minister maintained that improved rural infrastructure and other value chain support would invariably contribute to

the attainment of President Muhammau Buhari’s desire towards ensuring easy access to quality food and nutrition for Nigerians.

According to him: “The ministry has supported Gombe State with subsidised inputs with over 350 3HP and 30 7HP irrigation pumps, multipurpose threshers, over 70 motorized and dual powered sprayers amongst others.

“Under our World Bank assisted nutrition programme, we have provided multiple trainings and homestead farming input packages

including tomato, pepper, pawpaw among others in five local government areas in the state as well as irrigation kits designed to improve the household nutrition.”

He said: “The small holder farmers in the state will receive the following free inputs; 10,000 Gum Arabic Seedlings, 15MT of rice seed, 2.5 MT groundnut foundation seeds, 1,000 KG of Castor seeds, 1,500 KG of cashew nuts as well as Ratkin and Liptol – organic insecticides to combat army worm infestation and Equipment like water pumps, maize threshers among

others.

“So far, the ministry has performed similar exercise in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kogi, Oyo, Cross River and Imo states, with this being the 8th edition, assisting smallhohders farmers with quality inputs to ensure sustainable food security, job creation and revenue generation to grow the nation’s economy.”

He added that at least 35 per cent of the inputs are targeted at the women farmers, in line with the targets set in the national gender action plan and policies aimed at ensuring increased opportunities for women.

Akwa Ibom Woos Investors for Ibom Deep Sea Port Okon Bassey in Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State government has called on the United States of America and other investors to partner the state in the development of the Ibom Deep Seaport project.

The state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, made the call when the Chief of Political and Economic Affairs of the United States Consulate in Nigeria, Mr. Brandon Hudspeth visited him at Uyo. The governor who was

represented by his Deputy, Mr. Moses Ekpo, explained that, the seaport was conceptualised to become the flagship of the shipping industry in the continent.

The seaport, the governor said is strategically located and endowed with a natural draught and direct access to all parts of the world including the United States.

The United States, Emmanuel said have enjoyed a robust bilateral relationship with Nigeria since the nation’s independence, stressing that, huge investment

opportunities abound in the state for American investors to take advantage.

He told the US Envoy that, the peaceful ambience which the state offers, was the best in Nigeria for investors, urging the United States government to take advantage of the enormous business opportunities, especially in the Ibom Deep Seaport project that has gotten the federal government’s approval.

Emmanuel noted that, Exxon Mobil as an American company

was enjoying the state’s favourable ambience to carry out its operations in the state.

He urged the Consulate to encourage the oil major to relocate its headquarters to the state as a way of encouraging other international oil companies (IOCs).

The governor maintained that the state government has invested heavily in infrastructure that are compliant to global standards such as the 21-storey intelligent building.

According to the governor,

his administration remains people-oriented with strategic programmes meant to promote the well-being of the citizenry, thanking the US government for the initiative to visit the state, and promised its cooperation to enable the U.S. contribute its quota in this direction.

He used the opportunity to laud the American government for endorsing the candidature of Dr. Okonjo-Iwela for the position of the Director General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO.

Customs Evacuates 1,930 Smuggled Rice, Seizes N708m Contrabands Eromosele Abiodun

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has directed the Strike Force unit to invade warehouses and markets across the south-west for smuggled foreign rice and contrabands.

Speaking against the backdrop of the seizure of 1,930 bags of 50kg smuggled rice evacuated from various warehouses in Lagos and

Ogun states, the coordinator, CGC’s Strike Force, Zone A, Lagos, Deputy Compt.

Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, said the directive was to boost the local production of rice in the country.

Shuaibu, who lamented the high rate of cargoes that are falsely declared as machineries in order to evade Customs duty and levy, said the unit generated N708 million in the last two weeks.

According to him, 1,227 rolls of chiffon textiles materials, 18 pallets of perfumes, cosmetics and bags, 2,064 cartons of electric bulbs as well as 1,810 cartons of alcoholic and non-alcoholic wines were all seized and will be forfeited to the federal government.

He added: “1,930 bags of 50kg of foreign parboiled rice in two weeks. This is to ensure that the country is rid

of smuggled foreign parboiled rice as we have instructions of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) that markets and warehouses of smugglers should be raided and smuggled rice evacuated.”

He stated further that due to the heat from the unit, smugglers have found it difficult to move smuggled foreign rice from the border in large quality but in batches

through motorcycles also known as Okada but, we have restricted them and stopped their operations.”

Speaking on infraction, the strike force coordinator said: “We have various degrees of infractions on cargoes that were seized. Cargoes such as perfumes, non-alcoholic wines, electric bulbs, foot wears, bags and shoes that were falsely declared as machineries and washing machine.

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United Nigeria Airlines Secures AOC from NCAA Stories by Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued the United Nigeria Airlines an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) with number UNA/AOC/0121/961, after meeting the requirements as stated in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.

The AOC would be valid till January 31, 2023, when it would be expected the airline would renew it. With this, the new indigenous carrier is set to commence operations.

The airline is one of the few airlines on the line to secure AOC after the regulatory authority has adjudged them worthy and after meeting the stringent criteria, which include demonstration flights for

several hours.

AOC is a document issued by NCAA to show approval for an airline to commence flight services in Nigeria.

United Nigeria Airlines has earlier indicated that it would make Enugu its operational hub.

The document which was issued February 1, 2021 and signed by the Director General NCAA read,” This certificate certifies that United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited has been approved to perform commercial air operations, as defined in the attached operations.”

In January, United Nigeria Airlines carried out demonstration flights to show readiness to operate from Lagos to Enugu, Owerri and some other

airports with its Embraer E145s.

The new airline has also indicated that it would operate domestic flights from Enugu-Abuja-Enugu, Owerri-Abuja-Owerri, Enugu-Lagos-Enugu, Owerri-Lagos-Owerri, Abuja-Asaba-Abuja, Port Harcourt-Lagos-Port Harcourt, Port HarcourtAbuja-Port Harcourt.

Despite the devastation of COVID-19 and subsequent gloomy air travel market, some entrepreneurs are still investing in airline business, looking at the future.

Industry observers while congratulating the airline, pointed out that the air travel market is tepid and therefore needs good strategy and resilience to survive.

Outrage over Emirates’ Rapid Antigen Test

Emirates Airplane Chinedu Eze

IATA Offers Free Training to Former Cabin Crew Personnel The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is offering an online training course to help laid-off airline cabin crew members re-enter the job market.

The body said this would be offered free of charge for those who register between February 9th and 23rd, 2021.

IATA said a survey of 800 cabin crew who have lost their jobs in the crisis found that 78 per cent wanted help to identify skills that could enable them to transfer into other roles.

The three-hour Cabin Crew – Leveraging Professional Skills course was developed with input from former crew members to

meet this need by enabling crew to enhance, promote and recognize professional skills that could be leveraged in other jobs.

Additionally, crew will learn practical tips for preparing for the job application process and will have an opportunity to learn from the experience of colleagues that have already transitioned to other roles outside the industry.

“Tens of thousands of crew members have lost their jobs in this crisis. This offering is a salute to their service to the industry.

“We hope to welcome them back to aviation, but for now many will need to seek opportunities to earn a

livelihood in other sectors.

“Fortunately, they have the skills to make the transition. Applying IATA’s training expertise, we will help them to present these skills to potential employers,” said IATA’s Director of Training, Stéphanie Siouffi.

IATA is proud to offer this as part of an ongoing #WeAreAviation campaign, in solidarity with the dedicated and passionate people who make up the aviation sector around the world.

“Prior to the crisis, IATA trained some 100,000 aviation professionals annually from around the world in critical skills to build their careers.”

‘Despite Huge Losses, US Airlines are Rolling in Cash’ Chinedu Eze with agency report American Airlines (AAL), Delta (DAL), United (UAL) and Southwest (LUV) recorded $31.5 billion in cash on their balance sheets at the end of 2020.

That was up from $13 billion a year earlier, before the pandemic hit.

“Liquidity” has become a favorite buzzword of airline executives discussing their financial condition. Including the cash and yet untapped credit lines, the airlines have access to nearly $65 billion, CNN reported.

“The liquidity is at record levels,” said Philip Baggaley, chief credit analyst for the airline industry at Standard & Poor’s.

“That’s good, and it’s one of the few strong points they have at this point.”

According to CNN, the airlines received substantial financial help from the federal government, but most of that money was required

to be spent keeping staff on payrolls temporarily.

The lion’s share of the borrowing and cash, then, came from banks and Wall Street. Like a struggling family flooded with credit card offers, the airlines have a lot of people eager to give them cash.

The airlines have sold bonds, borrowed money, mortgaged their planes, frequent flyer programs and other assets, and even sold additional shares of stock, a highly unusual move for an industry in this position.

The borrowing has added about $40 billion in longterm debt to the balance sheets of the nation’s airlines.

“I think the general feeling is they’re wounded but they’re going to make it,” said Baggaley.

The low interest rate environment has helped the airlines, as investors and banks looking for yields have been willing to lend to the airlines, he added. All the carriers except

South-west have junk bond credit ratings.

They have also made deep cost cuts, even with government help that prevented them from making permanent, involuntary job cuts.

The airlines used buyouts and early retirement to cut about 16 per cent of the staff they had at the start of 2021.

In recent weeks, American and United sent out layoff notices to 27,000 employees between them, saying they could again be furloughed unless there is a third round of government assistance before April 1. Many of those employees had been laid off in October when the first round of federal payroll support ran out, and were called back to work in December when the second Covid-19 relief package provided an additional $17 billion to the industry. Last week, airline unions were back on Capitol Hill appealing for another round of help to keep their members employed.

Last week Emirates Airlines had a spat with the federal government over its plan to introduce COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RDT) for passengers to be administered four hours before take-off of their flight.

The federal government in response banned and unbanned the airline within 24 hours and since then Emirates has cancelled all its Lagos-Dubai and Abuja-Dubai flights with no indication of when the cancellation would end.

This antigen test was in addition to the PTFCOVID-19 approved 72 hours coronavirus test for international passengers leaving the country.

Emirates made it known in statement that it would embark on RDT test from February 1, 2021 for all its Nigerian passengers to Dubai and at the same time announced that there would be no more transit passengers to Dubai by other airlines.

The airline said it was submitting to the directive of the UAE authorities that decisively wished to ensure that nobody with COVID-19 case is allowed into the country.

But on February 4, 2021, the federal government through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) banned the airlines outbound flights and allowed its inbound flights, giving it 72 hours to rescind its decision on RDT tests on passengers leaving the country.

Government argued that the airline would not embark on such test until Nigeria was able to provide the necessary infrastructure for the test to take place.

But NCAA later issued another statement, indicating that Emirates had accepted to drop the RDT test, which prompted the regulatory authority to lift the ban.

But since the ban was lifted, Emirates has cancelled all its flights from Lagos and Abuja to Dubai and it issued a statement to that effect, saying that the cancellation would continue till further notice; thus indicating that it does not know when it would start airlifting Nigerians to Dubai.

President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Susan Akporiaye told THISDAY that in as much as Emirates wanted to prevent travellers with COVID-19 cases from getting into Dubai, it also wanted to use that opportunity to cut down competition from other airlines.

She said Emirates is an airline known for its professionalism, noting that the idea of RDT was not well thought out by the airline before its implementation.

“If you look at that decision, you might want to say that they are using it to take care of their competitors. Because I have information that some other airlines have approached the UAE authorities and demanded to also conduct the antigen test.

“For instance, I spoke to the country manager of Ethiopian Airlines, and I was told that they approached the UAE government and requested they be allowed to conduct the same antigen process at Addis Ababa, but they said no, totally stopping them. It is the same with Egypt Air.

Sirika “So, the airline made it look as if they are using this COVID-19 to get rid of their competitors, although I don’t want to believe that is the case. But if you look at the indices, that’s the way it looks like, because if that’s not the case, then you shouldn’t stop other airlines from conducting the antigen test,” she said.

She also noted that by cancelling its flights after the federal government had lifted the ban against the airline, Emirates made Nigerian government to blink first and now wants to have the last laugh.

However, travel expert and organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Ikechi Uko, noted that Emirates and the UAE authorities really wanted to ensure that there were no more COVID-19 cases in Dubai and had taken such drastic measure with RDT. Uko remarked that Emirates had good intentions but its approach was wrong and that was why the federal government misunderstood its intentions, seeing it as a strategy to dominate the market.

“There is trouble in Dubai on issues concerning COVID-19 and that was why the UAE authorities took that measure, but the way Emirates approached the matter to Nigeria made the federal government misinterpret the airline’s intentions. UAE has the right to carry out its COVID-19 protocols but they cannot determine for Nigeria how she would carry out its own protocol,” Uko said.

THISDAY learnt that the European Union has also banned Emirates from bringing inbound passengers to destinations in the region, while UK authorities allowed the airline to take outbound passengers but banned it from bringing passengers to the country.

But spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye told THISDAY that Emirates perceived aloofness is because Nigeria does not have strong and big airlines that could compete effectively with it on the Nigerian route; that if Nigeria has a national carrier or if the existing airlines grow big and strong to compete effectively with foreign carriers, Emirates would not so dominate the market.

“But they cannot afford to ignore Nigeria for long because I know the millions of dollars they make from our country,” Adurogboye said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Akporiaye: Vaccination Will Spur Recovery from COVID-19

President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, in this interview, says the COVID-19 vaccine will be instrumental to the rebound of the global air travel market. Chinedu Eze brings the excerpts:

W

hat is your projection for this year and how is COVID-19 going to affect the air travel?

My projection, even though personality, I love to be positive, but looking at the indices of what is going on. Actually, we are still very much in the pandemic and nothing is going to happen. The second wave has started and we are hearing it is bringing about lockdowns in some countries; even though not total lockdown. In fact, I don’t see any country going into a total lockdown again. I mean, no country can survive a 100 per cent lockdown like they did before. This is because they know how much their economy suffered during the first lockdown. You know, when the second variant of the virus was discovered, a lot of people started calling on the government to shut down our borders; that they should not allow it to enter the country. And when I heard about it, I was like, this people don’t realize what they’re saying. The government will not do a total shut down because they know what they suffered, especially our own government.

Maybe governments in some developed world could do because their citizens won’t mind a shutdown. They were well taken care of during the first shutdown, they were paying them on a monthly basis, so the citizens won’t mind.

But the government can’t afford it a second time, because they know what happened to them the first time.

This pandemic has made almost all governments of the world to go into serious debt.

Our own cannot do as much as the developed worlds are doing. So the only thing is what the government is doing presently, and governments of other worlds are doing, nobody is doing a total shut down. They’re just re-evaluating, and introducing measures, more restrictions and control measures to make sure it’s been managed properly now unlike before. Now, for us in the industry, it is still going to be tough days ahead unfortunately, as much as I want to, it’s going be very tough days ahead of us.

Emirates Airlines was banned by the federal government for introducing Rapid Antigen Test (RDT) for passengers, who must undergo the test four hours before their flights, without recourse to government, only to lift the ban within 24 hours when Emirates suspended the test, but the airline has cancelled its outbound flight since then. What is your response to government’s action?

Oh, yes I support government’s action totally, I actually regret why they even unbanned them. If it were I, I wouldn’t have lifted that suspension. They were placed on suspension and I’m sure a lot of discussions had taken place between the two countries before the suspension was lifted. Now, the suspension has been lifted but they still refused to carry Nigerians to Dubai.

Now, it’s like telling Nigeria that they have the last laugh, because our suspension was giving us the upper hand. We are having the last laugh. But they came and said, okay, they were suspending the antigen test because that’s what our government wanted. Our government was not really against their regulation; they are saying that if you are introducing a regulation that will need us to put infrastructures in place, you need to give us time to do that. And they agreed that it was okay. They will give the Nigerian government time to put facilities in place so they will suspend the test for now. Then that made our government to lift the suspension.

And our government lifted the suspension and they still refused to carry Nigerians till today. They sent emails out there to all of us; they said until further notice, all their flights are canceled. And I’m like; you see I wish our government had backed down, because now they are having the last laugh.

lives. If you ask me, I believe strongly that is the reason why the government is investing in it. This is because whether you travel or not people are dying on a daily basis. So, let’s save lives first, if we save lives, and our cases reduce drastically to zero, because of the vaccine, WHO, will have no choice, but to come and say what are you people doing that your cases have reduced?

Apparently that means that it is working.

If it’s working, then that means it is good, send us samples and let’s evaluate. So, result speaks louder. So, that’s what we should be focused on first, even though I would prefer for it to be accepted almost immediately so that people can travel, because when people travel it is then I can make money. But we are also very concerned about the lives of Nigerians because it is those that are alive that can travel. So, our primary focus first of all; if our vaccine succeeds and it comes out, let us save the lives of Nigerians. Let’s use it, our cases reduce to the barest minimum until we become zero, then the world will come looking for us to ask us what we are doing.

Akporiaye So it’s like they wanted to make sure that they were in charge of their decisions. And I see it as a mockery. You got us to lift the suspension, we lifted the suspension, and you still refused to carry Nigerians. That’s just mocking us.

You spoke earlier that travel has not been fully restored. I want you to explain the rigour of COVID-19 tests and the traffic figures; how it is going to be affected because of these tests?

The rigour of the test is actually slowing down travel. People are just traveling now out of necessity. This is because it’s not pleasant. You first of all, do the 72 hours tests in Nigeria, before you go anywhere.

Depending on the rule of the country you are going to, on arrival, you do another test.

Then when you finish, when you’re coming, you will do a test before coming to Nigeria.

So, you do a minimum of four tests basically, while some people might even be five tests or a minimum of four tests. And we all know each of those tests in Nigeria is about N50, 000. Over there, there are different rates, but it ranges within N50, 000 if you convert it, it comes to the same thing. So, somebody is already spending N200, 000 for COVID-19 test alone, not to talk of the tickets price.

So, you see why I said it has to be a necessity before you travel because buying your ticket is not enough. You must make sure you have another N200, 000 to do all the various tests. Apart from the cost of the tests, the discomfort of the test, like I said, going through the hassle of getting the specimen is not funny and like I reported before, a

client of mine started having bleeding in the nose after she finished the four rounds of tests. And she was like; she’s not going anywhere, anytime soon. So, she said if she were not taking her daughter to school for the first time, she wouldn’t have done that.

And that she would not do it again, that she’s not traveling again, she doesn’t even want to hear traveling. And there are many more like that. So, vaccine is still the way for recovery in the industry.

You trained as a medical practitioner, although you are in travel business. Now, you talk about Nigeria having her own vaccine, do you think it will be accepted?

Because of international bureaucracy, I understand that. Once we are able to come up with our vaccine, and it’s been tested and retested, and confirmed, we’ll present it to World Health Organisation (WHO). They also have to evaluate it for it to be internationally accepted. But you know, it is not only for travels that we need to produce our own vaccine. If we produce our vaccine it would save lives of Nigerians. So, pending when the WHO will do their analysis, when our vaccine comes out, they will do the normal analysis, if it passes their tests, then they will come out and recognise that the vaccine produced in Nigeria is accepted because we have tested it.

But pending when all that is done; if we have done our own vaccine, our medical doctors will have to now go and defend the vaccine with the WHO. But while they’re doing their international bureaucracy, whether they want to accept it, or they don’t want to accept it, but the primary reason for the vaccine is to save

This pandemic has made almost all governments of the world to go into serious debt. Our own cannot do as much as the developed worlds are doing

Travel agents make money from outbound travel, and all these years, domestic tourism remains underdeveloped, there are so many reasons to attribute to it, it is even worse now because of insecurity. But when you look back, do you think more ought to have done to develop tourism in the country?

Oh, yes. I’ve always been a firm believer in domestic tourism, sincerely. When I came in, part of the activities we did during the lockdown, I told my members that we’re not going anywhere, we are all at home, at least let’s get busy. Let everybody do a short video, I called it the ‘tourism challenge’.

Do a short video, introduce yourself, your company, where you’re from, and talk about the tourism opportunities in your states. We’ll do the video, we are archiving our live videos.

Once you do it, send it to NANTA, and we will archive it in our library. And before you send it to us, you will post it on your social media handles, Facebook, Instagram and everywhere. We shall come in when you send it to us and NANTA will also blast it.

So, everybody got busy and doing different videos of their states all because we’re trying to push domestic tourism out there.

The challenges of domestic tourism is numerous, it did not start now. But we’re doing our own bit; it is not all the tourist locations in Nigeria that are unsafe. I know insecurity is a big challenge but it’s not all of them. So, why don’t we just work with the ones that are safe for now; especially now that we cannot even travel out? But the truth is that travel agents are still the highest sellers of domestic tourism. Member of NANTA are still the highest sellers of domestic tourism.

This is because our tourism is two pronged.

What we travel agency do with our partners outside the country is, we do trade by barter, a lot of us. You want me to bring people; you too bring people to me. So, travel agents have been involved in domestic tourism a long time. Even with all the issues, we’ve been doing our own bit, it’s just that we make more money for the one that we do outside the country than the domestic because a lot of factors are involved.

Number one, our hotels are on the high side and it’s not their fault, it is infrastructure, no light, they have to run generator, all those things. So, the price of the hotel is high. Two, each time you have tourists; you have to have extra security that moves along with you, so that is cost. There are some other things you have to put in place. So, that puts our domestic tourism on the higher side. But over there, those challenges are not there. So, it’s usually a whole lot more cheaply, and if it is less pricy, it gives you opportunity to make more money than when it costs more. And you also make more money selling your local tourism to foreigners not to Nigerians.

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NCS’ FOU Intercepts N30bn Rice, Others at Seme, Idiroko Borders Stories by Eromosele Abiodun One month after the federal government re-opened the land borders for economic activities, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it intercepted foreign parboiled rice, used vehicles, textiles materials as well as Indian hemp worth over N30billion smuggled into the country from Benin Republic.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos, the acting Customs

Area Controller, FOU, Zone A, Compt. Usman Yahaya, said the contrabands were intercepted between January 1 2021 and Tuesday.

However, insider sources revealed that the seized items came in through the porous border points manned by Seme, Idiroko and Oyo/Osun command of the NCS. Also intercepted, he added, were fake and unregistered pharmaceuticals that worth N51 million along Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State as well as Indian hemp smuggled from Ghana

to Iseyin in Oyo state.

“After the opening of Seme border by the fedeal government, the smugglers thought they could cash on it to perpetrate their evil act, but the unit left them with heavy loses as evidenced in the seizures,” he said.

Giving account of the seizures, he said a total of 142,677 seizures of different items were intercepted even as he vowed never to relent in making the environment

unconducive for smugglers.

He added: “A quick glance at the period under review, the Unit intercepted and seized a total of 142,677 seizures of different items. 41,652 bags of 50kg smuggled parboiled rice from Idiroko, Ipokia, imeko, iseyin, igbo-ora and Seme; 1,356 bags of 25kg smuggled parboiled rice; 4,529kg of Indian hemp smuggled from Ghana to Islington in Oyo State worth N710million.

“Others are, 66 packs of Tra-

madol and other unregistered phamaciticals products; 5,849 cartons of fake drugs; 266 units of means of conveyance and 218 used vehicles.

“We also intercepted 1,660 bales of textiles materials; 2,152 kegs of 25kg vegetable oil falsely declared at the other at the seaport of Apapa and Tin-Can Island port and 6,985 cartons of frozen poultry products, and 985 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) were seized.”

The CAC who said he arrested 44 suspected smugglers advised economic saboteurs to await harder times adding that, “We arrest 44 suspects in connection with the seizures but as a Unit, we will continue to re-strategise to ensure that smugglers don’t have a hiding place.

Instead of incurring losses, I will advise smugglers to embrace legitimate business and become responsible citizens.”

Bala-Usman Assures Nigerians of Smooth Implementation of Trucks’ e-Call Up As stakeholders in the maritime industry await the take-off of the truck electronic call-up system to be deployed by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Managing Director of the NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, has assured port users that the irresponsible parking of trucks on the port access roads would soon be a thing of the past.

The NPA MD gave the assurance after leading a stakeholders’ facility assessment audit of the Truck Transit Park (TTP) at Lilypond, Ijora – Lagos.

The tour of the park facility was to ascertain the degree of preparedness towards the formal take-off of the e-call up system later in the month.

The NPA boss reiterated that the truck electronic call-up system, which is being powered by a web application called “Eto”, would put an end to the perennial logjam caused by articulated trucks within the port corridor.

According to her, “it is critical

we put an end to the intractable Apapa traffic to restore sanity to cargo operations at our ports in Lagos.”

Bala-Usman stated that the web application (Eto) will enthrone transparency, orderliness to truck movement as scheduling is done automatically - on first come, first serve, basis.

She commended TTP Limited for the renovations carried out at the Lilypond Truck Transit Park facility.

On their part, TTP Limited Management led by the Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Temidayo Adeboye, assured truck owners and drivers of quality service delivery at the facility. He later demonstrated the functionality of the Eto app -to the delight of the visiting delegation.

NPA management had earlier solicited the co-operation of stakeholders on the roll out of Eto, designed to complement the drive for a business friendly and secured environment for port business in Nigeria.

Ports & Cargo Terminal Targets 300,000 TEU Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, a subsidiary of SIFAX Group and concessionaire of Terminal C, Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, has set a target of 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) in 2021.

According to the Managing Director, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, Mr John Jenkins, the target, though ambitious, is achievable in view of its impressive 2020 performance, despite the myriads of challenges that the maritime sector confronted in 2020.

“In 2020, the terminal recorded an increase of 12,153 TEUs to cap at 242,195 TEUs as against 2019’s figure of 230,042 TEUs. The full import figure rose from 109,367 TEUs in 2019 to 122,243 TEUs while the export of empty containers also witnessed an increase from 94,041 TEUs in 2019 to 96, 605 TEUs in 2020. It, however, recorded a decline in its full export as it saw a drop from the 2019 figure of 26,634 TEUs to 23,347 – a difference of 3,287.

“Despite the harsh business terrain occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, terrible state of the port access roads

and some other hurdles, the terminal still recorded this impressive performance.

This is due to proactive business strategy, committed staff, supportive leadership and loyal clients,” Jenkins said Jenkins further explained that in order to boost the terminal’s efficiency, barge operation was given utmost priority with the creation of two dedicated points at the quayside where the barges load and offload with dedicated cranes. He noted that the barge operation has helped in the decongestion of the terminal.

He added: “We now achieve a minimum of 8,000 TEUs for our barge operations on a monthly basis. This has greatly improved the terminal’s business offerings and bring great relief to our customers who have had to endure the biting consequence of port congestion primarily caused by poor access roads and the ongoing road construction.”

Jenkins stated that with all the strategies and modern equipment put in place at the terminal, the company would meet the target of 300,000 TEUs set for itself in 2021.

MOU SIGNING

L-R: Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Nugi Technologies Limited, Mr. Ibi Mbofo; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Augustine Ugi; President/CEO, Rock Results Group Nig. Ltd, Mr. Ifeanyi Clement Okorie and Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mr. Chris Okegbe Eze, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between both companies in Lagos...recently

COVID-19: Akinola Urges FG to Prioritise Vaccination of Seafarers, Dockworkers The federal government has been called upon to prioritise access to COVID-19 vaccination for Nigerian seafarers and dockworkers.

Spokesman of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Dr. Bolaji Akinola, who made the call in a statement in Lagos, said seafarers and port workers have been designated as essential workers by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

He said priority vaccination for these category of maritime workers will ensure sustenance

of the logistics chain.

“Seafarers and dockworkers are under-recognised, under-publicised and unsung economic heroes despite their significant contribution to keeping our nation afloat during the economic dislocation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is therefore imperative to ensure continuity of the maritime workforce through the continuous provision of protective health supplies, rapid testing supplies and priority access to vaccination.

“Ensuring priority access to COVID-19 vaccines to these

critical maritime workers is vital to keeping the supply chain active. If our seafarers and port workers are unprotected, the supply chain will become vulnerable, “Akinola said.

The STOAN spokesman also said contrary to insinuations in certain quarters, Nigeria has abundant logistics capacity to transport and store the COVID-19 vaccines at the required temperature.

“We have abundant refrigerated containers, also called reefer containers, for the transportation and temporary storage of temperature-sensitive

cargo including vaccines. These refrigerated containers are capable of controlling temperature ranging from -65 °C up to 40 °C. Reefer containers allow the transportation of cargo in a way that preserves its freshness and efficacy all year round,” he added.

Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said a total of 16 million AstraZeneca doses of COVID-19 vaccines out of the 88 million allocated to Africa will soon arrive Nigeria.

WHO said it is supporting all countries to access vaccines as quickly as possible.

‘Belgian Investors Watching Nigeria’s Maritime Transport Policy Closely’ The National Maritime Transport Policy being developed by Nigeria is of interest in Belgium for windows of investment opportunity, the Executive Officers of the Port of Antwerp International have said.

They stated this in Lagos during a meeting with Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh.

The visiting team of executives from the Port of Antwerp International had sought audience with the NIMASA DG to follow up investment interests in Nigeria.

The Managing Director of APEC-Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Centre and Port of Antwerp International, Mr. Kristof Waterschoot, and Director at Port of Antwerp International,

Mr. Mario Lievens, said they were also in Nigeria to promote new partnership opportunities, especially in the area of training.

Waterschoot and Lievens, who hosted Jamoh at the Nigerian Belgian Chamber of Commerce, Onikan, Lagos, said their mission was to discuss projects of interest, including inland ports, and to strengthen the relationship between the Port of Antwerp and NIMASA, particularly in the areas of training, technical support, and cooperation.

They noted Nigeria’s proposed National Maritime Transport Policy, saying it was being watched to see how Belgium could come in with investments, when it becomes effective.

“We believe in Nigeria,” said Waterschoot, who observed that

the business climate in Nigeria could be difficult, but there was hardly any country without its peculiar difficulties.

A National Maritime Transport Policy is in the works in Nigeria as part of the government’s effort to develop maritime infrastructure and diversify the oil-dependent economy. Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, told a recent stakeholders’ validation forum on the draft policy that the policy, when approved, would lead to improved Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow and enhance the ability of the Nigerian maritime sector to compete at the international level.

In his speech, Jamoh said there were huge opportunities for investment in wreck removal

and recycling, stressing that the federal government is planning a coordinated wreck removal policy to drive investment in the area.

Jamoh praised the long-standing diplomatic and economic relationship between Nigeria and Belgium. He highlighted the federal government’s abiding interest in diversifying the economy, saying the development of maritime infrastructure is part of the government’s economic diversification drive.

Jamoh stated: “The National Maritime Transport Policy, which is being developed, is part of a wider agenda purposed to build alternatives to oil. The maritime sector is consciously being opened for investment by local and foreign investors to build a sustainable blue economy.

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Soludo, Wigwe, Maduka Others to Mentor Anambra Youths David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe and Chief Executive Officer of Coscharis Group, Mr. Cosmas Maduka are among Nigerian business elites who will mentor Anambra youths in a masterclass programme today.

Stanley Uzochukwu, Chairman of Stanel World and organizer of the programme entitled: ‘Stanel Youth Empowerment Masterclass,’ told THISDAY in an interview that the event was designed to mentor young people towards

starting up businesses and also sustaining them.

He said youths from all over the state have been invited and would besides being tutored by some of the best brains in the country, would also stand chances of being empowered to start their businesses.

“Stanel Youths Empowerment Master Class is all about our youths. It is about our states, and of course, it is about our great Nation, Nigeria. The event is about remolding our youths and taking off their minds from crimes and criminalities and make them live their dreams via empowerment.

“It is the third edition.

Nigerian Political and business

leaders are already storming Awka to engage the youths.

This time, I have introduced my personal empowerment grant into the event. As a youth, doing all of these for my fellow youths make me living fulfilled.

“It is a 3-day event; starting with the ‘Stanel Youth Empowerment Master Class’ on Friday; ‘Stanel Concert’ follows on Saturday and, of course, on Sunday being Valentine’s Day, we will wrap it up with ‘The Love Affairs.”

Uzochukwu, said other speakers expected to mentor youths at the event include Prof.

Pat Utomi and the chairman of Air Peace, Dr Allen Onyema, among others.

Visa, GIG Logistics Partner on e-Commerce Hamid Ayodeji Visa has announced a partnership with logistics provider, GIG Logistics (GIGL), which is aimed at introducing a special e-Commerce tariff for MSMEs. The collaboration allows merchants who have signed up on the Visa Small Business Hub access to a discounted tariff plan for their logistics needs with the logistics service provider.

Commenting on the partnership, in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, Vice President, Visa West Africa, Kemi Okusanya, affirmed Visa’s role as a payment enabler

and its continued efforts in supporting the recovery and sustainable growth of MSMEs during the nation’s economic recovery.

“Visa has continuously shown its support in the recovery of African economies, through strategic partnerships to help reposition small businesses for improved growth and recovery.

“Our partnership with GIGL seeks to further provide a platform for business owners to enjoy discounted offers to better serve the everyday consumer.

“GIGL continues to validate unflinching support for digital commerce merchants and

MSMES by solving the most critical factor with online and offline sales, which is delivery to the end user,” she stated.

On her part, Merchant Support and Growth Manager, GIG Logistics Mosun Suleiman said, “powering decentralised commerce and providing adequate support for MSMEs through initiatives and strategic partnerships are integral parts of our business culture and we are committed to building practical solutions that simplify logistics by providing timely, cost efficient and effective deliveries while returning best value to all stakeholders.”

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 07010510430

The Unforced Rhythms of Nancy Isime

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The Unforced Rhythms of Nancy Isime Last year was many things to different people, but for the model, actress and TV host Nancy Isime, it was the year she finally found her wings and now lives on her terms, writesVanessa Obioha

N

othing about the career trajectory of TV host, model and actress Nancy Isime was deliberately planned. The ideal plan was to get a nine to five job, travel to Canada, get a degree and probably end up somewhere in the corporate world. But by age 17, Isime was on her journey to stardom. She modelled, gained an opportunity to tax her acting skills, became a TV host and now has her own TV show. None of this was achieved through forceful ambition. Rather, the Edo state indigene gracefully went through life journey to experience growth.

“I never ever anticipated that someday Nancy would be the person everyone knows,” she said over a glass of wine in her home recently.

“People know me by my first and last name.

I never honestly anticipated that which is what makes it even more beautiful. The fact that people know me for my work. They don’t know me because of who I’m dating, or some scandalous story, or who I was shading, or because of my wonderful loud mouth or anything else that has to do with some of the stereotypes that people think these days or a reality TV show. They know me basically because of my work as a TV host and as an actor. So, that for me is what makes everything so beautiful,” she said, her eyes twinkling with elation.

Not one to greedily pursue an ambition, the young bubbly actress explained further that all her endeavours were achieved through an unforced rhythm.

“Nothing you see today about Nancy Isime is forced. Everything has gone through a flow process. I’ve never said, ‘Oh, I must be a famous actress.’ Everything has happened through a gradual growth process which is so beautiful.

Because you can see these things happen. I’ve been working since I was 17. And I’m only probably getting some kind of recognition between last year,” she said almost in disbelief.

“I like to preach to people to just go through their unique journey of life. Trying to force things sometimes might not work out. But that does not mean that you should take the backseat. Put in the work but allow things to flow.”

Despite her pockets of success over the years, last year was arguably the time Isime came into full bloom. In her words, she discovered the woman she was meant to be.

“2020 was a good year for me. I feel this way because of the growth in my career I experienced. The pandemic affected everybody, my industry, my show was supposed to return last year, everything was generally slow. I had so many challenges but I learned from these challenges. I grew from them. I don’t see challenges as bad, I just see it as an opportunity to level up.

“I just got to a point in my life where I was ready to go through all of the challenges. I didn’t care. I was going to push through, no matter what but still, let things flow. 2020 was a year I discovered self-awareness, self-realisation, and self-love. When you are aware of who you are, you know your limits, you know what you want, you know what is necessary because you’re in touch with yourself.”

By now, you must be familiar with her name.

You must have seen her in Nollywood movies, including the recent Nollywood blockbuster ‘Omo Ghetto’. Maybe you recognise her as the host of the 2019 Headies Award or the presenter of Africa Magic lifestyle show ‘Jollof With Me’. Perhaps, you easily distinguish her in a crowd by her signature look: a white-dyed low-cut hair with a distinct curve. Her body is moulded to an enviable height and shape such that most of her fans consider her a goddess.

Isime

But the 29-year-old never considered herself beautiful while growing up.

“My dad first shaved my hair and I felt like an ugly child,” she said almost in repulsion.

“People around tell me I’m beautiful but I never accepted that. That’s the thing with self-love and realisation. You will never feel beautiful until you tell yourself you are, even if everyone says you are, you will see it as a lie.”

Isime has many childhood memories, including the untimely death of her late mother. She died in a road accident and was not discovered on time due to the unavailability of mobile phones at the time. Her death left a void in Isime’s life that even adults around her could not comprehend.

Depression nearly took her life at a young age of 10. The insensitivity of adults to children’s pain made her develop an uncanny proclivity towards the affairs of children.

“I love children so much. People don’t understand how smart children are, how sensitive they are. They think that children don’t know what is happening around them, particularly when a loved one dies. If we really want to change the world, we must start with the children and show them kindness because most adults already had their minds cast in stones.”

Since her 21st birthday, Isime marks her birthday with children. It could be a visit to the paediatric ward in Lagos University

Teaching Hospital (LUTH) or a gathering at a foundation. The children are showered with gifts. Sometimes, she extends her benevolence to their tuition bills. All of these are kept away from the media space.

There are few rules Isime live by. First, she is a loner because “It keeps you away from the drama and allows you to focus on your journey. I really enjoy being alone, and if you love and care about me, you’ll understand this part about me. You will understand that I’m more creative, happier and at peace with myself. Yes, I can accommodate everybody else that I love and care about, but don’t expect to be frontline in my life. I come first,” she stressed.

Secondly, saying ‘no’ is not an uphill task. “You can’t drag me out of my house if I don’t want to come out of my house.

People find it hard to say ‘no’. I have no difficulty at all,” she stated firmly.

Thirdly, she is not interested in people’s potential but who they are. “I don’t take people for who they can be. I don’t tolerate it. Show me who you are then I will decide if I can accept it or not.”

As she basks in her new self-discovery, Isime is excited that the new year would see her show return to the small screen. Initially scheduled for 2020, the second season of The Nancy Isime Show was postponed due to

the unprecedented pandemic. However, it allowed her to return to the drawing board, make changes and ensure that the second season would be of the best quality and more entertaining. Already, fans can expect to see celebrity guests such as music producer Don Jazzy, Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw, female music stars Omawumi and Waje on the show.

For Isime, her show is one vision of hers that excites her. An avid viewer of American talk shows such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Wendy Williams Show, the TV host disclosed that the idea to have a talk show incubated in her mind in 2017. She started fleshing it out in 2018 and by 2019, the idea became a reality. She prides herself that the Nigerian TV landscape hardly boasts of shows like hers. The dearth of talk shows on Nigerian TV can be attributed to many factors but for Isime, the most critical is the shifting consumption habits.

“People hardly watch TV nowadays because of the internet. There is YouTube, Netflix, and so many digital platforms. But there are certain shows like mine that are meant for TV. Not for YouTube. It almost seems like the TV culture is dying but it will surely pick up.”

With the return of her show scheduled for February, Isime is ready to have a good time with her fans, including you!

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Expert Advocates Unified Voice for Improved Funeral Insurance Policy

Moments at Joe Erico Memorial Games Night

Stories by Mary Nnah Olumuyiwa Onikoyi, the director of MO Funerals International, a professionally established funeral manager/ funeral service provider in Lagos, has advocated for creation of a unified voice in the funeral industry which can push a united cause that is favourable to Nigerian government and all stakeholders on funeral insurance policy.

The London-certified funeral director noted that creating an association for funeral directors in Nigeria will result in a win-win situation for the government, insurance brokers, Nigerians and the directors.

Onikoyi emphasised the importance of funeral insurance policy to include less financial and logistics burdens on the relatives of deceased; ease of doing funeral business; cutting the red tape to give way to modern approaches and reduce risks amongst other benefits.

“To create an enabling environment for funeral directors, the main issue is identifying the strategies which the government will push out.

“In Nigeria currently, we don’t have a unified funeral directing association which is very important if we want to have headway and gain the government’s attention.

“All funeral directors need to have one unified voice that will stand and push the cause of the industry across to the government”, he said.

He also stated that livestream coverage during funeral services is gaining prominence considering the impact of the pandemic lockdown amidst other changes, an encouragement for MO Funerals International who has prior plans to venture into broadcasting on radio transmitters as a means of contributing to social distancing.

“MO Funerals International has received a lot of success in the areas of livestreams during funeral services. We intend get-

Stakeholders at Joe Erico Memorial Games Night

Olumuyiwa Onikoyi

ting into broadcasting burial services on AM/FM transmitters so people don’t have to get out of their cars”.

Onikoyi, a Master’s Degree holder in Information Security and Computer Forensics from University of East London, MPhil in Cyber security and BSc in Computing Information System from Goldsmith College, University of London revealed that COVID-19 has effected diverse changes in the industry.

With the availability of the webpage, it has become easy to engage clients and complete all pre-arrangements virtually.

He further expressed surprise at African system not embracing cremation, especially considering the changes which the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to funeral services.

With offices in the UK and South Africa, he revealed that most of the MO Funerals International committed employees

had to work from home in compliance with COVID-19 regulations to ensure efficient delivery of services.

He added that the pandemic played a significant role in the recent upsurge witnessed in the funereal industry.

“When the pandemic hit, it gave a chance for the industry to thrive, because we were going to be there, no matter what we had to go through to be able to serve our communities”, he added.

He further added that the idea to venture into the industry came to form when he travelled abroad, though he grew up as a member of Boy’s Brigade.

As a Senior Project Manager at the Ministry of Defence in the UK where he was the focal point for bereaved fallen officers, the experience gained and moments shared propelled him to engage in the funereal industry.

“Seeking to promote onestop funeral directing business in Nigeria, my role as a managing partner is to provide a memorable experience for the deceased’s family to reflect the celebration of their life style even in death via phone or face to face, as well as to build customer loyalty by leveraging interpersonal skills and offering top customer service to our numerous client during the most difficult time of losing their love ones.

“With over 10 years of professional experience in dealing with bereavement across multi-cultural ethnicity around the globe and Nigeria in particular, these tasks often entail the embalming and burial or cremation of the dead, as well as the arrangements for the funeral ceremony although not the directing and conducting of the funeral itself unless clergies are not present.”

SonyPicturesTelevisionAnnouncesExclusiveFirstLookDealwithEbonylife Sony Pictures Television’s (“SPT”) international production division has announced an exclusive first look deal with EbonyLife Media, Nigeria’s premium media conglomerate.

The deal sees SPT get the exclusive first look on all new EbonyLife-controlled scripted television projects created, originated, or developed by or for EbonyLife and intended for global audiences.

EbonyLife Media, which includes EbonyLife TV, EbonyLife Films, and EbonyLife Studios, believes in creating original and inspiring content that showcases a pioneering and progressive Africa.

The content is strongly rooted in Africa and connected to a global audience, through a shared identity and common values. EbonyLife Media’s vision is to be the most influential storyteller of a new Africa.

Chief Executive Office, EbonyLife Media, Mo Abudu, said, “It’s been an absolute

Mo Abudu

pleasure working with Sony Pictures Television over the last few years, and we are so pleased to be deepening our partnership with them.

“Taking African storytell-

ing to global audiences is something we are very passionate about, and this new opportunity with Sony gives us a chance to reach massive audiences worldwide with

our scripted TV series. So get ready - we are coming to entertain and thrill you!

“We are delighted to be broadening our relationship with Mo and the team at EbonyLife, who have created some of the most compelling and successful content in all of Africa.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to help bring their soulful African storytelling to platforms serving a global audience,” said Nina Lederman, EVP Global Scripted Development for Sony Pictures Television.

This is the second deal that SPT has done with EbonyLife, following the announcement of a threeproject co-development/ production deal in 2018.

The first project announced as part of that development deal is a series inspired by the story of the Dahomey Warriors. The two year exclusive first look deal commenced in January 2021.

Erico JR Foundation on Tuesday February 2, 2021 hosted a memorial games night in honour of its late patron and sports legend Joe Erico.

The recently launched foundation was established by Micheal Eric, a Nigerian athlete, professional basketball player and son of Joe Erico.

The honorary event which was a celebration of the life and legacy of the former Super Eagles goalkeeper and assistant coach was held at Warriors Basketball Court, Industrial Avenue, Ilupeju, Odi-Olowo, Lagos.

The evening featured impressive playoffs with home team; D’Warriors, Nigerian Wheelchair Basketball Team and acts of service in respect to the late Joe Erico.

Widely known for his passion and love for sports, Joe Erico was the official goalkeeper for all Nigeria’s six matches for the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations in Ethiopia, where the Eagles finished third – making it the first time the country won a medal for AFCON. This attributed him the title as one of the best international goalkeepers in the history of Nigerian sports.

“I would say that Joe Erico is a legend. He was somebody everyone looked up to because he had a love for all kinds of sports. He was a universal coach” Basketball coach, Chris Nomigo.

Micheal Eric, son of Joe Erico said, “The turnout for the event was incredible, it was amazing, and there was a lot of great energy out there on the court.

“This was just the tip of the iceberg on what we are going to do to celebrate Joe Erico’s legacy through the foundation.

Look out for our basketball camps coming up really soon.

“The Erico JR foundation was created with the intent of imparting lives through the power of sports and physical education. As an extension, this initiative also represents Joe Erico and his legendary commitment to the Nigerian Sports Federation.

A’Lime Media Limited Mourns Founder The entire staff and Board of Strategic Communications Advisory Firm, A’Lime Media Limited, have joined family and friends to mourn the death of the company’s founder and practice director, Emilia Asim-Ita. Family sources revealed that Emilia, who also co-founded the Future Awards Africa, died Friday, January 29, 2021, a few days after a successful appendicitis A’Lime Media surgery.

Expressing his grief and that of staff members, Lead, Operations, Engagements and Client Services, A’Lime Media Limited, Runor Agbroko, said, “We are devastated and heartbroken to have lost our founder and practice director who greatly impacted us and everyone that came her way”.

“We are immensely grateful for all that Emilia achieved in her brief stay on earth where she dedicated her life in service to humanity, showing an unrelenting commitment to making a genuine difference in the lives of people.

“The massive outpouring of love and show of support from clients, friends and industry stakeholders attest to the multitude of lives that have been impacted through her friendship, leadership and lifestyle themed in extreme goodness and positive energy.”

Lead, Publishing and Editorial, A’lime Media Limited, Emmanuel Adesanya, described Emilia as a rare gem that is hard to come by.

“Emilia had exceptional qualities that endeared almost everyone to her, For someone who achieved so much, her level of humility, was exemplary and it is difficult to fill the void that her death has created.

“Emilia left behind a robust organisation that will keep her vision alive and we are resolved to build greatly on her outstanding legacies as a company.”

Until her death, Emilia was Founder and Practice Director, for A’lime Media Limited. She foundedA’lime Media Limited; a strategic communications advisory firm, as a result of her deep passion for communications in all spheres.

She was an extraordinarily intelligent and accomplished entrepreneur who built an organisation that has in the last decade, contributed to improving the corporate communications practice in Nigeria.

As a promising adult, Emilia obtained her BSC and MSC degrees in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Lagos, Nigeria, in 2008.

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E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

Films, TV Shows to Binge this Valentine’s Day Weekend Stories by Vanessa Obioha Whether you are in a Valentine’s Day mood or not, locked up alone or lucky to spend the special occasion with someone, believe it or not, you can stream love this weekend.

With many streaming services offering a variety of content to keep you entertained, we have combed their rich vaults and selected movies and TV shows to tantalise and perhaps inspire you. From Netflix to Showmax to Amazon Prime, these new and classic tales provide the perfect escape for a celebration that has somewhat assumed a new hue due to the ongoing pandemic.

Bridgerton: This Netflix Regency-era romantic TV series was all the buzz during the Christmas season. It’s occupied a spot in the Top 10 since its release and recently fetched two nods from the Screen Actor Guild Awards, including a male actor in a drama nomination for its lead star Regé Jean-Page.

Step into the world of the Bridgertons, the Featheringtons and the Hastings as they search for love and whip up all kinds of scandals in their pursuits. Take a promenade with the high society gossip columnist Lady Whistledown as she brings you all the juiciest gist about the desperate mamas, and the beautiful debutantes falling for rakish viscounts and dukes. The Shondaland production based on the romance book series of Julia Quinn on the Bridgerton siblings will surely leave you swooning.

Bridgerton

Namaste Wahala: The highly anticipated collaboration between Bollywood and Nollywood will eventually debut on Netflix on Valentine’s Day. The interracial romance comedy tells the tale of two lovers whose parents are bent to keep them apart. Ini Dima Okojie stars alongside Indian actor Ruslaan Mumtaz in the Hamisha Daryani Ahuja directed film.

To All the Boys (Always and Forever): The third and final instalment of the Hollywood teenage romantic film ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’

NECLive is Back to Build the Future After a one year-hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the largest gathering of entertainment industry professionals in Nigeria, Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive) is returning. This time, it will be a hybrid media event combining a studio set-up of select speakers with live global broadcast across cable TV, radio and online platforms.

Scheduled for April 25, the eighth edition of NECLive will explore the theme ‘Building The Future’, focusing on the various ways entertainment can serve as a vehicle, creativity as a tool and celebrity power as an agent of change to build a remarkable future for Nigeria’s youth. Three main speakers

who are leading the charge in rethinking the approach to consumer entertainment and creative enterprise across the world will be featured while entertainment includes a live music performance by one of Nigeria’s most celebrated artistes, an enthralling live stage drama and comedy from one of the industry’s finest.

“We set up NECLive eight years ago as an intervention towards building the industry of our dreams. Seven events, 450 speakers and panellists, 40 exhibitions and brands, and 12,000 attendees after, we are glad to be witnessing and facilitating the transformation of our home entertainment; or

our music and media. And we are calling on the government, practitioners, fans and investors to come to the party,” said convener Ayeni Adekunle. This year’s edition will also mark the launch of two special products from the conference: NECLive Go and NECLive TV Special.

The former is a platform created to support innovators that are solving growth problems for creatives and the wider entertainment industry in Nigeria while the latter is a scripted 90-minute long production, featuring a 7-year chronicle of the most powerful speakers and memorable moments from the NECLive stage between 2013 and 2020.

Vector Features M.I in New Album T.E.S.L.I.M Rebecca Ejifoma Nigeria’s finest rapper, Olanrewaju Ogunmefun with stage name Vector tha Viper, is set to release his long awaited album, T.E.S.L.I.M featuring M.I March this year.

While the first single from T.E.S.L.I.M album, Early Momo, featuring Goodgirl LA will hit the music scene on February 14, the peace track, Crown of Clay featuring M.I will be heard in March this year.

According to Vector at a press conference in Lagos, T.E.S.L.I.M represents The Energy Still Lives in Me. It is a tool to spread peace, and quell the much negativity in the society.

“T.E.S.L.I.M means peace maker. Looking at our society today, there seems to be so much negativity flying around. Let’s spread happiness, consciousness

Vector tha Viper

of who we are,” the songwriter recommends.

While Vector noted that T.E.S.L.I.M aims to inspire the youth, he frowned at the much “Negativity in our society, most especially among the younger generation.

“I felt it would be nice to have an album that will inspire the youth and upcoming artistes; be forward. We should preach messages that will inspire hope, togetherness and unity”.

For Vector, there is no history if black people are killing black people. “We are forward thinking, conscience thinking, and happy people. That’s the general ideal of this album.”

The inspiration behind the album, he says, popped up while he was preparing for his father’s funeral. “I had just released the Lafiaji album and when we were gearing up to make the album, my father died. That energy just sank the idea.”

While moaning his loss, the Born Leader singer recalled how he got lost in his own thoughts while staring at his father’s remain.

“Then it dawned on me, Teslim, you are gone but your energy still remains’.

The singer assured music lovers that T.E.S.L.I.M will be released on G.R.A.P record label and it will set a good example to others on his friendship with M.I.

will be premiering on Netflix today. Fans of Lana Condor and Noah Centineo will see how their characters make life-changing decisions as they prepare for the next stage of life: adulthood.

The House Arrest of Us: This Filipino digital romantic comedy series starring one of the Philippines most adorable love teams, Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo is a gleeful escape. The story follows a couple whose engagement announcement coincides with a lockdown, forcing their families to quarantine under one roof. Love is tested as both families struggle to accept each other’s foibles. The

13-episode series is a delightful binge.

I Am Laycon’: Although it doesn’t belong to the romance category, the Showmax original Nigerian reality TV series will delight fans of the Big Brother Naija Lockdown season winner Laycon as they watch him settle down to his new-found fame. It premiered on Thursday, February 11 to not only Nigerian audiences but other countries such as Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Austria, Belgium among others. There are also cameos from fellow former Big Brother Naija Lockdown housemates including Lilo Aderogba and Victoria Adeyele, aka Vee. Showmax has also curated an ‘All You Need is Love Collection’ to mark the season. Fans are offered an array of films such as the heart-wrenching and riveting romance drama ‘Me Before You’ that follows the life of a young man whose will to die is stronger than the will to live, following an accident that confined him to a wheelchair. It stars Sam Claflin (Love Repeat) and Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones). Other films in this collection include Nollywood’s 2019 film ‘Best Friends’, ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ and the 2020 Hollywood film ‘The Photograph’ starring black American actress Issa Rae. On Amazon Prime Video, you can follow the outcome of six relationships which undergo a soulmate test in the TV series ‘Soulmates’ or watch the 2020 TV series ‘The Widow’ featuring Kate Beckinsale as she travels to Congo to find out the truth about the disappearance of the man she loved.

Unlocking Maximum Entertainment Experience on Pay-TV The uncertainty that accompanied last year spurred by the unexpected coronavirus pandemic continues this year as the country faces a COVID-19 resurgence higher than earlier recorded in 2020.

The spike in the number of infections began in December 2020 and is yet to slow down, placing more constraints on businesses relying on a decline of individuals affected by the virus. Already affected by the global recession caused by COVID-19 last year, Nigeria will heavily depend on the quick availability of vaccines and efforts by the government to keep the virus at bay for survival.

Experts foresee a GDP growth to rebound by 1.7% to 2.0%, buoyed by increased economic activity and improvement in the oil market. For most Nigerians who have hoped the unprecedented pandemic will be dumped in the annals of history this year, the impact of COVID-19 is still adversely felt even as they fear a looming lockdown. Although the federal government is yet to announce such plans due to the weakness of the economy to sustain another shutdown.

However, stringent rules have been put in place. Wearing face masks is now mandatory,

congregational activities have also been discouraged, limiting the number of attendees to 50 except in religious gatherings which are expected to carry only 50 per cent capacity.

For leading media and entertainment company MultiChoice Nigeria — which contributed N1.2 billion to the Federal Government last year in its fight against coronavirus, including a N400 million financing to creative industry professionals — encouraging Nigerians to stay at home and stay connected to its terrestrial Pay-TV platform, GOtv and enjoy the array of content available is paramount.

“We need to urge more Nigerians to have in mind that as long as we don’t practice social distancing, the current situation the country is facing might not end as quickly as we want it to.

That is why we, MultiChoice Nigeria, have put plans in place to ensure everyone gets access to great content they can enjoy and stay connected to all our platforms at an affordable rate.” urged the company’s Chief Customer Officer, Martin Mabutho.

One of the ways the company intends to do this is by offering irresistible promotional campaigns for consumers. On January 14,

2021, they began the ‘Max for Less’ campaign where subscribers on lower packages are advised to upgrade to a higher one to enjoy more quality and entertainment content.

For instance, GOtv subscribers on the Jolli and Jinja packages upgrade to the GOtv Max package to experience a range of quality content. Instead of paying N3,600 for GOtv Max, they will get a discounted price of N2,999.

Though it’s a limited time offer, new subscribers stand an opportunity to enjoy the offer as well. GOtv Max which comes with over 75 channels, including five music channels, six sports channels, four movie channels and other genre channels, brings the best quality programming such as ‘My Identity’, ‘Sistas’, ‘Til Death Do Us Part’ and much more as well as kid’s entertainment such as ‘The Amazing World Of Gumball’ and ‘Craig of the creek’, making family entertainment complete and wholesome.

Also, they have access to English Football League (EFL), Major League Soccer (MLS), Scottish Premier Football League (SPFL), Dutch Eredivisie and other popular premier American leagues on ESPN including all the action on All Elite Wrestling.

Supernova Drops New Love Song Gospel singer and songwriter, Chinenye Nweke, aka Supernova recently released a love ballad. The sentimental song titled ‘Love Me’ is apt for the Valentine’s Day season and the singer assures that it will blow

minds away.

Also accompanying the romantic song is ‘My Year ’, a song that she said would ‘uplift anybody facing difficulties.’ Having faced challenges in the course of her music career, including

halting her musical pursuits, the beauty queen and native of Ebonyi state is turning new chapters in her life. And they include acting, activism and music. Other singles from her include ‘Hustle Go Pay’ and ‘Key’.

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Schneider Electric Appoints New GM Process Automation, Sub Saharan Africa

Global leader in energy management and automation, Schneider Electric has announced the appointment of Mr. Ajibola Akindele as the General Manager Process Automation, Sub-Saharan Africa.

Prior to his appointment, Akindele who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Lagos and a Master’s in Business Administration from the Vanderbilt University was the General Manager, Process Automation, Schneider Electric West Africa.

Akindele comes in with over 20 years wealth of experience in the Oil &

Gas and Power sectors. He has actively been involved in numerous, Oil & Gas and Power projects across West Africa over the past 10 years.

According to the company, he is expected to lead the overall strategic business growth of Schneider Electric Process Automation in SubSaharan Africa through the on-going expansion initiative of the company in Africa.

Akindele, a renowned authority in the areas of automation and electrification in West Africa has played a significant role in discussions to help guide government strategies and

Akindele

policies across Africa.

In his response, the newly appointed General Manager,

appreciated Schneider Electric for finding him worthy of the appointment, he promised

to place on the front burner the company’s mandate of driving business growth and local content in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“The whole idea is to increase our footprint across Africa. This would help drive the growth across African countries. We intend to make Nigeria the hub for Process Automation, where we will service other countries.

“We will be hiring in specific countries to cover various regions across Africa.

We will collaborate with more companies in Nigeria and help build the capacity of our young people by developing

the right skillset in Africa at large,” he said.

Schneider Electric, as part of its efforts towards enshrining Local Content in Nigeria, has acquired the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (Category A) and committed towards developing local capacity through regular training of its indigenous members of staff.

As key drivers of capacity building and sustainability initiatives, Schneider Electric has also created a JAMB centre and Process Automation training centre in Bonny Kingdom to be commissioned this year.

10 Tips to Turn up Your Valentine’s Day Charm Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade

Relieve your love by creating and sharing photo memories With Google photos, you can relieve your love memories and share with your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day. You probably have photos with your partner saved up over the years. If you have Google Photos, those photos will have been saved up automatically. Simply select the photos that share intimate memories via a created folder with your loved one - this will definitely be nostalgic. Also, you can make plans to have a romantic Valentine’s Day photoshoot using your device and save up the photos in a folder in Google photos and share later with your sweetheart.

This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday. Hopefully, this gives you ample time to prepare for it. It is all about romance and expressing your love to the one you cherish the most. It comes with high expectations and preparing for it can create a lot of anxiety and stress. To make your Valentine’s Day easy, here are ten tips that will ensure you create a day that is charming and memorable.

Set reminders and create calendar events To start preparing for Valentine’s Day, remind yourself that the little things matter when expressing your love. Using your Google Assistant, set reminders and create calendar events to ensure that little details do not fall through the cracks. Schedule time to clean the house, get a babysitter (if you have a baby), buy ingredients for V-day’s food recipes and make reservations.

You can simply create new calendar events by telling Assistant, “add to my calendar” or “make an appointment” followed by the event’s name, and optionally even location.

For instance, you could say: “Add to my calendar, buy red roses on February 12th at 10a.m,” Google Assistant is available on most current Android devices. You can access it by setting up “Hey, Google” voice activation.

Create a playlist of romantic songs Love songs are perfect for stirring up a romantic mood. The songs you pick are a major part of showing how you feel. On YouTube, there are a variety of love songs fit for Valentine’s Day. You can create a playlist of romantic love songs, from timeless classics to brand-new tracks to share with your loved one before Val’s day.

On Valentine’s Day, you can stream the songs from your created playlist while you sing along with your loved one. The right love songs plus a candlelight dinner; candles and flowers, not forgetting slow dancing. will go a long way to spark up the Valentine’s Day charm.

Purchase a special gift Google Maps’ nearby function can help you find gift stores close to you to purchase that special gift for Valentine’s Day. Simply open Google Maps, search for a place, press enter, then click “Nearby.” Enter the kind of place you want to search like, “Gift shops”, then press enter again to see the top results in red mini-pins and red dots. The results show you an array of gift shops you can purchase gifts from. Share gifts that show your appreciation and not necessarily those

Binge watch your favourite romantic movies on YouTube.

Valentine’s Day is a nice time to make plans to cuddle up and watch romantic movies. YouTube provides a list of romantic movies that can be streamed for free. Grab some wine and chocolate, with scented candles, while laying on the rug and binge watch love movies into the night.

that break the bank. For instance, you can choose between a favourite perfume or cologne, a bottle of wine, jewelry or a trip to the spa. Remember, with gifts, it is really the thought that matters, so make it count.

Find inspiration for the lounge You can choose to break away from the norm of spending time in a fancy restaurant and hotel. Bring the love back home and spend quality time with your sweetheart.

This will require some deliberate effort to create comfortable surroundings with romantic ambience.

The lounge is the perfect spot to get you and your partner in the mood for love. You can watch YouTube videos to get Valentine’s Day decor ideas to create a romantic mood in your lounge. Whether you decide to set up a Valentine’s Day tree or adorn the lounge with blush pink decor instead of red, you will definitely be inspired by the videos you watch on YouTube.

Opt for top-rated restaurants Making plans for that Valentine’s Day romantic evening. Use the “Explore” feature on Google Maps to find the top-rated

restaurants around you. See listings of the names and addresses of the restaurants, opening hours, directions, a price scale and even user reviews so you can see if it’s worth making a reservation. It is important to make sure that the menu can accommodate your dietary preferences and to check if it is within your budget. It is imperative that you adhere to Covid-19 preventive measures if you must spend Valentine’s Day outdoors at a restaurant, so be sure to ensure that the restaurant is operating with Covid-19 guidelines for businesses in Nigeria.

Connect with your sweetheart over a distance If you are in a long distance relationship or you have been separated due to the Covid-19 travel ban, never mind, lover’s day can still be memorable. Make use of Google Meet to connect with your sweetheart. Set up a video call to share the day together. You can have a romantic meal via the call, stream a movie together, listen to your favourite playlist online or just sincerely confess your love to each other among other planned activities.

Serenade your honey with a love song A great way to show how much love you feel for that special person in your life on Valentine’s Day is to sing to him/her.

Music connects with love emotions. If you are not sure of the lyrics of that favourite love song, you can simply search for it. By typing, ‘song name’ plus “lyrics” in the search bar on Google Search, you get the lyrics displayed at the top of the search results page.

Get inspiration for love words There is no doubt that Valentine’s Day can make us anxious and not sure of the right ways to say, “I love you.” Take a peek into Google Arts and Culture portal to get inspiration from Beethoven. In his numerous letters, compositions and notes there are some declarations of love; beautiful passages, that have been compiled that you can draw inspiration from to get the right words to profess your undying love to the one you love.

With a little effort and some planning, you will not only create a very special day, but you will create a Valentine’s Day that will be memorable. Remember, little romantic touches make a big difference. You really do not have to over do it. Pay attention to little romantic details to ensure your Valentine’s Day is an enjoyable, special day to remember. t ,PMB 0HVOMBEF JT UIF $PNNVOJDB UJPOT BOE 1VCMJD "GGBJST .BOBHFS GPS (PPHMF 8FTU "GSJDB

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ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

ALAJOOTA:GazingintoKaffy’sEpicLifeStory The pulsating read gives an up-close account of the famous Nigerian dancer, Kafayat Shafau-Ameh, peeling off the layers of a challenging childhood to a success story of self-determinism, writes Yinka Olatunbosun

T

he authorsigned copy of the book titled, ‘Alajoota: Diary of An African Dance Queen’ came in a holiday gift pack from MTN. Having read many of Kaffy’s detailed interviews, it was almost convenient to dismiss the book until her personal note on the first page was sighted. Her writing looks so familiar just as her autobiographical account.

But what seems rather unusual in her narrative is how she navigated life’s challenges to discover dance as a very powerful tool for emancipation. Best known for breaking the Guinness World Record for “Longest Dance Party’’ at the Nokia Silverbird Danceathon in 2006, her climb to global recognition opened new chapters in her life as embodied in her book.

All her life, she had been in all kinds of bondage, eager to break free. From an affluent background, her childhood nosedived into a tumultuous one which digs up existential themes of survival.

From a near-nomadic lifestyle, she emerged into an enclosing wall of formal education.

To liberate herself from poverty, she, unconsciously, tapped into the non-formal education in martial arts, dance, aerobics which she only learnt to escape from her nagging relative. That form of education proved to be instrumental into her character formation and career landscape.

In Kaffy’s autobiography, every character is layered. Often, her depiction is frank, sometimes short of diplomatic whitewash.

After presenting each character, she also tries to understand how

each character had evolved over time and circumstances. In her conversational style, she blends English, Yoruba and Pidgin English.

Consciously, she offers a very courageous narration of her private life with a view to showing both the imitable and the less exemplary angles.

Through the character of Nikki, she is able to create suspense in the plot. Nikki, her missing sibling was shrouded in some mystery curated by her globe-trotting parents who left many gaps in the lives of their children by bowing to domestic violence. Pushing this past aside, Kaffy’s search for true love created contemporary conversations around marriage.

Her tone changed from being a storyteller to a counsellor as she does a double take on the very core of human relationships and the glamourized perception of marriages. In between that, she weaves her busy career life with tales of motherhood and everyday decisions.

Kaffy makes the bitter days taste sweet in ‘Alajoota’ with elements of humour. Through her story, she demonstrates a very photographic memory of people, places and personalities. A case in point is her description of her first time on stage as a sole dancer.

A true city girl, her accounts of her journey in different parts of Lagos positions her as a down-to-earth elite. Through a well-grounded dancing career, she has refined the profession to a world-class standard. Yet, she is not one to be pressured to live an extravagant lifestyle even with all the fame.

‘Alajoota’ is bred from an under-dog perspective to build an inspiring story that rests its spine on riches-to-rags-to-riches cyclic plot.

Book Cover

SeasonedActorsSteamupTVSeriesISONO

MydrimGallerySetforFirstShowoftheYear

Rebecca Ejifoma

Yinka Olatunbosun

BET Africa’s original gripping daily drama, ISONO, has been making waves since it was launched in September, 2020 In just a few weeks, ISONO has managed to claim a spot as one of the leading multilingual scripted and English sub-titled daily dramas on the continent.

ISONO airs to audiences across Africa from Monday to Thursday exclusively on BET Africa.

Episodes on Pastor Abiola’s family had featured actors like Anthony Oseyemi; Christine Osifuye; and Chioma Umeala who stirred up the drama and intrigue in series.

The Senior Vice President and General Manager, ViacomCBS Networks Africa, Monde Twala, said, “Africans are amongst the most passionate and dedicated storytellers and viewers of daily dramas.

“The addition of Nigerian cast members is an authentic and powerful way for Africa to unite through storytelling and celebrate cross cultural diversity.”

ISONO is an African story that is enriched with colourful characters that depict multiple narratives with continental appeal. With the arrival of the new family, the drama will explore family dynamics and societal

Mydrim Gallery is ready to present ‘Landscapes and Beyond’, the first show of the year at Ikoyi this Saturday February 13, 2021.

The show which runs till February 28 features two landscape painters, Joseph Ayelero and Oluwafemi Otoki who use their varied skills to influence our existence and the result being their technically and aesthetically pleasing offerings. The salon parades paintings that demonstrate the continued impact of landscapes, which remain as relevant today as they were at the time of their creation. Both artists have explored the intertwined relationship of art and landscapes over time by painting views that are entirely imaginary or documented from reality with varying degrees of accuracy.

‘Landscapes and Beyond’ is a presentation of works that span over a decade beginnning in 200.

Those years were key periods for the artists as they marked the beginning of their full time studio practice. The salon reveals techniques, styles and ideas that highlight the tranquil nature of rural environments. Both artists have explored their interests in

Isono Cast

issues that resonate with audiences worldwide.

It is on the quest to unite Africa through story and cutting edge television.

Pastor Abiola is played by international actor Anthony Oseyemi who is no stranger to the small and big screen. One of his most recent works was on the successful local film ‘The Five fingers for Marseilles’.

On ISONO, he plays a wandering Nigerian Pastor, who has never managed to settle into having his own congregation. He convinces the church to send him out to Vosloorus in South Africa as a stand-in following the previous pastor’s suicide.

Christine Osifuye plays Abiola’s wife, Titi, who is the heart of the family.

She is an interesting character, who

battles depression, just like her late son Olufemi.

Christine is well known for her roles in ‘Fifty the series’ on Netflix and many more lead roles in a number of films.

She is also a famous gospel singer and now a new face on ISONO. We also get introduced to Ayo, Pastor Abiola and Titi’s headstrong daughter. She is played by an up and coming actress in the industry, Chioma Umeala.

She’s a rebel who constantly challenges her parents, especially when it comes to Abiola’s reliance on faith to heal all ills. It is safe to say that she will bring a lot of drama and romance to the screen.

ISONO is described as a riveting drama and best in African storytelling, where dark secrets lead to deadly sins.

landscape painting and with good fortune have achieved commercial success. They create vibrant landscapes primarily using oil, acrylic and pastel thus enabling their viewers appreciate the beauty of their surroundings. There is a delicate and warm depiction of the colours, sights and possible feelings that capture the atmospheric elements and multifaceted beauty of the rural surroundings of the South West of Nigeria.

Both artists have used their limitless creative abilities to convey beautiful scenes through their use of striking colours, balance of textures, light and shadows.

We see further evidence of these creative expressions in their depiction of vibrant greens, blue skies, sunrise, sunsets, bodies of water and other natural elements.

Some of the paintings explore subject matters such as identity as seen in works like “Where I Grew Up II” (2012) by Joseph Ayelero and “Ijero Ekiti - My Hometown” (2019) by Oluwafemi Otoki; the importance of nature and its elements in works like “Nature and Us” (2009) by Oluwafemi Otoki and “Through the Field” (2014) by Joseph Ayelero, “Living on Water” (2020) by Oluwafemi Otoki and “At the Riverbank” (2013).

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ENTREPRENEUR

Gideon Olanrewaju: Education Development Practitioner, Social Entrepreneur Gideon Olanrewaju is an experienced education development practitioner and social entrepreneur with a notable track record of championing impactful educational interventions for children in rural communities.

With firm interest in literacy skills development, girls’education and digital equity, his initiatives have reached over 25,000 beneficiaries. In this interview with MARY NNAH, Olanrewaju who has a degree in International Education and Development and over seven years of transnational experience spanning four countries, shares key insights into his professional work, and his vision to democratise access to digital learning while revolutionising educational content delivery for millions of Nigerian children leveraging low-cost technologies

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ou studied Biochemistry but you currently work in the education sector in Nigeria. Why is that?

Most people have had the privilege of a great childhood. I, unfortunately, was not one of them.

Not only was I born into a middle-class family but I experienced educational inequalities such as lack of access to quality learning experiences. Over the course of the years, as I navigated and surmounted various challenges, I was lucky to be availed the access and opportunity of quality education that millions of children are still missing out on. While I got enrolled to study - and did graduated with a degree in Biochemistry, it was the realisation of privilege that motivated my current life duty; creating quality educational opportunities for disadvantaged children excluded from school to acquire the core knowledge they need to lead productive lives. So, it is my childhood experiences that motivated my current life duty.

I founded Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative (AREAi) and for leveraging this platform; my personal and professional work over the last six years has revolved around driving equitable educational opportunities and sustainable learning outcomes for millions of disadvantaged Nigerian children, leveraging innovation, collaboration and technology. With the support of donors, volunteers and partners, I’ve designed coordinated and scaled series of mass literacy, entrepreneurship development and economic empowerment programs to transform the employability, livelihood and lifelong learning opportunities of over 25,000 beneficiaries in 18 communities across Nigeria.

Like I always maintain, leading educational change is not what I do, it is who I am. Not only have I built resilience in the face of adversity doing my current work, I have also learnt the skills of empathy, patience and compassion which I believe are crucial values to work within the humanitarian space in Nigeria.

Tell us about your experience as one of the delegates to the One Young World Summit in London?

In October 2019, I was selected to attend the One Young World Summit in London, owing largely to the transformative educational change that I champion and inspire through Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative (AREAi) and the International Youth Coalition for Education (IYCE).

Out of about 45,000 applications, I was among 10 outstanding young leaders whose work on improving the education, skills, and access to opportunity for people in their communities, countries, or world at large, was deservingly rewarded with the Deloitte-One Young World Scholarship to attend the summit with all expenses covered.

My experience at the summit was refreshing and energising because being in workshops and seminars and exchanging insights with hundreds of exceptionally talented young people from across the world helped further enhance my clarity of the work needed to be done to make education more accessible for children across Nigeria.

I was privileged to also attend some closed doors mentoring sessions from renowned leaders such as Paul Polman (former Head of Unilever), Professor Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group), to mention but a few. The most unforgettable moment of that experience was the invitation to the Windsor Castle

awards amongst others. What do they mean to you?

Winning awards and being recognised are secondary gratification for me, seeing lives of students as well as their schools and communities transformed through the power of education is the utmost and primary source of inspiration. Of course, I hold the with firm belief in the platforms and opportunities and it is those that I have also utilised to scale the impact and amplify the reach of my professional work, whether AREAi or DigiLearns or IYCE. Hence, my drive and ambition continue to present me with opportunities to be a voice of change for children and an emerging authority on educational issues at local or global level.

Tell us about the people you admire in the sector?

Locally, I admire the professionalism of professionals like Dr Modupe Adefoso of TEP Centre; Folawe Omikunle of Teach for Nigeria; Rotimi Olawale of Youth Hub Africa, amidst many others. Internationally, I draw continuous inspiration from former Prime Minister of Britian, Gordon Brown( Dr Sakeena Yacoobi of Afghanistan Institute for Learning; Late Ken Robinson, Head of the World Bank Education Practise and former Minister of Education in Peru, Jamie Saavedra, and a few others.

What would you consider as the turning point in your career?

Winning the Chevening Scholarship to study for a Masters in International Education and Development at the University of Sussex was a major turning point for me. Prior to that moment, I was an emerging changemaker with raw but tangible ideas for revolutionising educational access and delivery for rural schools and marginalised children.

Olanrewaju

as part of a group of 10 young leaders from across the world for a roundtable discussion with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Megan Markle of the British Royal Family.

we are planning to launch and scale this widely for usage and adoption across rural communities in Nigeria to continue to enable remote learning and distance education for poor students.

What are some of the things you did to help reduce the impact of COVID-19 last year?

In 2020 as a response to learning disruption and mass school closures due to COVID-19 pandemic, I led the development of DigiLearns, Nigeria’s first adaptive, zero-tech, and offline learning management solution that allows low-income students access instantly-delivered and contextually-relevant educational content via SMS and USSD on basic feature phones that does not require internet access.

So, by simply dialing a code on a Nokia 3310 phone, students can access the subject lesson notes, review past questions, ask teachers questions, search the internet offline, receive assessment questions - both multiple-choice and open-ended - by text, and get feedback on their responses, whether right or wrong.

With this solution, we were able to directly support over 500 secondary students in selected schools and orphanages within the FCT. An estimated 45,000 beneficiaries also accessed our platform after we shared the solution with rural schools across a number of states in the Northern part of Nigeria.

This intervention attracted over financial support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, One Young World, and the Queens Commonwealth Trust and was recently named one of African Union Top 50 Education Innovations for 2020. Now,

What has been the experience working with rural communities?

Working in rural communities across Nigeria has been filed with mixed experiences. On one hand, you are excited about the pockets of promise that your intervention holds for a community, on the other hand, you are sad because the level of extreme poverty the community is experiencing might be a barrier to the success of your project. However, having recognised that poverty is a huge barrier for access to education in such rural communities where we work, we provide economic empowerment opportunities for mothers so they are able to support their children’s education.

There are a number of lessons we’ve picked from these experiences. We have learnt that for seamless and sustainable project implementation, it is crucial that effective stakeholder ’s consultation and needs mapping are carried out.

This helps to guarantee that interventions are tailored by and for the right beneficiaries, thereby ensuring fit and sustainability. In my experience with these rural communities, I have come to establish that for inclusive sustainable development to be achieved, poverty eradication and holistic human capital development must be prioritised.

You are a 2019 recipient of the United Kingdom Chevening Scholarship and the 2020 Ooni of Ife Royal African Youth Leadership

My personal exponential growth since that time has also led to a marked improvement in the design and delivery of programs and projects at AREAi. There is no gainsaying that it was that opportunity that validated my passion for alternative education provision and exposed me to various opportunities that helped me to reposition the programmatic focus areas of AREAi in that direction. In doing so, we have attracted tremendous support to drive our 10 years strategic objective of reaching 1,000,000 children across Nigeria by 2030.

What are you looking forward to in the next few years?

Over the next few years, I am anticipating that AREAi would have ensured access to education for over 500,000 beneficiaries through our projects, and we will have activities ongoing in more than 25 states of the nation.

What advice do you have for young people who want to come into the sector?

Passion is not enough; capacity is the currency for value addition. You need to be intentfully competent to be eternally indispensable and extremely valuable.

To contribute significantly to meaningful change in this sector, you must be equipped with a clear sense of direction, clarity of purpose and an intrinsic conviction of moral duty Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your life?

My mother, Deaconess Bosede Olanrewaju, is my greatest influence in life; her tenacious determination and selfless dedication to my educational upbringing demonstrates the power of one committed individual in making a difference in the life of one person or in the lives of millions of people.

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Unuigbe: A Soul that Can’t Be Forgotten FortheUnuigbefamily,noteventhepassageoftimewillerasethelifeandtimesofColonelChristopherEdorheUnuigbewho passed on 25 years ago, Davidson Iriekpen writes

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esterday marked exactly 25 years since Colonel Christopher Edorhe Unuigbe (rtd) died, and for the immediate and extended family, not even the effluxion of time has been able to erase his legacies and memories. Each passing day, month or year, they wished he were still alive. Even though they are aware that nobody lives forever, they nevertheless, did not wish death would steal him away from them so early. This is further exacerbated by happenings around them which have intensified their grief.

Col Unuigbe died on February 11, 1996 at the age of 52, leaving behind his wife, Patience, and five children who though have fully grown up, but still greatly miss their dad due to happenings around them. He also left behind, many brothers and sisters.

Admired by both the young and elderly, Christopher or Colonel as he was fondly called depending on one’s generation, died a great man. Perhaps, if he had lived in about 2,400 years ago, he would have qualified for the Pens of Pericles, a chronicling of the great by the great; a scribbling by the best of pens in the land.

Even though 25 whopping years have passed his passing on, his fond memories have not been dimmed by the lapse of time. Although a few other deaths have occurred in the family over the years, losing Colonel was specifically devastating and unforgetable. There often seems to be something that rekindles thoughts of how remarkable his life had been.

Despite the fact that he died young, his life was a strong affirmation of the saying that it’s by no means the number of years one lived that matters but the impact such a person made while alive and the lives they impacted.

Colonel led an exemplary life that proved to be a positive inspiration for everyone that came in contact with him. His generosity was not limited to his immediate family; friends, associates and in-laws had endless experience of his benevolence. Colonel’s death thus represents a great loss not only to his immediate and extended families but his community. To the extended family, he was a unifying voice that fought doggedly to foster unity. He abhorred disputes and rancour and ensured that every disagreement, especially those that could potentially cause disunity in the family were promptly dealt with. He believed very strongly and worked towards the education and uplift of every member of his family. He was a pillar. To his brothers and sisters, he was more or less a father; to his children, he was a guardian angel; indeed, to his wife, he was a dependable ally. To his in-laws, he was indeed God sent.

While he was alive, Colonel was a beacon whose light shone brightly on the entire family. His house was a Mecca of sorts; a place where virtually everyone sought and actually found succour. It’s instructive he never despised anyone, but rather drew everybody close and in doing so united members of the family.

Such were the impacts in made in people’s lives to the extend that even with the passage of time, words like “if only Christopher or Colonel were alive” still resonates.

His selflessness was evident in the fact that there was hardly anybody who left with a sense of dissatisfaction after having met him. From his meagre salary as military officer, he tried to make everybody

Unuigbe

happy. Perhaps the most enduring legacy lay the tireless steps he took in bequeathing a yearning for education in his family.

Having benefitted so much from education, which saw him traversing various cities of the world, Unuigbe encouraged members of his immediate and extended families to embrace education. He didn’t merely inspire them to pursue learning, he also paid their tuition. Even on his sick bed when those whose fees he had long borne feared their education would be truncated, he did not disappoint them. He carried on till his last breath. Those he persuaded to school and who refused are today regretting due to how the country has evolved.

In good times and bad, he never lost his capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with his warmth and kindness. He was admired and respected for his energy and obligation to others, and especially his devotion to the betterment of his people.

Born on May 24, 1944 to Pa Oviosun Unuigbe and Madam Comfort Imoafen, his early life was greatly influenced by his father (alias “De Bala” of blessed memory).

He learnt from him the values of being upright, bold, truthful and caring for the welfare of all. Little wonder, then, that these qualities featured prominently in the life of Christopher Unuigbe even unto his death.

He had his primary education at St. Peter’s School, Uhonmora-Ora, and at Christ Church School, Ilaro. Thereafter, he had his secondary school education at

Holy Trinity Grammar School, SabongidaOra, from 1959 to 1963 and was popularly known as “Chro Unisco.” He passed the concessional examination into University of Ibadan in 1964 and graduated with B.A. Hons (History) in 1968. He became a teacher upon graduation and taught as a senior tutor at Anglican Girls’ Grammar School from June 1968 to March 1971.

He left his teaching job and joined the Nigerian Army as a commissioned officer in March 1971. He held several positions in the Nigerian Army comprising the following: history instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna from 1971 to 1975 and Commandant, Command Secondary School Kaduna from 1984 to 1987, among others.

While in service, he returned to school and obtained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos in 1975. He retired from the Nigerian Army in September 1990.

Upon retirement, Colonel returned to his country home where he established a poultry business. He would later go into politics the next year when the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida administration lifted the ban on political activities. His genial personality and reputation endeared him to politicians in both the Owan axis as well as in the entire Edo North.

First, he pitched his tent with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) where he ran as running mate to Dr. Asuen who eventually lost the party’s ticket to Chief John

Odigie-Oyegun who later became the state governor in 1992.

The high point of his political career was when he was appointed the Edo North Coordinator of the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur Presidential Campaign Organisation on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC). Shortly after the process was truncated

by Babangida, he became ill and never recovered until his passage in 1996.

For those who knew him, his death was quite devastating. But they often found solace in his immense contributions to humanity and the positive impression he made on the lives of those fortunate to have known him in such a short sojourn on earth. It’s one memory that would always linger.

For those who knew him well, no doubt his democratic ideals as a great statesman with a strong voice who could have made a difference especially in these trying times of dearth of good leadership in the Owan axis will always be missed. So is his input in giving his people a very strong voice. Despite the fact that it’s been 25 years since he passed on, the family is consoled that while Christopher was alive, he lived his life in the service of God and mankind. No doubt in the years to come, he will certainly live in the hearts and minds of all those he touched positively during his short but eventful life. The fact that Colonel has not been forgotten, 25 years after, speaks volumes of the kind of life he led while on earth and the legacies he bequeathed which would endure for many more years to come.

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METRO

…Your city life in print

Timipre Sylvia: He Who the Cap Fits Nume Ekeghe reports that the appointment of the Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, by the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries as Special Envoy to some participating countries in the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ was fitting

W

hen the Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was appointed by the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as Special Envoy to some participating countries in the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ (DoC), it was deemed by stakeholders as a portfolio well deserved.

The mission, which is in line with the principles of fairness, transparency and equity, is to assist the Special Envoy to engage in further consultations with DoC participating countries which include Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and South Sudan.

According to a press statement from OPEC, this decision was taken at the 26th meeting of the JMMC, held on February 3, 2021. At the meeting, the Chair of the Committee, HRH Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, and Co-chair, HE Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, commended the positive efforts of all countries participating in the DoC for the monumental strides taken towards attaining full conformity with their voluntary adjustments in output.

The statement acknowledged that participating countries have been proactive and pre-emptive in measures taken to mitigate the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the oil market.

OPEC, in its statement, said, “While progress has been achieved in introducing a greater degree of stability in the oil market since the historic decisions taken in April 2020, Participating Countries will not rest on their laurels. Sustainable oil market stability necessitates a continual renewal of effort, engagement and responsiveness to factors affecting the market.The DoC was an outcome of the Joint OPEC and non-OPEC Producing Countries’ Ministerial Meeting held on December 10, 2016, and was effective for an initial period of six months. The remarkable success realised through this unprecedented cooperation has led to its extension multiple times.

Building on the success of the DoC, its participants recognised the importance of establishing a more permanent platform focused on longer-term cooperation. Thus, at the 6th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting, held on July 2, 2019, OPEC Member Countries and attending nonOPEC oil-producing countries endorsed the ‘Charter of Cooperation.’

The Charter provides a platform to facilitate dialogue and exchange views regarding conditions and developments in the global oil and energy markets and the goal is to contribute to a secure energy supply and lasting stability for the benefit of producers, consumers, investors and the global economy.

Duties As special envoy, Sylva will liaise with Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and South Sudan to discuss improving their

Sylva

implementation, and compensating for previous misses. This is in line with pushing to quickly clear the oil surplus left behind by the pandemic, a bullish signal for prices that have already surged to a one-year high.

Ministers led by Saudi Arabia and Russia “stressed the importance of accelerating market re-balancing without delay” amid “uncertain” prospects for the global economy and oil demand on Wednesday. Crude in New York extended gains after the communique, advancing as much as 2.9 per cent to above $56 a barrel.

OPEC and its allies have taken a twomonth pause while restoring some of the millions of barrels of crude output they halted when the coronavirus emerged to crush fuel demand last spring. Saudi Arabia is tightening supplies further this month and next with an extra cut of 1 million barrels a day.

The committee left any discussion about what to do after the two-month hiatus ends to its next full ministerial meeting in early March. OPEC+ is currently withholding just over 7 million barrels of daily output, or roughly seven per cent of global supplies.

The online meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee was unusually smooth and brief for an OPEC+ gathering, lasting just over an hour. When

the 23-nation coalition met last month, ministerial talks spilled into two days and were marred by discord over how far to constrict supplies.

Extra Cutback Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman had sprung the kingdom’s extra million-barrel cutback onto a mostly unsuspecting market, and against the counsel of his Russian counterpart, Alexander Novak. WTI has risen about 17 per cent since then.

While Riyadh has often pushed for measures that would support prices -- and thus help cover government spending -- Moscow takes a different view, fearing that high prices will provoke a flood of supplies from rivals like U.S. shale drillers.

But in the communique endorsed by ministers on Wednesday, OPEC+ members seemed closely aligned on the merits of keeping a tight leash on supplies. The additional Saudi curb was “noted” by the committee, “with gratitude.”

The group’s internal data showed their strategy will continue to succeed. Bloated oil inventories in developed nations should subside back to their 2015-2019 average

by August, according to a report compiled for the JMMC. “The gradual rollout of vaccines around the world is a positive factor for the rest

of the year boosting the global economy and oil demand,” according to the committee’s statement.

Debate Still, the debate could be more lively next month, when OPEC+ will need to decide whether to revive another chunk of halted output. The group is restoring supplies in increments of as much as 500,000 barrels a day each month.

The committee’s statement urged members to remain “vigilant and flexible.”

The JMMC’s leaders once again pressed members who haven’t fully implemented the cuts they promised -- such as Iraq -- to make good on their commitments, delegates said. Reeling from an economic crisis, Iraq often flouted its mandated production limits last year in order to shore up government revenue.

The country repeated its readiness to compensate for earlier overproduction, according to a statement released by OPEC after the meeting. Kazakhstan, which has also regularly breached its limits, issued a similar pledge.

Baghdad had often said it will meet its commitments, and pledged a sharp reduction in January to finally atone for breaching its output limit. However, export data showed it once again failed to do so.

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Prof Adetokunbo Lucas: Exit of an International Medical Icon Olabode Lucas I write this article to bring into the attention of Nigerians, the demise of Professor Adetokunbo Olumide Oluwole Lucas, an unassuming Nigerian who brought glory to the country and the black race in the field of public health. Professor Lucas died on the Christmas Day of 2020.

The late Professor Adetokunbo Olumide Oluwole Lucas was born in Lagos on November 25, 1931 to the illustrious family of Venerable (Dr.) J. Olumide Lucas , the late Emeritus Archdeacon of Lagos Anglican Communion , and Mrs R. Ibironke Lucas, the daughter of Bishop Isaac Oluwole of Lagos. His father was the first African to get Doctor of Divinity degree in Religion.

The degree was awarded in 1942 by the University of Durham after submitting a thesis titled ‘The Religion of The Yorubas’.

The late Professor Lucas had his secondary school education at Kings College Lagos from 1943 to 1948, where he came out with Grade One in the Cambridge School Certificate Examinations. Between 1949 and 1960, the late Professor Lucas was in United Kingdom for medical training which culminated in the acquisition of strings of quality medical degrees and many top level prizes.

The young Dr. Lucas then started his professional career at the University College Hospital in 1960 as a Senior Registrar in the Department of Medicine. He was later persuaded to make a major career change from clinical medicine to Public Health, a change which seemed risky at that time. This change fortunately propelled him to be a global icon in public health.

After the change and necessary training at Harvard University in USA, he took over the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine of the University of Ibadan from 1962 to 1976. In this position as Head of Department, he built up the department from one staff department to a world renowned department with 19 accomplished staff in various disciplines such as epidemiology, statistics and environmental medicine. He co- authored with Professor Herbert Giles, the internationally acclaimed textbook, “Textbook of Preventive Medicine for the Tropics” in 1976. The fourth edition which came out in 2003 was titled “Textbook of Public Medicine for the Tropics” and it sold over 220,000 copies worldwide.

The book over the years has become “the Bible” of Public Health among medical practitioners.

From his home base in Ibadan, the late Professor Lucas went to Geneva in Switzerland where in 1976, he became the pioneer Director of World Health Organization (WHO), Tropical Disease Research (TDR) programme.. He was in this post till 1986 and during his 10 year stint, he developed

Lucas

a model approach for global networking among scientists, research laboratories and pharmaceutical firms. The TDR network was highly successful in developing new drugs for Malaria, Leprosy, African sleeping sickness, Onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis.

From WHO, the late Professor Adetokunbo Lucas went to Carnegie Corporation where he worked from 1986 to 1990. From there he became the Professor of International Medicine at Harvard University Boston, USA from 1990 to 1995. Until his death, the professor was a leading consultant to many medical organizations and an adjunct Professor of Global Medicine at Harvard University Boston USA. Through the medical discipline of public health, the late Professor Lucas who was an Officer of Federal Republic (OFR) brought honour to Nigeria and black race all over the world. At home in Nigeria, he became the chairman of Nigerian Medical Research Council in 1973. Again in 1984, he served his country as the chairman of Nigeria National Health Policy. From 2002, the

Federal Government of Nigeria appointed him as the country’s representative on the board of Global fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

For his global reach in medical training and policy formulation, the late Professor Lucas was widely recognized and honoured, and this was attested to by numerous medals, prizes, fellowships and honorary degrees bestowed on him.

He had six honorary doctoral degrees from different universities in Nigeria and abroad, (two in Nigeria, two in USA, and two in UK). The late professor was a distinguished Fellow of Carter Centre in Atlanta Georgia in USA , where he participated in the various programmes which according to President Jimmy Carter helped in the eradication of diseases like smallpox, leprosy and guinea worm. In the Royal Kingdom of Thailand, he got the Knighthood of the most Admirable Order of Direkgunabhorn from the King of Thailand for his work on Public Health globally. He was the only African to have been so honoured up till now.

At home, he was a Fellow of Academy of Science (FAS) and he was the first Fellow of University of Ibadan (FUI). For his academic prowess rooms were named after Professor Adetokunbo Lucas in London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in London, University of Lagos and College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.

His influence in medical profession really permeated most resoundingly in the ‘local and global medicine’. In the book “Disease Fighters since 1950, Professor Adetokunbo Lucas was highlighted as one of the 12 greatest fighters for worldwide health in our time.

In Professor Lucas’ autobiography, Jimmy Carter, the former President of USA has this to say in the foreword of the book about his global impact: ‘As a fellow of the Carter Center, he has participated in various programs including the Mectizan Donation Program and the International Task Force for Disease Eradication, as well as being well involved in some country programs.’ At his death, President Carter also eulogized him as follows: ‘Throughout his productive life, Dr. Lucas has been a blessing to countless people and we are proud to be among those whose lives have been personally touched by this remarkable man. Because of his efforts, he left this world a much better place than he found it.’

In the obituary in Lancet, the world leading medical journal, the late Professor Adetokunbo Lucas was described as ‘a towering figure in the field of global health’.

Despite his immense involvement in global medicine, with attendant tight travelling schedule all over the world, the late Professor Adetokunbo Lucas during his lifetime remained essentially a devoted family man, a quiet philanthropist who touched many lives and made many people to climb the ladder of life successfully.

In fact, apart from his achievements in public health, his numerous help to others would be his lasting legacy. Like his late revered and equally cerebral father, the late professor was an accomplished pianist and musicologist. The late professor, apart from his chosen discipline of medicine, was also adept in Yoruba language especially in Yoruba proverbs. In his lifetime, his prized possessions for which he was well respected were the recorded tapes of events during the tempestuous stage in our national history in the sixties and seventies.

He meticulously recorded radio broadcasts by political and military actors of those days. I wonder how many radio stations have such recordings in their archives.

He is survived by Mrs Stella Kofoworola Lucas, children and grandchildren. t1SPGFTTPS -VDBT XSJUFT GSPN 0ME #PEJKB *CBEBO

Actress Zainab Balogun-Nwachukwu Joins Hollandia Yoghurt as Brand Ambassador Hollandia Yoghurt, Nigeria’s leading drinking yoghurt brand, has announced a new partnership with Zainab Balogun-Nwachukwu, a multiple award-winning actress, entrepreneur and influencer.

This move is part of the brand’s plan to appeal to a wider consumer audience and reinforce its market leadership.

The partnership recognises the values which the brand and the actress have in common, and celebrates the recognition and lead-

ership both parties have achieved. Driven by passion, boundless energy, and creativity, Zainab BalogunNwachukwu personifies the Hollandia Yoghurt brand’s proposition and character.

As the ambassador for Hollandia Yoghurt, Zainab will inspire consumers to unlock their potential for success and high achievement with the delicious taste and wholesome nourishment that Hollandia Yoghurt provides its consumers.

Hollandia Yoghurt

transformed the Yoghurt landscape in Nigeria over 15years ago. In 2005, Hollandia created a new drinking yoghurt category and launched Hollandia Yoghurt into the market.

It is a healthy, tasty, and nourishing yoghurt drink that is produced under very hygienic conditions and contains essential nutrients which replenish consumers and enables them stay healthy, thus supporting them to be at their best. Zainab BalogunNwachukwu expressed appreciation to the brand

for the honour. “I am very proud of this partnership with Hollandia Yoghurt.

“The brand has a unique proposition, is the most popular drinking yoghurt product in Nigeria, and occupies leadership status of its category. Like me, the Hollandia Yoghurt brand is driven by the passion to consistently innovate for success. These points were key considerations in my accepting this partnership,” she stated. Speaking on the partnership, CHI Limited Marketing Director, Mrs. Toyin Nnodi,

expressed delight on the new strategic relationship with Zainab BalogunNwachukwu as the new brand ambassador.

“We are thrilled to have Zainab Balogun-Nwachukwu as our Hollandia Yoghurt ambassador. As an accomplished actress and TV personality, she is known for her high level of creativity, confidence, and professionalism, thereby making her a suitable fit for what the Hollandia Yoghurt brand represents.

“We plan to work together over the next few

years to communicate the wholesome nourishment proposition of Hollandia Yoghurt to the brand’s consumers and Zainab’s fan base. We look forward to an exciting and rewarding relationship for both parties, Hollandia Yoghurt and Zainab BalogunNwachukwu,” she noted.

Hollandia Yoghurt is available in two variants of Plain Sweetened and Strawberry, and it comes in five different pack sizes, one litre, 500ml, 315ml, 180ml and 100ml pack sizes.

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POLSCOPE The Enigma Called LagosTraffic

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bout a year ago, the Lagos State government in an attempt to both ensure free flow of traffic and also promote safety on the roads, banned for the umpteenth time, the use of commercial motorcycles, popularly called Okada, from designated roads and routes in the metropolis.

I am not sure that order was obeyed for more than six weeks. One year after, not only have all such laws been broken, there are now more motorcycles and in fact more menacing.

If you doubt me, take a bike ride to Tin Can Port from Mile 2.

In all the previous attempts by successive administrations to keep the motorcycles out of the major roads in the city, it had always been a contest between propriety and politics.

No doubt, the bulk of the voting public in Lagos State are such persons like the Okada riders, as many “Big Men” do not bother to vote.

So, the fear in the political circles, most times, is that any government that decisively locks these Okada riders out of “business” , will receive the corresponding backlash at the polls. So, governor, after governor, have learnt to either speak from both sides of the mouth on the matter or devise ways of threading carefully on the ‘Okada lane’.

It is also a worry that most of the Okada riders (some of them graduates) are into such “engagements” out of sheer choicelessness.

So, they argue that hounding them out of the Okada business is tantamount to goading them into armed robbery.

In all, the Lagos state government has remained weak and equivocal in dealing with the Okada riders’ menace.

Something has to give. No responsible government can allow or tolerate, no matter what the contra-arguments are, the level of trouble, brigandage, disquiet and ill-image the Okada riders give the city. The presence of the Okada riders celebrate the irony in the state’s slogan: Centre of Excellence. What is the excellence in having a maddening crowd (like in Mile 2 to Apapa or Mile 12 or Gbagada etc) that not only dirties the metropolitan template of the city, but also poses great danger to other road users. Is it not said that an entire ward is dedicated to patients of Okada accidents at the Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi? How can a responsible and caring government knowingly permit such gradual destruction of its people, all because they expect to reap electoral gains at the end four years?

To peak the nuggets of excellence, the state government must be decisive on what it wants.

If Okada riders are banned, let them remain banned, election or no election. Heavens will not fall! Accommodating the Okada riders is a sign of weakness and indecision on the part of government.

The Okada trouble is just one bit of the larger menace called Lagos traffic.

Many years back the government had introduced the use of odd and even numbers on the car plates, and allotted days which odd number cars can ply the roads and the days even number cars can ply the road.

That soon got abandoned, as its effect and gains were short-lived.

The Bola Tinubu administration had gone ahead to establish the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) with the aim of effectively controlling and managing the traffic issue in the state. More than 20 years after, it cannot be said that LASTMA is actually the solution to the traffic problem in the state.

The Tinubu/Fashola administration furthered the effort by introducing the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) scheme, with the intent that less cars will be on the road as the BRT buses will come to the rescue.

Sadly. It has also not worked. The BRT corridors have not been expanded to connect more areas. It has largely remained what it was over ten years ago, thus discouraging its mass patronage by car owners. The consequence is that more and more cars are on the road every day. And the choke gets really problematic.

In fact, the BRT lanes have indeed narrowed the width of the roads and helped to get the vehicles crowded on the roads, resulting in slower pace. And everyday, Lagosians groan and whine on the roads.

Some even die on the steering.

It is instructive that a report by Danne Institute for Research has released its finding that confirmed that Lagosians lose N4 trillion annually to traffic snarle.

áÓÞÒ ÎÎã ÎÓàáÜÓ ÏÎÎã˛ÙÎÓàáÜÓ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט ͸΀͸ͽ ͻ͸; ΁ͻͽ;

Canticles….

They Talk Technology, We Talk Cows and Bandits

I

am so happy with the Northern Governors. In fact, more than ever before, now I believe that not only are our prayers being answered, we are re-assured that there is nothing God cannot do.

Really? What did the Northern governors do to warrant this adulation?

Are you the one asking such question?

Didn’t you hear that they have resolved to condemn open grazing of cows? They have also condemned the criminality associated with some herdsmen who have become both kidnappers, bandits and armed robbers? Is it not strange that this kind of support is coming from the north?

Sanwoolu

The report further indicated that there is a growth in Lagos but there is no productivity.

In other words, the huge population is not necessarily translating to huge productivity.

Very true! In fact, life is getting nastier and more brutish in Lagos. More people, less opportunities, leading to the feasting on the few and fading amenities. The socio-metrics of the city are heading south.

Sadly, the State government does not seem to have any new idea on how to manage the mess. The talk about Transport Master Plan is neither here nor there. For years, the other modes of transport like water transport or rail transport have remained elusive or at best irregular and unsafe. Water transport which should have been a possible alternative is unregulated or poorly supervised and so we often hear of boats capsizing with multiple casualties.

The result is that everybody hits the roads, all day long. The traffic control measures too often, get overwhelmed.

The Sanwo-Olu-led administration has toyed with the idea of building rail lines… there is much talk about red line and blue line, and even the more ambitious talk about Fourth Mainland bridge. Anytime I listen to Gov Sanwo-Olu talk about these projects, he speaks with so much oracular certainty, but almost two years down the line, there is not a whiff of progress on the projects, or so it seems. The much-talked about publicprivate partnership expected to float these projects appear stuck and cold-footed, if not jinxed.

Not even the mono-rail project started by the Fashola administration has progressed beyond where Fashola left it.

There are more cars than the roads can accommodate. The avalanche of private cab companies like Uber, Bolt, InDriver, etc, with their thousands of cars cockroaching every nook and cranny of the city has further complicated the traffic mix in the city.

Worse still is that many of the existing roads are poorly maintained. Despite the huge maintenance effort of the state government, there are still a plethora of pot holeridden roads or undulating earth roads. But even more terrible is the despicable driving culture especially among the commercial drivers in the state. Their recklessness and illegalities, like driving against traffic, all help to make a mess of the traffic situation in the city.

Recently, the state seized and sold off vehicles involved in ‘one-way’ driving in accordance with the state’s traffic laws. But it has not quite reined-in the dangerous drivers. The state needs more of such laws that can help in curbing the danger such drivers pose to the other unsuspecting driving public.

Gov Sanwo-Olu cannot or should not be comfortable with the findings of the research Institute. How can a people be losing that huge sum every year and expect the GDP of the state to grow? Perhaps more than anywhere else in Nigeria, the ease of doing business is highly an illusion.

It is not enough mouthing a certain Transport Master Plan, it should be reviewed, updated and activated with a view to solving the problems it is meant to solve. It is then and only then will the problem of traffic in Lagos not become a killer agent.

Is that why you are this excited? Did they say anything out of order? They merely re-echoed what every other person had been saying all the while about these Fulani herdsmen, many of whom are camouflaging with the so-called cows to invade every part of the country committing heinous crimes across board.

Do not take their turn-around position for granted. It is good that they have seen the light, that the scale has fallen off their eyes. Have you forgotten that some of them had been talking about constitutional provisions that says any Nigerian can live and do business anywhere in the country? It is a milestone position to now agree that open grazing is being abused and used as a ruse to undertake terrible crimes in the land.

I am really bothered that in the 21st century, when nations are seeking ways to expand their frontiers in Science, Information Technology, and digitalization of nations’ economies, we are spending huge time debating and legislating on the welfare of cows and their minders. It is a matter that has engaged the entire layers of government in the country, including the National Assembly which just resumed last Wednesday.

Get it right. It is not just about the welfare of cows and their minders; it is ultimately about the security and safety of Nigerians and their businesses. Have you not seen video clips of how these criminals masquerading as herders rape innocent Nigerians, kill and butcher human beings and negotiate huge ransom for their captives? So it is not just about the cows.

We believe that if the said northern governors walk their talk, then they should create ranches in their various states for the herders to graze and raise their cows and save the rest of Nigerians the trouble of battling herders, being killed or raped by Fulani herdsmen. If they ranch their cows, there will be no excuse to migrate southward anymore.

Don’t you understand?

But the market for the cows is in the south.

How will the southerners be getting the cows?

There are trailers for ferrying of livestock from one part of the country to another.

But you know this ranching of a thing cannot be automatic. The various state governors have to plan for it. And it will take sometime before it comes alive, if it ever will.

What do you mean by, “if it ever will”?

You don’t trust the governors?

Trust? Am I mad? How can I trust politicians?

For all you care, they may have just said all they said without meaning it in earnest. It may just be a ploy to play to the gallery.

Or did you not hear that some of the governors, led by Gov Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State, are already negotiating amnesty for the bandits?

Amnesty for bare-faced criminals? That will be an open invitation to chaos and unbridled lawlessness.

They argue that Niger Delta militants were once granted amnesty and so, there is no reason why these repentant bandits

Gov Bello Matawalle

should not be granted amnesty. One sheikh Gumi had been the middleman between the bandits and the governors.

That is raw balder dash. There is no basis for comparison. The Niger Delta militants were fighting a noble and genuine course. What are these bandits and kidnappers fighting for? To advocate amnesty for killers and rapists will be opening the floodgate for new entrants to such crimes. So instead being punished for their crimes, the amnesty will merely reward them and thus deoderise crime and criminality.

It is wicked and silly to pursue the amnesty agenda. That is why I strongly support the position of the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai who had said there will be no negotiation whatsoever with bandits and other such criminals, stressing that they should be crushed and dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land.

But was Gov El- Rufai not the first to negotiate and pay these bandits? Didn’t he so confess that he was settling them? Did he not say, like many others, that many of these bandits are not even Nigerians?

So he is speaking from the position of knowledge. He knows negotiating with bandits will never be a solution. They are already used to huge blood money and no pittance will satisfy them anymore.

And we are disturbed that in the face of these daily killings and kidnappings across the land, the presidency has remained rather indifferent and even silent.

President Muhammadu Buhari is not a talkative person. What do you want him to say? Hasn’t the presidency said anyone bearing arms illegally should be arrested and prosecuted? What else can be clearer than that? ( Pouting his lips) Indeed! So why have the hundreds of killer herdsmen and kidnappers and bandits not been arrested, all these years? Look, don’t be deceived, that so-called directive is only lip deep. The body language of Mr President is being read by those who should arrest and prosecute these killer bandits and understand that indeed, the unspoken instruction is “touch not my people” Bunkum! Body language is not a communication code in officialdom. I challenge them to arrest and arraign any errant herder or kidnapper and see if the case will not go through Don’t be naive my brother. Are you not aware that even the members of the deadly Boko Haram terrorist who have been captured are being “de-radicalised” and released? Have we not had cases of so-called de-radicalised Boko Haram members who have either returned to kill their parents and other community folks or even become informants to Boko Haram?

We must make up our minds if we want this struggle to rescue Nigeria from these bloodthirsty criminals, to end.

40

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͰ˜ 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

National Committee on AfCFTA Commences Nationwide Sensitisation Dike Onwuamaeze The National Action Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has commenced a nationwide awareness and sensitisation tour in line with its mandate to prepare Nigeria to take advantage of the continental agreement.

According to a statement, the AfCFTA nationwide awareness and sensitisation tour was expected to kick-off from Kaduna State with a courtesy call on Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai followed by meetings with public and private sector stakeholders, including trade and professional associations in the State. Thereafter, the team would proceed to Bauchi State,

according to the statement, with visit to other states to follow subsequently. Speaking on the awareness programme, Secretary, the National Action Committee on AfCFTA, Francis Anatogu, said, “Our mandate at the National Action Committee is to coordinate the activities of private and public sector at Federal and Sub-National levels to implement AfCFTA for benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians.

“Our strategy is to work with the states based on their areas of comparative advantages and priorities as a way of building up our national export trade and creating jobs at grass root level”.

According to him, “The core objective of the AfCFTA is to create a single market for goods, services, and free movement of persons in order to deepen the

economic integration of the African continent.

“The AfCFTA is expected to deliver an integrated continental market of 1.27 billion consumers with aggregate GDP of USD3.4 trillion. Nigeria constitutes a significant portion of these figures largely spread across our states”.

Nigeria signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement in Niamey, Niger in July 2019 to promote intra-African trade with other African countries.

In November 2020, the Federal Executive Council approved the ratification of the agreement demonstrating Nigeria is on course to participate in trading under the AfCFTA. Trading under the AfCFTA commenced on January 1, 2021.

Ecobank Nigeria Announces $300m Bond Pricing Ecobank Nigeria announced that it has successfully priced its $300 million bond issuance maturing in February 2026, with settlement of the debt instrument to take place on February 16, 2021.

According to a statement from the bank, the fixed-rate, US dollar-denominated bond, with a tenor of 5 years, carries a coupon rate of 7.125% and will be listed on the London Stock Exchange.

It is accompanied by an Issuer Rating of B- from Fitch Rating Agency and S & P. It explained that the coupon/ yield represents the lowest ever coupon/yield achieved by a Nigerian financial institution for a benchmark bond transaction.

“At the peak of marketing the transaction, the issue was over three times over-subscribed,

with significant interest from international investors.

“The transaction opened with Initial Price Thoughts of 7.75% and finally tightened to close at 7.125% on the back of robust demand. The strength and depth of the book demonstrated global investors’ strong appetite for the Ecobank franchise in Nigeria, a testament to the strength of the Ecobank Group,” it stated.

It stated that the transaction was the first non-sovereign bond from Africa in 2021, describing it as a milestone capital raise for the banking sector in Nigeria, “giving Ecobank access to global debt capital markets, and more favorable credit terms, commensurate with its strong financial position and robust capital structure.”

“For international investors, it represented an attractive option

to gain exposure to Nigeria,” it added.

Commenting on the issuance, Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan, said: “Despite the challenging global environment owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, and on the back of a successful N50 billion tier-2 issuance in December 2020, Ecobank Nigeria was able to successfully issue and price Nigeria’s first 2021 senior unsecured 5-year bond transaction.

“Ecobank Nigeria, through this issuance, is being proactive in optimising its capital structure as it continues to drive its medium term growth strategy of establishing itself as a leading facilitator of panAfrica and international trade and payments.”

CSR: Access Bank Renovates Primary School in Lagos Ugo Aliogo As part of its commitment to support quality education in Lagos State, Access Bank Plc has renovated St. Peter’s Primary School, Ebute-Metta.

The initiative is in line with the bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Speaking during a handing over ceremony, the Group Chief Conduct and Compliance, Access Bank, Pattison Boleigha, said the bank is sensitive to needs of communities.

“The bank has an employee volunteering scheme which involves carrying out CSR activities to promote public interests through social investment in community development,” he saidnoted. He stated that conduct and compliance group has been actively participating in the

programme since inception as a way of giving back to the society.

Boleigha, who was represented at the event by Uzoma Ujah, stated that the group’s CSR activities for 2020 focused on improving the quality of education in Lagos state, therefore they embarked on the initiative to address some of the social welfare issues by renovating St Peter Nursery/ Primary School.

He said the renovation work involved fixing of the aluminum roof and the ceiling, installation of 44-unit doors and 95 iron windows, replacement of the chalk board with the modern marker boards, plumbing work, provision of water tank and the toilet facilities for 12 restrooms, provision of the guiderails at the first and second floor balconies of the two wings of the building as well as painting.

According to him, “The educational system in Nigeria has witnessed teaching challenges such as inadequate critical infrastructure such as classrooms, modern teaching aids, libraries, and laboratories.

“The execution of the project would stimulate learning interests in the pupils who are the future leaders that will positively contribute to Nigeria and global development. We provide a good working environment to promote a deep sense of inner satisfaction to the staff of the school.

“Improve the aesthetics of Ebute-Metta community where the school is located. We hope to continue collaborating with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) and other government agencies to promote social welfare for community development.”

Polaris Bank Rewards Loyal Customers Polaris Bank has unveiled Mr. Lucky Okunzuwa, a customer at the bank’s Akpakpava branch, Benin, Edo State, as the first millionaire at the maiden draw of its ongoing nationwide ‘Save & Win’ promo.

According to a statement from the bank, other 60 lucky customers who also emerged from across the six geo-political zones, won N100,000 each during the draw which held at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos.

The promo which ends in April 2021, was designed to enrich

Nigerians with a N26 million pay-out, the statement added.

“The winners emerged through a transparent draw witnessed by officials of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, representatives of other regulatory agencies; as well as customers and relations of the winners. “The draw was conducted using a hybrid media technology which enabled in-premises event whilst over 600 customers logged in through the banks virtual network and social media handles. “The promo is

designed to make millionaires of everyday Nigerians by encouraging current and prospective customers of the Bank to save minimum of N10,000 monthly, for any three consecutive months within the promo period, starting from November 2020 to April 2021, to qualify and be part of the winners of the promo,” it added.

Okunzuwa, was quoted to have said: ‘‘I am very delighted at winning one million naira in the Polaris Bank’s Save & Win Promo.

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

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, 10 FEBRUARY 2021

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $60.45 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $60.28 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

41

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͰ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

‘Nigeria Needs More Foreign Direct Investments to Fund Capital Projects’ Goddy Egene A securities dealer and Managing Director, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, has said that Nigeria needs appropriate policies that would attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the country.

He stressed that FDI is an important source of capital funding for a country like Nigeria.

Chukwu who stated this at a

virtual workshop organised by the Capital Market Correspondent Association of Nigeria(CAMCAN) with the theme: “Addressing Nigeria’s Fiscal Challenges – Exploring Alternative Fund Approach” , noted that FDIs are what go to private sector and infrastructural developments.

He, however, said FDIs have remained flat in the last six years (2015-2020), disclosing that Nigeria recorded $1.44 trillion inflow of FDI in 2015 as against $1.028

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trillion in 2020.

“It is a far cry compared to country like Ghana whose receipt are two times what Nigeria realised and Egypt which is seven times what we received.

FDI is an important source of capital funding for a country like Nigeria. Nigeria needs to come out with appropriate policies that will attract FDI especially on foreign exchange,” Chukwu said.

According to him, investors channel their FDIs towards

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economies where they have the highest potential for profit and the least risk. “As such, the dent of the social unrest to the image and perceived risk of long-term capital investment would mean that the country will struggle in attracting the much-desired long-term finance needed for accelerated growth and enhanced job opportunities,” he said. On revenue, Chukwu said Nigeria has a huge revenue shortfall, indicating that we have to look for fund

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outside government budget.

“The challenge we have in this country is a revenue challenge, we don’t have the revenue size to support the type of government we run, that’s why our recurrent expenditure has been increasing while our revenue remain flat. The government needs to interrogate issues of recurrent expenditure,” he said. On the outlook of financial markets in 2021 Chukwu said: “We sustain our positive outlook for the Nigerian bourse in 2021 as

O F

its overall positive performance in 2020.This is also justified by the strong fundamentals of the several quoted companies on account of their resilience during the pandemic and the likelihood that they will remain resilient in 2021.”

Meanwhile, the stock market rebounded with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) by 0.78 per cent to close 41,014.30 after three days of decline.

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42

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Champion Breweries’ Board Meets to Approve 2020 Financials Goddy Egene

Champion Breweries Plc will meet on Thursday, February 25, to among other items,

The Board of Directors of A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

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

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

review and approve the audited financial statements (AFS)of the company for the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

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

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

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 10Feb-2021, unless otherwise stated.

year ended December 31, 2020. The company said that based on the above, none of

its insider may buy and or sell its shares from February 10 2021 until 24 hours after

the filing of the AFS with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 158.07 159.64 6.72% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 28.20% Nigeria International Debt Fund 366.73 366.73 -8.11% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 115.33 115.33 1.07% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.29% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.46 3.62 -2.56% 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 0.58% Anchoria Equity Fund 133.64 134.43 -0.07% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.19 1.19 -10.53% 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 N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Eurobond Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A ARM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 128.16 129.06 1.57% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.48% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.08 2.08 -43.70% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.23 2.27 -19.02% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.95% Paramount Equity Fund 16.18 16.48 1.18% Women's Investment Fund 133.84 135.38 0.57% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.31% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 130.58 131.46 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 108.84 108.84 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 1.44% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.17 1.18 -2.43% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.52 1.52 -4.24% 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 1.11% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 1.07% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,184.64 1,186.53 -1.33% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund 185.99 187.36 -0.90% FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.18% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail N/A N/A N/A FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 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 N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH Treasury Bills Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 0.64% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 127.58 128.11 19.65%

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 0.19% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.69 2.75 17.22% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 155.91 156.41 0.34% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) 1.08 1.08 5.65% 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 N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 1.65 1.68 7.24% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.21 12.32 8.78% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 1.50% PACAM Equity Fund 1.65 1.67 PACAM EuroBond Fund 109.02 111.61 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 133.56 136.51 12.29% 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 0.75% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 -0.05% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 0.42% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 1.69% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 0.49% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 0.61% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.31% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -1.32% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.23 1.23 0.70% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 111.52 111.52 0.40% 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 1.39 1.42 1.79% United Capital Bond Fund 1.90 1.90 0.67% United Capital Equity Fund 0.88 0.90 1.29% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.77% United Capital Eurobond Fund 117.83 117.83 0.64% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.07 1.09 -0.94% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.02 1.02 1.89% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +2349031100041 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.29 12.42 3.65% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.54 13.66 10.82% Zenith Income Fund 24.15 24.15 0.71% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.84%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

121.29 52.51

0.46% 0.21%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.36 125.29 100.09

13.46 125.29 101.97

1.05% 2.92% 0.73%

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund 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

4.00

4.04

5.51%

Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund

5.85

5.93

2.73%

Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund

17.62 1.00 19.53

17.72 1.00 19.73

7.66% 0.88% -4.80%

179.98

181.98

-18.61%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.05

13.11%

Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund

Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond 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.

43

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Senate Invites CBN Gov, SEC DG over Cryptocurrency Ban Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate has summoned the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and the DirectorGeneral of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Lamido Yuguda, to brief it on the opportunities and threats

of the crypto currencies on the country’s economy and security following the apex bank’s recent directive stopping all financial institutions from transacting in crypto currencies.

The duo are to appear before the Senate joint Committees on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions; ICT and

...SEC to Engage Critical Stakeholders on Regulatory Structure

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

As the recent directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) asking commercial banks to stop facilitating cryptocurrency transactions in Nigeria continues to generate controversy, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has stated that it will continue to monitor developments in the digital asset space and further engage all critical stakeholders.

This, it said, was with a view to creating a regulatory structure that enhances economic development while promoting a safe, innovative and transparent capital market.

SEC’s reaction is coming on the heels of yesterday’s decision by the Senate to summon the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Director General of SEC,

Mr. Lamido Yuguda, following the controversy trailing CBN’s directive.

In a statement issued last night, SEC said it had received several comments and inquiries from the public on a perceived policy conflict between its September 11, 2020 statement on Digital Assets and their Classification and Treatment and the CBN circular of February 5, 2021.

The Commission said: “We see no such contradictions or inconsistencies.

“In recognition of the fact that digital assets may have the full characteristics of investments as defined in the Investments and Securities Act 2007, the SEC statement asserts that trading in such assets falls under SEC’s regulatory purview, except proven otherwise.

Cybercrime, and Capital Market, chaired by Senators Uba Sani (APC Kaduna Central), Yakubu Oseni (APC Kogi East) and Ibikunle Amosun (APC Ogun Central) respectively.

The joint committee has two weeks to report back to the upper legislative chamber at plenary.

The resolution was sequel to

the adoption of a motion entitled: ‘CBN decision to stop financial institutions from transacting in crypto currencies and matters arising therefrom’ co-sponsored

by Senators Istifanus Gyang (PDP Plateau North) and Adetokunbo Abiru (APC Lagos East).

Presenting the motion, Senator Gyang noted that the CBN took

the decision following its earlier directives in January 2017 and February 2018 which forbade banks not to use, hold, trade and/or transact in crypto currencies.

He said the action and directive of the CBN have attracted sharp reactions from Nigerians and has become a topical subject of national discuss.

According to him, “Crypto currency is both an opportunity and a threat, hence the Senate has a responsibility to ensure that the country and citizens do not miss out on the opportunities that crypto currency offers and in the same vein, mitigate and prevent likely consequential effects on the country’s economy and security.”

IT’S NICE MEETING YOU…

Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo (left), and the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Dave Umahi during the governor’s courtesy visit to the Naval Headquarters, Abuja...yesterday

House to Probe FG’s Arms Corps Member, One Other Jailed in Kwara over Love Scam Purchase in Last 10 Years Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Udora OrizuinAbuja The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to look into the quality and quantity of arms and ammunition purchased for security agencies in the country for the last 10 years, with a clear inquest into the relevant tools and equipment, as to whether any evidence of existence or not.

The House announced the probe at the inauguration of an ad-hoc committee mandated to review the purchase, use and control of arms, ammunition and related hardware by the military, paramilitary and other law enforcement agencies.

Recall that the House had on December 8, 2020, through a motion, resolved to mandate the committee to carry out the findings.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Olaide Akinremi, in his opening remarks, claimed that Nigeria spent an estimated sum of $47.387 million in arms importation in 2019.

Akinremi said there was

the need for efficiency in the management of the economy of all nations, and the procurement for which arms and ammunition form a substantial proportion amount to 12 percent of global GDP in 2018.

He said: “The motion is pursuant to the National Assembly power of oversight in line with the provisions of Section 4, 58, 59, 88 and 100 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended. The inaugural meeting is primarily set to create an awareness of the originating definition of the substantive fundamental principle of the hearing.

“Therefore the committee has commenced it the legislative process of evidence gathering towards accomplishing this legislative assignment. It is to through evidence gathered that the committee would be able to deliver on this all-important national assignment that will guarantee security, economic growth, and national development.

A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. Sam Abiola and one Adebiyi Sodiq have been convicted by a Kwara State High Court over attempted cheating and love scam.

The affected suspects were arraigned before the court by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

Abiola, 26, who is currently doing his compulsory national youth service programme in

Kogi State, and Sodiq, 18, were arraigned on separate charges contrary to 321 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 324 of the same law.

While one count was preferred against Abiola, Sodiq was prosecuted on a four-count charge. They pleaded guilty to the charges.

The charge against Abiola reads: “That you, Sam Abiola (Missie Bonie), sometime between July 2019 and September 2019, in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this

honourable court, did cheat by impersonation when you pretended to be one Missie Bonie, a white female with Gmail account, missiebo271@ gmail.com, and fraudulently deceived one Rick to send $550 to you through gift card after you made him believe you were in love with him, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the same Penal Code.”

For Sodiq, count three of his charge reads: “That you, Adebiyi Sodiq (alias:

Maria Monica), sometime in August 2020, in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did cheat by impersonation via your email address; terrellwhite856@ gmail.com, to one Manny, by portraying yourself as a white female, named Maria, and induced him to send you his Cash App, a representation you knew to be false, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 324 of the Penal Code and punishable under the same Section of 324 of the same law.”

FG Offers Automatic Employment, Scholarship to 110 Ex-Corps Members Deji Elumoye in Abuja The federal government has offered automatic employment and scholarship up to the doctoral degree level in any Nigerian university to 110 former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who excelled during the 2018 and 2019 service years.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who announced this yesterday at the virtual 2018/2019

President’s NYSC honours and award ceremony held at the State House in Abuja, also announced cash rewards for the ex-corps members.

He directed the relevant government agencies to ensure timely implementation of all the incentives for the award recipients.

Urging the honourees to sustain the patriotic zeal that earned them the award, the

president said: ‘‘It is noteworthy that the young men and women being honoured have excelled in the four cardinal programmes of the scheme namely: Orientation Course, Primary Assignment, Community Development Service and Winding-up/Passing-out, which formed the basis of assessment for the honours’ award. ‘‘On behalf of the government and the good people of Nigeria,

I heartily congratulate those honoured for standing out from their peers in order to merit the honour being bestowed upon them. ‘‘You have proved yourselves worthy ambassadors of your respective families and the National Youth Service Corps.

I am very proud of you and confident that the award shall spur you to greater service to the country and humanity.’’

Court Sacks Ebonyi PDP Navy Destroys 15 Militants’ Camps, Arrests 17 Suspects in Akwa Ibom, Rivers the destruction took place He explained that the militant 285,000 litres of illegally refined Okon Bassey in Uyo Caretaker Committee within the jurisdiction of the camps were uncovered and diesel and recovered different Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

A Federal High Court in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, last Wednesday sacked the Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chaired by Elder Fred Udeogu, describing it as illegal.

The presiding Judge, Justice Aluko Akintayo, in a threehour judgement, ruled that the purported dissolution of the executive committee of the PDP in the state led by Onyekachi Nwebonyi, was not only absurd but inconsistent with the provisions of the party’s constitution as well as the Constitution of Nigeria.

Justice Akintayo noted that the party acted harshly without any evidence of wrong doing against the plaintiff, adding that the defection of the state Governor, David Umahi, to the APC was in exercise of his fundamental human right of freedom of association, and cannot be a justifiable ground to remove the plaintiff from office.

The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise the purported caretaker committee constituted by the national leadership of the PDP in Ebonyi State.

Seventeen suspected pirates and sea robbers have been arrested and 15 militants’ camps destroyed in Akwa Ibom State and some parts of Rivers States by the Nigerian Navy.

The Commander of NNS Jubilee, Commodore Abdulmajid Ibrahim, said

Command.

Ibrahim, who briefed journalists yesterday at the Nigerian Navy, Jubilee Base in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, said the militant camps were destroyed during its anti-piracy and anti-sea robbery operations.

destroyed after the navy were able to penetrate some of the 1,800 creeks within the jurisdiction of the base.

Ibrahim said between May 2020 and January 2021, the navy destroyed the 15 militant camps, arrested 17 piracy and sea robbery suspects, and seized

Pastor Okoliko is Dead The Centre for Destitute Empowerment International, CDEI, a Lagos-based charity organisation, has announced the transition of its Founder/President,

Pastor Samson Okoliko.

A statement from the centre indicated that funeral arrangements would begin with a service of songs at his residence, 8, Makanjuola

Close, Paiko, Idimu, in Lagos, on Monday, while interment takes place on Friday, February 19, at Kwali, in Abuja.

He is survived by a wife and children.

kinds of ammunition from them.

He said the joint patrol operations of the navy and Nigerian police resulted in relative peace and security in the area, and brought illegal bunkering and trade on the water ways to the barest minimum.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

44

NEWSEXTRA

Activist Drags Buhari, Makinde, Others to Court over Alleged Banditry in Oyo Alex Enumah in Abuja A human rights activists and Oyo State-based legal practitioner, Mr. Femi Aborisade has dragged the federal and Oyo State governments to court over the activities of armed bandits

and other criminals in parts of Oyo State.

Aborisade in the fundamental human rights suit filed on behalf of himself and residents of Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North, including Igangan; Atisbo, Irepo, Iseyin,

APC: We’ll Extend Membership Registration Exercise

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has revealed that it would extend the ongoing membership registration and revalidation exercise in order to ensure that nobody is left behind.

The ongoing membership drive which started on February 9, is expected to be carried out in two weeks.

However, it is now likely to be extended following complaints of insufficient registration materials across the state.

The Governor of Niger State and Chairman of the Membership Revalidation and Registration Committee, Mr. Abubakar Sani Bello, disclosed this yesterday while

addressing journalists at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, after a closed-door meeting with aggrieved party chieftains from Delta State over the ongoing registration exercise.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of State, Labour and Productivity, Mr. Festus Keyamo; the Governorship candidate of the party, Chief Great Ogboru; former governorship aspirant, Chief Otega Emethor; former House of Representatives member, Hon. Halim Agoda and the State Chairman of the party, Prophet Jones Erue.

The Senate Deputy President, Senate Ovie Omo- Agege was however absent at the meeting which also had all the National Registration Committee members in attendance.

Osinbajo: Nigeria will Achieve 30% Power Supply from Renewables Deji Elumoye and Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday disclosed that Nigeria was planning to have at least 30 per cent of its total electricity supply from renewable sources, majorly solar power in the next nine years Osinbajo has also called for more effective engagements in the international community to develop a better understanding on the challenges involved in the attainment of net zero emissions as envisaged under the Paris Agreement regarding Climate Change expectations and commitments.

Speaking at the inauguration of a 1.12MW Solar Hybrid Project at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, the

vice president noted that the ongoing projects being executed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) were critical to the achievement of that objective and reduction of Nigeria’s carbon footprints.

Osinbajo who noted that at least 22,000 students in the country and several faculties in several universities were already hooked on to the programme, explained that the country was working hard to curb emissions by 20 per cent immediately and 45 per cent in collaboration with its international partners.

The vice president stated that the programme would expand the country’s commitment to global best practice and to cleaner energy in line with the Paris agreement on Climate Change.

NUT Declares Factional Teacher’s Union Illegal Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has said that no new trade union has been registered as Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS).

It described as baseless claim

by ASUSS that its registration has been upheld by the Supreme Court ruling, saying that such matter was never before the apex court.

Addressing a press conference at the NUT national headquarters in Abuja yesterday, the Deputy National President of the NUT, Mr. Kelvin Nwankwo said that under extant provision of the Third Schedule Part A No. 26 of the Trade Unions Act CAP.T.14 LFN

2004, the Nigeria Union of Teachers is mandated to exercise jurisdiction over: “Teachers employed in educational institutions of all types, but excluding Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and other tertiary institutions.”

He said only NUT and no other union is recognised by the law to unionise teachers in primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.

According to Nwankwo, “what was brought before the Supreme Court was the contest of the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to hear the Suit of ASUSS was upheld by the Federal High Court Abuja, which was appealed by the ASUSS to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, respectively”.

Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, Oorelope, Olorunsogo, Saki East and Saki West Local Government Areas of Oyo State, is seeking an order of court directing the respondents to guarantee the protection of their fundamental rights as enshrined in the 1999 constitution.

Respondents in the suit filed before the Ibadan Division of the Federal High Court are; Oyo State Governor, Attorney General of Oyo State, President of Nigeria, Attorney General

of the Federation and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police.

The suit filed on his behalf by another human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, (SAN) is dated and filed on February 10, 2021.

It is specifically praying the court for an order “directing the respondents to arrest, investigate and prosecute suspected armed herders, suspected armed robbers and suspected kidnappers who commit criminal trespass, rape, murder, armed robbery, kidnapping and other

criminal offences in Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North, Including Igangan; Atisbo, Irepo, Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, Oorelope, Olorunsogo, Saki East & Saki West Local Government Areas of Oyo State”.

The plaintiff further sought for another order directing the respondents to adopt adequate measures to ensure the protection of the life and property of every person in the above-mentioned local

government areas of Oyo State forthwith.

The suit predicated on six grounds, is amongst others claiming that the respondents are under a legal obligation to protect the life and property of every person living and/ or working in Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North, including Igangan; Atisbo, Irepo, Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, Oorelope, Olorunsogo, Saki East and Saki West Local Government Areas of Oyo State.

NEW ELECTORAL UMPIRES…

L-R: New member of Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), Mr. Anthony Ugochukwu Ugwunnadi; Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; and new member of ENSIEC, Mr. George Obiora Ani, after the inauguration of the new ENSIEC members at the Government House, Enugu …yesterday

Senate: Service Wide Vote Biggest Fraud in Nigeria We have no power to audit NNPC, CBN, others, says AuGF Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday described the service wide vote in the federal budget domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Finance as the biggest fraud in Nigeria.

This is coming as the Acting Auditor General of the Federation, Mr. Adolphus Argungu, disclosed that his office has no constitutional power to audit the account

of agencies like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), among others.

Speaking at the confirmation hearing of Acting AuditorGeneral of Federation, Argungu, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Matthew Uhroghide, stressed that service wide fund was the biggest fraud in the country

as the annual vote has never been audited.

He stated particularly that in the 2021 budget, the federal government allocated N758 billion for service wide vote.

According to him, “Service wide vote is the biggest fraud in Nigeria. It is meant to meet unseen situation; nobody gives account on service wide vote.

Standing Committees of the Senate do not know anything

about its spending”.

He specifically said that the Office of Auditor General has been designed to fail because there is no sufficient fund for the office to carry out its task.

Urhoghide submitted that the National Assembly will henceforth ensure that no agency appears for budget defence without responding to issues raised in the annual report of Auditor General of the Federation.

Two Ex-students of Enugu Federal College Bag Automatic Employment, Postgraduate Scholarship Two ex-students of the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu, Jane Akudinanwa Agbo, and Rahab Musa, were among 110 ex-corps members offered automatic employment into the Federal Civil Service yesterday in Abuja

by President Muhammadu Buhari.

A statement issued yesterday by the school’s Head of Public

Relations, Mr. Omololu Ogunmade noted that the president also offered Agbo and Musa along with their 109 counterparts scholarships to pursue post-graduate studies up to the doctoral level in any university of their choice in Nigeria.

While Agbo served in the Dental Centre of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching

Hospital, Zaria, Musa served in Taraba State and both of them distinguished themselves in excellent service delivery, bringing to bear the erudite skills inculcated in them by the College.

Agbo deployed her skills to deliver oral health care services to 2,000 almajiris and 750 other persons from 50 years and above, thus making her the cynosure

of NYSC eyes.

Musa on her own part, engaged in outstanding oral health care services to internally displaced persons (IDPs) which caught the attention of NYSC officials, and because of the success of the initiative that was determined by the number of its beneficiaries, she was deemed qualified for the honours’ awards.

Diri: I Inherited Eight Years’ Unpaid Pension Onungwe Obe in Yenagoa After spending one year in office, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has disclosed that his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, left him with eightyear pension and gratuity liabilities of retired civil servants to settle.

Diri, who stated this at an interactive session with journalists as part of activities

for his first anniversary in office, however, said he would offset the pension and gratuity liabilities.

The governor was sworn in as governor on February 14, 2020, after the Supreme Court nullified the election of David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that won the November 16, 2019, governorship election in the state.

But the governor said he

could not settle in to duty after his inauguration because of the plethora of litigation challenging his election that took a long time to resolve.

Diri said: “This administration came in at a time we had lost hope, and God, in His miraculous way, gave us a miracle, and we came in to behold a floodgate of litigations which kept us standing on one leg. But we also overcame.

“The year 2020, to some, was a very bad and challenging year. But for us in the present administration, it was a very good year because we waded through all the challenges, including dwindling revenues.

“We found out that the people who have served in the Bayelsa State Civil Service and retired were not paid gratuities and pensions, and it even extended beyond the immediate-past administration.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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24 HOURS...

WORLD OF ISLAM

Boko Haram: Nigerian Refugees to be Repatriated from Cameroon Learn the Unlearning Process - 1 on February 27, March 7

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Tom Bassanoof Phd/IslamiCity Introduction

Michael Olugbode in Abuja Repatriation of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon has been fixed for February 27 and March 7, 2021.

Most of the 46,000 Nigerian refugees fled troubled Borno State to neighbouring Cameroonian towns, mostly Minawao, at the peak of the Boko Haram crisis.

The decision on the scheduled repatriation dates was taken after a tripartite commission meeting involved representatives of the federal government, Borno State Government and the Cameroonian Government.

The meeting, which was held last Wednesday, had in attendance the Cameroonian delegation led by the host country’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji; Governor of Far North Cameroon, Midjiyawa Bakary, and some humanitarian officials, as well as the Nigerian side led by Borno State Governor, Prof Umara Zulum; top officials from the Nigerian High Commission in Cameroon, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian

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The general public should please take note.

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Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Malam Bashir Nura Alkali; the Ministry’s Humanitarian Director, Ali Grema; a representative of the Federal Commissioner of National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Mr. Hassan Ejibunu; the governor’s Adviser on External and Liaison Services, Adamu Abbas, who is also a member of the Technical Working Group (TWG) established for the implementation of the tripartite repatriation agreement; a member of the House of Representatives representing Bama, Ngala, Kala-Balge federal constituency of Borno State, Zainab Gimba; the Director-General of Borno State Emergency Management Agency, and some other relevant officials.

A statement issued yesterday

by Zulum’s spokesman, Mallam Isa Gusau, read: “Following a two-day visit to Cameroon by Governor Zulum, a tripartite commission meeting held last Wednesday night has fixed February 27 and March 7, 2021,

Major Marketers Advocate Joint Action to Mitigate Effects of Petrol Price Hike Peter Uzoho Marketers of petroleum products under the aegis of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) have called for a joint action of stakeholders in the Nigeria economy to find ways to mitigate adverse effects of the imminent increase in the price of petrol.

The marketers’ cartel also canvassed for the replication of the current measure to cut

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to commence the voluntary repatriation of Nigerian refugees towards resettlement in Borno State.

“About 46,000 Nigerians, mostly from Borno State, have been taking refuge in Minawao refugee camp located in Mokolo, far north region of Cameroon.”

It disclosed that: “Governor Zulum, alongside the Federal Humanitarian officials from Nigeria and Cameroon, were at the Minawao camp last Wednesday before returning to Maroua, capital of the far north region of Cameroon, for a tripartite commission meeting.

“Zulum’s initial target was to have first a batch of 9,800 willing Nigerian refugees repatriated this week for resettlement in newly built houses located in Bama and Banki.

“However, yesterday’s (Wednesday) meeting of the tripartite commission came up with a revised standard operating procedure which was signed by all parties agreeing that repatriation to hold on February 27 and March 7, 2021.”

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cost of operation in the country’s oil and gas industry to the entire spectrum of the economy, especially governance.

The Chairman of MOMAN and Managing Director of 11Plc, Mr. Tunji Oyebanji, advanced the positions of the association yesterday in a statement he presented at a virtual press briefing hosted in Lagos with the title: ‘After Deregulation, What Next?’.

He said the removal of petrol subsidy and price control would no doubt lead to challenges for Nigerians, adding that debate among stakeholders should now move from the deregulation of downstream sector to fashioning out solutions to the hardship that would be faced by Nigerians.

The 11Plc boss said with a fully deregulated downstream industry, the natural fear and anticipation of Nigerians was the increase in the price of transportation, food items and the attendant economic hardships.

According to Oyebanji, “Solutions to these challenges can only emanate from a collective resolve by all stakeholders to face these challenges together.

“We must, as a country, debate and share pragmatic and realistic initiatives to mitigate the impact of a pump price increase, which could follow a fully deregulated downstream.”

He added: “MOMAN is calling for a national discourse among all stakeholders, including government, labour, civil society organisations, the organised private sector and operators, not on the merits or demerits of petrol subsidy removal, but on the initiatives that can be taken to ease the impact of the subsidy removal on the most vulnerable in our society.

“MOMAN remains committed to the sustainability and institutionalisation of a viable downstream petroleum industry for the social and economic growth of our country, Nigeria.”

This paper reveals some of the factors that inhibit and block people’s desire to unlearn human-made religious aspects. Resisting unlearning generated by fear and anxiety related to admitting the limitations to spiritual knowledge and practices that hindered tribal leaders or many people from accepting Islam.

Unlearning refers to the ability to deliberately discard obsolete, outdated, or unwanted religious knowledge. The ability to intentionally forget existing religious knowledge is necessary for the acceptance of righteous religious knowledge. For example, accepting Islam would require discarding other spiritual practices (unlearning) to make Islamic practices (learning). Unlearning means the replacement of embraced religious knowledge. All Prophets were called for forgetting (unlearning) their traditional religious beliefs since old methods and procedures did not lead to the right path.

There is a close relationship between resisting unlearning the wrong religious practices and the prevailing political power that promoted obsolete, outdated, or unwanted spiritual knowledge.

Prophets faced many obstacles and impediments to guide their people to learn the process of unlearning. Prophet Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (PBUT) faced immense challenges for teaching their inhabitants to learn the unlearning process. All Prophets invited their people to worship Allah Almighty instead of human-made gods. Prophets encountered a paradigm to guide their people to replace their culture, beliefs, and gods with righteous belief processes. They encountered immense challenges in guiding their citizens to Islam’s truth and unlearning worshiping the false deities.

A similar paradigm confronted the implementation of a new manufacturing process during the eighteen hundred in Great Britain. The Luddites were a secret oath-based organization of English textile workers in the 19th century. They resisted the process of unlearning the old manufacturing process and learning a new approach. Though the Luddites unlearning resistance and learning a new skill was a manufacturing process, yet the opposition’s resistance was due to the fear of losing power.

Prophet Nuh (PBUH) Prophet Nuh (PBUH) utilized logic to help his nation discover the truth and unlearn their Satanism’s practices of worshiping the devil instead of Allah Almighty. According to Sura 26, Verse 106, not only Prophet Noah (PBUH) asked his people: “Will you not fear Allah and obey Him?” But also according to Sura Yunus, he challenged his citizens to produce evidence for the existence of their gods and false demons.

Prophet Nuh (PBUH) challenged his indigenous people to either create proof of their false deities or follow the truth and believe in Allah Almighty.

He challenged his son to examine reality and think about Allah Almighty. He asked his son to consider a small object like a grain of sand, which is known to Allah Almighty regardless of its location in “a rock or in the heavens” (Sura 31, Verse 16). For nine hundred and fifty years, Prophet Nuh (PBUH) advised his people to unlearn the false religious practices and follow the truth and accept Allah Almighty as their God (Sura 29, Verse 14). After struggling for hundreds of years with his citizens, Prophet Nuh (PBUH), characterized his people as rebellious and disobedient to Allah Almighty (Sura 51, Verse 46). When he reached the breaking point, Prophet Nuh (PBUH) invoked Allah Almighty and said: “My Lord! Leave not one of the disbelievers on the earth!” (Sura 71, Verse 26).

Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) rejected his people’s religion early, and he unlearned his tribal religious practices. He also searched for the truth and discovering the evidence of Allah Almighty.

According to Sura 6, Verse 78, he contemplated the universe when he “saw the sun rising. He said: “This is my lord, this is greater. But when it set, he said: O my people! I am indeed free from all that you join as partners in worship with Allah.” Additionally, his father confronted him, and asked: Ibrahim, “Do you reject my gods?”

(Sura 19, Verse 46). Then, his father threatened to punish him and said: Ibrahim, “get away from me safely before I punish you” (Sura 19, Verse 46).

Not only Ibrahim challenged his people to unlearn worshiping figures created by his inhabitants, but he also destroyed the stone figures, except the largest statue. Then Ibrahim directed his tribe to ask the largest sculpture for discovering who destroyed all models. For

finding the accuser of crushing the stone statues, Ibrahim led his inhabitants, and said “this one, the biggest of them (idols) did it; ask them, if they can speak!” (Sura 21, Verse 63). Ibrahim utilized logic to assist his father and his inhabitants to learn unlearning worshiping false deities, and only submit to Allah Almighty. Furthermore, for helping his inhabitants to unlearn the fraudulent practices, Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) invited them to “Worship Allah (Alone), and fear Him, that is better for you if you did but know” (Sura 29, Verse 16).

Prophet Musa (PBUH) Prophet Musa (PBUH) rejected Pharaoh’s religion and risked his life for opposing human-made practices. He intended to guide the inhabitants to learn, unlearning the Pharaoh’s belief; thus, Musa (PBUH) was in imminent danger. According to Sura 28, Verse 20, a man warned him to get out of the city to avoid death. The man said: “the chiefs decided to kill you, verily, the chiefs are taking counsel together about killing you, so escape.” Prophet Musa (PBUH) stayed out of Egypt between eight to ten years, according to Sura 28, Verse 27, and during that time, he got married.

Allah Almighty ordered Prophet Musa (PBUH) to return to Egypt to help his tribe and inhabitants to refrain from worshiping Pharaoh.

Sura 20, Verse 24 described Pharaoh “Verily! he has transgressed (all bounds in disbelief and disobedience, has behaved as an arrogant, and as a tyrant).” Upon return to Egypt, Prophet Musa (PBUH) advised his tribe and native inhabitants to learn to worship Allah Almighty and unlearning worshiping Pharaoh.

For convincing Pharaoh and his administration to worship Allah Almighty, Prophet Musa(PBUH) “drew out his hand and behold! it was white (with radiance) for the beholders” (Sura 7, Verse 108). And he “threw his stick and beheld! it was a snake, manifest” (Sura 7, Verse 107). Not only that the Pharaoh Minsters said: “Will you leave Musa (Moses) and his people to spread mischief in the land, and to abandon you and your gods?” (Sura 7, Verse 127), but also the Pharaoh Ministers refused to worship Allah Almighty and to unlearn worshiping Pharaoh.

Prophet Musa (PBUH) invoked Allah Almighty and said, “Our Lord! Destroy their wealth. and harden their hearts so that they will not believe until they see the painful torment.” (Sura 10, Verse 88). Pharaoh and his army chased Prophet Musa (PBUH) and his people while crossing the red sea. Then, the red sea waves overtook him. While he was drowning, Pharaoh, with a woeful voice, said, “I believe that La ilaha illa (there is only one God (Allah))” (Sura10, Verse 90). Pharaoh and his army opted for death rather than unlearning false worship deities instead of worshiping Allah Almighty.

Prophet Isa (PBUH) Prophet Isa’s (PBUH) circumstance was different than all Prophets before him. According to Sura 3, Verse 49, Prophet Isa (PBUH) stated, “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord.” And he confirmed the Taurat (Torah, and said “to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord” Sura 3, Verse 50. Nuh (PBUH), Ibrahim (PBUH), Musa (PBUH) faced relentless resistance for guiding their people unlearning the worship of Satan, instead of Allah Almighty.

But Prophet Isa (PBUH) was an extension to previous Prophets, and he was raised and lived among Jewish people.

The Quran dedicated one chapter (Sura 3) to Al Emran. Al Emran was a Jewish scholar.

His daughter, Mary (PBUH), was born after her father’s death. She became pregnant with Allah’s order without being touched by a man. She said: “How can I have a son. when no man has touched me. Nor am I unchaste?”

(Sura 19, Verse 20). While Prophet Isa (PBUH) deliberately discarded obsolete, outdated, or unwanted religious knowledge, he promoted worshiping Allah Almighty. And Allah Almighty ranked Jesus’ family (Imran family) above all of Allah’s creatures (Sura 3, Verse 33).

Allah Almighty granted Isa (PBUH) majestic powers. Prophet Isa (PBUH) brought them back to “life by Allah’s permission for deceased people.”

Prophet Isa (PBUH) invoked Allah almighty and asked, “O Allah. Our Lord! Send us from heaven a table spread (with food) that there may be for us - for the first and the last of us - a festival and a sign from You.” Prophet Isa (PBUH) presented his residents evidence for unlearning worship of Satan and choosing the right path for worshiping Allah Almighty.

To Be Continued

46

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Nadal Overcomes Tony Mmoh’s Son to Set up Clash with Norrie Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report Michael Mmoh, son of former Nigerian tennis great, Tony Mmoh, yesterday missed the chance to stop Rafael Nadal’s bid for an outright men’s record 21st Grand Slam in the second round as he was beaten 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 by the Spanish second seed on the Rod Laver Arena of the ongoing 2021 Australian Open.

The junior Mmoh, 23, is an American tennis player born

to the former Nigerian tennis player.

His father, represented Nigeria at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, where he was defeated in the second round by the Netherlands’ wild card entry Michiel Schapers.

The right-hander senior Mmoh reached his highest singles ATPranking on 19 October 1987, when he became the number 105 of the world. Mmoh played at the US Open (1985), Wimbledon (1987) and the Australian Open (1988) before calling it a day

on his tennis career in the eras of the Nduka Odizor, David Imonitie and Sadiq Abdullahi.

But Down Under yesterday, the junior Mmoh who won the USTA junior national championship in 2016 before adding two ATP Challengertitles and four ITF Futurestournaments was no match for Nadal who will now meet Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the Australian Open third round after both won their matches on Thursday.

Mmoh who in September 2016, broke into the Top 300 for the first time by reaching the final of the ATP Challengerevent at Tiburonas a qualifier and also In November, he reached the Top 200 and also won the 2017 Australian Open Wild Card Challenge largely by claiming his first career Challengertitle at Knoxville, realized he still has a long way to go before attaining the level that has kept the Spaniard at the top for a

long time.

Nadal who was playing next door to Norrie on the Rod Laver Arena and the manner of his victory against Mmoh - ranked 175 places lower than the world number two - was much more straightforward than the Briton’s nervy finish.

The 2009 champion showed no signs of the back spasms which troubled him in the buildup to the tournament, although there was one mishap - which

was nothing to do with his opponent.

Instead, it was a rowdy spectator who broke Nadal’s rhythm. The woman disrupted the match by shouting obscenities and gesturing rudely as he prepared to serve for the second set.

A bemused Nadal asked if she was directing the abuse at him and laughed off the incident, only to be stopped again as she continued.

Super Falcons off to Antalya for Turkish Women’s Cup Reigning African champions Nigeria will land in Antalya on Monday to participate in the fifth edition of the Turkish Women’s Cup taking place between 15thand 24th February.

It is the first run-out for the Super Falcons, who reached the Round of 16 at the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in France in the summer of 2019, since being shockingly edged out of the race for the Tokyo Olympics by Cote d’Ivoire penultimate autumn.

It is also the first call of new Head Coach, American Randy

Desire Oparanozie...left out of Falcons trip to Turkey

Waldrum, with the squad he is expected to mould into credible competitors for honours at global level.

Ukraine, Serbia, India, Bulgaria, Uzbekistan and Equatorial Guinea are among teams confirmed so far for the 10-day tourney, though Tokyo Olympics-bound Zambia have pulled out for undisclosed reasons.

Nine-time African champions Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea’s Nzalang Nacional have been lumped into the same pool alongside Uzbekistan, with the Guineans handed an opportunity to address a 6-0 spanking by the Nigerians in the group phase of the 2018 Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ghana.

Also known as the Alanya Gold City Cup, the tournament ranks as one of the more notable events on the women’s football calendar worldwide.

The Falcons will aim to become the first African side to triumph at the tournament, following the third place finish

by Ghana’s Black Queens last year. Chile won the trophy with Hungary as runner-up.

Aruna Gets Two-year Contract Extension in Bundesliga The performance of Quadri Aruna in his maiden season in the German Bundesliga has earned him a two-year contract extension with TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell.

Regarded as one of the best players in the Table Tennis Bundesliga (TTBL), the management of TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell has been impressed with the Nigerian and in order to fend off offers from other teams, they decided to extend the contract of the African champion for another twoseasons.

Unlike others who hardly made impact in their maiden season, Aruna has made an instant mark for TTC Fulda as his performance has lifted the team from going down in the league.

Aruna who joined the German club from Sporting in Portugal in 2020 has been

outstanding this season being the best performing player in the club for the 2020/2021 Table Tennis Bundesliga (TTBL) season.

With four matches to the end of the season, TTC Fulda has managed to escape relegation having won five matches and lost 13 to occupy the 10th place on the 12-team league table.

Already, German internationals Fan Bo Meng and Ruwen Filus have been confirmed to remain with the team for next season and in planning ahead, the management of the club has decided to hand Aruna another two-year deal till 2023.

On principle, TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell has secured a unilateral option to extend the contract of the 32-year-old Nigerian after he joined the club on a one-year contract.

Michael Mmoh...lost to Rafael Nadal yesterday

Napoli Boss, Gattuso, Laments Osimhen’s Form Femi Solaja with agency report Following his inactivity for more than 90 days due to injury and Covid-19 experience, Napoli Manager, Gennaro Gattuso, is yet to come to terms with Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, who he said is yet to rediscover the form that brought him to the Naples team.

The AFCON 2019 bronze medal winner with Nigeria was handed his first start at Gewiss stadium in a Coppa Italia match against Atalanta but the 22-year-old was far from his best in a match Napoli lost and failed to book a place in the final of

the Italian Cup. Although he played for 79 minutes before he was substituted, the side lost 1-3 and the Nigerian struggled all through while in the field without notable impact.

“It’s not easy to be at the top of the game after being out for 94 days,” Gattuso told the club website yesterday.

“He’s still lacking that sharpness, which is his main asset, but he’s gradually making progress. He’s capable of much more,” he pointed out.The former Golden Eaglet star recently returned to the Parthenopeans team after suffering a shoulder injury while on international duty with Nigeria in November last year in Benin against Sierra

Victor Osimhen...yet to get back to form after injury and Covid-19 lay-off

Leone.

The forward then contracted coronavirus after visiting Nigeria to celebrate his 22nd birthday and the

yuletide season.

Subsequently, Osimhen did not play for the Stadio San Paolo outfit for more than 90 days and after watching the forward against Atalanta, Gattuso revealed the forward is still not at his best.

Napoli paid a club-record fee of €80 million to French club Lille in order to secure the signature of the Nigeria international last summer.

The 22-year-old has only made 13 appearances across all competitions this season, scoring two goals and providing one assist.

Osimhen will hope to deliver convincing showings when Napoli take on Juventus in their next league game on Saturday.

Nigeria Qualifies for Judo at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games Nigeria has qualified to participate in Judo event at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games.

According to the latest report released by the African Judo Union (AJU) tagged “AJU Olympic Games Qualification Status”, Nigeria’s sole representative in the 63kg women, Enku Ekuta, who is sponsored by Accugas, a Savannah Energy Company, was listed among 33 judokas from Africa who have qualified for the Olympics.

According to the AJU report, Enku Ekuta’s 620 points placed her among the top 16 women judokas in Africa and the points were enough to secure her a continental quota qualification.

Nkoyo Etuk, Head of Stakeholder Relations and Communication, Savannah Energy said: “We are excited to see the African Judo Union report which listed Enku among the judokas from Africa who have qualified for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

“Enku has worked very hard over the past several months to step up her fitness despite the global disruption caused by the Covid-19. This was demonstrated through her medal-winning feats at the competitions in Madagascar, Senegal, and Cameroon.

“By qualifying for the Olympics, Enku has made Nigeria proud and justified

Accugas’ support for Judo in Nigeria. We are confident that she will excel at the Olympic Games and win a medal for Nigeria. We thank the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF) for their collaboration and support,” she noted.

Speaking on her qualification for the Tokyo Games, Ekuta said: “I am happy that I have qualified for the Olympics. I thank my sponsor, Accugas, for making this dream a reality.

“The sponsorship has enabled me to participate at three major competitions on the continent where I won medals and earned qualification points.

Without Accugas, I would have missed those competitions. The

company also arranged training sessions for me with some of the best judo coaches in the world to ensure that I remain in top form. I promise to work even harder to ensure that I win a medal at the Olympic Games”.

Ekuta is currently Nigeria’s highest ranked judoka and the only judoka from Nigeria that will participate at the Olympic Games. She recently won a bronze medal at the 41st African Seniors Championships held in Antananarivo, Madagascar. She is also preparing to participate in other forthcoming international judo competitions ahead of the Olympics.

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Soyinka to Buhari

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“I have said it again and again, I don’t believe that he is in charge, because it is not possible in my view for a head of state, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, to say he is presiding over a nation and things get to this level” – Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, berating President Buhari over the poor security situation in the country.

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AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

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Before the Deluge A

t the All Progressives Congress (APC) party membership registration exercise in Katsina a week ago, the president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari spoke thus: “The problem is that I will like especially the elite to please be reflective. When we came, where we were, the resources available from them and the condition of the infrastructure,” Buhari said he was “compelled to go over it several times to tell Nigerians that between 1999 and 2014, let them check with the NNPC, let them check with the Governor of Central Bank, production was 2.4 million barrels per day and the average cost was $100 per barrel”.

He added: “So for a year’s daily production, Nigeria would earn 2.4×100 dollars every day.

But look at the condition of infrastructure. You know this better than I do. I know I went to every local government of the country in my three consecutive attempts to become the president”.

First, he has conveniently forgotten that whatever financial shortfall he may encounter, his government has more than supplemented with loans upon loans in billions of dollars.

On the contrary he should be reminded that to one of his predecessors (he loves to disparage) belongs the bragging rights of wiping away crippling debts accumulated over decades of national profligacy.

Second, if he is so keen to compare himself with his predecessors, two compelling parameters, provided in the last two weeks alone, should suffice as aide memoire. One is the annual report of the country by country corruption perception index of Transparency International (TI), the most authoritative corruption ratings agency in the world.

Speaking through his spokesman, Garba Shehu, Buhari then typically fanned the embers of the fire lit by the report. He had once (in the early years of his presidency) infamously shared and echoed the condemnation of the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, UK, David Cameron, of Nigerians as ‘fantastically corrupt’. He sought, thereby, to self-righteously distance himself from the people who had just elected him to office. Five years later, after perpetrating more corruption, by omission and commission, than any of his fourth republic predecessors, he sought refuge and escapism in the David Cameron precedent by deflecting and ascribing the stench of corruption to his hapless victim, Nigeria.This time around, the trick fell flat because, unlike before, he was not dealing with a dinner table anecdote of a patronising colonial master but the authority of Transparency International; and was acting, in violation of the legal cannon that you cannot be the accused, judge and jury of your misconduct.

Responding to the annual report of TI, on the corruption perceptions index which truthfully and objectively adjudged Nigeria as sinking deeper in the cesspit of corruption, the spokesperson of the president, Garba Shehu, argued “I’ll tell you that this one by TI is not a judgment on Buhari or his administration or its war against corruption, I will tell you that this one is judgement on Nigerians.”

The TI had anticipated this kind of mea culpa hence the clarification “The CPI draws upon 13 data sources which capture the assessment of experts and business executives on a number of corrupt behaviours in the public sector including bribery, diversion of public funds, use of public office for private gain, nepotism in

Buhari the civil service...Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be”.

In contrast to the universal understanding of public sector (as mainly governmental) the Nigerian presidency is proposing a unique definition of the public sector as exclusive of government.

According to the international oil market data provided by the Illinois Oil and Gas Association the following is the price per barrel of Brent crude oil spanning 1999 to 2015- haven made necessary adjustment for Inflation. In other words, the actual price at the time were even cheaper. 1999-$26, 2000$41, 2001-$34, 2002-$33, 2003-$39, 2004-$51, 2005-$66, 2006-$75, 2007-$80, 2008-$109, 2009$64, 2010-$84, 2011-$100, 2012-$97, 2013-101, 2014-$93. The average price of the 15 years was $71 per barrel yet the president kept on propagating the fiction that it was $100.

Following the footsteps of former American president, Donald Trump, and in a feat of sham self-righteous indignation he doubled down on this lie summoning the authority of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Nigeria national petroleum corporation, NNPC, to bear him out. Within the context of this proclivity for burying its head in the sand and distortion of reality, explanation will be found for the failure of his presidency. Finger pointing and doubling down on the fantasy of alternative facts are a self-evident recipe for disastrous governance.

In a similar stream of false consciousness, the president claimed that he had visited every local government in Nigeria in the course of his three presidential campaigns. Yet without a doubt, the refutation can be made that no president, prime minister or military head of state of Nigeria ever visited all the 774 local governments in this country let alone a retiring Buhari who is mostly bedroom and living room bound. Recall that over five years in office, the more relevant culture of state visits and interaction with the media had been in Buhari compliant recession. And in any assessment other than that of the Buhari world, it is superfluous (and anti-federalism) of a Nigerian president prioritising the familiarity tour of Nigerian local governments. It is analogus to a state governor aiming to tour all the cities, towns and local communities in the state.

So how do we characterise a president who routinely demonstrates a detachment from truth and reality? Were truth, honesty and integrity not the purported proximate habit and trademark that sold his candidacy for the presidency? Increasingly, it now appears the difference between truth and falsehood, between honesty and dishonesty, between integrity and lack of character is the difference between the man Nigerians thought they elected in 2015 and the current president of Nigeria.

Where are the sanctimonious Adamu Adamus who fumed, week in week out in their columns, at Nigerians for letting this messianic leader literally go to waist by shunning him in election after election?

Believing his own lies, the president would go ahead to reward those who had given minority supreme court rulings in his favour (in his earlier failed bids to become president) with Ambassadorial postings to the hub of the diplomatic world in the United kingdom, UK and the United States, US, regardless of their near geriatic disability and disqualifier. Where are those hagiographic hero worshipers who stood on what has turned out a fraudulent platform to eviscerate other Nigerian political leaders as unworthy in comparison to their clay-footed giant? In this mold, Adamu Adamu would abuse former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the point of deriding and mocking him his Owu tribal marks. So self-regarding and caught up in hubris Adamu that he actually presumed to judge Professor Wole Soyinka as a non-intellectual. Such was the spectre of a midget contesting the characterisation of a ten

Given what Buhari has become, to the chagrin of his naive enablers in the election of 2015, I have often been tempted to rub it in and mock that it serves you right.

Where is the logic and merit in electing as president a politician who rose to prominence on the back of constituting an implicit threat to the unity of Nigeria?

feet tall as a giant. With the evidence of five years stewardship it would be interesting to know what he now thinks of the dissembling caricature at the Aso rock presidential villa.

We all better begin to pray that the exorbitant price of knowing Buhari for what he truly is does not peak in a violent disintegration of Nigeria.This is the tragic tipping point to which the horrific presidency of General Buhari has consigned Nigeria. In a tragic irony, Adamu Adamu was actually given to such conjecture were his Allah annointed candidate continually “rigged out” in elections. For him and fellow traveller Trump, the only way his candidate loses his elections is if he is rigged out.

In his response to the criticism (of the king of Iselu) of his visit to Buhari on account of the Sunday Igboho revolt, the Ooni of Ife admonished “Were you there when I discussed with Buhari? If I had not gone to speak the truth to power, do you have an idea of what was planned for Sunday (Igboho) and things that will happen afterward?” It appears respondents missed out on a threat embedded in this excerpt and that is “do you have an idea of what was planned for Sunday (Igboho) and things that will happen afterward?” This raises the question of what was the plan and who was doing the planning and what are those things scheduled to happen afterwards? The logical extrapolation here is that the source of this information and threat, unwittingly conveyed by the Ooni, is the president. This is in sync with similar threats from representative notable individuals and pressure groups from the North exemplified

by Bashir Tofa and the Northern Elders Forum.

In absurd portrayal of self- reversal of roles, they are playing the vicarious victims of the lawful and non-discriminatory directive of the Ondo State governor Rotimi Akeredolu to those illegaly occupying the government forest reserves regardless of their ethnic identities.

Moreso that the culprits had turned the space into a criminals den.

Complementing the initiative of Akeredolu was the popular revolt against terrorist and kidnapping syndicates championed by Sunday Igboho in Ibarapa.This drama queen act of playing the victim echoes the antecedent of the parochial truculence and arrogance of the indignant Buhari led Fulani warlords delegation to the erstwhile governor of Oyo State, late Lam Adesina, 20 years ago. As now, the trouble then was between Fulani nomads and Yoruba farmer communities in Oke Ogun. It was the beginning of an unlikely Buhari political career predicated on Northern Muslim irridentism and fulani supremacy of a particularly insular brand. From charging Muslims to vote for ‘those who will protect their religion’ and fevered propagator in chief of the sharia rebellion to the patronage of Miyetti Allah, there has been no looking back for the president. Given what Buhari has become, to the chagrin of his naive enablers in the election of 2015, I have often been tempted to rub it in and mock that it serves you right. Where is the logic and merit in electing as president a politician who rose to prominence on the back of constituting an implicit threat to the unity of Nigeria?

If former President Goodluck Jonathan was corrupt and incompetent, how is a self-advertised threat to the notion of Nigerian nationhood a better bargain? Never mind that under Mr. Integrity, corruption has attained to the status of the fundamental objective and directive principle of state policy.

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