THURSDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2022

Rising Oil Prices Worry FG, Says Nigeria Not Gaining from Soaring Rates Sylva: Nigeria’s comfort zone is $70-$80 Fuel scarcity: NNPC distributes 387.5m litres of petrol in one week Emmanuel Addeh, Udora Orizu and Juliet Akoje in Abuja The federal government yesterday expressed concern over the rising international prices of crude oil, saying the increase is not good for

the country.

The government bemoaned waning foreign investment in the oil and gas sector, and reiterated the need to float an African Energy Bank to curb the continent’s dependence on Europe, Asia and America for

funding.

Also, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited yesterday released details of how it distributed a total of 387.59 million litres of petrol in the last one week to bridge the gap caused by the

withdrawal of methanol-blended products in circulation.

This was as the House of Representatives Committee on Downstream investigating the importation of off-spec premium motor spirit (PMS) grilled other

importers and suppliers of the product.

Speaking on the rising crude oil prices in an interview with Bloomberg Television, monitored

by THISDAY, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre

Sylva, maintained that Nigeria’s comfort zone in terms of oil prices was between $70 and $80 per barrel.

Although Sylva did not particularly explain why higher oil prices Continued on page 41

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FG’s N1.13trn Highway Concession Plan Records Milestone, 18 Firms Shortlisted... Page 6

Presidency: Buhari to Sign Reworked Electoral Bill Tomorrow Lawmaker explains clause 84 only mandates political appointees to resign three months before convention or congress Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja Barring any last minute changes, President Muhammadu Buhari may

assent to the reworked Electoral Act Amendment Bill transmitted to him last month by the National Assembly, tomorrow, Friday.

Presidential spokesman, Mallam

Garba Shehu, yesterday, confirmed to THISDAY that the signing of the bill was on Buhari’s schedule for Friday.

Shehu said, "Yes, the president

will sign on Friday, God willing.

It's on his programme."

Another reliable presidency source had earlier confirmed that the president was scheduled to assent

to the bill at the State House, Abuja, about noon on Friday.

THISDAY had exclusively reported on Monday that the President was seeking assurances from

the National Assembly leadership to amend clause 84 which barred political appointees from voting Continued on page 41

APC Zoning Presidency to South Puts PDP in Quandary Bala Mohammed: Ruling party’s decision constitutes no threat to us

Obinna Chima and James Sowole in Abeokura The decision, Tuesday, by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone its presidential ticket to the Southern part of the country, might have put the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a quandary for contemplating to leave its own ticket open and by implication, put the north at advantage.

But the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, yesterday, reinforced the PDP position, when he declared that the zoning of the presidency to the South by the ruling party posed no threat to the main opposition party ahead of the 2023 general election.

His reaction may however underscore a concern in the party even though he tried to put a brave face on it.

Continued on page 41

VIRTUAL OPENING OF TECHNICAL BID CEREMONY...

L-R: Ag. Director-General, Infrastructure Regulatory and Concession Commission (ICRC), Mr. Michael Ohiani; Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mr. Mu'azu Jaji Sambo; Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Ag. Permanent Secretary, Engr. Chukwunwike Uzo; Director, Infrastructure, ICRC, Dr. Emmanuel Onwodi and Director-General Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Alex Okoh, after the HDMI Value-Added Concession (VAC) Request for Proposal (RFP) Virtual Opening of Technical Bid Ceremony at Abuja... yesterday

Nasiha in, Gusau Out, as Zamfara Assembly Impeaches Deputy Governor... Page 43

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Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322, 0807 401 0580

NEWS

IN AN AUDIENCE WITH THE PRESIDENT...

L-R: Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano; President Muhammadu Buhari and wife of the governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, during an audience with the president, at the State House Abuja... yesterday PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE.

FG Restates Commitment to Tackling Inflation, Stimulating Economic Growth Approves N58bn contracts for humanitarian affairs, works Seeks understanding of commuters over Abuja-Keffi road gridlock Buhari swears in six INEC national commissioners Deji Elumoye in Abuja The federal government has expressed its readiness to ensure that the high inflation rate in the country continues on a downward trajectory as well as work out ways to boost economic growth.

It, however, noted that though the Nigerian economy had consistently moved in the right direction for some time now, its impact on people's live was yet to be fully felt.

These were made known yesterday by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba, while speaking to newsmen at Abuja, after the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) weekly virtual meeting on the latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

President Muhammadu Buhari also yesterday administered oath of office on six National Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to Agba, the economy had been making a lot of progress given its consistent positive performance in recent times. Citing the National Development Plan 2021-2025, the minister emphasised that work on reviving the economy is a continuous process, adding that he could not provide definite time line to reduce the inflation to the level that would positively impact all Nigerians.

He said: "First, you say the figures that were given show that there is a positive trajectory in terms of the economy. I think first we need to understand what GDP itself means.

It's the totality of the value of goods and services, it's an indication of what is happening in the economy, when you are having more to spend, more transactions are going on.

"It means that the economy itself is growing and if it is declining, and you have such negative decline in two quarters, then we will say you are in a recession.

"And the NBS has consistently given these figures, whether they are positive or they are negative, and then we compare them either on month-on-month basis or yearon-year basis.

"And then we also have what those figures are annually, which tend to show us or indicate whether we are making progress or not.

"What those numbers show is

that there's a steady progress that is being made. Whether it is far reaching enough, is a different ball game.”

Speaking further, he said: "And that's why you see in the National Development Plan 2021 to 2025, we are looking for a growth rate of an average of five per cent. We haven't gotten there yet but it is beginning to move towards that trajectory.

"In terms of inflation, for about 17 months consecutively, you find that inflation rate was going up, but what we are beginning to see is that for eight consecutive months, there’s a steady decline.

"It is not so much of the heavy decline, but there is consistency in that decline, both for headline and to the inflation.

"But in December, we noticed that there was a slight increase. Of course, you know what normally would happen at the end of the year when everybody's chasing the few available goods.

"So the demand, of course, is much, much higher than supply.

But the good news is that in January, there was also a decline. And we noticed that the food index increases were around price of bread and cereal. And then food products were classified as like potatoes, yam, and other tubers, soft drinks, oil fats and fruit. So, the economy is being worked on; it is a work in progress.”

On his part, the Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola, sought the understanding of commuters using the Abuja-Keffi expressway, who had suffered consistent traffic gridlock in recent times, to bear with the federal government, noting that the ongoing expansion is meant to alleviate their suffering.

While noting that over 20,000 vehicles ply the road daily, he said if it were possible, the road would have been shut to enable its speedy implementation.

"On Abuja-Keffi road, the reason we’re there in the very first place to build the route is because it has become insufficient to manage the large traffic of commuters. And we understand the inconvenience that commuters feel trying to use that road.

"We appeal to them to bear with us. It's a challenge for us, I think, almost about 15 to 20,000 vehicles,

if not more, use that corridor now almost on a daily basis.

"We wish we shut it down so that we can have uninterrupted construction but fortunately, that's not possible. So, why we manage traffic, people have to drive through a construction site we’re building,” he explained.

He said further: "So, please bear with us. We'll do the best we can to minimise the inconvenience. When the road is finished, be sure that the current inconvenience would have been well worth the wait and the experience."

FEC also approved contract awards totalling about N58 billion for projects under the ministry of works and housing and the ministry of humanitarian affairs, social development and disaster management.

Fashola revealed that his ministry had an approval for the termination and re-award of the 49 kilometers section of Abaji to Kotokarfi road, which is part of the

Abuja-Lokoja highway, to Messers Galt for N56.175 billion.

He said FEC also approved the revision of the contract of the Afo-Apoto-Oyo boundary road in Kwara by the sum of N251,530,000, which revised the contract sum from N3,060,000,000 to N3,311,000,000.

According to him, this was to enable the contractor to make provision for drains, replace unsuitable material and to reconstruct damaged shoulders of the road, as well as accommodate some variation in price.

Also speaking, Minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk, said she presented two memos for the revised estimated total cost of N2 billion for the supply of cattle for Taraba state under the emergency agricultural integration for states affected by conflict and insecurity.

The Council similarly approved the revised policy on science, technology and innovation policy

to help the country to keep pace with emerging technologies.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who spoke on this said the objective of the revised policy was to use technology to improve the standard of lives of Nigerians.

According to him: "There’ve been tremendous advances in science, technology and innovation all over the world and this necessitated the for our science, technology and innovation policy which was put in place in 2012, 10 years ago, to be revised so that we can keep pace with new and emerging technologies.

"The main objective is for us to use science, technology and innovation, to improve the standard of living of our citizens and ensure that we have high quality of life for all Nigerians. And this we can get if our nation becomes more prosperous, and our economy is more globally competitive.

"Again, we’ll like to see Nigeria,

using this policy, to be one of the top scientific powers in the world.

We believe that this will help our country to keep narrowing the gap between us and the technologically developed countries of the world."

Buhari Swears in Six INEC National Commissioners

Buhari presided over the brief ceremony which preceded the FEC meeting.

The INEC National Commissioners were Mohammed Haruna (Niger); Mrs Agbamuche Mbu (Delta); Okeagu Nnamdi (Abia); Major General Abubakar Alkali (rtd.) (Adamawa); Professor Rada Gumus (Bayelsa); and Sam Elumeku (Ogun).

Present at the inauguration ceremony were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

Airline Operators Deny Fixing Base Fare, Lament Loss of N44bn to Bird Strike, Flight Cancellations Record low passenger throughput over high fares Chinedu Eze The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has denied fixing base fare for economy flight tickets at N50, 000 as travellers insisted that the sudden increase in fares suggested collusion by the association.

The operators also complained that in 2021, they lost $60 million (N24 billon) to bird strike alone.

The amount was used to replace their aircraft engines destroyed by bird strike.

In addition, they said cancelled flights due to lack of lack of night landing facilities at some airports, known as sunset airports, cost them over N20 billion in 2021.

However, indications showed that air travellers have started shunning the airports as airlines have been recording low passenger traffic due to high fares.

Speaking during a media conference, in Lagos, yesterday, the Vice

President of AON and Chairman/ CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema said the N50, 000 ticket price had always been in the airlines’ systems in the last five years, adding that airlines only adjust ticket cost based on their operational costs.

Onyema said what the airlines did was to work out unit cost per seat, which he said determined their basic ticket price.

Onyema who was representing the President of AON, pointed out that cost of aviation fuel was increased by over 200 per cent, with over 100 per cent depreciation in exchange rate in the last two years, while ground handling companies had increased their rates by over 300 per cent, yet cost of air ticket remained below $100.

“People have asked us how we maintain our planes with the fares we charge. In as much as we are rendering services, our business must be sustained. The repair of

just one aircraft engine can take everything an airline makes in one month. Airline business is not a profitable business," Onyema added.

He said that no airline loves to delay flights but factors beyond the airlines' control cause flight delays.

Some of the causes of flight delays he mentioned included bird strikes, airport apron congestion, lack of space for check-in of passengers, poor airport infrastructure, air traffic flow control, bad weather and unruly behavior of passengers.

Onyema said that bird strike incidents in Nigeria was on the increase despite efforts by the Federal Airports of Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to stem it, thus forcing airlines to ground aircraft that should be operating and losing huge revenue.

He, therefore, called on the concerned authorities to provide airport equipment to help reduce

bird strikes in Nigeria.

The AON said it strongly objected to the multiple designation granted foreign carriers such as Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines by the federal government.

"Designating foreign airlines to multiple airports in Nigeria impede growth of domestic airlines and the aviation sector. All foreign airlines put together do not provide 10 per cent of jobs provided by the smallest airline in Nigeria.

“Multiple designation granted foreign airlines would lead to job losses and domestic airlines closing shops," Onyema added.

Meanwhile, THISDAY investigations have confirmed low turnout of passengers at the airports since Monday, following the hike in airfares to N50, 000.

This meant that one way tickets would cost over N50, 000 and might increase to N80, 000 to N90, 000 per ticket.

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AT THE SWEARING-IN OF INEC COMMISSIONERS...

R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, during the swearing-in of INEC Commissioners and Virtual FEC Meeting PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE. at the State House Abuja... yesterday

FG’s N1.13trn Highway Concession Plan Records Milestone, 18 Firms Shortlisted Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The federal government through the Ministry of Works and Housing, yesterday took positive steps towards its plan to concession 12 major highways across the country, with the shortlisting of 18 firms to undergo the final screening.

The government had said that it expected a capital investment of N1.13 trillion from the new Highway Development Management Initiative (HDMI), driven by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

The 12 roads being considered for the first phase of the Value-Added Concessions Category (VAC) include: Benin-Asaba, Abuja-Lokoja, KadunaKano, Onitsha-Owerri-Aba, SagamuBenin, Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga.

Others are Kano-Maiduguri, Lokoja-Benin, Enugu-Port Harcourt, Ilorin-Jebba, Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta and Lagos-Badagry.

Aside the N1.3 trillion capital investment, the federal government projected that the employment potential was estimated at about 50,000+ direct jobs and 200,000+ indirect jobs.

Speaking during Request For Proposal (RFP) public bid-opening ceremony in Abuja yesterday, Fashola insisted that the VAC was not a privatisation scheme, but a public/private partnership initiative that would bring sustainable development and management to federal highways and all assets along the Right of Way (RoW).

He noted that though the process has been long and tortuous, Nigeria was heading in the right direction, with the plan to unlock over N1 trillion in the short term.

He explained that when the

administration started in 2015, only N18 billion was available to revamp the much-needed infrastructure throughout the nation, stressing that through sukuk funding about N100 billion had been raised with an additional N210 billion plus a number of tax credit schemes.

In addition, Fashola stated that some of the nation’s collective patrimony which was taken out of the country had been recovered which has gone into the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) and has further expanded the country’s assets.

Shell, Total Energies Advocate Incentives to Boost Investments in Gas Sector, Seek Review of PIA

Peter Uzoho

Multinational oil and gas companies, Shell and Total Energies, have stressed the need for the Nigerian government to provide some incentives to attract more investors into the nation's gas sector.

The international oil companies (IOCs) specifically called for an amendment in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to provide more clarity and better fiscal terms for Deepwater gas investments, insisting that more clarity on gas marketing terms would help to attract more investors into the gas space.

The Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO), Mrs. Elohor Alboni and the Deputy Managing Director, Total Energies Deepwater, Mr. Victor Bandele, jointly opined that such incentives were needed now that the country is moving aggressively towards gas, having chosen gas as Nigeria's transition fuel.

They spoke at a panel at the ongoing sixth edition of Sub-Saharan African Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC 2022) with the theme: "Fostering Collaboration to Create Cross Border Partnerships across the Oil, Gas and Energy Spectrum".

The topic of the panel session was: "IOCs: Dynamics of SubSaharan Africa's Energy, Oil, Gas Industry, as We Strive to Low Carbon Future."

Responding to a question on how the PIA would impact investment in low carbon economy in

Nigeria, Bandele said, "So, there is a drive for gas. We are still asking for the terms of the gas, the terms for the marketing part of the gas, to be such that it would be extremely attractive for the investors.

"But when you look at the Act itself, it has brought a lot of clarity to the fiscal terms. So, all the investors can now come in and look at the terms and decide whether it is comfortable, that they feel good about it, and want to invest in this country.

"I think that the area that is silent in the Act that I want to really point out is the one around, if one has a solution, that you can actually approach government with the solution and get incentives from government.

"So, this is something that is not so obvious. But I think they tried to as much as possible bring that out. I think in the coming years or coming months, we would see clarity on how we can move forward on new projects that will be attractive to the investor, and that will be very good for the country itself."

He, however, stated that the PIA brought clarity as to where government wants to drive the industry to, adding that most of the government's aspirations and initiatives being pushed on gas were all expressed in the legislation.

On her part, Alboni, who was represented at the panel by the General Manager, Business Development and Government Relations, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Bashir Bello, said issues around Deepwater gas provisions in the

PIA need to be reviewed to bring in better fiscal terms.

She explained that the review of the PIA for a better fiscal terms for gas investment would allow investors to support government efforts in achieving low carbon economy and increasing gas production.

Alboni said, "Just as a point around PIA, and I do agree that it has created stability and certainty that we have all been waiting for.

"But in terms of supporting low

carbon energy sources, I think that, given what we have also known with the government effort of taking up gas initiatives, there are still areas that need to be looked upon around Deep water gas.

"I think there are areas that need to be addressed in terms of fiscal terms, and we are looking forward to an opportunity where an amendment can actually create a much more better fiscal environment to enable gas production especially in deepwater space."

He applauded the project development team for a job well done so far, pledging that the process will remain open and transparent.

According to him, the concessionaires would assume the responsibilities to develop and manage their respective highways for an agreed period of time, including the economic rights over all revenue generating commercial activities from the highway economy along the RoW. He described the public bidopening for the RFP as another milestone and further testament to the ministry of work and housing’s commitment to ensuring a robust, diligent, and transparent procurement process.

The process had commenced in March, 2021 with the opening of the e-portal and ended at midnight on 31 May 2021.

In all, a total of 75 firms completed the RFQ application for the VAC , which applies to the 12 selected federal highways for concession.

Following the evaluation process, the government noted that 18 firms have now been shortlisted to progress to the next phase of procurement.

The government listed other milestones that had been achieved in the intervening period since the

conclusion of the RFQ in June and that of the RFP yesterday to include the approval of the National Tolling Policy (NTP) by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in August 2021.

In addition, the ministry stressed that an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) by the ministry of works and housing had been concluded.

Speaking at the event the Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) , Mr Alex Okoh, noted that the alternative model of funding remains a viable means of revitalising Nigeria’s waning infrastructure in collaboration with the private sector.

Also, the Acting DG of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Mike Ohiani, in his comments , stated that it has been confirmed that the roads are economically and financially viable, before the initiative will move to the procurement stage.

Some of the entities shortlisted included: Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited, Avia Infrastructure Limited and CCCC-CGC-Hdwaks Joint Venture.

Also listed were China Harbour Engineering Company, Dafac Consortium, Deanshanger Consortium, Enyimba Economic City Development Company Consortium, Julius Berger and Setraco.

Malabu Deal: Court Begins Hearing on Nigeria's $1.7bn Case against JP Morgan Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report A London high court began to hear a lawsuit yesterday launched

by Nigeria against a United States bank, JP Morgan Chase, claiming more than $1.7 billion for its role in a disputed 2011 oilfield deal.

The civil suit filed in the English courts relates to the purchase by energy majors Shell and Eni of the offshore OPL 245 oilfield in Nigeria, which is also at the centre of ongoing legal action in Italy.

A panel of judges in Milan acquitted the companies and executives, who all denied any wrongdoing, of bribery last March. Prosecutors have appealed the ruling, a Reuters report said yesterday.

In the court documents pertaining to the London case seen

by Reuters, Nigeria alleged JP Morgan was, "grossly negligent" in its decision to transfer funds paid by the energy majors into an escrow account to a company controlled by the country’s former Oil Minister, Dan Etete, instead of into government coffers.

The trial opened with details of the claim by Nigeria's lawyer, Roger Masefield, but JP Morgan is expected to present its defence early next week. The trial will end on April 7 and a judgment will likely take several months.

In court, Masefield said Nigeria's case rested on proving two key points: That there was a fraud and JP Morgan was aware of the risk of fraud. He said JP Morgan had breached its duties.

"The evidence of fraud is little short of overwhelming," Masefield told the court.

"Under its Quincecare duty, the bank was entitled to refuse to pay for as long as it had reasonable grounds for believing its customer was being defrauded," the lawyer to Nigeria added.

Quincecare is a legal precedent whereby the bank should not pay out if it believes its client will be defrauded by making the payment.

JP Morgan's London offices deal with business for Europe, Middle East and Africa, including Nigeria.

A spokesman for the bank in a statement to Reuters said it was, "confident that it acted appropriately in making these payments" and said the bank would "robustly defend against this claim."

The damages sought included cash sent to Etete's company Malabu Oil and Gas, around $875 million paid in three instalments in

2011 and 2013, plus interest, taking the total to over $1.7 billion. The Nigerian government at the time had asked JP Morgan to make these transfers as part of the oilfield sale, court documents show.

The London case dates back to 1998 when Nigerian military ruler Sani Abacha awarded the offshore oilfield licence, OPL 245, to a company Etete owned.

The $20 million price tag - of which Etete paid about $2 million, according to court documents - was widely viewed by industry experts as too low given the block was expected to yield billions of dollars of crude, although it remains undeveloped.

Subsequent Nigerian administrations contested Etete's rights to the field, triggering years of legal wrangling until a deal designed to end the battles was struck in 2011.

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AFRICA RESPONDS TO COVID-19 EQUITABLE DELIVERY...

L-R: CEO, GAVI, Dr. Seth Berkley; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; W.H.O Special Envoy (Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator), Dr. Ayoade Alakija; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide SanwoOlu and World Bank Global Director, Health Nutrition and Population, Dr. Juan Pablo Uribe, during a high-level summit with the theme: Ports To Arms: Africa Responds To COVID-19 – Equity, Delivery and Manufacturing, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja... yesterday

Court Throws Out Suit Seeking Sack of Lagos Motor Boat Club Trustees Says Babajide Coker lacks legal right to initiate proceedings Declares suit mere academic exercise Justice A. L. Alagoa of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court has struck out the suit filed by a member of the Lagos Motor Boat Club, seeking the sack of the trustees of the club over his alleged exclusion in the 2020 election of the club.

Justice Alagoa in a judgment delivered on February 21, 2022, struck out the suit on the grounds that plaintiff Babajide Coker has no locus standi to have brought the action according to section 839(2) & (3) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act. The judge also held that the Plaintiff was wrong to have asked for the nullification of the 2020 election of the 1st Defendant Club as he was only interested in 1 of the 12 places being contested.

According to the court, it would be wrong and in breach of the fundamental rights of the 11 other elected officers who are not parties to this action and have not been joined to nullify their election.

Coker had last year dragged the Registered Trustees of the Lagos Motor Boat Club to court over his alleged wrongful expulsion and commuted suspension from the club.

In the suit filed on June 16, 2021, he claimed his wrongful expulsion which was later converted to 6 months suspension robbed him

opportunity to vie for the post of Duty Officer in the club's 2020 election.

The suit filed on his behalf by Kemi Pineheiro, SAN, has the Registered Trustees of the Lagos Motor Boat Club, Dr Dapo Majekodunmi, Mr Babajide Balogun, Babashola Alokolaro, Ladi Ani-Mumuney, Prince Francis Awogboro and Corporate Affairs Commission as 1 to 7 respondents respectively.

Among the reliefs sought by plaintiffs are a nullification and/or setting aside the October 5, 2020 election of the club; nullification and/or setting aside his expulsion or suspension from the Club and relisting his name as a validly nominated and qualified candidate for election to serve as a Duty Officer of the Committee of the

1st Defendant.

He had alleged that his expulsion and later suspension had prevented him from running in the 2020 Elections for the post of Duty Officer of the 1st Defendant Club.

According to him, the action of the trustees of the club was unlawful, wrongful and unjustifiable under the Rules and Byelaws of the 1st Defendant Club.

Accordingly, he sought amongst other things for an Order of Court for fresh elections to be conducted for the position of officers and members of the Committee of the 1st Defendant.

"An Order directing and/or compelling the 7th Defendant, the Corporate Affairs Commission pursuant to its powers under Sec-

tion 839, Part F of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 and its general powers under section 8(c) of the Act to suspend the Trustees of the 1st Defendant Club and appoint interim managers for the purpose of administering the affairs of the 1st Defendant Club.

"Disbanding and replacing the Trustees of the 1st Defendant Club pending the appointment or reconstitution of the new Trustees by the Corporate Affairs Commission.

"Conducting fresh elections for offices of the members or officers of the Committee of the 1st Defendant and all other elections.

"Reconstituting the Registered Trustees in line with the Rules and Byelaws and statutory provisions of the Companies and Allied

The Appeal Court, Abuja, yesterday, upheld the judgment of a Federal High Court, also in Abuja, which disqualified Senator Andy Uba and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) from participating in the recent governorship election in Anambra State, won by Professor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Danlami Zenchi,dismissed the appeals brought by Uba and the APC against the judgment of the trial court for lacking merit.

Uba and the APC, in two separate appeals, had approached the appellate court to upturn

for the removal of Trustees.

Consequently, the judge held that the plaintiff lacked locus standi to ask for the removal of the Trustees and the 6th Defendant.

Justice Alagoa also agreed with the submissions of defence counsel for the 1st -5th Defendants and 6th Defendant that the court only deals with "live" issues and no more, adding that since the tenure of the officers elected in 2020 has lapsed and 2021 elections have been held in accordance with the byelaws of the 1st Defendant Club, it is no longer a live issue. It is academic and the Court cannot be called upon to determine a matter that has become academic.

The Court then declined jurisdiction to entertain the Plaintiff’s suit and struck out the suit.

Power Outage: NERC to Unveil App for Customers’ Complaints James Sowole in Akure The National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said it would within the next few weeks roll out an outage reporting app to enable its customers report power supply situation particularly outage in their area.

The Vice Chairman of the NERC, Dr. Musiliu Oseni disclosed this yesterday in Abeokuta, Ogun

State, during the inauguration of the commission's forum office in the state.

The inauguration of the office, which would serve customers of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), was the 34th of such in Nigeria.

Oseni, who said the app would definitely integrate the system of the distribution company, added that the pilot phase of the app would

start in Abuja.

He said: "Already, the app can be downloaded from the Google Play and Apple Store. For the pilot stage, we will be rolling it out and make it available to customers in Abuja to enable them make complaints if there is an outage.

"Immediately, they do, that alert will be triggered at the distribution company's end. After the pilot stage, we will now roll it out nation-wide

Appeal Court Upholds Uba, APC’s Disqualification from Anambra Poll Alex Enumah in Abuja

Matters Act. '"An Order directed specifically at the 6th Defendant, Prince Francis Awogboro removing him as a Trustee of the 1st Defendant Club".

However, in his judgment, Alagoa noted that the plaintiff did not comply with the provisions of section 839(2) and (3) of Companies and Allied Matter Act, since he is not the one-third majority envisaged by that Law. So, he could not remove the Trustees and the 6th Defendant from office.

The Court further held that, the Plaintiff did not satisfy the provision of Rule 19( c) of the Byelaws of the Lagos Motor Boat Club because he, the Plaintiff does not constitute three-quarters of the majority vote by Members present and voting at any General Meeting

the judgment of Justice Inyang Ekwo, which faulted the primary election that produced Uba and subsequently, disqualified their participation in the November 6 governorship poll.

The duo, in the suits marked CA/ABJ/CV/13/2022 and CA/ ABJ/CV/36/2022, claimed that the trial court erred, when it arrived that the primary election that produced Uba was not conducted in accordance with the electoral laws and went ahead to void it.

They specifically prayed the court to set aside the decision of Justice Ekwo, delivered on December 20, 2021 and declare that they were qualified to participate in the election.

However, in their unanimous decision, the appellate court, in the

judgment read by Justice Senchi, noted that the trial court was right in its verdict and resolved all the issues against the appellants.

The trial court had in its judgment, held that Uba was never a candidate in the poll, having emerged from an illegally conducted primary election by the APC. The judge held that the plaintiff, George Moghalu, succeeded in proving that the APC did not conduct a valid primary election, which Uba claimed to have won as the party’s flag bearer in the November 6, 2021 election.

Consequently, he ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delete Uba’s name from its record as a candidate in the election.

Justice Ekwo equally ordered the APC to refund to the plaintiff, the N22.5 million he paid for expression of interest and nomination forms since the party failed to conduct a valid primary.

Uba had emerged candidate of the APC at its primary election held on June 26, 2021.

But in a suit marked FHC/ ABJ/CS/648/2021, Moghalu, an aspirant in the APC primary election, challenged the process and the outcome of the primary election.

Moghalu contended that the APC did not comply with the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2010, the APC regulations and guidelines in the conduct of its governorship primary in Anambra State.

so that customers of IBEDC will be able to benefit from the app.

"The commission is also leveraging on technology so that if you go to your IBEDC and they cannot solve your complaints, you can reach NERC through technology.

"If you come to the forum, they will look at your case, based on the rules and regulations that had been put in place by the commission and in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as Electrical Sector Reform Act." Oseni said the desire of NERC was to ensure that power supply in the country was stable and delivered to customers’ satisfaction.

"We are all customers and we are all involved. It is in our interest the services are well delivered to satisfaction. The Commission is desired to ensure that we operate and perform our regulatory oversight functions in line with international best practice and without discrimination. It is part of these aspirations that this particular forum office is being inaugurated today so that the customer can have the choice.

"Whenever they go to their supplier, which is the electricity distribution companies and feel that their complaints are not treated to their satisfaction, they have the choice to come to the forum office and lodge their complaints.

"Looking at it today, the electricity

sector is facing a lot of challenges.

Some of these challenges are not within the control of these utility providers, but they are systemic problems that require some efforts of the policy makers, the regulatory side, customers and all well-meaning Nigerians so that we can achieve the desire of having electricity supply 24/7.

"We shall get there one day; it requires a lot work and with sincerity of purpose from the side of all the players including customers.”

According to the NERC vice Chairman, members of the forum, were carefully selected from the community, based on their integrity and professional competence Members of the forum are the Representative of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Mr. Adesanya Omoniyi; representative of the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Michael Obiora; representative of the Non- governmental Organisation, Mr. Kabiru Adisa; representative of Nigeria Association Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mining and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. Adesanya Albert and representative of the Federal Competition/ Consumer Protection Commission, Dr. Oluwatoyin Olatunde Oseni said a staff of the NERC, Mr. Adeola Dhabi, would serve as the Secretary of the forum.

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COMMENT

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

PUTTING THE BEST FOOT FORWARD Danladi Dunhu writes that Abdullahi Adamu has what it takes to steer APC to victory

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he drummer’s beats are still sounding loud in the air. The earliest dancers are still in the market square, displaying their skills, to the admiration of some compatriots. The list of the earliest performers is legendarily long. Quite patriotic party men; no woman has interest in the ruling APC’s top post so far. Notable among the earliest campaigners are former governor of Nasarawa State, and now senator representing Nasarawa South, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-makura; former Zamfara State governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar; a former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff; and former Benue State governor, now Minister of Special Duties, Mr. George Akume.

Others include renowned Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) chieftain, Saliu Mustapha; Senator Sani Musa, aka 313; former Bauchi State governor, Alhaji Isa Yuguda; and renowned Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Comrade Soni Monidafe.

These are all eminent party stalwarts, whose inalienable rights to vie for any leadership position in the party are indisputable. But while these aspirants strut through the market square jockeying for the coveted office of national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), it is pertinent for loyal party members to remember that the party’s stuttering state can best be stabilised by the very best, and not just the good or the not-so-good within its fold.

The emergence of a vivacious APC, with its rapturous 2014/2015 campaign slogan: “APC: Change”, endeared the party to virtually every heart across the country, including some dyed in the wool PDP members. The flicker of hope in the party’s great potential was further accentuated by the emergence of a government, at the national level, led by Muhammadu Buhari, who, for many, symbolized the “change mantra” in the APC’s sloganeering.

President Buhari has now run his race, literally. What is paramount at a time like this, therefore, is to set the stage for stabilising the party, ahead of the general elections, where a successor to the incumbent will emerge. Such a contest, for a party like the APC, begins with its ability to choose an adroit leader to steer its ship to victory.

President Buhari personally had to warn, recently, that unless the simmering crisis within the party is managed well, the opposition could take over power during the next elections. Responding to a question on the crisis in the party, and on whether such crisis will allow the party’s planned convention to hold, in a recent interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), President Buhari said: “Well, we have a time frame. We have to work because the four-year circle is constitutional. It cannot be interfered with by anybody. So, if the party couldn’t agree, then the opposition can take over”.

And this clear warning, from no other person than the leader of the party, is good reason for critical stakeholders to sharpen their eyes in the search for a personality that will take over as national chairman of the APC. None of the earliest dancers in the market square, to my mind, fits that bill. At the risk of repeating what I said above, the APC now needs someone that has an enviable profile, and an unscathed

IT IS PERTINENT FOR LOYAL PARTY MEMBERS TO REMEMBER THAT THE PARTY’S STUTTERING STATE CAN BEST BE STABILISED

BY THE VERY BEST, AND NOT JUST THE GOOD OR THE NOT-SO-GOOD WITHIN ITS FOLD

reputation, to lead it out of the current crisis situation.

But while I was agonising over the absence of the most suitable candidate for the post amongst those out campaigning, I suddenly saw, like a thunderbolt, Senator Abdullahi Adamu sprang up, and threw his hat in the ring. This was a few days to the earlier date scheduled for the party’s national convention, which was Saturday, 26th February, 2022. I, like many others, believe that Senator Adamu is the perfect fit for this job, and that the APC should crown him as leader of its National Working Committee, come 26th March, this year.

And my reasons for this believe are not far-fetched. One, while the earliest campaigners for the post were dancing in the market square trying to “sell” their manifestoes, Senator Adamu was busy working to reconcile aggrieved members of the party across the country. And through his travels and interactions with the APC’s members in virtually all parts of Nigeria, I believe he was confronted with the all manner of issues, from which he, to me, has emerged as the most knowledgeable in terms of the complex issues to deal with, if the party must be united as one family.

Secondly, he has over time exhibited the highest sense of loyalty to the APC. For instance, successive leaderships of the APC have since 2015, simply exposed the party’s leader, President Buhari, and to a reasonable degree, his government, to the vagaries of political vultures, who relentlessly attack his personality and his administration. In most of those cases, as far as I remember, it is this same Senator Adamu who single-mindedly challenge those critics of the president. He literally put his senatorial seat on the line when he confronted the President of the Eighth Senate, Bukola Saraki, when, after the latter’s defection back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made concerted efforts to smear the reputation of the Buhari administration. Other examples of these instances are too many to be mentioned here.

I therefore like to reiterate that the APC frankly needs a dexterous politician, one who has “seen it all”, who is well-schooled in the game of politics in Nigeria. It requires a mature political actor who actively participated in the rambunctious politics of our country, in the second, third, and fourth Republics. It most certainly requires someone who is not just an apparatchik, but has also seen the various walls of governance as a governor, a senator, etc., who can neither be cajoled nor intimidated into taking wrong decisions at any point in the life of the party. The APC surely needs a loyal member that can weather the stormy waters of our politics, especially now that Buhari’s tenure is at its twilight, and the sing-song even among some party members is that once President Buhari, who currently appears to be the only rallying point, leaves the stage, the party could go down with him. This pathway will be most unfortunate, and must be avoided through the choice of an adroit national chairman. All these qualities are surely embedded in Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

Dunhu writes from Lokogoma, Abuja

MANY ARE CALLED, ONE IS CHOSEN Umo Eno has the attributes needed in a governor, writes Fred Ime Etuk

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e are in a time of political ferment. It is time for candidates and aspirants, a time to dream and to be dreamed about. A time for true ambitions and megalomaniacs. A time to connect to the streets while calling the name of God and Allah. A time also for massive disappointment, for demystification, for the one who thought himself a big and mighty Iroko to come crashing through the forest with reverberations everywhere, the birds flying away in panic and squirrels scampering and shrieking in terror.

But it is now that when those who want to be governors, especially those who want the nod of their governors, to hope that they are the chosen ones. When the governor picks you, he is right. He has confirmed what you have always known as the voice of God and finger of the Almighty in your life.

But if it does not happen, then you know immediately that the Holy Spirit has departed from the man on the throne. The man you eulogised just a few months ago as the alpha and omega on earth suddenly turns foe. It is now between your God and his God. The die is cast.

We are witnessing the politics of envy in Akwa Ibom State. The gentleman governor who turned a state of mayhem and bloodshed into a place of peace and development did away with hypocrisy and suggested his pick to the people as successor. The envy among those who did not like it is palpable.

But it is a minority. When the majority are at peace, a vocal and viscerally bilious minority can flutter the dovecotes. They send their big and buxom cat among the pigeons. They can bring hell and wildfire to a place where all want peace and plenty.

Governor Udom Emmanuel did what is rare in Nigerian politics: come out and name his presumptive successor. Most governors shy away from it. They merely set the machinery in favour of a person and deny that they have chosen a person. The consequence is that the mouse is fighting an elephant but he thinks himself the elephant.

The chosen one is riding high, but he believes he is the chosen one because the governor has told him he, too, can run. It becomes even more bitter when they come to the election primary, and the fellow for whom the governor has shed his grace of power and support slugs it out with the others in a monumental beating.

Their eyes of understanding open, and they begin to turn things upside.

Few have done this same thing in this era. Bola Tinubu did it for Babatunde Raji Fashola when he was rounding off his second term as governor. He held a meeting and said his chief of staff was the man for the job. The uproar in Lagos makes mincemeat of what we are seeing now in Akwa Ibom. In fact, it is calm in that state. The cabinet is largely at peace with the decision.

The case of Lagos saw very few associates of Tinubu then turn the cabinet upside down.

The governor did not relent. His associates

wanted to pick their own choice and make the governor a minority. But it did not work that way. He prevailed and Fashola turned out to be one of the models of governance in this republic and history of the state. He was the right man to build on the vision and template of the Asiwaju.

Governor Emmanuel must be thinking of his legacy as he picked Umo Eno, the staunch ally, who combines the ecclesiastical mind with that of technocrat. He must be thinking of his many legacies in education with flourishing schools and their glorious menaces, the big magnet for the corporate world to make Uyo and the state their domicile after years of shying, the toast of the airspace known as Ibom Air, the various entrepreneurial initiatives like the toothpick factory and the coconut refinery. The list goes on. He has had a stake in the past.

With his legacy, he now has a stake in the future.

He does not want to pretend about it.

If some think neutrality in the public and partiality in secret is the way of morality, Gov. Emmanuel thinks it is hypocrisy, the cardinal sin that Jesus condemned in the Gospels.

But the politics of envy must have its way. The word is out there that some want to invoke a surly past in pursuit of their frustrations. They want to brandish violence.

If they cannot get it, they want others not to get it. They forget that by such position, they have admitted that they have lost the argument. They say it is not right for the

governor to state his pick. In all democracies, prime minister and presidents have their preferences. There is no hypocrisy about this in the United States.

Obama did not hide his preference for Hilary. He did not hide his preference for Biden. If they want someone else they are at liberty to do so.

But his pick is not dictatorship, it is a choice, a suggestion, an opinion. He is staking his choice in the conscience of his people. The matter will go back to the primary, and it is called democracy. Those who fail can try again. It is the beauty of the system as an ideology of popular persuasion.

If what happens is that the ones who fail decide to launch a campaign of calumny, they will have to contend with the facts of the biography of Eno, and his gifts from God. They will have to contend with his loyalty to the Akwa Ibom people. They will contend with his education, his performance as a commissioner, his ideas in cabinet meetings, his composure, his charisma.

The poet and playwright Goethe said “there is but one step from envy to hate.”

The state has had an era of violence. This is no time to resurrect it. This is no time to slaughter people in the bushes or on the streets, or to consecrate murder in the cathedral or campaign rallies, all because one man was chosen. As the good book says, many are called but a few are chosen. In this case, only one can be chosen. Only David has to be chosen for the throne, in spite of the envy of the Sauls of this world.

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EDITORIAL THE SOAKAWAY TRAGEDY ON IFE CAMPUS It is a sad commentary on the state of affairs in Nigeria

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he tragic death of Ajibola Heritage Ayomikun, a 200-level student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has further exposed the deplorable state of infrastructure in our institutions of higher learning.

Ayomikun, a student of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, resided in a private hostel where she fell inside a pit held together by crumbling concrete. She died before help could reach her.

Sadly, decaying facilities at OAU, a first-generation university that used to showcase itself as the most beautiful campus in Africa, are symptomatic of most tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Yet, if the health of a nation can be gleaned from the state of its infrastructure, most public facilities in the country have become symbols of decay and monuments of shame. Majority of the universities, especially those owned THIS TRAGEDY MUST by states and federal SERVE AS A LESSON TO government, cannot THE AUTHORITIES IN THE boast of facilities that cater optimally NIGERIAN EDUCATIONAL for the general SECTOR. STUDENTS IN well-being of their INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER students. Rooms on LEARNING SHOULD NOT campuses are often BE SUBJECTED TO LIVING congested, beds and UNDER THE CONDITION IN mattresses are old WHICH AYOMIKUN DIED and worn-out, bathrooms are without doors and defective toilets overflow with faeces. The expansive premises in many of these campuses are largely unkempt, ill-lit, and crawling with all manner of reptiles and insects. Only recently, the poor and deteriorating state of students’ hostels at the nation’s premier indigenous university, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) was beamed to the world. It was heart-rending.

Sadly, we seem to be compounding the problem.

Over the years, there has been a proliferation of institutions of higher learning without the backing of adequate resources. Students study in overcrowded and poorly ventilated classrooms and reside in congested and dirty

Letters to the Editor

hostels. Indeed, one of the most acute problems in the universities is the shortage of hostel accommodation.

And where they exist, they are not only ill-maintained and in bad shape, but they can also only accommodate a fraction of the student population. That has led to overcrowding. Like inmates in the prisons, some 20 students could be in a room meant for eight. That is why some students like Ayomikun seek refuge in sickly buildings with caving facilities and open sewers, most often at exploitative rates. It is a miracle that many of the students survive the squalid conditions under which they live. And the universities hardly perform their oversight functions on these so-called student villages.

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

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

his brings us to some inevitable questions: What manner of youths is the country training for leadership and productivity in such substandard, subhuman atmosphere? How much longer will it take to convince the government to lead the way in providing a conducive setting on our campuses? Why is the growth trend in our universities expansive rather than developmental?

The fact that this tragedy happened at a time public university lecturers are engaged in a survival battle with the federal government is overly significant. But while appealing to the government and other public-spirited individuals and organisations to provide more funds for rehabilitation of decayed lecture halls, dormitories, laboratories, and other infrastructure, and in hiring qualified staff, we must begin to rethink the way we fund tertiary education in Nigeria. Besides increasing personnel costs, funds are also required to rehabilitate dilapidated facilities and purchase new consumables for the ever-growing student population.

We commiserate with the family of Ayomikun even as we hope that the authorities at Ife will see this tragedy as a wake-up call in oversighting the off-campus hostels of students under their care. There must be minimum acceptable standards. But the tragedy must also serve as a lesson to the authorities in the Nigerian educational sector. Students in institutions of higher learning should not be subjected to living under the condition in which Ayomikun died. It is a sad commentary on the state of affairs in Nigeria.

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.

TINUBU, AREGBESOLA AND LOYALTY Continued from back page

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ut whatever may have been his disappointment, I believe Aregbesola went too far in his outburst regarding Tinubu. And I am sure that in moments of introspection, he will realise that and try to make amends.

Tinubu must also understand that enduring loyalty is based on the time-tested principle of reciprocity. After all, as the Yoruba would say, “Gba fun Gbada nile ni gba fun Gbada loko. Omo oko to fe je buredi, yio fi isu ranse sile” (I wish I could interpret that but whatever the context used, it is about the constancy of the law of sowing and reaping).

This now brings me back to Fashola’s thesis. He said the concept of loyalty is strange. I beg to disagree with him. What is strange is the abuse of the concept of loyalty in the Nigerian public space. There is a perception that when people seek those who would do right, regardless of the circumstances, the virtue they look for is integrity. But when they are seeking those susceptible to manipulation, the quality they demand is blind loyalty. What is often missed is that where integrity is lacking, loyalty is forfeited. And that is why those who seek the latter at the expense of the

former most often run to grief.

Even in a monarchy, loyalty to the institution of kingship takes precedence over loyalty to a particular king. But we run a democracy in which loyalty to individuals is what our politicians invest their time, energy and enormous public funds seeking. We see that in the way outgoing governors anoint their successors. Only recently in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Udom Emmanuel brazenly announced a commissioner who knelt before him as successor! On Tuesday, the governor had to fire his Chief of Staff in what is seen as the beginning of trouble. If Emmanuel could upend his own godfather, Godswill Akpabio who recruited him from Zenith Bank and later handed over to him, what is the guarantee that the man on whom he is now staking the future of Akwa Ibom people will not do same to him in future?

The late iconic American writer and humourist, Mark Twain, described loyalty as “a word which has worked vast harm; for it has been made to trick men into being ‘loyal’ to a thousand iniquities, whereas the true loyalty should have been to themselves.”

The point here is that when people are true to themselves, they will seek public good. So, loyalty which constitutes an important dimension of everyday living

may not be the problem. The real issue is the misapplication of the concept, especially in Nigerian politics.

It is too often used to depict a situation in which somebody supported to a position of power should make their benefactor an object of perpetual worship at the expense of public trust.

To strengthen our democracy, we may have to look at the definition of loyalty by James B. Sullivan, a philosopher. “Loyalty is an enduring commitment and full devotion to a relationship of deep trust, common cause, and reciprocal value,” argued Sullivan. “And at the heart of all committed relationships are mutual trust, passion, and service.”

Service is not about self. It is about seeking the best of others. Loyalty that is about self does not ennoble and never lasts. Sadly, that is the loyalty that many of our politicians crave. And that is why Nigeria is in such a sorry state today. To change the narrative, our politicians must embrace a more enduring form of loyalty that is geared towards lasting ideals and the common good, rather than to some power mongers.

But then, it may still be helpful in our everyday interactions if we constantly remind ourselves of Fashola’s prayer: May our loyalty never be tested!

Olusegun Adeniyi, Abuja

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POLITICS

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

Bafarawa: Foundation of the APC Government is Built on Corruption Nseobong Okon-Ekong holds a conversation with the ormer governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Attahiru Bafarawa on some of the knotty issues in Nigeria. He suggests how the country can get out of the quagmire. Excerpts:

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hat is your position on zoning especially against the backdrop of agitations in the South that after President Muhammadu Buhari power should rotate to the region?

That is a very good and interesting subject when you talk about zoning. All these are politics.

The APC as a party was formed in 2013 and I happened to be a founding member of the party.

The constitution was drafted in my house in Abuja. You can see the group photograph of the members here. These are the people who put together the constitution of the APC. So, when you are talking about zoning, the APC and PDP are national political parties and everybody has his own way of picking a candidate. When the APC was formed, everybody believed that the life of the party was Buhari. There is no question about it and then no Southerner contested against him. By 2023, he would have served eight years.

So, automatically, the APC is expected to zone its presidential ticket to the South. There is no dispute about that. For the PDP, it was formed in 1998 and it formed the government in 1999 and in the 16 years that the party ruled, the North had it for just about two years. President Obasanjo ruled for eight years and Jonathan was there for six years. So, in the PDP era, between the North and South, who were the beneficiaries?

The South was there for 14 years but still the PDP was magnanimous enough and said they are throwing the race open for everyone irrespective of zone. It is not a question of argument and just talking. The race is open and whoever is qualified to get the ticket is free to do so. So, there is no question of whether North or South, the thing is for the best leader to emerge whether you are from the North or South provided you are a Nigerian and you can do it well. Let us understand that our unity is paramount. Take for example, I come from North-west and President Buhari also is from North-west, but the zone which has suffered most in Nigeria is our own.

So, what is the essence of the president coming from our area? Talking about insecurity, no zone is more affected than the North-west. There is nothing to show or talk about in the North. So, the important thing is to have somebody who has the interest of the country at heart and who would move the nation forward.

As a foundation member of the APC, why did you decide to leave?

I did not leave the APC but was pushed out of the party. Before, I had never been a member of the PDP in my life. I was a governor for eight years and not under the PDP. Even when there were issues, I did not join the PDP but went to form my own party-DPP. So, it is not a question of leaving but being pushed out. Today, that is part of the prayer that I thank God for that I was pushed out of the APC at that point. We formed the party and unfortunately, some PDP governors decided to leave and they joined the APC. I was a victim of that movement because my governor by then was one of those who left the PDP and joined the APC. When he joined the APC, the party asked every state chapter to handover the party structure and leadership to them. I asked them a question on the criteria they used in telling us to handover the party to the governors who were just coming in and did not know anything about the APC. We were the people who formed this political party. They told us that they (governors) had the money to share and manage the party and that was where corruption started since the formation of the APC. They said these governors have the money and I asked which money; where did they get the money? They said they were going to give the party N100 million each but I said I was not a governor but I was ready to give N100 million so that they would leave my structure. They said no and that if I can accept to handover the chapter, there is no problem. My supporters said no that it was over their dead body they would accept

Bafarawa

that condition. That was when we left and joined the PDP. And it is the same government that did that that is now telling me they are fighting corruption. Which corruption are they fighting when in the beginning, the foundation started on corruption?

If the conditions are right, is it possible that you could return to the APC? What will I do there? I have already made my position known. I am not going to look for any elective or appointive position for the rest of my life. The only thing I am interested in is who is my president or my governor? What would make me go back to the APC after I was pushed out? I think I have seen it all. The only thing is to be grateful to God. Is that what you meant when you were widely quoted that you had retired from active politics?

I did not retire. I am still in politics until I die. I am not taking any elective office or appointment but I will be in politics until I die. But I want to know who my president is and my governor. I cannot sit down at home and see all these happen. I have to work to see who will be my president and governor. So, I was misquoted to have said I quit politics. Never!

You are fully supporting your governor, Aminu Tambuwal to

be president of Nigeria in 2023; are you convinced that he has what it takes to lead the nation?

I am one hundred percent convinced that Governor Tambuwal can competently lead Nigeria to greater heights. He is a politician to the core. He is a professional politician. He is an all round politician. As a lawyer, he has judicial knowledge; as a former speaker, he has knowledge of the workings of the legislature and as a governor, he has knowledge in the executive arm of government. So, put the three together, he is really qualified. I believe that if he gets good hands in his team, he would turn Nigeria around as a great nation that God created it to be.

From your vantage position as a statesman, what are your reflections about the state of affairs in Nigeria today?

We are talking about democracy in Nigeria but honestly speaking, it is very frightening the way we Nigerians play politics generally and more especially in this era. Talking about First Republic, Second Republic, Third Republic and now things are getting worse with our democracy.

This is because in this era, it is only one player.

The player is the referee and umpire also. The essence of democracy is to give equal opportunity to both the electorate and those looking for elective positions. But the fundamental issue that everybody is ignoring is the foundation.

When the foundation is not laid properly, the building will certainly collapse. So, Nigeria’s democracy is shaking because it does not have a good foundation. A good foundation is the heart of a political party; a solid one that can discipline any member of the party. The leader-

Tambuwal can competently lead Nigeria to greater heights.

He is a politician to the core. He is a professional politician.

He is an all round politician. As a lawyer, he has judicial knowledge; as a former speaker, he has knowledge of the workings of the legislature and as a governor, he has knowledge in the executive arm of government. So, put the three together, he is really qualified. I believe that if he gets good hands in his team, he would turn Nigeria around as a great nation that God created it to be

ship of the party must be supreme. What we are saying about the leadership of the party is that the party is supreme to anybody. Whoever that is occupying any position is an agent of that political party. But if the party is there just for the sake of contesting election, it is not right and that is where we are now. This is because presently, whoever is the governor or president becomes the leader of the party either in the state or the nation respectively. They become the Chief Executives even when they are players.

The essence of the party is to blow whistle for the agents of the party. A party has its own manifesto and constitution and the governor or president has to follow the rules and regulations. They have to follow the priorities whether in the education sector, power, infrastructure, health or whatever is the manifesto of the party to develop their own vision for the people. The party is there to supervise those elected on its platform. Based on that, they can say yes we are doing well or not doing well. If you are not doing well, the party would call your attention and say look this is not part of our agenda or manifesto. In that way, things would be much better but now, in the way we are currently playing politics in Nigeria, the governors and the president are the overall. As I said earlier, they are the referee/ umpire and the player at the same time. So, with that situation, things may completely collapse unless we have the right discipline within the political parties. Again, the fault is not only from the political parties. There is also another problem from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). A political party is registered by the requirement of the INEC. So, it is the duty of the INEC to be supervising the political parties’ constitution and manifesto.

It is not just there for conducting elections. The electoral body should be supervising the political parties to ensure that they are doing what is in their manifesto. But all these roles are ignored.

There is no check and balance from the INEC and there is no check and balance from the parties on the elected officers. That is why things are collapsing in Nigeria. The president is supreme over the party nationally and the governors are supreme over the state chapters of their parties.

This is how we are playing Nigerian politics up to date and that is the problem.

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

23

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2022

POLITICS

Usman: APC Government Amplified Use of Petrol Subsidy to Settle Cronies In this interview with Adedayo Akinwale, the Executive Director of Sustainable Initiative for Nurturing Growth Nigeria, Mr. Idris-Etanami Usman, bares his mind on the state of the nation and also advocated for power shift to the South, particularly the South-east and South-south. Excerpts:

L

et’s start with the subsidy argument, the government postponed the evil day for another one year and six months to implement the removal of subsidy. What is your take on this controversy?

When we talk about the previous government which is the PDP administration being so corrupt. I don’t know why the APC government is displaying a high level of corruption. There is one thing we should, they are all Nigerians and whether we like it or not, it is still the same blood of corruption that runs in their veins, especially the elites of this country. Our lifestyle and the way we see power and how we use power. Of course, it has to be something that is promoted by corruption. So, when a group of people are in power, the first thing they want to do is to use the state resources to settle themselves; use the state resources to empower their constituency and with that, any available means of doing that, they will use the opportunity. So, subsidy has always been that avenue of empowering the few. From the PDP government to the APC government.

What the APC government did is that they just amplified it. We started in a little way in the PDP government and the APC government sees it as an avenue that there is so much in here and we can really take so much out of the system with this.

So, they amplified it and the next government might also see a reason to amplify it more. The major challenge is the Nigerian masses, the civil societies and people with good conscience. It is almost impossible for us to believe that we cannot manufacture the petrol we use, we cannot process it, but we know that this thing is not rocket science. Then you ask yourself what is holding us from producing our own petrol? This was something we were doing before. How come it has become impossible for us to produce our own petrol? Then If you understand all these events, you will know that there is just a very

it back. The fact about it is that long before now, we have seen people who have held different civil society organisations become billionaires overnight, we didn’t ask for their source of wealth. Civil society is another cabal of people who choose to also hold the society to ransom, because they are suppose to be the voice of the masses, but they are now the voice of the elites.

The elites tell them where to go out and when not to go out. So at this point in time, I will say the Nigerian masses have to make decisions if this so called subsidy removal or not subsidy removal or the hardship the economy is taking a toll on them, the Nigerian masses should not wait for civil societies to come out, they should come out themselves because the civil societies are living large now. So, the Nigerian masses are the ones suffering

Usman huge chunk of money that is available for people to loot in that sector.

Politicians of course, when they see any loophole they capitalize on it. Of course, they have to go for election, they need money for election, they have to sustain the party. So, if you are expecting subsidy to be a thing of the past; even that 18 months is not a guarantee.

What about those civil societies, NLC who raise hell and then chicken out?

Since APC came into power we all know the civil societies have been in a “sleeping mode.” Civil societies have shown that they are not independent.

The people that control the civil society, the politicians in quotes that control civil societies are the ones who are still holding the rope. They know when to release it, they know how to draw

So will you say the suspension of the subsidy removal is political or economical?

It is political. For God’s sake, the election is just next year, you want to remove the subsidy now?.

How would they make money from the election?

You know politicians hardly save money, they only start saving money one year to election.

They need to save money for the election, so the government would do itself a very grave danger in terms of wanting to remain in power, but more danger inside of the masses. But for themselves, they wouldn’t want to commit that error in removing subsidy when election is coming, they need to make money for the election.

So, the money for the election instead will be padded into the subsidy claim.

We have two dominant political parties; one of them will produce the next president.

APC from its body language may likely zone it to the south and the PDP is going to the North. With Buhari eight years already coming from the North, does any of the

political parties have the moral right to still retain power in the same region after eight years?

Let’s look at the whole north and south power sharing from 1999 till date. The South-west has done eight years, the power went back to North-west. Yar’Adua came in and did 2 years after then he died. Goodluck Jonathan came in from the South-south after finishing Yar’Adua’s tenure, he decided to contest using the Southsouth slot; Jonathan used 4 years. What we are hoping is that the South-south has never ruled this country before. Buhari also came in after Jonathan, Buhari is going to use eight years.

By calculation the north has used 10 years all together. The entire south has used 14 years, out of that 14 years, the South-west has used eight years as president. South-West is holding the office of the Vice President and the Speaker, so the South-west has been compensated well.

Then the South-east is also being marginalized but then, there is a region that has never ruled this country, which most of our resources, if not all come from. That region by chance became president.

What is fair and what is right is for them to complete their tenure so that you know that that region has been settled. Then we can now come back to the North after four years because the North is also being shortchanged. Like I said, the north has used 10 years, the south has used 14 years. We know that any northerner that comes into power now would not want to use 4 years, it will be another eight years. So, to be fair, let it go to that region that has four years to complete its own circle. And then come back to the north. We should now start a fresh again of eight years again then go back to the south. I think that would be fair because we can’t stop zoning.

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

‘Buhari Should Inaugurate NDDC Board as He Did for NEDC’ President Muhammadu Buhari, on June 24, 2021, while receiving the leadership of Ijaw National Congress, promised to inaugurate the board of NDDC upon receipt of the Commission’s forensic audit report. But six months after receipt of the report on September 2, 2021, from Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President is yet to fulfil his promise, abide by the law establishing NDDC, and hearken to the legitimate demands of the Niger Delta stakeholders, leading to agitations and heightened tension in the region.

In an interview on a national television magazine programme, ‘Journalists’ Hangout,’ monitored in Lagos, Babajide Otitoju, and Kolawole Johnson, Head, Directorate of Research and Strategy, of anti-corruption group, Act for Positive Transformation Initiative decry the delay and urge President Buhari to inaugurate the NDDC Board to guarantee equitable representation of the nine constituent states

N

DDC drama, unending drama.

In Nigeria it is the way we are, one day one drama.There was the elaborate public hearing in the National Assembly in June/July 2020, we saw it, one former acting Managing Director of NDDC passing out, all the drama, and it went. Now another crisis We are not prepared to do anything about the corruption in NDDC. If we were prepared, by now we would have agreed to put a board in place just as the President (Buhari) had promised.

By now a board would be in place. Why are we allowing Senator Akpabio to literally be running that place as if it belongs to him? He came up with the idea of interim management committee (IMC) that is not known to the Act setting up the NDDC. He came up with it and he got away with it. Later on he came up with the idea of a sole administrator. The sole administrator is from his state, he as Minister (Niger Delta affairs) is from the same Akwa Ibom state, the Presidential aide (Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari) on Niger Delta, Senator Ita Enang is also from Akwa Ibom. So other Niger Delta oil bearing communities and states are effectively shut out of the running of the place. He has refused to inaugurate a board. The President promised to get a board inaugurated. That promise has not been kept. So why are you surprised that we are hear-

Otitoju ing this kind of stories from NDDC? My problem is, the national assembly can investigate the NDDC a zillion times but what will happen? It will just be an impotent rage amounting to nothing at the end of the day because we still have, thank God the internet never sleeps, stories that emanated from the probe by the House of Representatives and by the Senate, which they conducted separately in June/July 2020. Those stories are still there with the recommendations to

government which are still there. So, if the same national assembly or the same Senate that made those recommendations after probing them and establishing humongous cases of corruption have not been able to get the executive to implement even one of its recommendations, why are we sure that Senator Matthew Urhogide and others are not on a wild goose chase? That’s the way it looks. Somebody refusing bluntly to inaugurate a board, he is just there running the place alone The fresh crisis in NDDC is also coming after the (forensic) audit report and fresh cases are coming up, so what are we talking about?

These are people who paid monies to themselves during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, when they were doing nothing, yet they claimed they were supervising road projects and other projects during COVID-19 lockdown.

We allow impunity to run on two legs.

What is now the basis for the fight against corruption if the Federal Government departments/agencies like NDDC, severally have been found culpable and Mr. President is not ready to make some people pay for it as examples?

I don’t understand. I just don’t understand.

The first thing to do is to implement the recommendations of the Senate probe of June/July 2020 (of NDDC Interim Management Committee).

I looked at the recommendations and I found those recommendations good enough to be implemented. Go ahead and implement the thing if you can see scandals as we saw in the National Assembly (probe of NDDC) in June/ July 2020.

You know, after that, Akpabio, knowing that particular interim management committee (IMC) has been blotted, has been disgraced, has been discredited, that’s the word, has been discredited before Nigerians, he then did the fast thing to go again to get Presidential approval to have a Sole Administrator. Again they (President Buhari) pandered to him and allowed him to have a sole administrator, and he has refused to inaugurate the Board. So whatever happened to fight against corruption?

Let the Federal Government implement the recommendations of the national assembly probe of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) in June/July 2020. The House of Representatives came up with its own, Senate came up with its own. Let the government look at those recommendations and blend them, cherry-pick the ones that they want and let’s have the Board, the structures in place.

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

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THURSDAY FEBEUARY 24, 2022 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THURSDAY FEBEUARY 24, 2022 •T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

F E B R U A R Y

S & P INDEX

2 3 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OBB

14.00%

CALL

4%

INDEX LEVEL

565.29%

1/4 TO DATE

6.06%

N412.08/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

14.50%

1-MONTH

6%

1-DAY

–0.11%

YEAR TO DATE

– 15.66%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.41%

Domain Name Registration, Renewal Slide from 184,341 in November 2021 to 178,097 in January 2022

Emma Okonji Nigeria witnessed a drop in domain name registration and renewal in the last three months, as registration figures dropped from 184,341 in November 2021 to 178,097 in January 2022, latest statistics released by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), the body responsible for hosting and domesticating

domain name in Nigeria has revealed.

According to the statistics obtained from NIRA’s official website, although there was a slight growth in the total number of domain name registration, renewal and restoration from 2019 to 2022, the figures dropped from 184,341 in November 2021 to 178,097 in January 2022.

From the statistics, Nigeria

recorded a total of 146,352 for domain name registration, renewal and restoration in November 2019, and in November 2020, the figure increased to 172,712, while in November 2021, the figure increased again to 184,341. In December 2019, the total number of registration, renewal and restoration was 147,461, and in December 2020, the figure rose to

175,071, while in December 2021, the figure increased to181,532.

In January 2020, Nigeria recorded a total of 150,111 domain name registration, renewal and restoration, but in January 2021, the figure rose to 178,230, and dropped slightly to 178,079 in January 2022.

Analysis of the data revealed that there had been a slight increase in the number of

registration, renewal and restoration for the dot ng domain name, which is Nigeria’s identity in the cyber space, from 2019 to 2021.

THISDAY however discovered a drop in registration, renewal and restoration in the last three months, from November 2021 to January 2022, where the figures dropped from 184,341 in November 2021 to 182,532

in December 2021 and a further slide to 178,079 in January 2022.

Giving reasons for the drop in the figures in the last three months from November 2021 to January 2022, the President of NiRA, Mr. Mohammed Rudman, told THISDAY, that registration actually increased from 2019 to 2020, but explained Continued on page 29

WTO: Progress on Fisheries Negotiation Stalled by Inability to Fix a Date for MC12 Dike Onwuamaeze Decisions that would further the progress of the long negotiated fisheries subsidies and other important issues suffered a setback yesterday on the inability to set a date for the next Ministerial Conference

12 (MC12) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which was initially scheduled to hold from November 20 to December 3, 2021.

But the MC12 was postponed due to the outbreak of Omicron, a variant of the COVID that was spreading fast at the period.

This was revealed by a Geneva trade official who spoke anonymously to journalists after the WTO’s informal general council meeting.

The official emphasized that the MC12 is important to provide the political impetus needed to keep the negotiations focused

without drifting.

He said: “There have been efforts on the way to try to find a new date. The idea was to try to focus on the progress of the talk. But the way things work around here (WTO) is that if you do not have an anchor, if you do not have a deadline or

some form of motivation, be it political or otherwise, then you run the risk that the talk will drift, which we are seeing in each of the important areas of the discussion, whether they be fisheries subsidies or response to COVID, WTO reform or agriculture.”

The official recalled that the MC12 was originally scheduled from November 20 to December 3, 2021, but was rescheduled due to the outbreak of Omicron.

“It was a big disappointment though a right decision to make.

Continued on page 29

ATAAAS SAT ATWWE EDDNNE ES SDDAY, AY,F A MMAAR RK KE ET TDDATA E BURGUUASRTY1213, ,22002212 ONNDDSS FFGGNN BBO DESCRIPTION 11.668 FGNSB 12.75 27-APR15-AUG-2021 2023 10.301 FGNSB 14.20 14-MAR16-AUG-2021 2024 11.150 FGNSB 13.53 23-MAR11-SEP-2021 2025 12.364 FGNSB 12.50 22-JAN12-SEP-2021 2026 12.175 FGNSB 16.2884 1710-OCT-2021 MAR-2027

BILLS

OTC FX F U T U R E S

100.09 106.80

3.16 6.61

Change Change (%) (%) 0.00 -0.01

100.10 111.08

3.16 8.22

0.00 -0.01

9-Sep-21 NTB 28-Apr-22

3.10 3.07

3.11 -0.94 0.00 3.08

100.67 112.16

3.13 8.92

0.00

16-Sep-21 3.13 3.15 NTB 12-May-22

3.16 0.00 0.00 3.15

100.80 107.71

0.00 3.12 -0.04 10.06

30-Sep-21 NTB 9-Jun-22

3.25 3.24

3.08 0.00 10.46

NTB 14-Jul-22 14-Oct-21

3.35 3.38

Price

101.47 122.43

Yield

MATURITY

Change(%) (%) Discount Yield Change

26-Aug-21 NTB 10-Mar-22

3.00 2.87

3.00 -0.12 0.00 2.87

CONTRACT TENOR (MONTH) 1

Contract

Current Rate ($/₦)

AUG 25 420.93 NGUS MAR 30 2021 2022 427.24

2

SEP 27 29 2022 2021 428.93 422.38 NGUS APR

3

OCT 27 423.83 NGUS MAY 25 2021 2022 430.63

3.26 -0.44 0.00 3.27

4

NOV29 242022 2021 432.32 425.28 NGUS JUN

3.37 -0.94 0.00 3.43

5

DEC27 292022 2021 434.02 426.73 NGUS JUL

CCPs Ps MATURITY

Discount Discount Yield Yield Change Change(%) (%)

MREPCP CPVI XXXI UNCP 13-AUG-21 2-MAY-22 UNCPCP CPIIII 27NEVE 24AUG-21 MAY-22 VAAG CP II I 27DANC 25AUG-21 MAY-22 TTNG CP V II 2631TRBH AUG-21 JUL-22 SIBP CP 2-SEPFSDH CPIVI 21 1-AUG-22

9.02 8.76

9.03 8.91

4.26 16.24

4.27 16.92 0.00 -0.57

10.20 8.67

10.25 8.86 0.00 -0.58

4.59 11.42

4.60 12.00 0.00 -0.87

4.13 8.14

4.14 8.44

0.00 0.04

0.00 -0.89

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

L-R: Executive Director, Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olukorede Adenowo; Executive Director, Finance, SCBN Ltd., Mr. Dayo Omolokun;Regional Head, Client Coverage, Africa and Middle East, SCB, Mr. Sarmad Lone; MD/CEO, Financial Derivatives Co Ltd., Mr. Bismarck Rewane; CEO/MD SCB Nigeria Limited, Mr. PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT Lamin Manjang; and Regional Head of Financial Markets, SCB, Mr. Mark Price, at the economic outlook session organised by the Bank in Lagos… recently

Pantami: FG’s Policies on Digital Innovation, Entrepreneurship Will Create Wealth James Sowole in Abeokuta

The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, has said the federal government developed over 20 policies to ensure that the country is built to a stage where digital innovation and entrepreneurship are used to create value and wealth for all.

Pantami stated this in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while addressing participants at the 5th TechSummit Ogun 2022, which held recently.

The Summit, tagged ‘Disruptive Innovation: Production And Distribution of Creative Content’, was convened by the Chief Executive Officer of VerveTree Startup, Olaniyi Ayoola.

Pantami who was represented by the Managing Director and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Dr. Abimbola Alale, listed the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, which he said was anchored on eight pillars.

He listed them to include: Nigeria National Broadband Plan (20202035); Nigeria Startup Bill, which is in the process of being forwarded to the National Assembly; and National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, among other policies and programmes.

He said over 500,000 Nigerians

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Aviation Editor Chinedu Eze Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafo (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy) Ugo Aliogo (Development)

have been engaged in digital training outlets which has led to their up-skilling, while partnering with global and indigenous tech companies to significantly increase the number of Nigerians with digital skills.

According to Pantami, “The federal government is developing policies and initiating programmes to ensure that we build a nation where digital innovations and

entrepreneurship are used to create value and prosperity for all.

“We need to empower citizens with the requisite skills that will enable the adoption of digital technologies across industries is addressed in the 2nd pillar.

To this end, we have set up an online training academy, which together with other digital training outlets has led to the up-skilling of about 500,000 Nigerians.

“We also developed the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020-2025) to ensure that our citizens have access to, and can afford quality broadband connectivity. The Plan seeks to deliver data download broadband speeds across Nigeria at a minimum of 25Mbps in urban areas, and 10Mbps in rural areas.”

Pantami said apart from the values created by startups,

digitally-based companies now dominate the list of largest companies in the world with seven out of top 10 largest companies from the digital technology sector.

According to him, Augmented and Virtual Reality is projected to grow into $95 billion market by 2025, saying the projection demand in the creative economy from gaming, live events, film, and video entertainment and

retail can’t be overemphasised.

He said further that digitalisation would remain one of the key means by which creative content could be made more visible and accessible to regional and global audiences, adding that digitisation offers great potentials for tapping into traditional and non-traditional markets for creative goods and services.

Tech Expert Moves to Address Cybercrime among Nigerian Youths Emma Okonji Convener of the National Engineering Science and Technology Essay Competition (NESTEC), Michael Akan has called for partnership between Blue Apple and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), in order to address the menace of cybercrime among Nigerian youths.

Akan who made the call during the second edition of NESTEC competition, which held in Abuja recently, said the move would help

to harness youth potential in digital skills development.

According to him, the EFCC had been doing well in recent times by arresting and prosecuting youths who are into cybercrime, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo. He noted that more youths were going into the crime, which he said, calls for urgent need for the commission to adopt a new approach to addressing the challenge. He is particularly worried that the impact of such arrest and prosecution by the EFCC, has not stemmed the

negative activities of these youths, hence the need for collaboration to redirect the energy of Nigerian youths in the area of digital skills that will reshape their thinking.

According to him, “Blue Apple is seeking to partner with EFCC to harness the youths’ potential and skills and redirect it to useful purposes. The US, Russia, Israel, Germany and North Korea, used to lead in global cybercrime but these countries have been able to manage their situation by converting it to economic gains,

through the re-orientation of their youths.

The EFCC chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was represented at the NESTEC competition by the Director of ICT at EFCC, Mohammed Bello, extolled the virtues of NESTEC and explained that the world’s focus had shifted to Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Blockchain Technology and other imaging technologies. He agreed that there was need to do more in re-training Nigerian youths,

and applauded the convener of NESTEC for such an initiative, which he said would go a long way to address the nation’s problems.

The second edition of NESTEC, was organised in conjunction with the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE), which saw three winners emerged from the nine finalists.

Prize monies worth a million naira were shared among winners.

Consolation prizes were also given to other finalists.

NIPOST, LASG Sign MoU to Train Courier Operators Emma Okonji The Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department (CLRD) of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation (MOT), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lagos State government to train dispatch riders of all courier operators.

The long awaited MOu for the

proposed Industrial/Proffessional Training for Dispatch Riders nationwide, starting with Lagos State, was signed by both the NIPOST and the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation (MOT) in Lagos recently.

The General Manager of CLRD, Mr. Gideon Oludotun Shonde, who signed on behalf of the Postmaster General of the Federation/CEO Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi, appreciated

the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Kamar Olowoshago, for his support and role played in ensuring that the MoU was signed, sealed and collected.

During the signing ceremony, Shonde emphasised that by the NIPOST ACT and Regulatory Guidelines, it is the statutory

mandate of NIPOST to train all courier and logistics operators nationwide.

According to him, the mandatory dispatch riders training program would commence in Lagos and would be extended to Benin, Abuja, Portharcourt, and cities in Ogun Stats in no distant time.

He stated that the training was essential for major breakthrough and strategy to ensuring professionalism, in order to

promote ethical values, create a positive image for the Postal, Courier, Express and Logistics industry.

Shonde added that the training would enhance security and safety on the Nigerian roads, to protect the industry and all esteemed investors from loss and theft by unprofiled staff and to tackle the menance of touting on Lagos and Ogun routes in a more decisive way.

Hacey, Access Bank Gift Widows, Orphans with Relief Materials

Ugo Aliogo

Access bank and Hacey identified the gap in the marginalisation of women and orphans especially in underserved communities in Nigeria, and have provided relief materials for them.

Hacey with the help of Access Bank provides support to orphans at Treasure of Love Missionaries of Charity Motherless Babies Home Alapere, Ketu Lagos, gifting 100 packs of

food items as well as women at Ijede Local Government Area, Ikorodu with 200 packs of food stuff.

The programme is aimed at empowering beneficiaries to live healthy lives as well as providing them with nutritional food items.

The non-profit organization was received and hosted at Ijede Local Government Area of Ikorodu by the Executive Chairman Honorable Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogbo, Honorable

Kabir Kareem – Vice Chairman, Honorable Fadeyi KehindeLeader, Honorable Shitta Akeem – Majority Leader, Honorable Basirat Kehinde – Deputy Leader, Honorable Saka Nurudeen – Chief Whip, Mr. H.I.K. Buhari – Council Manager and Mrs. Ajayi Oluwakemi – Council Treasurer who are all present at the donation and distribution event held at Local council hall of the community.

The Executive Director of

HACEY, Rhoda Robinson lauded the community for their acceptance reaffirming the organization’s commitment to support and protect women and girls, while thanking Access bank for their support to make such impactful changes.

A beneficiary, Mrs. Ilesanmi mentioned in her acknowledgment speech that if Government and private sectors can be remembering widows and orphans as HACEY health

Initiative has done, many aged people might live longer because of the love and arm.

She however thanked the organizers and prayed that they also find happiness.

The Chairman gave the closing remarks, giving special thanks to Access Bank and HACEY for addressing a need in her community. She also stated that the LGA is open to collaborations from CSOs and philanthropist.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Michaud: Technology Will Enhance Customers’ Experience in On-demand Delivery Sector Co-founder, Glovo, Mr. Sacha Michaud, speaks about how the company is using technology to enhance customers’ experience across 25 countries, Nigeria inclusive, in the on-demand delivery sector. Emma Okonji presents the excerpts: the app is very good because it has a lot of visuals that keep the customers busy and focussed when using the app. The app has different features that are engaging to the customers and it comes with visuals and it is simple to navigate.

Glovo currently has presence in 25 countries of the world, having launched its services in Nigeria last year. Tell us more about your services and how will you describe your experience in Nigeria? lovo addresses core business and technology issues facing the on-demand delivery sector. We operate in different categories like restaurants, groceries, pharmacy, electronics, and we have developed an app, through which customers could access these categories on a single platform. So we operate as marketing, technology and logistics company in the on-demand delivery sector, and we compete with e-commerce business because we deliver items to customers in minutes, based on demand. We work closely with retail stores and restaurants and help them sell online, using technology tools. With our app, we give customers a lot of visibility and varieties to choose from, and we also give them turnkey solutions to make their online orders. After the orders, we offer them courier delivery services nearest to the customer location, using our partners in the courier delivery sector. So we offer marketing, technology and logistics services to our customers.

G

How long has Glovo been operating in the on-demand delivery sector and how has the journey been so far?

We started the Glovo business about seven years ago in Barcelona, Spain, and from there we expanded it Italy and other countries. Today we have launched in 25 countries, and Nigeria is one of our newest entrant. We launched in Nigeria in July last year. Among these 25 countries, we have presence in over 1,500 cities worldwide and we are still growing. Our focus in the last two years has been to establish presence in the African continent and we are currently in seven countries in Africa, including Nigeria. We are currently in Lagos in Nigeria and we plan to expand our business in Nigeria to seven cities before the end of the year.

Having focused on Africa in the last two years, what is the difference and similarities in customers demand in Europe and Africa?

We have different operations in different countries across Africa and the major difference between our operations in Europe and Africa, is lack of awareness of the kind of services we offer in Africa. Majority of consumers in Africa are not open to online shopping, unlike what we experience in Europe where the majority of customers do their shopping online. Its about habit that the African consumers have developed over the years and they need a more consumer education to have interest in online shopping delivery. However, we are beginning to see online shopping awareness in African cities.

As a marketing, technology and logistics services company, how is Glovo leveraging technology to serve its customers better?

Having established your presence in Lagos, what are your expansion plan to other cities in Nigeria?

Our focus is to cover as many cities as possible in Nigeria. Glovo is committing so much money, time and resources for growth and expansion. By the end of the year, we plan to launch in seven cities across Nigeria. We are looking at expanding to Abuja, Kano, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Owerri. Once we establish presence in any country, we set up local partners in that country to drive local content. In all our local offices, we have local employees from that region. As we expand, we also invest.

How will you describe the Nigerian market in terms of readiness for an all technology driven on-demand delivery service?

The Nigerian market is a developing market for the kind of services we offer, and there is massive opportunity for growth and expansion, more so that we offer disruptive services that are unique and interesting to consumers. The kind of services as offer are connected services that make use of the internet and the internet users in Nigeria are growing tremendously, which is a good sign of readiness from the Nigerian people to embrace the kind of services we offer.

Michaud Technology solutions are key in driving the kind of services we offer and we have continued to leverage technology to enhance our customers’ experience. For instance, we have developed an app for the convenience of our customers. We have uptimised the algorithms of the app to make it work better for customers. With the app, customers can have access to a variety of our service offerings and the app helps to reduce the delivery time for customers. So we built customers needs around the app, which makes it easier for customers to use the app and make orders from the comfort of their offices and homes.

How flexible is your app in terms of customer user experience?

We are very focused and keen about the user experience of the app. We had the customer on our mind when developing the app and the app is user friendly and comes with a lot of ease of navigating when customers are searching for their favourites online, while using the app. So I can say

What is the relationship between Glovo and government regulators in Nigeria?

We have very cordial relationship with the Nigerian regulators. We have had several meetings with them and the outcome of the meetings have been very good.

We have had meetings with government officials from the Ministry of Trade and Investment. We are in talks with various governments where we operate on how to digitize Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) because they are the engine room of growth of any nation.

Aside the desire to grow and digitise SMEs, the federal government of Nigeria is also keen at local content development. How will Glovo’s investments in Nigeria impact on local content development?

We are keen at developing local content in Nigeria, through our service offerings and this can be seen from the varieties of food menu we offer to Nigerians, including other offerings. In order to boost local content in Nigeria, we allow our partners

to have their own stores on our platform, from where they showcase and sell products that are local to Nigerians, and we help them to do the logistics in terns of delivery. So Glovo is an enabler of local content.

In terms of convenience in payments, how is Glovo ensuring that its deliveries enhance financial inclusion in Nigeria?

Today, Glovo offers cash payment system, and payment is done on delivery. We also handle payments for the stores. We are working towards other forms of local payment methods, which will allow payment though debit and credit cards or electronic cash transfers and in the next three to six months time, our customers will begin to experience these forms of payments, which are geared towards financial inclusion strategy of the Nigerian government.

How do you monitor your delivery channels to ensure that deliveries are done in the right way, and on time?

We have put special mechanisms in place to monitor delivery and ensure effective delivery system for our customers. Once a customer makes orders online, it is our duty to find out the preparation time, and we we also find out the nearest courier operator on our system that is closest to the delivery location. So once the items are picked up for delivery, we monitor them until delivery is completed.

How do you train your delivery agents that interface with your customers and how do you manage efficiency in delivery, given the traffic congestion in Lagos?

Training is key and we carry out on-boarding training for all our delivery staff. We carry out relationship training, operational training as well as safety training. For efficiency in delivery, given the traffic congestion in Lagos, we use cars motorcycles and bicycles for faster and efficient delivery.

You are in a market where competition is high. What is the unique selling point of Glovo that will enable it compete favourably in the Nigerian market?

We are aware of market competition and we welcome competition, because it will bring about innovation that will help us serve our customers better. Our unique selling point is built around our humility in serving our customers better.

We focus on our service delivery and one of our unique selling points is that we operate a multi-category service offerings, providing our customers with variety of services that will interest them.

In terms of future outlook for Glovo, where do you see the brand in the foreseeable future in terms of expansion around business offerings?

Our vision is to become a global company that offers easy access to everybody in all cities, despite the complexities.

WTO: PROGRESS ON FISHERIES NEGOTIATION STALLED BY INABILITY TO FIX A DATE FOR MC12 We were disappointed to have made all these efforts and have moved the ball so far down the pitch only to come across this variant of the COVID,” the trade official said.

The trade official revealed that the Chairman of the WTO

General Council, Ambassador Dacio Castillo, tried yesterday to have a new date for the MC12 but members were divided between holding the meeting on June 2 to 4 or June 13 and on a later future date.

“In the meeting today our

delegations (all of them) were content to the movement toward getting a date.

“It is the tradition at the WTO to try to get political impetus if we have to move. Today the chair of the general council talked to the members of the possibility

of holding the ministerial in the month of June either on June 2-4 or June13th. The reason for those two windows has to do with logistics arrangement inspired by the lifting of many of the restrictions that has been in place to contain the COVID.

These restrictions were lifted on February 17.”

However, the official was hopeful that Castillo would talk to more members today (Tuesday) during the continuation of the informal general council’s meeting in order to have a date

for the MC12.

“We need to decide on this date as soon as possible. Castillo will be meeting tomorrow (today) to see if a compromise will be struck and report back at tomorrow’s (today) general council meeting,” the official said.

DOMAIN NAME REGISTRATION, RENEWAL SLIDE FROM 184,341 IN NOVEMBER 2021 TO 178,097 IN JANUARY 2022 that there was a drop in 2021 and 2022 because of the effect of COVID-19.

According to him, “In 2020, we experienced an increase in the number of registration for country code Top Level Domain Name (ccTLD) but in 2021, the number of registration dropped because of the effect of COVID-19 pandemic. The issue is that all those that registered in

2020, could not use the domain name in that same 2020 because of the pandemic and as such they did not renew their registration in 2021 and new registration also dropped in 2021 for ccTLD.” Rudman however said the drop in domain name registration 2021 was not peculiar to the Nigerian market because it was a global issue caused by the effect of COVID-19. A lot of

ccTLD domain name registration dropped in 2021 globally, the only increase in domain name registration was in the area of second level domain name like dot gov, dot ng, and dot com.

“So for Nigeria, the reason for the drop in domain name registration was due to the effect of COVID-19, coupled with the tough economic situation that is affecting individuals and

organisations in the country,” Rudman said.

Asked if the federal government policy on the use of digital technologies, that geared towards domesticating dot ng domain name among government agencies, Will help increase domain name registration and renewal in the country, Rudman said: “The government policy domesticate dot ng domain name

across government parastatals, has helped to increase adoption of domain names by 80 per cent within the government circles.

What government is trying to do with that policy is to domesticate domain name usage in government parastatals because most government officials use private email addresses like yahoo, while abandoning the official email

addresses that has dot ng.”

So I think government’s move is a right step in the right direction, because if government leads the way in domesticating dot ng domain name, then the general public will follow. So it is a welcome development because it will help to increase the domestication of dot ng domain name in Nigeria, “Rudman further said.

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Nigeria to Begin Export of Cocoa Derivatives, Says Minister James Emejo and Folalumi Alaran in Abuja The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr.Mohammad Abubakar has said it’s high time the country exported cocoa powder and other derivatives in order to boost the value chain, enhance the income of farmers as well as earn foreign exchange for the country.

He also said the federal government is working towards ensuring that Nigeria becomes the largest cocoa producer and

exporter in the world.

Abubakar, at the presentation of Cocoa production update by the Cocoasoil Group in Abuja, said a lot of articulated research by experts had gone into the cocoa production manual on how to increase production.

The minister insisted that Nigeria should be the best cocoa producing country in the world as the commodity could be grown in many parts of the nation.

He said, “We are seeing what is happening in other countries, and we will replicate it here. In

the industry part, farmers will bring their raw materials to be processed from there it will be exported.

“Researchers have also gone to find out why cocoa production is not at its utmost best here, because we have all it takes to be the best. From what has been carried out, we have identified the pitfalls, with this manual, we will return to exporting cocoa it will become better than what we

used to be.

“The pitfalls have been discovered, including the ease of production and planting which we will know what to do now”.

Also, speaking at the occasion, the Director, Federal Department of Agricultural Extension, Mr. Frank Kudla, said the government and partners are working towards establishment of a cocoa plantation in the non-forest areas.

The programme, he said, is led by

the Sustainable Trade Initiative (STI), International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in collaboration with Cocoa Research Institute (CRIN) in the target countries including, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Cameroon.

Kudla, who is also the Chairman, Partnership for Development (P4D) Committee, said the cocoa soil project is targeted at investing in research and development of cocoa to improve Partnership for the

programme.

He pointed out that the research and development component is geared towards acquiring more knowledge in cocoa management and nutrient improvement.

He said the project also aims to develop cocoa yield validation in Nigeria, and disseminate research findings to farmers adding that the project has so far trained about 126 extension agents and about 28,000 cocoa farmers.

Quickteller to Reward JAMB Candidates with Free Tutorials Emma Okonji Interswitch Group, the foremost pan-African digital payment and commerce company, is offering free tutorials to candidates that purchase JAMB ePINs for the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) examination on the Quickteller platform as part of its commitment to promote quality education in Nigeria.

The sale of the JAMB ePINs commenced on Saturday, February 19, 2022.

Registration for the exam (UTME) will last for five weeks and end on Saturday, March 26, 2022.

Candidates are advised to optimise this registration period.

The tutorials will commence a few weeks before the examination and is exclusive to candidates who procured their ePINs on Interswitch-enabled platforms, such as QuicktellerMobile App/Web, Quickteller Paypoint (Agents), and Interswitch Webpay on JAMB’s website. The tutorials will be available virtually to candidates across the country.

Interswitch revealed that the tutorials would hold for seven weeks and cover 10 subjects namely: Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Literature-in English, Government, Commerce, Economics and Accounting.

On the other hand, Interswitch has also made a provision to incentivise Quickteller Paypoint agents who sell

the JAMB ePINon their platforms.

The company announced that QuicktellerPaypoint agents will receive huge commissions per ePINtransaction.

Group Head of Growth Marketing, Merchants and Ecosystem at Interswitch, Olawale Akanbi, said: “The importance of tutoring and coaching cannot be underestimated as prospective students prepare for the 2022 UTME exams. At Interswitch, we strongly believe in the power of learning and coaching. Also, we believe that when a child is provided with the necessary skills and knowledge, excellence remains the ultimate result.

“This is why Interswitch is providing students the unique opportunity of being coached by seasoned teachers who have continued to distinguish themselves as they prepare for the 2022 UTME exams. Also, as an enterprise committed to the growth of Small and Medium Scale Entreprises (SMEs), QuicktellerPaypoint Agents also will receive as much as N14O per ePINtransaction, including other fantastic commissions on every transaction engaged on the Quickteller platform. As an organisation committed to the growth and development of the Nigerian youth, Interswitch remains committed to providing opportunities for the realisation of their dreams and aspirations.”

YouTube Sees More Channel Growth, Subscribers’ Increase in Africa Emma Okonji YouTube, a video sharing and social media platform, has predicted more channel growth and subscribers’s increase on its YouTube platform on yearly basis.

The Managing Director, Emerging Markets, YouTube EMEA, Mr. Alex Okosi, who analysed the growth rate while giving the YouTube specific updates across African markets, during a recent webinar, said in Nigeria alone, the the percentage of YouTube channels making seven figures or more in revenue, is up over 60 per cent year over year, with over 650 channels having over 100 thousand subscribers, which is an increase of over 50 per cent year over year, and 35 channels having over one million subscribers, which is an increase of 50 per cent year over year, while over 75 per cent of watch time on content produced by channels in Nigeria comes from outside of Nigeria.

For the South African market, he said the percentage of YouTube channels making six figures or more in revenue, is up over 40 per cent year over year, with over 300 channels having over 100 thousand

subscribers, which is an increase of over 6o per cent, year over year, and 25 channels having over one million subscribers, which is an increase of over 30 per verb, year over year, while over 65 per cent of watch time on content produced by channels in South Africa comes from outside of South Africa.

For the Kenya market, Okosi said the percentage of YouTube channels making seven figures or more in revenue, is up over 60 per cent year over year, with over 400 channels having over 100 thousand subscribers, which is an increase of over 70 per cent year over year, and six channels having over one million subscribers and one channel with over one billion views, while over 45 per cent of watch time on content produced by channels in Kenya comes from outside of Kenya.

Speaking about YouTube African investments, Okosi said since the 2020 launch of the #YouTubeBlack Voices programme, creators from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa were selected to participate in programmes earmarked to help amplify their fresh narratives and highlight their intellectual power, authenticity.

SAMSUNG ASERIES AMBASSADOR…

L-R Branch Manager, Samsung Nigeria, Nathan Lee, Head of Retail, Joy Tim-Ayoola, Nigerian Singer, Teni Akpata, Managing Director, Samsung Nigeria, Charlie Lee and Marketing Lead, Chika Nnadozie at the signing of Teni as the brand ambassador for Samsung Aseries in Lagos… yesterday

NCC Will Tackle Telecoms Infrastructure Deficit, Says Danbatta Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said it is irrevocably committed to the implementation of various regulatory initiatives and programmes, in collaboration with all stakeholders in the telecom ecosystem, towards bridging identified gaps and shortages in critical telecom infrastructure in the country.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/ CEO) of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, stated this during an in-house interview, which took place at the Commission’s Head Office in Abuja recently.

The EVC emphasised the centrality of infrastructure to telecom service provisioning by asserting that availability of broadband in sufficiency was non-negotiable and irreducible in the nation’s strategy towards delivering pervasive telecom

services.

Danbatta also put the efforts of government in context towards addressing infrastructure gaps, and commended both state and non-state actors for the vision, diligence and continued dedication to the implementation of the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025, an initiative of the Federal Government, being driven by NCC and conceived to address infrastructure gaps in the telecom and ICT sector.

The EVC said he was gratified that the new plan particularly took into consideration, the identified gaps and challenges in its precursor, the National Broadband Plan 20132018, which implementation the NCC was equally central to.

According to Danbatta, one of the identified gaps to robust connectivity was the fact that inadequate infrastructure remained a bane to achieving desired

broadband penetration to boost access to services that will enhance economic growth and development.

He emphasised that the Commission recognises the importance of infrastructure expansion and this explains its unequivocal commitment and desire to see the licensed Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos) work speedily and with precision to cascade fibre to the hinterland, in order to enhance robust telecom service provision. He said the InfraCo licensees, expectedly, also prioritise stipulated licensing conditions to ensure expected milestones set by the Commission are achieved.

The EVC stated that Commission’s target for licensing the infraCos was to ensure the deployment of fibre infrastructure needed for pervasive broadband penetration across the 774 local government areas (LGAs).

This, he said, will ensure access to

telecoms services in the hinterlands of the country, and by so doing address the challenges of access confronting the unserved and underserved areas of the country.

Danbatta also explained Commission’s desire for inclusiveness as seminal to erecting sustainable telecom architecture. This, according to him, remained critical in ensuring the achievement of federal government’s target on digital access and financial inclusion.

“So, the Commission is committed to ensuring inclusiveness by ensuring the provision of affordable and pervasive accessibility to the Internet as emphasised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations (UN). We are aware that until commensurate infrastructure is deployed in the country, the country may not hit the required target necessary for the desired economic development,” Danbatta said.

Security Critical for National Development, Says Accountant General James Emejo in Abuja The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Ahmed Idris, has insisted that national security remained a panacea for any meaningful socioeconomic development in the country.

This is as he commended officers and men of the Nigeria Police for their gallantry in maintaining peace and security in the country.

Idris, while interacting with

members of the Police Officers Wife Association (POWA) Abuja chapter, also said the treasury will continue to support the police in all ways possible.

He said, “We appreciate the role the Nigeria Police play in maintaining peace and protecting property in this country. Many even lose their lives; they pay the supreme price.

All these are for the good of the country and the citizens.’

“Security is important and we

appreciate the role played by the Nigeria police. I believe their role will continue to be critical because without peace, we can’t attain any development. We as an institution will always back them up.”

He added that the police had showed great bravery in maintaining peace and security adding that many officers had also paid the supreme price in the process.

The AFG, in a statement by Director, information, Press And

Public Relations, Mr. Henshaw Ogubike, particularly commended POWA, which is, chaired by Maryam Babaji and the national body of the association for their humanitarian activities.

However, POWA’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Linda Lawal, on behalf of the association, acknowledged the cordial relationship between both parties and solicited continuous support for both the police and the association.

Vbank Embarks on CSR Initiative Ugo Aliogo One of Nigeria’s foremost digital bank powered by VFD Microfinance Bank, Vbank has unveiled the redesigned and beautified Thompson Avenue Roundabout located in the heart of Ikoyi, Lagos.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the Managing Director, Vbank, Gbenga Omolokun, lauded

the initiative and expressed the commitment of the bank to deliver efficient service to its customers.

Omolokun said: “Vbank is committed to bringing the brand closer to its customers. While many know us as a digital bank, we do need to create some offline experience that our customers can relate to.”

He hinted that this roundabout

also serves as a strategic investment in infrastructure, and beautification of the Community.

Omolokun added: “We are proud to be positioned in such a prestigious neighbourhood and we look forward to coming to more neighbourhoods near you as we stay committed to providing excellent service.”

Also commenting on the

roundabout, Brand Manager, Vbank, Olufemi Olasope, stated: “Every aspect of the roundabout has been deliberately chosen to appropriately beautify the environs and communicate our brand’s message. The greenery signifies the growth we help our customers achieve, while the walkways aim to encourage everyone to interact with us.”

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Nestle Takes Rural Women Empowerment Programme To South-east Emma Okonji In line with its drive towards helping rural women retailers scale up their businesses, Nestlé Nigeria has yet again trained another set of businesswomen in the third phase of its rural women empowerment project, titled: ‘Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria’.

The training, which took place at Golden Valley Events Centre, Nsukka, last week, brought together 50 beneficiaries comprising female retailers in Nestlé’s retail value chain from Nsukka and Obollu communities in Enugu State.

According to the management of Nestlé Nigeria, the beneficiaries would receive grants valued at 300 per cent of their monthly sales in form of Nestlé products. They will also participate in training and mentorship programmes, which will enable them to scale up their businesses, thereby increasing their household incomes.

Speaking at the training, Nestlé

Nigeria’s Commercial Manager, Khaled Ramadan said, “We are happy to fulfil our promise of expanding Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria to reach more women in other parts of Nigeria. We are pleased with the progress made by the previous 100 beneficiaries who currently enjoy the training and mentorship provided

by Nestlé and her implementation partners – FDC Consulting.

“They are reporting faster turnover and increased revenue as well as stronger visibility of their outlets within their locations. We are therefore confident that these 50 selected retailers in Southeast Nigeria will also reap the full benefits of the support we are providing through training, mentorship and grants.”

Lead Trainer and Head of Partnerships at FDC Consulting, Mr. Phranklin Audu, said: “We are excited about the results and positive feedback from the initial 100 beneficiaries. We have seen retailers expand their stores, increase their

stock capacity and improvements in their living standards.

This concept from Nestlé is quite a novel idea.. To empower the beneficiaries with products at zero cost, equip them with relevant skills and assign mentors to aid their growth for a period of three months.”

Also speaking, one of the participants, Madam Ifeoma, revealed that she was overwhelmed. “I didn’t believe it when I was contacted as one of the beneficiaries of the project. But being here today and with all I have seen and what we have been taught, I am grateful for this opportunity,” she said.

So far, Nestlé’s ‘Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria’ has trained 150 in the rudiments of running a retail business. The programme is designed to help rural women retailers scale up their businesses and sustain the new level of up to three times the size of their existing business. It is one of the creative shared value initiatives that Nestlé deploys to help build thriving communities in improving livelihoods.

54gene Awards $64,000 Scholarship for Genomics Research Emma Okonji 54gene, the health technology company advancing African genomics research for improved global health outcomes, has awarded $64,000 in scholarships to four Ph.D candidates in Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa.

Through the African Centre for Translational Genetics (ACTG), a non-profit initiative launched by 54gene in February 2020, the grants awarded will be used to further develop translational genomics research capacity across Africa, and will cover all expenses of the recipients during their postgraduate study.

The ACTG’s mission is to invest in the continent’s health ecosystem by empowering the next generation of African genomics scientists through the provision of scholarships, grants,

fellowships, internships and training programmes.

The PhD scholarship awards were the primary focus for the ACTG in 2021. Following a three month pan-African call for applications and a rigorous selection process, four successful recipients were handpicked from a total of 46 applications and were awarded grants to advance their genomics research studies in the areas of cardiometabolic diseases, cancers, neurological diseases and sickle cell disorders.

The four candidates that have now been awarded the Ph.D scholarships are studying at different institutions spread across Africa - two are based at Makerere University, Uganda, one at University of Pretoria, South Africa and the last awardee is based at Covenant University in NIgeria.

The awardees include Rejoice Gomera, University of Pretoria,

South Africa; Christopher Kintu, Makerere University, Uganda; Abimbola Onyia, Covenant University, Nigeria; and Chisom Soremekun, Makerere University, Uganda Speaking on the scholarships, the CEO of 54gene, Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong, said: “Developing the next generation of genomic scientists is critical in ensuring that the knowledge, resources and insights derived from homegrown research benefits not only Africans but the global population. Access to funding as well as to our international team of genetic and bio-medical specialists is a unique opportunity for these talented African researchers who, like us, want to unlock the boundless potential offered by the human genomic diversity of African populations.”

Konga Will Dominate e-Commerce in Africa, Says Forbes Emma Okonji Konga, Nigeria’s e-commerce group has been identified as a strong player that is on the verge of dominating the African e-commerce scene.

Forbes, a global media company, focusing on business investment, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle, revealed this in a special feature published in its Forbes Africa edition last week.

In addition to commending the remarkable growth trajectory that has seen Konga become the first African e-commerce player to hit profitability, Forbes equally referenced the various thriving subsidiaries that have transformed the Konga Group into a formidable, flourishing e-commerce ecosystem, while also highlighting the pivotal role of KongaPay, a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-licensed fintech platform as a leader in the Nigerian e-wallet space.

Following its 2018 acquisition by the Zinox Group and the tremendous growth it has recorded, Konga, Forbes noted, would potentially attract over a $2 billion valuation when it eventually decides to go public, as widely envisaged. ‘‘While the brand eyes its listing on the stock market to fulfil its potential in the marketplace, there are reports that it boasts over $2 billion valuation, thanks to its new acquisition by Zinox. ‘‘Konga has continued to show promise in the online marketplace.

After its acquisition, a review of the company’s performance shows the brand experienced over 800 per cent growth. This surpasses expectations in e-commerce sectors across the continent. The new phase of Konga, driven by young, ambitious and innovative individuals, has

seen it rake over $300 million in investments,” according to the report.

In a chat with Co-CEO, Konga Group, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, Forbes also beamed its focus on the future of e-commerce in Africa, with Prince Ekeh who heaped praises on his Co-CEO, Nick Imudia and the entire Management and staff of the Konga Group for their resilience and dedication, revealing that the future remains bright. ‘‘E-commerce in Africa is set to take off to unprecedented heights in the next decade and players who are well positioned will reap the fruits. Like I mentioned before, we have already seen triple-digit annual growth numbers and yet there is still so much market share left to

capture as we transition people into the e-commerce era. ‘‘I also believe blockchain and decentralized finance will play a great role in improving financial inclusion in the continent which will give people more access to digital services like e-commerce. As economists, we were trained to look at indicators and so far, most critical indicators trend positively: Population, youth population, mobile penetration growth rates, connectivity growth rates. If these indicators continue to improve, I have no doubt that Africa will house one of the biggest e-commerce players in the world, and my job is to make that Konga,’’ Ekeh said.

Couples Donate ICT Centre in Kwara School Nosa Alekhuogie The Group Managing Director/CEO of VDT Communications Limited, Abiodun Omoniyi and his wife Mrs. Shade Omoniyi have donated an ICT Centre to the Okeya-Ipo High School in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

They handed over the ICT Centre comprising three classrooms and four offices to the Okeya-Ipo Community Development Association (OCDA) and the Okeya-IpoHigh School Authority on 19th February, 2022, during a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Okeya-Ipo High School.

The ICT Centre is well equipped with modern ICT facilities and other equipment including: server, 63 workstations, 13 ceiling fans, 7.5KVA inverter with tubular batteries of 5200 wattseach, solar panels, two units of 200 Watt solar flood lights, two units of wireless routers and other

networking accessories.

It also has multipurpose LaserJet printer (printer, scanner and photocopier), multimedia projector with display screen and furniture for classes and computer room.

Abiodun Omoniyi, who is the GMD/CEO of VDT Communications and his wife, Shade, who is the Executive Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), had earlier pledged the donation of the ICT Centre on the 26th December, 2020 during the 7th Okeya-Ipo day celebration and the 10th coronation anniversary of His Royal Highness Oba Saheed GiwaOpadoye (Oludopo of Okeya-Ipo), after the two were conferred with the chieftaincy titles of Asiwaju of Okeya-Ipo and Yeye Asiwaju of Okeya-Ipo respectively as an expression of gratitude by the Okeya-Ipo community for their contributions towards the development of Okeya-Ipo and environs over the years.

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ Chiemelie Ezeobi ×ËÓÖ chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

36 States and FCT Have Commenced Health Insurance Scheme, Says Sambo

The National Health Insurance Scheme was established under Act 35 of 1999 constitution of Nigeria to help improve the health of all Nigerians at an affordable cost. However, 21 years after its establishment, the scheme has remained largely under-subscribed with very limited coverage across the country. But in this interview with some journalists, NHIS Executive Secretary, Prof. Mohammed Sambo, said a lot of things have changed including the roll out of the scheme in all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory FCT. Onyebuchi Ezigbo presents excerpts:

W

hat has changed in the Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) since your assumption of office?

By July 15, 2019, when we assumed duty in the NHIS, we unveiled three point rebranding agenda. If I can recall vividly, one of them is restoring value system that will make NHIS to be a credible, result-oriented organisation.

Secondly is general transparency and accountability in the entire operations of the National Insurance Scheme. Thirdly is to accelerate the drive towards attaining universal health coverage and if you remember vividly we have constructed the element of each and every one of these agenda.

For the first one which has to do with restoring value system, the reason why we would put it as the first agenda that we would pursue is because NHIS has been bedeviled by so many problems and there was no internal cohesion and externally there was loss of confidence in the system. The organisation that is supposed to attain a universal health coverage with over 200 million population had no credible roadmap to achieve that and there was a lot of scrambles within the organisation.

The organisation wasn’t stable before and through the implementation of the value orientation element, we have been able to stabilise the organisation.

We have been able to create a clearly defined roadmap that will help us attain robust health coverage. The scramble whereby tear gas was being thrown into the organisation is no longer news in the organisation and you now see people working assiduously towards meeting the objectives of the organisation.

We even developed a mantra that when you go outside and say ‘NHIS’, people will spontaneously respond ‘result-oriented’ and if you say ‘result-oriented’, people will respond ‘NHIS’. This is the level we have taken NHIS to.

In going into specifics as to what we have achieved, you can look at NHIS from various dimensions; the governance and leadership issue, the human resource, the financial management system, operation of the health insurance, the partnership and collaboration as well as the real technical operation. So if you take each one of them we can talk for hours and hours.

In what state did you meet NHIS and how have things improved since your appointment?

We need to know with statistics when you talk about improvement in NHIS coverage I have said severally that I don’t want to use numbers. Number is very crucial. The health insurance first is a decentralised system. Before I came in, states were not performing health insurance. There was a law that says that states should have their own social health insurance system.

As at 2019 when I came, there was no state that had technically commenced social health insurance but because there is a provision under the national Health Act to bring about states to come to deliver the basic healthcare provision fund which is a federal government fund that is supposed to cover the vulnerable population, we have been able through the Minister of Health and other stakeholders to bring about that programme in line now.

About 36 states and FCT, let me say 37 because just last week Akwa Ibom has passed their own state law. So we now have 37 states that have started the implementation of the basic healthcare provision fund and based on the resources that we have delivered to them, they have been able to cover a lot of ground in terms of numbers. So if you want to get the actual number, it requires aggregation.

All this coverage that has been done at the state level, some are basic healthcare provision fund that we have given them which some have covered about 70,000 people, some have covered 50,000 people, some have covered 20,000 people.

This is the basic healthcare provision fund.

Some states under our guidance of health insurance under one roof have started their formal sector. For you to get the totality of the

Executive Secretary of NHIS, Prof Mohammed Sambo number of people under health insurance you need to do that mathematics and it is not only those people that have been covered since my coming, last week we just launched the NYSC programme where we are going to have about 360,000 youth corps members that are registered.

If you have been following us critically, you will see that the National Assembly has put in a lot of monies in their constituencies which they call constituency projects and we have been visiting those communities and we are getting them enrolled into the health insurance scheme.

Then we have also launched what we call Group Individual Family Social Health Insurance Programme - (Gifship). That is why the initial assertion by my friend wasn’t too correct; NHIS is driving the formal

sector social health insurance programme and the informal sector health insurance programme which is through GifShip.

This is an attempt to bring informal sector into the scheme of things and through these programmes, thousands of Nigerians are coming in to register and we are expecting to see more coming even people at the level of diaspora. We know that these efforts are going on across the country but we have discussed about trying to automate our system whereby we would be getting data real-time and very soon we are going to launch NHIS platform. We have done a lot of investments in the level of our state offices. Even at the level of the state health insurance agencies, we have been able to put infrastructure that will enable us aggregate data. So what I can tell you

“NHIS is driving the formal sector social health insurance programme and the informal sector health insurance programme which is through GifShip. This is an attempt to bring informal sector into the scheme of things and through these programmes, thousands of Nigerians are coming in to register and we are expecting to see more coming even people at the level of diaspora”

is that a lot of work has been done through our reform efforts.

What about the coverage level in terms of percentage?

Maybe in absolute number, we can say we have covered over 15 million Nigerians and as I am talking to you, if you go to our NHIS MCC office you would see another dropping so it is continuous process.

How far have you gone with the plan of the NHIS to subsidise cancer treatment?

NHIS came up with the idea of establishing a catastrophic fund and before I came there was a budget that was appropriated for cancer for NHIS but unfortunately that money was sent to the Ministry of Health and you know once money gets into a system it is very difficult to move to another system but I know that the ministry has aggregated stakeholders and they are trying to drive that process. However, at the level of health insurance you might have known about NHIS drug initiative which is a very noble programme that we have introduced to ensure that we have drugs available in our system and cost also subsidised where we had a very good interaction with drug manufacturers association of Nigeria and they have agreed to collaborate with NHIS and all the stakeholders so we can start branding drugs with health insurance prescription and by doing so we will be able to have availability of the drug and we will be able to have the cost of the drug coming down.

In fact we have a Memorandum of Understanding with Roche that they are going subsidise the cancer drugs by 70 per cent. So it means that NHIS for its enrollees will only pay 30 per cent of the cost. Last week, Roche informed us that they have secured the approval of NAFDAC to start branding these anti-cancer drugs with NHIS branding.

T H I S D AY ˾ , FEBRUARY 24, 2022

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NEWS 36 STATES AND FCT HAVE COMMENCED HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME, SAYS SAMBO This is how far we have gone. We are determined to make cancer drugs available through this kind of collaboration that will bring down the cost of the drugs and it is not even the cancer drugs under our drug management initiative. You may need to understudy that drug management initiative after this interview and propagate it to Nigerians. All the issues that have to do with people going to the facilities, being prescribed generic drugs and those generic drugs are substandard and of low quality will be a thing of the past with social healthcare insurance.

We are going to have a branding and the manufacturers have agreed, we have gotten approval from the Minister of Health and very soon we are going to start advertising with the stakeholders that would come and join. The future is very bright.

Some time ago you talked about NHIS requiring about N3 trillion to provide health insurance coverage for 200 million Nigerians.

Can you speak more on this?

You see it is a simple arithmetic; assuming no Nigerian has access to healthcare services globally and you want to bring all of them into the health insurance system at the cost we are currently using which is N15,000 per head per annum. So if you multiply N15,000 by 200 million people you are talking about 3 trillion, this is just a projection. We are not saying you have to give NHIS N3 trillion to get healthcare delivery service, this is the cost that is required and this is the effort we need to make but you know already that the formal sector are on the national healthcare insurance scheme.

Then we have a basic Healthcare Provision Fund already. We also have state health insurance that are coming. We have private sector which has a role in health insurance. So those ones and their family we have to deduct them because they already have access to healthcare delivery.

The self-employed are divided into two; those that have the capacity to pay and those that can’t pay who are now within the vulnerable segment.

So if you want to even make a case for people that are not covered under the health insurance, you have to do all these subtractions and now get the real number of vulnerable and it is those vulnerable that you would want to create some innovative financing mechanisms that will enable NHIS as an agency to generate funds to cover them.

That is if the law of the national health insurance scheme is mandatory but as we speak the law of national health insurance scheme is not mandatory. No country will dream of attaining universal healthcare coverage if the law of health insurance is not mandatory.

The reason being that the rich who has capacity to have access to every big healthcare service will not want to join healthcare insurance scheme but if you make it mandatory, the director in Shell will contribute to the fund and the passenger in Lafia local government will contribute to the same pool, then you now have a big pool and when you have a pool, you will be able to extend services to the vulnerable even from the contribution of the existing contributors.

If you do that, the number of people that are not covered are the vulnerable segment of the population and every country where you see universal health coverage ascertained, there are those vulnerable groups and there are mechanisms which the government put in place to pay for them.

There is a popular innovative financing mechanism that is moving across sub-Saharan countries which has to do with telecommunication funds. How do you get one kobo per second to be accumulated for the coverage of social health insurance? Assuming that initiative let’s say will bring about N600 billion into the health insurance, how many vulnerable we will be covered with it? Health insurance is a very dynamic system whereby there is need for a lot of thinking and brainwave to be able to harness resources in an innovative manner to bring about funds that will cover the vulnerable.

The bill on mandatory health insurance for Nigerians has been submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent. What do you think is delaying the president’s assent?

Anytime soon I think Mr. President by the grace of God will sign because this mandatory social insurance is very critical to the turnaround of the healthcare delivery system and I think there is no contention in whether to sign. There was a controversy in the one kobo per second call that was objected by the ministry of finance based on their understanding of financial management system whereby NHIS is not a tax collecting agency and therefore it can’t do that.

However, the National Assembly members have created a vulnerable fund within the proposed amendment bill and the whole

idea is that you should know that do we have mandatory social health insurance?

No! We should also think of how to innovatively fund it. The creation of that vulnerable fund is the first step towards attainment of getting to have the mandatory social universal coverage because we have been informed that through dialogue we can have innovative funds to be encapsulated in the Finance Act and that is the mechanism.

What are the findings of the panel which reviewed the conflict between the Healthcare Maintenance Organisations and Healthcare Providers?

When I came to the NHIS, the Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) was alleged to be owing healthcare providers a lot of money. How much was it, we didn’t know at that point in time. We sent advertorials in three national dailies that any provider who is owed by HMO should submit evidence to the National Health Insurance Scheme. So we collected a lot of complaints/claims from the healthcare providers.

So we set up a committee to do analysis and we were able to analyse the total submission and the alleged fund was over N5 billion. So for the first time we developed what we called decentralised reconciliation system whereby we do reconciliation at the state level. We developed a tool for the reconciliation, we trained our staff at the state level because I told you we were trying to strengthen our state offices. We sent them information as it pertains to their state and they worked for almost four weeks bringing the HMOs, bringing providers on a round table.

There were claims and counter claims. At the end of the day when we did the analyses, the total alleged funds for those who submitted up to 2019 when I came in because it is a very long debt, we analysed that and there was as much as over N5 billion but we realised that over N2 billion wasn’t in contention.

The healthcare provider have submitted it, they have sat with the healthcare providers and they have agreed so there was no contention and there were clear evidence. For that amount, the facilities signed agreement, some of the HMO paid outrightly and some signed agreement for two or three months. We conveniently say that we have recovered over N2.3 billion for that one.

There are some that were in contention and there are some that healthcare facilities have no proof at all and we were not magicians. Since we are not magicians we can only work with evidence. Some of the healthcare facilities in all honesty have no credible system within their healthcare facility to manage their relationship with HMO. So the documentation was very poor.

So because of our limitations we were able to recruit a forensic auditor who had gone deeper because they have the tools and knowledge to probe deeper and they submitted their report just some few months ago and it is through that report that they are working with the providers to ensure that the complains are resolved. But for those ones that they can’t provide any justification, even the external forensic auditors can’t ascertain the authenticity there was nothing we could do. So that is how far we have gone.

Then there was a new scramble between the healthcare providers and the HMOs recently whereby the healthcare providers one day held a conference and they rolled out new tariff and they said by February 1, 2022, if HMOs don’t pay them that tariff they would stop attending to their clients. So it is important to understand that there are two ways health insurance works.

Even though we frown at the other one, the first one is the one that comes through the NHIS wholely and by the time HMOs have relationship with providers on what they call private lines. So that is an aspect that there was a contention between them but with the NHIS, there was no contention. So there was a lot of bad blood between them.

NHIS had to intervene and we summoned them to a meeting and we said without fear of contradiction that the healthcare providers have no right to set tariff for health insurance.

The responsibility of setting tariff is that of health insurance. Therefore that tariff they have set is void and of no consequence. Secondly, the relationship between HMOs and providers, we realised that they had introduced one payment system which they call roaming as we have in telecommunication system which is very alien to the national health insurance.

It is neither in our guideline nor in our law and we told them categorically that the kind of payment system that they are doing is alien to the NHIS and we compelled them to revert to health insurance proper if they are to be regulated and any HMO that isn’t playing according to the rules and guidelines of the NHIS will have itself to blame.

FERTILITY

With Dr. Kemi AILOJE drkemi@lifelinkfertility.com www.lifelinkfertility.com +2348033083580

BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS (Part 2)

L

ast week, we started an interesting discussion on Bacterial vaginosis (BV). We discussed the meaning of BV, overall function and floral of the vagina. This week, we will be concluding with vaginal floral imbalance, symptoms and treatment of BV. VAGINAL FLORAL IMBALANCE Vaginal imbalances and infections can be triggered by a variety of factors. These include; 1. Menstruation Our periods can be a vaginal problem on a monthly basis. Hormonal fluctuations and the start of the menstrual cycle can upset the vaginal flora’s balance, which can cause an infection like BV. During menstrual flow, bacteria level is altered, pH rises and Lactobacillus (good vaginal bacteria) decreases, the amount of other bacteria normally found in the vaginal environment increases. When the menstrual flow stops, the pH drops and the Lactobacilli counts rises. This restores the normal equilibrium and is repeatable cycle after cycle.

2. Sex Sexual activities, especially unprotected intercourse with a partner, might introduce new microbes into the vaginal cavity. When the Lactobacillus bacteria population is disrupted, less desirable bacteria take over and make the woman susceptible to infections.Having a healthy vaginal flora, on the other hand, can help build a healthy defense against sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea etc.

3. Hygiene Proper hygiene is essentialfor genital wellness.

Women, on the other hand, frequently feel compelled to cleanse their genital area with highly scented bath and shower products. This is not necessary as the vaginal is a self-cleansing organ and does not need any chemical cleanse.

Harsh soaps can upset our vaginal flora balance.

In truth, the vagina is intended to keep itself clean through natural secretions (discharge), therefore maintaining excellent genital health does not require the use of harsh chemicals.

Cleaning your vaginal area effectively requires warm water and optional unscented soap.A healthy vaginal smell should not be unpleasant, but it may have a natural odor.

4. Pregnancy Pregnant women are at an increased risk of contracting this infection due to the changes of hormones happening in their body. Untreated bacterial vaginosis has been linked to pregnancy complications, premature birth and low birthweight.

BV has also been associated to miscarriage and early membrane rupture in other studies. When a baby is delivered prematurely or with a low birth weight, they are at risk for a variety of problems, including undeveloped organs, infections, jaundice, and brain hemorrhage. Pregnant women are advised to treat BV as soon as reported.

5. Stress Stress can affect the microbiome in both the stomach and the vaginal canal, which you may not be aware of. When we are stressed, our “fight-orflight” response can be damaging to our vaginal flora, especially if the stress lasts for a long time.

Long-term exposure to stressful conditions can increase cortisol production, which affects glycogen levels in the vaginal canal and, as a result affect populations of Lactobacilli that like to ferment it resulting in a reduction in Lactobacilli levels which can increase the risk of vaginal infections.

6. Menopause When a woman’s reproductive phase is over, she approaches and goes through menopause.

This changes the vaginal microbiome once again.

The vagina is particularly vulnerable to infection at this time, as decreased oestrogenis noted with less glycogen which results in fewer populations of Lactobacilli (the good bacteria). The vaginal pH increases and such changes in the environment may result in dryness, lowered sexual health and various other symptoms.Some women find it helpful to take a probiotic at this time, to help keep the vaginal microbiome well supported and lubricated.

SYMPTOMS OF BACTERIA VAGINOSIS The symptoms of BV includes but not limited to the underlisted: r " TUSPOH PS VOVTVBM TNFMM GSPN UIF vagina, commonly described as a ‘fishy smell’ r 8BUFSZ XIJUF PS HSFZ EJTDIBSHF GSPN the vagina r #VSOJOH TFOTBUJPO XIJMF VSJOBUJOH r *UDIJOH BSPVOE UIF WBHJOB SFHJPO TREATMENT FOR BACTERIA VAGINOSIS Bacteria vaginosis is treated with antibiotics.

Taking probiotics before, during, and after a drug treatment can be beneficial in order to support the growth of healthy bacteria.The infection can be treated with antibiotics which should be prescribed by a doctor. r 5BLF UIF BOUJCJPUJD UXJDF EBJMZ GPS TFWFO EBZT r 5BLF UIF UBCMFUT BGUFS NFBMT UP BWPJE OBVTFB and upset stomach, which are common side effects of the prescribed antibiotics. r %P OPU ESJOL BMDPIPM XIJMF ZPV BSF TUJMM JO treatment.

If you are unable to take the prescribed medications, your doctor may recommend a vaginal cream such as clindamycin for the prescribed number of nights applied to the vaginal area.

CONCLUSION Bacterial vaginosis, though a minor infectionmight put you at risk for more serious infections if untreated. If you have BV, you become susceptible and more likely to contract other sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis. Should you notice any of the above listed signs and symptoms, do not hesitate to visit your gynecologist/fertility specialist. It is important to note that a simple course of antibiotics might be all that is needed to get things back on track.

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T H I S D AY ˾ , FEBRUARY 24, 2022

NEWS

Empowering the Next Generation with Star-studded ‘Girls With Period’ Yinka Olatunbosun The second edition of The Royal Daisy was held on February 16 at Tayo Aderinokun Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka Yaba.

The event was organised by ‘Girls With Period,’ a non-profit organisation founded by Patricia Vin-Okopi.

‘Girls With Period’ is an initiative that helps to educate women and girls about menstrual hygiene, sex education, the importance of education, self-esteem, amongst others.

The Royal Daisy which is the school club arm of Girls With Period worked with the theme ‘Let’s Talk Period, Puberty and Peer Pressure (The 3Ps)’ for this

edition.

The event which was witnessed by the likes of Adebola Williams, Grace-Charis Effah, Bolanle Olukanni, BBNaija Yousef and Saga Oma Areh, focused on expanding and sharing learning experiences among students from different schools.

The students were engaged in several educational and fun activities such as debate, interviews, quizzes, spelling bees, cultural dance and choreography etc.

The Chairman, Board of directors for ‘Girls with Period,’ Ifeoma ‘Oma Areh during her keynote speech stated their goal for the event.

“A lot of young girls begin

to lose their confidence in their teenage years. It is our goal with the Royal Daisy 2.0 to empower the girl child and reach hundreds of thousands and eventually millions of women and girls across Africa with our message,” she said.

The event was graced with special guest speakers such as; Adebola Williams, Grace-Charis Bassey Effah, Bolanle Olukanni, Dayo Benjamin Laniyi, Adeoluwa Okusaga (Saga), Yusuf Garba (Yousef), Dr. Damian Avar (Sabi Doctor), Dr. Etiobhio Ose and Dr. Somefun of The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

They spoke on topics ranging from period, puberty, press pressure, pad/menstrual hygiene,

confidence, sexual reproductive health, gender equality, girl-child education and empowerment etc.

Adebola Williams who spoke on ‘African Power Girls- Finding and unleashing your greatness’ which was inspired by his book “African Power Girls” remarked that his book centres on stories of different African women, who have made an impact and caused change in Africa and other parts of the world.

He further revealed that it was written to inspire and empower a generation of ‘African Power Girls.’

He gave out several copies to students who attended the Royal Daisy 2.0 event to empower the young students.

Bauchi Govt Praises Pastor Adeboye on Donation of Dialysis Centre The Governor of Bauchi State, His Excellency, Bala Mohammed has commended the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye for donating Dialysis Center at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi as part of a medical intervention programme to commemorate his 80th birthday.

The donation spearheaded by the His Love Foundation, the Charity Arm of RCCG, was specifically to ensure that the impact projects of the charity

organisation continue to spread across the length and breadth of the country.

The newly commissioned Enoch and Folu Adeboye Dialysis Center at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi has three Dialysis Machines, one Medical Water Reverse Osmosis Purification System and one dedicated 30KVA generator to complement Bauchi State government efforts in the critical health management system.

While wishing Baba Adeboye long life and good health, the governor who was ably represented by the Permanent Sectary

Ministry of Health, Alhaji Ali Babayo said, “the government is willing and the government is embracing the opportunity to work with the church to implement social-intervention programmes that would be beneficial to all residents of the state and urged other religious bodies to take a cue from RCCG’s intervention, stressing that government would make greater impacts with collaborations”.

Pastor In Charge of North Region 17 (Bauchi & Gombe), Pastor Julius Olalekan, who spoke on behalf of Daddy G.O said the intervention was

a mandate from God to make and meet the needs of as many as possible.

He also mentioned that this impact will continue to every part of the country and beyond.

“This will be our 21st strategic healthcare intervention project to the glory of God and to date the foundation has donated 37 dialysis machines in Nigeria and have so far conducted over 30,000 subsidised/free dialysis sessions to date and partnered to carry out six kidney transplants for free, as well as conducted cancer screening for over 101,995 women.”

Human Rights Group Protests Alleged Extortion at Delta School of Nursing Sylvester Idowu ÓØ ËÜÜÓ The Delta Human Rights Protection Congress (DHRPC) has protested alleged extortion of students by the management of Delta State School of Nursing, Warri.

The DHRPC, a coalition of human rights groups in the state, stormed the premises of the institution on Monday on a fact finding mission.

The group led by its Patron, Pastor Edewor Egedegbe, met with the principal of the school,

Dr Timothy Ogaga, to tender the allegations levelled against the institute.

According to him, some of the allegations included: “extorting money from students to fuel the school’s generating sets, keeping 12 students in a hostel room that is meant for four students. “ Forcing students to pay money to celebrate Valentine Day among others”.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the meeting, Egedegbe said the group would interface with the Delta Commissioner for

James Sowole ÓØ ÌÏÙÕßÞË A Professor of Paediatrics at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, Musili Fetuga, has expressed concern over childhood Tuberculosis (TB) in some parts of the state, which has led the the deaths of many affected children.

Prof Fetuga, who spoke with journalists, after delivering the 102nd Inaugural lecture of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), specifically, gave the report of her findings during a given period.

She disclosed that 52 cases, were recorded at the OOUTH, Sagamu, during a period between 2004 and 2009 adding the the cases involved children of school age and who also belonged to the low socioeconomic wrung of the society.

Prof. Fetuga added that one third of the affected children had HIV as a co - infection, explaining that at the time of investigation, it was observed that TB cases in Sagamu was prominent in the lower socioeconomic class characterised by poor nutrition, poor housing, overcrowding, poor ventilation and poor access to quality health care.

Stating that though the said cases were recorded between 2004 and 2009, the don said the situation might have not changed for better today.

Identifying poor feeding, poor growth and weight loss as prominent features of childhood Tuberculosis, she suggested improved standard of living and routine HIV screening in Sagamu as useful control measures against TB infection among children.

She also noted that diabetes milletus is another health challenge being observed in children from poor socioeconomic backgrounds lamenting that due to poverty, they come for medical attention for the first time with the life - threatening stage of the disease.

She said, “Due to socioeconomic challenges, things are probably worst in some aspects. For instance, we see children with diabetes, we see them and they are not so many but we do see them in family that have diabetes.

“So, for some of them when they come in, they came in with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). This is a life - threatening complication of the disease, there is no insulin and where it exists, they cannot afford it.”

Earlier in her lecture titled, ‘That Our Children May Grow: The Potentials, Challenges and Privileges,’ Prof. Fetuga revealed that the pattern of childhood deaths in Sagamu as recorded in OOUTH between 1996 and 2005 as examined by her in 2007, showed that of the 10,451 paediatric admissions, 1,320 of them died, stressing that most deaths occurred within 48 hours of hospitalisation while of the patients that died, 57.3 per cent of them were neonates (aged less than 30 days from birth).

To arrest the situation, she recommended among other things, calls on the state and federal governments to address various socioeconomic challenges confronting families and the nation, provision of affordable hormone replacement and insulin therapies for children and routine newborn screening for hypothyroidism, Tuberculosis, HIV and diabetes.

Dr.Abayomi Mentorship Programme Equips Doctors with Leadership Skills

A view of students at the ‘Girls with Period’ event

Mary Nnah

Paediatrician Raises Concern over Childhood TB, Diabetes in Ogun

Education and the Chairman, Delta House Committee on Health.

“We are not done with our findings yet, we are coming back and also make our fact findings known to the public.

“You see that there were tendencies that could suggest that something is really fishy.

“Because we are in a government where the plight of the people does not really matter and that is why people could squeeze the thing they are are doing now.

“For us, we have taken what we need to take but the beauty of what has happened today is that the principal granted us audience and we had a good conversation “However, at some point, we were disgruntled by virtue of one political office holder that called in to ensure we do not get access to the hostel any longer.

“But we have vowed to press further and get to the root of all the allegations we heard that brought us to this point of meeting,” he said.

Rebecca Ejifoma The Dr. Abayomi Ajayi Physicians Mentorship Programme (Cohort 2) is equipping young emerging physicians and aspiring doctors with outstanding leadership and managerial skills for the profession and the nation.

The training, which runs extensively for six months, hopes to enhance their personal and professional performances in four key areas including “Leadership using Emotional Intelligence”, “Planning”, “Self-discovery”, and “Decision Making”.

Speaking at a virtual conference to kick off the Cohort 2 programme, a Neuroleadership and Emotional Intelligence Consultant, Maureen Chiana, said the new skills in emotional intelligence will stand participants out.

“Emotional intelligence will help these doctors rewire their brains so that you can be the best of yourself” she emphasised.

According to Chiana, this course will also brace participants with skills on how best to respond to situations, manage their emotions and behaviours.

She, therefore, enjoined the physicians to get actively involved in the online training, interact, and take back the knowledge gained to their places of work.

The mentorship programme, organised by Gynaecologist and Managing Director of Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, is designed for emerging physicians and aspiring medical leaders in partnership with Nordica Foundation.

It is also on the quest to enhance the career growth of young physicians and improve transformative leadership in the medical profession.

The Cohort 2 comprises 14 mentees aged between 25 and 35. They are from states including Lagos, Anambra, Oyo, Adamawa, Kaduna, Borno, Rivers, Osun States and Benin Republic. In the words of Ajayi, this session promises to expose the professionals to the limitless opportunities that the nation has got to offer.

“There are so much opportunities this country has for doctors. We are helping you see beyond what the medical training is giving you; helping you discover your moments,” he highlighted.

35

T H I S D AY ˾ , FEBRUARY 24, 2022

NEWS

Freeing Nasarawa from Malaria The Nasarawa State government recently collaborated with the US President’s Malaria Initiative, PMI, to protect lives of people of the state, especially children and pregnant women, reports Igbawase Ukumba

I

n fulfillment of his commitment to ensure Nasarawa State is free from malaria infection and as well control the deadly disease, Governor Abdullahi Sule had recently distributed over two million Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) to households in the 147 electoral wards of the state.

Nevertheless, findings revealed that the Nasarawa State government in collaboration with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had so far expended about $5.9 million (N2.98 billion) for the replacement of the over two million Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) in the state this year.

This was even as 866 distribution points were created for the replacement exercise cutting across the 147 electoral wards, while about 1,849 personnel were deployed to carry out the ITNs distribution exercise in the state.

Perhaps, in order to ensure a hitch free distribution exercise of the ITNs, a high-tech cellphone was developed to collect data that would detect any discrepancy. The high-tech cellphone was to track personnel engaged in the exercise anywhere they were in the field. The device was to also collect data of households in order to fortify information, and as well to track net cards.

The whole idea behind the evolution of the high-tech cellphone development was to move from paper to technological based operation of the ITNs distribution exercise.

Nevertheless, the First Lady of Nasarawa State, Hajiya Silifat Sule, while hosting a delegation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) in her office, assured the delegation of her unflinching support to their fight against malaria in the state.

Silifat, who is the Nasarawa State Nets Ambassador, however, emphasised the need for people of the state to always sleep under Insecticide Treated Net (ITN), therefore, commending the USAID and the US PMI for their doggedness in the fight against the malaria scourge in Nasarawa State.

“I, therefore, promise the USAID and the US PMI delegation of my readiness to use my office to get support from the Nasarawa State government towards the elimination of malaria in the state. I call on the people of the state, particularly nursing mothers and pregnant women, to make adequate use of the treated mosquito nets for their healthy living.”

Consequently, on February 14, 2022, at the palace of the Sangarin Shabu in Lafia Local Government Area of the state, Governor Sule flagged off the mass replacement of the over

Gov Sule addressing people at the event two million Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) for onward distribution to beneficiaries in the 866 distribution points across the state.

Performing the flag-off distribution of the ITNs at the palace of the Sangarin Shabu, the Nasarawa State governor explained that the exercise was in collaboration with the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) aimed at protecting the lives of the people, especially the under five children and pregnant women.

According to him, pregnant women and under-five children remain the most vulnerable population when it comes to malaria transmission. He disclosed further that the Insecticide Treated Nets will be distributed across all the 147 electoral wards of the state.

Sule was optimistic that investment by the state government towards tackling the menace of malaria was yielding tremendous results, with the state malaria elimination programme living above board to ensure that the malaria burden in the state was reduced from the current 13 per cent to a single digit.

“The flag-off ceremony we are witnessing today, is in line with our efforts towards addressing the causes of malaria, which in essence is the cause of maternal and child death in our state. Recent report indicates that the percentage of people sleeping inside bed nets in Nasarawa State has increased from 11 per cent in 2013, to over 51 per cent this year.

“The determination of my administration is to raise the percentage to at least 80 per cent as prelude to achieving zero malaria status before the end of 2023. I wish to show appreciation to the US government for supporting the malaria campaign in the state, through its implementation partners.

“And also similar collaborations with the Breakthrough Action Nigeria and Global Supply Chain Procurement Management, as well as PMI, for the smooth implementation of the initiative, in spite of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The governor, therefore, called on identified

beneficiaries to visit designated distribution points to receive the treated nets. This was just as he appealed to traditional and religious leaders to support his administration’s commitment in the fight against malaria, COVID-19 and other public health challenges.

“I appeal for sustenance of this collaboration for the benefit of all. To this end, we most note that, for a malaria free Nasarawa State, we all have to paly our role by sleeping inside our bed nets every night,” the governor advised.

Representative of the USAID Country Director, Mrs. Anne Ikwang, was of the optimism that with the launch of the distribution of the treated insecticide nets, it was expected that cases of malaria related deaths would be reduced.

Anne Ikwang continued by commending Governor Abdullahi Sule for fulfilling every financial commitment he made towards the success of the campaign, even as she added that all the governor’s policies across all health programmes in the state were already yielding results.

For the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health, Pharmacist Ahmed Baba Yahaya, it was appreciation to the contributions of the development partners towards eliminating malaria across the state, as according to the commissioner, “malaria is one of the leading causes of maternal and child morbidities in the country.

“Despite its preventability, malaria disease has over burdens the already fragile health system as it exerts a severe socio-economic burden on the nation,” Yahaya lamented.

The health commissioner regretted that households in Nigeria spend approximately N480 billion annually as the disease continues to pose great threat to the health and socioeconomic wellbeing of the citizens.

Yahaya noted, however, that the proper usage of the net consistently and correctly was necessary for protection against mosquitoes that spread the disease. Hence he urged those who have already collected the pre distribution card to visit the distribution centers nearest to them for collection. The health commissioner also warned users to adhere strictly to instructions that would be given to the beneficiaries at collection points before usage to avoid complication, even as he commended the donor partners: the USAID family and the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) for their support.

Yahaya concluded by identifying the use of treated insecticide nets as the first step towards preventing malaria.

Lions Club Laments Increasing Cancer Mortality Rates among Children Victor Ogunje ÓØ ÎÙ ÕÓÞÓ

International Association of Lions Clubs, District 404B-2, Nigeria, has lamented how children suffering cancers were being abandoned and allowed to get sick or die in the country, saying it was wrong for attention to be concentrated only on adults.

The Lions Club District Governor, Chief Kayode Osinuga, who said this in Ado Ekiti , regrettably revealed that scores of Nigerian children had been killed by cancer, with cancer of white and red blood cells called leukemia, being the commonest.

At an advocacy press parley organised by Lions Club com-

memorating the International Childhood Cancer Day 2022, on Friday, Osinuga called on the federal government to take full funding for various cancers in children, saying the geometric increase in number of victims was disturbing.

“Lions Club had sponsored many cataract and glaucoma surgeries all over the world, because the visually impaired were our focus right from inception. But in 2017, we expanded our focus to diabetes, vision, childhood cancer, and environmental sustainability.

“It is bad that we are all targeting the adult living the children to suffer and die of cancer. So we want to call the

attention of the world to this.

We always ascribe some of these ailments to witchcraft such that it would become a problem and before we discover it, it would have gone terminal.

“We need to focus on the fact that early detection saves life. We should focus on cutting down the fatalities. Our intention is to give the victims money, medicine and emotional support, that is the role of Lions Club in the fight against this scourge”.

Reeling out statistics to justify how lethal cancer had become among children, a Paediatric Oncologist at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti(FETHI), Ekiti State,

Dr. Olubunmi Lawal, averred that 80 out of 100 children die due to late detection and poor funding. Lawal, revealed that out of 400,000 cases being recorded annually across the globe, that over 320,000 emanated from Africa, with the largest chunks emanating from Nigeria.

“In adults, cancer can be contracted through excessive smoking, alcohol intake, genetic factor, but that of the children is mainly by genetic and environmental factors. In many hospitals in low income countries,including Nigeria , 80 out of 100 children diagnosed of cancer die unlike in advanced nations where only 20 fatalities

are recorded.

“The problem has always been that of low advocacy, poor funding and late detection of cancers in children. That is why I suggest that government should take up full funding of childhood cancer.

“Sudan has has done this.

Besides, records showed that only five out of 100 children in Nigeria suffer cancer, so the government should be able to fund. “White blood cancer called leukemia and bone cancer, are now the commonest . They are common to children below five. “ We are said that Nigeria doesn’t pay much attention to childhood cancer and it has to

be included in our policy thrust to be able to tackle cancer in Nigeria and prevent mortality rate in children”.

The cancer expert advised government to provide equipment and form partnership with non-governmental organisations to increase the awareness about the existence of paediatric cancer in Nigeria. “Apart from funding, another problem we have is dearth of equipment to treat victims. In the whole of Ekiti, there is no radiotherapy centre, the closest to Ekiti is in Ibadan and we have to tackle some of these challenges to meet the target of reducing the mortality rate by 60 per cent in 2030”.

Rose of Sharon Foundation Offers Free Cancer Screening in Lagos Rebecca Ejifoma To commemorate the Cervical Cancer Awareness month, the Rose of Sharon Foundation, a non-profit organisation, offered free cancer screenings to widows and orphans.

Beneficiaries were given free screening for breast, cervical cancer and treatment as well as general health services. This was done in collaboration with Optimum Cancer Care Foundation and CHECK Medical Mission.

Speaking at the screening exercise, the Medical Director,

Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Dr Femi Olaleye, encouraged women, particularly widows, to go for regular screening, as early detection can protect them and save their lives.

While explaining that early detection remains the best approach to preventing cervical and breast cancer, he enjoined them to be wary of unhealthy factors that could lead to these diseases.

Olaleye acknowledged that Rose of Sharon Foundation drove awareness through the screening exercise. According to him, this would help improve knowledge

among women and encourage them to imbibe healthy habits. The list of beneficiaries of the cancer screening and treatment exercise were Oluwatoyin Okubadejo, Fidelia Okoronkwo, and Ubah Roseline among others.

Ubah expressed profound appreciation to the foundation for the intervention, which she said would help her remain in excellent health.

Meanwhile, the breast and cervical screening exercise was followed by a general healthcare programme, which provided free medical care services to widows,

their children and orphans.

The programme began with a talk by a psychologist with Gracespring Foundation Lagos, Dr. Ajani Raliat, who harped on the importance of good mental health to the well being of mothers and women in general.

She also had private consultations with women and implored them to develop a healthy habit of speaking up and not stifling their emotions.

The pep talk was followed by the general health screening from Creating Healthy Communities and Kinship (CHECK) Medical

Mission Ibadan.

The screening focused on eye care, dental care, physiotherapy services, screening for free surgeries, trauma management and dispensed medication as required.

At the second phase of the screening exercise, Dr Ndudi Bowei, Country Manager of the Rose of Sharon Foundation spoke on the role the foundation plays in empowering and helping vulnerable people like widows and orphans.

“Health is wealth, when we have good health, there is hope for a better and brighter future.

So we must take good care of our health and ensure that we take preventive measures to dissuade diseases and sickness.

“It is with the bid to improve the quality of life for widows and orphans and ensure their good health that The Rose of Sharon Foundation has organised this healthcare programme and we are glad that these women are keying into this initiative,” she said.

The Rose of Sharon Foundation, founded by businesswoman and philanthropist Evangelist Folorunso Alakija.

36

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͰͲ, 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Finance Minister Harps on Domestic Savings to Harness Economy Potential Kayode Tokede The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed has stated that the mobilization of domestic savings for capital formation and investment are critical success factor for harnessing the true growth potential of the Nigerian economy.

The Minster stated this during the submission of report of the Working Group on National Savings Scheme in Abuja.

She stated that the just launched Medium-Term National Development Plan 2021-2025 recognizes the role of a deep financial market in supporting the high and sustainable growth the plan aims to attain.

“I hope the proposals made in this report will guide Government in taking actionable steps to actualize the objectives outlined:” she said.

She assured that she would review the report and work

with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other stakeholders to ensure that the country fully realizes the potential benefits of the Scheme to the Country.

According to Ahmed: “We understand that this initiative will involve several other agencies such as the CBN, FIRS, NAICOM and other important stakeholders. We will leverage on our collaborative working environment within the Government to ensure we get necessary buy-in and commitment from relevant stakeholders.

“On behalf of the federal government and the Ministry of Finance, Budget & National Planning, I extend my sincere appreciation for your selflessness in giving your time and skill in this painstaking work in support of Government. I trust that we will count on your patriotic spirit when we call on you for further support in this or

other laudable endeavours for our dear Country”.

Earlier, the Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Lamido Yuguda explained that the need to establish a National Savings Strategy was outlined in the 10 Years Capital Market Master Plan “as one of the key strategies to enhance capital formation by mobilizing domestic funds for investment to drive rapid economic growth.

“It envisaged the deliberate provision of risk capital as venture capital and private equity that are naira based and more committed to the long-term prosperity of Nigeria as well as create a buffer to the instability created by foreign investors. The CAMMIC commissioned a white paper on a National Savings Strategy and recommended to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning the formation of a Working Group to explore the feasibility of the report findings.

Ahmed

MARKET INDICATORS

Iyamah Named ‘Young Person of the Year’ at The Future Awards Nigerian-Canadian swim and ready-to-wear fashion designer and CEO, Andrea Iyamah has been honoured as the ‘Young Person of the Year’ at the 16th edition of the Future Awards Africa held on Sunday, 20 February, 2022.

The 28-year-old is the founder of eponymous custom couture brand, ‘Andrea Iyamah’.

She is said to have taught herself the craft of garmentmaking and design as a teenager, and later used the coding she learned in college to build the first iteration of her website.

Speaking at the Awards, Iyamah thanked the organisers

of The Future Awards Africa for providing a “great platform of recognition.”

“This has been a fantastic night, absolutely well produced - I’m in fashion and we are very detailed. I absolutely loved the entire experience,” she said.

In clinching the ultimate prize, Iyamah was able to ward off opposition from the other nominees such as 29-year-old Egyptian footballer, Mohamed Salah; 32-year-old Zimbabwean health campaigner and founder of Spark R.E.A.D, Angeline Makore; 27-year-old Nigerian fabrication engineer, Jerry Mallo, and 29-year-old Ethiopian Chief

Executive Officer of Industrial Parks Development Corporation, Lelise Neme.

“The Future Awards Africa has a mandate to build empowered citizens across Africa, through inclusive enterprise and active citizenship and while all nominees in the category have challenged the norm and have blazed the trail for others to follow, Andrea’s consistent strides over the years, coupled her focus on human capital development stood her out this year,” Seun Oluyemi, Chief Content Officer at RED | for Africa and Team Lead, The Future Awards Africa commented.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

ECCIMA to Provide Insurance at 33rd Trade Fair

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

Gideon Arinze ÓØ ØßÑß

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

The President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Jasper Nduagwuike has assured that there will be insurance for both exhibitors and participants during the 33rd international Tradefair.

Addressing newsmen ahead of the Trade fair, which will be held between March 25 and April 4, Nduagwuike said that ECCIMA was already holding talks with insurance companies that will issue covers for exhibitors, participants

and their wares during the fair.

He explained that despite the spate of insecurity in the country, the chamber was determined to ensure the protection of lives and property of exhibitors.

“To achieve this, we have met the Army, The Police, DSS and other security agencies in the state and they have assured us of their support,” he said.

He noted that the theme: “Opening up Nigerian Business Windows for Competitiveness in the Emerging Global Market” would not have come at a better time than now when there are

efforts to revive the Nigerian economy.

Nduagwuike also announced that the ECCIMA was engaging the EEDC to ensure that there is uninterrupted power supply all through the period of the Tradefair.

He announced that the Nigerian Breweries and the embassies of Bangladesh, Namibia and Ghana have all confirmed their attendance at the fair.

“Others are the Nigerian immigration service and the Nigerian customs Service, he said adding that, “We are ready for the fair.

CSCS Boss Elected AMEDAVice President Kayode Tokede In strengthening its governance and execution of strategic objectives, the regional association of global Central Securities Depositories (CSDs), Africa and Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA), elected Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc as its Vice President.

Jalo-Waziri would be working closely with Mr. Abdalla Abdin, the Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Clear, who currently serves as the President of the association, in steering the affairs of AMEDA and leading execution of strategic initiatives towards delivering value to its members and broader stakeholders.

Jalo-Waziri, who also represents the global community of Central Securities Depositories on the Operating Committee of the International Securities Services Association (ISSA) brings to AMEDA almost three decades hands-on experience in the region’s financial services sector, across different segments of the market, including capital market regulation, pensions and conventional asset management, investment and commercial banking, Exchange management and post-trade services.

As the Chief Executive Officer of CSCS, Mr. Jalo-Waziri has led transformation of CSCS into an agile and innovative market infrastructure, delivering unprecedented results to the company’s shareholders

and broader Nigerian capital market stakeholders.

Speaking on the election, Mr. Jalo-Waziri noted: “I feel greatly honored by my nomination and more so the overwhelming vote of confidence at the election. I thank my colleagues in the association and reckon this election as a call to service in advancing post-trade services and broader capital market development in Africa and Middle East regions.

“Central Securities Depositories have pivotal roles to play in deepening Africa’s capital market and I am excited to work with established professionals through the collective prowess that AMEDA affords in leading the desired change in our respective capital market ecosystem and broader continent.

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ͵

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).

37

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͰͲ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

Stock Market Down N22bnon Profit-taking in GTCO, Lafarge Africa Kayode Tokede The stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) depreciated by N22billion, attributable to investors’ sell-off in Guaranty Trust Holdings plc(GTCO), Lafarge Africa plc and 14 other stocks listed on the bourse.

In summary, the overall market capitalisation dropped

by N22billion or 0.086 per cent to close at N25.442trillion yesterday from N25.464trillion the market

opened for trading, while the NGX All-Share Index depreciated by 0.08 per cent to 47,207.27 basis points from 47,246.90 basis points.

The downward performance of the stock market yesterday was impacted by decline recorded in large and medium capitalised stocks, amongst which are; GTCO that dropped by1.12 per cent , while Lafarge Africa dropped by 0.38 per cent.

Others are Dangote Sugar that declined by 5.28per cent as United

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

Bank for Africa plc depreciated by 1.14 per cent.

Sector performances of the stock market was negative with the NGX Consumer Goods dropping by 0.58per cent, NGX Banking index was down by 0.35per cent and NGX Industrial declined by 0.02per cent, while the NGX Oil and Gas index added 0.03per cent, the sole gainer.

The performance yesterday dragged both the stock market

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

Month-to-Date and Year-to-date to 1.25per cent and 10.51per cent respectively.

As measured, the stock market sentiment was positive as 26stocks gained relative to 16 losers.

Among the top three gainers are Etransact plc that appreciated by 10 per cent to close at N2.20, while RTBriscoe plc added 9.72 per cent to close yesterday at N0.79 per share. Niger Insurance Plc increased by 9.09per cent to close at N0.24.

T R A D E D

VALUE TRADED ( N )

MAIN BOARD

A S

On the losers chart, Africa prudential plc dropped by 5.77 to close at N7.35, while Dangote sugar plc depreciated by 5.28 per cent to close at N17.05.

Jn addition, Chasm plc declined by 4.17 per cent to close at N0.23.

In terms of activity levels, total volume and value decreased by 45per cent and 32per cent respectively, as investors exchanged about 231million units of shares worth N3.49billion.

O F

2 3

Transcorp plc with was the most actively traded stock with about 23million units of shares worth about N29million.

According to analysts at InvestmentOne research: “The equities market closed in red territory today due to the losses recorded across major sectors.

“Going forward, we expect investor’s sentiments to be swayed by the search for real positive returns and developments in the interest rate space.

/ 0 2 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

38

THURSDAY, ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

Thursday, February 24, 2022

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6.4%

6.4%

40.4%

16.7%

13.6x

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5.9%

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1,435.00

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3.6% 14.8% 10.2%

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2.2x

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11.8%

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48.20

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-3.6%

-3.6%

7.6%

2.7%

30.3x

2.2x

3.3%

3.3%

800.00

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31.0%

2.6x

5.4% 38.1%

5.50

-1.8%

1.2%

11.1%

11.1%

-10.3%

-3.9%

127.80

0.0%

0.9%

-10.0%

-10.0%

36.5%

23.3%

8.7x

2.9x

33.00

-1.5%

1.1%

16.4%

16.4%

15.9%

4.5%

5.1x

0.8x

1.0x

-10.4% 11.5% 5.0%

19.8%

3.10

0.0%

0.7%

21.6%

21.6%

13.3%

1.3%

2.4x

0.3x

7.1%

42.4%

2.47

5.1%

0.6%

6.5%

6.5%

9.3%

3.0%

7.6x

0.7x

9.1%

13.2%

17.05

-5.3%

0.5%

-2.0%

-2.0%

15.3%

6.3%

11.2x

8.9%

3.00

0.0%

0.4%

0.3%

0.3%

10.3%

1.1%

1.7x

8.8%

0.2x

5.0%

3.2x

10.7%

14.15

4.8%

0.5%

42.9%

42.9%

70.05

0.0%

0.6%

79.6%

79.6%

13.3%

6.0%

14.8x

1.8x

0.7%

6.8%

1.26

0.8%

0.4%

31.3%

31.3%

11.1%

2.3%

6.7x

0.7x

0.8%

15.0%

35.6%

18.5%

6.2x

1.0x

4.5%

16.0%

2.2x

1.0% 2.8%

4.00

0.0%

0.3%

-11.1%

-11.1%

104.00

0.0%

0.3%

18.5%

18.5%

14.40

-0.7%

0.3%

9.1%

9.1%

21.3%

6.9%

13.5x

2.7x

0.68

1.5%

0.2%

-2.9%

-2.9%

7.2%

1.1%

377.8x

0.7x

7.4% 0.3%

264.90

0.0%

0.3%

19.4%

19.4%

48.0%

9.5%

5.4x

2.2x

1.6%

18.6%

7.25

0.0%

0.2%

-8.2%

-8.2%

19.5%

5.5%

4.3x

0.8x

7.6%

23.5%

22.95

0.0%

0.2%

2.0%

2.0%

38.7%

16.0%

5.9x

2.1x

6.6%

17.0%

13.95

0.0%

0.2%

-3.8%

-3.8%

7.8%

4.9%

30.9x

1.2x

26.50

0.0%

0.2%

18.6%

18.6%

18.9%

2.4%

4.0x

0.8x

1.5%

25.0%

3.9%

6.40

0.0%

0.1%

8.5%

8.5%

7.1%

0.8%

7.2x

0.7x

4.86

0.0%

0.0%

10.0%

10.0%

14.5%

2.6%

2.1x

0.3x

3.2%

13.9% 47.8%

0.97

9.0%

0.2%

34.7%

34.7%

14.1%

0.8%

4.2x

0.6x

4.1%

1.62

-1.8%

0.1%

7.3%

7.3%

9.4%

0.9%

2.1x

0.3x

3.1%

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-28.3%

-6.1%

5.38

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

2.4x

23.7% 47.3% -13.8%

0.9x T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

T R A N SC OR P

23.2

0.8%

F ID ELIT YB K

15.5

0.0%

9.1%

UC A P

14.7

4.8%

5.45

9.0%

R EGA LIN S

13.8

0.0%

0.97

9.0%

FB NH

13.2

0.4%

0.25

8.7%

A C C ESS

12.8

0.0%

J A P A ULGOLD

0.40

5.3%

UB A

12.4

-1.1%

M A N SA R D

2.47

5.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

11.2

0.0%

UC A P

14.15

4.8%

GT C O

11.0

-1.1%

PZ

7.00

4.5%

WEM A B A N K

8.2

9.0%

T ic k er

ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ͕ ϭϲ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϲϲ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽĚĂLJ͕

1.0x

273.50

T o p 10 G a in e r s

ƟŽŶ ŝŶ E' D ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͘ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϭϱdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϭϳdž ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŝŽƌ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ Ϯϲ

7.3%

3.9%

35 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 36 Oando PLC 37 Wema Bank PLC

Ğƌ͕ ƵƉ ϭ͘ϴй ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂͲ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ͕

5.2%

3.8%

ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶͲ KƵƚůŽŽŬ

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

ET R A N Z A C T

2.20

10.0%

R T B R ISC OE

0.79

9.7%

N IGER IN S

0.24

M A YB A KER WEM A B A N K M ULT IVER SE

T ic k er

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s

< Z ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ,KEz&>KhZ ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ ůĞĚ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ T ic k er A F R IP R UD D A N GSUGA R

P ric e 7.35

P ric e C hg % -5.8%

17.05

-5.3%

CHA M S

0.23

-4.2%

M B EN EF IT

0.26

-3.7%

ET I

11.40

-3.0%

UN IT YB N K

0.49

-2.0%

LIN KA SSUR E

0.50

-2.0%

ST ER LN B A N K

1.62

-1.8%

IN T B R EW F LOUR M ILL

ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ tĞƐƚ ĨƌŝĐĂ >ŝŵŝƚĞĚ

21.0x

34.0x

0.6x

40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

ŐƌĂĚƵĂůůLJ ǁŝŶĚƐ ƵƉ͘

13.6x

11.2%

1.1x

ŽīƐ ŝŶ K E K ;ͲϬ͘ϴйͿ͕ E/d, ;ͲϬ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;ͲϬ͘ϮйͿ͘

ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ŵŝdžĞĚ͕ ĂƐ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ƐĞĂƐŽŶ

14.1%

19.1%

6.8x

d/ ;Ͳϯ͘ϬйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ t W K ;ͲϬ͘ϰйͿ͘ ŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĨĞůů ďLJ Ϭ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůůͲ

^dK < ;Ͳϰ͘ϴйͿ ůĞĚ ůŽƐĞƌƐ͘ WƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ĚĂLJ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ

134.7%

5.5%

9.8x

38 Sterling Bank PLC 39 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd

ǁŚŝůĞ dZ E^ ;Ͳϴ͘ϯйͿ͕ > ^ K ;Ͳϲ͘ϳйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ >/s Ͳ

1.5%

5.5%

0.8%

33 Unilever Nigeria PLC 34 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϭϱ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ DZ^ ;нϵ͘ϵйͿ͕ D zͲ

1.5%

6.8%

8.4%

/Ed Z t ;Ͳϭ͘ϴйͿ ĂŶĚ &>KhZD/>>^ ;Ͳϭ͘ϱйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌŽĮƚͲƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E ^d> ;Ͳ

ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ Ϯϰ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ

7.8%

0.0%

8.4%

ƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĨĞůů Ϭ͘ϲй ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ ƐĞůů ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ ŽŶ Ğƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϰ͘ϲй ĂŶĚ

;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ͕ ƐĞƩůŝŶŐ Ăƚ ϭ͘ϲdž

0.1%

70.75

11.6%

31 Custodian and Allied Insurance 32 Vitafoam Nigeria PLC

ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ĞdžƚĞŶĚĞĚ ƉƌŽĮƚͲƚĂŬŝŶŐ͘ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ

200.00

0.4%

;нϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ Z Ks ;нϬ͘ϴйͿ͘ DĞĂŶǁŚŝůĞ͕ ƚŚĞ ŽŶͲ

ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ŝŶ 'd K ;Ͳϭ͘ϭйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ D E^ Z ;ͲϮ͘ϮйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬͲ

16.4%

1.5%

9.8%

29 AIICO Insurance PLC 30 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri

ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĚŝƉƉĞĚ Ϭ͘ϯй ϵ͘ϭйͿ͕ hE/> s Z ;Ͳϯ͘ϱйͿ͕ >/E< ^^hZ ;Ͳϲ͘ϰйͿ͕

5.3%

0.4%

26 NEM Insurance PLC 27 Presco PLC 28 NASCON Allied Industries PLC

ŝŶĚĞdž ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵͲ

0.8x

9.8%

ĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ D E^ Z ;нϱ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ // K ;нϭ͘ϱйͿ͘ dƌĂŝůŝŶŐ͕ ĞĂƌŝƐŚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ĂƐ ϰ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůŽƐƚ͕ ϭ ŝŶĚĞdž ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &ZͲ/ d

5.5x

3.2%

24 Guinness Nigeria PLC 25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ DdEE ;нϬ͘ϭйͿ͕ dZ E d

3.5%

3.4%

ŝŶĚĞdž ůĞĚ ƚŚĞ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞƌƐ͕ ƵƉ Ϭ͘ϵй ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝͲ

ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ

15.0%

31.9%

0.4%

22 FCMB Group Plc 23 United Capital PLC

ƚŚĞ &ZͲ/ d ĂŶĚ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƌŽƐĞ Ϭ͘ϭй ĂŶĚ ϯďƉƐ

31.9%

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

P/BV

-0.4%

19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC 21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

E' D ;േϭϰϱ͘ϬŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;േϭϯϰ͘ϴŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ϯ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϯ ůŽƐƚ͘ dŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ

9.5% 103.1% 38.1%

P/E

26.30

17 Okomu Oil Palm PLC 18 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ ĂŶĚ K E K ;ϳ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁŚŝůĞ E ^d> ;േϮ͘ϮďŶͿ͕ ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ

0.0%

ROA

11.45

15 Ecobank Transnational Inc 16 International Brew eries PLC

ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ ϴϴ͘ϱй ƚŽ േϯ͘ϭďŶ͘ dŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ

-0.18%

ROE

8 FBN Holdings Plc 9 Lafarge Africa PLC

13 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 14 SEPLAT Energy PLC

ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ƚŽ ϮϯϬ͘ϲŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ േϯ͘ϱďŶ͘ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ Ϯϭ͘ϲй ƚŽ ϭϭϬ͘ϴŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ ǀĂůƵĞ

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ƚŽ ďĞ ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ ŽŶ

1,260.00

3 BUA Cement Plc 4 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC

;нϵ͘ϴйͿ͕ E' D ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ & E, ;нϬ͘ϳйͿ ďŽůͲ

^ŚĂƌĞ

2031.47

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

Price Previous Price Current Change Price Change Weighting Index to Change YTD Date

5.50

-1.8%

33.00

-1.5%

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

SEP LA T

645.1

A IR T ELA F R I

316.2

0.0% 0.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

302.9

0.0%

GT C O

291.9

-1.1%

T OT A L

255.8

0.0%

M TNN

210.6

0.1%

UC A P

204.7

4.8%

FB NH

150.7

0.4%

F LOUR M ILL

149.2

-1.5%

WA P C O

136.2

-0.4%

ƌŽŬĞƌĂŐĞ

ƐƐĞƚ DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ

/ŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚ ZĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ

ĚĞĚŽLJŝŶ ůůĞŶ ͮ ĂĂůůĞŶΛĂĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ͘ĐŽŵ

ZŽďĞƌƚ KŵŽƚƵŶĚĞ ͮ ƌŽŵŽƚƵŶĚĞΛĂĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ͘ĐŽŵ

ďŝŽĚƵŶ <ĞƌŝƉĞ ͮ <ĞƌŝƉĞΛĂĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ͘ĐŽŵ

dĂŝǁŽ KŐƵŶĚŝƉĞ ͮ ƚŽŐƵŶĚŝƉĞΛĂĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ͘ĐŽŵ

ŚƌŝƐƚŽƉŚĞƌ KŵŽŚ ͮ ĐŽŵŽŚΛĂĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ͘ĐŽŵ

ĂŵŝůĂƌĞ ƐŝŵŝLJƵͮ ĚĂƐŝŵŝLJƵΛĂĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ͘ĐŽŵ

39

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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

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

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

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

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

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 22Feb-2022, unless otherwise stated.

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS 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 174.90 176.05 4.80% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 9.03% Nigeria International Debt Fund 312.89 312.89 1.36% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 93.89 95.04 -4.56% 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 9.76% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.36 3.43 -4.92% 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 7.90% Anchoria Equity Fund 146.44 148.28 5.47% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.19 1.19 4.89% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com info@anchoriaam.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 21.05 21.68 3.77% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 474.80 489.12 5.24% ARM Ethical Fund 39.89 41.09 2.38% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.07 1.08 -0.86% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.03 0.76% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.18% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 108.88 108.88 7.05% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,080.49 1,080.49 8.05% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.08 2.08 9.43% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.28 2.32 31.10% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.02 1.02 1.33% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.86% Paramount Equity Fund 18.50 18.83 9.92% Women's Investment Fund 146.39 147.95 5.23% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.49% Cordros Milestone Fund 139.62 140.55 5.62% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 111.21 111.21 0.70% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 6.09% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 6.57% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,146.92 1,151.42 -1.88% EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.50% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.01 1.01 5.18% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.05 1.05 14.83% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 101.38 101.38 3.33% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,416.88 1,416.88 10.86% FBN Balanced Fund 182.42 183.78 4.08% FBN Halal Fund 117.13 117.13 8.86% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.61% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund FSDH Dollar Fund

122.79 155.56

122.79 3.91% 157.59 3.18% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.98 1.82 1.21

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 7.49% 3.98 -0.50% 1.85 4.45% 1.21 0.64% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 4,019.80 3,500.38 100.00

Offer Price 4,076.77 3,500.38 100.00

1.09

1.09

Yield / T-Rtn 3.22% 0.92% 6.24%

3.44%

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 N/A N/A N/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.56 1.59 3.36% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,156.27 1,156.27 1.70% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 12.37 12.47 4.99% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 8.56% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 101.30 101.31 8.98% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 8.62% 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 1.64 1.66 1.95% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.59 11.58 3.54% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.55% PACAM Equity Fund 1.52 1.54 5.65% PACAM EuroBond Fund 114.27 116.70 -0.83% 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 131.12 132.74 8.50% 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 1.08 1.08 10.03% 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 3,530.64 3,567.92 2.52% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 236.58 236.58 0.36% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.33 1.35 3.08% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 315.69 315.69 0.75% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 245.84 249.45 1.54% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.07% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 11,309.95 11,468.10 1.80% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.30 1.30 0.63% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 117.50 117.50 0.45% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 107.67 107.67 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 0.97 1.00 4.52% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.41 1.43 3.86% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.14 1.15 4.61% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.09 1.09 1.11% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.98 1.98 1.03% United Capital Eurobond Fund 123.28 123.28 0.77% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.27% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.43 13.55 1.80% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 15.31 15.48 4.79% Zenith Income Fund 22.28 22.28 1.32% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.32%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.98 54.65

10.62% 8.10%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

14.10 135.96 107.12 19.87 23.18

14.20 139.37 109.48 19.97 23.28

0.96% 3.31% 3.38% 0.00% 0.00%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.48 5.87 18.60 1.00 21.22 164.84

4.58 5.97 18.80 1.00 21.42 166.84

18.83% 15.26% 8.22% 7.74% 9.38% 4.46%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.28

10.80%

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.

40

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2022˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

CSOs Give Head of Service Seven Days to Resign over Secret Recruitments Sunday Aborisade inAbuja Some human rights groups under the auspices of Coalition of Civil Societies for Equity, Justice and Good Governance yesterday asked the Head of Service (HoS) of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, to resign within seven days over allegations of massive secret recruitments.

The convener of the group, Dr. Isa Abubakar, made the call in Abuja while addressing journalists on the embarrassing state of joblessness among qualified Nigerian youths.

Abubakar specifically alleged that the Head of Service was approving massive secret recruitments while at the same time, making Nigerians to believe that there was an indefinite embargo on employment.

The group also said the circular, which placed embargo on employment was adversely affecting the nation’s tertiary institutions which are currently suffering dearth of qualified academic and non-academic manpower.

However, when contacted, the Head of the Media Office

of the HoS, Mr. Abdulganiyu Aminu, described the allegations against Yemi-Esan as malicious and wicked.

According to him, the HoS has not legal right to carry out any form of recruitment.

He said the office merel: issue guidelines to agencies on the procedure to follow in their recruitment drive.

Aminu said, “There is an embargo placed on employment as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is not the office of the office of the HoS that placed the embargo.

“However, critical sectors like health, security and higher institutions were exempted. Some of the affected sectors were being given waivers to recruit.

“It will be mischievous, malicious and wicked to say that the office of the HoS is engaging in secret recruitment. Nothing can be farther than the truth as that.

“It is a cheap blackmail and baseless allegation because the office of the HoS is not a recruitment agency.

“It only issue guidelines on establishment to the agencies to follow due procedure in their recruitment drive,” Aminu added

However, CSOs said: “Our investigations have thus far, revealed series of infractions ranging from corruption to

stunting of some government institutions for selfish reasons that are opposed to national interest.

“Our concise investigations

have thrown up issues that cannot be thrown under the carpet hence this press conference.

We have over the time wondered

why some federal tertiary institutions have continued to lose accreditation from the regulatory agencies.

THEIR MINDS ON ECONOMIC GROWTH…

L-R: Managing Director, Nigeria-Export Import Bank (NEXIM), Abba Bello; President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries Mine and Agriculture (NACCIMA), John Udeagbala; and Second Deputy President, NACCIMA, Jani Ibrahim, during a visit by NACCIMA’s officials to NEXIM in Abuja…yesterday

‘Abia PDP Won’t Lack Funds, ‘Refusal to Sign Electoral Bill will Derail INEC’s Election Timetable’ Channels, the broadcast arm the Independent National and without the right electoral Okonji and Nosa Support to Win 2023 Poll’ Emma of THISDAY Newspapers, said Electoral Commission (INEC) framework put in place, it Alekhuogie Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo inUmuahia

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Chief Chima Anyaso has assured that the party would be adequately funded and provided with needed logistics for smooth electioneering to win the 2023 general election.

He gave the assurance at a meeting of Bende federal constituency stakeholders held at Igbere, saying that the mistakes of 2019 that cost the party victory in Bende would not be allowed to repeat itself.

The contest for the Bende federal constituency was a battle royale

between PDP and All Progressives Congress (APC) with the latter coming tops.

But Anyaso, who was the PDP candidate in 2019, vowed to financially strengthen the party leadership at the ward, local government and state levels to energise them for a successful outing in the forthcoming general election.

He announced huge amount of financial support for PDP to be distributed from polling unit to all levels of party leadership in the state, adding that jeeps would also be made available for logistics for the 225 polling units in the 13 wards of Bende.

Independent Observers Describe Enugu LG Elections as Peaceful Acoalition of accredited independent observers for the 2022 Local Government Elections held in Enugu State, yesterday expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise in the state, describing it as “peaceful, transparent, free and fair.”

Speaking to newsmen after the elections, the National Coordinator, Forum of Civil Society Organisations (FCSOs) in Nigeria, Comrade Fidelis Nweke, maintained that the elections were peaceful, transparent and orderly in the various local government areas they visited.

They commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for his consistency in conducting council

elections in the state, describing the governor as “a true democrat who had effectively ended the use of caretaker chairmen in running the affairs of the local government areas in Enugu State”.

Flanked by the National President, Centre for Positive Change and Civic Responsibility, Amb. Chinyere Manukwem and the Executive Director, Centre for Strategy, Ethics and Value, Mr. Romanus Azubuike, the FCSOs National Coordinator, Comrade Nweke, disclosed that the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) improved tremendously on its electoral process.

Buhari Rejoices with Primate Ositelu at 70 Deji Elumoye inAbuja President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with the Primate of The Church of The Lord Worldwide (TCLW), His Holiness, Most Rev. Dr. Rufus Okikiola Ositelu on his 70th birthday anniversary.

The president, according to a statement by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, yesterday, joined all church leaders, members, family and friends to share in the joyous occasion.

Buhari rejoiced with the TCLW leader as he turned a septuagenarian, taking into account his many contributions to national development, particularly

in education, health, infrastructure and, most significantly, consistently upholding the nation in prayers.

The president believed the scholarly background of Ositelu greatly impacted on his influence, teachings and leadership, and has translated into gains for many, showing clearly in the many leadership roles he has held, including former Vice President of Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), former President and initiator, United Aladura Churches (UAC), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and former elected member of the Central Committee, Executive Committee and Finance Committee of World Council of Churches (WCC).

Having rejected the Electoral Reform Bill four times since 2018, the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the bill with immediate effect, without further delay.

The Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Mr. Auwal Rafsanjani, who made the call yesterday while speaking on the Morning Show of ARISE NEWS

the continued rejection of the electoral bill by President Buhari, was a clear attempt for him to undermine democracy and also a calculated attempt by some persons close to the president, to truncate the democratic process, which Nigerians fought for in the past.

“The delay in signing the electoral bill has made President Buhari to deliberately tamper with the proposed electoral amendment bill that allows

to conduct election in February 2023. The President still has today (yesterday) to sign the bill into law, and anything short of that will cause a major shift in the timetable of INEC to conduct presidential election

by February 2023, which will amount to threat to democracy and freedom of expression in Nigeria,” Rafsanjani said.

“One of the pillars of democracy is to have a credible, free and fair election

will be difficult to attain true democratic process in Nigeria.

President Buhari had one time lamented the electoral fraud in the Nigerian electoral system, so he has no reason not to correct such anomalies with the signing of the electoral bill into law. As President of Nigeria, God has given him the opportunity to address the country’s electoral anomalies and we expect him to sign it without further delay,” Rafsanjani further said.

Alleged Forgery: Kubwa Hospital Denies Fani-Kayode Wale Igbintade The Head of Medical Records at the Kubwa General Hospital, Abuja, Mr. Bassey Amah, yesterday told a Special Offenses Court, Ikeja that a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode has no medical record with the hospital and was never a patient in the facility.

Amah stated this in his

evidence before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe that Fani-Kayode was at no time a patient of the hospital.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had slammed a 12-count charge against Fani-Kayode over the allegation of forging a medical report to mislead the court.

Fani-Kayode was said to have allegedly obtained a fake medical report to get bail

during his trial in a sister case at Federal High Court in Lagos.

Consequently, he was arraigned for procuring documents under false pretence, contrary to the provision of Section 369 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 201 and he pleaded not guilty.

Led-in-evidence by EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, the first prosecution witness said On October 3, 2021, Kubwa

General Hospital received a letter from the EFCC to investigate the authenticity of a medical report on Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode.

He explained that the investigation by the hospital revealed that the defendant does not have a record with the facility. He insisted that the medical report purportedly emanating from the hospital is not authentic.

Zulum Receives Leadership Award of Anglican Church Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Not less than 600 clergies, amongst them 20 Archbishops, 144 Bishops, and hundreds Reverends converged on Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where the church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) honoured Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, with a “prestigious award

for courageous and purposeful leadership in challenging times.”

Nigeria’s head of the Anglican church, Most Reverend Dr. Henry Ndukuba, whose title is the Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, presented the award to Borno State’s Head of Service, Barrister Simon Malgwi, who represented Governor Zulum at St Andrews Anglican Church at

Rumuobiokani in Port Harcourt.

Malgwi’s appointment in itself a testimonial to Zulum’s cosmopolitan and non-religious style of administration, being the first Christian in Borno’s history to be appointed Head of Service.

Zulum’s award (and those of three other recipients) was one of the main events at the Anglican Communion’s bi-

annual meeting of its “Standing Committee” usually attended by Bishops, and delegates from the 165 dioceses in the Church of Nigeria, representing the clergy, laity and the women ministry of the church.”

On the reason for the honour on Zulum, Primate Ndukuba said the Borno State Governor has distinguished himself in less than three years in the helms.

Pastor Rapes 19-year-old Girl During Deliverance in Ogun James Sowole in Abeokuta A pastor in charge of Life and Power Bible Church Ogijo, Ogun State, Mathew Oladapo, has been arrested by men of Ogun State Police command for forcefully having unlawful carnal knowledge of a 19-year-old member of the church.

The Police Public Relations

Officer (PPRO), for the Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed the arrest of the pastor in a statement.

He said: “The pastor was arrested following a report lodged at Ogijo Divisional Headquarters by the victim, who reported that while attending the church service on the 20th of February 2022, the pastor told her that he saw a vision

that she is having a spiritual husband which she needs to be delivered of.

“She stated further that the pastor told her she will undergo three nights of fasting and prayer in the church for total deliverance. In addition, she was asked to come to the church with 1,000 naira note and anointing oil.

“But on the first night of

the fasting and prayer, she was taken to a room within the church where the pastor ordered her to pull off her clothes and undies and lay down on a piece of cloth on the floor which she obeyed.

“While lying on the floor, the pastor started rubbing the anointing oil on her body and inserted his finger into her private part.”

41

THURSDAY, ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

FORTY-ONE APC ZONING PRESIDENCY TO SOUTH PUTS PDP IN QUANDARY Unfortunately for the PDP, the APC seems to be playing a rather smarter card, given the current mood of the nation, and especially, because while most of the governors in both parties wanted power to shift to the south of Nigeria, the governors, being life of the political parties, are consciously working to the answer.

Although in the PDP, such leaders like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, are among those, who want the PDP ticket thrown open. The Southern PDP governors are also inclined

to power shift.

However, the possibility that the PDP too might still go South is high, because once the party had zoned its chairmanship to the North, it is only ideal that its presidential ticket is taken South, a situation that would further give the APC an advantage of southern votes.

This is not to dismiss the understanding alleged to have been reached by PDP leaders at the point of making Dr. Iyorchia Ayu the national chairman of party, that if the equation changed at the point of choosing a presidential candidate, the chairman would resign if interests clashed.

Interestingly, and based on

simple logic, many of the PDP governors knew that the APC would have an advantage in the south if the presidency was zoned to the south.

But the danger in this is that the party could lose the votes of some northern states as THISDAY had previously extrapolated, a development that could automatically put states like Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom in play for the APC that is fielding a Southern candidate.

What this means is that with a Southern presidential candidate by the ruling APC and without a concurrent Southern presidential standard bearer in the PDP, those key oil-rich Southern states could be won by APC, while not losing

much ground in the north.

Another factor that many are currently considering as likely to work in favour of the APC is the Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s national movement, otherwise known as the third force.

The movement could divide the PDP further as well as shave valuable votes from the PDP in the North. In other words, the advantage the PDP hopes to gain in the north by potentially fielding a Northerner might be significantly eroded by Kwankwaso’s third force.

This, nonetheless, Mohammed, who spoke with journalists, shortly after a meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, at

his residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said the PDP would continue to strategise to rescue Nigeria from the present situation she has found herself.

The governor, who described Obasanjo as a man with a lot of wisdom and an elder statesman per excellence, said he had come to seek his opinion on some of the things going on in the party.

His words: "To me, the zoning of Presidency to the South by the APC is not a threat to the PDP, because each party is trying to strategise, to plan and organise. If they zone to the South, it is open to us to see how it is going to give

RISING OIL PRICES WORRY FG, SAYS NIGERIA NOT GAINING FROM SOARING RATES were bad for Nigeria, he stated that at the moment, Nigeria was not gaining anything from the soaring prices.

On the back of rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Brent, Nigeria’s benchmark, on Tuesday hit $99.03, the highest in the last nine years, almost touching the much-talked-about $100.

Clearly, the country’s controversial fuel subsidy regime, which would gulp N3 trillion this year, coupled with its inability to ramp up production to meet the quota allocated by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have combined to limit the gains from the oil price hike.

However, Sylva blamed the inability of Nigeria to activate the oil wells it shut down when OPEC instructed producing countries to cut production as well as the lack of investment in the upstream sector for the country’s inability to increase production. At the moment, Nigeria is losing at least 300,000 bpd to its capacity challenges.

The minister stated, “I'm hopeful the prices will move around, maybe $80, maybe $70. We are hoping it will come down to somewhere around $70 to $80, which will be sustainable for us to the end of the year.

“We are working hard on that (production increase). What happened to us was the fact that we had to cut back at the time, and, of course, in such a way you can't really cut back mathematically.

“So, you want to cut back 100,000 barrels that you shut out, maybe we'll shut down about 200,000 to 300,000 barrels. So at the end of the day, we over-complied because we just couldn't achieve it mathematically.

“In trying to cut down, we cut down too much. And now to come back, it's not been easy for us to get the wells back to production.”

The minister noted that a lot of additional investments would be needed to ramp up production, but lamented that foreign funding was drying out for the industry.

“It’s not very easy these days to get the investments in. We really are not able to meet up our quota now.

But I believe that we're working so very hard to ensure that, because we are not happy at all.

“I mean, with the kind of prices we are seeing. We are obviously not happy about it. So we would like to definitely be back on track by later this year. It’s not been very easy to get investments. A lot of people can't get investments into the sector.”

On what was being done to change the dire investment situation, Sylva stated that Africa was now beginning to realise that it could not be completely dependent on foreign funding.

He said, “So we're looking at how we can get our African energy bank set up. Also, we're looking at how we can rally multilateral funding into financial institutions.

“We are talking to Afreximbank.

We're working with other African producers to try to rally some funding for our sector in Africa, because we cannot continue to depend on funding that’s not coming.”

The minister reiterated that the world could not abandon fossil fuels when it had not built capacity to harness the alternative, noting that the decision to withdraw funding was hurting the industry and the countries of the world.

He said, “This is what we've been saying all the time. I mean that we have not been investing in the oil and gas sector for too long.

And we expected that this was going to happen at some point, because there will be a gap, because now that gap cannot be filled by renewables.

“And that is because you are not also investing that quickly into renewables, you're not developing renewables that quickly. So now there is a gap. And in addition to this gap, you have all the geopolitical tension.

“We are saying they must move gradually towards renewables, I mean, because if they take out the investment so quickly from fossil fuels, they cannot develop renewables at that same rate. That is what we are saying.”

Sylva further said he was not aware of discussions with the United States for Nigeria to increase supply of gas to Europe on the back of the Russia and Ukraine tensions, explaining that if it has to happen, it would take time and investment.

But he explained that in the medium term, the country intended to begin supply to the continent through Algeria and Morocco.

Sylva said, “We are actually having those kinds of conversations with Algeria, we are building a pipeline, the Trans Sahara gas pipeline that is going to take up our gas all the way down to Algeria to Europe.

“We are also planning a pipeline to take our gas to Morocco. So we are planning two pipelines, one to Algeria, to Europe through Algeria, and one to Europe through Morocco.

“So we're actually planning to take our gas to Europe. But I don't know of any plan now to take gas to Europe because of the political tensions with Russia.”

On the Trans Sahara line, he stated that Nigeria had just signed with Algeria and had already started construction from the Nigerian end of the 614 kilometres AKK Pipeline, to take the pipeline all the way to Algeria to the border.

For the Morocco pipeline, he noted that it was still at the level of studies, with reports being expected.

“There's a lot of excess capacity, but it will take some time to build the infrastructure and, of course, the LNG, it will also take a while.

So, there is no spare capacity that we can immediately off-take to Europe now.”

Sylva, who spoke on the current OPEC supplies, stated that there was no need to increase quota at this time beyond the already agreed 400,000 bpd, which the cartel embarked upon last year.

He stressed that he planned to visit the headquarters of Chevron, ExxonMobil, ENI and the rest of the multinationals operating in Nigeria to get their commitments on additional investments in Nigeria, especially with the advent of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which has made investment more attractive.

Fuel Scarcity: NNPC Distributes 387.5m Litres of Petrol in One Week

The release of the document by NNPC coincided with the gradual easing of the long fuel queues, especially in Abuja, where traffic had been mostly grounded due to the closure of some roads by desperate motorists.

THISDAY observed that even the NNPC mega station along Olusegun Obasanjo Way, in Abuja, which had hitherto experienced intractable lines of vehicles before now, had lighter queues. At the Total filling station on Sultan Abubakar Way, in Wuse Zone 3, which for weeks did not

have the product, motorists had also begun buying PMS. Still in Abuja, retail outlets in the satellite towns, such as Bwari, Lugbe, Kubwa, Zuba, Kuje, and others, which hitherto witnessed product shortages, were seen dispensing petrol to motorists.

The story was the same in some areas in Lagos and other major cities in the country.

NNPC said in a statement that the petrol bought by Nigerians through retail filling stations between February 14 and 20 represented an average daily distribution of 55.4 million litres.

The weekly national evacuation report released showed that 80 per cent of all the petrol distribution took place at 20 high-loading depots, while 20 per cent took place at the others.

NNPC listed the top 20 highloading depots used for distribution as Pinnacle-Lekki, which evacuated the highest volume of 70.8 million litres, and NIPCO, which distributed 22.6 million litres.

AITEO distributed 22.3 million litres; Swift, 16 million litres; 11 Plc, 15.9 million litres; Bovas Bulk, 15 million litres; and Frado 14.6 million litres.

Others were Keonamex, 13.7 million litres; MRS Ltd, 11.9 million litres; Rainoil 11.6 million litres; AYM Shafa, 11.2 million litres; TSL, 11.2 million litres; Rainoil Lagos, 11.2 million litres; and Matrix, 10 million litres.

Also on the list were Conoil Lagos, 9.7 million litres; AA Rano, 8.8 million litres; Bluefin, 8.4 million litres; HOGL, 8.2 million litres; Ibafon Calabar, 8 million litres; and Mainland, 7.5 million litres.

With the distribution of 385.59 million litres in one week, NNPC stated that scarcity of petrol was being arrested, with queues drastically reducing at filling stations in Abuja, Lagos, and other major cities.

According to the company, selling outlets that had been shut for over a week due to supply gap opened for operations since last Sunday.

The methanol-blended product, NNPC had earlier said, was imported into the country by four oil marketers through four cargoes under NNPC’s Direct-Sales-DirectPurchase (DSDP) arrangement.

NNPC had last week promised that over 2.3 billion litres of the product would be delivered before the end of February 2022 to totally arrest the situation.

Group Executive Director, Downstream, of the national oil company, Mr. Adetunji Adeyemi, had further assured during a media briefing to announce the 2.3 billion litres expected cargoes, that Nigerians would heave a sigh of relief “in days.”

To lessen the pain and ensure that the long queues disappeared, Adeyemi stated that along with its partners, NNPC was embarking on a 24-hour service, noting that Nigerians can now buy the product round the clock at filling stations.

Furthermore, the executive director had announced that at the time, the country had over 1 billion litres of petrol in stock, adding that all the fuel in circulation in the country is now certified safe.

Many believe the bad fuel may have been fully withdrawn, as cargoes of clean petrol arrive the country daily to bridge the gap created by the withdrawal of the methanol-blended petrol.

NNPC further noted that a monitoring team had been set up with sister government agencies to ensure a seamless process, urging the security agencies to

fully cooperate.

House Grills Other Suppliers, as Duke Oil, Oando Absolve Selves of Blame

The House of Representatives Committee on Downstream investigating the importation of off-spec petrol yesterday grilled other importers and suppliers of the off-spec fuel. The two oil companies, Duke Oil and Oando Plc, which were quizzed by the lawmakers, denied culpability in the importation of the bad fuel.

Addressing the lawmakers, both companies said their product met the required Nigerian specification.

In his presentation, Managing Director of Duke Oil, Lawal Sade, said the product his company imported was certified okay both at the port of loading and the port of discharge by the relevant authorities. He said they were notified by NNPC a few hours after the discharge that the product had some particles, which made them to discontinue the process.

Sade said the company shared the pains Nigerians went through as a result of the discovery and quarantine of the methanol-blended PMS, adding that Duke Oil has already taken necessary steps to remedy the situation.

He told the House committee, "Mr Chairman, yes, there was a delivery of cargo by Duke Oil, like you have seen in the report, and that cargo met up with the Nigerian spec, as it is both at the loading and discharge ports. There was a confirmation by the regulator, which is the new Nigerian midstream, downstream authority, to discharge that cargo within the stipulated date.

“The cargo discharged and the vessel sailed. It was just after 24 hours of operation then, that Duke Oil was notified by the NNPC that there was a complaint from some of their customers that the cargo had some particles "So, Mr. Chairman, with the notification from PPMC/NNPC, immediately, the management of Duke Oil authorised the NNPC not to evacuate the cargo any further and requested for a recertification.

But it is important we reiterate the fact that the cargo has been certified by the midstream and then, there is a joint inspection before the discharge and the specification provided in the contract with NNPC meet up the Nigerian specification.”

He further said, "And then, some remedial actions were taken immediately, Mr. Chairman, to conclude the report and give an assurance to this House committee and, indeed, all Nigerians that Duke Oil, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the NNPC and commercially driven company, we are not just in business to make money, but also to guarantee the energy security of our great nation and we never compromise the quality of the product we supply to Nigeria and any other place we do business and we will always seek to maintain this positive position.”

On its part, Oando Plc representative, Afanga Afanga, also said their product met the Nigerian specification.

Afanga stated, "In line with our DSSP contract with the NNPC on January 16, 2022, we delivered 90MT worth of PMS on board the Vessel MT Elka Apollon. It is important to note that this PMS cargo that was supplied met and was in line with all the Nigerian and DSDP contractual specifications.

“This was confirmed by the mandatory tests that were conducted at the loading port in

Europe and before discharge in Nigeria by independent NNPC quality inspectors and finally by agents of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority. It is on this basis that the cargo was certified and accepted for discharge by NNPC. "As clearly stated by NNPC last week, when they were before this committee, its current inspection protocol does not include testing for methanol content and, thus, was not detected by the NNPC quality inspectors.

“The most important thing at this juncture for us is to work with NNPC as we are committed to ensuring that what is brought into the country is well treated and the issues around the situation are alleviated for Nigerians.

“We have given assurances and we have also been able to show to be following the right protocol and there was nothing that was breached as being alleged."

Responding, the chairman of the committee, Hon. Abdullahi Gaya, asked the companies to submit all relevant documents regarding their presentations, adding that they may be re-invited if necessary.

us more electoral victory or if we put it to the North, it will give us more electoral victory.

"This is the kind of things we are doing: the leg works, the permutations and so and so forth. So that, at least, whatever we are going to do, is to provide for Nigerians to choose between the best alternatives."

While stressing the past relationship with Obasanjo, Mohammed said the issue of PDP, was basically one of the reasons for his visit.

He said, "We know that Baba is non-partisan; we know he is an elder statesman per excellence.

But, we are rebuilding our party to remove rancour, division and so on. So, we still need him, because his words of wisdom are always very useful.

"So, I have come to sound his opinion on some of the things going on in the party; to close ranks and make sure that we provide Nigerians with the opportunity to rescue the country, from the present division going around, which we have found ourselves," he said.

The Bauchi governor expressed optimism about his chances of getting the PDP presidential ticket to contest the 2023 election.

He said, "To me, presidency is a consensus – a stakeholder and a statesmanship – it is responsibilities.

Of course, every Nigerian should try to contribute his or her quota to the growth and development of the nation.

"More so, when leadership recruitment should be based on merit, should be based on making sure that, we bring everybody on board and should not be based on manifestation of separatist, which are the instruments and the disgruntlement that are capable of dividing us further.

"Nigeria is too large and too important to be ignored. Some of us have benefited so much. It is not about me and my expression, but about the country."

PRESIDENCY: BUHARI TO SIGN REWORKED ELECTORAL BILL TOMORROW or being voted for in their party convention or congresses without first resigning from office. This was interpreted as an infringement of their constitutional right. The President was seeking assurances that the lawmakers would amend this clause to bring it in conformity with the constitution after he may have signed the bill. THISDAY checks indicate, those assurances may have been given.

Top government officials, including the leadership of the legislative arm, namely President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, would witness the signing ceremony for the electoral bill.

The top presidency source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated that arrangements had been finalised for the president to sign the amendment bill into law Friday.

According to the source, “All these anxieties will disappear by Friday afternoon. He will be signing the bill around noon of that day.

I believe he has taken his time so that the Electoral Act can be as unassailable as much as possible.''

Public anxiety had mounted in the last few weeks over Buhari's delay in assenting to the re-amended bill, as some members of the public as well as critical stakeholders had concluded that he was deliberately withholding assent again.

The National Assembly transmitted the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021 to Buhari on January 31, a second time, having reportedly revised the bill, which he had withheld his assent to for some noted reasons.

The president was yet to assent to the bill, more than 20 days after it was transmitted to him, though he constitutionally has a 30-day window till March 1, within which he is mandated to either assent or state reasons for not doing so.

Buhari had first withheld his assent to the bill in November 2021, citing the cost of conducting direct primary elections, security challenges, and possible manipulation of the electoral process by political players as part of the reasons for his decision. He, however, gave some

conditions for his assent, prompting the federal lawmakers to re-work the bill, which initially led to the emergence of two versions from the green and red chambers of the assembly.

Thereafter, the two chambers, in a conference committee, harmonised their position before transmitting the reworked bill to the president last month.

Meanwhile, Benson, in a chat with journalists in Abuja, argued that the clause, which sought to act as a leveller, did not in any way undermine the rights of political appointees to hold office or participate in primaries or main elections. He said the timeframe given by the clause (three months) for appointees to resign from their positions before conventions or congresses was only meant to place every aspirant on the same pedestal, and not to stop them from contesting, as being alleged in some sections of the public.

Benson stated, "Assuming without conceding that, that's what it says in section 84(10) that appointees must resign three months before primaries or convention, let's say it's geared towards stopping political office holders from contesting, there's a section of the constitution, which says that you shall resign 30 days before the general elections. If that constitutional provision clashes with the Electoral Act, which supersedes?

“So there's no need to even worry about that clause if that's the way they perceive it. But what we are trying to do is that for a convention or a congress, you have statutory delegates. But a governor will go and appoint 1,000 political appointees to participate in the congress, whom do you think will win? The governor will.

"So, we are saying no, you can't do that. Let's have a fixed number, manageable number. Let's give a fair chance to you, you and you, and not to the stooge or the preferred candidate of the governor. So, that's what that clause is trying to prevent.

It is not trying to prevent political office holders from running. And I said even if does prevent political office holders from running, there's a provision in the constitution that protects them."

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A COURTESY VISIT BY MULTICHOICE NIGERIA TEAM ...

L-R: Executive Head, Corporate Affairs, MultiChoice Nigeria, Caroline Oghuma; Filmaker, Fidelis Duker; Academy Director, West Africa, MultiChoice Talent Factory, Atinuke Babatunde; President, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Victor Okhai; Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice Nigeria, Busola Tejumola, and former DGN president, Bond Emeruwa, during a courtesy visit by the MultiChoice Nigeria team to the DGN in Lagos…recently

Crude Oil Theft: Tension in Bayelsa Communities as Gunmen Issue Traditional Rulers Death Threats Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

There is Palpable tension and fear in Bayelsa communities of Igbomotoru, Oyeregbeni and Peremabiri in Southern Ijaw local government area as gunmen working with crude oil thieves have continued their brutal attacks on communities who refused to play ball with them.

With no security cover for them by the allegedly compromised men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) the communities are daily at the mercy of these gunmen with rising cases of attacks and forceful takeover of traditional institutions by some

gunmen allegedly led by a militia identified as 'General' Endurance Amagbin over the control of illegal theft of crude oil in the area.

It was gathered that the militia groups have been recruiting youths for illegal crude theft operations in the communities, while they subjected traditional rulers of Igbemotoru and other communities such as Lasukugbene, Beberegbene, Peremabiri to oath of allegiance or they either get dethroned or killed.

THISDAY gathered that the affected communities are hosts to multi-million dollars Trunk 18 inches diameter crude oil Te-

bidaba/Igbomotoru/Brass pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, Limited.

It was equally gathered that many security personnel deployed to the area have allegedly been comprised by the operations of this General and his boys.

Sources said he has already commenced the illegal refining or cooking of crude oil known as "kpo fire" in the area.

It was gathered that as a result of the rising tension, the paramount ruler of Igbomotoru (West Bomo) Community of Southern Ijaw Local Government Council, HRH Ase-

mighen Ayibaikie Ofongo, BUO X, has sent a petition sent to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, to come to the rescue of the Bayelsa communities.

In the letter made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, the traditional ruler lamented that the militia groups have continued to molest, beat up, vandalise houses and loot properties of those who go against their illegal activities in the area.

Ofongo, in the letter with reference number IGBO/Security/10102/Vol.1/32/22, pointed out that he was also a victim of the

Don't Play Politics with National Security, Irabor Warns Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor yesterday cautioned Nigerians against playing politics with national security through their actions and utterances.

He warned that politicising security issues could be dangerous to the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria Irabor gave the warning in Abuja yesterday, during a roundtable discussion with the theme: “Going for Broke: Fighting Insecurity in Nigeria,” organised by 21st Century Chronicle media organisation. He regretted the role politicising issues around insecurity had played in the escalation of the challenge being faced by the country.

"I would plead that issues that border on national security and defence should not be politicised," he said.

The Defence Chief who condemned primordial sentiments into security issue, noted that it could dampen the morale of troops in the frontline, adding that this also contributed in aggravating the insecurity situation in the past.

According to him, the trend inadvertently promoted the cause of adversaries who had taken up arms against the Nigerian state.

He, however, said the situation had improved tremendously, noting that the trend has not been totally eliminated.

Irabor listed resource constraints as one of the issues confronting the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign. Specifically, he pointed out constraints of inadequate manpower and equipment.

"The situation has however improved in the last few years,

but it is not yet Uhuru," Irabor said.

He also identified the nation's porous borders as one of the challenges confronting military operations, stressing that a lot of loose weapons used in the Libyan crisis found their way into Nigeria through unmanned borders.

He also blamed the slow pace of judicial process in the prosecution of terror suspects arrested during military operations and called for appropriate judicial reforms that would speed up the process.

"Over reliance on foreign input in terms of equipment and platforms and inadequate bilateral commitment from Nigeria's immediate neighbours like Cameroon, Chad, Niger are also some of the factors that should be addressed," Irabor said.

On the way forward, the Defence Chief canvassed intelligence- driven approach and the need to increase the operational capacity of the Police and other security agencies in the country.

This, he said, would lessen the burden on the military, as he revealed that 80 per cent of troops are currently in one form of operation or the other in different parts of the country.

Irabor also urged the leadership to place more emphasis on building and strengthening military industrial complex in the country, even if the facility was going to be private sector driven.

The CDS disclosed that a good number of armed vigilance group, code named "civilian JTF" were being trained and absorbed into the Nigerian Army under strict supervision.

The disclosure was in response to a question on what becomes of the

civilian JTF in the near future after the counterinsurgency operations might have been over.

A former Defence spokesman, Brig-General Chris Olukolade (rtd) who also spoke at the event, observed that inter-agency rivalry among security agencies had not helped the counter-insurgency effort.

Olukolade said internal sabotage, which he said was usually inspired by those he described as, "conflict merchants" as one of the contributing factors to the growing security challenges.

However, a former Governor of Borno State and serving senator, Kashim Shettima, who chaired the event, blamed rivalry among the

immediate past service chiefs as one of the problems that slowed down military operations in the past.

According to Shettima, the exService chiefs were all lobbying to become Chief of Defence Staff and in the process undermining each other and the security processes.

He, however, commended Irabor for bringing synergy into the security system, saying there have been improvement in the security system in the country.

Former governor of Niger State, Emir Awwal Ibrahim, urged government to review the information network as a possible way to address the increasing level of insurgence in the country.

wrath of the gunmen with their leader and self-styled ‘General’ subjecting him to personal oath of allegiance to their operations and also announcing his dethronement on a state radio without the approval of the state government.

The petition read: “The youths and elders of Igbemotoru community have become refugees in their community. The people of the community and surrounding communities have not had any positive change since the self-styled General Endurance arrived.

“And he has also boasted that he has connection to the top and that petitions sent out are sent back to him promising anyone writing such petition to be ready to accept any consequences of their actions.

This has emboldened him to recruit jobless youths into his army in other to vandalise houses, loot properties therein.”

The worried Monarch, recounted that on 11th of December, 2021, Amagbin, “ordered his squad to bring him at gun point,” “Ammanawei was escorted under gunpoint by six gunmen into a waiting horsepower speed boat to a bush and into a shrine. I was ordered by the militia leader to take oath of allegiance to him.

“When I protested and insisted I have earlier before my ancestors and even God sworn to be impartial in the discharge of my duties, he ordered his gunmen to fire several rounds of bullets above my head as a warning.

“I realised I could be shot dead in the shrine, so I succumbed to save my life and took the oath.

Again, on the 12th of December, 2021, the Igbomotoru 1 community chiefs under the directive of the militia leader convened a meeting of all people of the town.

"The meeting has no other agenda besides the dethronement of the Amananawei. Some persons who attended the meeting queried the veracity of such dethronement exercise. While many walked out of the meeting and the meeting ended on that note. Within days, a special announcement was sponsored by the militia leader and his boys of the dethronement on two radio stations in the state capital.

“The state government reacted spontaneously and denounced the dethronement as an exercise in futility and of no effect whatsoever. The paramount ruler as well went on air and denounced the purported dethronement.

"As it is now, myself and some others who are against the notorious activities of Endurance Amagbin in Igbomortoru community are not allowed access to our own community.

"We are calling on the government to convene a peace meeting and in synergy with the federal government to please mop up all illegal arms and ammunition in the possession of non-state actors like the militia group now terrorising the innocent people of Igbomotoru community.”

FG Threatens to Sanction Oil Marketers Contravening Weights, Measures Act Peter Uzoho The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, has said the federal government would henceforth sanction petroleum depot owners and oil marketers who contravene the provisions of the Weights and Measures Act 2004.

Adebayo issued the warning yesterday, in Lagos, during a meeting with petroleum products marketers under the aegis of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the Petroleum Product Depot Owners Association (PPDOA).

Adebayo, represented by a Director at the Department of Weights and Measures, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Hassan Ejibunu, said the department was

very critical to the operations of the oil and gas sector.

He said it was the department’s responsibility to ensure that the instruments used for trade, oil and non-oil, are fit for use for trade transactions.

According to him, this was with the ultimate aim of preventing the short changing of both the sellers and the buyers, by ensuring transparency, equity and fairness.

Adebayo said that was why the department carries out the verification and certification of the equipment used in dispensing oil at the terminals and the different sales outlets of petroleum products.

He advised marketers and depot owners to cooperate with the inspectors from the ministry whenever they visit their business

premises to carry out their statutory duties, which is for the common good of all.

Adebayo said: “It will be necessary for me to urge all to ensure that all your weighing and measuring equipment are in conformity with the provisions of the Weights and Measures Act at all times.

“You are also to ensure prompt payment of the statutory fees after the verification of the equipment to ascertain they are good and fit for use for trade.

“I will like to, at this juncture, re-emphasise the ministry’s position of not condoning acts of indiscipline on the part of its officials, and any official found wanting will be disciplined in line with the extant rules and regulations of

government.

“Similarly, any organisation that contravenes the provisions of the Weights and Measures Act will be sanctioned accordingly.”

He commended MOMAN and PPDOA for their giant strides in ensuring the growth of the oil and gas business in the country with their huge investments in the sector.

Adebayo added that their sustained collaboration with the ministry would help move the sector forward in the overall interest of the nation.

In his remarks, the Chairman of MOMAN, Mr. Olumide Adeosun, represented by the Technical Officer of MOMAN, Mr. Kingsley Ojimba, said the association was committed to a viable petroleum industry.

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PRESENTATION OF ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFICATE ...

L-R: General Manager Sales, Gulf Petrochem Energy Services Ltd. Mr. Stephen Ogunleye; Head of Finance, Mr. Kiran Shetly; Deputy Director, Management Systems Certification Directorate, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Gbenga Awobote; Chief Operating Officer, Gulf Petrochem Energy Services Ltd. Mr. Ajay Pandey; Group Head, Management Systems Certification SON, Mr. Una Ukoyen; and Head Compliance, Gulf Petrochem Energy Services Ltd. Mr. Adeloja Abiodun, at the presentation of ISO 9001:2015 Certificate to Gulf Petrochem Energy Services by SON, in Lagos... recently PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

Nasiha in, Gusau Out, as Zamfara Assembly Impeaches Deputy Governor Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Onuminya Innocent The Zamfara State House of Assembly, yesterday impeached the state’s Deputy Governor, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau.

Immediately Gusau was impeached, Governor Bello

Mohammed Matawalle of the state, nominated Senator Hassan Muhammad Nasiha as the new deputy governor, who has since been sworn in by the chief judge of the state, Justice Kulu Aliyu.

Interestingly, the impeachment is against a subsisting court order from a Federal High Court, Abuja,

which ordered all parties in the suit before the court to maintain status quo ante pending the determination of the case The face off between Mattawella and Gusau, started last year, when the governor defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) but he refused to defect along with him.

Although the deputy governor, son on a former National Security Adviser (NSA), was absent on Tuesday as the seven-man panel investigating alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office against him, the panel went ahead to close hearing.

The impeachment was conducted

MTN, Mafab Meet Payment Deadline, Pay $273.6m Each to Clinch 5G Spectrum Licence Emma Okonji

MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications Limited have met the payment deadline of February 24, 2022, for the 5G spectrum licence, which they won in December last year.

THISDAY gathered from a reliable source yesterday that Mafab Communications, paid the complete $273.6 million bid price with an additional $11, 120, 000 to get the second slot of the licence, while MTN had since paid the $273.6 million bid price, with an additional $15, 900,000 to get the first slot of the licence.

With this, both winners have paid a total sum of $574.2 million

to clinch both slots for the 5G spectrum licenece, with payments made today’s deadline.

Following the successful auction of two slots in the 3.5GHz spectrum licence for 5G network rollout, which was won by MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications Limited last December, both operators were mandated to pay for the licence on or before today as contained in the Information Memorandum of the 3.5GHz spectrum licence.

According to the Information Memorandum, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, would on February 27, 2022,

MultiChoice Nigeria Restates Commitment to Creative Industry's Growth MultiChoice Nigeria, has reiterated its commitment to the growth of the country’s entertainment industry.

The company’s position, made known in Lagos, recently, was the highlight of the discussion between MultiChoice Nigeria and the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) during a courtesy visit to the latter.

According to a statement, discussions at the meeting revolved around opportunities for collaboration and mutually beneficial ideas with the potential to accelerate the growth of the major industry stakeholder entities such as Africa Magic, MultiChoice Talent Factory and the DGN. The MultiChoice team, led by its Executive Head of Corporate Affairs, Caroline Oghuma, explained that the meeting was a sign of the company’s cordial relationship with the DGN and afforded it the opportunity to formally introduce the newly appointed MultiChoice Nigeria’s executives to an important stakeholder group.

The new executives included Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of

Content and West Africa Channels; and Atinuke Babatunde, Academy Director, West Africa, MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), who both spoke on the importance of the relationship between both parties.

Tejumola explained that MultiChoice Nigeria was keen on strengthening existing industry collaborations and building new ones.

“I think it is important for us to be here today to consolidate what I know the guild and MultiChoice have been building over the last few years. We think it’s time for us to work better together with the industry. We have been a part of the industry and it’s time for us now to truly collaborate.

“I know that we have areas of synergy, and the goal is to further advance the creative industry. As a brand, we are doing all we can, but we can’t do it by ourselves. We need collaborations and partnerships with different organisations that are the backbone of Nollywood and the creative industry at large,” she said.

give the official update of the payment.

Prior to the auction, both MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications had paid an initial 10 per cent deposit of N7.5 billion each, which was statutory and mandatory to qualify them to participate in the bid process.

THISDAY gathered that both operators would have lost the initial 10 per cent deposit, if they had failed to meet up with the payment deadline, which is today, as contained in the Information Memorandum.

Before the commencement of the mock and the main auction exercise, three bidders, namely: MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications and Airtel Networks had expressed interests to bid for the 3.5GHz spectrum, and they met

all criteria, including the payment of the stipulated Intention to Bid Deposit (IBD) as outlined in the Information Memorandum (IM), which pegged the initial non-refundable deposit at 10 per cent of the reserved bid price of $197.4 million (N75 billion).

All three bidders had reached the eleventh round of the bidding process, before Airtel Networks withdrew after the eleventh round at $270 million, leaving only MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications in the contest.

Announcing the main auction result after the successful bid process, Danbatta had said the provisional licence would be given to Mafab Communications Limited and MTN Nigeria, after they must have met the payment deadline and conditions.

by 20 out of the 21 members of the assembly, who voted in favour of the motion. This happened three hours after the seven man panel submitted its report.

Seven witnesses appeared at the panel, headed by Justice Halidu Tanko, which began sitting at the State High Court 4, Gusau on Monday, February 21.

The deputy governor was not only absent, he was also not represented by any legal counsel throughout the sitting.

Speaking at the end of the sitting, Tanko lauded members of the public for their support during the two-day sitting.

Also, Justice Abdul Ibrahim (SAN), a member of the panel, assured of free and fair investigation.

“Our work will be strictly on constitutional procedure. We have given the parties opportunity to present their cases. We are going to embark on our deliberations; our timeframe is within three months.

We will look at it critically and when the report is ready, we will present it to the state House of Assembly,” he said.

Meanwhile, the nomination of Senator Nasiha, THISDAY gathered, was made within minutes of the impeachment of the deputy governor.

The governor had sent a letter to the assembly, seeking the screening of Nasiha.

Speaker, Honourable Nasiru

Muazu Magarya, read the governor’s letter at plenary on Wednesday.

The deputy governor-nominee was first elected a senator in 2007, and currently represents Zamfara Central in the National Assembly.

He lost his seat to Senator Kabiru Marafa in 2011, but returned to the red chamber in 2019,when the Supreme Court voided the elections of the candidates of All Progressives Congress, following their failure to conduct primaries in the state.

He was elected to the Senate the second time on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

However, reacting to the development, the Zamfara State chapter of Peoples Democratic party (PDP), has condemned the impeachment of Gusau .

Speaking to THISDAY in a telephone conversation, secretary of the party in the state, Farouk Ahmed Gusau, said the action of the state House of Assembly, whom he described as a puppet of Matawalle, was unlawful and capable of causing security breach in the state.

Ahmed further asked how a charcoal could call pot black, stressing that if the assembly was to investigate the deputy governor on financial impropriety, they should also investigate the governor, whom he said had collected unaccounted over thirty billion naira for security votes.

Aisha Buhari in National Assembly, Witnesses Constitution Review Report Submission

Lawmakers propose local govt autonomy, devolution of powers, immunity for presiding officers, 64 other amendments to constitution Sunday Aborisade and Udora Orizu in Abuja The First Lady, Aisha Buhari, yesterday, witnessed the laying of the report of the National Assembly joint Committee on Constitution Review at both chambers of the legislature.

She was accompanied by the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen; Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed and a delegation of Nigerian women.

The Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, suspended Rule 12 (1) - Privileges of the Floor - and invoked Rule 1(b) to admit the First Lady and her delegation into the chamber at

exactly 11:58am.

Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central), who was Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Alteration to the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, laid the report at 12:06pm.

Lawan, in a short remark after the report was laid, said the visit by the First Lady was to show support for a bill to have more female parliamentarians at the federal and state legislatures.

“The First Lady’s visit is to show support for a bill for more female parliamentarians in both chambers in the Senate and the House and the State Legislatures.

“This, we believe, will help in

nation building as such significant participation by our women will add value to not only legislation, but the much desired and needed national development.

“For us as a nation, our motto is Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress. We believe that all hands must be on deck to ensure the participation of each and every segment of our society,”he said.

Lawan, however, assured the First Lady that the 9th Assembly, while voting on the amendments to the constitution as contained in the ad-hoc committee’s report, would ensure that women participation in governance was commensurate with their population.

His words: “At the moment, you will all agree with me that our women have not been able to get that level of participation commensurate with their population as reflected in our demography.

“Therefore, what we are trying to do (Amendment of the Constitution) will go through voting later to complete the process in the National Assembly.”

At the House, Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Hon. Idris Wase, while laying the report, said the committee received a total of 187 memoranda with 1,909 specific recommendations from across the country.

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NEWS

NLNG Appoints GACN's Boss, Ogunleye Deputy Managing Director Peter Uzoho

UGWUANYI VOTING YESTERDAY...

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (left) voting at his Amube Ward II Polling Unit, Ohom Orba, Udenu Local Government Area, during the 2022 LG Elections in the State, yesterday.

The Board of Directors of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has approved the appointment of the Managing Director of the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN), Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye as successor to Mr. Sadeeq Mai-Bornu as Deputy Managing Director of the liquefaction company.

NLNG announced this yesterday in a statement signed by its General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr. Andy Odeh, stating that Mai-Bornu, who was appointed by the company's board in April 2016, would return to his parent company, NNPC, at the expiration of his tenure.

Ogunleye, who is concluding his tenure as the managing director of GACN, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, would take over from Mai-Bornu on April 14, 2022, the statement said.

According to the statement, Ogunleye, a lawyer, comes to NLNG with rich gas industry experience. At GACN, he oversees adequate gas supply to the domestic market and manages the interface between gas buyers and sellers.

He was strategic to the federal government’s gas programmes,

Decade of Gas and the Autogas initiatives.

Before his appointment at GACN, Ogunleye served as the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of N-Gas Limited (N-Gas), a joint venture company between 2018 and 2019; and Company Secretary and Legal Adviser at Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMC) Limited (2017-2019) and Nigerian Gas Company Limited (2014 – 2018), both subsidiaries of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The company, however stated that Sadeeq, during his tenure, contributed significantly to repositioning NLNG as a globally competitive LNG company and oversaw vital projects, including the Train 7 project, re-marketing of volumes for Trains 1-3, and the expansion of the company’s domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) market initiative.

The company added that its out-going deputy managing director also oversaw the implementation of the ongoing Bodo-Bonny Road project, one of NLNG’s biggest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and the NLNG's Realigning to Win (RtW) project, an organisational improvement initiative that has positioned the company as a more effective company.

WHO: 83% of Africa's Population Yet to Get Single Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that 83 per cent of Africa's population was yet to be administered with a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

WHO Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who stated this in a message at the ongoing three-day high-level PortsToArms Global Summit in Abuja, said the development was not only a moral failure, but also an epidemiological failure, which he said was creating the ideal conditions for new variants of the pandemic to emerge.

According to him, this week marked one year since COVAX made its first delivery in Africa, to Ghana precisely.

He regretted that unfortunately, vaccine nationalism and manufacturers prioritising high-income countries severely limited the number of vaccines COVAX was able to supply in the first half of last year.

The WHO chief stated: "As a result, 83 per cent of the population of Africa is yet to receive a single dose.

"This is not only a moral failure, it is also an epidemiological failure, which is creating the ideal conditions for new variants to emerge.

"Through COVAX, we are now overcoming many of the supply and delivery constraints we faced last year, with almost 1.2 billion doses of vaccine delivered, and

the supply outlook for this year is positive."

Through purchased and donated doses, Ghebreyesus noted that COVAX had secured enough vaccines to achieve 45 per cent coverage across recipient countries by the middle of 2022.

He stressed that other sources, including through WHO partner, Africa Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT), provided the means for countries to reach the global target of 70 per cent by mid-2022.

The WHO chief executive added: "We must now turn our attention to addressing the crucial question of how we turn vaccines into vaccinations – or how we get vaccines from ports to arms.

"Protecting the highest priority groups, including all health workers, older adults, and those with underlying medical conditions, must remain our urgent and immediate focus, to prevent severe disease, save lives, and safeguard essential health services.

"WHO and our ACT Accelerator partners are working night and day to address the bottlenecks that remain, in partnership with countries, AVAT, the Africa CDC, funders, manufacturers and civil society.

"We are on the ground, with you, to do whatever it takes to reach country goals not only on vaccines but for testing and treatment."

He observed that steps had been taken to facilitate voluntary sharing

of technology, intellectual property, know-how and data, including the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool, or C-TAP, and the mRNA Technology Transfer Hub in South Africa, which has already developed its own mRNA vaccine candidate.

He recalled that just last week, WHO announced the first six African countries that would receive technology from the hub to produce their own vaccines, including Nigeria.

According to him, WHO has now identified 20 countries that have expressed interest in mRNA vaccine development training by the South African hub, adding, "Later today (Wednesday), we will also be announcing the establishment of a global bio-manufacturing training hub.”

"This second hub he disclosed, will provide countries working with the mRNA vaccine technology hub with the broader workforce training to turn novel technologies into large scale manufactured doses of vaccine and other products.

This whole process would be accelerated if manufacturers were willing to share their intellectual property and know-how with the hub,” he observed.

Expressing strong support for the proposal from South Africa and India for a temporary waiver of intellectual property rights under the TRIPS agreement for the duration of the pandemic, adding that the flexibilities in the TRIPS agreement are there to be used in emergencies.

"We need to pull out all the stops to achieve the 70 per cent vaccine

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Jamaica in several mutually beneficial areas.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, disclosed this at the fourth session of the Nigeria-Jamaica Joint Commission in Abuja yesterday, stressing that education and cultural cooperation, economic and trade matters, technical cooperation, energy cooperation, migration, etc., will be its focus.

"It has been far too long for a very important part of the globe for us—the Caribbean—that we’ve gone too far apart. So, we really want to bring a big push to all the various levels—technical and people-to-people is very important," stated the minister.

Onyeama noted that Nigeria and Jamaica "are brothers and sisters, and we do not see them as just another country with whom we trade and develop relations," adding that "they are kith and kin and that’s how our policy towards Jamaica and other countries of the

munisation to COVID-19 response, adding that the country has now addressed that for now. According to Ahmed, right now, funding is going towards delivery and rolling out to get vaccines into the arms of Nigerians.

The WHO Special Envoy for the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-Accelerator), Dr. Ayoade Alakija noted that COVID-19, the deadliest pandemic in modern times continues to ravage the globe, stressing that it has exposed chasms of inequality in health and education systems, socio-economic activities, vaccine manufacturing and political leadership.

Alakija observed that despite increased production and global distribution of vaccines, Africa was still in a crisis with poor and unequal access to vaccines.

WTO Fixes June 13 for Restarting MC12, Expects to Achieve Multilateral Action on COVID-19 Response Dike Onwuamaeze The general council of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has finally agreed announced June 13, 2022, for restarting its Ministerial Conference 12 (MC12).

This was disclosed yesterday by the spokesperson of the WTO, Mr. Keith Rockwell, during a virtual meeting with journalists on the

proceedings of yesterday’s formal general council’s meeting, which he described as one of the most positive in recent times that he has attended.

Rockwell also added that the WTO was closer now to reaching a multilateral action on its overall response to COVID-19, adding that the Director General of the WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, made it

Nigeria, Jamaica Recommit to Strengthening Bilateral Relations Michael Olugbode in Abuja

coverage target by the middle of this year, as well as the minimum targets for testing, treatments and PPE coverage.

"Achieving the 70 per cent target in all countries is essential for ending the pandemic as a global health emergency and driving a truly inclusive global recovery.

“It will also help prevent the emergence of new variants, which could be more severe or transmissible next time around.

High level political leadership and accountability in elevating COVID-19 vaccination as a national and sub-national priority is an essential condition for success.”

Speaking at the summit, the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, noted that Nigeria initially diverted funds for routine im-

Caribbean is founded on that basis of kinship."

According to him, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the High Commissioner of Jamaica in Nigeria decided that there should be direct people-to-people connectivity.

"So, a couple of years ago, we pushed very much for a first direct flight between Nigeria and Jamaica so that Nigerians can go to Jamaica and Jamaicans can come to Nigeria without having to go through Europe or the United States," explained the Nigerian minister.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs

and Foreign Trade Jamaica, Kamina Johnson Smith, said the joint commission would allow the two countries to celebrate and deepen the longstanding formidable and dynamic friendship between Jamaica and Nigeria.

She emphasised that the flight to Jamaica from Nigeria in December 2020 was a small step in the right direction, adding that Jamaica looks forward to exploring prospects in oil and gas, mining, trading in agriculture and non-agricultural products and wider investment opportunities.

clear that the organisation should not wait till the week of June 13, to strike a deal on the WTO's response to COVID, including the dual elements of trade and intellectual property aspects of the deal The MC12, which was scheduled to hold between November 20 and December 3, 2021, was postponed due to the outbreak of Omicron, a variant of the COVID that was spreading fast at the period.

The MC12, according to a WTO source, is important to provide the political impetus needed to keep the negotiations on fisheries subsidies, COVID response, etc. focused without drifting.

He said: “I can confirm that the general council has approved the week of June 13 for the re-launch of MC12. At the informal council that preceded the meeting (on Tuesday) there were concerns, especially from Russia that this is the week they are having St. Petersburg Economic Summit. But in the interest of solidarity and consensus these concerns have been put to the side and the council agreed on that today (yesterday).”

He said another important thing was that members have accepted the establishment of the working party so that activities would commence in the coming weeks and months.

Spokesperson of the WTO said the promise of having a multilateral action on COVID response made the Chairman of WTO General Council, Ambassador Dacio Castillo (of Honduras) to enthuse that “though we still have significant gaps to breach, I hope today all of you can recognise that we are much closer to a multilateral action (than) you would probably believe if everyone can be pragmatic to focus on the point of convergence and leave aside the divergences I have no doubt that we can get this dome and that we can make this happen.”

Rockwell said he has never heard any of the former chair, “saying this before and that is significant in my view. And I think that many of the response from members were quite positive but there are still gaps. There are still those that have strong opposition to the trade waver.

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NEWSXTRA

Court Orders Temporary Seizure of Former Zamfara Governor’s Properties, Funds Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Obiorah Egwatu of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday ordered the interim forfeiture of 10 properties as well as funds in banks accounts allegedly owned by a former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari.

The order, which was sequel to an ex-parte application by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), is to enable the commission conclude its investigation on the affected assets.

The interim order would, however, last for 60 days before which the commission can then apply for final forfeiture.

Meanwhile, Justice Egwatu ordered the ICPC to publicise the order for any person or persons with interest in the affected properties to show cause within 14 days why they should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Some of the properties, according to the ICPC, are in Maryland (USA), Abuja, Kaduna, among others.

COURTESY VISIT…

L-R: Legal Director, GlaxoSmithKline, Frederick Ichekua; Vice President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Ladi Smith; Vice President, LCCI Mr. Leye Kupoluyi; Managing Director, GlaxoSmithKline, Mr. Kunle Oyelana; President, LCCI, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole; Chairman, Medical and Pharmaceutical Group, LCCI, Dr. Niyi Osamiluyi; Acting Head, Membership Department, LCCI, Mrs. Bukola Popoola; and Head, Corporate Communications, LCCI, Dr. Segun Alabi, during the LCCI’s visit to GSK in Lagos… recently ETOP UKUTT

Security Operatives Corrupt Elements Must Not Be Allowed to Rescue Kidnapped Hijack 2023 Elections, Says APC Chieftain A’Ibom Medical Doctor John Shiklam in Kaduna

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Security operatives in Akwa Ibom State have rescued a medical doctor, Ekpo Essien, who was kidnapped in the state government Cottage Hospital in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the state within 24 hours.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Odiko MacDon, said yesterday that the rescued medical doctor is safe, debriefed and reunited with his family.

According to him, “As a Command, we have never and will never rest on our oars in ensuring that the good people of

this state can live in a secure and peaceful environment, especially when a heinous crime has been committed.

“We are doing our best to be proactive to prevent the commission of crimes, but where we are unable to do so and a crime is committed, we will spare no resources, including personal resources, to ensure that we apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to book.

“Dr Ekpo Essien of Cottage Hospital in Mkpat Enin is safe, debriefed and reunited with his lovely family. We remain resolute and on course.”

APC Chair Aspirant Pledges Loyalty to Party’s Decision Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie Based on the decision by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone positions in the party to the North-central and South-west, a National Chairmanship Aspirant of the party, Muhammad Mustapha has said that even though the zoning does not favour him, he will remain loyal to the party.

Speaking yesterday on ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, Mustapha, however, noted that despite his loyalty, they weren’t treated fairly as he had invested

heavily in campaigns throughout the country since last year.

According to him, he went on statewide campaigns in 25 states out of the 36 states in the country and it was the security challenge that hindered him from getting to other states.

“What we thought was that we were going to be carried along and consulted as aspirants to this exalted office in our party.

Unfortunately, we were not consulted but a decision has been reached and as a loyal party man, I will remain loyal even in disloyalty.”

Ethelbert Okwaranyia Buries Mum The family of late Chief Gabriel A. Okwaranyia of AbukwaUmuobom in Ideato South Local Government of Imo State has announced the burial rites of Lolo Roseline Anyadahu Okwaranyia.

According to the programme, vigil mass holds today, February 24, 2022, while Requiem mass holds at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Abukwa, tomorrow February 25, at 10 am. According to a statement by the family, Outing mass holds on Sunday, February 27, at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Abukwa. She is survived by many children

and grandchildren, among whom is Honourable Ethelbert Okwaranyia, former member, House of Representatives.

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has said the first step to combat corruption in Nigeria was to ensure that the 2023 general elections was not hijacked by corrupt elements.

He also said all public officers wishing to contest the elections must resign their positions to ensure level playing ground.

Delivering a paper at a public lecture titled, “Uthman Dan Fodio: A legacy of AntiCorruption,” at the Arewa House, Kaduna, yesterday, Olawepo-Hashim, a former Presidential candidate of the Peoples Trust Party (PTP) in the 2019 general elections, said politicians with prima-facie cases of corruption established against them must be shamed and prevented from being nominated to stand for elections in the various political parties.

He added: “if they cannot be stopped from getting party nominations, Nigerians should vote massively against them at the polls.”

He maintained that, “every Nigerian must join in the call that appointed public officers aligned with private interests who have political ambitions must resign their appointments to prevent the complete privatisation of the state by the novou riche.”

He also called for the

decentralisation of government processes to reduce corruption induced through overcentralisation of power.

He advocated for a, “constitutional amendment to ensure that elected public officers at the federal and state publicly declare their assets upon election to public office.”

Olawepo-Hashim maintained that mere filling of asset declaration forms at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) should no longer suffice.

NRC Charges Nigerians to Help Tackle Vandalism of Equipment Sunday Okobi The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has called on Nigerians, especially those in communities where rail lines pass through, to help tackle the persistent vandalism of rail tracks and other equipment by criminals, lamenting that it has become a daily occurrence of attacking railway tracks in various part of Nigeria.

At a media parley with

journalists at the NRC headquarters in Lagos recently, the Managing Director of NRC, Mr. Fidet Okhiria, said some bad Nigerians were out to sabotage the efforts of the federal government to revive the railways; hence all hands must be on deck to salvage the situation.

He disclosed that the trend of vandalism of railway equipment had extended to the newly constructed standard

gauge tracks after many attacks on the narrow gauge mostly in Papalanto-Abeokuta axis.

Calling on Nigerians to prevail on those sabotaging the railway system by removing equipment on both the standard and narrow gauge, Okhiria described the trend as serious and alarming, adding that the tracks affected included the Lagos-Ibadan, the AbujaKaduna and Warri-Itakpe Standard Gauge Train Services.

“Some people are trying to destroy what all of us have tried to put in place by going to the extent of vandalism, removing clips and all sorts of negative things to sabotage the system.

“I know with your support and cooperation, people will be properly educated. Sabotaging the rail and sabotaging the track of rail infrastructure is not in the best interest of Nigeria.

NDLEA Destroys N900m Cannabis Farms, Arrest 13 in Ondo Fidelis David in Akure Operatives of the Ondo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have destroyed 255 hectares of cannabis farms worth N900 million in the state.

Thirteen suspects were also arrested in the one week operations, which the command staged in conjunction with the agency’s special strike force operatives from Edo, Osun, Oyo and Ekiti States.

This was disclosed by the Commander of Narcotics and the Deputy Director Strike Force, Mr. Nnadi Chidi, who explained that the exercise was part of General Buba Marwa’s, (rtd), commitment to reduce drug scourge in Nigeria to the barest minimum.

Nnadi explained that the operatives destroyed 50 hectares at Ogbese, 19 at Ipele and 58 at Okeluse while 30 hectares of cannabis plantation were also destroyed at Ala, and another five along River Ogbese bank

and Omolowo/Powerline forest.

He said that “250 kg of cannabis seeds, 63.85kg of cannabis weed, 20.85kgs of dried cannabis, two irrigation water pump machines and over 1,500 metres hose were also seized during the operations.”

Nnadi said that the Ondo State command of the NDLEA received information regarding large irrigated cannabis cultivation spread across five local government areas of the state and this prompted the

deployment of the strike force unit and officers from Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Oyo and Osun state commands for total destruction of the illicit cultivation of the plant.

According to him, “the goal of the irrigated weed farming by the cultivators was to maintain supply to drug users throughout the year.”

He assured that the strike force would sustain the war against the cultivation of cannabis, adding that there would be no safe haven for its cultivators in Nigeria.

Glo Rewards Viewers of Battle of the Year Nigeria Show

Okwaranyia

Following the huge interest by young Nigerians in the ongoing Globacom sponsored dance reality show- Glo Battle of the Year Nigeria, the telecommunications and digital services provider has announced a Fans Challenge extension and Wild Card opportunities for the show.

While the Fans Challenge will allow viewers of the show win

cash prizes, the Wild Card will give losing contestants the opportunity to be voted back on the show.

The company said in a statement that viewers of the show will get to win N200,000 every week in the Fans Challenge simply by making a video of them dancing to the Glo Battle Of The Year theme song, and

uploading it on any of the key social media platformsTwitter, Facebook, Instagram & Tiktok using the hashtag #GloBattleOfTheYear and tagging Globacom handles.

The top four videos on each of the platforms with the highest engagements get to win N50,000 each.

“The Fans Challenge of the Glo Battle of the Year

is designed to engage and reward our young, passionate and creative viewers across the country who do not have the opportunity to participate on the show. We receive a lot of feedback before, during and after each episode from fans and we now urge them to take advantage of the Fans Challenge to enjoy some reward,” it said.

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THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Falcons Complete Double over Côte d’Ivoire, Qualify for 2022 WAFCON

Duro Ikhazuagbe Nigeria’s Super Falcons avenged their sack from the 2020 Olympic Games women’s football event by completing a double over the same Lady Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire that denied them the opportunity to compete in Tokyo

last year.

After their two-nil advantage from the first leg in Abuja last week, the Super Falcons completed a double over the Elephants yesterday evening in Abidjan.

Esther Okoronkwo fired the nerve-wrecking goal in the dying

Spalletti Banks on Maradona’s Spirit, Osimhen to Destroy Barca in Naples Napoli Manager,Luciano Spalletti, yesterday said that the late Diego Maradona would support the Italian Serie A side in their Europa League decider with Barcelona, a meeting of two of the Argentine legend's former clubs.

Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen, was a thorn in the flesh of the Catalan giants last week and is expected to further lift his game at home tonight.”

Napoli are level at 1-1 with Barca ahead of tonight’s playoff second leg at the Naples stadium named after their deceased hero, who led them to their only two Serie A titles and the 1989 UEFA Cup. "I've read a lot of things about Maradona... when it came time to decide Maradona never had kept a foot on different sides, he always took a position," Spalletti told reporters.

minutes of the game to confirmed a 3-0 aggregate win for the Super Falcons and the ticket to chase their tenth continental title at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament in Morocco.

The Ivorians threw everything they know into the return leg encounter at the Stade Robert Champroux in the Ivorian commercial capital city but met a steely Nigerian defence and an

inspired goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie who would not give an inch.

The game flowed back and forth for large swathes of the first half.

Falcons’ Coach, Randy Waldrum, made two changes to the starting line-up from the first leg, bringing in midfielder Regina Otu and forward Francisca Ordega.

The lively Ordega thought she had given Nigeria the lead

halfway into the first period, but the Nigerien referee ruled it out.

In the 34th minute, Nigerien referee Zouwaira Souley awarded a penalty to the homers after judging that Ashleigh Plumptre had tripped an Ivorian striker in the Nigerian area.

Goalkeeper Nnadozie saved the shot, and the contact from the same player off the rebound went into side-netting.

The Super Falcons dug their

feet into the ground in the second half, refusing to give the Lady Elephants any leeway. Plumptre, Captain Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie all held their ground as the Elephants increased their onslaughts.

A minute to the end, Esther Okoronkwo, scored only her second cap for Nigeria, scored the back-breaker that confirmed a 3-0 aggregate win for the Super Falcons.

"I'm sure that tomorrow, given the quality that the Catalan team has, he'd be on our side.

"We don't have a player of his quality but together we can become a team worthy of Maradona."

Spalletti said that current Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne will return from a muscle injury which kept him out of Monday's 1-1 draw at Cagliari, against Barca, while Matteo Politano is also available after recovering from a calf problem but could start on the bench.

"Insigne will start Thursday, he has the personality and quality to a make a difference," he said.

Maradona, who died in November 2020, is still a Godlike figure in Naples, some 30 years after he fled in disgrace following a failed drugs test and a host of other scandals.

Super Falcons defeated Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 (3-0 aggregate) to qualify for the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco

Balogun Expresses Delight in Haaland's Absence in Crucial Tie Tonight Femi Solaja with agency report

Victor Osimhen...set to add to Barcelona’s woes in the Europa League tonight

Super Eagles’ defence strongman, Leon Balogun, has said that the absence of Erling Haaland for Borussia Dortmund tonight in the crucial second leg Europa League tie is a major boost for Scottish Rangers.

The Nigerian start who missed the AFCON tournament in Cameroon due to injury is back

Sports Betting Giant, BetKing, Celebrates 4th Anniversary in Nigeria Leading sports and digital entertainment company, BetKing, has marked four years of revolutionising the digital sports entertainment industry in Nigeria.

The anniversary celebration was commemorated on Tuesday with the brand’s executives and its key stakeholders in attendance.

With Austin Jay Jay Okocha as its brand ambassador, BetKing is hoping that the Super Eagles will beat Ghana’s Black Stars to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year.

The event provided an opportunity for the company to restate its commitments and goals through the past four years, to shape the standards for sports entertainment in Africa by providing trusted and quality services to customers.

As part of its 4th year anniversary celebration, the company launched a campaign under the theme of “4 Years on the Throne”, which

entailed several activities designed to reward its community of Kings and Kingmakers (customers & agents).

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman, Betking Nigeria, Toyin Pinheiro SAN, said: “The Group entered the African market in 2018 and has now grown to be a significant player in the region with a presence in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia.

“We are thrilled to celebrate four years of crowning Kings, building Kingmakers, and creating life-changing moments of excitement. We are proud to celebrate this monumental milestone and we also use this opportunity to thank our team, partners, agents, customers, and all stakeholders who have supported our vision of creating an efficient system that enables the quests of our Kings and Kingmakers.”

Managing Director of BetKing,

Gossy Ukanwoke, while listing some of the CSR that his betting company has done, also listed the support given to the Asisat Oshoala Foundationto develop young women in sports and education.

Others include; Sponsorship of the KidsPort Initiative- an after-school football programme that recognises young people in Orphanages with football talent who are given the platform and training to develop the talent and transform their lives.

“As part of the build-up to the Anniversary ceremony, a novelty match was hosted between BetKing staff & senior team of the KidsPort initiative on Saturday, February 19th.”

It also Empowered 200 market women in rebuilding their shops; in collaboration with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, amongst other CSR duties.

EUROPA LEAGUE to action and was pencilled to do the hard-man’s job on the free scoring Norwegian as they look to finish the job against the German side and progress into the next phase of the tournament.

Haaland missed last week Thursday's match in Germany as Rangers claimed a shock 4-2 victory at the Westfalenstadion.

The Norwegian striker did not travel to Glasgow for the second leg as he continues to

recover from injury.

Balogun is back and available after returning to training and knows the loss of Haaland is a blow for Dortmund ahead of the clash.

"I think in this competition you want to compete against the best and he is one of the best at the moment," he said.

"So, from that perspective, it is a sad thing. But if you look at what he means to Dortmund then surely it is a disadvantage to them, it is going to weaken them a little bit.

"But mixed feelings. Definitely not going to complain about it though."

Aaron Ramsey will be missing again from the Rangers squad for Thursday night's tie against the German side.

The Ibrox side's marquee January signing has managed just 94 minutes since joining on loan from Juventus.

Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has no other fresh injury worries as he looks to lead Rangers to another famous victory.

Elanga’s Strike Rescues Valuable Point for United at Atletico Anthony Elanga's late equaliser boosted Manchester United's hope of reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League as they fought back to draw 1-1 against Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano last night.

The 19-year-old had been on the pitch less than six minutes after replacing Marcus Rashford, when he raced onto Bruno Fernandes' perfectly-weighted pass to roll the ball past home goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Until that point it had looked as though Diego Simeone's Spanish champions were going to take a narrow advantage to Old Trafford

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE after delivering a masterclass in controlling the game without dominating possession.

Joao Felix's early header from Renan Lodi's inviting cross gave the hosts a dream starts with United looking ragged on their right, where interim boss Ralf Rangnick's gamble of playing Victor Lindelof at full-back failed badly.

The Swedish central defender looked uncomfortable throughout and was booked for a tug on Felix before his miserable evening

was ended prematurely by his withdrawal midway through the second half.

By then Atletico could and perhaps should have been two goals ahead with Sime Vrsaljko heading the ball off Lindelof and onto the United bar in the closing moments of the first half after some more dismal defending.

The second leg holds in Manchester in three weeks time.

RESULTS Atletico 1-1 Man Utd Benfica 2-2 Ajax

47

THURSDAY, ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

SPORTS

How We Got Cricket into the North East, By Uyi Akpata The third PricewaterHouse Coopers (PwC) National Under-17 Cricket Championship, concluded at the M.K. O. Abiola National Stadium Abuja last Sunday recorded many firsts.

Out of these, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, has picked the participation of the North Eastern cricketers as topping his list.

“First and foremost, the ability to get kids engaged gives me joy and the success in getting the seemingly most impregnable part of the country to play the game, assemble a team and come participate with other kids from other part of the country is the ultimate for this edition.

“The National Under-17 Championship was conceived

to actively engage the teeming Nigerian youths who by our current population standing represent the biggest demography the country has. Again, because the game also has the capacity to hand them some life skills, we saw it as a tool to drive both social and economic change,” Akpata stressed further.

The NCF president also noted

that the groundworks for the inclusion of all states of the federation has been in works since the first edition of the Championship got off in 2019.

He said the masterplan for development was embedded in the five pronged. Strategic goal for the Federation, which had with it the plan to promote the game through grassroots development

across the six geo-political zones.

“That drove the federation to recruit cricket coaches and development offices across the regions. As we speak, there is no state of the federation that we don’t have trained development officers manning a cricket office,” Akpata revealed further.

"Like every other thing, there were challenges as the coaches had to first win the trust of the parents before the kids can be released for the coaching sessions. Despite all the feat achieved so far, there are some kids that couldn’t make it to the finals because their parents wouldn’t give their assent to have them travel out of the state for

national finals in Abuja."

He however said the NCF was working at having more kids, share their experience of connecting with others from different parts of the country.

“The team from the North-East this year had players from Borno, Gombe and Taraba states. While we are deepening our works with those states, we are also looking at getting more kids recruited from other states not yet reached,” pledged the NCF president.

A total of 31 states entered for the Regional Qualifiers of the event from where the regional teams were selected for the national finals that ended on Sunday.

...Commends All-female Umpires that Officiated the Boys’ Final

South -south players and officials celebrating defeating South-East to lift the Pwc National Under-17 cricket Championships

Asanka Excited with Abundance of Cricket Talents in the Country National Cricket and HighPerformance Manager, Asanka Gurusinha, has described the pool of players available in the country at the moment as a guarantee for the future of the sport in Nigeria.

Gurusinha who spoke at the final of the 3rd PwC National U-17 Cricket Championship in

Abuja, said the last three years have been rewarding for the talent discovery mission of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF).

"I want to say that the discovery of talent has been massive. Last year, it was in Benin City and this year it has been awesome in Abuja. We can only progress

from here," the former Sri Lankan national cricket team player announced with excitement.

"Nothing excites me like seeing what kids do in cricket and I have been really impressed with what I have witnessed here so far," he stressed.

The national team coach,

President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Mr Uyi Akpata (second right) meeting the all-female umpires that officiated the final of the PwC National Under-17 Cricket Championship between South-south and South-east teams at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja

however, cautioned that he would not get teenage players discovered at this championship straight into the senior team as may be expected.

"Notwithstanding that two of the U-17 players spotted last year were drafted to the senior team, there is need to watch the current U-17 players evolve. They still need to hone their skills before handed bigger challenges. They can always make it to the U-19 team to continue their growth," Gurusinha revealed.

Meanwhile, Vice President of the NCF, Oyewale Obalola, has said that the federation is nearer its projection for the future in view of the developmental strides of the last four years.

"Never in Nigeria's cricket history have so many kid players emerged from different parts of the country. At the inception of our administration, we projected to use cricket to get kids off the streets while helping them to serve themselves and ultimately the society. I must say the results we have recorded on this score have surpassed our expectation," Obalola said.

PwC: Cricket Aligns with our Values Partner at PricewaterHouse Coopers, Tolu Adeleke, said on Tuesday that the 3rd National Cricket Under-17 Championship that was concluded in Abuja at the weekend rings with the firm’s desire to strengthen the society by promoting ethics, youth empowerment and re-imagining the future together.

“For us, having kids in their hundreds band together to chase common goal as this Championship is designed essentially to help

promote the values of unity to strengthen the society. These are the same things that formed the core of what we are about as an organisation,” Adeleke reaffirmed.

The South-south Under-17 Boys and Girls teams won the two categories this year. 784 players contested for the title from the six-geo-political regions of the country.

The weeklong championship was also graced by Olympian Mary Onyali-Omagbemi who also

had the opportunity to advise the kids on the many privileges that sport had afforded her, including scholarship and meeting with people from different backgrounds that’s totally different from hers.

“You can enjoy sports scholarship and meet people you never would have through sport. Some of you when you focus you can really do well and earn your living through sports,” Onyali said Head Marketing and Communication at PwC, Delia

Asuzu, said this edition of the championship has been an upgrade of the previous one in terms of numbers of players that featured and the level of organsiation involved.

According to Asuzu; “We keep working with the Federation to tune up the quality of the event in all the ways we can and we are glad to see that they are equally aligned with us reaching and building the young players.

This is key for us.”

The all-female umpires that officiated the Boys’ final of the just concluded PwC Under-17 Cricket Championship in Abuja, have been praised for their excellent handling of the event.

President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Mr Uyi Akpata, described the officiating of the clash between South-south and South-east as excellent.

Akpata, witnessed the finals of the event on Sunday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja “Cricket in Nigeria is developing in all areas, not just on the field of play but facility wise, the coaching aspect, umpiring and more.

“For the first time, in a top competition like the Under-17 event, we had an all-female umpire officiating the boys’ final. This is great to see and throughout the tournament there were no issues with the officiating. Its an excellent show, kudos to the team,’” stressed an obviously satisfied Akpata.

International Cricket Council (ICC) Level One certified umpire, Tope Onikoyi and Ashafa Modupe were the on-field umpires on the day while Aolat Isong was the third umpire.

On her part, Onikoyi, said she was happy to have officiated alongside other female colleagues adding that she sees a good future for female umpires.

“The game wasn’t a tough one for me because I officiate men’s league matches in Lagos and so, the final game was simply a normal one for me. I foresee a good future for female umpires in the country and more girls becoming interested in umpiring.

“Its right time for the female umpires around to begin to mentor the young ones, so as to get more girls involved in the sport,’’ Onikoyi added.

A total of 10 umpires officiated in the third edition of the PwC Under-17 Cricket Championship, with four of them ladies.

Thursday, February 24, 2022

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MISSILE

Opposition PDP to Ruling APC “As a vacuous political contraption peopled by ‘political warlords’ without conscience and operating without rules, the APC is a bunch of inchoate sailors clobbered together for remote personal gain… the postponement of its national convention had always been a fallout of the horrible infighting, backbiting and gang war by ‘political bandits’ who are desperate for power and access to our national treasury. That explains why their congresses and other activities are always marred by violence, bloodletting and killings”—The main opposition PDP, carpeting the ruling APC

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Tinubu, Aregbesola and Loyalty “The concept of loyalty is a very strange one.

My prayer is, may our loyalty never be tested.”

T

hat famous quote was from the Works and Housing Minister and former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, during his senate confirmation hearing on 14th October 2015. But few remember the context. A hospitalized woman who required a kidney transplant to save her life had two daughters. So there was an expectation that at least one of them would offer a kidney to their mother. As it turned out, neither was prepared to make the sacrifice. Fashola’s summation was that when it comes to loyalty, everybody has their breaking point—the testing limit.

That perhaps is the best way to situate the relationship between the Interior Minister and former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and erstwhile Lagos State Governor and current presidential contender, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Aregbesola was Tinubu’s Commissioner for Works in Lagos between 1999 and 2007. He was also his political regent in Alimosho local government. So close were the duo that it was common knowledge in Lagos that no political decisions were taken

by Tinubu without the input of his beloved Rauf—even while the latter was serving as Osun State Governor. But in the days preceding last weekend’s Osun gubernatorial primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Aregbesola dealt heavy blows to his leader.

Many wonder whether the script was written for him by Chief Olabode George. The only plausible conclusion to draw is that the test of Aregbesola’s loyalty to Tinubu rests on who has the power to anoint a governor in Osun State. On that account, he failed most miserably.

The concept of loyalty is as old as the beginning of human interaction and has engaged the attention of philosophers and prophets from time immemorial. Loyalty, according to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, can be characterized “as a practical disposition to persist in an intrinsically valued (though not necessarily valuable) associational attachment, where that involves a potentially costly commitment to secure or at least not to jeopardize the interests or well-being of the object of loyalty.” It is a virtue that friends and families expect and countries do everything they can to foster.

But there is also a school of thought that suggests loyalty is not value-free. This is the subject of an interesting conversation between God and Satan in the Bible. The account can be found in the Book of Job, Chapter One, Verses 9 to 11: “…Then Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘Does Job fear God for no reason?

Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has on every side?

You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”

The import of Satan’s argument is that people are loyal to a cause or another person only to the extent of the material or political benefit they enjoy from the relationship. And that once such benefits are removed, all bets are off. In the study guide, ‘Book of Job Loyalty to God’ on Shmoop.com—a website offering a variety of materials by scholars—the author wrote that since Job had everything he could ever want, Satan was “pretty sure that Job’s loyalty is dependent on God’s favours. Take that fence and house—and hey, his entire family,

Aregbesola while you’re at it—and maybe he wouldn’t be so loyal.” At the end, Job passed the test of loyalty though that is not usually the case

in the world in which we live.

Before I continue, let me state that I have separately engaged both Aregbesola and Governor Gboyega Oyetola regarding their quarrel. During the last Ramadan, I honoured Aregbesola’s invitation for Iftah (breaking of fast). In the weeks preceding that dinner, I had also been to Osogbo at the invitation of Oyetola’s Chief of Staff, Dr Charles ‘Diji Akinola who was a colleague at the Harvard Weatherhead Centre in 2010/2011. During the visit, the governor shared with me insights on the acrimonious relationship with his former boss and predecessor in office. So, when the discussion at Aregbesola’s dinner dovetailed into Osun politics, I illustrated my interjection with a Yoruba idiom. I said Aregbesola was trying to play the usual “A fún ni l’eran má ju okùn síle” (crudely interpreted, it means that Aregbesola wanted to remain the decision maker and godfather in Osun State even after office). Aregbesola of course disputed my claim and his supporters corroborated that he never demanded anything of the governor beyond respect. When he saw me off to my vehicle afterwards, Aregbesola explained how Oyetola was handed to him by Tinubu (first as Chief of Staff and then later, as anointed successor) and his response on both occasions

was simply, ‘Yes Sir’. That Tinubu took sides with the governor based on a filial relationship was why he felt betrayed, he told me.

Stripped of all pretensions, the face-off between Aregbesola and Tinubu is not about ideals, principles or for that matter, the welfare of the people. It is about the power struggle in Osun State. That’s why I pity those who are taking sides in this battle. It is foolish. Besides, when a relationship is as deep as that between Tinubu and Aregbesola, there are many things third parties could never know. Even now, there are lines neither would dare cross to avoid mutual destruction. Tinubu particularly would be aware that if someone as close as Aregbesola could injure him the way he did, latter–day supporters who are now singing and dancing “Kò sí ìdáríjì fún eni tí ó bá dale” (no forgiveness for betrayers) will probably do worse tomorrow when faced with a similar circumstance. That perhaps explains why he has decided to maintain a dignified silence.

Aregbesola is at liberty to support whoever he chooses for the Osun APC gubernatorial ticket. Just as it is within the right of the newly minted Jagaban of Adamawa, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to stake his claim for the party’s presidential ticket.

NOTE: Piece concluded on page 15

What APC Must Understand

T

he Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was put together after the dissolution of the Comrade Adams Oshiomholeled National Working Committee (NWC) by President Muhammadu Buhari in June 2020.

While the mandate given Mai Mala Buni was to emplace a new NWC within six months, the governor and his enablers had other ideas. First, Buni abandoned Yobe and relocated to Abuja, although he once confessed to spending three days in the state every month (apparently to preside over the sharing of Yobe’s allocation from the federation account). Second, he began to crisscross the country, looking for governors from other parties that he could poach into joining the APC. That was how Buni also abandoned his primary assignment in the party. And with a sleight of hand and connivance of other APC kingpins, Buni’s dubious mandate became elastic.

Six months stretched to 12 months. And then 18 months.

Even when an apparently embarrassed Buhari moved in recently to ask for an end to the farce, the president was practically dribbled. After the national convention was set for 26th February without any plan or venue, it was obvious that Buni and co were playing games. And on Monday, Buni wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), talking about zonal congresses to be held on 26th March! So, effectively, the idea of a national convention had been jettisoned.

But confronted by fellow Governors within the party (many of them with their own different agenda), Buni had no new card to play. Seizing the initiative, the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) on Monday night intervened and following a series of meetings, including with the president, APC announced dates of the processes that will ultimately culminate in its national convention on 26th March. The party has also zoned offices

APC National Chairman, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni in a bold and strategic move that reflects the current national sensitivity.

We must commend the APC governors and the president for ending the rigmarole of recent months. What has been going for the absentee Yobe governor is that first-term colleagues are on his side, having assured them of their second term party tickets. Why should they take risk with a new NWC when one of their own is already there to give them a free pass? The plot was for Buni to stay at the helm of affairs until he can preside over the nomination of candidates for the 2023 general election, however illegal that would be.

Buni had been scheming (may be still doing so) to become the APC vice presidential candidate after installing a puppet southern presidential candidate.

Buni and fellow travelers obviously have scant regards for democratic ethos. Now that their cold calculations seem to have failed, we hope the

APC, as the ruling party, can help chart the way forward. The 2023 general election is just 12 months away and there are issues we should put on the table: The collapse of public education at virtually all levels and how those who aspire to lead us would address the problem, the question of subsidy payments in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, the rising mountains of local and foreign debts, the social upheavals arising from lack of jobs for our teeming young population, the seemingly intractable security challenge that has made our country unsafe etc.

These are some of the issues that should drive the campaigns.

In case APC leaders have forgotten, let me remind them of what happened after the party’s registration in 2013. The then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was asked for comment on what he thought of the then opposition platform shouting ‘Change, change’ like Lagos Danfo conductors!

He was dismissive. “If you go for a contest, you have the striker – you know Lionel Messi?

PDP is Messi in that contest,” said Tukur. “We will dribble them like Messi. Tell them (APC) that the chairman said PDP is the Messi (of Nigerian politics).”

At the end, we all know what eventually happened to that ‘dribbling Messi’.

While I hope that the PDP has learnt its lessons, the APC must also be wary of power mongers who stand for nothing. With our country seriously challenged on all fronts, political parties and those who seek power must begin to come up with practical ideas on how to resolve some of the contradictions that have for long held Nigeria back. A democracy anchored on a ritualistic and mechanical conception of elections that are not issue-based will not only enthrone people who neither understand the rudiments of governance nor the ability to advance public good but will also ultimately run into trouble.

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