FRIDAY 6TH MARCH 2020

South Africa Records First Case of Coronavirus Three new suspected cases isolated in Lagos, Italian patient to be released next week Report says tourism hit by outbreak Chinedu Eze, Peter Uzoho, Martins Ifijeh in Lagos and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The South African government has confirmed the first case of Coronavirus, officially known

as COVID-19, in the country.

This is coming as three new suspected cases have been isolated at the Infectious Disease Centre in Yaba pending the outcome of his result.

The Lagos State government is also planning to release the Italian patient next week following the potential decline of his viral load to negative.

Announcing the outbreak of the virus, the Minister of

Health, South Africa, Dr. Zweli Mkhize said the National Institute for Communicable Diseases has run a test on the patient, and it turned out positive to the virus.

He said: “The patient is a

38-year-old male who travelled to Italy with his wife. They were part of a group of 10 people and they arrived back in South Africa on March 1, 2020.

“Meanwhile, two South

Africans, who tested positive to the disease aboard the cruise ship Diamond Princess, have now tested negative and will shortly be making their way Continued on page 10

OPEC Backs 1.5mbpd Oil Output Cut, Awaits Russian Support...

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Oshiomhole Fights Back, Gets Kano Court to Put Suspension on Hold Meets Buhari He remains suspended, says APC vice chairman, North-east Conflicting court orders bizarre, say SANs Davidson Iriekpen in Lagos, Omololu Ogunmade and Alex Enumah in Abuja Embattled National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday got a reprieve as a Federal High

Court in Kano issued an interim order halting his suspension as the chairman of the ruling party.

Oshiomhole also yesterday declared that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, which restrained him from further parading himself

as the national chairman of the APC on Wednesday had no jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

He said aside the decision of the Federal High Court, Kano which yesterday overrode the decision of the FCT court, he had been properly advised

by his lawyer that the latter court lacked the capacity to issue the order it made.

But in a swift reaction, a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) and Vice Chairman (Northeast), Mr. Mustapha Salihu, insisted that Oshiomhole

remained suspended.

This is coming as some senior lawyers have expressed worries over the way and manner courts of coordinate jurisdiction give orders that seem to be in conflict with one another, describing the development as not only

confusing but bizarre.

At its sitting yesterday, Justice Lewis Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Kano, asked parties involved to “maintain the status quo ante bellum (the situation before the Continued on page 9

South-South Govs Agree on Regional Security Outfit Conclude plans to revitalise BRACED Commission

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Governors of the six states of the South-south geopolitical zone yesterday in Asaba agreed to constitute a common security outfit as an answer to the nagging security challenges in the region.

This formed the highpoint of the meeting of the Forum of South-South Governors held at the Government House, Asaba and presided over by its new chairman, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

Okowa succeeded the immediate past governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson, whose chairmanship of forum lapsed with his Continued on page 9

RESOURCE CONTROLLERS...

L-R: Governors Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom) and Douye Diri (Bayelsa) during the meeting of South-South Governors’ Forum in Asaba…yesterday

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NEWS

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

OPEC Backs 1.5mbpd Oil Output Cut, Awaits Russian Support

Ejiofor Alike with agency reports The ministers of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have backed a plan for the organisation and other producers, including Russia to cut oil output by an additional 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) to stabilise prices provided Moscow joins the deal.

Crude oil demand has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, forcing prices to drop sharply.

Saudi Arabia wants OPEC and its allies, including Russia, to cut 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) for the second quarter and to keep existing cuts of 2.1 million bpd, which expire this month, in place until the end of 2020.

But Riyadh, the biggest producer in the OPEC, and other members of the group have yet to win Russian support for such a deal.

Reuters reported that so far, Moscow has indicated it would back an extension but not a

deeper cut.

Ahead of today’s OPEC+ meeting, analysts were concerned a long-standing energy alliance between Saudi Arabia and Russia would come under intense scrutiny because Russia's appetite for deeper production cuts has been far from certain in recent weeks.

Moscow is reportedly in favour of an extension to the current level of cuts rather than a further reduction.

Oil prices reversed early gains to move lower yesterday International benchmark Brent crude traded at $50.85 for a loss of 28 cents, while US West Texas Intermediate stood at $46.64, around 0.3 per cent lower.

Speaking shortly after the OPEC meeting yesterday, Iranian Oil Minister, Mr. Bijan Zanganeh said that Tehran would remain exempt from the proposed reduction.

OPEC and non-OPEC producers first committed to curtailing their collective oil production policy back in 2016 in an effort to bolster prices,

with the deal coming into force in January 2017.

In December 2019, it was extended and the alliance agreed to curb oil output by approximately 1.7 million barrels per day.

Saudi Arabia then opted to cut its own production voluntarily by an additional 400,000 b/d for three months, should fellow members stick to their commitments.

In February, OPEC's joint technical committee (JTC) reportedly recommended a 600,000 bpd reduction in oil production, and an extension of the cuts to end-2020, to alleviate downward pressure on oil prices.

Saudi Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, who met his Russian counterpart, Mr.

Alexander Novak in Vienna on Wednesday, has kept the market guessing about progress in the current negotiations.

Asked about prospects for a pact, the Saudi minister told reporters: “We will have to see today and tomorrow.�

Moscow, which has cooperated on output policy since 2016 in an informal group known as OPEC+, has in the past shown reluctance during negotiations but has signed up at the last minute.

OPEC sources have signalled that preliminary talks with Russia this week in Vienna have been trickier than before.

The slide in oil prices to about $50 a barrel has made it tough for OPEC states to balance their budgets, while Moscow has said it can cope

with current prices.

Two OPEC sources said they anticipated that yesterday’s meeting in Vienna of OPEC ministers would go smoothly, with an agreement on a big cut, possibly above 1 million bpd, although a third source said allocating quotas could be tough.

But such a big reduction will hinge on Moscow.

If OPEC+ was to decide to remove an extra 1.5 million bpd from the market, it would bring the group’s overall output reduction to 3.6 million bpd or about 3.6 per cent of global supplies.

Russia’s energy minister returned to Moscow for consultations on Wednesday but will be back in Vienna on Friday (today) for the broader

OPEC+ meeting. Novak made no public statements during his trip this week to Vienna.

OPEC sources had said earlier this month that Saudi Arabia might push through cuts even without Russia on board. But sources on Wednesday indicated growing frustration with Russia, saying Riyadh - already cutting far more than its quota demands - did not want to shoulder an even bigger burden without Moscow.

Oil demand has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak.

Original forecasts for growth in crude demand in 2020 have been slashed, as factory operations, travel and other economic activities around the world have been curtailed by measures aiming to stop the virus spreading.

Bank Charges on Deposits, Withdrawals Above N500,000 Take Effect April 1 The nationwide implementation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s cashless policy on deposits and withdrawals above N500,000 will take effect nationwide from April 1.

This was made known in an electronic mail message sent by the Guaranty Trust Bank to its customers yesterday.

According to the message, there will be three per cent processing fees for withdrawals and two per cent processing fees for lodgments of amounts above N500, 000 for individual accounts.

For corporate accounts, the bank said it would charge five per cent processing fees

for withdrawals and three per cent processing fee for lodgments of amounts above N3,000,000.

It read in part, “The Central Bank of Nigeria has announced that charges on cash deposits over N500,000 will be implemented nationwide effective from Wednesday, April 1, 2020. “This comes as an addition to already existing charges on withdrawals. “This means that whenever you deposit or withdraw cash over N500,000 at any of our branches located in Nigeria, you will be charged a processing fee.�

EIGHTY-THREE HEARTY CHEERS...

L-R: Co-chairman, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Foundation, Dr. Christopher Kolade; wife of former president, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo; former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, during the 83rd birthday celebrations of the former president in Abeokuta‌yesterday

House Committee Lauds NIRSAL for Agric-Business Transformation Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja The Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives has applauded the Managing Director/CEO of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System For Agriculture Lending (NIRSAL), Mr. Aliyu Abdulhameed, for his efforts to position the riskmanagement agency as a major driver of agricultural business development in Nigeria.

A statement by the Corporate Communications Department of the company stated that the commendation came during an engagement with NIRSAL’s management to clarify and share ideas on NIRSAL’s mandate, track record and accomplishments.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Oluwole Oke, was quoted as expressing his satisfaction with the performance of NIRSAL’s Managing Director, adding that NIRSAL had now found a friend in the National

Assembly.

Other committee members described Abdulhameed as a round peg in a round hole and a man of undoubted capacity, while congratulating NIRSAL for its commendable performance in terms of agribusiness financing, noting that other agencies should learn from NIRSAL’s rigorous processes of due diligence.

In his remarks to the committee, Abdulhameed gave members an in-depth analysis context and rationale that informed the creation of NIRSAL, the corporation’s mandate and transformative achievements in Nigeria’s agribusiness space.

He explained that prior to the creation of NIRSAL, financiers were unenthusiastic to lending to agriculture, citing perceived high risks in the sector, especially in the upstream segment of the agricultural value chain where primary production takes place often referred to as the “black

hole� in agriculture. ‘’In response to these concerns and as part of efforts to diversify Nigeria’s economy from crude oil-dependence, the CBN formulated NIRSAL to catalyse the flow of much-needed financing into Agriculture by redefining, measuring, re-pricing and sharing agribusiness-related credit risk with financiers,’’ the NIRSAL’s boss explained.

Abdulhameed noted that the CBN, in its foresight, established NIRSAL as a Public Liability Company registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, saying this gave financial institutions more confidence and ease to do business with NIRSAL as opposed to the limited transactions they could enter into with public sector institutions and the legal complexities therein.

In terms of NIRSAL’s mandate, Abdulhameed informed the committee that the agency is built on five broad pillars of risk sharing,

insurance, technical assistance, incentives and rating, adding that these strategic pillars are geared towards increasing bank lending to the agricultural sector by over 6% in the short to medium term, hence, bridging the gap between the finance and agricultural sectors.

According to him, ‘’Principally, NIRSAL is facilitating finance to agriculture through its Credit Risk Guarantee (CRG). Through the CRG, NIRSAL shares either 30%, 50%, or 75% of agribusiness-related risk with financiers depending on the agricultural value chain segment receiving finance. ‘’Through the NIRSAL CRG, NIRSAL has attracted investment into agribusiness and guaranteed 697 agribusiness loans worth USD505.9Million, paid N1.274Billion Interest Draw Back to 271 obligors, creating over 400,000 direct jobs and impacting over 2,000,000 lives in the process. ‘’In terms of insurance,

NIRSAL has developed and launched the Area Yield Index Insurance (AYII) product and protected up to N6.47Billion in revenues of 35,492 farmers over 37,399 hectares of land with N122Million paid out in compensation to farmers.’’ Abdulhameed further explained that NIRSAL had facilitated the granting of licenses to five insurance companies by the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) to underwrite index-based agricultural insurance. ‘’Leveraging on its Technical Assistance pillar, NIRSAL builds the capacity of financiers and agricultural value chain operators on agricultural lending and Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) respectively. Accordingly, NIRSAL has trained 1,221 middle Management and Agric Desk Officers of commercial banks and provided training on GAP to 700,000 farmers and 74 Extension Workers. ‘’Continentally, NIRSAL has

overseen the establishment of Risk Sharing Facility (RSF) models for African countries under the aegis of the African Development Bank (AfDB), and recently, concluded the setup of the Togo Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (TIRSAL), known locally as MÊcanisme Incitatif de Financement Agricole FondÊ sur le Partage de Risques (MIFA).’’ He said other African countries had also sought NIRSAL’s guidance on how to set up similar agribusiness risk-sharing sharing models.

They include Ghana and Benin, among others.

Based on the success of the deliberation, the committee recommended a workshop whereby NIRSAL will enlighten both the Senate and House of Representatives who will, in turn, educate their constituents, and by extension, all Nigerians, on NIRSAL’s operations for smallholder farmers continued benefit and poverty alleviation.

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Buhari Appoints Dongban-Mensem Acting C’Appeal President Bulkachuwa bows out Omololu Ogunmade and Alex Enumah in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja approved the appointment of Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem as the acting President of the Court of Appeal.

Dongban-Mensem who hails from Plateau State, will act for an initial period of three months, with effect from today, March 6, 2020.

Dongban-Mensem will take over from Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, who will formally quit the bench today, after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70.

The appointment of DongbanMensem, according to a statement by presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, was based on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, to the president in compliance with the provisions of Section 238(4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Dongban-Mensem, who is the next most senior judge of the Court of Appeal, the statement added, will act in that capacity until a substantive

appointment into the position is made by Buhari subject to Senate confirmation.

Dongban-Mensem, a daughter of a retired Court of Appeal judge, Justice M. B. Douglas-Mensem, hails from the Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Until her appointment yesterday, she was the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, and a life member of the Body of Benchers. The Body of Benchers is responsible for the training and discipline of all lawyers in Nigeria.

Dongban-Mensem has been described as an authority in Criminal and Civil Procedure Law, Taxation and International Public Finance, Public International Law, Legislative Drafting, Constitutional and Administrative Law and International Commercial Transactions.

After obtaining an LL.B and LL.M from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, she proceeded to the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London, Russell Square where she obtained a Post-Graduate Diploma.

The judge, who was the Registrar of Plateau State

High Court in 1979, became a magistrate of various grades until she rose to the position of chief magistrate between 1981 and 1990.

She was a visiting lecturer on Press Law at the Catholic Media Centre, Kaduna from 1988-1992 and part-time lecturer at the University of Jos between 1989 and 1997.

She served as Deputy Chief Registrar, Superior Courts and Protocol Affairs from 1990-1993 and was appointed the Judge of the High Court of Justice, Plateau Judiciary from 1993-1996.

Dongban-Mensem was redeployed from Plateau State to Abuja in 1997 and became a judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) until 2003. She was appointed the acting Presiding Justice of the Lagos Division of

the Court of Appeal between November and December 2009.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), yesterday lamented the low number of female justices on the bench of the Court of Appeal, noting that the figure reflects the poor gender diversity of the country.

National President of the NBA, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), who traced the first appointment of a female to the bench of the appellate court to 1987, following the elevation of Justice Aloma Mukhtar, disclosed that out of the 86 justices of the Court of Appeal only 23 are female.

Usoro, who spoke at the special valedictory session held in honour of the Court of Appeal President, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, however, called for more inclusion of more female

justices into the bench of the appellate court.

"Prior to the elevation of Mukhtar JCA (as she then was), our appellate courts, notably, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court were all male dominated, and this, in a society where it is believed has a higher population of females, in real terms", he said.

Usoro further noted that after the elevation of Mukhtar, it took another six years before the second female Justice of the Court of Appeal, the late Justice Atinuke Ige was appointed to the Court of Appeal bench in 1993.

He said: "Indeed, the number of female justices of the Court of Appeal reached 10 only in 2005 with the elevation of Denton-West JCA, 18 years after the elevation of Mukhtar (as she then was) and 12 years after the elevation

of Ige JCA. "As at date, out of the 86 Justices of the Court of Appeal, only 23, barely 30 per cent are female. With such a poor record in gender diversity, the epoch-making achievement of Bulkachuwa truly calls for celebration and corrective steps in enlarging the coast of our diversity and gender inclusion."

Usoro while congratulating Justice Bulkachuwa for a successful service at the nation's judiciary wished her peace and good health on retirement, stating that she is only retiring into the country's reserve bench and may be called to national duty in the continuing task of nation building.

Justice Bulkachuwa bows out of office March 6, 2020 on attainment of the mandatory 70 years for retirement.

FG Declares Nigeria’s Airspace One of the Safest Globally Chinedu Eze The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has said that Nigeria’s airspace is one of the safest in the world, as no accident has been recorded in the country involving commercial airliner in over six years.

Sirika, who made this known yesterday during an interactive session organised by the Air Traffic Controllers/ Pilots Forum, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, remarked that irrespective of what international bodies like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) said, commercial air transportation in Nigeria has not recorded one single death during the aforementioned period.

Sirika said the Nigerian Air Management Agency (NAMA) is about navigational aids and about radio and instruments, adding that that should be their focus.

He said AIB should focus on accident investigation and making sure that the reports are out on time and that the safety recommendations can stand the test of time and be implemented.

He stressed that there is no point coming up with safety recommendations that cannot be implemented, remarking that when each agency concentrate on its mandate then there would be synergy among them. “A lot of successes have been recorded since the beginning of this administration. Today, we have one of the best aviation safety records in the world. I don’t care what IATA ICAO say, Nigeria’s airspace is one of the safest in the world today. The facts are there. In the last four years of this administration,

commercial air transportation in Nigeria has not recorded one single death. How many countries in the world can lay claim to that fact? This is why today; Nigeria is one of the safest places to be in terms of air transportation.

But we need to work harder and collaborate, there is no other way to it,� Sirika said.

Sirika, who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Mr. Akin Olateru, urged all the aviation agencies to collaborate and ensure that this record is improved upon. “The early years of the aviation industry was filled with trials, errors, and sacrifices but today, however, gold is the standard and over the last few years, commercial aviation in Nigeria has increased tremendously. How did we do it? Since the beginning of this administration, there are four elements that we have been focusing on: the infrastructure, equipment, human capital, and systems processes and procedures. “Anywhere you are in the world, even if you are running a bakery, you need to focus on those elements because if you score less than 70 per cent in each, you don’t have a hub. You may have a fantastic infrastructure but if you don’t have fantastic equipment or if your human capital is not up to date or you don’t have procedure on how to do things, you don’t have a hub.

This has been the focus of this administration,� the minister said.

He stated that all the aviation agencies are focused on their core mandates, noting that the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) should focus more on the infrastructure development of the airport and that is why the agency is rebuilding airport runways.

STANDING AGAINST CORONAVIRUS...

L-R: President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan; Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi; and Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, during the Senate president’s visit to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Isolation Centre in Abuja... yesterday julius atoi

CDS: 2,000 Boko Haram, ISWAP Fighters Surrendered Since 2015 Eight soldiers, policemen killed in Yobe Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Military High Command yesterday said 2,000 members of terrorist groups, Boko Haram and the Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) have surrendered since 2015.

This is coming as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, declared victory over invading insurgents in Damboa, Borno State, who attacked the town with 30 gun trucks.

With combined artillery bombardment and air strikes, scores of insurgents were decimated Wednesday while 18 gun trucks were destroyed.

Three soldiers were killed while five policemen died in separate attacks by insurgents in Chibok, Borno State.

Speaking at a stakeholders' meeting to work out modalities for transferring repentant terrorists to national and state governments, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Olonisakin, said since the establishment of Operation Safe Corridor, set up to create opportunities for terrorists to lay down their arms, 2,000 members of Boko Haram and ISWAP have surrendered.

The CDS also denied that the military was recruiting repentant terrorists.

He said 1,000 of them were processed by Operation Safe Corridor within the period under review even as 250 members including two foreign nationals were successfully reintegrated by their national and state governments.

He said the remaining 692 are currently undergoing the de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration at the DRR camp in Gombe State.

He denied reports that repentant terrorists were being recruited into the military and paramilitary organisations.

"I wish to categorically, refute the claim and assure Nigerians that none of the rehabilitated Nigerians from Operation Safe Corridor has been recruited into the Nigerian military or any sister security agencies as stringent measures have been put in place to prevent such from happening", he said.

Meanwhile, Buratai has declared victory over the insurgents in Damboa, Borno State.

An army statement said

following the killing of 19 insurgents and capture of 18 out of the 30 gun trucks deployed by terrorists during the attack, Buratai hailed troops for their gallantry in routing the terrorists.

It said "three valiant soldiers paid the supreme prize while four others were wounded in action," even as the wounded in action soldiers were evacuated to a military medical facility for immediate and effective management.

"To this end, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai hereby congratulates the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole for their decisive victory against the enemies of our country.

"He further urges them to remain steadfast, loyal and resolute in the discharge of their professional responsibilities�.

He further reassured the residents of Damboa and indeed the North-east at large of the unflinching resolve of troops to protecting the lives and properties of all law abiding citizens", it said.

In another development, the Jihadists have killed five policemen in an attack on Yobe town where more than

100 schoolgirls were abducted two years ago, residents said Thursday.

Fighters aligned to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in four trucks fitted with machine guns stormed Dapchi town in northeastern Yobe State late on Wednesday, sparking intense fighting with security forces, according to local residents.

The Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations of Sector 2, Operation Lafiya Dole, Lieutenant Chinonso Oteh, as well as the Police Public Relations Officer in Yobe, Dungus Abdulkarim, have confirmed the attack.

Both men were, however, unable to give details of the casualties in the incident.

The insurgents were said to have invaded the town in what appeared to be an attack targeted at security formations in Dapchi.

They attacked the Divisional Police Headquarters and the Nigerian Army formation in the town, while one police armoured vehicle was set ablaze.

The insurgents came to Dapchi, about 100 kilometres from Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, through neighbouring Jumbam village.

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PAGE NINE OSHIOMHOLE FIGHTS BACK, GETS KANO COURT TO PUT SUSPENSION ON HOLD current state)� pending the court’s final decision.

The judge gave the ruling following an application by one Aliyu Muhammadu Rabiu praying the court to stop the APC and INEC from effecting Oshiomhole’s suspension.

The application specifically asked the court to stop those involved in the matter from giving effect to the resolution of the APC helmsman’s ward to suspend him in 2019.

The judge directed that, “all the parties to this suit to maintain the status quo ante pending the hearing and disposal of the motion on notice filed herein that is, an order directing the 1st ,3rd ,4th and 5th defendants either by themselves, servants, assigns it any officer howsoever described and by whatever name called from giving effect to the purported resolution of the Ward 10, Etsako West local government area of 2nd November of the 1st respondent pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. “That the 3rd defendant is restrained from dealing, communicating or howsoever recognising any person other than the 2nd defendant as the national chairman of the 1st defendant for any party business or carrying out any duties vested in the commission by the Electoral Act.�

The judge also ordered that the defendants in the suit shall enter appearance and file their process in defence of this suit abridged to seven days, while also adjourning the matter to 8th April, 2020 for hearing.

Immediately the court judgment was delivered, Oshiomhole hurriedly arranged for press conference which was later cancelled because he was summoned from the Villa.

The chairman while rushing out to answer the president’s call told journalists not to look at him with pity. “Are you looking at me with pity?’ Oshiomhole asked journalists.

Apart from the APC and police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) were joined as defendants in the Kano suit.

The court adjourned the case to April 8, 2020 for hearing and gave the defendants seven days to enter appearance and file their processes in defence of the suit.

While the interim order does not relate to Oshiomhole’s suspension by a Federal Capital Territory

High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, it rubs off on it given that the court’s judgment was based on Oshiomhole’s suspension by his ward.

The Abuja court had said it was wrong for him to remain at the helm of affairs after his suspension by the state chapter of the party.

The Edo State chapter of the APC suspended Oshiomhole — who has been at daggers drawn with Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The APC chairman in Edo, Mr. Anselm Ojezua, had said Oshiomhole was suspended because of “his role� in the crisis rocking the state chapter of the party.

FCT High Court Has No Jurisdiction to Remove Me, Says Oshiomhole Meanwhile, Oshiomhole yesterday argued that the FCT High court had no powers to remove him.

Oshiomhole, who made this claim while briefing journalists in the State House after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, also dismissed as untrue the claim that he was suspended by his ward.

He insisted that having joined the Department of State Service (DSS), the Nigeria Police and the APC which are federal bodies in the suit, an FCT High Court that is not a federal high court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

He also claimed that as the national chairman of the party, he couldn't have been suspended by the ward because he is not an officer of his ward and hence, the ward has no power to suspend him.

He also said that the judge of the FCT High Court who barred him from parading himself as the party's national chairman twisted a vote of confidence passed on him by the ward to imply a vote of no confidence.

Oshiomhole said that his opponents, including the North-east Vice-Chairman, Salihu, who was the mastermind of the move leading to the interlocutory injunction of the FCT High Court, also ensured the suit was adjourned to April 7, so that they could have enough time to perpetrate their mischief.

He said the injunction from a Kano Federal High Court had rendered the interlocutory injunction useless, adding that only the FCT High Court judge could explain how he came about his initial injunction.

He said: "I was taken back

because in the same suit they joined the APC, the police as the DSS. Our lawyers told me that in law, when you sue a federal agency, FCT High Court has no jurisdiction to entertain it.

"Number two, the purported suspension of my person by my ward, first, it is not even true, and I am going to give you a document to that effect so that you can form your opinion. Number three; I am not an officer of my ward.

I am the national chairman of my party, elected at a national convention by over 7,000 delegates.

"So, how could nine persons sit down somewhere and purport that they have removed a national chairman, and the court, contrary to all logic, all judicial precedence found comfort in granting an interlocutory order to stop me from functioning pending when the matter is determined.

"In other words, he has given the order without the facts being laid before him and in the process, adjourned the case to 7th of April. The calculations are clear that between now and April 7th, my opponents in the system would have had ample time to do all the mischievous plans they have in place to destabilise the APC because some of them have membership of more than one political party."

According to him, forces that are after him, who have no capacity to deliver victories at councillorship elections meet at night to get rid of him because they see him as a threat and so want to embarrass him.

He claimed that unlike those who could not deliver a councillorship position, he had delivered victories to the party in his unit, ward, local government, federal constituencies and senatorial district of his state.

He said forces that are after his head meet in ministers' houses in the night, lamenting that the governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who he said was the person he helped to power wants to "chop off his neck."

Obaseki, he said, was jubilating on Wednesday when the injunction was given.

"Let me also say that those behind this plot, the hands you saw which includes as you saw yesterday, you saw the Edo State governor and his people jubilating but that is the irony of life; that you will help give birth to a child and the child looks for cutlass to chop off your neck. It has happened in

history. It has happened in this country so I won’t be the only person," he lamented.

Oshiomhole also alleged that some of the forces, who want to get rid of him share memberships of other political parties, adding that they only want to weaken the institution by producing a strong leader, recalling the comment of a former United States President, Barrack Obama, that Africa doesn't need strong leaders but strong institutions.

"You see, there is an issue in this country. People want strong leadership. The average Nigerian wants to have a strong leader for Nigeria. They want to have strong leaders in various institutions. They want institutions that are strong enough that cannot be controlled by individuals.

"That was why President Obama said what Africa needs are strong institutions, not strong persons.

Unfortunately, very few sections of our elite want to weaken institutions so that they can control them and if you refuse to oblige them the misuse of your institution, then they go for your jugular. That is the only thing," he said.

He admitted that he might have made some mistakes because of the position he occupies, adding, however, that he had the capacity to correct such mistakes because they were not deliberate.

"I am convinced that I have done my very best.

Mistakes would have been made and I want to see the one person who will say he has never made mistakes.

But if there are mistakes of the head, we have the capacity to correct mistakes of the head. But I know I have not set out to make the mistakes of the heart," he said.

The embattled party chairman, who said he had given his all to the party including sacrificing his family wellbeing in the interest of the party, pointed out that whenever the party records a victory, his opponents don't give him credit but when it loses, he's accused as the architect.

However, he said he was proud that he had secured the backing of the majority of both the leaders and members of the party, adding that since God is with him, nobody can pull him down.

He Remains suspended, Says North-east Vice Chairman

his knowledge of law that two courts of coordinate jurisdiction cannot seat on appeal on an order or judgment given by each other.

According to him, “a Federal High Court cannot seat on appeal on FCT High Court. The only court that has the jurisdiction to seat on appeal is the Court of Appeal. In this case and the court order of the FCT high court was served yesterday (Wednesday). Most of you have the copy of the order and it is an elementary law that first in time prevails.

That of Abuja High court came earlier and we seek for interlocutory injunction and there is an affidavit of urgency which seek to prevent certain kinds of mischief which we prayed that the court should help prevent which they did so. “As you can see, we are in the secretariat and we are running the affairs of the party. So, the suspension still prevails until the hearing of the matter or if there is any contrary order from the Court of Appeal.�

Reacting to the announcement of some party officers, which was made on Wednesday, Salihu described the decision as laughable, pathetic and disturbing.

The vice chairman insisted that NWC did not approve any of the names as claimed, adding that at the meeting held on the 14th of January ended abruptly because some members of the NWC were allegedly trying to perpetrate illegality on the position of National Secretary, noting that the matter of the other positions were not discussed.

Salihu stated: “But seeing that he has been suspended, he now had to bring out that information, I don’t think it is a civil matter, I think our lawyers are looking at it because it is a criminal matter. I am a working committee member and I was not in the meeting, where is the minutes of the meeting, where was it held?

And how do we approve a nomination that is yet to come, we are not running a banana republic. This is a party and not a block industry or a motor park.

Our lawyers are looking at it and if we find any criminal act we will prosecute.�

Oshiomhole Asks Appeal Court to Stay Suspension Order

Responding to the court ruling, Salihu said from

In another development, Oshiomhole has asked the Court of Appeal to set aside the suspension

would reconvene in PortHarcourt, the Rivers State capital, where the details of the proposed South-south regional security body, the blueprint for the revitalization of the BRACED Commission, as well as the need to reconstitute the controversial board of the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) would be discussed and fine-tuned.

Moreover, the respective commissioners of health of the six-member states are to immediately constitute regional machinery for combating Lassa Fever as

well as Coronavirus in the unlikely event of the disease spreading to the region.

However, Okowa noted that there was as yet no case of the dreaded coronavirus in any of six South-south states, even as he said the respective states would leave nothing to chance regarding the COVID-19 outbreak from China.

Nonetheless, the forum demanded the reconstitution of the NDDC Board such that the 13 per cent derivation fund from the Federation Account would be deducted in respect of the oil producing areas.

SOUTH-SOUTH GOVS AGREE ON REGIONAL SECURITY OUTFIT tenure last month.

Other state governors, who attended yesterday's meeting in Asaba, were Mr. Godwin Obaseki (Edo State), Chief Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Senator Douye Diri (Bayelsa), and Mr. Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom).

Okowa explained that the Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, was absent because he was held up at an official assignment in Abuja.

The Delta State governor, while addressing newsmen at the end of the meeting that lasted about two-anda-half hours, said the meeting

deliberated on several burning issues and took far-reaching decisions.

Okowa said: "We also took the issue on security, and we have agreed as a region that there is the need to have a regional security outfit.

And, we have mandated the BRACED Commission to begin to work out the details and to brief us at our next meeting in Port Harcourt."

Aside the decision to form a regional security outfit, Okowa said the forum agreed to revitalize the BRACED Commission, which is the economic think-thank of the

six states comprising Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta.

The forum agreed to rejig the BRACED Commission formed about 10 years ago but which has remained practically dormant in the last five years.

The Director-General of the BRACED Commission, Ambassador Joe Keshi, who attended the governors’ forum meeting, was charged with the responsibility to prepare a working document for the various resolutions reached by the forum.

Nevertheless, the governors

order slammed on him on Wednesday by an Abuja High Court.

Oshiomhole in the appeal claimed that the judge of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Danlami Senchi, erred in law and arrived at a wrong conclusion, which occasioned a miscarriage of justice when the court placed him on suspension at an interlocutory stage of a suit instituted against him by some aggrieved members of the party.

In the notice of appeal predicated on four grounds, Oshiomhole said that the High Court further erred in law when it decided that he, in the performance of his duties as APC national chairman would interfere in the court action filed against him by the aggrieved members.

Respondents in the appeal are: APC National Vice Chairman, North-east, Mr. Mustapha Saliu; APC Edo State Chairman, Hon. Anselm Ojezua; Alhaji Sani Gomna; Mr. Oshawo Stephen; Hon. Fani Wabulari and Evangelist Princewill Ejogharado.

The rest are the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

In the appeal filed by his counsel, Mr. Damian Dodo (SAN), Oshiomhole contended that the issue of his performance of duties as APC national chairman is a matter which arose from substantive issues for determination and claim and ought not to have been determined at the interlocutory stage of the main matter.

Among other grounds in the appeal, Oshiomhole argued that the trial judge erred in law and arrived at a wrong conclusion which occasioned a miscarriage of justice when after ordering the filing of pleadings and immediately set down motion for interlocutory injunction for hearing in the absence of pleadings.

He further faulted the suspension order against him on the grounds that the trial court determined the motion for interlocutory Continued on page 10

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FRIDAY, ͞˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS OSHIOMHOLE FIGHTS BACK, GETS KANO COURT TO PUT SUSPENSION ON HOLD injunction without recourse to triable issues which ought to have been discerned from pleadings.

Justice Danlami Senchi of an Abuja High Court had on Wednesday ordered Oshiomhole to step aside as national chairman of the APC, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit seeking his removal from office as National Chairman of the ruling APC. Justice Senchi, who gave the order in a ruling on an interlocutory injunction filed

by Salihu and five others, also ordered Oshiomhole to stop parading himself as National Chairman of the APC until the issues challenging his leadership of the party is resolved.

The plaintiffs in the application filed on January 16, 2020 and argued by their lawyer, Mr. Oluwole Afolabi, had urged the court to declare Oshiomhole's continued stay in office illegal having

allegedly been suspended from the APC. The Ward 10 Executives of the APC had late last year suspended Oshiomhole from the APC. The suspension was ratified by the Etsako West Local Government Executive Committee and was subsequently upheld by the State Executive Committee of the Party.

As the siege to APC secretariat continued yesterday, the FCT Police Command insisted that it was a routine deployment of its men.

He, however, declined to comment on which court order the police would obey. “Deployment of policemen to APC Secretariat is a routine deployment. It is not for any special reason.

On court orders, we do not have comments on that. We do not have issues with court orders but our deployment to APC Headquarters is routine�, Says Spokesman

of FCT Police Command, Mr. Anjuguri Manza (PPRO)

Conicting Court Orders on Oshiomhole Bizarre, Say SANs Meanwhile, some senior lawyers have described the way and manner courts of coordinator jurisdiction give orders that seems to be in conflict with one another as not only confusing but bizarre.

Reacting to the conflicting orders emanating from the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Kano division of the Federal High Court, the senior lawyers said it is improper for a court of coordinate jurisdiction to appear to be sitting as an appellate court over the decision of another.

The senior lawyers however urged the superior court in the land to quickly intervene to avoid any form of crisis

that may arise as a result of the two judgments.

"It is a curious development which must be carefully handled since both are courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

No one is superior to the other and the parties in both matters are not the same and not in the same jurisdiction.

The courts are also not the same", Ahmed Raji (SAN) said.

While he noted that there is only one court of appeal that sits in divisions all over the country, he said any division of the court of appeal should quickly intervene to save the situation. 'Meanwhile, pending such intervention, the status quo before all the disputes should prevail", Raji said.

Another senior lawyer, Mr. John Baiyeshea (SAN), said, "What is happening is bizarre. It is abnormal for a Court of coordinate (same) jurisdiction to give an order that has the effect of setting aside the order of a brother

Judge of the same Court".

Baiyeshea added that it is even more disturbing that the Federal High Court in Kano is doing that.

While recalling that the situation which he described as ugly trend played out many years ago during the Babangida era, where some judges who did that were compulsorily retired, said something drastic has to be done to stop this embarrassing situation.

"I must however state that the order made by the Federal High Court Abuja appears to be inappropriate and too far reaching. I will not say more than that for now.

"Something is fundamentally wrong with our legal system, quite honestly".

In his reaction another senior lawyer, Mr. Dayo Akinlaja (SAN), noted that the unfolding scenarios presented are somewhat hazy and a bit confusing.

He however said that it

is not likely that the Kano Division of the Federal High Court would have directly assaulted, decimated or set aside the earlier order from the FCT High Court.

"I say that basically because both Courts have coordinate jurisdictions. Neither is superior to the other.

"That being the case, one needs to be patient enough to have all the surrounding details of the matter in Kano to know if the contradictory order being touted has indeed been given and the circumstances that could have informed it.

"However, if per chance the situation is as painted in your question, the suit in Kano would constitute an unmitigated abuse of the process of court. To say the least, for now, the reported scenario is rather frightening and disturbing.

I wish to say no more until I am better informed on the finicky details of both actions", he said.

health ministry officials from African countries yesterday met in Abuja to assess the preparedness of the continent to tackle the looming health crisis posed by the outbreak of Coronavirus.

The countries came together for a two-day simulation exercise aimed at strengthening regional preparedness and readiness capacities to deal with Covid-19 epidemic in West Africa, organised by Africa.

The event was organised by the West Africa Health Organization (WAHO) Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC) and sponsored by Africa Union Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC).

Speaking in an interview with journalists at the event, the representative of the African Epidemiology Network, Mr. Patrick Nguku, said the meeting was to assess the level of preparedness by member states of the African Union to handle the Covid-19 disease.

He said that though a few of the countries have reported cases of Coronavirus infection, there are concerns that the ability of most other countries to detect the virus depends on their capacities and facilities available to them.

"This depends on how effective is the surveillance system, the laboratory and human resource capacity in each of the countries. So, this meeting is important to understand what gaps there are and how to effectively address them," he said.

He said that so far some of the observed gaps are that there are not enough hospitals, laboratories for testing the Covid-19 virus, isolation centres for managing cases of infection and experts to handle the disease outbreak if it gets to epidemic level in Africa.

Nguku said that yesterday's meeting was an effort to advance solutions to those identified weaknesses.

Coronavirus in the country.

This is also the situation in other countries where the disease had also been detected.

The Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, stated this in a presentation he made at the Lagos Business School’s executive breakfast session, titled: “Covid-19: When it Rains, it Pours,� obtained

by THISDAY yesterday.

According to him, supermarket traffic also fell sharply in February owing to income squeeze and Covid-19. “In Nigeria, traffic to restaurant, supermarkets, movie houses and clubs has slowed.

Revenue impact aside, its shows how vulnerable the world is to a fast spread and contagion,�

Rewane added.

He, however, noted that while the disease is presently confined to Lagos and some persons quarantined in Ogun State, public health officials and government seem to be on top of the situation.

In the report, Rewane showed that the global travel market was hardest hit, stating that the global airline industry was set to lose $26 billion in 2020. “It has already lost $4 billion so far. Flights from China have fallen sharply by 55.9 per cent year-on-year.

Global airline passengers jumped from 2.3 billion in 2016, to 4.8 billion in 2018. “The prices of oil and airlines’ shares have also crashed,� the economist added.

Brent price had fallen below $50 per barrel, its four-year low, intra-day, last week.

He also pointed out that the Coronavirus has drastically slowed down consumer demand, and has resulted in consumers engaging less in activities that might expose them to the risk of infection. “Restaurants, car dealerships and shops have reported a sharp fall in consumer demand. Chinese car sales fell by 92 per cent in the first half of February,� the FDC boss added.

He revealed that the disease has seen the global markets take a bashing, with the Federal Reserves cutting

rates in a surprise move. “China is the ‘workshop of the world’ and accounts for one third of global manufacturing. It is the world’s largest exporter of goods. Factories have paused their operations in a bid to contain the spread.

Restrictions have disrupted supply chains of companies such as Diageo, JCB and Nissan,� he disclosed.

Commenting on the effect on Nigeria, he said the economy was already stalling before Covid-19, adding that, “Nigeria needed Covid-19 as much as a bullet in the head.�

The report predicted that cocoa and sesame prices were expected to fall by at least 10 per cent, stating that import landed price of petrol would also fall and reduce subsidies to approximately N300 billion.

Nigeria’s trade with China is 19.7 per cent of total imports.

The Nigerian stock market has lost 2.06 per cent since Covid-19 in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s potential Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was put at 3.2 per cent, higher than real GDP by 0.93 per cent.

It stated that most sectors that expanded in the full year 2019 GDP figures released recently by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) were oil revenue elastic sectors.

Furthermore, the report showed that banking system liquidity was down by 22.1 per cent in February, to N346.68 billion, while interbank interest rates swung between two per cent per annum and 18 per cent per annum, just as the CBN increased its forex intervention to $761.55 million.

Also, FAAC allocation was down 9.6 per cent to N647.3 billion and ships awaiting berth at the ports were flat at 56 (Lagos port). “Government revenue would come under severe pressure. FAAC likely to decline to a range of N600 -N620 billion, there is need for more aggressive tax policies to boost internally generated revenues. Gross external reserves could fall towards $34 billion and currency pressures will intensify,� he added.

SOUTH AFRICA RECORDS FIRST CASE OF CORONAVIRUS back to South Africa,� the minister said.

The pair, who initially tested positive for Coronavirus, had been hospitalised in Japan after being taken ashore from the cruise ship where they worked.

The Diamond Princess was first quarantined in January when a passenger who disembarked in Hong Kong tested positive for Coronavirus.

South Africa last week said it would evacuate its nationals from the Chinese city of Wuhan, adding that those plans are at an ‘advanced stage.’ “A total of 184 South Africans have indicated their desire to be repatriated,� the minister said.

They are said to be mostly students, teachers and other professionals.

Lagos Isolates Three with Suspected Case of Epidemic Meanwhile, a Nigerian, who returned from France and two others from England and China on Monday, suspected to be infected with the Coronavirus disease, have been isolated at the Infectious Disease Centre in Yaba pending the outcome of their result.

The Lagos State government is also planning to release the Italian patient next week following the potential decline of his viral load to negative.

Stating these at a press briefing in Alausa yesterday, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the suspected cases, who were referred to the ministry by a private hospital, exhibited signs of flu.

He said: “The Nigerian spent seven days in France, returned to Lagos three days ago and presented with headache and some respiratory symptoms. He has been in a country where there is active person-toperson transmission, so it could be a common cold or Coronavirus. He has been put in isolation, the test is being run right now, I am expecting the result,� Abayomi said.

He said for the Italian patient, who tested positive to the virus last week, his viral load as at yesterday

had dropped significantly, and that once he gets to negative viral load, he would be observed for few more days before another viral load test is done on him to reconfirm whether or not he is fit to be discharged.

He said: “If the second viral load shows negative again, it means he is no longer secreting the virus and can no longer infect anyone. “Although the Italian developed some respiratory issues some days ago, he was given some specific therapies which helped in addressing the symptom. The specific therapies are not curative, but they helped in addressing the specific symptoms he had. His clinical situation is quite stable.�

Abayomi also noted that the patient had been depressed lately, and that the state had provided him with some psychosocial support, adding: “We brought in some specialists to see him because he is lonely and depressed.

We understand his situation because he is the only one in the ward. “We have also provided him with enough airtime and internet so he can be in touch with his family and friends. “We know within the next one week he will be travelling back. So we are doing all to ensure he is negative before he leaves, because there will be passengers on flight when he leaves. He has to have a zero viral load so no one gets infected,� he added.

In another development, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on Nigerians to seek information from trusted sources, rather than believe myriads of fake news going round.

In a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, the media office of UNICEF Nigeria said: “As concerns increase around Covid-19 globally, with information shared on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, we want the public to trust information only from verified sources. “UNICEF has become aware of messages being circulated that is being falsely attributed to the organisation. All genuine information can be found

on our website, www.unicef. org, including information on how to protect oneself and loved ones from the virus.

People can also see the WHO website for further updated information.�

UNICEF and WHO are supporting the Nigerian government’s response on the outbreak.

NCAA Orders Airlines to Issue Health Forms to Passengers In another development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has asked all airlines operating international and regional flights into the country to issue health declaration forms to their passengers, including crew members before arriving at Nigerian airports.

NCAA’s General Manager (Public Relations), Mr. Sam Adurogboye, disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday.

This comes on the heels of the failure of some airlines operating international and regional flights into Nigeria to provide health declaration forms, also known as passengers’ self-reporting forms, to their customers.

Adurogboye stated that the NCAA has issued a letter to that effect to all airlines and other stakeholders. “In view of the above, airlines are to remind passengers to provide factual address and phone numbers to enhance contact tracing in case there is a need to do so,� he said.

The agency’s spokesman explained that the health declaration forms would be collected and evaluated by the personnel of the Port Health Services on the arrival of the passengers and crew members.

He added that the collected health forms would be returned to the airlines by the Port Health Services at the various international airports of the country.

Adurogboye warned that failure to comply with the directive of the NCAA by any airline would attract severe sanctions.

AU, WAHO Conduct Risk Assessment In a related development,

Report Says Tourism Hit by Outbreak Cruise ship owners, casinos and hotels are presently “swimming in red ink,� due to low patronage as a result of the outbreak of the

FRIDAY MARCH 6, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

Gunmen Kill One Person, Kidnap Seven in Delta Community Omon-Julius Onabu inAsaba One person was reportedly killed and two others left with bullet wounds as unknown gunmen invaded Issele-Azagba town in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

THISDAY learnt that the gunmen suspected to be criminal herdsmen that have

been terrorising parts of the state onWednesday stormed the premises of a brothel in IsseleAzagba, shooting indiscriminately, before taking seven young men and women hostage.

The victims were said to have been taken away to unknown destination through the surrounding bushes despite the attempt by members of the

Sanusi Seeks New Date to Honour Anti-corruption Agency’s Invitation The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II has sought for new date to honour the invitation by the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission.

The agency yesterday insisted that the monarch must appear before it over fresh allegation on land racketeering.

But the emirate requested for another day for the emir to honour the invitation.

Briefing reporters, the Chairman of the commission, Mr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, insisted that the commission is empowered to open fresh investigation on any body found wanting while disclosing that the Emir has a case to answer.

Muhuyi, also explained that Emir Sanusi is being invited to clear himself over allegation of illegal sale of government property, adding that this allegation is not related to previous investigation.

“I wish to categorically state that, this commission is entering a new investigation brought forward by a whistleblower on December 29, 2019 and is not related to an earlier investigation which is still subject matter of civil suit.

“Preliminary findings suggest that, a company, Country Wide House Limited. served as a corporate vehicle to allegedly launder the sum of over N2billion being proceeds of several hectares of land in Darmanawa phase I and II and Bubbugaji, under the former right of occupancy, CON-RESS 2016-503 illegally sold to Messer Family Home Fund Limited allegedly at the instance of His Highness the Emir of Kano.

“Investigation further reveals that, some of the proceeds of the sales remitted to the Emirate Council’s bank account can be traced to the companies of interest to His Highness.”

local vigilante group to halt the dastardly action of the gunmen.

The deceased, identified simply as Emeka, was said to be the manager of the fun-spot, High High Hope Guest House.

He was shot on the forehead at close range while another young man was lucky as he was shot on the waist but managed to escape.

The attack was the fourth, and the third major one, on the once peaceful community, which is a suburb of Asaba.

Two persons were killed when gunmen attacked the community on February 5 this year, though a

JS3 female student kidnapped by the gangsters regained her freedom after relations allegedly paid a huge sum as ransom.

The bandits struck again less than three weeks after the first attack, killing a man, kidnapping his wife after shooting their teenage daughter in the upper arm.

The community’s nightmare began in October 2019 when suspected armed herdsmen invaded Issele-Azagba Mixed Secondary School and abducted the principal with other teachers and students in a daylight operation.

One of the teachers eventually died from bullet wounds while a youth who joined a successful search party also lost his life as he was shot by the retreating attackers.

THISDAY further learnt that the police had completed plans to establish a police post in IsseleAzagba to check the incessant attacks and other criminal activities when the gunmen again invaded the community.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Inuwa Mohammed Afiz delegated senior police officers to discuss with community

leaders and inspect a building for the police post said to have been donated by an indigene of the town.

The commissioner had told journalists recently that the police were leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to unravel the cause of the attacks on Issele-Azagba with the collaboration of the community leaders and the local vigilante group.

Meanwhile, one of the surviving victims of the attacked was said to be receiving treatment at a hospital in Asaba.

WHO IS AFTER YOU?...

L-R: National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole (left), and President Muhammadu Buhari, at the State

Soldiers Petition Buhari, House, Abuja...yesterday Buratai over Alleged Akintoye Commends South-west Lawmakers on Amotekun Embezzlement Some soldiers fighting Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State have sent a Save-Our-Soul (SOS) to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai over alleged embezzlement by one of their top officials.

But the Army Headquarters has assured the allegations would be investigated despite stating the aggrieved soldiers went about their complaints wrongly.

According to the petition, the top official allegedly siphoned their welfare and allowances and refused to pay cigarette allowances since January despite a signal from the Nigerian Army (NA), notifying them of the introduction of N200 monthly cigarette allowance.

The aggrieved soldiers alleged that instead of N24, 000 welfare allowance, including N12, 000 given them by the COAS, the official only paid them N12, 000.

“The only money he paid is the N12000 welfare given to us

by COAS. Other battalions under the Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole have already paid their soldiers N24, 000 including the N12000 of COAS,” they said.

The soldiers also alleged that the official exposes them to danger by refusing to send vehicles and escorts to Maiduguri to bring back soldiers who went on pass, a tradition, they said

previous COs upheld.

“He said the way and manner you enter civilians’ vehicles to the camp is none of his business and any soldier that fails to return to camp with civilian vehicle on the expiration of his pass will have N800 per day deducted from his money.

“Sir, could you believe that he deducted N800 from each soldier that returned from pass last time from the N12,000 given to us by COAS, which some soldiers refused to collect the remaining of the money till now?

“Right before the increment of Operations allowances, our previous COs used to give us at the end of every month: one pack of sugar, 12 sachets of chocolate and 12 eggs. Immediately he took over command, he said he is not going to give us any ‘looking good’ again - that it’s costly.

“We do not go to town pass anymore and it takes each soldier seven to eight months before going on normal pass.

“Sir, we will be happy and our low morale will be highly motivated if you look into our pains and treat accordingly,” they stated.

Contacted, the Army Operations Media Media Coordinator Colonel Aminu Iliyasu said there were laid down channels for such grievances to be reported.

Yoruba leader and worldwide President of the Yoruba World Congress, Prof. Banji Akintoye, has commended the state Houses of Assembly of the South-west states for their dutiful and expeditious passage of the law establishing Amotekun.

In a statement issued at the Yoruba World Congress Headquarters in Lagos, the

Yoruba leader announced that he is “delighted to congratulate the Houses of Assembly of our Yoruba states, on behalf Yoruba people at home and in the Diaspora, for the steadfastness and swiftness with which the legislators have passed the Amotekun Bill”.

The statement noted that the legislators have shown that they understand the great importance

of the sanctity of life and security of lives and properties to Yoruba People. Akintoye added that it was a joy to share moments of the public hearings with Yoruba people from across the world.

“The Public Hearings confirmed to all our Yoruba kith and kin, and to all the world, that we Yoruba are a respectably organised and very democratic

nation,” he said.

Akintoye commented on the peculiar clause in the Lagos State law which provides that “the recruitment into Amotekun - -shall be open to an indigene of the communities where they seek to serve, or to residents who have spent not less than 20 years in the community and understand the native language”.

NBA Seeks More Justices for Appeal Court Davidson Iriekpen The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday called for the appointment of more justices for the Court of Appeal to ensure that serving ones do not continue to be overworked.

The NBA also advocated an amendment to the Court of Appeal Act to allow a division of the court has a minimum

of six Justices at a time.

Its President, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), said these while speaking in Abuja at a valedictory court session held in honour of the retiring President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bukalchuwa, who turns 70 today (Friday).

Usoro hailed Justice Bulkachuwa’s contribution to

the Judiciary and the effective manner she managed her court as the president.

“The NBA calls for the immediate appointment of additional Justices of the Court of Appeal, not just for the extremely busy divisions.

“To pave the way for those appointments, we call for a concomitant amendment of the provisions of the Court

of Appeal Act to allow for the appointment of sufficient number of Justices that would ensure that no division of the Court of Appeal would have less than six Justices posted thereto and the particularly overworked and overloaded divisions like Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt would have no less than 10 to 15 Justices posted thereto,” Usoro said.

12 Girls, Pregnant Women Rescued in Ogun Baby Factory The police in Ogun State have uncovered baby making factory at Imedu Okori community in Mowe area of Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state where young girls in various phases of pregnancy were rescued.

The police burst the factory on February 28 when one of the inmates, who escaped from the home, reported at Mowe police station she was lured into the

facility and held captive there for sometime against her consent.

The escapee alleged the female Operator of the criminal home, Florence Ogbonna, who lured her into the home usually contract the service of some able bodied men to impregnate them.

Immediately any of them gave birth to a baby, she further alleged it would be taken away

by Ogbonna .

The Police Public Relations

Officer, Ogun State Police Command, in a statement said the Divisional Police Officer, Mowe Division Marvis Jayeola mobilised his detectives to the scene where 12 ladies between the ages of 20 and 25 years were rescued with six amongst them heavily pregnant.

Abimbola, a Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP), stated further that three suspects – Florence Ogbonna, Chibuke

Akabueze(male) and Chibuzor Okafor (male) were arrested in connection with the factory.

According to the Police spokesman, the Commissioner of Police Kenneth Ebrimson has given instruction for the transfer of the suspects to the anti+ human trafficking and child labour unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department(SCIID) for further investigation.

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FRIDAY MARCH 6, 2020 •T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˞ ˜ ʹ˜ 2020

COMMENT

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

LESSONS FROM OGUN’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19 Kunle Somorin writes that personal hygiene and consciousness need to become a lifestyle among the general public

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hen the first case of the ravaging coronavirus was confirmed by the Lagos State Government in the early hours of Friday, February 28, it came with some advice to the general public. Having confirmed that an Italian who returned from Italy – Europe’s worst-hit country with the virus – was carrying the virus and had been quarantined, the government issued some safety and enlightenment tips which ended on a warning note for people not to spread falsehood and fake news concerning the virus.

Warning the public against spreading falsehood is perhaps the most crucial bit in the statement, because as things are turning out, falsehood and fake news could endanger more people than the outbreak of corona virus itself.

Even before it was established that the Italian had embarked on a business trip to Lafarge Cement in Ewekoro, Ogun State, the Ogun State Government had anticipated and put machinery in motion in the case that corona virus was confirmed in the state. It is only rational, considering the proximity of Lagos and Ogun States and the trends and patterns the virus has been spreading in places like South Korea, Japan and Italy.

As soon as health officials traced contacts to Ogun, the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, immediately encouraged the closure of Lafarge Cement and ensured that those who came in contact with the Italian carrier were isolated and monitored.

Measures have been put in place in Ogun (which I will mention shortly), but as tirelessly as the state government is working to ensure that the situation is adequately confronted, our biggest challenge seems not to be about the spread of COVID-19 but the spread of something else – fake news!

Shortly after the index case patient was traced to Ogun State, fake news started making the rounds, especially on the social media, that the taxi driver who transported the Italian had escaped. It was also falsely circulated that the imaginary driver was demanding the sum of N100m from the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, failure of which he was said to have threatened to spread the disease.

The state government had to quickly go public to debunk the falsehood before it became toxic. Evidently, the rumour about the driver’s escape and ransom demand were concocted to instill fear among members of the public.

No single disease or medical crisis had challenged global health in the turn of the 21st Century the way corona virus is doing since January and how we collectively respond to its outbreak will be crucial to finding a remedy for the rampaging decease. And talking about response, many people who have travelled to other parts of the world continue to testify to Nigeria’s effective measures at reducing the spread of corona virus.

Ogun State was their model for reference. Preventive and monitoring measures have been scaled up at our international entry points. Facilities are being equipped to cater for people under observation, while coordination, vertically and horizontally among government, health workers and decision makers, have so far been nothing short of effective.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD DESIST FROM SPREADING FALSEHOOD ABOUT CORONA VIRUS. MANY PEOPLE PUT THEIR HEALTH AT RISK DURING THE OUTBREAK OF EBOLA IN 2013 WHEN THE BATH-WITH-SALT-WATER MESSAGE WENT VIRAL

In Ogun State, Governor Abiodun has activated an Emergency Operation Committee (EOC) to manage any development that may arise from the reported case of coronavirus. Headed by Dr Coker, the EOC has in its ranks officials of the State Ministry of Health, Hospital Management Board, and representatives of Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), World Health Organisation (WHO) and representatives of Federal Medical Center (FMC), Abeokuta.

There are also seven EOC sub-committees, which include: Risk Communication and Mobilisation, Surveillance, Case Management, Infection Prevention Control (IPC), Central Coordination/Planning and Logistics/ Finance respectively. The multidisciplinary EOC meets daily and updates the general public about any development. In addition, the Ogun State Government has established emergency units across the 20 local government areas of the state, while 24-hour dedicated phone lines have been opened for the general public to access information or lay complaints.

For adequate remote and digital coordination of response, the state also launched a dedicated mobile application to aid information sharing among health workers. Through the mobile app, the government of Ogun hopes to enhance information dissemination among health workers in the state as one of the measures to contain the corona virus incident.

As the location of the first contact with the Italian carrier, the application was first rolled out at Ewekoro Local Government area to enhance the activities of health workers. It is also being deployed in two other priority areas – Ado-Odo/Ota and Ifo Local Government areas – given the volume of industrial activities in those areas.

I know, from my vantage position that the Ogun State government, in collaboration with the federal government and other critical stakeholders, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that it responds timely, robustly and adequately to any eventuality occasioned by the corona virus. In the words of the Ogun State Commissioner of Health: “Our health educators are busy with advocacy efforts on the field. We are sensitizing our health officers too, on preventive measures to adopt.

We have all the required interventions to contain the situation. Members of the public should remain calm.�

These are demonstrable assurances and not empty political statements in fulfillment of the government’s side of the social contract.

However, the public too has a role to play as our medical and paramedical professionals. Personal hygiene and consciousness need to become a lifestyle among the general public. Suspected cases have to be quickly reported to relevant authorities. Parents and caregivers should ensure that children are not exposed to the risk of contracting the virus.

Most importantly, however, the general public should desist from spreading falsehood about corona virus. Many people put their health at risk during the outbreak of Ebola in 2013 when the bath-with-saltwater message went viral. If a piece of fake news manages to spread that furiously during this corona virus, it may portend a costlier danger because COVID-19 is like no other infection and presently has no cure.

Mr Somorin is Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Abiodun

WHERE HAVE ALL THE WOMEN GONE ?

Women have done remarkably well in certain spheres of life, but could be better in others, writes Folarin Alayande

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t was a silent coup d’Êtat. The women had taken over. Almost 60 years after Nigeria’s independence, it is clear that women have taken over the nation’s key strategic financial establishment ranging from having three women consecutively as Minister of Finance, to leading the Securities and Exchange Commission, Debt Management Office, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission; and serving as Chairpersons of three of the nation’s largest mega- banks. In a way, it reflects the global financial landscape with women running some of the most important global financial institutions right from the IMF, twice consecutively, the European Central Bank, and a large global bank among others. Eventually Nigerian women in the workplace have come of age. Or so it seems. Are the headlines on women’s emergence in the workplace really balanced or is it just a mirage of improvements in headline achievements of women whereas the core indicators may have stagnated or declined? Are the few chairpersons and female directors getting all the accolades in the klieg lights while the progress for the average working class female toiling in the background is less dramatic? The answers are mixed.

Statistics like the American humorist once said are like miniskirts or bikinis. What they reveal is interesting but what they don’t show is probably more interesting and worth the salivating hunt. Our years of longitudinal research over the past three decades is that the positioning of Nigeria women has improved at certain levels of management and in certain industries, but in others not much has changed. In a few instances, the indicators of women representation and voice may indeed have declined. There are no easy patterns nor simple answers. While sectors such as financial services have featured increased representation of women, with the improvements skewed towards non-executive directors rather than

executive management, several other sectors of the economy have simply stagnated or just marginally improved over the past two decades.

In principle, the goal of any diversity and gender-centric inclusion agenda should ideally cover increased women representation, giving women a voice, and empowering women for enhanced performance. Representation, voice, and enhanced performance are what most of our efforts on diversity initiatives seek to attain. Ironically, until we improve our scores on women representation, we may struggle to amplify their voice and instead only be creating empty cacophony. Here are some interesting summary facts on women representation in corporate Nigeria, with emphasis on the banking industry that has been globally identified as one of the toughest industries for women to work in, given the long working hours and the wild testosterone drive to control money.

In the early years, between 1960 and 1973, women representation in senior management in corporate Nigeria was low and board succession was glaringly patrilineal. The enterprise promotion or indigenisation exercises of the 1970s with the attendant increase in floatation of more publicly quoted companies and domestic ownership provided more access for Nigerians to general management and board positions. Yet only a few women benefitted from this. By 1980, average representation of women in senior management and Boards of Directors was still in the low single-digits.

Three decades on from independence, as at 1990, many boards of publicly quoted companies were still all-male boards and at best only sparingly featured a female company secretary. While a few of the larger banks had two female directors concurrently on the board, these institutions were outliers for several reasons including the fact that they had relatively large boards and could “accommodate� extra direc-

tors. Indeed, the notion of women on boards was still seen in some circles as simply accommodation or tokenism. This posture was obviously anachronistic as a few women directors of that era earned their positions on merit and proved their mettle. Overall, average representation of women in executive management and company boards of large corporations and publicly quoted companies was less than 10% in many sectors up till 1990.

The deregulation in the economy in the 1990s however changed the game on many scales. Most noticeable impact was in financial services. First, the wanton issuance of licences to many new banks and other financial institutions created new managerial opportunities in the sector and opened up more vacancies in general management and on the board that women could be considered for. Second, the expansion of the international banks that were more gender-friendly, and the leadership style of the chief executives of some new generation banks supported the rapid promotion of career women to positions of general manager and executive director, as well as fostered more non-executive director appointments for women. Third, the growth of the capital markets fostered the listing of more companies in the real and services sector that also opened up more opportunities for female white-collar professionals. Ironically, the growth of the financial services industry in an economy where the real sector was tanking and the services sector booming, meant that there were more opportunities and prospects for senior women in banking than say, manufacturing or construction.

Women representation in general management therefore improved significantly in the 1990s and 2000s and by 2010, the ratios had improved up closer to 20 per cent.

Initiatives such as the Codes of Corporate Governance of the various regulators that encouraged

increased women representation on boards, the Nigerian Banking Sustainability Principles of 2012, and the myriad of women interest groups that started receiving prominent attention in 2001, have all elevated the discourse on equity for women in the professions, management and business.

The sum total of all these positive developments is that today the average female graduate has an equal choice of working in any reputable organisation of her choice in Nigeria without knowing any ‘uncle’ or dropping her cv with any friend’s father at home ‘after hours’. With fairly transparent aptitude tests and screening processes, the ratio of female to male on the graduate entry programme of many organisations today is approximately 45:55. In a few organisations, the ratio is approximately 50:50.

However, this ratio becomes to thin out as we move up the corporate ladder dropping to as low as 30:70 in upper middle management and 25:75 in senior management. Even when we adjust for the 18 to 24 month discount that may be accorded for multiple maternity leaves and cost of women re-entry to work, the thinning numbers of women in the pipeline as we ascend the executive ladder still do not add up. In the sober mood of the popular folk song by Grammy Hall of Fame singer Peter Seeger, ‘Where have all the flowers gone’, one cannot but ask ‘Where have all the women gone?’. Where did all those bright young women who scored First Class in school and trumped their male classmates to win multiple prizes back-to-back on convocation day, and completed their professional examinations the same year they graduated, go to? Where have they disappeared to?

Dr. Alayande, international strategy and diversity consultant, and convener of The Diversity Initiative, was Co-ordinator/ Senior Special Assistant to the President on Economic Recovery from 2017-2019

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2020

EDITORIAL CURBING TRANSACTIONAL POLITICS There is need for independent audits of campaign finances to aid accountability

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he neglect of the relevant campaign financing limits and what candidates do with such donated monies even after elections has deepened the impression that what obtains in Nigeria is a transactional political culture with inbuilt ethos for corruption. Yet Section 91 (9) of the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended) states, “No individual or other entity shall donate more than one million naira (N1,000,000) to any candidate.” It prescribes a punishment for those who violate this provision in Section 91 (10) (a) thus: “A candidate who knowingly acts in contravention of this section commits an offence and on convictions shall be liable – (a) in case of presidential election to a maximum fine of N1,000,000.00 or imprisonment of 12 months or both.”

Interestingly, while politicians who violate the law would, upon conviction, be given lenient sentences with options of paying some ridiculous out-of-pocket fines, “an accountant who falsifies, conspires or aids a candidate to forge or falsify a document relating to his expenditure at an election or receipt THE LAW ON CAMPAIGN or donation for the FINANCES HAS ALWAYS election or in any way BEEN TREATED aids and abets the WITH CONTEMPT BY breach of the proviPRACTICALLY ALL OUR sion of this section POLITICIANS AND THE BIG of this Act commits an offence and is PARTIES liable on conviction for imprisonment for a term of 10 years.” So in typical Nigerian fashion, the responsibility for such crimes has already been shifted from the office seekers concerned to their accountants!

The rationale behind the finance campaign laws may be many but two stand out. One, to prevent office seekers from being captured by special interest groups should they win. Sadly, many shadowy groups contribute money to office seekers during elections without disclosing their main objectives and how they came about the money as

well as their own expectations. Besides, in a milieu where political godfathers sponsor candidates for executive offices as business investments for which they expect bountiful rewards, there is an urgent need to reduce the corrupting influence of anonymous money.

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

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

nfortunately, the law on campaign finances has always been treated with contempt by practically all our politicians and the big parties.

For instance, the electoral act prescribes limits to how much candidates can spend on their elections but there is neither a way to monitor such expenses nor a method to enforce compliance. According to the electoral act, a presidential candidate can spend a maximum amount of N1 billion while the spending limit for a governorship candidate is N200 million. A senatorial candidate can spend only a maximum of N40 million while the limit for a House of Representatives candidate is N20 million. For State Assembly election, the limit is N10 million; chairmanship, N10 million and councillorship, N1 million.

However, not only has the law been observed in the breach with elections more or less a bazaar where stupendous amounts of money are spent, the whole issue of campaign expenses in Nigeria is riddled with unwholesome practices. In almost all instances where an incumbent president or governor is seeking re-election, it is public money that is used for such purpose. Far more worrisome is what the accumulated funds are most often used for: to buy consumables which are distributed at campaign rallies, pay off some local operatives, procure the services of muscle men, compromise electoral and security officials and then buy votes on election days.

To the extent that this anomaly has alienated the masses of ordinary Nigerians from participation in politics that now looks like a cult of the wealthy, there needs to be a provision for independent audits of campaign finances to aid accountability. If our democracy is to make any meaning, donations to political campaign organizations by corporate bodies and voluntary organisations should come under the purview of such an audit requirement.

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THE KILLING OF KAZEEM TIAMIYU

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here has been a nationwide campaign especially on social media for the proscription of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) because of their excesses which result in the killing and maiming of some innocent Nigerians.

SARS was originally set up to deal with armed robbery cases but along the line, they got carried away with excessive powers and dabbled into cybercrime where they harass – to use Nigerian English – yahoo boys and suspects.

The ‘crime fighting’ body believes that every young man with dreadlocks and a smart phone is into online crime and they unleash their venom on them with ruthless efficiency.

Their most recent victim is the late Kazeem Tiamiyu, a footballer with a club in Sagamu known as Remo Stars. According to his friend who was himself nearly murdered – the footballer parked his car and left him there to get something from across the road.

The SARS officials accosted him and waited for him to return back. When he did, both of them were bundled into their waiting van after they were thoroughly searched. The friend said the late footballer was pushed out of the van and then got crushed to death by an incoming vehicle. The account given by SARS was that he tried to escape and jumped out of the van and met his death when an incoming car smashed his skull to smithereens.

There was a massive protest in Sagamu against them but as usual it was an exercise in futility as nobody from the dreaded organization will get arrested and sanctioned for this needless murder.

Bill Gates mentioned that Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places to give birth to a child. If diseases don’t kill you, a trigger happy SARS official may most likely finish you off long before your time.

We got a shocking revelation from the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Peter Ogunyanwo who represented the IG at the condolence visit to the family of the slain young man that the SARS officials were on illegal duty and didn’t obtain the clearance to operate on that fateful day.

The DIG’s comment is nothing but medicine after death as the lost Tiamiyu can never be brought back to life. His father recently revealed that he was in serious talks with a club in Europe and was hoping to cross over later in the year. Tragically, he is now one more dead and forgotten statistic.

Tiamiyu may have been another Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu or even Odion Ighalo but all his dreams have perished before his very eye as he died in the most gruesome of ways. His crime was that he was born in the “shithole” of a country.

I can bet that the SARS official who was directly responsible for his demise will never be fished out and it will end up as an addition to the long list of unresolved murder cases. If the likes of some eminent Nigerians like Bola Ige, Marshall Harry, Funsho Williams, Dipo Dina, Suliat Adedeji, Kudirat Abiola, etc., could have their killers walking the streets freely, who is Kazeem Tiamiyu to have his killers found?

It is high time the federal government hearkened to the voice of wisdom by disbanding this blood thirsty group before more needless killings will occur.

The ‘problem’ seems to be that no scion of any highly placed Nigerian has been killed yet and so they don’t care about the fate of the proletariat who were made so by the ruinous policies by the elite. It will be nauseatingly hypocritical for the elite to rise up against the body when one of their own suffers a casualty. The double standard must cease. Let us spare a thought for the late Tiamiyu and act as if he were our own child. Parents know the pains and cost it takes to raise a child to the age of maturity – the government must be humane for once and put a soothing balm on the faces of his parents by the immediate proscription of this sinister body.

How many robbery cases has SARS successfully tackled? How many robbers have been sent to gaol through the intervention by SARS? How many armed robbers have met their waterloo through the crack efficiency of SARS? The body has long outlived its usefulness as they have reduced themselves to extortionists of suspected cyber criminals which is a negation of the raison d’etre for why they were set up in the first place.

Tony Ademiluyi, Lagos

ALL IS OK WITH THE WORLD?

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ll is okay with the world. A nice morning coffee at the usual venue and a little cake while reading their free newspapers. A quick trip to the toilet before leaving.

All is not okay with the world. A notice saying “Please don’t steal our toilet paper” shows how the world has gone mad. Admittedly there is little available for purchase but there are options such as newspapers, obviously not this one, that will make a reasonable short-term alternative.

Let’s get back to a sane world where the only robberies involving paper are for dollar notes.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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FRIDAY MARCH 6, 2020 •T H I S D AY

FRIDAY MARCH 6, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MARCH 6, 2020

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POLITICS

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

The Clockwork Called Zulum Isa Gusau chronicles a typical official day in the life of Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State

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t different times, some have expressed concern about Professor Babagana Umara Zulum’s work load.. Every day, the Borno Governor works for between 17 and 18 hours, and oftentimes, operates nonstop. The concern, which I also shared, was for him not to fall sick due to long hours of tedious multitasking.

However, as I uncovered, there are already days when Professor Zulum usually, but strangely, ‘falls sick’.

Typically, Zulum’s work clock begins at 6am and ends between 11pm and 12midnight.

At 6am, adorned in shirts, trousers and boots, the governor drives to project sites. Except on few occasions, no one knows the Professor ’s destination until he arrives in a convoy of two or three private vehicles. This routine is normally unpredictable. Sometimes, he arrives at a site before inviting officials who supervise those projects.

The Governor is particular about dozens of ongoing schools, healthcare centers, township roads and vocational skills training centers. A good number of these projects are in Maiduguri metropolis, which shares adjoining territories with three local government areas (LGAs): Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere and Konduga. The Metropolis currently hosts a vast number of the population of Borno State from across the 27 LGAs and this has increased demand for public facilities and services.

During some of Zulum’s 6am outings, he visits densely populated low-income communities to target the poorest. Sometimes, he knocks at doors, from house-to-house to meet indigent residents and ask about the most pressing community problems. It is marveling to observe how Professor Zulum’s excellent memory naturally stores information and accurately recalls findings from field assessments.

In most cases, the Governor directs immediate commencement of projects like schools and healthcare centers, where such interventions are urgent.

Additionally, Zulum would direct the release of food aid and conditional cash as social protection startups for highly vulnerable residents.

Before 10am, Professor Zulum often returns to the government house and attend to few persons with prescheduled appointments. He rarely spends up to 10 minutes during such audiences, except for meetings or courtesy calls. Around 10am, the Governor would swiftly eat his breakfast, freshen up and a few minutes after, he is officially out.

Strikingly, Zulum after his early daily outing, later travels by road to communities in any of the state’s LGAs. His modus operandi, in and outside Maiduguri, are about the same.

There are several examples, but for instance, during some of his trips to Gwoza, Bama and Monguno, Zulum arrived at evenings. Instead of getting some rest, the Professor invited council chairmen and heads of the military and other security operatives in the LGAs to review their challenges. Then he met with resident Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes to review security situations. Such meetings continued until around 10pm when Professor Zulum met with officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to ensure that the list of valid displaced persons, their allocation tickets, and trailer loads of food were appropriately sorted. He normally sends trailers loaded with food ahead of his surprise

trips. He would retire to bed around 12 midnight.

Incredibly, the next day, Professor Zulum was out on the field few minutes

after 5am, to visit Internally Displaced Persons’ camps. Most times, he takes full charge and participates,, carrying bags of food and clothing and handing

Buhari, NDDC and The Danger of Executive Recklessness Wale Odebiyi wonders why the Muhammadu Buhari regime has continued to ignore establishing the Niger Delta Development Commission in appointment of its statutory board

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here was an item of news last week that is very significant in many ways for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians in general because it reiterated the danger in the illegality going on currently at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

This piece of significant news came from the third anniversary lecture of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s administration in Ondo State and was delivered by the legal luminary Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) who spoke on ‘The Nigerian Federalism Imbroglio: A Pragmatic Approach.’ He said, “I am submitting that the management of the economy includes the appointment of personnel, the board members. It is so bad that some of the appointments have nothing to do with the law. For the NDDC, (the law says that) there shall be 19 members of the Board of NDDC. The Ninth Senate screened and when it was time for the President to inaugurate them he decided to jettison the Board and appointed an interim (management) committee. I am submitting here that there is no provision in the NDDC Act for an interim (management) committee.” This is indeed a wake-up call to the government.

The Federal Government has carried on like the laws which govern institutions do not matter and in doing so it has encouraged its high officials such as ministers to do the same, not minding the impact. To ignore the laws which govern national agencies is tantamount to a coup against the constitution and the laws of the country, the effect of which are not too far to imagine. In 2019 a little-known company by the name of PandID took the Nigerian government to court in the UK for the breach of a contract and won a staggering $9.6 billion, an amount that woke up Nigerians to the stupidity of our officials in ignoring the legal text that bind parties. Like a contractual document, an Act of parliament is a contract that spells out the nature and terms that guide the conduct of the affairs of an organisation for which the Act is made. This is what confronts the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) today.

The NDDC was established by an Act of the National Assembly in the year

2000 to address underdevelopment of the oil-bearing communities in the Niger Delta following years of neglect and agitation.

Beginning from that time it was run by properly constituted Board of Directors until 2015 when President Buhari came into office.

In what has become a tradition for the current Federal Government, it ignored the law setting up the Commission and did not nominate a Board of Directors after dissolving the Board it met on assumption of office; rather, it appointed someone from outside the Commission as Acting Managing Director for almost one year. Of course, she did not go through the mandatory Senate screening and operated like a sole administrator and without a Board of Directors as provided for in the NDDC Act of 2000 (as amended). After a public outcry by Niger-Delta stakeholders that the Federal Government was breaching the Law, it then appointed a substantive Board in line with Section 2 Part 1 of the NDDC Act, which spells out the requirements for Board membership. The NDDC Act provides for the President to nominate a Chairman, Managing Director, two Executive Directors and one person who shall be an indigene of an oil producing area to represent each of the following member states, that is: Abia, Akwa-lbom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers states, and three persons to represent each of the non-oil mineral producing geo-political zones. Other members are: a representative of oil producing companies in the Niger- Delta nominated by the oil producing companies; one person to represent the Federal Ministry of Finance; and one person to represent Federal Ministry of Environment. By the provisions of the NDDC Act, they shall be appointed for a fixed term of four years in the first instance subject to the confirmation of the Senate. But the Buhari regime has followed this law only in the breach and this has led to agitations by community, rights and youth groups in the Niger Delta.

-Odebiyi is based in Lagos NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

them to beneficiaries. This altruistic involvement repeatedly appears seamless and spontaneous. In the early days of his tenure, when he lifts such food item into carts, senior officials tactically made him drop them. Gradually, those government officials realized that Professor Zulum’s altruism is inherent and would not change. Many government officials have now joined Zulum’s style of getting physically involved, especially with the distribution of food aid.

However, from time to time, officials sneak out to rest. Professor Zulum does not. He can work nonstop for 12 hours (6am to 6pm) except for quick breaks to combine shortened prayers and lunch.

The distribution sometimes end at 6:30pm and Zulum would head back to his lodge to freshen up. An hour or two after that, the man is back to hold meetings with different categories of residents. He would normally ask of their peculiar needs. At about 10pm, Zulum would return to evaluate the day’s activities and next line of action with his humanitarian team.

The following day, instead of heading straight to the distribution site, Professor Zulum could pull another surprise! At 6am, he would appear at sites of ongoing projects, rather than at distribution areas. But the humanitarian team would work assiduously knowing that the Governor would join them anytime. He always does, instinctively without being predicted.

By the way, Professor Zulum has no weekend. He always says that “he cannot be a Governor of a troubled state like Borno and enjoy the luxury of a weekend.”

Concerned by his ‘clock-work’ diligence, Professor Zulum got advice from associates to create days of rest.

Zulum heeded to that sincere advice and attempted some rest on three occasions. However, last Friday, he revealed that when he rests for a full day, and sleeps as advised, he falls sick.

“I am going to stop listening to all those asking me to take any day off for rest and sleep. Wallahi, any day I do nothing but sit and sleep for hours, I begin to feel sick. I feel very normal when I am just myself. The rest you all keep suggesting does not make me feel alright,” Zulum said.

Amusing as that may sound, Professor Zulum’s history supports his feeling of normalcy with being a ‘working clock’. As a primary school pupil, between 1975 to 1980, Zulum trekked seven kilometers from home to help his father till the ground at the family’s farm at Loskuri village in Mafa LGA of Borno State. From 1985, when he was a form five secondary school student, Zulum began to cater for himself and support his siblings. As a student of Ramat Polytechnic from 1986 to 1988, Zulum trekked about eight kilometers daily, from Kofa Biyu ward in Maiduguri, where he lived with relations, to school and back. He could not afford transport fares. He eventually acquired an old commercial vehicle and became both driver and self-mechanic, and for 16 years, he combined those with university education.

Well, that is the tough man who is now being asked to rest. Nonetheless, even though he ‘falls sick’ when he rests, associates and admirers have continued to insist that biweekly or monthly, Professor Zulum MUST consider a day of rest.

-Gusau is the Special Adviser on Public Relations and Strategy to Governor Zulum

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MARCH 6, 2020

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PERSPECTIVE

Leaving No Child Behind in Kwara Rafiu Ajakaye explains the foundational issues that urged Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to enroll the state in the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme

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oundation is everything. Once anything lacks a solid foundation, it is a matter of t i m e b e f o re i t c o m e s crashing down. Kwara has s t a r t e d t h e p ro c e s s t o g i v e i t s p r i m a r y s c h o o l c h i l d re n o n e n u t r i t i o u s m e a l p e r d a y, k e y i n g i n t o a p ro g r a m m e d e s i g n e d by the Federal Government to tackle a number of issues. At the moment, 34 states and the F e d e r a l C a p i t a l Te r r i t o r y a re e n ro l l e d i n w h a t i s c a l l e d t h e N a t i o n a l H o m e G ro w n S c h o o l F e e d i n g P ro g r a m m e ( N H G S F P ) .

O n l y B a y e l s a a n d K w a r a a re l e f t . A b u j a s a i d t h e p ro g r a m m e , launched in 2016, is meant to boost nutrition among school a g e c h i l d re n , d r i v e u p d w i n d l i n g s c h o o l e n ro l m e n t , a n d h e l p t h e p o o r, a m o n g o t h e r things.

Tw o w e e k s a g o , K w a r a G o v e rnor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq o ff i c i a l l y f l a g g e d o ff t h e p ro cess that would lead to about 2 2 0 , 6 3 2 p r i m a r y s c h o o l c h i l d re n a c ro s s 1 , 5 7 8 p u b l i c s c h o o l s h a v i n g o n e b a l a n c e d m e a l a d a y.

While the step has jerked up his positive ratings in the state, a few individuals — mostly f ro m t h e m i d d l e c l a s s — h a v e questioned the need for feedi n g s c h o o l c h i l d re n w h e n t h e s t a t e l a c k s b a s i c i n f r a s t r u c t u re , including good schools. They have also questioned whether it is sustainable or necessary a t t h i s t i m e . To b e f a i r, t h e s e c r i t i c s c o m e u n d e r t w o u m b re l las: those who truly do not understand the underlying i s s u e s a n d t h o s e w h o a re j u s t not convinced that government should ever do that.

It is better to assume that the f i r s t c a t e g o r y a re i n t h e m a j o ri t y, h e n c e t h e n e e d t o p ro p e r l y explain the apocalyptic foundational issues we face as a state.

Kwara leads the North Central in school age malnutrition, w i t h 3 3 p e rc e n t o f i t s c h i l d re n s t u n t e d a n d a n o t h e r 7 p e rc e n t w a s t e d . T h e p i c t u re c a n ’ t b e g r i m m e r ! T h a t m e a n s 4 0 p e rc e n t o f o u r c h i l d re n a re a l re a d y t e c h n i c a l l y o u t o f t h e r a c e b e f o re i t begins.

As at 2019, the UNICEF said 5 i n 1 0 N i g e r i a n c h i l d re n u n d e r f i v e a re m a l n o u r i s h e d ( s t u n t e d , wasted or overweight); while 3 i n 1 0 c h i l d re n a g e d 6 t o 2 3 months live on poor diets.

Experts have linked this phenomenon to various factors, i n c l u d i n g i l l i t e r a c y, w i d e n i n g e c o n o m i c i n e q u a l i t y, a n d u n d e ra g e m o t h e r s y n d ro m e .

T h e s c h o o l f e e d i n g h a d t h e re f o re b e e n c o n c e i v e d t o a d d re s s t h re e s e r i o u s i s s u e s : m a l n u trition, rising rate of out of s c h o o l c h i l d re n , a n d w o r s e n i n g economic inequality which has devastating consequences for societal cohesion.

T h e N H G S F P, w h i c h K w a r a i s re p l i c a t i n g , i s d e s i g n e d t o deliver one nutritious meal per day to every school child, t h e re b y h e l p i n g t o p ro v i d e the most basic nutrients they need for brain and physical development. Some persons have suggested to the government to invest the money for school feeding in infrastruct u r a l d e v e l o p m e n t . We b e g t o

At the moment, 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory are enrolled in what is called the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP). Only Bayelsa and Kwara are left. Abuja said the programme, launched in 2016, is meant to boost nutrition among school age children, drive up dwindling school enrolment, and help the poor, among other things

Nigeria, Awolowo, Peter Obi and 2023 Shadrach Alawode highlights the sterling qualities of the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi

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ations that seek to be great must deliberately choose great men as leaders, otherwise, society stagnates or even worse, regresses.

Greatness is about changing history. To be great is to have the most impact on the most number of people. To influence others positively. To cause a radical change for good.

I know the word ‘great’ is such a bastardized and jaded cliché nowadays.

However, regardless of its terrible perversion, greatness is recognized when seen.

Nobody can mistake an elephant for a rat.

Only great men build great nations, for you cannot give what you don’t have. As the leaders are, so their nation and people.

The collective spiritual, moral, economic and physical state of a nation is a reflection of the specie of its leadership.

All the great nations on earth today, at certain critical junctures in their existence have had the intervention of great men with extraordinary leadership skills and talents. America had George Washington, its first chosen president, who like David, assembled perhaps, the most capable, intellectually gifted and visionary group of men ever, in one cabinet, as his lieutenants.

They’re called the Founding Fathers of America. Their creation is here to behold 245-years afterward and still counting.

Modern-day nation Israel had David Ben Gurion as its first Prime Minister.

Turkey had Mustafa Kemal Attaturk.

China had Mao Zedong. Britain had Thomas Cromwell, William Shakespeare, Winston Churchill, etc. South Africa had Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo, and Nelson Mandela. Singapore had Lee Kuan Yew. North Korea had Kim ll Sung. South Korea had Park Chung Hee. Russia had Boris Yeltsin. I could go on and on. All these men had one thing in common; they built great nations.

Nigeria, at the outset, also had Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo. Of Awolowo, Dim Chukwue-

meka Ojukwu described him as “the best president Nigeria never had.” Among his peers and in his generation, Awolowo was simply incomparable as a social thinker and development strategist. He was a capable and competent leader and manager of men and resources. Tragically, however, the ‘gods’ of the land, ensured he never fulfilled his historic destiny. And generations of Nigerians are still paying the price for that tragedy.

But there is now another man. His name is Peter Obi. I greatly admire Babatunde Raji Fashola.

I also used to admire Nasir El Rufai (until he became Governor). But Peter Obi is in a class alone. I supported Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 elections essentially because he chose Peter Obi as running mate. Five key factors, among others, stand him out from the pack.

Personal Discipline - his personal lifestyle exemplifies the definition of discipline; His dress sense. His family, wife and children. His involvement in the financial sector as a director and chairman of a major bank. His exemplary record as governor of Anambra state. His comportment since leaving office. And so forth.

Leadership: I am here referring to demonstrable capacity to lead people and manage resources. I am speaking about ‘being there, done that’ What most of those who threw their hats into the presidential contest in 2019 had were mere fantasies. Most of these, otherwise decent and well-meaning Nigerians, had little or no verifiable experience in governance, not even at the local government level, yet aspired to be president. Mr. Obi has been governor of Anambra state and his stewardship remains the new watermark in transformational leadership and governance in Nigeria.

-Alawode writes from Abuja NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

d i s a g re e . W h i l e g o v e r n m e n t m u s t i n d e e d e n s u re d e c e n t a c a d e m i c e n v i ro n m e n t , i t m u s t b e m o re c o n s c i o u s o f ‘ l e a r n i n g o u t c o m e s ’ w h i c h a re t h e b a s i s f o r e n ro l l i n g c h i l d re n i n s c h o o l .

W h a t i s t h e p o i n t i n e n ro l l i n g a malnourished child in a good school when he is clearly unable to learn anything?

S c h o o l f e e d i n g re v s u p e n ro l l m e n t w h i c h h a s d o m i n o e ff e c t s .

W h i l e m o re e n ro l l m e n t re d u c e s t h e l e v e l o f i l l i t e r a c y, i t h a s wider implications for the society especially girl child education. Educated women, because of knowledge, enlightenment a n d h i g h e r i n c o m e , a re l e s s p ro n e t o m a t e r n a l m a l n u t r i t i o n o r m a t e r n a l d e a t h a n d a re m o re l i k e l y t o r a i s e h e a l t h y, e d u c a t e d a n d p ro s p e ro u s c h i l d re n w h i c h i n t u r n a ff e c t s s o c i e t a l g ro w t h .

While school feeding helps to fight malnutrition among s c h o o l c h i l d re n , t h e i n i t i a t o r s have something bigger in mind.

That includes gradually raising a generation of healthy and well e d u c a t e d c h i l d re n a n d b r i g h t e n i n g t h e f u t u re o f t h e c o u n t r y.

Experts say bright and better e d u c a t e d c h i l d re n a re m a n y t i m e s m o re l i k e l y t o l a n d g o o d j o b s a n d re d u c e p o v e r t y r a t e .

A t t h e s a m e t i m e , s u c h c h i l d re n constitute the critical mass which Nigeria badly needs.

By all means Nigeria must p u r s u e i n c l u s i v e g ro w t h .

Berating the widening inequality in Nigeria, International development body Oxfam said i n a re c e n t re p o r t : “ N i g e r i a is not a poor country yet mill i o n s a re l i v i n g i n h u n g e r. T h e government must work with the international community to get food and aid to hungry people n o w. B u t i t c a n ’ t s t o p t h e re . I t m u s t f re e m i l l i o n s o f N i g e r i a n s f ro m p o v e r t y b y b u i l d i n g a n e w political and economic system that works for everyone, not j u s t a f o r t u n a t e f e w. ” The above sums up why the c o u n t r y, w i t h 11 2 m i l l i o n p e o p l e living below the poverty line, m u s t re d i s t r i b u t e w e a l t h t o re i n i n e x t re m e h u n g e r, d e s t i t u t i o n , a n d s o c i a l u n re s t . A b d u l R a z a q ’ s school feeding, a component o f t h e f o u r- p a r t s o c i a l i n v e s t m e n t p ro g r a m m e , c a n ’ t b e m o re t i m e l y. Wi t h 2 2 0 , 6 3 2 s c h o o l c h i l d re n s p re a d a c ro s s 1 9 3 e l e c t o r a l w a rd s , t h e g o v e r n m e n t will engage thousands of food v e n d o r s , h u n d re d s o f s m a l l h o l d e r f a r m e r s a n d re t a i l e r s t o take part in the school feeding p ro g r a m m e . T h e v a l u e c h a i n i s better imagined, clearly taking h u n d re d s o f t h o u s a n d s o u t o f e x t re m e p o v e r t y.

That said, AbdulRazaq’s school feeding is not a stand-alone initiative. It is coming on the heels of massive rehabilitation of schools across the state and proposed training and retraining of teachers which is covered in the 2020 budget. While the government does not claim to be perfect, it is clear that its approach to education development is sure-footed and allencompassing, even if gradual and constrained by funds.

- R a f i u i s t h e C h i e f P re s s S e c re t a r y t o t h e G o v e r n o r o f Kwara State

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FRIDAY MARCH 6, 2020 •T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY Ëž Í´, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

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

Í° ÍŻ Ëœ Í° ÍŽ Í° ÍŽ MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

REPO 3% 3.83 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

3% 4% Í´ Ďą

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

505.18 % 0.59 % 1.41 %

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE 4.99 % YEAR TO DATE 4.99 %

EXCHANGE RATE ͹͎;˚ͯ ̊ ̊

Quick Takes Turkish, NAHCO Renew Agreement

TheNigerianAviationHandlingCompany(nahcoaviance)andTurkish Airlinehaverenewedtheircontract.Thecontractrenewal,whichwassigned recentlywouldseethegroundhandlerhandleallTurkishpassengerand cargoflightsandotherrampactivitiesinallTurkishlocationsinNigeria, includingLagos,Abuja,KanoandPortHarcourt.

TherenewalcomesonlyafewweeksaftertheCompanywonthecontract tohandleCaboVerdeAirlines,thenationalairlineofCapeVerde.

Speakingonthedevelopment,theGroupExecutiveDirectorCommercial andBusinessDevelopment,nahcoaviance,Mr.SaheedLasisi,saidthe decisionofthepartnerstoextendtheagreementbetweenthemwasa demonstrationofthetrustandconfidencethepartieshaveineachother.

Lasisisaid,“Thefundamentalofanyrelationshipistrust.Wehavebeenin thisrelationshipwithTurkishfordecades.Overthistime,wehavecome totrusteachotherandtolookoutforwhatisinthebestinterestofone another. “We are proud to be chosen consistently over others because of our excellentservicedeliveryandunparalleledcustomerexperience.�

TheExecutiveDirectorassuredthatinthelongrunnahcoaviancewould onlyhaveitselftocompetewithbecauseofthesuperiorithadsetforthe industry. Nahco aviance has grown into a multi - billion Naira company withdiversifiedinvestmentsinenergy,logisticsanddevelopmentofa freetradezone. ThishasledtotheestablishmentofNahcoFreeZone (NFZ),MainlandCargoOptionsLimited(MCO)andNahcoEnergyPower andInfrastructure(EPI).

CLOSING GONG CEREMONY

L-R: Communications, Public Aairs and Sustainable Development Director, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem; Chief Financial OďŹƒcer, Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Lafarge Africa Plc, Khaled Abdel Aziz El Dokani, and Non-Executive Director, Elenda Giwa-Amu, during the closing gong ceremony at the NSE‌recently

COVID-19: Aviation Experts Flay Angola over Entry Restriction of Nigerians Chinedu Eze Aviation experts have excoriated the Angolan government for placing entry restriction on Nigerians that wished to visit the country, due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus (Covid- 19) in the West African country.

Industry observers expressed surprise about the action taken

by Angola, a fellow African country, due to one case recorded by a visiting foreigner from Italy, which was being effectively handled in Nigeria.

An official from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) told THISDAY that the matter would be handled at the government level and

AVIATION expressed surprise that there was no official notification by the Angolan government to the regulatory authority. “They will resolve that issue at the government level.

It is always government-togovernment and in diplomacy everything is usually two-way; so Nigeria will have to react and reciprocate their gesture.

Our government will take a position. I expect they will communicate to us, maybe by phone first, later they will formalise it,� the NCAA official told THISDAY. TAAG Angola, Angola national carrier, started opera-

tion to Lagos in December, last year, and Arik Air used to operate to Angola, but recently suspended its operations to the South African country.

General Secretary of the industry think-tank group, Aviation Round Table (ART) and former Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, Group Captain John Ojikutu (retd), expressed disappointment with Angola over the decision and insisted that there might be extraneous reasons for the decision, using Coronavirus as a façade.

Ojikutu traced the history of rivalry between the two countries over oil deposits, saying Angola was only jealous

of Nigeria. “Any country can take any decision. What is the relationship between Nigeria and Angola before now? But I am surprised that an African country can do that. “But nobody has told me whom Coronavirus has affected in Africa. Angola’s decision has nothing to do with the virus; it is out of jealousy that the country placed restriction on Nigerians. “I see this as economic warfare. Maybe the international oil companies, which explore oil and gas in the two countries, have been posting Continued on page 22

National Assembly Backs NIMASA’s Deep Blue Project Eromosele Aniodun The bid to make maritime sector the mainstay of the Nigerian economy with the deployment of the Integrated Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, commonly called the Deep Blue Project by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has been endorsed by the National Assembly.

Unanimously, members of the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration during an oversight visit to the and tour of some of its facilities under the project in Lagos, applauded the agency for its vision adding that the project is

MARITIME capable of enhancing the federal government’s revenue.

The committee members, led by their Chairman, Lynda Ikpeazu, inspected the Special Mission Vessels (SMVs) under the Deep Blue Project – DB Abuja and DB Lagos – and the C4i Centre, and pledged their strong support for the project.

Speaking at the event, Ikpeazu said the committee was impressed by the projects the Agency had facilitated in recent times, adding that the Floating Dock acquired by NIMASA remained a viable project that would generate lots of revenue for the country. “We need to get a permanent

berth for this huge platform because when it is fully operational it would amount to a very huge revenue earner for Nigeria because a lot of vessels would be able to dry-dock in-country,� she said.

On the SMVs and the Command, Control, Computer Communication, and Intelligence Centre (C4i Centre), which the committee visited, Ikpeazu said she was impressed with the level of coordination at the centre, especially the partnership between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy.

She, however, advised that aside NIMASA working with the Navy, the Agency should collaborate with other relevant Agencies, saying this would

help in the battle against illegalities in the maritime environment.

Corroborating the legislature’s position, the Commander of DB Lagos, Captain Maksun Mohammed, said the vessels will be a game changer in the fight against piracy and other maritime crimes on the country’s waters, as the criminals could be easily reached and stopped.

Speaking on the SMVs, which are fitted with fast interceptor boats, Mohammed stated, “We have had hijack cases on our waters and more often than not, the reason they are successful is because they are beyond reach.

Continued on page 22

COVID-19: BASL Cautions Travellers

In the aftermath of the Coronavirus currently ravaging nations of the world,managementofBi-CourtneyAviationServicesLimited(BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed AirportTerminalTwo (MMA2), hasadvisedtravellerstobesafetyconscious,particularlyintheareaof personal and respiratory hygiene. In a statement issued in Lagos, the firmmaintainedthatitsofficialshavebeenstrategicallypositionedto carryoutnecessarychecksandothersafetytipstoassistotherpublic healthofficialstotrackandreportsuspiciousincidents.This,itstated, was being carried out in line with laid down instructions by regulatory agencies.

The statement, according to Mr. Ayotunde Osowe of the Corporate Communications department, charged airport users to cooperate with terminal officials in the onerous task of ridding the nation of any likelihoodofunwanteddisease,stressingtheneedforconcertedefforts byallandsundrygearedtowardsmakingthesocietyhabitableforall.

SincethediseasebrokeoutinChinainDecember2019,ithasrecorded90, 000caseswith3,000deathsreportedcasesinnolessthan48countries.

Nigeria,inlikemanner,announcedtheoutbreakofthediseasefewdays ago,courtesyofanItalianconsultantwhocameinforabusinesstrip.

BASLSafetyManager,Mr.CharlesAroguma,whilespeaking,notedthat his team was in regular touch with officials of the Port Health Division of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Airports Authority ofNigeria(FAAN)togivenecessarysupportandotherinterventionto ward-offthedreadeddisease.

Aroguma, who noted that sanitisers have been deployed to various beats at the terminal where personnel usually have direct interface with members of the public, also stated: “Our men are fully on ground, closelyobservingtheturnofevents.Weareensuringthatoursecurity personnelusehandglovesandothernecessarypreventivemeasures while screening passengers; and ensure they change the hand gloves regularly. “Weareoptimisticofmeaningfuloutlook,aswehavealsoconcludedplans todeploytemperaturemeasurementdevicetotakethetemperature ofallterminalusersatthevariousentrypoints.�

Ethiopian Wins Award

Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services has won the ‘International Air CargoMarketeroftheYear’Awardatthe2020STATInternationalAward forExcellenceinAirCargo,whichwasheldinMumbai,India,recently.

EthiopianCargoandLogisticsServices,wontheawardforitsvaluable contributiontotheaircargoindustryinahighlycompetitiveandoneof thefastestgrowingmarketsintheworld.

Commenting on the award, Ethiopian Group CEO Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam said: “We are honored to have won the ‘International Air Cargo Marketer of the Year’ award which bears testimony to our leading cargo and logistics services in Africa and different parts of theworld,catalysingmulti-facetedgrowthinalltheregionsweserve.�

“Nigeria is applying better tactics on COVID-19 than many advanced countries because we have experience from Ebola, Polio and Lassa Fever� travel expert and organiser of African Travel Market,

Akwaaba

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T H I S D AY Ëž Í´, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD COVID-19: AVIATION EXPERTS FLAY ANGOLA OVER ENTRY RESTRICTION OF NIGERIANS more Nigerians to Angola and because there is nothing they can do to those foreign oil firms, they decide to express their displeasure in another way. We are using the same manpower and we have more skilled manpower. So one can understand why the drastic decision they have taken,�

Ojikutu said.

Spokesman of Arik Air, Banji Ola, who confirmed that the airline had suspended operation to Angola for about three months, said he was surprised at the decision of the country to place entry restriction on Nigeria, saying that such rash decision could bring down a nation’s economy.

Lead Consultant, ETIMFRI Group, Amos Akpan, said he expected the Nigerian government to react swiftly to the decision of the Angolan government by reciprocating in the same measure, remarking that the index case in Nigeria that is being well managed is not a reason for Angola to take such drastic decision.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BACKS NIMASA’S DEEP BLUE PROJECT But with this craft, that is not going to be an issue anymore, because it is either we launch fast interceptor boats that are capable of attaining the speed of about 55 nauts – no vessel can beat that vessel out at sea – or we put our special forces on the aircraft and send them out to the target and capture the ship. “This vessel is going to be a game changer based on its capabilities. We are looking forward to going into operations soon.�

He said there will be rigorous training for personnel, who will man the vessels, before going into full operation. “The vessel is highly sophisticated and highly computerised. That is why there will be a rigorous training process before we launch into operation. Experts will oversee the training with inept knowledge about the operations of the ship. There will be a lot of emphasis on training so that we can have sufficient competence to operate this craft the way we should,� Mohammed stated.

Group Business Editor

ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ă‹ Capital Market Editor

Goddy Ogene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Ă—Ă—Ă‹ Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ă”Ă“ Senior Correspondent

Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă— Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ (Maritime) Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă?ÔÙ (Finance) ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? åÙÔÓ (Insurance) Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ăœ (Energy) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă‘Ă’Ă? (Money Market) Ă™Ă?Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă•Ă’Ă&#x;ÙÑÓĂ? (ICT)

NEWS

Lawmakers Want SON Returned to Ports Dike Onwuamaeze and Chris Uba The Senate Committee on Industries has declared that it will ensure the return of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to the country’s seaports to and other points of entries.

This, they said would help in combating the importation of sub-standard products into Nigeria.

The committee said standard regulatory bodies are stationed at their countries’ ports to check the quality of goods before they gain entrance into their various markets and Nigeria should not be an exception.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries, Senator Bayo Osinowo, who was in Lagos to inspect SON’s projects said it was unfortunate that SON was not at the port even though its enabling law stated that the agency must be present at the ports to monitor the standards of products being imported into the country.

Osinowo said: “It is unfortunate that SON is not at the port.

We set SON up to monitor all the standards of the products produced and imported into the country. “But when we found out that SON was not at the port, we decided to address it because there must be an office for you at the ports for you to carry out your mandate effectively.

The legislature will look into the matter and amend it where necessary.�

A member of the Commit-

tee, Senator, Nwaobosh Peter, said the Committee was not impressed that SON was not at the point of entry where these goods are being brought into the country, advising that the agency must be equipped and given the opportunity to assess the goods before they enter the nation’s markets.

He added: “For example there are cables coming into the country, which are branded as ‘made-in-Nigeria’ whereas they were manufactured somewhere else. So it is only SON that can discover these anomalies

at the port. “So we believe that the policy ordering SON out of the port is not correct and they should be sent back to the port to checkmate substandard goods.�

Responding, the Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma, said the oversight was to give the lawmakers firsthand information about the level of progress made so far by SON in the wake of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

He noted that Nigeria through SON was leading other

countries in the harmonisation of standards, adding that there are 40 laboratories presently, where eight has been accredited and 20 undergoing accreditation to position them in readiness for the AfCFTA. “All these we have been able to achieve through the appropriation to SON. what we had, we have managed judiciously, but we still need more. “This organisation will be as efficient as powerful as the senate and National Assembly will want it to be.

We have capacity for infinite

possibilities and all we need is more encouragement and assistance. “We consider the senate as standards ambassadors. Quality assurance is a collective effort because we cannot do it alone.

We need more ambassadors to advocate our course to let people know that there is no other alternative to getting it right than doing the right thing, so if you see something unwholesome say something to SON. Keeping Nigerians safe is a task we must all work together to achieve,� he said.

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Publicity Secretary, Risk Management Association of Nigeria (RIMAN), Dr. Laurine Ubanozie; General Secretary, Mr. Soji Olasoko; President, Mr. Magnus Nnoka; MD/CEO; Executive Director/ Chief Risk OďŹƒcer, Standard Chartered Bank, Mrs. Mobola Faloye; ďŹ rst Vice President, RIMAN, Mr. Kola Ajimoko; Head, Retail Credit, Standard Chartered Bank, Mrs. Grace Ademola; Executive Secretary, RIMAN, Mr. Victor Olannye, and RIMAN Ex-OďŹƒcio, Mr. Joshua Uwedinisu, during a courtesy visit by RIMAN executive council to Standard Chartered Bank in Lagos...recently

Customs, NAFDAC Restate Commitment to Ending Drug Smuggling Stories by Eromosele Abiodun Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have restated their commitment to suppress the smuggling of drugs and other harmful pharmaceuticals.

Speaking at the resumed destruction of tramadol and other prohibited/fake drugs worth N14.7 billion at Oke-diya dumpsite in Sagamu, Ogun State, the Chairman of the joint committee, Victor Dimka, told journalists that smugglers would continue to suffer huge economic

losses if they continued with such importations.

Dimka, who is Comptroller Enforcement at Customs Headquarters, described the seizures made in different parts of the country as a proof of uncompromising commitment to enforcement by Customs and NAFDAC officials.

Dimka, reiterated the charge

by Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali, to all officers of the service to shun compromise and strictly enforce the law on anti-smuggling.

He also commended the level of cooperation customs was re-

ceiving from NAFDAC, Nigerian Army and other government organisations describing it as a good example of inter-agency cooperation between sister government outfits “This destruction is in continuation of the exercise we started 24th July 2019 involving 58 containers of illicit drugs seized by our men. After the Lagos exercise we shall be going to Port court and Kaduna to continue with the destruction, “he said.

Dimka added that the volumes of drugs seized so far are capable of causing health hazards and damages

to addicts who consume them abusively.

Speaking earlier, Comptroller General of Customs who was represented by ACG Zone A, Mrs Katharine Ekekezie blamed importers of the drugs for several drug induced sicknesses like cancer, renal failure and heart failure She urged Nigerians to distant themselves from the drugs that are capable of destroying lives and endanger the country while advising importers to bring in things permitted by law.

Also speaking at the destruction site, Representative of the

Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Pharmacists Joseph Asikpo, a Deputy Director, described some of the seized drugs as medicines produced in contravention of approved dosages.

He narrated their adverse effects on consumers to include contracted pupils, extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, slowed heartbeat, weak muscles and loss of consciousness which could lead to death. Asikpor added that they could also cause neurological toxicity, respiratory failure and cardiac disturbances

Maritime Workers Issue 21-Day Ultimatum to Shipping Companies The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the shipping employers and the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN) over the review of the subsisting industry condition of service.

The ultimatum contained in a memo signed by the General Secretary, MWUN, Felix Akingboye read in part, “Our letter

with Ref. No. MWUN/SB/ RICS/2019 dated 22nd May, 2019 captioned ‘Review of Industry Condition of Service namely End of Service/Redundancy/ Retirement Benefits and Gratuity Scheme which was received in your office same day�(ie 22/5/2019) refers. “In our letter under reference, proposal was made for a meet-

ing of your association and the union to hold between 10th and 14th June, 2019, with a view to reviewing the overdue terminal benefits currently being paid to workers but up till now, you have not found it necessary to dignify us with a response. “This is not an attitude that encourages cordial industrial relationship. It is rather an

indication of the level of contempt at which you hold the union and the little regard you have for workers’ welfare.�

MWUN added, “The Terminal benefits (Industry Condition of Service) currently being paid in the shipping industry was negotiated and became effective in the year 2008, a decade ago.�

It gave the shipping as-

sociation a 21-day ultimatum, effective February 26, within which it should convene a meeting with the MWUN for the purpose of reviewing the terminal benefits of workers upwards.

It equally demanded that shipping lines evacuate empty containers parked along the Apapa port access road.

De Werd: More Women Needed in Transport, Logistics The Head of Marketing and Business Development, African Region of Maersk, Ms. Anita De Werd, has advocated greater participation of women in the maritime and logistics sector.

De Werd said this in Lagos when Maersk hosted a group of young professional women in the maritime and logistics industry, as part of the company’s initiatives aimed

at getting more women to participate and attain top managerial positions in the industry.

De Werd, who also led the young women professionals on a visit to APM Terminals Apapa, said Maersk chose to identify with young female professionals in the industry to enlighten them on its operations as the global integrator

in container logistics and encourage them to build their careers in the sector.

She said, “It is important to have more women in the logistics and maritime industry especially in Africa where we have a lot of capable women.

What I have seen is that for a lot of young professionals, it is difficult to find out what is happening in the industry,

and how they can play a role that could be fitting in the capabilities and interests they have. So we have brought them together to sensitize them on who we are as a company and hope to ignite the interest of these young professionals,� she said.

She added, “We are constantly addressing how we can accommodate and make

women professionals climb up the ladder and for them to also see the vision of reaching top management positions. “A lot of household decisions are made by women and if we don’t bring different perspectives to the table, then we are creating products that may not be fit for market, especially because women are important decision makers.�

T H I S D AY Ëž Í´, 2020

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

NDLEA Dismisses Alleged Marginalisation of Persons with Disabilities Stories by Chinedu Eze The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has described as “baseless and premature,� claims by some persons with disabilities that invaded its premises over allegation of marginalisation in the agency’s ongoing recruitment exercise.

NDLEA, in a statement claimed that physically challenged persons had laid siege at the gate of the agency’s national headquarters in protest that they have not been issued letter of employment

by NDLEA. According to the statement signed by Jonah Achema,

the Public Affairs Officer of NDLEA, the recruitment process of the agency was ongoing.

The statement further said over 100, 000 graduates, including the persons with disability, have written the Computer Based Test (CBT) Examination and the result is being collated to select the candidates in accordance with Federal Character Commission Guidelines given to the agency.

The shortlisting of the Junior (Narcotic Agent) Cadre has reached an advanced stage, Achema said. “NDLEA is an equal opportunity organization in

respect of recruitment and will not discriminate against any category of Nigerians, including persons with disabilities, provided the conditions for the recruitment are met. “The agency however wishes to emphasize that recruitment of staff is individual and no pressure group or Trade Union can put pressure on the agency to circumvent the process. “The Persons with Disability Act relied upon does not allow breakdown of Law and Order or obstruction of the agency in the lawful exercise of its duty as carried out by those laying siege on the agency’s premises,� Achema said.

Ethiopian Air Transport Market to Grow 226% By 2037 The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) latest study on the importance of air transport and tourism to Ethiopia has projected that the sustained prioritisation of air transport, connectivity and tourism as a strategic asset will support an additional 900,000 jobs and at least $9.3 billion of GDP by 2037 to the country.

IATA’s economic report, which was presented in Addis Ababa Wednesday, identified air transport and tourism as significant economic enablers, noting that air transport and foreign tourists arriving by air currently support 5.7 per cent of the nation’s GDP valued at $4.2 billion and about 1.1 million jobs.

The world body said if current trends persist, Ethiopia’s air transport market would expand by 226 per cent over the next 20 years, with annual passenger journeys increasing from 7.2 million in 2017 to 23.5 million a year by 2037.

IATA identified four areas where Ethiopian government action could further promote

aviation’s growth and bring even more value to the country: These include implement of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), noting that SAATM would open Africa’s skies. Ethiopia’s commitment to SAATM is positive for African aviation.

It noted that the government’s ongoing efforts to increase SAATM adoption among other Africa States would provide a significant boost for aviation in Ethiopia and throughout the continent.

The second area is to ensure future infrastructure investments maximise the economic and social benefits of connectivity. “Much needed infrastructure capacity for Ethiopia was provided by the opening of the second terminal at Addis Ababa Bole International airport. For the country to retain its competitive position, future infrastructure investments should align with industry growth, be demand driven, fit for purpose and deliver required service levels at acceptable costs for users,�

IATA said.

In the area of blocked funds, IATA said airline funds blocked from repatriation in Ethiopia stood at $70 million, noting that the government should continue working with the industry on ways to make these withheld funds available.

It stressed that airlines need to have confidence that they would be able to repatriate their revenues to allow the full benefits of aviation to be realised.

The fourth area was on improvement of air cargo facilitation in which IATA said Ethiopia’s facilitation of air cargo through its customs and borders regulations ranks 86th out of 124 countries in terms of the worldwide Air Trade Facilitation Index (ATFI) and 42nd out of 135 countries in terms of the eFreight Friendliness Index (EFFI) globally.

It noted that by implementing policies facilitating the frictionless movement of air cargo the country would be able to strengthen its position as a leading cargo hub for East Africa.

COVID-19 Hits January Passenger Demand The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced global passenger traffic data for January 2020, showing that demand (measured in total revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) climbed 2.4 per cent compared to January 2019.

This was down from 4.6 per cent year-over-year growth for the prior month and is the lowest monthly increase since April 2010, at the time of the volcanic ash cloud crisis in Europe that led to massive airspace closures and flight cancellations. January capacity (available seat kilometers or ASKs) increased by 1.7 per cent load factor climbed 0.6 percentage point to 80.3 per cent. “January was just the tip

of the iceberg in terms of the traffic impacts we are seeing owing to the COVID-19 outbreak, given that major travel restrictions in China did not begin until 23 January. Nevertheless, it was still enough to cause our slowest traffic growth in nearly a decade,� said IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac.

In January international passenger demand rose 2.5 per cent compared to January 2019, down from 3.7 per cent growth the previous month.

With the exception of Latin America, all regions recorded increases, led by airlines in Africa and the Middle East that saw minimal impact from the COVID-19 outbreak in January. Capacity climbed 0.9 per cent, and load factor

rose 1.2 percentage points to 81.1 per cent.

African airlines’ traffic climbed 5.3 per cent in January, up slightly from 5.1 per cent growth in December. Capacity rose 5.7 per cent, however, and load factor slipped 0.3 percentage point to 70.5 per cent.

Middle Eastern airlines posted a 5.4 per cent traffic increase in January, the fourth consecutive month of solid demand growth, reflecting strong performance from larger Europe-Middle East and Middle East-Asia routes, which were not significantly impacted by route cancellations related to COVID-19 at that time. Capacity increased just 0.5 per cent, with load factor jumping 3.6 percentage points to 78.3 per cent.

As Coronavirus Ravages Global Aviation Industry

Turkish Airline aircraft

Chinedu Eze Not even Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) nor Ebola Virus Disease, which were epochal epidemic diseases, has jolted the world the way Coronavirus is doing currently and the former with all its devastation, did not kill the number of people, which COVID-19 has already sent to their graves.

The most affected industry by the disease is air transport, which airlifts the highest number of people from one place to another and for long distances.

Aviation experts have posited that unless the virus is stopped now it would emasculate world’s economy, starting with air transport, if it lingers for another few weeks.

Lead Consultant, ETIMFRI Group, Amos Akpan, x-rayed the challenge faced by the aviation industry over the disease.

Akpan, explained how low patronage of the airlines by travellers due to the virus would constrict the finances of the airlines. “Flight restrictions and outright ban has been the subject matter on the desk of aviation authorities in most governments throughout February 2020. The finance of airlines will be affected. “They won’t meet targeted income. They will not have sufficient funds to service their fixed cost like monthly loan repayment, salaries, insurance, calendared maintenance and recurrent training etc. “These are some compulsory expense subjects they must spend whether they operate flights or not. “There will be issues of force majeure on the table of discussion between airline executives and existing investment funders in operation.

The reason is because COVID- 19 may have to be discussed as a natural occurrence that affects compliance to existing contracts/deals.

In this regard, the insurance executives and consultants will be busy brainstorming the effect on existing policies,� he said.

Akpan, observed that most countries in the world including America and Nigeria had high volume of trade with China and passenger travels, import/export trade with China has stopped for some countries while others will reduce theirs to the barest minimum. “Eventually, airliners management will cut cost. That is, they will reduce staff; lower equipment purchases and use less of leased/ outsourced facilities. They will reduce flight frequencies, and out rightly cancel flights. “Airlines like Emirates and Ethiopian whose financial performance impacts on their national economy have to rejig their program.�

Civil aviation authorities, IATA and ICAO have to come up with scenarios on surviving

the impact of global pandemics like COVID-19 that the airlines would likely adopt to cushion the impact on their economics. “In the immediate, aircraft will not be filled up, flights cancellation continues, redundant aircraft, redundant operational personnel will increase. Income will keep reducing. “On the contrary, private jet travels may increase; the use of FBO or private terminals is expected to increase. In the long run, some airlines may not be able to handle the losses, and they will fold up or declare bankruptcy,�

Akpan said.

He noted that the impact of COVID-19 on the Nigerian domestic flight operations was almost zero, noting that any low patronage on domestic flights in Nigeria would be a reflection of the usual first quarter lull caused by harmattan haze and slow business pick up in January/March season, adding that COVID-19 is yet to negatively impact local air travel in Nigeria.

On the global scene, Akpan said the big airlines have posted drops in demand. As at February 28 Lufthansa posted 25 per cent drop. The demand for international flight tickets for airlines in America dropped by 13.4 per cent. United airlines announced no flights to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, while they have drastically reduced their flights to Singapore, Seoul, and Osaka. “KLM, Lufthansa, Easy jet have announced frozen recruitment and stopped new projects as at February 28 to avoid negative balances.

Emirates issued internal memo advising staff to take vacation, some with pay and some without pay. “The British Airways parent company IAG says it could not provide a profit outlook for 2020 because its shares have already fallen by 8 per cent, and they are down by a quarter in just 10 days. All these unpleasant news reports from the big airlines indicate rough times for the industry in 2020 courtesy of COVID-19,� Akpan remarked.

IATA has already predicted a fall in the demand for international travel more than noticed in the last 10 years because of COVID-19. “Global Business Trade Association conducted a poll on 400 businesses. Most respondents confirmed they have cancelled meetings and events. The Swiss government banned all events involving 1,000 people and above. The following conglomerates have scaled down, suspended, or out rightly cancelled international travels: BP, BMW, Orange, Estee Lauder, NestlĂŠ, L’oreal; howbeit temporarily because of COVID-19. My observations are: one, people do not want to travel. They are afraid to arrive a city and get quarantined, or the return flight might not operate because of increased infections,â€? Akpan added.

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T H I S D AY ˞ ʹ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

Adewale: Border Closure Will Ensure Efficiency The Managing Director/CEO of Mainstream Cargo Limited, Seyi Adewale, in this interview, says the cargo airfreight market can double with full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market. He also assured that once the country’s land borders are re-opened, there will be efficiency. Chinedu Eze brings the excerpts:

T

here is this impression that cargo business is not lucrative. What is your take about that?

The cargo business is a very lucrative business and these are some of the reasons why the cargo business is lucrative. There are little or no offerings that are new to the business of scheduled passenger service. But on the cargo side, there is now differentiation of products and services and specialised needs thereof. Let me give an example, in terms of moving pharmaceuticals and temperature sensitive materials, there is a new gamut of businesses therein, whereby you have Cargolux, Qatar and some other airlines having certification to move all those pharmaceutical and temperature sensitive materials, biological materials, around the globe, to ensure the integrity of those particular specialised shipments. So that is a new market in itself. Secondly, in the passenger services, the requirement for checking in your luggage is getting stiffer for security reasons; this is also helping the cargo side. The third point that is helping cargo business is the interconnectivity within Africa. This SAATM (Single African Air Transport Market) that is starting up will ensure free flow of cargo within the coast even within Africa. So we discovered that the weight of growth for cargo within the region will be optimised and it will go at a higher percentage than that of passenger services.

So that is why it is specialised and it is lucrative. That is from the general perspective, which is from the macro perspective. But if you go to the micro, it is the same thing but the general notion where people believed that cargo business from the macro side is because a lot of people are disappointed when they go to the wrong people to facilitate the movement of their goods. Let us say you gave a quack your cargo or your shipment to clear and he is trying to circumvent the government in terms of evading the taxes and duties and such like and the goods now get stuck because customs is optimising its platform and its oversight function on all shipments through the bonded warehouses respectively. So, what now happens is that people believe that they are always losing money, that this cargo business is a very dangerous business. But they are having that bad experience because they are patronising quacks. The cargo business is very structured, if you are bringing a shipment, it has an HS code, it has a tariff and it has a price, once you follow all those duly approved channels and modalities in terms of CFR, calculating and things like that, you will never have any issue and everything will go seamlessly. And for the consignee, he or she just needs to imbed that in the cost to the final cost.

So when you don’t go through the necessary channels, you pay the wrong people and at the same time you now overtly pay with penalties from customs, you now believe that it is not lucrative and then you will have a very bad impression. That is on the general side or on the consumer side.

Is passenger handling incorporated in cargo handling?

In truth, passenger services can work independently, but if you want to get a license you have to get a ground handling license. The ground handling license now gives you passenger handling services. We have the ramp services, you can operate a ground handling contract with only ramp services, you provide only ramp services.

You have passenger profiling, which may be more security restricting and which may be exclusive. That is why you see at the airport airlines, companies coming under that particular aspect. We have cargo, which include other several subsets; you have aviation training that is imbedded in it.

and rely on us for raw material shipment.

We work hand in hand with SON (Standard Organisation of Nigeria), NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control) and we keep to the rules and we do all the pre-assessment, pre-qualification, and approval before the shipment comes out so that those shipments don’t have issues when they come to Nigeria.

How has the market been so far since you started and when did Mainstream start?

Mainstream started September 4, 2019 after a good background experience from the dominant cargo company in Nigeria – Nigerian Aviation Handling Company that has like 70 per cent of the market share. I worked there for seven years and I gathered a lot of experience as the Chief Commercial Officer. Experience gathered prompted the establishment of this company.

I joined Mainstream Cargo after I retired. All that retinue of knowledge and experience is now made to bear and it is working for us here. And so we just hit the ground and we started running and the confidence that we have built with major customers in Nigeria, they have been very well satisfied and we are their formidable partners.

Adewale So you just discovered that you have a retinue of services that may be rendered under that grand handling license whereas some can choose a whole lot of gamut, some are specialised. You see other ground handling companies that are in Kano just doing Hajj operation, nothing else. You see others they do passenger services, especially outside Lagos and Abuja.

IATA said if SAATM is approved by all the countries in Africa, it will triple air travel revenue in the continent. What will be the cut for aviation handling?

To the ground handling companies, in so far the traffic is high, you know for the passenger side it is usually by per flight, for the cargo side it is the volume. Now, each country’s structure is different from one another. And I will say it this way, in Rwanda for example; they have their own dedicated ground handling, which is monopoly. And because of that they will benefit more than a country like Nigeria, whereby we have many ground handling companies but two are domineering, which are NAHCO and SAHCO. You have a third one, Pahcol that is now rebranded as IHS Mensi, and you still have others in pockets here and there. So increase in volume will determine the revenues that could be made from the market, which also depends on competition.

What determines the choice between freighting your goods from the sea and doing so by air?

I will give you a matrix; this matrix will naturally tell the freight forwarding agent or partner what best to use. One is the value of the shipment, two, the size of the shipment, three, how urgent it is needed. Those three among others are the most fundamental things.

For example, a company wanted to move a dolly equipment from China, it is not so heavy but it occupies a lot of space; so we chose to ship it by sea. So the volume or the size of the cargo matters. Now, if it is a highly value shipment like an ICT product, most likely it is better to use the air because you need to

safe guard the integrity of the ICT product as much as possible. You know ICT products are slightly temperature dependent, so if you go by sea the risk associated with that is more. Because it is a high value shipment you don’t want stories, which is another thing.

The last point is that clearing sea freight appears to be longer than that of airfreight because of the protocol that are embedded thereof at the seaport, as compared to the airside. So those things will inform the freight forwarder to advice his consignee on the best way to ship that particular shipment. It is the same rule that appears to them but the thing now is that because of the nature of the products, for example, perishable products, if you bring in perishables, you would have most likely have customs bond to allow you carry goods as it arrives. But at the seaside it is impossible, you can’t just clear it like that. That is why I said you go for approval if you are bringing perishables from South Africa to Nigeria, for example. You go for approval, have a customs bond and then you can pick on arrival. Even medical equipment; some people import eye to the country, but there are some very highly sensitive goods that must not stay beyond a certain time; it must leave immediately. So those options or window are much more readily available at the airside than the seaside.

Let’s talk about your company, Mainstream Cargo, what does it do?

Mainstream cargo is an indigenous freight forwarding company and customs clearing company that specialises mostly on four major products, which include clearing of aircraft parts and equipment, the aircraft itself. We are even one of the best, if not the best in the country, in terms of aircraft and spares clearing. Two, ICT products; we are very good with ICT products. Three is that we are good at temperature sensitive materials and then like every other general cargo. And then lastly chemicals; we are very good and very efficient in clearing them.

So we discovered that we clear for a good number of big companies and they depend

Do you think that airfreight is beneďŹ tting from the border closure, or does it in anyway have positive impact on more people freighting their goods by air?

Because of lack of proper data, it is difficult to do this analysis very well. And secondly, because of the Coronavirus that had come in place, it has distorted the market. So it is very difficult to do month-to-month analysis.

But this is what I can assure you and that I know is obtainable now; the border closure would most certainly ensure efficiency when it is reopened.

The will be cooperation from ECOWAS countries that must abide by certain standards for intra ECOWAS movement of goods and services. Now, the good thing there is that we are going to mostly have the same standard of export and import that we have at our sea gate, our air gate and then at our land border gate. Which means that all the efficiency, all the requirement, all the pre-needed analysis and documentation will be there. That is one.

Two, is that it will grow our business, grow our economy, in the sense that we will create more jobs, we will have companies like Cotecna approve or validating shipments out of the country. Because of that you will see hotels coming up at the border gates, you will see a lot of warehouses. You know at the seaport you see a lot of warehouses, at Oshodi, Apapa expressway but you don’t see that much on the land borders.

Now, you will now begin to see developments of warehouses because now it is not just a free flow area. You have to have a warehouse, you need to validate, and inspection and you need to export. You now have also agents who may and most likely will be specialised at cross border transactions. So it is beautiful for our economy and it is a masterstroke from the government if they do it till the end.

Let talk about pricing for your services compared to other countries in West Africa, the cost of your services appear cheaper?

You know there are two sides to it; there is the macro level, as I usually say. For example, if you are importing rice into the country, government may have a tariff of let’s say 40 per cent. What the neighbouring countries do is that once you set that high standard, they lower theirs. So in that respect the cost of clearing is lower because of that. That is on one part. But for majority of other items they are actually not difficult.

The problem we have in Nigeria is more about the efficiency in clearing not that the tariffs are exorbitantly high.

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T H I S D AY ˾ MARCH 6, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Apapa: Ijegun Port to the Rescue Eromosele Abiodun writes that with 12 tank farms holding a storage capacity of about 600,000,000 litres of petroleum products and additional development that will see a growth of 30 per cent, Ijegun Port City may be the final solution to Apapa Port congestion

I

t is a fact that Lagos state is the gateway to Nigeria’s economy due to its geographical location to the Atlantic Ocean. Also, the state is blessed with four major seaports namely: the Lagos Ports Complex (Apapa-Wharf), Container Terminal, Tin Can Island Port as well as the RORO Port plus more than 10 different jetties such as the Ibru Petty, Petroleum Wharf Jetty; Waziri Jetty, Folawuyo Jetty.

The seaports remain the main pillar and the determinant of the Nigerian growth of the economy because they remain the largest generator of revenue to the country after petroleum. As a matter of fact, there is no a single home in Nigeria that has no products directly or indirectly related to the ports. Interestingly, all these four seaports and most of the jetties are located within Apapa Local Government Area. As a result, Apapa is now home to congestion, bad road, broken down trucks, container accidents and incessant pollution and flooding. The truck tankers related problems are generated through the distribution of refined petroleum products into the country. This happens in the process of loading of these petroleum products from the tank farms located within the Apapa area. The situation in Apapa is worsened by lack of truck holding bays or garages to contain all the trucks & tankers coming in to Apapa to load these products.

Due to absence of holding bays, many of these trucks and tankers end up using the main roads as their trailer parks when loadings are not done in the ports or jetties.

Also, they queue while waiting for their turns to load the products. Experts and stakeholders have had series of meetings and brainstorming sessions in order to find lasting solutions to these issues without getting any fruitful results.

Ijegun Port However, what many do not know is the emerging port city in Ijegun, Badagry developed solely by private investors with the aim of solving the Apapa conundrum.

Developed by Westron Properties, the port currently houses about 60 per cent of Nigeria’ s petroleum products. It is projected that additional development in the area will see a further growth of 30 per cent in this new city.

Also, the establishment of Ijegun port city has brought rapid development and increased the overall storage capacity for petroleum products, thus reducing the shortage of the products in the country.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Westron Properties Nigeria Limited, George Igboegwu said the Ijegun port city was developed by Westron Properties, an engineering and maritime investment company, with the aim of bridging the gap in the demand for port facilities, reduce the congestion in Apapa ports.

Igboegwu said the emerging port city of Ijegun is a private initiative borne out of necessity.

“Our company was involved in industrial fishing and became caught up with delays at Apapa port together with the traffic gridlock along the axis. Our fishing trawlers could not find not find adequate b birthing facilities in Lagos-the main market for their products.”

“While searching for solution to the problem, we stumbled on the calm waters and natural harbor of Ijegun and we decided to explore the maritime potential with the active cooperation of government,” he said.

He said with greater corporation from the government, the port city, which currently absorbs 25 per cent of the 60 per cent of the nation’s petroleum products consign would absorb 50 per cent.

On why the company wants to expand the facility, he said: “The demand for port facilities in the ever-growing city of Lagos has seen an exponential growth in the last

Apapa congestion few years. The resultant effect is that even the addition of Tin Can Island port could still not meet this demand.

“This has led to the chaos Apapa has turned into, with the nation losing billions of naira on daily basis. Effort by the government to ease the pain of Apapa has not yielded the desired result.”

The Westron Properties chairman noted that the issue of requisite infrastructure for the new city had been a recurring problem over a long period.

Igboegun said various parties and companies with interest in the new city, mostly under the umbrella of the Ijegun Tank Farm Association, had over time, been making their individual contributions towards the development of infrastructure in Ijegun.

Speaking on why the company invested in the construction of the one-kilometer road and the bridge, he said: “The new bridge and road represent some of our contributions towards bridging this infrastructural gap in the new city. It is our hope that with the combined effort of both the private and public sectors, the city will see further growth, making significant contributions towards relieving the Apapa problem. It is projected that our present additional development in the area will see a further growth of 30 per cent in this new city. ” He said the establishment of Ijegun port

Due to absence of holding bays, many of these trucks and tankers end up using the main roads as their trailer parks when loadings are not done in the ports or jetties

city had brought rapid development and increased the overall storage capacity for petroleum products, thus reducing the shortage of the products He said about 60 per cent of Nigeria’ s petroleum products were housed in Ijegun, adding that there were currently 12 tank farms in Ijegun, holding a storage capacity of about 600, 000, 000 liters.

Obasa, ANLCA Hail Firm As part of its effort to provide facilities for the community and the port city, the company constructed a one-kilometer road, bridge and water channel, which was inaugurated by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa last week.

Speaking at the event, Obasa said resident of Ijegun port city and other eminent Nigerians applauded the management of Westron Properties for its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), a development they stated should be emulated by other companies’ operation at various communities across the country.

Obasa, who was represented by a member representing Amuwo Odofin Constituency 11, Rauf Olawale, said as someone who is well familiar with the community, the projects were well thought out and in line with the agenda of the Lagos State Government.

According to him, “I know this place very well, the entire place was a swamp. To develop this swamp into a modern port city is highly commendable. Nothing can exist in a vacuum, as far back as 1993, nothing was on ground here but today, we are all witnesses to this massive development. The Lagos State House of Assembly is behind you and will continue to support you. We appreciate your several CSR projects and urge other companies operating across Lagos state to emulate what you are doing.

“As you can all see, this company has done well for this community and we can only wish that they grow from strength to strength. We have a new administration in Lagos State but we understand that government is a continuum so we have to do our best to develop Lagos state. I can assure you that we are ready to take the state to the next level.”

On his part, President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA), Iju Tony Nwabunike applauded

the initiative, stressing that the company’s effort will reduce the over dependence on Apapa ports.

He called on other companies to emulate Westron and invest in maritime facilities, which he said is required as the current facilities are hugely inadequate.

Specifically, he said: “We have all seen what Apapa has become. As customs agents we have done our best to draw attention to the plight of Nigeria Living and doing business in Apapa and we will not stop until the right thing is done. We are suffering in Apapa and a few people are charging us huge money to move in and out of the port. This is why I commend the Westron Properties family for taking the bull by the horn. You can only imagine the huge resource they have plunged into this place. A company that believes in Nigeria can only do this.

These facilities will be used by all Nigerians from all ethnic groups and I think that is commendable.”

Earlier in his welcome address, Igboegwu said the emerging port city of Ijegun is a private sector initiative born out of necessity.

Lagos state, he added, has witnessed exponential growth in the last few years hence the need for more investment in port facilities to support existing ones.

He said the company invested in the sleepy town because of its desire to support the state government’s effort and drive to move the state forward.

“The governor of Lagos state, Mr BabajideSanwo-Olu visited this place last year and was highly impressed with what he saw that he described Ijegun in these word, “the operation of tank farms at Ijegun is a critical component of the nation’s development.”

“The governor assured the private sector investors of the commitment of his government to contribute towards the development of the area, providing the requisite infrastructure etc. Equally, the Nigerian National Petroleum (NNPC) Group Managing Director was twice in this location about three months ago and he noted the contribution being made, “he said.

Naturally, he said the issue of the requisite infrastructure for the new city has been a recurring problem over the period adding that various parties and companies with interest in the new city have overtime been making their individual contributions.

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BUSINESSWORLD

AGRIBUSINESS

UNGA President Seeks Sustainable Exploitation of Wildlife Stories by Oluchi Chibuzor The President of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Tijani Muhammad-Bande, has stressed the need for sustainable exploitation of wildlife resources.

This, was in view of threat of extinction facing most wildlife biodiversity across the world.

The Nigerian Diplomat joined the United Nation, Secretary-General, António Guterres, in a message to mark the World Wildlife Day celebration, urging member-nations to commit to protect the rich diversity of wildlife species, ecosystems and ecosystem services.

He said the world was becoming increasingly aware of its dependence

on biodiversity and the negative impact of its actions on it.

“As we strive to build a brighter future, let us not forget that this future cannot come at the cost of our planet’s own well-being. We must balance our own needs with those of the wildlife, habitats and ecosystems that surround us.

“We are becoming increasingly aware of our dependence on biodiversity and the negative impact of our own actions on it,” he said.

He added: “Business as usual has brought one million species to the brink of extinction. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)’s Global Assessment maintains that

our well-being and quality of life depends on the endurance of our planet’s rich biological diversity, and we must act to avoid reaching a tipping point that is irreversible.

“On this World Wildlife Day, under the theme of “Sustaining all Life on Earth”, we celebrate wild fauna and flora as essential components of our world’s biodiversity. We acknowledge the many benefits of wildlife to people, planet and prosperity.

“I ask that you pledge to strive for a future where sustainable use of biodiversity and strengthened conservation efforts help us build a better world for all. I ask you to do one thing today to take action to help conserve wildlife, and ensure

its continued use is sustainable,” he demanded.

However, Guterres said, “by overexploiting wildlife, habitats and ecosystems, humanity is endangering both itself and the survival of countless species of wild plants and animals. “Today, close to a quarter of all species on the planet are in danger of becoming extinct in the next decade.

“In its 2019 Global Assessment, the Intergovernmental Panel for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) highlighted how the current global rate of species extinction is rampant and accelerating - tens to hundreds of times higher than before humans inhabited the planet.”

PRODUCT LAUNCH

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ICRISAT Launches Research Facility The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has launched its first public agricultural research facility to lower time and cost of crop varietal development.

The development, according to a statement by ICRISAT, was to modernise crop breeding and shorten the six to seven-year window of plant breeding.

Tagged, ‘Rapid Generation Advancement,’ (RapidGen) would accelerate plant lifecycle in light, temperature and humidity-controlled conditions.

The organisation, said presently,

breeding a new crop variety takes about a decade or more, with six or seven years spent in seasonal generational advancements to arrive at the elite lines that go for testing and release as varieties.

The Director General, ICRISAT, Dr Peter Carberry said, “Climate and exponential population growth have to be considered for rapid development of improved food crops is essential.

“But we also need to look at what has been achieved to sustain food security and achieve nutrition security.

“With facilities like RapidGen, crop

breeders can overcome the limitations of seasons and photoperiod to develop the elite generations in fraction of the time and cost it would take if done in fields,” he noted RapidGen comprises three installations—testbed optimisation chambers, lighting controlled greenhouse bays, and a temperature-regulated light deprivation polyhouse.

Depending on the crop and the requirements of breeding programs, researchers could scale-up their activities in either controlled greenhouse bays or in the polyhouse facility after using the testbeds for protocol development.

Largest of the three installations, the polyhouse couln be used for over 30,000 crosses in one go. Each of the installations are equipped to finely regulate temperature, light and humidity.

According to the Global Head-Breeding, ICRISAT, Dr. Jan Debaene, “Through RapidGen, we are attempting to herald a new era of breeding in agriculture research systems across the world. Moving forward, rapid cycling will be integrated with early generation testing using advanced technologies to take further advantages of modern methods to increase genetic gains.”

FG Pledges Improved Seedlings The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Nanono, has said the federal government will continue to ensure a virile national seed system in the country.

This, he said would ensure enhanced agricultural productivity, food security, job creation and economic growth in Nigeria.

Nanono, disclosed this in Kaduna, during the National Seed Retreat, organised by the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC).

According to a statement, he said the ministry would continue to provide a conducive policy environment that ensures the sustenance of a virile National Seeds System and to enable

a credible, dynamic, competitive and relevant industry which provides healthy and high-quality planting materials for Nigerian farmers and for export irrespective of their location.

He explained that the principles of the Agriculture Promotion Policy (APP) was to provide an enabling environment for stakeholder at the federal and state level to play their roles.

“We are all challenged today to identify, discuss determine the type of interventions needed; technological, regulatory and others to make quality seeds available to farmers through sustainable systems and construct roadmap,

with specific recommendations, to guide a sound and sustainable dissemination strategy for improved crops to resource poor farmers in Nigeria in particular and West in general,” he added.

On their part, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and, the Chairman, House Committee on Agric. Production and Services, Hon. Danduste Muntari, assured that the bills before both chambers of the National Assembly would soon be passed into laws.

The Director-General, National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Dr. Philip Ojo, called for the quick

passage of the PVP law to complement the existing Seed Act. He stressed the need for strong legal protection for seed and plant products and its enforcement so as to deter those who engage in illegal seed practices “NASC has commenced effort towards the introduction of Legislation for the Protection of New Varieties of Plant (PVP) in Nigeria as well as firming up on its membership of international organizations like the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), International Seed Federation (ISF) International Seed Testing Association (ISTA).”

Lagos to Remodel Farm Settlements The Lagos Governor, Mr. Babajide SanwoOlu, has reiterated the commitments of his government to remodel various agricultural estates and farm settlement across the state.

According to the governor, the move would boost production and encourage youth participation in agriculture and to ensure that the state attains self-sufficiency in food production.

Sanwo-Olu, who disclosed this at the recently concluded Ecobank Agribusiness Summit held in Lagos, noted that efforts have already started towards achieving this goal through the recently concluded appraisal of the current state of these estates.

According to him, “Towards achieving these goals, the State through the Ministry of Agriculture, has prepared a strategic plan to collaborate and partner with stakeholders in policy review, formulation and implementation, database collation and upgrade; capacity building with special focus on youths and women.

“Public private partnership to establish companies and processes to boost and sustain agricultural productivity in fisheries, poultry, piggery, red meat, coconut, rice and vegetables value chain by adopting appropriate technologies in line with global best practices,” he stated.

The Governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, explained that the state government was also collaborating with development partners like the World Bank to implement various agric-based projects in the State.

He stressed that the Agro Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Support Project (APPEALS) was one of such projects which would empower no fewer than 10,000 farmers in the state in the next four years.

“All these initiatives and several others being promoted by this administration are meant to encourage private sector participation in the agric sector. It is very important that we pay special attention to the agricultural value chain because it is only through the value chain that we can maximise the potential in the sector.”

FAO Calls for Global Action on Fall Armyworm The Food and Agriculture Organisation has said it is imperative to intensify coordination to curb the Fall Armyworm spread that is ravaging crops in Africa, Asia and the Near East.

In line with the call, FAO revealed that tools are available to wrestle the insect’s spread as the pest feeds on more than 80 crops, with a particular attraction to maize.

The FAO Director-General, Qu Dongyu said this recently, while opening the first meeting of the Steering Committee of the Global action for Fall Armyworm Control.

“We will need to step up the alliance among key partners from all relevant sectors at the global level,” he said.

According to him, if Fall Armyworm continues to expand the role of maize in the world’s food system could be seriously affected.

He pointed to an updated smartphone app developed by FAO and known as FAMEWS (Fall Armyworm Monitoring and Early Warning System) as a key tool, available in 29 languages, that channels valuable real-time and field-level information about the pest’s location and spread to a global data platform every two hours, while also giving smallholder farmers specific tips on how to cope with and contrast infestations.

The United Nation organisation maintained that as much as 18 million tonnes of maize are lost annually in Africa now, enough to feed tens of millions of people and representing an economic loss of up to $4.6 billion.

It stated that over the past three years, FAO has spearheaded 63 Fall Armyworm-related projects, mostly in Africa, establishing many good practices and accumulating much valuable knowledge along the way.

The FAO Assistant Director-General, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department, Bukar Tijani, said, the Global Action aims to reduce maize crop losses to 3.0 percent from current levels often 12 times higher, noting, “It is an ambitious target, because it has to be.”

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 08038901925

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IWD 2020: Celebrating Nigeria’s Women in Journalism Every March 8, the International Women’s Day is celebrated globally. This year is no different! To mark the day, CHIEMELIE EZEOBI and MARY NNAH profile some amazons in the newsroom across Nigeria who operate behind the scene in churning out news, changing the narrative and above all, touching lives with reports in their respective beats. Day-in, day-out, these crop of fearless female journalists brave the odds to get news worthy stories notwithstanding the challenges as they multitask in being reporters, gate keepers, and in some cases, successfully manage the home front as wives and mothers, including the career templates

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lthough most journalism and mass communication institutions in Nigeria are dominated by females, the flip side is that the males dominate the field of practice. It is not out of place, therefore, to conclude that gender imbalance exists in mass communication education and practice. While the imbalance in education tends to favour females, the imbalance in the field of practice tends to favour the male.

It is therefore not surprising that females who practice are faced with numerous challenges, from sexism to

prejudice, stereotype, conscious bias, discrimination and gender misrepresentation etc.

That notwithstanding, women in journalism have evolved from being relegated to beats like fashion and religion to heading crime, politics and even energy desks. In some cases, some women have even becomes editors of papers and managing directors of television houses, case in point- Ijeoma Nwogwugwu who edited THISDAY Newspaper before moving over to Arise TV News Channel, Africa as the managing director.

Ijeoma Nwogwugwu: Managing Director Arise TV I am Ijeoma Nwogwugwu with THISDAY Newspapers. I have been on Business Desk for 25 years and counting. I edited the desk and the Saturday, Sunday and Daily titles before moving to Arise News Channel, Africa.

The journey has been exciting, tasking and fulfilling. But who says hard work does not pay. Journalism is one of the few profes-

Nike Sotade: Saturday Editor, The Guardian I joined The Guardian as a reporter in 1991 and I have since had a career progression from becoming a correspondent to assistant Features Editor, Metro Editor and presently title editor.

So far, I have been in the profession for 29 years. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifice of your time to be able to gain recognition among your peers, as journalism is not a 9-5 job, but a 24/7 profession that keeps you on your toes.

Jemi Ekunkunbor: Vanguard, Fashion & style: I have practiced for 25years. It’s been an interesting journey. I started my career same year the 4th World Conference on Women took place in Beijing, China. For the journalists covering the women’s beat, it was quite a busy time for us. Several NGOs sprang up that became the biblical “voice in the wilderness� preaching the gospel of gender equality.

Most of the female journalists were either covering fashion or women.

A few were scattered in the other beats. But as you know, most print media are male dominated. Some of the women, as they got married and had children, finding balance between work and family became too overwhelming and many resigned to pursue other less time-consuming professions or businesses.

With their exit, the gender gap widened; tools for work were limited so also were sources of news. The advent of the Internet, mobile phone etc opened the communication space and made work easier. Today, through your phone, you can conduct an interview with somebody in Nigeria or abroad without leaving the office.

If there is one thing that has remained a recurrent decimal with the practice of journalism, it is the poor remuneration. We still pray and hope things improve so we can do more for the profession we love, that has given us a name and opened us to some rare opportunities.

You can say she has completely shattered whatever glass ceiling in the profession. She has risen from business reporting to becoming the Business Editor, Saturday Editor, Sunday Editor and then the editor of THISDAY. For the record, she is the third person and the only woman to have edited the three titles of the newspaper, coming after Mr. Eniola Bello, now the Managing Director, and Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, the Editorial Board Chairman.

Does it mean everything good has come for the women folk? No! But that Chika Amanze-Nwachuku Deputy Editor, THISDAY On Saturday I have practised for 25 years. I hold a Masters Degree in Media and Communication, and a Post Graduate Diploma Certificate in Journalism both from the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos. I previously obtained a HND Certificate in Mass Communication from Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.

I joined THISDAY Newspapers in January, 1996 as a reporter and was at different times, Chief Crime/Police Affairs Correspondent; Lagos State Government House Correspondent; Judicial Correspondent; Energy Editor; Group Business Editor and currently Deputy Editor (SATURDAY THISDAY).

The long hours of work that characterises the journalism profession has been a very huge challenge for me and being efficient at work while providing the necessary care for my home has been an uphill task. Working sometimes very late at night has been one of my greatest challenges, especially with the heightened insecurity in the country.

However, I still love my job and will continue to discharge my responsibilities as a wife and mother satisfactorily.

hasn’t stopped them from continually breaking the glass ceiling in using the power of the media to advance humanity. So, in marking the 2020 International Women’s Day (IWD) themed ‘I am Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights’, which aligns with UN Women’s new multigenerational campaign, Generation Equality, which also marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, here are some of our Women in Journalism (WIJ) who are making their marks either in print or broadcast

Chimdimma Ndubisi Nigerian Television Authority, Network, Abuja I have been a broadcast journalist with the Nigerian Television Authority, Network, Abuja for more than seven years now.

I double as a Health & Science & Technology correspondent as well as the News Information Officer for my organisation. The journey has been exciting, but at the same time challenging as one tries to meet up with deadlines, bearing in mind the ethics and professional guidelines.

As a woman, combining journalism and taking care of the home front is not an easy task, mind you, there’s no preferential treatment, that is, considering you are a woman, when it comes to assigning duties between you and your male counterparts. Sometimes, one has to be the last to leave the office late at night report to work early the next day.

Not to mention if you are pursuing a special report.

But be that as it may, passion for the job is what gives the drive and motivation to push on and push through every day. I must mention that the enabling environment created by my organisation helps women like us to thrive.

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IWD 2020: CELEBRATING NIGERIA’S WOMEN IN JOURNALISM Funke Olaode: THISDAY Newspapers, Assistant Editor, GLITTERATI, Sunday Desk I have been practicing since 1997 as either anI have been practicing since 1997 as either an intern or freelancer. I joined main stream media in 2004. The journey so far is challenging, overwhelming but above all I have found fulfilment.

Well, the journey began in 1997 when l did my internship at the then Osun State Radio Broadcasting. In 1998, l joined THISDAY as an intern again. And after youth service, l was employed in March 1, 2004. I can say THISDAY opened the window to my career world. For me, it has been a journey, the path I have toed over the last 16 years without looking back.

Women face a lot of challenges; prejudice, stereotype, conscious bias, discrimination etc. But the passion has kept me going. Ability to think outside the box by not allowing myself to be boxed into one corner, or just being an ordinary flower beautifying the newsroom has helped too.

I have no regret being a woman journalist because it has always been my heart desire.

Challenges or not, l believe l am fulfilling my life purpose. Journalism or life as a journalist gives one enables observe society and talk about it.I did a column ‘Memoirs’ for Saturday THISDAY for 13 years where l

focused on Nigerians who have made giant strides in their endeavours. And those who rose from zero to becoming a hero. How would l forget in a hurry my article on Pa Akinsanmi who designed Nigeria’s flag?

It caught the attention of the then sitting President Jonathan who set up a committee.

That singular act earned Pa Akinsanmi salary for life. So it a journey that is full of challenges but impactful.

Yetunde Oladeinde Assistant Editor, The Nation newspaper I am Yetunde Oladeinde with The Nation newspaper, an Assistant Editor, in charge of the FLAIR pull out on Sunday. I work on interviews, features and write a Column on relationships called Pillowtalk. I have been in the profession for about twenty eight years. I started with Weekend Concord in 1992 and I have worked with some magazines and Newspapers. It’s been a very interesting journey, challenging as well as fulfilling.It’s been great because being a woman brought me closer to the issues affecting women especially leadership, the challenges, opportunities and their journey to the top. Of course, there had been challenges like juggling career with family life.

This usually affects a woman’s growth like you have in other profession. However, I

have enjoyed my job, working with colleagues and bosses who keep you constantly on your toes.

Chiemelie Ezeobi, works for THISDAY Newspaper as the Group Features Editor.

I started off as a youth corps member 10 years ago after I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication from Anambra State University. I also went ahead to pursue a Master of Science degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos.

Over the years, I have covered the health, crime, defence beats and even general news as a reporter before my elevation to my present position in 2018.

During my reportorial days on the crime and defence beat, it was a Herculean task to stand out in such a male-dominated beat. I worked twice as hard as I was also a newbie in the midst of veterans. So far, it has paid off.

Being in such a male dominated beat, I also battled sexual harassment on all fronts and even from the police. I faced all types of risks as a female covering the crime world- being accosted by suspects, getting threatened to drop stories and even held hostage (like what happened when pipeline vandals held us hostage at gunpoint for an hour in Akaraba Island).

Being female in the newsroom is tasking but for us in THISDAY, it is less given that we have a pro-female Publisher, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, who believes women are not just capable, but can head desks that were hitherto male-inclined.

One of the major challenges I face is balancing the home front with the job I love so much. Moving forward, I would love to see media houses inculcate crèches in the newsroom setting so that young and nursing mothers can still do their jobs without their babies suffering for it.

Adenike Fagbemi: NixxHash Communications Beat: Civil Society, Advocacy & Health

Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha: BBC I work with BBC and on the Health beat. For me Journalism is dynamic. Its unpredictability has helped me in all facets of my life. I feel good each time I do stories that impact. I have both local and international awards for this.

News reporting is the most energy sapping, especially breaking News.

For instance, TB, HIV/AIDS, SARS, Ebola, cancer, death or health condition of a high profiled personality- inspite of the law that says only deceased Kith and kin, or the person can comment on same; and now COVID19. I enjoy reporting on developmental stories like reproductive health, state of health facilities and workforce. It takes a deep understanding to report on abortion, nutrition, and new technology.

A journo is as good as his contacts.

I keep and treasure my contacts, and I network a lot across analog and tech.

Revving up reliable contacts to get facts, then sieving through all information gathered, to dish out factual, concise, objective, and balanced report takes a deep commitment. I started as a reporter, then rose through the rank and became Senior Correspondent/Head, Health desk.

I reported on health and traditional medicine/alternative medicine for almost two decades for The Comet, then The Nation combined; before joining

Chiemelie Ezeobi: Group Features Editor, THISDAY Newspaper

I started off with The Nation Newspaper in 2007 to 2012, freelanced for Guardian even till date on the Online Beat, worked with Airtel as the Lead Content Specialist for Airtel Mobile Newspaper when it kicked started in 2013 and for five years I did that.

Presently, I run my own coy NixxHash Communications, a growing Media, PR and Advert Agency).

The journey has been interesting and challenging. At first it looks like it’s ‘a man’s world’ but the moment one starts carving a niche and designing her special genre, the story changes. I started off with the print media and as an intern years back in 2017. Took my time to understand how the newsroom operates, the various processing of laying a story to bed and all. Some days are cool, other days are so choked. The experience of being a female journalist or media person is pretty challenging cos you need to consistently prove your self-worth if truly you want to maintain that position.

Ngozi Okpalakunne:Business Day, Consumer Watch

the BBC, to continue reporting on health which is dubbed ‘Life Clinic’. The program is basically to demystify myths and unfounded beliefs that impede healthy living, and create more awareness on good lifestyle across the Africa continent. There is a clear cut path for career progression, here. So far, so good, no regrets being a female journo.

l have been in the media for nineteen years. I started with Daily Champion Newspapers as a reporter on the Women’s Desk in 2001. I left Champion as the Head of Women Desk after working there for 13 years. I joined Newswatch Times in 2013 as the Deputy Features Editors, l left in 2016 for National Mirror as the Features Editor.

Working in the media as a woman for nearly two decades is interesting and challenging as well. It has been an opportunity to travel far and wide. I recalled that my first trip to US was to attend and cover UN proceeding on CEDAW. It was an eye opener to various issues affecting women in the glove. My second trip there which was sponsored by the US government was also on women issues. The challenges are quiet enormous. Balancing the office work, work as a mother and wife and a leader in the church has been the greatest challenge l have ever faced in life. The issue of irregular

payment of salaries in the media industry is also a huge challenge and set back to some media practitioners. I have also discovered that men in the media are often promoted than women.

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IWD 2020: CELEBRATING NIGERIA’S WOMEN IN JOURNALISM Mary Nnah: THISDAY Newspapers, Feature Desk WWhen I graduated from the University of Lagos with a 2.I in English Language 2000, I was filled with high hopes and honestly, the last thing that came to my mind was practising journalism.

So, it actually took the prickling of a brother in my former church, for me to come to THISDAY Newspapers for my mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. Perhaps he had noticed my flair for writing, which prompted him to encourage me to take up writing as career. So, I started journalism with THISDAY in 2001 as a Corper.

When I started, it was like the newsroom was waiting for me all along. I got myself engrossed in journalism with so much passion writing on various topics, especially as I was deployed to the News Desk then. I found journalism so stimulating that I got so much immersed writing, especially human interest stories at a point, that even after I finished my youth service, I never wanted to leave any more.

So, for almost 20 years, I have been a journalist! It was soon after my service year, that I was employed and posted to GLITTERATI, a THISDAY pull out on Sunday, where I worked for many years with Kunle Hamilton who was then editor of that title.

Afterwards, I was moved to the Sunday Art Desk, where I worked very briefly with Okechukwu Uwaezuoke, covering the Arts Beat before I was eventually posted to Features Desk to work with Max Amuchie and Roland Ogbonnaya, who were the feature editors at one point or the other.

After those, I worked with other male editors on the desk as a General Beat Reporter; I also covered the Health beat at a point, till when eventually we got, Chiemelie Ezeobi, the very first female Features Editor. Her appointment came with so much excitement, to me personally – at least for once we had a female editor on Features Desk who understands the peculiarities of a woman practising journalism.

However, Journalism, for me, is a tough terrain for women to survive. You sacrifice a lot personally and also put double the effort your male counterparts put into work to remain abreast and relevant.

You spend last nights in the Newsroom, trying to meet up with deadlines and then you go on official trips constantly while your home, perhaps, is abandoned.

So, for me, balancing the home front and work has been the biggest challenge.

More so, the Newsroom policy hardly allows room for women to grow in this field. It’s like only the men folk are favoured. But nevertheless, it is exciting to know that these days; a lot of women are seen climbing to the pinnacle of their careers in journalism.

Even though I would love the remuneration to be improved upon, the opportunities and experiences THISDAY has afforded me are overwhelming and priceless. I will do it over and over again!

Precious Igbonwelundu: Defence and Crime Correspondent, THE NATION Newspaper

Vivian Onyebukwa: The Sun Newspapers

Precious Igbonwelundu joined The Nation Newspaper as a reporter in 2012. I grew through the ranks to become a senior correspondent and have covered the Judiciary, news/investigative and metro beats.

With a Second Class Upper Mass Communication degree from Anambra State University, I proceeded to the University of Lagos where I obtained a Master’s degree also in Mass Communication.

My knack for investigation and reporting breaking news has stood me out in a maledominated beat. My work at The Nation as the Crime Correspondent entails investigating crime stories and covering, holding law enforcement agencies to account.

On the Defence beat, my work involves covering the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, a task that has afforded me the opportunity of witnessing first hand, how members of the Armed Forces toil, even in hostile environments, to keep Nigeria safe, united. I have had the rare privilege of sailing with the Nigerian Navy across the coast and the Gulf of Guinea for real time operations and exercises including countries like Ghana, Cameroon and Benin Republic for multinational sea exercises and maritime conferences.

I cover Life and Style. I have been in Journalism for 19 years. Since then I have worked in various media houses including Concord Newspapers, Post Express, Daily Independent to mention a few. It has been a nice experience. Journalism is what I have flair for, so because of that, I don’t really feel the challenges associated with the job. It has helped to build my confidence and exposed me to a lot of people. Journalism helps you to walk into a place that ordinarily you won’t be able to. It has attracted a lot of prominent people to me that if not Journalism I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet them. It brings a lot of Goodwill if you are diligent, honest, and have the right attitude to associate with people.

The only regret is that women are not allowed to grow as fast as men in the job.

You can hardly fine women occupying the big positions in the job not until recently few women are beginning to come up after so much complain by women journalists. Women are more hardworking than men because they can multi task.

They are better managers too

I was also privileged to be one of select journalists from West and East African countries drafted by the African Union to visit Somalia for on-the-spot reportage on conflicts, war and the strength of unity. I was also the first Nigerian journalist and one of few across the globe to visit Cameroon in the heat of the crisis between the government and southern agitators clamouring for secession.

Rebecca Ejifoma: Features Desk, THISDAY Newspaper have practised for eight years and three months now and it has been an interesting and adventurous journey, taking me from places to places and broadening my narrow I started journalism as a timid, petite intern girl, who was not confident in herself. I was always too frightened to stand before those editors, who made me, pushed me to greatness. I have experienced the day and night of the profession despite only being in the field for eight unwavering years on different beats.

The most challenging part of the journey for me has been transcription. But for the undiluted love I have for journalism, I keep on pushing. I’m not there yet, but I will soon.

Juliet Bumah: Editor, Sunday Telegraph I have been in the industry for 18 years. Journalism is not an easy career path to tread as a woman. The popular mode of address, ‘gentlemen of the press’ screams masculinity and presupposes that there are no women in the media. For years, the industry has been struggling with female portrayals, as men dominate the newsroom in number and key positions. So, looking in from outside, a successful career in journalism looks like mission impossible for the woman, but when you get in, you realise that it’s not as dark as it appears.

Of course, a woman will have to work extra hard in the newsroom to assert her worth. The good news is that the hitherto phallic-dominated newsroom is becoming supple because more women are proving that gender has not placed them at a disadvantage. It’s now easier for hardworking, purposeful women to operate and work their way up in the newsroom.

Margaret Mwantok: The Guardian newspaper Practicing journalism in Nigeria has been great, tough with so much to learn, as I combine it with the home front; being a daughter, sister, friend and mother.

Of course, these roles and relationships come with a lot of responsibilities too.

I was lucky to have gotten my current job five years ago, being that I was one of many that applied for it. It was a tough selection process but I scaled through the hurdles. I love being a journalist. It makes a great difference to me every day to be able to write stories and report events that keep people in society abreast of happenings around them.

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COVER

IWD 2020: CELEBRATING NIGERIA’S WOMEN IN JOURNALISM Diana Omueza: Covers political parties and CSOs for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Christy Anyanwu: Assistant News Editor, The Sun Newspapers

I have spent three years and counting in practice. The journey into journalism has not been easy. It’s been challenging especially in a time and era where the media and journalists in particular are endangered species.

Journalists in practice, especially those in government media houses are working under strict rules by the government, which has been observed to be an attempt to silence the media.

There is a need to enact laws that should guide and protect journalists and media houses from the government and other external state and non state actors. This I believe would make the media practice in Nigeria balance in its reportage and journalists would be reporting events and especially national issues at liberty without fear or bias.

The journey has been great. The salary is not fantastic but with hard work and God’s grace on your side you will sail through and your needs met beyond your expectations.

I’m on the Life&Style beat. In Sun Newspapers you are not limited to your specific beats. I also handle personality interviews.

I started my journalism career in the early 90s. I was employed in Daily Times of Nigeria by Chief Tola Adeniyi as a reporter shortly after my Diploma in Times Journalism Institute, Iganmu, Lagos. Thereafter, I went back to read Mass Communication at University of Lagos (B.sc).

Josfyn Uba: Daily Sun Newspapers, Women’s Desk; Deputy Woman Editor

Yemisi Suleiman: Vanguard Media Limited, Fashion and Style

Women have come a long way in the Nigerian media. They have broken the glass ceiling with their competence and professionalism.

I have been in journalism for over two decades. I started off from the defunct celebrity magazine, Fame Weekly.

I practice humanitarian journalism using the power of my tool to advance humanity.

I have practised for more than 15 years.

Being a female journalist has been an interesting journey so far. Apart from the fact that you get to meet a lot of interesting personalities in the line of duty, it also broadens ones use of vocabulary amongst other advantages.

Traveling to different countries to cover different events is something that is best experienced than imagined. Although there are some disadvantages, but the good part out rightly outweighs the bad. In all, being a female journalist is one experience I won’t trade for anything.

Josephine Agbonkhese: Journalist at Vanguard Newspapers For Josephine Agbonkhese who has worked with Vanguard Newspapers since 2006, it is quite disheartening that decades after women’s sojourn into journalism, they are still grossly underrepresented both in the newsroom and at managerial positions in spite of their dominance in schools of communication across the country. This is most pronounced in print journalism.

A 2018 study titled ‘Gender Representation in Print Journalism in Nigeria’ carried out by my humble-self with three national dailies: Vanguard, Nation and Guardian as case-studies, painted a gory picture.

That study revealed a huge male domination of the reportorial and editorial units of newspapers in Nigeria.

The study showed that only 19.6 per cent of the bylines featured in news reports contained in six editions of Vanguard, Nation and Guardian Newspapers, cumulatively, belonged to women.

Meanwhile, 80.4 per cent belonged to male reporters. The ratio is 4:1. That is, for every female reporter, there are four male counterparts. Also, as indicated by the responses of respondents interviewed, at the editorial level, women are also similarly under-represented.

Being an agent of socialisation, the media is supposed to be a societal change agent. To think that it still reeks of gender non-inclusiveness, is shocking and unacceptable. It is quite an error; considering the fact that the media has been the institution advocating for a more gender-balanced world.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I want to urge industry leaders to embrace gender diversity and inclusion because their importance to the success of newspaper companies cannot be overrated. History has proven that the companies in the best position

Nume Ekeghe: Finance Correspondent, THISDAY Newspaper I have practised for seven years. It has been an interesting and challenging journey being able to to balance taking care of my family with my work schedule and the constant traveling.

to draw new readers and increase circulation are the ones which tend to have greater diversity in gender, both in the workforce generally and in positions of influence.

Diversity in a media company may help to ensure that news content are more relevant to readers and that companies have more innovative and adaptive cultures. Print media organisations should therefore ensure measures are put in place to address the under-representation of women in their organisations as it certainly will amount to a win-win situation for both women journalists and the newspaper houses themselves.

Editor’s Note Although we profiled few of some of these amazons, nonetheless, there are several others who are doing great things too that unfortunately weren’t captured! But we see you and believe the world does so too! Happy International Women’s Day (IWD) from us to you!

Juliana Ebere Francis: Crime Editor, New Telegraph Newspaper I have practiced for 18 years. It has simply been an exhilarating experience. Whenever I take a stroll down memory lane, recollecting myself as a cub reporter and where I am right now, I grin with achievement.

I may not have acquired material wealth, but I have gathered and gained the greatest wealth hidden in journalism. Being a woman journalist is not always easy. We have to juggle too many balls and none must fall.

If truly there is reincarnation, I’ll definitely want to come back as a journalist. Journalism called my name.

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E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

‌Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

Inside the AMVCA Nominees and Sponsors’ Cocktail Party

Ramsey Nouah partying at AMVCA cocktail party

Stories by Vanessa Obioha

W

ith barely a week to the seventh edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), MultiChoice Nigeria continued its pre-awards tradition by hosting nominees and sponsors to an exclusive cocktail party recently. Graced by celebrities from the corporate and the creative ďŹ elds, the venue, Harbour Point in Victoria Island, Lagos, was one of glitz ďŹ lled with camaraderie.

Nollywood stars gave a foretaste of what they will wear at the main awards on the red carpet, donning pieces that matched their glow. For the nominees of the night, it was the

Dakore with John Ugbe and Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu

perfect moment to bask in the limelight. For instance, Ramsey Nouah, whose directorial debut ďŹ lm ‘Living in Bondage: Breaking Free’ fetched 11 nods was always in the company of others for most part of the night. From clinking glasses with the executives of MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe (Managing Director) and Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu (Channel Director, Africa Magic), to chatting with friends and well-wishers at the event.

Timini Egbuson who is nominated in the Best Actor in a Drama (Movie orTV series) for the ďŹ rst time couldn’t hide his delight. One minute he is posing for selďŹ es, the next he is granting interviews or taking a friendly hug and shake. Every corner of the hall was buzzing with one clique or the other.The veterans mostly isolated themselves while for the fresh faces, it was an opportunity to shine above their peers or mingle with their kind. Actress and host of Africa Magic’s new reality TV show Ultimate

Ranti Goes ‘O-Key’ but Still Dazzles First, we were scammed, then we witnessed a breathtaking performance and a wedding proposal.These were the opening scenes of ‘Off-Key’, the debut stage production of Nollywood ďŹ lmmaker Ike Nnaebue. The play was part of the LagosTheatre Festival which ended last weekend. Off-Key tells the story of Joy, a successful opera singer who believed she was a failure. The play focuses on her struggle to become perfect and overcome depression. On the surface, Joy played by the eclectic opera singer Ranti had a perfect life. Her shows were magnetic and after each performance,she was serenaded by her ďŹ ancĂŠ who constantly reminded her of the incredible talents she possesses. But his affection is not as overwhelming as the taunting voice in Joy’s head. It preyed on her after each show and shredded her self-esteem to pieces, often driving her to a suicidal state. Ranti dazzles in the peerless manner she segues from an euphoric state to a depressing mood. It is in the way she cowers at the command of the intimidating voice, in her feeble attempt to challenge his reasons.

Her fragility contradicts the imagery of strength and success that is stamped on the minds of her audience.

Off-Key puts the spotlight on mental health challenges in our society. Inspired by true events, Nnaebue who also wrote and directed the play disclosed that he wanted to tell an opera story that will touch on the subject.

The play is not the ďŹ rst time the ďŹ lmmaker will focus on mental health challenges. His 2019 ďŹ lm ‘Loving Daniella’ had mental health as its theme. However, in trying to enlighten the public on mental health issues,

Ranti in O-Key

the script nearly veered off key.The lines of the psychologist that treated Joy were not poetic and bordered on ennui. Although the actress Mercy Albert delivered the lines with vivacity, it didn’t evoke a bubbling reaction.

Despite the central theme, Off-Key is multilayered with messages of love. It is a portrayal of an enduring love beautifully interpreted

by Neota Obasi. As Joy’s ďŹ ance, he showed understanding and perseverance towards Joy’s frustrating depression. It was through one of his arguments with her that Joy’s backstory was revealed. Joy and her siblings were raised by a poor single mother after their father abandoned them at a young age.The poverty-stricken life they were subjected to was the driving force behind the critical voice.

It constantly reminded Joy that if she rested on her oars for a millisecond, she would end up like her mother.

Joy ďŹ nally conquered the voice after accepting help from the psychologist that her ďŹ ancĂŠ introduced her to. But in conquering the voice of fear, she found the true meaning of success and love.

Love Dakore Egbuson-Akande stayed glued to her seat for most part of the night.There was also the cast of the M-Net TV drama series Tinsel stars who enjoyed one another company.

However, vibrant stars like Funke AkindeleBello who were everybody’s friends danced to the melodious sounds of Femi Leye’s guitars and obliged quite a few the pleasure of her company. Looking angelic in her evening dress, Adesua Etomi-Wellngton stole the night away with her infectious aura. She was ready to give a hug, a handshake, pose for selďŹ es and even boogie on the dance oor to anyone with a friendly smile.

Hosted by popular media personality IK Osakioduwa, the cocktail party served as an opportunity for MultiChoice to reiterate its commitment to telling original African stories and celebrating the individuals who bring these stories to the silver screen. In her remarks, Mba-Uzoukwu expressed her delight at the

upcoming awards event especially its return to the global awards calendar. She explained that the AMVCA couldn’t hold last year because of the slew of programmes on the company’s slate, including the successful hosting of the Big Brother Naija show in Nigeria for the second time. It was the ďŹ rst time the company built a Big Brother house in Nigeria.

She also thanked the lead sponsor of the awards, Amstel Malta, for its commitment over the years as well as other category sponsors including Promasidor, Cadbury and Martell present at the occasion.

For the seventh edition, over 2000 entries were received.The nominees were announced in a live broadcast on February 6.Voting for the seven categories opened that same night and would close tomorrow, Saturday, March 7.The main ceremony will take place on March 14 and will be broadcast live on all Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv.

OJ Returns with ‘Our Jesus Story’ After a ďŹ ve-year hiatus from Nollywood to concentrate on his other businesses, front-line ďŹ lmmaker, Ojiofor Ezeanyanche is returning to the scene with a new movie entitled ‘Our Jesus Story’.

The veteran ďŹ lmmaker popularly known as OJ described the faith-based movie as the perfect comeback for him.

The inspiration to make the ďŹ lm according to him came a decade ago but he couldn’t make the movie even after writing the script.

The constant urge to make the ďŹ lm ďŹ nally prompted him to return. ‘Our Jesus Story’, according to OJ, is an African expression of the story of our Lord

A scene from the movie ‘Our Jesus Story’

Jesus Christ. “It is a divine fulďŹ llment of a burden that has been in my heart all these years. This is a very bold step on its own, considering the fact that the story is not ďŹ ction, a story everyone who has read the Bible or not, is familiar with.â€?

Some of Nollywood stars in the production include Eucharia Anunobi.

Long before his break, OJ amassed wealth from ďŹ lmmaking during the early days of Nollywood. Some of his movies include ‘Ashes to Ashes’ , ‘Only Love’, ‘Egg of Life’, ‘My Love’, ‘Two Rats’ among others which his production outďŹ t became known for.

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ETRENDS

Mixed ReactionsTrail Netflix Foray into the Film Industry The media was abuzz last week with the news of Netix foray into the Nigerian ďŹ lm industry. For the ďŹ rst time, the international streaming giant that has set off a streaming war in the United States will be producing original series from Nigeria.

Signs of the new romance have always been there. It started in 2018 when the company announced its plans to order original series from Africa as part of its international expansion. The 2018 South African ‘Catching Feelings’ marked the ďŹ rst African original ďŹ lm for the company.That same year, it acquired Genevieve Nnaji’s ‘Lionheart’ and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’, both released in 2019.bThe successful acquisition of Nnaji’s ďŹ lm triggered a boom of some sort in the ďŹ lm industry. Netix became the new toast for Nollywood and it was only a matter of time before other ďŹ lmmakers have their ďŹ lms lined up in the rich library of the streaming platform. By the last quarter of 2019, a great number of Nigerian ďŹ lms were available on Netix.

To usher in this new romance, top executives of the company visited Lagos recently and launched an ofďŹ cial Netix NaijaTwitter account where it announced its presence in Nollywood. At the moment, Netix has no physical ofďŹ ce in Nigeria. According to a report in international magazine Variety, the company will operate from Amsterdam.

There are no plans yet to have a corporate ofďŹ ce in Nigeria.

Also, the company rolled out its subscription payment in Naira last month.

Previously, subscribers paid in dollars.

For instance, the basic plan which allows

subscribers to stream on one device at a time formerly cost $7.99 (N2,916.35). Under the new feature, subscribers will pay N2900 for the same plan but depending on your bank, the transaction may attract an extra charge of 10%.The bank describes the charge as Dynamic Currency Conversion(DCC).

This kind of transaction occurs when a customer is shopping abroad or on a foreign site and selects to be billed in his local currency (Naira) instead of the currency of the country the transaction is being made.

At the end of the day, the subscriber pays N3,190. Unlike the United States where it increased its prices between $1 to $2 last year, Nigerians are yet to experience a hike on the streaming platform services.

Still celebrating its presence in the country, the app now has a list of top ten ďŹ lms watched on the platform in Nigeria. As at the time of ďŹ ling this report, the newly released Netix original South African TV series ‘Queen Sono’ top the list while Charles Uwagbai directed ďŹ lm ‘The Ghost and the Tout’ sits at number 10.

To kick off the affair, it was announced that the global streamer will be launching two original TV series. One of them is already in the works. Though no title yet, the ďŹ lm commissioned to Nollywood ďŹ lmmaker and director Akin Omotoso is a sci-ďŹ drama series set in modern-day Lagos that tells the story of a goddess who is reincarnated as a human being to avenge her sister’s death, but must ďŹ rst learn how to harness her superpowers for good. The series stars Kate Henshaw and Ade Laoye and is produced by RiďŹ ďŹ Pictures and coproduced by Kemi Lala Akindoju. Omotoso

will direct, alongside Daniel Oriahi and C.J. Obasi.

Speaking to Variety about the peculiar challenges that ďŹ lmmakers in the continent grapple with, Netix’s Head of African Originals, Dorothy Ghettuba said that the challenges are not unique to Africa. “We have come across great creatives and great producers who have, for the longest while, been working with what they have, and now we give them the opportunity with this platform and this backing from this company to really do their best.â€?

She added that ďŹ lmmakers will enjoy access to 190 countries where the streaming giant has a presence as well as reach over 167 million people.“That is groundbreaking.

It’s how do we shepherd them across the ďŹ nish line?â€? she said.

While the news was greeted with enthusiasm, there are some ďŹ lmmakers like Ike Nnaebue who greeted it with mixed feelings.

According to him, the presence of Netix is a good and bad thing for the ďŹ lm industry. “Netix arrival in Nigeria will deďŹ nitely arouse the interest of other streaming platforms. It’s a mixed feeling for me overall.

When they ďŹ rst came into the country, they added value to the content of ďŹ lmmakers but with time, we began to notice a decline.

Moreover, the poor structure of the industry will make it difďŹ cult for ďŹ lmmakers to really get the actual monetary value for their content.â€?

Nnaebue foresees a situation where ďŹ lmmakers will accept any offer as long as it foots their bills which he argues is a poor modus operandi for the industry.

Abiola Williams, Ige Kachi Deliver Electrifying Performances at SHAPE 2020 Launch Tinsel star Abiola Williams and seasoned vocal coach, Ige Kachi delivered electrifying performances at the launch of SHAPE 2020, a women empowerment program sponsored by Coca-Cola Foundation. Opening the event with an afro-pop rendition of the Nigerian national anthem, Kachi who is popularly known as Ige Sings had the audience gathered

at the Capstone Resource Center cheering with vigour.

The voice coach is an all-round performer and has been singing since she was seven years old. Ige is often described as the most proliďŹ c soprano voice to come out of Nigeria considering her unique ability to weave through both classical and contemporary genres of music in a dynamic

manner.Williams also rendered a powerful monologue on the plight of women in Nigeria titled ‘Goddamned Rubbish’.

The monologue highlighted some of the challenges women face in attaining ďŹ nancial independence in Nigeria.

The Coca-Cola Foundation since its inception in 1984 has contributed more than $1 billion

to help protect the environment, promote recycling, empower women and enhance communities around the world.

The grant awarded to fund the SHAPE 2020 program by The Coca-Cola Foundation will help achieve Coca-Cola’s 5by20 initiative which seeks to empower 5 million women economically across its value chain by 2020.

Nigeria King of Rap, James Guyton, Releases New Single Mary Nnah

Fast rising American-born music star, James Guyton, who recently traced his origin to Nigeria, has unveiled his new single album titled“Block�.

The album, which serves as conďŹ rmation of his determination to promote Nigerian artistes and their music, features two Nigerian music stars DJFremzey and JDee. The new project which is already making waves on the digital platform is Guyton’s calculated move to revive the rap genre of music, which he says has lost its place and glory in the Nigerian music industry.

According to Guyton, “seeing how rap music is doing real good in some countries like America, gives me the push as an international artist to take the step of reviving the genre in my ancestral home.�

Block, showcases JG and Neezy from FriendsWitNobody hooking up with upcoming Nigerian artistes: JDee and DJ Fremzey, taking listeners on a journey through the streets of Surulere, Nigeria, through the blocks of the roughest streets in the motherland.

The hit track complements FriendsWit-

James Guyton

Nobody’s candid approach to lyricism.This, matched with menacing production, makes “Block�that one single Hip Hop which heads have been yearning for.

After listening to“Block�, it will be apparent to fans and listeners alike that FriendsWitNobody has been in it to rule the Nigerian rap music world, proving their doubters wrong with precise rhymes, effortless pen game and plenty of style.

With FriendsWitNobody, JDee and DJ Femzey providing the perfect synergy via savvy wordplay, it won’t be soon before long that“Block�is recognised as their next collaborative hit.

As a musician, songwriter, producer and a philanthropist, Guyton has set for himself a mission to promote Nigeria and its culture across the globe through his music. As part of his efforts towards promoting Nigerian music, JG has completed plans to set up a- state- of – the- art music studio in Nigeria.

According to Guyton’s Country Manager, Sunday Chibike, “Nigerians should look forward to Guyton’s second release in Nigeria, which will be titled IGWE #Igbo OfďŹ cial by the end of March, 2020.â€?

In recognition of the Nigerian spirit in him, the Ofeme Ancient Kingdom, Abia State recently, through a release from the Palace of His Royal Highness, Eze E.C.O Udoka (KSM) announced the conferment of the High Chieftaincy title of“The Nwaannadinamba of Ofeme,Umuahia�on Guyton.The community also gave him a new Igbo name Chiwetara.

The celebration of the chieftaincy title and the naming ceremony will hold on March 21, 2020, to coincide with the ofďŹ cial launching of his second album in Nigeria.

ULTIMATE LOVE UPDATES WITH VANESSA

Will ObiEbi Survive Another Nomination?

The couple barely made it through last week, coming fourth in the vote rankings. Their survival last week surprised fans as many didn’t see MiCherry leaving the game.

Michael and Cherry became the first couple to check out of the game last week with a portmanteau of N350,000.

On Twitter, fans expressed their disappointment on the outcome but wished the evictees luck in their relationship. The love guests too were also shaken by the news. Presh Talker who was also nominated last week claimed that MiCherry was whispered in her ears constantly on the morning of the eviction. That, she said was a revelation which she didn’t pay attention to.

The love guests seemed to be managing their emotions after nominations. Unlike previous week where they expressed their feelings aggressively, last Sunday proved they had imbibed the spirit of sportsmanship.

Although, Louis seemed to play the game according to who nominated him. For instance, last week Louis and his partner Jenny Koko nominated ObiEbi and MiCherry. This week, the nominated ObiEbi and Roksie because he felt they were forming a cabal. A happy Sylvia didn’t care what anybody thinks about their nominations. She and her partner Chiddy nominated JayKech and DoubleChris.

ObiEbi again found themselves on the nomination block. The couple alongside Jeriton and Chivia are becoming the most nominated couples in the game.

Since they became a couple, Obichukwu and Ebiteinye have been adjudged the comedians in the house. The comical way they relate to each other amuse as well as annoy others. Some love guests see their behaviour as too juvenile.

As Sunday beckons, ObiEbi will find out if they had really ran out of luck. Despite partaking in the Monday Mission this week with JayKech, they were unsaved by Aunty. With Iykeresa, PreshDavid free from nominations this week, ObiEbi will need a miracle to beat Roksie, Bolar, Jeriton, Chivia, DoubleChris and Jelo to stay in the game.

ObiEbi

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NEWS

Glamour, Pomp and Thrill at Saint Francis Cultural Fiesta Stories by Mary Nnah Management and students of Saint Francis Secondary School, Idimu, Lagos left indelible memories in the minds of attendees as they recently rolled out the drums and rolled out the red carpet for the glamorous celebration of her annual cultural festival.

The event is one, both parents and students always look forward to considering the fact that culture is a strong unifying factor unequivocally embraced worldwide.

The well-attended event started with a Mass, held at the Jesuit Chapel, with the very Rev. Fr. Chuks Afiawari, S.J. the Provincial of The North - West Africa Province of the Society of Jesus as the chief celebrant, followed by the dedication of a building project and the unveiling of the Soccer Academy via the Lens of Culture.

In his welcome address, the School Administrator, Rev. Fr. Maduabuchi Leo Muoneme, S.J said Lagos is the nation’s cultural and economic melting pot, a mini Nigeria, where all cultures blend as one people.

Thus, the school is a Mecca of cultures. A quest, he believes is to provide high quality, transformative, and holistic education for the children.

He argued that at the heart of human experience is culture and Nigeria is well blessed with a sound plurality of cultures. “This school and the children strive to duplicate in the institution, so that they may be better raised to be excellent global citizens and leaders. Aside recent global advancement and development in diverse areas of human development and endevours we still dare to celebrate the authenticity, beauty, and essence of the diverse African cultures. “Proving that we can still be one, and live in peace and unity, though, Nigeria is a country of incredible divergences, a home of 250 good and hospitable

Cultural display at the Saint Francis Cultural Fiesta

ethnic groups. “Here the children are brought up to live together as one indivisible family. This is the children own way to put to use what they have been thought so that when they moved on higher they will not depart from it and our society be better for it,� Muoneme said.

Chairman, Russell Smith Group Nigeria, Leslie Oghomienor, who was the special guest of honour at the epic cultural event reiterated that children are the sole heritage of any nation. “To achieve a sustainable peaceful, united and viable nation where every citizen has the same right, those who will take over from us- the children must be very well raised and educated, imbibing in them with sound cultural, moral and traditional values right from home and educational institutions,� he said.

He drew the crowd’s attention to think about the way we feel when a Nigerian does something good and impactful, noting that nobody thinks whether the person is from Urhobo or Fulani or Annang, rather “we all celebrate together. “Therefore, we must teach our children the true brotherhood of man, devoid of any difference, and be well oriented in the true essence of the Fa-

therhood of God, whom we all draw strength from. We must guide our future on the right path by the way we nurture our children. “If we must enjoy a better, peaceful and viable united nation where all citizens have same right irrespective of where they come from, the children which is our heritage must be very well oriented and nurtured, by imbibing in them globally acceptable cultural, moral and traditional values, that will help mould them into great legends, bound to accomplish much more than what we the parents and teachers have done. “This, I know is the joy and pride of every formator, be such an individual or institution. Therefore, it is better to think what we can do to bring them up very well, rather than waiting for government or blaming them. And they, the children must take responsibility by willing to learn and be helped when and where such is required�.

In his opening remarks, Sir Emmanuel OgbeAkhibi, KMS, Chairman of the occasion, said the 2020 Cultural Day was unique and first of its kind since the establishment of the school decades ago. He advocated the promotion of teaching the young people our cultural and

traditional values, which will make them well qualify to take over from the older folks. “It is our responsibility to teach our children our cultural and traditional values, so that it will serve as a moral guide for them. To prepare them better to take over from us and even do better�, he said.

Commenting on the event, the Provincial, Rev. Fr. Chuks Afiawari, S.J. said the focus of the Society of Jesus, is holistic. “With the zeal, anywhere in the world to raise complete men and women who will be able to add worthy values to the human community in the areas God call them. “So teaching the children to live as one, learning the cultural values of other parts of the world will make them adapt well wherever they may be,� he stressed.

The thrilling event paraded various cultural groups from diverse ethnic nationality spread across the nation.

Prominent among them were the Yorubas, Ibos, Tivs, Binis, Hausa - Fulani, Esans, Efiks and Urhobo, to list a few. The children also dazzled the audience as they displayed with excellent creativity, the culture of a few other countries to the delight of the crowd.

Tolulope Oke’s Cookie Pot Projects PositiveValues Tolulope Oke, the dynamic and creativity-inclined actress has produced a new film titled� Cookie Pot�, which she says is a reflection about life. “My passion in movie production is for movies that inspire hope in people and enliven the spirits of the audience�, said one of the versatile and vibrant actresses in Nollywood.

Oke who has been around Nollywood for a while said movies should project the good pedigree of youths as cultured and diligent set of people. She noted further that movies should also teach basic moral doctrines to add value to the audience. “I believe in hope and I tried to project life and it possibilities�, she noted, stressing that, “Cookie Pot is a story of survival wherever you find yourself. There is always a means of survival�.

The inspiration for Cookie Pot, she revealed generated from a carwash that turned into a big business. Some notable Nollywood starts

who featured in Cookie Pot are Adejumo Lewis,Funso Adeolu,Sola Sobowale,Ayo Adesanya,Bolanle Ninalowo, Omowunmi Dada and a host of others.

Oke explained that the message in the movie is that, there is the need for women to support women. “The young women should see the bigger picture of whatever they are doing. Possibilities are endless in life. Whatever you are doing, you should not give up. You can always be a better person wherever you are.

You should learn to survive in a way that will add value to others�, she noted.

She believes Cookie Pot will challenge every young lady out there to have the strong will to succeed against all the odds in life. Born in Lagos, Oke attended Mercy Day Primary School and St. Mary Primary School, both in Okota, Lagos. She later attended Remo Divisional High School in Sagamu, Ogun State and Ibadan Grammar School, in Oyo State. She read Sociology at the University of Lagos. She

later studied Dramatic Arts at the Obafemi Awolowo, University, Ife. “I have been independent minded as young person.

Acting has been in me since my primary school days. My parents didn’t see the skills in me so they wanted me to study Law.All they wanted to see was that their only girl became a lawyer.�

However, Oke joined the Nigeria movie industry in 2005/2006 but started fully 2011/2012 when she featured in Awure Eni produced by Muhideen Oladapo. Ibrahim Chatta,Moji Olaiya were also part of the movie too. She has featured in over 20 movies including Dazling Mirage by Tunde Kelani, Jennifer diary and Induststreet by Scene one TV owned by Funke Akindele.

Her first personal production work was Bi ala (like a dream) which featured Peju Ogunmola, Akin Lewis, Dele Odule and others in 2012. “I also did Alebu mi (My weakness) in 2015. I produced Omiran (Giant) in 2016 which

featured Femi Adebayo, Rose Odita, Funso Adeolu, Dupe Jiayesinmi and others. I later produced Homesick in London in 2016. The movie focused on Nigerians living in Diaspora and coming back home for them, remained the best option.

Oke believes the movie industry is improving as it is on the world map. That according to her, this is very encouraging, adding, “Nigerians in diaspora can watch movies without getting the CD’s across to them.�

Oke is delighted that now; there are several platforms that many people showcase their talents she wants tradition and culture to be showcased more in a positive way in her movies. “In the real sense of it, selling our culture makes us unique but it should be done appropriately. Our culture should be projected positively.

The industry should always project positive values. There are several innovative values that can impact the society,� she added.

WARIF Launches Vision 2020 Campaign The Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) has taken on the laudable task of increasing awareness of Gender-Based Violence across the country with the launch of #WARIFVision2020; with the aim of impacting one million lives by the end of 2020.

The organisation is already achieving this through its various initiatives and plans to engage other NGOs and CSOs across Nigeria. The organisation also calls on well-meaning Nigerians to support this goal through volunteering and donations.

Activities have commenced under this project and WARIF believes that through a collective effort we can all live in a society free from rape and sexual violence.

Commenting on this, the founder, Dr. Kemi Dasilva Ibru stated that ‘the magnitude of the issues surrounding GBV is one that the organisation tracks closely and this initiative will serve as an ideal opportunity to raise awareness to many individuals still unaware of the menace of GBV that exists in their community’.

Partnerships that have impacted on many individuals such as that with Slum to School and Freedom Foundation are examples of collaborations that will assist WARIF in achieving this goal.

The organisation will also partner more like-minded organisations in Nigeria and beyond for the actualisation of this goal.

WARIF was launched over three years ago in response to the high incidence of rape and sexual violence in our communities.

Since its inception, the organisation is successfully tackling these issues whilst providing health care to survivors and raising awareness through its preventive initiatives in education and community service. It has now become one of the foremost anti-sexual and Gender-Based Violence organisations in Nigeria.

The prevalence of Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria has fast become an epidemic affecting an average of 1 in 4 girls and 1 in girls before the age of 18. The impact of which is seen in almost every community across the country.

Roshallom Poised to Catch Them Young

L-r: Roshallom Schools Director, Elder Joseph Owoniyi; Nigeria’s sports icon Falilat Ogunkoya and Proprietress, Roshallom Schools,

In line with the global support and current advocacy on sports even from the grassroots level, Roshallom Schools recently put together its 2020 Inter-House Sports competition with the theme, “Catch Them Young�.

Speaking during the event, Proprietress, Roshallom Schools, Mrs Roseline Owoniyi said the emergence of the theme for the school’s sports programme would give broad opportunities for early potential development to the children. “There is a common saying that that whatever anyone learns at childhood would stay long with the person. This is obvious in the events of our interhouse sports competition programmes which put in place some races as low as 10 metres to 20 metres for toddlers and kindergarten pupils in the school�, she noted.

Speaking further, the Proprietress said, “We discovered that there is need to catch these children young, especially when they are in their tender age, so that they would be able to develop their potentials and God-given talents early in life.�

Collaborating, the School Director, Elder Joseph Owoniyi, said, “The Bible says, ‘train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it’.�

He said therefore that everything done with the children at the school is based on this Bible verse, adding, “one of the ways to teach these children is how to live healthy lives.

A sick or weak person may not be able to realise his/her full potentials. “Also, nowadays, sports and sporting activities have so many advantages in the life of a child. It can help develop his/her talent and also promote healthy living�.

Chairperson, Mosan-Okunola LCDA and Chairperson of the occasion, Hon. Princess Olabisis Adebanjo, said the standard the school has set was beyond her expectations, stressing that the performances exhibited by the children in all aspect were overwhelming. “I know that these very intelligent performances will reflect on their academic work�, Adebanjo noted while adding, “I want to commend the owners of the school for doing beautifully well�.

She advised the students to face their studies squarely and put in all their best so that they would excel in life as leaders of tomorrow.

Olympic gold medallist, Falilat Ogunkoya, who was special guest, expressed excitement over the fact that kids were being trained so early in life to become sportsmen and women. “I’m always excited when I see young people excelling in sports because these are the young ones that are to take over from us. They are our leaders of tomorrow.�

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T H I S D AY ˞ ʹ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

ART WEEKEND

‌For pure art enthusiasts

Awaiting Next of Kin Art Exhibition

In Lagos, Thought Pyramid Art Centre gears up for the finale of an art competition with a grand opening of a group exhibition set for March 21.

Yinka Olatunbosun reports The ten future art masters who made it to the finishing line will be honoured at the grand opening of the art exhibition on Saturday March 21 at the Thought Pyramid Art Centre.

The2020 race in the ‘Next of Kin series’ started with 363 entrieswhich were screened by a jury made up of three great artists:Abiodun Olaku, Sam Ovraiti and Kelani Abass. Targeted at studio artists with a maximum of nine years of practice, this show is curated to promote the careers of young artists and up the ante for art appreciation in Nigeria. The selected ten finalists worked in diverse media such as painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and installations. Based on six criteria, 26 entries were disqualified. The curator, Thought Pyramid, Ovie Omatsola revealed the rigours of the selection process that birthed the exhibition. “From the selected 16 that that the three jurors unanimously picked, we arrived at finalists of 10 participating artists for 2020 Next of Kin show,� he disclosed.

The ten finalists include Mobo Ogunrosoye, Hassan Abdulazeez, Waheed Ariyo, Odinakachi Okoroafor, TaiwoAbisoye, Unyime Edet, Ojo Adewale, Christain Allison, Michael Igwe and Almat Adams. Each of them presents a unique artistic expression that scaled through the criteria that include subject matter and content; creativity and originality, composition and presentation, use of material mastery, aesthetic perception and wow factor.

Ogunrosoye plays up the collage technique as well as selfportraiture. She seems to be preoccupied with the subject matter of human interactions which is a very crucial topic in global conversations and current developments. On his part, Abdulazeez tells stories from the African worldview with his sculptures. As he explores oral tradition of proverbs, he lets the narratives run through the metallic forms from top to base.

Ariyo brings his surrealism into wood sculpture using manipulations that involve twisting and interlocking random shapes. One of his pieces is titled, “Prestige, signifies of African Woman.�

Making powerful commentaries on social issues is a factor for Odinakachi Okoroafor in creating his paintings. Using mixed media such as collages of cut-outs from pictures matted with figurative paintings, he produces intriguing pieces like “Society Lady� and “Girls Not Bride II� to lend a voice the girl-child and women rights advocacy.

With Abisoye, his years at the Faculty of Art at the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife is not a waste. This young artist articulates his thoughts with waste such as scrap metals to recreate dogs. Describing his work as an “exploration with metal using recyclable materials to talk about the environment,� Abisoye makes a bold statement about environmental pollution.

Having being tutored by the realism painter, Ebenezer Akinola, Edet’s skills with oil brings out the beauty in his predominantly female figures. Whether on canvas or chipboard, his paintings are no airbrush on reality as the messages

FeministThemesinEvelyn D’Poet’sKitchenRevolution Yinka Olatunbosun Jacob Odewu Okolo, a retired officer from the State Security Service and a Chief Security Officer for 14 years at THISDAY Newspapers is set to launch is booklet tomorrow in Ogba, Lagos.

Titled, “Nigerian Triangular Repentance and Restitution,� the author described the book as a liberation formula that would cleanse Nigeria of the lingering consequences of the bloodbath recorded during the civil war era.

The booklet is a blend of social commentary and personal account and its overall tome is prescriptive as the writer offers certain recommendations for true reconciliation to take place. He blames the problems associated with governance in Nigeria on some of the unresolved issues of mutual distrust among the three major ethnic groups. Of course, he suggests practical ways in which the government can resolve the insecurity in North-east which is gradually creeping up on other parts of the country. “Mr. President should as a matter of urgency plan to occupy the Sambisa forest completely. This is because there are enormous military and economic advantages that would accrue to Nigeria and North East sub-region locally and internationally,� he advised in the booklet.

The 89- page booklet is an easy read with its legible print. In reaction to a few typographical errors in the booklet, the author has promised that the next edition which will be out soon will be spotless.

Abo-ajo

capture real emotions that depict actual human conditions.

Ojo Adewale aligns with cubism to deliver loud colours and exaggerated forms. He engages with traditional subject matters as evident in his piece titled, “Omidan.�

Allison, a graduate of mechanical engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife is a self-taught artist who highlights human features in striking charcoal and pastel on canvas. The audience will be mesmerized at the sight of the work titled, “Finding Solace� where he captured every detail of hand and face like an x-ray machine.

Though the only water colour artist among the lot, Igwe plays delicately with light to produce a fluid and loose technique that beams light on everyday life. Almat Adams, a portrait artist, draws attention to her poetic composition of figures with roots in cultural elements. She makes reference to the Benin monarchy, a woman’s daily make-up routine using impressionistic strokes.

The show which runs till April 4 is sponsored by AK&Co, Platform Capital and Nigeria Machine.

FeministThemesinEvelynD’Poet’sKitchenRevolution

Words meet Images, in its fourth edition, made its way to a school for the first time since inception using arts as tools for advocacy. Held on the Valentine’s Day at Diamond Mine School, Ogba, the programme is an art-to-thestreet initiative by a journalist and multi-disciplinary artist, Evelyn D’Poetwith the theme, “Embers of Love.� This community-based art project featured performing acts such as Jide Owolabi, MaziAkpama, The Dynamix (Chidindu Okorie), Dunamis,Marvelous and Excellent.

Directed by Evelyn Osagie, the playlet titled, “Ija Ile Idana� otherwise known as “Kitchen Revolution� is one that started off as a domestic drama and then blossomed into political theatre. Using market women as the pilot of this drive for change, the playwright carefully raised other issues such as unemployment of family heads, women activism and collective action against oppressive government.

Book Cover

ThinTallTony,Others Return onStagefor NewPlay Yinka Olatunbosun

A scene from Kitchen Revolution

The market leader, rather than being partisan, led the women to a peaceful protest to demand for people-friendly policies. The play’s strength lies in its theme of citizenship education, which empowers the young audience with the

knowledge that the power to determine how the people are to be governed lies with the people.

Also, young talents explored the platform to project their budding talents with a special cover of John Legend’s

classic, ‘All of Me’ performed

by Chidindu, a 13-year old student of the school.

As a poet, Evelyn Osagie has been vocal about sociocultural issues performing at a variety of cultural organisations and embassies in Lagos.

A television reality show, Big Brother Naija’s formerhousemate, Mr. Offiong Edet Anthony, popularly known as Thin Tall Tony, is set to return on stage as Eroz Theatre births in Ikorodu with the play titled “Bending and Bonding.�

Written by Paul Ugbedeh, the show parades talented artistes such as Dede Kevin Alozie, Edna Frank Konwe and Mary Abishai Akam. ‘Bending and Bonding’ is a satire of marital squabbles and how to solve them. Itoro, from a humble background and outlandish Dele are going through a marriage crisis that forms the conflict of the drama. Other subject matters raised in the plot include suicide, sex, finance, religion and infidelity.

Thin Tall Tony, who plays the role of Pastor, expressed hisexcitement at being a member of the cast for the show. “The play is one-of-a-kind. It’s very interesting and it’s a simple play that says that when we don’t have a lot of communication as families sometimes, we assume a lot.

The play is also very hilarious.�

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T H I S D AY ˞ ʹ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

POLSCOPE

åÓÞÒ ĂŽĂŽĂŁ ĂŽĂ“Ă ĂĄĂœĂ“ Ă?ĂŽĂŽĂŁË›Ă™ĂŽĂ“Ă ĂĄĂœĂ“ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ă™Ă—Ëœ ͸΀͸ͽ ͝͸͞ Π͝ͽ͞

NGF: The Engine Propelling Governance

Canticles‌.

Kaduna Kilings: It Still Wont be the Last Time

A

bout a month ago, February 7, 2020, to be precise, I wrote a column titled “Governance Without Sparks�. Later that evening, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) sent me a lengthy text on my private line, explaining that I was not informed enough about the activities of the NGF, which I had accused of doing little to stir and steer good governance in Nigeria. He thus offered me an invitation to attend the next NGF meeting.

That meeting held February 26, 2020, with me in attendance.

Looking generally at the governance horizon in the country, it would appear that the effect of governance is not being exactly felt by the ordinary people on the streets. But in attending the meeting, I realised that there is so much of organization and calculative planning behind the act of governance, especially among the governors.

The NGF Secretariat, located somewhere in Wuse district , Abuja is a whole building, with next compound newly acquired and being developed.

The NGF, to my chagrin, is a very wellstructured entity having the full accoutrements of units and departments, manned by very prized personnel and professionals, all headed by a Director General, Mr Asishana Okauru.

Its media chief, my friend and colleague, MrAbdulrasaq Bello Barkindo had conducted me round the entire outfit, in what appears like a mini-orientation exercise.

He informed that the NGF was basically focused on six thematic areas of governance: Education, Health, Agriculture, Security, Economy and Infrastructure, in no particular order.

Indeed, at the governors’ meeting proper which comes after an open dinner, spiced with banters and jokes among themselves, it is obvious that the governors take the business of governance serious, never mind that some of the governors, like typical politicians, came late to the meeting, just as some were absent. In total, 23 members (15 governors and eight Deputy Governors) were in attendance, and this included Mr Douye Diri whose governorship status was finally and firmly upheld that day by the Supreme Court which affirmed that he is the authentic governor of Bayelsa State. It was his first meeting and he got lots of accolades and warm welcome.

In an adjoining room, there was a somewhat serious atmosphere by different sub-groups, each reviewing its papers and discussing it. They are all to make different presentations to the governors on their various areas. There was a group from Hypertech (Shiroro Mambila Energy scheme), there was another group from the Environment led by the Director General, Forestry; the Minister of Finance also made a presentation on the state of the economy to the governors.

Others who made presentation include The Ease of Doing Business, and the Director General of National Youth Service Corps,

Fayemi

Brig Gen Sule Ibrahim.

The subjects of the various presentations were not only very key and informative, they were germane to the overall task of good governance as it provided relevant update on the various subjects.

Each presenter was asked some pertinent questions by the governors and the entire subject reviewed. They sought knowledge and information.

Governance policies, it appears, are never haphazard. They are well discussed, debated and adopted.

It was the week of the Corona virus menace.

Gov David Umahi of Ebonyi State suddenly introduced the subject of the Coronavirus and narrated how he had been trying to avoid some friend who recently returned from China. “ I told him I am in Lagos, when he wanted to come see me�, he told his colleagues. �The room erupted in laughter.

The need to plant 35 million trees (which animals do no t eat) in the country was stressed.

The issue of the release of some funds meant for Basic Health Care came up. Many of them expressed reservation on the non-release of the fund by an organ that really does not have such powers.

Afew other issues came up. They discussed frankly, especially on the arbitrary deduction of over N6 billion from the allocation meant for the states , for the purpose of funding the North East Development Commission (NEDC), without the permission of the state governors. And this is in spite of the fact that over N300 billion was budgeted for the NEDC in the 2020 fiscal budget.

The matter was to be taken up with the presidency.

Dr Fayemi as presiding officer did a good job of listening to his colleagues, moderating the discussion with maturity and mutual

respect. They took a stand on certain controversial issues which will be discussed next day at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting.

The NGF works closely with international agencies, funding partners and donor agencies, all aimed at making life better for the average Nigerian. The NGF serves as a running engine that powers good governance across the land. Many of the donor agencies and development partners often choose to work in select states through the guide of the NGF. Indeed, an entire wing of the NGF secretariat (the bungalow) is occupied

by World Bank consultants who are currently working on the STAFTAS (State Fiscal Transparency Accountability and Sustainability) scheme. The states are assessed using some benchmark indices in determining the compliance with what is expected of them. And that also tells whether the states are qualified for some counterpart funding from international donor agencies or not.

In fact the Heath unit of the NGF does a monthly assessment of the states in checking how well the states are meeting up with certain standards. Sources in the NGF informed that such assessments have always helped to engender some kind of healthy competition among the governors, just as it motivates them to keep improving.

In all, the NGF appears established and organized, as it even has a monthly publication called The Executive Summary, where the various activities and feats across the states are featured and projected What appears to be the missing gap is the full impact of these efforts on the daily balance sheet of Nigerians.

Gbajabiamila Needs Tutorial on Expediency

D

id you see those top government ofďŹ cials, led by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, wearing facial masks, how they looked like ghosts? What are they afraid of?

What kind of question is that?

Are you not aware of the new global plague called Coronavirus, alias COVI 19. Did you not hear that it has killed thousands of persons in some 49 countries?

Yes, but we are secured in Nigeria.

Secured? Who said we are secured? Are you not aware of the Italian man who tested positive to the Corona Virus?And they said COVI 20 is yet coming.

God forbid that COVI 20 will come. This one cannot even survive in Nigeria.Yes, the infected Italian has been isolated and thus far, nobody has been conďŹ rmed to be a carrier yet. So why are we so afraid of Coronavirus that is slow to kill, yet negligent of the plague called Bandits which can literally wipe away some 13 communities in one fell swoop?

They are taking precaution against Coronavirus but doing nothing about bandits. Pray, which one is more deadly?

What are you talking about?

W

hen in 2015 he failed to clinch the Speakership of the House of Representatives, I felt pained.

And so when last June Hon Femi Gbajabiamila eventually got elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, I heaved a sigh of relief, believing that it was only now that his time was ripe and that he will make a remarkable difference as the number four citizen of the country.

For me, Hon Gbaja (for short) is a seriousminded politician, one imbued with a determination and capacity for greater national service.

But nine months down the road, Gbaja’s House of Representatives has not had any earth-shaking law for the benefit of the people. Rather, what we have got from his end is first the controversy stirred by him on the 50th birthday of the wife, when he ordered some exotic car to mark the lady’s birthday. Given the huge cost of the car, many thought it was not only a case of being outlandish, others considered it as inexpedient and insensitive.

Yes, it is his money, some will argue, but for a political votary, he must be moderated by expedient considerations.

El Rufai

Femi Gbajabiamila

Early this week, the news broke that Hon Gbaja had sponsored some 300 persons to Dubai for his mother’s 90th birthday bash, claiming that he had used public funds to undertake that splurging.

Although Mr Gbajabiamila has long denied the report claiming it is false, he explained that a party indeed held in Dubai in honour

of his mother’s 90th birthday, but that it is was strictly for family members and select friends, stressing that no government fund was used for the splash.

Again, the need for expediency comes up.

As the Bible would put it, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are expedient�.

That is one thing missing for Mr Speaker. He does not seem to know when it is lawful and when is expedient. For a public office holder to engage in what is clearly a case of splurging, especially in an economy bedraggled with poverty, bespeaks of a leader who is not cautious.

Yes, mama deserves to be celebrated at 90, no doubt. But why in Dubai? There is no place good or prized enough in Nigeria where Mama can be hosted to a befitting birthday party? Is that what Gbaja is saying, or he merely wants to show off the depth of his wealth? He has denied that government funds were not used to sponsor the birthday bash. What is the evidence? After all, what else does Gbajabiamila do, apart from being in government, to earn that kind of money that can be valuelessly blown like that?

Once again, for Gbaja, one thing needful is a lesson or two on the doctrine of expediency.

Didn’t you hear of the Kaduna killings? The midnight massacre in Giwa and Igabi Local Government Areas of Kaduan State? You didn’t hear of how bandits swooped on the villagers in these two LGAs on Sunday early morning and started shooting people, setting ďŹ re on dead bodies and their houses?You didn’t hear of this horriďŹ c attack leading to the death of over 50 persons?

I heard of the terrible pogrom, unprovoked. Those guys must be animals, I swear.

Thou shalt not swear! And they are not animals.They are businessmen. Didn’t you hear Gov Nasir el-Rufai talking about negotiation?They were that ďŹ erce, so that the stakes during negotiation would be reasonably high. Were it not

so, why did Gov el Rufai raise the issue of negotiation? Is it not because in times past he had had to settle bandits and herdsmen so they will stop slaughtering human beings?

Did the Kaduna governor not publicly announce that he had to be paying certain persons so there would be peace in the state? What kind of governance is that? He is now tired of paying and that’s why he is saying there would be no negotiation. And what that also means is that he knows such people. After all, he was not negotiating with ghosts in the past.

But Gov el Rufai has been working to ensure there is peace in the state. He’s made lots of sacrifices by constantly meeting with all religious leaders, clan heads and other stakeholders in the state. It is all meant to ensure there is peace.

So where is the peace if in one single night, over 50 persons can be killed, their bodies and houses burnt, when we are not under a war situation, where is the peace?

I say where is the peace?

The governor said it could have been worse but for the timely intervention of the soldiers and Air force men.

My brother, don’t be deceived.

So when the soldiers and Airforce men intervened, they neither killed any of the bandits nor arrested any of them? Hey, have you ever asked yourself why in all these many killings everyday, nobody has ever been arrested, prosecuted and jailed for taking the life of another person?

Why are we behaving as if there is no law against murder and mindless killings?Are there no courts to prosecute the killers? And do you know this would not be the last killing?Itwouldhappenagainand again and the same statements of condemnationwouldbere-issued, changing only the dates and locations. And nothing gets done to stop the onslaught. Truly and clearly, all animals are equal, but some are more equal.

Are you implying that those in government and power understand the people and motivations behind these killings?

You said so.

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ILS: We Failed, Embarrassed the Nation Olu Ohunayo

T

he industry went into wild jubilation when the government announced in the last quarter of last year that it had purchased a new set of Instrument Landing System (ILS) CAT 3 to be precise for Lagos and Abuja airports respectively which was installed while the functional CAT 2 ILS in these airports were moved to other airports in the country. The icing on the cake was another announcement that informed of the arrival of a new calibration aircraft for the country to be used in calibrating all critical landing instruments installed in all our airports.

We rejoiced because the CAT 3 is an improved version of CAT 2 system which can enable aircraft land at almost zero visibility while the new aircraft will aid safety by calibrating the necessary instrument in all our airports in a timely and procedural manner as approved by the regulator and manufacturers and most importantly reduce the huge cost of calibration that we usually concession to ASECNA which is sometimes delayed due to unavailability of funds.

Alas our joy was pyrrhic with the embarrassing situation we found ourselves in recently with international flights being cancelled, diverted or returning to base from mid air. These airlines chose Accra as an alternate and not Abuja. At a stage, Accra could not handle the surge anymore then they diverted as far as Dakar in Senegal.

Why Accra and not Abuja? The industry just woke up after 50 years to realise that the alternate airport to Lagos on the chart for foreign carriers is Accra and not Abuja.

This has remained unchanged hence the request by Qatar Air to the Ministry to seek approval to land in Abuja. Yet the Ministry gloated on this approval.

The silence from the industry in all of these was disappointing. I can remember NATCA the umbrella body of the air traffic controllers voicing out in the beginning but were countered by NAMA management.

Thereafter it was the conspiracy of silence from all industry players. The restive unions that will brutalise concessionaires and airlines owing their organizations went mute, the media did not make it a shouting headline, neither did the agencies or numerous experts and professionals, rather we chose to murmur or use the social media to discuss or defend, heaping all the problems on weather and not on us who allowed the ministry and its agencies to simply herd us into this imbroglio.

Surprisingly foreign airlines that lost a lot of revenue to the diversion estimated at around $6,000,000.00 also failed to speak up and it would appear, they chose the back end communication channel to save aviation officials and not the industry, themselves or their disappointed passengers. The juicy extra frequency, gauge and points of entries cannot be toyed with hence the blank cheque given to passengers to spend and

Airport

seal lips thereafter. I hope it works‌ The passengers who were mainly Nigerians were kept in Accra and Dakar respectively, some were airlifted back to Nigeria, some returned to the country of departure while others found their way by road to Nigeria after being stranded for some days. Some of these passengers fell ill; some were attacked by robbers on arrival in Lagos at the dead of night while another passenger died in the hotel while waiting to board his flight. This is in addition to distortions to flight schedules and missing connecting flights and luggage.

What was the industry’s response to the imbroglio? The ministry of Aviation sent out belated concurrent press releases apologising to passengers, heaping the problem on inclement weather and accusing the foreign airlines of deliberately going to Accra as a choice and not Abuja when the chart given says Accra is the alternate. The ministry of Information simply picked the template of the Ministry of Aviation by changing one or two sentences in words while connoting the same reasons as their counterpart. Cherry picked government officials and other professionals also towed the same line in almost all media outlets.

The inclement weather being parroted now is harmattan haze which can make visibility poor, that is a fact but landing in poor visibility is not usually an issue, if the airport has the right equipment such as the CAT 3 instrument landing systems (ILS), pilots can secure enough assistance to land safely, even when the visibility is next to nothing, simply put, our instrument failed when it was most needed.

It is gratifying to see the Honourable Minister of Aviation accept that some components in the brand new ILS CAT

3 instrument failed hence the problem of inaccurate reading and its inability to function properly after installation, which necessitated the hurried recall of ASECNA which later culminated in the use of the recently purchased calibration aircraft to recalibrate the instrument which happily has been corrected and NOTAM issued.

The solution to putting an end to diversion of aircraft outside Nigeria during inclement weather that often leads to poor visibility is simply making provision for functional CAT - III Instrument Landing System (ILS-CAT III) in all our 4 International Airports, presently located in Lagos, Abuja, P/H and Kano. Anything short of that cannot change the situation whenever we have bad weather.

The chart given to airlines some decades ago with Accra as alternate should be reviewed to Abuja and Port-Harcourt. The poor oversight on our part to rectify the book was very profitable to the Ghanaians while also causing the foreign airlines and passenger losses and pains.

The NCAA should ensure that scheduled and mandatory maintenance and calibrations of the navigational and landing aids in all airports are timely and sustained in line with regulations, considering the last Max Air incident at Minna airport which should have served as a wakeup call. The pilot attributed the incident to the erratic performance of the ILS instrument.

The new calibration aircraft bought for the country should be handed over to NAMA and commercialised to recoup funds expended and should also generate revenue for the country while the ghost of the older aircraft flown by late Capt Agbeyegbe should be properly rested with appropriate documentation stating current

situation.

The Ministry should please hands off from procurements of equipments, announcements of projects or managing of the new calibration aircraft. I could hear the murmuring at the chambers when the MD NAMA was asked the cost of CAT3 installion and he simply said it was only the Minister that can answer that question.

Rather the Ministry should focus on policy direction, guiding air navigation, air transport, airport development and provision of infrastructure which is clearly stated in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Act of 1964 and 2006 respectively.

We also implore FAAN to urgently fix the runway light on 18L to make it available for night operations while also extending the operating hours of some of our airports.

It’s a little wonder that Ilorin Airport which serves as alternate to Lagos shuts down at 1800 hrs while it runs for 24hrs only during Hajj. I align with the proposal for FAAN to handover the runway lighting systems to NAMA let us drop the ego and percevied interest here for Safety and Efficiency.

Finally as we tip-toe towards the formation of a strong airline with the acronym “National Carrier� I can only plead with the government to make it a stratum while the strata should be a comprehensive National Civil Aviation Policy covering connectivity, bilateral, fiscal support, maintenance, infrastructure and guided deregulation buried in effective implementation of economic regulations.

The Federal Government failed and embarrassed Nigerians in cohort with stakeholders not the inclement weather.

-Ohunayo is aviation industry stakeholder and member of Aviation Round Table (ART).

AfDB Partners ADEA on Capacity Building The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) have called for stronger links between technical, vocational education, training and industry, to equip young people with the skills they need to boost technological advancement, trade and growth in Africa.

A Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector Scoping Study Workshop, financed through the Bank’s Japan Trust Fund, drew more than 50 delegates from 13 African countries, representing international organisations, academia

and the private sector, to the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan on 13 and 14 February 2020.

The continent has made substantial progress in economic development.

However, skills mismatch, weak industry linkages, resource constraints, and poor implementation of policies are making it difficult to sufficiently respond to the current and future industry needs. “Quality skills development for youth employability will help Africa leapfrog and accelerate its path towards inclusive and sustainable development,�

the Bank’s Acting Director for Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development, Pierre-Justin Kouka, told participants during the opening session.

The workshop’s main objective was to share the findings of a TVET scoping study that researched the TVET landscape in Africa and its linkages with the private sector. Organizers also set the stage to discuss the design of a TVET mapping study with the aim of providing an evidence-based picture of TVET in Africa and its links with industry to guide interventions and investments by the African

Development Bank and other stakeholders.

The workshop attendees emphasised the need for targeted investments in skills and training, with proper alignment to Africa’s priority areas of development. They agreed that more in-depth study was needed to help ensure holistic and well-informed interventions. “The findings of the preliminary scoping study show that there are gaps in skills development for employability in Africa.

A number of studies have been undertaken in the past; however, there is a need to dive deep into the

TVET ecosystem and derive evidence-based priority areas of skills development,� the Bank’s Manager for the Education and Skills Development Division, Hendrina C. Doroba, said during the workshop.

The experts agreed there was an urgent need for appropriate investments in technical and vocational skills, given Africa’s growing youth population. They also said appropriate tools need to be designed for the in-depth TVET mapping exercise.

Sharing ADEA’s scope of work in the TVET sector, Mr. Shem Bodo, ADEA’s

Senior Programs Officer, said there is a need for innovative financing schemes to strengthen technical and vocational skills development systems for sustainable socio-economic growth in Africa.

The workshop participants agreed on steps for collaboration in the TVET mapping study and for contributing to the mapping framework.

Participants also called for active stakeholder participation and partnership in the process.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

42

T H I S D AY ˞ ʹ˜ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

NEPC Eyes $150bn with Zero Oil Plan Sunday Ehigiator The Executive Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, has revealed that, the zero oil plan is capable of improving Nigeria’s foreign reserve by $150 billion over the next decade, if successfully executed.

Awolowo made this known yesterday at the Policy Development Facility Phase II (PDF II), ‘Non-Oil Export Conference and Awards’, held in Lagos State.

He also revealed that the zero oil initiative was capable of creating at least 500,000 additional jobs annually, and removing no fewer than 20 million Nigerians from poverty, in line with the United

Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to him, “Nigeria has run a mono-product economy for too long. We have been left vulnerable to oil price shocks, the latest of which we are seeing now with the outbreak of the Coronavirus,� he said.

According to him, in response to the 2016 economic recession, triggered by a crash in oil prices, NEPC developed the zero oil plan.

He explained that the plan is a strategy for boosting forex through the non-oil sector, preparing Nigeria for a world in which crude oil is less relevant, mainly through, rolling out export policies for 22 major products that could generate up to $30 billion in foreign exchange a year.

“The Zero Oil Plan will add an extra $150 billion minimum to Nigeria’s foreign reserves cumulatively from non-oil exports over the next 10 years. “It will create at least 500,000 additional jobs annually, due to an increase in productive and export activities, helping to contribute to SDG 8, which is, ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth.’ “Lastly, the zero oil Plan will lift at least 20 million Nigerians out of poverty.�

Awolowo, stressed that the federal government was committed to export diversification with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, integrating the zero oil plan as a core component of the government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

Coronation Merchant Bank’s Profit Rises to N5.097bn Coronation Merchant Bank Limited has announced its audited financial results for the year ended 31 December 2019, with a 14 per cent rise in its profit after tax, to N5.097 billion, up from the N4.484 billion recorded in the comparable period of 2018.

The results also showed that Coronation Merchant Bank’s total assets grew by 14 per cent, from N222.78 billion in 2018, to N253.35 billion as at December 2019, just as its loans and advances to customers increased by 34 per cent, to N72.68 billion as at the period under review, from N54.3 billion in 2018.

In addition, the bank’s customer deposit was up by nine per cent, to N138.08 billion as at December 2019, compared with the N126.90 billion recorded in the

comparable period of 2018, while its shareholders’ funds increased by 11 per cent, to N34.57 billion, up from the N31.15 recorded in 2018.

Some of the key ratios showed that the bank’s capital adequacy ratio increased to 19.17 per cent, far above the regulatory requirement, as against the 19.65 per cent realised in 2018; regulatory loan-to -funding ratio also stood at 71.1 per cent as at Dec 2019, up from 51 per cent as at December 2018; and non-performing loan at zero per cent.

Commenting on the financial results, the Acting Managing Director of Coronation Merchant Bank, Banjo Adegbohungbe, said, “despite the volatility of our operating environment, we navigated the headwinds

that dominated the year to deliver a modest performance in our financial results. We will continue to actively partner with our customers to support their aspirations and deliver sustainable returns whilst being guided by our values of leadership, innovation and integrity. “Non-interest income grew by 64 per cent, which was mainly driven by trading income. The bank took advantage of the market volatility and increased market penetration in fixed income trading in the year. During the year, the bank fully divested from its subsidiaries returning its focus to its core strength of banking. This divestment is expected to free up additional capital and increase shareholders’ value.

Williams Appointed ‘Youngest Global Champion’ The United Nations Generation Unlimited has appointed the Chief Executive Officer of RED | For Africa, Adebola Williams, as a Global Champion for Generation Unlimited (GenU).

According to a statement, President Uhuru Kenyatta, Vera Songwe, Tsitsi Masiyiwa, and others were previously honoured with the position. “Williams also joins GenU leaders such as the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame; President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta; First Vice President of Costa Rica, Epsy Campbell Barr; African Union’s Moussa Faki Mahamat, and others to steer the United Nations Generation Unlimited vision as a Global Champion,� the

statement explained.

Introduced at his first assignment in this capacity during the launch of the Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge for Nigeria in Lagos, UNICEF country director, Peter Hawkins described Williams as the ultimate young African while expressing how delighted he is to have himonboard the GenU team.

In his keynote address at the event, Williams reminded the stakeholders of their role in securing the future by empowering Africa‘s New Tribe. “Only us can build our own countries, and the future we envisage will only be realised if we empower these very important ones and give them

all they require to achieve impact — that is why the Generation Unlimited challenge is so crucial,� Williams said. “Our continent will be the youngest in a few decades, this is a blessing of ideas, energy, creativity, and power. What are we going to do with it? It can either be a generational blessing or generational burden. At whatever cost, we must defend the interest of a generation that depends on us to be unlimited.�

Launched at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly, Generation Unlimited has generated interest from government and leaders from industry and other key sectors committed to cohere efforts around young people for large-scale impact.

Standard Bank Issues Inaugural Green Bond Standard Bank of South Africa Limited has issued its first-ever green bond, via private placement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

It is a 10-year facility with the express purpose of raising capital for use in on-lending by Standard Bank Group’s (SBG) Sustainable Finance Business Unit and achieving longer tenor financing.

The $200 million, London Stock Exchange-listed green bond is Africa’s largest green bond and South Africa’s first offshore green bond issuance, the bank explained

in a statement.

The capital raised as a result would be used to finance eligible green assets (renewable energy, energy efficiency, water efficiency and green buildings) aligned to SBG’s Sustainable Bond Framework.

The IFC’s Performance Standards, which are part of the IFC’s Sustainability Framework, have become globally recognised as a benchmark for environmental and social risk management in the private sector, it added.

Standard Bank Group Chief Executive, Sim Tshabalala,

was quoted in a statement to have said: “This bond issue reflects SBG’s strategic focus on sustainable finance in line with our Social, Economic and Environmental (SEE) value drivers and vision to drive Africa’s growth with minimal adverse impact. “Our strategy aims to embed social, economic and environmental considerations into our borrowing, lending and business practices in a way that helps us to continue supporting our clients, whilst producing value for society at large.�

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

SEPTEMBER 2019 Money Supply (M3)

35,029,779.72

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

7,374,356.91

Money Supply (M2)

27,655,422.82

-- Quasi Money

116,533,891.21

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,121,531.60

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,625,047.69

---- Demand Deposits

9,496,483.91

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

13,911,335.83

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

21,118,443.89

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

35,918,179.45

---- Credit to Government (Net)

10,452,199.38

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

11,007,422.79

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

25,465,980.07

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-14,799,735.56

--Other Assets Net

7,000,253.07

Reserve Money (Base Money

2,005,600.83

--Currency in Circulation

4,677,530.81

--Banks Reserves

317,121.43

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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

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OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT WEDNESDAY, 4 MARCH 2020

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $51.99 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $52.65 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

43

T H I S D AY ˞ ʹ˜ 2020

MARKET NEWS

Union Bank Records N24bn Profit, Resumes Dividend Payment Goddy Egene Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has resumed rewarding its shareholders after almost a decade.

To this end, the bank has recommended a dividend of 25 kobo for the year ended December 31, 2019.

In its audited results made available yesterday, the lender reported gross earnings of N159.9 billion up from N140 billion in 2018 and profit of N24.366 billion

as against N18.7 billion in 2018.

Based on the improved results, the board has recommended a dividend of 25 kobo per 50 kobo share. Commenting on the results, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Emeka Emuwa, said: “The bank’s strong overall performance has paved the way for a critical milestone. With the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the board of directors will recommend a dividend payment to shareholders for the first time in over a decade.

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

“Returning value to our shareholders has been at the core of Union Bank’s transformation and continuous drive to become a leading financial institution in Nigeria. Core to our earnings has been the conscientious growth of our loan book. “The bank booked N98 billion in new loan assets in the course of the year reflecting a 20 per cent growth to close at N595.3 billion in gross loans.

As a result of our larger loan book and intensified recovery

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

efforts, non-interest income grew by 23 per cent from N35.3 billion to N43.3 billion in the period with recoveries accounting for N8.8 billion of the total amount. “Consistent with our vision to be Nigeria’s most reliable and trusted banking partner, we are optimising our business model to focus solely on Nigeria where we continue to invest and thrive.

Consequently, we have made the strategic decision to divest of our United Kingdom (UK) subsidiary, Union Bank UK which

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

will enable us focus on the distinct long-term opportunities in the Nigerian market. “The divestment is expected to conclude in 2020 subject to regulatory approvals in Nigeria and the UK. In 2020, we will continue to focus on bottom-line initiatives that will build on our success in 2019. We are promoting synergy across our businesses and functions to ensure alignment with and on our strategic objectives.�

Also speaking, Chief Financial

O F

Officer, Union Bank, Joe Mbulu said:�We are proud of the top-line and bottom-line numbers the Bank delivered in 2019, owing largely to operational efficiencies and a laser focus on key deliverables. “Through our LEAP initiative, our focus on discretionary cost discipline led to a reduction of N2.4 billion on related cost lines driving overall expenses down.

Consequently, our cost-income ratio declined to 74.1 per cent from 79.2 per cent in 2018.�

0 4 / 0 3 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

44

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Uduk: SEC to Strengthen Public Companies’ Corporate Governance Peter Uzoho The acting Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Mary Uduk, has disclosed that the commission is working on a guideline to strengthen corporate

governance of public companies in the country.

The SEC boss stated this yesterday in Lagos in her goodwill message at the 2020 annual symposium organised by the Issuers and Investors Alternative Dispute Resolution

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

Initiative (IIADRI), with the theme: “Nigerian Tax Laws: Matters Arising.”

Uduk, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Director, SEC Lagos Zonal Office, Mrs. Hafsat Rufai, said: “In order to improve corporate governance,

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 04Mar-2020, unless otherwise stated.

corporate bodies are enjoined to continuously comply with the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance Scorecard. It is also worthy to note that SEC is working on a guideline to strengthen corporate governance of public companies.”

She added that the commission remained committed to creating an environment that would enable efficient capital formation and investor protection.

Speaking on the 2019 Finance Act Uduk said law has brought changes targeted “at promoting

fiscal equity, reforming domestic tax laws to align with global best practices, introducing tax incentives for investments in infrastructure and capital markets, supporting micro, small and medium-sized businesses and raising revenues for the government.”

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.88 0.89 5.02% ACAP Income Funds 0.76 0.76 34.19% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.12% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.45 2.50 -0.60% info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 5.67% Anchoria Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.21 1.21 5.78% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 14.86 15.31 -2.99% ARM Discovery Fund 340.97 351.25 -1.30% ARM Ethical Fund 29.87 30.78 2.71% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.44% 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 96.19 96.86 0.11% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.06% 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 N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.37% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 102.59 103.19 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 111.43 112.12 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.42% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.92 0.93 -0.32% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.41 1.41 5.82% 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 5.53% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 4.64% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,204.48 1,206.54 3.65% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,345.01 1,346.19 4.18% FBN Balanced Fund 144.88 145.95 -1.32% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.22% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 119.99 120.31 0.63% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 120.75 121.08 0.77% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 119.74 121.24 -7.98% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.47% Legacy Debt Fund 3.70 3.70 1.27% Legacy Equity Fund 1.08 1.10 -4.41% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.09 1.09 0.76% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,033.96 3,068.47 1.73% Coral Income Fund 3,130.20 3,130.20 14.19% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 6.64% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.26% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 117.88 118.51 8.72%

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.06% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.17 2.21 0.86% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 10.66% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 141.05 141.56 13.02% 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 1.18 1.20 1.13% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,120.57 1,120.57 2.01% 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 9.16 9.25 -6.50% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 4.31% 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 1.39 1.41 13.56% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.43 12.54 10.16% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.00% PACAM Equity Fund 1.07 1.09 PACAM EuroBond Fund 100.37 102.28 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 123.26 125.82 4.66% 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 1.02 1.02 1.75% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 3.36% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 1.18% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 1.69% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 1.58% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 -0.56% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.32% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 0.12% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.16 1.16 1.03% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 118.18 118.18 0.00% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.17 1.18 3.15% United Capital Bond Fund 1.77 1.77 1.89% United Capital Equity Fund 0.67 0.68 -5.53% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.07% United Capital Eurobond Fund 113.27 113.27 1.27% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.08 -0.80% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.06 10.21 -1.97% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.48 11.62 -1.06% Zenith Income Fund 23.17 23.17 4.23% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.57%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

3.15 120.17 52.41

-67.35% 0.90% 0.69%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.81 89.74 70.67

8.91 91.67 72.00

1.19% -2.95% -4.13%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

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

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded 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

3.26 4.39 12.19 11.39 181.48

3.30 4.47 12.29 11.59 183.48

-8.06% -25.58% 0.48% 9.49% -3.47%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.69

17.60%

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.

45

˾ FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2020

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

All Islam Ever Wanted was Freedom – 1 Spahic Omer/IslamiCity

In life, there is only truth, as a reflection and confirmation of the Absolute Truth, Almighty Allah (al-Haqq). What we think of and call falsehood is imaginary. It does not really exist. It is only a temporary and conditioned absence of truth.

Likewise, there is only light in this earthly life, for Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth, which is the source and quintessence of the former.

There is no actual ontological darkness. Its existence, too, is illusory. What we perceive as darkness is no more than a transient and conditioned absence of light.

Even Satan, the incarnation of evil, was not created and preordained as such. He only chose to be so, and was granted by the leave of Allah to operate in such a role until an appointed term.

There is nothing that is intrinsically evil. Evil is only that which some people, under the sway of Satan’s whispers, concoct, while manipulating and abusing certain innocent components of life. In other words, evil is a consequence of some people’s devilish creativity.

Accordingly, we should never unduly worry about the provisional existence of falsehood and its closest ally, darkness. Neither Satan should be a person’s greatest worry. Rather, what we should worry about is the absence of truth and light. If they are brought about, falsehood and darkness, as a result, will instantaneously fade away and vanish.

That is so because the two elements cannot coexist. Truth and light are the antidotes for falsehood and darkness respectively. Similarly, a true believer and servant of Allah is the antidote for Satan and his advances: “Feeble indeed is the cunning (strategy or plots) of Satan” (al-Nisa’, 76).

This is the message of the Qur’anic verse (ayah): “And say, ‘Truth has come, and falsehood has perished. Indeed is falsehood, (by nature), ever bound to perish’” (al-Isra’, 81).

An example of this is a person who comes for a purpose to a dark room. Certainly, the person will not panic, nor be put off, because of the room’s condition. The only thing he will

be concerned about is finding a switch to turn on the lights. That is, he will worry about and attend to the real things. Doing so will solve all his problems. The presence of darkness in the room and its being an obstacle will not even cross his mind. There is darkness in the room just because the lights are turned off.

As indispensable as they are, at the heart of truth and light lies freedom. It is their soul.

In equal measure, at the center of darkness and falsehood lie denial of freedom and its mishandling. Allah declares: “And say: ‘The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve (reject the truth)’” (al-Kahf, 29).

By freedom it is meant not merely to do whatever and whenever one wills. Rather, freedom means to independently know what is needed to be done to self-actualize, and to be able to do it freely without interferences and constraints.

The Meaning of True Freedom Just as there are only truth and light, likewise there is only freedom. Impediments and limitations are artificial. There is a direct object targeted by its subject with nothing standing between them.

That is the way Almighty Allah created and sustains life.

The whole universe exalts and declares the praises and glory of its Creator. As such, it serves at once as a testimony to, and sign of, truth.

The same holds true as regards the earth and man in his capacity as Allah’s vicegerent on it.

Man has been created free and on al-fitrah, which is a pristine and natural state of purity as well as disposition to worshipping the Creator and living His Absolute Truth. It is a primordial instinct for man to draw ever closer to his “heavenly”, so to speak, origins.

Accordingly, man’s task is but to stay the course and ward off everything that could divest him of his honorable status and his most prized possession: freedom. He only needs to actualize and cherish his recollection of Allah and the truth of Islam - as the only religion in the sight of Allah and the only heavenly-sanctioned life

paradigm.

Man simply needs to remain himself and be free. His life, though physically confined to the earth, is to establish reciprocal relationships with the Divinity. He is also to ascertain and unleash the infinity of his metaphysical self, and as such, get access to the infinite meanings, experiences and splendor of the transcendent realm.

Man will realize that the best road to freedom is to identify his being and his limited domain with the ultimate spiritual domain, and to lose himself in serving it. The path to happiness and self-realization will then become unobstructed and clear too.

It follows that servitude to Allah alone denotes the truest form of emancipation and freedom.

It guarantees enduring elation in the spheres of consciousness, knowledge and attitudes. In this manner, there is no limit to people’s confidence, enthusiasm, hope and faith.

However, what many people today call freedom is the most awful form of enslavement and oppression. People have turned their backs on the Heaven, worshipping, in turn, brief material things, their animal desires, and self-styled ambitions and goals. Thus trapped, they have become the slaves of their own egos and wants.

Much-talked-about freedom is as much a fraud as any other professed value and existential meaning and purpose.

Preservation of Freedom a Must One of the main aims of incessantly sending Holy Prophets to mankind was to enlighten and free man from whatever forms of religious, cultural and civilization enslavement that he might have invented and imposed upon himself.

Another aim was to eliminate all the influences and their protagonists, which were supporting the morbid trends.

The order of things, both natural and mangenerated, were thus to be restored. The freedom and purity of man, together with the pristineness and wholesomeness of life and earth, were to be brought back as closely to the state of their primordial selves as possible.

And that, surely, ought to signify the core, as

well as pinnacle, of the notion of sustainability and of each and every authentic sustainable development drive. Little wonder that Islam through its legal doctrine of maqasid al-shari’ah (objectives or purposes behind the rulings) gives the idea of sustainability a great deal of attention.

The intention was to promote freedom as the greatest asset of man, and to spawn generations of free men and women, who will then constitute free societies. It proved time and again that freedom, coupled with genuine faith, is most powerful and undefeatable. Whenever fully instituted, its triumphs were ensured, and its adversaries never stood a chance.

Freedom is without equal. The only thing that its opponents can do is to slow its march to success by a variety of forgery and exploitation means.

The Case of Prophet Musa (Moses) For example, the Qur’an explains that Pharaoh, even though of the greatest corrupters and makers of mischief on earth, was ostensibly powerful and successful merely because he oppressed his people and broke them up into different sects and parties. Simply put, he denied them their freedom, dictating afterwards the terms of their material and spiritual wellbeing.

Allah says: “Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions and sects, oppressing a sector among them, slaughtering their (new-born) sons and keeping their females alive. Indeed, he was of the corrupters” (al-Qasas, 4).

Hence, when Prophet Musa (Moses) was sent to Pharaoh and his establishment, and had to confront his magicians in an epic duel between truth and falsehood, he put emphasis all the way through on the idea of people’s physical and spiritual freedom. He demanded that his people, the Children of Israel, be released from the centuries-old slavery in Egypt to the freedom of the Holy Land in Palestine and its Jerusalem and al-Masjid al-Aqsa (Canaan).

To Be Continued

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NEWS

Saraki Kicks as EFCC Demands Final Forfeiture of Ikoyi Properties Immediate past Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki yesterday opposed an application before

a Federal High Court in Lagos seeking the final forfeiture of two of his Ikoyi properties.

Oshiomhole Remains an Asset, Say Edo APC Stakeholders Stakeholders, including the officials of the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and gubernatorial aspirants yesterday declared that the National Chairman of the party, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, is an asset to the party, the state and Nigeria as a whole.

They vowed to resist any attempt to rubbish the person of the national chairman in whatever guise and reaffirmed the fact that the overwhelming majority of Edo people hold Oshiomhole in the highest esteem.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu stated this while speaking on behalf of the gubernatorial aspirants including Dr. Pius Odubu, Mr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) and Hon. Saturday Uwuilwkhwe at a press conference in Benin City.

On the heels of a court order purportedly suspending

Oshiomhole from office, he said that Edo people, were solidly behind Oshiomhole saying, “We appreciate him and we believe he has done very well.”

Commenting on the purported court order which on Wednesday suspended Comrade Oshiomhole from office, Ize-Iyamu said, it was a shameful to watch the state governor Obaseki jubilating over the so-called court order.

“I was ashamed to see the Governor of Edo State elected on the platform of the APC rejoicing that an eminent son of Edo State, the former governor of the state, the man whom God used to make him governor; the man who had to campaign for him; the man who spoke for him everywhere they went, jubilating and singing all over Benin City, that Oshiomhole has been suspended as national chairman.”

FG Lists Beneficiaries of $22.7bn Loan Deji Elumoye andChuks Okocha inAbuja A total of 34 projects are to be financed with the $22.7 billion external loan approved yesterday for the federal government by the Senate.

The loan would be sourced from eight external financiers including World Bank, African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, German Development Bank and China Eximbank.

According to the 55-page report of the Senator Clifford Ordia-led Senate committee on Foreign and Local Debts which considered President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for the $22.7 billion loan and was approved at plenary’s yesterday by the upper chamber, the benefiting projects and the

amount voted against them include $800 million for the completion of East-West road; $500 million for NTA Digitalisation; National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Project would gulp $328.1 million; $481.09 million for Greater Abuja Water Supply Project, while Phase Two of Abuja Mass Rail Transit Project is voted $1.252,293,005.

The projects are to be financed

by China Eximbank.

Other projects to be financed by China Eximbank include Lagos-Kano Railway Modernisation $5,530,000,000; Railway Modernisation Coastal Railway Project (Calabar-Port Harcourt-Onne Deep Seaport segment - $3,474,000,000 and Mambila Hydro Electric Power Project - $4,800,000,000.

Govt Uncovered 70,000 Ghost Workers, Says Finance Minister Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Minister of Finance and National Planning, Hajia Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, has disclosed that the federal government has flushed out 70,000 ghost workers from its payroll.

Ahmed stated this in Kano yesterday during a retreat organised by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for federal directors.

She explained that since the implementation of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel System (IPPS) system not less than 70,000 ghost workers were detected and uncovered.

The minister, who commended President

Muhammadu Buhari for fully supporting the nation treasury and prudent financial management, added that the financial institution has never had a sound support like now.

“President Buhari has shown highest level of financial commitment in ensuring deepest financial prudent and management and the expectations is for all to give him maximum support for the nation to achieve more financial management.

“IPPS system is eliminating ghost workers and very soon the nation would be free of ghost workers and all criminal tendencies attributed to financial management,” the minister said.

The said properties are located at 17 and 17A McDonald Road, Ikoyi, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had obtained an interim order of forfeiture on the properties in November 2019.

The judge, Justice Mohammed Liman, had then adjourned the case for any interested party to appear and show cause why a permanent order should not be made.

The court had also ordered

that the interim order be published in a national newspaper to alert such interested parties.

EFCC applied to court to forfeit the properties to the government, on the grounds that they were obtained with loans from a bank and repaid with Kwara State fund.

Counsel to Saraki, Mr. Kehinde Ogunwunmiju (SAN), informed the court that he was already a successful businessman with properties worldwide before he became

a senator.

He said the EFCC must satisfy the court that such properties formed part of proceeds of any unlawful act by the respondent.

Respondent’s counsel informed the court that both the interim and the attempted permanent forfeiture of the two properties was an abuse of court process.

Counsel further argued that the EFCC was also estopped from re-litigating the same properties because it had

litigated on same before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) up to the Supreme Court but lost.

He said Justice Taiwo Taiwo had made an order restraining EFCC from filing such a case adding that the order was still subsisting.

Meanwhile some of the facts presented by the EFCC before the court are that Saraki while serving as Governor of Kwara, was deducting N100 million from security votes to defray the loan.

STRENGTHENING COLLABORATION...

Alapomu of Apomuland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kayode Afolabi Atoyebi II (left); and Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Babatunde Johnson Kokumo , during the commissioner’s courtesy visit to the palace...Wednesday

Corruption Investigators Need Public Support, Says HEDA Human rights and communitybased groups in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on Wednesday called for public support for anti-graft agencies fighting to track down shady public and private officials, a task that has seen some investigators killed or faced with death threats.

The groups spoke at the evaluation of review of impacts of tracing and recovery of illicit funds and assets on beneficiaries

held in the ancient city.

Representatives of the anti-corruption groups spoke on various threats faced by anti-corruption detectives including threats of deaths and kidnapping issued to them and their relations.

The event was organised by the Human and Environmental Rights Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) with the support of MacArthur Foundation, Open

Society Foundation (OSF/ OSIWA), TUGAR, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and PTCIJ. The programme was attended by several communitybased organisations, civil society, media, and labour.

Participants also spoke extensively on how various HEDA trainings across the country have strengthened their capacity to track stolen funds and illicit assets.

Nigerians were also urged to

show solidarity with corruption detectives, adding that the success of their actions is crucial to lifting Nigeria from misery and poverty.

Chairman, HEDA Resource Centre, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, said Nigeria has made progress in the anti-corruption campaign.

He argued that not only at the local level have assets been recovered, but also internationally.

Lassa Fever Death Toll Rises to 132 as Epidemic Kills More 11 At least 11 more deaths have been recorded in the current outbreak of Lassa fever in the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said in its weekly situation update.

According to NCDC, the new deaths, which were recorded between February 24 and March 1, brought the total number of deaths to 132.

It added that there were 85

new confirmed cases within the period under review, making the overall confirmed cases across the country to 775.

It, however, added that the number of new confirmed cases within the period decreased from 102 cases that was recorded in week eight to 85 cases.

“In week 09, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 102 cases in week 08, 2020

to 85 cases,” it said.

“These were reported from 9 states; Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Taraba and Kebbi states.

“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 09, 2020, 132 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 17 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2019 (22 per cent)

The agency added that a total of 27 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 118 local government areas.

“Of all confirmed cases, 73 per cent are from Edo (34 per cent), Ondo (32 per cent) and Ebonyi (seven per cent) states,” it said.

“One new health care worker was affected in Edo State in the reporting week 09.”

Gowon Backs Restructuring Deji Elumoye in Abuja Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), yesterday canvassed for the restructuring of the country so as to integrate the Igbo into the polity.

Gowon, who spoke at the debate for national unity with the theme: “ Federal Character, Restructuring

and Rotation of Presidential Power in Nigeria” organised by Igbo Leadership Development Foundation in Abuja, also emphasised that the Igbo nation still remains marginalised 50 years after the civil war.

The elder statesman represented by a former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Obadiah

Mailafia, therefore appealed for urgent steps to be taken to ameliorate the pains of the Igbo.

According to him, Nigeria had what it takes to cater adequately for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe or creed.

He further canvassed for the convocation of a constitutional debate on restructuring to holistically

observe the imbalances that had kept Nigeria down over the years with a view to making progress and promoting national unity and cohesion.

“I believe that a lot of injustice has been done to the Igbo and a constitutional debate on restructuring must address all imbalances and restore hope and confidence.

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Smart Adeyemi Restates Commitment to Democracy Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja Senator Smart Adeyemi yesterday restated his belief in democracy, as he also debunked a statement credited to him that military government is better than democratically elected government.

In a statement signed by his legislative aide, Olowo Cornelius, which was made available to journalists in Lokoja, the senator was said to have been quoted out context that “military government is better than a democratic government.”

The part of the statement read: “One would have

ordinarily ignored this attempt to deliberately misrepresent the people’s senator, considering the section of the online media where the news emanated from, who their principal is, and the injuries they are still nursing from their losses in the recent Kogi West senatorial election; however, their situation can be understood.

“Our knowledge of the fact that Nigerians and particularly the media sector knows Adeyemi as an astute journalist and a fearless labour leader with indelible records of struggle against the military government, and even now as

INEC Wants Quick Passage of Electoral Offences Bill, Insists on New Electoral Laws Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Chuks Okocha in Abuja The National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed hope for an expeditious passage of the bill for an Act for the establishment of the National Electoral Offences Commission, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Abubakar Kyari and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, which recently passed second reading.

Also, the Electoral Offences Commission (Establishment) Bill 2020, which was sponsored in the House of Representatives by Hon. John Dyegh, has passed first reading.

Meanwhile, as part of preparations for new electoral laws to govern elections and electoral processes in the country, the INEC boss proposed new electoral laws that would aid the conduct of elections in Nigeria.

The proposal was disclosed

by Yakubu at a meeting with stakeholders, where he stated that he had hoped that the 2019 election would be the last manual election in Nigeria.

Speaking at the opening of

a two-day INEC retreat with members of the National Assembly on the Electoral Legal Framework in Lagos yesterday, Yakubu said: “The country can no longer afford to foot drag on this important legislation which will provide the framework to deal with impunity and brigandage in elections which are becoming more brazen essentially because violators of electoral laws are not effectively prosecuted.”

Tracing the recent history of attempts at electoral reforms in the country, Yakubu recalled the Uwais Committee on Electoral Reform of 2009; the Lemu Committee on the 2011 Post-election Violence and the Nnamani Committee on Electoral Reform of 2017.

He regretted, however, that 11 years after the Uwais recommendation, “we are still talking about the prosecution of electoral offences.”

Yakubu, therefore, urged the ninth National Assembly to make history by passing “this important bill” into law, adding: “It’s time to walk the talk.

Other critical areas of electoral reform being considered included deployment of technology in elections.

House Investigates Alleged Passport Racketeering by Officers of NIS Udora Orizu in Abuja House of Representatives has directed its Committee on Interior to investigate the alleged passport racketeering and other corrupt practices at the offices of the Nigeria Immigration Service with a view to bringing the culprits to book.

The House also urged the federal government to ensure that all payments made for the purpose of passport should be done through the Treasury Single Account (TSA) channel and anyone that violates the terms of the policy should be made to face the full wrath of the law.

This move was sequel to the unanimous adoption of a motion by Hon. Chinedu Ogah, titled: “Need to Investigate the Alleged Extortion, Passport Racketeering and Corrupt Practices by the Nigeria Immigration Service.”

Ogah while presenting

his motion, noted that there have been several reports of alleged extortion of Nigerians seeking to acquire passports by personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service.

He added that the rising trend of passport racketeering would expose the country to foreign criminals who may take advantage of the corrupt practices to acquire Nigerian passports and commit crimes that could tarnish the country’s image.

He said the unsuspecting members of the public are being made to pay as high as N50,000 to immigration officers with a promise to fast track processing of their passport.

The lawmaker frowned at the collection of cash by immigration personnel, instead of payment through Remita, which is the official TSA payment channel. He described this as a gross violation of the policy of the federal government.

a serving ranking senator, he is too knowledgeable, exposed and mature to make such careless statement.

“But for the purpose of setting the record straight for posterity, I wish to clarify here that what Adeyemi said on the floor of the Senate was that ‘truncating the wish of the people by not allowing their votes to count in elections is worse than a military takeover’.

“He said this as a contribution to a discussion on a bill to curtail the devastating effects

of electoral violence and election rigging.

“It is known globally that the hallmark of democracy is free and fair elections, but this cannot be said of some of our previous elections in which politicians of questionable characters whose adoption of the do-or-die approach to elections have resulted in pandemonium, arson, killings and maiming, even the killing of security agents and youth corps members as well as the robbery of the people’s

mandates at gun point. Where free and fair election is lacking, such situation is worse than a military government.

“In Nigeria today, hardly can election be held, even for positions as small as councillorship, without recording casualties. This cannot be encouraged nor allowed to continue as the wish of the people as regarding who leads or represents them, which must be respected. If only we want as a nation to continue to enjoy the grace and favour of God and

the goodwill of the committee of nations. We must know that God will fight for the helpless and common man when criminal-minded politicians continue to trample upon their rights in their helpless situation.

“We must know that distinguished Senator Smart Adeyemi was himself a victim of electoral fraud and rigging, and recently he was personally made to know and experience the pains of election rigging, so he spoke from a position of personal experience.”

Gani Adams Tasks South-west Govs on Devt of Yorubaland Segun James The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has urged South-west state governors to ensure the rapid development of the region.

To achieve this, Adams urged the governors to build independent power supply and rail system that will link the entire South-west states.

Adams, who made the call in Epe, Lagos State, during

the 2020 edition of the Olokun festival, stressed the need for an uninterrupted power supply across the region, saying the new initiative will enhance commerce, tourism as well as drive the desired development across the region.

He pointed out that issues of security, power, and transportation are most critical to the development of a nation, urging the governors to look forward to creating

Northern States to Review Penal Code Law

a conducive environment for investors in South-west zone.

According to him, “All over the world, businesses thrive where the security and safety of the citizens is guaranteed.

“Stable and uninterrupted power supply is key to the development of every nation.

In South Africa for example, the transportation system is amazing because of the effective rail stations between Johannesburg and Pretoria.

“Nigeria being a great country, our leaders travel abroad and experience the development spreading across United Kingdom, America, Asia and other African

of these new trends of crimes,” he added.

Danmalam also announced that in a bid to reduce the workload and pressure on judges and magistrates as well as customary court judges, the council has approved the establishment of “multi door court.”

Under the arrangement, “a body of neutrals will be set up to adjudicate on issues.”

He said the council’s decision would be sent to Niger State House of Assembly for appropriate legislations.

Danmalam, however, said the body of neutrals would be made up professionals or people with vast experience in the issue to be adjudicated upon.

Meanwhile, the council has also approved a new development plan which would serve as a follow up to the development of the state from 2020- 2023. The last action plan terminated in 2019.

CHANGE OF NAME

NYSC Extends Service Period of 14 Members in Bauchi

Laleye Dipo in Minna Governments in the 19 northern states have resolved to review its penal code laws to take care of present day challenges, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State, Mr. Nasara Danmalam, disclosed this in Minna yesterday.

Danmalam said a new penal code law has been prepared and sent to the states for domestication.

Briefing newsmen at the end of Niger State Executive Council meeting, Danmalam said the “modern penal code law” has taken into consideration the new trends of crimes in the country including “cyber crime, banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.

“All these crimes were not captured in the old penal code law. With the current reality, we believe we should have laws that will adequately take care

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced that seven corps members deployed to Bauchi State would have their service year extended by four months for commiting acts contrary to NYSC bye-laws.

NYSC Bauchi State Coordinator Namadi Abubakar, disclosed this yesterday at the passing out parade of the 2019 Batch A members who finished their one-year mandatory national service in the state.

He added that seven other corps members have equally been declared absconded and are to repeat the service all over again.

While noting that the sanctions meted out to the erring NYSC members were meant to instill discipline in them and deter others from commiting similar offences, Namadi, however, said

the scheme has presented three corps members who distinguished themselves in the service to the state government for state’s awards.

The coordinator also announced that four NYSC members in the state namely; Magdalene Yohanna, Fatima Aliko Ahmed, Oluga M. Susan and Ruth Musa died during the service.

Also speaking, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, represented by his Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Adamu Manu Soro, said NYSC has over the years contributed immensely to the growth and development of the state and country.

He commended all the corps members passing out for their contributions to the growth of the critical sectors of the economy of the state and their role in giving continued credibility to the electoral processes.

countries.

“With the passage of Amotekun bill this week, I am fulfilled that part of our dreams have been realised.

This is a victory for all Nigerians.

“It is our victory in the Southwest because 25 percent of residences in Lagos and other states in the region are non-indigenes.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEKOLA ABIMBOLA OMOWUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OJOSIPE ABIMBOLA OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as EKEAMAYE FRED, now wish to be known and addressed as EKEAMAYE GODDAY FRED. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as NGOZI PRISCA NWAIZUGBE., now wish to be known and addressed as NGOZI PRISCA OBUH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

ADDITION OF NAME. My name was wrongly written on my BVN as EXCEL BASSEY instead of EXCEL ASUQUO. My correct date of birth is 21ST OCT 2000.All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ANIMASHAUN GBOLAHAN, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIMASHAUN FUHAD OMOGBOLAHAN. All for documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

ADDITION OF NAME FOR BVN I formerly known and addressed as MALACHY NWACHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as IZUCHUKWU MALACHY NWACHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank and the general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as YAKUB BINTU OMOBOLANLE, now wish to be known and addressed as CAREW BINTU OMOBOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as EZECHIEDO CHUKWUDERA CHUKWUSOM, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAIGBO CHUKWUDERA CHUKWUSOM. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note

I, formerly known and addressed as ADEYEMI PATRICK AKOREDE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEYEMI PATRICK. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AKEEM LAWRENCE, now wish to be known and addressed as LASISI AKEEM ADEMOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MUHAMED RABILU SALISU, now wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED RABILU SALISU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as LIZZY EMMANUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as ELIZABETH ONYINYECHI ALICHE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IKEJIAKU EDITH UZOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as IBEMESI EDITH UZOMA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as UGWUOKE OGECHUKWU CHARITY, now wish to be known and addressed as UGWUOKE CHINWEUDO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS PEACE NGOZI OKOJERE, AND MRS PEACE NGOZI IZEHI henceforth wish to be known and addressed as MRS. PEACE NGOZI OKOJERE-IZEHI. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as UKACHUKWU VICTOR MOSES, now wish to be known and addressed as DARAMOLA EMMANUEL ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as GIFT AKINTUNDE KEHINDE, now wish to be known and addressed as ODARO ESEOSA GIFT. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

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Ekiti APC Rejects Ajimobi as Party’s National Deputy Chair Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The appointment of former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Chairman (South) has started generating ripples, as the Ekiti State chapter of the party rejected the action vehemently.

A statement issued in Ado Ekiti yesterday by the party state Chairman, Hon Paul omotoso, described the pronouncement of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party as subjudice capable of eroding the rule of law.

The statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Hon Ade Ajayi, said the nomination is unacceptable and won’t stand the test of time.

Omotoso said: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly signed and issued

by the National Publicity Secretary of our great party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, on March 4, 2020, in which he announced the nomination of former Oyo State Governor, Ajimobi as the Deputy National Chairman (South) among other vacant positions.

“We wish to categorically state here that the statement is a fraudulent assertion.

“We recall that a select leaders of the APC in the Southwest met in Lagos on January 31, 2020, where the APC state chairmen and other members of the Southwest caucus, being the statutory organ, was mandated to meet and decide on the matter.

“Subsequently, the Southwest caucus of the party met accordingly on February 4, 2020, at Oshogbo, the Osun State capital, and it was inconclusive.

“How can the party now issue a statement on March 4

Two NYSC Members Drown in Bayelsa Onungwe Obe in Yenagoa The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, yesterday commiserated with the management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) over the drowning of two corps members serving in the state.

The two members, who would have passed out of the scheme with their colleagues yesterday, drowned in the Nembe River in Nembe Local Government Area of the state.

The governor expressed the condolences of the people and government of the state to the families of the deceased corps members, and urged those in whose care corps members serving in the state are to ensure their safety under their care.

Diri urged corps members who served/serving in the state to be good ambassadors of the state, noting that the people of Bayelsa State are peaceful and hospitable.

He said having lived and interacted with the people, corps members were better placed to tell the Bayelsa story to the

that a decision was taken on January 14, 2020? It can only be a fraud.”

Omotoso insisted that the Ekiti State nominee for the vacant position of the Deputy

Vice Chairman (South), Senator Gbenga Aluko, remains the best and most qualified for the position, saying: “We have not ceded our right to anybody.

“It is unfortunate that the

NWC could still go ahead to forge the decision of the NEC which is the only body empowered by the party constitution to ratify the nomination of candidates.

“Kindly recall that the same NWC wrote to the leadership of the Southwest on January 29, 2020, to forward the name of their nominees to fill the vacant position.

PROMOTING INVESTMENTS…

L-R: First Deputy President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. Ide

rest of the world, even as he Udeagbala; National President, NACCIMA, Hajiya Saratu Iya Aliyu; Chairman, Creative, Hospitality and Tourism Trade Group of NACCIMA, encouraged those who wished Aare SP Phillips; and Second Deputy President, NACCIMA, Mr. Dele Oye, at the just concluded First Quarter National Council meeting of to stay back in the state to feel the association in Abuja…recently free to do so.

Diri promised to complete the NYSC permanent orientation camp at Kaiama in Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area, and approve the land allocated for siting the secretariat of the scheme in Yenagoa. the decision “with immediate indigenes of the state would also Idris said.

Earlier, during a visit Laleye Dipo in Minna effect.” be arrested and transported to The commissioner, however, by the NYSC South-south Idris said a committee their states of origin. added that government has not Area Commander, Omatade Niger State Government has “We are putting in place a outlawed the “Almajiri system Ayodele-Benjamin, the governor announced a total ban on has been set up to fine promised to continue to partner street begging effective from tune the modalities for the lifetime structure that will stand of education,” but warned that the scheme for the development March 4, but said the ban did implementation of the policy the test of time. Street begging “any Almajiri found begging of the state and the welfare of not affect the “Almajiri system to ensure that it does not fail is a menace that we should all will be arrested,” noting that 80 like previous arrangements. join hands to stop. Those who per cent of Almajiris roaming of education.” corps members.

The commissioner added are not from Niger State will the streets of the state are not The Commissioner for Benjamin, in his remarks, expressed the NYSC readiness to Information, Alhaji Mohammed that anyone caught begging be evacuated and taken to their from Niger State.

“We are not banning Almajiri contribute towards developing Sani Idris, who made this “either on the streets or states. “We will collaborate with the state by deploying its known while addressing elsewhere” would be arrested other states to ensure the success of education but they (almajiri) members in critical areas of newsmen in Minna, said the and prosecuted in line with of the policy. We now have the must not go on the street state executive council which existing laws, adding that political will to ensure the policy for begging any longer,” he need.

The state NYSC Coordinator, met on Wednesday approved street beggars found not to be is implemented to the letter,” explained.

Mrs. Ojugo Elizabeth, said over 5,000 corps members were currently serving in the state, out of which about 1,400 Udora Orizu in Abuja adoption of a motion of urgent purchases for the importation low performance of the country’s rounded off their mandatory national importance by Hon. of physical goods, payments economy at this critical time. one year national service on House of Representatives has James Faleke, at yesterday’s of foreign service vendors, He said in the past years March 5. dividend repatriation, foreign Nigeria has not been able begun investigation into the $30 plenary.

The motion titled: “Urgent loan and interest payments, to fund capital projects of billion annual revenue leakages arising from various malpractices need to rescue the country including foreign currency her annual appropriation contracts acts for lack of funds due to in foreign exchange allocations from over $30 billion annual denominated to companies from sources such revenue leakages arising payments by companies in low remittances of revenue procurement, by generating agencies, low as the Central Bank of Nigeria from various malpractices in engineering, (CBN), autonomous Interbank, foreign exchange allocation to construction, installation and payment of taxes by private companies and diversion of domiciliary and over the counter companies from sources such as marine transportation.”

CBN, autonomous Interbank, Presenting the motion, Faleke expected revenue by corporate purchases. an inquiry by THISDAY on The move followed the domiciliary and over the counter said the House was aware of the organisations. the non-release of funds, Mr. Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, who is the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the the chronic forms of malnutrition areas of the state. is not enough considering the Minister of Finance, Budget Francis Sardauna in Katsina that cannot be corrected.

He said CMAM programme, number of children that are and Finance, Mrs. Zainab “Over 200,000 children are which started in October 2010 suffering from malnutrition and Ahmed said the ministry Katsina State Nutrition Officer, had earlier released the first Abdulhadi Abdulkadir, yesterday suffering from acute malnutrition. with few local governments, has the number of children dying as tranche of the N620 million said no fewer than 200,000 High maternal mortality rate as now covered 70 of Out Patient a result of malnutrition.”

He said the state government and will today (Friday) children were suffering from a result of iron deficiency anemia Therapeutic Programme (OPTP) are contributing to 20 per cent in 14 local government areas of was supporting SAM in 14 release the second tranche. acute malnutrition in the state. the state. He explained that a total local government areas with Abdulkadir, who was speaking maternal mortality.”

Although he did not state He reiterated that acute of 33,769 children suffering from N250,000 monthly to provide how much the government in Katsina during a stakeholders’ released in the first tranche, meeting on nutrition organised malnutrition is also bedeviling Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) the Ready-to-Use Therapeutic the Minister of Health, through the foundation of First over 12 per cent of women across were enrolled in the CMAN Food (RUTF) in order to end Dr. Osagie Ehanire had Lady, Aisha Buhari, called Future the state, saying “our mothers programme between January malnutrition among children in the state. disclosed when he appeared Assured, added that over one and children are suffering from to October 2019.

According to him, “The In her remarks, the Wife of before the Senate Committee million children under five years malnutrition.”

He, however, said the state programme only covers 14 Katsina State Governor, Dr. on Health recently that N71 in the state are stunted.

He said: “Over one million government had established local government areas out of Hadiza Bello Masari, said the million had already been released to to the port children under five in Katsina Community-based Management the 34 local government areas state government had expended health services, to strengthen State are not growing well, that is of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) of the state and 361 wards that N290 million in 2017 and 2018 they are stunted. Stunting is one of centres in 14 local government we have in Katsina State, which to tackle malnutrition. operations.

Niger Bans Street Begging, Says Almajiri System of Education Not Outlawed

House Probes $30bn Annual Revenue Leakages from Forex Allocations

Coronavirus: Finance Ministry Set to Release Funds for Emergency Response Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning disclosed yesterday that it is set to release the second tranche of the N620 million earmarked by the federal government to combat the Coronavirus epidemic which Nigeria has already recorded an index case.

During a tour of isolation centres located at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan had on Wednesday called on the finance ministry to release funds while bemoaning the lack of preparedness and frustration at the state of the isolation centres which were yet to be completed.

However, responding to

Acute Malnutrition Hits 200,000 Children in Katsina

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Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

A H E A D N AT I O N A L S P O R T S F E S T I VA L

Edo First to Introduce VAR to Nigeria Ikhuoria, Eguavoen, Yusuf, two others to be honoured at the Games

Duro Ikhazuagbe The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is to be used in Nigeria for the first time during the football events of the 2020 National Sports Festival to be hosted by Edo State later this month.

The VAR was introduced to Africa first time during the AFCON 2019 in Egypt last June.

Morocco also made history as the first African country to apply the VAR technology in a domestic match for the first time.

However, the technology is

one of the many state-of-the-art technology already installed at the refurbished Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

While conducting sports journalists round the stadium on Tuesday evening, an official of the contracting firm handling some of the installations at the facility, Chinedu Agbo, confirmed that the technology has been installed and tested for use during the football events of the Edo 2020.

It was learnt that as part of efforts to host a memorable festival and provide world-class sporting facilities across the state, the Edo State Government installed

VAR technology at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in line with global standard of football officiating. “The high resolution cameras inside the VAR Room have a capacity that can capture activities five kilometres within and outside the stadium. So, it invariably means that the VAR technology at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is amongst the best anywhere in the world,� Agbo stressed.

Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Deputy Governor, Musa Ebomhiana, said the introduction of VAR for the upcoming festival was a sign that the state was ready

to host the best Games ever in the country. “This VAR technology is the only one in Nigeria and the third in Africa. But while the one in Morocco is collapsible, ours is permanently installed here.

It is the same company that installed the VAR technology in Morocco that also did this one at Ogbemudia Stadium.

It’s a landmark achievement in Nigerian sports and we are happy having it here in Benin City,� Ebomhiana said with relish.

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles Captain and 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner Austin Eguavoen and four

other illustrious sportsmen and women from Edo State would be honoured during the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival.

The other sports persons to be honoured include; ex-boxer Isaac Ikhuoria, ex-hurdler, Maria Usifo, former Team Nigeria captain and national long jump record holder, Yusuf Ali, and Paralympian, Esther Oyema. “We are proud that these great sportsmen and women, who made global impact in different sports, are from Edo. That is why we are using a big event like the National Sports Festival, to honour them,� Shaibu said.

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology installed at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City

NWFL Rebrand, Unveils New Logo in Lagos The Management Committee of the Nigeria Women Football League, headed by Aisha Falode, yesterday in Lagos re-branded the women’s league. It unveiled a new logo and renaming of the three tiers of the NWFL league.

Falode said the rebranding of the NWPL will open new opportunities for the women’s game in the country. “With our re-branding, the Nigeria Women Premier League will now be known as the NWFL Premiership, while the NWFL Pro-League now becomes the NWFL Championship and the NWFL Amateur League is now NWFL Nationwide. “Today our drive and entrepreneurship spirit has led us to re-imagine how we want to tell our story. So we are taking the opportunity to evolve our brands as we move up into an exciting future and to tell the world we are purposeful, passion driven, stable progressive and to say

we are united than ever. “Since 1990, women’s football in Nigeria has grown from strength to strength. “When you see how proud our women have made us globally today, from the five World Cup appearance legend Onome Ebi to the goal scoring machine Asisat Oshoala to the youngest and safest hands Chiamaka Nnandozie who recently joined Paris FC, you will understand why we have been crowned 11 times African Champions,� Falode stressed with pride. “All this would not have been possible but for the many heroes and heroines of the game, many of who we will never know or hear of, but who have sacrificed the blood, time and resources and even some lives for the growth of this game. “These are the many coaches, players, advocates, officials and administrators et cetera in the early days of the game.

HiFL 2020: PACE Sports Announces Plans for New League Season Following the success of the past seasons, PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing, has announced that all is now set for a more exciting 2020 Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL) season.

Speaking at the international press conference to announce the commencement of the 2020 season, Director, PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Mr. Sola Fijabi said that all is now set for a more exciting 2020 HiFL season, building on the successes recorded in the first season. “The 2020 season promises so much excitement. “We are proud of the role the league is playing in enhancing youth development in Nigeria. Already, a number of the outstanding talents from both the 2018 and 2019 seasons are on the books of professional football teams in Nigeria with more to follow. “We thank Stanbic IBTC, Premier Cool, Bold and Panadol for their support of the initiative, while we look forward to other

brands to join us in changing the game. “Our objective as always remains to place collegiate sports in Nigeria on the same pedestal as their counterparts in other countries and build a strong ecosystem of young, home-grown football talents that may become invaluable for future national engagement�

Mr. Fijabi further remarked.

In his welcome address, President of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), Prof. Stephen Hamafyelto assured all stakeholders that the association is very committed to ensuring that the HiFL continues to be a success. “There is a new commitment among all parties to ensure a stellar outing in the competition. We are glad that the league has not only given a voice to the abundant football talents across the country, but also an instrument for socio-economic development,�

Hamafyelto added.

L-R: Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL), Aisha Falode, Super Falcons player, Onome Ebi and SuperSport OAP, Chisom Mbonu-Ezeoke at the rebranding of the women’s league in Lagos‌yesterday

Eunisell Urges Rivers Utd to Challenge for NPFL Title West Africa’s largest independent chemicals and production engineering solutions group, Eunisell, has thrown its weight behind Rivers United to go on and challenge for the 2019/20 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title following their recent impressive outings.

Eunisell, the longest standing club sponsor in the NPFL, is excited that Rivers United is

living up to its moniker of the ‘Pride of Rivers.’ On Sunday, the club defeated Heartland 2-0 at Okigwe Stadium in Imo State with Malachi Ohawume scoring both goals.

Group Managing Director Eunisell, Chika Ikenga, while speaking on the club’s impressive performance, urged the Port Harcourt team to continue their ascent to the top.

“Eunisell is excited about the partnership we have with one of Nigeria’s biggest clubs, and it is indeed exciting times to watch Rivers United making in-roads in the top-flight. After enduring a difficult start in the league, we urge Rivers United not to relent in their pursuit of finishing as high as possible at the end of this season.�

Ikenga continued, “Their outstanding performance at the

weekend is testimony to their resolve that they can achieve anything, even when the odds are stacked against them. We have utmost belief in the team and officials that they can finish this season in top place.�

In 2019, Eunisell renewed their sponsorship of the NPFL club for another period, at an impressive ceremony in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

B OA L AW Y E R S ’ L E AG U E

Banwo & Ighodalo Battle BA Law LLP/Probitas Partners to Consolidate The Match-day 3 of the 2020 Bankole Olumide Aluko (BOA) Lawyers’ Football Tournament will hold this Sunday at the Astroturf 2000 facility in Ikoyi with the clash between Banwo & Ighodalo and BA Law LLP/ Probitas Partners the star match of the weekend.

BA Law LLP/Probitas Partners last weekend snatched maximum points from defending champions Falana & Falana through Dipo Rufai’s lone goal of the clash

to stay on top of Group A on six points.

Banwo & Ighodalo on the other hand also defeated OANDO/ AXXELA 2-0 to climb to the second spot on four points.

Another mouth-watering game is the fixture between Group D leaders OAKE Legal and SPA Ajibade/NICCOM LLP. It is also the clash between Group leaders on six points and runners up on three points.

OAKE Legal were ruthless in

handing out a 4-0 bashing to Olaniwun Ajayi last weekend while SPA Ajibade/NICCOM LLP lost 1-2 to AELEX. Another former champions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice (LSMJ) will attempt to consolidate on the 3-0 victory they enjoyed against Aluko Oyebode last weekend when they take on Punuka Attorney in the last fixture of the day.

Another fixture involves Olaniwun Ajayi and

ADVOCAAT while George Etomi/FRA Williams take on DOA Law/Bloomfield.

20 teams are participating in the 2020 edition of the tournament with six mergers.

The teams are divided into four groups while eight matches are to be played every Sunday over a six-week period in this 18th edition of the tournament held in memory of the late notable lawyer, Mr. Bankole Olumide Aluko.

Ighalo’s Brace Sends Man Utd to FA Cup Q’ final Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo has said that he “doesn’t care what anybody says� about his surprise move to Old Trafford after his two goals last night

ensured an all-Premier League FA Cup quarter-final line-up and comfortable win at Derby County.

January signing Ighalo again showed why his

shock acquisition in January may yet prove to be shrewd business with two smart finishes to book a tie with Norwich at Carrow Road later this month.

The 30-year-old now has three goals from just two starts and he overshadowed a reunion with United’s all-time leading goalscorer Wayne Rooney at Pride Park.

Friday March 6, 2020

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MISSILE

FIDA to Ayade “It is heart-breaking to note that at this point of our struggle to stop all forms of discrimination in our society, we will be awakened to such discrimination on grounds of ethnicity and political zoning” – International Federation of Women Lawyers carpeting Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State for refusing to swear in Justice Akon Ikpeme as Chief Judge.

SHAKAMOMODU It’s Time to Review Electricity Tariffs I THIS REPUBLIC

t’s about time we stopped burying our heads in the sand, pretending that all is well with the power sector in Nigeria.

Successive governments have been doing just that, and the result? Reality has always come to bite us harder. Nigerians are hoping that the problems they are facing will one day just disappear or angels will come down from heaven to fix those challenges for them. Without mincing words, I say it isn’t gonna happen.

Supplications to God won’t work either because He will not fix for you what he has given you the power to fix. It’s either we summon the courage to rise to the challenges and tackle them head on or continue to suffer the pain and consequences of our failure to do the right thing - which is typically, one step forward, ten steps back. There is no miracle that can turn the tide if we as a people fail to accept that there has to be cost-reflective power tariffs.

I am at a loss to understand why those in leadership positions would sacrifice long-term gains for short-term adulation. Political posturing won’t provide electric power. Revocation of licences granted to Gencos and Discos won’t change the situation. At the core of the issue here is pricing – cost-reflective tariffs to use the terminology of the sector. I am unimpressed by the buck-passing, the rigmarole and the propaganda.

The Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman does not appreciate what a business venture is. He thinks people invested their money, time and energy for charity purposes. He would prefer the Discos to distribute electricity for free. He has failed to understand that the overpowering motivation for entrepreneurship is profit. When you force a business to sell its product less than the cost price, then you kill the motivational element of doing business. It is worse when you promised to pay the differential and fail, thereby exposing those businesses to too many risks that can discourage such investment models.

Watching a video clip of the minister’s media briefing recently, once again tells the story of Nigeria in painful prose. This man is a total misfit for the position he occupies. He could barely express himself or articulate the issues plaguing the sector. Now, tell me, how do you expect such a man without clarity of thought to understand the technical complexities of electricity generation, transmission and distribution? And yet he superintends over that critical Ministry.

This is the tragedy of our country. The person that appointed this guy to head the ministry of power, an area so central to the economic progress of this country has done Nigeria a grave disservice. It is indeed a shame that competence is not a consideration for getting appointment in this government, rather all you need to be considered for a position is which part of the country you come from. Otherwise, how can any well-meaning person appoint Mamman to ministerial position? How much more to get to head the all-important Ministry of Power?

The recommendations he claimed to have made to the federal cabinet cannot be a product of informed thinking and understanding of the contours of the power sector.

The problem is, there is a fundamental misalignment between the vision/goal of the power sector reform and the immediate political exigencies of decision makers. There is no need to pretend that the laudable objectives of the reform programme, if properly implemented, are not in sync with the bunch of narrow-minded, incompetent and visionless supervisory heads that this country has unfortunately been saddled with in the power ministry.

For the reform of the last few years to achieve

shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman the ultimate objectives that inspired it in the first place, the political leadership has to be bold and audacious, with the will power to take the painful but necessary steps to cure the system of the malaise that has bogged it down and by extension, impeded the country’s industrialisation efforts. When you embark on reforms, it is a commitment to change the narrative for the better. Not plant landmines and needless obstacles on the paths of companies and then sit back and watch them struggle almost to the brink of failure and then latch on to that to score baseless political points – that the previous government sold the power assets to its allies. As if that isn’t bad enough, the noose around the power companies is being tightened by the fact that the government has not allowed the conditions precedent to those acquisitions six odd years ago, to drive the trajectory of the entire process.

Nigeria is not a socialist country, nor is it a welfare state. Our business model is rooted in a market-based economy that rewards entrepreneurs/investors for the risks that they take. Now, if an investor borrows money from the bank to invest in a business, two things are possible: it’s either that business succeeds or it fails. Should it succeed, the investor earns the glory and accolades that accompany success and should it fail, the person suffers the consequences in equal measure. This intervention, I am sure as hell is not a popular position to take. But this is not a popularity contest and I am not about to pretend it is. I am not ready to play to the gallery like the current minister of power is doing.

The truth is, wherever we may be, whether at work or at home, we all want the light to come on at the flick of a switch. If at home, we would want to put on the air-conditioner, relax and spend quality time with family. I am really tired of coming home every day, I mean every day to be welcomed by the noise and fumes emitting from the noisy power generators in the entire neighbourhood. The health risk of constantly inhaling toxic fumes is also better imagined. We are inflicting a lot of damage on the environment, and working at cross-purposes with the rest of the world which is going carbon neutral to save the planet.

Lets even for a moment imagine the quantum of resources spent to self-generate electricity to power our homes and businesses. We end up spending far more than we would pay the Discos

0811 266 1654

if they were allowed to charge cost-reflective tariffs and recover the cost that would enable them upgrade and improve their distribution infrastructure.

My colleague, Ijeoma Nwogwugwu put it so succinctly in a private WhatsApp chat recently.

I couldn’t agree more and she has graciously permitted me to use excerpts here: “What we need is a system reset. You cannot privatise a sector and agree to conditions precedent which you (government) fail to meet. That is the main crux of the electricity sector not the garbage (Babatunde) Fashola was fond of spewing. The allegations of corruption have been baseless and used by politicians to whip up sentiments among a gullible public. Fashola failed to take on the issues and address them head on. That is not to say that the Discos have been blameless. In fact, as the last mile in the delivery of electricity to consumers, it is the distribution system that has always been the feeblest link in the power sector value chain, and the most open to the critical observation of its users. But the crux of the matter is the pricing structure which must be addressed. You cannot bake a loaf of bread for N100 at cost and a regulator tells you to sell it at N50. There is no way that the baker will remain in business if the components he needs for baking the bread cost more than the price at which he can sell it. It is as simple as that.

“What we have is a situation whereby the entire value chain is in a state of flux. We have generation companies (with installed capacity of over 13,000MW) that cannot produce electricity because of gas supply shortages. We have gas producers that would rather export gas because your domestic pricing for their gas falls below cost of production. We have a transmission grid that is not being expanded and cannot wheel out more than, at best, 5,300MW of electricity, which I must add must be allocated to all states based on the federal character principle instead of on a commercial basis. We have a distribution system that cannot distribute more than 6,800MW of electricity to consumers because it has liquidity constraints caused by a tariff shortfall and its remittance obligations to the Gencos, Market Operator, TCN, the CBN and other creditors.

Mind you, it is only after the Discos have met these obligations, as required by NERC, that they are left with the balance for network expansion and upgrade, metering, etc.”

Added to the failure of government and its regulatory body NERC to adequately implement the Muti-Year Tariff Order, is the federal government’s indebtedness to the Discos, in terms of tariff shortfall, put at a total of N1.728 trillion as of December 31, 2019, according to the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) in its presentation to the National Economic Council (NEC) subcommittee in February. This is just as the association put the total amount of debt owed by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to the Discos as of December 31, 2019, at N116.487 billion.

Again, I couldn’t agree more with Ijeoma Nwogwugwu’s insightful analysis of Nigeria’s power conundrum on the back page of this paper on Monday wherein it was stated inter alia that the “preference by Discos to resort to unscrupulous estimated billing, rather than metering end-customers on their networks, has also made them extremely unpopular.

This along with power surges that have led to fire outbreaks, in many instances, the loss of lives, and the complete destruction of people’s electrical appliance, homes and business, has made them the bashing boys of the electricity supply chain.

“The revenue shortfall, notwithstanding, the Discos are expected to pay for the electricity that they take from the Gencos, which in turn pay the gas suppliers. Under the transition arrangement for the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP), that payment is made through the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET), which operates as the bulk off-taker or buyer of electricity from the Gencos. However, because the Discos are unable to recover fully the cost of electricity generated, transmitted and distributed, the industry regulator stipulates to them the minimum remittance requirement that they must make to NBET monthly to partly pay for the electricity that they have bought or that they have been invoiced by NBET. Note that at about N30 per KWh, what the Discos collect from end-customers is well below the price that the Gencos pay for their gas needs, much less covering the cost of operations of the Gencos and the profit margin that the power plants are expected to make.

“In addition to paying NBET, the regulator determines what the Discos should pay to the TCN and Market Operator to partly cover the cost of electricity transmission. Added to this is the first line charge that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) presently has on the Discos’ revenue in order to recover the loans it has made available to industry operators under the Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilisation Facility (NEMSF) and Power and Airline Intervention Fund (PAIF).” What a grim picture! It shows that the Discos are in chains.

In all honesty, how many businesses can survive under such constraints and suffocating debt?

The government’s breach of the agreement with the power investors obscures the future of investments, makes planning difficult and destroys business confidence. It is plain lunacy for government to think that the solution to the crisis bedeviling the power sector, for which it shares significant blame, is by revoking licences of the Discos. Such a move can only make matters worse with the attendant recourse to litigation. Anyway, which investors are going to buy the power assets from a government that does not keep to an agreement it freely entered into?

Now, we are being once again hoodwinked into believing that Siemens holds the key to solving our power generation, transmission and distribution challenges. For those who may have forgotten, let me refresh your memories: in 2007, Siemens was indicted for bribery and corruption. It was found guilty of bribing top government officials in this country, among whom were a serving senator and a minister.

A court in Germany convicted Siemens and sentenced its top executives to various terms of imprisonment for bribing Nigerian officials to facilitate contract awards that were usually overpriced.

Then President Olusegun Obasanjo took action by revoking the Siemens contract that had ensured it enjoyed a near-total monopoly of NITEL contracts and blacklisted the company over the bribery scandal. Siemens was also fined for the bribery scandal. As usual with the way we do things here, the company has since found its way back into the country. And it is now being presented by powerful forces in the Presidency as the cure for all the challenges in the power sector.

Now, can anybody tell us what value Siemens added to NITEL when it had a strangulating monopolistic control of the telecoms giant? The last time I checked, NITEL was a colossal. Now it’s the turn of the power sector?

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