WEDNESDAY 17TH MARCH 2021

Excitement, Commendations as Zenith Bank Pays N94.2bn Dividend Goddy Egene Shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc yesterday approved the payment of proposed N94.19 billion dividend for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The shareholders commended the board and

management of the bank for the improved financial results and dividend payment, which translated to N3.00 per share.

An interim dividend of N0.30 was paid last year while a final dividend of N2.70 was recommended and would be paid after the approval by the

shareholders.

The shareholders were excited that despite a challenging macroeconomic environment exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Zenith Bank Plc posted gross earnings of N696.5 billion, which showed an increase of

5 per cent from N662.3 billion reported in the previous year.

Non-interest income grew by 8 per cent from N232.1 billion in 2019 to N251.7 billion in 2020 and while non-interest income rose from N415.6 billion in 2019 to N420.8 billion in 2020.

Similarly, profit before tax (PBT) increased by 5.0 per cent, growing from N243.3 billion to N255.9 billion in 2020 as a result of a blend of growth in the top line and a significant reduction in interest expense. Interest expense reduced from N148.5

billion in 2019 to N121.1 billion in 2020, significantly increasing the net interest income from N267.0 billion in 2019 to N299.7 billion in 2020.

The group's increased retail activities translated to Continued on page 10

EFCC Directs Bankers to Declare Assets by June 1... Page 5 Wednesday 17 March, 2021 Vol 26. No 9474. Price: N250

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CBN Appoints KPMG Transaction Adviser for InfraCorp Obinna Chima

REPORTING PROGRESS...

L-R: Group Managing Director/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu; Chairman, Mr. Jim Ovia; and Deputy Managing Director, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, at the 30th Annual General Meeting of the bank in Lagos…yesterday

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has engaged KPMG LLP as transaction adviser for the newly-created Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria Limited (InfraCorp).

The Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mr. Osita Nwasinobi, confirmed this in a telephone interview with THISDAY yesterday.

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Trade Restrictions Policy to Protect Local Industries, Emefiele Tells Okonjo-Iweala WTO DG proposes remedies Banks, Telcos agree on new charges for USSD services Emma Okonji in Lagos and James Emejo in Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday defended the apex bank's restrictive trade policy, stressing that it was meant to protect local industries from unfavourable competition and to create jobs for Nigerians.

He said with the country's high unemployment rate, it was inevitable to create job

opportunities and provide an enabling environment for the unemployed to live a gainful life.

Besides, the CBN and other stakeholders have resolved the disagreement between Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) over service charge for the use of the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) offered banks by telecoms operators (Telcos).

With the resolution of the dispute, bank customers, effective from yesterday, would now pay a flat rate of N6.98k per transaction, for USSD services.

Emefiele, during a meeting with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, in Abuja, assured the international community that Nigeria remains open to business from any part of the world.

He also attributed the CBN's policy to restrict foreign exchange to dairy companies which refused to align with its backward integration programme, to the need to protect the national interest.

Emefiele's clarification followed concerns raised

by Okonjo-Iweala that the European Union (EU) had filed complaints about some of the CBN's trade restriction policies before the organisation, particularly on the use of

devaluation of the balance of payments agreement to protect the dairy industry.

But Emefiele said the decision on dairy products was not taken unilaterally by the apex bank, adding that about six major industry players unanimously agreed to take action against those opposed to the backward integration plan to boost job creation.

He said: "We do know one way or the other, people may

have said a few things about the way we have conducted our trade, but I think it's important for me to say that some of those things have been done to also help protect our own industries.

"We need to give a chance for our local industries to create jobs and employment.

“The unemployment rate in Nigeria, I dare say, is very high. Our youthful population Continued on page 9

Adebanjo Ascends Afenifere Leadership as Fasoranti Steps Down…Page 5

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

Adebanjo Ascends Afenifere Leadership as Fasoranti Steps Down Group wants Amotekun strengthened, restates case for state police

James Sowole in Akure The Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, has stepped down for his deputy, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

Fasoranti announced his decision to step down yesterday during a meeting of the group at the Akure residence of the nonagenarian, citing old age as the reason for his action.

The Alago of Kajola Ago, Atakumosa East Council Area, Ilesa, Osun State, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, was announced as the deputy leader of the apex Yoruba organisation.

However, despite the stepping down of the nonagenarian, it was stated that the congress of the group would still be holding in his Akure residence.

Announcing his decision, Fasoranti said: "Afenifere now needs more than ever before to have an improved organisation with a more effective approach to issues.

"Only more agile and active leadership can achieve this.

At 95, I am hardly able to provide such and so it is time for me to step aside.

"At this point, let me take a break and make an important point. Whatever has been achieved by Afenifere has been by collective leadership, the leader in Afenifere works according to the leadership model. In this respect, I want

to pay special tribute to all my colleagues in Afenifere, most especially two of them, the late Chief Olaniwun Ajayi (SAN) and my good brother and friend, Chief Ayo Adebanjo. They both worked so hard to keep Afenifere up in the times of the travails. The passage of Chief Olaniwun Ajayi did not impact negatively on the commitment of Chief Ayo Adebanjo towards all that Afenifere stands for.”

According to him, Adebanjo’s efforts stand him out as a deep lover of Afenifere and the Yoruba people, adding that he has been in the trenches all his life.

Reading the communiqué of the group after the meeting, Chief Korede Duyile said the new leaders were capable of leading the group.

He described Adebanjo as a progressive who had been in the Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s fold long ago, adding that the leaders have all it takes to occupy the positions.

In the communiqué, the group called on all Southwest governors to strengthen the regional security outfit code-named Amotekun, to enable it to deal with the worsening insecurity in the region.

The Yoruba leaders also called on the federal government to heed the clamour for state police in Nigeria, saying it's crucial for

checking the rising insecurity in the country.

They reasoned that the argument that governors would abuse state police would be resolved as they emerged.

The group also called on the federal government and lawmakers to work on how to restructure the nation.

It warned that "if this is

not properly addressed, it could be the end of Nigeria."

Members of the group from all states in the region, including Kwara State, attended the meeting.

Among them are: Chief Seinde Arogbofa; Senator Iyiola Omisore; immediate past governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; Dr. Kunle Olajide; Mr. Sola

Ebiseni and others.

Meanwhile, the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum has welcomed the new leadership of Afenifere.

In a statement yesterday by its President, Mr. Akin Malaolu, the group said it was not surprised at the decision of Fasoranti to step down.

The group described Fasoranti as a worthy

leader who will never have betrayed the great Awoists of Yorubaland.

“Our late sage, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, would have done the same for age reasons but he died before attaining very old age,” the group said, adding: "Chief Ayo Adebanjo as our new Yoruba leader is hereby accepted and recognised.”

FIRST JAB...

President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, receives his first jab of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Abuja…yesterday

EFCC Directs Bankers to Declare Assets by June 1 Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given bank employees June 1, 2021 deadline to declare their assets.

EFCC Chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, told State House correspondents yesterday in Abuja after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari that

the move was aimed at checking the role of banks in keeping funds acquired illegitimately.

He stated that he discussed with the president efforts of the commission towards eradicating financial crimes.

He said: “Let me just put this, we understood that at the tail end of every financial crime is for the criminal to have access to the funds that

he or she has illegitimately gotten and we’re worried about the roles of financial institutions.

“And we have discussed, but we hope that all financial institutions, particularly the bankers, will declare their assets as provided for by the law, in accordance with the Bank Employees Declaration of Assets Act. “And that the EFCC, come

the 1st of June 2021, will be demanding these asset declaration forms, filled by the bankers so that the line that we have drawn from the 1st of June is really complied with by bankers in particular,” he said.

He added that the agency has arrested about 300 cybercriminals nationwide between February and March.

“As a young man, I am appealing to all young Nigerians to desist from these cybercrime activities.

It is bringing a bad image to our country. It is giving a bad name to our country.

It is also chasing away a lot of foreign investment that we need.

“And I call on all parents, guardians, and, of course, elders in the community, in

the society to talk to these young people to desist from these crimes.

“These are crimes that they commit online. And of course, there is nothing like patting your back to say go and sin no more.

Our laws do not provide for that. It is a crime and as we say in EFCC, EFCC will get you anywhere, anytime,” Bawa said.

To Stem Pupils’ Abductions, Kaduna Closes Schools in Kajuru Relocates scholars to safer schools John Shiklam in Kaduna The Kaduna State Government has directed the closure of all public and private schools in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state following the abduction of pupils in the state.

The state government has also relocated pupils of schools prone to attacks by bandits to safer institutions.

A memo from the Zonal Education Office, Sabon Tasha, dated March 16 and addressed to all principals of public and private schools, directed that the schools should close in view of the prevailing security situation in the area.

The memo, which was signed by Ms. Abigail Adze for Director-General, Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, reads: “Following the frequent cases of kidnapping and other forms of security challenges going on in some towns and villages of Kajuru Local Government Area, the Director-General, Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, has directed me to inform all principals and proprietors of both public and private schools in Kajuru Local Government Area to close down all schools with immediate effect (as from today 16th March 2021).

“No school should re-open until you are directed to do so. Be security conscious at all times.”

Meanwhile, THISDAY gathered that the state government has also relocated pupils of schools prone to attacks by bandits to safer schools.

It was gathered that pupils in vulnerable locations have been relocated to other schools to ensure that they continue with their academic activities.

For instance, pupils of Government Science Secondary School, Ikara, which was almost attacked by bandits on Saturday, have been relocated to Barewa

College, Zaria.

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, declined comments when contacted, saying that the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Shehu Makarfi, was in a better position to respond.

Makarfi was said to be at a meeting when contacted.

But a source in the Ministry of Education confirmed that some pupils have been relocated for safety reason.

“Yes, some schools in vulnerable areas have been relocated to other schools due to the security situation. This

is to ensure that the students continue with their academic activities without interruption.

“I don’t know the number or names of the schools, but I can confirm to you that some vulnerable schools have been relocated to other schools”, the source said.

In the past one week, bandits have been targeting schools in the state for attack.

Last Thursday, 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna, were abducted when bandits invaded the school at about 11:30 pm. The abducted students are still in captivity.

Security agencies also

repelled bandit attack on Turkish International School, Rigachikun and Government Science Secondary School, Ikara.

The latest attack on schools occurred on Monday when bandits invaded LEA Rema village, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state, abducting three of the teachers.

THISDAY learnt that the school has been abandoned by the pupils following the attack.

A resident of Birnin Gwari, Abubakar Birnin Gwari, told THISDAY in a telephone interview yesterday that pupils did not go to the school following Monday’s attack.

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Fund Critical Sectors to Curb Unemployment, Insecurity, Analysts Urge FG Unemployment rate, a time bomb, says Rewane Higher food, commodity prices push inflation to 17.33% Nume Ekeghe in Lagos, James Emejo and Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Analysts yesterday urged the federal government to fund critical sectors of the economy to boost job opportunities and arrest growing insecurity.

The analysts, in separate interviews with THISDAY, expressed concerns over the country’s unemployment rate, released on Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which climbed to 33.3 per cent in Q4 2020 from 27.1 per cent in Q2 of the same year.

In another data released yesterday, the NBS said the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation, increased by 17.33 per cent (year-on-year) in February 2021, compared to 16.47 per cent in the preceding month.

The analysts attributed the rise in civil unrest and socio-political crisis in the country to the large army of the unemployed.

According to them, most Nigerians hitherto employed fell back to the labour market due to insecurity in many states, which in turn forced employers of labour to either relocate or close down, particularly in rural areas where the agricultural value chain is threatened.

The analysts urged the government to address the underlying causes of job losses.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, SD&D Capital Management Limited, Mr. Idakolo Gbolade, said the cumulative impact of the harsh operating economic conditions caused by the high cost of production and reduced sales had made most employers to downsize in order to remain in business.

He added that increased reliance on technology, which provides an opportunity for employers of labour to use less manpower to get more work done, also contributed to unemployment.

He called on the federal and state governments to be more involved in encouraging SMEs in order to bridge the unemployment gap as well as guarantee favourable policies to make the economy competitive enough to reduce unemployment.

"The education system is also churning out more unemployable graduates to the labour market without the required requisite skill needed by employers of labour," he added.

Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dignity Finance and Investment Limited, Dr. Chijioke Ekechukwu, stated that the solution to unemployment is for the government to combat

insecurity and fund key sectors to create jobs.

"What creates employment is the size of productivity of the economy. When productivity diminishes in all sectors, the unemployment rate will continue to rise,” he explained, adding: "The level of insecurity, the impact of COVID-19 lockdown, drop in oil price at the Q2 and Q3 of 2020 were some of the reasons for job losses and layoffs.”

He said the cost of production arising from poor energy and power supply, giving rise to over-dependence on personal power at very high costs is also another reason for job losses.

The Head of Consulting at Agusto Consulting, Mr. Jimi Ogbobine, blamed the rising unemployment data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which leads to job losses globally.

He said: “In Nigeria, the government is not the biggest employer of labour and what government can do is to concentrate on creating an enabling environment for private investors to create jobs and what the Nigerian government would have to do is go back to that template of finding what kind of environment they can create to allow the private sector to create jobs.

“The dangers of unemployment are sociopolitical crises. We could start witnessing socio-political crisis like what we are seeing all over the country such as the herdsmen crisis, kidnapping and so on are all attached to unemployment. All of these sociopolitical crises are a dividend of unemployment.”

He advised the federal government to find an FX strategy that would make the country the destination for foreign direct investment.

“We need to make Nigeria a major manufacturing hub, a major transport hub and a major trade services hub because these are large employers of labour everywhere in the world,” he said.

The Head of Research, United Capital, Mr. Wale Olusi, cited the forex regime as a major driver of unemployment in Nigeria.

He said: “All the 20 per cent food inflation, the worsening state of insecurity, poor growth numbers and dollar shortages are explained by these numbers.

Forty per cent unemployment and underemployment rate implies a huge productivity gap and whatever we do, we need to boost national productivity, create jobs and engage our youths.”

Head of Research at Eczellon Capital, Mr. Chinonso Osuji, expressed the same concerns, saying the next unemployment statistics would see an

LA FEMME ANJOLA...

L-R: Veteran Nollywood artists, Mrs. Joke Silva, Ms. Shaffy Bello and Mr. Paul Adams, at the premiere of Mildred Okwo and Rita Dominic’s latest movie, La Femme Anjola, in Lagos...recently improvement.

He said: “With the receipt of the first batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine, we expect that the unemployment outlook should be better. And with businesses learning new ways to work from home, we expect also that the figure should indicate an increased output.”

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, described the unemployment problem in the country as a ticking time bomb that must be defused for the survival of the country.

Speaking on ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, Rewane, a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (EAC), stated that although a lot was being done by the government to fix the economy, it was nearly not enough to lift the country from its current state.

Rewane said the latest job figures from the NBS were scary.

He stated that over the years, Nigeria’s competitive position has deteriorated, adding that it does not mean that things are not happening or that nothing is being done by the federal government to ameliorate the problems.

“The figures that have come out in the last few days painting a very dreadful picture, whichever way you want to look at it - high unemployment at 33.2 per cent, when you take the urban and youth unemployment, it goes up to 54 per cent," he said.

According to him, although the solution being administered by the government is simultaneously dealing with structural and operating problems within the system, it is not being done in the right doses.

He stated that the situation now calls for dealing with inflation first because when inflation is moderated or curtailed, investors will have the confidence to put money in the economy, while Nigerians will be encouraged to save.

Rewane said it would be difficult to achieve this with artificially low-interest rates and money supply saturation, adding that if there’s no certainty and predictability about the country’s exchange rate system, there will be a crisis.

“We don’t have the luxury of time because we have a ticking time bomb in young people. We are giving birth to almost 15,000 babies every day. So, it is time to take the bulls by the horn and deal with it because we have a stagflation situation.

“When you have stagflation, you don’t have a silver bullet.

You need to take it sequentially and deal with it, stabilise yourself before you begin to move from there,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria is currently dealing simultaneously with structural problems and its future economic outlook, while the country has lost so many opportunities in the past to rev up the economy.

Higher Food, Commodity

Prices Push Inflation to 17.33% The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation, increased to 17.33 per cent (year-on-year) in February 2021, compared to16.47 per cent in the preceding month.

The NBS, in a report released yesterday, attributed the 0.86 percentage increase to upward price adjustments in the food and core indexes - which determine inflation. The headline index has increased for 18 consecutive months since August 2019.

The composite food index rose to 21.79 per cent in February compared to 20.57 per cent in January.

The CPI report for February said the rise in the food index was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, meat, food products, fruits, vegetable, fish and oils and fats.

On the other hand, core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce, stood at 12.38 per cent in February from 11.58 per cent in the preceding month.

The highest increases were recorded in prices of passenger transport by air, medical services, miscellaneous services relating to the dwelling, hospital services, passenger transport by road and pharmaceutical products and paramedical services.

Others are repair of furniture, vehicle spare parts, maintenance

and repair of personal transport equipment, motor cars, dental services and hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishment.

According to the NBS, urban inflation rate increased to 17.92 per cent (year-on-year) in February from 17.03 per cent recorded in January.

Similarly, the rural inflation rate rose to 16.77 per cent in the period under review from 15.92 per cent in January.

On a month-on-month basis, the urban index rose by 1.58 per cent, up by 0.06 the rate recorded in January, while the rural index also rose by 1.50 per cent in February, up by 0.04 the rate that was recorded in January.

On the states level, inflation on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kogi at 24.73 per cent, Bauchi 22.92 per cent and Ebonyi 20.45 per cent. The slowest rise in headline Index was recorded in Enugu 14.73 per cent, Kwara 14.25 per cent and Cross River 12.97 per cent.

On month-on -month basis, however, inflation was highest in Kogi 3.25 per cent, Ondo 2.46 per cent and Kebbi 2.43 per cent while Kwara 0.84 per cent, Kano 0.70 per cent and Oyo 0.38 per cent recorded the slowest rise in headline month on month.

Food inflation was highest in Kogi at 30.47 per cent, Ebonyi 25.73 per cent and Sokoto 25.68 per cent, while Gombe 19.32 per cent, Bauchi 18.74 per cent and Akwa Ibom at 18.70 per cent recorded the slowest rise year-on-year.

US Contacts Nigerian Visa Applicants Affected by Trump’s Travel Restrictions Ejiofor Alike The United States mission has begun contacting all immigrant visa applicants whose applications were affected by the travel restrictions under Presidential Proclamations 9645 and 9983 signed by former President Donald Trump in 2020.

It is also prioritising the processing of such pending cases in Nigeria.

Trump had suspended entry into the United States for certain

nationals, including Nigeria, based on visa type.

However, this latest development followed the Presidential Proclamation signed by President Joe Biden on January 20, 2021, titled, ‘Ending discriminatory bans on entry to the United States.’

The US mission, in a statement yesterday, said its ConsulateGeneral in Lagos had already contacted all immigrant visa applicants whose applications were affected and was prioritising

the processing of such pending cases.

The mission described as inaccurate, a media report that “Nigerians denied visas on or after January 20, 2020, can re-apply for free.”

It said the proclamation announcement applied only to certain immigrant visa cases and did not apply to tourist, business, student or other non-immigrant visas.

The statement said: “On January 20, 2021, President

Biden signed a presidential proclamation titled, ‘Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to the United States.’

“This ended the travel restrictions under Presidential Proclamations 9645 and 9983 that had suspended entry into the United States of certain nationals, based on visa type, from various countries to include Nigeria.

“In Nigeria, this proclamation banned entry for certain immigrant visa categories. The US Consulate-General in Lagos has

already contacted all immigrant visa applicants whose applications were affected and is prioritising the processing of these pending cases.”

According to the mission, the consular sections in Abuja and Lagos are gradually restoring routine visa operations in accordance with COVID-19 safety mitigation protocols.

It stated that the validity of non-immigrant visa payments (MRV fee) has been extended till September 30, 2022.

The extension, it said, was to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment as a result of the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule and/or attend a visa appointment with the already paid fee. “Non-immigrant visa applicants who were previously refused and would like to apply again will need to submit a new visa application (DS-160) and pay a new visa application processing fee,” the mission stated.

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House Refuses Labour’s Quest to Drop Minimum Wage Decentralisation Bill Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Abuja The organised labour yesterday failed to persuade the House of Representatives to discontinue the consideration of a bill seeking to decentralise minimum wage negotiation.

The two parties, after a meeting in Abuja, failed to reach a consensus on the way forward on the bill which last week made the organised labour to march on the National Assembly and state legislatures to pressure lawmakers to kill the bill.

The bill, sponsored by Hon. Garba Muhammad, seeks to amend Item 34 of the Exclusive Legislative List, which places the subject of prescribing the national minimum wage within the exclusive legislative competence of the National Assembly by virtue of Section 4(2) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

At yesterday's meeting, the lawmakers told the labour leaders to continue their advocacy and wait till the public hearing where they would have the chance to present in details the reasons for their opposition to the decentralisation of minimum wage fixing.

The House also told the labour leaders that they can’t stop a lawmaker from proposing a bill.

However, the labour leaders threatened to continue their protest in all the states of the federation as a first line of action.

They also threatened to go on an indefinite strike if the

lawmakers remain adamant on minimum wage decentralisation.

The labour leaders, led by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Dr. Ayuba Wabba, and the President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Quadri Olaleye, at the meeting with the leadership of the House, led the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said the “toxic and anti-masses bill” should be killed immediately.

Wabba, in a paper presented to the leadership of the House, titled, ‘The Position of Organised Labour on the move to Transfer the National Minimum Wage from Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List,’ said the bill was an attempt by those he described as "a few self-seeking and narrow-minded politicians" to return Nigeria to the era of slave wages, servile work conditions and severe industrial crisis.

He stated: “This is to convey to the House of Representatives and the Nigerian public the great displeasure of the entire workforce in Nigeria over a private member bill moved

by Garba Datti Mohammed representing Sabora Gat Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.

“We have it on good authority that this bill was sponsored by a few governors, especially the governor of Kaduna State. The bill seeks the transfer of the national minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list.

“The same bill was on Tuesday,

February 23, 2021, rushed through the first and second readings.

“Currently, the bill has been referred to the Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution[as amended].”

He described the national minimum wage as the national benchmark minimum below, which no employer of labour should pay a worker.

He added that it is a global standard adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery Convention 026 of 1928 and reinforced by Minimum Wage Fixing Convention 131 of 1970.

Wabba said each ILO memberstate that adopted the Minimum Wage Convention undertook to establish a system of minimum wage to cover all the economic sectors, including the organised private sector, to determine which wage is to be paid hourly, daily or monthly depending on what the social partners adopt.

He stated that as provided for in ILO Minimum Wage Conventions, Nigeria adopted a monthly wage system through social dialogue.

Wabba explained that Nigeria as a sovereign state ratified Convention 026 of the ILO on June 16, 1961, adding that pursuant to this ratification, the National Assembly apart from listing the National Minimum Wage in the Exclusive Legislative List also domesticated Convention ILO 026 in Chapter 2 of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution as amended

under Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy expressly demanding that the Nigerian state shall direct its policy towards ensuring the provision of reasonable national minimum living wage and pensions.

Wabba said this made the national minimum wage a federal law binding on the federal government and the sub-national governments.

He noted that the domestication of this law in Chapter 2 of 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended, derives from the provisions of Part ll of Chapter One of the constitution, which vests the legislative powers of Nigeria in the National Assembly.

According to him, this punctures a hole in the argument of those seeking to transfer the national minimum wage from the exclusive list to the concurrent list.

“How can state legislatures review a law that is not originally within their remit to domesticate?

It is, therefore, clear that the move to remove the national minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list is nothing but a mischievous effort to foster crises, chaos, and anarchy,” he said.

Wabba said the national minimum wage was a product of negotiations between the labour, organised private sector and government, adding that during the negotiations, government was represented at both federal and state levels, where some issues are taken into consideration with

data provided by federal and state institutions and agencies.

He said at the end of negotiations, the final outcome on the national minimum wage was reasonable, realistic and implementable, saying precedence shows that ability to pay does not depend on surplus resources but on fiscal discipline, and the will to pay.

According to him, the recent negotiations that produced the current national minimum wage of N30, 000 per month provides a good example of the sound model of social inclusion that the national minimum wage represents.

He stated that since the enactment of the first National Minimum Wage Act in May 1981, states have not been paying uniform salaries as each state has its own salary structure which is developed according to the ability to pay, adding that the different salary structures in the states are completely different from the national minimum wage and the two should never be confused.

Wabba added: “Organised labour will continue its current protest in all the states of the federation as a first line of action.

Subsequently, if our elected political leaders remain adamant about the plea of Nigerian workers to retain the national minimum wage in the exclusive legislative list, we will have no other option but to withdraw our services.

“This will only be the beginning

of popular resistance against this agenda of neo-colonisation and mass enslavement of the Nigerian people.”

Responding, Gbajabiamila said labour leaders erred to have castigated the lawmakers over the introduction of a bill seeking to decentralise the minimum wage.

He stated that if labour unions have reservation about the bill, they should wait till the public hearing is held and present their position.

He said: "The fact is that I'm a labour-friendly speaker, and I represent a labour-friendly House.

I want us to agree, first of all, that whatever was debated on the issue of a minimum wage, the contributions by each member were well-intended.

“In arresting a piece of legislation, you can do it through advocacy; you can do it through a public hearing. Where I have a problem is casting aspersions on the proponent of the bill or those who spoke for or against it.

I feel very bad when a legislator is castigated for doing what he thought was in the best interest of the Nigerian people.

“I want to tell you that we will do what we ought to do.

You know me, and you know some of our members. If this hurts the Nigerian people, we'll do the right thing, but you can’t stop somebody from proposing a bill.

“Mr. President, please, we have heard you loud and clear.

Please don't go on strike again, help us tell your people we are for them.”

TRADE RESTRICTIONS POLICY TO PROTECT LOCAL INDUSTRIES, EMEFIELE TELLS OKONJO-IWEALA of people of the age of about 18 to 40 is almost close to about 60 per cent of the population. You can use that to your advantage and you could also use that to your detriment.

"The fact that we need to create jobs for this set of people, we need to create an enabling environment for this set of people to live a gainful life, means that we have a responsibility to do so and in doing so, we will need the support of institutions like yourself (WTO) to work with us."

Emefiele, however, added that even though the CBN may have faltered in some of its policy interventions, these could be rectified by working closely with the WTO. "We may have faltered in a few areas, I am not going to deny that, we will be willing to engage with you (WTO) in areas where we have concerns.

And if those concerns are addressed, I want to assure you madam DG that we will work with you.

"Nigeria is open to business in any part of the world and we will like to work with you," he stated.

On the policy action in the dairy sector, the CBN governor said: "We called a meeting about six years ago when I resumed.

I said look, Nigeria has dairy potential by the cattle and the rest of them; let's see what can be done. Nothing was done.

We called dairy companies.

"Two years ago, we started again, we said listen, we are going to start a programme where we are going to place FX restrictions on those who want to import dairy into Nigeria.

Six of them came on boardFriesland and a few of them.

"And at a meeting next door there, what did they say? They

said, governor, you have been putting us under pressure to invest locally in the dairy industry- what do you do to those who are not doing anything about it?

"At that meeting, we took a decision that those who are not embracing our own backward integration programme in the dairy industry should be restricted.

"It was not my decision, it was a decision taken. Before you (Okonjo-Iweala) were probably born or before I was born, Friesland Campina has been importing milk into Nigeria, how come for over 60 years nothing has been done by this company to backward integrate and begin to produce dairy in Nigeria?

"Does that mean Nigeria does not have the potential? The answer is no. So that's why we in the monetary and fiscal authority must put everybody's feet on fire so that the right things are done for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians."

Emefiele said the current administration was serious about opening up the country to aid its economic diversification from oil to non-oil areas.

He added: "We have those endowments, it is just that we have to work at it but we need the help of multilateral institutions like yourself to work with us. Luckily, you are there from Nigeria.

"Of course, the transition of the Nigerian economy from oil to non-oil, whether we like it or not, we don't have a choice.

"It's important that Nigeria really needs to sit up and talk about how to improve its transportation infrastructure, energy infrastructure so that we begin to talk about how do we effectively move goods or food from farm to market in a way

and then from the market, not only for domestic consumption but also for export.”

He said the federal government was doing a lot in that direction, explaining that the president only a few months ago, approved the establishment of an infrastructure corporation where the CBN, AFC and NSIA will be raising equity of about N1 trillion and raise another N14 trillion from the debt market to see how Nigeria's infrastructure, not just roads, could be developed.

He explained further: “We talk about the ports and other areas where we think there are deficits that will help improve the logistics in Nigeria.

"So, we will be calling on the private sector to come to work with us to see how we can achieve this. We are thinking effectively on how to aggressively resuscitate Nigeria's commodity exchange again so that on one hand, you will find those buyers who want to buy goods and on other hand, the commodity exchange stands in-between to also negotiate and also buy from those who have produced those goods."

Emefiele, however, assured Okonjo-Iweala that the next three years will be exciting as the federal government, with the support of both the monetary and fiscal authorities is working to address inefficiencies that make it difficult for people to conduct their businesses.

He said while the country would be engaging with the WTO team to resolve inherent issues, "we need to think of how can we open up Nigeria? We need your help in these areas."

Responding, Okonjo-Iweala proposed that the CBN's concerns about protecting the

local industries against dumping and cheap imports could be addressed by embracing the WTO trade remedies, rather than placing a ban on imports.

She also commended efforts

by Nigeria to establish a trade remedies authority so as to use "remedies as a tool to help our industries to grow."

She said: "I have to raise issues about the BoP (Balance of Payment). We have a complaint against us by the EU about the use of devaluation of the balance of payments’ agreement with respect to trying to protect the dairy industry.

"And they feel that this is not the right instrument. So as DG WTO, I have to make this known. But this is an issue which you said you'd like to engage on in a little more details so we can discuss that later and how to go about it.

"I want to say that the WTO has what we call trade remedies, which can help us without banning things to be able to protect our industries against dumping and cheap imports if we use those remedies.

"I understand Nigeria is trying to establish a trade remedies authority and I want to strongly support that so we can use those remedies as a tool to help our industries to grow."

She also commended the CBN governor for his efforts in assisting to produce a private sector-led initiative that raised funds for addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

She said the pandemic had now "opened our eyes to see that we need to start doing something about the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria."

She stressed the need for the country to establish a strong pharmaceutical industry to cope with future challenges as well as create an enabling environment for them to thrive.

According to her, Africa imports over 90 per cent of its pharmaceutical needs.

She said: "With the population of the AfCFTA with a market of 1.3 billion people, which Nigeria is the largest with over 200 million people, I think there's room.

"We should ask ourselves the question you raised governor. Why is it that the pharmaceutical companies that opened here struggled and closed?

"What are we doing to make sure this doesn't happen and what are we doing to make sure that our own domestic manufacturers or pharmaceuticals have the appropriate environment they need?"

"We have now seen what happens. If you have this pandemic and you don't have some ability to provide, you have to wait.

"I want to say that we have what it takes in this country, particularly in our young people, to do the necessary which is to look forward to how we are going to create jobs and move this economy in the direction that will support our youths in the future."

Banks, Telcos Agree on New Charges for USSD Services Meanwhile, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) have reached an agreement to charge bank customers a flat

rate of N6.98k per transaction for the use of the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) offered banks by telecoms operators (Telcos).

The agreement was reached at a meeting on Monday, following months of protracted disagreement concerning the appropriate USSD pricing model for financial transactions carried out by bank customers using the USSD code.

Before Monday's intervention, telecom operators had threatened to suspend USSD services to banks over the unpaid charges that had accumulated to N42 billion.

The USSD is a critical channel for delivering financial services, particularly for the underserved and the financially excluded, Continued on page 10

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NEWS

NEITI Pursues Recovery of $5.31bn, N69.51bn Unremitted Funds Beams searchlight on mining sector

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), yesterday said it had begun tracking over $5.31 billion and a separate N69.51 billion which had remained unremitted by some companies and agencies of government.

Speaking during his maiden press briefing in Abuja on his plans for the organisation, the new Executive Secretary, NEITI, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, stated that the monies excluded those over which the transparency initiative is currently having discussions with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

He added that the monies were not stolen, stressing that NEITI and the affected companies and agencies are continuing consultations to reconcile the figures and

they need to provide some explanations.

While singling out the NNPC for its continuous cooperation, Orji, who recently took over from Mr. Waziri Adio, stated that NEITI was also working to strengthen the laws setting it up to go beyond just issuing reports.

According to him, NEITI will continue to investigate and interrogate revenue flows from the industries under its coverage, especially relating to funds that are supposed to flow into government coffers that could not be traced thereto.

“The current NEITI management under my leadership is already evolving policies and strategies that would ensure that the recommendations in our reports are followed through and statutory recoverable revenues due to government, which is put at N69.51 billion

and $5.31 billion respectively (as revealed by the 2018 NEITI audit reports) are recovered into government coffers.

“These recoverable revenues consist of payments on oil royalty, gas royalty, gas flare penalties, petroleum profit tax, company income tax, education tax, withholding tax, Value Added Tax (VAT) and NNDC levy,” he stated.

He said NEITI was no longer comfortable with just releasing reports, as the emphasis would be on tracking recoverable revenues due to government while ensuring that companies are treated fairly and given the opportunity to grow.

Orji added: “These are not monies stolen. Our reports highlighted them. These are monies that we think from our own computation should be in the coffers of the government.

“These are agencies covered by NEITI and after

constructive discussions, whatever may be the outcome, we feel that these funds are worth looking into. The companies or agencies may agree or disagree with us.

But for us, they are potential recoverable revenues.”

Orji stated that NEITI will focus on the mining sector, given the global conversation on energy transition.

According to him, since the inception of NEITI audit of the solid minerals sector, there has been a steady increase in revenues accruable to the Federation Account from the sector.

He said the organisation would conduct fresh scoping studies on mining, paying particular attention to investment opportunities in the sector as well as assisting government to have a fallback position like renewable energy.

He promised that henceforth, NEITI will ensure

that the reports it produces lead to visible measurable impacts that would shape the ongoing reforms in the oil, gas and mining sectors.

“From a paltry N8.19 billion recorded in the 2007 audit, to over N67 billion earned from the sector in 2018, shows over a 900 per cent increase. A mere 0.18 per cent contribution of the sector to the GDP, shows that a lot more needs to happen in Nigeria’s mining sector,” he added.

On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), NEITI said it was pleased about the political weight President Muhammadu Buhari had thrown behind the bill, stressing that its duty is to support the legislative process by working closely with committees in the National Assembly as well as providing information and data to facilitate their work.

Orji stated that NEITI

looked forward to seeing deeper engagements with covered entities to ensure deeper disclosures and recoveries that would increase government revenues while making the sector competitive and encouraging enough to attract the right investments.

While lauding his predecessor, Orji promised to invest more time, energy and resources to build capacity, promote and abide by the initiative's protocols to strengthen their oversight functions in dissemination, monitoring, advocacy, public education and enlightenment.

He pledged that the organisation will remain committed to the full implementation of the emerging issues in the area of contract transparency, beneficial ownership, mainstreaming, commodity trading, environment and gender issues.

Police Partner International Agencies to Curb Arms Supply to Bandits, Insurgents Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigeria Police Force and the African Union Police (Afripol), International Police (Interpol) and the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPPCO) have begun talks to stem the flow of arms from Europe, the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) into the country.

The collaboration, the police said yesterday in Abuja, is part of efforts to curb the supply of arms, ammunition and drugs to bandits and insurgents in a bid to combat the security

crisis in the country.

Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, a Commissioner of Police (CP), said while parading 50 suspects involved in gunrunning, unlawful possession of arms, kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes, that detectives were closing in on arms’ manufacturers with a view to breaking up the supply chain.

He added that the police were partnering international crime organisations and the National Drug Law Enforcement

Agency (NDLEA) to contain arms smuggling and drug peddling, that are fuelling banditry and insurgency.

"We are making efforts to cut off supplies to armed bandits. If we are able to cause a draught of weapons flow, we will be able to make it easier for security agencies to overrun them and make it easier for them to operate.

"We are working with international partners, Interpol, Afripol and WAPCCO to stem the flow of arms from Europe, the Sahel and the Gulf of

Guinea," he stated.

He paraded 50 crime suspects, five cartons of tramadol drugs and four bags of Indian hemp.

Two of the suspects, Suleiman Tukur and Marcus Danladi, arrested for gun running, confessed to their involvement in supplying arms to a bandit leader in Kaduna.

Mba said when the police swooped on the bandit leader's house, he fled, leaving behind 201ammunition with a family where all the members were involved in arms’ distribution.

Danladi said he delivered 700 ammunition in his first supply to the bandits and 1,555 in the second supply.

He said the ammunition was conveyed in a car and hidden in a compartment under the boot.

The suspect said each trip fetched him N115, 000.

Two other suspects, Daniel Baba and Andrew Gbagi, arrested for trade in illicit weapons, sold four AK-47 rifles and six locally made pistols to bandits.

One of the suspects, Gabriel Yawe, initially arrested and

detained in Kano prison from where he was moved to Kaduna, where he was granted pardon by the governor, later returned to crime.

Mba said the suspect received shotguns from suppliers at the rate of N50,000 and resold at N70,000.

"Efforts are on to track members of the gang, who are on the run. It is part of efforts to mop up weapons in circulation and block the flow to ensure the nation is rid of armed banditry and other crimes," he said.

to factories and finished goods to markets, as envisaged by the CBN ‘Going for Growth’ roundtable in March 2020.”

The promoters include the CBN, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

Nigeria plans to boost infrastructure investments to stimulate economic growth after exiting its second

recession in four years in the fourth quarter.

The nation needs at least $3 trillion over 30 years to close its infrastructure deficit, Moody’s Investors Service had stated in a report.

Already, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been saddled with the responsibility of heading a steering committee to facilitate the take-off of the company.

Osinbajo’s media assistant,

Mr. Laolu Akande, had said in a statement that Infraco would grow to N15 trillion in assets and capital and that it would be one of the premier infrastructure finance entities in Africa to be wholly dedicated to Nigeria’s infrastructure development.

According to him, the initial seed capital for the entity will come from the CBN, the NSIA and the AFC.

CBN APPOINTS KPMG TRANSACTION ADVISER FOR INFRACORP The appointment was made after considering bids by other global professional services and management consultancy firms, which included PwC, Boston Consulting Group, and McKinsey.

Nwasinobi, however, said the appointment of KPMG as transaction adviser was different from that of the asset manager, whose deadline was extended on Monday by two

weeks, to March 30.

President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the launch of the N15 trillion company as part of efforts to reposition the economy and insulate it from external shocks after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had said the initiative would be part of efforts to ensure the

diversification of the economy.

He had stated that the wholly-focused infrastructure development vehicle would be managed by an independent fund manager.

He had said: “This fund will be utilised to support the federal government in building the transport infrastructure required to move agriculture products to processors, raw materials

TRADE RESTRICTIONS POLICY TO PROTECT LOCAL INDUSTRIES, EMEFIELE TELLS OKONJO-IWEALA offered by telecoms operators to banks.

In order to resolve the lingering issues and ensure uninterrupted services to bank customers on the channel, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, on Monday, chaired a meeting of key stakeholders to resolve the issue.

The various MNOs, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators (ALTON), Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), the banks and the sector regulators, the CBN and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), attended the meeting.

In a communiqué released

yesterday and jointly signed by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications at CBN, Mr. Osita Nwanisobi, and the Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, the parties resolved that with effect from yesterday, USSD services for financial transactions conducted at DMBs and all CBN-licensed

institutions will be charged at a flat rate of N6.98k per transaction.

This replaces the current per session billing structure, ensuring a much cheaper average cost for customers.

It said: “To promote transparency, the new USSD charges will be collected on behalf of MNOs directly from

customers’ bank accounts. Banks shall not impose additional charges on customers for the use of the USSD channel. A settlement plan for outstanding payments incurred for USSD services previously rendered by the MNOs is being worked out by all parties in a bid to ensure that the matter is fully resolved.

MNOs and DMBs shall agree

on the operational modalities for the implementation of the new USSD pricing framework, including sharing of Application Programme Interface (API), to enable seamless, direct and transparent customer billing.”

It was then resolved that the impending suspension of DMBs from the USSD channel be vacated.

Nigeria in the Global Finance World's Best Banks Awards 2020 and Best Corporate Governance 'Financial Services' Africa 2020 by the Ethical Boardroom.

Also, the bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria, for the fourth consecutive year, in the Banker Magazine "Top 500 Banking Brands 2021" and Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital in the "2020 Top 1000 World Banks" Ranking published by The

Banker Magazine. Similarly, the bank was recognised as Bank of the Decade (People's Choice) at the THISDAY Awards 2020, Retail Bank of the year at 2020 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BOFI) Awards, and Best Company in Promotion of Good Health and Well-Being as well as Best Company in Promotion of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility (SERAS) Awards 2020.

EXCITEMENT, COMMENDATIONS AS ZENITH BANK PAYS N94.2BN DIVIDEND a corresponding increase in retail deposits and loans. Thus, retail deposits grew by N612.7 billion from N1.11 trillion to N1.72 trillion, while savings balances grew by 88 per cent to close at N1.16 trillion.

According to the bank, this retail drive, coupled with the low-interest yield environment helped reduce the cost of funding from 3 per cent to 2.1 per cent and reduced interest expense.

Although returns on equity and assets also reduced from

23.8 per cent to 22.4 per cent and from 3.4 per cent to 3.1 per cent, respectively, Zenith Bank still delivered improved earnings per share (EPS), which grew 10 per cent from N6.65 to N7.34 in 2020.

A further breakdown of the performance showed that the group also increased corporate customer deposits, which alongside the growth in retail deposits, delivered total deposit growth of 25 per cent to close at N5.34 trillion, and drove growth in market share.

Total assets also increased by 34 per cent, from N6.35 trillion to N8.48 trillion. In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated challenges, the group created new viable risk assets as gross loans grew by 19 per cent from N2.46 trillion to N2.92 trillion. This was achieved while maintaining a stable and low overall NPL ratio of 4.29 per cent compared with 4.3 per cent in 2019 across the entire portfolio and an increase in the cost of risk from 1.1 per cent to 1.5 per

cent, reflecting the elevated risk environment in 2020.

The group recorded liquidity and capital adequacy ratios of 66.2 per cent and 23 per cent and remained above regulatory thresholds of 30 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.

Consistent with this superlative performance and in recognition of its track record of excellent performance, Zenith Bank was voted as Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker's Bank of the Year Awards 2020, Best Bank in

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NCAA Suspends Azman Air’s Operations over Safety Concerns Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the operation of indigenous carrier, Azman Air with immediate effect.

The regulatory authority in a

statement signed yesterday by its Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu said that following series of incidents involving the airline’s Boeing 737 aircraft, it has to shut down the operations of the local carrier.

Oyo Court Remands Wakili in Prison for Alleged Murder, Kidnapping The alleged notorious Fulani warlord, Mr. Abdullahi Wakili, has been charged to court for alleged murder and kidnapping.

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, yesterday, ordered that alleged notorious Fulani warlord in Ibarapaland, be remanded in a correctional facility.

The police charged Wakili alongside his sons Abu, 45; and Samaila, 27; as well as Aliyu Manu, 20; with six counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, kidnapping and armed robbery.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Chief Magistrate, Emmanuel Idowu, who did not take plea of the suspects for want in jurisdiction, remanded them in Abolongo Correctional facility in Oyo State.

Idowu ordered the police to return the case file to the

Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecution.

He adjourned the matter until May 17, for mention.

A legal practitioner, Oritsuwa Uwawa, appeared for all the suspects.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, ASP Adewale Amos, told the court that Wakili, Abu, Samaila and Manu on October 20, 2015 allegedly conspired to kill 32-year-old Akinwale Akande.

Amos also alleged that on August 15, 2020, at about 4pm in Idi–Emi, Oyo State, Wakili and others kidnapped a woman.

The police alleged that the suspects while armed with cutlasses and axes robbed her of N100, 000.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 316, 324 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code of Oyo State 2000.

Catholic Priest Kidnapped in Delta Sylvester Idowu in Warri The priest in charge of St. John’s Catholic Church, Obinomba in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State has been allegedly abducted by unknown gunmen.

The priest, simply identified as Rev. Fr. Harrison, was said to have been kidnapped at about 8p.m. on Monday night at a bad spot in Abraka in Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.

“The Catholic priest was meandering a bad spot in Oria-Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state when he was returning to base from Warri in his Highlander Jeep.

“The kidnappers shot sporadically into the air to scare away passers-by at the scene of the operation to prevent possible resistance,” a source familiar with the incident, told THISDAY. It was gathered that the abductors abandoned the cleric’s car at the scene of the incident as they whisked him away.

A member of the local vigilante group who spoke with journalists on the incident, said that even though they heard terrifying gunshots by the kidnappers, there was no way they could combat the hoodlums with their ‘shootand-run’ guns.

Three Dead, 183 Hospitalised over Strange Disease in Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Three people have died while over 183 residents in Kano State have been hospitalised over suspected food poisoning.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, said the poisoning outbreak has gotten to about 13 local government areas of the state.

Tsanyawa told journalists yesterday in Kano that the incident happened when the patients took expired citric acid-powdered drinks, a brand of Jolly Jus or Fresh, adding that the product batches have expired since about a year ago but are still being sold in

the market.

According to him, “The outbreak affected 284 individuals, and while 101 have been discharged, 183 are currently receiving treatment in 13 local government areas of the state.”

The state commissioner for health said the ministry taskforce had seized items, which is worth over N59 million.

Also, the state epidemiologist in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bashir Lawan, explained that: “These symptoms are classical of ongoing hemolysis (breakage of red blood cells) and bleeding.”

He also added that the index case was a six-year-old girl observed on March 6, 2021.

“NCAA has pursuant to Section 35 (2) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 and Part 1.3.3.3 (A) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2015, suspended the operations of all the Boeing 737 aircraft in the fleet of Azman Air Services Limited, with effect from March 15, 2021,” the statement said.

The authority also explained that the suspension was to enable

it conduct an audit of the airline to determine the root cause(s) of the incidents, and recommend corrective actions to forestall re-occurrence.

“The NCAA regrets the inconvenience this action may cause to the public, particularly to Azman Air passengers but the need to ensure the safety of air transport and protect the public interest cannot be compromised.

“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority will continue to ensure compliance to its regulations in the interest of safety and will viewed any violation(s) seriously,” the statement added.

Earlier yesterday, Azman Air had sent a message through its twitter account, @AzmanAir that it would suspend its operations in order to carry out an audit of its safety processes.

The airline did not say that it was directed by NCAA to do so.

“Due to strong stance on safety, @AzmanAir will be undergoing an audit of its safety processes as supervised by the regulators. In this regard, all our operations are hereby suspended. We are on our toes to restore operations within a short period. Kindly accept our apologies,” the airline stated.

SET TO EASE TRADE RESTRICTIONS…

L-R: Director General, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo – Iweala; CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; and Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Mrs. Aishah Ahmad; during the WTO team’s working visit to the CBN in Abuja…yesterday

NBS: APC Govt Lying about Employment, Job Creation, Says PDP Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said the report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on escalated 33.3 percent unemployment rate in the country is a direct confirmation that the much-orchestrated claims of massive job creation by the Muhammadu Buhari presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are mere statistic hoax being used to hoodwink Nigerians.

The PDP said the report by the NBS that no fewer than 21.7 million able-bodied Nigerians have lost their jobs and means of livelihood while many more have become underemployed under the

APC “misrule’ further showed the despairing and despondent situation the APC and its administration has brought on our country.”

According to a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, “The rise in unemployment from the alarming 27.1 percent in Q2 2020 to 33.3 percent in Q4 2020, despite the bogus claims of the APC administration, confirms that indeed there is no hope in sight under the Buhari presidency and the APC. “It is clear that the direct cause of the escalating unemployment is the incompetence as well as the widespread corruption and treasury looting in the Buhari administration, where APC leaders are reported to

have looted over N15 trillion, which should have been used to create wealth, develop our country and provide jobs for our citizens.”

The PDP said it is rather distressing, as shown in the NBS report, that unemployment rate among young and very enterprising Nigerians within the age of 15 to 34 years had risen to 42.5 percent, a revelation that put a lie to claims by the Buhari administration of mass employment, job opportunities and economic empowerment of Nigerian youths.

The main opposition party explained that it is now obvious that under President Buhari and the APC, the federal government created jobs only in “their fake statistics while in reality they are taking no

concrete steps to empower our hard working citizens.”

More frustrating, the PDP said: “Is that the APC and its administration have promoted a huge racket where Nigerians are deceived to pay for non-existent jobs in ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) at alarming costs, ranging between N2 million and N6 million, depending on the agency.”

The APC administration, the PDP alleged, in its corruption, “is allowing such evil enterprise to take place, while millions of Nigerians are weeping in the streets after being defrauded of their hard-earned money, life-saving and pensions of aged parents by job fraudsters in official circles.”

JAMB Parades Two Members of Staff for Allegedly Extorting Admission Seekers Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) yesterday paraded two of its staff members who allegedly extorted money from Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates with the promise to help them secure university’s admission.

One of the affected staff members, Mr. Andy Okoro, a

level 12 officer in Delta State JAMB office, said he collected N500,000 from four candidates’ parents, out of which he paid N180,000 to a colleague, Gambo Ibrahim Abba, to help facilitate their university admission.

The bubble burst when one of the parents in Delta State petitioned JAMB on Okoro’s activities, a move that prompted the Board to investigate deeply into the issue.

Okoro told journalists yesterday evening in Abuja that he engaged in the fraudulent act because of economic hardship.

A mild drama, however, ensued when his accomplice, Gambo, who had earlier claimed that he was into fish business with Okoro, later admitted that his involvement in the act might not be “ordinary.”

Gambo, a level 8 officer at

JAMB headquarters, said he was probably hypnotised by Okoro to engage in the shady deals, adding that he only got to know him by phone last year through a third party.

According to Gambo, “It was not ordinary; he was just calling me, but I didn’t know him. He lured me into this when he convinced me that he has been into it for a long time.”

Irregular Service Stalls Hearing in Suit Seeking Removal of IG, Adamu Alex Enumah in Abuja Hearing in the suit seeking the removal from office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, was stalled yesterday stalled at a Federal High Court, Abuja, due to irregular service of originating processes on the Nigerian Police Council (NPC).

A legal practitioner, Maxwell Okpara, had dragged the federal government to court over the

extension of the tenure of Adamu after he attained retirement on February 1, 2021.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Adamu, the Attorney General of the Federation and Nigeria Police Council (NPC) were first to fourth respondents respectively in the suit.

By public service rule, Adamu ceases to be an officer of the Nigeria Police Force having put in 35 years in service on February 1, 2021.

But, Buhari announced an extension of Adamu’s stay in office by three months pending the appointment of a substantive IGP. Plaintiff by the suit is asking the court to order the removal of Adamu from office, having spent the mandatory 35 years in service.

When the matter came up yesterday, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Mr. Ugochukwu Ezekiel, informed the court that counsel to the 1st

and 3rd defendants served a counter affidavit on him “this morning”, wherein they raised objection to the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.

But the trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, noticed there was no legal representation for the 4th defendant.

From the record of the court, it was noticed that one Adeyemi, whose status was not stated, received the originating processes.

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T H I S D AY •WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2021

COMMENT

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

BUHARI’S SHOOT-ON-SIGHT DIRECTIVE Two wrongs do not make a right, argues Sonnie Ekwowusi

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enultimate week, President Buhari declared that all AK-47-wielding Fulani herdsmen, kidnappers, burglars, bandits and other gun-toting men in Nigeria are criminals and therefore should be shot on sight. In the same vein two weeks ago, the Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano declared that all AK-47-toting Fulani herdsmen operating in Anambra State are criminals and consequently should be arrested and brought to justice. Governor Obiano was compelled to issue this said statement after the Anambra traditional rulers had complained to him that under the guise of rearing cattle the AK-47-carying Fulani herdsmen were raping Anambra women as well as forcibly taking over the farm lands of the people of the state.

For six years the AK-47-carrying Fulani herdsmen had persistently and pathologically been murdering, maiming, kidnapping and raping their victims, taking women and children hostages as well as confiscating the farmlands of farmers across the country. Overwhelmed in their forlorn frustration and anguish in the face of the aforesaid crimes, the people had pleaded with the man in Aso Villa to declare that the AK-47-wielding Fulani herdsmen are terrorists especially upon considering that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), whose members neither carry AK-47 rifle nor carry any gun at all let alone kill or rape their victims, had hastily been declared a terrorist organization and proscribed by the government.

Unfortunately all the pleadings fell on deaf ears. Instead of declaring that the AK-47-carrying Fulani pastoralists were terrorists as well as order their arrest and prosecution, the man in Aso Villa simply continues to look away. For example, in the aftermath of the massacre of about 200 villagers in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Jos South local government areas of Plateau State in June 2018, Miyetti Allah quickly issued a statement accepting responsibility for the massacre. It admitted that it carried out the massacre in retaliation for alleged Fulani herdsmen who were killed in the area. According to the Chairman of the North Central zone of Miyetti Allah Danladi Ciroma, “These attacks are retaliatory …

Fulani herdsmen have lost about 300 cows in the last few weeks — 94 cows were rustled by armed Berom youth in Fan village, another 36 cows were killed by Berom youth. In addition to that, 174 cattle were rustled and the criminals disappeared with them to Mangu [Local Government]… Since these cows were not found, no one should expect peace in the areas”. Did the man in Aso Villa dispatch the DSS to arrest or interrogate Ciroma after the inflammable statement? No. Was Miyetti Allah declared a terrorist organization for committing treasonable felony or for inciting the public to wage war or fanning the embers of disunity in Nigeria? No. Instead, President Buhari looked the other way as the Miyetti Allah and Fulani herdsmen continued to commit their crimes.

Aside the murderous Fulani herdsmen, in the last six years all manner of kidnappers, arsonists, abductors, hired assassins, bandits and other gun-toting men have increasingly been laying siege to the length and breadth of Nigeria - killing or kidnapping their victims. What we are witnessing in Nigeria today is probably the worst insecurity challenge confronting Nigeria since the Nigerian civil war. Nowadays it is suicidal to travel the Lagos-Ore-Onitsha Expressway, and, of course the dreadful Benin bypass. Why? Because dare-devil Fulani herders, kidnappers and gunmen have encumbered all the side bushes along the

WE NOW LIVE IN COMPLETE FEAR: FEAR OF COVID-19; FEAR OF KIDNAPPERS AND GUNMEN; FEAR OF OUR SHADOWS, FEAR OF OUR VILLAGE HOMES; FEAR, FEAR EVERYWHERE. WHAT A LIFE! WHAT A COUNTRY!

expressway waiting for passengers to devour. For example, in February 2021, some gunmen intercepted a hearse at the Benin bypass in Edo State. The hearse was conveying the corpse of a man from Lagos to Enugu State for burial. When the hearse got to the bypass some gunmen emerged from the nearby bush and started raining bullets on the hearse. Consequently the hearse was forced to stop abruptly. Thereafter, the gunmen abducted the younger brother of the deceased. The dead body was conveyed to another mortuary along the Benin-Auchi road. Can you imagine? Kidnappers kidnapping a hearse carrying a dead body! Even our villages and country sides which hitherto were considered safe havens for resting one’s tired bones are no longer safe.

A friend and a fairly wealthy man tells me that each time he travels to his village in Anambra State he spends nothing less than a gargantuan N6 million on police escort and other security apparatuses alone. So we now live in complete fear; fear of COVID-19; fear of kidnappers and gunmen; fear of our shadows: fear of our village homes; fear, fear everywhere. Our lives are ruled by fear. What a life! What a country!

Therefore we must rid Nigeria of murderous Fulani herdsmen, kidnappers, and other criminals. But the pertinent question remains: why the shoot-on-sight directive? Some argue that the president issued the shoot-on-sight directive simply because gun running is no longer the monopoly of the Fulani herdsmen. Guns are now virtually all over the place in Nigeria. Some ethnic warriors such as Sunday Igboho and others are fully armed and ready to battle with any group of people coming to destroy their farmlands. So the shoot-on-sight directive is probably aimed at disabling the aforesaid ethnic warriors who are battle-ready.

Anyway whatever might have informed the issuing of the directive, it is a wrong approach to the insecurity challenges in Nigeria at the moment. Why? Because many innocent people would be killed on mere suspicion. Besides, if our security personnel are so effective in going to the South-East and capturing IPOB suspects and jailing them, why can’t they employ the same efficiency in capturing the gun-toting Fulani herdsmen killing people along the Lagos-Ore-Benin Expressway? After all the AK-47-carrying Fulani herdsmen are not invincible.

We see them. If our security personnel are keen on arresting them they can arrest them and bring them to justice. So away with jungle justice.

The end does not justify the means. You cannot do wrong in order to right a wrong. You cannot use illegality to achieve a lawful end. In other words, President Buhari cannot approve jungle justice in order to track down the herders, kidnappers, and others. Besides, a directive is not a law. In our present civilian dispensation, we are governed by the rule of law not rule by directives or by naked force or arbitrary exercise of power. The rule of law ought to prevail against any arbitrary exercise of power. If we are bereft of the rule of law we are heading for anarchy. Therefore no matter the ugly situation, jungle justice or a descent into the abyss can never be rationalized by any rational society.

As a veritable third arm of government essentially charged with the dispensation of justice, the judiciary plays an indispensable pivotal role in the sustenance of democratic governance in Nigeria. The judiciary occupies a unique place to safeguard the rights and liberty of the citizenry. Such rights and regard for the rule of law are the bedrock upon which the society lays its claim to civilization.

A SIGH OF RELIEF

Micahael Babalola writes that the Agege Pen Cinema flyover is easing traffic in the Lagos environs

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ome people run away from Lagos because of traffic jams. Yes, it’s no news that across the state, vehicular traffic is a nightmare many Lagosians contend with daily. But motorists that need to pass through Pen Cinema and Total in Agege are presently heaving a sigh of relief.

And it’s understandable. Since four years ago, they suffered terribly as their routes were subject to various closures as a result of the Agege Pen Cinema Flyover construction.

Thankfully, the hardship is a thing of the past as the 1.7km flyover was commissioned on Friday, March 5, 2021. I had seen photos and videos but I had to see it for myself, with my own eyes.

Hence, on Monday morning, the first working day after the commissioning, yours truly walked on it. At about 6:45am, I started ascending the bridge from the Oke Koto end. What struck me at first was the layout. With two well-marked lanes on either side, both sides of the bridge have an expansive service lane. As dawn was just breaking, the bridge was well-lit and I saw how cars wheezed across, heading towards Oba Ogunji Road.

But cars speeding across Total and through Pen Cinema? After spending over 30 years of living in the axis, I never would have imagined that happening. For me, that image was a bit surreal- like a good dream come true. But then again, governance should be about tackling the present for a better future. The landmark has been permanently altered.

Just like neighbouring Abule Egba, which got Jubilee Bridge as part of Lagos’ Golden Jubilee celebration, and which put an end to the bottleneck there.

Before four years ago when construction of the flyover started, the junctions of Total and Pen Cin-

ema posed horror to motorists who needed to pass through. At nearly every hour of the day, one could be assured of spending more time than needed. And on the bad days, one could be stuck for hours. While the construction lasted, Lagosians bore the brunt in manoeuvring and spent many hours stuck in traffic.

No wonder Lagosians, especially those who would benefit from the bridge whooped with joy as it was commissioned. At the commissioning, former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, thanked the current administration for sticking to a blueprint designed over two decades ago.

But really, modern urban planning requires effective data collection, planning with trends and a commitment to delivering proper solutions. With such clarity and focus, it’s easier to plan and execute life-changing projects. But design is also critical in this.

Thinking of how good design trumps many city headaches, I remember a friend once remarked that great cities are built from under. This is the case with the London Underground and New York subways.

Going down and expanding from under was a design strategy that was born in about the 16th Century but started taking firm roots in the 1800s.

But it’s not all the time one needs to or can go down to build or rebuild. In such cases, an alternative may be to go up. In the past, the axis that the Agege Pen Cinema Flyover now stretches across had two four-way junctions and a bypass. The first four-way junction was at Total Filling Station on Old Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. And the other four-way junction linked the roads leading towards Ogba, Ikeja, Iju and Agege. Traffic would be chaotic at these points – to the point of frustration. But the bridge has replaced that old design. And while I

know it’s often difficult adapting to change, I think this is good change which should be embraced.

Also, I think the bridge has reduced traffic on other roads. After walking on the bridge, I retraced my steps towards Iju Road and was pleasantly shocked that the usual traffic around Iju Garage leading to Pen Cinema was absent. And the time was 7:10am. In years, I have not witnessed that area free of traffic congestion by that time. But I can understand why. In this new design, there is no room for much choice in directions or ‘crayfish waka’ as pidgin speakers refer to meanderings. The roads are more direct, leaving less options to motorists to veer in and out. While this has limited choices, it has also ensured swifter movements of vehicles.

It’s a wonder how we in that axis survived the hardship. However, it turns out, we also shared the hardship with others who might not need to pass that road when we joined them on alternative routes. Hence, I wasn’t shocked when also on Monday, I witnessed how traffic on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway moved smoothly. By 6:30pm, the traffic was flowing. I’m sure that as more Lagosians get to know all the roads have been reopened, the traffic would get easier.

Then, I think the idea of a wire fence on the sides of the bridge, maybe to discourage people jumping, either accidental or otherwise, is good. But that fence may not prevent any car from tumbling over. Also, I don’t like the absence of an elevated pavement on both sides of the bridge. Is it that the thought of a walkway, no matter how small, is undesirable? Or not necessary? What if someone’s car breaks down and one wants to wait for a tow or something? Or is it bad to put something just to make a jogger or walker feel safer?

But all in all, the bridge would definitely bring succour and I commend the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration for delivering it. It’s to move on.

Proper marking of lanes and medians, construction of roundabouts and intersections, providing adequate width of roads, regular maintenance, banning of street trading are all tools which the Lagos State government must continually work on to ensure the bridge delivers accordingly. Just as the bridge has opened up other roads too.

Thankfully, the wait and the flyover has started paying off immediately. A friend who lives in Agege and works in Ikeja is relieved now. According to him, prior to the start and during the construction of the flyover, his commute time to and fro usually lasted more than an hour on each leg. That restricted him from doing other things other than going to work and returning home. But sharing his happiness on Monday, he gleefully announced that it took him 19 minutes to get to work. Those who live in Lagos understand how Lagos roads can be congested on Monday mornings. This development has made my friend promise to do more socialising after close of work.

Now that the Agege Pen Cinema Flyover has been delivered, the Lagos State government can look at building a flyover at Fagba junction along Iju Road where traffic is also nightmarish. That is another critical spot that needs re-addressing.

The last administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had promised to build a flyover there upon completion of the Agege Pen Cinema Flyover.

Knowing Lagos, I’m positive the Sanwo-Olu administration would commence the Fagba flyover as soon as possible. And like Oliver Twist, I look forward to that.

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2021

EDITORIAL AGAIN, THE HIJAB CONTROVERSY Wearing veil is not a threat to acquisition of knowledge

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he controversy over the use of Hijab by female Muslim students in grant-aided mission schools in Kwara State is the latest in the way religion is being used to divide and cause chaos in the country.

While Muslim parents argue that it is the fundamental right of their female wards to wear the apparel in obedience to religious injunction, their Christian counterparts reject it on grounds that it would negate their own heritage. This is one crisis that cannot be allowed to fester and we commend the efforts of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak who has been holding meetings with principal stakeholders with a view to arriving at an amicable resolution.

At this most precarious period in our country, we hope religious leaders will give peace a chance and refuse the temptation to inflame passions.

We particularly call on Christian leaders to shelve the idea ‘to occupy the schools’ or encourage their wards to wear church garments when they reopen.

We recall a similar crisis in Osun State in 2016 when the local chapter of the Christian AsIF THE MISSIONS INSIST sociation of Nigeria ON HAVING THEIR SCHOOLS BACK AND THEY (CAN) cynically directed Christian CAN FUND THEM TO THE students to feel free REQUISITE STANDARDS, to wear all sorts of THERE IS NO REASON garments, including WHY AN AMICABLE choir robes, Sultana SETTLEMENT CANNOT BE and clothes of many REACHED colours.

The issues in this crisis are clear. Although the 10 schools involved were indeed established by Christian missionaries, they have practically been taken over by the Kwara State government which funds their activities.

Besides, beginning from when the military government took over these schools from the missions, they have been administered as public schools. That weakens the argument of those who would want to

Letters to the Editor

circumscribe rights that the courts have affirmed.

And on Hijab as part of school uniform for desirous female students, there have been several decided cases on this issue up to the Supreme Court.

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

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

s the law stands in Nigeria today, female Muslim students cannot be precluded from wearing Hijab in schools funded by government as part of their fundamental rights enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended. Allowing female students to wear Hijab is not prejudicial to public interest, does not affect learning or advocacy in any way and is not a threat to acquisition of knowledge.

However, we are also mindful of the point made

by Kwara State CAN that in a period when schools are being invaded with female students carted away, Hijab in Mission schools could lead to a situation in which Christian students become easy prey, especially for those criminal perverts who hide under the guise of religion. Against the background that Leah Sharibu, the lone female student from the Dapchi’s school seizure, remains in captivity on account of her faith, the fears of CAN are well justified. This is why we implore Muslims who are fixated on Hijab as part of school uniform to have a rethink in the national interest. If they truly care about the education of their children, real concerns should be about safety at a period schools are under serious threats, not whether or not they wear Hijab.

The crisis in Kwara State should not be allowed to linger or degenerate. There are lessons that can be drawn from Lagos, Oyo and Osun States on a similar issue. While we enjoin the relevant stakeholders to engage, reason should prevail in the interest of the students. There is a window of opportunity for both the Kwara State government and the Christian leaders. Given dwindling resources, if the missions insist on having their schools back and they can fund them to the requisite standards, there is no reason why an amicable settlement cannot be reached. That will be a win-win situation for all concerned.

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

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP: Is Nigeria Missing Out?

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igeria is missing out on good governance and development by failing to implement the 35% affirmative female action adopted in the gender and equal opportunities bill, according to Mrs Catriona Laing, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria. A cursory look into Nigerian women in politics suggests that cultural stereotypes and gender discrimination act as a disadvantage to the success of women as political leaders and actors. The uncertainty surrounding the capability of women to be effective leaders is underlined by a disconnect between the cultural construct of women and the requirements of leadership in Nigeria.

Globally the shift towards women in governance has yielded much needed results for countries who have embraced this paradigm shift. Stephanie Williams who is the acting special representative and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya has successfully steered the Libyan political dialogue forum (LPDF) through a series of breakthrough agreements in recent months culminating in the establishment of a unified executive authority to take Libya to national elections on 24 December 2021, an unprecedented achievement since the country descended into chaos following the fall of former ruler Muammar

Gadaffi in 2011. Similar data across several countries have shown that countries with female leaders are responding better to the Coronavirus pandemic. Despite Taiwan’s close proximity to China, the source of the pandemic, the country through concerted efforts from its Prime Minister Tsai Ing-wen and pro-activeness of its female Digital Minister, Audrey Tang who leveraged technology to build an effective face mask rationing and digital quarantine system that has kept the virus under check, recording a total of 955 cases and 919 recoveries. The exemplary leadership of Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, has also seen Germany recording the lowest rate of Covid -19 deaths in Western Europe. Angela Merkel has governed Germany for more than 14 years and has successfully managed several crises in the course of her chancellery: the 2008 financial crisis, the Eurozone debt crisis, the influx of migrants in 2015 and the Coronavirus pandemic.

Through it all, her leadership style has been remarkable, guiding Germany into exerting increased influence in the European Union. Involving women in political processes has proven to be beneficial for all globally. Nigerian women remain largely underrepresented in the political space despite the fact that 49% of the Nigerian population are women. Only seven women are in the current Senate

and the National Assembly has refused to enlarge the space for women to participate in political, business and civic arenas through the gender and equal opportunities bill and 35% affirmative action which is an investment in a more equitable, just, and peaceful nation. Despite these setbacks Nigerian women continue to prove that women in positions of authority tend to be more passionate and committed to seeing good governance and democracy enthroned. The heroics and achievements of late Dr Ameyo Adadevoh, who ensured that the Ebola virus did not have an accelerated spread, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Mrs Amina J. Mohammed are all indicators to the possibilities women in governance bring to the table and just like the British High commissioner to Nigeria Mrs Catriona Laing noted, challenging the social norms and cultural patriarchy that enable gender discrimination in the Nigerian society such as child marriages, the Land Use Act as it affects women and the gender and equal opportunity bill are critical to balancing the gender parity in Nigeria. The world is at a pivotal moment and Nigeria must capitalize on this momentum and ensure women’s voices are not only present but heard in the political processes and the decision-making table.

Chinonso Kenneth, kennethonwurah75@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY MARCH 17, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

INEC to Engage National Assembly on Delineation of Constituencies

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has said that the commission would partner with the National Assembly in the delineation of all federal and state constituencies.

Yakubu also called on the National Assembly to ensure a

speedy passage of the electoral bill currently before it.

He made the call yesterday when he met with labour unions and professional associations on the proposed expansion of voter access to polling units.

The INEC chairman said: “We are also preparing to engage with the leadership of the National Assembly on the issue of the division, revision and alteration of

electoral constituencies in Nigeria.”

The last delineation of federal and states constituencies was conducted in 1996 under the then National Electoral Commission (NECON).

He said that the commission would continue to work with the National Assembly to ensure the speedy passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

Yakubu said: “We have

Zamfara Police Redeploy DPO Accused of Aiding Bandits The Zamfara State Police Command (ZSPC) has redeployed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Kaura Namoda Division to the command’s headquarters for investigation over an alleged aiding and abetting of bandits.

A statement that was issued yesterday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Muhammad Shehu, said that the attention of the ZSPC has been drawn to a viral video trending on social media platforms wherein the communities of Kungurki

village of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area accused the DPO of Kaura Namoda Division of conniving with recalcitrant armed bandits who were making lives unbearable.

The statement further said that the DPO, as a custodian of peace and tranquility, has the mandate to interact and engage the two warring Hausa and Fulani communities to a dialogue in order to strengthen the ongoing peace process initiated by the state government.

The command stated that available records at its disposal

revealed no formal complaint against the DPO in respect of the allegation and enjoined members of the public with credible evidence against the DPO to make them available to the command’s headquarters and assist in the ongoing investigation.

The DPO was redeployed to the command’s headquarters as “OC Provost” while ASP Umar Abdullahi has been appointed as acting DPO of the division.

Members of the public with credible evidence against the former DPO could reach the police on 08162793939.

Immigration Nabs Human Traffickers, Rescue 18Victims in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has nabbed two suspected human traffickers and rescued 18 victims in Charanchi Local Government Area of the state.

The State Comptroller of the NIS, Abdulrazak Muazu, who unveiled this to journalists yesterday at the command’s headquarters in Katsina, said the duo were apprehended at a patrol base in Charanchi after intelligence report.

Muazu said the suspected human traffickers, Amadu Abdullahi, 32, and Fatima Abdullahi, 35, “mischievously arranged a fake marriage” to flee two minors in their custody to Libya, while one Bala MaiBiri, escaped when the officers intercepted them and left the victims.

He said: “We arrested two suspected human traffickers and rescued 18 victims of human trafficking at Charanchi Patrol Base. All the traffickers and their victims are Nigerians from Edo,

Osun, Ogun, Lagos and Delta States.

“The victims comprises 12 females and eight, aged range between 3-45 years. Their mission was to cross the border through the irregular route, along Jibia axis to Agadez, Niger Republic and proceeded to Libya for greener pasture.

“In the process of interception, one of the suspected human traffickers named Bala Mai Biri escaped and abandoned his vehicle Citreon 806 with registrstion number GWL672ZA Kano”.

Kaduna will Not Negotiate with Bandits, Kidnappers, El-Rufai Insists John Shiklam in Kaduna Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State has reiterated his stance against negotiating with bandits, insisting that his job as governor is to enforce the law and help to prosecute people who committed offences.

A state issued yesterday by the Kaduna State Government House, said the governor

restated his position during an expanded meeting of the State Security Council meeting held yesterday at the Government House, in Kaduna.

“We will not engage with bandits or kidnappers. Private citizens like clerics and clergy men can do so in their individual capacities to preach to them and ask them to repent.

“We also want them to repent

but it is not our job to ask them to do so,’’ the statement quoted the governor as saying.

The governor said, the best way to solve the farmer-herder clashes, cattle rustling and banditry is for nomadic herdsmen to live more sedentary lives in order for them to be more productive and give their children education and access to better healthcare.

Oyetola Resolves 34-year Ikire Royal Stool Crisis After 34 years of long and arduous journey through courts and crises, the Osun State government on Monday approved the amendment of the Ikire Chieftaincy Declaration of 1958, which governs the management of the royal stool of Ikire Kingdom in Irewole Local Government Area of the state This was disclosed in a press statement by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, after the State Executive Council meeting on Monday.

It would be recalled that the

Aketula ruling house in Ikire had filed a suit against the installation of the current Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi, on the ground that he was not entitled to the royal stool, according to the provision of the Ikire Chieftaincy Declaration of 1958.

But the approval of an amendment to the Declaration now means that the Aketula ruling house is the next ruling house to present a candidate to the throne of Akire of Ikire.

The statement read in part: “The Council’s approval of the amendment of the Ikire Chieftaincy

Declaration was necessitated by the lingering crisis generated by the Supreme Court judgment of 2014 which affirmed that Lambeloye ruling house that produced Oba Olatunde Falabi, had no legal right to occupy the stool of Akire of Ikire when it became vacant in 1987.

“The ancient town had been embroiled in crisis that saw the royal stool entangled in legal and social upheavals.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola stepped in determined that the problem had gone on long enough.

been reassured by the National Assembly that work on the bill will be concluded in the next few months.

“Let me once again appeal to the National Assembly for expeditious consideration and passage of the bill.”

He told the labour union members and professional associations that the purpose of the ongoing consultation is to

build a broad national consensus towards addressing the crisis of voter access to polling units in Nigeria.

He said that the INEC has prepared a discussion paper and would welcome comments on the proposed policy, which would further enrich the conversation towards an enduring solution to a problem that lies at the heart of electoral democracy and popular

representation.

The INEC chairman also spoke on the journey so far on access to polling centres: “We are encouraged by the outcome of the consultations held so far. These consultations are helping us in formulating the guidelines on the option preferred by stakeholders as we proceed to the implementation stage, which will also involve further consultations in the field.

FG, UN Launch $1bn Fund for 6.5m Victims of North-east Insurgency Olawale Ajimotokan and Michael Olugbode in Abuja The federal government and the United Nations have launched a $1 billion virtual appeal fund to provide critical humanitarian assistance for 6.5 million most vulnerable people in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq yesterday reiterated the growing need to assist displaced people affected by the crisis in north-eastern Nigeria through the 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan.

She noted that the need to seek more support for the affected

persons, particularly women and children has become a priority in the light of north-east conflict which is now in its 12th year and which has impacted many Nigerians.

She said the federal government is committed to the plight of the affected people and is leading the response to secure and provide lifesaving assistance to those in need, in collaboration with international humanitarian community.

“We are facing additional challenges in terms of security and access for humanitarian partners,which is why we have developed the National Humanitarian Development Peace Framework. I am encouraged that the NHDPF emphasises promoting longerterm durable solutions. We must

always look forward, beyond the immediate crisis, to ensure that we help people, re-establish their lives and strengthen communities, so that we can reduce dependence on aid and promote resilience and self-reliance,” she said.

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon noted that the only solution to the crises in the area was to prevent humanitarian crises by embracing peace.

He urged stakeholders to use the opportunity to solve the problems in the restive areas, noting that last year, over three million people were provided with basic humanitarian needs, while presently 8.7 million people are in need of humanitarian aid.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 17, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

Okonjo-Iweala: WTO to Help Remove Restrictions on Nigeria’s Medical Supplies Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has stated that one of her mission to Nigeria is to facilitate the easing of restriction on the country’s health

Why IG Can Remain in Office Till 2023 or 2024, Buhari, Malami Explain President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, have declared support for the argument that the law permits the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu, to remain in office till 2023 or 2024.

They contended that the president is allowed by law to extend the IG’s tenure as he wishes.

Adamu canvassed the argument to counter a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the extension of his tenure by three months as from February 1.

Buhari and the AGF’s position on the suit, adopting in full

Adamu’s earlier argument on the crucial issue of how long an IG can remain in office, is contained in their joint reply obtained by Premuim Times when the case came up for mention in court yesterday.

Adamu had attained the maximum 35 years in service on February 1, but President Buhari, through the Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Mohammad Dingyadi, announced the threemonth extension of Adamu’s tenure on February 4.

The plaintiff, Mr. Maxwell Opara, an Abuja-based lawyer, who had expected Adamu to vacate office on February 1, filed his suit on February 3 to challenge the tenure extension.

Buhari Gets Niger Republic’s Highest Award Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari was yesterday conferred with the highest national award of Niger Republic, Grand Croix Des Ordre National Du Niger, by the country’s President Mahamadou Issoufou.

This is just as President Buhari congratulated the outgoing President Issoufou of Niger Republic for a successful completion of his second tenure, and wining the prestigious 2020 Mo Ibrahim prize for Achievement in African Leadership, describing him as a worthy African leader.

President Issoufou, who was on a courtesy visit to Buhari at the State House in Abuja, thanked President Buhari and all Nigerians for the support he received as leader of his country for ten years, particularly during his time as chairman of ECOWAS, describing

Nigeria as a “second home.”

He explained that the highest national award of his country was bestowed on President Buhari because of his “fraternity, vigour, patriotism and determination to move Africa forward, starting from the west coast.’’

In his response, President Buhari felicitated with the outgoing leader for ‘upholding the tenets of democracy, improving the economy of his country and consolidating the good relations that existed between both countries’.

According to Buhari, “Mr. President, let me start by congratulating you on the successful completion of your second term as president of our sister country, the Republic of Niger.

I also congratulate the good people of Niger Republic for the successful conduct of a free, fair and credible election.

Buhari Approves Directors for AfDB, Islamic Bank President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday approved the appointment of Dr. Oyebode Oyetunde as Executive Director for Nigeria at the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement titled “President Buhari approves appointment of Dr. Oyebode Oyetunde as Executive Director for Nigeria at AfDB.” According to the statement, before the appointment, Oyetunde was Senior Special Assistant to the President on Finance and Fiscal Policy as well as Legal Matters in the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

He was also Special Adviser (Fiscal Policy) to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

He is a Chartered Accountant and a fiscal policy tax expert

with 24 years of experience in investment banking.

Oyetunde is taking over from Dr. Bright Okogu, whose tenure will come to an end at the bank on May 15, 2021, having served as a two-time Executive Director.

The statement read, “The position of the Executive Director in AfDB is strategic as it affords Nigeria the opportunity to be in the forefront when key policy decisions are taken regarding the African region.

Also, the President approved the appointment of Dr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse as Executive Director on the Board of Islamic Development Bank in Jedda, Saudi Arabia.

His appointment was contained in a separate statement by Shehu.

It read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Dr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse as Executive Director on the Board of Islamic Development Bank in Jedda, Saudi Arabia.

supplies and equipment, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Okonjo-Iweala made the disclosure yesterday when she and her delegation met with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha and the members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja for discussions on the challenges encountered in the arrival and distribution of vaccines in the country.

Although she admitted that trade is instrumental in access to medical supplies and equipment, she, however, lamented that some

of the challenges are that some WTO member-countries are putting export restrictions on the movement of medical supplies, equipment, including supplies to make vaccines.

“The main reason we are here is really to see how WTO can support Nigeria in improving its economy. And part of doing that is the health. We are in a pandemic and of course, you cannot advance the economy until you take care of the health aspects. And so what the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is doing along with the Presidential Task Force is

laudable, and we wanted to just discuss with them; one, what is happening with the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines; how that is being distributed; the challenges, opportunities on the way of that and what the WTO can do,” she said.

Okonjo-Iweala said the one of the things WTO intends to do is to collaborate with members to reduce the export restrictions in the manufacture and supply of vaccines.

She said: “If you take vaccines, for instance, I will just give you one number from the manufacturer of

the Pfizer BioTech vaccine. We had a meeting with the manufacturers a couple of days ago in Geneva and their representative said that it takes 280 components to manufacture their vaccine. And it is in a supply chain that involves 19 countries.

So, in the supply chains - many of our products, medical products are global. And so when a country puts export restrictions on one, it means that you slow the production everywhere, that is where the WTO comes in because we have certain rules that members should abide by with respect to these restrictions.

RALLYING GLOBAL SUPPORT…

L-R: British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Ben Llewellyn-Jones; US Consul General, Ms Claire Pierangelo; and Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), during the donation of a speed boat to the NDLEA by the British Government in Lagos …yesterday

Gbajabiamila: 9th N’Assembly Faces More Challenges than Previous Lawmakers

UdoraOrizuinAbuja

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday said the Ninth National Assembly is saddled with a lot of responsibilities and faces with more challenges more than the previous lawmakers.

Gbajabiamila stated this while delivering his remarks at the unveiling of House of Representatives’ press corps calendar.

He said it’s been a long tough

road for the 9th Assembly as they came at unprecedented time when the countryisfightingCOVID-19pandemic, amongst other issues.

The Speaker however assured that the lawmakers will try and meet up with the responsibilities.

He said, ‘’There are a lot of challenges right now, but I’m glad that with your support and cooperation, we are trying our best to meet these responsibilities and these challenges as best as we can.

There are still going to be challenges

ahead and by God’s grace, we will meet them. We will continue with our symbiotic relationship and I hope that by the time we are done, this 9th Assembly and this 9th House Press Corps will be remembered for good.’’

Speaking further, Gbajabiamila tasked journalists to always be objective and as well carry out investigations in the discharge of their duties, in order to promote the business of news reporting.

He appealed to the press corps

to be different from any other press corps by carrying out their journalistic responsibility objectively and professionally. ‘’You have been doing so far but we need to cross that Rubicon with a little bit more and we will get to the promised land. Even though we are not there yet, each time I have the opportunity to talk to you, I always tell you, we should work and continue to hold our feet to the fire and that’s your job.

Fayemi Awards 3.2km Ekiti Airport Runway to Contractor Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has handed over the construction of the state Agro-Allied Cargo Airport 3.2 kilometres runway to the main contractor to commence work.

The governor, while handing over the site to the contractor, CCECC Nigeria Limited, late last Monday, described the project as a promise made and kept for the overall

development of the state.

Fayemi had earlier last Monday presented a cheque of N500 million to about 700 landowners whose lands were acquired for the airport project.

The event was held at the conference hall at the Governor’s office.

He said the construction of the airport runway pavement would be completed within 15 months in line with the timeline agreed with the contractors.

Represented by the state Deputy

Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, at the handing over of the site to the contractor, the governor said payment of compensation to the farmers and owners of economic trees on the land acquired for the airport project would continue until all affected landowners receive their compensation.

Describing the project as a milestone for his administration and the people of the state, Fayemi noted that the importance of the agro-allied

cargo airport to serve as fastest movement of agricultural products to international market cannot be overemphasised.

He explained that Ekiti as an agrarian state is blessed with hardworking farmers and investors who are ready to produce in commercial quantities once there is an assurance that their goods would reach both local and international markets without delay.

Senate Threatens to Arrest Foreign Affairs Perm Sec over Alleged Hidden N4.3bnVouchers Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja The Senate Committee on Public Accounts yesterday threatened to issue warrant of arrest against the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gabriel Adudua, for failing to appear before it over the investigation of N4.3 billion hidden vouchers by the ministry.

The committee relied on the 2017 report of the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF) which revealed that a total of 289 vouchers under capital expenditure and 453 vouchers under overhead expenditure in the sum of N3.05 billion and N1.3 billion respectively, were not requested from auditors when requested for.

The ministry, which had been

scheduled to appear yesterday to respond to the issues raised by the Auditor General, however, declined to appear.

In a letter dated March 15, 2021, submitted to the committee, the permanent secretary said the ministry was still trying to compile the vouchers for the committee.

Piqued by the permanent secretary’s response, the Chairman of the committee, Senator Matthew

Uhroghide, said the issues raised against the ministry are grievous, and gave the ministry 48 hours to appear before the committee or else the query would be sustained.

He said the ministry is notorious, considering the number of queries before the committee, adding that it is the only ministry which is not ready to account for appropriated fund.

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MARCH 10, 2021

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

What is the True Financial State of the NationalAssembly?

Spokespersons for the Senate and the House of Representatives, Senator Basiru Ajibola and Hon. Benjamin Kalu respectively disagree on the financial situation of the National Assembly, prompting Chuks Okocha to ask if National Assembly is broke

Lawan

Gbajabiamila

Basiru

Kalu

D

espite an increase of over Three Billion Naira in the yearly budget for the National Assembly, there are indicators that the Senate and the House of Representatives are in deep financial crisis.

It is even more apparent as the House of Representatives last week acknowledged that it is broke and needed more financial 4allocations.

But many analysts are quick to ask, how the National Assembly with such a huge budget could go down financially.

For the records, the National Assembly under Senator David Mark had a yearly budget of N150 billion, while the 8th National Assembly under Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki received a reduced budget of N125 billion for four years.

But in the 9th National Assembly, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration increased the budget to N128 billion and the National Assembly is on the first line charge in the disbursement of their budgetary allocations.

In 7th and 8th National Assembly, aides of the presiding officers fared better, but in the 9th National Assembly, the aides earn about half of what their colleagues earned in the former assemblies.

The legislative over sight functions are indirectly sponsored by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Only five committees’ oversights are funded.

They are Rules and Business; Ethics, Public Account; Anti-Corruption; and Senate Services.

Other committees rely on MDAs to fund their oversight functions. Lawmakers’ salaries and other renumerations are delayed. Lawmakers who took loans to fund their elections are struggling to pay back It is still in doubt if the National Assembly sat up to the 181 legislative days stipulated for it to sit in a year. This contention was imminent in the 2019/2020 legislative year before the Coronavirus pandemic In terms of their basic salaries, the senators receive N13. 5 million per year, while the members of the House of Representatives receive N11 5 million, but the recent constant adjournment and sitting for one day only every week or twice in one week, has raised the question on whether the National Assembly

is broke or facing any financial crunch.

The second chamber of the National Assembly, that is , the House of Representatives last week said in clear terms that it was broke and could not afford to carry out its constitutional mandate effectively.

The spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu (APC-Abia) disclosed that the Green Chamber is financially broke and therefore could not discharge its constitutional duties. .

The lawmaker said the budget of the National Assembly should be reviewed upward to enable it cope with the situation.

“Yes the house is broke, I have said it before and I am saying it again and I am not afraid of saying it.

“This is the fact until Nigerians believe that the appropriation that was made for the running of the National Assembly which was done when the exchange rate of the Naira to the Dollar was 180 is less now than what it used to be.

“The Dollar equivalent today has gone up to over N400, the purchasing power of the budget as it is now, is weaker than it was 10 years ago,” he said.

Kalu said that he had fought with the

The legislative over sight functions are indirectly sponsored by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Only five committees’ oversights are funded. They are Rules and Business; Ethics, Public Account; Anti-Corruption; and Senate Services. Other committees rely on MDAs to fund their oversight functions. Lawmakers’ salaries and other renumerations are delayed. Lawmakers who took loans to fund their elections are struggling to pay back. It is still in doubt if the National Assembly sat up to the 181 legislative days stipulated for it to sit in a year. This contention was imminent in the 2019/2020 legislative year before the Coronavirus pandemic in terms of their basic salaries, the senators receive N13. 5 million per year, while the members of the House of Representatives receive N11 5 million, but the recent constant adjournment and sitting for one day only every week or twice in one week, has raised the question on whether the National Assembly is broke or facing any financial crunch. The second chamber of the National Assembly, that is , the House of Representatives last week said in clear terms that it was broke and could not afford to carry out its constitutional mandate effectively. The spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu (APC-Abia) disclosed that the Green Chamber is financially broke and therefore could not discharge its constitutional duties.

leadership of the House, while asking the question.

“Why are you afraid to raise the budget of the National Assembly that will enable us to conduct our services efficiently and effectively?

“We appropriate for agencies to run effectively and yet, we are in penury trying to run our own constitutional mandate, it is a disservice to Nigerians. The poor budget of the parliament is a disservice to Nigerians,” he said.

The spokesman explained that the N128 billion appropriated for the National Assembly was divided among all the agencies in the parliament about 6,000 members of staff and lawmakers aides.

Kalu said that legislators needed professional experts to work with them to produce laws and motions hat would address the needs of the people.

“If you go to U.S., you see professors who are consulting and working directly with members of parliament,” he said.

But his counterpart in the Senate, Senator Ajibola Basiru, All Progressives Congress, APC, Osun Central countered Kalu’s position by insisting that the Senate was not broke or facing any financial crisis.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ajibola Basiru, All Progressives Congress, APC, Osun Central said that the National Assembly does not require money before it could sit.

Senator Basiru who was apparently responding to the cash crunch story, said, “We are in the 9th of March and we have a 12-month calendar. There is nothing that says we won’t sit for 180 days. It is therefore irresponsible for anybody to insinuate that we would not sit for 180 days. Those who are saying we won’t achieve the mandatory 180 days are just creating unnecessary tension where there is none.

“Nobody can predict that we won’t sit for 180 days, it is too early in the year to determine that. Despite last year’s lockdown, we achieved our mandatory 180 days sitting. nOne thing is clear from the comments of the spokespersons of the Senate and House of Representatives, one is speaking tongue in-cheek, while the other is saying it as it is.

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MARCH 10, 2021

POLITICS

Al-Makura’s Profile in Political Doggedness

GOVERNANCE IN PHOTOS

Ndubuisi Ezenna x-rays the political trajectory of former Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, against the background of the push to draft him to join the race for the national chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress

Al-Makura

I

n a recent interview, which featured Senator Tanko Al-Makura’s young daughter, Iman, she made a statement about her father, which profundity she might not have understood. Asked if her choice of career ever pitched her against her parents, given that as holder of a combined honours degree in Law and International Relations, University of Sussex, UK, she could have used her father’s influence to secure for herself a juicy job or live on her parent’s affluence like other children of the ruling class, Iman said: “My father is a very, very simple man.

The same goes for my mother. And don’t forget that my father is a businessman…. His father, that is, my grandfather, was equally a renowned businessman.”

It was not just an apt description of the man, but also a domestic endorsement of the Al-Makura the outsiders see. In other words, what the world sees is the true picture of the former Governor of Nasarawa State. Down to earth, nothing about the Ahmadu Bello University graduate gives him away to anyone meeting him outside the corridors of power as one of the men, who ‘run the show’ in the country.

He was already a multi-billion Naira businessmen before coming into politics. He has been an astute businessman since the 70s. He is the Chairman of Al-Makura Nigeria Limited, a company that is into importing and servicing agricultural and industrial machinery. He is also a big player in the real estate sector with his company, Ta’al Nigeria Limited having properties in Nigeria’s major cities and in the United States of America. Al-Makura is also the owner of the prestigious Ta’al Lake Resort, Abuja and the Ta’al Conference Hotel, Lafia. Those who know him well, say he was a very content man before he dabbled into politics. Yet you don’t see it in his unassuming conducts.

Political Tenacity But Al-Makura depicts the lion: he moves quietly, but shows mettle, and strength when the chips are down. In 2011, for instance, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was the dominant party in his native Nasarawa State, toyed with the lion’s tail over the governorship ticket. Al-Makura picked the ticket of the newly formed Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) where he beat the PDP. However, it was not by any chance his political baptism. In 1980, Al-Makura was already the Youth Leader of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the old Plateau State. The NPN was the ruling party in Nigeria, but the main opposition in old Plateau State, which was then controlled by the Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) and those who knew the young Al-Makura said he was a hard nut to crack.

By the time the former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd) was working towards a new constitution in line with the regime’s transition to civil rule programme,

Al-Makura was elected into the 547-member 1988/1989 Constituent Assembly headed by the late Justice Anthony Aniagolu, JSC. He consolidated his experience and knowledge of party administration and politics with his election and service as the State Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC) from 1990 to 1992. He joined forces with compatriots in the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) in the days of General Sani Abacha’s ill-fated transition programme.

At the nurturing of the present democratic dispensation, Al-Makura joined the PDP as a founding member and paid his dues as a grassroots mobliser and political machine.

He worked for the party and was one of its financiers. But the party let him down. In 2007, the PDP ceded its governorship ticket to the Alhaji Aliyu Doma (may his soul rest in peace). Meanwhile, Doma joined the PDP fold in 2006 after contesting against the party as the governorship candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (APP/ANPP) in 1999 and 2003.

Although Doma won the 2007 election, there were general discontent among Nasarawa PDP and the people with his performance and Al-Makura was among those, who challenged the incumbent governor for the PDP ticket in the 2011 governorship election.

Denied the PDP ticket in what many have considered as very questionable circumstances, the Al-Makura Campaign Organisation pressed on, insisting Doma’s emergence in 2007 was an error that had resulted in lack of quality leadership and democracy dividends, and must be corrected.

‘We cannot fold our arms and watch while the state is drifting into a bottomless pit. We want to rise up now to get him out of office through a popular mandate. This is the time to correct the error that was made in 2007”, the campaign organisation had told newsmen at the time.

But actualising a governorship or any other political ambition in Nasarawa outside of the PDP at the time was more like the dream of a malaria patient. “Since the advent of democracy in 1999, Nasarawa has been governed by the PDP. This total domination of power by the PDP has led to the near absence of viable political parties in the state, as virtually the entire political force congregate under the PDP in a stiff contest for control of power. The calculation is that a ticket of the PDP to contest for any position is as good as a victory in the general elections”, a national daily stated in its August 2010 analysis. It concluded that “On the face value, the PDP looks set to retain the governorship seat in 2011.”

Nevertheless, the silent hurricane, AlMakura, rose to the challenge, leading his supporters to the newly formed CPC where Muhammadu Buhari was the presidential candidate and successfully enacted one of the major upsets of the 2011 election by defeating incumbent Governor Doma.

However, with CPC occupying only four out of 24 seats of the State House of Assembly, Al-Makura was like a man dropped in the pond of sharks and needed skillful maneuver through obstacles, harassments and threats posed by a PDP-dominated House, their federal might, and forces of the old order, surviving a scary impeachment attempt in 2014.

Despite all this tribulation as the only CPC Governor, Al-Makura refused to defect to or take cover in the ruling PDP. He remained loyal to the party and even went on to win a second term in 2015, leaving behind trailblazing records in good governance and democracy dividends in 2019. The incumbent, Governor Abdullahi Sule, described him as the architect of modern Nasarawa State.

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

From left- Special Adviser to Osun Governor on Works and Transport, Engr.Toke Olaniyan; Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr.Oluremi Omowaiye; Governor State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola; Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Builders, Osun Chapter, Hon. Rufus Oyegbile; Commissioner for Lands Physical Planning, Hon. Nathaniel Agunbiade and Special Adviser on Lands and Physical Planning, Hon. Bakare Akande, during a courtesy visit to the Governor by members of Nigerian Institute of Builders Osun Chapter at Governor’s office, Abere, Osogbo

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State (left) canvassing votes from the Aba community at a Peoples Democratic Party mega rally for Hon. Chimaobi Ebisike (right), a candidate in the forthcoming by-election for Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency holding on March 27, 2021

L-R: Chairman, Peacekeeping Committee on Herders-Farmers Conflicts in Ogun State, Hon. Kayode Oladele; Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun; Governor Dapo Abiodun; Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Brig. Gen. EJ Amadasun; Director, State Service, David Tuska; Commandant, NSCDC, Hammed Abodunrin and Commandant Amotekun, CP David Akinremi (rtd) after Gov Abiodun presented keys to the 10 patrol vans and 20 motorcycles at the inauguration of the Joint Security Interventions Squad at the Memorial Arcade, Governor’s office, Abeokuta

L-R: A petitioner at the Judicial Panel of Inquiry into Allegations of Human Rights Violations Against Police Officers including officers of the now defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Mrs. Ogunleye Yetunde Ajayi; Ekiti State Deputy -Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; Panel Chairman, Justice Cornelius Akintayo; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wale Fapounda; during the presentation of monetary compensation to victims of EndSARS in Ado-Ekiti

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵˜ ͰͮͰͯ

20

FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 07010510430

Collaborative Partnership in Combating Human Trafficking Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that as part of measures to effectively combat human trafficking and degradation, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons recently sought the partnership of the Nigerian Air Force in areas of intelligence gathering, airlift capabilities and technical training of its personnel

Cross section of senior NAF personnel and NAPTIP officials

N

igeria is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to trafficking in persons including forced labour and forced prostitution. Infact, the prevalent nature of human trafficking has been a burden the government has tried severally to ameliorate.

This global crime against humanity is defined by the United Nations as the “recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.

In 2003, the United Nations’ Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime set up a document titled 'the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women Children, Especially Women and Children'. This protocol is focused on the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of human trafficking.

Of the 193 member states to the UN , 171 states have become party to this protocol and Nigeria is one of those countries that ratified this protocol. However, enforcement has been a challenge.

NAPTIP's Request It was part of measures to implement and enforce the protocol against human trafficking that the Director General (DG), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim recently paid a courtesy call on the hierarchy of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Abuja.

The DG solicited for the assistance of NAF in combating human trafficking and all forms of human degradation in the country, as well as support in the areas of intelligence gathering and technical training of its personnel amongst others. According to her, human trafficking is the second most lucrative criminal enterprise in the world that poses human and strategic risks to national securities of nations.

She went further to state that human trafficking as a form of modern day slavery is lucrative as it is a $150 billion industry, hence the need for all stakeholders to synergise to tackle the menace.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim used the visit to appeal for the support of the NAF in the areas of personnel training and revenue mobilisation, just as she went further to disclose that plans were underway by the agency to establish a training academy and requested for NAF's assistance towards the provision of infrastructure. She also used the visit to request for NAF's assistance in the area of airlift to enable the agency overcome

some of its logistics challenges.

NAF's Assurance In his remarks, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, appreciated the DG for her efforts in addressing the challenges posed by human trafficking in Nigeria and assured her of the NAF’s willingness to partner with NAPTIP towards fighting the menace.

On the request for NAF assistance towards training of NAPTIP personnel and the establishment of a training academy, Air Marshal Amao stated that the agency could leverage on NAF School of Air Intelligence at Makurdi towards training some of its personnel in acquiring basic intelligence knowledge to bring them up to speed in intelligence gathering to combat human trafficking.

Speaking further, he assured the agency of airlift whenever required. The CAS therefore directed the Chief of Training and Operations, to constitute a team comprising NAF and NAPTIP personnel to work out modalities of harmonising all requests and bringing the collaboration to fruition, adding that “It is good that we all work together to keep our citizens and nation safe”.

According to NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, those present during the visit include the NAF Chiefs of Policy & Plans, Training & Operations and Administration along with some senior management staff of NAPTIP. Role of NAPTIP The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) was created on July 14, 2003 by the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2003.

The agency is the Federal Government of Nigeria’s response to addressing the scourge of trafficking in persons. It is a fulfillment of the country’s international obligation under the Trafficking in Persons Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children, supplementing the United Nations Transnational Organised Crime Convention (UNTOC).

Nigeria became a signatory to the Transnational Organised Crime Convention and its Trafficking in Persons Protocol on December 13, 2000. Article 5 of the Trafficking Protocol enjoins States Parties to criminalise practices and conduct that subject human beings to all forms of exploitation which includes in the minimum sexual and labour exploitation.

The Trafficking in Persons Act 2003 was an outcome of a private member bill sponsored at the National Assembly by the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF), a non-governmental organisation founded by Mrs. Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar, the wife of the Vice-President of Nigeria at

DG National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Hajiya Imaan SulaimanIbrahim in a dialogue with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao that time.

The Bill was passed by the National Assembly on July 7, 2003 and Presidential Assent given on July 14, 2003. The law which is operational throughout the country created NAPTIP as a specific multi-disciplinary crime-fighting agency and the nation’s focal institution to fight the scourge of trafficking in persons in the country using the four pronged approach of Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership.

The Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003 went through an amendment in 2005 in a bid to further strengthen the Agency. However, in 2015, as a result of the new trends in the crime of trafficking in persons and the need to further strengthen the institutional framework, the Act was repealed and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition), Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 was enacted. The new Act received Presidential assent on March 26, 2015.

Essentially, the function of the agency is to enforce and administer the provisions of this Act; Co-ordinate and enforce all other laws on Trafficking in persons and related offences; Adopt effective measures for the prevention and eradication of trafficking in persons and related offences; Establish co-ordinated preventive, regulatory and investigatory machinery geared towards the eradication of trafficking in persons; and Investigate all cases of trafficking in persons including forced labour, child labour, forced prostitution, exploitative labour and other forms of exploitation, slavery and slavery – like activities, bonded labour, removal of organs, illegal smuggling of migrants, sale and purchase of persons.

Others include Encourage and facilitate the availability and participation of persons who voluntarily, consent to assist in investigations or proceedings relating to trafficking in persons and related offences; Enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement agents and other partners in the suppression of trafficking in persons; Create public enlightenment and awareness through seminars, workshops, publications, radio and television programmes and other means aimed at educating the public on the dangers of trafficking in persons; and Establish and maintain communications to facilitate rapid exchange of information concerning offences under this Act. The agency also Conducts research and strengthen effective legal means of international co-operation in suppressing trafficking in persons; Implement all bilateral and multilateral treaties and conventions on trafficking in persons adopted by Nigeria; Strengthens co-operation and conduct joint operations with relevant law enforcement and security agencies, international authorities and other relevant partners in the eradication of trafficking in persons; Co-ordinates, supervise and control the protection, assistance

and rehabilitation of trafficked persons and all functions and activities relating to investigation and prosecution of all offences connected with or relating to trafficking in persons; and Adopts measures to identify, trace, freeze, confiscate or seize proceeds, property, funds or other assets derived from trafficking in persons or related offences.

They also conduct research on factors responsible for internal and external trafficking in persons and initiate programmes and strategies aimed at the prevention and elimination of the problem; Facilitate rapid exchange of scientific and technical information concerning or relating to trafficking in persons; Collaborate with government bodies both within and outside Nigeria whose functions are similar to those of the agency in the area of the: movement of proceeds or properties derived from trafficking in persons and other related offences; identities, location and activities of persons suspected of being involved in trafficking in persons and other related offences; and exchange of personnel and other experts and Establish and maintain a system for monitoring trans-border activities relating to trafficking in persons in order to identify suspicious movements and persons involved.

Finally, they are to deal with matters connected with the extradition and deportation of persons involved in trafficking in persons and other mutual legal assistance between Nigeria and any other country in trafficking in persons, subject to the supervision of the minister; Initiate, develop and improve special training programmes for personnel of the agency and relevant law enforcement agents charged with the responsibility of detecting offences created under this Act; and Carry out such other activities as are necessary for the efficient discharge of the functions conferred on it under this Act. With the powers bestowed on it, the agency has the power to Investigate whether any person, body or entity has committed an offence under this Act or the offence of trafficking under any other law; Enter into any premises, property or conveyance for the purpose of conducting searches in furtherance of its functions; and Arrest, detain and prosecute offenders under this Act or any other law on trafficking in persons in Nigeria.

They are also to Trace, seize, detain or retain the custody, for the purpose of investigation and prosecution, of any property which the agency reasonably believes to have been involved in or used in the commission of offences; Seal up premises upon reasonable suspicion of such premises being involved with or used in connection with offences under the Act; and Seek and receive information from any person, authority, corporation or company without hindrance in respect of the enforcement of any of the provisions of this Act.

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T H I S D AY ˾ MARCH 17, 2021

FEATURES

Trailing Coca-Cola’s Strides in Women Empowerment To commemorate the 2021 International Women's Day, Chiamaka Ozulumba highlights areas that Coca Cola Nigeria Limited has empowered women over the years

One of women empowerment programmes carried out by Coca Cola

Lady mechanics

T

he economic empowerment of women remains a burning issue in countries across the world. On International Women’s Day, a day set aside to celebrate the social, cultural, political and economic achievements of women, issues around women empowerment generally come to the fore. In many parts of the world, women still face discrimination in areas of remuneration, education and governance. As a result, women are often labelled vulnerable with their lack of power, influence and access to economic resources.

Due to the harsh economic climate and unemployment rate in many parts of the world, it has become more desirable for households to have gainfully employed couples to contribute to the larger economy than to have homes with unemployed, full-time housewives.

Also, there has been an increase in single parenthood as many cultures are beginning to embrace the decision of women to raise their families single-handedly either by choice or circumstances. Whether they are breadwinners or not, women are entitled to their economic autonomy just as their male counterparts in order to care for their health, fend for their children and other dependents.

5by20 Initiative With the global awareness on women economic rights, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited recognises the potential in women to make significant contributions to the economy. This conviction led to the birth of the “5by20” initiative, a Coca-Cola program designed to help uplift and empower five million female entrepreneurs – from fruit farmers and artisans, to recyclers and retailers – to become part of its value chain by 2020.

The initiative, which began in 2010 and ended in 2020, saw numerous projects funded by Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited along with its bottling partner, Nigerian Bottling Company for the economic inclusion of over 450,000 women across the country. The women were equipped to overcome social and economic barriers through the provision of basic business skills, access to financial services and assets, connections with peers and mentors, along with the confidence that comes with building a thriving business. The 5by20 initiative targeted women in six segments of Coca Cola’s value chain: producers, suppliers, distributors, retailers, recyclers and artisans. As of 2019, over 4.6 million women in over 90 countries had started businesses as part of the 5by20 program.

Consistently, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and its bottling partner, Ni-

Center Owerri, Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and many others. The initiative, through its partners, Medshare International has also trained over 150 technical staff in these health centres; with many others scheduled to be trained in 2021/2022.

Women at the SHAPE 2020 programme

gerian Bottling Company has leveraged diverse platforms to implement the 5by20 initiative to better fit local needs as well as make a greater impact using various platforms. These include the IDP Women Value Chain Integration Programme which is a two-day microbusiness empowerment scheme for over 50 internally displaced women.

In addition, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and the United Kingdom Department for International Development of Girls Education launched the Educating Nigerian Girls in Nigeria Enterprise (ENGINE) Value Program aimed at strengthening the educational and economic opportunities of the Nigerian girl-child. Through the programme, Coca-Cola improved the learning outcomes and economic status of over 21,000 marginalised adolescent girls in Kano, Kaduna, Abuja and Lagos.

Lady Mechanic Initiative Another interesting intervention by Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited is The Lady Mechanic initiative which empowered about 100 girls in Benin through automechanic skills capability development.

Today, the initiative has broken the glass ceiling or gender barrier that is largely associated with the automobile profession which had been deemed by some as off-limits for women. The reality is that the empowered women under this initiative are all now employers of labour.

SHAPE Programme The SHAPE 2020 programme is yet another women empowerment program implemented by Whitefield Foundation, sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and endorsed by Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation. With a $66,000 grant, the women-focused intervention trained and equipped “at-risk”

and “underserved” women in local communities with transferable skills such as catering, cosmetics, fashion designing, soap-making, amongst others.

Safe Birth Initiative According to the World Health Organisation in 2020, the maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria is 814 per 100,000 live births, accounting for 20 per cent of global maternal deaths. One of the contributing factors for this sad reality is the lack of access to quality and affordable health care facilities. In response to this dire situation, CocaCola Nigeria Limited launched its Safe Birth Initiative to impact the lives of expectant mothers and their babies.

The Safe Birth Initiative is a social investment from Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited in partnership with Medshare International, the Federal Government through the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, and the Federal Ministry of Health.

The initiative seeks to support the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on maternal and neonatal mortality; with a key focus on improving the capacity of selected public hospitals through the procurement of vital maternal and neonatal medical equipment and training personnel in biomedical engineering to improve equipment maintenance and uptime, while reactivating a large stock of abandoned medical equipment wasting away in public hospitals.

For this project, Coca-Cola will donate a total of thirty-six 40ft containers of medical equipment, kits and supplies worth over N3.8b to tertiary hospitals like the Federal Medical Center Ebute Metta Lagos, Abuja National Hospital, Alimosho General Hospital, University Teaching Hospital Ilorin, Federal Medical

Grants The Coca-Cola Foundation, through the New World Program (NWP), has also awarded a grant worth $100,000 to the Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC) towards implementing a Recycling Scheme for Women and Youth Empowerment (RESWAYE).In the same vein, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and its bottling partner, the Nigerian Bottling Company, have announced a collaboration aimed at empowering 1,000 women in Lagos State. The selected women received training in financial literacy and business skills as well as start-up capital to integrate them into the Coca-Cola value chain as retailers of the company’s beverage products.

Economic Model of Empowering Women While reflecting on these initiatives, the Managing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Alfred Olajide, reaffirms the importance of creating an economic model that empowers women and hinges on sustainability.

“Women constitute a significant part of the world's shared success because we recognize their roles not just as homemakers and influencers but as drivers of economic growth and pillars of their communities and business systems. At Coca-Cola, we have initiated these numerous projects through partnerships with non-governmental organisations, women leaders and the government to improve the lives of women who participate in the 5by20 projects. The entrepreneurial spirit of these women has made a positive impact on the larger economy through our value chain whether as retailers, suppliers, producers, artisans and mentors”.

Women constitute a major pillar as part of Coca-Cola’s sustainability agenda, this is evident in the numerous initiatives highlighted. Through scalable models and powerful partnerships, Coca-Cola continues to facilitate the development of women while creating shared value for their host communities.

With the results proving the efficacy of their programmes, there is no doubt that the company continues to live its purpose of refreshing the world and making a difference in the lives of many.

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WEDNESDAY MARCH 17, 2021 •T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵˜ 2021

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

A S

REPO 16.33 15.33

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

12.50 9.50 11

A T

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

M A R C H

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

564.82% -0.14% -0.14

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

5 ,

2 0 2 1

- 15.73% - 15.73%

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

Quick Takes NCRIB Names Adaramola ES

FACILITY TOUR

L-R Head of Marketing, Samsung Electronics Nigeria, Iretiogo Oke; Head, Consumer Electronics, Samsung Nigeria, Oluwaremilekun Ogunsan; Business Manager, TD Africa, Damilola Sanya; Marketing Manager, Samsung Nigeria, Chika Nnadozie, and Manager, TD Experience Centre, Chidalu Ekeh, during a tour of the Samsung Consumer Electronics Experience Store at the Tech Experience Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos....Today

Nigeria’s Crude Oil Production Declined by 19.6% in Q4 Obinna Chima Nigeria’s crude oil production declined by 19.6 per cent to an average of 1.52 million barrels per day (mbpd) in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared with the 1.89 mbpd recorded in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disclosed this in its fourth quarter 2020 economic report.

The report revealed that of the 1.52 mbpd produced in the review period, an average of 1.07 mbpd was exported, while the balance was allocated for domestic consumption.

The decline in production was as a result of Nigeria’s commitment to the OPEC+ production cuts agreement aimed at supporting the rebalancing of the crude oil market and hence

ECONOMY prices.

However, Nigeria’s production was expected to increase from January 2021, as OPEC+ agreed to increase total production by 0.50 mbpd by January 2021, until it gradually reaches its two mbpd target agreed at the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC).

It explained: “Domestic crude oil production and export recorded a slight decrease in the fourth quarter of 2020, as the OPEC+ sustained its agreed production cuts with improved compliance from Nigeria and other countries participating in the DoC. “Nigeria’s crude oil production, including Agbami, recorded an estimated decline of 0.01 million barrels per day

(mbpd) or 0.7 per cent, to an average of 1.52 mbpd in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared with the 1.53 mbpd produced in the third quarter of 2020.”

Also, the report showed that growth prospect in the period under review was weak as the macroeconomic instability associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and weak crude oil prices, amidst other structural factors, continued to dampen the near-term outlook for the Nigerian economy.

Furthermore, it stated that the performance of the economy continued to be weighed down largely by the headwinds associated with the resurgence in COVID-19 pandemic and weak crude oil prices. Consequently, growth was expected to remain subdued as economic activities

remained tepid and lingering structural challenges continued to accentuate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Staff estimates showed that real GDP would record higher growth in the first quarter of 2021, given current economic fundamentals.

“However, by the first quarter of 2021, the economy is expected to be more resilient, following continuous monetary and fiscal policies interventions, including the judicious execution of the stimulus package of N2.3 trillion and the likely roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“These, coupled with possible rebound in crude oil prices and improved consumer demand, are expected to moderate the rate of contraction in the near-term Continued on page 24

Stock Market Sheds N193bn as Investors Await Clarity on Demutualisation Goddy Egene The market capitalisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has declined by N173 billion as the euphoria that greeted the completion of its demutualisation gave way to apprehension and anxiety among stakeholders.

The news of the completion of the demutualisation last Wednesday had sent excitements to the capital market community.

Although there are expectations that the demutualisation of the exchange would benefit the market and the economy generally, the market has remained bearish.

Between last Wednesday and Monday this week, the NSE capitalisation has declined by N193 billion, falling from N20.369

CAPITAL MARKET trillion to N20.176 trillion, while NSE All-Share Index depreciated from 38,931.25 to 38,561.84.

Some market operators attributed the decline to the ‘wait and see’ attitude of investors, who they said, were waiting for more clarity on the next step the exchange would take to ensure smooth transition to the new status.

A stockbroker and Chief Executive Officer of CEO, Sofunix Investment and Communications, Mr. Sola Oni, had said: “some investors may adopt wait and see attitude due to lack of understanding of the benefits while nervous ones will not hesitate to sell off their stocks.”

According to him, the NSE

would need to do a lot more on public enlightenment on the benefits of the demutualisation for them to understand better.

Another market operator said the exchange should bring more clarity on how it is going about the transition, stating the fate of all stakeholders.

“Since the NSE will now become a public company, how will it carry out its regulatory function? Will the shares be listed now or when? What will now be the level of corporate governance considering our environment? Will the common man have access to the shares?

What about the stockbroking community, will there be new requirement for more capitalisation among others? These are some of questions agitating the minds of stakeholders and the

NSE needs to provide answers,” the operator said.

The Chairman of the Chairman of Association Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON),Chief Onyewenchukwu Ezeagu, had said the completion of the demutulisation of the exchange was one of his happiest moments.

“The development is one of my happiest moments as the Chairman of ASHON having along with other critical stakeholders delivered on the mandate to demutualise the exchange.

Demutualisation will enhance the effective transformation of not only the NSE but also the entire securities ecosystem in particular,” Ezeagu said.

Also speaking in the same vein, Continued on page 24

TheGoverningBoardoftheNigerianCouncilofRegisteredInsurance Brokers (NCRIB) has appointed Mr.Tope Adaramola as the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the council.

He will take over from Mr. Fatai Adegbenro, who retires from the Council in May, 2021.

Adaramola, who is currently the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Council, joined the NCRIB in 2004 as the pioneer Public Relations Manager.

A 1989 graduate of Political Science and Industrial Relations (MILR) from the University of Ibadan, Adaramola, had earlier worked as a reporter with Ogun Radio, Abeokuta; served as Press Secretary to the Ogun State Government between 1991 and 1998, from where he joined the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) in 1998, as the second Public Relations Professional to be engaged by the association.

WhileintheCouncil,Adaramola,rosethroughtheranksandavailedthe entire industry his expertise in Public Relations and public speaking for which he was renowned.

HewasalsoamemberoftheeditorialteamoftheCharteredInsurance Institute of Nigeria and the NCRIB and served on several Industry Committees, including the Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC). He was the pioneer Secretary of the Insurance Industry Image Committee.

Awosika, Others for Awards

TheexecutivevicechairmanofTroykaHoldings,FeyijimiAwosika;the GroupManagingDirectorofCMCBCW,YomiBadejo-Okusanya;Group Managing Director, mediaReach OMDWest And Central Africa,Tolu Ogunkoya, and Group managing director, Oracle Experience, Dr. Felix King Eiremiokhae, have been nominated by industry stakeholders for the 2021 The Industry Lifetime awards.

The honour will be conferred on the integrated marketing communication industry professionals at this year “The Industry Evening Summit’ scheduled to hold on April 2, 2021, in Lagos.

FormerAdvertisingPractitionersCouncilofNigeria,(APCON)Chairman andGroupManagingDirector,PrimaGarnet,LoluAkinwunmi;former APCON chairman and GMD SO&U, Udeme Ufot, and GMD, CandF, Nna’emeka Maduegbuna, won the 2020 edition.

“The Industry Evening Summit has become a flagship platform that bringsallthemarketingandmarketingcommunicationsprofessionals acrossthecontinenttogetherannually,”astatementfromtheorganisers explained.

According to the chairman of the award committee, Akin Adewakun, the honour for the deserving professionals was overdue, going by their antecedents in their chosen professions.

“Awosika, who has distinguished himself in the creative advertising, has been a reference point in the industry for both older and younger professionals.

“HisprofessionalcareerstartedearlyattheoldNigerianBroadcasting Corporation where he often worked in the newsroom as a vacation jobber.

Liquid Telecom Unveils New Identity

Liquid IntelligentTechnologies, a pan-African technology group has announced the culmination of its extensive business transformation frombeingatelecommunications and digital services provider to a full one-stop-shop technology group through a group-wide rebrand.

A statement explained that over the last two decades, Liquid had established itself as the leading pan-African digital infrastructure provider with an extensive network spanning over 73,000 KM. It stated that the rebrand to Liquid Intelligent Technologies highlights the organisation’s expansion of its Cloud business, Cyber Security services, and other technologies added to its existing telecoms and connectivity capability.

“This furthers the Group’s aim of accelerating growth by providing tailor-made digital solutions to businesses in the public and private sectors across the continent.

“This strategic rebrand reflects Liquid’s new digital-first product offerings, enabling employees and customers to interact with each other digitally irrespective of the time or location,” it added.

“We adopt an inclusive stakeholder management approach; integrate sustainability into our core business model and strategy; embed sustainability concept and practice companywide”,

CEO, Seplat,

Mr. Roger Brown

24

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵˜ ͰͮͰͯ

BUSINESSWORLD NIGERIA’S CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION DECLINED BY 19.6% IN Q4 and speed up recovery in 2021,” it stated.

According to the report, at N2.208 trillion, federally collected revenue in the fourth quarter of 2020 fell by 13.1 per cent and 8.3 per cent below the budget benchmark and the level in the preceding quarter, respectively, and was also 16.8 per cent below the collections in the corresponding period of 2019.

Oil receipts accounted for 44.6 per cent of the total collection, while non-oil constituted the balance of 55.4 per cent.

It explained that the relatively low receipts recorded in the review period underscored the lingering effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic and global economic activities.

“Similarly, the retained revenue of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), at N903.52 billion, fell by 38.1 per cent and 39.0 per cent below its quarterly benchmark and collections in the fourth quarter of 2019, respectively.

STOCK MARKET SHEDS N193BN AS INVESTORS AWAIT CLARITY ON DEMUTUALISATION

the Managing Director, Highcap Securities Limited, Mr. David Adonri, said the demutualisation was remarkable because the idea was muted over 10 years ago. “From today, the NSE has become a company which is driven by profit motive. Instead of ordinary and dealing members, it has shareholders now. Erstwhile dealing members are now clients of the exchange. The NSE can henceforth exploit all avenues for raising capital, instead of relying on the meagre contributions of its members. It is a big transformation wherein the possibilities are endless,” he said. Adonri explained that the transformation would be monumental, saying that its relationship with stakeholders would change and become more commercially oriented.

Group Business Editor

ÌÓØØË ÒÓ×Ë Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

××Ë ÕÙØÔÓ Asst. Editor, Money Market ß×Ï ÕÏÑÒÏ Senior Correspondent

ËÒÏÏ× ÕÓØÑÌÙÖß (Advertising) Correspondents

ÒÓØÏÎß äÏ (Aviation) ÜÙ×ÙÝÏÖÏ ÌÓÙÎßØ (Maritime) Ë×ÏÝ ×ÏÔÙ (Finance) ÌÏÜÏ áÙÔÓ (Insurance) ÒÓØÏ×Ï ÕËÐÙÜ (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters

ÙÝË ÖÏÕÒßÙÑÓÏ (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

NEWS

AGF Advocates Quarterly Audit of MDAs Stories by James Emejo in Abuja The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Ahmed Idris has advocated for quarterly audit of ministries, departments and agencies of government (MDAs) in order to make their duties simple and easy to tackle when financial reports are received.

He said this will also create cooperation, understanding and harmonious working relationship between federal auditors and MDAs. The AGF further opined that in order to curb the pile up of financial reports for auditing, the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation (OAuGF) should carry out quarterly audit of the MDAs as well as renew orientation on the concept and practice of auditing.

Speaking when he received the Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF), Mr. Adolphus Aghughu, who paid him a working visit, Idris further pointed out that it was high time the country adopted modern auditing techniques with ICT tools to makes auditing quicker and most accurate.

He said auditors are not on a witch-hunt mission, but are to advice and give

positive opinion, adding that this would reduce the embarrassment that accounting officers of MDAs receive in public accounts meetings.

In a statement by Director, Information, Press and Public Relations, Mr. Henshaw Ogubike, the AGF noted that both sister agencies have a similar mandate, stressing that, “we cannot have audit

without accounts and we must sustain the cordial relationship for the good of the nation.”

Furthermore, on the submission of financial statement for Audit, Idris said his office has been able to reduce the four years gap of non-submission to only one.

He said: “As at today, the accounts for the 2019 are ready for submission, except for the

fact that we have been asked to wait till work is concluded on the 2018 report.”

He urged Aghughu to sustain the cordial relationship that existed between the gencies which he said is for the good of his office and the system; the good of the Nigerian people and the good of the Nigerian government.

Earlier, the AuGF thanked

Idris for his support and encouragement before and after his appointment.

He solicited for strong collaboration between the Treasury Audit Department of his office and the Consolidated Accounts Department of OAGF in order to timely resolve issues that may cause delay in the completion of work on financial statements.

CAPACITY BUILDING

L-R: Trustee, Animation Nigeria, Dami Solesi; Finalist, Annecy Lagos Animation Workshop, Oyinkan Odunlami; Regional Audiovisual Attaché at the French Embassy in Nigeria, Yoann Talhouarne; Finalist, Annecy Lagos Animation Workshop, Temidayo Odunlami and Cooperation Officer, Embassy of France in Nigeria,PaulLompechattheAnnecyLagosAnimationWorkshopheldinLagos…recently

Motor Dealers Hail Buhari, Customs over Vehicle Tariff Slash The Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari and the ComptrollerGeneral of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali, for heeding its call for a tariff slash on imported vehicles.

This, according to them, would help improve Nigerians’ livelihood and ultimately address the transportation challenges in the country.

The National President of AMDON, Mr. Ajibola Adedoyin, said the decision to reduce the duties and tariff on imported vehicles that carry more than 10 persons

from 35 per cent to five per cent was a soothing development that must be commended.

In an interview with journalists, he, however, urged the government to extend the reduction to cars and minivans that carry less than 10 persons, which according to him, which make up the bulk of the vehicles used for intra-city and intercity transportation.

He said: “It’s a welcome development. We’ve been at the forefront of this for some years now, trying to let the government know that there is a need to allow levies be reduced on imported used vehicles. We’ve

made several presentations to relevant authorities.

“In fact, in this part of our world, that is the only means of transportation accessible to over 200 million people and that is why it’s been part of our cry for the government to bring down the price of imported vehicles.

“We want to really thank Mr President for this gesture and the CG of Customs for presenting our case to the President.”

He added: “However, we feel there’s still room for improvement.

Our line of argument is that whatever affects transportation affects the economy and I think

it was based on that thinking that the reduction in clearing cost was only limited to commercial vehicles and tractors.

“Nonetheless, we want Mr. President to also know that a larger percentage of the so-called cars that are not captured in this reduction are used for commercial transportation. That is why we said the government can do more.

“The cars should be included in this tariff reduction. We are not making a case for luxurious ones.

They shouldn’t have limited it to vehicles that can carry more than 10 persons.

“If you look at our roads, there

are some vehicles that are used for commercial transportation that only carry six or seven passengers.

These sorts of vehicles are widely used commercially.”

The AMDON President also challenged the Nigerian Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and other Nigerian vehicle assemblers to collaboratively come up with a locally designed and produced car that will cost between N1.5 and N1.7 million.

“I can tell you that it is a doable thing. It might not be to some people’s standard but it is doable and will serve well.

FG Inaugurates Governing Board for FCCPC, Consumer Protection Tribunal The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, has inaugurated the governing board of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), with a charge on members to boost the activities of the organisation.

The board was inaugurated alongside the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Tribunal, which is chaired by Hajia Saratu Shafii.

The minister said the two bod-

ies remained crucial in achieving the development goals of the present administration.

However, he said the board has the responsibilities of monitoring staff performance, ensuring more accountability, among others.

He urged members on the board and tribunal to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of their newly assigned duties.

Adebayo, also warned against interference in the daily running of the organisations.

He said: “Let me reiterate that the board shall not be involved in the day-to-day operations which is the sole responsibility of the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of FCCPC, and chairman of the tribunal who are the accounting officers.

“As you are all aware, this present administration has zero tolerance for any form of corruption and this stance must not be compromised in any way.

“Government will punish any

corrupt practices perpetrated by any board members as well as the management team,” Adebayo said.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mariam Katagum, expressed delight on the composition of the two bodies, adding that having a woman as chairman of the tribunal testified to the gender balance stance of the present administration.

She called on the members of

the two bodies to get acquainted with relevant documents and instruments that will guide them in the efficient performance of their duties.

Responding, Shafii, pledged that no stone would be left unturned to ensure Nigerians get value for their money.

She said: “We will protect Nigerians from unfair trade practices. We will change the perception of Nigerians who believed they have been held captive by service providers.”

EU, AFDEC Partner to Train Female Entrepreneurs in Garment Production Nigerian female fashion entrepreneurs now have an opportunity to enhance their skills, improve their competitiveness and earn more through the skill-up programme in garment production.

The empowerment programme is being offered by the African Fashion Development and Empowerment Centre (AFDEC), a not for profit organisation sup-

ported by the European Union and German Development Cooperation, GIZ, through the Nigerian Competitiveness Project.

The training programme which kicked off in Lagos recently in commemoration of International Women Day, is expected to last for a period for two months.

According to the organisers,

the training is free for eligible women-owned enterprises who have been involved in fashion and garment production for a minimum of two years and have a registered business incorporation status with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Speaking about the training, the Founder and Executive Director, AFDEC, Mrs. Adeola Ogunkolade, said participants would learn how

to enhance their businesses and improve their competitiveness within the fashion industry.

“They will also be taught how to manage and optimise the fashion product effectively, and also get acquitted with the fashion evolution and its direction.

“This is indeed the start of a true entrepreneurship for the Nigeria women-owned fashion/

garment industry. This training also focuses on every aspect of the business from project production, commercialisation to distribution and retail and lot more to learn,” she added.

Ogunkolade noted that women empowerment is one way to get the underprivileged as well as the reasonably privileged women to come to realise their worth and full potential.

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As UBA Builds Capacity for More Growth Shareholders of United Bank for Africa Plc should expect higher returns in the near term as the pan-African financial institution retains its earnings to build capacity for better performance, writes Goddy Egene

T

he African continent is full of business opportunities given its underdeveloped nature. There are opportunities in all sectors needing funding, from infrastructure, information and communication technology (ICT) to energy and agriculture among others.

Realising these business opportunities, some banking institutions in Nigeria have, over the years, tried to expand their operations beyond the shores of the country. However, some of the banks had to beat a retreat following the poor results from those foreign subsidiaries.

But United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has continued to operate successfully across the continent with its subsidiaries outside Nigeria contributing over 40 per cent of its earnings. UBA operates in 20 African countries with presence in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France.

Realising the vast opportunities outside Nigeria and having developed competencies to successfully navigate the rough terrains, UBA Plc is building more capacity to ensure better performance and deliver higher returns to shareholders.

This was the reason the bank decided to retain significant portion of profit in 2020 to build more capacity. Despite the many headwinds, compounded

by COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, UBA recorded a highly impressive results, growing both top and bottom-lines by double digits.

However, rather than recommending a higher dividend for the shareholders, UBA adopted a conservative dividend payout. Shareholders are to receive a total dividend of 52 kobo per share for 2020 financial year, compared with 100 kobo paid the previous year.

However, the Group Managing Director/CEO of UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, explained that the bank reduced its dividend payment so as to build the right capacity that would enable the pan-African financial institute to be stronger.

“Yes we did not pay the kind of dividend that was expected but we are building for the future because no one knows what can happen. We have done 72 years as one of the oldest and agile franchises on our continent. We have experience in running businesses not just in Nigeria but all the over the continent and the world.

“We have seen different challenges and we have experienced many things, and as they say, experience is the best teacher. So we decided to take a conservative stance on dividend payout.

What this means is that we have decided to strengthen our capacity to weather any unforeseen development that will come out.

“We have done our stimulation to determine the kind of capacity we want to base on a crystal clear focus of our goals. We know exactly what we want to achieve in the current year and in the mid-term and we decided to make sure that we build the right capacity,” he said.

The audited results of the UBA for the year ended December 31, 2020, showed that gross earnings grew by 10.8 per cent to N620.4 billion, compared to N559.8 billion recorded in 2019.

The bank’s profit before tax (PBT) rose by 18.4 per cent to N131.9 billion, from N111.3 billion in 2019, while PAT grew faster by 27.7 per cent to N113.8 billion compared to N89.1 billion recorded in 2019. The bank’s total assets also grew by 37.0 percent to N7.7 trillion for the year under review.

On the cost side, operating expenses grew by 10.1 per cent to N249.8 billion, as against N217.2 billion in 2019, well below average inflation rate A further analysis of the results showed that UBA recorded a remarkable 24 per cent growth (to N2.6 trillion) in loans to customers, whilst customer deposits increased by 48.1 per cent to N5.7 trillion, compared to N3.8 trillion recorded in 2019, reflecting increased customer confidence, enhanced customer experience, successes from the ongoing business transformation programme and the further deepening of its retail banking franchise.

According to Uzoka, the year 2020 was important for UBA Group, as it gained further market share in most of its countries of operation.

“We ended a very challenging year on a reassuring note. The Bank recorded double-digit growth in both our top and bottom lines, as gross earnings and after-tax profit grew by 10.8 per cent and 27.7 per cent to N620.4billion and N113.8 billon respectively.

“Return on equity was 17.2 per cent, even as

Uzokaour cost-to-income ratio moderated to 61.3 per cent. Our earnings per share of N3.20 is a 26.8 per cent growth from the preceding year, as we continue to ensure maximum value creation for our highly esteemed shareholders,” he said.

Uzoka said despite the tumultuous impact of Covid-19 pandemic globally and across our 23 countries of operation, UBA created N519.0 billion additional loans as it continued to support its customers and their businesses.

“Customer deposits grew 48.1 per cent to N5.7 trillion, driven primarily by additional N1.8 trillion in retail deposits. As a global bank, we remain well capitalized and determined to successfully drive financial inclusion on the continent through our innovative products and vast network. Our capital adequacy and liquidity ratios came in at 22.4 per cent and 44.3 per cent, well above the respective regulatory minimum of 15.0 per cent and 30 per cent,” he added.

Speaking on the bank’s strategy, the GCEO said: “Our primary strategy will continue to focus on providing excellent services from our customers’ standpoint, putting the customer first always. Looking ahead, I am inspired by the achievements we have made since the launch of our transformation programme. We have expanded market share considerably across the geographies where we operate and are consolidating our digital banking leadership in Africa. We will continue to leverage our diversified business model and dedicated workforce to further strengthen our position as ‘Africa’s Global Bank’.”

Also speaking on the performance, the Group Chief Financial Officer(GCFO), Ugo Nwaghodoh said: “The persistent low interest rate environment in 2020 exerted significant downward pressure on margins. Notwithstanding, our interest income for the year grew by 5.7 per cent (to N427.9 billion), driven by 8.2 per cent and 7.5 per cent year-on-year growth on interest income on loans and investment securities respectively. Our interest expense declined by 8.0 per cent (to N168.4billion) driven largely by a 34.2 per cent decline in interest

expense on customer deposits in our Nigerian operations, bringing down the Group’s cost of funds to 2.9 percent, from 4.0 per cent in 2019.”

Nwaghodoh said they had prudently stepped-up their reserves for loan impairments, hence the 37.4 per cent growth to N22.4billion, implying a 0.9 per cent cost of risk.

“These reserves provide adequate cover for impairments and should help minimise the need for further reserves in the current year, in view of the improving global operating environment. Our NPL ratio has declined to 4.7 per cent (from 5.3 per cent in 2019), driven by growth in the loan book, robust credit risk monitoring architecture, and payment of past due obligations (PDOs),” he said.

The CFO explained that as that as Nigeria continues to see signs of recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic led by resumption of economic activities across the globe, increase in consumer spending, and continued progress on vaccine deployment, UBA is well- positioned for greater synergy across the group.

“We remain committed to our prudent risk management practices, and optimistic of best value for our stakeholders in the days ahead,” he stated.

Looking at the results, analysts at Cordros Securities the pandemic’s impact was not apparent on income UBA’s generation, given strong performances in both funded and non-funded income growth during the year. According to them, the reduced dividend may be tied to the need to be prudent, given the still under pressure operating environment.

Analysing the results, Cordros Securities said interest income increased by 5.7 per cent to N427.86 billion supported by the growth across major contributory lines, with the largest contributions coming from loans and advances to customers (+8.2 per cent to N225.04 billion) and banks (+150.5 per cent to N9.52 billion), as well as investment securities (+1.7 per cent to N181.21 billion).

“Non-interest income grew during the period by 19.6 per cent to N149.25 billion, driven by the growth in fees and commissions income, gains on investment securities , and FX revaluation.. We expected the performance on these major lines given a combination of a volatile fixed income market and the realignment of the official FX rate during the year,” they said.

The analysts added that UBA’s capital adequacy and liquidity ratios settled at 22.4 per cent and 44.3 per cent, respectively, above the respective regulatory minimum of 15 per cent and 30 per cent.

“These ratios signify that the bank has the potential for business growth over the next financial period. The bank’s NPL ratio declined to 4.7 per cent, relative to the statutory minimum of 5.0 per cent, driven mainly by growth in loan book (+24.0 to N2.55 trillion),” said.

Similarly, analysts at Meristem Securities hailed the performance, saying UBA 2020 with an impressive result, as both topline and bottom-line advanced northwards by double digits. According to Meristem, the bank’s asset quality remains resilient despite weak macro-environment.

“Despite the 24.17 per cent uptrend in gross loans to customers, amidst the weaknesses in the macroeconomic environment, UBA’s risky assets were notably of good quality as non-performing loans (NPL) ratio subsided to 4.83 per cent from 5.31 per cent in 2019. Improvements were also recorded in NPL coverage ratio ex-regulatory risk reserves which came in at 86.45 per cent (compared to 75.56 per cent the previous year), indicating an adequate buffer for credit loss.

Furthermore, stage 2 loans constituted only 10.12 per cent of gross loans (vs 20.38 per cent in 2019), a feat we consider rather impressive considering the observed increase in stage 2 loans among peers,” they said.

The analysts said UBA management attributes the improvement in asset quality to the new Global Standing Instruction (GSI) policy, which supported quality of loans.

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Empowering MSMEs with Payment Solutions Nume Ekeghe writes about a new payment solution introduced by Access Bank Plc to support micro, small and medium scale enterprises who are drivers of the economy

T

he Nigerian economy has over the years been bolstered by thriving micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs), with 41 million of them responsible for over 84 per cent of the labour force and contributing over 50 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Asides this, they account for 96 per cent of operational businesses meaning that with some 42 million enterprises as every nine in 10 manufacturing companies in Nigeria are MSMEs. These figures show the importance of the growth of the sector to the Nigerian economy.

MSMEs have been named a critical sector not just to increasing employment level, but also to national income, personal wealth creation and overall national growth. However, the Covid-19 pandemic had dealt a big blow to the sector.

The lockdown experienced in 2020 as a result of the pandemic worsened the market situation resulting from less in-person interactions, less in-person payment options, lesser need for brick-and-mortar store businesses.

Statistics from a survey carried out by Fate Foundation on areas impacted by lockdown shows that about 72 per cent of businesses say their cashflow had been severely impacted.

This puts cashflow as the number one challenge businesses faced and are still facing in the country due to the pandemic.

MSMEs Many Challenges Many businesses also had challenges with sales as in-person purchases declined drastically due to the restrictions that came with the pandemic and revenue was listed as the third challenge businesses had to batten in the wake of the pandemic. Unfortunately, these three areas are critical elements banks look at to assess and qualify business owners for loans.

This development has made more apparent the lack of infrastructure and access to digital resources for small businesses. It is also showing that technology is not necessarily a level playing field for market players.

Basically, most businesses in the bid to survive had transited to social media and those who could afford it had opened shop in online stores.

Small businesses in the country are quite challenged, with most experiencing declining productivity rates largely caused by deficiencies in power supply; substandard trade facilitation infrastructure; lack of right-sized and right-priced financing, multiplicity of taxes, levies, fees; lack of innovation; and limited availability of requisite talent.

In addition to these, they now have to face a growing challenge in the payment space as in-person sales reduce.

A report by McKinsey & Company showed that payment is one of the key areas that have seen innovative solutions to addressing SMEs challenges.

According to the report on “Harnessing Fintech Potential in Nigeria”, simplified access to allow SMEs and other corporates receive online payments from customers is one of the product development areas. Others include MSMEs lending, electronic wallets, merchant terminals, and retail lending among others.

Digital Payment The report noted that the ease of online order and payment systems has considerable influence on customer acquisition and retention, thus underlining the importance of aligning with nimble and efficient payment services.

It added that digitally savvy, middle-aged and young affluent individuals face poor -user experience on products and find the value-add from using financial products underwhelming.

Also, payment acceptance services are a critical element.

In the context of keeping safe, more businesses are using WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, Facebook to sell and those who can afford it are building their own website to transit their business online. However, for many, payment is still a challenge making it a critical digital resource for merchants to receive payments and provide better buying experience to individual buyers.

Wigwe Whilst noting that payment-focused solutions standalone operators such as Paga, OPay, Cellulant, Paystack and Interswitch’s QuickTeller have surged over the past two years in Nigeria, competing with mobile banking applications and bank unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) channels for send-and-receive transactions and bill payments, the report pointed out that banking fintech solutions have seen fast followers.

According to Executive Director, Retail Banking, Access Bank Plc, Victor Etuokwu with efficient digital lending platform, which makes loan more available and convenient, specialised products and services that help MSMEs eliminate or cut down allied business costs and a seamless, fast and well-secured digital payment solution, the bank has continued to demonstrate its commitment to MSMEs. He said Access Bank’s enviable status in the Nigerian and African financial services industry makes it a better choice for SMEs, with assurance of strong financial back-up and sustainability as they progress.

“We decided to further improve our portfolio of supports for SMEs because we believe they are the future of the Nigerian economy.

“SMEs can provide more than enough jobs to the unemployed if empowered and we are committed to helping them realise this potential,” Etuokwu said.

One of such is the Access Bank Swiftpay, specially designed for small businesses.

Swiftpay is a digital payment service that

The lockdown experienced in 2020 as a result of the pandemic worsened the market situation resulting from less inperson interactions, less in-person payment options, lesser need for brick-and-mortar store businesses

facilitates the receipt of business payments by enabling customers make quick, easy and secure digital payments on social media platforms to merchants.

The Group, Head, Emerging Businesses, Access Bank Plc, Ms. Ayodele Olojede, noted that the bank introduced SWIFTPAY to support the digital transition and growth of SME businesses.”

This product is part of the bank’s commitment to support SMEs to meet their business objectives despite the times.

“The new service comes in form of a payment link that can be hosted on merchants’ social media pages and sent to anyone to pay and conclude business transactions.

“It is easy and takes less than five minutes for interested merchants to sign up as it is convenient and time saving for everyone,” Olojede said.

Olojede explained that Swiftpay is a payment link that takes less than five minutes to sign up for and is hosted on social media page of businesses.

She noted that with the processing charge discounted up to 15 per cent business owners are assured of keeping most of your funds.

Also, business owners using Swiftpay to process payments need not worry about financials as their cashflow and sales record through Swiftpay can be used as documentation to process loans from the bank.

“We are a bank, your account is already domiciled with us, you don’t have to go through any additional KYC checks, your business is verified, and we will use your financial records to lend you money.

“Swiftpay is part of a new campaign we have launched ‘ Your Business Matters‘a campaign to let our business customers know their business matters to us and we will continually work with them to support their growth.

What we have done is to partner with google business advisory to help us train our customers on the nuances of online business.

They will also be exposed to online tools to optimise business. Our small businesses also have the opportunity of enjoying google ads to advertise online.”

Safety of Payments To ensure that merchants are protected from the online fraud that have permeated

the social media and e-commerce space in recent times, she said Access Bank has put in measures to ensure that every merchant registered on Swiftpay carries a ‘verified by access ‘stamp to authenticate the page giving customers confidence when they transact.

“With the rise in the popularity of social media as e-commerce comes the increased risk of fraud.

“Business identity fraud is on the rise with the use of logos and false pages to appear genuine and defraud unsuspecting potential buyers of funds. With Swiftpay, merchants do not have to worry about this because every merchant registered on Swiftpay will carry a ‘verified by access stamp to authenticate the page.

“At Access Bank, we are committed to providing very practical solutions that support the growth of our customers. We know that stronger participation in markets helps strengthen contribution to economic development.

“We recently introduced visa business debit cards to our customers and we are the first to do in the industry in partnership with Visa.

“The business debit card comes with higher withdrawal/spend limit limits for customers, it gives you discounts to courier services, you know logistics is a critical element for online business and it also comes bundled with access to google business advisory services for you to learn how to manage your online storefront.

‘Swiftpay’ is the latest addition to a bouquet of industry-leading SMEs financial products from Access Bank, including digital lending portal, ‘Cashflow Loans by Access’, which allows business owners to remotely access loans easily at their convenience through the online platform, and ‘TraderLite’, a simpler account that enables micro businesses with turnover between N50, 000 and N1 million to operate their businesses with their individual name or registered business name.

Whilst the innovation in digital payment for small businesses is expected to lead to increased sales and patronage for them, other infrastructural challenges need to be addressed for the sector to have the desired impact on the overall economy.

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Concern over40mDecoders to CompleteNigeria’sDigitalTransition Olawale Abuja in Abuja The federal government is saddled with uphill task of meeting the required 40 million set-top-boxes (decoders) required for actual transmission of Digital Switch Over (DSO) in the country.

This was disclosed by the Chairman Digiteam, Edward Amana, the presidential implementation committee, appointed to drive the DSO as well as have oversight over the cost of the Set-Top Boxes.

The federal government has already announced the roll out time table for the phase 2 of the DSO in addition to when it will begin to switch off the analogue signals on television platforms across the country.

However, Amana expressed concern that there may be a limitation on the ability to supply the decoders because of the exchange rate.

At the early stage of meeting to pre-select the manufacturers it was agreed that they could put the decoders in the market at no

more than the equivalent of N3, 500 (about $20) per box, which then was assumed was fair and affordable for any person who can own a television set.

He, however, lamented from that time to now the naira has depreciated, saying that going by the same benchmark at the equivalent of $20, a decoder will be sold at the retail price of N9,000.

“But again we had a meeting with the manufacturers of set-top-boxes in Nigeria and we are still maintaining the same cost window of $20 equivalent.

“They have assured me, in fact, we have looked at options of different sizes of boxes and the manufacturers themselves actually suggested a second condition access system. “They were the ones who actually suggested that instead of the original boxes that came with natural vision encryption, they selected the verimatrix encryption, which cost a lot lower than what they are getting from natural vision.

“Now there is a second cad

system in the ecosystem that is why we have a company now called Renmore that, is now providing additional license which will result in the manufacturing of lower cost Set-Top-Boxes in Nigeria,” Amana said.

It will be recalled that Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed recently assured that the ministry intended to collaborate with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, to ensure the reduction in the tariff on the raw materials for the manufacture of the decoders in order to bring down the cost and make them affordable for average Nigerians.

He had also said government would aim at zero per cent tariff for the completely knocked down components and not more than five per cent tariff for the semi-knocked down component, against the current tariff of five per cent for the completely knocked down components and 10 per cent for the semi-knocked down components.

Continental Reinsurance Appoints New GMD The Board of Continental Reinsurance Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Lawrence Mutsunge Nazare as the new Group Managing Director of the company.

His appointment takes effect from April 1, 2021.

Nazareth, is to take over the company’s mantle of leadership from Dr. Femi Oyetunji, who is due for retirement on March 31, 2021. In a statement, Continental Reinsurance Chairman, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, said Oyetunji, has remarkably served as Group Managing Director since 2011, and was leaving a legacy of significant contributions that will live on in the company for many years to come.

According to him, Oyetunji’s key achievements include landing an aggressive strategy to position the company as a pan-African brand with a strong presence across six key geographical locations.

He noted that under his leadership, the company’s revenue grew

fivefold, while profitability grew threefold.

According to him, productivity more than doubled, along with the transformation of the company’s culture, processes, and standards.

He noted that Oyetunji, has collaboratively led the creation of an enabling environment for thought leadership and sound corporate governance agenda in the industry on the African continent.

He said the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has already approved, the appointment.

He said the board was pleased that following a rigorous selection process, Nazare, was chosen to lead Continental Reinsurance Plc. He described Nazare as a seasoned insurer, and has been on the company’s executive leadership as Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer for over 10 years, adding that with more than three decades in the industry, he brings to the

role a deep understanding and experience of insurance business.

“He is an agile and purposedriven leader with an impressive track record of delivering consistent, high-quality performance.

The board welcomes him to the role and wishes him a resounding success,” Ogunshola stated.

In his response, the retiring Oyetunji, congratulated his successor, saying he knows his commitment.

“I am highly confident that Continental Re will continue to prosper under his leadership.

“His appointment demonstrates the strength of Continental Re’s succession planning and talent pipeline,” he added.

Responding, Nazare, said, it was an honour to lead a truly pan-African brand with capable teams across all regions. He said the company would continue to focus on the provision of a unique offering to its clients and partners as well as deliver long-term growth and value to all stakeholders.

Joint Border Patrol Team Rakes in N259m in Three Months Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), North Central Zone, Sector 3 Ilorin, Kwara State, said it has recorded 242 seizures with total Duty Paid Value of over N259 million between January and March this year.

The Coordinator of the team, Comptroller Olugboyega Peters, disclosed this in Ilorin, the state capital while speaking with journalists on the scorecard of the team.

He said: “Under my leadership, our steadfastness in fighting crime in all ramifications and continued synergy among security agencies at the border to tackle the menace of insecurity and smuggling will be tackled head-on. “Today, I make bold to say that since my assumption of duty as the coordinator of sector 3, we have recorded 242 seizures with total Duty Paid Value of

N259, 260, 443”.

Peters stated that, “Apart from this, it is no longer news that on 8th of January, 2021, Sector 3 security operatives at Ilesha Baruba, acting on information, intercepted a Volkswagen Golf Vehicle (Red color with Registration No BDG 453 BH) along Saki–Ilesha Baruba axis. Foreign parboiled rice were found to be loaded in the said vehicle.

“When the smuggler realised that he will lose both vehicle and the goods, the driver retreated and mobilised a large mob of organised smugglers and errant youths armed with sticks, stones and locally made weapons who attacked the operatives, overran the checkpoint and set ablaze all operational items and properties of the operatives.”

He added: “With the existing synergy already established with traditional institutions,

resident, security agencies, youth leaders and other stakeholders intervened and the situation was later brought under control and normalcy was restored.

“I want to use this medium to caution our teeming youths to reject being used by economic saboteurs to confront operatives of the Sector carrying out their lawful duties and those people with criminal intentions to immediately desist from such acts because operatives of the sector are well mobilised, backed up by the extant laws and shall remain resolute at enforcing the laws without fear of intimidation.”

Peters, however said that, “There are more seizures domiciled at various locations within the Sector that could not be transferred to Sector 3 Headquarters in Ilorin due to distance and logistics problem.

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BUSINESSWORLD Afreximbank Announces US$350m Facility for OCP Group African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Pan-African multilateral EXIM Bank, announces the signing of a 7-year US$350 Million Term Loan Facility to provide financing to OCP Group, the world’s largest phosphate mining and leading fertilizer company.

This facility will support OCP Group’s expansion plans across Africa.

Prof. Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, observed that through this partnership with a major player in the fertilizer industry and with a strong presence across Africa, Afreximbank was fulfilling its mandate of facilitating export development in the continent and promoting intra-African trade and investments.

“This is an important transaction which supports the development of Africa’s agricultural capacity.

OCP Group’s products, which are tailored to the needs of African farmers, will generate broad and deep improvements to the continent’s ability to compete in international agricultural markets,” said Prof. Oramah.

“This facility also has symbolic value, as it marks the beginning of a productive and close relationship between Afreximbank and OCP Group. We are delighted to announce this facility, as the first demonstration of the strong relationship the Bank enjoys with Morocco,” he added.

OCP Group numbers among the world’s largest phosphate producers, with a strong position across all five continents and exporting to more than 160 clients.

Over the last decade, the Group has consolidated its position in many African countries and, as an African player, is committed to developing South-South cooperation, placing Africa at the heart of its growth plan to contribute to bolstering the entire African agricultural ecosystem, by providing the continent with both the right quantities and qualities of customized fertilizer products.

Popoola Now CBAN Chairman In line with the rules guiding the operations of the Credit Bureau Association of Nigeria (CBAN), Dr. ‘Tunde Popoola, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of CRC Credit Bureau Limited has resumed as the Chairman of the association.

His tenure will run for a term of one year – January to December, 2021 - and renewable after two years.

According to a statement, the leadership of the association rotates among the Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers of the three licensed Credit Bureaus and runs for a period of one year. Before now, he was previously the Chairman of the Association in 2015 and 2018.

Popoola is a Nigerian banker, accountant, economist, entrepreneur and business executive. He has over 30 years cumulative work experience spanning the public and the private sectors of the Nigerian economy.

NEWS

Kyari Restates Commitment to Gender Equality Funmi Ogundare The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari has reiterated the corporation’s commitment to integrating more women into the oil and gas sector.

Kyari made this known recently, at the international women in energy symposium co-hosted

by Women in Energy Network (WIEN) and the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), aimed at commemorating the International Women’s Day (IWD).

He said as a nation, gender inclusion in every sector was key to sustainable growth, adding that, “the more we are able to sustain conversations around inclusiveness, there will be a gradual dissipation of stereotypes.”

According to him, “the energy sector is pivotal to the develop-

ment of every nation, the growth of the sector can be better achieved when women are integrated into the system.

“We have women who have taken their career to the peak of which is evident at the World Trade Organisation and the White House.

“Back here in the NNPC, women have played tremendous roles in the growth of the corporation especially in the downstream sector, human resources, research and development and other sectors critical to the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.”

The GMD promised the corporation’s readiness to synergise with WIEN and REAN, to achieve the set target, while urging both groups to sustain the advocacy of gender inclusion in the energy space.

In her remarks, REAN

Executive Director, Mrs. Lande Abudu, said the rationale was targeted at combining efforts in working towards a common goal of gender inclusion in the energy sector, adding that this year’s IWD, was unique, with a call to women to challenge all forms of discrimination in all sectors of the economy “The background to this are those statistics that give cause for concern: IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) reports that although women make up 48 per cent of the global labour force, they only account for 32 per cent in renewables and 22 per cent of the labour force in the oil and gas sector.

“Other studies show that in the energy sector, more women work in administrative jobs (45%) than in STEM-related roles (28%).

“How then do we contribute to those activities that will ensure that women can effectively participate in the energy sector? How can we demonstrate that there is a link between gender, energy and poverty?

“How can we increase women’s participation in the delivery of energy solutions?

These were the conversation starters. The ideas started almost informally around a virtual coffee table, leading to the signing of a formal agreement and activities rose steeply from there,” she stressed In her welcome address, the President, WIEN, Mrs. Funmi Ogbue, said the conference was aimed at celebrating women in energy, it’s achievers in the space, encourage and showcase young ladies Science Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics (STEM), recognise men and organisations that have contributed to the success of women in energy and to drive the REAN/WIEN agenda.

“How can we demonstrate that there is a link between gender, energy and poverty? How can we increase women’s participation in the delivery of energy solutions?

How do we encourage women into STEM-related fields? How can we work towards developing a gender policy to achieve gender equity and equality in the energy sector?”, she asked.

Other sessions at the conference included: Gender Mainstreaming –Building Policies foster diversity within organisations, announcement of Winning with Women Awards: A workplace recognition scheme to highlight and promote companies and individuals that promote women, funding and scaling, among others.

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FCMB Boosts Agribusiness with N74.10bn Loans Oluchi Chibuzor

F

irst City Monument Bank (FCMB) has grown its loan portfolio to the agriculture sector in Nigeria to N74.10 billion, representing 10 per cent of the bank’s total loans.

The figure is one of the highest in the banking industry.

The feat, which was achieved in December 2020, is a signal that the deliberate strategy and sustained support of the lender to agribusiness are yielding the desired results and that the bank’s deployment approach has been widely appreciated.

It also represents another milestone and bold step by the bank to further expand and deepen its support to agribusiness, its value-chain and the overall growth of the Nigerian economy.

A breakdown of the N74 billion loan disbursed by FCMB to agribusiness, as at the end of December 2020, showed that its corporate banking group gave out N38.82 billion, which represented 52.40 per cent.

On regional basis, the South-west disbursed N19.06 billion; Lagos region, N11.11 billion; South-east and South-south, N3.06 billion, while Abuja and North region disbursed N1.10 billion.

Analysts have already seized on this achievement, expressing broadly positive views of its impact for both FCMB and stakeholders in agribusiness.

An operator described it as: “A positive move and a statement of intent from FCMB to effectively position and benefit more from the current and emerging opportunities in the agric sector to drive business and national prosperity”.

According to a report, FCMB is seen as making far-reaching impact in agribusiness funding and capacity building through its various intervention programmes, including in the areas of digitisation and agritech.

Balogun These actions have resulted in better access to finance, research and manpower development by deserving individuals, farmers, organisations and companies in the agric sector, with a multiplier effect on the economy.

It stated that a major component of FCMB’s sustainability principle is on agriculture, with a clear focus towards creating employment and empowerment opportunities, especially for farmers, to reduce the level of poverty.

It pointed out that the bank’s intervention in agribusiness financing has led to improved processes, better output, profitability and enhanced confidence in the ability of the financial services sector to drive economic prosperity.

“The lender has consistently upscaled its funding and technical support to major companies

in the agric sector. For instance, FCMB extended a N20 billion loan to Olam International to bolster its operations and productivity.

“The bank also played a significant role in the establishment of the company’s 36,000 metric tonnes (per annum) capacity milled rice facility located in Nasarawa State, thereby contributing to the Federal Government’s goal to achieve rice output self-sufficiency,” it added.

Flour Mills Plc, the largest miller by market capitalisation in Nigeria, equally received $30 million credit facility and N1.50 billion overdraft from FCMB to help support its working capital.

Funding worth N300 million was provided some years ago by the Bank to Tractor Owners and Hiring Facilities Association of Nigeria (TOHFAN) for the acquisition of tractors that were distributed to farmers in Kaduna state.

In realisation of the gap that exists in agribusiness financing as well as other challenges, FCMB has in place an enhanced agro-commodity trade finance facility for agribusiness operators.

The revamped facility was designed for agrocommodity merchants with supply contracts to multinationals, large corporates and processors of agro-commodities. Targeted commodities are cocoa, cashew nut, sesame, ginger, palm Oil, grains (maize, sorghum, soya beans, paddy rice).

Under this trade finance facility, which is structured in the form of a working capital, the minimum amount that can be accessed by a qualified customer is N100million, while the maximum is N2 billion.

Commodity producers and traders stand to benefit immensely from this facility, because it is a veritable and convenient opportunity to access funds. This ensures consistent cash flow for maximum productivity all through the farming season.

FCMB runs an integrated agency banking model to provide financial services to farmers,

especially in remote communities with no access to conventional Bank branches.

To further bridge this gap, the financial institution is in partnership with some global organisations, including World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI), German International Development Cooperation (GIZ), Technoserve and DFID-LINKS. For instance, the aim of the partnership with WSBI, which started two years ago in five states (Kaduna, Kano, Nasarawa, Ogun and Oyo), is on course to reach the target of 2 million farmers nationwide by the year 2023.

These collaborations have gone a long way to deepen agency banking and financial inclusion in the informal and agribusiness sectors, thereby making it easier to effectively profile farmers and execute funding schemes that require their use of Bank accounts.

It is also worthy to note that the highly acclaimed partnership between FCMB and Doreo Partners, which birthed the Babban Gona (or great farm) agricultural franchise model, is waxing stronger.

The initiative, which started few years ago with just 100 farmers, has now grown to over 20,000. The Babban Gona model offers enhanced training, credit, agricultural input, harvesting and marketing support to member farmers to help them increase their productivity and profitability.

It has also become an avenue for employment and wealth creation for youths who engage in agribusiness.

Farming contributes the biggest share of Nigeria’s economic output and employs more than half of the country’s estimated 150 million population, most as small-scale farmers.

The government of Africa’s most populous nation has put in place several policies and programmes to diversify the economy from the oil and gas sector to non-oil products.

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Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state taken his first jab of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, in Kano...recently

The Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa (right) addressing the staff of the Commission during his first interactive session with the them at the EFCC Headquarters, Abuja....recently

L-R: Director, Institute of African Studies (IAS), University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Florence Orabueze; Senator Ibrahim Shekarau; and Representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr Ben Nwoye, during the 4th Chinua Achebe international conference where the SGF was presented with an award of excellence by the Institute at UNN Enugu State...recently

L-R: Mrs Fidel Ogwuazor; Mrs Pat Okeahialam; and Mrs Blessing Adebola, all of The African Women Network (TAWN) at the free skills acquisition programme organized by TAWN for women in the Ogba Waterside area of Lagos State as part of TAWN’s International Women’s Day celebrations in Lagos... recently

L-R: Co-Executive Director, Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC), Imam Nuryn Ashafa; Co-Executive Director, IMC/ Program Director, Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) Pastor James Wuye; and Director, IMC in Plateau, Sadeeq Musa, during the faith based dialogue workshop with Muslims and Christians religious leaders on countering/preventing violent extremism, in Jos...recently

Chairman of South South Governors Forum, and Delta Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa(right) casting his vote during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South, South Zonal Congress in, Port Harcourt, Rivers state....recently

L-R: Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Rep. Wole Oke; Deputy of the Committee, Rep. Abdulkadir Abdullahi; and a member of the committee, during an investigative hearing on NNPC’s account, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja...recently

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) and the Executive Director, UNAIDS, Mrs Winnie Byanyima during a visit to the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja...recently

WEDNESDAY MARCH 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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EDUCATION ‘UNIABUJA Will Establish Centre for Infectious Disease to Eliminate Covid-19 Pandemic’ Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah is the Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja. In this interview with Funmi Ogundare, he explained how the institution plans to establish a Centre for Infectious Disease, through collaborations with government agencies and industries, so as to enhance the knowledge of Nigerians, assist in eliminating COVID-19 pandemic and address problems of infectious diseases, among other issues. Excerpt

Y

are involved - and actually, a few are, we have taken bold steps to bring them to book and ensure that they pay dearly for their illegal and illegitimate actions if those involved do not immediately show regret, demolish such structures and stop further encroachment on our land .

our university recently partnered Diabetes Africa, what does this portend for the health and education sector, as well as the Nigerian economy in general?

Well, I am very proud of the University of Abuja College of Health Sciences which is the brain behind this exceptional collaboration. What it means is that the University will be putting its scholarship and cutting edge research in Diabetics Education to the accessibility of the entire African continent.

We signed a MoU which allows us to also offer training both virtually and face-to-face in this area. As you know, diabetics is one of the perpetual illness of high population of Africans and our unique cultures, environment and ways of life are central to the way to treat and manage diabetics and UniAbuja and Diabetes Africa are determined to ensure that more experts are not only produced, but more of them are spread to the grassroots of our continent. As for the economy of Nigeria, healthy body is best suited to contribute to its economic development, and in addition to the IGR that such programmes will bring, better managed diabetes would lead to a healthier working force across Nigeria and Africa.

How can this effort be replicated in our institutions of higher learning?

In this area, the University of Abuja is ready to collaborate with other institutions, whether they are academic or researchbased. Diabetes Africa would definitely be excited to get the connections, through the university to other interested institutions of higher learning.

Aside efforts on Diabetes Education, in what other way is the university making cutting edge research and probably breaking new grounds on Covid-19?

Well, UniAbuja is a research intensive university and our centre for sponsored projects is working with all academic staff and departments to find sponsorship for their research. We are developing a strong central laboratory to encourage interdisciplinary cutting edge research, and also the Centre for Undergraduate Research, is supporting undergraduates to begin early to develop sophisticated research skills.

We are looking to collaborate with more industries and government agencies, and to address all areas of societal problems with aggressive search for scientific and technological solutions. As for COVID-19, the university is in the process of establishing a Centre for Infectious Disease with Dr. Tahir as Head. This is very important to the goals of the university to provide needed knowledge to Nigerians and also assist humanity in eliminating COVID-19 and addressing problems of infectious diseases generally.

How would you describe the future of Nigeria university system with Covid-19 pandemic staring us in the face?

I think the public university system in Nigeria is back in action. More universities, public and private, understand that we now have a new normal which is going nowhere.

Majority are developing virtual system to go hand-in- hand with face-to-face teaching and learning. This is central now in our institutions, and would be the new norm for us all. The Nigerian university system is responding and the fears of all those who thought it was impossible, are giving way and many disbelievers are becoming

Na’Allah believers and active participants. The truth is that the University of Abuja is leading in this area. We have developed a robust electronic infrastructure, our Centre for Distance Learning and Continuing Education (CDL and CE), is now a state-of-the art, our campus is going enormously digital with the blend of smart classrooms and video conferencing and the list is very long.

So much money has been invested by the government in the area of research on Covid-19 vaccine, but nothing seems to have been achieved, what can universities in Nigeria do differently to prevent the scourge of the pandemic?

The Nigerian state can do better when it comes to COVID-19 research. More grants are needed to universities and research institutions. We cannot depend entirely on research done abroad when it comes to pandemic such as Covid-19. We have our local realities and behavioural patterns and environment, and it is really too important to focus on our own solutions to the pandemic in addition to universal Covid-19 protocols.

Since you came on board in 2019, what effort has your administration made to reposition the institution considering that it had a history of infrastructural and academic deficiencies?

Well, the stories and evidence are there for all to hear and write about especially in the area of UniAbuja infrastructure, contents of our curricula, strengthening of our staff and more. At the university, world-class standard is our focus and nothing will make us deviate from this.

Nigeria deserves a first rate world-class university at its capital city. We are out to

make the institution a model University in Nigeria and Africa.

Your institution is currently being confronted with the challenges of banditry, what steps has the management taken to stem this tide?

Number one, the FCT Police, the DSS and the Federal Government and the FCT authority are all united in supporting the university against whatever encroachment we might be having on our campus, including harassment from nefarious groups. This university, as a model institution in Nigeria, must not fall victim of this type of crisis.

It is because of such enormous assistance from the state security, that the university has remained peaceful and focused. Recently the federal government released about one billion naira, and the Federal Executive Council(FEC) has approved contract for the building of fence around the university. I can tell you that this project has actually started.

The university and the native community are one in ensuring that peace and security is maintained, and are strategising in ensuring that the fencing contribute positively to our lives. Secondly, the development control of FCT, as directed by the kind-hearted, most dedicated and effective FCT Minister, Malam Adamu Mohammed Bello, who is a bosom friend of the university, has embarked on the task of identifying illegal structure for demolition. The university itself has set up a patrol unit charged with active vigilance and unequaled mandate to legally challenge and eliminate encroachment on our campus, and I can go on and on. But you see, the summary of it all is that the days of perpetual encroachment on the university land and of incessant attack on our campus by external forces, are gone. Even where staff of the university

You have had the opportunity to teach in the US and attracted grants and funds for the institutions you taught in, and you repeated the same feat as Vice- Chancellor of Kwara State University (KWASU). What efforts have you been making to repeat these achievements in UniAbuja?

The university has taken bold steps in the direction of attracting grants to campus.

After just one year of such efforts, we celebrated staff that brought in close to N700 million external grants as of December 2020. The Centre for Sponsored Projects is working round the clock and assisting academic staff to look for and apply for external grants. Some of these grants are already bringing in additional laboratory equipment to campus. We are encouraging staff to include their undergraduate students in their grants, and we are introducing graduate research assistant positions that can also be included in such grants. The university is strengthening its infrastructure to support staff research endeavors. We encourage industries and private companies and government parastatals to collaborate with UniAbuja academic staff. We are defining the institution as a research intensive university, thereby ensuring that staff and students and government and industries and international collaborators know where to go for research partners.

There is no alternative, I tell you; we at the UniAbuja must lead as the home of world-class research in Nigeria and West Africa and Africa. Our undergraduates now receive competitive research grants and the Centre for Undergraduate Research is in the process of establishing a Journal for undergraduate research opened to all students nationally and internationally.

Technology and innovation are key in the development of a nation, what is your administration doing to have this in your university?

The university now has a team led by the director of Information Technology Management Services (ITMS) on innovation and technology which has provided staff and students the opportunity to go into different groups to explore and innovate, from the development of new software to web designs, to hardware designs to cyber security and much more. The truth is that innovation is the heart of the electronic age and the University of Abuja clearly understands that, and so it is creating the atmosphere where students and staff would generate new thinking and project exceptional ideas in all areas of human endeavors. Our goal is to create new companies around most of these projects and empower staff and students as shareholders in any area they put their original ideas into productivity, so that they can also benefit directly from the profit of such efforts. UniAbuja is the home of innovation and we want to mobilise by attracting excellent and diverse students as well as staff substantially. We want to mobilise collaborators globally by attracting in 2020/2021 at least 35 international staff and 100 international students, and continue to grow substantially in internationalisation.

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T H I S D AY ˾ MARCH 17, 2021

EDUCATION

Mind Builders School Celebrates Maths Champion

12,300 Street Children Trained, Reintegrated into Bauchi Schools

Funmi Ogundare

Two Civil Society Organisations; Leadtots and Human Development Services ; and Young Men Christian Associations (YMCA) with support from Northern Education Initiative (NEI) Plus, have trained and created access to education for no fewer than 12,300 out-of school children for reintegration into the formal system of learning.

The learners were trained on literacy, numeracy and life skills with sponsorship from the United State’s Agency for International Development (USAID).

THISDAY reports that Bauchi State has over 1.3 million outof-school children, the highest in any state in the country.

Speaking at the graduation of the last set of 4,000 of the children at Itas Gadau Local Government Area of Bauchi State, the Executive Director of Human Development Services, Yahaya Bako Galadima, noted

Mind Builders School, Omole, Lagos, recently honoured one of its pupils, Master Henry Esemitodje, 11, who had emerged the winner of The Ultimate Mathematics Ambassador (TUMA) 2021, organised by the Ambassadors School, Ota, Ogun State.

Having clinched the first position for his school out of 589 others drawn from Lagos and Ogun states that participated, he received a cheque of N500,000 and trophy for his effort.

Speaking at the brief ceremony, in Lagos, the Education Director of the school, Mrs. Bola Falore expressed excitement about Esemotodje’s success saying that about 20 of her students participated in the competition, out of which, five got to the finals which saw him emerging the winner.

She commended him for his feat, as well as his parents for their efforts saying that it takes hardwork, passion and zeal to achieve such a feat.

“I commend Henry for making the school proud.

It shows the core values for excellence of the school.”

Falore expressed concern that most children have phobia for figures, but that they usually allay their fears that maths is fun.

“There are ways you can take mathematics without being too rigid. What we have done here is to send most of our teachers for training on how to teach the subject especially at the upper primary classes and ensure that parents especially the mothers, create time for their children. The school cannot do it alone, even if we do and we don’t get the cooperation of the parents, we can’t get it right.

Asked if it was the first time the school would be winning the award, the director said it was the first time they will be getting to the final stage, adding that it had won so many laurels in music, Spelling Bee and debates in the past.

She advised students to follow their passion.

“Nowadays educators are more concerned about money, but they need to influence lives, as that is the essence of education . They need to have passion for what they do with all responsibility.”

A member of the Parents Teachers Forum (PTF), Mr. Kunle Akinnibosun emphasised on the importance of maths on our everyday

life, saying that there is a lesson to learn in achieving our goals.

“The school made a goal, cascaded it to the teachers and the work began, “ he said, while admonishing other pupils not to feel intimidated by Esemitodje’s success, but to be focused on their own goals.

“The reason why you are in school, is for you to learn,” he said.

He appealed to the teachers to go the extra mile to teach the pupils effectively so they could achieve their goals.

In his remarks, Esemotodje, 11, who got a plaque and a compendium of photographs taken at the maths competition, expressed excitement that the competition has brought him to limelight saying that the feat was achieved through his hardwork, commitment and diligence.

“My teacher gave me extra time after school hours to study topics apart from the ones studied in class. I feel happy and proud of myself being celebrated today.”

He advised other pupils to work hard and go the extra mile to learn more than what they studied in class.

His father, Mr. Igho Esemotodje expressed delight about his son’s achievement saying its being a lot of hard work on his part and dedication on the part of his mother who had ensured that she followed up on his assignments.

In preparing him for the competition, he said he had to do a lot of psychological work on him and make him believe in himself, while considering his lapses.

“He participated in the competition last year and came third position, and this year, we had to review his performance. We knew that his strength was very good in terms of formulas and theories. In one of the competitions, he was the only one that got all the questions correctly. So we focused on that and he worked tirelessly to be the champion.”

Asked if he is preparing Henry to participate in a Mathematics Olympiad, he said, “Henry is also thinking in that direction, he is very ready to go beyond this level. His elder brother In Turkish International School, passed through it and did so well .Out of 181 schools that participated, his school emerged the top six and he was number one on the list.

This happened just last week.

He was a gold medalist.

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

that the project commenced in 2016.

“From that time till now, many learners have been mainstreamed into the formal education system,” he said, adding that 250 facilitators were empowered to train the children and so far, 12,300 children have been taken out of the streets and reintegrated into the formal education sector.

Galadima said during the five- year period of the training, about 2,500 members of Center Based Management Committee (CBMC) which takes care of the Non-Formal Learning Centers (NFLC), were engaged.

He added that 20 community coalition from the local governments were used and 21 programme officers from the LGA which worked under Leadtots and YMCA were also engaged.

“These children are used to going to school three times in a week for about two to four hours; now, we are absolving

them into the formal education system where they will have to go to school from Mondays to Fridays and they will be expected to stay from 8 am to about 12.30 pm.

“If we don’t make frantic efforts to help these children who are used to few hours of learning, it will be difficult for them to cope and stay in school for hours. We must make them know the importance of education so that they can become future leaders, because they have various gifts and potentials of becoming great in life, not just in Itas Gadau, but even in the country.

“We should help and encourage these children by providing them with books, uniforms, shoes and many other things they need to succeed.”

In her remarks, the Access and Fragility officer, NEI Plus, Hajiya Aisha Kilishi, said the programme faced a major setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic which forced schools

to be closed for nine months, adding that one of the two major objectives of the NEI is to ensure that all children in Bauchi that are of school age, but are not in school, are given the opportunity to do so.

“We thought of how best we can take education to the doorsteps of these children and we decided to go to the rural areas in northern Nigeria, we went to Bauchi and Sokoto states and decided to open these Non-Formal Learning Centers.

“All we hope to achieve is that people acquire sound and quality education wherever they are,” she stated.

Kiishi said her organisation’s target is to ensure that children have quality education such that they can learn how to read and write within a short period of time, pointing out that if a child learns how to read within that short time, that will form the foundation he needs for making exploits in life.

L-R: Mrs. Mena Esemitodje, her son and pupil of Mind Builders School, Omole, Master Henry, Education Director of the school, Mrs. Bola Falore and Henry’s father, Mr. Igho Esemitodje, when the school celebrated Henry as a Maths Champion, recently

Niger Delta Varsity Matriculates First Postgraduate Students Chiamaka Ozulumba The Niger Delta University (NDU), has matriculated its first set of Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) students in Marine Surveying.

The ceremony, which was both virtual and physical, had 68 students at the maiden edition.

Addressing the students in his keynote speech, the Executive Secretary Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, emphasised need for improved efficiency in maritime operations in Nigeria to improve global competitiveness.

He hinted that improved predictability and transparency in maritime operations, will go a

long way in boosting confidence in the sector, which will in turn, bring about increased revenue.

According to him, “Marine surveyors are greatly relied upon by the marine community to perform a wide range of tasks like advise purchasers, underwriters and lending institutions on the condition and valuation of vessels, and advising vessel owners on how to recover or salvage a vessel in distress.

Wabote advised the students to brace up and be passionate, as they go through academics and training.

“I am excited to welcome you to the great Niger Delta University, where academic excellence is enforced with

godliness. I wish to also let you know that mechanisms have been put in place for a safe and serene learning environment.

“So I charge you to make the most of the opportunity afforded you and ensure that you attend classes, shun all forms of deviant behaviours and other vices, and focus on why you are here.”

Also speaking, the President, Centre for Marine Surveyors Nigeria, Prince Adebambo Ademiluyi, said the NCDMB decided to sponsor the training of the students because of the critical role marine surveyors play in the industry.

“The Centre for Marine Surveyors Nigeria is recognised as a professional body promoting the

professionalism, recognition and training of marine surveyors,” he added.

The president further harped on the need for improved efficiency in maritime operations in Nigeria to improve global competitiveness, predictability and transparency in maritime operations to boost confidence in the sector and bring increased revenue.

“Marine surveyors are greatly relied upon by the marine community to perform a wide range of tasks including; advising purchasers, underwriters, and lending institutions on the condition and valuation of vessels, advising vessel owners on how to recover or salvage a vessel in distress.”

NSE Encourages Students to Apply For Engineering Courses Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi Worried by the scarcity of engineers in the country, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has advised science students to study engineering related courses in tertiary institutions.

Bauchi State Chairman of the

society, Mr. Abdulmalik Maleka who gave the admonition while addressing journalists during the commemoration of the World Engineering Day 2021, said as part of measures to address scarcity of engineers, the organisation would embark on career talk to secondary schools in the

state to encourage students to choose engineering as their professions.

According to the NSE chairman, there is co-relation between development and engineers, no country can develop fast without good engineers and technologists.

“There is need for more

qualified engineers in Nigeria because there is relationship between engineering and development. So the career talk is to encourage students to study engineering due to scarcity of engineers in our society.

“Female students should also study engineering not

only males and graduates of engineering should not be employed as teachers, but should be deployed to the field first to acquaint themselves with the skills and contribute to development of the society,” he said.

In his remarks, the Technical Secretary of NSE in Bauchi

State, Mohammed Suleiman lauded the federal government for coming up with a policy that suggests the employment of fresh engineers on grade level nine in civil service, but lamented that many state governments and private organisations are yet to implement it.

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T H I S D AY ˾ MARCH 17, 2021

EDUCATION

FCE Security System not Aimed to Breach Student’s Privacy, Says Provost Funmi Ogundare The management of Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos, has said the purpoted installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera is still ongoing in public places within the college, and was not to breach the privacy of its female students.

The Provost, Dr. Wahab Ademola Azeez who briefed journalists recently, while reacting to a story published by this newspaper on March 6, titled, ‘Female Students Protest Installation of CCTV Cameras in Hostels’, said installation of CCTV system, is however yet to be completed, not active and no student privacy could have been breached by the system.

According to the report, a protest had broken out in the early hours of March 5, after the School’s Dean of Students,

Wahab Azeez, was alleged to have entered the hostel at midnight, to chase students out, over some behaviour he couldn’t condone which he saw via the cameras.

It states that CCTV camera was alleged to have been installed almost everywhere in the female hostel thereby denying them of personal privacy.

The provost expressed concern about the damaging report saying that it is true that some students demonstrated on the morning of March 5, 2021 basically to protest the ejection of some illegal female student occupants from the Independence Hall and not because of what was reported.

“This reportage was not true at all. The purported installation of cameras is still ongoing in the public spaces in the college and not only in the female hostel

in other to deny our cherished female students their personal privacy,” Azeez said.

He asked how on earth would the management and lecturers saddled with the responsibility of overseeing young men and women turn around and be watching their nakedness saying, “ we are teachers of teachers and provide teaching and learning and mould characters ; and we would not allow any criminal and indecent behaviour among the management officers, academic and non-reacting staff and students,” the provost stressed.

Azzez added that he was erroneously referred to as the Dean of students in the report, adding that the CCTV project came about as a result of attacks of students in the night especially of female students by hoodlums.

“From the college management position, the publication is not only damaging to the image of the college, but malicious,” he said, adding that the publication also carried a misleading information that the college had 7,000 students cramped into its hostels beyond its capacity. “ The fact of the matter is that we have a students population of 3,646, out of which 1,544, are currently comfortably accommodates in the college hostels. For the reports, the carrying capacity of college halls of residence is 1,544. If any other student stay in the halls beyond this figure, they are illegal occupants and those are the category ejected by the Dean of Students Affairs, that led to some students protest on March 5.

“The college rules and regulations guiding the hostels do not support illegal occupants or squatters.”

L-R: The Bursar, Alhaji Jimoh Bankole, Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibraheem Gbajabiamila, Registrar, Zakariyya Ajibola and a senior lecturer at Bola Ajibola College of Law , Dr. Lateef Adeleke, during the 16th matriculation ceremony of Crescent University, Abeokuta... recently

Employability: Parents Urged to Instil Leadership Capabilities in Children The Head of Year 10, Greensprings School, Lekki Campus, Mr. Samuel Olasogba has called on parents to inculcate leadership skills in their children so as to succeed in the corporate world.

Speaking at a two-day leadership training programme of the school recently, he argued that children are better off if they acquire the skills at their younger age.

“It is an open secret that employers hire and promote candidates who are great team players, who communicate excellently, who are goal-getters and have other exceptional leader-

ship skills. Nevertheless, many children grow up or graduate from tertiary institutions without acquiring these skills, and this is likely to put them at a disadvantage in the job market,” he said.

To prepare children for the real world after graduation, he said: “Parents need to invest in building the leadership capabilities of their children. They can do this by helping them develop their self-confidence, allowing them to creatively solve personal problems, and making them take responsibility for their decisions.”

Olasogba added that schools also have a role to

play in instilling leadership attributes in children, saying that Greensprings School has done a lot in that regard.

“Children spend most of their days in schools, so as parents do their parts, schools must also support them. For us at Greensprings School, we organise intensive leadership training for our year 10 students annually.

This training is activity-based, and it is facilitated by our teachers and Project Summit, a team-building service provider based in South Africa.

“In the course of this training, our students were engaged with presentations and group

discussions on leadership and teamwork. They also took part in team-building activities such as minefield, traffic jam, warp speed, tower building, among others. From the training, our students learnt empathy, resilience, emotional intelligence, transparency, delegation and empowerment, creativity and innovation, and other excellent leadership attributes,” Olasobga stated.

He stressed that when parents and schools do their parts in instilling leadership capabilities, the job market can expect to see more candidates who are employable.

Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria Organises Quran, Debate Contest Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Branch, Division two, recently, organised the 2021 edition of Alhaja L.O. Gbajabiamila’s annual Quran and debate competition, aimed at nourishing the soul and spiritual knowledge of students and youths about Islam through the religious

principles and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Titled, ‘Preaching Religious Tolerance and Moral Values in Building the Nation’, the programme withnessed students from various Islamic groups, junior and senior secondary schools in Surulere, being

rewarded with cash and other consolidated prizes.

In his remarks, the Coordinator of the programme, Mr Jubril Shasore, said the annual knowledge of Quran and debate competition, is in the direction of building our nation with soul inspiring teachings from the scriptures and

leading the younger generation in the direction of taking leadership position with the fear of Almighty Allah.

“The event preaches and educates religious practices , well-being of individuals, families, and the community at large, “ he said.

KEHINDE OMORU www.kayomoru.com

The Head Teacher’s Herculean Task Theheadteacher’sroleisindeedastaggeringtask.Wereallydonotneedto scratchourheadstoknoworbefamiliarwiththetaskthatcomeswithit.But forwantofclarityandbywayofintroducingwhattheroleisallabout,thereis needtogiveasimpledefinition.Aheadteacheristhemostseniorteacherand leaderofaschool,responsiblefortheeducationofallpupils,managementof staff,churningoutofschoolpoliciesandimplementationofthevariousschool reports.He/shemotivatesandmanagesstaffbydelegatingresponsibility, settingexpectationsandtargetsandevaluatingstaffperformanceagainst them.Infacttheserolesarenotatalleasytoaccomplishalongsidethereal role of caring for the young children that are ever energetic Ifyouareaprimaryschoolteacher,oreverbeenone,youwouldappreciate howchallengingitcanbetocontaintheafter-schoolspiritofcarefree,careless freedom children innocently experience and display. This is why wise duty-teacherswalkchildrenintothehallorretaintheminclassandmaintain supervisedpick-upsattheendofschoolhours.Manyyoungchildrenwould rather just dump their bags and make for the field for catch-up play once the bell goes!

57 year old Betty is much more than the After-School Club bus driver she is. Betty is a router, a navigator and a fishing bait, all rolled into one, as she carriesoutthisverydelicatejob.Watchingheratworkissuchadelight!Betty uses movement, vibrancy, colour and quiet confidence to ‘bait’ the school children she picks up, on time, into her bus. My God-son once told me that, “Betty never shouts, children just obey her”.

SoIbegantoreflectonwhatitisaboutBettythatmakesdarting,squealing, pranking,impulsiveandenergy-poppingschoolchildrenjustobeyher.Ididn’t havetothinktoodeepasmyGod-sonsuppliedtheanswer.A ‘ unty’hesaid“all thechildrencantalktoher”.Thisanswersoinnocentlystated,sentmespirally soul-searching.AndsoIaskyoutoday,“areyouapproachableenoughfora child, teenager or young adult to talk to you?”

Already in the second trimester of her pregnancy, scared, confused and troubled,13yearoldSophieSnaith(TheMirroronline20/7/18)wenttoher head teacher as she couldn’t bring herself to tell her parents that she was pregnant.Thisseeminglywise,calm,experiencedandapproachableprincipal then called in mum to break the news.

In my mind’s eye, I can see this principal thoughtfully creating a conducive atmosphere for this difficult discussion between mother and her 13 year old pregnant daughter to happen. I can see her empowering Sophie with theneededfortitude tofaceherownmumwiththisdelicateandsensitive news.Icanseeanon-judgmental,butsensitiveandempatheticheadusher mum kindly into the office and invite Sophie to speak.

Thisprincipal’sambience,toneofvoiceand choiceofthepossiblyfewintrowordsusedrevealedarealisationthattheirprofessionalbehaviorfromthen on,wouldhaveimmenseimpactonhowthisnewswasreceivedbySophie’s parents.Notsurprisinglystunned,possiblyhurtandpossiblydisappointed mumatthismeetingleftthatofficebruisedbutstrong.Sheleftwiththese words,“...Iwasshocked,butatthesametime,mymindkickedinandthought we will deal with this, Sophie will still have a life and we’ll make sure of that”.

Sophie did go on to suffer a great deal. She shared that she was branded disgusting and told she had ruin her life by her classmates. Furthermore, she faced cruel comments from strangers who jibed that she would never achieve at school.The principal and school continued to keep their hearts anddoorsopenforSophie.Duringherpregnancy,sheattendedschoolpart timeandreturnedfourweeksafterherbabywasborn.Thismonth(now16 yearsold)sheattendedherschool’spromandwouldbegoingintouniversity to study Music this September.

Omoru is a freelance writer, education, health and social care advocate

Senator Ordia’s Passion for Education Touches Edo Pupils Omon-Julius Onabu The Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt, Senator Clifford Akhimiemona Ordia, has presented state-of-the-art furniture and several educational learning materials to pupils and staff of some primary schools in his Edo Central Senatorial District.

The educational materials influenced by Senator Clifford Ordia’s office for Usugbenu Primary School and Idinegbon Primary School, Edenu, both in Irrua, the administrative headquarters of Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State include 50 sets of

customised reinforced plastic school table and chairs.

Others were four sets of mathematically teaching kit and training ma as well as 1,760 exercise and 10 hardcover notebooks.

In the same vein, Ordia also put smiles on the faces of other pupils in his constituency as far as Esan South-East Local Government Area with Ohordua Primary School, Idumigun Primary School, Obeide Primary School and Ekoiyobhebhe Primary School also receiving Mathematics and English textbooks, as well as relevant novels and exercise books for pupils in primary one to three.

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The Future of Education Gregor Polson

H

ow do we prepare students for today’s society? This is particularly relevant in our current situation when most students have been forced into distance learning due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Nobody is able to predict with any real certainty what this future will look like, but we must have the foresight to understand what skills and qualifications our students will need to enter a competitive workforce. Normally, when we consider the next step for students leaving school, we think of university as a large number of them will end up going to these higher education institutes, gain a degree and then go into a related profession.

Other students will either take some technical or vocational qualifications or even enter the workforce directly. The problem with these assumptions is that school graduates are making different choices to their parents in terms of career, as many of their possible career paths did not exist when their parents entered

the workforce.

However, these assumptions may be wrong and instead, we should be preparing our students to be life-long learners rather than seeing education as a process simply to get through and obtain a final qualification.

Traditionally schools and universities use a ‘hierarchal’ domain, where teachers or professors pass on their knowledge in classes or lectures. The newer online nature of learning either individually or in groups is defined as ‘distributed learning’. The obvious shift is from the hierarchical approach of schools and universities to the distributed approach as almost all human knowledge is becoming available online through the internet and this is being accessed by Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and the awarding of micro-credentials. These MOOCs are affordable and allows learning on personal interests and or any work specific area that is needed for your profession. These micro-credentials can be collected and presented to any possible employers as either a portfolio or transcript of

Inadequate Classrooms, Toilets Affecting Schools in FCT, Says Report Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The shortage of classrooms and toilets warranted by urban population explosion have been identified as topmost impediments to learning in primary and secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This was revealed in the published reports of activities in the FCT education sector, from the Department of Policy Planning Research and Statistics, FCT Education Secretariat.

The findings were contained in three publications presented to the public. They are Community Score Card 2018, Monitoring of Learning Achievement (MLA) 2019 and Annual School Census Statistical reports 2017/2018 and 2018/2019.

The report stated that only 26 per cent of primary schools had access to safe drinking water, 44 per cent in junior secondary schools and 67 per cent in senior secondary schools, while only 27 per cent of primary schools, 65 per cent of junior secondary schools and 90 per cent of senior secondary schools have access to electricity.

As part of the recommendations, however, is a call for more toilets to be provided to prevent open defecation in addition for retraining of teachers to enable put in more, while the government should engage more Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to enhance the provision of education facilities.

Reacting to the development, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, who performed the official presentation of the reports assured that the FCT administration will double its efforts to address

the challenges.

The minister, who was represented by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola appealed to good-spirited members of the public to help in building and donating blocks of classrooms.

“When you see the gap between students’ population and the facilities available, it is evident that government alone cannot meet this challenge. So, we want to call on the citizens especially philanthropists to help. Let them come and donate blocks of classrooms to us; Let them go to build schools to immortalise their names. “Let them come out to support the developmental efforts of government in various communities. When we do this, we will be able to address it. So it is an issue that all of us have a role to play; government will do its part, and the populace citizens will do their part, and the families too should do their part,” he stressed.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director Department of Policy Planning Research and Statistics, Dr. Mohammed Sani Ladan, noted that from the reports, it was discovered that there was an increase in the number of public primary schools from 619 in 2017/2018 to 629 in 2018/2019 while junior secondary schools increased from 165 to 169 within the same period.

He added that there was an increase in public schools’ enrolment from 229,035 in 2017/2018 to 236,800 in 2018/2019 for primary, from 143,115 to 143,795 for junior secondary school and from 73,664 to 76,213 senior secondary.

Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu knowledge and skills.

If distributed learning is the way forward for adults, what role should schools be playing to help students transitions into these new modes of learning. The first thing we must consider is the content of the curriculum and how relevant it is for today’s living.

Well, it may be somewhat obsolete, apart from the skills and knowledge gained in fundamental subjects like language, mathematics and science. The other subjects obviously have some very

important and critical knowledge which must be learnt but the focus must be much more on teaching of the skills of these subject and not so much on its content.

The style of teaching must also continue to change from a traditional teachercentred learning environment to a student-centred learning environment. This means the teacher is no longer the holder of knowledge but becomes the facilitator of the students learning.

This should include their

interests and passions, with the teacher acting as a guide along this path, making sure that the journey ahead is safe and to monitor their learning to make sure that every student succeeds.

Students must have choice in their learning as they inquire about their own interests as well as the prescribed curriculum.

Some schools around the world have started the idea of Google and introduced an 80/20 rule, where students can use 20 percent of their time for

creative side projects. Other schools have started using a Project Based Approach (PBL) and others have followed an inquiry-based model. This inquiry-based model promotes a transdisciplinary approach where big questions or themes are explored rather than through traditional subject area. This type of learning makes the experience more relevant for the learner and therefore more memorable and actionable.

Education needs to continue to move, change and catch up with the everyday life of the 21st century. Schools will continue to be needed in either a physical, virtual or blended environment, not only for the teaching of content, but for the teaching of social skills, sometimes called soft-skills. These skills are the key to success in the future as even with all the information you need at your fingertips, it will be the skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity which will be at the forefront. These skills are called the 4Cs, but I would like to add another 4Cs, these being: character, compassion, curiosity and citizenship. With the breadth of the 8Cs we move closer to the future of education and possibly the birth of true life-long learning.

-Mr. Gregor Polson is Principal Head Teacher Lagos Preparatory and Secondary School

38 Students Bag Publisher Scholarship Award in Kwara Hammed Shittu in Ilorin A total of 38 secondary school students have benefited from the Akogun Educational Support Initiative (AESI) scholarship award in Kwara State.

The students had participated in a debate competition on the causes and solutions to ethnic crisis in Nigeria, with two participants drawn from five secondary schools in Ifelodun local government council area of the state.

The schools include; FOMWAN Comprehensive College, Okeode, Agbona Secondary School, Share, Oke-ode Grammar School, Oke-ode and Government Secondary School, Babanla.

FOMWAN Comprehen-

sive College, Oke-ode, emerged first position with a total point of 70 per cent, while Agbona High School, Share and Government Secondary School Babanla, were the first and second runners up with 63 per cent and 46 per cent, respectively while Oke-Ode Grammar School, Oke-ode, had 48 per cent.

The scholarship award was organised by Comrade Abdulrasheed Akogun, the Publisher, Fresh Insight Newspaper, based in Ilorin.

Speaking at the event at Oke- ode town, Comrade Akogun noted that the programme was organised to boost the academic excellence of the students of the area.

According to him, “ the

importance of education cannot be overemphasised and this is why every stakeholders, be it private or public sector, should join hands, to move education forward in the country.”

Akogun added that, the programme was part of activities to mark his birthday and assist the students by adding values to their academic attainments in life.

He noted that, “It is high time the private individuals who are well-to-do in the country complement government’s efforts in moving education forward in the country.”

He stressed the need for government at all levels, to increase the allocation being earmarked for the

education sector and provide needed infrastructure for teachers so as to boost the standard and quality of education in Nigeria.

Earlier in his keynote, a retired Director of State Security Service(DSS), Dr. Abdulsalam Bolakale Abdulsalam called on the government to rise up to the development of education in the country, adding that this remains the only legacy to bequeath on the citizens.

“All efforts must be on deck to move education forward in the country,” he said, while commending the giant stride of the organiser and journalist, Comrade Akogun, for taking it upon himself to add value to the development of education in the state.

CVCN Appoints Unilorin VC as Chairman Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Committee of Vice Chancellors in Nigeria (CVCN) has appointed the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Sulyman Abdulkareem as its chairman.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Lilian Salami

was also appointed by the committee to serve as alternate chairperson.

The Secretary General of the committee, Professor Yakubu Ochefu, in a statement made available to THISDAY, said the decision was taken tduring a virtual and physical meeting which took place at its secretariat in Abuja.

While wishing the

executive officers success in their mandate and in the discharge of their responsibilities, he said a lot is expected from them as the nation looks up to universities in solving its socio-economic and political challenges.

The statement reads, “ The Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities in a virtual/

physical meeting at the secretariat, appointed the VC of University of Ilorin, Professor Sulyman Age Abdulkareem as chairman, Committee of Vice Chancellors of federal universities, while the vice chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Lilian Salami was appointed alternate chairperson.”

36

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵˜ ͰͮͰͯ

CITYSTRINGS

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Controversial Disappearance of a Toddler He went missing four years ago, then the police allegedly found him and gave him to the wrong mother. In this report, Vanessa Obioha unravels what really happened on the viral video of a mother accusing the police of giving her child to the wrong parent and demanding money to bring him back to Lagos

Facebook post of the missing boy, Chibuike

N

o dark clouds were looming in the sky that fateful day. The promise of a sunny day was boldly written in the clear blue sky. For Mrs Oge Dike, February 10, 2017, started like any ordinary day. She went about her daily routine without trepidation, preparing her nephew Chibuike Iheanacho for school. He attends the same school Ola Daystar Nursery/Primary School at Ogbomoso Street, close to Cele Bus-stop, with her neighbour's son Ebube Divine.

Usually, she takes him to school while Divine brings him back home. Chibuike was three months shy away from four years and Divine was nine years old.

Chibuike's father (Bright) was a truck driver but at the time was serving a jail term for conveying vehicles loaded with contraband goods. According to him, he had no idea, such items were stored in the truck.

Chibuike's mother (Joy), pregnant with a second child, was a petty trader living at Ayobo in the Iyana-Ipaja axis of the state. Due to her condition, it was mutually agreed that her sister-in-law Oge, should have custody of her child.

Dike was still going about her business that fateful Friday but by afternoon, the dark clouds canopied the blue sky. She was anxiously waiting for the return of her nephew since it was past the school closing time. But when Divine came home, he returned alone and panicky.

Instantly, Dike felt something was amiss. She asked frantically for her nephew. Divine had no good news.

"We were returning from school that day and they (sic) were fighting. They threw bottle (sic) so we separated," recalled Divine. By the time I looked around, I couldn't find him again. I started searching for him. I didn't see him. So I ran home to tell my mummy who told his Aunty and we all went back to search for him."

"We ran to the school, we could not find the boy. They told us they already left the school.

The security man confirmed that he crossed both Divine and Chibuike to the other side of the road.

That Chibuike was not in the school premises.

I reported to the Itire Police Station." said Dike.

On hearing that her son had gone missing, Joy rushed down to Ijesha. "We went to different police stations to report him missing," she said.

They printed his photo on fliers and posters, pasted it on walls, trees and every available space.

They also bombarded Facebook with his photos.

"I remember we took his photo to Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to report him missing," recounted Dike. Yet, no sign of him. The police assured them they would keep searching.

In Nigeria, kidnapping and child trafficking are prevalent in organised crimes. The North-east region is usually a target for terrorists who raid schools and kidnap children. In Lagos, missing persons are either used for kidnap for ransom, rituals or trafficked. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Nigeria, records nearly 23,000 missing people. It is the largest on the continent.

In 2015, The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) promised to ensure that the

Joy and Bright Iheanacho with photos of Chibuike government maintains data of every Nigerian as well as account for every citizen missing or in captivity by the insurgency group Boko Haram. The Commission began the process but the outcome is yet to be ascertained.

Bright, who was still in jail, nearly died when he learnt of his son's fate. But locked behind bars, there was little he could do.

Seasons and years passed, many sleepless nights and sunless days rolled by. There was still no sign of Chibuike. The world moved on but for the Iheanachos, each day was an agonising reminder that the whereabouts of their child remains unknown. The uncertainty was crippling.

Was he dead or alive? Is he safe or in the worst condition? All manner of thoughts had a free day in their mind. Notwithstanding, the family held on tightly to hope, even when there was no light in the tunnel.

"I just placed my trust in God, believing that one day I will see him. Even at church, they told me the child was not dead, that somebody stole the child. They encouraged me to believe in God that one day I will see him," said Joy. "If God is alive, I will see my baby," her husband added determinedly.

Then one fateful day in February, Bright received a post from a friend. It was a Facebook post advertising a missing child.

The post read: “Found Child by name Chibuike Ogbonna, Male 9yrs old, fair in complexion, speaks English and Igbo lang, hails from Agba in Oboama, Ohaji LGA of Imo State, he is presently in Ojo Division, Lagos State Police Command, grateful assist and repost so that if any of his family members can be trace (sic) they can call this number. 08031939075. Thank you.”

Bright was immediately convinced that the child in the picture was his. The feeling was overwhelming that he nearly ran out of the house. But to be sure, he forwarded the post to his sister, wife, friends and other relatives. They confirmed his thoughts. The boy in the post was indeed Chibuike.

"Everybody I sent that picture to said it was my baby. I know it's my baby. I studied everything.

Even the name remained the same," said Bright who was in Delta State at the time.

When Divine was shown the picture of the missing boy, he confirmed that indeed it was Chibuike from the outline of his face. He remembered playing with him.

Joy was not in Lagos when her husband received the post. She was in her state Abia for a funeral.

Immediately she saw the photo post, she jumped up in excitement and called her mother-in-law that her son has been found.

"I told her to come and see my Chibuike. That my Chibuike has been found. She also jumped up when she saw the picture. She started crying and commented on how he looks now since four years ago he disappeared."

Joy happily boarded the next bus to Lagos.

But on getting to the Juvenile Welfare Centre (JWC), near Alakara Police Station, where the child was transferred to, she was told the child has been released to another woman.

Her sister-in-law Dike had gone ahead to Ojo Police Division to claim the child on seeing the post but was told that he'd been transferred to Alakara Police Station in Mushin, where the child was handed to JWC. She was also told that another woman had come earlier to claim the child and they directed her to Alakara Police Station. Dike disclosed that when she presented the picture of Chibuike to the officers in Ojo, they confirmed that the missing boy was indeed Chibuike. Their semblance was too striking to be ignored. She was advised to visit the Okoko Police Division since the woman reported there first, perhaps they could trace her address.

"When we got there, they said they had released the child to another mother. Which mother?" Dike queried.

She brought out the photo of the child and showed the officer that this is the missing boy."

Meanwhile, Joy said she brought her son's birth certificate, photos and ante-natal cards including photos of Chibuike on his third birthday celebration, only to be told that the child was no longer in their custody.

"I asked them why they released the child to the woman, they said the boy greeted the woman with familiarity so they handed him to her assuming she was the mother. They didn't demand the woman show them all the certificates they asked me to bring," Joy said with a hint of anger in her tone.

"When they saw photo of Chibuike, they agreed that indeed he looked like the boy that was brought to them. They assured me that they will trace the woman's address and arrest her."

"I just wanted to see the baby. Even if it turns out not to be mine. I just wanted to see him," said Bright.

They identified the officer who released the baby to the alleged impostor as Mrs Ali. "She went through her file and brought out a photo she took with the woman and said she would look for the woman. She asked for transport money which I gave her N1,000 since she claimed she lived close to the area the woman lives," revealed Dike.

"We have to pay them N10,000 for them to arrest

the women in Ojo and bring them to Alakara Police Station," added Bright.

The woman was finally arrested on Sunday, February 28, according to the couple. She confessed that the child was not hers.

However, things got complicated when the child of the woman arrested took the police to arrest another woman who brought the child to her mother. When queried about the whereabouts of the child, the second woman said it was her sister in Imo State that connected her to the mother of the child. She claimed that the child was already on his way to meet his mother in Imo State unaccompanied. The two women according to the parents of Chibuike are in the police net.

Still digging deeper, it was discovered that one of the women sent the lost-but-found child on an errand but he apparently missed his way and that was how he got missing the second time.

"It all looked suspicious. A child who supposedly missed his way from the house to shop, and now, you are sending him to his mother in Imo State alone," argued Dike.

We are talking about a child, not a phone or an item," lamented Bright painfully.

The couple painfully waited for the child to be returned but no answer seemed to be forthcoming.

The officers at the JWC suggested to them that since the boy was yet to be returned, that they should pay the sum of N200,000 for transportation to Imo State to bring the child to Lagos.

"They said the money would cover the expenses of two policemen, one of the women arrested, the supposed mother and child. Making five people."

Over the weekend, a video of Joy narrating her experience had gone viral.

When this reporter visited the JWC, Ali and the CSP Ibironke Ajala declined to speak, rather directing the reporter to the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who in a recent statement described the woman’s allegation as false and unfounded, stating that three mothers are claiming the child.

“The boy allegedly got missing some time but was found at Ojo Division, Lagos. He was later taken to the Juvenile Welfare Center (JWC) office at Alakara for investigation.

“A woman came to claim him and sent him to another woman in Imo State. This woman in the video appeared on Friday to claim the same boy that she was told that has been seen and published on Facebook.

“So she has not even set her eyes on the boy before she started claiming the boy and alleging the police baselessly. The case is a complex and sensitive one, so the command will be professional about it and make sure the facts emerge.

“We are on it and we will do the needful as urgently as possible. We are working with the Imo State Command to retrieve the boy and commence further police actions,” he said.

However, in an audio file obtained by this reporter, the officers at JWC could be heard shouting at a family friend who was intervening on behalf of the couple. Here are excerpts from the recording: "Who was the person that released the child," asked the family friend. "The person is not here?"

"You are not a police officer," shouted one of the female officers. "Don't ask who released the child. The reason is that…"

"I can say it was the police that released the child," interrupted the family friend.

"Yes, we are all police officers."

"So that's legally approved."

"Excuse me please", the female officer's voice started getting louder. "If you don't want to listen to me, please go out."

Voices raised in a heated argument. But the family friend could be heard asking the police officers if they asked the couple to bring money or not.

"Yes, for us to travel to Imo State. Will I use my money to travel to Imo State," shouted the police officer.

More raised voices.

"We are going to travel to Imo State. I will not use my money to travel to Imo State."

The recording ended with her saying sarcastically that they should bring N20.

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CRIME&SECURITY

Ministry of Defence Reassures Navy of Total Support to Combat Maritime Crimes Stories by Chiemelie Ezeobi

T

he Nigerian Navy (NN) has been reassured of the full support of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in carrying out its constitutional mandate of securing the nation’s maritime environment.

This statement was made recently by the new Permanent Secretary, MOD, Mr Musa Istifanus during his maiden familiarisation visit to the Naval Headquarters, Abuja where he revealed the resolution of senior staff of the ministry to work closely with the leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) towards having a safer and secured Nigeria, adding that this what is desired so much especially at this critical time in the history of the country.

The Permanent Secretary also stated that the ministry is open to receive inputs from the NN at any time and offer all necessary assistance that will enable the service carry out its responsibilities. He further assured that the ministry will properly look at the brief presented by the NN and act accordingly.

Speaking earlier, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo appreciated the proactive move of the Permanent Secretary by undertaken the familiarisation visit, just as he acknowledged the important role of the Permanent Secretary MOD, who serves as the chief accounting officer of the ministry.

The office of the Permanent Secretary is equally noted to be responsible for liaison between departments in the ministry as well as processing of requirements of the AFN. The CNS appreciated the prompt attention by the office which has immensely contributed

Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo with the Permanent Secretary, MOD, Mr Musa Istifanus to the successes recorded so far by the NN in securing the nation’s maritime environment.

Furthermore, the CNS assured that the visit will further strengthen the existing cordial working relationship between the Office of

the Permanent Secretary and the NN. The visit which witnessed exchange of souvenirs between the CNS and the Permanent Secretary was attended by the Director of Joint Services Affairs - Mrs Olu Mutapha and the

Director Army Affairs - Mr Sunday Attah.

Others were the Director Navy Affairs - Mr Fashina Kayode Julius and the Director Air Force Affairs - Mr Ashibel Utsu Peter amongst others.

...NLNG Commends Navy's Contribution to Its Operations

T

CNS, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo with Managing Director NLNG, Mr Tony Attah

he Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) has commended the Nigerian Navy (NN) for its key role in ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for the Company to carry out its activities.

The encomium was showered on the NN by the Managing Director (MD) NLNG, Mr Tony Attah when he recently led other senior management officials of the Company on a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja.

Attah explained that Liquefied Natural Gas is a critical national asset to the future of the country especially at a time that the nation is moving away from dependence on crude oil.

He therefore reiterated that without the NN’s support, the NLNG would have found it extremely difficult to operate in the Niger Delta region. In this regard, Attah solicited for the continued support of the NN to enable

the company sustain its operations.

The MD also used the forum to felicitate with the CNS on his recent appointment and wished him well as he leads the service.

Responding, the CNS, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo appreciated the show of goodwill by the MD and quickly recalled that the NLNG was instrumental in the establishment of the NN Forward Operating Base Bonny.

Vice Admiral Gambo pointed out that the NN is very mindful of the position of the NLNG as a key national asset and the NN’s responsibility to ensure that this asset is well protected.

Thus, he assured the MD and his team that the Service will continue to support the NLNG especially by providing a favourable atmosphere for its operations so that business will thrive without any fear, adding that it was a delight how the issue of gas flaring is becoming a thing of the past.

Air Commodore Gabkwet Assumes Office as Director Air Force Public Relations

F

ollowing recent postings and deployments by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet has been appointed as the new Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI).

The new Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet assumed office on March 9, 2021 as the 17th DOPRI. He took over from Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola who has been at the helm of affairs for about two years and seven months.

Born in Kaduna, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet hails from Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State.

He attended St Joseph’s College, Vom, Plateau State and later proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of 42nd Regular Course.

Gabkwet was commissioned into the NAF as a Pilot Officer on August 16, 1996. He is an alumnus of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos State, where he obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations in 2008.

The senior officer has attended several

courses some of which include, International Military Public Relations Course in Sweden, Junior and Senior Command and Staff Courses at the prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji as well as Strategic Public Relations and Crisis Management Courses at Pinnacle PR, London.

Additionally, he attended a Speech Writing Course organised by Ragan Communications at American University, Washington DC. Air Commodore Gabkwet is also an alumnus of the National Defence University, Champing, China, Air Force War College, Nigeria and the National Defence College, Nigeria.

The senior officer has held several appointments in the course of his military career. He was the Group Public Relations Officer at Air Weapon School (Now 407Air Combat Training Group), Kainji and at various times served as the Command Public Relations Officer at Tactical Air Command Makurdi, Training Command, (Now Air Training Command), Kaduna as well as Logistics Command, Lagos.

The new Spokesperson was also a

United Nations Military Observer at the Democratic Republic of Congo between 2004 and 2005 where he also acted as the Assistant Military Spokesman. He served as the first Press Officer to the Chief of the Air Staff between 2010 - 2012.

Other appointments held by the senior officer include the Deputy Defence Attaché (Air), Embassy of Nigeria, Beijing China between 2013 - 2016 and Command Training Officer at the Ground Training Command Enugu in 2018. Until his appointment, he was a member of Directing Staff and Director of Coordination at the Air Force War College, Makurdi. Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet is an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and a Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management.

The senior officer is decorated with the Distinguished Service Star, Fellow Defence College, Fellow National Defence University, Fellow Air War College (+) and the United Nations Medal among others. He is married to Mrs Patricia Jemcit Gabkwet and the union is blessed

Air Commodore Gabkwet with three children. He enjoys playing golf and badminton as well as watching documentaries.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵˜ 2021

38

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

AfCFTA: Expert Harps on Trade Bank to Support MSMEs Dike Onwuamaeze The Acting Director General/ Chief Trade Negotiator of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiation, Mr. Victor Liman, has called for the establishment of a trade bank that would empower the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to be able to participate fully in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

Liman, who is saddled with the task of negotiating Nigeria’s participation in the AfCFTA, made the call yesterday during a symposium organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) with the theme “AfCFTA: Roadmap to a Successful Implementation.”

Meanwhile, the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, who was represented by the Secretary of National Committee on AfCFTA, Mr. Francis Anatogu, said Nigeria would benefit from the continental trade pact in the medium term.

Liman said: “There are key financial consideration that we shall take into account when we

talk about the productivity of the MSMEs and their ability to build capacity to have what to trade domestically and export.

“Therefore, there is a need for a dedicated fund, a dedicated bank, to be able to fund trade and trade interests. One of such could be by a way of grants that may not be paid back where the MSMEs can access money.

“But there have to be a mechanism to ensure that there is accountability for whatever fund they access because free money does not grow the economy. What grows the economy is money that is used in productive activities that can create job opportunities to employ people. So, there is a need for us to ensure that we have a dedicated platform for the MSMEs to access fund.”

He said this was important because most of them do not have the collateral and financial muscle that the commercial banks would require to be able to give them money to trade with, adding that legislative actions might be required to give the trade bank a legal framework so that it could become a policy.

The Nigeria’s chief trade negotiator also explained that it

would take a while for Nigerian businesses to begin to participate in the actual trading within the AfCFTA protocol.

He added: “Negotiations is different from implementation, which requires a whole lot of preparation to be fully engaged.

“Now that we have negotiated the agreement we need to sit down to see how we can put to actions the things we have negotiated by setting up structures that need designated competent authorities to work.

“We have to set up the trade documentations and how to access them and the inputs that are required to go into these documents and criteria for the Rule of Origin.”

The minister of Industry, Trade and Investment also said the AfCFTA was expected to complement Nigeria’s national development agenda and act as a catalyst for Nigeria’s export diversification.

“It also supports Nigeria’s industrial policy through the negotiated and agreed “Exclusion and Sensitive category lists” to provide space for Nigeria’s infant industries; anda platform for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Uduanu: Savings, Pensions Critical for National Development Nume Ekeghe The Managing Director, Sigma Pensions, Mr. Dave Uduanu has reiterated that short-term and long-term savings are critical to the development of any nation.

Uduanu, stated during a panel session at a virtual media engagement organised by the Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN), where they deliberated on ‘Impact of Financial Literacy on Youths.’

Uduani, a board member of JAN, said it was important that people learn how to save from young age, especially in the university. This, he said would go with them as they grow and develop into adulthood.

He explained: “Savings and pensions are critical to national development. Pensions are the bedrock of the long-term financial savings. “The longer you save the better for you. What we are saying is that it is important that we start to save for our future while we are young than to wait

for when it is too late.

“That is why at Sigma Pensions, we target university students and youth corps members for our catch them young programme.”

He added: “Saving for pension is no magic. People should save enough money now so that when they retire, they can continue their lifestyle in retirement.”

He added that, “the minimum requirement for pension is 18 per cent of income from the age of 25, while in other climes; some do as high as 30 per cent.

“The key thing here is to start now even if you are older than 25, you have to start a pension savings plan now. One good thing now is that these savings are invested by the Pensions Funds and it is all better for contributors in the future.

He stressed that it would be difficult for anybody who has a strong pension plan to think of going into financial crime or embezzlement because he is rest assured of a better future.

“If you have a decent financial plans or pension plans you will not go into fraud. We should emphasise more of savings and savings for the future among the people.

“The more we save, the better the future is for us”, Uduanu added. Another member of the panel, the Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FBN Holdings, Folake Ani-Mumuney, said it was important to understand the role of savings. She said: “We have an economy where everybody is a player. We must make sure that we start teaching financial literacy at young age. We must understand the multiplier effect of savings and financial literacy.

“We expect primary school pupils to start learning about money and savings because it is important to start early.

“Financial literacy is important because it has impact on the future. As long as they can read and write, we should teach them financial literacy”.

JCI Nigeria Shortlists 50 for TOYP Award Goddy Egene Meristem Securities Limited is intensifying the essence of building lasting wealth that can withstand stormy days, guiding investors on how invest wisely record good returns on investments.

Meristem is doing this through new campaign message titled, ‘Storm,” which is a sequel to the successful ‘The Journey’ TVC that showcased Art doyen Mama Nike Okundaye Davies both still anchored on the campaign promise “Let’s take you farther,” which debuted last year.

According to the company, as part of its efforts to encourage investors and business to partner with experienced and trusted financial partners who understand the investment terrain, the new campaign mirrors the resilience

that people and businesses all around the world have shown amidst a global pandemic that slowed economic growth.

The campaign highlights the importance of trusted financial advisors in wealth building, as well as the essence of making smart investment decisions with strong and resilient financial partners. Commenting on the campaign, Group Managing Director, Meristem, Oluwole Abegunde, said: “The economic and global business environment has been very tough because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have had a fair share of the accompanying challenges of the pandemic. “Investors are now torn on how to allocate scarce resources smartly while pursuing the prospect of healthy financial returns.

“This can only be possible with

the help of tested and trusted partners who have been able to withstand the downsides of the external environment,” he added.

He explained that from inception, the company had operated a client-oriented business which had helped to create tailor-made financial solutions for its clients, some of which include retirement planning, mutual funds, foreign denominated products like Meristem Dollar investment portfolio, real estate advantage portfolio and more recently, probate management service.

“We will continue to be proactive with product innovation as the investment landscape evolves.

This is a signal of our readiness for partnership, to take our clients to their desired financial destination,” Abegunde said.

Adebayo

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JULY 2020 Money Supply (M3)

36,822,751.47

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

3,476,121.25

Money Supply (M2)

33,346,630.22

-- Quasi Money

120,764,479.02

-- Narrow Money (M1)

12,582,151.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,002,026.89

---- Demand Deposits

10,580,124.31

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,637,137.23

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

29,185,614.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

39,711,115.95

---- Credit to Government (Net)

19,521,851.08

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-130,189,264.87

--Other Assets Net

3,472,017.70

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,421,827.07

--Currency in Circulation

2,395,917.03

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,025,910.04 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT MONDAY, 15 MARCH 2021

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $68.18 a barrel on Monday, compared with $68.14 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

39

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Ardova to Float N60bn Bond Issuance Progreamme Goddy Egene Ardova Plc (AP) has proposed to establish a N60 billion bond issuance programme, which would lead to raising of funds that would facilitate the execution of its growth strategy.

In a notification to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and general public, Ardova Plc said its board of directors via a resolution dated 25 February

2021 had resolved to recommend the proposed transaction for the approval of the shareholders of the company, subject to obtaining requisite regulatory approvals and relevant contractual approvals.

“The final decision to proceed with the proposed transaction will be subject to market conditions and the specific details of the proposed transaction will be disclosed in the appropriate

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

transaction documents at the relevant time. Potential investors are advised that nothing in this announcement shall constitute an offering of any securities once and if the programme is established,” it said.

The company explained that any decision to participate in and subscribe for bonds under the proposed transaction would be made based on the investor’s review of the information

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

contained in and incorporated by reference into the shelf prospectus and pricing supplement to be published, and after due consultation with its stockbroker, solicitor, accountant, banker or an independent investment adviser.

The Chief Executive Officer, Ardova Plc(AP), Olumide Adeosun, had recently said the company would remain focused on increasing long-term value for their shareholders

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

by investing in higher margin products to improve their earnings-generating capacity and preserve the strength of AP’s balance sheet.

The company has recommended a dividend of N249 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, translating to 19 kobo per share. AP Plc recorded a revenue of N181.7 billion in 2020, up 2.9 per cent from N176.6 billion in 2019. Net

O F

finance cost jumped from N270.2 million to N1.1 billion, while profit before tax (PBT) printed at N3.2 billion as against N4.7 billion in 2019, while profit after tax (PAT) stood at N2.1 billion compared with N3.9 billion in 2019.

Adeosun said 2020 presented the most challenging market conditions globally with the energy sector being one of the worst hit by the pandemic.

1 6 / 0 3 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

40

˾ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2021

Wednesday, March 17, 2021 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index Declines 0.6% dŚĞ dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ĨĞůů ϱϳďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

1,723.94 points. This was on account of price declines in GUARANTY (-4.8%), ZENITH (-4.2%) and UBA (-2.8%).

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

dŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϲ͘Ϯй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

WŽƐŝƟǀĞ Performance Resurfaces... ASI up 0.4%

Ticker

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

1,723.94

-0.57%

930.00

0.0%

35.0%

74.75

0.0%

11.1%

-3.4%

28.50

-4.8%

8.4%

-11.9%

At the close of trade yesterday, the benchmark index

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 BUA Cement Plc

gained 41bps to 38,720.81 points following buying inter-

3 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC 4 Zenith Bank PLC

est in DANGCEM ;нϯ͘ϲйͿ͕ MTNN (+1.2%) and GUINNESS (+10.0%). Accordingly, the YTD loss improved to ϯ͘ϴй ĂŶĚ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ďLJ േ83.2bn

Price Previous Current Change Price YTD Weighting Change

Current Price

5 Dangote Cement PLC 6 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC 7 Nestle Nigeria PLC

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

5.0x

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

17.5%

72.4%

12.8%

3.3%

9.2%

9.2%

7.9%

2.8%

0.5x

5.9%

7.2%

-3.4%

19.1%

11.2%

35.9x

6.8x

2.5%

2.8%

-11.9%

27.9%

4.7%

4.1x

1.1x

9.7%

24.2% 36.1%

1.4%

20.30

-4.2%

5.6%

-18.1%

-18.1%

22.4%

3.1%

2.8x

0.6x

14.3%

227.80

3.5%

5.7%

-7.0%

-7.0%

30.8%

14.6%

15.2x

4.8x

7.1%

6.6%

159.90

1.2%

4.7%

-5.9%

-5.9%

15.9x

18.2x

5.9%

6.3%

1,375.00

0.0%

3.7%

-8.6%

-8.6%

104.8%

17.8%

27.8x

37.2x

5.1%

3.6%

22.00

0.0%

3.5%

4.5%

4.5%

6.5%

4.6%

15.3x

1.0x

4.5%

6.5%

7.80

0.0%

2.7%

-7.7%

-7.7%

16.8%

1.5%

2.5x

0.4x

8.3%

39.5%

8 Lafarge Africa PLC 9 Access Bank PLC

7.00

-2.8%

2.2%

-19.1%

-19.1%

7.30

-0.7%

2.5%

2.1%

2.1%

11.2%

1.1%

4.1x

0.4x

5.3%

47.00

0.0%

1.8%

-16.1%

-16.1%

4.5%

1.8%

50.9x

2.3x

2.0%

2.0%

40.00

0.0%

1.8%

-9.2%

-9.2%

24.3%

3.7%

5.3x

1.2x

6.0%

18.8%

and േ4.2bn. The most traded stocks by volume were

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC 14 International Brew eries PLC

5.10

0.0%

1.4%

-14.3%

-14.3%

-26.3%

-6.2%

29.70

0.0%

UBA (24.4m units), ACCESS (19.1m units) and MBENE-

15 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 16 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

1.2%

14.2%

14.2%

FIT

17 11 PLC 18 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

to േϮϬ͘ϯƚŶ͘ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůͲ ƵĞ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ ϭϵ͘ϳй ĂŶĚ ϲϳ͘ϭй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ƚŽ ϮϮϬ͘ϵŵ units

(17.9m

units)

while

NOTORE

(േϵϲϬ͘ϬŵͿ͕

DANGCEM (േ933.0m) and NESTLE (േϲϭϳ͘ϲŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůͲ ue.

10 United Bank for Africa PLC 11 FBN Holdings Plc 12 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 Ecobank Transnational Inc 21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 22 FCMB Group Plc 23 Sterling Bank PLC 24 NASCON Allied Industries PLC 25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

Mixed Sector Performance Across sectors under our coverage, performance was

26 Presco PLC 27 Unilever Nigeria PLC

mixed as 3 indicators appreciated, 2 lost and the Oil &

28 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC 29 United Capital PLC

'ĂƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ and AFR-ICT indices gained 1.7% and Ϭ͘ϲй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŝĐĞ ƵƉƟĐŬƐ ŝŶ DANGCEM ;нϯ͘ϲйͿ ĂŶĚ MTNN (+1.2%). Similarly, the Consumer Goods index closed higher by 0.2% due to

demand

for

GUINNESS

(+10.0%)

and

VITAFOAM ;нϱ͘ϰйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ WAPIC (9.1%), MANSARD (-3.8%), GUARANTY (-4.8%) and ZEN-

30 Guinness Nigeria PLC 31 Custodian and Allied Insurance 32 AIICO Insurance PLC 33 Total Nigeria PLC 34 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 35 Wema Bank PLC 36 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 37 Oando PLC

ITH (-4.3%) dragged the Insurance and Banking indices down by 1.1% and 3.5% ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ tĂŶĞƐ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϲdž ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ 1.0x recorded previously as 11 stocks advanced against 19 losers. REGALINS (+10.0%), GUINNESS (+10.0%) and

ƚŽƉ ůŽƐĞƌƐ͘ tĞ ĂŶƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ ƚŚĂƚ ŐĂŝŶƐ ǁŽƵůĚ ŶŽƚ ďĞ ƐƵƐͲ tained ŝŶ ƐƵďƐĞƋƵĞŶƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ ĂƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽͲ wards the market remains weak.

-15.6% 8.1%

9.0%

41.2%

1.4%

35.5%

35.5%

0.8%

0.0%

0.0%

16.4%

7.6%

12.4x

1.9x

93.00

0.0%

0.8%

2.2%

2.2%

24.6%

16.0%

11.3x

2.6x

2.23

-6.7%

0.6%

-11.5%

-11.5%

10.5%

1.1%

2.4x

0.2x

8.9%

4.85

-5.8%

0.6%

-19.2%

-19.2%

0.6%

0.0%

36.1x

0.2x

17.50

-0.3%

0.6%

-0.6%

-0.6%

25.5%

12.6%

7.2x

1.7x

8.6%

13.9%

2.86

-1.4%

0.5%

-14.1%

-14.1%

10.3%

1.2%

2.7x

0.1x

4.9%

36.8%

1.57

0.6%

0.3%

-23.0%

-23.0%

9.2%

0.9%

3.9x

0.3x

1.9%

25.8%

14.00

0.0%

0.4%

-3.4%

-3.4%

18.4%

5.8%

8.1x

3.0x

2.8%

12.3%

0.81

-1.2%

0.3%

-10.0%

-10.0%

-3.5%

-0.8%

0.5x

1.2%

-7.2%

69.00

0.0%

0.3%

-2.7%

-2.7%

18.5%

7.7%

2.2x

2.9%

10.2%

13.25

0.0%

0.2%

-4.7%

-4.7%

-2.4%

-1.6%

1.2x

4.85

0.0%

0.2%

-8.5%

-8.5%

-12.2%

-5.6%

0.6x

2.1%

-182.2%

1.1x

15.6%

9.8x

4.50

-2.4%

0.2%

-4.5%

-4.5%

35.5%

4.2%

25.30

10.0%

0.3%

33.2%

33.2%

-17.8%

-9.0%

6.00

0.0%

0.2%

2.6%

2.6%

13.9%

4.8%

3.0x

0.8x

1.22

0.8%

0.2%

8.0%

8.0%

21.4%

3.3%

2.7x

0.5x

3.4x

2.8%

-2.1%

0.8x 9.2%

142.00

0.0%

0.2%

9.2%

9.2%

17.00

0.0%

0.1%

-4.5%

-4.5%

3.2%

0.4%

19.8x

0.6x

9.3%

5.0%

0.60

-3.2%

0.1%

-13.0%

-13.0%

6.8%

0.5%

2.9x

0.4x

6.7%

34.3%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.1%

-18.9%

14.5%

2.6%

1.3x

0.2x

8.0x

0.7x

21.5x

-100.0% -18.9%

5.2%

5.9x

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-29.7%

-8.5%

54.00

0.0%

0.1%

-2.5%

-2.5%

9.4%

6.4%

3.25

0.0%

0.0%

-9.7%

-9.7%

5.0%

1.8x

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

24.4

-2.8%

25.30

10.0%

A C C ESS

19.1

0.0%

J A IZ B A N K

0.68

9.7%

M B EN EF IT

17.9

-2.6%

VIT A F OA M

7.75

5.4%

M A N SA R D

17.4

-1.0%

LIVEST OC K

1.90

3.8%

GUA R A N T Y

16.3

-4.8%

D A N GC EM

227.80

3.5%

FB NH

15.5

-0.7%

0.78

2.6%

N OT OR E

15.4

0.0%

6.35

2.4%

Z EN IT H B A N K

15.2

-4.2%

159.90

1.2%

T R A N SC OR P

12.4

-1.2%

1.22

0.8%

C OR N ER ST

4.5

0.0%

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

T o p 10 L o s e r s

WA P IC

P ric e 0.50

T ic k er

Value

-9.1%

N OT OR E

959.6

0.0%

933.0

3.5%

P ric e C hg %

P ric e C hg %

A F R IP R UD

5.00

-8.3%

D A N GC EM

F ID ELIT YB K

2.23

-6.7%

N EST LE

617.6

0.0%

ET I

4.85

-5.8%

GUA R A N T Y

470.6

-4.8%

GUA R A N T Y

28.50

-4.8%

Z EN IT H B A N K

315.9

-4.2%

A F R IN SUR E

0.20

-4.8%

UB A

171.6

-2.8%

20.30

-4.2%

A C C ESS

148.1

0.0%

111.0

-0.7%

C A VER T ON

1.83

-3.7%

FB NH

LA SA C O

1.20

-3.2%

M TNN

107.8

1.2%

-3.2%

F LOUR M ILL

95.6

0.0%

WEM A B A N K

0.60

12.5% -28.4%

GUIN N ESS

T ic k er

16.9%

-18.4% 3.4%

UB A

A IIC O

4.7%

77.4%

10.0%

M TNN

33.2% 36.5%

P ric e C hg %

GLA XOSM IT H

29.1% -25.6%

0.33

Z EN IT H B A N K

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

7.2% 4.0%

0.0% 0.0%

P ric e

JAIZBANK (+9.7%) were the top advancers while WAPIC (9.1%), AFRIPRUD (-8.3%) and FIDELITY (-ϲ͘ϳйͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ

-34.0% 4.7%

R EGA LIN S

UA C -P R OP

24.6%

0.8x

545.00

T o p 10 G a i n e r s T ic k er

0.9x

228.00

3.00

38 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 39 Beta Glass PLC 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

7.4%

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

41

MARKET NEWS

RAK Unity Petroleum Opts for Voluntary Winding Up Goddy Egene The

of RAK Unity Petroleum Company Plc will meet on Friday, March 26, to

Board of Directors 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

consider the full year results of the company and a recommendation to

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 15Mar-2021, unless otherwise stated.

the shareholders to wind up the company. Board of RAK Unity Petroleum Company

Plc had last November announced the appointment of Ms Chinwe Chiwete of

Epic Legal as a Liquidator for the purpose to wind up the company.

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 148.54 150.01 -8.49% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 -11.17% Nigeria International Debt Fund 353.61 353.61 -1.57% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 110.32 110.32 3.73% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 1.02 1.04 13.47% ACAP Income Funds 0.65 0.65 -11.07% 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 2.22% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.22 3.38 -9.27% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 17.97 18.51 -0.93% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 399.91 411.96 -0.12% ARM Ethical Fund 35.21 36.27 4.45% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.20 1.20 -1.99% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.05 1.05 -6.51% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.27% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 103.08 103.08 1.35% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 120.21 121.05 -4.73% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.11% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.05 2.05 -24.81% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.13 2.17 -24.74% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.00% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 124.57 125.42 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 110.37 110.37 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 0.86% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.14 1.15 -5.05% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.45 1.45 -8.16% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 1.96% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 1.98% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,157.78 1,161.35 -3.49% 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 1,349.07 1,349.07 5.40% FBN Balanced Fund 179.54 180.79 -4.33% FBN Halal Fund 110.23 110.23 4.66% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.19% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 123.83 123.83 2.96% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 145.89 147.74 -3.50% 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 1.28% Legacy Debt Fund 3.90 3.90 0.81% Legacy Equity Fund 1.53 1.56 0.33% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.15 1.15 0.96% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH Treasury Bills Fund N/A N/A N/A

GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.75% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 127.20 127.73 17.90% 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 1.44% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.62 2.68 14.08% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 152.96 153.34 -1.60% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.08 1.08 5.18% 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 1.35 1.37 -1.38% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,142.37 1,142.37 1.68% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.59 1.62 7.49% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.24 12.36 0.04% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 1.50% PACAM Equity Fund 1.56 1.57 -1.49% PACAM EuroBond Fund 109.58 112.29 0.16% 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 125.66 127.80 4.22% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 3.19% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,077.45 3,102.39 -4.30% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 227.07 227.07 0.99% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.12 1.13 -4.66% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 297.49 297.49 0.96% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 209.00 211.61 -4.35% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.84% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,748.39 9,874.08 -7.17% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.24 1.24 1.17% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 111.92 111.92 0.76% 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 1.30 1.32 -4.49% United Capital Bond Fund 1.91 1.91 1.16% United Capital Equity Fund 0.87 0.89 0.44% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.11% United Capital Eurobond Fund 118.53 118.53 1.24% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.05 1.07 -3.07% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.02 1.02 2.38% 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 11.90 12.01 0.30% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.21 13.32 8.14% Zenith Income Fund 24.21 24.21 0.96% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.00%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

122.01 52.85

1.05% 0.86%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.33 114.29 91.55

12.43 114.29 93.27

-6.68% -6.12% -7.87%

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.62 5.28 16.51 1.00 19.14 176.00

3.66 5.36 16.61 1.00 19.34 178.00

-4.02% -7.22% 1.04% 0.39% -6.71% -20.25%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.40

13.11%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

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167, ABA ROAD, PORT HARCOURT – RIVERS STATE

PRE-QUALIFICATION/INVITATION TO TENDER (ITT) FOR GOODS AND WORKS AND EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE COMMISSION’S 2020 PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES. 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in line with its statutory mandate and the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan (NDRDMP) wishes to procure various Goods, Works and Services in its nine (9) mandate states of the Region. The full lists of the intended procurements are as listed below.

1.2 Consequently, the Commission wishes to engage the services of experienced and qualified contractors and consultants to undertake the procurement of the below listed Goods, Works and Services.

2.0 SCOPE OF THE SERVICES The procurements are categorized as shown below and their specific scope is as shown in their respective lists below; 2.1 CATEGORY 1A: PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR GOODS 2.2 CATEGORY 1B: ITT FOR GOODS 2.3 CATEGORY 2A: PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR WORKS 2.4 CATEGORY 2B: ITT FOR WORKS 2.5 CATEGORY 3: EOI FOR SERVICES 3.0 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA This solicitation for Tender shall be based on meeting the following minimum eligibility criteria: a.

Evidence of registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) by inclusion of Certificate of Incorporation, Form CAC 1.1 or CAC2 and CAC7; b.

Evidence of current Company’s Income Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) for the last three (3) years valid till 31st December 2021; c.

Evidence of current Pension Compliance Certificate (PENCOM) valid till 31st December, 2021 d.

Evidence of current Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2021; e.

Evidence of current Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2021; f.

Sworn Affidavit that the firm is not in receivership, insolvency or bankruptcy; g.

Sworn Affidavit that none of the directors of the company has any criminal conviction relating to fraud or financial impropriety or criminal misrepresentation and falsification of facts; h.

Sworn Affidavit that none of the directors of the company are officers of the Federal Service or BPP; i.

Company’s Audited Accounts for the last three (3) years – 2018, 2019, 2020; j.

Evidence of financial capability to execute the project by submission of Reference Letter from a reputable Commercial Bank in Nigeria, indicating willingness to provide credit facility for the execution of the project when needed; k.

Company’s Profile with C.V. of Key Staff to be deployed for the project including copies of Academic and Professional Certificates; l.

Evidence of registration with relevant authorities, associations and bodies; m.

Verifiable documentary evidence of at least one (1) similar jobs executed in the area of interest in the last five (5) years including Letters of Awards, letter of completion and Photographs of the projects; n.

Evidence of ownership/Lease of the relevant equipment, instruments, warehouse or/and other relevant facilities where necessary; o.

Letter of Authorisation as representative of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (for Category 1A and 1B and where necessary); p.

For Joint Venture/Partnership, Memorandum

of Understanding (MoU) should be provided (CAC, Tax Clearance, Pension Compliance, ITF Compliance Certificate, NSITF Compliance Certificate, IRR & Sworn Affidavit are compulsory for each JV partner); q.

All documents for submission must be transmitted with a Cover/Forwarding letter under the Company/Firm’s Letter Head Paper bearing amongst others, the Registration Number (RC) as issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Contact Address, Telephone Number (preferably GSM No.), and e-mail address. The Letter Head Paper must bear the Names and Nationalities of the Directors of the Company at the bottom of the page, duly signed by the authorised officer of the firm.

4.0 COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS For Category 1B and 2B, interested companies are to collect the Standard Bidding Document (SBD) from the office stated below: The Director, Procurement Unit, Office of the Interim Administrator/CEO, 8th Floor, Head Office Building, Niger Delta Development Commission, 167, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on evidence of payment of a non-refundable fee of N10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira) only per Lot, paid into Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)’s Remita Account in any Commercial bank in Nigeria.

5.0 SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS 5.1 For Category 1B and 2B Prospective bidders are to submit their Bid for the desired Lot in two (2) hard copies each of the Technical and Financial Bids with softcopy of Financial Bid in MS Excel format, packaged separately in sealed envelopes and clearly marked as “Technical Bid” or “Financial Bid”. Thereafter, put the two (2) sealed envelopes together in a bigger sealed envelope addressed to: The Director, Procurement Unit, Office of the Interim Administrator/CEO, 8th Floor, Head Office Building, Niger Delta Development Commission, 167, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and clearly marked with the category, serial number, project description and Lot number.

Furthermore, the reverse of each sealed envelope should bear the name and address of the Bidder and dropped in the designated Tamper Proof Tender Boxes located at: Procurement Unit, Office of the Interim Administrator/CEO, 8th Floor, Head Office Building, Niger Delta Development Commission; 167, Aba Road, Port Harcourt – Rivers State not later than 12:00 noon, Friday, April 30, 2021.

5.2 For Category 1A, 2A and 3 Prospective bidders are to submit Pre-qualification and Expression of Interest Bid for their desired Lot in a sealed envelope and clearly marked with the project name, category and Lot number and addressed to: The Director, Procurement Unit, Office of the Interim Administrator/CEO, 8th Floor, Head Office Building, Niger Delta Development Commission, 167, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State not later than 12:00 Noon, Monday, March 29th, 2021.

6.0 BID OPENING EXERCISE 6.1 For Category 1B and 2B Only the Technical Bids will be opened immediately after the deadline for the submission at 12:00 noon, Friday, April 30, 2021 in the Reception Hall (Ground Floor), Head Office Building, Niger Delta Development Commission; 167, Aba Road, Port Harcourt – Rivers, while the financial bids will be kept un-opened.

6.2 For Category 1A, 2A and 3 The Pre-qualification and EOI Bids will be opened 1

immediately after the deadline for the submission at 12:00 noon, Monday, March 29, 2021 in the Reception Hall (Ground Floor), Head Office Building, Niger Delta Development Commission; 167, Aba Road, Port Harcourt – Rivers State, and the shortlisted successful Bidders will be notified.

Please ensure that you sign the Bid Submission Register in the office of the Director, Procurement Unit; Office of the Interim Administrator/CEO, 8th Floor, Head Office Building, Niger Delta Development Commission; 167, Aba Road, Port Harcourt – Rivers State, as the Niger Delta Development Commission will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids.

For further enquiries, please contact the Director, Procurement Unit on 0818-857-8594 (Call and Whatsapp) or e-mail procurement@nddc.gov.ng 7.0 GENERAL INFORMATION a.

Bids must be in English Language and signed by an official authorised by the bidder; b.

Bids submitted after the deadline for submission would be rejected. c.

Bidders should not bid for more than one (1) Lot (Note: This maximum ceiling is important in order not to over stretch bidder’s capacity and cause delay in project delivery); d.

Due to COVID-19, presence of bidders would not be required at the bids opening. However, bidders can join through Zoom platform. The link will be sent to bidders at the appropriate time. Also, bidders can request for video coverage; e.

Soft copies of bid documents can be provided and Bids can be submitted vide Courier (Post); f.

Only pre-qualified bidders at technical evaluation will be invited at a later date for financial bids opening, while financial bids of unsuccessful bidders will be returned un-opened; g.

All costs will be borne by the bidders; h.

The Niger Delta Development Commission is not bound to pre-qualify or accept any bidder and reserves the right to annul the Procurement process at any time without incurring any liabilities in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

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Kyari: Oil Discovery in Chad, Niger Inspired NNPC’s Activities in North Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, yesterday revealed that the discovery of crude oil

in commercial quantity in Chad, Niger Republic and the Central African Republic, inspired the company’s recent push to find the commodity in the north.

Speaking at the 56th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Mining

and Geosciences Society at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, the NNPC helmsman noted that the national oil company ramped up its efforts after President Muhammadu Buhari, ordered it to find ways to increase the country’s

AfDB President, Adesina Calls for African Financial Stabilisation Mechanism The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a recipient of the 2017 World Food Prize, and Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz, a recipient of the 2001 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, have called for a quick and comprehensive plan for debt restructuring in Africa.

At the launch of the African Development Bank’s 2021 edition of its annual African Economic Outlook, Adesina urged African governments to consider collectively establishing an African financial stabilization mechanism, which would give Africa the fiscal space it needs to deal with debt.

Africa’s collective debt now stands at 70 per cent of the continent’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“It is high time that we set up a homegrown financial stability mechanism where we work together to mutualise our funds and ensure we avoid the spillover effects that come from global pandemics or any external shocks,” the head of Africa’s premier financial institution said.

“We must start by making sure that we carry out the macroeconomic policy reforms and the fiscal policy reforms that we need to get done,” he said, adding that Africa “is not looking for a free pass. We are just looking for an equitable way in which Africa’s fiscal space gets dealt with.”

The idea was backed by Stiglitz, who proposed an international debt framework.

“That’s a question I’ve been very concerned with for a long time,” said Stiglitz. “You need debt restructuring, and that needs to be really high on the international agenda. Every country has bankruptcy laws but there’s no bankruptcy law for international debt. When there’s too much debt, it’s as much the creditor’s problem as the debtor’s problem.”

Stiglitz added: “What needs to be done with debt is comprehensive and quick restructuring. We don’t want to fall into the trap of doing too little, too late.”

Stiglitz’s proposal calls for an international debt framework that includes the private sector, given its growing role as a source of government debt.

reserves to 40 billion barrels from its current 36 billion barrels.

In a keynote address he read at the event tagged: “Expanding the Frontiers of Exploration: Creating New Opportunities for Growth,” Kyari stated that the global oil industry has continued to experience great shifts owing to advancement of technology, economics and social dynamics.

He stated that NNPC has over the last four years expanded inland basins exploration activities covering Gongola, Benue, Bida and

Sokoto basins, while data review is being undertaken in preparation for exploration activities in Anambra platform and the Dahomey basins.

Kyari added that the corporation was seeing more hope as it had made progress, especially with the recent discovery of commercial quantities of hydrocarbon in Kolmani area of the Middle Benue Trough.

“In NNPC, we have continued to make giant strides in inland rift basin exploration. Our sustained quest is informed by the matured

Geological and Geophysical evaluations and the practical discoveries of commercial quantities of hydrocarbons in neighbouring Niger, Chad and Central Africa Republic,” he noted.

According to him, building from the NNPC’s decades of seismic data acquisition, evaluation and consolidation in the rift basins, especially the Chad, Gongola Basins and the Benue trough, a re-entry was considered in 2009, but later suspended in 2014 due to insurgency in the north east.

COVID-19: Lawan TakesVaccine, Calls for More Sensitisation Deji Elumoye andUdora Orizu inAbuja President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, took the lead at the National Assembly yesterday when he received the first jab of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

The vaccine was administered on him in his fourth floor office by his personal physician, Dr. Muhammad Usman, while the vaccination card was presented

to him by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe.

Lawan called for more advocacy and sensitisation on the vaccine, appealing to Nigerians to make themselves available for the vaccination.

He congratulated the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for working so hard to ensure that the vaccine is available for Nigerians.

Lawan said: ‘’I urge all Nigerians especially those within the range specified by the health authorities and those at the frontline that we make ourselves available. Let the vaccine not be limited to areas that are accessible only. We have areas that are not very much accessible in the riverine areas in the Niger Delta, in the northern most part of the country, the desertified areas.

Gunmen Abduct Two Persons at Ibadan Quarry Site Gunmen have reportedly stormed a quarry site at Dalli village located along Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan road in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and kidnapped two people.

Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police command, Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi confirmed the abduction.

Fadeyi said that efforts have

been intensified to get the victims released.

Fadeyi said, “Efforts intensified to get them released and also arrest the abductors.”

ICRC DG, Izuwah is Dead James Emejo in Abuja The Director General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, (ICRC), Mr. Chidi Izuwah is dead.

Aged 55, Izuwah reportedly passed on yesterday after a protracted illness.

In a message to staff of the commission, the acting Director-

General of the commission, Mr. Mike Ohiani said: “With a heavy heart I announce the passing away of our DG, Mr. Chidi Izuwah.

You will be notified in due course about the burial arrangement. May his soul rest in peace, amen”.

The commission, in the statement issued by the acting Head, Media and Publicity, Manji Yarling, pointed out that the late

Izuwah was appointed substantive chief executive of the ICRC by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 upon confirmation by the Senate.

Prior to that, he was Executive Director, Public Private Partnership Resource Department and Director, Support Services Department in the commission.

Chimamanda’s Mother for Burial May 1 The first female registrar of a Nigerian University and mother of Mrs. Chimamanda Adichie, a famous novelist, Mrs. Grace Ifeoma Adichie, who died recently, is to be buried on Saturday, May 1, 2021.

She will be buried at the family compound in Abba, Njikoka LGA, Anambra State, after a funeral mass at St Paul’s Catholic Church at 12 noon. There will be an outing service on May 2, 2021 at 10 am She was a devoted mother and

Grace Adichie

grandmother, a loving sister and aunt, a skilled administrator, a Lady of St. Mulumba of the Roman Catholic Church, a warm woman full of love and laughter and wit. She is deeply missed by her children, Ijeoma, Uche, Chuks, Okey, Chimamanda and Kene; her nine grandchildren, her brothers, a sister, and other relatives.

A statement signed by Mr. Chuks Adichie for the family, which was made available to the media, said she died suddenly on March 1, 2021, on the birthday of her husband, Professor James N. Adichie, who passed away just nine months earlier.

Grace Adichie, nee Odigwe, was born on November 29, 1942 in Umunnachi, Dunukofia LGA, Anambra State.

She attended Rosary High School, Enugu, and Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha, obtaining her West African School Certificate in 1960 She began her university education at Merit College, California, the USA in 1964 and completed it at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, earning a degree

in Sociology and Anthropology.

She began her career as a cabinet officer in the East Central Government of Nigeria, Enugu, in 1972. In 1973, she joined the University of Nigeria, Nsukka as an administrative officer.

She rose through the ranks and finally made history when she became the first woman to lead the administration of the university as Registrar.

She served on the governing council of the university and its various committees, the Senate and its many committees, as well as the university’s convocation and congregation. She was named “University of Nigeria Nsukka Best Administrator” in 2002.

After her retirement, she served as a member of the governing council, Anambra State University, Uli. Until her death, she was a permanent member of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), a job that gave her great joy, whether participating in teacher training workshops, overseeing curriculum, or going on school inspections.

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Fayemi Meets Adams over South-west Security Says South-west govs not cowards Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti In continuation of efforts to ensure peace and stability in the country,

the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday had an audience with the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani

NDDC’s N6.25bn Palliatives: Senate Summons Govs of N’Delta States Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday summoned the governors of the nine oil-producing states to appear before it to state what they know about the N6.25 billion allegedly spent on COVID-19 palliatives by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 2020.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, who made this known yesterday, during the committee’s sitting, said there is the urgent need for the governors to come and state what they know about the N100 million NDDC claimed to have given to each of the states as COVID-19 pandemic palliatives last year.

He explained that all the 27 senators from the nine oil producing states when asked claimed ignorance of any

palliatives being given to their states “hence the need for the governors or their commissioners to come forward and put the records straight”.

Akinyelure said: “We want to know how many governors pocketed these palliative funds. We are aware that over N100million each was given to each state government. That was contained in their verbal submission. We want them to put it in writing. When was this money delivered? How many vehicles were delivered to the governors?

“We would now call the governors to come and account for it because none of the 27 senators from the Niger Delta region is aware of the COVID-19 palliative shared to the governors by the NDDC. “None of our constituents also benefitted.

Drug War: US, UK Pledge More Support for Nigeria Michael Olugbode in Abuja The United States and United Kingdom Governments have expressed their readiness to offer more support for the drug war in Nigeria.

The two countries said they were impressed with the latest zeal with which the drug war is waged as shown with the successes recorded recently by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The NDLEA, since the beginning of 2021, has witnessed great successes withtheappointmentofMaj.Gen.Buba Marwa (rtd) as its chairman/CEO. The Consul-General of the US Consulate in Lagos, Claire Pierangelo, and the British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Ben Llewellyn-Jones, yesterday in Lagos during the donation of a speedboat to the NDLEA,

expressed the readiness of the countries to assist in the ongoing war on drugs in Nigeria.

Pierangelo expressed satisfaction with the performance of the NDLEA helmsman in just eight weeks in the saddle, assuring him that the US Government would be willing to collaborate and give more support to the anti-drug agency in Nigeria in view of the dynamism and efficiency that have been brought into the operations of the agency.

In his remarks, the Deputy British High Commissioner, LlewellynJones, said the UK Government is pleased with the series of illicit drugs seizures by the NDLEA at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, the Tincan seaport and the Apapa seaport, all in Lagos soon after Marwa came on board as the chairman of the NDLEA.

Diri Decries Bayelsa’s Representation at Federal Level Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has lamented what he described as the underrepresentation of the state at the federal level.

Speaking in his office in Yenagoa when he hosted Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Dr. Muheeba Dankaka and her entourage, Senator Diri said while he was member of the House of Representatives, he was in the FCC Committee where he noticed the imbalances in terms of federal placements.

A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as calling on the FCC to correct the existing imbalance and ensure that Bayelsa gets its due.

Diri decried the situation whereby available vacancies at the federal level are not to the knowledge of the government and people of the state and urged the commission to inform the government about openings to enable the people to take advantage of such opportunities.

He noted that if the imbalances affecting Bayelsa and a few other states are addressed, the agitations in some states would reduce significantly.

Diri described the commission as crucial to the unity and stability of Nigeria given the numerous enthnic groups clamouring for Justice.

Adams.

The meeting was held behind closed doors at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

A statement issued last night by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode , said Fayemi discussed issues affecting security and economic development of the South-west

and the country in general.

Fayemi, at the meeting urged political leaders at state and national levels as well as leaders of socio-political groups to be measured in their discussion of national security matters.

He said while the South-west governors were very much concerned about security and

wellbeing of their people, they have a forum chaired by Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) who is mandated to speak on their behalf.

“So, Governor Akeredolu speaks on our behalf. This is the reason you may not see other governors from the South-west speaking on current security issues.

“It is not out of cowardice or compromise; it is simply because we have chosen a chairman who speaks for us.

The governor also appreciated Adams for his concern for peace, security and stability of the country, and assured him that peace will reign in the region and Nigeria in general.

SIGNING A NEW DEAL…

L-R: Executive Director, Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO), Mr. Oyebisi Oluseyi; CEO, Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, and Trustee, Irede Foundation, Mr. Zubby Chigbu, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Sterling One Foundation and NNNGO in Lagos…yesterday

CAN CommendsVatican, FG for Rejecting Same-sex Marriage Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday commended the Vatican for rejecting the same-sex union or marriage saying it was in line with biblical principles.

CAN also called on any government, especially in Africa, that had endorsed same-sex marriage to retreat from the practice.

A statement issued by the General Secretary of CAN, Rev.

Joseph Daramola, also commended the Nigerian government for resisting the pressure to reverse its earlier anti-same-sex policy and law.

He said, “Our joy knew no bound when we learnt that the decision of the Vatican’s doctrinal office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) rejecting the same-sex union or marriage was endorsed by Pope Francis.

“It is one decision too many.

We agreed with the Pope that the godly and timely decision is “not intended to be a form of unjust discrimination, but rather a reminder of the truth of the liturgical rite”.

“CAN commends Pope Francis for standing by the Scripture that is superior to any civilization. That decision is the position of the Scripture as stated unambiguously in Genesis 9:20-27, Genesis 19:1-11,

Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, Romans 1:18-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1:10.

“Whatever law that contradicts these passages of the Bible is totally unacceptable, reprehensible and must be rejected. Even the practice is accursed to the animals, we wonder why normal human beings will be practising it and we condemn it in strong terms.

Lagos Releases List of 88 COVID-19Vaccination Centres The Lagos State Government has released the list of 88 health facilities, including military and police hospitals, which have been selected to provide vaccination across the 20 Local Government Areas.

In a statement issued yesterday, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said vaccination can only be obtained at any of the 88 accredited facilities listed.

“Vaccination outside of these locations in Lagos State is highly prohibited and will attract heavy sanctions through our regulatory agencies,” he said.

The commissioner said the vaccination will be conducted in four phases.

While phase 1 is for healthcare workers, COVID-19 response team, ports of entry staff (air, land, and

seaports), laboratory network, judiciary, military, police, other security agencies, petrol station workers, teachers, press, and other frontline workers; phase two is for people aged 50 years and above as well as those living with co-morbidities who are between 18-49 years of age.

Phase three is for people in the LGAs with the highest burden

of disease and those who missed phases 1 and 2 and phase 4 for other eligible populations.

Of this first tranche of 3.92 million doses allocated to Nigeria, Lagos State received 507,742 doses of the vaccine in the early hours of Tuesday, March 9, 2021, and has commenced its first phase of distribution.

House Passes Bill Seeking to Grant Lawmakers Power to Summon President, Govs UdoraOrizuinAbuja The House of Representatives at the plenary yesterday passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to grant powers to the two chambers of the National Assembly and states Houses of Assembly to summon the president and state governors respectively, to answer questions on issues of

national security or any matter whatsoever.

Recall that the House had on December 1, 2020, through a motion on the heels of the massacre of over 43 rice farmers in Zarbamari village, Borno State, invited President Muhammadu Buhari for briefing on security matters.

But the president failed to honour the invitation, following a statement by the Attorney General

of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, that the National Assembly has no powers to summon him (Buhari).

The AGF averred that the managementandcontrolofthesecurity sector is exclusively vested on the president by Section 218 (1) of the 1999 ConstitutionastheCommander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, including the power to determine the operational use of the Armed Forces.

Leading the debate on its general principles, the sponsor of the bill, Hon. Serguis Ogun (PDP, Edo), opined that while the assertions of the AGF may not be the correct interpretation of a combined reading of the relevant sections of the constitution on the subject, however, the fact that there is no express provision in the constitution to the effect is perhaps the reason for such a misplaced interpretation of the constitution.

Buhari Lauds Uzodimma for Constructing 46 Roads in OneYear Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma for constructing 46 roads in different parts of the state within one year of assuming office.

The President, in a virtual

speech delivered yesterday while inaugurating two of the roads located in Owerri, the Imo State capital, said he was aware that in the first year in office, the Imo State government had embarked on an ambitious target of executing 46 road projects.

He said: ‘’I am glad to learn that

significant strides are being made towards their completion, and a number of them are amongst those being commissioned as part of the events in honour of the one-year anniversary.

I must commend the state government, under the leadership of Senator Hope

Uzodimma, for setting ambitious targets, and within just one year in office using this moment to evaluate the journey thus far. ‘’It clearly demonstrates the commitment of the government to the welfare of the people’’, he said.

WEDNESDAY, ͹Ϳ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

53

BACK PAGE CONTINUATION IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE bottom where many states will further reduce their state minimum wages to very ridiculous levels on the excuse of dire financial constraints.

Let us consider the bill in some details. The bill’s logic is to give states the legislative competence to manage minimum wage. This is straightforward.

States are major employers of labor.

States are also subnational governments that have constitutional right to receive dedicated revenue from the federation revenue fund. It is not a stretch to require state legislatures and the executives to bear responsibility for determining what should be the minimum wage in their territories. Some could argue that giving states this responsibility will strengthen local democracy and entrench accountability at the subnational level. The latter point is important in the context of what seems like a total collapse of democratic accountability at the states.

So, the logic goes thus: get the states busy so they can manage their mess. This is how they become governments not just receptacles of federation allocations.

The legality of the bill itself is also assured. The constitution has assigned the national and state legislatures the responsibility of changing it. If twothirds of members of both chambers of the National Assembly vote to approve the translation of minimum wage from Exclusive Legislative List to Concurrent Legislative List and a two-third of Nigeria’s state legislatures agrees to that proposal, then the constitution is changed. The constitution introduced this rigorous process of amendment to ensure that political convenience will not be a basis of changing the fundamental terms of social cooperation. Like the US founding fathers in the articulation of The Federalist Papers, Nigerian constitutional makers know that special interest and cliques easily develop in politics and could steamroller through the federal legislature. Such occurrence will not be much harmful if we can still secure the constitutional order of the republic through other counter-majoritarian and anti-majoritarian devices. One of such devices is to require that before you change legislative list you need the approval of more than 2/3 of state legislatures.

In the context of the overwhelming

Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige control of state legislatures by the state governors this bill will easily pass through enough state legislatures in spite of any resistance by labor. The state legislatures across Nigeria have become echo chambers of the governors and as long as the governors are motivated to scorch to death the federalization of minimum wage the bill will easily pass. All those who do not want to see the bill become law have to intensify opposition at the National Assembly where there is a history of the sort of deliberation required of a legislative assembly. Thankfully, the bill is not an executive bill. Senator Lawal and the leadership of the National Assembly would not be looking across their shoulders afraid of a presidential whipping.

But why should killing the bill be a national priority? It is for the reason that removing a national minimum wage and allowing states to go below the federal minimum wage will worsen the crisis of poverty. In spite of religious and political fundamentalism and widespread collapse of good governance across Nigeria, a main factor driving insecurity in Nigeria is pervasive and extreme poverty. Nigeria’s poverty is scandalous and increasing.

Everyday we are adding more people to the

poverty bracket than any other country in the world, including Ethiopia. A look at the World Poverty Clock shows that Nigeria will probably have more than half of its estimated 200million citizens extremely poor by 2023. This could be worse if the COVID19 containment measures fail or the insecurity in the northeast and the rest of country continues.

The president vows to take out 10 million people out of poverty bracket every year.

This is probably a joke. If it is not, then he has to weigh in on the proposed bill.

The neoliberal fantasy that insignificant cash transfers to insignificant number of Nigerians and stimulus to corporate Nigeria will drive away mass poverty is just ideological fancy. We know clearly from the history of the rest of the world that a good tide does not lift every boat.

What lift stranded or submerged boats are efficient redistributive policies that actually provide sustained income for the poor. A good minimum wage is often alleged to lead to underemployment as firms responds to increase production costs by hiring less. But that is why government has to try and provide wage support stimulus. We should prioritize earnings, especially in the public sector, as a country responsibly engaged in neo-Keynesian expansion of aggregate consumption during the pandemic.

The notion that we can grow the economy sustainably and improve general wellbeing without ensuring more and more citizens live about poverty level is a tragic joke. It is not the market that lifts million out of poverty. It is the visible hand of government providing protecting to the vulnerable and steadily but smartly nudging private and public actors towards allocative and dynamic efficiency. The lesson is becoming clear. The public sector is not the problem. The public sector is the solution. Yes, the public sector needs to be smarter. But the lie that somehow, we would get to economic wellbeing by allowing the livelihood of the people to be determined by the rationality of the market has now been uncovered. From Germany to US to China, governments are spending themselves out of global recession and defending earnings from the buffeting of cold economic waves.

The legislators should discountenance

the logic of allowing state governments to determine their minimum wages without a national benchmark. On paper it looks neat. But in reality, it is bad economics and bad national security consideration.

We can experiment true federalism with other non-strategic agenda. We can allow states manage their resources and pay royalty to the federation account. We can help state improve their internally generated revenue through corporative federalism. But in the meantime, we have to set a benchmark for them on livelihood protection. The federal government should consider it strategic national security to insist, and provide incentives, for states to fix their minimum wages above not below the national benchmark.

It is true that many states are poor and broke in Nigeria. But they will be actually poorer and more broken if they are allowed to further lower the minimum wage. Such poor states need to be helped to improve earnings not to reduce them.

Consider this scenario. This bill passes and Yobo fixes its minimum wage at N15,000. A Chinese company locates to Yobo and pays its workers N16,000. This will be legal. The result will be further to deepen poverty in Yobo. The domino effect will be to contract consumption in Yobo; worsen economic production, increase criminality, and deepen poverty and miseries. A vicious circle reinforced by a dangerously low state minimum wage.

Poor Yobo has many areas to reduce cost of government. It starts from not having mansions in Abuja; its governor and top officials not driving in large entourages and not equalizing salaries of political appointees. Yobo legislators should not earn as much as Lagos legislators. Lagos civil servants should also earn more than Yobo civil servants. But both should not earn less than the minimum wage. That should be the threshold to protect against extreme poverty. There is no economic and political sense in which it is in public interest to ask Yobo to pay below a rather low national minimum wage. That will be a race to deathly bottom. The essence of federalizing the minimum wage is to avoid that race. t%S 4BN "NBEJ JT BO "TTPDJBUF 1SPGFTTPS PG -BX BU #B[F 6OJWFSTJUZ "CVKB

appear as if the national minimum wage is fixed for state and federal workers alone.

Yet this is not case. The national minimum wage seeks to also protect the lowest income earners in the private sector. So if it is made extremely elastic as the proposed law seeks to achieve, a state could amend its law so that well-to - do companies could pay their poor workers any amount they so desire as minimum age. And the ready excuse would be the attraction of investments. The national minimum wage is often enacted in sophisticated economic environment so that decency is not thrown overboard in policy matters. For instance, it is indecent and immoral for private companies that post hundreds of billions as profits to employ workers as casual hands to circumvent the payment of the legal minimum wage. Such companies would readily derive inspiration from state governments that are also unwilling to pay the minimum wage.

The national minimum wage is also about setting standards. When the federation is hopefully restructured, there would still be national standards and character to things without prejudice to the identities and relative autonomy of the units. The national minimum wage would help in having decency , compassion and common sense in matters of wages while each state manages its establishment matters independently. It is similar to the standards the national government is expected to set in other areas in which states also make their own laws and implement policies.

These sectors include healthcare, education, agriculture and infrastructure. There can be no federalist argument, for instance, against setting standards in building durable roads or the making of quality building materials.

This point is worth stressing because left to some advocates of “true federalism” after the restructuring each state would have its own systems of measurements.

Hence one state could measure its distance in kilometres while the other does so in miles while you could measure weights in

kilogrammes in one state while you do so in tons in another because of federalism.

The political economy of minimum wage is such that it should be national because the implications for poverty reduction and tackling inequality transcend the boundaries of each state.

That is why the voices of the professional economists including members of the Nigerian Economic Society should be louder in the debate so that the government and the governed could benefit from their ideas.

By the way, it is remarkable that Shagari signed the 1981 law. In the taxonomy of political parties of those days, Shagari’s National Party of Nigeria (NPN) would be classified as conservative or right of the centre as some would put it. The point at issue here is that the party in power at the centre in Nigeria at the time didn’t claim to be progressive. The progressive parties of the era only controlled power in some states. Yet the national minimum wage law was passed. Today, the legislation on national minimum wage is a big issue. But you cannot hear the voices of the political parties on this central issue of social justice.

The big and minor parties are rather busy with permutations for the elections that would be held in two years from now.

The politicians are not telling members of the public what their policies on this important aspect of the political economy would be if their parties come to power at the centre or in the states.

Beyond the arguments of fiscal federalism made by the supporters of the bill seeking to remove the minimum wage from the exclusive list, the case for social justice for the lowest paid workers in any part of the federation should be made trenchantly.

The NLC under the leadership of Comrade Ayuba Wabba has aptly described the proposed legislation as a “declaration of war against the Nigerian workers.”

All genuine progressive forces should support the NLC as it resists this grand assault on labour.

FISCAL FEDERALISM SANS SOCIAL JUSTICE? Beside international standards there should be Nigerian national standards hinged on social justice, decency and even morality in the public space in considering a matter as basic as the lowest income in the society. These are principles that genuine progressives and partisans of social justice defend anywhere in the world.

The unjust treatment of the lowest income earners is another ”open sore on the conscience” of this society, to borrow a Wole Soyinka’s phrase in another context.

As a fiscal instrument for redistribution, the minimum wage forms part of the package of social protection in a humane economic management. Any government that cares about the welfare of the people must tailor its policies towards guaranteeing decent minimum income. For example, as soon as he got into power American President Joe Biden has put a raise of the minimum wage on the national agenda. Biden has been walking the tight rope of protecting the lowest income earners while also being mindful of small-scale business in their ability to pay higher minimum wage. The American leader puts the matter this way: “No one should work 40 hours a week and live in poverty… But it’s totally legitimate for small business owners to be concerned.”

A progressive government cannot afford to toy with the question of minimum wage the way some politicians want to use it to play their game of “true federalism” in Nigeria.

By the way, America is also a federation; but its federalism doesn’t forbid payment of a national minimum wage. Other federations with national minimum wage include Brazil, India, Germany, Canada, Australia, Belgium and Switzerland.

For clarity, fixing the minimum wage is not synonymous with a general wage review. The law in question is not about the whole wage structure. With a national minimum wage each state still maintains its wage structure. The establishment ministries and departments in the states

still act independently on wage reviews as they should do in subnational units despite the existence of national minimum wage law.

Indeed, it should be the aspiration of every state to pay the lowest income earners well above the national minimum wage as some states are already creditably doing at the moment. It is in the overall interest of the economy of the state for workers to earn adequate incomes.

Instead of this aspiration for social justice, some politicians would rather have the legal basis to pay a worker N10, 000 a month instead of the N30, 000 prescribed by the national law. Waving the flag of federalism, some state governors have said that they lack the fiscal capacity to pay the N30,000 minimum wage. On the contrary, the fact is that payment of the national minimum wage is not their priority. If minimum wage is a priority, the state governments would cut down on wastes which are erroneously lumped with genuine costs of governance.

When some state government officials say glibly on television that their governments won’t pay the national minimum wage, they are simply saying that they would disobey the law. Yet when it pleases these politicians they would invoke the rule of law in their relationship with citizens and other tiers of government. The element of morality in the story of this proposed federalism of minimum wage is that the emoluments of government officials are determined by the central formular of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission and not by the relative economic prosperity of the states. In addition, no one refers to the principle of fiscal federalism when governors charter jets to attend meetings in Abuja and social functions on weekends.

A state whose state barely generates the amount of internal revenues that a local government would generate in another state would also partake in this jetting pastime without remembering fiscal federalism.

From the tone of the debate, it would

54

WEDNESDAY MARCH 17, ͺ͸ͺ͹˾ T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAYSPORTS

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AFCON 2022 QUALIFIERS

European Clubs Frustrating Benin Rep by Refusing to Release Players to Play Nigeria Duro Ikhazuagbe Benin Republic failed to announce their squad to take on Nigeria yesterday as previously announced as most of their players have been refused permission to travel home for the ultimate clash with Nigeria’s

Super Eagles in a 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The all important qualifier has been scheduled to hold on March 27 in Port Novo.

But yesterday, the Squirrels’ French Head Coach, Michel Dussuyer announced his

C O N F E D E R AT I O N C U P

Enyimba Hunting for Three Points in Orlando Pirates Den Nigeria’s lone team in continental campaign this season will be up against South Africa’s Orlando Pirates in this Group A fixture this midweek.

Libya’s Al Ahli of Benghazi that Enyimba defeated in their first Group A brothers game penultimate weekend, will take on Algeria’s ES Setif in the other game of the group.

Because of today’s campaign in the continent, Enyimba were excepted from the domestic league fixture against Lagos church club, MFM FC at the weekend.

Elsewhere in CAF’s elite Champions League campaign yesterday, Esperance de Tunis secured a 1-0 victory over Zamalek in Group D match at the Cairo International Stadium.

The win saw the Tunisian champions remain at the top of the group standings and they qualified for the quarterfinals, while Egypt’s Zamalek remained third with two games left.

Both teams struggled to create clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities in the opening proceedings as they were cancelling each other out in midfield.

The first real goal-scoring opportunity of the encounter came in the 37th minute after some good work by Zamalek attacker Achraf Bencharki as the two teams began to create chances.

The Morocco international’s goal-bound shot was brilliantly saved by Esperance goalkeeper Farouk Ben Moustapha, who was well-positioned in the visitors’ goal-posts.

This served as a wake-up call for Esperance and they should have opened the scoring two minutes before the halftime break.

The ball fell kindly for Hamdu Elhouni in the box, but he was brilliantly denied by Zamalek goalkeeper Mahmoud Gennesh from close range and the score was 0-0 at the interval.

Bencharki kept the Blood and Gold’s defence busy with his dangerous runs after the restart and he forced Ben Moustapha into a wonderful save in the 51st minute.

Zamalek coach Patrice Carteron made a tactical change in the 68th minute as he pulled out defender Ahmed Eid and he introduced attacker Mahmoud Shikabala.

However, the deadlock was then broken by the visitors five minutes later when Hamdy Nagguez set-up Elhouni, who scored with a low shot to make it 1-0 to Esperance.

The White Knights had a late chance to grab an equalising goal in the 85th minute, but in-form Ben Mustapha denied Bencharki to ensure that Esperance emerged 1-0 winners.

Nigeria’s Paralympic Committee Partners NIPOST on Tokyo Games Raffle Promo The Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN), is organising a raffle promotion as part of preparation and fund raising exercise to support the country’s participation at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games scheduled to hold from August 24 to September 5, 2021 The promo which will afford few lucky winners make an all- expense-paiid trip to and from Japan officially kicked off on Monday.

According to the appointed lottery consultant, Isaac Osaikhiwu Isaac of O And I Contact Ltd, the PCN earlier secured the partnership with the Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST) to be in charge of the distribution and sales of the raffle tickets through the country.

According to the President of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, Brigadier General Emico Eruwa (Rtd), “this raffle promo is being organised to further support the Federal Government’s effort to fund the preparation of the Paralympic contingent to the Tokyo 2020 Games, so as to ensure that our athletes and officials are well equipped in their drive to win more medals for our dear country,” he stated.

“Sports fans and other enthusiasts around the country can purchase the raffle tickets which qualifies them for the raffle draw that will enable the lucky winners make the trip under the terms and conditions of the promo as approved by National Lottery Regulatory Commission,” concludes the PCN President.

frustration that he was unable to pick the team to confront leaders Nigeria because most of the European clubs where these Benin players ply their trades have been denied permission to travel home for the game.

Dussuyer had earlier planned to unfold the list yesterday at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Sports in Cotonou.

He complained that several of his players, especially those in France were told that they

would not be released for both the home match with Nigeria and the away encounter with Sierra Leone.

He remarked that several of the players were obliged to observe a period of quarantine.

Dussuyer lamented that he was helpless as an earlier circular last year by FIFA which gave the clubs the option of refusal to release the player, was still operational.

Although Nigeria’s Coach,

Gernot Rohr earlier sent out his team list of 24 players for the double header against Benin and Lesotho, there are doubts that most of the players on that list are now doubtful as majority of them in England and other European leagues need to quarantine for average of 10 days on return to their clubs before they can be part of their team squads.

“We are not sure of getting full complement of our players for the last two AFCON 2022

qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho due to the stringent Covid-19 policy in place in most European cities. It is even worse in England where at least five of our players are coming from,” observed a top football official at the weekend to THISDAY. Most of the European clubs are holding on to their players because of FIFA’s rule that relaxed the conditions for releasing players for national duties due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Enyimba players are to take on South Africa’s Orlando Pirates this evening in Johannesburg

Usman, Masvidal Rematch to Headline UFC 261 First Full-capacity The UFC is set to host its first full-capacity event in 13 months, its President Dana White announced yesterday.

UFC 261 has been scheduled for 24 April in Jacksonville, Florida.

The UFC would become the first American sports organisation to host a full crowd since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The event will feature three title fights, headlined by a rematch between welterweight champion Auchi Edo Stateborn Usman Usman and Jorge Masvidal.

Women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko takes on Jessica Andrade, while strawweight champion Zhang Weili faces Rose Namajunas.

The event will be staged at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, which holds 15,000 people.

Lenny Curry, mayor of Jacksonville, tweeted:“Dana White, governor Ron DeSantis and I will continue to demonstrate that Florida is poised to safely host signature sporting events watched globally. Welcome back to Jacksonville UFC. Let’s go.”

The first match-up between Usman and Masvidal was one of the biggest fights of 2020 as the UFC staged events behind closed doors on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, which was dubbed Fight Island.

Usman claimed a unanimous decision win over Masvidallast July before making a third defence of his title against

Gilbert Burns last month.

Britain’s Leon Edwards hoped to secure a title shot against Usmanbefore his fight

with Belal Muhammad last weekend was declared a no contestfollowing an accidental eye poke.

Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman (right) is to battle Jorge Masvidal in the headline clash of UFC 261

NWFL: Edo Queens Coach Tasks Players to Maintain Winning Streak Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Coach of Edo Queens Football Club, Stanley Osezee, has tasked players of the club to maintain their winning streak as they play host to Abia Angels FC in the week 10 of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) slated for today.

Osazee who gave the marching order after Monday morning training of the team, told his team to realised that the ultimate aim is to go continental and must play each match with all the seriousness it deserves.

He also said that they

must take note of the fact that the management is totally committed to their welfare and as such, cannot afford to disappoint.

“Girls, I want to use this medium to thank you all for your cooperation and support you have given to me since I came on board as the stand in coach of Edo Queens FC. “You will all agreed with me that there are many rivers to cross and so a lot is required from us as players and coaches if our dream and aspirations of playing at the African Women’s Champions league is to be realised.

“For me, this Wednesday’s game is important and

crucial to every right thinking member of this team because as it stands now, I would like us to continue our good dynamic in the league and we want to win again”, he said The coach further admonished his players, saying: “The only way to get to the top of the table is for us to put in our all. We must try as much as possible to win our remaining games in this first stage of the NWFL. “We must go back to winning ways, strengthen our position and strive hard to take over the driver’s seat.

“As you all know, we have no other business than to play football, because this is what

put foods on our table.

“So if we want to keep our means of livelihood, we must be ready to work extra mile to achieve the needed results.

“I have confidence on you, I know you can do it so let’s go out there on Wednesday and prove to our fans that we can make them proud again.”

Edo Queens FC are currently third on the NWFL table with 17 points from nine matches.

The club won their last match last Wednesday 2-1 against the visiting Robo FC of Lagos at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 17, ͺ͸ͺ͹˾ T H I S D AY

55

WEDNESDAYSPORTS U E FA C H A M P I O N S L E AG U E

Diego Simeone Confident Suarez, Felix Can Unlock Chelsea Tonight Luis Suarez, despite his UEFA Champions League goal drought, and Joao Felix, whose future is in question, will start together tonight as Atletico Madrid try to fight back in their second leg at Chelsea, coach Diego Simeone said yesterday.

“Only one objective: victory,” said Simeone, whose team face a 1-0 deficit in the last-16 tie after losing their ‘home’ game in Bucharest. “I must find the

necessary tools to achieve this.”

Despite Covid-19 restrictions, Wednesday’s game will be played at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge home.

Suarez has not scored an away goal in the competition since he struck in the 21st minute of Barcelona’s opening group game at Roma in September, 2015. Since then he has 17 goals in the Champions League, all at the Nou Camp for Barcelona.

Lazio Dream of Regular Qualification for UCL League quarterfinals coach Simone Inzaghi said on Tuesday the Italian club’s goal is to become regulars in the competition after missing out in recent years.

Lazio, who last participated in the Champions League in 2007-08, lost the first leg of their last-16 tie 4-1 to defending champions and treble winners Bayern Munich last month.

Their qualification for Europe’s elite competition next season is in doubt with the Italian side seventh in Serie A with a game in hand, six points behind fourth-placed Atalanta.

“We hadn’t entered the Champions League for more than 10 years, we missed the second round (last-16) for 20 years. We have to hit it more consistently,” Inzaghi told reporters.

“But we know that it’s not easy and that there are five battleships ahead of us in addition to Atalanta who are doing very well. We have to fully enjoy an evening like tomorrow night.

“I hope it will happen again soon because we are very ambitious. We’ve achieved our goal, to return to the second round.

Unfortunately, with the first leg we have compromised passage to the next round.”

However, Inzaghi said he hoped to count on their unbeaten away record in the competition this season when they take on Bayern, who last lost a game in Europe two years ago.

“We know how much we have worked in recent years to play such matches. We will go to play the game in the best possible way,” Inzaghi added.

“Before Bayern we had not yet lost in the Champions League in the group stage... we have had three away matches with three draws against Bruges, (Zenit) St Petersburg and (Borussia) Dortmund.

“They (Bayern) are a very strong team, they deserved all the trophies... We will play with determination and desire.”

...Bayern Wait on Neuer, Coman Fitness Holders Bayern Munich are waiting on the fitness of captain Manuel Neuer and winger Kingsley Coman for their Champions League last-16 second leg against Lazio tonight.

Bayern hold a 4-1 lead from the first leg ahead of the return game at the Allianz Arena.

“Kingsley has some muscular problems, ‘Manu’ (Neuer) has a bit of a cold, so we took them out of team training today,” coach Hansi Flick said on Tuesday in a press conference.

Germany goalkeeper Neuer sat out the training session, while Coman jogged alone briefly.

“We have to wait, but hope they are okay,” said Flick.

Manuel Neuer....Fitness in doubt

Should Neuer drop out, reserve goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel could make only his third start this season.

The 24-year-old is reportedly unhappy at his lack of opportunities at Bayern since joining from Schalke last year and has been linked to a loan spell at Ligue 1 side Monaco.

Bayern have options on the wing to replace Coman, with Germany stars Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane both fit.

Bayern have scored 12 goals in three straight Bundesliga wins since the first leg.

“We want to win this game, we are on a good run and want to continue it,” said Flick.

He has yet to score in five appearances in the competition for Atletico.

“Now would be good time for him to snap the streak,” Simeone told a press conference on Tuesday. “Why not?

“Suarez is a very important player for us, a striker who has a lot of influence on our game, who has standing, for us and for our opponents.”

Felix’s recent form has been questioned in Spain even as he has been the subject of speculation in Britain that

Manchester City want the 21-year-old Portuguese to replace former Atletico striker Sergio Aguero.

“Joao is a very important player, he started the season at a very high level, we need that player,” said Simeone.

“All footballers go through different phases in their careers, especially when they are young.”

With Felix alongside him at the press conference, Simeone dismissed doubts about the striker’s defensive work-rate.

“We all want him to grow

and for him to grow and get to where he wants to be, he has to be complete and have different facets, because all footballers want to work for the team.”

Felix echoed his coach.

“I’m happy at the club,” he said. “Like all players I have not so good phases, I don’t know if I’m going through one or not, but I’m sure it will pass.”

“I don’t know if I lack desire.

There are many examples of players who had a lot of talent, but lacked something to reach

the top.

“I don’t want to be one of them, so I try to apply my desire and my talent.”

Chelsea are unbeaten since Thomas Tuchel took over from the sacked Frank Lampard in late January.

“We are facing a team that is doing very well, that has not lost since the arrival of its new coach,” said Simeone.

“But Wednesday, we will be looking for one result: victory. And we’ll try to play the game the

Luis Suarez Set to ‘sack’ Chelsea from the UEFA Champions League tonight

Ibrahimovic Reverses Retirement, Returns to Sweden at 39 Sweden’s record goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been recalled to the national team five years after announcing his retirement.

The 39-year-old scored 62 goals in 116 internationals before quitting after the team’s Euro 2016 group-stage exit.

He opened the door to a return in a newspaper interview in November 2020 and Sweden coach Janne Andersson then flew to Milan to meet with the striker.

Ibrahimovic has 14 goals in 14 Serie A appearances

for AC Milan this season.

Sweden face Georgia on Thursday, 25 March before playing Kosovo three days later in their opening two 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Ibrahimovic has responded to Sweden’s announcement of their squad by tweeting: “The return of the God.” “He can be a little bit funny at times,” Andersson said when told about the striker ’s tweet during an online news conference.

“First and foremost he is a very good footballer, the best we have had in

Sweden. It’s obviously very good that he wants to come back.

“Apart from what he can contribute on the field, he has incredible experience and can contribute that to the other players in the team.”

The 6ft 5in striker made his international debut as a 19-year-old against the Faroe Islands and scored in his first competitive match - a qualifier for the 2002 World Cup against Azerbaijan.

He was appointed captain for Euro 2012 qualifying and scored

one of the best goals of the finals with a volley in a 2-0 win over France, although Sweden were eliminated at the group stage.

The former Barcelona, Paris St-German, Manchester United and LA Galaxy striker rejoined AC Milan on a six-month deal- with the option for another season - in January 2020.

Ibrahimovic scored 29 goals in 53 games for United, who agreed to an early termination of his contact, before he joined MLS side Galaxy in 2018.

NLO: Four- Star Ottasolo Maintain Unbeaten Run True to the prediction of its owner, Ottasolo Football Club, are the team to beat at the on-going Nationwide League One competition with a commanding five wins in as many matches at the Ilorin centre.

Club owner Gabriel Davies, a former Stationery Stores defender, had hinted ahead of the season his desire to see Ottasolo hitting the ground

running in only their first season in the country’s third tier league.

“We sat down to plan all the logistics of running the club and that was why we made impact even in our first tournament during the Governor Wike pre-season tourney in Port Harcourt.

We are here to stay and not only eager for results but our target is to do the right thing.”

Ottasolo seemingly carried their preseason form to the Ilorin Township Stadium where they have brushed aside other contenders including victories over Abu Workers of Kaduna (4 – 2); FC Ebiede(3-0);Vet United of Jos ( 2 – 1) as well as a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ekiti FC yesterday.

Ottasolo now lead their section with the maximum 12 points

after winning their first four matches and are expected to keep their unbeaten run when they tackle hard-fighting Remo FC at the same venue today. “ So far, so good for us,” an official of the club, Ibrahim Waheed Olagoke, said. “ But we are not going to rest on our oars and we just want to keep winning our matches to ensure.”

Wednesday March 17, 2021

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MISSILE

NLC to Govs “We are saying that the minimum wage can only be legislated upon by the National Assembly which has been the tradition. Also, it is important to inform the members that once a convention is ratified, it is binding on the member country and not the sub-national.”

– President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, threatening that workers are prepared to defend their position on the issue of the national minimum wage.

KAYODEKOMOLAFE THE HORIZON

kayode.komolafe@thisdaylive.com

0805 500 1974

Fiscal Federalism Sans Social Justice?

O

n May 11, it will be 40 years that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) called a strike to mount pressure on government for the enactment of a national minimum wage law.

Comrade Hassan Adebayo Sunmonu, who incidentally turned 80 two months ago, was the NLC president who led the nation-wide popular action. Under the leadership of one of the most adroit negotiators produced by the labour movement, the NLC enjoyed the support of students, progressive intellectuals and even players in the informal sector in the process.

In retrospect, the success of the historic strike could be measured by the fact that in September of that year the National Assembly passed the National Minimum Wage Act of 1981 which was signed by President Shehu Shagari.

According to the law, the national minimum wage was fixed at 125 naira a month. That was the equivalent of 603.5 dollars a month as national minimum wage!

There were, of course, logical exceptions for small-scale employers especially in the informal sector.

As required by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory, the law came into being on the basis of the “the principle of full consultation with social partners.” So the class sensibilities of labour and employers were duly respected and government gave leadership.

Wabba Now, Nigeria is no less federalist today than it was in the Second Republic that when the national minimum wage law was enacted. The law was not a military decree. The nation was also in a civil dispensation at it is today. In fact, the 1979 Constitution which was the basic law at the time provided the nucleus for the 1999 Constitution currently in use in the country. None of the 19 states in existence at that period of Nigeria’s history asked to be exempted from the implementation of the national minimum wage law. Yet there were regional disparities in terms of economic strengths and fortunes of the states.

Since the Second Republic successive military and civilian administrations have improved on the value of the national minimum wage until the system arrived at the present N30,000 a month.

Historically, there were attempts to tinker with the elasticity in the implementation of the national minimum wage law. For instance, in 1986, at the advent of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), there was a failed attempt to dilute the provisions of the law. The minimum population of the workforce of a private business organisation expected to implement the law was increased from 50 to 500 under the pretext of encouraging investments.

So, a company could have 499 workers in its employ and pay slave wages. Labour, of course, resisted the subterfuge.

However, in the last 40 years the national character of the minimum wage has been significantly maintained.

The foregoing somewhat encapsulates the progress made in the evolution of national minimum wage in the country in a period of four decades.

It is in this light that the bill before the National Assembly aimed at removing national minimum wage as an item from the exclusive list should be seen as ideologically retrogressive, socially myopic and politically dangerous.

By implication, the notorious bill seeks to murder the principle of national minimum wage. If by any accident the bill becomes a law, it would widen inequality and deepen

poverty. Instead of making progress on the path of building a just and inclusive society some politicians and their technocrats are bent on reversing the cumulative gains of the last 40 years.

The pertinent issues involved in the attempts to make nonsense of the concept of national minimum wage seem buried in the obfuscating arguments for fiscal federalism in matters of minimum wage determination.

The underlying questions of social justice are ignored by the proponents of the antilabour bill. It is, therefore, important to draw attention to the pitfalls of this facile pursuit of fiscal federalism while treating matters of social justice with contempt.

To start with, contrary to the distortions brought into the debate from some quarters, the ILO conventions are very clear in its conventions on minimum wage as international standards. The principles behind the convention are those of social justice, inclusion, legality of enforcement and dynamism. The breath and effectiveness of the application of the national minimum wage cannot be discounted if the purpose of social justice is to be ultimately achieved in any jurisdiction. In sum, the purpose of the ILO conventions is “the provision of an adequate living wage.”

This is the point that is often ignored in the technicist arguments that each state should pay whatever it likes as minimum wage in Nigeria.

Continued on page 53

SAMAMADI GUEST COLUMNIST

In Support of National Minimum Wage

T

he organized labor is in a tangle with legislators over a pending bill to remove labor relations, particularly, minimum wage from the Executive Legislative List of the Constitution and put it on the Concurrent List. This will make it illegitimate for the federal government to impose a national minimum wage on states that are incapable or willing to pay same. This proposed legislation rides on concerns about federalism and the need for component states of the federation to be freed from constitutional centralization.

Expectedly, organized labor is not taken in by argument of decentralization and federalism. It stormed the National Assembly Complex some days ago and demanded the end to the bill that has passed second reading. Labor leaders rightly reads the possibility of successful passage of the bill that could easily rollback the strategic gains they have made in collective bargaining with a government

that has serially betrayed labor.

Even though labor has been largely remis since 2015, this time around we need to rally round labor and ensure the bill does not become law. This is because the bill has adverse social and economic impacts that far outweigh its positive governance benefits. A simple cost-benefit analysis fails to recommend its passage for the reason that this is time to drive up social and economic wellbeing of ordinary Nigerians through strong labor protection rather than spiral down to more poverty and misery through whittling down entitlements.

If there is anything the management of the COVID19 pandemic has revealed, it is that government can do a lot of good to the economy by putting money in the hands of ordinary people. The pandemic has spelled an end to Reaganomics and the misbegotten mantra of ‘government is the problem not the solution’. All over the world, government is hailed as the

solution as it rebuilds institutions for sustainable growth and human prosperity.

It is worrisome that many Nigerians are not paying sufficient attention to this bill. The reactions have been rather superficial and partisan. Many see the bill either as another legislative effort to restructure a country whose incoherent constitutional order is a major restraint to prosperity and stability and an enabler of executive despotism; and others see it as a self-serving initiative. The Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum (association of Governors elected under the platform of the APC) took labor leaders to the cleaners for daring to obstruct legislators in the exercise of their constitutional responsibilities. In his view, federalism requires that the federal government should not burden poor states with financial burdens that they cannot carry. It helps democracy if states exercise their legislative competence to cater for social and economic issues

that they select and can manage.

All these are true and important. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of making states both viable and responsive.

The president of the Africa Financial Corporation and Nigeria’s former minister of agriculture, Professor Adesina, in a recent speech, called for a United States of Nigeria, where development actually happens in and through viable and competent states. So, anything to make state shape up and own their game should be supported.

This is true. But the bill pending before the National Assembly does more than that. It has the potential to further destroy the institutional support for social and economic wellbeing in Nigeria in a period that the current pandemic has further immiserated millions of Nigerians. If the bill passes and is accented by President Buhari it will pave way to a race to the Continued on page 53

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