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Nigeria, Others Risk 85% Drop in Oil Revenue, OPEC, IEA Warn Peter Uzoho Nigeria and other developing countries that rely heavily on oil revenue are set to witness a decline as their income from oil and gas is projected to fall by between 50 per cent and 85 per cent in 2020, reaching

the lowest levels in more than two decades.

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) gave the projection in a joint statement issued yesterday by the Secretary-General of OPEC,

Mr. Mohammad Barkindo, and the Executive Director of IEA, Dr. Fatih Birol.

The projection was a fallout of the two leaders' review of the current situation in the global oil markets, where they assessed the impact of COVID-19 and the recent

broad-based financial and oil market volatility on the global economy.

However, oil prices have plummeted, as the global oil benchmark fell to as low as $29.02 per barrel.

This development, fuelled by the grave global health

crisis caused by the COVID-19 and its related impacts on the stability of economies and markets is likely to have major social and economic consequences, notably for public sector spending in vital areas such as healthcare and education.

Barkindo and Birol expressed concerns about the COVID-19, which is already a grave and unprecedented global health crisis with potentially farreaching economic and social consequences.

Continued on page 10

Again, Inflation Rises, Moves from 12.13% to 12.20%...

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Recording COVID-19’s Third Case, FG Bans Foreign Travels by Public Officials Suspends National Sports Festival Deji Elumoye, Omololu Ogunmade, Chuks Okocha, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Olawale Ajimotokan, Udora Orizu in Abuja, Duro Ikhazuagbe, Uche Nnaike and Martins Ifijeh in Lagos With the confirmation of the third case of COVID-19 in Nigeria after a 30-year-old female tested positive to the virus, the federal government yesterday took additional

measures to check the spread of the pandemic, banning foreign travels by public officials and suspended the National Sports Festival slated for March 22 in Benin, Edo State.

The federal government’s ban on foreign travels would affect all public and civil servants in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other Continued on page 10

Oshiomhole Waves Olive Branch to Douse APC Crisis NWC lifts suspension on Shuaibu, Abdulkadir Directs members to withdraw court cases Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Following the Court of Appeal’s stay of execution of his suspension by a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, regained his seat yesterday, waving the olive branch to his adversaries as

he presided over a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) at the party headquarters, Abuja.

At the meeting that was held to herald the cessation of hostilities in the party, the embattled national chairman assured aggrieved parties that he would reconcile his Continued on page 10

MIRACLE GOVERNOR AT THE VILLA...

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri (left), and President Muhammadu Buhari, during the governor's courtesy visit to the president in Abuja…yesterday

S’Court Reserves Ruling in APC’s Suit to Reclaim Zamfara... Page 8

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NEWS

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

Again, Inflation Rises, Moves from 12.13% to 12.20% James Emejo in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos With inflation peaking at 12.20 per cent in February, compared to 12.13 per in the previous month, analysts have urged the federal government to facilitate cheaper domestic credit to the economy.

They tasked the federal government to tackle the root causes of rising inflation, as inflationary pressures continue to distort macroeconomic indices amidst bleak prospects in the global economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation, increased to 12.20 per cent (year-on-year) in February compared to 12.13 per cent in the preceding month, according to the data released yesterday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Food inflation increased to 14.90 per cent compared to 14.85 per cent in January witnessing increases in prices of bread and cereals, fish, meat, vegetables and oils, and fats.

In their reactions, the analysts, who spoke in separate interviews with THISDAY yesterday, asked both the monetary and fiscal authorities to address issues relating to general insecurity nationwide, the land border closure and high cost of funds in the economy.

They called on the government to boost credit access to the productive sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture, services and manufacturing and pursue economic diversification with urgency.

The experts warned that unless managed properly, the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic could worsen price instability in the country.

Also, core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce increased to 9.43 per cent in February, up by 0.08 per cent when compared with 9.35 per cent in January.

According to the CPI report for February, the highest increase in prices of pharmaceutical products, non-durable household goods, catering services, passenger transport by air, repair of furniture, maintenance, and repair of personal transport equipment, water supply, carpet, and other floors coverings, major household appliances, dental services, hospital services and vehicle

spare parts contributed to the 0.07 per cent uptick in the headline index during the review period.

Similarly, the urban inflation rate increased to 12.85 per cent (year-on-year) in February 2020 from 12.78 per cent recorded in January, while the rural index inflation rose to 11.61 per cent in February from 11.54 per cent in the preceding month.

According to the NBS, on a month-on-month basis, the urban index rose by 0.82 per cent in February, up by 0.10 from 0.92 per cent recorded in January while the rural index also rose by 0.76 per cent in February 2020, down by 0.07 per cent from the 0.83 per cent recorded in January.

Inflation had assumed a downward direction in recent consecutive months when it dropped in January 2019 to 11.37 per cent from 11.44 per cent in December in 2018.

The headline index further reduced to 11.31 per cent in February and 11.25 per cent in March but resorted to the upward trajectory in April when it climbed to 11.37 per cent- and further to 11.40 per cent in May- before falling to 11.22 per cent in June, 11.08 per cent in July, 11.02 per cent in August before returning to 11.24 per cent in September, 11.61 per cent in October and 11.85 per cent in November and 11.98 per cent in December- and now 12.13 per cent in January 2020 and now 12.20 per cent in February.

The rise further dampens the prospects for a lower interest rate regime as well as a reduction in the cost of borrowing given that it is unhealthy for inflation to catch up with the benchmark lending rate.

The MPR, which is the rate at which the apex bank lends to commercial banks, is currently at 13.5 per cent.

However, commenting on the new inflation data, economist and former Director General, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Dr. Chijioke Ekechukwu, said solutions could only come by addressing the root causes of the rising headline index.

He said: "Inflation is a function of certain factors affecting the consistent rise in prices of goods and services.

The first step to addressing such price rise is by identifying the various factors.

"In our own case, general insecurity in the land, the

land border closure, dearth of cheap funds increased cost of production arising from lack of adequate power supply, etc.

"We are expecting Coronavirus related inflation in certain goods to happen soon.

Solutions can only come by addressing the root causes of the rising inflation rate."

On his part, an Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Port Harcourt, Anthony Onoja, said the federal government should deploy external loans towards providing market and social infrastructure to boost industrialisation and agricultural growth.

He said: "The federal government would need to increase the momentum of improving credit access to the real productive sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture, services, and manufacturing, to be able to build resilience against the stochastic forces such as the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak slowing the global economy.

"This too has affected the exchange rate negatively as naira depreciated against the US dollar in response to low demand for oil and poor price of the commodity

globally. Diversification of the economy remains the key as our monolithic economic model is constantly rendering our macroeconomic indices especially inflation very volatile.

"Loans advanced by IMF or other Bretton Woods bodies should be applied in providing market and social infrastructure to boost industrialisation and agricultural growth."

Other analysts attributed the increase in inflation in February to the continuous closure of the country’s land borders and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has continued to negatively affect the global economy.

They also forecasted that the increase may be sustained, just as they noted the impact of the slump in the price of crude oil and reduced productivity in China, which is Nigeria’s major trade partner.

Managing Director, Kairos Capital, Mr. Sam Chidoka, told THISDAY that the continuous border closure was mainly responsible for the increase.

He said: “Since we shut our borders, I have always expected that inflation would go high because we are not self-sufficient in many items.

And for as long as we are not

The Senate yesterday ordered an immediate investigation into the explosion that rocked Abule Osho in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State on Sunday.

It directed three of its committees - Petroleum (Upstream and Downstream) and Gas, to probe the remote and immediate causes of the Sunday explosion and turn in their recommendations within two weeks.

The upper chamber, at plenary, also urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to enforce the right of way for laid petroleum pipelines, lamenting that some communities are living within potentially explosive pipelines and power lines across the

country.

The Senate while asking the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send relief materials to the affected victims’ families and pay the medical bills of the wounded, also urged the federal government and members of the National Assembly to contribute to the N2 billion Abule Ado Relief Fund set up on Monday by the Lagos State government.

The Senate, in observing a minute silence for those who died in the explosion, directed the executive to immediately implement previous recommendations passed by the Senate as regards explosions in Rivers State and Ijegun in Lagos State in November 2019.

The resolution of the Senate was a sequel to a motion moved

purchasing power,� the report stated.

It added that in the past years, food inflation had been the major culprit of rising inflation in Nigeria. “The impact of the partial closure of the land borders is taking a toll on food prices and creating shortages. “The other inflation stoking factors include higher logistics costs, VAT hike and lower interest rates,� it stated.

Also, analysts at Eczellon Capital said the trend might continue and urged the federal government to review the land border closure.

They said: “Nigeria is still an import-dependent country with China being our major import partner and as a result of COVID-19, we have seen distortions in the supply causing limited supply. “We also expect that the upward trend in the inflation rate would continue in the near term giving the fact that we have not had any vaccine or cure for the COVID-19 which would affect us in the near term.�

They noted that the significant drop in crude oil was another factor likely to push up inflation.

PUTTING COVID-19 AT BAY...

President Muhammadu Buhari (left) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, during a meeting with the Economic Advisory Council in Abuja‌yesterday

Senate Orders Investigation into Lagos Explosion Deji Elumoy and Chuks Okocha in Abuja

self-sufficient, prices would continue to go up as well as inflation going up. However, I think that over time it is going to moderate. “Also, with this COVID-19 and with what is happening in China, many items are not coming in and that would bring in the forces of demand and supply pushing up inflation.�

But he anticipated that once the rains start falling and the harvest season comes, food prices would drop.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said the increase didn’t come as a surprise.

A report by his firm stated that the increase would be the sixth consecutive monthly increase and a 22-month high. “While inflation has maintained an upward trajectory, the rate of increase in the index has declined, indicating that the base year effect is waning. “In addition, the CBN’s unorthodox policies have seen interest rates declined sharply by an average of 10 per cent.

This has led to a significant drop in interest income and a squeeze in consumers’

via Senate Orders 42 and 52

by Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Lagos West) who informed the Senate of the Abule -Ado explosion, which claimed about 20 lives.

Senators in their contributions lamented how people in the area live in danger alongside power high tension lines as well as NNPC pipelines.

On her part, Senator Remi Tinubu called for necessary actions to be taken by the Lagos State Government, while calling for financial support to help the victims Also contributing, Senator James Manager, while commiserating with the victims described the incident as one explosion too many.

On his part, Senator George Sekibo recalled that the Senate had in the past set up ad-hoc committees whose

recommendations were not implemented by the respective government agencies, adding that the regulatory agencies in the petroleum industry are not alive to their responsibilities.

According to him, "it is the turn of Lagos State but these pipelines run across the country and there are several spillages that require effective monitoring".

Also contributing, Senator Uche Ekwunife lamented the effect of the explosion, adding that some of the NNPC pipelines are old and have outlived their expected usefulness.

Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Ajayi Boroffice called for solutions to the incessant cases of explosion and enforcement of the right of way for the pipelines that were laid more than 20 years ago

Abuja Resident Doctors Begin Indefinite Strike Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (ARD), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja chapter yesterday commenced an indefinite strike.

The doctors had earlier given a two-week ultimatum to the FCT administration over partpayment of salaries being made to its members.

It had also given a seven-day extension, which lapsed yesterday.

In a communiquĂŠ signed by its President, Dr. Roland Aigbovo, and General-Secretary, Dr. Mustapha Ibrahim, the association said its members suffered from salary irregularities and nonpayment of February salary as well as the shortfall in January salary following migration to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) by

the FCTA. The association expressed displeasure with the way the FCT administration was handling the issue, adding that the morale and motivation of its members were at an all-time low.

"Members are currently financially distressed even to the extent of struggling with transportation to places of work,� the statement said.

The association resolved to continue the action until its demands were met. “That our February 2020 salary and January 2020 salary shortfall as well as the 5-7 months salary arrears owed our newly employed members be paid on or before 12 midnight of Monday, March 16, 2020. Failure to implement the above resolution, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony,� it added.

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S’Court Reserves Ruling in APC’s Suit to Reclaim Zamfara Alex Enumah in Abuja The Supreme Court yesterday reserved ruling in an application by the All Progressives Congress (APC) praying for the setting aside of the consequential order that made the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) beneficiary of all elective positions in the 2019 general election in Zamfara State.

A five-man panel led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, announced that the decision

of the apex court in the matter has been reserved to a date that will be communicated to parties shortly after lawyers representing parties in the matter adopted their briefs of argument.

While arguing the application for setting aside of the consequential order that barred its clients from the 2019 general election, Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), informed the panel that the order was made out of jurisdiction.

Clarke said the APC, which

Wike Berates Uzodinma for Making False Allegation against PDP Davidson Iriekpen The Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, last night berated the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, for alleging that the PDP was responsible for the attempted removal of National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, saying that the allegation is baseless and untrue.

Wike also declared that the APC is out to destroy the judiciary, urging the third arm of government to protect itself from the destructive tendencies of the APC. In an interview at the Government House Port Harcourt, the governor said the comments credited to Uzodinma were unfortunate.

He wondered how Uzodinma got the temerity to make that false allegation, alleging that he was an APC agent while he was in PDP. Wike recalled that that was why APC used the Imo State governor as an agent to support Ali Modu Sheriff.

He said: “I read that Senator Hope Uzodinma said that the PDP conspired to plot the attempted removal of APC National Chairman. That is an unfortunate lie. “It is unfortunate that Uzodinma will have the temerity to make that false allegation. He was an APC agent while he was in PDP. That was why APC used him as an agent to support Ali Modu Sheriff, but they failed. “Uzodinma cannot talk about the attempted removal of APC National Chairman and mention the PDP. What is our business in the attempted removal of Oshiomhole?�

Wike said that the APC is not a political party that means well for the country. “APC does not mean well for Nigeria. It is a party of strange bedfellows merely formed to take over power. “If Uzodinma dares to make such false comments again about the PDP, we will tell the world about him. “That he fraudulently took the mandate of PDP does not mean that PDP is weak. Hope Uzodinma lacks the capacity to discuss the PDP.�

Wike said that Nigerians must be vigilant and work towards protecting the judiciary. “We must protect the judiciary to do its work. But the judiciary should protect itself. APC has destroyed the judiciary,� he said.

The Rivers State governor wondered why the judiciary should allow leaders of the APC to toss it around as has been witnessed during the party’s internal crisis.

He decried the situation where the Court of Appeal granted a stay of execution on the suspension of the APC National Chairman, but the FCT High Court went ahead to declare another person the Acting National Chairman.

He said only the National Executive Committee of political parties has such powers.

He said: “The judiciary should be very careful. The Judiciary should be alert. It should not allow itself to be used. It should not allow itself to be destroyed. “APC should not be allowed to destroy the judiciary.

Judiciary was there before APC. It was there before any political party. I cannot see the judiciary being destroyed and keep quiet. “I am not interested in what happens in the APC. But I am concerned with the judiciary and its survival. “ He urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, to caution judges. “With what the APC is doing today, we may not have the Judiciary and everyone will pay the price. The party is trying to destroy the hope of the common man,� he said.

Wike regretted that the APC and her supporters attack the judiciary when judgment is not in their favour.

He referred to the attacks on Justice Mary Odili over the Bayelsa State governorship matter.

The governor said the recent order by the wife of the member of the House of Representatives wherein she reaffirmed the freedom of the former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, was hailed, even though she was the wife of a PDP member.

brought the application challenging the consequential order, was not against the main judgment because the party did not conduct the primary election for the nomination of candidates for the 2019 general election.

The senior lawyer, who admitted bringing the application for the second time, added that what the Supreme Court ought to have done was to order a fresh primary election and an election for all elective positions in the state.

He informed the panel that the consequential order, which made the PDP candidates for all elective offices winners was in bad taste and ought to be reversed.

Clarke said it was wrong of the apex court to have

declared over 400, 000 votes as wasted simply because APC at the time did not conduct primary election known to law because of its internal dispute.

He, therefore, urged the court to invoke its inherent jurisdiction to set aside the consequential order that brought PDP's candidates to power in Zamfara State and instead, order APC to conduct a fresh primary election and to also order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct new elections into all elective offices in Zamfara State.

However, Senator Kabiru Marafa, who is the first respondent in the matter, urged the apex court to dismiss the request of the APC for want of jurisdiction

and merit.

Marafa through his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), informed the panel that the APC's application was caught by Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution, which prescribed 60 days for hearing and determination starting from the date the notice of appeal was filed.

Ozekhome argued that the apex court gave final judgment in the Zamfara governorship tussle over 10 months ago, adding that bringing such application for the second time is a gross abuse of the process of the apex court.

He urged the court to dismiss the application with huge punitive fine to keep the party away from further abuse of the court process.

Ozekhome cited the

decision of the court in the Bayelsa and Imo States governorship tussles, adding that the apex court has made it clear that its judgment on any issue is final for all times, ages and that no force on earth can change the decision except a law made to that effect.

The CJN after taking submissions from counsel, said the ruling had been reserved to a date to be communicated to parties in the matter.

The apex court had last year ordered that the candidates of parties that came second in 2019 general election be inaugurated as winners following the nullification of the nominations of APC candidates on account of failure to conduct valid primary as required by law.

TALKING PUBLIC DEBT...

L-R: Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman; DirectorGeneral, Debt Management OďŹƒce, Ms. Patience Oniha; and Deputy Chairman House Committee on Finance, Hon. Saidu Abdullahi, during a public lecture on public debt in Nigeria in Abuja‌yesterday godwin omoigui

Lawan Seeks World Bank’s Help on Nigeria’s Looted Funds Deji Elumoye in Abuja President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, has canvassed for the assistance of the World Bank in Nigeria's move to repatriate its looted funds lodged in several banks overseas.

Lawan, who made the plea on Tuesday evening while playing host to the new World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri, asked the World Bank to assist Nigeria in the ongoing drive to repatriate the money looted

by Nigerians and stashed in foreign banks.

His words: "It has been a very difficult and monumental situation to ask and get those monies back to Nigeria even if you identify where they are. For a developing country, such

resources are important and critical to our efforts in developing our country.

"So, how is the World Bank helping us in ensuring that we get back some of these resources knowing full well that some of these powerful countries will protect such funds and it becomes difficult for us to get our money back."

He also urged the World Bank to come to Nigeria's assistance in her effort at alleviating poverty in the country.

According to him, this is the time Nigeria needs the World Bank the most when the Coronavirus, the global pandemic is making it difficult to raise revenue for the implementation of this year's budget.

He said: “The 2020 budget was designed to be funded, in a very large part, by foreign

borrowing especially for our capital projects.

"Nigeria is to take a loan of about 17 billion dollars from China out of the 22.7 billion dollars that was passed by the Senate...But today we are not sure of what will happen because almost every country from where we are supposed to borrow the money is facing some challenges.

"This is the time the World Bank should stand out to come to the aid of Nigeria.�

Lawan recalled the promise made last year by President Muhammadu Buhari to take 100million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years stressing that the promise is realisable.

"It is possible because we have the ingredients and we have friends who will help us. This is where the World Bank is also needed,� he said.

Lawan, therefore, asked:

"How do you help us achieve that? It is achievable. Other countries have achieved that, India, Brazil, and China have done quite well.

"Not only money but the technical support we require because it is not only given us loans and grants but even how to apply and deploy resources to achieve these goals will be so important and critical.�

Speaking earlier, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Chaudhuri, told Lawan: "We are here to support the government's programmes particularly as it relates to poverty alleviation, that is our ultimate goal.

"It is an opportunity for us to have your thoughts on where you will like to see us direct our support having in mind, our ultimate mission is to help eliminate poverty."

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PAGE TEN RECORDING COVID-19’S THIRD CASE, FG BANS FOREIGN TRAVELS BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS government parastatals.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, at the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Task Force on the Control of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Nigeria, said the decision was taken to scale the country’s health emergency to the highest level and prevent further spread of the contagion.

He asked civil servants to shelve all seminars, meetings, bilateral, multilateral, conferences and workshops slated for foreign countries.

According to him, the ban remains in place until the situation on the containment of the virus abates.

He added that in view of this development, all requests by public workers to travel abroad, including all approvals given earlier, have been revoked.

After the task force meeting, which lasted for several hours behind closed door, the committee also advised the general public to cancel or postpone non-essential overseas trips, including, business, vacations to some of the countries that have recorded clusters of coronavirus infections and deaths.

Mustapha listed the worst affected countries, which Nigerians should stop travelling to as China, USA, Iran, South Korea, Italy, Germany, UK, Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Spain and Japan.

He advised Nigerians returning from all the aforementioned countries to self-quarantine for 14 days at home and ensure they follow

the guidelines by the NCDC on the procedures for self- isolation.

He added that all travellers coming from countries with COVID-19 transmission that have recorded 1,000 cases and above will be actively followed up for 14 days by the health authorities.

While tagging the virus as the most important health emergency in this generation, which must be treated as such, the SGF said the federal government supported measures by the high burdened countries on the containment of the contagion, including the directive to remain indoors.

Third COVID-19 Case Recorded The federal government said yesterday that it has commenced contact tracing of those who had contact with the patient, who arrived in the country from the UK on March 13.

It said it was tracing all the people that flew with her on the airline and others she had met in Lagos.

In a statement given to THISDAY yesterday, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said: “Upon arriving in Nigeria, she underwent a self-quarantine, which has minimised the risk of the spread of the virus to other persons. She went through this because of the stringent measures put in place by the federal government. “She subsequently developed symptoms of fever and cough on March 16, at which point she voluntarily called the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) toll-free call line to

report her condition. Officials from the Lagos State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) were immediately dispatched to her home to collect samples, which upon testing, came out positive for the coronavirus.�

He said the lady was currently at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos, where she has remained clinically stable and responding to treatment.

Ehanire added that the federal government, along with the Lagos State government, has commenced intensive contact tracing to help identify all persons she had contact with since her return. “We expect the number to be small because of her sensible decision to go into self-isolation from the time of her arrival.

We commend her for following the recommended guidelines to the letter. We will continue to assess the situation and adjust the response accordingly,� he stated.

Ehanire explained that many people infected with COVID-19 will experience only mild symptoms and recover without incident.

He, however, added that of great concern were those with existing underlying medical conditions and senior citizens, who are known to be more vulnerable to the virus.

Ehanire cautioned: “We strongly advise these citizens to stay more at home. All Nigerians are required to continue taking necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families.

These measures include regular handwashing with soap and water and the use of alcoholbased hand sanitisers.

Dare, who said the measure, was part of the federal government’s efforts to check the potential spread of the pandemic. “Following the briefing of Mr. President from me and the Minister of State for Health on COVID 19, Mr. President approved the immediate postponement of Edo Sports festival to a future date,� he stated, adding: “President Mohammadu Buhari approves the postponement of the National Sports Festival Edo 2020 as a precautionary move against COVID-19 spread.�

The event billed to be hosted

by Edo State Government was meant to draw no fewer than 11,500 participants, a number which the government felt was too risky to congregate in view of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state.

Briefing journalists in the State House after a meeting with the president, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, the Minister of Youths and Sports, Dare, said the decision to postpone the meeting was taken at a meeting involving themselves, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, and the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control yesterday morning.

According to Dare, yesterday's meeting was a culmination of his constant contact with the Ministry of Health, Edo State Government and the local organising committee (LOC) since the outbreak of the disease.

He said after the meeting, they opted to brief the president on the decision and consequently, the president

gave them the directive to postpone the event as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

He said: "Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development because of the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival has been in close touch and consultation with the Ministry of Health - particularly with both the minister of health and the minister of state, health.

"We’ve also been in consultation with the governor and deputy governor of Edo State, the LOC, and the MOC but we have had the Ministry of Health take the lead. Based on the daily review on developments, we got assurances that we could go ahead. But because we are dealing with a dynamic situation, this morning, we had a meeting at the Ministry of Health in the office of the Minister of Health with the Minister of State, Health present, I, the permanent secretary and the DirectorGeneral of NCDC. "Shortly after the meeting, which lasted for about 45 minutes, we proceeded to the presidency to brief Mr. President. After briefing Mr. President, Mr. President took the initiative and gave the directive that the National Sports Festival, christened Edo 2020 should be postponed as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19. A new date will be communicated later based on development around COVID-19."

finding ways to minimise the impacts of the current situation on vulnerable developing countries.

The duo agreed to remain in close contact on the matter and continue their regular consultations on oil market

developments.

The OPEC+ had on March 6, 2020, failed to reach a deal to deepen oil supply cuts or to extend existing curbs, deepening a slide in oil prices.

Oil price slumped more than 30 per cent last week

after the disintegration of the OPEC+ alliance triggered an all-out price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia, a situation that has grave political and economic consequences to the world economy.

would expect, like the presiding judge of the Court of Appeal said, that political parties should develop internal mechanisms of resolving their differences without approaching the court, adding that if they refused to listen, they would be their own enemy.

He noted that the NWC should interrogate those elected on the platform of the party, meet with them, invite them and interrogate them on what they are doing in their states and at the federal level, rather than expending their energy fighting amongst themselves.

The chairman lamented that the projected revenue from the oil sector had dropped, but that the expectations of Nigerians had not diminished because the country’s revenue had diminished, saying that should be the concern of the NWC. “These are the kinds of things we should spend more time doing, the Nigeria project, not becoming chairman. If I am chairman and cannot walk the streets of Nigeria with pride because my party has not done what is expected, I cannot be a happy chairman, and I don't think any of you will be a happy member. I ask us, in addition to putting what has happened behind us, to find time to have an objective conversation on how we can generate ideas to support the government,� he added.

At the end of the meeting, Oshiomhole told journalists that the suspension placed on Shuaibu and Inuwa had been lifted.

He stated: “We have also resolved that we are going to withdraw all cases in court that any member of the NEC is involved in so that we must lead by example and we have

shown that we are capable of managing ourselves and, therefore, we do not need the minister to help us resolve what we are capable of resolving.

"People have issues which they feel strongly about, and as a result the NWC took some decisions which affected my friend and brother, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, Deputy National Chairman North. The NWC had a reason for suspending him as at then.

Today, we have reviewed the situation and we believe that in the spirit of our renewed commitment to building unity and true reconciliation, we as leaders of the party elected at the convention should live by example. And that means for those we think have offended the system, we have chosen to lift their suspensions. Sen. Lawal Shuaibu can resume his duties as Deputy National Chairman, North.

"We also reviewed the matter of Inuwa Abdulkadir, National Vice Chairman North-west.

By the same spirit, the NWC was unanimous in lifting the suspension and he resumes work with immediate effect. So, with these two decisions, the two members of the NWC who were suspended, their suspensions have now been lifted."

The party also noted that it would have an interaction with the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, and asked him why the country is still allowing flights from the United States and Europe, the epicentre of COVID-19 while all other countries are shutting their borders.

The NWC members that attended the meeting included; Giadom, National

Vice Chairman South-west, Pastor Bankole Oluwajana; National Vice Chairman, North-east, Mr. Mustapha Salihu; Deputy Publicity Secretary, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim and Abdulkadir.

Others are Ajimobi; the National Vice Chairman, Southsouth, Prince Hillary Eta; Ogala; National Organising Secretary, Ibeduro; Issa-Onilu; National Woman Leader, Salamatu Beiwa; acting National Auditor, Chuwkuma; National Treasurer, Mr. Abu Fanda; National Welfare Officer, Mr. Ibrahim Masari, and Special (physically challenged) Leader, Misbau Didi.

But Shuaibu and Bulama were absent.

“Nigerians should maintain at least two metres distance from persons with persistent cough or sneezing. Those coughing should engage in good respiratory hygiene, which means covering their mouth and nose with tissues or handkerchiefs when coughing or sneezing. If none is available, they can cough into their elbows or the sleeve of their dress. They should dispose of the used tissue papers properly.�

As part of efforts to trace the people the new case might have had contact with, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof.

Akin Abayomi, has called on members of the public, who travelled along with the lady on British Airways to stay at home and isolate themselves.

Abayomi, who spoke at a press briefing in Lagos yesterday to corroborate the minister’s statement, said: “If you are a passenger on flight BA 75 that arrived Lagos on March 13, 2020, stay at home and isolate yourself for 14 days. Also, call our lines now: 08000corona, 08023169485, 08033565529.�

He also mentioned that the Italian index case was yet to be discharged as he was still secreting the virus.

"His health is stable, except that he has not tested negative.

Once that happens and we reconfirm, we will be happy to discharge him," he said.

National Sports Festival Suspended The suspension of the sports meeting was announced yesterday by the Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr. Sunday

Continued on page 12

NIGERIA, OTHERS RISK 85% DROP IN OIL REVENUE, OPEC, IEA WARN They discussed the inherent risks of the fast-evolving dynamics, including the most recent developments in global oil markets and agreed that these will create material impacts, particularly for citizens of developing

countries, including those that rely heavily on income from oil and gas production for essential services and that are especially vulnerable to market volatility.

They also underscored the importance of market stability, as the impacts of extreme

volatility are felt by producers, particularly in terms of muchneeded income, and by both producers and consumers, who are affected by an unstable and unpredictable market.

Barkindo and Birol, however, emphasised the importance of

OSHIOMHOLE WAVES OLIVE BRANCH TO DOUSE APC CRISIS leadership style with others to give peace a chance, pleading with NWC members to put the past behind them.

Rising from the meeting, the NWC directed party members to withdraw all cases in court and subsequently lifted the suspension slammed, a year ago, on the Deputy National Chairman, North, Mr. Lawal Shuaibu; and National Vice Chairman, North-west, Mr. Inuwa Abdulkadir.

The challenge to Oshiomhole’s leadership of the party, which began from his home state, Edo State, had snowballed into a plot to oust him following the ruling of Justice Danlami Senchi of the Federal Capital (FCT) High Court, who in an interlocutory ruling, had ordered among others, that Oshiomhole should desist from parading himself as the APC national chairman.

But reprieve came Oshiomhole’s way on Monday as the Court of Appeal granted his application to stay the execution of the lower court’s order.

However, Oshiomhole, who presided over the NWC meeting, said despite the crisis that rocked the ruling party and almost tore it apart, APC would bounce back stronger.

The NWC meeting that was supposed to start by 12 pm did not start until about 2 p.m., while the Acting National Secretary, Victor Giadom, the arrowhead of the rebellion against Oshiomhole, arrived at the secretariat as early as 11.25 a.m.

He acknowledged pleasantries from the staff, while his driver parked his car at the parking lot allotted to the ‘National Secretary,’ Mr. Waziri Bulama.

Oshiomhole arrived at the secretariat at 12.50 p.m. and held a meeting with some NWC members loyal to him in his office for 30 minutes, while those opposed to him waited for the meeting to commence.

Shortly after Oshiomhole’s arrival, Salihu arrived at 12.55 pm.

Those that met with Oshiomhole in his office included the state chairmen, Deputy National Chairman, South, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; the newly appointed National Auditor, Paul Chukwuma; National Organising Secretary, Mr. Emma Ibediro; National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu; National Women Leader; National Vice Chairman (South-south), Mr. Hilliard Eta; National Legal Adviser, Mr. Babatunde Ogala, and the National Vice Chairman South-east among others.

Speaking before the commencement of the meeting, Oshiomhole said as someone who had worked for a voluntary organisation, the crisis that engulfed the party was not strange to him.

He said it would only be strange if a party as large as APC, coming from different backgrounds, having different aspirations, had no disagreement.

He noted that the party members had bonded “together by a shared vision of building a party based on the principle of socio-democracy – pro-people, pro-poor, one that is committed to ensuring that the instrument of state is used to deliver the greatest good to the greatest number.

According to him, that is why the party is consciously called All

Progressives Congress, because it belongs to all progressive elements in Nigeria.

He said: “Those who are thinking we are coming here to box, I wear no boxing gloves.

I wanted to wear complete white to send a message of peace. And, I think everybody came here with a good heart and may God see us through this moment. We are going to bounce back stronger and better. “Let me also say that I am the first to admit that I am not the best chairman in the world and I will never be. But no one can fault the sincerity of my purpose. My style can only be my style. But I recognise that I must reconcile my style to others so that we can meet in the middle of the road. “So, we do not lay claim to a family that has members who will be so docile that they can’t argue among themselves or even sometimes who really want to fight. That is the hallmark of democracy. It can only be unusual when we fight each other, we quarrel with one another, and we develop that level of animosity that we become incapable of sitting down, putting on our thinking cap, reminding ourselves that what binds us together is much more than whatever divides us.�

He described himself as a believer in conversation, contestation and also a believer in conflict resolution.

He said: “Let me reassure you (Giadom) that this friendship we have built is past a year and 9 months; the food we have shared, those jokes. I am a Catholic and I am guided by the doctrines of my faith.�

Oshiomhole explained that he

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WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

PDP Alleges Plot to Manipulate Supreme Court on Zamfara Elections Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday expressed

concerns over the Supreme Court’s decision to reserve its judgment on the Zamfara State governorship election matter

Ajibola Condoles Yahaya Bello An associate of the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Isiaq Ajibola, has condoled the governor over the death of his mother.

In his condolence letter to the governor, the former Managing Director of Daily Trust noted that the exit of a mother is too painful for words to heal especially as Bello’s relationship with his late mother was ‘extraordinary’.

He however added that God took her away in the best form that anyone could wish for.

He thereafter prayed that “Allah (SWT) grants her eternal rest in the grave, expands and illuminates it for her and pencil her down for permanent abode in the highest level of Jannah”.

He also prayed for God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss while assuring the governor of his best regards and prayers for him always.

in which the All Progressives Congress (APC) is asking the apex court to review its own judgment.

The main opposition party alleged that it is a plot to manipulate the Supreme Court to give judgment in favour of the APC. Addressing a pressing conference last night in Abuja, the National Publicity

Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan said. “The PDP wishes to alert Nigerians that this is another plot by the APC to once again manipulate the judicial process and secure judgment through the back door.

“Nigerians will recall that the Supreme Court had consistently decided on the finality of judgments reached at the court. As such, all issues

bothering on review were never reserved for judgment because of its belief in the infallibility of its own judgment”.

According to the main opposition party, “Our party is concerned that the surprising decision to reserve this judgment is not in tandem with the established practice of the highest court, which was reaffirmed in its judgments on the Bayelsa

and Imo states’ governorship elections, where it dismissed the applications for review on the ground that it lacked jurisdiction to review its own judgment”.

The PDP therefore urged the Supreme Court not to allow itself to be manipulated by the APC or its agents into a judicial summersault that is capable of causing serious constitutional and political crisis in the country.

FG Makes Proposals to ASUU to Resolve Dispute

Approves visitation panels for universities Onyebuchi Ezigbo inAbuja

The federal government said that it has made proposals to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on how to amicably resolve the issues in dispute.

After the negotiations, which ended last night, both sides agreed to adjourn to allow ASUU to take the proposals to its members and to respond to the federal government in writing on the issues raised.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, who addressed journalists, said the meeting discussed a wide range of issues, more than was anticipated.

He listed the issues which federal government made proposals to ASUU to include, “We discussed some of the issues in our 2019 meeting, those that were not fully addressed, and made new proposals on behalf of the federal government to ASUU.

These issues range from funding for revitalisation of universities to earned academic allowances; salary shortfall, that existed in only one university, that is the Federal University of Technology, Akure; the issue of state universities and the coordinating committee and the issue of their meetings and interaction with national economic council, payment of earned academic allowances, which has been done; the issue of the issuance of operational certificate to National University Pension Commission ( NUPENCO) to lecturers pension scheme for lecturers,” he said., With regard to the getting NUPENCO to become operational, Ngige said that government side has made proposals on how to put the board in place.

He also that the issue of having visitation panels for the Universities has been sorted out and approvals given, adding that what remains is the gazetting of the membership of the various panels.

Edo APC Hails Appeal Court Decision on Oshiomhole

Odubu frustrating peace efforts, says Obaseki

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city Members of a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State have stated that the last Monday Court of Appeal ruling that quashed the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as the National Chairman of the party would linger in their memories “as a day of victory for justice, party supremacy and internal mechanism of conflict resolution, due process, light transcending darkness, rule of law, and for upholding constitutionalism.”

Addressing journalists in Benin-city yesterday on behalf of other governorship aspirants and party members, former Deputy Governor of the state to Oshiomhole, Dr. Pius Odubu, said: “It is also a moment of sober reflection for us in the state APC, as we remember

the unwholesome role played by the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in the failed attempt to remove our National Chairman, Oshiomhole, who is his benefactor.”

Meanwhile, in his reaction, Obaseki said Odubu, who is one of the frontrunner of the state chapter of APC, is sabotaging the peace efforts by APC governors and President Buhari.

The governor in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Crusoe Osagie, and made available to journalists, wondered why in less than 24 hours after the peace initiative by President Buhari and the governors in Abuja, Odubu began to launch barrage of attacks on his person, a situation he added would jeopardise moves to restore peace to a party that has become severely troubled.

STRATEGISING AGAINST COVID-19...

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Director of Airport Operations, FAAN; Capt. Murktar Muye; and Director Business and Commercial Development, FAAN; Mr. Rafindadi Sadiku, during an onthe-spot assessment of COVID-19 screening procedure at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos...yesterday

Group Stages Anti-Amotekun Protest in Ekiti Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Some youths drawn from the six states in the South-west region yesterday protested in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, against the formation of the region security network codenamed operation Amotekun.

The group under the banner of ‘Yoruba Appraisal Forum’ protested that the security body should be scrapped across the six states of Ekiti, Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Ondo and Ogun States to avoid future calamity.

The group said it had

uncovered alleged plot to use Amotekun to destabilise the Southwest zone, and ultimately the entire country in 2023.

The protesters demanded that the entire Yoruba race would be endangered in 2023 with the existence of Amotekun, predicting that the network would be hijacked by politicians for insidious mission in the coming elections.

Some of the placards displayed by the group read: ‘Amotekun Will Turn our Youths to Militia Group’; ‘Amotekun Motive, Shine Your Eyes’; ‘Amotekun Can Bring

Proliferation of Arms’; among others.

Addressing journalists at Ajilosun area where the protest was held, the group’s Coordinator, Mr. Adeshina Animasaun, said the project of Amotekun was a laudable one, but insisted that it has been hijacked by those nursing ambition in 2023.

Animasaun appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to rejig the country’s security architecture to prevent resurgence of what he called ‘militia groups’ with tendencies to pose dangers to the lives of the people.

He said: “We call on President Buhari to use his good office to call the South-west governors to order by prevailing on them not to sign the Amotekun bills into laws yet, until proper checks about such security outfit are done.”

The group faulted the hurried manners at which the governors conducted the public hearings leading to the formation of Amotekun, saying: “It ought to have been done senatorially rather than bringing a few people to the state capitals to contribute in a programme that lasted for 30 minutes.

Abductors of School Proprietor’s Daughters in Ibadan

Demand N100m Ransom Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Two daughters of a former Director of Sports in the Old Western State and proprietor of Subuola Nursery and Primary School in Ibadan, Oyo State, late Chief Emiola Adesina, have been kidnapped.

THISDAY learnt that the abductors are demanding a ransom of N100million.

A close friend of the family, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, while confirming the abduction, said the two daughters, Mrs. Omobola Adepoju and Mrs. Abiola Olukotun, were kidnapped last Monday.

Olaopa, a former permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Communication, in a short message made available to journalists yesterday, said

the kidnapped victims were abducted along the Ife-Ibadan expressway in Ibadan, adding that the kidnappers had contacted the family and demanded the sum of N1million from the family.

According to him, “This is authentic please. Mrs. Omobola Adepoju and Mrs. Abiola Olukotun are daughters of late Chief Emiola Adesina, old Director of Sports, Western State

of Nigeria and former proprietor of Subuola Nursery/Primary School in Ibadan, whose funeral was held a week ago.

“Omobola came in from Atlanta, United States, and was with her sister in her farm on Ife road in Ibadan where they were both kidnapped yesterday (Monday). The kidnappers have called the family to demand a N100million.”

Bayelsa Gov Meets Buhari, Seeks President’s Support

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

For the first time since the Supreme Court voided the election of Mr. David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and gave him the mandate, the Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri visited President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja yesterday with presidential assurance to work with him.

Answering questions from State

House reporters after meeting with the president, Diri said Buhari warmly received him as a son and one of the state governors.

According to him, he had opted to visit the president yesterday because he hadn’t done so since February 14 when he assumed office, adding that he had also visited to express his preparedness to work with the federal government in the overall interest of his state.

“It is a private visit. Since I resumed as governor of Bayelsa State, precisely on the 14th of February, I have not come to see the father of the nation.

“Today, I just did that to come and see the father of our country and to work with the Federal Government of Nigeria in ensuring peace and stability in my state and ensuring the development of my state.

“That is what informed my

visit to Mr. President today,” he said.

Describing the reception offered him as satisfactory, he said the president was glad to see him and noted that he (Buhari) was happy that he (Diri) had started well.

Emphasising that the president received him as a son, Diri said the president described Bayelsa as a critical state and promised to work with him.

12

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

COVID-19: Death Toll Jumps to 7,927 Martins Ifijeh The death toll from COVID-19 yesterday jumped to 7, 927, with 196, 771 persons confirmed to be positive with the virus across the globe, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This is even as the disease has now spread to 163 countries across six continents, a move that has now prompted several nations to put stringent travel measures in place to curtail it.

Among countries most affected are China, Italy, Iran, Spain, Germany, South Korea, France, United States, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Norway.

Although new cases are reducing in China, it still remains the worse hit nation,

as 3,226 deaths have been recorded and a total of 80, 881 confirmed cases so far.

Hubei is the most-affected province within China and Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei, is the city most affected

by COVID-19 with 67,000 positive cases in the city of over 11 million people.

The number of cases in China, however, has been on the decline starting March due to the rapid control measures and response by the Chinese government.

Italy’s COVID-19 cases have continued to surge with 31, 506 persons said to be positive to the virus, and 2, 503 deaths recorded within one month of the outbreak in the country; making it the most affected European country to be hit by the respiratory disease.

It is believed the strain of the virus is more aggressive in Italy than China where it originated from.

Travel to Italy and Italians travelling to other countries during the outbreak has been traced to have caused COVID-19 spread.

Once confined to Northern Italy, COVID-19 cases have spread to entire Italy leading to a nation-wide lock-down.

The Italian government’s early measures such as closing educational institutions temporarily might have limited the spread, although the aged population continues to be a concern.

Iran, another country from where COVID-19 spread to rest of the world, currently has 16,169 confirmed cases and has reported 988 deaths. Iran has been suspected to have

delayed revealing about the spread of COVID-19 in their country and under-reporting the cases.

A number of countries have traced their coronavirus to Iran.

Many government officials and politicians including MPs in Iran have contracted the disease. Some of which have unfortunately died.

Amid fears of further spread, Iran yesterday, temporary

released approximately 70,000 prisoners, according to Mizan news agency.

Spain has overtaken South Korea in the number of COVID-19 cases in the third week of March. Since the first coronavirus case confirmed on February 1, the Spanish COVID-19 cases got closer to 1,000 in early hours of March 9 and rose sharply to more than 11,000 on March 16.

RECORDING COVID-19’S THIRD CASE, FG BANS FOREIGN TRAVELS BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS Echoing Dare, Mamora said the decision was an affirmation of his submission at the press conference, he addressed on Monday where he told health correspondents that whatever decision that still needed to be taken as the developments on the disease unfold would definitely be taken.

The minister also said taking that decision had become imperative because there could be some people in the crowd that might have contacted the disease without knowing and hence, it would only result in its rapid spread.

Against that background, he said the only way to forestall the monumental spread of the disease is to ensure that the principle of social distancing is respected adding that religious gathering or any other large gathering is not advisable at this time.

Mamora said: “We felt that in the overall interest of Nigerians and national health security, it is better to err on the side of caution and therefore, we conveyed to Mr. President our thought and Mr. President thereafter kindly agreed that it was best for us to have this postponement.

“One of the things that we need to give attention to over the postponement is the possibility of people carrying the virus even without knowing what we called A-symptomatic.

That is, they carry it but they don’t even know because they are not manifesting symptoms.

And what we need so far is that up to 80 to 81 per cent of people would either be A-symptomatic - that is not showing any symptoms or where they show symptoms, the symptoms may just be mild and moderate and this is a major source of what we call community transmission.

“So, the principle of social distancing has to be respected.

That is preventive or advising against the congregation of a large number of people starting from the national sports festival which stands postponed.

That also extends to religious gathering or any other gathering that would have a large number of people. It is not advisable at this point in time.”

Economic Advisory Council Lists Imminent Gloomy Effects of COVID-19 on Nigeria Also yesterday, the Presidential Economic Advisory

Council (PEAC) in Abuja highlighted the gloomy impacts that COVID-19 would have on the Nigerian economy if the pandemic lasts long on the global scene.

Leading the eight-man team to a meeting with the president in the State House, the council chairman, Prof. Doyin Salami, listed such “sobering” imminent effects of the disease (if it lasts long) to include: slower growth, uncertainty, a further drop in oil prices, lockdowns gaining grounds around the world, oil glut, trade imbalance, drop in foreign reserves, and rise in unemployment.

A statement by the president’s media adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Salami explained that there would be slower growth because the supply and demand sides of global economy would be affected.

In the same vein, he said the council submitted that uncertainty would pervade the economy because the situation would erode confidence as governments across the globe would jettison cooperation and choose to act unilaterally.

Furthermore, Adesina said whereas the council told Buhari that many countries of the world would go into economic recession, Nigeria in its own case could survive the looming economic woes if only it opts to work hard.

“The PEAC stressed that the projections may seem dire, but the worst may be avoided with hard work and scrupulous implementation of policies,” the statement said.

He said the council. Therefore, recommended, among others, a possible revision of the 2020 budget, with priority spending on healthcare, reprioritisation of expenditure on infrastructure to focus on projects nearing completion with pro-poor effects.

Other recommendations by the council, according to the statement, include: curtailing recurrent expenditure, mobilising the private sector to strengthen health sector infrastructure, and boosting government revenue.

It also recommended a possible revision of the 2020 Budget, with priority spending on healthcare, reprioritization of expenditure on infrastructure to focus on projects nearing completion with pro-poor effects, curtailing recurrent expenditure, mobilising the Cont’d on page 44

RETURN OF PEACE ...

L-R: National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole; National Vice Chairman, South-west, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; and National Organising Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Ibediro, during the APC National Working Committee (NWC) meeting at the party’s secretariat, Abuja… yesterday ENOCK REUBEN

Atiku Seeks Decisive Economic Action to Protect Nigerians Chuks Okocha in Abuja A former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has once again called on the federal government to take a decisive step towards protecting the country from the ravaging COVID-19.

He also called for the reduction in the price of petrol as the landing cost has tremendously reduced.

“As the landing cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, has reduced significantly, it is strongly recommended that

the government should not absorb the savings, but should pass it on to the Nigerian people by way of reducing the pump price of PMS to reflect the current prevailing market costs”.

Atiku in a statement he signed yesterday said that the COVID-19 is raging in the world and not just ravaging human beings, but is also affecting economies.

According to him, “Nigeria is not an island onto itself, and we must take measures to protect the economic well- being of our nation and people.

“Every action that can be taken to ease the cost of doing business in Nigeria and reduce the cost of living, while promoting consumer confidence must be implemented”, he said. .

The former vice president said that all hands must be on deck in a multi partisan manner to ensure that Nigeria does not return to economic recession, adding that this is possible with decisive leadership and disciplined management.

He said. “As such, I recommend that policies like the Stamp Duty on all types

of accounts be temporarily suspended, until such a time as the nation’s economy has turned the tide in the fight against this virulent scourge”.

“Definitely, this scourge will affect their production and profitability. However, if they know that the government is behind them and will do all to support them, they are less likely to disengage workers.

The former vice president said that these are extraordinary times, adding that Nigeria as a nation must take extraordinary measures to protect the entire nation.

FG Releases N20bn for East-West Road Project Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The federal government has released the sum of N20 billion to fast-track the completion of the East-West Road project.

The Minister of wNiger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, disclosed this when he met with the Managing Director of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), officials of the Federal Ministry of Finance and the contractors handling Sections I-4 of the road project which is yet to be completed after the contract was awarded in 2006.

Akpabio ordered contractors handling the road to return to site immediately for the speedy completion of the project in line with the presidential directives that Section IV of the road be completed in time to enable the people of the region experience the dividend

of democracy as promised by President Muhammadu Buhari during his electioneering.

He urged the contractors to cooperate with the ministry and return back to site, explaining that the ministry will soon come up with the timeline for the release of the N20 billion to the contractors after signing the tripartite agreement in line with the presidential directives, which transferred the project to the Presidential Infrastructural Development Fund (PIDF) under the NSIA. The minister said: “The project which was first awarded in 2006 was scheduled for completion by the end of 2010, but this could not be achieved due to inadequate funding. The physical progress of the East-West Road when the project was transferred to the newly created Ministry of

Niger Delta Affairs in 2008 was just eight per cent of work done

by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍśËœ 2020

COMMENT

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

A GLOBAL AWAKENING OF THE SPIRIT (1) The global pandemic, Covid-19, holds lessons for humanity, writes Emmanuel Ojeifo

I

n any time of great social change, there are issues that seem especially designed to stretch the human will, to test our sense of resolve, to extend to the maximum our capacity and depth of responsibility and compassion, and our definitive commitment to the definition of an inclusive community. The global pandemic COVID-19 is one of such issues. Ever since the first photographic portraits of our world were beamed back to Earth from outer space, human beings came to realize that a new era in history has dawned. For the first time, we could see planet Earth, extraordinarily beautiful in its vibrant colors, yet hanging in a massive unending sea of black universe. From that moment, humanity came to accept the truth of what it was, is, and will always be: one robust but fragile community, inextricably bound together and unalterably responsible for the future of ourselves and the planet. By fiat of this discovery, many people were moved to abandon the narrow perspectives of their ways of thinking and acting and to embrace the ideal that whatever affects life in one part of the world indirectly affects life everywhere.

Whenever we lose sight of this ideal that we are one global human family, nature has ways of reminding us. Today it is COVID-19 that is bringing the ideal back to our consciousness. Since its outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern on 30 January 2020, nations and governments around the world have been on panic mode. In the last few weeks, the disease has travelled across borders of nations and continents, infecting thousands in its wake, causing the deaths of thousands more, and dealing a heavy blow to economies. If there is anything about contagious behavior that COVID-19 exhibits, it is a case of epidemics in action. In his book Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell throws up the idea that “the best way to understand the emergence of fashion trends, the ebb and flow of crime waves, or, for that matter, the transformation of unknown books into bestsellers, or the rise of teenage smoking, or the phenomena of word of mouth, or any number of other mysterious changes that mark everyday life is to think of them as epidemics.

Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do.�

For Gladwell, epidemics exhibit three characteristics: first, they are examples of contagious behavior; secondly, little changes or causes can have big effects; thirdly, change happens not slowly and steadily but in a hurry – at one dramatic moment. These characteristics, in Gladwell’s view, explain “how measles moves through a gradeschool classroom or the flu attacks every winter.� Of these three characteristics, it is the third that offers “the greatest insight into why modern change happens the way it does. The name given to that one dramatic moment in an epidemic when everything can change all at once is the Tipping Point.� I like to think of COVID-19 as a clear exhibit of Gladwell’s tipping point idea. The rapidity of its spread is one that has humbled global healthcare systems and

ALMOST THREE DECADES AFTER THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL, SOME WESTERN NATIONS ARE EMBARKING ON PROJECTS OF BUILDING WALLS OF SEPARATION INSTEAD OF BRIDGES OF FRIENDSHIP. BUT DO THESE WALLS KEEP THEM SAFE? HAVE THE WALLS BARRED THE COVID-19 FROM CROSSING THEIR NATIONAL BORDERS?

governments.

But what is even more interesting about the viral disease is that it is making no distinction between Black and White. It is no respecter of Asians, Africans, Americans, or Europeans. It does not differentiate between Christians, Muslims, Judaizers, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Agnostics or Atheists. It does not take account of Liberals or Conservatives, Democrats or Republicans. It does not know who speaks French or Igbo, German or Pashtun, Kanuri or Mandarin, Swahili or Hausa. Just about anybody and everybody can become infected. Before COVID-19 both President and Peasant are one; the same fate can come to them. It is thus clear that the outburst of this deadly disease is forcing us to see that all the artificial boundaries and walls of separation that we erect across political, social, cultural, racial, and religious differences are unsustainable. When push comes to shove, they all crumble. But do we ever learn?

At the scientific and technological level, the world has made so much progress in bringing people together. The inexorable forces of globalization have made communication and transportation faster, easier, and cheaper than at any previous time in recorded history.

The rate and speed of information and knowledge transfer today is just amazing. Even in the field of medicine, the world has seen phenomenal advancements. Bacterial infections that killed millions of our ancestors centuries ago have since gone into retirement – and we may say forever. These breakthroughs – what the best-known and most influential American historian and philosopher of science Thomas Kuhn described as ‘paradigm shift’ in his classic book, The Structure of Scientific Revolution – have made life more comfortable and enjoyable for us than for our ancestors. They are products of the ideas that move the world.

But despite these advances that bring the reality of globalization to our doorsteps, at the level of global politics and religion, we still have a long way to go in coming to terms with the fact of the world being one global village. Much of the progress made since after the Second World War in bringing nations and peoples together is steadily being eroded today. Some advanced countries of the world that were prime beneficiaries of free movement of people and goods during the era of Western colonialism are today pursuing nationalist policies of exclusion targeted toward citizens of countries that they consider as “shit-hole� countries. Almost three decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall, some Western nations are embarking on projects of building walls of separation instead of bridges of friendship.

What they are unable to achieve through border wall, they are now pursuing through new stringent visa regulations. But do these walls keep them safe? Have the walls barred the COVID-19 from crossing their national borders? Have their stockpiles of nuclear weapons helped to mitigate the effect of the pandemic?

Ojeifo is a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja

TO LIGHT A CANDLE Sonnie Ekwowusi pays tribute to Nnabuike Edechime, lawyer and a socialite

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nabuike James Edechime Esq., (JCN as he was fondly called by his former classmates) quietly slept away on 9th January 2020.

For us his classmates, professional colleagues and friends this is the kind of loss that tilts the world on its balance; for so many things marking the world around for us cannot be same. The loss of Edechime has created a void in our world; we cannot see how anyone could fill it. How could it that we’ll never have those seemingly unending conversations on variegated issues, at times, conversations embellished with wounding innuendoes and sophism, with JCN moderating with gravitas and fraternal affection. I last met James in November last year at the MM2 Domestic Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

But little did I know that his passing was imminent. When the news of his passing broke it was shattering. His unexpected passing brings to reflection the meaning of human existence. What is the meaning of death? What is the meaning of life if one can be bubbling in good health today only to be told tomorrow that one is no more, snatched by the icy hands of death. Little wonder the ancient poets have likened our lives on earth to rivers flowing into the sea, the sea of death. St. Josemaria Escriva aptly puts it in No. 736 of his bestseller, The Way, “Have you seen the dead leaves fall in the sad autumn twilight?

So fall souls each day into eternity. One day, the falling leaf will be you�. It is difficult to fathom that Edechime has fallen like that dead leaf. Yes, he has left us, but only physical separation from us. Death is only a change of state. Vita mutatur non tollitur (Life is changed, not ended). Death is a passage to a new and fuller life, and ultimately to resurrection and eternal union with God. Tuis enim fidelibus, Domine, vita mutatur, non tollitur,

et, dissoluta terrestris huius incolatus domo, aeterna in caelis habitation comparator (When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven). And St. Paul would add, “This corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, this mortal body with immortality� (1 Cor. 15:53).

My first intimate contact with JCN occurred at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC). Apparently after sensing JCN’s burning desire to transform his society into a better society, Fr. Phillip Griffin, an Opus Dei priest who was at that time the co-chaplain of the Catholic Chaplaincy on Campus, suggested to Edechime and I to start a Campus periodical which only objective would be to transmit core moral, cultural and human values on Campus. That was how Veritas came to be born. Veritas was funded from the personal pockets of a few students.

Edechime and I doubled as editors and writers.

But unfortunately, Veritas never made its debut on Campus. No sooner had it started than it died a natural death. Thereafter the name Veritas vanished from my memory. But Edechime kept faith with the name. He later named his thriving law firm Veritas Chambers. He literally appointed me the ambassador of the law firm. And I have been a good ambassador of the firm. Anytime there is eating and drinking in the law firm I do not fail to show up. For example, last year the law firm invited me to Edechime’s birthday celebration which has now turned out to be his final farewell party. Who was I not to honour the invitation? Immediately I arrived I saw Edechime together with his junior colleagues and staffers dipping their hands into one big bowl of fish and occasionally washing down the stuff with red wine. I ate a piece of cake and sipped a little glass of red wine.

How can we capture Edechime’s essence and his impact on others? Who was JCN? I would say that Edechime simply lived for others. He was capable of multiplying himself. He erected many frameworks of human solidarity in order to reach out to others and render them selfless service. There is this Chinese proverb (nothing to do with coronavirus) which says “it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness� - meaning it is better to do something about a problem than just complain about it. Edechime took the better and more difficult course of lighting one candle after the other. And he succeeded in lighting many candles which are still burning aglow today.

The lesson here, for me, is that we do not exist only for ourselves. Nobody is a single verse. It would be foolish to think that we only exist for ourselves and for our stomach. Everything we are, everything we have is all geared towards loving our fellow human beings and hearkening to their assistance especially in times of need. I remember now how in late 2015 JCN was able to mobilize Joseph Otteh Esq. an Executive Director at Access to Justice and this writer to start a fund-raising campaign for the benefit of Leonard Dibia Esq,. one of our classmates at UNEC who is struck down by kidney ailment. The campaign paid off. We met the then President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Austin Alegeh SAN. He pulled his heavy weight in favour of the campaign. In no time we were able to raise some money which was used to offset a part of Leo’s huge medical bills in India thanks to JCN’s audacity.

Edechime was a convivialist. In an age of untrammeled individualism and egocentrism in which so many self-proclaimed progressives want to be applauded for what they think they have accomplished in life it is irresistible not to

be edified by Edechime’s public-spiritedness.

JCN relished reaching out to others. He relished talking to others. He relished being in the company of others. Without his influence and leadership, for instance, the classmates of UNN Law Class of 1986 would not have come together to openly acknowledge and affirm the things they have in common firstly as former classmates, then as officers in the temple of justice as well as friends and members of the same human family.

Edechime was a big rallying force and a uniting force. He brought together many people, in some cases, people who would not ordinarily agree to come together. Whether as the Vice-chairman of Otu Oka Iwu, a Pan-Igbo Law Society, or Vice-chairman of Aka Ikenga, a Pan-Igbo socio-cultural association, or a Director of Centre for Prevention Action, a conflict prevention and resolution outfit, Edechime always tried to prove his mettle. And when he spoke people listened. And what they found when they listened was a thought that was so penetrating, informed and so philosophically anchored on the truth about the human person and the society.

There is no doubt that on March 20, 2020 when the remains of Edechime will be wheeled out for burial tears shall roll down the cheeks of many upon remembering that he lived a useful life. When we will be closing the eyes of JCN on the said day we shall remember the characteristic traits which endeared him to the hearts of many, among them, his jokes, his smile and his laughter. And now we trust and pray that Edechime the convivialist has been drawn into that unending heavenly convivium, into that great heavenly paradise vividly recaptured by St. Therese of Lisieux in her autobiography, “The Story of a Soul,� as a “country home, bathed in light, scented with delicious perfumes�, where fellowship, laughter, smile, love and conversation will never end.

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

EDITORIAL DEALING WITH THE CRISIS IN KADUNA The authorities could do more to contain the violence

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aduna is gradually replacing Zamfara as a state where banditry is fast becoming a way of life. In the latest of such bloody conflagrations, suspected bandits numbering about 100 attacked some villages in Igabi and Giwa local government areas and killed more than 50 men, women and children.

But the hate-filled violence is not an outlandish one-off.

It is reminiscent of the savage attacks that have in recent years been visited on Kajuru, Kobin, Gogogodo and many other communities in the state.

That violent brutalities have become emblematic of what the ordinary people in Kaduna State are regularly subjected to should worry critical stakeholders in the state. Two days after the Kerawa violence, some gunmen suspected to be kidnappers invaded the Mahuta community in the same Igabi council, killed an ex-soldier and abducted three others. “The north has become a region of endless funerals and perpetual bereavement,” said Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the eighth Senate. “Bandits in the north have become a state, they impose fines THERE IS NEED FOR A and taxes, send notices, HOLISTIC APPROACH THAT control spaces, deterNOT ONLY ADDRESSES mine life and death THE IMMEDIATE and operate without CHALLENGE BUT ONE THAT much challenge.”

Indeed, the failure DEALS WITH SOME OF THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators CRISIS of these heinous crimes in the state as elsewhere seems to encourage the propensity for violence. The Kaduna State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Joseph Hayab said recently that the church had spent over N300 million on payment of ransom to free dozens of adherents in the past four years. Last Saturday, three candidates were kidnapped on the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road after writing their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The driver of their vehicle was killed, according to the

police.

Meanwhile, violence and killings between herdsmen and the indigenous people of Southern Kaduna have defied several attempts at finding common ground for peace. Many tribunals of inquiries and peace committees instituted to trace the causes of the crisis and propose sustainable solutions have been unsuccessful largely because government, past and present, lacked the political will to implement their recommendations. Kidnappings and banditry have added another ugly dimension to the challenge.

G 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

iven the human and material costs of these crises, the authorities in both Kaduna and Abuja need to be more decisive in stemming the criminal enterprise. It is scandalous that since the escalation of the crisis many years ago, and in spite of the rising body count, not a single person has been successfully prosecuted and convicted for their role. In cases where arrests were made, there were usually accusations that the authorities took side. This has been very unhelpful to any efforts at reconciliation. Aside the hundreds of people that have been killed and property that had been razed, several families are today dislocated with countless people physically and psychologically maimed for life.

It is indeed instructive that after the Godogodo orgy of violence three years ago, Governor Nasir el-Rufai proposed an inquiry into the violent clashes in Southern Kaduna. But the reports and recommendations of the previous ones, including the 2014 General Martins Agwailed inquiry and the one el-Rufai instituted on the outbreak of the violence on the eve of his inauguration on 29th May, 2015, have not been attended to. As we have said in this space, government must bring to justice all those who use unlawful means to settle scores even as it strives to remove the fundamental basis of the strife that had plagued the area for decades.

On the whole, there is need for a holistic approach that not only addresses the immediate challenge but one that deals with some of the root causes of the crisis that has festered over decades and has claimed far too many lives.

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TACKLING VOTER SUPPRESSION IN NIGERIA’S ELECTION

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lot of issues have been attributed to the increasing decline in voter turnout which has continued to diminish the quality of Nigeria’s election.

The 2019 Presidential election witnessed low turnout with only 32 per cent of registered voters coming out to vote. The situation was even worse for state and off-cycle elections. This poses a lot of questions around the legitimacy of mandate where returns are made for polling units where elections were not held, thereby undermining the principles of inclusion, free and credible elections.

In this vein, citizens right to determine who lead them are directly or indirectly suppressed by either the tedious nature of the process or dubious nature of the actors. Thus, prospective voters become uninterested in the process since the outcome may not reflect people’s choice or citizens may not feel the impacts of governance due to concerns around legitimacy.

In recent times, voter suppression has become a strategy used to influence the outcome of an election by discouraging or preventing specific groups of people from voting. The November 2019 Bayelsa and Kogi States gubernatorial elections climaxed the issues of voters’ suppression. Similarly, the Kogi governorship election was greeted by unprecedented violence which indeed prevented voters from voting or led to cancellation of their votes thereby suppressing their choices. Whilst the election day process in Bayelsa was relatively peaceful, report by election observer body, Yiaga Africa revealed that elections were not held in 26% of polling units and Southern Ijaw LGA

suffered the biggest fatality as 5% elections were either not held or cancelled.

This is in no way a negligible figure since election is strictly a game of number and every digit is important to measure emergence of political candidates to position of authority.

Unfortunately, those percentage simply meant that thousands of eligible voters were suppressed and prevented from making decisions that affect them. Cancellation of elections is just one out of numerous ways which citizens’ right to elect their leaders have been suppressed either deliberately or otherwise.

Apart from cancellation of ballot either due to violence or non-adherence to electoral guidelines, a tedious pre-election process of voters registration, display claims and objections, collection of permanent voter cards (PVCs) , transfer of voter register have hindered a lot of people from participating in the process. For instance, registration of voters that usually happen at the ward or local government area level has proven to be difficult in capturing prospective voters as individuals may not necessarily be willing to travel the distance to get registered.

The same may be applied to collection of PVC where prospective voter’s right to vote is being suppressed due to lack of availability of voter cards or difficulty in collection. Transfer of registered voters has proven to be another herculean task especially for students who registered in school and most times are at home during elections. The fact that citizens must vote where they registered means a lot of votes will be suppressed as even the few that went through the process of transfer of registration may not necessarily get their voters

card before election.

It is indeed profound to know that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agents and political parties are major culprits when it comes to voter suppression in Nigeria’s election which means all key stakeholders need to chart a pathway to tackling the problem. During a recent conversation hosted by Yiaga Africa on tackling voter suppression in Nigeria’s election, National Commissioner of INEC on Registration and Election Review Committee, Professor Antonia Simbine admitted the challenges of voter suppression. According to her, “If the legal framework has gap where we can fill to ensure that vote is not suppressed, this is a good time for this discussion so that it can be included in the Electoral Act Amendment,” Simbine said.

There is no gainsaying that election stakeholders have called on the National Assembly to fast track the electoral act which will further legalise certain provisions to ease the process thereby mitigating voter suppression. Electoral reform provides an opportunity to strengthen election legal framework.

Security agencies which seem to be the major culprit of voter suppression need to understand their roles, especially during elections. The Nigerian Police as the lead security agency for election must understand that their constitutional role during elections is to provide support for the electoral commission to allow peaceful elections rather than serving as tools in the hands of principals of the states as witnessed in recent elections.

Moshood Isah, Media Officer, Yiaga Africa

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2020

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

A N A LY S I S

Justice Ikpeme and The Cry For Justice Bassey Inyang writes that Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State and the state legislators are faced with a barrage of severe criticism for discriminating against Justice Akon Ikpeme

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he Judiciary in Cross River State, and indeed Nigeria is currently swimming in a pool of succession controversy following the refusal of the Cross River State Government to swear in Justice Akon Ikpeme to the position of substantive Chief Judge of state.

Until Monday, March 3, this year, Justice Ikpeme had functioned as the acting Chief Judge of the state, following the retirement of the former Chief Judge, Justice Michael Edem, and was expected to be confirmed by the lawmakers following the forwarding of her name on January 9, 2020 by Governor Ben Ayade to the State House of Assembly for confirmation.

Rather than confirm Justice Ikpeme as expected, the lawmakers, who apparently were working on a script denied her the muchexpected elevation to her rightful position of substantive Chief Judge of the state.

Instead, in less than 24 hours, Ayade swore in Justice Maurice Eneji as the acting Chief Judge, a development that has generated crisis of confidence in the state judiciary.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mba Okweni, who has been very obvious in canvassing the elevation of Justice Ikpeme on merit said from whatever angle one looks at it, the judge is the most qualified to become the substantive chief judge of the state.

“By our Constitution, tradition in the legal profession, and rules of practice, it is the most senior judge that will take over from the Chief Judge upon his retirement, first in an acting capacity, pending when the Governor will make a formal appointment. It is provided for in Section 271(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

That is not an issue for debate. The profession does not tolerate a deviation from the practice.

“Hon Justice Akon was born here, married a Cross Riverian and bore her children here.

Her father was the permanent secretary in Cross River and retired here.

“When Hon Justice Akon Ikpeme finished her School, she was employed by the Cross River State Ministry of Justice where she rose to a position of a Director of Public Prosecution and from there she was appointed a Judge of Cross River State Judiciary.

“Our rules allow women to choose where to work, she can choose to work in Akwa Ibom State, or choose to work where her husband comes from, Cross River or work at where her mother was from. These are the things put in place so justices may not be over discriminated,” Okweni said.

Justice Ikpeme had functioned in acting capacity for three months, and was expected to be confirmed as the substantive Chief Judge by the state House of Assembly, latest on the fateful Monday, but that expectation did not materialise as it was botched by the 25-member legislature, whose resolution to deny her confirmation was anchored on the argument that she hails from Akwa Ibom State by birth, and would constitute a security risk to Cross River State, where her husband hails from, should there a conflict between both states.

The decision of the lawmakers to deny Justice Ikpeme confirmation on the basis of ethnicity has generated many reactions for, and against the action of lawmakers, whom many accused of doing the bidding of the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade.

Those who accuse Ayade of truncating the inauguration of Justice Ikpeme as the state Chief Judge hold strongly to the view that from the outset the governor never hid his agenda of imposing a person from the Northern senatorial district where he comes from as Chief Judge of the state at all cost, even when it was obvious that rules of succession mandates the most senior judge to assume office.

Those who think along this line believe that Ayade swore in Justice Ikpeme as acting Chief Judge on December 3, 2019 due to pressure,

Ikpeme (left) with Ayade stressing that for reasons best known to him Justice Maurice Eneji was the person he preferred to be the next Chief Judge of the state.

On November 29, 2019, Justice Michael Edem, while speaking during a valedictory court session heralding his retirement from service, tacitly unveiled his would be predecessor by announcing that based on precedent, the most senior judge being Justice Akon Ikpeme would be the next chief judge.

Referring to Section 271 (4), Justice Michael Edem said, “The constitution is clear and compact enough on the issue. It needs no further elucidation or embellishment there being no impediment whatever against Akon Bassey Ikpeme who so qualifies.

“It is not too late to recover the battered jurisprudential image of the state by the renunciation of the unfortunate saga before it is too late to salvage it from decomposition.

Lastly on this web, let the culture of decency, proportion, and contentment rule the passion of waiting for one’s turn and not jumping the gun… Friction between the three arms of government, being revoltingly counter-productive, should never be heard in their coasts. From elementary physics, friction generates heat (and) heat can explode into a consuming fire.”

Perhaps, Justice Edem, was making a veiled reference to the governor’s inauguration of a parallel State Judicial Service Commission, and appointing retired Justice Bojor Ogar as chairman, when the substantive Chief Judge and statutory chairman of the commission was still in office.

It is generally believed that Ayade had inaugurated the parallel judicial service commission as one of the ways of circumventing protocol, by enlisting the support of the commission, in his determined efforts at ensuring that Justice Ikpeme, the rightful claimant to the position of chief judge was not sworn in.

In what has been variously described as inauguration based on purely ethnic sentiments, Ayade appointed and inaugurated only the Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Tanko Ashang, who working in league with him and the parallel Judicial Service Commission forwarded the name of Justice Maurice Eneji to the National Judicial Council, NJC, for appointment as acting Chief Judge, a request that did not scale through because Justice Ikpeme is the most senior judge in the state.

The letter addressed to the NJC after they the parallel judicial service commission met on Novermber 27, 2019 read in part, “In view of the earlier recommendation for Justice Ikpeme to be appointed as president of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Eneji is now the next most senior judge for the position of the acting Chief Judge of the state.”

The attempt to install Justice Maurice Eneji is believed in many quartets to have had the backing of Ayade irrespective of the fact that Justice Akon Ikpeme, aside from being the most senior judge, is married with children to a medical practitioner, Bassey Ikpeme, an Efik man from Odukpani Local Government Area, of Cross River State; and her mother is from Big Qua Town, Calabar Municipal Local

The laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are very clear on the issues of marriage and the protection of the rights of women in marriage. Former Attorney General of the state, Eyo Ekpo has totally faulted the decision of the House, and has accused Ayade of being responsible for the action of the lawmakers in refusing to confirm Justice Ikpeme as the Chief Judge of the state. Ekpo emphatically stated that so long as the Cross River State judiciary was concerned, Justice Ikpeme is the de jure Chief Judge of the state

Government Area of the state.

It was after the NJC rejected the request to swear in Justice Maurice Eneji, initially as acting Chief Judge that Ayade, perhaps, without an immediate option, inaugurated Justice Ikpeme as acting Chief Judge, and thereafter submitted her nomination and approval of the NJC to the State House of Assembly for confirmation as prescribed by the enabling laws for the appointment of a substantive chief judge of a state.

On Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019, while swearing in Justice Akon Ikpeme as acting Chief Judge, Ayade, swore to abide by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in his approach, and in discharging his duties with regards to the appointment of a substantive chief judge of the state to succeed retired Justice Michael Edem.

Ayade said, “I have full respect for section 153 of the 1999 constitution as amended, which provides for the setting up of the National Judicial Council to safeguard the judiciary from the executive....

“The National Judicial Council is the final authority on matters involving the appointment of the Chief Judge of the state. I also recognise the role of the governor as well, and I believe that for the interest and peace of the state, for the goodness of character and the warmness of the state, the right thing to do at this point is what the state has done by swearing in an acting Chief Judge....

In specific reference to the personal and professional competence of Justice Ikpeme, the governor said, “Given your extensive experience as I read out from your CV, it is obvious and clear that indeed your tenure as the acting Chief Judge of Cross River will see a tremendous improvement in our judicial system.”

Ayade may have used her inauguration as a decoy to buy time, and ward off prying eyes from the appropriate time he will strike, and finally scuttle her appointment as substantive chief judge.

And it appears, Ayade struck on March 3, 2020 when the state House of Assembly rejected Justice Akon Ikpeme’s nomination by playing the ethnic card that she was from Akwa Ibom by birth, and therefore a security risk to the state.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2020

POLITICS

Examining Abiodun’s Determination to Build a Better Ogun

GOVERNANCE IN PHOTOS

Lanre Alfred writes that Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has a clear-cut blueprint and crystalclear vision of how he plans to actualise his ‘Building our Future Together’ agenda for the people

Abiodun

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or several years, water was a scarce commodity in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, and environs. Millions of households had to improvise to get that basic necessity of life. Worse for the people was that the Ogun State Water Corporation in Arakanga, Abeokuta North Local Government Area of the state, had been comatose. The corporation has a pumping capacity of 103.68 million litres per day, yet, nothing was done to make it work; until recently. Akinsanya Ahmed, a resident, said even they in Arakanga suffer from water scarcity.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, who believes that water is not only an essential commodity but a right to which people should not be denied, didn’t see why the situation should persist regardless of the challenges. Recently, he embarked on an assessment tour of the corporation where he was confronted with its derelict and degenerate state. He announced on the spot that water would not only be restored, but there would also be prompt repair and restoration of faulty transformers in the corporation.

That was early January.

Two months later, the story has changed. When our correspondent visited the community earlier in the week, water had become available in many households now while the governor has promised that the corporation would be optimised in the months ahead for the benefits of the people. But that is just one out of the many silent but impactful transformations going on in the state.

Rural and township roads in Ogun State were an eyesore. The reality of the situation made the governor vow in his early days in office that his administration was determined to make it easy for people to move with relative ease between Lagos and Ogun State. He promised then that the roads linking Ogun to neighbouring states would receive priority attention as well as the construction of rural roads to foster development. Thus, to serve as a quick fix mechanism to address the deplorable condition of the roads, Governor Abiodun established the Ogun State Public Works Agency because, “Infrastructure, for us, is key to development. We have been able to demonstrate a commitment to the continued socio-economic development of our dear state, particularly in education, health, infrastructure and other key sectors that have a direct and positive impact on our people.

“You will recall that we requested

that our people should select roads that should attract immediate attention in each of the 236 wards across our dear state. These roads are receiving an immediate intervention. This is in addition to government’s identified projects that will be spread across the three senatorial districts of our dear state.”

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Ade Akinsanya pointed out that besides the road construction and rehabilitation, the state government had also begun the re-designing and proper channelization of drainage in different parts of the state and explained that works were being done with a view to checking flooding being experienced by residents and road users in the state.

As the media team went around the state during the tour, it was evident that the OGPWA is proving to be efficient and responsive in rehabilitating roads.

Commendably, the Ijebu-Ode-Epe road, which had been in a state of disrepair leading to abandonment by commuters because successive administrations in the state only mouthed reconstructing it but never made good their words, has got a new lease of life.

Weeks back, Governor Abiodun turned the sod on the very important road, saying, “One of our promises was to provide infrastructure in all parts of our state.

In the course of our campaign, I made a promise that our administration will rehabilitate and reconstruct the Ogun end of the Ijebu-Ode-Epe road to bring succour to our people and engender the economic development of our state.”

The dual carriage road is planned to have 10 lanes – four on each side with one pull-out section – and a toll plaza comprising 14 payment points. Aside from easing traffic on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the road would bring relief to commuters and indigenes, save Nigerians valuable time in traffic and engender the socio-economic growth of the state. Governor Abiodun said that the project was necessary as it would be an easy link to Lagos, thus improving the economic and social well-being of those in the axis.

Speaking with one of the engineers of the contractor, Craneburg Construction Ltd, a leading civil engineering company, he said the state government had given them a completion date and they were working round the clock to ensure that they did not disappoint. “We work day and night and are committed to meeting the completion date as agreed with the state government,” the engineer said.

Beyond physical projects, some of Governor Abiodun’s initiatives are centred on empowering the people and making life better for them. This was why he launched in September 2019, about four months into his administration, the Oko-owo Dapo, an empowerment initiative to provide funds to women who are involved in legitimate SMEs across the state. The initiative also aims to enhance trade as well as micro, small and medium scale enterprises. 2000 women benefitted in the first phase of the initiative as it is envisaged to reach at least 100,000 women in the first year of the Abiodunadministration. Beneficiaries could be market women, politicians, members of women’s societies, religious associations or trade associations.

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

Governor Osun State, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by his deputy, Mr. Benedict Alabi (5th left), supported by members of cabinet and House committee on Youth Sports and Special Needs, during the official presentation of the Touch of Unity for the 20th National Sports Festival (Edo 2020), at the Governor’s office, Abere, Osogbo

L-R. Officer in charge of World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Braka Fiona, Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Chief of Staff to the Governor Alhaji Salis Afolabi Shuaib and WHO/ Dr. Onyibe Rosemary, Zonal Coordinator SWZ WHO/ Nigeria during a courtesy visit by World Health Organization (WHO tteam to Ogun Deputy Governor in her Oke-mosan office where the 40 contacts of the index case of COVID-19 were certified cleared

L–R: House Leader, Rep. Al-hassan Ado Doguwa, Comrade Emmanuel Osodeke, Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajuba, ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila & Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo shortly after a meeting with the leadership of the House of Reps over the ongoing warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities at the National Assembly

Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo (right), presenting an award of excellence to Mrs Charity Linus Jacob during the Mothers Day celebration at St John’s Pro- Cathedral, Abak

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FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 08038901925

Blueprint for Operation Amotekun in Osun Yinka Kolawole writes that the Osun State government has reiterated that the blueprint for Operation Amotekun, a South-west security outfit comprising OPC members, local vigilantes and hunters, in Osun remains to assist the police and other security agencies to maintain law and order in the state

From left, Deputy Governor of Osun, Mr. Benedic Alabi; Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, during the signing of State of Osun security network and Amotekun Bill into Law, at the oďŹƒce of the Governor, Abere, Osogbo on Friday

A

ll the South-west governors on January 9, 2020 commissioned the Operation Amotekun in Ibadan to assist in combating series of unfortunate events, particularly various criminal activities in the South-west region, which would in turn have a ripple effect on the security of the nation at large.

However series of protests greeted the formation of the security outfit as residents and some states protested in solidarity to South-west governors. Consequently, debates of various forms on the matter equally surfaced, with the debaters either going for or against. At the end of the day, it got legislative backing and was made into a law.

Meanwhile residents and citizens of Osun State thronged the major streets of Osogbo, the state capital in their large numbers to fraternise with South-west governors on the recently established operation.

The residents who were chanting solidarity songs marched from Nelson Mandela Freedom Park through Oke-fia down to Oja Oba all in Osogbo metropolis.

The palpable joy was because the operation had passed all scrutiny and was given legal backing despite the initial resistance from the federal government through the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who had declared the security outfit illegal as issues of defense and security are under the exclusive list and not with the states.

The Chairman, Yoruba World Congress Osun State Chapter, and convener of the peaceful rally, Dr Akin Adejuwon said the rally is aimed at creating awareness, mobilising people and inform them that Amotekun has come to stay on their behalf. “It is not a protest but a walk of mobilisation, awareness creation and sensitisation of people to the fact that Amotekun is being deployed on their behalf.�

While explaining the need for Amotekun in the region he said Amotekun is the instantaneous response to a very serious problem that is very

Governor of Osun State, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola signing Amotekun Bill into Law typical in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. “The Southwestern part has been known to be the most peaceful part of Nigeria for generations and we have discovered that the peace is being cut short by some calculated efforts by brigands and all sort of negative powers. So that’s why we have to bring all that to a stop.�

Adejuwon said the awareness is for governors to know that in this matter, they have proved to be real ’Omoluabi’ (true sons). “The essence of Omoluabi is to respond to the need of your people and that is what they have just done. They know that we are with them and we are coming here today (Tuesday) to tell them that anybody that is not with them are on their own.�

Also speaking, a stakeholder in the movement, Engr Sola Fatokun stressed that the long and

protracted agitation for state police is now inevitable. “Someone cannot sit down in Abuja and be monitoring and supervising what is happening in Osogbo. If government can issue firearms to individuals, what prevents South-west governors from having their own security outfit?�

He further advised the federal government to consult South-west governors so that things will go the way it is supposed to be.

Public Hearing Also Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola had noted that peace and security is the principal factor for business and investment.

Oyetola who was represented at the Amotekun public hearing by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Gboyega Alabi, stressed that for Amotekun to be successful, the support of all would

be needed.

Quoting Section 24 of the constitution, he said it provides that "it shall be the duty of every citizen to make positive and useful contribution to the advancement, progress and well-being of the community where he resides".

He added, "if Amotekun works, investment windows will be open. Amotekun will give wings to the Osun Economic and Investment Summit as well as the Osun Investment Promotion Agency, which are our windows to economic and industrial transformation. “No state or nation can be stronger than the quality of its laws. Amotekun is as strong as we elect to make it, especially at this public hearing, whose outcomes shall polish and enrich its legal outlook and determine the quality of the peace and prosperity we enjoy.�

However the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, RT. Hon Timothy Owoeye, at a public hearing session on Osun Security Network Agency (Amotekun) bill stated that when the bill is passed will ensure safe highways, remote areas, hinterlands among others. Owoeye held that recruitment of Amotekun Corps will reduce the rate of unemployment in the state of Osun and the South Western States, adding that the corps will assist the police and other security agencies to carry out lawful activities that will maintain law and order in the state.

He stressed that, for Amotekun to be successful, the support of all will be needed saying section 24 of the constitution provides that "it shall be the duty of every citizen to make positive and useful contribution to the advancement, progress and well-being of the community where he resides".

Also the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisation (NACOMYO) representative at the public hearing Jamiu Adeyemi harped on the need for Osun House of Assembly to consider worship centres as places that Amotekun Corps should be posted to, noting that such places are soft target for criminals.

Prof Aliyu Alao of African Security Forum urged the House of Assembly to ensure that

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FEATURES people in the diaspora are actively taken care in the bill. The forum underscored the importance of ensuring annual report on the Amotekun Corps, noting that this would create room for checks and balances.

Meanwhile, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdrasheed Olabomi asked that traditional rulers should be involved in the running of the outfit, adding that their involvement will be of immense benefits to the actualisation of the corps.

Blueprint On the modalities to make Amotekun work in the state, it was gathered that the State of Osun Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps will assist in maintaining law and order in the state and for connected purposes. It will also systematically gather, document, evaluate and analyse data and information to convert to actionable intelligence for tactical operational and strategic goals; Amotekun will also collaborate with similar network agencies in other South-west states to deter kidnapping, terrorism, cattle rustling, destruction of farmlands and crops, cultism, highway robbery and other offences to assist the police in apprehending such criminals and protect lives and property within the state; The Governing Board of Amotekun will comprise a chairman, who shall be a person of proven integrity with experience in security matters whose appointment shall be subject to the confirmation of the State House of Assembly; The commissioner of police in the state or his representative and one member representing each of the different services of the Armed Forces of Nigeria operating on the state; the state Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps in the state or his representative and the Executive Secretary, State of Osun Security Trust Fund or his representative; three representatives each of the Community Development Associations drawn from the three Senatorial Districts; and the Osun State Amotekun Corps Commander; However the chairman and members of the board shall be appointed by the governor, while the chairman and members of the board shall hold office in part-time basis for four years and may be eligible for reappointment while the secretary of the board shall be on full time basis.

Others are the agency; Amotekun will be a body corporate with perpetual succession and having a common seal while the agency shall work with Security Network Agencies in other states of the federation and in particular shall collaborate with other Security Network Agencies in Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Oyo States; Also the Amotekun Corps Commander will be the head of the Amotekun Corps as the State Amotekun Corps will subject to the Provisions of the Firearms Act, Cap. F.28, of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, have the power to bear duly-licensed firearms in the performance of their objectives; Equally, the state Amotekun Corps will have a state headquarters and area commands of the state headquarters will consist of the the Operations and Monitoring Unit, Finance Accounts Unit and Training and Staff Development Unit; And there will be an area command in each of the Federal Constituencies in the State as every member of the State Amotekun Corps will be allocated an identification number, an identification tag bearing name and identification number; However, the agency will ensure speedy dispensation of justice and will give timely report if suspicious activities and crimes in progress to aid in the effective policing of the state; The state will provide the police and other security agencies with relevant information to aid effective policing of the state and will render prompt assistance to crime and accident victims; As the people carry out other directives as the governor may expressly give to the state Amotekun Corps in relation to security and maintenance of public order and safety.

Amotekun Bill Signed into Law Meanwhile, the governor last week signed into law the State's Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Establishment Bill. The bill was transmitted to the governor by the speaker. The House had on March 3, 2020 passed the bill into law after a public hear-

Governor, State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, during the signing of State of Osun security network and Amotekun Bill into Law, at the oďŹƒce of the Governor, Abere, Osogbo ing to seek stakeholders' contributions and suggestions on the bill.

Oyetola while signing the Bill at the Executive Council Lounge, Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, disclosed that the law signifies a declaration of war on criminals in the state and its environs, adding that the state "is prepared to go to any legitimate length to ensure that criminals in the state have no breathing space�.

The governor who noted that the Law shall complement the constitution and other laws setting up the various security agencies in guaranteeing the safety and security of the people and their property, expressed confidence that the law would further enhance the profile of Osun as the most peaceful state and preferred investment destination in the country.

Oyetola clarified that before the idea of Amotekun for the South West was birthed in July, 2019, Osun had already concluded plans to unveil its own Security Taskforce owing to the government's desire to make the state the commercial hub of the South-west. He, however, said due to Osun's commitment to the regional integration objective of the South-west, the state wasted no time in keying into the Amotekun idea for regional security.

Speaking further, Oyetola said the bill was a collective product of the people of Osun. "This is testament to the high premium we place on the security and welfare of the people as an Administration pursuant to the provisions of Section 14 (2) of the 1999 Constitution," the governor stated.

Oyetola therefore, enjoined citizens and residents of the state to "adhere to the Spirit and Letter of the Law and respect the Amotekun personnel as they labour earnestly to protect us and the state.

The economic and investment transformation that we promised the people of Osun can only be realised in a secured atmosphere�.

Earlier, while presenting the Bill to the governor, the speaker commended the governor for the opportunity given to them to legislate on the bill.

Partnership with Traditional Rulers Also, the governor called for holistic approach in the quest to end security challenges in the country.

He urged Nigerians particularly the stakeholders and security agencies to partner the traditional rulers in the fight against the scourge.

He said this while addressing the people at the National Summit on Security and Insecurity in Nigeria, held at Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo.

This is also as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Chairman and Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria respectively, tasked the government and the citizens to remain committed to the peace and unity of the country.

The duo in their separate remarks, also

pledged the readiness of the traditional rulers to partner with government in combating the scourge of insecurity in Nigeria.

Governor Oyetola said for the country to overcome the menace, security agencies must collaborate with the traditional rulers, sensitise and encourage their subjects to provide intelligence and expose the criminals in their domains.

Earlier, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, expressed the readiness of the traditional rulers to partner the government in strengthening security in the country, just as he reiterated the commitment of the monarchs to ensuring a united Nigeria. He called for good leadership and committed following as panacea for ensuring a sustainable peace in the country.

Oba Ogunwusi who described security of lives and property as fundamental to existence, advocated the need for government to return security matters to traditional rulers for effective and efficient policing at the grassroots.

Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar, called on Nigerian leaders to do the needful in maintaining peace and stability in the country. He canvassed peaceful coexistence among Nigerians just as he expressed readiness to continue to partner government to enhance the security in the country.

The Sultan, who advocated good governance and justice as panacea for national security, urged the citizens to rise to the occasion and speak up with one voice in all honesty and fear of God to ensure permanent peace in Nigeria.

Those in attendance at the occasion were Former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye; members of the Osun State Executive Council, traditional rulers including Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran; Osomowe of Ondo, Oba Adenrele Kiladejo; Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin; Obasaaju of Oweland, Kabba, Obasaju Kehinde; DirectorGeneral, Developmental Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Seye Oyeleye; security operatives; members of the civil society organisations; top government officials; and political leaders Death Penalty for Kidnappers Speaker State of Osun House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Timothy Owoeye has said that the Osun kidnapping and other related crimes (prohibition) bill 2020 will compliment efforts of the Amotekun Corps when fully inaugurated.

The Speaker at the public hearing on Osun Kidnapping and other related crimes prohibition Bill 2020 stated that it is imperative to have an enabling laws to ensure quick and diligent prosecution of kidnapping offenders.

Owoeye pointed out that ever since the issue of Amotekun Corps, there has been a downward trend in the cases of kidnapping in Osun and other South Western States. He held that the 7th Assembly under his watch

is reviewing the existing laws on kidnapping which recommended 14 years would be reviewed to death penalty.

The Speaker added that should the bill scale through the needed stages, people caught with human parts and kidnappers whose victims dies in the process of the kidnap will face death sentence as against imprisonment that was obtainable before now.

Owoeye noted that with the way kidnapping seem to be becoming lucrative, it is sacrosanct that laws with severe consequences be put in place to avoid many Nigerians becoming kidnapping target.

Chairman, Osun Civil Society Coalition, Comrade Waheed Lawal advanced reasons for government at all levels to re-double their efforts in making job available for employable youth stating that it would go a long way to reduce the crime rate.

Police Community Relations Committee Chairman in Osun, Comrade Amitolu Shittu commended the 7th Assembly for championing the crusade of bring sanity to the society. Shittu opined that the bill should include that any kidnapper found guilty of female sexual assault and harassment should be jailed for 50 years.

In her remarks, All Progressives Congress (APC) women leader, Alhaja Kudirat Fakokunde admonished parents to ensure proper monitoring of their children, this she said would assist in the campaign against kidnapping and other related crimes.

Yoruba Unity Forum Lauds Amotekun The leadership of the Yoruba Unity Forum has applauded the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State for prioritising security of lives and property of the citizens. The forum also commended Oyetola on his contribution to the birth of the Southwest Joint Security Network codenamed 'Amotekun'.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the forum to the governor’s office in Abere, Osogbo, the Chairman of the Forum, Arch Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu maintained that with the success on the establishment of Amotekun for the security of the entire South-west, Oyetola and his colleagues in the region had assured the Yoruba that the good old days were coming back.

Ladigbolu also commended Oyetola for the good works his administration has been doing over the last one year, adding that the landmark achievements recorded so far have proven that the governor's campaign slogan 'Ileri Oluwa' had been fufilled in the lives of the people of the state.

In attendance at the occasion were the Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji; Head of Service, Dr. Olowogboyega Oyebade; the Commissioner for Human Resources, Alhaja Latifah Giwa and the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Gboyega Famodun among others.

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

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

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Quick Takes FirstBank to Host FMDA Meeting

AWARD WELL DESERVED

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Primrose Development Company Limited, Mr. Jide Balogun; Regional Managing Partner, West Africa, Ernst & Young (EY), Mr. Henry Egbeki; Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Bolaji Balogun, and Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, when Bolaji received the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of the Founder of FCMB Group, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, at the EYEntrepreneur of the Year 2020West Africa Awards heldinLagos...recently

IMF Outlines Policy Steps to Address COVID-19 Obinna Chima The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated that monitoring, containing and mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 should be top priorities for countries.

The Fund, noted that timely and decisive actions by health authorities, central banks, fiscal, regulatory and supervisory authorities could help contain the virus outbreak and offset the economic impact of the pandemic.

According to the Washingtonbased institution, central banks must support demand and confidence by preventing tightening of financial conditions, lowering borrowing costs for households

ECONOMY and firms, and ensuring market liquidity.

On the other hand, it urged fiscal policy authorities must step up to provide sizable support to the most affected people and firms, including in hard-to-reach informal sectors. “Regulatory and supervisory responses must aim to preserve financial stability and banking system soundness while sustaining economic activity. “Significant steps have been taken in recent days, going in the right direction, but more needs to be done. As the virus spreads across the globe, decisive

and coordinated action is key to providing stability to the global economy and financial markets, boosting confidence, and preventing deep and prolonged economic effects. “We must also help poorer and the most vulnerable countries by providing equipment and financing to prevent and treat infections,� it stated.

The Fund stated that it was ready to support its membership, including through financial support for the countries hardest hit.

It noted that monitoring and containment measures were essential to slow the spread of the virus and reduce the peak load on health systems.

According to the IMF, early

monitoring and swift and comprehensive containment measures would slow the spread of the virus.

It pointed out that the WHO was providing guidance on health measures. “Ensuring sufficient paid sick leave will help to curb contagion. In countries with less reliable social safety nets, health interventions must be targeted to reach informal sectors and those living in extreme poverty. “Systematic testing is necessary to document progress and inform when it is safe to resume activity in previously affected regions. “Ramp up public health Continued on page 24

‌Experts Urge FG to Sustain Measures against Virus Chris Uba Experts at a forum organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on the Covid-19 pandemic have advised the federal government not to rest on its oars in its efforts to mitigate the impact of the disease on the Nigerian economy.

Speaking at a forum in Lagos yesterday, they acknowledged policy measures that had already been taken by the government to contain the impact of the virus on the economy.

The forum was designed to highlight the implications of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Nigerian economy and deliberate on the most appropriate policy responses that would help mitigate the impact of the virus as well as subsequent shocks on the economy of Nigeria.

ECONOMY The LCCI President, Mrs. Toki Mabogunje, said that businesses, factories and schools were shutting down due to the virus. “Conferences, sporting events, football matches, music concerts and business meetings have all been suspended. Countries are imposing wide-range travel restrictions.

Trade are on hold and global airlines have cancelled flight to affected areas. Global equities and commodities markets have been severely affected.

Oil prices have been hit hard due to drastic cut in global oil consumption, compounded by the on-going price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.Putting these together, the outlook for the global economy looks bleak,�

she added. “As a fallout of the pandemic, Global Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), an index of the prevailing direction of economic trends in the manufacturing and service sectors, is fast deteriorating just as its fears have wiped off $7 trillion in market value of listed firms worldwide in two weeks. “There is also restricted mobility and lower manufacturing through put as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak which have significantly depressed oil prices (~30% below their levels at the start of the year) even as businesses whose supply chains are closely linked to China are increasingly revising profit forecasts as Apple, Nike and United Airlines have reportedly, warned that they would not meet their earnings forecast due to the impact of the virus’ outbreak on supply chains.

“In Nigeria, the impacts of the virus include decline in oil revenue due to reduced demand from key foreign customers, fall in foreign exchange reserves as a result of a fall in oil export oil revenue, which might impact FX stability, cost of imports from key trading partners such as Italy and China are likely to spike, resulting in a cost-push inflation ,rate of unemployment may increase due to slowdown in economic activity, potential fall in tax revenue and soaring debt, which would impact developmental outcomes, potential decline in aggregate GDP due to slowdown in economic activity,� the LCCI boss added.

On the political fallouts of the crisis, CEO of Economic Associates , Dr. Ayo Teriba, one Continued on page 24

First Bank of Nigeria Limited will tomorrow host the 2020 ďŹ rst quarterly meeting of the Financial Markets Dealers Association (FMDA), in Lagos. The CEO, FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, will give the welcome address. The theme of the event: “Nigeria: Fiscal and Debt Sustainability,â€? would be delivered by the keynote speaker, Dr. Amine Mati, IMF Senior Resident Representative/Mission Chief to Nigeria.

The meeting would convene treasurers, market players, their institutions and other stakeholders from the ďŹ nancial services sector. The quarterly meeting serves as a platform for in-depth knowledge sharing, dissemination of information and fostering of business relationships of its members in treasury market practice through capacity building professional standards and promoting professionalism in the Over – The -Counter (OTC) markets.

AccordingtoGroupExecutive,Treasury&InternationalBanking,First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Ini Ebong, “at FirstBank, we are delighted to host the 2020 inaugural quarterly meeting of the Financial Markets DealersAssociationofNigeria(FMDA),aplatformweconsiderpivotal to the continued growth of ďŹ nancial markets in the country. “We are excited with the successes so far achieved by our noble Association–FMDA–aswiththerightregulatoryandriskmanagement framework, we have been able to impact and promote fairness in the activities of members, whilst providing the enabling environment for the required liquidity needed to promote business and impact the national economy. With the knowledge and insights shared in the course of the quarterly meeting, we would further deepen our resolve towards the unrelenting role we play in the economy.â€?

Anchor Insurance Bags Award

Anchor Insurance Company Limited, has emerged as the insurance companyoftheyearattheannualIndependentNewspapersawards 2019 held in Lagos. The Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of the newspaper, Mr. Steve Omanufeme, described Anchor Insurance as the, “fastest growing insurance company of the year 2019.

He explained that, “the selection committee speciďŹ cally recognised the company for its giant stride in the past one year, especially in its risk management and claims administration approach which has always been a source of delight for its teaming policyholders. “We are also impressed by the company’s turnaround record of performance in the last one year. It is noteworthy to say that the company under the new management team generated the highest premium income after 29 years of its existence, recording 72 per cent growth in one calendar year.â€?

Accordingtohim,thenewmanagementteam’sabilitytorevitalisethe AnchorInsurancebrandandrepositionthecompanyforthestatutorily induced recapitalisation has further proven the organisation as one that is ready to shock the insurance sector of the nation’s economy.

He said, “it was for the foregoing reasons, among others, that the newspaperhasbestowedonthecompany,therichlydeservedaward of the Insurance Company of the Year 2019.

Inhisresponse,afterreceivingtheaward,AnchorInsuranceManaging Director, Mr. Ebose Augustine, expressed joy that his company was being celebrated after just a little above a year in oďŹƒce with his new team, stating that, “we were just doing what we felt should be done to take the company to another level but we never knew people were taking records.â€?

African Alliance Rewards Sta

AfricanAllianceInsurance,recentlyrewardeditsoutstandingsalesmen and women at the company’s annual Agency awards night held in Lagos.Speakingattheevent,theManagingDirector/ChiefExecutive OďŹƒcer, African Alliance Insurance, Mrs. Funmi Omo, congratulated thewinnersoftheawardandchargedthemnottorelentintheireort to ensure maximum growth of the company’s premium. “Our premium income rose by 45 per cent year on year in 2019 and we are successfully growing a retail market that is sure to bloom.

We can and we will do more this 2020. It is a new start and a brand new opportunity to do even more work. We will not leave you to it, you can be rest assured of the management’s continued support towards achieving your budgets,� she said.

“If the industry players and the government work together, there won’t be issues of an agency shutting down base stations or cutting fibre cables during road construction�

Chief Executive Officer, Backbone Connectivity Network (BCN)

Mr. Ibrahim Dikko

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IMF OUTLINES POLICY STEPS TO ADDRESS COVID-19 expenditure urgently. “Overwhelmed systems can amplify the initial shock through social anxiety, reduced detection and treatment, and heightened need for quarantine. “Key steps include supporting medical tele-consultations and extra-ordinary recruitment in the health sector, complemented by coordinated industrial response in medical supplies production and steps to reduce negative cross-border spillovers from excessive hoarding. “Inform populations of the seriousness of the crisis and change individual behaviors.

A high-level group should be established to coordinate responses,� it added.

The IMF stated that timely and regular communication of information from credible sources was essential, including daily updates on severity.

It noted that national directives and transparent policy advice would help guide efforts and resource allocation of firms and the public sector to monitor, plan and respond to the pandemic. ‌EXPERTS URGE FG TO SUSTAIN MEASURES AGAINST VIRUS of the speakers, identified the ongoing oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia, travel bans and export bans on medication/gadgets as part of the impacts on Nigeria. “Nigeria is also at the receiving end of some of the political fallouts like impact of the breakdown in the OPEC efforts to cooperate with OPEC countries on oil price, the travel bans across the world, and the bans imposed on the export of some medications and face masks by some countries as they fear they may not have enough for their residents as the pandemic spreads within their countries,â€? he said.

On the challenge for Nigeria’s economic outlook Teriba argued that, “how long the adverse social and economic fallouts for Nigeria would last depends on how long it takes before the world can bring the pandemic sufficiently under control for the restrictions of movement and public gathering to be lifted.�

Group Business Editor

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Comms/e-Business Editor

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

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BPP Enhances Procurement Officers’Capacity Hamid Ayodeji The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has recorded improvements in the implementation of public procurement and public funds expenditure for procurement officers.

Speaking on Monday at a three-day conversion course for procurement officers in Lagos, BPP Director-General, Mamman Ahmadu, said this year’s training programme for officers converting to the procurement cadre in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) would institutionalise procurement reform in the Federal Civil Service.

According to him, the programme was designed to develop capacity for Procurement Officers in MDAs, entrench professionalism and ensure that public procurement decisions by procurement experts are in line with strict provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, (PPA).

This conversion training was one in the series of capacity development and training programmes organised by the BPP on a yearly basis to ensure that the public procurement system fulfills its purpose in a way that the federal government ensures the right allocation or use of resources, which was why the BPP was busy strengthening the Public Procurement Reform through continuous training.

Ahmadu, who was represented by the Director Energy Infrastructure, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Engr. Babatunde Kuye, said

some of the improvements in the Public Procurement and expenditure of public funds, was that Due Process as listed in the Public Procurement Act, 2007, was followed in the award of contracts. “You will recall that the nine essential steps of public procurement start with efficient procurement plan driven by needs assessment. Then, there has to be adequate appropriation, followed by Advertisement, and Transparent Pre-qualification. “Bid submission and bid opening process followed

by Bid Evaluation process have to take place as well.

Afterwards we have Tender Board or Federal Executive Council (FEC) Approval, and then Contract Execution. This is becoming entrenched in the Public Service as good credit for the reform,� he said.

He disclosed that only certified procurement officers will be allowed to be posted as procurement officers. “The Head of Procurement Department or Unit as you are aware reports directly to the Accounting Officer of their respective MDAs and no one else, but where there are no certified Procurement Officers as yet, the schedule officer in charge will have

to take responsibility in the meantime and should report to the Accounting Officer as appropriate. “We need to begin to get things right as it can no longer be business as usual,� he disclosed.

Ahmadu said transparency, competition, quality and the attainment of value-for-money are central to the procurement process. “The public service is the engine room for change, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that all sections of the law governing public procurement are fully put into practice. “I must say that we are not

unaware that some people are itching to be procurement officers because they think it is a route to sudden wealth through the award of contracts. “This wrong notion is rather unfortunate; I therefore urge you to lay emphasis on continuous professional development so as to engender good service delivery in order to enhance performance in the Cadre,� he added.

The DG disclosed that the federal government and BPP were working with some agencies of government to address specific structural and capacity challenges in their procurement processes.

ISO CERTIFICATION

R-L: Executive Chairman, XL Africa Group Limited, Mr Charles Nwodo Jnr; Managing Director, XL Security and Protection Services Limited, Mr Sylvester William, and Country Representative for International Standard Organisation (ISO), Mr Olumide Ajibawo, at the presentation ceremony of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certificate to XL Security and Protection Services Limited, in Lagos‌recently

SON, NERC Promote Local Content, Exports Chris Uba The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) are set to rekindle existing collaboration between the two agencies to promote local content in the production of electrical materials and facilitate export of certified Made-in-Nigeria products.

A statement by the Special Adviser to Director General / Head of Public Relations, ‘Bola Fashina, said this indication was given during a courtesy visit of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry(NESI)/Nigerian Content Consultative Forum (NCCF) delegation to the SON operational headquarters in Lagos.

Leader of the delegation, General Manager Engineering Performance and Monitoring of the NERC, Abdu Bello Mohammed, commended SON for its past collaboration which engendered the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organisations in 2015 as well as SON’s membership of the NESI-NCCF. Mohammed, disclosed that the body of experts from the industry constituted by the NCCF to advice the NERC on carrying out its duties had worked assiduously to compile a publication titled: Regulation on National Content Development for the Power Sector (Schedules to the Regulation), providing the benchmark and threshold for the electricity industry in Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Chairman of

the NERC/NCCF, Henry Okolo, acknowledged the role of SON in warehousing standards for the nation, stressing the need for improved collaboration in the electricity sector to enhance local content as well as promote export of made-in-Nigeria products and personnel. Okolo, stated that the forum was not unmindful of some agents and vendors resisting the total achievement of local content in the industry despite the signing of the presidential executive order No.5 of 2015, as a government policy to that effect.

He urged SON to intensify its technical support to local industries and interested parties through the application of international standards in the electrical sector as a means of sustaining the local industry and

building greater capacity.

Okolo, advised SON to consider setting up a Nigerian content desk to handle matters directly impacting on standards as relating to local content in the power sector. Responding on behalf of the Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma, the Director in the DG’s Office, Kabir Yusuf, highlighted SON’s core mandate as including development of standards, factory inspections, testing, offshore and local conformity assessment of products, certification of management systems amongst others as means of promoting the ease of doing business initiative of the federal government. He assured the NESI-NCCF delegation of SON’s preparedness to support and enhance the collaboration with NERC in achieving the best

for all Nigerians and reiterated the organisation’s determination at all times to confront incidents of substandard and fake products including electrical materials as part of its mandate.

Aboloma, welcomed a review of the MOU between the two agencies to strengthen the existing cooperation with a view to promoting greater local content and quality assurance in the sector to continually give value for money of the consumers, ensure repeated patronage, increased capacity utilization and job creation. He invited members of the NNCCF to visit SON’s state of the art laboratories to have a first-hand assessment of the electrical laboratory with the capability of testing meters and other electrical products and components.

Tambuwal Harps on Compliance with Sokoto Revenue Law Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto The Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said there was need for individuals and corporate entities to abide by the Sokoto State Internal Revenue Service (SIRS) law 2019.

He stated this at the Sultan Maccido Qur’anic Institute, Sokoto. He stressed that the state government took up the challenge to sensitise industries, stakeholders , clients and non

clients regarding the new regulations and the key change brought about by the development.

The governor further explained that the state government acted non-arbitrary in the implementation of the law and appealed to tax payers to comply for over all interest of the State.

According to him, his administration had been prudent in managing the state meagre resources in improving security, provision of infrastructures, quality education and social amenities to citizenry.

He disclosed that the new law would take effect as from May 2020, hence a need for all citizens to support it.

The guest speaker at the event and former minister for National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, said tax reform became imperative as a result of the dwindling federal allocation to the states due to fluctuations in oil price.

Usman added that there was a need to centralize revenue collection using cashless policy to minimize sharp practices in

the system.

According to the former deputy governor of central bank, for government to avoid tax evasion, the tax collectors have to avoid multiple taxation, and retrogressive taxation which put more burden on low income earners .

The economist advised the government to be accountable , imbibes effective service delivery ,blocking leakages in a bid to implement the new law. “As a citizen, if you pay tax you will have boldness in asking

questions about what the money is being used for,� he said.

He cautioned that recession may set in again if government continued to overdepend on oil, saying there was need to diversify the Nigerian economy, “not just by paper, but by practical economic policies.�

Also speaking, the State’s Commissioner of Finance, Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki, urged the people of the state to support the administration because of its interest in meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

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ITF: We Have Equipped Nigerians for Technical Jobs Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The Director General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Joseph Ari has said the fund has equipped Nigerians with requisite technical skills to take over existing jobs in the country, that are currently occupied by non-Nigerians.

He observed that a Skill Gap Survey had shown that there are vacancies in the area of Services, agriculture, construction and transportation that Nigerians could not occupy because they don’t have the technical skills to do them effectively.

Ari, disclosed this in Jos, recently during the 2019 ITF merit award ceremony.

He said: “Skills Gap Survey of six priority sectors of the National Economy, which was conducted by the ITF and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) showed that vacancies exist in four sectors; services, agriculture, construction and transportation that were in some cases being filled by non-Nigerians because of the absence of Nigerians with the requisite technical skills.

“To prepare Nigerians to effectively take over these sectors, beginning from 2016, the Fund initiated a number of skills acquisition programmes particularly targeted at these sectors. “Through these programmes, thousands of Nigerians who are today, earning sustainable livelihoods as paid employees or as entrepreneurs that are even employing others, were equipped with skills in diverse trades.�

He said the Fund in 2019 expanded the scope of its programmes for the benefits of Nigerians and trained over 11,100 Nigerians across the 36 states of the federation in eight trade areas.

Ari, said N2,094,407,000 was disbursed as students and supervisory allowances in 2019.

He said, “In the year under review, ITF disbursed a N2,094,407,000 as students and supervisory allowances; of this N1,645,454,000 as students’ allowances to 142,462 students from 325 tertiary Institutions

and N448, 953,000 was paid out as supervisory allowances.�

Noting that despite the challenges confronting the Fund, ranging from under appropriations in the face of soaring number of participants as a result of the establishment of new institutions, Ari said the Fund remains unwavering towards handling the situation.

He explained that as parts of efforts to encourage employers of labour to train their workers, the ITF paid N6,602,688,147 as training reimbursement to 566 companies that met the criteria for the reimbursement.

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, who was represented by Commissioner of Special Duties, Jeremiah Jerr, said Plateau will continue to train its citizens for employability and entrepreneurship with the ITF, noting that the ITF is more organized and focused under Ari in fulfilling the mandate and vision of President Muhammadu Buhari in wealth creation and poverty reduction.

Access Bank Reiterates Support for Women Nume Ekeghe Access Bank Plc said it has given out more than N19 billion to women in loans and has pledged its continuous support for women-led businesses in the country.

Speaking at the bank’s International Women Day conference for female professionals in Lagos recently, the Group Head, Women Banking, Ayona Aguele-Trimnell, said the bank through its ‘W’ Initiative, which is targeted at women had also given out N15 billion to women-led businesses.

She said the bank was set to increase its focus on women this year, through more capacity building programmes as well as continuous support through access to finance.

She said: “For individual women, we have given out loans of up to N19 billion since 2014, while for women in business, it is around N15 billion and these are individual loans to women. “A lot of women who work also have

businesses and also through their salary account also take loans for mortgages more. Our portfolio is about N19 billion.�

She added: “We are always ready to support women. We have about 13 million women customers meaning that one in three women have an Access Bank account and that comes with many needs. So, we would continue to support women emotionally and financially. “We realised that access to funding for women is an issue and women still have to get loans and we have a variety of products that are available using their salary accounts and many more offerings.�

Aguele-Trimnell explained that the ‘W’ Initiative is a program that was designed for women in business, women in family and professional women. “Women professionals are increasing and we are now almost 60 per cent of the workforce and more women are working. “We recognise that these professionals are the founda-

tions of the family. Just as much as women entrepreneurs are contributing to the family and home, women professionals are the ones that get the loans, buy cars and educate their children.

So, this year we would focus on all the women,� she added.

She further said the bank would continue to provide financial support services and capacity building, training, networking and mentoring.

Also, speaking at the conference, the Executive Director, Business Banking, Access Bank, Chizoma Okoli, urged the participants to have a strong support system, citing its importance for career advancement.

On her part, the Head Group Human Resources, at Access Bank, Bolaji Agbede, stressed the need for professional women to ensure that they continually broaden their scope, sharpen their skills and widen their horizon for them to be able to rise to the top of their career.

9mobileExpands4G-LTECoveragetoKaduna 9mobile has added Kaduna to the list of cities that it has expanded its coverage of the 4G-LTE service to.

A statement from the telco explained that residents of the state and its environs who are its customers now enjoy quality voice and data services.

Speaking at a fun fair, Head, Region North, Sales, 9mobile, Kabiru Kazaure, was quoted to have said, as a caring network, the expanded coverage of 4GLTE in Kaduna as well as the rewarding of new and existing customers through the presentation of valuable gifts items underscored the telco’s commitment to empowering subscribers to achieve more.

“At 9mobile, we are passionate and consistentÂŹ in enabling individuÂŹals, families, businÂŹesses and communities to grow and advance their various inteÂŹrests, and the latest of such is the 4G-LTE coverage that we are expanding across Kaduna, “he said.

At the event, there were live perfoÂŹrmances by popular hip hop and R’n’B sinÂŹger and member of the defunct Plantashun Boiz, Chibuzo Oji aka ‘FaÂŹze’. The event also featured upcoming afrÂŹo hip hop rapper, ChrÂŹistopher Omenye aka ‘Yung L’.

Memorable highpoints of the day included the preseÂŹntation of a 220-volt power generating set to Cephas Ketah, who emerged

the grand prize winner of the day’s raffle draw.

An excited Ketah said, “Thank God!! It is just God! I thank 9mobile greatly for this generator. I got my SIM card three days ago; ever since I have been praying to win something grÂŹeat in this event. Now God has met this important need through 9mobÂŹile. May God bless and increase 9mobile beyond expectations.â€?

Other prizes won by customers included 5kg gas cyÂŹlinders, 10kg bags of rice, cartons of groundnut oil, recharÂŹgeable standing fans, sewing machines, microwave ovens, elecÂŹtric kettles, pressiÂŹng irons, cordless electric kettles, tabÂŹle refrigerator and free airtime.

ELEVATING TO THE NEXT LEVEL Working Remotely to Curb Covid-19 In the past few days we have heard about the impact of Covid-19. Many companies have had to advise their staff to practice safe social distancing with the outcome for some being to work from home. While some are asking their staff to go on leave, some with pay and some without.

The consequence of the pandemic across the world is reverberating.

Many people who get paid by the hour, casual workers, gig workers are all losing income.

Thankfully, we have not seen the above in Nigeria, but we need to be prepared. It must not be when it happens that we begin to put our activities in order. As we all know, according to H.V. MacArthur, “Working remotely isn’t a new concept. People in all kinds of career fields have been doing it for years. But most people are accustomed to one day of work at home, once in a while or never actually working from home. With the current state of the COVID-19 coronavirus causing many companies like Twitter to require all of their employees to work from home or the likes of Amazon, Google, LinkedIn and others asking a portion of their staff to work remotely, a large portion of the workforce are now expected to be skilled at the art of working remotely.

If you’re one of the many starting to work remotely for the first time or engaging in full-time remote work for the first time, you are probably discovering that it’s not as easy as you may have thought. Most of us have been conditioned to work and focus because of outside constraints.

Meetings force us to adhere to certain schedules, office hours dictate our start and end time and a manager ’s watchful eye keeps our internet surfing to a minimum, for the most part.

Once on your own, you may find yourself floundering a bit to stay productive. Here are some tips to set yourself up for success.

Embrace the initial time suck. Instead of trying to immediately mirror your office work tempo and practices, simply embrace that things are a bit off kilter and you might as well allow yourself a little indulgence and enjoy being at home vs. in the office. Do what you can reasonably do without putting your professional credibility at risk.

Remember that working from home is a continuously developing situation for most companies. What this means is that there will probably be several things companies learn and continue to leverage in the future regarding working remotely and the policies meant to support it. The positive will be companies everywhere realizing that there are opportunities to save money on office space since much of their staff ’s work can be done from home. This would potentially open up more flexible options for staff to navigate the demands of their job and home life and more freedom and autonomy in general.

On the other hand, if your company perceives or genuinely experiences a dip in productivity and effectiveness, it could put the nail in the coffin around resistant leaders being open to more flexible work policies. It would be a shame if some of the leaders that have been against flexible work policies see proof that their concerns

were right simply because newbies to the remote world scramble to get their footing.

Set your own schedule and stick to it.

One of the first things people working remotely experience are friends and family members viewing them as having much more free time than they actually have. Especially if your job gets done primarily through your laptop. There’s just something about watching someone sit on a couch with a laptop that makes others think you’re not working. In an office building, you’d look hard at work. At home, you look like you’re simply internet surfing.

If you set a schedule every Sunday and let your family and friends know your office hours they will be more likely to respect your work time.

Schedule your time in between meetings. This is just a good practice in general but even more critical when working remotely. Don’t assume that you’ll get to all the work you have in between the video and phone meetings you have booked. It will be easy to get sucked into tasks and interests you have at home that you never feel like you get to really enjoy or complete.

Create a protected workspace. If you live alone it’s a lot easier to treat any area of your home as a workspace. But you’ll still need to make some type of separation for your own sanity.

If needed, have an ‘at work’ sign so people know that just because you are there and they can see you, it doesn’t mean that it’s okay to interrupt your train of thought or work flow.

Proactively reach out to co-workers, leaders and clients. Don’t rely on them to connect with you. It can be easy to get pulled into the bliss or misery of isolation, depending on your social preferences. But the reality is, when working remotely, people need to be shown you are thinking of them. If you don’t have a cause for regular engagement with key people then you should schedule reminders to reach out with an email or call.

Update on progress more than usual.

Since this is a new experience for everyone, you should err on the side of over-communicating, especially with work progress, until remote working norms are established. Send updates to your manager and clients vs. waiting for them to ask you for them. Ask them what preferences they have around frequency, content and form of updates.

Consider internet security. When working remotely, consider how you are accessing the internet.

Avoid public wifi since this increases chances for getting hacked. If you don’t have your own or company provided hotspot wifi then consider only working on projects that don’t require internet access when in public workspaces.

Give yourself breaks. Schedule breaks to get up and get some air. Schedule time to go grab lunch. Most importantly, schedule a stop time.� Don’t make the mistake of working round the clock in order not to burn out. .Marie-Therese Phido is a Sales & Mareting Strategist and Business Coach Email:mphido@elevato.com.ng Tweeter handle@osat2012 Tel: 08090158156 (text only)

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Enhancing Tax Compliance With the 2020 Finance Act in force and the federal government’s drive to increase revenue tax experts and policy analysts are advocating for more amicable way of resolving tax disputes to encourage voluntary compliance to by citizens and corporates, writes Peter Uzoho

O

ver the years, taxpayers and tax authorities in Nigeria have always been enmeshed in squabbles and antagonism arising from alleged inability to pay or the feeling of injustice and oppression. There have been cases where tax authorities accused taxpayers of dodging payment of taxes- a statutory obligation, through several methods. Such feeling of disobedience often pushes tax administrators to visit alleged deďŹ ant taxpayers with drastic actions that most times result to litigations.

On the other hand, taxpayers have accused tax authorities of taking illegal actions against them in the name of enforcing tax rules. On many occasions, taxpayers have been arrested, detained, had their businesses shut down, over-taxed, double-taxed or multi-taxed. This leads to long feeling of distrust and prolonged animosity.

Although, the courts have for years been used as avenues to settle disputes arising from tax, cases have shown that even the courts have not adequately take care of the situation.

However, in recent years, countries that value tax as a major source of their national revenue, have devised means of ensuring that tax matters are given a human face, especially when disputes arise, so that taxpayers truly feel obliged to comply rather than compelled to do so.

As taxpayers, they are treated as truly the hens that lay the golden eggs. While their human dignity is respected and appreciated, their sources of livelihood, their businesses are also supported to make them grow, rather than trying to bring them down.

For such countries, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) have become a game-changer in settling matters emanating from taxation. In Nigeria, some states have adopted it and are recording improvements in their tax disputes resolutions. Lagos State is a good example.

However, the Issuers and Investors Alternative Dispute Resolution Initiative (IIADRI) has been in the vanguard of promoting and deepening ADR in Nigeria to bring lasting solution to the animosity existing between tax authorities and taxpayers.

The IIADRI through its annual symposia, brings tax experts, policy analysts as well as relevant tax authorities to have a conversation on how best to improve the nation’s tax system using ADR. At the second IIADRI symposium/policy dialogue held in Lagos recently, with the theme: “Nigerian Tax Laws: Matters Arising�, participants emphasised the need to enhance voluntary tax compliance using peaceful dispute settlement channels provided by ADR. The speakers, who brought to light the nexus between the implementation and realisation of the Finance Act 2019 and the disposition of taxpayers to comply with their tax obligations, stated that there was need to entrench ADR in the tax system for uptimal result.

According to them, a responsible citizen will feel obligated to pay due tax in an environment where he feels and sees justice being done, especially where his right to fair hearing is respected.

In his presentation, titled: “The Roles of Alternative Dispute Resolution Processes in the Resolution of Tax Disputes�, the Vice President, Marketing, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC), Mr. Chidy Lasbrey, harped on the urgent need for alternative processes to be used in countering the challenges associated with the court system.

This, he explained, was necessary especially as it relates to the world of commerce that is moving at a pace that demands that tax and justice system succumb to change in order to be relevant in today’s borderless world.

Lasbrey said: “ADR mechanisms therefore refers to a range of processes other than litigation and to a reasonable extent arbitration which involves third party intervention with the sole aim of assisting the disputing parties in finding amicable solution to their dispute. “It can also be said that ADR is the collective term for those dispute resolution processes and

Ahmed techniques which allow disagreeing parties to come to an agreement short of litigation and resorting to the courts. In situations where reputational risk, confidentiality, flexibility of process, business secrets, speed of resolution and cost control play increasingly significant roles in their approach to business and decision making, ADR has become the preferred option. “ADR can also be referred to as amicable dispute resolution processes. This captures the friendly nature and atmosphere of the processes.

An atmosphere that is less adversarial in nature, accommodating, built on trust, good faith, tolerance and the willingness to make concessions, confessions and sacrifices where and when necessary. “Yet again, ADR could also mean appropriate dispute resolution. In today`s parlance, this serves as an all-inclusive understanding of what ADR means and what it should stand for. This understanding is predicated on the fact that the very litigation which we are designing alternatives for, is also an appropriate dispute resolution mechanism. “It provides a paradigm shift from seeing litigation as problem that is being fixed

by ADR, to seeing litigation as part of the options available to parties to a dispute.�

While highlighting the benefits of deploying ADR in tax dispute resolution processes, Lasbrey advocated for a change of approach to tax management and resolution strategies of tax disputes in Nigeria.

He said organisations often neglect to activate the business component of the law that set them up, adding that tax administration if well managed would bring about economic boost, an area he suggested should be of focus to tax administrators.

He added: “Tax administration that is properly managed can lead to employment generation, higher rate of compliance, improved relationship between tax authorities and tax payers. Improved tax management will attract investment both foreign and indigenous. “Good tax management and improved investment climate can reverse capital flight. It can also discourage divestment to other economies.

More individuals and corporate bodies will be brought into the tax bracket thereby increasing government revenue. “With the deployment of negotiation, mediation skills and other hybrid processes, the informal sector can also be brought on board to pay their

tax.�

In his goodwill message, the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Nnamdi Okwuadigbo, said the symposium and its theme was introducing a new dimension to a topic that might be assumed over-discussed.

Okwuadigbo noted that the Nigerian tax laws had undergone various experts’ critique in recent weeks, enjoying both commendations and criticisms of almost equal measure.

According to him, the debate on the country’s tax system became more intense after the signing of the Finance Bill 2019 into law.

He said: “A discussion of this nature that emphasises the need to address issues surrounding Nigerian tax laws through the lens of ADR is both timely and somewhat novel. “Over the years, tax compliance and enforcement procedures have generated legal issues between tax authorities and taxpayers. This has led to protracted litigation processes hampering tax collection and business growth generally.

As noted by PricewaterhouseCoopers UK, ADR is suitable for a wide range of disputes across different taxes, particularly those which relate to transfer pricing, capital versus revenue or valuation issues. It may be particularly useful for use in long-running disputes where positions on both sides have become entrenched, with litigation or one party conceding appearing to be the only options�.

Speaking on the topic, “Effect of Multiple Taxation and Coercive Enforcement Procedures: The Way Forward,� Lead, International Tax and Regulatory Services, Deloitte, Mrs. Asiata Agboluaje, stated that inappropriate taxation of taxpayers deters local and foreign investments, causing a decline in the ease of doing business.

This, she noted, creates opportunity for unauthorised persons to get involved in the collection of taxes and levies and that the amount demanded were usually arbitrary and without recourse to the provisions of the law.

Agboluaje, advised that, “as government seeks to raise revenue principally through taxes, the question as to whether it has built sufficient ‘trust capital’ whereby the taxpayers can see their tax action becomes relevant. “Also, the social contract between the government and the taxpayer should be cordial.

An unusually aggressive tax collection process

may provide more revenue in the short run but may cause long term damage for businesses. “Tax system should be simplified. Again, laws should be updated year in year out. Voluntary compliance is key. We should be accountable in the use of tax revenue as this motivates taxpayers to continue paying taxes.�

Similarly, the Manager, Tax, Regulatory and Company Services, KPMG, Mr. Ademola Idowu, who spoke on “Tax As an Instrument of Corporate Growth and Economic Prosperity of A Nation�, said: “Citizens and corporates should ensure timely compliance with relevant tax laws to avoid penalty, interest, loss of productivity, bad publicity and prosecution.�

He maintained that with increased drive for tax revenue, tax risk management should be a top agenda item for businesses.

According to Idowu, there is need to administer and enforce tax in accordance with tax laws, respect taxpayers’ rights and promote stakeholder engagement.

On his part, the Executive Secretary, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria , Mr. Daniel Asapokhai, stressed the need to rebrand Nigerian tax laws, organs and image, pointing out that the rebranding should start from individual perception and orientation about taxation in particular and morals in general.

Asapokhai, who was represented by the council’s Deputy Director, Directorate of Accounting Standards (Public Sector), Mr. Iheanyi Anyahara, also emphasised the need to support the government in the fight against corruption.

He stated that it was expedient that tax authorities streamline tax payment process and collection, noting that tax policies must be able to attract more investors into the country.

He added: “I will like to use this medium to encourage the tax authorities and the Nigerian taxpayers, especially the corporate entities to embrace the concept of Alternative Dispute Resolution to resolve any tax misunderstanding. “This is because in ADR, the needs of both parties will be taken into consideration while the outcome is more likely to suit the needs of everyone involved. This will therefore help to preserve the existing cordial relationships between the tax authorities and the Nigerian taxpayers reduce the pressure on our currently overcrowded courts�.

However, the Vice President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, who spoke on the 2020 Finance Act and its impact to businesses, said there were efforts to address so many contentious issues relating to tax, through the Act. According to him, the Finance Act is for everyone because it has something for everybody.

Idahosa also joined his voice to the calls to deepen ADR in the settlement of disputes between taxpayers and tax authorities.

Also, the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Mary Uduk, said the Finance Act has removed bottlenecks such as tax on manufactured dividends which had been a major disincentive to securities lending.

Uduk, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Lagos Zonal Office, SEC, Mrs Hafsat Rufai, said the regulatory agency was delighted at the initiative of IIADRI in organising annual symposum aimed at enlightening the public on various issues. In his address, the Chairman of IIADRI, Mr. Moses Igbrude, explained that the theme of the symposium was carefully selected to address numerous complaints raised by corporate organisations on the administration of taxes in Nigeria, such as multiple taxation, enforcement procedures, dispute resolution mechanisms, and endless audit cycles, among others.

He further explained that the programme was intended to provide platform for stakeholders in the Nigerian tax value chain to dialogue and articulate ways of fostering mutual understanding between tax authorities and tax payers.

Igbrude added that it also aimed at engendering good working relationship that would result in mutual benefits to all parties. “We believe a co-operative approach in tax administration in this country will promote ease of doing business as well as enhance more robust economic growth and development in Nigeria,� Igbrude declared.

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Ezeagu: We Need Stronger Stockbroking Firms for Competitiveness The Chairman, Association of Securities Dealing Houses and Managing Director of Solid Rock Securities and Investment Limited, Chief Oyinyechukwu Ezeagu, spoke to Goddy Egene on the state of the capital market, demutualisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange among other issues. Excerpts: Why do you think the stock market in the early part of the ďŹ rst quarter enjoyed rally only for it to be moderated by prolonged bearish trend?

There were a lots of positive policy pronouncements which influenced investors’ perception, hence the rally. These are attributable to the policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN ) on Open Market Operation (OMO) Treasury Bills, the new national budget cycle the expectations of members on the outcome of the demutualisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and generally the traditional optimism following a new year which was our own January effect.

Ezeagu To what extent has the globally dreaded Covid-19 impacted trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, its effects on the economy.

Also, what will be the impact of the downward movement of price of crude oil?

The effect of the COVID-19 is gradually affecting trading all over the world and whatever happens elsewhere reflects in our market. The centre of it all is China and being a major world power both in productive and consumption capacities, any ill wind affecting China would naturally cause a big sneezing to the rest of world. The economy of Nigeria may be in for further shocks with the effects of the coronavirus in China, our major crude oil trading partner. The price of crude oil has taken a deep plunge below the $57 budget benchmark, we may be faced with an expanded budget deficit, probable cuts in budget estimates and implementation. This explains why the federal government has set up a committee to review the budget Many quoted companies on the NSE have

announced their audited ďŹ nancial performance.

What is your impression of the results and the investors’ reactions?

The corporate actions of quoted companies had long seized to excite the market due to other deep seated economic variables that are affecting investors’ sentiments. There are some localised or particular trading spikes on the day of announcement which is usually short-lived because the market would have reacted before then. But answering specifically to your question, the listed companies’ fundamentals are strong and resilient in spite of the general economic downturn.

There are insinuations that many foreign portfolio investors are exiting the market daily.

What could be responsible for this and the way forward?

We need to confirm insinuations in order to comment fully on them but what one can say is that there are distortions in the equity market worldwide and discerning investors are always

chasing higher gains which may reside on other asset classes and profitable climes. However, the use of technology has reduced or removed the influence of distance to investment destinations.

Has the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) from ďŹ ve per cent to 7.5 per cent had signiďŹ cant effect on transactions on the NSE? The increase in VAT has not had any significant effect on the transactions on the exchange. People are worried more about other structural rigidities in the economy like ease of doing business rather than marginal taxes increases.

Regardless of macroeconomic challenges, what sectors of the economy can always weather the storm and why?

The sector of the economy that has been so resilient has been agriculture which has always been part of our daily lives in which we have a long value chain and levels of participation. These offer a wide range of opportunities for medium to large scale enterprises. The NSE successful had its court-ordered meeting (COM)on demutualisation of the exchange, which was followed by an extra-ordinary general meeting (EGM). What next?

The scheme document for the demutualisation of the NSE has a timetable attached to it and following that timetable after the COM and the EGM will be the handling of other documentations with the Corporate Affairs Commission and the application and receipt of final approval from the Securities & Exchange Commission, among others. The scheme‘s document contains all the processes that will culminate to the legal and practical demutualisation of the exchange.

In speciďŹ c terms, what have been the contributions of Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) towards the demutualisation project?

ASHON has contributed immensely to the discussion and the actualisation of the demutualisation project in terms of collaborating with the NSE and in protecting the interest of her members. Specifically, we were involved in the joint public hearing of the National Assembly for a bill for the demutualisation of the NSE, the review of members’ data base, identification and categorisation of members of the exchange, determination of closure date of members’ register and agreement of sharing ratio between and within the members of the NSE. Furthermore, I, as the Chairman of ASHON was given the singular privilege and honour to propose the motion at the COM to approve the resolution for the demutualisation of the Nigerian NSE the 3rd of March 2020, while the motion was seconded

by Alhaji Aliko Mohammed.

Is it true that some Dealing Member Houses are considering business combination and mergers and acquisition as the last option to remain in business under demutualisation?

We recognise that with the realities of the times ahead, we may need to build stronger dealing member firms to remain relevant with an exchange that is poised to expand its reach outside the shores of Nigeria. In order to achieve the required competitive advantage with the world financial ecosystem, we may require to combine forces and yes.

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

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NICON Issues Claims Cheques to Deceased Students’ Families NICON Insurance, said it has issued claims cheques to families of the deceased and injured students of the Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE).

According to the company, the claims cheques of N145, 000 were issued to the families of each of the two deceased students who died in the September 10, 2019 protest in the university campus, while another claims cheque of N120,000 was issued to each of the three students of the university who sustained various levels of injury during the protest.

Presenting the cheques, the Executive Director Marketing and Brand Operations, NICON Insurance, Debo Oladejo, explained that the policy tagged, ‘Student Welfare Insurance Scheme,’ (SWIS) was to cushion the effect of

students and their sponsors in case of death or injury during the school session.

According to Oladejo, the cheques were presented in the names of Okonofua Esther, Mrs Mary Dada, Olamilekan Muiz, Elijah Azeez and Eyiola Ayomide.

He, however, advised the students to explore the option of dialogue whenever contentions arise in place chaos.

He also said the claims payment to the students is in line with the company’s quest to regain industry confidence by way of spike insurance uptake among university students across the country, Speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Kayode Soremekun, expressed delight over the claims payment to the students and families of the deceased students.

Leapfrog Nigeria Acquires 28.24% Stake in AIICO Insurance Stories by Ebere Nwoji AIICO Insurance Plc has disclosed that a total of 38.83 per cent stake in the company has been acquired by institutional investors after the successful completion of its recent private placement offer.

Specifically, while LeapFrog Nigeria Insurance Holdings Limited acquired 28.24 percent stake in the company, AIICO Bahamas Nigeria Limited now holds 10.59 percent stake in the insurer. Following the latest directive of the insurance sector regulator, the National Insurance Commission(NAICOM), on recapitalisation of insurance

and reinsurance firms, AIICO had sought for and received shareholders’ approval to increase its authorised share capital to N18 billion, through various instruments to meet the new minimum capital base as a composite insurer.

Having received its shareholders’ approval, AIICO, had swung into action by seeking for funds from its investors through a private placement.

According to the Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Babatunde Fajemirokun, said as a result of the private placement, the firm’s paid up share capital increased from

N6.1 billion, to N11.3 billion.

According to him, AIICO also intends to raise the outstanding capital from existing shareholders.

According to Fajemirokun, who spoke at a recent ExtraOrdinary General Meeting (EGM) of the company held in Lagos, the shareholders demonstrated their support by voting in favour of the proposition to raise additional capital through a rights issue.

He said with this, the future looks bright for the company, adding that the company was still making efforts to ensure it meets the deadline for the recapitalisation, which is

December 31, 2020. “We are making progress in positioning our company for long-term sustainability, increasing our capital base, will enable us strengthen our balance sheet, provide additional capacity to underwrite more risks and deliver better returns to our shareholders. “Our history of stability and reliability has earned us a place of admiration in the minds of our esteemed customers. We are putting structures in place to continuously delight and excite them with innovative products and superior service experience�, the AIICO Insurance boss said.

‘Climatic Challenge to Cost Business Operators $2.5trn in 10Years’ Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS), in its session on Environment, Social and governance(ESG) predicted that climatic challenge alone would cost businesses worldwide over $2.5 trillion in the next ten years.

The company therefore said businesses should either tackle challenges from these trending issues or incur reputation damages or legal liabilities that would expose them to higher claims.

The global insurer identified key trends as climate change, water management , preservation of biodiversity degradation and saving resources , prevention of exploitation in supply chains as well as good corporate governance policy.

The company said these were five sustainability trends companies should watch in their business operations this year and beyond, adding that effective management of these sustainability issues was increasingly seen as a competitive advantage. “For companies today, it is no longer enough to focus only on delivering profits and creating value for shareholders, they also need to show that they are making a difference to the environment and society. “As demand for business to demonstrate its sustainability credentials grows, companies are being held accountable by consumers, investors, regulators and other stakeholders and increasingly face reputational damage or legal liabilities if they fail to appropriately manage ESG issues�.

Speaking on these issues, the Head of business Services, Allianz Global Corporate speciality, Chris Bonnet, said combatting climate change was the key challenge of the coming decade.

According to him, climatic change, ranked seventh in the Allianz Risk Barometer 2020,

adding that this has remained its highest-ever position – and was already affecting businesses in many ways, such as an increase in physical losses from more severe weather events or potential market and regulatory impacts such as carbon-emissions offsetting.

He said there were also litigation risks as climate change cases targeting ‘carbon majors,’ had already been brought in 30 countries around the world, with most cases filed in the US. “Companies are realising that they may face consumer criticism, reputational damage and increasing regulatory and legal action if they don’t adequately address climate change in their business strategy, operations and product offerings,�

According to him, many companies are now taking action by committing to becoming carbon-neutral and joining international de-carbonisation initiatives, due to reevaluation that responding to the challenges posed by climate change could cost companies worldwide as much as $2.5 trillion over the next 10 years.

He, however, said this could also provide new business opportunities, such as renewable energy production methods, CO2 capture, storage and removal or battery production.

On access to fresh water, Bonnet, said by 2050, the world’s population was expected to reach 9.7 billion.

He added that while global water demand was expected to increase by 20 per cent to 30 per cent, mainly due to demand in the industrial and domestic sectors. Currently, over two billion people were living in areas of high water stress and almost half of the global population – about four billion people – experience severe water scarcity during at least one month of the year.

CSR IN ACTION

L-R: Director General, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mrs. Yetunde Ilori; Chairman, Mr. Tope Smart, and representative of the Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary, Education District 2, Mr. Kola Fashoyin, at the inauguration of the School Hall of Baptist Junior High School, Obanikoro which was undertaken by the association in Lagos...recently

AXA Mansard Promotes Cultural Integration AXA Mansard, a member of AXA in partnership with Smithworks Limited, said it is committed to driving the sustenance of corporate performance through cultural integration.

The company, stated this at a recent forum it organised in Lagos.

The event which had the theme: “Leveraging Culture for

Driving and Sustaining Growth,� witnessed a live session and workshop with a global culture expert – Dave Eaton.

It was targeted at providing insights into key cultural dimensions and how businesses can leverage renewed culture to attract and retain top talents.

Speaking at the forum, the Head of Learning and Development at AXA Mansard Insurance,

Olumide Ekun, said the world was constantly changing and therefore the onus was on everyone to identify gaps between the culture and what was needed to achieve top performance across organisations.

In attendance were heads of public institutions, leaders of professional associations, human resources managers, project managers, small business

owners as well as leaders of private institutions and nonprofit organisations.

Ekun said, “At AXA Mansard, we constantly challenge ourselves to ensure we identify key cultural dimensions that can be used to map our organisation whilst identifying strengths and tailwinds we can leverage to produce even greater results in our organisational health.�

FBN Insurance Empowers Staff FBNInsurance Limited has explained its reason for embarking on quarterly training of its managers.

It explained that the exercise was targeted at continuous improvement of sales knowledge and capacity of its retail team as well as aligning the company’s sales team with its corporate strategy.

FBNInsurance Managing Director, Val Ojumah, said this at a recent training organised for the managers in Uyo, Akwa

Ibom State. “The firm recognises that the retail sales team, with its over 3000 sales force is crucial to its growth and its positioning as the insurance company to beat in the retail space,� he explained.

Ojumah, commended the efforts of the retail team and the sacrifice the team has made to put the firm in the top spot. “The retail team is the company’s potent sales force. This team of over 3000 vibrant men and women from all over Nigeria

has sold insurance under the sun and in the rain to ensure the company stays ahead in the retail space.�

He noted that every company that has set its eyes on being the best recognises the importance of having managers who can inspire their subordinates to be more diligent, adding that this is another reason for the institution of the FBNInsurance quarterly training.

According to Ojumah, FBNInsurance, was aware

that motivation is vital to the provision of exceptional service and its subsequent rewards, adding that key to this was training. “It is pertinent for us as a company to continuously train managers of the retail team on managing the retail workforce as well as addressing issues confronting the company, with a view to providing exceptional service to our customers, as well as motivating the retail sales force to strive for more.�

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BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Nigeria and Benefits of Reviving Cotton Sector

IPMAN Decries Closure of Warri Refinery Sylvester Idowu in Warri The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN), Delta State chapter has decried the prolonged closure of the Warri refinery.

The body alleged that the delay in putting the refineries to work was inimical to Nigerians.

The Chairman of IPMAN Delta State, Mr. Azino Oneimon, while speaking at a media briefing, said the Warri Refinery had been shut down for the past 20 months without any concrete steps to revive it. “The Warri refinery has been shut down for 20 months without any plausible reason. The public

is not aware of the reason behind the shutting down of Warri refinery. “Our refineries are not bad the way the NNPC has made the nation to believe. “After the junior workers strike, the Warri refinery has been down. When enquiries were made, we were told that the refinery is undergoing test and that when the test is finished, the refinery would be opened again. How long would the test continue?

We posit that there is more to the closure of the refineries,� he said. He queried: “The refineries are not working, yet you keep a large number of staff who you

pay monthly salary.�

Onoimon, further argued that the Warri Refinery was in good shape and fit for work. “It has no problem and it is functional. They decided to shut it down for their own selfish reasons. We have appealed to the WRPC on several occasions to reopen the Warri refinery. They insist that federal power has not given the authority to reopen the refinery.�

He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and ensure the reopening of all the refineries, particularly Warri Refinery which he insisted was still in good shape for production of petroleum products.

Signal Alliance Marks Customer Week Judith Obaze

EmeďŹ ele

Idris Hassan In the 1980s and 1990s, Nigeria had, unarguably, one of Africa’s largest textile industry with over 180 textile mills functioning optimally, employing close to over 450,000 workers and contributing in excess of 25 per cent of the workforce in the manufacturing sector. Sadly, that once vibrant textile industry, due to lack of vision on the part of those managing the economy at some point in time, became a shadow of its former self as most of the factories have all shut down, in some cases, taken over by churches and other sundry uneconomic ventures. Presently, less than 25 per cent of those can be said to be functioning.

It is from that perspective that one is inclined to assess the initiative by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), under the management of Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to revive the sector and restore it to its pristine position. The driving force is the determination on the part of the CBN to help the cotton and textile industry bounce back while at the same time working on its production capacity to create job opportunities and as such boost the economy.

Cotton and textile manufacture launched some Asian economies and helped them find a foothold in the technological space. China and India used their processed cotton materials to compete in the international market place.

In the heydays of the textile sector in Nigeria, India, for instance, used to boast of being the second largest employer of labour after the federal government and they were referring to their dominance in the textile manufacturing sector. At that time, they produced their textile materials locally using the nation’s cotton. This, invariably, contributed immensely to the Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is with nostalgia that we recall the Aswani Company among many others. They lost steam due the import substitution policies of various administrations that did not see the harm being caused to the economy by that preference for cheaper, highly subsidised imported brands. Nigerian companies that were doing very well in the sector soon buckled under fierce foreign competition.

It got so bad that when the United States of America put in place the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a piece of legislation that was approved by that country’s legislature, The Congress, in May 2000, Nigeria could not participate in the benefits of that legislation the purpose of which was to assist the economies of sub-Saharan Africa and to improve economic relations between the United States and the region. One of the key components of AGOA was the expansion of market access for textile and apparel goods into the United States.

Regrettably, this policy came into effect at a time the Nigerian Cotton and textile sector was in distress as the cultivation of cotton as a cash crop was in sharp decline with a catastrophic effect on textile material production in Nigeria. Local production of cotton fabrics became unattractive due to a combination of factors largely related to preference for cheaper imported brands. Also local farmers were bugged

down by inadequate financial support where it is available at all, a situation that was made worse by the absence of high yielding and improved seedlings, lack of other inputs that would have encouraged and enhanced activities in the sector.

It is, however, gratifying, that the situation in that sector of the nation’s economy is improving with the audacious intervention of the CBN under Emefiele, who, through a deliberate policy, designed efforts to diversify the economy by supporting the increase of production of various goods and services in the country especially in the agricultural sector.

Specifically, and in a bid to revive the cotton and textile sector, the CBN approved a loan of N19.18 billion to nine cotton-producing firms disbursed at a single-digit interest rate. Suddenly, the once almost moribund National Cotton Association of Nigeria and Ginning Companies were revitalised and incentivised which led to a steady off-take and processing of cotton lint and cotton seeds.

This policy was and still is part of the thinking directed at enabling the firms to retool their processing plants, assist in sustaining their operations and improving their production capacity by making available to them improved, and high yielding seedlings. The general idea is to improve the linkage between cotton farmers and ginneries, by ensuring that ginneries are able to off-take the high-quality cotton produced by these farmers.

Textile and garment firms were not left out in the arrangement. The decision to ban the importation of textiles was part of it. Even more helpful is the support of the federal government. It directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to give preference to local content in their procurement of goods and services. In that direction, the CBN is collaborating with the uniformed agencies.

It is interesting to note that the intervention in the cotton sector had previously taken about N50 billion which may eventually run into N100 billion. To drive the process, the Textile Revival Implementation Committee was set up to ensure the success of the sector.

It is pertinent to point out that this policy of the apex bank is progressing satisfactorily in its implementation. It is also having the desired impact on the sector and the economy at large. This is in spite of the unpatriotic activities of those who had benefitted from the past policy missteps channeled at sabotaging what is, to all intents and purposes, a well thought out development oriented framework to return the nation to the path of sustained growth and placing agriculture where it used to be as the mainstay of the economy. The current policy of the apex is one that has a long gestation period. That is why those presently driving it must remain steadfast, focused to ensure its irreversibility so that succeeding managers will recognise its viability and the necessity of ensuring its continuity. The way to achieve that is through capacity building and synergy that will guarantee a buy-in by all stakeholders who will appreciate the inherent benefits that derives from its sustainability. The gains derivable therefrom are such that cannot be left to slip by.

Hassan is a public affairs analyst

Signal Alliance, Nigeria’s technology integration and transformation company recently celebrated its 2020 Customer Week.

The firm stated this during a launch in Lagos, recently. The event held from March 9 to March 13, 2020.

According to the firm, the Customer Week is a period set aside annually for Signal Alliance to appreciate its numerous customers, partners and other stakeholders who have made the previous year a success and identify with the various communities that have supported the business in diverse capacity. “As a tradition over the past 10 years of its inception, the Customer Week is held within the 1st quarter of the year with various activities during the week,� the firm stated.

Also speaking, the Executive Vice-Chairman , Signal Alliance,

Collins Onuegbu expressed excitement about the activities that were lined up for the event. “2020 is a unique year because it also marks the beginning of a new decade. So, the activities we have put together are unique in several ways. “Apart from expressing our gratitude to customers and partners who have stood by us in the past year, it’s important that we demonstrate both in words and action their importance to our business success,� he said.

Additionally, the company partnered HBSAN, ISPON and FinTech 1000+, to bring together 20 Nigerian technology thinkers and influencers to a roundtable conversation to review the past 20 years of tech in Nigeria and make forecasts for now and the next two decades. In the same vein, the Marketing Manager, Adebola Adeyinka, said, “we do not take for granted the pivotal contribution of our customers to

the growth of our organization, this program is one of the many ways we appreciate them for trusting us with their business and standing by us through the years.�

Some other key activities for week included media session, Customer TownHall, Signal Alliance Enterprise Customers Night and other interactive activities aimed at delighting customers throughout the week.

Signal Alliance since inception has grown to be one of the leading technology integrators for corporate organisations in Nigeria, with experience in enterprise technology services, from Cloud Technology, Infrastructure & Enterprise Services, Data & AI, IT Security, Managed/Outsourced Services and Enterprise Software services.

Signal Alliance has also extended its services with subsidiaries and affiliates in renewable energy, health technology, FinTech and Enterprise Resource Planning.

Chi Limited Wins Food and Beverages Award Chi Limited has been named the 2019 Food and Beverage Company of the Year at the recently held Independent Newspaper Pacesetters awards.

The recognition was in honour of the company’s drive for innovative products and offerings, which it said played a vital role in deepening competition in the juice, dairy & snack segments of the Nigerian market.

According to a statement from the organisers, Chi Limited has not only deepened competition in the juice, dairy and snack segments, but its quality offerings are now products of first choice for most consumers in Nigeria.

“Chi Limited has made conscious efforts to maintain its leadership role in the Juice, Dairy and Snack categories of the Nigerian market. Its innovative products, packaging, deliberate consumer targeting with healthy product variants and an efficient product distribution that ensures product availability to consumers across Nigeria are commendable. “It is for these reasons that we have bestowed on the organization the richly deserved 2019 Food and Beverage Company of the Year Award,� they stated.

Managing Director of Chi Limited, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, while thanking the Independent

Newspaper Pacesetters Awards for the recognition, emphasised the company’s commitment to continually catering to the Nigerian consumer’s need for health, nutrition and refreshment with the best quality juice, value added dairy products, and snacks. “We have received this recognition as the 2019 Food and Beverage Company of the Year by consistently delivering healthy beverages with superior value. The award validates our commitments to superior quality, good nutrition and health standards that exceeds consumer expectation,� he said.

Chinese Regulator Pushes for Accident Insurance Reform The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) has released a document titled ‘Opinions on Accelerating the Reform of Accident Insurance’ that outlines the changes it wants to see in the country’s accident insurance market. According to insurancebusinessmag.com, by the CBIRC, the document aims to better protect the legitimate rights and interests of insurance consumers, and to promote the high-quality development of the accident insurance market.

The regulator said that it wants

to “rectify the chaotic situation� of the accident insurance market over the next two years and establish a solid foundation of a standardised and orderly market.

By the end of 2021, the CBIRC expects that the market-oriented formation mechanism for accident insurance tariffs to be approaching completion, with significantly improved standardisation. Other main tasks include improving the actuarial system of accident insurance, establishing the mechanism for retrospective adjustment of tariffs, compiling an accident insurance incidence table, and

promoting product innovation.

In order to strengthen market conduct supervision, the CBIRC will work towards improvement of the market conduct supervision system, establishment of a sound information disclosure mechanism, and strengthening of anti-fraud work. This includes establishing a long-term cooperative mechanism against insurance fraud. “The Opinions is of great significance for deepening the reform of the accident insurance market, improving the capability of accident insurance to serve the economic and social

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Ezeobi: Cable Manufacturing Industry Needs Govt’s Support The Chief Executive Officer, Zobis Cables Nigeria Limited, a wire manufacturing company based in Anambra, Mr. John Ezeobi, in this interview laments that importation of inferior cables continues to hinder the growth of domestic manufacturers. David-Chyddy Eleke brings the excerpts: How can cable manufacturing industry in Nigeria contribute more to economic growth?

First of all, I must say that the cable manufacturing sector is already doing a lot in terms of employment generation and saving of foreign currency. An emerging cable manufacturing company no matter how small, needs not less than 100 staff to run smoothly, and the big players have between 400 and 800 direct staff. We have not considered indirect employments. In terms of conservation of foreign currency, Nigeria is a very big market in which massive volume of importation of cables is going on. What that means is that the country is spending so much on foreign currency which leads to unfavorable balance of trade. But we, the manufacturers are helping to reduce the volume of imports closing the supply gap with quality locally produced cables.

What are the major challenges facing the Nigerian cable industry?

The problems are simple, they are mainly poor electricity supply and proliferation of substandard imported cables. The power supply situation is so bad that we wholly rely on self-generated power for us to function optimally. The money spent on generators, fueling and maintenance of generators is building huge so much into our operational cost, this makes our products more expensive than they should be especially when compared to the imported variety. So, we need government to fix the power sector making electricity providers to give a minimum of 18 hours of supply daily.

Again, most imported cables are substandard quality and of low prices, they are putting undue pressure on Nigeria products, the federal government needs to protect the local industry by checking indiscriminate imports of foreign cable.

How did Zobis Cables grow to become a cable manufacturing company?

I started as a trading company; that is buying and sell of electrical cables, from there we graduated to importation of these cables before deciding to go into full manufacturing. Zobis decided to go into manufacturing because most imported cables and wires do not have guarantee. As an importer, if you go to foreign company and give them specification of what you want, they produce something else.

What do you do when a wrong speciďŹ cation or substandard cable is shipped to you?

When a batch of substandard product arrives Nigeria, it is very expensive to send them back to country of origin, the importer will be forced to sell below cost price to dispose them, it is impossible to say you want to screen the individual quality of over 10,000 coils of cable, so most times you are selling what you are not sure of.

Was there any government policy that made you to go into production?

No, there was no policy of federal government be it monetary or fiscal that made us to go into manufacturing, it was just part of our expansion plan. We saw an opportunity and decided to take advantage, because at a time it became difficult to source for Nigerian produced cable. Those manufacturing it were few and the demand for it was quite high.

How did the journey to Zobis Manufacturing Company all start?

In 2012 we ventured into the process, built the factory, installed machines and other preliminaries before the exchange rate became so high that we could not continue because of dollar rate.

We waited and monitored the economy and when it became clear the exchange range had

Ezeobi become stable though at a high rate, we felt we could now plan with some degree of certainty and that was how we effectively commenced production in 2019.

What range of products does Zobis offer?

We produce wide variety of house wiring and low voltage cables like single, flat and flexible cables in different sizes which include 1.0mm single cables,1.5mm single cable, 2.5mm single cable, 4.0mm single cables.

So why should we patronise Nigerian made cables and wires?

The advantage of patronising made in Nigeria cable is that there is an industrial standard, if the product is certified it gains universal acceptance, before you move the product out of the factory, the quality control department must confirm that it conforms with the approved standard.

There are government agencies that regulate the market, they are out there checking compliance, if you are found wanting, you will be made to face severe consequence. No producer will like to invest and lose his money. If an investor works hard to build a brand, he will not want to rubbish the brand and lose his investment because he wants to cut cost or engage in unwholesome industrial practice, what that means is that locally produced cables are guaranteed.

What are some of the negative effects of poor quality cable?

Poor quality cables and wire are partly responsible for electric fires incidences we have.

If the copper that is used is free of impurity, it will not easily ignite in the event of surge but substandard wire will burn through because of the impurity.

What is the local content of raw materials that go into the manufacturing of local cable products?

The locally sourced raw materials that goes into our manufacturing process is about 60 per cent and 40 per cent are imported, this is an improvement on the past when the raw materials were 100 per cent imported. The major inputs are copper and Polyvinyl Chloride PVCs; for copper we have indigenous copper manufacturers who produce that and it is about 99.9 per pure. But we still import PVC because the ones we have here are not up to standard, some of them don’t withstand heat and it does not give smooth finish.

How saturated is the Nigerian cable manufacturing industry?

Nigeria market is very large and can accommodate more 100 manufacturers, our major challenge is the influx of substandard foreign products, importers are killing the sector with low quality and cheap products. I want to encourage more people to come into the industry for there to be more competition because competition gives birth to superior ideas which will further increase our overall competitiveness.

Foundation Supports Less Privileged Children Oluchi Chibuzor Black Diamonds Support Foundation (BDSF), a nongovernmental organisation in partnership with Total Women Initiative for Communication and Exchange (TWICE) has supported over 1,000 kids in Otto, a community in Lagos, with food packs, textbooks, clothes and school bags.

The effort was aimed at encouraging kids in the hardto-reach communities to embrace education and channel their energy into productive activities, contrary to what is obtainable in their environment. This, according to the NGO, was a follow up to Project 5000KIDS which it held previously in Lagos state, alongside its One Girl, One Pad drive, Walk and Talk Against Rape and Abuse and free drug distribution after basics checkups.

Speaking at the event, held in the suburb, tagged, “Project 1000KIDS�, the founder, BDSF,

Mrs. Adewunmi Adefunke, said it was necessary to support indigent in the society.

According to her, “I am more excited, the children are more organised, want to learn and the community is peaceful; I just hope the children will want to go to school more and more empowered so that our today’s effort will not be in vein. “We empower them vocationally, medically, educationally and our core target is mainly indigent families, kids. Today’s is our first partnership with TWICE to attend to 1000 children. “We are going to feed them and educate the teenagers among them on rape and abuse and given them sanitary pads. There will be also talks on hygiene, baths and how to wash their mouth,� she said.

For the kids it was succor coming at the right moment as it helped in ameliorating their educational challenges and further stimulates interest in achieving dreams in life.

Olamide kabiru, a primary 3 pupils said, “With this bags and books I will use it to learn how to read and write when I get to my school.�

Also, another student, Abosede Timothy said: “I appreciate the organisers for choosing our community to come and give us all this for free,�.

For the volunteers, it was an opportunity to serve the community in various capacity, as stated by Stella Chima; who was on duty to carter for the medical needs of the children during the event. “We always concentrate on slum communities that are neglected and try as much as possible to get them trained in small scale businesses, with which they can feed their families, especially the less privileged, widows, single mothers.

The NGO was established in memory of Eyesorun Adewumi and in furtherance of her philanthropic works, which saw her feed and house indigent kids in and around her community.

Utomi, Durotoye, Akumah For Salem’s Entrepreneurs Parley Uche Nnaike Prof. Pat Utomi, Tara FelaDurotoye and Onyeka Akumah are among leading professionals expected as speakers at the fourth business programme of Salem International Christian Centre, Exploit4, scheduled to hold on in Lagos, tomorrow.

The forum, with the theme, ‘Exponential Growth in Challenging Times,’ aims at helping already established businesses

and start-ups build the needed capacity for business growth and overall success.

According to the host, Enobong Etteh, the event would be an innovation sharing session to give entrepreneurs wings to fly above the challenging times in the country’s economy and further empower entrepreneurs of any scale for enduring success in their respective fields. “We are using the opportunity to empower our

congregation and the general public with business knowledge, ideas and insights to help them maximise their potential in life especially in the area of running a successful business,� he stated.

Etteh, added that the business empowerment aspect of the Achievers International Conference (AIC) would feature speakers with great spirit of enterprise, adding that Utomi would be the keynote speaker.

Group Canvases Policies for Equal Opportunities for Women Funmi Ogundare The President Women in Energy Network (WIEN) and Managing Director Sigma Oil and Gas, Mrs. Funmi Ogbue, has called on the federal and state governments to strengthen existing policies so as to attract more women into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

She added that governments at all levels must also promote women leadership in the energy sector by appointing more women as heads of agencies, parastatals and institutions at sectional, regional and international levels.

Ogbue, made the call at WIEN’s breakfast session to commemorate the 2020 International Women’s Day, with the theme,

‘Closing the Energy Gap,’ held in Lagos recently.

She said the energy sector has continued to remain male-dominated at all levels, from leadership roles in major corporations to jobs working in mines and on oil rigs.

According to her, “The debate about greater women inclusion in the energy landscape in particular and the economic, educational and political space in general, must not be muted. “This is because statistics indicate that women and girls are at the receiving end of an almost systematic gender gap in Nigeria. “For instance, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators compiled from officially recognised sources, the percentage of women participa-

tion in the labour force in Nigeria was reported at 45.57 per cent in 2019. “Also, women in Nigeria earn less than 60 per cent of what their male counterparts earn for similar work, just as another World Bank study also showed that while the rate of establishment of women owned businesses is quite high, these businesses are usually smaller, in the informal sector, in low value-addition sectors, and regularly underperform those owned by men.�

She stressed the need for women to take leadership positions and develop their capacity to lead effectively, adding that an inclusive financing options must be made for women and girls so as to boost their economic capabilities.

Page Financials Pledges Support for Arts Page Financials has pledged its support for the promotion of arts and culture in Nigeria. This, according to the firm, was in line with its vision to drive increased awareness of the country’s local talents. Delivering the opening remarks at the private viewing of the stage play titled ‘AREMU’, a showcase of the historical legacy of former

president Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, a statement quoted the CEO of Page Financials, Mr. Segun Akintemi, to have reinforced the need to document historical references of the country’s heritage as evident in the play about the life and times of the former president.

According to Akintemi, “In the seventh year of our

operations, it is time to show support for an industry that has shown tremendous growth in the same period that we have been in operations. “We commend the commitment of the giants in the inclusive industry from film to music and fashion and to stage plays which has suddenly come alive to the benefit of the Nigerian populace�.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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IMAGES

Hon. Minister of Works & Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola,SAN (middle), Minister of State in the Ministry, Mr.Abubakar Aliyu (left) and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works & Housing, Mr Bukar Mohammed(right) shortly after the conferment of Honorary Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) on the Hon. Minister at the Ministry of Works and Housing Headquarters, Mabushi, Abuja...recently

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍś, 2020

Photo Editor ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ ÔËÖË Email Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ë›Ă‹Ă”Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

Governor of Osun State, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola; a student from Osun who came ďŹ rst, Akintade Abdullah Akanbi; President Muhmmadu Buhari;and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonaya Onu, during the presentation of presidential Awards to the winners of the 774 Young Nigerian scientists in Abuja...recently

L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Permanent Secretary, OďŹƒce of Drainage Services, Mr. Lekan Sodeinde and Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, during an inspection of drainage channels across the State‌recently

L-R: General Manager, HR/Admin, Dangote Sugar, Mr. Hassan Salisu; Ag. Managing Director, Mr. Ravindra Singh Singhvi; Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries, Senator Adebayo Osinowo and Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council, Dr. Latif Busari, during a facility tour of Dangote Sugar ReďŹ nery Plc’s Complex, at Apapa Wharf by the Senate Committee on Industries,in Lagos‌recently.

L-R: Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council, Jelani Aliyu; Governor of Sokoto, Rt Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and Head of Marketing, PAN Nigeria Ltd, Joseph Adesanya during the inspection of PAN-Higger HSC, a new product of PAN Nigeria at the agg o Argungu Motor Rally in Sokoto...recently

L-R: Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe and Channel Director Africa Magic, Wangi Mba Uzoukwu at the 7th Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award held in Lagos...recently

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed (L)receiving a souvenir from the wife of Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Zainab ShinkaďŹ -Bagudu, during the 2020 Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival in Kebbi State...recently

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L-R: National Chairman, Green party of Nigeria, Chief Sam Eke; Spoke Person, Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Mr. Ugo Chinyere and National Chairman, Action Alliance (AA), Barr. Kenneth Udeze, during the CUPP press conference to stop federal government from borrowing or accessing 22.7 Billion Dollar foreign loan in Abuja...recently PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN

L-R: Supervisor Women Aairs and Poverty Alliviation (WAPA), Mrs. Omosalewa Agunbiade; Director General, NEMAPP for Nigeria Necessary Measures Against Poverty and Pervasion, Hon. Abdulrasaq Olawumi Ajetunmobi; Chairman, Apapa Local Government, Hon. Adele Owolabi Elijah; Director of Operations, Speed Up Lagos, Princess Gbemisola Ajetunmobi; and Women Aairs and Poverty Alliviation (WAPA), Mrs. Toyin Onanubi at the Apapa Local Government 3 Weeks Life Enhancement Skill Training Graduation /CertiďŹ cate presentation ceremony, held in Lagos‌recently PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R; Marketing Communications Manager, Rosabon Financial Services, Stephen Shofu; CEO, Classy Glam Make-up, Chidinma Ezeani; CEO, Naomi Apparels Fashion, Taiwo Temitope; CEO, Josypat Aairs, Nkechi Njoku; and Lead, Financial Product Development, Rosabon Financial Services, Vivian Chiokwa, during the presentation of the Rosabon One Million naira Grant cheque to MamaMoni Empowerment Foundation in Lagos...recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu (right); Chief Medical Director, Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, Dr Madewa Adebajo and a toddler who is one of the victims of Sunday’s explosion at Abule Ado during the visit of Sanwo-Olu to the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Ojo...recently

Nigerian actor, model and presenter,Timini Egbuson (middle) celebrating with colleagues and friends after winning an award at the 7th Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award in Lagos...recently

L-R: Child Nutrition Advocate, Toyin Onigbanjo; Special Guest, Sola Adesakin; Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora and Special Guest, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Convener, Inspiring Change Conference, an initiative for inspiring women, Sunmbo Adeoye; Special Guest, Sumbo Ankarami; and Founder/chief Executive OďŹƒcer of Rheytrak, Eno Essien at the 7th edition of Inspiring Change Conference held in Agege, Lagos .. recently

L-R: Immediate past Chairman, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Laolu Adedapo-Aisida; APWEN President, Funmilola Ojelade; MD/CEO Olivet cloud solutions Nigeria Limited, Chioma Hope Okoli-Chimamanda and Lagos APWEN Chairman, Mary Afolayan, during the investiture ceremony of Mary Afolayan as the 8th Chairman of APWEN Lagos and to commemorate international women’s day in Lagos.. recently

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍś, 2020

EDUCATION Corona School Gives Girl Second Chance at Education with Six-year Scholarship Sunday Ehigiator narrates how Corona Schools Trust Council rekindled the hope of 19-yearold Jennifer Williams, an amputee by giving her a second chance to quality education with a fully paid six years scholarship programme at Corona Secondary School, following the intervention of Slum2School Foundation

C

orona Schools’ Trust Council has rekindled the hope of Jennifer Williams, whose hope of acquiring secondary education was nearly dashed due to life circumstances. She was offered the Nora Majekodunmi Special Category Scholarship Award, which runs into millions of naira annually, for the six years she would be schooling at Corona Secondary School, Agbara. Although the scholarship is one normally given on academic merit, it was given to her on the basis of a need.

Born to a mixed parents from Ondo and Delta States, Williams was in primary three when she started to nurse the dream of becoming a renowned fashion designer with her own clothing lines. However, tragedy struck! She was just an adolescent in junior secondary two (JS2), preparing for promotion exams when a strange boil started to grow on her left hand, which was her predominant hand.

A small boil, turned small sore, and small sore, started to spread through the affected arm, causing her excruciating pains, which later kept her out of school for six years, even as her parents struggled to get her help. As if the injury to her arm, and losing her chances to education wasn’t enough, as her ordeal lasted, her father; an offshore worker in whom she had a best friend passed on, forcing her mother, a petty trader, to relocate her, alongside her five younger siblings from Delta State to Ogun State.

For the next six years Jennifer had to live with the indelible sore and she thought all hopes were lost. According to her, “with heavy hearts and tears, I would sit outside and look at other children going to school and also watch them return home. At a stage, children in my area started describing me by my predicament. I could not stand the pains and shame anymore, and sometime in April 2019, my mum decided to take me to live with my uncles who live across waters in Ajah, Lagos State. That was where hope found me.�

Slum2School Foundation had gone for a medical outreach in the small village Jennifer was, when one of Jennifer’s uncles, Chris Williams approached the founder of the foundation, Mr. Otto Orondaam to help wade into Jennifer’s situation.

Subsequently, Slum2School decided to take up her treatment.�

According to Orondaam, “when we took up the case, we initially tried all we could to still save the hand, but the situation seemed not to be improving.

We were left with no other option but to amputate the hand before it gets to her shoulder.�

As tears rolled down the checks of the soft spoken Jennifer, she added “the first day Slum2School saw me, my hopes were restored. When they told me at the hospital that they have to amputate my left hand, I agreed to it because there was no other better option, as the hand was draining my strength and the pain was no longer bearable. I couldn’t even walk a short distance. Now I am very strong and can walk miles if I am asked to. “I am now more determined. Within a month I started practicing to use my right hand, and now I can write with it, wash by myself, cook with it, draw and design with just a hand. I started learning how to write with my right hand immediately I left the hospital. I would take a book filled with words, and another plain one and start copying what they wrote on the

The Vice-Principal, Pastoral, Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Mr. Adesuyi Adejumo; the Principal, Mrs. Chinedum Oluwadamilola; the beneďŹ ciary, Jennifer Williams; Founder, Slum2 School Foundation, Mr. Otto Orondaam; and Vice-Principal, Academics, Mr. Paul Obah, during the scholarship presentation ceremony book into the plain book. Though I’m still improving as I’m yet to be fast and smooth at writing, but I’m determined to master it so I can regain my beautiful handwriting.

Orondaam further revealed that after Jennifer recovered from the operation, returning to school became her new song.

Hence the Slum2School Foundation took it upon itself not only to return Jennifer to school, but ensure she gets quality education.

He stated: “We sent out a lot of request to secondary schools asking them to give her scholarship. We had a lot of disappointments and few acceptances, however, we wanted the best out of the best we

I started learning how to write with my right hand immediately I left the hospital. I would take a book ďŹ lled with words, and another plain one and start copying what they wrote on the book into the plain book. Though I’m still improving as I’m yet to be fast and smooth at writing, but I’m determined to master it so I can regain my beautiful hand writing

got, and Corona, being one of the best in Africa, was just the perfect school we wanted her to be. I am so grateful to Corona for accepting her to school here on scholarship basis. I was moved to tears by the reception. And I am further convinced that this rare privilege isn’t only genuine, but part of the Corona foundation.�

Speaking with THISDAY, the Principal, Corona Secondary School, Mrs. Chinedum Oluwadamilola said charity works had always been a part of the school’s character. “Corona schools have been known over the years for reaching out to the less privileged.

Not only do we have adopted schools, all the classes have an adopted charity which they work with, and reach out to.

And group of our students likewise have community service initiatives which go from provision of toilet and toiletries to library, science room, among others. “When the CEO of Corona Schools Trust Council, Mrs. Adeyoyin Adesina mentioned that Slum2School had approached the council to bring in a child into the secondary school, who is an indigent student, and incidentally, an amputee, for an offer of scholarship, we were much opened to it.�

With hope rekindled, Jennifer was invited to the school to bond with students and also subject to academic assessment for a few weeks. The lucky girl excelled and motherluck smiled at her. The board eventually approved the scholarship in February and was taking through the whole admission processes and here she is today.�

While promising that Jennifer would have a good stay at the school, Oluwadamilola expressed hope that the opportunity would mark a turning point in her life. “And with these qualities and exposure to quality education in a place such as Corona School, it’s surely the beginning of a great thing.�

While encouraging those going through various life challenges at the moment with the story of Jennifer, the principal said, “life has its way of bringing our way

what we desire and seriously yarn for. So Jenifer is a good example of that, and she is not a bitter child. Of course, I’m sure she would have some settling challenges like any other child coming in to school in a strange environment, but I’m sure she would cope and we definitely would support her.�

Having successfully facilitated a presidential ‘welcome reception’ in honour of Jennifer, who was moved to tears upon seeing the level of acceptance from the students, the Head Boy of the school, Gbenuola Olaiya, and the Head Girl, Freda Uchebenu said they were happy to have Jennifer with them.

Olaiya said: “I love what Corona is doing. I don’t think many schools could do this. We are glad to have her here and we hope that she blends well with other students and have a very good time here.

Her story just ignites a fire in me that one should keep pushing to be the best one can be no matter what life throws at you.�

For Uchebenu, her love for children didn’t only make her dream of becoming a pediatrician one day, but also created a soft spot in her for children with remarkable stories as Jennifers’. She described Jennifer who she had a direct encounter with during her short stay in the school as “a very open and receptive person.

She talks to you like a normal person not an amputee. She is courageous and doesn’t like to be pitied. I like her courage and I’m very excited she is here with us because she would be able to show other students our equality. It is going to be a learning opportunity for all of us because in life, challenges may come but we need to be strong and ready to overcome them.�

With Jennifer’s dream to become a fashion designer still intact, she thanked God for using Slum2School Foundation, staff and students of Corona Secondary School to rewrite her story, even as she encouraged others alike never to give up in life, no matter the challenges.

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T H I S D AY Ëž MARCH 18, 2020

EDUCATION

Anambra Private Schools Commence Strike to Protest Multiple Taxation David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Private schools in Anambra State on Monday commenced a three-day warning strike to protest multiple levies slammed on them by government agents in the state.

The warning strike THISDAY learnt was to attract the attention of Governor Willie Obiano over what they described as “extortionist agenda’’ of the

agents of the state government against private school owners in the state.

In a joint press conference held by two major private school association in the state: Owners of Private Schools Association of Nigeria (OPSAN) and National Association of Proprietors of Private schools (NAPPS), the leader of the joint group, Uzochukwu Nwanonyuo said the warning strike became nec-

essary as the state government had not shown enough concern to address the issue of multiple taxation slammed on private schools across the state.

Nwanonyuo said: “We pay various levies, some of them which could not be receipted had been introduced into the private schools with the aim of extorting the schools. “Private schools which render

social services to children have been unfortunately classified as ‘business enterprises’ and as such government demand huge sums of money from them without the schools getting anything in return.�

He paintede a graphic picture of how thugs hired by the agents of the state government invaded a private school at Nkpor, near Onitsha in company of some

policemen to enforce their multiple revenue generation and in the process the proprietor of the school was shot dead by the police.

While appealing to Obiano to intervene in the multiple taxation against private school owners in the state, the President of NAPPS, Mrs. Amaka Ezedebego, and Mrs. F.C Orikeze, an educationist warned against

the dangers of using thugs to invade schools where children are taught, in the name of generating revenue for the state.

They complained that these government agents had in the past impounded a branded school bus conveying school children to their homes and forced the children to leave the vehicle, while they diverted the bus to an unknown destination.

ASUU Flays Nonconstitution of Varsities Governing Councils James Sowole in Akure The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has described as unacceptable the failure of the federal government to reconstitute governing councils of some public universities, whose tenures have expired.

The union also faulted the practice whereby the government allows acting vice- chancellors to remain in office for more than six months permitted by the extant law.

The position of the union was disclosed by the Coordinator of the Akure Zone of ASUU, Prof.

Olu Olufayo, while speaking with journalists in Akure, Ondo State on the compliance of university lecturers in the zone with the ongoing ASUU warning strike.

The Akure Zone comprises Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) and Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti branches of the union.

Olufayo, who was supported by chairmen of branches in the zone, noted that the current strike was not only because of the non-payment of February salary of university workers over IPPIS issue, but also because

the federal government failed to implement agreement reached during a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on January 9, 2020 which covers six areas of universities’ needs Specifically, ASUU stated that the tenures of governing councils of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Federal University, Lokoja, Federal University Oye Ekiti among others have expired, while government has not done the needful which resulted in administrative recklessness. “The union also notes that there are some universities, against known universities’ tradition, which are being headed by acting vice-chancellors whose tenure should not exceed six months. “A good example of such is Federal University, Dutsin-Ma where six acting vice-chancellors have served in two years with each drawing full entitlements of a substantive vice-chancellor. “It is still bewildering the ostrich- like attitude of the tederal and state governments to the clarion call of our union in setting up a visitation panel to investigate the administrations of such universities, especially where such had not taken place in the last five years,� Olufayo stated.

Greensprings School Postpones Kanu Football Camp Indefinitely Following the global spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the management of Greensprings School, Lagos has announced the indefinite postponement of its annual Greensprings Kanu Football Camp. The event was originally scheduled to run from April 5-10, 2020.

Announcing the postponement, the school’s Head of Corporate Strategy, Mr. Uche Ogbu said, “it was a tough decision for us to postpone the football camp, as many parents have already registered their children for the ninth edition of the football camp. Initially, we were hoping that the Coronavirus pandemic would get better, but there hasn’t been any meaningful improvement.

Therefore, we had to make the hard decision of postponing the camp. “We did this in compliance with the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s recommendation that mass gathering of people should be avoided. Moreover, the safety of children that would be attending the camp is very

important to us.�

Ogbu also explained how the school is taking other precautionary measures to keep the virus at bay, adding that the students of the school have been well-educated on how to protect themselves and their family from the virus.

He added that hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed at strategic locations within the three campuses of the school, as well as in the special needs school - Anthos House.

Greensprings Kanu Football Camp is an annual football camp for children between the ages of five and 17. It is a five-day intensive football training project, whereby children undergo mentorship from Kanu Nwankwo and some European coaches. The ultimate prize of the camp is the scholarship to study in Greensprings School which is awarded to the most promising player of the camp, as part of the school’s corporate social responsibility.

R-L: The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Rasheed; the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Arc. Sonny Echono; former Executive Secretary, NUC, Professor Peter Okebukola; Director, Executive Secretary’s OďŹƒce, NUC, Mr. Chris Maiyaki; and ACE Project Coordinator, Dr. Joshua Atah, at the opening of the ACE regional workshop in Abuja... recently

Coronavirus: Babcock Restricts Students’ Movement The Vice-Chancellor, Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, Professor Ademola Tayo has reassured students that his administration is working hard to keep off Coronavirus from the institution with the temporary restriction on students’ movement out of the campus.

Speaking at the opening of the institution’s 2020 career fair held recently and attended by over 74 firms, including banks, recruitment agencies and foreign universities, Tayo called for students’ understanding.

He said though the temporary restriction may not have gone down well with some students, it was in students’ interest to ensure that nothing came in between the planned June 7 graduation. “If any student should travel home and return with the virus, the school will be closed down and as a result, June 7 graduation

will be affected,� he explained.

According to him, once the school is shut, the ripple effect of the closure cannot be fathomed as NYSC mobilisation and many institutions would also be affected. “This is more reason we are working hard to shut Coronavirus out of Babcock University. Anything that will not make June 7 a reality would be resisted by the administration and in a matter of weeks your semester exams would be over and you can fly like butterflies,� he said.

The annual event provided opportunity for the final year students to meet with employers of labour, foreign universities for further studies, among others.

The VC congratulated the students for making it to the final year and urged them to make use of the opportunity to interface with multi-national companies, recruitment agencies

and make the best use of the programme.

Tayo, accompanied by all the principal officers of the university, described the programme as an eye opener, as it brings students face to face with employers of labour who may need their services after graduation, as well as opportunity to be trained on how to handle job interviews, package good CVs, meet foreign universities for further studies, among others. “What you learn at school is quite different from what it is outside there. So you need to get yourself ready for the world of work or further studies. This kind of job fair is useful because the serious ones would use it to pen down institutions they would later seek, either for internship, work or further studies.

Meanwhile, cheques totaling N1 million from Babcock University unengaged alumni

were presented to five alumni of the school with the best business proposals as part of the VC’s efforts to empower them.

The beneficiaries, who got N200,000 each, were Izang Nehemiah, Frances OrIbhabor, Constance Emmanuel, Adeyanju Omolola and Ogunsanwo Akinwunmi.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Emmanuel, whose business proposal was on bridals and event planning, thanked the institution for giving back and encouraging them to start their own businesses.

She said she would use the windfall from the university in expanding her business.

In another development, the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu said the spirit of national sacrifice and patriotism was paramount if Nigeria is to compete with the world.

MOUAU VC Vows to Enhance Veterinary Medicine as 34 Graduands Take Oath Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia The Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Professor Francis Otunta has expressed the management’s willingness to strengthen the College of Veterinary Medicine to boost its teaching and research activities.

He gave the assurance at the seventh oath-taking/induction ceremony of 2018/2019 veterinary medicine graduands, saying that “the university management attaches great importance to the training of veterinary doctors.�

To this end, he stated that

the management has supported all programmes and activities directed towards the enhancement of research and learning in the CVM. According to him, the 34 DVM graduands, who were conferred with the legal rights to practice as veterinary surgeons within Nigeria were “trained, mentored and equipped with the necessary skills and competencies.�

The VC noted that the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) has over the years sustained its collaboration with MOUAU in the training of veterinary surgeons, adding

that the efforts have continued to yield desired fruits.

He also commended the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) for its role in organising and enhancing the practice of veterinary medicine in the country.

In his remarks, the Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, Professor Maduike Ezeibe said the college is living up to the mandate of the veterinary profession, which includes use of animals for research in order to improve human health and national economy. “At present, we are working

on how to improve the economy by reducing production cost for kilo of meat,� he said.

The dean stated that the CVM has already demonstrated with experimental feed that it could reduce the cost of meat production, adding that production cost for 1kg of broiler meat has been reduced by as much as N300. “Also, the age at which the broilers mature for dressing was reduced to only four weeks which means quick turn over,�

Ezeibe said, adding that “since this has worked for broilers it shall also work with pigs and other food animals.�

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T H I S D AY Ëž MARCH 18, 2020

EDUCATION

FSTCY Principal Pledges Improved Staff, Student Performance, Holds 49th Inter-house Sports Uchechukwu Nnaike The Principal, Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC) Yaba, Lagos, Omada David has announced plans to enhance the quality of staff and students’ performance, as well as welfare be organising series of capacity building workshops in the school.

The principal in a chat with journalists at the school’s 49th annual inter-house sports competition, also announced that the college is currently in collaboration with industry partners that are helping in upgrading machines and equipment, “and with time, before the end of this year, we will have more and we will be able to improve on our training and the quality of services. “We are also expecting that the federal government, in collaboration with the World Bank will soon move in to assist us in the area of skills development,� he said.

According to him, being an old institution and with the

increasing number of students, the school is confronted with the Challenges of decaying infrastructures and inadequate teachers especially in trade areas, adding that the school needs more hostels and classrooms. “We thank the federal government for providing funds for the renovation of the existing hostels and classrooms, but we need more of them.�

While highlighting the importance of sports, David said: “It promotes a life of wellness, which encourages sound minds in healthy bodies. Sports is highly rewarding to our youths. It helps them to direct excess energies to useful and benefitting activities.�

He added that inter-house sports competition gives students the opportunity to engage in sporting activities that impact positively on their health and social interaction, in spite of diversities in their potential and individual abilities. “Through our annual inter-house sports competition, hidden and budding talents

are discovered among our students and we shall stop at nothing to nurture and bring these talents to limelight.�

In her remarks, the Director, Science and Technology Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Elizabeth Adedigba advised the students to be focused and ready to work diligently to achieve their set goals and the purpose for which they are in school. “Your school is a technical college where a high premium is placed on skills acquisition. To acquire these skills, be ready to undertake tasks that are difficult. Unless you try to do something beyond what you have known already, you cannot grow. Difficult tasks, situations, projects and assignments are the impetus of success in life,� she said.

On his part, the PTA Chairman of the school, Mr. Olisa Anene said the association has put some measures in place and has continued to educate students on the need to maintain personal hygiene,

so as to avoid any infection.

According to him, considering the fact that the school is close to the place where the index case of Coronavirus was kept, the management had constant interactions with the ministry of health, asked a lot of questions even from parents that are medical doctors. “We also informed parents to come and give the students hand sanitizers, which they all have in their bags. “We also provided wash hand basins all over the college so that the students can easily wash their hands.

We are still monitoring the situation in the country.�

Anene, who reiterated that the school’s major challenges are inadequate classrooms and hostels, said the compound is already choked up with buildings, so going vertical will help the environment.� He recalled that the PTA recently constructed a three-floor hostel for girls and that henceforth new buildings in the school will be high-rise to manage the available space.

KEHINDE OMORU www.kayomoru.com

DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE! Do you recognise this advice? We live in fear of using our own hands to do our own selves (if I may indulge in a stint of direct translation from a Yoruba saying). With COVID-19, you’ve got to be careful indeed. Your hands had better be frequently washed with soap and water or you could be taking Coronavirus to your own face from which it travels easily into your windpipe.

Ladies, since your lips are of great fascination to you, you need to take extra care of them. Take a look at my previous close up on lips: Your lips are one of the borders to your internal organs. Safeguard your lips like your country’s borders are protected! Your lips part to allow air, solids, fluid into your insides. Your internal organs, vital and not so very vital, in the medical sense of the terms, benefit from their trappings.

Your lips contribute to the entire description and identification of your face. Lips come in a number of shapes and sizes. They could be thick and, or full, with a natural outline edge-ways.

These type are voluptuous and curvy. They have a great sex appeal and are easy to pout. On the opposite end are thin lips.

These need a lip pencil to sketch their profile. On the other hand, some lips could be the unequa type where the top or bottom lip is pronouncedly higher or fuller or even thinner, needing a lip pencil to perfect its entire silhouette.

Some people are blessed with fallen lips. Fallen lips tilt downwards at their corners and actually look attractive, especially when infused with positivism. Have you ever heard of the power of psychosomatic feelings? Infuse your mind more with all that are good, progressive and life-changing. Sexy lips are similar to round lips. Sexy lips are alluring and naturally pouty. Round lips round up like a button and are cute-looking.

Improve the outline of both types of lips with a lip liner.

There are wide lips too. These tend to be broad, extensive and spacious. Make them gorgeous by using a lip pencil to draw an outline just on the inner parts of its rims, but leave out the corners. Shapeless lips could be a blessing. Because they fall into no shape or classification, define their borders with a lip pencil to create the shape you want before you blend in the colour you desire.

Everyone wants smoot, well textured and free-from-crack lips.

Dry lips are flaky, lacklustre (especially in cold weather) and cracked. Gently remove dead skin weekly from dry lips with a soft toothbrush. You could also exfoliate with specially made gentle lip scrub products. Apply balms or glosses that are petroleum, paraffin or beeswax based, to such lips regularly.

Essentially, love the lips you have and care for them. Take the time to determine the type you have. Do a little research on how best to always have them in top form and looking great with or without make-up.

Mrs Kehinde Omoru writes from the UK L-R: The Director, Harrow School Online, James Healey; the founder, Strategic Educational Advisory Services, Ladun Omojokun; the Principal, Harrow School Online, Heather Rhodes; and Educational Consultant for UK Boarding Schools, Mark Brooks, at the International families cocktail event held in Lagos... recently

Firm to Empower Educators with Technology Private school owners, teachers, school administrators, lecturers, education consultants, university undergraduates and government bodies are expected at this year’s ‘21st Century Teachers’ International Conference.

The programme, organised

by CsFirst Lagos Edu Consult, a Microsoft Education partner, will hold on March 21 in Lagos and was designed to equip participants on the use of technology for teaching, learning, collaboration and management with the latest methods of education technology application in teaching and learning while embracing the newest technologies for connection- based learning.

It will also ensure a learning that will connect classrooms to any other in the world, virtual field trips, classroom flipping for collaborative learning and preparing future-ready students.

The co-founder and Director of CsFirst Lagos Edu Consult, Mr. Uche Nwaobi said an analog teacher cannot teach a digital student, adding that educators must develop their 21st century teaching skills if they must fit into the industrial revolutionised education system.

He described such system as a world that will be ruled by artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced digital learning tools for 21st century schools. “Our conferences are designed to enlighten the entire school community on the need for effective integration and application of technology in teaching and learning; the need for teachers to be IT compliant and the proper use of technology as a tool for improving teaching skills that impact pupils and students. “The training is carefully crafted to also equip teachers

and educators, encourage collaboration among pupils and students; and improve their creativity in and outside the confines of the classroom,� he said.

A co-founder of the organisation, Mr. Akpan Emmanuel said illiterates of 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn. “Teachers of the 21st century would not be mere teachers but forward-looking educators who are aware of the ever-changing paradigm in technology and are in tune with the future it brings to education.�

He said participants will receive step by step digital training materials for all presentations at the conference, useful links which include eeducation materials and other freebies from Microsoft and CsFirst Lagos Edu Consult international partners support-

ing digital learning in Africa “The one-day conference will be completely hands-on, with practical sessions on Microsoft OneNote, Office 365, teams, forms, Onedrive, Empatico, Flipgrid, Wakelet and other tools that will enable teaching and learning become innovative, fun and a creative process of preparing future-ready students. “Participants will be armed with the exciting ways of applying digital tools in teaching and learning. The participant will also be inducted into Microsoft educators community continuous learning across the globe.�

The lead guest speakers at the conference include Babatunde Vaughan, learning delivery specialist from Microsoft Nigeria, Teijas KY, Business Development lead, WAKELET UK, Nancy Ekpezu, among others.

Harrow School Launches Twoyear Online A-Level Programme for Nigerian Students In the past, distance learning focused on non-traditional students like full-time workers, military personnel and nonresidents or individuals in remote regions that are unable to attend classroom lectures.

However, distance learning has become an established part of the educational world, with trends pointing to ongoing growth.

A recent survey shows that more than 5.6 million university students were enrolled in at least one online course or the other.

This trend ignited the passion

by Harrow School Online a 450-year-old boarding school in the UK, which counts Sir Winston Churchill and six other British Prime Ministers among its alumni, to launch its ‘virtual sixth form’ to teach Nigerian students A-levels online.

The online school is aimed at providing high-level education from expert tutors to the academically minded students who are ambitious. The kind of students that aspire to go to Oxford and Cambridge.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos, the Principal of Harrow School Online, Ms. Heather

Rhodes, said the new venture has been set up to deliver the same kind of education as it is within the four walls of a classroom and cater to students in a “rapidly changing world�.

According to her, “education must adapt to the new challenges this presents and reflect young people’s lifestyles and aspirations.�

She said it was a matter of necessity to bring the campaign to Nigeria to speak to Nigerian students considering that the already enrolled Nigerians in Harrow School are wonderful and the life and soul of the community.

The online institution has a virtual house system and offers students the opportunity to study, write their A-level exams in Nigeria respectively across the British examination centres in the country rather than being housed in 450-year-old bricks and mortar school building in North-west London.

Also, students will be given one-to-one academic tutorials, live online lessons with a teacher and other students, as well as regular coaching sessions for support.

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‘Private School Owners should Partner Govt to Boost Education, Gender Equality on SDG’ Dr. Ekua Akinsanya is the Administrator of Greenwood House School, Ikoyi, which recently commemorated its 25th anniversary. In this interview with Funmi Ogundare, she explained how private school owners can partner government in ensuring quality education and gender equality so as to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030, among other issues. Excerpts:

Y

our school recently commemorated its 25th anniversary, what would you say has been your biggest achievements over the years?

First is the fact that we have consistently over the last 25 years delivered high quality education with outstanding results.

We have an enviable academic track record and in every year of our existence, we can boast of scholarships to various secondary schools without fail. Second are the outstanding students the school has produced over the years; young men and women who got a solid foundation from Greenwood House School and are getting accolades in secondary schools; young working fathers and mothers, dynamic men and women who are independent, creative and productive. We equip every child with the confidence and open mindedness to pursue their dreams wherever that may take them.

And our alumni are thriving. A few examples: Ore Ogunbiyi, who spoke at our anniversary event, went on to Cambridge University, has authored a bestseller, ‘Taking Up Space’, which will soon be turned into a movie, and is now a speechwriter to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

I went to the opening of a boutique hotel over the weekend, and the general manager was an ex-Greenwood, Wendy Famoroti; there is also Temidayo Seriki, who is a main voice, teaching boys how to be men; similarly, I got a phone call recently that another alumnus, Solomon Amba got the Mayor’s award in Maastricht for Human Rights. This is just to mention a few. The list is endless and I am proud to be a part of all their journeys. Greenwood House School was the first school to introduce the Letterland reading scheme in Nigeria, and we are the pioneer school to adopt the school angel security system. Over the years also, we have recorded many firsts in music, sports and dance and other academic competitions, as well as spelling bee. I am proud of that sense of family we have achieved over the years.

We see ourselves as a close-knit community of parents, children and staff.

What drives your passion for education considering the fact that you have a law background?

Once we started the school, I knew it would be worth a career change. I believe the sense of fulfilment you get in this profession is second to none. The fact that you can help young children develop the skills and characteristics needed to become productive, fulfilled and contributing members of society, and see the result, increases my passion daily. The opportunity to positively influence, impact and mould so many lives meant I had to give it my 100 per cent commitment. I went on to study Montessori at the London Montessori Centre and later got my Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Nottingham.

I subsequently partnered with the University of Nottingham and another institution to start their Postgraduate Diploma in Education training in Lagos. However, I do miss law now and again, but fortunately, there are legal aspects to consider in every business and I make do with that.

Are there challenges, if any, how were you able to overcome them?

Of course there have been challenges along the way. Finding staff who keyed into your vision and have the same standards as you, was a major challenge. We are lucky to have identified some solid teachers from the beginning and they have remained loyal. Continuous professional development, training and retraining were the only way to overcome this challenge.

Lack of proper regulation in the sector meant competing with all manner of schools. Random government decrees sometimes make planning difficult.

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently to ensure that your

alumni, and the alumni won on penalties. They are a very productive group, keen to steer the resurgence of their old school.

What key corporate social responsibility project(s) has your school been able to address within your community and how would you describe the response of its members?

We are very intentional about teaching our children the importance of giving back to society. We have different projects. Every year, our primary six pupils go to Ile-Aanu School for the Physically Challenged. They entertain them and other children from the school for the blind and distribute gifts to them. Every year, we donate furniture and books to government primary schools. Yearly also, we have ‘Crazy Socks Day’, where children raise funds and also bring presents in shoe boxes, which we give to various sets of children, for example, children with cancer, children in Massey Street Hospital, children in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Bornu State and children in Makoko.

We have supported Makoko for the last three years. For our 10th anniversary, we renovated the Girls Modern Primary School in Obalende; new roof, revamped their nursey classes and built new toilets. This year, to mark our 25th anniversary, we will be renovating the Eko Akete School in Campus Square, Lagos. We intend to renovate their library, sick bay and change the furniture in the JS1 class. Giving back is essential to who we are.

Akinsanya school is able to compete globally?

There are always opportunities missed that one should have taken up, that in hindsight, would have given us a better advantage. For instance, we had the opportunity to purchase the land next to the school, but we did not take it because we thought the asking price was too high. Looking back now, that was a mistake, as the land has increased in value, 500 per cent, but more importantly, we missed the opportunity to develop more first-class facilities for the school.

What fond memories of the school have you had over the years and what efforts have you made to galvanise support from the old students?

There are so many lovely memories of the school. When we finally finished setting up the school, Mrs. Durand, my aunt and cofounder and I were so happy. There are so many memories of laughter. I especially love the beginning of every new academic year, when you see excited familiar faces eager to start and new faces joining our Greenwood

family. I have fond memories of all our events; sports days, fantastic plays, world book day, tea parties etc. I also particularly love, though a day of mixed emotions, each graduation ceremony because you see how these young children have developed into beautiful intelligent people over the years they have been in your care. One very exciting memory of recent was the day one of our alumni brought her son to school. We were all so happy to welcome the second generation of students. My jaw ached at the end of the day and I realised it was from the wide smile I had on my face for the whole day.

We are lucky to have developed a very active alumni association. The President, Victor Ezeamama and the Vice-President, Nefe Etomi are very dedicated. We have had successful annual reunion events. The alumni formed an integral part of our 25th anniversary celebrations especially on day two when we had parents and alumni take over teaching in the school. It was so heart-warming to see their enthusiasm in giving back. We also had a novelty football match between fathers and

How do you think private school owners can partner government to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

I believe strongly that private school owners can partner with government in the areas of assisting to give quality education and promote gender equality. When I was President of the Association of International School Educators (AISEN), we made sure that every school had a CSR project most of which involved partnering with public schools. We also invited teachers from the public schools to some of our trainings for free. I know that AISEN as well as APEN (Association of Private Educators in Nigeria) are ready to work with the government to achieve its goals by partnering to train teachers, develop a strong national curriculum and set minimum standards in this sector.

Where do you see Greenwood House School in the next 25 years?

A household name nationally and internationally: a solid modern school with traditional values, serving and meeting the needs of its second and future generations effectively.

JAN, LBS Prepare Corps Members for Workplace with Venture in Mgt Programme Ugo Aliogo Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN), in partnership with the Lagos Business School (LBS), has hosted members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the 2020 Venture in Management Programme (ViMP) as part of measures to prepare them for the world of work.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director, JAN, Mrs. Simi Nwogugu said the programme was designed for outstanding corps members who have gone through extensive application process.

She added that after the screening processes, 50 top corps members were selected to undergo a mini-MBA programme in LBS.

She further stated that JAN has been running the programme for the past 20 years, adding that some of the alumni are leaders in business.

Nwogugu stated that in selecting the top 50, JAN examined leadership, experience and ability to solve problems, academic excellence (either they have made a first class or 2.1). “We are not the ones who rank them, but the board members, (formerly Accenture, now they are Verrati). They have been conducting the ranking exercise with us for 20 years now. So they receive the applications and screen, then pick the qualified candidates.

What we have noticed is that there is a strong social responsibility component of the programme.

There is that desire by many to give back even when they go into business. These participants of the programme have gone to teach in different public schools. “The programme helps them to understand that to whom much is given, much is expected. We explain the importance of the programme and the need to give back of their time and service to the community. A lot of non-profit organisations are run by ViMP partners such as LEAP Africa, Fate Foundation, WIMBIZ, among others. “ViMP is not actually a Junior Achievement Programme. We started it in Nigeria. Junior Achievement is part of a worldwide organisation that teaches financial literacy and entrepreneur-

ship in primary and secondary schools. So our core programmes are entrepreneurship programmes that we teach secondary school students. These students run a business for about six to nine months. They make money, select officers among themselves; they have annual reports and return dividends to shareholders. They have competitions at the state levels, then to the national levels.

From the national levels, then they will represent Africa, so that is our flagship programme. We have other programmes that teach them from age five the difference between the economics of the individual and family, in order to help them understand their responsibility circles as they grow up.�

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38

CITYSTRINGS

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Taking Stock of Abule-Ado Explosion Chiemelie Ezeobi takes stock of the recent explosion at Abule-Ado area in Amuwo Odofin Local Government area of Lagos State, which claimed 20 lives, destroyed over 100 houses and displaced about 10,000 persons

Aerial view of the explosion scene

Photo Credit: Google

O

n Sunday, March 15, 2020, nothing gave the residents of Abule-Ado in Amuwo Odofin Local Government area of Lagos State, an inkling that their world like they knew it was about to change. Some were on their way to church, some were already in church and others at home when the loud explosion occurred at about 9am.

The explosion tore down houses, destroyed cars and even killed 20 people. The explosion which was heard as far as Agege, Yaba, Ejigbo and even Okota, was initially thought to be pipeline or bomb explosion.

As emergency responders rushed to the scene, their immediate worry was to carry out rescue operation given the large scale destruction the explosion left in its wake.

Aside the casualty rate which was pegged at 20, more than 100 cars and houses were either completely or partially destroyed.

Initial Checks Initial information from emergency stakeholders and security agencies was that the explosion was caused by gas leakage that formed gas clouds in the sky and upon contact with naked fire, exploded. Before emergency responders could get to the scene, the explosion had already ruptured the NNPC pipeline that runs through the suburb.

It was the contact of fire with the petroleum products in the ruptured pipeline that exacerbated the explosion and spread to residential buildings, schools and churches in the area.

Speaking to THISDAY, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, who was on ground during the rescue operation, said the explosion was caused by gas leakage.

On the cause of explosion he said: “It was caused by gas leakage. When we came here, we saw so many gas cylinders scattered all over. The explosion now ruptured the gas pipeline that runs through there and it led to the fire. Gas and petroleum does not flow.

Those that are selling gas here have refused to know that what they are doing is deadly.�

Also, when the explosion happened, Bethlehem Girls College, a Catholic boarding school, was one of the worst hit. Initial fears were that the 15 school girls were dead, but the school management has come out to debunk that.

However, the headmistress of the school, Rev Sister Henrietta Alokha fell victim as she died

the mother would be at rest psychologically, so that it will not add to the pains that the mother is actually going through in other to save her life.

As soon as possible, we are taking her to go see her mother at the naval hospital.

The little girl’s name is Favour and God has favoured her.�

Emergency Responders Emergency responders were drawn from the Lagos State Fire Service, Nigerian Navy Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the police, Red Cross, Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and others.

One of the survivors at Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital after helping her girls to escape.

Death Toll As at 1.41pm that day, seven bodies were recovered from the explosion and as at 2.33pm, four more bodies were recovered, bringing the fatality rate to 11.

By 1.54pm, a combined effort from the Lagos State Fire Service and the Nigerian Navy Fire Service units were able to put out the raging fire, thus channeling all operations towards rescue of those trapped.

As at 4.05pm, as the emergency workers toiled to rescue those trapped in the rubble of over 50 destroyed houses, the death toll inched to 15, including that of a family of four- father, mother and two sons. Later in the night, the death toll rose to 17.

The next day, three more corpses were brought out, making the total figure of deceased persons to 20.

According to acting Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the bodies recovered included a whole family of four who were heading to church before they were caught in the explosion.

Giving further details, he said the family that died included a man, his wife and two

sons. Also, a newlywed couple, Emmanuel and Chisom Uyammadu, who had been married barely four months, were part of the fatalities.

The young couple were the owners of the two-storey building at No. 16 Gani Adams Road, Abule-Ado, which collapsed.

Survivors Emergency responders with the help of locals, however rescued 60 survivors and they were taken to the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital (NNRH) in Navy Town.

In the same vein, the next day, a toddler simply identified as Favour was rescued alive from the rubble of one of the collapsed buildings at the Abule Ado explosion. The three-year-old girl was rescued by operatives of the Red Cross Nigeria.

According to the Chairman Red Cross Nigeria, Adebowale Kolawole, she was recovered naked under the debris of a building.

He said: “She was recovered naked under one of the collapsed buildings. Later we found out that her mother and sibling were admitted in the hospital. The mother who had head injury was semiconscious. This morning when she asked for her daughter, the doctors told her that she is safe and with the Red Cross. “Actually that was what we wanted so that

Survivors Count Loss A trader, Uche Ugboaja said: "It is only God that can compensate us. I cannot give the estimate of what I have lost, it is a tremendous loss, we are still gathering our things. We started parking this morning because we could not get here yesterday because of the crowd and the fire that was still burning.

"The explosion happened directly opposite our house so we could not get into the compound.

We lost three lives here. A man, wife and a relative were the victims. We are appealing to the government to come to our aid."

One Haruna Kani said he lost his sibling Ali Kani, 50, a guard at the college to the disaster.

He said his brother has worked there for about 20 years and was trapped while on duty.

Another man, Adams said he lost his younger sister Irene Uwakwu, a cook at the college who was in the room with her colleagues.

He said her body was among those recovered yesterday.

The Chairman, Mechanic Village Automibile Association, Trade Fair, Prince Mohammed Muritala said over 2,500 assorted cars, about six of their buildings and three ovens were shattered.

He appealed to the government to come to their aid because he doesn't know what they would do when the owners of the vehicles come.

Muritala said each of the destroyed ovens was worth over N10million, adding that he was thankful the incident occurred on a Sunday, otherwise, the casualty would have been massive.

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CRIME&SECURITY

Deceased Rev. Sister Heiretta Alokha, Principal of Bethlehem Girls College Navy’s Contribution When the explosion occurred, the navy quickly deployed its fire trucks to help put out the fire.

Speaking to THISDAY, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, who was on ground during the rescue operation, said the explosion was caused by gas leakage.

Debunking claims of the dead school girls brought to Navy Hospital, he said: “None that we know of was brought in dead.�

Daji, who had also gone to the NNRH in Navy Town, for an on-the-spot assessment, said they attended to the initial 50 survivors plus the four extra persons brought in by the Red Cross.

Although he could not confirm the casualty figure touted by emergency responders, he said for the navy, three were brought in dead- two females and a male.

According to the FOC, although substantial damage was done to the ceilings in the hospital, it didn’t deter them from treating the injured.

He said: “ Three people were brought in dead - two females and a male. The hospital also received and attended to casualties from the explosion site. 55 persons were attended to, comprising 36 school children and 19 adults. “One of the adults had about 35 per cent mixed degree burns with inhalation injuries and pulmonary edema. He has been admitted into the Intensive Care Unit and connected to a ventilator. “Seven other adults and two children are on admission in the wards. Two adults had Traumatic Brain Injury and were referred to LUTH for neurosurgical intervention. The remaining 43 have been treated and discharged.�

LASG’s Action Hours after the explosion, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu released personal protective equipment to affected residents.

While advising residents in the affected area to make safety their priority, he urged them to maintain a safe distance from the scene of the explosion and fire as the site is still live.

The governor had also instructed the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) to immediately release personal safety equipment such as face and nose protection masks to be distributed to first responders, residents of the affected area and all safety workers at the ground zero.

In a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, he said the protective equipment is to prevent any form of medical hazard such as respiratory infections by the residents who may unknowingly inhale toxic substances from the explosion.

The governor noted that in a situation like this, there would be a lot of unhealthy substances, gas particuate matters that can affect people's lungs, therefore he reiterated the need for the residents to maintain a safe distance as practicable to avoid breathing in polluted air.

NNPC’s Reaction Stressing that NNPC right of way is sacrosanct, NNPC Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, who came in for an on-the-spot assessment, had also confirmed that the explosion was caused by gas cylinder leakages that ignited the wild-spread fire. He however said the fire was exacerbated by buildings and factors by gas vendors who built on NNPC pipelines right of way (ROW).

He said: �I arrived Lagos to make on-the-spot assessment of the explosion that also ignited

Deceased couple, Emmanuel and Chisom Uyammadu

Flag OďŹƒcer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji with the General Manager, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu at the scene involving the NNPC because their pipeline was involved; the NSCDC and other agencies will work togetherâ€?.

Also, Commander Rapid Response Squad (RRS), DCP Tunji Disu said over 400 policemen were deployed to ensure the crowd was adequately controlled and to prevent crime.

Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat at the scene NNPC product pipeline fire. Explosions caused by spark that ignited fire from extensively charged atmosphere that emanated from gas cylinder leakages. NNPC pipeline also impacted and ignited. “NNPC pipeline right of way (ROW) encroachment by gas handling vendors and construction of houses enabled the explosion and aggravated the impact. Working with LASG and security agencies to clear the ROW.�

Clearer Picture Two days after the explosion, clearer picture emerged on what caused the explosion that rocked Abule Ado and its environs last Sunday, which claimed 20 lives, injured several others and destroyed over 100 buildings.

Investigations by security and emergency agencies had revealed that contrary to earlier speculation, the explosion was caused by pressure exerted on the NNPC pipeline by a heavy duty tipper. According to investigation, the tipper which was fully laden with granite, was parked on the pipeline overnight, thus forcing the content in the pipeline to blow up.

Speaking to THISDAY, the acting Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, said the pressure exerted on the pipeline could be likened to compressing a coke bottle.

He disclosed that after the stakeholders meeting which was held at government house, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hamzat Obafemi, figures by different emergency agencies were collated. He said five relief lines have been released for the affected residents.

He said: “When the pressure became too much, the pipeline forced itself out to escape and that was why the sky was filled with grey smoke that led to explosion before the fire.�

Similarly, Commissioner of Police (CP) incharge of the Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Maikudi Shehu said there was no presence of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the scene, adding that his men were still conducting investigations from samples collected.

Giving an update on the state of rescue operations, Farinloye said aside the three-year-old toddler that was rescued, no other survivor was found on Monday. He, however, disclosed that three more bodies-all females, were recovered as emergency workers carried out excavation of some of the collapsed buildings.

Meanwhile, measures have been put on ground to ferret the driver of the tipper, who has since fled to evade arrest. THISDAY gathered that although they had initially thought the

driver died in the explosion, contrary information by the landlord association in the area said he escaped. Already, the police have put plans in motion to track his plate number, which would hopefully lead to his arrest.

Of the 60 persons taken to the NNRH, three were brought in dead (BID), 56 attended to and 10 currently on admission. Of the 10 still admitted as at Monday, seven were in the Accident and Emergency Ward, two at the wards and one at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Two of the victims were moved to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for further attention on the head injuries they sustained, five taken away by their parents and 39 discharged.

Relief Fund Meanwhile, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was also at the scene of explosion, has setup a N2 billion emergency relief fund to assist the victims.

He said: “To give immediate relief and support to the victims of the disaster, I have set up a N2 billion relief fund to be chaired by Dr Obafemi Hamzat. The state government has put in N250million into the fund immediately.

Here are the account details for the relief fund.

I appeal to everyone to be a part of helping to provide this much needed relief. “Here are the account details-AbuleAdo Emergency Relief Fund, Bank Name: Polaris Bank Account Number: 4030017510; Zenith Bank, Account Number: 1017184516; Guaranty Trust Bank Acct Number: 0568615688.�

Assessment by Police Meanwhile the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Hakeem Odumosu had gone on an on-the-spot assessment of the scene.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, what the CP went there to do was to assess the security architecture on ground.

He said: “He went to see the security situation on ground and the crowd control management that was put in place, to know if we should increase manpower. It was because of security on ground that deterred scavengers and hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation. Thus the police did not make any arrest because there was no security breach.�

On potentials plans to prosecute those that caused the explosion he said: “We have commenced investigation but note that it’s not only the police that are involved. A committee has been set up. So the investigation will take a wholistic approach. It will be a joint investigation

Joint Information Centre A Joint Information Centre (JIC) has been established where residents are expected to be registered. This is to ensure proper dissemination and receipt of information to the affected population and stakeholders, as well ensure judicious dispensing of the relief funds to the rightful victims.

The JIC comprises all stakeholders especially NEMA, LASEMA and others. Already, the affected residents have started trickling in to register for the required documentation.

Farinloye said: "We have commenced post disaster Management. You can see people registering here. We are itemising losses incurred but human and material. We have released five numbers for people to report cases of missing persons, volunteer useful information.�

Eulogies Meanwhile, the identities of two of the corpses that were recovered on Sunday were revealed as Emmanuel Onyemaechi Uyammadu and wife, Chisom, who was heavily pregnant.

The husband, a Banking and Finance graduate of Anambra State University was burnt with his wife, a first class graduate of Zenith University College (ZUC), Accra, Ghana.

In one of the eulogies paid by their friends, one Edozie Chukwu wrote, “He was my very good friend. We also worked together at Aguleri Microfinance Bank before we both resigned to pursue our MSc. “My mind ran to you immediately I learnt about the explosion at Soba Estate, Abule Ado. I tried your line countless times hoping you'd pick up and assure me that you and your beautiful wife are safe. Sadly, that wouldn't be happening any time soon because death came calling too early. You were a true friend and I would never forget your numerous acts of kindness. Our loss, heaven's gain.�

Prince Emeka Nze said: “I wonder why good people don't last on this earth. Nwa chelsea like we called him during our university days was an angel in human form. Very down to earth. Rip. Uyammadu Emmanuel Nwa-Chelsea rest in the Lord with your dear wife till we meet again.�

For President, Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei - Odumakin, it is a gory development that should get us worried.

She said: “We mourn victims of the Abule Ado explosions in Lagos on Sunday, March 15, 2020, and pray that God will console all their families in this distressful moment. It is a gory development that should get us worried as we continue to lose our precious citizens in avoidable circumstances. “We demand an inquiry into this sad incident so as to get to the root cause of this great disaster. There must be people responsible for this incident and they must not go unpunished. “Once again, we pray for the repose of the souls lost, wish the injured quick recovery as we also sympathise with those who lost valuable properties. The ultimate price was paid by Rev. Sister Henrietta Alokha, Principal of Bethlehem Girls College who rescued all her students from the inferno but died when the roof of one of the school buildings fell on her. #WeMourn.�

40

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍśËœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Banks Brace for COVID-19, Oil Price Crash Nume Ekeghe åÓÞÒ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Nigerian banks still trying to recover from an economic contraction in 2016 now face a triple whammy of COVID-19 plunging oil prices and volatile markets that could further delay progress.

The 2014 collapse in crude dried up foreign exchange in Africa’s biggest producer of the commodity, resulting in the first recession in 25 years and a currency devaluation, a report by Bloomberg stated.

Then, businesses struggled to make repayments, heaping piles of toxic loans onto the books of lenders.

The conditions, “pose downside risks to the profitability of banks in 2020, mainly given the likely impact on asset quality and

loan growth,� a banking analyst at Lagos-based Chapel Hill Denham, Aderonke Akinsola said. “Capital adequacy ratios of banks are more at risk amid the current macro realities.�

The central bank on Monday announced the extension of a one-year moratorium on the repayment of all principal debt repayments among a range of measures to buffer the economy against the impact of the coronavirus.

Oil has slumped to around $31 a barrel, below the government’s $57 target, amid a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia, and as widening global efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus risks triggering a drop in demand.

If oil prices remain at current levels for the next two quarters, Nigerian banks’ problem-loan

ratios could rise beyond the initial expectation of six to eight per cent, according to Moody’s Investors Service.

The Central Bank of Nigeria recently disclosed that banking industry capital adequacy ratio, liquidity and other prudential ratios have remain within desired levels, whilst the nonperforming loans’ (NPLs) ratio in particular, reduced further to 6.1 percent as at end December 2019, from 6.6 percent at end-October 2019.

Most Nigerian lenders have their oil exposure hedged at $40-$50 a barrel, which will mean they would have to make provisions if prices remain where they are, said Emmanuel Adeleke, a banking analyst at ARM Investment Managers in Lagos. He, “expects flat growth in earnings for most banks this year.�

MARKET INDICATORS

‘Economic Impact of COVID-19 May Be Worse Than Envisaged’ As the COVID-19 ravages the world, creates panic and inflicts pains on people, a financial expert has warned that its effects on the domestic and global economy may be worse than envisaged.

The Chairman/Founder of AACS (Consulting & Principal Investments), Dr. Falil Ayo Abina, who stated this while participating in the Commonwealth Africa Summit 2020, held in London recently, said, “the effects of coronavirus on local and global economy will still be felt long after a cure is found for the disease.�

Speaking in one of his presentations, Abina said, “As the world battles with the uncertainty around the spread of the coronavirus, I am worried about the economic pandemic it is causing, with markets crashing out of panic. “Oil prices have declined from $70/ barrel at the beginning of the year to close to $30/ barrel on the back of declining demand and a glut in supply.

When this is considered against a 2020 budget predicated on a benchmark of $57/ barrel in Nigeria, the full effect of the economic pandemic starts to be even clearer. This may well prove an even larger challenge

in the long run.�

The AACS chairman, whose presentation was titled: “Thoughts on the Way Forward for Africa in 2020,’ said despite many challenges in the continent, it could not afford to rest in the comfort of the status quo. “Instead, we must strive to improve productivity and the overall quality of life across the continent. We must come up with disruptive solutions, create the underlying capacity to bring them to life, and push ourselves to lead in 2020 and beyond.�

He, however, noted that despite significant uncertainty, the African continent was positioned for growth in 2020, adding “living up to this expectation will require African nations to simultaneously execute on outward and inward strategies.�

He added, “Outwardly, African nations will need to strengthen their alliances with key emerging markets; most notably with the United Arab Emirates, India, and Russia. While it is even more important that momentum is maintained to drive regional trade integration.�

Stressing the need for regional

trade integration to enhance the productive capacity of the continent, Abina said, “Africa’s ability to trade and do business with itself is the greatest opportunity for realising its growth potential, but this is often overlooked. “At just 18 per cent, Africa currently has the lowest percentage of intra-regional trade in the world, compared with 70 per cent in Europe, 55 per cent in North America, 45 per cent in Asia, and 35 per cent in Latin America. However, a new path is being charted towards Africa becoming a single continental market. If this is successful, it will lead to an economic revolution on the continent.�

He pointed out that for Africa to experience the kind of growth required to lift millions of the citizens out of poverty the continent has to strengthen its infrastructure provision.

He said, “Frequent power and water cuts are a reality throughout West Africa. These issues come with consequences. The inadequate supply of electricity prevents small businesses from thriving and subsequently has repercussions on households’ incomes and ability to provide for themselves.�

XL Security Bags ISO 9001 Certification XL Security and Protection Services Limited has secured the ISO 9001 certification for Quality Management Systems.

The company is a wholly owned indigenous company incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission, certified

by TRACE International and registered by the Nigerian Security & Civil Defence Corps to perform multiple security functions across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT The country representative for the International Standard Organisation, Mr Olumide Ajibawo, who presented the certificate at the XL Africa Group Limited Headquarters in Lagos, said the milestone was achieved after undergoing a thorough 2-stage audit process successfully and being able to

demonstrate conformance to the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 standard.

The Managing Director of XL Security & Protection Services Limited (XL S&P), Mr Sylvester Williams, affirmed that with the certification, the company’s modus operandi would experience immediate improvement across board.A statement from the company further quoted him to have noted that with the impact of the certification, the organisation was positioned for a new and greatly improved era of service delivery with the expected increase in market share. He solicited the continued support of the board, management and staff to improve the service delivery to internal and external customers and greater reward in profitability and

dividends to shareholders, while sustaining management’s operating standards which the certification represents.

In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of XL Africa Group Limited, Mr Charles Nwodo Jnr, commended the management of XL Security & Protection Services Limited as well as other officers of the group for the hard work, dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence which has been rewarded through the ISO 9001 certification.“The ISO 9001 Quality Management System Standard Certification of XL S&P is a step in the Group’s well thought-out reorganisation plan, which aims to transition XL Africa Group and all her subsidiaries into Nigeria’s foremost diversified services Group,� he said.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

SEPTEMBER 2019 Money Supply (M3)

35,029,779.72

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

7,374,356.91

Money Supply (M2)

27,655,422.82

-- Quasi Money

116,533,891.21

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,121,531.60

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,625,047.69

---- Demand Deposits

9,496,483.91

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

13,911,335.83

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

21,118,443.89

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

35,918,179.45

---- Credit to Government (Net)

10,452,199.38

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

11,007,422.79

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

25,465,980.07

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-14,799,735.56

--Other Assets Net

7,000,253.07

Reserve Money (Base Money

2,005,600.83

--Currency in Circulation

4,677,530.81

--Banks Reserves

317,121.43

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

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

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT MONDAY, 16 MARCH 2020

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $30.63 a barrel on Monday, compared with $34.14 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), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

41

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍśËœ 2020

MARKET NEWS

Capital Market Stakeholders Urge FG to Incentise Commodities Trading Goddy Egene The federal government has been urged to incentivise the trading of commodities through provision of high quality seedlings to farmers among others, saying it will impact positively on the Nigerian economy. This was part of the recommendations at the end of a two-day International conference on the Nigerian commodities market with the theme: “Commodities Trading Ecosystem: Key to diversifying Nigeria’s economy�

organised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

According to the communique issued at the conclusion of the conference, access to long-term funds through the Nigerian capital market was identified as critical towards the holistic development of the Agricultural sector.

The participants agreed that Nigeria must decisively address the challenges across the entire gamut of the agriculture value chain in terms of access to finance by farmers, aggregation

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

of smallholder farmers, storage, warehousing and transportation, establishment of efficient irrigation mechanisms to ensure year-round farming, availability of effective de-risking frameworks and the introduction of modern scientific solutions as well as cutting-edge equipment for mechanised farming. The regulator on the other hand, was urged to remain an impartial enabler and promoter, providing a framework for exchanges, institutions and participants in the commodities

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

ecosystem to thrive. “Stakeholders need to ensure efficiency in the commodities ecosystem for securitisation to be successful. This could be achieved by ensuring gaps in the value chain are addressed and responsibility to addressing these gaps taken up by appropriate stakeholders. Nigeria must begin to adjust to the reality of the emergence of digital commodity exchanges that trade digital assets. Adaptable technology for trading of commodities that

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

addresses needs of millennials should also be developed,� the communiquÊ said. In her remarks, acting Director General of the SEC, Ms. Mary Uduk while commending participants for a successful conference, said one of the key initiatives of the 10 year Capital Market Master Plan is the development of a thriving commodities trading ecosystem as part of the capital market’s contribution to the national economy.

According to her, while it is clear that Nigeria is well endowed with

O F

agricultural, metals and energy commodities, the nation’s potential in these areas are unrealised.

Meanwhile, the stock market bourse sustained its bearish trend as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) by 0.7 per cent to 22,543.07, while market capitalisation shed N84.5 billion to close at N11.8 trillion.

Activity level improved as volume and value traded rose 22.6 per cent and 40 per cent to 675.8 million shares and N8.1 billion respectively.

1 7 / 0 3 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

42

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Vetiva Projects Higher Revenue, Profit for Dangote Cement in 2020 Goddy Egene

domestic market share in 2019, noting that going forward the cement firm will post two per cent year-on-year(y/y) growth in 2020. The investment bank explained that in 2019, Dangote Cement group’s revenue fell one per cent to N892 billion.

“Notably, the moderation in

Vetiva Capital Management Limited has said Dangote Cement Plc will continue to record growth despite the intensified competition in the industry.

In a report, Vetiva said that Dangote Cement held on to its 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

Nigeria’s top-line was driven by a one per cent y/y drop in average revenue/ tonne to N43,221.69 even as volumes stayed largely flat y/y.

Further to the above, the report stated that pan African revenues stayed flat in 2019, after weak pricing in Senegal and Zambia offset strong volume ramp ups

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 16Mar-2020, unless otherwise stated.

in Tanzania (94 per cent up y/y) and Senegal (two per cent up y/y). Given an expectation of continued volume growth in Tanzania, Senegal, Congo and Sierra Leone, Vetiva projects a 10 per cent y/y growth in Pan African revenue in 2020,” the investment bank said.

Speaking on the report, the Industrial Goods Analyst at Vetiva Capital Management Limited, Onyeka Ijeoma said that the group, in its 2019 figures, reported earnings, before interest, taxation, depreciation and armotisation (EBITDA) falling nine per cent y/y to N395 billion, translating to

an EBITDA margin of 44 per cent.

Following the developments in the FY’19 results, Vetiva revised some of its expectations for 2020 full year earnings, saying revenue is expected to be N934 billion (+5 y/y), with the Nigerian business accounting for 67 per cent.

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 116.83 120.42 -20.31% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 6.53% Nigeria International Debt Fund 300.41 300.41 -3.95% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.86 0.87 2.60% ACAP Income Funds 0.76 0.76 34.29% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.91% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.41 2.47 -1.92% info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 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 13.02 13.42 -14.98% ARM Discovery Fund 313.68 323.14 -9.19% ARM Ethical Fund 25.93 26.71 -10.85% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.49% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 0.07 0.05 6.84% Paramount Equity Fund 10.49 11.70 -12.15% Women's Investment Fund 106.88 107.89 -3.17% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.37% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 95.70 96.11 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 102.29 102.80 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.09% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.81 0.81 -12.85% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.30 1.30 -1.82% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 5.60% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 4.87% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,191.99 1,194.96 2.62% 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 1,291.31 1,292.79 0.02% FBN Balanced Fund 132.08 133.03 -10.04% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.07% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 111.14 111.91 -6.79% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 111.89 112.66 -6.63% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 103.52 104.75 -20.45% 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 7.96% Legacy Debt Fund 3.71 3.71 1.49% Legacy Equity Fund 0.96 0.97 -15.45% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.09 1.09 0.92% 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 2,814.15 2,844.49 -5.65% Coral Income Fund 3,131.52 3,131.52 14.24% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 6.34% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.26% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 114.39 115.06 7.49%

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.07% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.04 2.07 -7.03% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 10.70% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 139.15 139.55 -3.02% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.14 1.16 -2.27% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,124.65 1,124.65 2.38% 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 7.43 7.51 -24.14% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 4.39% 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 1.31 1.33 7.68% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.30 12.32 8.72% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.50% PACAM Equity Fund 1.10 1.10 PACAM EuroBond Fund 101.56 103.48 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 107.51 109.41 1.54% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 2.45% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 -4.22% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 1.39% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 -11.24% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 1.71% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 -9.79% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.25% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -11.16% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.16 1.16 1.22% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 118.18 118.18 0.00% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.05 1.07 -11.50% United Capital Bond Fund 1.77 1.77 2.19% United Capital Equity Fund 0.64 0.66 -17.71% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.31% United Capital Eurobond Fund 113.46 113.46 1.47% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.03 1.03 -4.99% 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 9.30 9.42 -9.48% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.06 11.19 -4.71% Zenith Income Fund 23.21 23.21 4.41% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.28%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

3.20 120.66 52.41

-66.85% 1.31% 0.69%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

7.76 76.26 58.96

7.86 77.87 60.06

-10.83% -17.54% -20.02%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

2.41 3.63 10.42 10.84 167.56

2.45 3.71 10.52 11.04 169.56

-31.84% -38.35% -13.70% 4.30% -10.34%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.69

17.60%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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INTERNATIONAL

Drug to Tackle COVID-19 Tested in China A Chinese official have said Favipiravir, an antiviral drug, has shown good clinical efficacy against coronavirus (COVID-19).

The virus was first detected in Wuhan, a city in the Asian country, in December.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, Zhang Xinmin, director of the China National Center for Biotechnology Development, said the clinical trial of the drug has been concluded.

He said Favipiravir, an influenza drug which was approved for clinical use in

Japan in 2014, did not show obvious adverse reactions during the clinical trial.

According to the official, more than 80 patients participated in the trial in the Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province.

Xinmin said 35 patients were taking Favipiravir and the 45 were on a control group.

At the end of the trial, he said the results showed that the patients who took the Favipiravir drug tested negative for the virus within a short time. On the other

hand, the patients in the control group have shown no improvement.

Another clinical research at the Zhongnan Hospital in Wuhan University showed that the “therapeutic effect of the drug is stronger than the control group”.

Xinmin said the drug has been recommended in the diagnosis and treatment of the deadly virus.

He added that a pharmaceutical firm in the country has been granted the approval to mass-produce and supply favipiravir.

EU Bans Inbound Travel for 30 Days The European Union will impose an entry ban on travellers from outside the bloc for 30 days to battle the spread of the coronavirus, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday.

Member states “agreed to impose an entry ban” into the bloc, with only nationals of EFTA countries and Britain

exempt from the restriction, said Merkel.

“That should apply for 30 days. Germany will implement it immediately,” added the leader of Europe’s biggest economy.

With countries severely curtailing travel to prevent COVID-19 contagion, Germany had earlier issued a warning

against travel worldwide.

The bloc is taking “coordinated action to bring back stranded travellers,” said Merkel.

Earlier, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that thousands of Germans were stranded abroad as airlines slashed flights and borders closed.

France Reports 27 Deaths in 24 Hours French health authorities on Tuesday said that 27 more people had died over the last 24 hours from the coronavirus in the country, bringing the total death toll in France to 175 people.

There are now 7,730 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country, France’s top health official Jerome Salomon

told reporters, a jump of over 1,000 on the day earlier.

His comments came as France entered the first day of a lockdown ordered by President Emmanuel Macron which orders people to stay at home and prohibits all non-essential movements.

Salamon said of those infected, 2,579 people

were currently hospitalised including 699 in intensive care. Seven percent of those who have died are aged under 65.

“We are progressively moving to a general epidemic over the territory” of France, he said, urging people to “stay at home” and keep contacts to a minimum.

Iran’s Death Toll Climbs to 988, Says Health Official Iran’s death toll from the pandemic coronavirus has increased to 988, with 135 new deaths in the past 24 hours, a health ministry spokesman told state TV on Tuesday.

“The death toll is 988 … with 1,178 new infected people in the past 24 hours, now the total number of infected cases is 16,169 across the country,”

said Kianush Jahanpur.Jahanpur added that 5,389 people infected with the virus have recovered.

Iran reported its first confirmed coronavirus cases on Feb. 19, 2020 in Qom. As of 14 March 2020, according to Iranian health authorities, there had been 611 COVID-19 deaths in Iran with

more than 12,500 confirmed infections.

As of the same date, Iran has the third highest number of COVID-19 deaths after Mainland China and Italy, the highest in Western Asia and the third-highest number of cases, surpassed only

by Mainland China and Italy.

Cameroon, Burkina Faso Record Five New Cases of COVID-19 Burkina Faso and Cameroon have recorded five new cases of COVID-19, Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Burkina Faso to 20, the Minister of Health, Claudine Lougue, said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Ministry of Health received, on Monday, new results from the laboratory examinations

of suspected cases taken by the rapid intervention teams.

“The results are as follows: five suspect cases are declared positive for COVID-19 and four returned negative,’’ said the minister.

Burkina Faso confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on March 9.

The Ministry of Health invites people to calm, serenity and

strict compliance with the recommended measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Similarly, Cameroon reported on Tuesday five more cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of contamination to ten, according to a tweet from the Cameroonian Minister of Public Health Manaouda Malachie.

US Deploys More Than 1,500 Troops in 22 States in Response to Virus The National Guard Bureau said some 1,560 National Guard troops are aiding U.S. states in responding to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, with much of the effort focused on New York state.

Army Private First Class Justin Zammit made the statement in

a statement on Tuesday.

“We’re here screening the community, trying to keep the community safe and trying to stop the spread of the virus.’’

Zammit serves with the New York Army National Guard’s 369th Sustainment Brigade and is stationed at a mobile screening facility in New

Rochelle, New York.

According to Governor Andrew Cuomo the novel coronavirus has been especially active in New York State, with more than 1300 reported cases as of Monday.

More than 1,560 National Guard members in 22 U.S. states are on duty, the release said.

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Osinbajo: Nigeria Military Capable of Winning Insurgency War Kasim Sumaina in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja, yesterday hinted that the Nigeria military is capable of tackling the current Boko Haram insurgency ravaging the North eastern parts of the country.

Osibanjo, represented by the National Security Adviser, (NSA), Maj. Gen. Mohammed Monguno (rtd), disclosed this while speaking at an international conference on “Insurgency and counter insurgency in Nigeria with the theme: Critical perspectives on Boko Haram” The vice president expressed government’s commitment and support for the work done by the Victim Support Fund to assist the victims of insurgency and terrorism.

According to him, “the federal government will continue to offer support for rehabilitating and rebuilding the affected areas.”

The chairman of the Fund, Gen. TY Danjuma (rtd), observed that “international conferences like this give valuable opportunity for the researchers, decision-makers and the public and private sector as well as the whole to learn and

share experiences.

He said: “I am convinced that the next three days will be impactful, rewarding for all of us. This is the 10th year since the onset of insurgency. Tremendous success has been achieved in fighting this insurgency and terrorism within this period.”

“These involve the recapture of areas that had hitherto been under the control of Boko Haram, restoration of life in communities that have been affected by the insurgency; and building the resilience of citizen against Boko Haram.”

He further reveal, “as we enter the recovery stage in the fight against insurgency, helping victims to return to the lives of normalcy in general, we must ensure that measures are taken to prevent reoccurrence of this evil.”

The Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, while delivery his speech, expressed concern that up until now, there is no clear plan on how to defeat Boko Haram, adding that unless the federal, state and local governments have a well planned to defeat Boko Haram, the crisis will continue.

The governor also charged the military to ensure that all the displaced citizens affected

by the insurgency return to their homes to continue their lives.

He however urge the military to change their tactics as it has become evidence that military

might alone cannot defeat the insurgency ravaging the northeast.

ROYAL BLESSINGS...

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (right), and the Oyo State Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr.Ademola Babalola, during the visit of NUJ officials to Alaafin at his palace in Oyo ...yesterday FELIX ADEMOLA

RECORDING COVID-19’S THIRD CASE, FG BANS FOREIGN TRAVELS BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS private sector to strengthen health sector infrastructure, and boosting of government revenue, the PEAC stressed that the projections may seem dire, but the worst may be avoided with hard work and scrupulous implementation of policies.

Adesina said the president assured the council that Nigeria had foreseen the economic problems that might arise in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, and would explore all alternative avenues to protect its people.

According to Adesina, with oil prices hovering between $29 and $30 in recent times, as against the $57 benchmark for 2020 budget, Buhari observed that many variables, including production cost and political impact, determine oil prices, “and we will see how to survive fallen prices, as we already envisaged the problem.”

The statement said the president also explained that protecting the people from vagaries of international economic fortunes, and associated fallen prices of oil is a priority of the government, “and we will do our best to do so.”

It also said the president emphasised the importance of education and healthcare, submitting that if people are adequately educated, “they won’t accept any form of mismanagement by the leadership, nor would they allow themselves to be manipulated by those promoting ethnic and religious sentiments.”

It added that the president promised that inputs in agriculture, education and healthcare would continue as much as practicable.

NCDC Rallies W’Africa’s Support against Pandemic Meanwhile, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Director General, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has called on West African countries to synchronise

efforts so as to have a collective strategy to combat the spread of the epidemic across the continent.

He warned that if countries respond to the pandemic individually, it will not help anyone.

Ihekweazu, who was a guest on the Morning Show on Arise TV, a sister broadcast arm of THISDAY was reacting to the argument that Nigeria needs to shut its borders like other countries.

He said: “Today there will be a lot of discussion at the highest level of government to review our current strategies; look at our situation in Nigeria; look at the situation across West Africa viz-a-viz the number of cases that have come in and decide on a policy. Nobody wants this to spread in Nigeria so our primary responsibility is to stop this virus from coming in, but there are many other considerations.

“On any flight out of Nigeria, people are going for surgeries - flights are coming in to bring reagents, personal protective equipment, and the things we need to respond to this outbreak. So, there is no simple answer, we have to weigh these different things and trust our leaders to make the right decision for us as a country.”

Ihekweazu stated that one of the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 outbreak is that the country needs to invest in health security architecture.

“We need our state governments to step up. We need to build laboratories; we have five molecular laboratories in Nigeria, each of them cost us a lot of sweat and hard work.

I am really looking forward to investment from the private sector. I am looking for state governments to come to the table, let’s think collectively how to build the resilience that will protect us from things like this moving forward because it is not if there will be another outbreak; it is when

it will come and I hope that the legacy of this coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria, the few cases we have and hopefully, we don’t have that many, is to build the infrastructure; to build the human capital expertise; to build the equipment that we need to protect us moving into the future,” he stated.

He assured Nigerians that the government is not slow in its response to the outbreak.

House urges FG to halt flights from UK, others In a related development, the House of Representatives has urged the federal government to immediately halt all flights from COVID-19 high-risk countries, especially the United Kingdom, Italy, the United States, China and South Korea, except for Nigerians who will be tested on arrival and quarantined if necessary.

The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Health to continue to work with federal and state medical establishments to update and upgrade facilities and prepare for eventualities.

It called on the federal government and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to postpone the National Sports Festival scheduled for Edo State and other activities with a large gathering in the interest of the nation’s health and wellbeing till further notice.

These resolutions were sequel to the unanimous adoption of a motion on a matter of urgent public importance entitled: ‘Urgent need for the federal government to postpone the National Sports Festival in Edo State and other large gatherings,’ sponsored by Hon. Luke Onofiok at the plenary yesterday.

Presenting the motion, Onofiok expressed gratitude on the fact that Nigeria has been fortunate to have only one index case that is said to be recovering.

The lawmaker while

commending the efforts of the Edo State government in organising the sports festival, however, said the festival would bring together thousands of young Nigerians from all the states, which will mingle and inter-mingle and go back to their states to further mingle with friends, family colleagues and community with the attendant implications.

He also expressed concerns on the increasing cases of the virus in countries all over the world, saying that flights from high-risk countries should be halted till further notice.

PDP Seeks More Stringent Measures against Scourge The PDP has charged the federal government to step up its actions, move beyond rudimentary interventions and adopt more stringent measures to further safeguard the nation from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party said the federal government should adopt stringent preemptive measures by radically stepping up the international ports and border screening as well as quickly improving the internal surveillance and hygiene monitoring system.

“Our party holds that the federal government should also go beyond its proposed secondary screening of travellers from certain countries and extend the measure to all international flights coming into the country, given the prevalence of connecting flights and land border crossing by international air travellers.

“Also, the federal government should ensure that domestic airlines undertake proper screening of passengers as well as fumigation of their aircraft to guarantee the safety of air travellers within Nigeria,” PDP stated.

Lawan Wants More Test

Centres Established Also reacting to the pandemic, the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, lamented the inadequate presence of test centres across the country for the detection of COVID-19.

Lawan, while raising concerns on the unavailability of test centres in some geo-political zones of the country, said the fight against the disease should not be left to government alone.

He said: “I believe that the federal government has done well, so far, but I think there is need for them to do a little more, and that is in the area of testing centres.

“There is at the moment no testing centre in the entire South-east, at the moment, the entire North has no testing centre, and Abuja is Federal Capital Territory.

“So, the entire North has no testing centre and when you have this situation, you need to take immediate action to test and confirm whatever it is.

“So, I believe the federal government is supposed to do that, and we as an assembly are prepared to support them if the request is for resources.

“We are going to support them for those testing centres to be provided in the South-east and in the northern part.”

Nigeria High Commission Suspends Passport Issuance in Canada Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has also forced the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, Canada to suspend passport processing for Nigerians in different Canadian communities.

The commission said in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York that the suspension was indefinite.

It said it would, however, continue to issue Emergency Travel Certificates (ETC) and visas to applicants that need to travel urgently.

It said: “This measure is in line with the Canadian government’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s guideline of ‘social distancing’ as a ‘community mitigation strategy’ to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“It is a conscious effort by the government to reduce contact between people and hopefully stem community transmission of the virus.

“Applicants for ETC and visas should, as usual, forward their applications by mail, attaching the relevant documents.

“The ETC or visa would be processed and mailed back to the applicants accordingly.”

Dangote Fertilizer Contractor Staff Quarantined, Test Negative Dangote Industries Limited yesterday reported a suspected case of personnel currently being kept in isolation at the Mainland hospital, Yaba, Lagos.

The company said in a statement that an Indian national, who is a staff of Onshore Construction Company-a mechanical, electrical and instrumentation contracting firm that specialises in fertilizer construction reported at the site clinic, complaining of high temperature and fever.

It stated: “His complaint triggered our Protocols, which necessitated further screening and isolation immediately. Mr. Akhil Kunyil, of the Health and Safety Environment of the Onshore Company reported the development to the management following which local authorities were contacted.

“The patient was immediately conveyed to the Lagos Mainland Hospital Centre, where he is currently being isolated and undergoing tests.”

Spokesman of Dangote Group, Mr. Tony Chiejina, however, told THISDAY last night that the contractor’s staff had tested negative for COVID-19 but was still under quarantine.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Alaafin Urges Buhari, Govs to Accommodate Criticisms Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the state governors and other leaders in the country to accommodate criticisms in order to allow democracy to succeed in Nigeria.

The Alaafin made the call yesterday when he received members of the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) that paid

him a courtesy visit.

According to him, “our leaders, either political or traditional must be able to take criticism if we really want good democracy in Nigeria.

When people criticise me, I will sit down and think if what they are criticising me for is true or false, and I adjust.”

The royal father lauded the contributions of journalists in the development of the nation despite the danger attached to their job. “I have also benefited and made a name through

the media. I am aware of what journalists face during the course of their duty. For instance, many journalists have been castigated and even detained,” he said.

Speaking during the courtesy visit, the Chairman of

Oyo State Council of NUJ, Mr. Ademola Babalola, said the purpose of the courtesy call was to appreciate Alaafin for his support and to receive a royal blessing for the programs lined up to mark the first 100 day in office of the council.

“Many journalists in Oyo State have passed through this palace in one time or the other for one story or research. Your fatherly disposition toward journalists over the decades is much appreciated. We were elected in December 18, 2019,

and we will be celebrating our 100 days in office in the next 10 days. We, therefore, thank the Alaafin for providing the kind of good leadership that Nigeria needed, particularly for the Yoruba nation,” he said.

House Rejects Bill to Regulate Civil Society Organisations Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives at the plenary yesterday stepped down a bill seeking to regulate the activities of Civil Society Organisations (CSO).

The bill, which is titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish Civil Societies Regulatory Commission for Coordinated Regulation of Civil Society Organisations for the Purposes of Strengthening their Capacities to Promote Democracy and Development in the Country; and for Related Matters (HB.722),” was sponsored by Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.

The bill was opposed by several lawmakers immediately after its presentation.

Hon. Salam Bamidele, who was the first legislator to oppose the bill, cited Sections 38 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Bamidele stated that the passage of the bill would be a threat to the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and free assembly.

He said the proposed civil society regulatory commission is an attempt to muzzle free speech and subject the CSOs to needless monitoring, which would be against the spirit of

the 1999 constitution.

According to him, “the parliament is the bastion of democracy and supposed to protect the citizens’ rights and promote civil liberty. There are enough laws to regulate activities of all organisations such as the Corporate and Allied Matters Act. It is also not efficient at a time like this to duplicate agencies and commissions when we should rather be cutting down on cost of governance.”

Responding, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, drew his attention to section 45 of the constitution, saying that the provisions he cited were not independently absolute.

Gbajabiamila opined that the gray areas would be taken care of at the committee stage during public hearing where the lawmakers would weigh the merits and demerits of the bill.

According to Hon. Nkem Abonta, who also opposed the bill, argued that the constitution was the grundnorm and should not be tampered with.

Abonta added that there were already enough laws to checkmate the excesses of the CSOs.

FEMALE LEGISLATORS…

L-R: Female members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Yemisi Ayokunle; Hon. Teju Okuyiga; Chief Whip, Hon. Bunmi Adelugba; and a member, Hon. Kemi Balogun, during the signing into law of the Ekiti State Security Network Agency, and Amotekun Corps, in AdoEkiti…Monday

COVID-19: We’re Counting Losses Due to Umrah Suspension, Hajj, Umrah Operators Lament Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) yesterday in Kano appealed to the federal government to capture its members in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) N50 billion COVID-19 palliatives that was meant for hoteliers, airlines, service providers and health merchants.

Speaking during an interactive session with members of Kano State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Zonal Chairman of AHUON, Kano, Mr. Abdullaziz

Halliru Kafinsoli, lamented that the outbreak of COVID-19 has seriously affected their business.

Kafinsoli hinged his appeal for the inclusion of the members of AHUON as beneficiaries of the CBN’s palliatives on the recent suspension of flights into Saudi Arabia by Saudi authorities, which he claimed, has exposed members of the association losses losses running into millions of dollars.

“We have gone through the CBN’s N50 billion incentive offer, but we are not optimistic of benefitting from it because we have not been consulted.

“The federal government should consider our members

because we are the worse hit in this COVID-19 problem. When policies like this are made, our members should be captured considering the amount of turnover and revenue we generate for the federal government through our business,” he said.

He also expressed happiness over the emergence of a new leadership for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and promised that the association’s readiness to work hand-in-hand with the new leadership of NAHCON for smooth airlift of pilgrims to the Holy Land.

Kafinsoli, however, urged

pilgrims who had already registered before the suspension of the Hajj exercise by Saudi authorities not to the panic as measures have been put in place to ensure that their expenses are adequately protected.

“We are assuring those who have already booked flights with our members that they are not going to lose their money.

“Once the suspension is lifted, they will make use of their tickets. We are working round the clock to ensure that they will be duly compensated and we are happy that the Saudi authorities are cooperating with us in this regard,” he added.

The Lagos State Government has stated that it would use the oncoming The Greater Lagos Regatta and Festival (TG-LARAF) that is scheduled to hold between April 10 and 12, 2020, to drive state’s tourism sector to its optimal potentials and showcase the state to the world, This was stated by the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, when she addressed a press conference on

collaborating with Gradient Hill Limited (GHL), in hosting the event, which expectedly would increase investors and tourists’ participation in the festival as several private firms are already indicating interest to participate in the event.

“With this partnership, it is our hope that the project will showcase the physical and natural attributes of Lagos, the endearing and welcoming spirit of the people, the already established reputation of Lagos

the programme but to keep the event going well into the future.

The event will feature Festival Village, Children’s corner, Concerts, Talent Hunt among others,” the commissioner said.

Speaking in the same vein during the press conference, the Chief Executive Officer of GHL, Mr. Ivor Ekpe, said the TG-LARAF would accelerate the economic growth of Lagos State by heightening investors’ interests in the potentials of state.

be forgotten till the next one. We saw an opportunity to do what will help Lagos beyond just the entertainment and to see how we can combine what nobody else has done before. We have put together a conference, which centers on the prospect, growth and opportunities in Lagos and combine that with the regatta and festival. So, this provides a wonderful opportunity to combine these elements and have a greater impact,” Ekpe said.

APC Chieftain Insists on Regatta and Festival will Boost Tourism, Says Commissioner Rule of Law in Resolution Lagos “The objective of TG-LARAF the festival yesterday in Lagos. as the primary entertainment Segun James and Dike Akinbile-Yusuf said the destination in Nigeria and to is very simple. It is not to Onwuamaeze of Party Crisis state government would be ensure not only the success of have another party that will Sunday Ehigiator A presidential aspirant of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2019 general election, Adamu Garba, has reacted to a statement allegedly made by the party national leader, Bola Tinubu, in which he defended the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole, calling on all members of the party never to give room for what he tagged: ‘Forgive and forget backroom approach’, as the leadership of the party is making frantic effort to resolve some internal issues it’s faced with.

He made this remark yesterday through his Twitter handle while encouraging stakeholders of the party to allow the rule of law prevail over other personal sentiments and affiliations.

According to him, “In as much as I can’t agree less with Tinubu about the involvements of hidden hands regarding the 2023 election on the crisis of our party, the APC, I think we should not undercut the court order on the premise of

the activities of the suspended party chairman, Oshiomole, as a mere human error that needs to be forgiven and just let it pass.

“We can’t build a robust, sound and balance political party capable of winning elections without displaying the highest level of objectivity from the leadership.

“Right to fair participation and the objectivity of the leadership in terms of adherence to the rule of Law and the party constitution should be paramount in discharging ones duties in the party.

“The national leader of the party, Tinubu, knows that we need to uphold the principle of objectivity in the affairs of the party. As an elder statesman of high repute, I’m sure Tinubu understands that having Oshiomole back as the party chairman without recourse to the processes in the party constitution on the ground that his actions were limited to his person must have shelf the justice and fair play to the dark corners that might not portend well for the party.

NCAA Backs Travel Ban on International Airlines AON seeks restriction of travel in Nigeria Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has recommended that the federal government should ban flight operations from certain countries with high spread of COVID-19 and expressed the hope that government would give serious consideration to the recommendation.

Also, the Airline Operators

of Nigeria (AON) has called on the federal government to stop with immediate effect international flight operations to the four major airports in the country and allow only Abuja and Lagos airports to process international flights.

NCAA also recommended that international flight operations should be limited to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja

and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos in order to have firm control of the movement of passengers for efficient check on the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

This was confirmed by the Director of Consumer Protection, NCAA, Adamu Abdullahi who said that the regulatory authority has already submitted the recommendation to the

12-man Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, which yesterday evening went on close-door meeting to deliberate over the recommendation and others.

Similar, AON has also called on the federal government to stop with immediate effect international flight operations to the four major airports in the country and allow only Abuja and Lagos airports to process international flights.

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Ëœ ͚΀˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAYSPORTS Euro 2020 Postponed Until 2021 over COVID-19 Fears

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Duro Ikhazuagbe

The Euro 2020 football Championship, trumpeted as a continent-wide feast of football from Dublin to Baku to mark UEFA’s 60th anniversary, was postponed for a year on Tuesday as the COVID-19 pandemic claimed its biggest sporting casualty yet.

The fate of the 24-nation, month-long showpiece due to start in June had hung in the balance ever since Europe’s domestic leagues began shutting down in the wake of the sweeping health crisis, which has killed around 7, 000 people worldwide.

UEFA eventually relayed the news after an emergency video conference with all 55 of its affiliated national federations and representatives from clubs

and leagues. “We are at the helm of a sport that vast numbers of people live and breathe that has been laid low by this invisible and fast-moving opponent,� UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement confirming what the Norwegian and Swedish FAs had already leaked earlier in the day. “It is at times like these, that the football community needs to show responsibility, unity, solidarity and altruism.�

Even as the video conference was ongoing, Norway’s FA broke ranks to confirm via Twitter that the tournament had been postponed for the first time in its history.

Swedish FA Chairman Karl-Erik Nilsson also sent a message to Reuters during the video conference. “Postponed

until 11/6- 11/7 2021,� he said.

It was a widely expected move, with pressure ramping up from Europe’s big domestic soccer leagues.

Earlier, Reuters learned that UEFA had cancelled its hotel bookings in Copenhagen, one of the 12 host cities staging the tournament.

The CPH Hotel said UEFA had booked 80 of its 102 rooms

but cancelled them a little over a week ago.

Europe’s flagship tournament, staged every four years and second only to FIFA’s World Cup in terms of prestige in soccer, will now be staged from June 11 to July 12, 2021.

Sixteen playoff matches were due to be held on March 26 and 31 to decide the full line-up of nations for the tournament.

They will now be played in the international window at the start of June, subject to a review of the situation.

The new coronavirus has infected almost 180 000 people worldwide since emerging in China, and most of Europe now finds itself in virtual lockdown as governments desperately try to stop the spread of the disease.

The sporting calendar has

been shredded, with a host of blue-riband events cancelled and competitions suspended, and the fate of the Tokyo Olympics this year now hangs in the balance.

All five of Europe’s top domestic soccer leagues – England, Spain, Italy, France and Germany – are suspended, along with the Champions League, Europa League and World Cup qualifiers.

Man Utd to Offer Ighalo Initial Weekly Deal Manchester United are set to offer Nigerian forward, Odion Ighalo, an initial weekly contract in the summer as a prelude to a permanent deal later amid the coronavirus outbreak which has disrupted the 2019/2020 Premier League schedule.

Ighalo is currently on loan at United after arriving from Chinese Super League side, Shanghai Shenhua in January on a six-month deal which is set to expire in June.

And with the Red Devils unsure when top-flight action will resume in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is need to keep Ighalo beyond June 30 when his loan deal will expire.

A report by UK’s Sportsmole. co.uk News, Old Trafford has

reveal that United are looking to keep Ighalo tied down beyond June 30 by offering him contract extensions on a weekly basis.

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer recently expressed United’s interest in signing the Nigerian striker on a permanent basis.

Shanghai Shenhua have already set a fee of ÂŁ15million for United to be able to sign the player on a permanent basis.

The weekly contract being offered by United is expected to serve as a precursor to going all the way to sign Ighalo on a permanent basis ahead of next season.

United are also poised to offer the out-of-contract duo of Angel Gomes and Nemanja Matic same weekly contracts to tie them down beyond June 30.

D E AT H I N L A F I A

Pinnick Charges Committee to Recommend Solutions to Death in Stadia President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick on Tuesday inaugurated the ad-hoc committee set up by the football –governing body to investigate the death of Nasarawa United player Chineme Martins, charging the panel to come up with robust and sincere recommendations that will constitute the standard protocols for football organization in the country going forward. “I am happy at the calibre of the people who make up the membership of this committee and I have no doubt you will come up with the right protocols that must be adhered to before any football match takes place anywhere in Nigeria. This is the time to make difficult decisions and I trust you to make them for us. “Your job is a very serious one. You are free to tinker with the terms of reference and avail

us the steps that will safeguard the future of our players in the areas of medical, safety and security. We pray that the soul of Chineme Martins rest in peace but we are pained by his death and we must use it as a wake-up call to enforce compliance with the provisions of Club Licensing as well as the fresh medical and security protocols that this committee will draw up.�

Pinnick and members of the committee, as well as NFF Executive Committee member Aisha Falode who was present at the inauguration observed a one- minute silence in honour of the departed Chineme Martins, who slumped and died during a Nigeria Professional Football League match between his club Nasarawa United and Katsina United at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday, 8th March 2020.

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and his Portuguese team mates celebrating Euro 2016 victory in France four years ago. Now, COVID-19 has caused the championship to be moved forward by 12 months

NWFL Postpones Kick-off of 2019/2020 Women Premier League The Management Committee of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), headed by Aisha Falode, has announced the postponement of the official kick-off of the 2019/2020 Nigeria Women Premier League following the failure of 12 out of the 16 participating teams to comply with re-requisite regulations leading to the league kick off.

According to a statement signed Tuesday in Abuja by the Chief Operating Officer of the NWFL, Dr. Ayo Abdulrahman,

the 12 clubs failed to submit evidence of up-to-date payments of players’ wages and also failed to submit reports of comprehensive medical test on each of the registered players.

Abdulrahman noted: “There is no way we can start a new season without the clubs offsetting owed salaries of players so as to start the new season on a clean slate.�

He added: “With the present situation in the Nigerian football league, where medical certification of players has become an integral

part of football administration in the country, we cannot turn a blind eye on this. The reason we had no choice than to insist on the medical certification of each of the players registered for the new season.�

Dr. Ayo Abdulrahman said in the statement: “We are constraint to postpone the 2019/2020 Nigeria Women Premier League kick-off owing to registration irregularities by some of the clubs. “The clubs affected are: Ibom Angels, Pelican Stars of Calabar, FC Robo Queens of

Lagos, Dream Stars of Lagos, Heartland Queens of Owerri and Royal Queens FC. “Others include: Abia Angels FC, Adamawa Queens, Confluence Queens FC of Lokoja, Sunshine Queens of Akure, Osun Babes of Osogbo and Delta Queens of Asaba. “In view of the inadequacies, the kick-off of the 2019/2020 Nigeria Women Premier League has been postponed by one week, to provide the opportunity for the defaulting clubs to meet up with the registration requirements.

Auwalu, Effiong Emerge New Leaders in Eunisell Boot Race Kano Pillars striker Auwalu Ali Malam and Akwa United’s Ndifreke Effiong have forged ahead in the race to win the prestigious Eunisell Boot in this season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Both players were among the goal scorers over the weekend for their clubs to take their tally for the campaign to 11 goals apiece.

Auwalu has been in superb form for Kano Pillars and

the forward continued his performance by netting the two goals that ensured his club won 2-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday.

Effiong, on the other hand, made sure that he remained as a contender for the Eunisell Boot when he scored an eighth-minute goal for Akwa United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina where they picked a point after Katsina United rallied back to a 1-1 draw.

However Auwalu and Effiong will still have to look over their shoulders as Rangers striker Israel Abia with 10 goals is breathing down their neck.

The former Sunshine Stars man was not among the goals on Matchday 24.

The pair of Enyimba’s Victor Mbaoma and Plateau United’s Ibrahim Mustapha, who scored in his team’s 2-1 win over Nasarawa United, are also in the running with nine goals each.

The race for the Eunisell Boot continues this midweek with Matchday 25 games.

TOP SCORERS 11 GOALS Ndifreke EďŹƒong (Akwa United) Auwalu Ali (Kano Pillars) 10 GOALS Israel Abia (Rangers) 9 GOALS Victor Mbaoma (Enyimba) Ibrahim Mustapha (Plateau United)

Flykite Announces Postponement of GOtv Boxing Night 21 Flykite Productions, organisers of GOtv Boxing Night, have announced a decision to postpone the 21st edition of the event (GOtv Boxing Night 21).

The show, scheduled to hold on 12 April at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium,

Lagos, will now hold at a date to be announced later.

The decision to postpone the event was informed by concerns related to the COVID-19.

In a statement, CEO of Flykite Promotions, Jenkins Alumona, said the decision to postpone

the event was taken after consultation with stakeholders and event sponsors. “After close consultations with boxing stakeholders and the sponsors, we have decided to postpone GOtv Boxing Night 21 to a later date. This is in recognition

of the hazard that COVID-19 poses, especially in light of boxing being a physical sport which attracts a large number of people,� Alumona explained.

The event, which debuted in 2014, is an initiative of GOtv to revive the sport in Nigeria.

Wednesday March 18, 2020

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MISSILE

Segun Oni to APC “If the APC gives me the whole world, I won’t be happy seeing an integral part of my political life, I mean my supporters being treated badly” – Former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Segun Oni, lamenting the shabby treatment being meted to him and his supporters in the APC.

KAYODEKOMOLAFE The Political Economy of COVID-19 T THE HORIZON

wo days ago, Cuba gave permission to a British cruise ship with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) patients on board to dock within its territorial waters.

By this exceptional act, the struggling Caribbean Island is teaching the rest of the world some lessons about our common humanity.

These are profound lessons that cannot be explained by narrow political and economic calculus. In fact, the nation of Cuba is rewriting the diplomatic rules in its own humane way.

On the British cruise ship are five passengers among 600 voyagers who have tested positive to coronavirus. Several countries that are friendly to Britain had turned away the British ship. For two days, the ship remained stranded on the sea seeking a place to dock.

The British government finally sought help from Cuba. Now, in diplomatic history the United Kingdom could not be accused of being a great friend of Cuba in the face of the asphyxiating 60-year old blockade mounted against the tiny country by the powerful United States.

Yet on Monday, the Cuban foreign ministry said in a highly compassionate statement: “Given the urgency of the situation and the risk to the lives of sick people, the Cuban government has decided to allow the docking of this ship.

“The passengers will be repatriated by air to the UK and their home countries…

“These are times of solidarity, of understanding health as a human right, of reinforcing international cooperation to face our common challenges, values that are inherent in the humanistic practice of the Revolution and of our people…”

Besides, Cuban doctors are on ground in Italy along with Chinese experts to tackle the coronavirus which has kept the European nation on a lockdown.

These Cuban doctors, exemplars of our common human humanity, are in Italy at the request of the Italian government.

Cuba has also sent supplies of Interferon B to Italy to treat patients. The drug has helped in treating patients China. It is produced in a joint venture as part of an agreement between the two countries.

The example of Cuba is conspicuous amid the panic that seems to be defining the global response to the ravages of COVID-19.

Contrast the foregoing anectode with the following one. There is a German company called CureVac that is researching into the production of a vaccine against coronavirus.

American President Donald Trump has reportedly offered CureVac funds “to lure” the company to relocate into the United States.

Essentially, the Germans are alleging that Trump wants to “secure the scientist’s work exclusively,” so that the vaccine could be produced “only for the United States.”

This, of course, has drawn the ire of German politicians. Germany is reportedly taking steps to stop the American moves. In the reasoning of German politicians, no country should have a monopoly on the production of vaccine to combat COVID-19.

In fact, Germany is believed to be making counter-offers to the company.

A spokesman of the German Health Ministry is more explicit about what is happening: “The German government is very interested in ensuring that vaccines and active substances against the new coronavirus are also developed in Germany and Europe.

“In this regard, the government is in intensive exchange with the company, CureVac.” Invoking German foreign trade laws, an official of the German Economy ministry was

kayode.komolafe@thisdaylive.com

Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed quoted in Berlin as confirming that Germany “has a great interest,” in producing vaccines in Germany and Europe.

Germany is, therefore, examining the alleged takeover bids from a non-European Union (EU) country to see “if national or European security interests are at stake.”

The German mood on this matter is, perhaps, encapsulated in the words of a German social democrat law maker, who is also a professor of health economics and epidemiology: “The exclusive sale of a possible vaccine to the USA must be prevented by all means. Capitalism has limits.”

An American official has been quoted as saying that: ”This story is wildly overplayed… We will continue to talk to any company that claims to be able to help. And any solution found would be shared with the world.”

As they say, there is no smoke without fire.

There is the information on the website of CureVac that the company’s CEO Daniel Menichella “ recently met with Trump , Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials.” This was during the American government parley with pharmaceutical companies on the production of a vaccine against coronavirus.

Well, there is a relief on the COVID-19 horizon.

CureVac hopes to produce an experimental vaccine of a coronavirus in June or July, said it would develop the vaccine to “help people not just regionally but in solidarity across the world.”

The company is not about to be acquired, according to its spokesman, who said no offer has been received from the U.S. or any other country.

The economics and politics of COVID-19 may even be more problematic than the epidemiology of the disease

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The COVID-19 stories above point to the fact that the economics and politics of coronavirus may even be more problematic than the epidemiology and virology of the disease.

World Health Organisation (WHO) DirectorGeneral Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has already hinted even on an aspect of the sociology of COVID-19 when he spoke about an “infodemic, ” the sheer volume of disinformation, mass distraction, fake news and mischief that pollute the cyberspace in the name of freedom of expression.

There is a proliferation of online “experts” in the matters of COVID-19. The precautions against infection being promoted by health authorities are also in the realm of the sociology of the people – social distancing, form of greetings, attendance of ceremonies and congregations etc.

While the epidemiologists and virologists are busy studying the nature and implications of coronavirus in the laboratories, some politicians and businessmen are intensely involved in the economic calculus and the political game being played with the disease.

There is a lot of danger in the way some western politicians seem to be manipulating the poltical economy of COVID-19.

For instance, what was the scientific sense in Trump first announcing a travel ban on Europe while excluding the UK and Ireland?

The American president seemed to forget that coronavirus doesn’t recognise the historical “special relationship” between the U.S. and the UK as wells as Trump’s ill will against the unity of EU. The lack of science in Trump’s decision was proved when a few days later the ban was extended to the UK and Ireland.

As if to prove the point that the economics of COVID-19 is as important as the science of the disease, the Trump administration is asking the Congress for a new stimulus package of between $800 billion and $850 billion to mitigate the damage of coronavirus to the American economy. The government may be sending money directly to the citizens as “emergency financial aid.”

Experts regard this as a more aggressive economic policy to a disease that is crippling the aviation, hospitality and manufacturing sectors even in the developed countries.

The health crisis is now coupled with an economic crisis. The interplay of forces is such that the health and economic crises are mutually reinforcing to the monumental detriment of people’s welfare.

The UK is planning to launch a 330 pounds rescue package for businesses as it fears that the impact of the virus outbreak may linger on the British economy for another one year.

In other parts of the world, governments are seriously working on how to limit the negative economic consequences of COVD-19 especially on the poor people.

A Republican senator in the U.S., seemed to define the nature of the response required at this moment when he said that ”there is an absolute need for a government in times of crisis…”

Nigeria has a lot to borrow from other countries in its response to the present health emergency.

The health authorities in Abuja and the state capitals should improve on the efforts to prevent the spread of the virus in Nigeria while preparing more concretely for any eventuality.

The official figure of the cases recorded in the country is relatively low compared with those of the other countries wrestling with the pandemic.

The official figure of three cases should not choloroform Nigeria’s alertness about the virus.

There should be no complacency.

The economic managers at the federal and

state levels should roll up their sleeves for the economic crisis that may result from the scourge.

Nigeria’s problem is further problematised by the slide in the oil price. Some pundits even forecast a drop in oil price to $20.

In this context, the policy step taken by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) a few days ago is welcome. The policy measures are meant to boost economic confidence which is vital in mitigating the effects of a possible crisis in the economy.

From this month, a -year moratorium has been further granted in all principal repayments while interest rate is reduced from nine per cent to five percent. Notably in the package, a N50 billion facility through the Nigeria Incentive-Based Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) has been put in place. It is meant for households and small and medium scale enterprise that could be affected by the consequences of COVD-19.

The fiscal authorities should also come up with concrete policies that could reassure economic actors that the Nigerian poltical economy is in the hands of safe managers as people try to keep safe from coronavirus at the individual levels.

Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed seemed to give a hint that a comprehensive policy package was afoot at the recent roundatable with the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele.

A comprehensive economic package that would be informed by the reality of the situation should be put in place by the economic managers.

The National Economic Council, created by the constitution, should be involved as the package is being put together because the state and federal governments should work with unity of purpose to stave off the economy from the path of crisis. The implementation of some of the policies may require a replication of efforts at the state levels so as to mitigate the impact on the poor.

In tackling this crisis, the minsters of finance and health may turn out to be the busiest officials of governments in the months ahead.

Beyond the political economy of COVID-19, the most profound lesson of the moment is the recognition of the onesness of mankind, a moral asset needed in confronting the pandemic.

There are still great uknowns about COVID-19.

The world is virtually on lockdown. The west is closing its borders.

Yet, the implication of the WHO’S declaration that coronavirus is a pandemic is a universal one. The virus does not recognise the narrow economics and politics of man. A few weeks ago, China was the epicentre of COVID-19. There was a ferment of prejudice against the Chinese people following the declaration by the WHO. In a very unscientific manner, coronavirus was stereotypically branded a Chinese problem in some quarters.

The same WHO has now declared Europe as the new epicentre of the scourge.

That’s why the commonality of mankind should always be emphasised in the global efforts to tackle the disease.

This situation calls for cooperation among countries and global organisations. It’s not a time to engage in some crude economic and political competition. For whatever the trophy of such a mindless competition might be, the cost would certainly be human lives and well-being of the people especially the poor.

Above all, the virus replicates rapidly. The information about its nature and spread should be collectively shared for the purpose of global eradication.

So, the government should realise that a keen sense of time and truth telling are essential ingredients in policy-making at this time.

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