WEDNESDAY 14TH APRIL 2021

OPEC Raises Oil Demand Growth on Stronger Economic Recovery NNPC posts marginal increase in gas-to-power generation Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has raised its forecast for crude oil demand growth this year on the back of an expected

stronger economic recovery.

The cartel, in its April Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR), a copy of which THISDAY obtained yesterday, said demand would rise by 5.95 million barrels per day

(bpd) in 2021, or 6.6 per cent, up by 70,000 bpd from last month.

Also yesterday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) reported an improvement in the supply

of gas for power generation, saying that along with its Joint Venture (JV) partners, it produced a total of 223.55 Billion Cubic Feet (BCF) of natural gas in January 2021.

OPEC stated that the

upward revision mainly took into account a stronger economic rebound than assumed last month, propelled by stimulus programmes and a further relaxation in COVID-19 measures.

The revision marks a change of tone from previous months, in which OPEC has lowered demand forecasts because of continued lockdowns.

Continued on page 8

PenCom Attributes N58bn Decline in Pension Assets to Market Volatility... Page 6 Wednesday 14 April, 2021 Vol 26. No 9502. Price: N250

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Seven Years After, ARISE NEWS Goes Back to Chibok... Page 54

Govs Await Buhari’s Return to Resolve State Judiciaries’ Financial Autonomy Logjam Submit technical report to president’s chief of staff Rule out going to S’Court To meet state speakers, judiciary workers over strike Chuks Okocha in Abuja Governors of the 36 states of the federation are awaiting the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve the logjam over the implementation of financial autonomy for state judiciaries, THISDAY learnt yesterday.

A source confided in

THISDAY that while the governors were eager to resolve the impasse, which triggered the ongoing strike by judicial workers, they had decided to defer to the president by waiting for him to return from his medical trip to Britain before taking further Continued on page 8

Atiku, Tinubu, Govs, APC Rejoice with Muslims on Ramadan

Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale, Udora Orizu in Abuja, Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia and Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State; Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State; Deputy Speaker of the House

of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have congratulated Muslims in Nigeria for the commencement of fasting in the Holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement issued by his media office, Atiku urged Muslims to seize the once-in-a-year opportunity to get close to God spiritually Continued on page 8

ALL ROADS LEAD TO OWERRI… L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Senator Olubunmi Adetunbi (Ekiti North) and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, during Fayemi’s visit to Owerri…yesterday

EFCC Arrests Ex-Imo Gov Okorocha... Page 5

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

EFCC Arrests Ex-Imo Gov Okorocha

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested a former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, in Abuja.

Spokesman of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed his arrest to THISDAY. "Yes. It is true. He is with us.

He was arrested in Abuja," he said.

On whether he would spend the night at the commission, he said: "He was with us as at the time I left the office. I have left the office."

The former governor, who is also the senator representing Imo

West senatorial district, has been having a running battle with his successor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, over the ownership of some assets in Owerri, the state capital which the state government had sealed.

While the state government claimed the property, Spring Palms Estate, belonged to the state government, Okorocha insisted that they belonged to members of his family.

The former governor had gone to the property with his supporters to unseal it.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested a former Governor of Imo State, Senator

US to Halt Use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Ejiofor Alike The United States' federal health agencies yesterday recommended the suspension of the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, after six recipients of the vaccine - all women - developed a “severe type of blood clot.”

TheCable reported that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said they would stop using the vaccine at federal sites.

The agencies also asked states to suspend the use of the vaccine, pending the outcome of its investigation.

The agencies, in a joint statement, said they were “reviewing data involving six reported US cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the vaccine. Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare.

“Treatment of this specific type of blood clot is different from the treatment that might typically be administered.

“CDC will convene a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP) on Wednesday (today) to further review

these cases and assess their potential significance. FDA will review that analysis as it also investigates these cases.

“Until that process is complete, we are recommending this pause.

This is important to ensure that the healthcare provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events and can plan due to the unique treatment required with this type of blood clot.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) had on March 12 listed the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in all countries.

It is the third COVID-19 vaccine that has received FDA’s authorisation, and also the first single-dose COVID-19 vaccine available in the US. About seven million people in the US were said to have received the vaccine.

Similar reports of blood clot development in recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine made several European countries to suspend the use of the product in March.

However, they've resumed using the vaccine after European Union and British regulators said there was no link between the vaccine and the reported side effects.

Rochas Okorocha, in Abuja.

Spokesman of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed his arrest to THISDAY. "Yes. It is true. He is with us.

He was arrested in Abuja," he said.

On whether he would spend the night at the commission, he said: "He was with us as at the time I left the office. I have left the office."

The former governor, who is also the senator representing Imo West senatorial district, has been having a running battle with his successor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, over the ownership of some assets in Owerri, the state capital which the state government had sealed.

While the state government claimed the property, Spring Palms Estate, belonged to the state government, Okorocha insisted that they belonged to members of his family.

The former governor had gone to the property with his

supporters to unseal it.

The situation degenerated into violence, leading to the arrest of the former governor by the Imo State Police Command on the orders of the state government.

Okorocha was later released after the intervention of the presidency.

Uzodimma had explained why his administration seized the disputed property.

He said the state government’s action was in accordance with a report of a judicial panel set up by former Governor Emeka Ihedioha before he left office.

An Imo State High Court later ordered the interim forfeiture of all the property said to be acquired through “illegal means”

by Okorocha.

Justice Fred Njemanze gave the order following an ex-parte application filed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Louis Alozie.

The property, according to the court, include: “Eastern

Palm University, Ogboko; Royal Spring Palm Hotels and Apartments; IBC staff quarters illegally acquired for the purpose of Rochas Foundation College, Owerri; Magistrate Quarters, Orlu road/ cooperative office/Girls Guide illegally converted to private use housing market square, Kilimanjaro eatery; public building plot B/2 Otamiri South Extension Layout given to the Ministry of Women Affairs for establishing a skills acquisition centre for women, illegally acquired for the benefit of Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha’s all-in stall, Aba road.

Others are: “Plot P5, Naze residential layout, initially part of primary school management board but now annexed to all-in stall, Aba road belonging to Nkechi Okorocha, and all the properties contained from pages 226 to 272 of the government white paper on the recommendation of the judicial

commission of inquiry into land administration in Imo State from June 2006 to May 2019.”

The situation degenerated into violence, leading to the arrest of the former governor by the Imo State Police Command on the orders of the state government.

Okorocha was later released after the intervention of the presidency.

Uzodimma had explained why his administration seized the disputed property.

He said the state government’s action was in accordance with a report of a judicial panel set up by former Governor Emeka Ihedioha before he left office.

An Imo State High Court later ordered the interim forfeiture of all the property said to be acquired through “illegal means”

by Okorocha.

Justice Fred Njemanze gave the order following an ex-parte application filed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Louis Alozie.

RELIGION MEETS POLITICS… General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye (left), and Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, during a visit by the cleric to the governor in Kaduna…yesterday

House Intervenes as Legislative Aides Protest Unpaid Salaries Parliamentary workers threaten strike Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday intervened as National Assembly legislative aides disrupted the scheduled reconvening of federal lawmakers after a 19-day Easter recess with a massive protest over unpaid seven months’ salaries, non-implementation of minimum wage and unpaid duty tour allowance, among others.

The industrial crisis may worsen today as the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) of both the National Assembly and National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) chapters have vowed to go on strike from today if the management fails to meet their demands.

These demands include the implementation of the minimum wage/consequential adjustment and the financial provisions in their conditions of service.

However, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has

described as unjustifiable the National Assembly management's failure to pay the legislative aides wages from June to December 2019.

The aides who stormed the National Assembly carrying placards with various inscriptions like 'Pay Us Our Wages', CNA, Pay Us Our 2019 Salary,' 'NASS Management, A Worker Deserves His Pay,' accused the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Mr. Olatunde Ojo, of failing to pay their salary arrears, implement the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS), minimum wage, non-payment of Duty Tour Allowances (DTA) and lack of training and conditions of service for the aides.

The aggrieved protesters, on sighting Gbajabiamila, who was on his way to the chamber started chanting solidarity songs.

Gbajabiamila stopped and demanded to hear out the leaders of the protesting aides.

Speaking on behalf of others, Mr. Zebis Prince, who represents the South-South geo-political

zone of the group told the speaker that the aides wanted the CNA to meet all their demands.

The demands were thereafter presented to Gbajabiamila by the Chairman, National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum (NASSLAF), Mr. Salisu Zuru.

The speaker, after receiving the letter of demand, said it was inexcusable not to pay workers arrears dating back to 2019 and pleaded with the workers to be patient while the National Assembly leadership looks into it. ''I believe that every labourer should be paid his wages. We are looking into it. While these things can be protracted, not paying wages for 2019 is inexcusable. We will look into it. I will just ask that you be patient. We plead for your understanding.

We know there are financial constraints, but one thing I know is this will be resolved amicably and your arrears will be paid. We appreciate you for bringing these demands to our attention and we will attend

to it accordingly," he stated.

Addressing journalists shortly after, the Chairman National Assembly Legislative Aides, Mr. Stanley Ugwu, said their grievances accused the management of the National Assembly of denying them certain privileges and rights of the legislative aides.

He said: ''We engaged them on administrative processes up till a point of getting a resolution to investigate the non-payment of the 2019 salary arrears, which the House of Representatives set up a committee, they sat and conducted their activities and the report was laid and adopted by the House.

“Since the report has been accepted at the plenary, the management has not deemed it fit to make the payments.

The quarterly training for the aides has not been done as well and if aides are not trained, the quality of the legislation you will have here will be low.''

Also, one of the aides, Mr. Lawson Oviashave, told THISDAY that the aides had wanted the President of the

Senate, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, to address them, adding that if he failed to show up, they would disperse and continue the protest today.

He said: ''If Lawan doesn’t come, we will peacefully disperse. Tomorrow we will come back here; we are going to keep on coming here every day until our demands are met.

We can’t be blackmailed; they have the impression that aides are a bunch of irresponsible people but we are going to prove them wrong.

"We will let the world know the conditions under which we are working. It’s a continuous process until we get an alert of our arrears.''

The protesters had before embarking on the protest, issued a statement on Monday, saying that since the inauguration of the Ninth Assembly, salary arrears of some legislative aides had been withheld by the management.

Meanwhile, the parliamentary workers (PASAN) have vowed to embark on strike today if the management of National

Assembly fails to meet their demands.

The union, in a joint communiqué signed by Sunday Sabiyyi (Chairman, National Assembly chapter) and Oisamaye Ojemeri (Chairman, NASC chapter) yesterday at the end of its congress in Abuja asked the management of the National Assembly to implement the minimum wage/ consequential adjustment and the financial provisions in their conditions of service.

The association also rejected the proposal of the management of National Assembly on the implementation of part of their demands.

But speaking yesterday during plenary, Gbajabiamila appealed to the workers to exercise some patience, assuring them that the issue would be resolved soon.

He said: ''I will like to appeal to the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) who is protesting to exercise some patience, their matter is being looked into and the issues will be resolved very soon.''

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PenCom Attributes N58bn Decline in Pension Assets to Market Volatility Ebere Nwoji The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has attributed the N58 billion decline in total pension assets from an all-time high value of N12.306 trillion as of December 2020, to the latest figure of N12.248 trillion in February 2021, to market volatility.

PenCom, in its monthly report of pension asset value, posted in its website, which THISDAY accessed yesterday, said the amount recorded in February 2021 was contributed by 9,265,141 registered members under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

But enquires by THISDAY from PenCom showed that contrary to insinuations that the decline has to do with the general economic downturn, which has compelled organisations to downsize, thereby making contributors into the scheme to demand withdrawals within the limit allowed by the law in time of job loss, the reverse was the case.

PenCom’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Peter Aghahowa, in a telephone interview, attributed the decline to a valuation issue.

This, he said, was due to volatility in the price of fixed-income securities.

According to him, there has been depreciation in the prices of various investment securities, as a result, yields from investments became low leading to a decline in the value of pension assets in February.

He, however, said there was nothing to worry about, as experience had shown that asset prices fluctuate and as such the decline might not continue to reflect in the remaining months of the year.

He added that all funds were not affected as the decline depends on the investment portfolio each fund was invested.

According to him, the fund structures mostly affected were

funds from closed Pension Fund Administrators, RSA Fund11 and RSA Fund IV. Aghahowa said there were no special reasons these funds were affected other than their choice of investment portfolios and the prevailing price behaviours in the market as at the time of their investment.

PenCom, in an explanatory note on the development, stated: "The decline of N51.30 billion in February was mainly attributed to the depreciation in the prices of fixed-income securities in the trading portfolios of the approved existing scheme. RSA Fund 11, IV and Closed Pension Fund Administrators thereby creating unrealisable losses on marked-to-market fixed income securities.”

It said the value of the bonds in the trading portfolios fluctuated based on the supply and demand of underlying securities as well as the outlook of the financial market. About 73 per cent of the entire pension assets are invested in government securities deemed to be the safest investment portfolio.

NEW BROOM… Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri (left), and the new Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Aminu Hassan, during the military top brass’ courtesy visit to the governor in Yenagoa…yesterday

32 Refinery Licences Expired, Not Revoked, Says DPR Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has denied revoking 32 refinery licences, saying their validity periods merely expired.

The agency gave the clarification yesterday in a statement by its Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Paul Osu. Thirty-two refinery licences issued to private companies, including the 200,000 barrels per day BUA Refinery and Petrochemicals in Akwa Ibom State were reportedly revoked by the DPR while 23 licences remained valid.

Other affected refineries are: Dee Jones (Cross River); Energia Limited

(Delta State); Southfield Petrochemical & Refinery Ltd (Edo); Starex Petroleum Refinery (Onne Oil & Gas Free Trade Zone); RG Shinjin Petrochemicals (Delta); Don Mac (Edo), and Platinum Hydrocarbon Resources (Delta).

Others are: Mondonat Nigeria Ltd (Delta); IkweOnna Refinery (Akwa Ibom); Shepha Petroleum & Petrochemicals Company (Delta); JIL-Amber (Port Harcourt Refinery); Gazingstock Petroleum Company (Delta); Petrolex Oil & Gas Limited (Ogun); Eghudu Refinery (Edo); Ibafon Refinery FZE (Calabar FTZ, Cross River); and Kainji Resources (Imo).

Among them are Eko Petrochem & Refining

Company (Lagos); Hi-Rev Oil (Akwa Ibom); Epic Refinery & Petrochemical Industries (Bayelsa); Masters Energy Oil & Gas (Rivers); Cross Country Oil & Gas (Imo); Grifon Energy (Ondo); Sifax Oil & Gas Company (Lagos); and Capital Oil & Gas Industries (Lagos).

Others include: All Grace Energy (Rivers); Green Energy International (Rivers); Fresh Energy Limited (Bayelsa); Chyzob Oil & Gas (Abia); Aiteo Energy Resources Limited (Delta); Associated Worldwide Company (Akwa Ibom); and Amakpe International Refinery (Akwa Ibom).

However, DPR stated that refinery licence, like its other regulatory instruments, have validity periods for investors

to attain certain milestones.

It said in line with such regulatory instruments, it implied that after the validity period for a particular milestone, the licence becomes inactive until the company reapplies for revalidation to migrate to another milestone.

"We wish to clarify that DPR did not revoke any refinery licence. Refinery licences like our other regulatory instruments have validity periods for investors to attain certain milestones.

"This implies that after the validity period for the particular milestone, the licence becomes inactive until the company reapplies for revalidation to migrate to another milestone.

"This does not in any way translate to revocation of the licence of the company," the agency added.

DPR said in line with the aspirations of the government, it initiated the refinery revolution programme, aimed at boosting local refining capacity by enabling business and creating new opportunities for investors with the granting of modular and conventional refinery licences.

The regulator assured investors that it will continue to support them, using its regulatory instruments of licences, permits and approvals to stimulate the economy and align with the government's job creation initiatives.

CAN Rejects Wearing of Hijab in Christian Schools Udora Orizu in Abuja The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday kicked against a bill seeking to prohibit and prevent religious discrimination against adherents and practitioners of different faiths and beliefs.

CAN, which hosted the sponsor of the bill now before the House of Representatives, Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi, who visited to solicit support for the bill, said the proposed legislation, if eventually passed into law, would cause chaos, confusion, division and crisis in Nigeria.

The bill, titled: "Religious Discrimination (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) Bill 2021," seeks to provide a mechanism for enforcing certain provisions of

the Constitution 1999 as amended and other relevant national and international laws and conventions on religious freedom and tolerance.

Section 4(1) of part B of the bill sighted by THISDAY, states that "A person shall not, directly or indirectly or by any combination of the two, be intimidated, harassed, victimised or discriminated against on the basis of religious belief or activity or on the ground of manifestation of religion or religious belief or any other ground of a characteristic that people who have or engage in the religious belief or activity generally have; and on the ground of a characteristic that people who have or engage in the religious belief or activity are generally presumed to

have or manifest which may include wearing religious emblem, head cover, Hijab, scarf, habit, decent and modest religious dress."

Speaking at the meeting, the President of CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, said the bill, if passed into law, would enforce discrimination rather than unite the country.

He stated that Nigeria currently has laws that can take care of discrimination, stressing that if anyone is discriminated against, the court is open.

“You don't sit on my nose because you have a right to sit down. Beyond your good intent to solve a problem, we may be creating many other ones. There is no mutual respect,” he said.

He stated that the name of the sponsor of the bill

would go into history as one who disregarded the rights of Christians to promote his own religion.

“Why do we have to wage war against ourselves? Why do we want to wake up a problem which is sleeping?

Wearing of hijab has not made any student more intelligent. Piety is in the heart. In a multi-ethnic nation like ours, school uniform creates uniformity, classless. Once you pass that bill, be prepared for a state of confusion,'' he said.

Ayokunle made reference to the crisis in Kwara State, saying that a legal backing to a bill would escalate the situation.

He said, ''I met with the Governor of Kwara State here in Abuja, in Aso Rock, and I told him, ‘Do you know that this problem

had been before you? But the governors before you managed it with wisdom and through many other means...persuasion, getting closer to the people. Now, the problem I see in us, especially the radicalisation of religion that is now coming, which has been heating up the polity, is that there has been no Islamic school established for Western education where the Muslims who established it has not helped that community to develop.

And there is no Christian institution established in any place that has not opened up that place for development. If that is at the bottom of our hearts, why do we now have to wage war against ourselves on what has been working?”

Earlier, Abdullahi had

appealed to the association for support.

He said: ''We came up with a proposal which tilts towards proffering solution to the problem that has become a clog in our wheel of progress for quite a while now. A lot of people will say that religious issues are too sensitive to be discussed, but I feel that if you have a problem and you don’t talk about it, you are not likely going to have a solution to it. It is in appreciation of that that we came up with a bill, which has gone through first and second reading in the House.”

He told CAN leaders that lawmakers were not prepared for the public hearing, adding that he preferred to build consensus before going for a public hearing.

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PAGE EIGHT GOVS AWAIT BUHARI’S RETURN TO RESOLVE STATE JUDICIARIES’ FINANCIAL AUTONOMY LOGJAM action on the matter.

The federal government and states have been locked in a war of attrition over the implementation of financial autonomy for state judiciaries.

Although Section 81 (3) and Section 121 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), grant financial autonomy to federal and state judiciaries, governors have largely ignored the provision.

This has elicited a campaign to free the judiciary in each state from governors' control, prompting Buhari to go the extra mile by signing Executive Order 10, which mandates governors to put the judiciary and the legislature on the first line charge.

However, the governors, who described the executive order as full of inconsistencies and unconstitutional, impressed it on the president to defer its gazetting to allow for talks to resolve the knotty issues on granting financial autonomy to state judiciaries and legislatures.

In another bid to push the enforcement of the financial autonomy policy, the judicial workers and a former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, had filed suits in court to challenge the governors' reluctance to implement the policy.

The courts, in the cases of Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria Vs National Judicial Council (NJC) and Governors of the 36 states in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/

CS/667/13; Olisa Agbakoba Vs Federal Government of Nigeria, NJC and the National Assembly in suit No. FHC/ ABJ/CS/63/2013; and Olisa Agbakoba Vs Attorney General of Ekiti State and two Others in Suit No. NAD/56/2013, upheld the arguments for financial autonomy for state judiciaries.

But following the failure of the states to implement the financial autonomy, the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has since shut down the courts and embarked on a strike.

The source said the governors were still trying to reach a consensus over the enforcement of the order.

He said the governors had planned to approach the Supreme Court to interpret certain provisions of the order but later shelved the plan in order not to embarrass the federal government.

According to him, a technical report containing the position of the governors has been submitted to the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, while they await the return of the president from the foreign medical trip for a final resolution of the issue.

He confirmed that the governors will meet today with the striking judicial workers to find a way of ending the strike.

He said the governors would want a consensus approach to the implementation of

the executive order to avoid embarrassing the government.

According to him, the governors decided to adopt the approach of negotiation with the federal government so as not to embarrass federal government at the Supreme Court, adding that certain provisions of the executive order were unconstitutional and inconsistent.

"The Executive Order 10 is full of inconsistencies, contradictions and unconstitutional in nature.

We set up a committee.

The committee is headed by the Solicitor-General of the Federation. The minister of finance is a member with some governors as members.

"We are almost reaching a consensus on the implementation. We don't want to embarrass the federal government because of the unconstitutional nature of some of the clauses of the Executive Order 10," the source said.

Highlighting the unconstitutionality of the Executive Order 10, the source said: "For instance, the order mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation to deduct the money from the source, but the Attorney-General has no such powers bestowed on him by the constitution. The powers to make such deductions are vested in the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

"So, under the circumstances,

there are some issues that have to be sorted out before a total compliance and implementation," the source added.

He explained that the governors, operating under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), decided not to challenge the order in the court so as not to overheat the polity.

Speaking with journalists at the instance of the Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong, said yesterday that the governors would meet today with all the speakers of state Houses of Assembly, leaders of judicial workers and other stakeholders on how to end the week-long strike.

The meeting is expected to take place in Abuja.

Lalong said in Abuja that the stance of the governors was that the federal government was not in a position to dictate ways of implementing the executive order to any state.

Lalong stated: "The court did not make any pronouncement on Order 10. The court said there is a law on financial autonomy and Order 10 and financial autonomy law is different because Order 10 is not law but financial autonomy is the law.

"Now, the implementation of the financial autonomy was what, according to them, led to the enactment of Order 10.

"So people don't understand

what Order 10 is. It is talking about implementation, but for us governors, we are saying ‘no,’ we are going to do implementation; we don't need any proposals to do the implementation.

"So, we are only working on the law of implementation because we don't need any Order 10 to force us to do the implementation and the federal government cannot force us to implement.

“People don't understand; people have not even read what Order 10 is all about; people don't know the difference between Order 10 and the law on financial autonomy. When we are having a meeting, what we are going to conclude tomorrow is about financial autonomy.

It's not about Order 10.

"Order 10, of course, the subject is now in court, but we are not bothered about that. Instead, we are talking about the implementation of financial autonomy. I was a speaker. I started today and as a governor, and I knew how the governors agreed and brought in financial autonomy.

"It was a law, agreed by the governors and governors said go and pass it.”

Lalong added that he would want the judiciary to be autonomous for the purpose of strengthening the institution.

According to him, people are thinking about money, but the issue is not about money, but for the institutions to be

strengthened.

He defended the governors, saying that no governor is dragging his foot.

“We were not consulted when we saw a law passed and the order came. So, when you are talking about implementation; you are talking about processes, you don't wake up because a law is passed," he stated.

He stated that there would be processes and procedures before the financial autonomy policy would be implemented.

He explained: "There must be processes. For instance, as a speaker, I will tell you that you cannot do financial autonomy until you have a service commission. You must have a service commission.

"You must establish a service commission, you must establish a state allocation committee and all these aspects towards autonomy and we did it for the National Assembly, and there was no other time for implementation.

"It took them stages. The federal government is aware, members of the National Assembly - there are governors among them today. I can just say that we have two people on the last seven governors who are members of the National Assembly, who fought for autonomy and got it for National Assembly."

According to him, the governors and other stakeholders are on the same page on how to ensure financial autonomy.

yesterday reported an improvement in the supply of gas for power generation, saying that along with its Joint Venture (JV) partners, it produced a total of 223.55 Billion Cubic Feet (BCF) of natural gas in January 2021.

It stated that this translated to an average daily production of 7,220.22 Million Standard Cubic Feet per Day (mmscfd), representing a 4.79 per cent increase over output in December 2020.

The information is contained in January 2021 edition of the NNPC Monthly Financial and Operations Report (MFOR), according to a statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the corporation, Dr. Kennie Obateru.

The corporation stated that the daily average natural gas supply to gas power plants increased by 2.38 per cent to 836mmscfd, equivalent to power generation of 3,415MW. From January 2020 to January 2021, it stated that a total of 2,973.01BCF of gas was produced, representing an average daily production

of 7,585.78 mmscfd during the period.

"Period-to-date production from Joint Ventures (JVs), Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) contributed about 65.20 per cent, 19.97 per cent and 14.83 per cent respectively to the total national gas production," it added.

Out of the total gas output in January 2021, the national oil company said a total of 149.24BCF of gas was commercialised, consisting of 44.29BCF and 104.95BCF for the domestic and export markets respectively.

This, it said, translated to a total supply of 1,428.65mmscfd of gas to the domestic market and 3,385.57mmscfd to the export market in the month under review.

"This indicates that 67.15 per cent of the daily gas output was commercialised while the balance of 32.85 per cent was re-injected, used as upstream fuel, or flared," it stated.

To guarantee energy

security, the corporation said it supplied a total of 1.44 billion litres of petrol, translating to 46.30 million litres per day, across the country in the period under review.

The NNPC also announced a 37.21 per cent decrease in cases of pipeline vandalism nationwide in the month under review.

The report indicated that a total of 27 pipeline points were vandalised in January 2021, down from the 43 points recorded in December 2020.

While the Mosimi area accounted for 74 per cent of the vandalised points, Kaduna area and Port Harcourt accounted for the remaining 22 per cent and 4 per cent respectively.

However, NNPC stated that it was working in collaboration with the local communities and other stakeholders to reduce and eventually eliminate pipeline vandalism.

OPEC RAISES OIL DEMAND GROWTH ON STRONGER ECONOMIC RECOVERY As expected, oil gained further towards $64 a barrel after the report was released, although still a far cry from $70 it hit a few weeks ago.

OPEC made a small upward revision in its 2021 demand projection last month, but it has steadily lowered the forecast from seven million bpd expected in July 2020.

The group hiked its forecast of 2021 world economic growth to 5.4 per cent from 5.1 per cent, assuming the impact of the pandemic is "largely contained" by the beginning of the second half of the year.

"The global economic recovery continues, significantly supported by unprecedented monetary and fiscal stimulus. The recovery is very much leaning towards the second half of 2021," OPEC stated.

It projected that the bulk of consumption growth this year would take place in the second and third quarters, with global demand expected to rise.

However, the organisation revised lower its oil demand

estimates for the first half of this year due to new virus waves and resulting lockdowns in Europe, as well as "sluggish" first-quarter demand data.

It said the fragile and uncertain recovery would require vigilant monitoring of market developments, which included the possibility of new COVID-19 variants, rising sovereign debt in most economies and a potential further rise in inflation that could tighten monetary policies.

It estimated non-OPEC liquids supply for 2021 at 63.83mn b/d, up by 930,000 b/d from 2020.

It said there had been "sizeable drawdowns" in global inventory levels since the middle of 2020, which might continue in the coming months.

OPEC and its allies agreed earlier this month to boost their collective output by more than two million barrels a day over the coming months, betting on resurgent demand.

There has been a faltering oil price rally, which has

stalled in recent weeks as some of Europe’s largest economies reimposed tight coronavirus restrictions.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) had dismissed the idea that oil was entering a “supercycle” of low supply and climbing demand, pointing to glutted global oil inventories.

OPEC has maintained supply discipline that has allowed it to regain control of oil prices since they crashed last year amid a price war and the effects of the pandemic on demand.

The cartel also slightly reduced its forecast for 2021 supply growth from outside of OPEC, inching down its forecast by 30,000 barrels a day.

NNPC Posts Marginal Increase in Gas-to-Power Generation in January Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)

ATIKU, TINUBU, GOVS, APC REJOICE WITH MUSLIMS ON RAMADAN and seek His favour, and relief from the myriad of problems that have become a cog in the wheel of Nigeria’s progress and development as a nation.

The former Vice President noted that although the Holy month of Ramadan is a period in which Muslims observe the 29 or 30 days fast, it is also a time for them to reflect on their humanity and to give charity, especially to those desperately in need of help.

"At this crucial time when regulations aimed at ending the scourge of COVID-19 have led to many people being economically displaced, it is incumbent on us to remember those in need and stretch our

hands of help," he said.

He enjoined all to shun acts of violence and criminality that is causing so much harm in the society.

Makinde has also congratulated Muslims in Oyo State, Nigeria and across the world, on the commencement of the 2021 Ramadan fasting.

The governor urged the Muslim faithful to pray relentlessly for the peace and development of the country during the fasting period.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as praying to the Almighty Allah (SWT) to show mercy to the Muslim

Ummah, Oyo State and Nigeria in general during this season and beyond.

The governor, who equally admonished Muslims across the world to embrace piety as demanded of them during the Ramadan fast, urged Muslims to beseech Almighty Allah (SWT) to put an end to insurgency and insecurity, which he said have been ravaging the whole country in recent years.

He also enjoined Muslims in the state to use the monthlong fasting period to pray for peaceful co-existence and security in the state and the country at large.

“I enjoin our brothers and

sisters in Islam to please use the opportunity of this month of blessings to seek Almighty Allah’s (SWT) mercies to make insecurity a thing of the past in our country.”

The governor also admonished Muslims to tune their minds to the messages of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence inherent in the messages of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW) while also being their brothers’ keepers.

On his part, the Gombe State Governor, Yahaya, has enjoined the Muslim Ummah to use the opportunity provided by the holy month to pray fervently against the challenges of insecurity as well as for

unity and progress of the state and the nation as a whole.

The governor who made the call in a goodwill message to mark the commencement of the Ramadan yesterday, also called for sustained prayers for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic which he said is still very much in existence.

He noted that this year’s holy month was coming at a time Nigeria was still battling with challenges of insecurity, characterised by insurgency, banditry, kidnappings and communal clashes, hence the need for all to intensify prayers to seek Allah’s intervention.

Continued on page 10

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NEWS

N’Assembly Suspends Plenary over Members’ Death

Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja

The Senate and House of Representatives, which just resumed plenary yesterday after its 19-day Easter break, adjourned again over the recent death of two members, Hon. Haruna Maitala and Hon. Suleiman Lere, both of the House of Representatives.

Maitala, who represented Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau State, died on April 2 in an auto crash on the Abuja/Jos highway, while Lere, who

represented Lere Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, died on April 6, after a brief illness.

While the Senate adjourned plenary till today, the House shifted its to April 20.

Moving the motion for adjournment, the Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, said: ''Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I rise in accordance with our tradition, to move two motions: One for the suspension of all other items scheduled for consideration on the Order Paper today;

and also another motion for this distinguished chamber to observe one-minute silence in honour of the departed.

I so move.''

The Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, while putting the motion to a voice vote, which was unanimously supported by senators, described the demise of the two lawmakers as another sad development in the National Assembly.

The Senate held one-minute silence in honour of the deceased lawmakers.

At the House, the Speaker,

Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, expressed sadness, saying that the death of the lawmakers was a painful one.

Gbajabiamila said: ''Both deaths were shocking, Hon. Maitala from Plateau State, quiet gentleman. I saw his family last Sunday in Jos. As expected, the loss was very painful to his loved ones. The circumstances surrounding his death were very painful.

The day he died, he had just come back from an official assignment on ECOWAS parliament and was going to Jos for his son’s wedding

when death confronted him.

He died together with his son and Hon. Yusuf Gadgi’s legislative aide. He tried to run for House of Representatives a couple of times and lost and eventually got it and then this. We commiserate with the family. ''Hon. Lere’s death is also painful; we know how he struggled in law courts for his election petition case and he eventually won almost after two years; we swore him in two months ago, which was a very bitter fight. Only for us to hear he died few weeks after

his swearing in. Both deaths are difficult to understand but God knows best.''

The speaker added that upon resumption next week, valedictory session will be held for the late Hon. Ossy Prestige who died in February, after a brief illness.

The lawmakers observed a minute silence in honour of their late colleagues, followed by a motion for adjournment moved by the House Leader Hon. Ado Doguwa, and seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu.

Nigeria, France Trade Lost $2.2bn to COVID-19, Says French Minister Offers Nigeria help to tackle insecurity Chuks Okocha in Abuja The French Minister of Foreign Trade and Attractiveness, Mr. Franck Riester, yesterday said the trade volume between Nigeria and France suffered a loss of over $2.2 billion due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He told journalists in Abuja after a meeting with governors, that his country was also ready to assist Nigeria to battle insecurity.

Riester said: "Nigeria is indeed France’s first commercial partner in Sub-Saharan Africa: bilateral trade amounted to a total of $4.5 billion in 2019 ($2.3 billion in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic."

Riester, who is on a two-day visit to Nigeria, said his visit was in line with the priorities set by French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, during his official visit to Nigeria in July 2018 and his willingness to change the narrative of the relations between Africa and France.

The minister is billed to meet top government functionaries and key private sector leaders in Abuja and Lagos, to stress the importance of bilateral economic relation between

Nigeria and France.

He said France was a major financial partner for Nigeria, being the second bilateral creditor of Nigeria after China, through the involvement of French Development Agency (AFD).

AFD engaged more than 2 billion Euros in the last 10 years in over 35 development projects.

The minister said France would also dedicate financing and capacity building in the health sector in some Nigerian states.

"France is also one of the major partners of the COVAX initiative.

Last February, President Macron stated that the failure to share vaccines would entrench global inequality and proposed sending part of the coronavirus vaccine supplies owned by European countries, the USA, China and Russia to developing countries," he stated.

He described Nigeria as the first country in sub-Saharan Africa for French direct investments, adding that there are about 100 French companies, present in many sectors (health, energy, environment, logistics...), employing more than 10 000 people, mostly Nigerians, and

contributing to vocational training.

As part of his visit to Lagos, he will open the “Choose

Africa” conference on Macron’s 3.5 billion Euros initiative to support start-ups and SMEs in Africa, which Nigerian

entrepreneurs have already benefited from.

The minister added the French government was

ready to help Oyo State in the provision of over $50 million investment in healthcare matters.

RAMADAN MUBARAK… Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (left), and Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, during the preRamadan prayers organized by the state government in Ikeja…yesterday

ATIKU, TINUBU, GOVS, APC RE JOICE WITH MUSLIMS ON RAMADAN He said: “As one of the five pillars of Islam, Ramadan fasting avails the Ummah a golden opportunity for spiritual rejuvenation and devotion through supplication and other acts of worship.

We, therefore, must use this opportunity to pray fervently for our dear state and the nation as well as for those in authority as we collectively battle to combat the threat of insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic and many challenges facing us today.”

Governor Sule of Nasarawa State has also urged Muslims in the state to pray for peace and prosperity of the state and Nigeria at large.

He asked them to pray for the state and the country while seeking forgiveness, blessings and favour of Allah through

devotion and supplications during the Ramadan.

The governor stated this in a statement he personally signed and issued to journalists in Lafia, the state capital.

He said: "It is my prayer and hope that believers will seize the opportunity of immense reward that abounds in the month to do good deeds for their families, communities and the people in general."

The ruling APC has also enjoined Muslim faithful to use the opportunity presented by the Holy month to pray for the security of the country.

The National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, in a statement issued yesterday said Ramadan, the 9th month of the

Islamic calendar is considered one of the most blessed, if not the holiest month in Islam.

"The APC hereby urges Moslems to pray for Nigeria's shared prosperity, development and security.

"We should also pray for our leaders and remember to take care of the less-privileged around us. We pray the Almighty Allah to answer our prayers and imbue in us the spirit of sacrifice, humility, mercy and kindness."

On his part, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Wase, has urged Muslim Ummah to use the Holy Month to pray for the peace, security and development of Nigeria.

In a congratulatory message to mark the commencement of this year's Ramadan, the

Deputy Speaker implored Muslims to follow and apply the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad in their relationship with both Muslims and non-Muslims neighbours.

He said: "We should remember to cater for the less-privileged in our midst, stay humble and abstain from all bad deeds. As Ramadan begins, I wish to felicitate with all Muslims for witnessing yet another season of spiritual significance. I enjoin you to use the sacred Holy month of Ramadan to pray for our dear nation against the current spate of killings, kidnappings, banditry and other security challenges bedevilling most parts of the country.

"We must report to all relevant authorities agents of destruction who disguise as

ethnic or religious champions to achieve their diabolic, selfish and heinous agenda by exploiting our perceived differences. I also call on our religious leaders not to relent in their prayers and preaching for unity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence in order to build a nation that we will all be proud of.”

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Tinubu, in a special press statement, yesterday by his Media Office and signed by Mr. Tunde Rahman, the former Lagos governor said: “I join Muslims in Nigeria and across the world in observance of this blessed month of Ramadan.

For this special and holy month serves to remind us of the peace-loving and

compassionate principles of our faith and encourages us to be even more faithful to these principles that we may all move closer to Allah in our daily lives.

He said the spirit of sacrifice, discipline, and perseverance symbolised by denying the body of food and drinks must engender the spirit of humility, mercy and kindness in Moslems and as a true community of faith.

“I urge our Muslim brothers and sisters to be guided by this spirit in their interactions with fellow Muslims, but equally important also in their relations with their neighbours and Nigerians of other faiths as well. We must do so not only for the holy month of Ramadan but every day of our lives,” he said.

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COMMENT

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

TESTING TIMES FOR NIGERIA

Lopsided appointments by the Buhari administration have partly landed the country in a fix, writes Sonnie Ekwowusi

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country divided by nepotism, ethno-religious politicisation, injustice, treachery, deceit, betrayal, fraud, and bloodletting cannot stand. Viewed against the backdrop of the oddities in Nigeria today this assertion becomes truer. Although like Pontius Pilate many people of our time still ask the sobering question; what is truth? But the truth resides in the sanctuary of every human heart. Starved of the truth the human heart takes revenge in making the human being restless. Compelled by the escapable natural law in his or her heart, every human being is inclined to sit in judgment on his actions. A guilty person might escape human justice; he might take flight from his guilt through ingenious human rationalization, but he cannot escape the inescapable penetrating judgment of his conscience.

Last week the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed tried to come to terms with the stewardship of the Buhari government. Lai publicly admitted that Nigeria is heading for extinction. He uttered this self-indicting confession in his letter inviting prominent Nigerian stakeholders for a town hall meeting in Kaduna last week to discuss Nigeria especially the heightened state insecurity in the country, secessionist sing-songs, incessant kidnappings, assassinations, gun-running in the country and so on. In the said letter, Lai Mohammed stated, inter alia: “As you may observe, Nigeria has failed to manage its diversity. Despite huge human and material resources the country is heading for the brink and there is an urgent need to pull it back from this catastrophe. Increasingly, we are seeing this lack of capacity to manage our diversity manifesting in a general state of insecurity as witnessed in the incidences of farmers/herders clashes, Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, ethno-religious clashes and intolerance, cultism, drug addiction and kidnapping. Closely tied to all these are the dangerous threat to the unity of the country and its continued existence as one indivisible nation. But the story of Nigeria has not always been this negative. How did we get here and what can we do to change the narrative to present our country in the best of light? This requires teamwork, reflecting all diversities, leveraging on all our collective creativity to pursue with diligence the project of rescuing Nigeria.’’

Lai is not lying. He speaks the truth. This is the first time a Buhari irredentist; loyalist or confidant is publicly acknowledging the problem with the Buhari government. Buhari’s government has been floundering since inception after he was unable to form his cabinet six months after he took power. And from 2015 to date the government has been floundering. The truth that Shehu Garba and the Presidency cannot tell Lai Mohammed is telling. Perhaps they may say, only one man is falling. Nigeria is not falling. She is only chastened, not brought to nought. It may be so; Nigeria is not falling; only one man has fallen.

Buy don’t forget that the men who built Nigeria laid one stone upon the order in order to fortify her and make her strong. Now one man is constantly removing one stone after another from Nigeria in order to weaken it and bring about her final collapse. What many men had labored over the last 60 years to build one man is destroying with reckless alacrity. Lai laments that the failure to manage Nigeria’s di-

NIGERIA IS FACING A MONUMENTAL EXISTENTIAL THREAT, PROBABLY THE DEADLIEST SINCE THE NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR

versity resulting in the reign of herders-farmers clashes, Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, ethno-religious clashes and intolerance, cultism, drug addiction and kidnapping in Nigeria is a big threat to “the unity of the country and its continued existence as one indivisible.”

Lai is right. No authority on earth can stop us or hinder us from speaking the truth we see and experience every day. Nigeria has become a massive killing field. Secessionist threats and incessant cases of kidnapping are presently the order of the day in Nigeria.

Kidnapping in particular has assumed a disturbing proportion. For instance, last week an Imo State traditional ruler and his entire cabinet chiefs were kidnaped. To worsen matters, the unity of Nigeria is in jeopardy. Drumbeats of war and separatism resound loudest today than in the past. Far off now are the days when peace reigns either in people’s hearts or in the polity. Today there is no peace in Nigeria, only a caricature of peace. Why? Because peace reigns in the crannies of justice. But unfortunately communal justice has been taken away from Nigeria. And communal justice having been taken away what is Nigeria but open robberies as St. Augustine would say? I agree with Lai Mohammed that “the story of Nigeria has not always been this negative”. For instance, despite the palpable failures and weaknesses of the Jonathan government, it never permitted the AK-47 wielding Fulani herdsmen to be freely invading the nooks and crannies of Nigeria and killing and maiming their victims. Under the Jonathan government the farmlands of the people of South-West were never trespassed on let alone confiscated by the ravaging Fulani herdsmen.

Under the Jonathan government the country was contending with probably only the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). But today the country is battling all sorts of secessionist groups. In fact Nigeria is facing a monumental existential threat, probably the deadliest since the Nigerian Civil War. Is it Sunday Igboho’s Oduduwa Republic?

Is it Asari Dokubo’s New Biafra government? Is it Pedro Obaseki’s Midwest? Is it the Arewa Youth Assembly giving Yorubas or Igbos in the North quit notices to vacate the North? Or, is it the Oodua Action Movement/Oduduwa Grand Alliance For Independence is agitating for one thing or the other. So, whichever way you turn in Nigeria today it is the secessionist sing-songs all the way. More importantly, unlike former President Jonathan, Buhari subscribes to and implements totalitarian nepotism. Some 90% of Buhari’s political appointees comes from his own side of the country in violation of the Federal Character principle enshrined in our 1999 Constitution.

So, my dear Hon. Minister Lai Mohammed, to answer your question, “How did we get here and what can we do to change the narrative to present our country in the best of light?” I would say that we got here simply because President Buhari has refused to correct the palpable lopsided political appointments in Nigeria. We got here because Mr. President does not see the whole country as his constituency. In other words, we got here because Mr. Buhari refused to give true federalism a chance to thrive in Nigeria. Failed federalism breeds secessionist agitations while successful federalism breeds unity and strength. Unity has a price tag. It is not something imposed from the top through executive fiat.

FUNDING OPTIONS FOR BUSINESS IN A PANDEMIC Timi Olubiyi lists funding options available for every business needs

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n the country, apart from the known business challenges such as the decrepit infrastructure, inconsistent government policies, double taxation, regulation irregularities and the pandemic disruptions in recent times, overwhelmingly, lack of capital or funding issues contribute majorly to business failures. According to findings of several surveys, one of the top challenges faced by entrepreneurs and businesses in Nigeria today is access to funding.

Seemingly, funding is the bloodline of any form of business, therefore, whether it is a startup, nano, micro, small or medium-sized business, or an established large firm, knowing how to raise capital can often make the difference between business success and failure. In fact, funding is important at all business stages and cash which is most time referred to as “capital” in business terms majorly dictates the pace of performance in any business. Simply put capital is the energy source that all businesses need to operate, grow and mature into a strong, vibrant enterprise. Invariably, without funding or capital, it will be extremely difficult to get any enterprise off the ground. However, the structure that exists in the business significantly affects the access to the choice of fund options. Recall, every business has a different structure and needs, it is, therefore, imperative to state that no financial solution is one size fits all, fund options usually require different rules and steps. Consequently, businesses will be required to carefully plan, research, learn, and understand the necessary funding option in order to come up with the right decision.

So, the big question for businesses is what are the ways to adequately raise capital for seamless operations? And this is the focus of this piece.

Capital comes into any business particularly in two ways: as equity and as debt. However, donations, grants, incentives, interventions, or subsidies can

also be employed in certain aspects of a business to encourage activities in particular industries or sectors by government. Some government agencies and institutions responsible for this includes the Bank of Industry (BOI), The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), among others. Just like other forms of capital raising options these grants and subsidies can be initiated for either short-term or long-term purposes.

That said, equity capital involves exchanging a portion of the ownership of the business for financial investment in the business, most times it involves selling shares of the company in exchange for funding. Equity capital is raised when a business sells its shares to investors. The ownership stake resulting from this equity investment allows the investor to share in the company’s profits. Equity capital is usually a cheap form of funding and is an important source of capital on a long-term basis.

However, sometimes it involves going public, getting listed on an Exchange, and also giving up partial or major control of the business.

On the other hand, debt capital is when a business borrows fund from individuals or institutions and agrees to pay them back later. Debt capital simply means loans and borrowings. The main consideration in debt capital is the ability of the business to generate sufficient returns to service the debt (interest and capital repayment). A typical mode of raising debt capital is through the bank loans.

Banking institutions provide loans to individuals or businesses who approach them with a solid business plan, and good business structure with capacity for repayment. Bond is equally a debt instrument, and a way of raising debt capital as well. Without doubts,

it belongs to debt capital categorization because the authorized issuer (business) owes the bondholder debt and it depends on the terms of the bond issuance. The most significant difference between equity and debt is that, unlike debt, equity capital does not require an amortization schedule for repayment.

More so equity capital involves the investor taking an ownership position in the business.

Significantly, there are several sources to consider when seeking business funding or any financing, some of it are expressed here. The easiest and starting point for small businesses from context observation is usually with self-funding and personal investment, where entrepreneurs leverage their financial resources to support business operations.

Self-funding can extend to family, associates and friends for capital, otherwise referred to as bootstrapping. Both self-funding and bootstrapping lets business managers, operators, and entrepreneurs leverage their financial resources to support the business operations.

Further to this is angel investment, where investors who are generally wealthy individuals or retired business executives invest directly in a business or startups owned by others. These angel investors are often leaders in their field who not only contribute their experience and network of contacts but also their technical and/or management knowledge. Most times this form of capital raising is in exchange for equity ownership in the business and an active management role. Also, trade credit is another significant form of capital raising option where business suppliers are willing to transact or sell on credit. Such credit may range anywhere from one month to three months or as agreed. This is a very good method for businesses to fulfill short-term funding needs. It is an inexpensive method of funding for any business, I must say. Further to this is private equity investment, where private equity firms

raise equity capital that is not listed on any Stock Exchange for investment purposes. Invariably, these firms raise funds from investors and then invest these funds in promising startups and businesses that require capital. The drawback of this funding option is that a controlling position or substantial minority position in the business is usually acquired and then look to maximize the value of their investment. Thus, the entrepreneur might not have sole control over the business decisions, which may lead to conflict. Looking at another capital raising option is retained earnings as a way of raising finance, it simply means businesses can reinvest any set-aside profits for business operations for expansion, equipment purchase, and development purposes.

In recent times, the use of crowdfunding to fund business operations is on the rise, where a large number of subscribers, called crowd funders, contribute or invest in a company or project. A typical example of crowdfunding is proposing subscribers to invest N1000, and even if 1000 people invest, the business can raise N1,000,000 easily.

Crowdfunding is getting popular because it is low risk for business owners and full business control is retained. The crowdfunding continues to gain popularity with the rise of social media and internet because it became easier to reach several people by putting in minimum effort through this medium.

Some not too popular funding options include invoice factoring sometimes referred to as invoice advances which is an option where a business sells its receivables at a discount to get cash up-front. It allows businesses to borrow funds against the value of invoices due from customers. Invoice factoring can be a great option if you have many corporate clients who have long payment terms or tend to pay as late as possible.

Dr. Olubiyi is an Entrepreneurship and Business Management expert

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EDITORIAL THE AL-QAEDA/ISIS THREAT The authorities should take the warning by the US commander seriously

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arely Eight months ago, Dagvin Anderson, Commander of the United States special operations command in Africa, warned that ISIS and Al- Qaeda are gradually making a foothold in Nigeria. Last week Anderson repeated the warning about the two notorious global terror networks. “So, this intelligence sharing is absolutely vital and we stay fully engaged with the government of Nigeria to provide them with an understanding of what these terrorists are doing, what Boko Haram is doing, what ISIS-West Africa is doing, and how ISIS and al-Qaeda are looking to expand further south into the littoral areas,” said Anderson.

This is a warning that should be taken seriously.

For more than a decade, Nigeria has been fighting a bloody insurgency in the North-east. This is helped undoubtedly by the country’s many porous borders, where organised criminal gangs slip in and out for their nefarious activities. Many of the unemployed youths are reportedly easily sucked in by stacks of money. Nigeria is surrounded by many countries like Niger, linked THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT to others like Mali, THERE ARE ALREADY battlegrounds for SPRINKLINGS OF THE Al-Qaeda. This has EXPORTS WITH REGARD created so much lawlessness being TO LARGE SCALE AND UNEXPLAINED VIOLENCE exploited by sundry IN MANY COMMUNITIES IN criminal cartels that operate almost THE SOUTH unhindered across the country.

Unfortunately, the Army Defence Headquarters last August downplayed the threats posed by these violent extremist organisations, arguing that Anderson’s alarm was stale. This time around, they did not even consider it worth their while to respond to the alarm raised by the US army commander. Which is worrying, particularly with reference to the spate of violence and killings in the Northwest, and increasingly in the North central and in the South. Why is

Letters to the Editor

the Northwest, initially shielded from the atrocities of the Boko Haram insurgency, increasingly becoming a hotbed of violence and indiscriminate killings?

In the past few years, the Northwest has been exposed to a cocktail of criminality – from cattle rustling, banditry, kidnapping, pastoral violence to jihadists groups, particularly the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). States like Zamfara and Kaduna are constantly under the gun, leading to deaths of thousands of innocent men, women and children. Only last week Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State said bandits had wasted more than 2700 lives, kidnapped more than 1200 and collected more than N970m as ransom in his state. According to the governor, there are almost 30,000 bandits in 100 camps in the state and five neighbouring states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Niger and Katsina.

T 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

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SECURING THE SOUTHEAST REGION

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efore Nigeria became a unitary state, while still pretending to be a federation, regional security was mostly within the purview of regional authorities, not the federal government. And it worked pretty well.

This arrangement was not by chance but by design. Nigeria’s indigenous founding fathers and the departing British colonists knew too well that you cannot internally secure a people without their participation.

In other words, Eastern Nigerians shouldn’t be the ones internally securing Western Nigeria or Northern Nigeria and vice versa. When you do that, it becomes counterintuitive to security and begins to look like an occupation, a conquest or worse. And it might bread popular resistance, overtly or covertly. The historical dangers of a tribally-imbalanced security leadership for Nigeria, even in its present unitary form, terrified the framers of the 1999 Constitution to the point that they enacted at Section 217(3) that ‘the composition of the officer corps and other ranks of the Armed Forces of the Federation shall reflect the federal character of Nigeria’.

In plain terms, it means that no region, including the Southeast shall be excluded from securing Nigeria or any part thereof, especially its own part. But today, the opposite is the case as Southeast officers and other ranks are significantly redlined from all security formations, particularly the ones based in Southeast.

What is more worrisome is that this brazen unconsti-

he many hyped operations by the military – from ‘Harbin Kunama’ to ‘Puff Adder’ and ‘Exercise Sahel Sanity’ – to combat the high volume of crime and enhance the safety of Nigerians have not achieved much. The people and communities are still vulnerable, despite their best efforts. As things stand, the entire country is gradually being sucked in by various terrorist groups. The North-east is under siege and devastated by the extremist religious group, Boko Haram. More than 30,000 persons have been killed and millions of others rendered homeless due to the bloody campaign. The Northwest is coming increasingly under the grips of several terror groups while the South of the country is now being ta rgeted as the next destination for terrorism export. There is no doubt that there are already sprinklings of the exports with regard to large scale and unexplained violence in many communities in the south. For a nation that is already financially challenged, the cost of fighting insecurity is staggering.

We will continue to thank the US African Command for sharing vital intelligence and alerting the nation to the complexity of the threats we face. It is still left to the authorities to do what is desirable: mobilise the manpower with the necessary skills and resources to contain the threats.

tutionality seems to sit well with Nigerians who desire the nation to still remain one. They feign blindness to the naked fact that there’s no better contradiction to the oneness of Nigeria than this profound injustice.

Additionally, Section 14(3) of the same 1999 Constitution provides that, ‘the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies shall ensure that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or any of its agencies’.

Again, this means that Southeast shall be equal partakers in the opportunities of the Nigerian enterprise.

But it is not. That’s probably why each time the witch cries at night in the Southeast and the baby dies in the morning, the authorities jump to conclusions that it’s the witch that killed the baby. The recent Owerri jailbreak comes to mind. To be sure, it’s uncanny and somewhat sinister that - since 2015 - those that are ruling Nigeria have deliberately violated the constitution by notoriously excluding Southeast personnel from the security architecture of Nigeria.

When you add the other open and notorious exclusions, you begin to see partly why the agitation for restoration of Biafra is gaining currency and garnering more millions by the day. And the rising popularity of the Eastern Security Network completes the story.

Enough said!

Aloy Ejimakor, Alaigbo

NRC’S WORTHLESS TICKETING APP

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want to first of all commend the federal government for its commitment in revamping the Railway Services across the country. Such services are bound to increase socioeconomic development of the country.

Most travellers using Abuja – Kaduna rail line were happy when news filtered out that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has spent a whopping N900m in developing and acquiring a software application that would enable passengers to book online and ahead of time. The App is also expected to checkmate ticket racketeering, exploitation and hoarding.

But my recent experiences only proved otherwise to the extent that I have started seeing the expensive App (NRC has not denied the cost of the App to date to the best of my knowledge) as a worthless App. Travellers using the train are in agreement that the App is not user friendly, as expensive as it is. The App has a lot of dummies and NRC did not make any effort to save ordinary Nigerians from being defrauded. Even those who are able to download the App on their devices find it difficult to book as the App most often indicates that the trains are fully booked, only for one to see almost an empty

train on departure. This is purely economic sabotage.

The ticket racketeering, exploitation and hoarding that the App is expected to checkmate have only been exacerbated as a ticket of N3,000 goes for N6,000 for the Economic Class while VIP Class goes for up to N10,000.

The App surely does not address the usual tendency derisively referred to as Nigerian Factor which is embedded in our attitude.

There is also a noticeable decline in patronage due to these systemic frustrations brought to bear on the travellers as well as loss of huge revenue for a project that promises to be a very good source of income for the federal government.

While the federal government is putting in concerted efforts in revamping train services to regain its past glory in Nigeria and with some travellers trying to avoid the bad road undergoing reconstruction and the high level security uncertainties along Abuja – Kaduna Expressway, the NRC cannot afford to have these teething corrupt tendencies continuously.

The NRC management and policymakers must look inward and explore relevant solutions for a corruption-free train service.

Abdulrahman M. Alfa, Badarawa, Kaduna

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MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

From a Glorious Past to a Spectacle of Horror Vanessa Obioha uses the latest jailbreak and orgy of violence in Imo State to mirror the widespread acts of criminality in the country

Buhari

Uzodinma

Okorocha

Ohakim

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launched another strike at another police station in Ehime Mbano. Inmates in the local Divisional Police Headquarters were freed and the policemen reportedly offered little or no resistance to the gunmen.

Not done with the mayhem, an armed gang abducted a traditional ruler, HRH Eze Charles Iroegbu, alongside the cabinet chiefs of Nguru Mbaise, on their way back from a wedding ceremony.

Recent development bared the political theatrics often seen in cases of insecurity. Former governor Rochas Okorocha in a briefing in Jos, claimed that the state was peaceful during his tenure, due to the wisdom his administration applied. He advised the state governor Hope Uzodinma to seek his advice on how to handle the situation while attributing the violence to ppoverty and injustice. But Uzodinma who doesn’t hide his hate and distrust for his predecessor thinks otherwise. The governor, through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy Declan Emelumba, claimed that the attack was an orchestrated act by the former governor to repossess properties sealed by the government as well as force the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state. On the Federal Government level, President Muhammadu Buhari termed the mayhem as an act of

terrorism while Vice-President Yemi 0sinbajo condemned the attacks as an assault on the way of life of the good people of the state.

Senate President Ahmed Lawan called the act a distraction to the works of FG and the perpetrators, enemies of the people.

A former Assistant Director at the Department of State Services, Dennis Amachree in an interview on Channels TV claimed that the police were alerted three times before the attack.

While the name-calling and blame game seemed to have subsided, the recent jailbreak brings to fore some of the crucial factors responsible for its prevalence in Nigeria’s correctional facilities. During the EndSARS protest last year, there were jailbreaks in Edo and Ondo, including a botched attempt in Lagos. Factors responsible for these unlawful releases have been plumbed by many, with the lack of state policing taking centre stage.

The need for states to have authority over their police commands have been drummed by various politicians. The limited power given to state police commissioners are considered a major factor in the increased rate of crime and violence, and with some of the divisional police stations understaffed or under-equipped with sophisticated arms, the drum of urgency to decentralise the Nigerian Police Force

is beating louder each passing day.

Also, the poor condition of some of the correctional facility infrastructure is a critical factor in the rise of prison breaks. Most correctional facilities are debilitating and need to be renovated.

Infrastructure gaps, human elements and aggression by inmates were some of the reasons for the jailbreak listed

by Francis Enobore, the spokesman for the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in 2018.

However, the insecurity in Imo state, to a large extent ,mirrors the growing spate of violence and killings in the country. Since the pandemic last year, crime has donned a new hue, one that is crimson, deadly and no respecter of the government. The EndSARS protest was a preview to how the country can easily degenerate into anarchy if those in power do not exert control over insecurity. Since the violence and banditry spree in the country, the current administration has not been spared by citizens who criticise its inability to protect the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Such outcry which ordinarily should have sped up security action to curtail prevalence have met more verbal condemnation than physical actions.

Desperate times call for desperate actions. As such, the South-east governors recently borrowed a leaf from the South-west governors who set up a joint security outfit Amotekun, in 2020 to curtail criminality in the region. For the governors who converged at a security summit held in Owerri last Sunday, a united front is better than individual effort.

Code named Ebube Agu (Glorious Lion), the security outfit would be headquartered in Enugu where it will coordinate the vigilante groups in the zone and a committee will be set up to monitor its implementation.

Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi presented the communique alongside other governors who condemned terrorism and banditry in every state and expressed support for the Federal Government in its fight against elements of terrorism and violence.

While resolving to ban open grazing in the state, the governors called for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders to enable them succeed in the fight against criminality.

The move by South-east governors has been described by many as a step in the right direction, however, the issue of insecurity in Nigeria still a long way from being resolved, and with Imo, where past governors have not really performed to expectation, the journey to decorum is long, weary and fiery.

he spate of violence that rocked Imo state in the past few days have opened a floodgate of opinions on the state of insecurity in Nigeria. Critics question the motive for the attacks which are happening at a time when the unity of the country is quavering.

Once a peaceful state with the lowest crime rate in the South-east region, Imo state in the past few years has succumbed to criminality and violence which are curiously rooted in politics. The theatre for these acts of violence is often the capital, Owerri, a city also known for its entertaining nightlife.

Between 2012 and 2014, Owerri and its environs recorded a high number of violence and fatalities according to a report by Fund For Peace, an independent non-profit organisation focused on developing practical tools and approaches for reducing conflict. In the data obtained from third parties, a former governor of the state Ikedi Ohakim, and his family escaped after their home was petrol bombed by unknown assailants in 2014 while the police clashed with armed robbers and killed some of the armed thieves. Cases of kidnapping, robbery and protests were copious in the area during this period.

In January, parts of Imo State lived in terror as the army and local communities engaged in a battle over the community support for the pro-independence movement by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network. The violence left at least one dead and scores of damage. Also, reports showed that between February and March, divisional police headquarters in Obowo, Abo Mbaise, Ihitte/ Uboma and Isiala Mbano have been under attacks that led to the killings of three cops and injuring others.

The latest act of violence in the state capital is the jailbreak of prisoners in Owerri Correctional Facility. In the early hours of Easter Monday, April 5, gunmen stormed the facility with explosives and freed over 1,800 inmates. They also rained hell on the State Police Command, setting vehicles ablaze and destroying other government buildings. Initially, the attack was heaped on IPOB by former Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu who was sacked while inspecting the damage at the correctional facility.

IPOB who has a history of clash with the police has since denied their complicity in the incident.

While the state was still processing the assault in Owerri, the daredevils

In January, parts of Imo State lived in terror as the army and local communities engaged in a battle over the community support for the pro-independence movement by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network. The violence left at least one dead and scores of damage. Also, reports showed that between February and March, divisional police headquarters in Obowo, Abo Mbaise, Ihitte/ Uboma and Isiala Mbano have been under attacks that led to the killings of three cops and injuring others. The latest act of violence in the state capital is the jailbreak of prisoners in Owerri Correctional Facility. In the early hours of Easter Monday, April 5, gunmen stormed the facility with explosives and freed over 1,800 inmates. They also rained hell on the State Police Command, setting vehicles ablaze and destroying other government buildings

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POLITICS

In Nasarawa, the Opposition Thins Out

GOVERNANCE IN PHOTOS

Igbawase Ukumba writes that Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State’s deliberate policy of opening his door to members of opposition parties has led to mass exodus to the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state

Sule

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erhaps, the mass exodus of members of the opposition political parties in Nasarawa State to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) can be likened to the biblical exodus from Egypt to Canaan the Promised Land.

It is therefore crystal clear that the government of inclusiveness demonstrated by Governor Abdullahi Sule has compelled members of the opposition to join the ruling party.

However, Governor Sule does not think any one person should take the credit for the mass exodus into the ruling party. He thinks that since his administration came in, every member has worked as a team and displayed fairness.

The governor when interacting with select journalists at the Government House, Lafia elaborated: “We have been very truthful. We don’t have anything that we are hiding. What we say is what it is. We don’t deceive people; we don’t say anything untrue. We just say everything from the heart. I think that has helped us. We keep saying we are an inclusive government. And since we are inclusive, it has to show that we are inclusive.

“We have had areas; we have the records that did not vote for us. But they are citizens of Nasarawa State and we have qualified people from there to hold certain positions, we gave them the positions. So that is our own way of inclusiveness. Anytime that there is an opportunity to discuss about the interest of Nasarawa State, we invite beyond our party.

We invite people from other parties. Anytime an opportunity for some kind of intervention comes to Nasarawa State as a result of either the challenge of the economy or so, we shared with everybody.”

The above elaboration by Governor Sule have moved beyond words into actions that the present administration in the state under his watch is actually a government for all.

Therefore, if something like that is happening, people would certainly leave other political parties to the APC. “We thank God that we have seen this.

And also on our own part, we believe very strongly our display of action, what we say, our attitude in connection to that is in line,” the Nasarawa State governor maintained.

Consequent upon the government of inclusiveness demonstrated by Sule, the trend of defection from the opposition to the ruling APC has been very alarming that if it not controlled, it may erase the opposition completely from the state.

The defection Tsunami started in Toto Local Government Area, where the speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, received a former member of the state assembly representing Toto/Gadabuke state constituency, Hon Madaki Ada-Goje and a former administrator of Gadabuke Development Area, Benjamin Musa Belodu, as well as thousands of their supporters into the fold of the APC from the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP).

Earlier in the year, the state witnessed a major defection that threatened the foundation of the opposition in the state with the defection of a former federal lawmaker, Dr Joseph Kigbu, from PDP to APC with over 10,000 supporters.

Dr Kigbu was received at a grand reception at the Lafia square where Governor Abdullahi Sule welcomed him, alongside thousands of his supporters, to the APC. Guest speaker at the occasion and former speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, commended Kigbu for returning back to the APC. Former speaker Dogara said during the grand reception for Kigbu: “I am a stakeholder in Nasarawa State and I am happy to grace the occasion. Politics is nothing more than the resolution of the intricacies of human conflict that suggest that without conflict there is no politics. In Nigeria all of us are aware of the challenges prevailing in this country and the only thing that would resolve both the national and state challenges is politics.

“With politics comes leadership, not only leadership but effective leadership that would deliver peace. It is politics that would deliver the peace that we yearn for both at the national level and the state. Without peace we cannot achieve unity.”

The celebrant, Dr Kigbu, said democracy is a game of numbers and a game of interests, as he disclosed that his supporters who decamped with him to the APC were from the PDP, APGA and other opposition political parties.

Kigbu continued: “I thank God for giving me this opportunity because my story is that of the prodigal son. I have travelled on a long journey, a journey into the wilderness and realized that I was in pain. Therefore, we met as a group to come back home. We have come to add value to the APC family in Nasarawa State, we have not come to divide or spit anybody, but to move the state forward. We remain and adopt your blueprint to exceed all expectations in the governance of the state,” Kigbu assured Governor Sule.

Barely one week after Kigbu joined the APC, there was another gale of defection from the opposition political parties in the state into the APC. The gale of defection was the exit from PDP to the APC of a member representing Doma South State Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. John Osewu, alongside a former member of the state assembly from the same constituency and political party platform, Anthony Obande, with over 13,000 supporters from the PDP and other political parties.

Speaking on behalf of the decampees, Hon. John Osewu said they were attracted to the APC because of the giant developmental strides of Governor Abdullahi Sule so far recorded across the state. He continued that though he lost his bearing with his sojourn in the PDP, but said he has however found his bearing in the APC. Nevertheless, another grand reception was organised in honour of decampees from the PDP, APGA, ZLP of Mada nation from the western senatorial zone of the state in Keffi this year.

The decampees include former speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Musa Ahmed Mohammed, former assembly members, former commissioners, as well as thousands of their supporters, who said they were attracted to the ruling party because of the exemplary leadership being provided by Governor Sule.

Others that decamped to the APC include Hon Mohammed Baba Ibaku, Hon Adagoje Madaki and a former commissioner, Alhaji Ahmed Bala Tafida.

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

L-R: Chairman, Osun State Commercial Motorcycle Riders Union of Nigeria (OSCOMORUN), Alhaji Ismail Tiamiyu, Speaker Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Wale Adedoyin and Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State during the official launch of the state Okada Riders Jacket Identity card at the Car Park, White House, State Secretariat, Abere-Osogbo

Governor Udom Emmanuel (4th right) flanked by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru (4th left) and other Army chiefs during a recent courtesy call by the Chief of Army Staff at Government House, Uyo

L-R: Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Alhaja Maryam Ogunlade; Chief Medical Director, EKSUTH, Prof. Kayode Olabanji; Acting Principal, Ekiti State School of Midwifery, Ado-Ekiti; Mrs Olabisi Awe; First Lady, Ekiti State and Chair, Ekiti GBV Management Committee, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; and Principal, School of Nursing, Ado-Ekiti, Mrs Adeola Awoleke; with some staff and students during an advocacy visit by members of the Ekiti State GBV Management Committee to the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ado-Ekiti

L-R: House Leader, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa; National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) Treasurer, Dr. Yawande Ariyo; Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila; NARD President, Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi; Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu; and Chairman, House Committee on Health Services, Rep. Tanko Sununu after a meeting between the House leadership and NARD executive at the association’s secretariat in Abuja

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͲ˜ 2021

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

A S

REPO 12.50 12.25

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

12 13 13.50

A T

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

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

A P R I L 547.46% -1.21% - 2.03%

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

9 ,

2 0 2 1 - 2.03% -18.32 %

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

Quick Takes DPR to Unveil Dispute Resolution Centre

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) is set to flag-off the oil and gas industry Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC).

Precisely, the regulator will be inaugurating the advisory council and body of neutrals in Lagos tomorrow.

The Head of Public Affairs at DPR, Mr. Paul Osu, disclosed this in a statement.

The ADRC is one of the flagship centres in the National Oil and Gas ExcellenceCentre(NOGEC)whichwasrecentlylaunchedbyPresident Muhammadu Buhari. The oil and gas ADRC will offer arbitration, mediation and conciliation services for the industry. The centre will leverage industry technical experts, Alternative Dispute Resolution Practitioners and resources of the National Data Repository (NDR) to provide fair and balanced resolutions of industry-related disputes from an informed position.

The ADRC is structured to adequately resolve disputes in a manner consistent with regulatory and commercial interests of the Industry.

This, the agency noted, will address suboptimal development of oil and gas assets associated with lingering disputes and the attendant consequences of value erosion in terms of national resource growth, globalcompetitiveness,investmentattractiveness,governmenttake and investor’s profitability.

CAPACITY BUILDING

Anambra Hailed over RoW Fee Waiver

L-R: Coordinator, Financial Malpractice Investigation Unit, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr. Ayodele Harry Adewale; Director, Special Insured institution Department/Coordinator, Lagos Office, Mr. Joshua -James Etopidiok; Director, Legal Department, Mr. Belma Taribo; and Commissioner of Police, In-charge of Special Fraud Investigation Unit, Vwamhi Felix Yame, at the capacity building workshop for law enforcement agencies organised by NDIC in Lagos...recently ETOP UKUTT

Insurers Prune Down Management Expenses Ebere Nwoji The National Insurance Commission’s (NAICOM) limit to management expenses of insurance firms may have started yielding fruits as operators, especially the big players are now taking steps towards ensuring reduction in their management expenses despite their huge premium.

But the commission is yet to achieve similar success among some troubled firms whom

INSURANCE available data showed still have high management expenses.

Industry data released by the Nigeria Insurers Association(NIA) in the latest edition of its Insurance Digest, which x-rayed the 2019 financial positions of insurance firms revealed that some weak insurance firms placed under interim management and receivership have their management expenses

exceeding premium income while market leaders with huge premium income recorded drastic reduction in their management expenses.

For instance, the report showed that the International Energy Insurance (IEI) Plc in its 2019 financial statement posted a gross premium written of N533.08 million, for non-life business while its management expenses was N682.40 million.

Also, it showed that Leadway Assurance Limited under the

non-life business posted N35.05 billion and incurred N5.20 billion as management expenses.

In the same vein, while Custodian & Allied Insurance Limited, posted N25.65 billion premium and expended N3.16 billion on management expenses; Axa Mansard Insurance posted N20.08 billion, incurred N3.42 billion management expenses; and NEM Insurance posted N19.76 billion gross premium Continued on page 24

CAC Seeks Approval to Bar Non-remitting Entities from Public Contracts James Emejo in Abuja The outgoing Chairman, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Governing Board, and Nigerian Ambassador designate to Spain, Mr. Ademola Seriki, has said the commission is presently seeking the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), to ensure that registered entities do not benefit from government contracts unless they filed their annual returns.

Speaking to journalists during an appreciation dinner in his honour, which was organised by the CAC, he said the adoption of Good Standing Certificate was particularly historic, pointing out that, “most companies don’t pay annual returns and it’s a problem”.

Seriki, however, said he will use his new position to enhance the country’s bilateral trade

ENERGY relations with Spain, adding that a team would be set up to monitor the implementation of trade treaties between both countries.

He said implementation remained one of the greatest challenges affecting Nigeria’s international bilateral relations.

He expressed concerns that people who don’t pay annual returns bid for procurements and contracts, and oftentimes, won in the exercise even though they do not comply with their financial obligations to the government, adding that there was need to put an end to the trend going forward.

He said: “So, we need to pay our annual returns and we have started the issue of Good Standing Certificate which is awaiting FEC approval. It’s going to the

president and by God’s grace, I hope it will be approved.”

Seriki, who played a significant role in the current reforms being undertaken at the CAC, also said, the introduction of notification alerts on accounts transactions by the commission remained not only formidable but unprecedented.

He said he would love to see the reforms initiatives actualised to usher a regime of world class services in company registration in Nigeria.

He said: “We did something formidable in the issue of Good Standing Certificate, it has not been done in history because most companies don’t pay annual returns and it’s a problem.

“And you will see a company that would bid for procurements of hundreds of billions of dollars and never paid annual returns in 20 to 30 years.

“In a very civilised country,

even in Ghana, I was in Ghana two weeks ago and I met with the registrar general- all companies that have not paid their annual returns, they have to pull down their names and will no longer be valid.”

According to him:”People register companies to buy properties as a matter of hiding their identities from the public - they should be paying annual returns.”

On the alert notifications option, the outgoing chairman, assured that it will stem abuses from unilateral accounts alterations without full consent of interest parties.

He said: “Husband and wife who have being together do fight, either of them will go behind and change the ownership or siblings when their father and mother die, you know all kinds of things. People do a lot Continued on page 24

Stakeholdersinthetelecommunicationsectorhavecommendedthe Anambra State government for the decision of the Governor, Chief WillieObianotowaivetherightofwaychargesfortelecommunication companies.

The National Economic Council had last year pegged the RoWcharge at N145 per linear meter, but Obiano responding to this announced a zero charge for installation of telecommunications fibres.

Stakeholders in the sector, including representatives of Association ofTelecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), International Internet advocacy group, Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) who attended the conference spoke in commendation of Anambra State governmentduringabroadbandstakeholders’conferenceinthestate.

A communiqué made available to THISDAY after the conference which was hosted by Anambra Physical Planning Board quoted stakeholders as applauding Governor Obiano.

Part of the communiqué read: “Conference strongly recommended thataccesstobroadbandisamajorfactortocatalyseeconomicgrowth through productivity, legal experts at the Conference canvassed the need for legal intervention.

“There was a strong submission for planning legislation, organisation of installation, development and maintenance of infrastructure.

Conference identified that Anambra Physical Planning Law of 2013 does not contain a ‘Dig Once’ policy which requires amendment.

“Conference noted as positive development, the creation of an e-Planning Platform; implementation of online payments and integration with Anambra State Internal Revenue Service central billing system; a digital, independent complaint mechanism for construction permit issues.”

France, Nigeria to Strengthen Trade Ties

FranceMinisterinchargeofForeignTradeandAttractiveness,Franck Riester, is presently visiting Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the trade ties between both countries.

The visit is a follow up on the priorities set by France President, Emmanuel Macron, during his official visit to Nigeria in July 2018, and his desire to build a new partnership between Africa and France.

AccordingtoastatementfromtheFrenchgovernment,asthelargest economy in Africa and the economic engine of West Africa, Nigeria is indeed a major partner for France, the first in sub-Saharan Africa with bilateral trade amounting to a total of $4.5 billion in 2019 (2.3 billion USD in 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic).

It explained that the Minister will have several official meetings in Abuja and Lagos, in order to underline the importance of the bilateral economic relationship and to prepare the summit on the financing of African economies in Paris, expected to hold on May 18.

“Recent studies have shown the significant role women play in promoting social unity and economic advancement”

Minister of State for Industry,Trade and Investment

Maria Katagum

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BUSINESSWORLD INSURERS PRUNE DOWN MANAGEMENT EXPENSES and incurred N3.51 billion management expenses.

Furthermore, while Sovereign Trust Insurance raked in N10.87 billion as gross premium and incurred N1.87 billion as management expenses; Royal Exchange General Insurance Company made N10.58 billion premium and spent N1.06 billion on management; Coronation Insurance raked in N10.71 billion and spent N3.48 billion as management expenses.

Also, the report showed that while NSIA Insurance, made N6.52 billion premium and spent N1.14 billion as management expenses; Unitrust Insurance raked N3.53 billion and spent N444 million on management cost.

According to insurance experts, management expenses are expenses incurred by insurance firms from underwriting activities, salaries, rents and others excluding commission to agents.

CAC SEEKS APPROVAL TO BAR NON-REMITTING ENTITIES FROM PUBLIC CONTRACTS

of illegalities and they commit such without having to regret it.

“So, when you opt for notification alert, you get a short code, you get a text message and you get email that your file had been tampered with.

“And that way, you are on the alert and you can go back to CAC and say look, I didn’t do this.”

He added: “We have thousands of cases where people change information without the principal owner’s consent or knowledge.”

Seriki, added that as much as he would have loved to see the reforms come into force, his new ambassadorial assignment, “is a higher job for me, it’s a higher assignment of which I believe it will put my name on a good stead.”

Also, in his remarks at the dinner, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, commended the ambassador designate for having a among the staff of the commission, which helped to achieve significant milestones

NEWS

Boost for $2.8bn AKK Project as Train Delivers Gas Pipes Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja For the first since its take-off last year, the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project received a boost recently when a Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) operated train delivered 96 pipes from Warri, Delta State to Itakpe in Kogi State.

The Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) project is a 614km-long pipeline being developed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to transport natural gas from southern Nigeria to central Nigeria and thereafter outside the country.

It is planned to be developed on a build-own-operatetransfer (BOOT) basis under a public-private partnership (PPP), supervised by Nigeria’s Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

With the new development, aside the respite for the networks of roads between Warri and Itakpe, the pipelines which mostly come through the Warri ports will now be delivered in less than eight hours at 50km/hour, instead of the four days spent by heavy duty vehicles.

The project is being financed through an 85 per cent debt and 15 per cent equity arrangement, with a loan facility from the China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure) at London

Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) interest rate plus 3.7 period with a 12-year repayment period .

It is being handled by a consortium of two local companies including Oando and Oilserv and another consortium comprising Brentex and China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (CPP).

Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum

Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, who expressed excitement over the development, noted that it would now cost less to deliver the materials.

“We congratulate our team on the arrival at 10.25pm 8.4.2021 of AKK gas project line pipes by rail from Warri to Itakpe. Less cost, faster delivery time, safer, protecting our roads and more.

The infrastructure revolution is paying up,” he stated on his personal Twitter handle.

Describing it as epoch-making and a major boost, the NNPC stated that the 96 pipes carried by rail at once was equivalent to 32 trailers if the haulage was done by road. On completion, the AKK pipeline is expected to transport about 3,500 million cubic feet

(mcf) of gas a day from various gas gathering projects in southern Nigeria to be used in the north.

The rail line from Warri, passing through Itakpe, Ajaokuta and Agbor has six stations along the route and was initially built to ensure steel products and raw materials transportion from the Delta Steel Company (DSC) which is now comatose.

CSR-IN-ACTION

L-R:HeadofCorporateCommunications,ArikAir,AdebanjiOla;Founder/President,AmazingGraceFoundation,Mrs.IfeyinwaObegolu;andArikAirAbuja Station Manager, Haruna Dangana, during the presentation of food items by the airline to Amazing Grace Foundation Old People’s Home at Abuja… recently

AES Proffers Solutions for Economic Rejuvenation Emmanuel Olorunda-Otaru The President of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies, Nigeria (AES), Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu has lamented the wobbling state of the country despite having the best people and abundant natural resources.

Ajagu gave this admonition at the 11th annual conference of the academy, with the theme: “Optimising Nigeria’s Blue Economy for National Development,” held in Lagos, recently.

According to him, the problems of the country cut across all segments of the society, saying that both the individuals and governments need to have the

right mindset to do what is right.

“As individual, change yourself, let us know that we are here on divine assignment and must give account when we leave this world. If our leaders know that leadership is spiritual they won’t embezzle money. I believe we can still get it right,” he added.

The chairman of the occasion, retired Maj. Gen. Obi Abel Umahi, agreed with the AES president that Nigeria needs to find God to overcome her daunting challenges.

“If Nigeria can find God the whole world will find Nigeria.

One of the malaise of this nation is our attitudes to developmental opportunities. We resist exposure,

things that will expose us to wealth,” he explained.

According to him, “this Nigeria project will succeed, survive and become an outstanding nation in the world”.

On his part, the guest speaker of the occasion, Professor of Oceanography and the Blue Economy, Chidi Ibe, emphasised the inherent opportunities of the Blue Economy.

He said, “the blue economy got attention arising from thinning land resources. The future is about the ocean and the blue economy. The future is now.”

Ibe enjoined Nigerians, “to take advantage of this new dynamic afforded by the global shift to

the blue economy,” adding, “the world’s ocean is the last frontier.

Ocean covers 75 per cent of the earth.” “Being at the table early entitles us to a voice in the evolving paradigm. In the ocean are mineral resources, food, fisheries, energy, iron deposits, manganese, red earth.

“Our coastline is the most productive in the world. Nigeria must navigate to where there is a safe operating space, to probe, plan, prosecute and implement,” he said.

He equally urged the government to maximise finance for development to unlock non-public capital and judiciously deploy the scarce resources.

The keynote speaker, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Bashir Jamoh, who was represented by his Special Assistant Communications and Strategy, Mr. Ubong Essien, highlighted the functions of the agency.

He said the maritime environment by its nature is eternally sustainable.

He said NIMASA’s role is to regulate and promote activities in the maritime sector, like security, safety, and shipping development.

We are also investing in partnership with the Navy. Adding, “we must orient our thinking towards the blue economy.

PenCom Gets ISO Certification Ebere Nwoji

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has been certified with the ISO 27001:2013 quality Standard certification for compliance in all core areas of operations in its Information Security Management System (ISMS).

The ISMS provides a systemic approach to effectively manage

Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent

ËÒÏÏ× ÕÓØÑÌÙÖß (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) ÜÙ×ÙÝÏÖÏ ÌÓÙÎßØ (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters

ÙÝË ÖÏÕÒßÙÑÓÏ (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

the risks associated with the commission’s information assets by using well-defined processes, technology and people.

The ISO 27001:2013 is an internationally recognised set of information security standards that govern the security of information assets such as intellectual property, financial information, employee information, as well as information entrusted by third

parties.

The standards are published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

A statement from PenCom noted that the Commission had been evaluated by the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB) in all core areas of its operations

and its ISMS was certified to be in compliance with the ISO 27001:2013 Standard in all the core areas of its operations.

“Accordingly, the Certificate of Compliance was issued to the commission on January 8, 2021, as the regulator of the Nigerian pension industry and custodian of National Databank on pension matters in the country.

“This certification is an

important demonstration of the Commission’s commitment to the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity and availability of data on contributors, retirees and stakeholders in the pension industry. “It is also an affirmation that the Commission had put in place, business controls and management processes to safeguard its information assets from threats and vulnerabilities.”

NAIC Pays N1.7bn Claims to Farmers Ebere Nwoji The Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) said it paid a total of N1.7 billion claims to over 5,000 farmers in the past two years.

NAIC, which is the only federal government owned insurance company authorised to offer agric insurance services to farmers at subsidised rate, said a breakdown

of the paid claims showed that it paid N856 million to insured farmers in 2019 and N848 million in 2020.

Commenting on the development, NAIC Managing Director, Mrs. Folashade Joseph, said the claims were paid to the farmers to cover losses incurred in the course of doing business.

Joseph, enjoined agricultural investors and lending institutions

to continue to partner NAIC by taking agricultural insurance cover that will enable them remain firm in business despite unforeseen circumstances from weather conditions and other risks in order to realise the food security agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.

She said the above-mentioned amount was shared among five million farmers who suffered

various setbacks in their farms as a result of natural course.

According to her, the NAIC Agric Insurance Scheme was launched in 1987 by federal government to restore the confidence and productivity of Nigerian farmers who suffered losses as a result of natural disaster such as flood, drought, pest and diseases.

The NAIC boss explained that

the essence of the sensitisation campaign embarked by the corporation was to let the farmers know and understand exactly what NAIC does, the importance of insurance, and make them understand how insurance works, how they can access NAIC products and services, how to process their claims, as well as what insurance stands to do for them.

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Ensuring Sustainable Operations Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc recently unveiled its sustainability report to the capital market community, showing its commitment to the environment and delivery of value to stakeholders, writes Goddy Egene

C

ompanies operating in Nigeria face many challenges given the weak infrastructure, high inflation and dwindling consumer demand for products and services.

It is always difficult for companies to breakeven and then begin to make profit. Even then, sustaining profitability is a bigger challenge.

Consequently, there is the tendency of some companies to cut corners in order to sustain profitability and deliver returns to shareholders.

In the process, it is possible for some of the companies to focus only on their operations and ignore the negative impact their operations could be having on their environment.

However, in order to in order to ensure sustainable practices by companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited introduced ‘Facts Behind the Sustainability Report (FBSR) in 2019.

The FBSR is designed to further promote the adoption of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices, reporting, and disclosure and encourage responsible long-term approaches to investment.

It provides a platform for listed companies to address stakeholders with in-depth analysis of their sustainability initiatives, as well as spotlight stakeholder engagements, materiality, standardisation and overall disclosures.

Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) Plc recently took advantage of the platform to present its sustainability report.

Highlights of the report include: FMN’s multifaceted stakeholder engagement strategy which helps the group build strong relationships with mapped stakeholders as well as better understand and address key concerns and expectations; FMN’s Backward Integration program which acts as a strategic imperative to create value in its supply chain and reduce dependence on imported raw materials.

It also highlighted various programmes and initiatives within FMN’s operations and operating areas nationwide directed to adding value to society; FMN’s leadership structures and procedures which help to maintain strong corporate governance across the business and translate strategy into action; FMN’s responsibility towards the environment including our operational ecosystem which covers sustainable packaging solutions, waste management, and energy efficiency and THE Group’s trade sustainability strategy based on an empowered workforce achieved through diversity, inclusion, employee engagement, workplace protections, and adherence to all labour practices.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Exchange Group, Mr. Oscar Onyema, said at the exchange, they counted it a great success for the global capital market system when companies publish reports on their performance on key ESG indicators as well as their commitment to creating a sustainable future.

“We are, therefore, pleased that FMN has chosen to leverage the FBSR series and must commend the board and executive management for leading the charge to advance sustainability in the food and agro-allied sector. For us at the exchange, sustainability reporting is at the core of our sustainability journey and we will not renege on this commitment even as we transition to a new era,” he said.

In his presentation, the Group Managing Director/CEO of FMN, Mr. Omoboyede Olusanya, explained that the 2019/2020 report was developed with input from stakeholders and in line with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) covering the group’s progress in each of its focus areas, as well as commitments to contribute to global efforts in order to combat climate change and promote a more prosperous and inclusive future.

According to him, sustainability is an integral part of their operations, noting that “as a socially responsible organisation, we are guided by our sustainability statement of contributing to the preservation of biodiversity and reducing water consumption, waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and the livelihood, health and welfare of our employees and local communities.”

“Our vision becomes reality by putting into action programmes and practices that optimise the use of natural resources, by developing

Olusanya energy efficient products and technologies, and by fostering innovations and creative solutions adding value for our clients, communities and the environment,” he added.

Speaking on the area of raw materials, Olusanya said volatile commodity prices arising from unpredictable changes in global supply and demand, exchange rate fluctuations and punitive tariffs and import barriers, had made their reliance on imported raw materials risky, expensive and unsustainable.

“The need to create value further back in the supply chain and reduce dependence on imported raw material has been identified as a strategic imperative for our group in the years ahead. The investment of the next N150 billion will, therefore, focus on a strategy of backward integration to main-tain growth and sustained profitability. “Raw materials will be produced locally wherever possible to ensure that good quality, fair value products are developed through the full supply chain from growing to final consumer consumption – from farm to fork,” he said.

On the FMN’s ecosystem, the GMD said they had continued to advance their ecological commitment through sustainable design, innovation and energy efficiency.

“FMN strives to improve the working environment for our employees, communities and other stakeholders. Sustainable packaging and waste management our food packaging serves a multitude of purposes, from informing consumers about our products to keeping our food safe and preventing food waste. It is also designed to optimise logistics and helps with portion sizes. However, packaging, in particular plastic packaging, has been in the spotlight because of its environmental impact. Poor management of recycling or disposal of plastic packaging can result in plastic leaking from the waste management cycle into oceans, threatening the lives of sea birds and marine animals, and disrupting ecosystems,” he said.

Olusanya explained that FMN was determined to ensure that none of its packaging, including plastic, ends up in landfills or as litter.

He said: “To facilitate this goal, the packag-

ing material used are general petrochemicalbased polypropylene, woven and coded for our special purposes.

With the average product pack-out of 986,000 metric tons(Mt), a total average of 2,500Mt of packaging material was used during the reporting period. Furthermore, an average of 1.56kg packaging material waste was generated per week across the 50 packaging plants.

“This recyclable waste is often collected by the designated unit for shredding and compacting. The only non-renewable material in use for the general production of flour is the raw wheat and water. 25-30 Mt of raw wheat is consumed on a weekly average with two to three per cent water supplied for cleaning and conditioning of the wheat grain. Flour operations form a large part of the FMN food production spectra, with over 9,000 MT installed capacity per day. In FY 2019, at 48 per cent plant utilisation, an average of 1.12 per cent of fine plant input (generated as process by product) was recycled for offals production.”

“This helps in sustaining the economies of raw material provision for the secondary product (offals/pallets) while minimising losses in the primary production processes. For about 1.5Mt flour production in 2019, 0.01 per cent process waste was recycled for pellet productions. This, of course, translated to more foreign exchange and more nourishment for livestock around the globe.

“For the reporting year, the total volume of water used to manufacture our products was 219,913.34m3. This was measured using installed flowmeters. To ensure duty of care in waste management and environmental protection, we installed a wastewater treatment plant (WWT), with a capacity of treating 250 cubic meters of effluent per day at Golden Penny Pasta, Iganmu, Lagos.

For the reporting year, we complied with all environmental regulations, and as such, did not receive any fines or sanctions.”

The GMD explained that non-hazardous waste disposal is being handled by the state government’s waste disposal

Private Sector Participation (PSP) vendors, while hazardous wastes are evacuated by certified vendors from appropriate government agencies.

“An asset disposal committee drawn from different departments handles and determines the disposal methods based on the existing asset disposal standard operating procedure which defines responsibilities and methodologies for waste disposal. The relevant certificates are provided by the waste disposal contractors and verification of the certificates and sites for recycling are also verified by FMN. “However, defaults are mostly about expiration of certificates and untimely renewal. When this happens, the vendors are delisted from evacuating until the certificates are renewed, an exercise that is repeated yearly,” the CEO said.

On energy energy efficiency, Olusanya said FMN recognised that investing in energy efficiency initiatives helped them to minimise their environmental impacts while also reducing costs.

“To enhance our energy efficiency, the two 15 megawatts dual fuel turbines used for power generation at our plants, are equipped with heat recovery steam generation (HRSG) capability which saves energy by channeling the heat it produces through the heat exchanger into boilers which then produces steam used for processing at our sugar plant. This heat would otherwise have been released into the atmosphere. The scope of our energy disclosure only covers energy consumption within the organisation’s operations; offices and facilities. The source of conversion used is from the analysis carried out on gas sample and standards obtainable from the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE),” he said.

Olusanya added that FMN recognises the need to create quality and safe products because consumers, regulators, investors and other stakeholders seek information about their products and processes.

“Consumers want to know what is in their food, where it comes from and how it is prepared. They also want assurance that food has been grown and harvested in a responsible and sustainable manner that respects people, animals and the environment. It is in this regard that we introduced the ‘Gold Standard’ of manufacturing for most of our wheat-based products, including bread flour and Semovita. The introduction of the Gold Standard essentially means that we now have in place the highest and most stringent manufacturing processes to ensure the superiority of production for Golden Penny products in line with global best practices and the desires of our consumers,” he said.

“Our continuing focus on quality resulted in our accreditation by Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection and certification, with the Food Safety System Certification (FSSC 22000), a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standard.Furthermore, all ingredients used in our products are selected under strict procedure guided by our quality assurance systems such as the ISO 9001 and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System installed within our company. This is in full compliance with local and international legislation. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and detailed technical specifications are evaluated, tested and tried before implementing it to our products.

“We also provide useful, fact-based information on packaging to help consumers make informed dietary choices. Therefore, labeling of our products is completed through close cooperation with local authorities for approval. Additionally, in order to acquire a NAFDAC registration number, the labeling of packaging is audited and inspected. As part of our quality policy, only ingredients with the highest quality are used for the benefit of the health and wellbeing of our consumers.

All our products are fortified with the necessary vitamins and minerals backed by research.

We have also not been identified to have flouted rules nor have we had any feedback on non-compliance concerning products and services information and labelling from our regulatory bodies,” he added.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͲ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

26

BUSINESSWORLD

PEERSPECTIVE

Professionals and Public Good Emeka Eleh

P

rofessionalism is derived from the term Profession/Professional. A professional connotes a person with a distinct competence for a specified function or discipline. Such a person would have been trained or has acquired the necessary training in that discipline after appropriate tutelage to become a professional in that field.

A professional exists within the context of a profession; a distinct discipline or career path with its own training, qualification, membership requirements and standards.

It is in the bid to establish such standards that professional bodies and regulatory boards exist to ensure that persons within its fold have requisite training/qualification and also abide by its rules and ethical standards.

“In ethical terms, to be a professional is to be dedicated to a distinctive set of ideals and standards of conduct. It is to lead a certain kind of life defined by special virtues and norms of character and it is to enter into a subcommunity with a characteristic moral ethos and outlook”.

A professional in any field is a highly regarded person and is deemed to have a certain level of competence expected of a person in that profession.

Professionals carry immense technical and advisory power but such power also comes with a high degree of responsibility.

Professional ethical standards should embody the moral bond linking the professional, his clients and the public at large.

Whilst the work of every professional can affect the interest of his client, it may also play an important role in enhancing public interest and the common good. Effectively, therefore, every professional will have to consider not just the fiduciary duty he owes the client but also act in the public interest and protect the common good. Understandably most professionals tend to care more for the private duty of care they owe their client.

This duty is easy to grasp and comprehend.

Afterall, it is a duty that will ultimately be paid for by the client providing the vital business and income to the professional. The duty to protect public interest and common good is by contrast rather abstract in nature and more difficult to define which is why professionals do not pay adequate attention to it. The society as a whole has grown dependent on professionals, trusting in their ethical conduct which they believe is protected by the relevant professional bodies and regulatory boards.

This level of trust places a moral responsibility on the professional to discharge his duties to the highest ethical standards whilst protecting both the private interest of his client and the public interest.

The question may be raised as to why the professional should be expected to consider the public interest and the common good in the discharge of duties to his private client, who in any case is paying his fees.

An answer to the above is that any service to a private client that undermines public interest by way of wrong advice to the private client to serve his immediate needs only tends to distort the system and affects the overall public interest in that area adversely, albeit indirectly.

This in the end engenders cynicism about the professional involved and endangers public trust and confidence in the professions as a whole.

One direct way professionals serve the public interest is by providing appropriate intellectual and technical expertise to the government or its officials, especially in the area of policy making.

Another way is through making their knowledge and expertise available to the general public through publications, interviews and public advisories.

Some professionals indeed believe that this is the extent of duty they owe the public in order not to venture into the area of governance and politics which is the exclusive preserve of politicians and other public/civil servants.

This is basically a narrow view point based on points already raised above.

Some writers have tried to distinguish between public interest and public good (common good) but by and large, the two are

Emeka Eleh basically similar and can be used interchangeably and that is the view held in this essay. Both generally refer to public or communal benefits available to every member of the society.

Such benefits are usually available to every body without exception and are mostly free.

They may be the direct or indirect result of our actions either as individuals or professionals and may be made available through various government efforts, policies and interventions arising from government dependence on professionals for advice and guidance.

As earlier stated, both individuals, companies and the society at large have become dependent on professionals of all cadres in day-to-day life.

This essay has in the preceding paragraphs examined the role of professionals in private practice who offer advisory services to the private and public sectors in the promotion of ideals and activities aimed at enhancing the public good.

We now want to examine another critical and very important mass of professionals who may directly or indirectly affect our daily lives even more than the earlier group.

These are the professionals that work in the public sector or who serve the government at all levels in the executive, legislature or judicial branches. It is essential to state that the basic parameters for attainment of professional status in any discipline is basically the same.

Irrespective of which sector the person wants to work in, it must also be stressed using Nigeria as an example that professionals are not in short supply in either the private or public sector.

The question can then be asked; why is the public sector generally more inefficient and ineffective? Why do we have major issues with both the policy decisions and execution of such policies? Why do we have high incidence of corruption in this sector that has placed us in the dishonourable sections of the Transparency International Report on corruption? Yet we have professionals working at all levels of government.

The list of concerns is endless. If professionals in private practice are expected to have a duty to protect not just the interest of their client that pay their fees but also have an innate duty to protect the public interest and the public good, much more is certainly expected from professionals in the public sector because their primary duty is protecting the public interest and the public good. Is this really the case?

Certainly not.

We have professionals of all cadre serving in government at all levels as elected officials

and appointees. We also have an even larger number serving as civil servants/technocrats in ministries, departments and agencies of the government.

Yet we are where we are and it is clear that those whose primary responsibility is to serve in a manner that protects the common good have failed the system; from accountants to lawyers, engineers, surveyors, journalists etc.

Most times, the potential adverse effects of some government policies and actions are so apparent from the word go that the usual question by those outside is “Are they not seeing what we are seeing?”.

There is no doubt that the country will not develop to its full potential if professionals in the public sector do not rise up and play their role. More often than not the civil servants will blame the problem on the government (of which they are part of).

But then, virtually all elected and appointed officials of the same government have one professional certification or the other and have received or are receiving all manner of professional awards.

Indeed, in recent times, we have seen an upsurge in the number of professional bodies in Nigeria under the aegis of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN).

Traditionally, monolithic professional associations have been broken up either by choice or dissent (more the later) to create other professional associations that could have remained a subgroup of the main body. Ordinarily, one would think that this would enhance specialisation and add more value to the system but that has not been the case.

At a time when we have enough manpower to professionalise leadership at all levels, the effect of the professional is not been felt as is expected especially in the public sector.

There exists an apparent conflict between entrepreneurship, professionalism, career progression and self-survival which obviously affects the output of the professional.

A professional, no matter where he is serving is to be held to high ethical standards and some will argue, to indeed higher standards than non-professionals. It is only when the society can rely on the ethical integrity of the professional that the society can be a better place.

Indeed, the professions themselves, generated this high level of expectation and demands in the public mind (more for self-serving purposes) and they have to be held to the high standards they preach, albeit on paper only.

The question will also be asked: what is the

role of Professional Associations and Regulatory Boards in ensuring that their members operate or serve to high ethical standards and protect the common good?

What role do they play in defence of public interest and common good especially when their members act unethically? What role do they play in leading research and efforts into new and better ways of doing things in their area of specialisation so as to upgrade local services to international best practices and ultimately serve the public better?

What role do they play in holding the government accountable when they take wrong policy decisions at variance with the constitution and established rules especially as it pertains to their area of specialisation?

More often than not, professional associations shy away from the last point above for fear of antagonising the Government but in doing so, it is eventually the public good and the interest of the society as a whole that will suffer.

Professional associations do speak out but mainly when their narrow self-interest is affected. While this is certainly in order whenever necessary, they must strive to work for the higher calling of serving the public interest and enhancing the common good without the lure of fee or reward.

It is such activities that will build the vital trust with the public and the government and give professionalism its moral weight. Where they fail to do this, they risk degenerating into mere special interest groups driven by struggle for “privilege, power and position”.

Their failure to rise up to the occasion will also reinforce the tendency to view professional ethics (as espounded by the professions) as mere “smoke screens masking economic self-interest and pursuit of social power and relevance”.

The Regulatory Boards set up by the government to regulate professional associations also have a huge role to play. In most instances, every professional not only have to be licensed by the respective board to practice but indeed owes a continuing obligation to the Board to practice in accordance with set rules failing which his or her licence can be withdrawn.

The boards thus have immense disciplinary power to call their licencees to order.

Unfortunately, this power is very rarely used which has led to the low level of trust in the professions.

Where it is used at all, it is to sanction professionals in private practice. Yet the professional infractions that indeed cause more damage to the society and adversely impact the common good are perpetrated by professionals in government and the civil service.

How often has a board or professional association sanctioned a serving officer of the government or a civil servant for actions taken against the public interest. A plethora of public cases exists against these cadre of professionals and some indeed get conclusively resolved by the courts but the boards and associations remain silent.

This is not only harmful to the professions as it fuels negative public cynicism but it also adversely impacts the public interest which the boards and professional associations are expected to defend.

In the end, every professional must live his calling and play his role in and out of the workplace bearing in mind that his actions and inactions affect the integrity, hopes and aspirations of the professions as a whole.

Every professional must work not just to defend the interest of his client or employer but must always maintain the vital dual focus of not just performing the task set before him but also rising to the higher calling of protecting the public interest and enhancing the common good in the discharge of his duties, whether in the private or public sector.

It is only by so doing that the society as a whole can feel and benefit from the impact of his training and expertise. We must always bear in mind that in our peculiar environment, most people may not afford our services and it is only when we rise to the higher calling of operating in a way that directly or indirectly enhances the common good that they can benefit. This will not only reinforce trust in the professions but will also make the society a better place. t&MFI JT B QBTU QSFTJEFOU PG UIF /JHFSJBO *OTUJUVUJPO PG &TUBUF 4VSWFZPST 7BMVFST BOE 4FOJPS 1BSUOFS JO UIF mSN PG 6#04*&-&) $P

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͲ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

27

AMCON Undeterred as Obligors Intensify Media Attacks Jude Nwauzor

R

ecently some individuals have made themselves available tools to assist desperate debtors of Asset Management of Nigeria (AMCON) who are trying to change the narrative of how their businesses ended up in the books of AMCON. These distorted narrations are increasingly paying more attention to the intervention of AMCON in the aviation sector.

This plethora of new attacks started since AMCON approached the aviation authorities in the country to indicate interest in establishing a holding company to warehouse all of its aviation portfolio. Following AMCON’s heavy intervention in the aviation sector in Nigeria, the Corporation still has over five aviation business, which it now wants to assemble under one entity for ease of management and strategic exit.

Obviously, this development appears to have woken up the beast in some AMCON debtors that would stop at nothing to frustrate the move.

It would be recalled however that AMCON intervention in aviation and Arik in this instance was on the instance of the Federal Government of Nigeria that was concerned by the external monitoring of the activities of the airline between October 2016 and January 2017, which revealed a disturbing trend of overall deterioration in the affairs of Arik. The facts are still fresh that the airline experienced frequent flight cancellations and poor on time performance (OTP), which is a critical service measurement of the ability to dispatch a flight within 15 minutes of schedule time.

In addition, Arik’s obligations to local and foreign creditors and service providers were not being met, just as credit lines with foreign creditors were withdrawn with threats to even repossess Arik aircraft. The company was to say the least involved in a free fall.

The federal government was also concerned about the poor management and corporate governance practices within Arik and therefore feared that any disruption in the operations of the airline at that time in Nigeria’s aviation history with dearth of airlines would result in greater economic stress for the nation, which at the time was also grappling with other economic challenges.

As a matter of fact, the Ministry of Aviation strongly feared that Arik may not survive another eight weeks without intervention.

Therefore, it is important to remind these so-called ‘aviation experts and commentators’ that it was these well-informed discussions at various highest levels of government on the impact of the airline’s failure on the economy and public safety, that guided the government’s resolve to intervene in

Kuru Arik through the vehicle of AMCON. Therefore, on February 9, 2017, Arik was placed under the receivership of Oluseye Opasanya, SAN (“Receiver Manager”) of the firm Olaniwun Ajayi LP. Captain Roy Ukpebo Ilegbodu was also appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) under the recommendation of the Ministry of Aviation.

In taking the hard decision to direct AMCON takeover of the troubled Arik at the time, the Federal Government considered the following assumptions, which included that Arik has about 30 aircraft, the largest fleet in Nigeria; held approximately 55-60% of the air transport market in Nigeria; serves 18 domestic and 11 international destinations, including Johannesburg, London, Dubai, and New York City; estimated revenue at N7 billion monthly; and the airline employed over 2,000 staff.

Clearly, Arik’s mismanagement was surely going to have huge socio-economic impact, which would also have negative consequences in the brand image of Nigeria among the comity of nations.

AMCON’s intervention objective was to stabilise the operations of the airline (which has been done admirably) rather than to realise the assets of Arik in settlement of the outstanding debt. AMCON utilised the instrumentality of its statutory powers to actualise the resolution of the Federal Government to salvage the already threatened airline industry from further setbacks, which could have been occasioned by the imminent collapse of Arik. In addition, the intervention was also intended to

place Arik in a position to meet its obligations to all stakeholders both foreign and local.

It is also important to emphasise the fact that the decision to intervene in Arik was the joint decision of various agencies of government, including Ministry of Transport (Aviation), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Ministry of Finance and the Presidency.

Even though the Arik Eligible Bank Asset (EBA) was not performing, AMCON knew that direct intervention would be costly and difficult as the aviation industry in Nigeria was notoriously unprofitable, and therefore suffers many structural weaknesses all of which makes the business highly risky. The federal government however deemed the company strategic and AMCON was asked to intervene being the institution with the right instrument and power to so act.

Upon the intervention, AMCON discovered rampant flight cancellations of up to 40% and ineffective adherence to schedule; OTP was down to 19% in January 2017; high outstanding debt obligations and claims in excess of N300billion to local, foreign creditors, service providers and litigation claims. Of this debt, Arik owed AMCON alone in the excess of N140 billion.

Aside AMCON the total debt burden of Arik is also owed to various financial creditors and trade creditors including aviation agencies of government such as Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). Arik is also indebted to several foreign air management agencies including Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASCENA), which covers all French speaking West African countries. Again, this development caused much embarrassment to both Arik and Nigeria.

AMCON further discovered unremitted pension contributions, and over seven month’s unpaid staff salaries and severe difficulty in payment of overdue fleet insurance premium. There were threats of service suspension from major vendors and suppliers due to unsettled debt obligation by vendors, mostly fuel suppliers; weak corporate governance with poor internal control and unkempt book of accounts since 2015.

To put it mildly, Arik was run at a loss not supported by shareholders capital as well as threats of cancellation of fuel supply contracts due to the Arik’s failure in prompt settlement of its obligation to vendor among other messy discoveries. In addition, Arik as a business had cashflow and liquidity problems, which made Passenger Service System (PSS) to threaten interruptions and eventually terminated service to the airline.

Arik grossly had inadequate stock of spares/ consumables to continue in business. Arik at the time

had a diminishing fleet from 30 to 9 aircraft and serious key man risk because all management decisions were at the whims and caprices of Sir Johnson Arumemi, the Chief Promoter of Arik.

To illustrate how bad the condition of the airline was at the time AMCON intervened, the recommendation of the Receiver Manager to the management of AMCON immediately after the initial review was that Arik should be liquidated as it cannot be salvaged without huge costs to AMCON and the country. But guided by its mandate AMCON insisted on implementing the Federal Government’s directive of sustaining and stabilising Arik’s operations as a national imperative.

With these facts in the memory of Nigerians, it is highly crafty and misleading that the one-time Vice-Chairman to the former management of Arik, distinguished Senator Anietie Okon, in a recent exclusive interview with THISDAY newspaper joined those that are pushing the wrong narrative regarding AMCON and its well-intended intervention in the aviation industry with reference to Arik. The spurious claim that “Arik was healthy before AMCON’s intervention” as far as discerning minds are concerned came across as a debased strategy to peddling cheap falsehood.

AMCON is a child of necessity in the development of Nigeria’s financial system. The financial system in in the country before the creation of AMCON was on the brink of total collapse similar to the experiences in Europe and North America during the global financial crises of 2008 and 2009.

It would be recalled that the banks’ inability to lend resulted in credit crunch, which nearly led to the economic shut down. So, AMCON was established by the Federal Government to serve as a special intervention and resolution vehicle under the supervision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The CBN, Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Nigerian Parliament (who enacted the AMCON act), established AMCON in 2010, as a special resolution vehicle, which was vested with extra ordinary powers in order to achieve its three cardinal objectives of— (a) Providing liquidity to the financial institutions by—(i) purchasing the non-performing loans; (ii) direct injection of capital by way of financial accommodation; b) Take over the troubled assets, treat and subsequently dispose them for good returns; and (c) to support the businesses where possible. t /XBV[PS UIF )FBE $PSQPSBUF $PNNVOJDBUJPOT %FQBSUNFOU ".$0/ XSPUF JO GSPN "CVKB NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Creating a Better Africa Onuwa Lucky Joseph

T

he 2021 class of the annual WeForGood 100 Women ‘Creating a Better Africa’ was announced recently to sustained applause for those recognised. And as expected, some perennial heavyweights made the list who will make any list of accomplished women worldwide - Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Amina Mohammed, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liya Kebede, and Mo Abudu being a few of such names.

This year’s list was made against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic which has wreaked havoc as it streaked its way across countries of the world. Women, in their different capacities as health care workers, caregivers, community organisers and innovators have tended to be directly in the path of the pandemic and so have found themselves carrying even more burden than the usual overload they are used to on behalf of the rest of humanity.

Which is why according to CEO of WeForGood, Temitayo Ade-Peters, this year’s nominations were thrown open on March 9, right after the International Women’s Day celebration which is commemorated on the 8th of March every year. This year’s list had Covid in mind and it was with a thought to honouring some of the trailblazing women whose efforts light the path and give women the courage to showcase their ingenuity on whatever stage they play in.

Ade-Peters says it is her company’s way of celebrating, honouring and showcasing women making impact across various communities in Africa.

Okonjo-Iweala “We are pleased with the makeup of the final list”, she said, adding that “we believe it will greatly inspire other women as it presents an incredible picture of women from different walks of life and at different stages of influence but with a common commitment to make Africa better for us and for the next generation”.

She said even though the final list could not exceed 100 in number, “each face on the picture collage represents thousands of women who continue to push the boundaries in their various fields to create a better Africa.”

Using the SDG Goals as benchmark, this writer teased out the number of names that were listed for distinction under the different goals. It was not surprising to see that Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) had the lion share of honorees with all of 25 names, a full one quarter of the

list. Why it’s so? Easy. Women, long relegated to the lower rungs of the economy are moving in and moving up with, if you like, an aggressive vengeance. There’s real strength to their upward movement in matters economic. The 25 names so listed belong to the beacons, but behind them are thousands and hundreds of thousands and soon millions who are equally breaking glass ceilings and looking to do more than the manly in the economic space.

They are entrepreneurs building businesses, and running organisations and institutions. Those scoring consistently under Goal 8 include names like Tara Fela-Durotoye, Mo Abudu, Wendy Ackerman and Wendy Applebaum, (both from South Africa), Adenike Ogunlesi, Rawya Mansour from Egypt, Lydia Nsekera from Burundi, Fade Ogunro, and many others. It’s an energized movement of stalwart women with minds made up not just to do well for themselves and their families but even more for their gender and for humanity.

The SDG Goal with the second highest number of honorees on the WeForGood 100 Women Creating a Better Africa belong in Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Women know, intuitively, that acclaim for individual progress is not enough.

Until a system is institutionalised that makes women’s progress not a maybe but the norm, things can revert to the reviled old status quo in a heartbeat. And so 18 of the honorees are laboring assiduously in that particular Goal 8 vineyard, tweaking the details in their various countries so that what they leave behind would be much different from what they met.

Amina Mohammed is right on that list. Having

done what she did with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the MDGs, she spent but little time as Minister for the Environment before joining the UN where, at the highest level as Deputy Sec Gen, she can intervene on matters of global policy formulation that are then sold in as delicate and persuasive way as possible to the various governments especially those in the 3rd World who need more women participation in the national scheme of things.

Goal 8 also has stellar names like Okonjo-Iweala (DG, WTO), for whom not much can be said by way of introduction. She, by sheer force of will and brilliance has made of herself a worthy icon revered globally.

Now she’s bent on ensuring as much equitability as possible in world trade. It’s a tough undertaking, but she’s known for her fearlessness and doggedness. The hope is that if she is able to succeed in this particular quest, Africa, especially, would, rather be a dumping ground, become also a veritable supplier of goods to the West and East and everywhere else.

Right after Goal 16 is Goal 3 with 16 honorees.

It’s what the world knows women for: nurturing.

Women have not moved away from that despite some noxious ideological expectations. Instead, a lot more women are having their play on this traditional turf of theirs, ensuring that their different countries and by extension, continents and the world is in better shape.

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

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Sylva: Job Creation Will Reduce Tensions in N’Delta Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, has said that creating massive job opportunities in the Niger Delta region can help reduce restiveness in the oil-producing area.

Speaking during an inspection of the site of the ongoing Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGAPS) at Emeyal, Ogbia local government, Bayelsa State, the minister noted that the project was capable of providing 2,000 jobs when completed.

Sylva stated that local content in the oil and gas industry was critical to the achievement of President Muhammadu Buhari’s job creation plan, reiterating that the federal government in the next few years is keen on raising indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector from 30 per cent to 70 per cent. “I must say I’m very impressed with what I have seen today. Once upon a time this place was a swamp. The Buhari administration promised to bring

AATF Seeks to Enhance Farmers’ Access to PBR Cowpea James Emejo in Abuja The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), has inaugurated an 11-member National Stewardship Committee for quality management, production and distribution of the Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea seed variety.

The move is to ensure that the right quality of the genetically modified beans variety are readily accessed by the farmers in order to boost the federal government’s efforts towards economic diversifcaion and food security.

The Product Stewardship Lead for AATF, Mr. Francis Nwankwo, at the inauguration and training of the committee, said the capacity building will define the roles and responsibilities of every member for the new seed variety to be managed properly to give maximum benefits to farmers.

He said: “We are at the point of going to the farmers. Last year, we did demonstration trials with some farmers around nine states at 28 clusters. “Farmers are very happy with the test and the demand they are placing is very high. We are upscaling it so that more farmers can plant it this year and we are targeting July planting season around North Central and North West zones.”

According to him: “Farmers, go through a lot trying to produce cowpea, they spray several times, instead of spraying several times, they can now spray pesticides twice. “This helps the farmers save money that would have gone into production, without the spraying, farmers can lose 80 per cent of their yield - but with this intervention, the farmer would gain 80 per cent per yield and when it is gained, it means more production for the farmer to have more to sale. There will be more beans for the consumers and there will be more beans for the farmer to sell and feed his family”.

jobs to our people because we believe that job creation can also solve the problem of the Niger Delta Region. President Buhari is living up and doing just that: job creation. “We are certain that within the life of this administration this project will be settled and commissioned. The NCDMB has done very well. Before the establishment of this board, local participation was just about 3 per cent, but today they have taken it to over 30 per cent and the trajectory is to boost it to 70 per cent within a few years from now.

“This place, when completed, can create 2,000 jobs and this is just one of the many that we have across the country,’’ the minister stressed. While lauding the host

community for a sustained atmosphere of peace, the minister emphasised that the project could not have been possible without the prevailing calm in the area.

The NOGAPS is also expected to attract International Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMS) as well as Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to set up shop floors for the manufacturing of components used in oil and gas industries. Sylva added: “There are a lot of Niger Delta people that have no jobs, so as a responsible government one of the first things we must do is to try to see how those very able-bodied and qualified young people who are unemployed will be gainfully employed.

NNPC Partners Kebbi on Renewable Energy Project Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has restated its commitment to the partnership with the Government of Kebbi State on the production of biofuels.

Describing the project as viable and in tandem with the global transition to renewable energy, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, noted that the corporation will do all within its power to ensure the acceleration of the project.

A statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the corporation, Dr Kennie

Obateru, stated that Kyari spoke while receiving the Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

He said the rice production programme in the state was a definite boost to the biofuels project, adding that the linkage of the agricultural sector with the energy sector would facilitate economic growth and bring prosperity to the citizens.

“We will go ahead and renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and bring in any necessary amendment that is required to make this business run faster,” the GMD stated.

The statement added that Kyari also hinted of plans by the corporation to resume active exploration activities in the Sokoto Basin.

Earlier in his remarks, the Kebbi state governor expressed appreciation to the NNPC for its cooperation on the biofuel project, stressing that the cassava programme was well on course but the same cannot be said of the sugarcane programme as the targeted milestone was yet to be attained.

Bagudu assured the GMD of his commitment to the success of the project, reiterating that Kebbi is one of the states the corporation is in partnership with for the development of renewable energy

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EDUCATION ‘USAID Ensures Access to Education for Outof-School Children’ in Northern Nigeria’ Mr. Nurudeen Lawal, the Chief of Party USAID Northern Education Initiative spoke to Funmi Ogundare and explained the various strategies used and how the agency had partnered with different stakeholders at the state and federal levels in the last five years.

The objective is to provide basic literacy opportunities to out-of-school children especially in Sokoto and Bauchi States, to enable them find their feet, among other issues. Excerpts:

U

SAID is implementing the Early Grade Reading across Nigeria, what led to its introduction?

For learning to take place, it must start with reading as reading is the beginning of learning. USAID is leading the support across different countries to improve reading outcomes. The USAID’s Education Strategy Goal one is focused on improving reading skills for 100 million children in primary grades worldwide. USAID is focusing on reading because it is a critical path towards human development. Mainly, when a child can read, then that child can continue to succeed in education and will not get frustrated as she/he progresses. The learner would develop confidence in himself or herself to succeed. When a child cannot read before getting to primary four, then that child becomes frustrated in learning.

The level of frustration is so high that she/ he would blame herself for not being able to read, for not succeeding. But the major problem is that the child was not taught to read and the failure is not self-inflicted.

The solution is to concentrate on early grade reading and ensuring that children can read at early primary grade especially in their mother tongue. The reason for mother-tongue is because this is the language that a child has accumulated vocabularies (about 6,000 of them) before coming to school. So when you teach this child to read in that language, the child would build on the previous knowledge as anchors. But if you start teaching the child to read in a language he does not have a vocabulary, it is like speaking gibberish to a child. So the idea is that if you want children to succeed in their education, then teach them in their mother tongue. This is also contained in the National Policy on Education (NPE) that early primary grade should be taught in their mother tongue.

Following all of these factors, USAID funded the Northern Education Initiative (NEI) Plus project in Bauchi and Sokoto states. We are all familiar with the Nigerian context especially the low learning outcomes. Over time, the country has been struggling with poor results, across the different education levels.

If we look at critical studies that have been done, we will see that Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. And 10 Sub-Saharan countries have the lowest literacy rates for both children and adults in the world. Seven out of 10 children in this region are likely to become dropouts. This is a disturbing trend. Studies also reveal that Nigerian children have little access to books. Nigeria is also saddled with low-quality teachers who are supported by weak systems. Recently, the issue of banditry and insurgency has worsened the situation, leading to further poor learning outcomes in schools. Working with critical education stakeholders at state and federal levels, early grade reading materials were developed in Hausa (Mu Karanta!) and English (Let’s Read).

Recently, more titles were added in Igbo (Ka Anyi Guo!) and Yoruba (Je Ka Kawe!). The project was able to train over 12,000 teachers in early grade reading who are teaching close to 1,000,000 pupils. Although every teacher is a reading teacher but every teacher would need to be trained to teach reading because it is a specialisation. Children would not just read, they need to be taught using evidencebased reading strategies. Presently, there is a strategy termed MATTERS proposed by USAID which means Mentors, Administrators, Teachers, Text, Extra Practice, Regular Assessment, and Standards. So what that is saying as a strategy is that teachers need to be mentored. Teachers need to be supervised and coached, that is the administrator’s part

Lawal of it. And then the teachers need to be trained and then they should have access to books which is the Text, and that they need to have a community of practice which is the extra practice. Regular assessment means that reading should be assessed and then standard means that you need to have a certain benchmark for reading. So that is the strategy that everyone is supposed to align with when implementing a reading program.

Before now we used to have what we call 5Ts plus C. What that is saying is that, for a successful reading program one must have these 5Ts in place, which is Time, Teaching, Text, Testing, and Tongue. Time here is saying that one must give sufficient time for reading on the time-table. If we go to most schools now, we will see that there is no reading on the time-table and so there is need to give sufficient time for reading. We also need to have teachers that are trained and knowledgeable in the teaching of reading. The children need to have books and the teachers must also have books. Then the tongue is the language, we must teach them in the language they understand and our curriculum must cover the main parts of reading, which are the five reading skills including phonological awareness, alphabetic principles, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension, then usually we add the concept of print and writing. So the reading skills are critical when it comes to the teaching of reading. Some activities don’t cover those five reading skills and every reading program must cover these aspects.

Having institutionalised it, who are your partners and those you worked with?

The project works closely with the states because the objective, is to strengthen the systems of the state to be able to increase reading outcomes and improve educational opportunities for out-of-school children. If we look at the structure of that objective, we will see strengthening the government system is in itself an objective. And why that is important is because all we have implemented and achieved with the states need to be owned and sustained. The project started in 2015 and was supposed to end in 2020, but was extended to May 2021. So the question is how are the states going to sustain what we have been doing together? So NEI Plus works with the government partners, communities, stakeholders, and community structures to achieve those two objectives. At the Federal level, we work with the Federal Ministry of Education, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Nigerian Education Research and Development Council (NERDC), Teachers Registration Council of

Nigeria (TRCN), National Teachers Institute (NTI), National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), BUK/ Nigeria Center for Reading Research and Development, and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). These are our critical planning and implementation partners. At the state level, we work with the entire education sector, the Ministry of Education in Bauchi and Sokoto, State Universal Basic Education Boards, and State Agencies for Mass Education. Then the project supports three colleges of education and in Sokoto one college of education. These four colleges of education have successfully modeled pre-service early grade reading programs.

And this has led to the integration of early grade reading into teacher training minimum standards in the country. The project works with the LGEA, that is Local Government Education Authorities (LGEA) because they are the one that manages education at the local government level. The project relied on community structures to succeed, these include Community Coalitions, Women Groups, School-Based Management Committees (SBMC), Center-based Management Committees, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). In Bauchi and Sokoto, we work with 41 CSOs, notably the Reading Association of Nigeria (RAN) and the Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria.

Having worked with these various groups, states and federal agencies, what impact has that made over the last five years?

The greatest impact is that NEI Plus has successfully placed reading on the national agenda. The two states; Sokoto and Bauchi are a model to other states. Appropriate grade, leveled, decodable EGR teaching-learning materials are available for the teaching of reading in the three main Nigeria languages and English Language. The NEI Plus project distributed more than 9 million books to children across Bauchi and Sokoto states reaching about 1,000,000 children with improved reading skills. But this is not even capturing the fact that right now the states have replicated the project intervention in the non-focus local governments. And, also six more states (Ebonyi, Gombe, Yobe, and Borno states), inclusive of Bauchi and Sokoto are replicating the project early grade reading approach with funding from the World Bank Better Education Service Delivery for All. Also, about 269,000 learners including adolescent girls have been provided basic literacy opportunities, of which some have progressed to higher education. The assessments conducted show a significant reduction in zero scores across the key reading competency areas. The two states (Bauchi and Sokoto) have expended more than N1.4 billion towards improving the reading outcomes and increasing access following the NEI Plus approach. The project has provided educational budget planning tools to the states and supported the integration of early grade reading and access into the state educational planning documents. Other tools provided for the states include the Teacher Management Information System, the State Education Account, and the Institutional Capacity Assessment Tool. The project has developed local capacity in all of these areas including training of 42 early grade reading specialists by Florida State University. The project has thus developed experts in the two states and at federal level, over the last five years to manage early grade reading and access related educational activities for the country.

USAID also inaugurated the Early Grade Reading in the Yoruba language

in Lagos, how would you describe the effort?

The project recently introduced the Yoruba EGR books to the Lagos government. In the last five years that we have been working, Lagos has not been part of it. So we produced the Yoruba books, which is a sort of an expansion of the project mandate, based on request to also develop the Igbo and the Yoruba early grade reading materials to make the project have a national reach. After developing materials in English and Hausa, NEI Plus developed the early grade reading materials in Igbo and Yoruba and expect that the 11 southeast and southwest states including Kwara state would print sufficient quantities of the books for pupils and teachers, and also train the teachers.

How would you describe the success rate in those northern states?

The project has been able to increase reading time on the timetable from around an average of 660 hours in a year to more than 1300 hours per year. A child should have at least 1,000 hours of reading in a year according to UNESCO. Specifically, the project has been able to encourage the states to increase this to 1,350 hours of reading instruction in Bauchi and Sokoto. One of the things I mentioned under the 5Ts is that there must be time for reading. So the project worked with the government to increase the time for reading.

And then, provided the text which is the early grade reading books called, ‘Lets Read’ and ‘Mu Karanta’. These texts meet international best practice in reading following the principle that I outlined earlier, and contextualised to local factors with cultural relevance and at the right level of the children. The project also provided what is known as Supplementary Reading Materials (SRM). We provided this in Hausa and English and there are more than 200 titles.

How has the project been able to ensure access for out-of-school children?

The project’s objectives are to increase access and improving reading through non-formal and formal education. The formal education part of the project takes care of primary one to three children and provided them with books, reading time, and trained and coached teachers. The project ensured they are taught in their mother tongue, and conducted reading assessments. Whereas, the access part of the project which is the first objective, targeted out-of-school children by going into communities, working with community structures, conducting community mapping (which identified where children are not going to school, identified where children do not have schools because their schools are very far away and identified where girls do not go to school). The project partnered with CSOs and community structures to establish NonFormal Learning Centers and Adolescent Girls’ Learning Centers within those communities.

This was achieved working with the 41 Civil Society Organisations (CSO) and the State Agencies for Mass Education. So the CSOs manage the Non-Formal Learning Centers.

The project provided the CSOs grants to be able to perform this task. The learners are exposed to six to 9 months of the basic literacy program. And after these six to 9 months according to the government’s non-formal education guideline, they can be mainstreamed into public schools. The schools conduct tests and place learners in appropriate classes. This is an important strategy towards ensuring that out-of-school children are provided an educational opportunity. Over the last five years, the project has been able to reach more than 269,000 learners in Bauchi and Sokoto.

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EDUCATION

Lagos SUBEB Staff Nigerian Varsities have Ability to End Insecurity Empowered on Through Research, Says UNIABUJA VC Resource Management, Money Laundering Kuni Tyessi in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Funmi Ogundare The board members and management staff of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB), recently converged on Amber Residence, Ikeja, for a threeday training themed, ‘Data Driven Allocation of Education Resources and Finance’, when they were empowered on the proper management of allocated funds, money laundering, its impact on their efficiency and their role against the scourge.

In his remarks, an expert on money laundering and Managing Director Simialpha Consulting Limited, Mr. Kunle Ajiboye who emphasised on education funding said the training workshop should drive participants towards protecting their legacy and doing things right rather committing an act of infraction.

According to him, “There are operational issues around funding . A lot of people do what is operationally correct, and others do what is expedient. However, does that motivation makes the action legal? Are some of our conducts appear okay and at the same time illegal? After this training you must be able to decipher or know how to take correct actions , you must be able to know when to refer issues to the immediate boss and also know when to

ensure proper documentation of issues.”

He said the next two years in Nigeria, is going to be very tense as a lot of people who think they have done things that are buried forever, would be exposed.

“It will take only one petition to dig it out, one introduction to set one person against the other. Politics is a major factor in our lives.

I have spent several years with Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practice Commission, If you know the amount of files that are yet to be investigated, you would be shocked. Some are in millions, billions and thousands involving civil servants, corporations and businessmen.

The crux of the matter, is that we should not be under the scope of any investigation at all. So as civil servant, you should be thinking about how to protect your legacy.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Chairman of the board, Wahab Alawiye-King said the workshop was necessary so that staff can ensure transparency, accountability and financial prudence in their dealings with their stakeholders.

“They need to know how to follow due diligence in line with the law, so that they will know that there are standard operating procedure,” he said.

ASLN Announces Second National Life Science Contest Oluchi Chibuzor The African Science and Literacy Network (ASLN) have announced the opening of the second national life science competition that would see winners paired with experts for long term mentorship and training on creativity and innovation.

The competition is open to students in tertiary institutions from colleges, polytechnic and universities studying any course and any Nigerian secondary schools.

Announcing the essay competition recently, the Research Fellow in Sussex Neuroscience and Founding Director for Science Communication Hub Nigeria, Dr. Mahmoud Maina said by organising this competition, it plans to raise awareness about life sciences.

He said in his outreach experience in the past eight years across Africa, especially Nigeria, “I have realised we have many talented young students, but often not motivated, especially in areas of sciences and lacking local role models.”

According to the science hub, the timeline involves three phases starting from March 29 to July, 4, 2021, with a pre-qualification quiz to be taken via the organis-

ers website as participants with the highest score will be contacted with instruction on the next phase of the competition.

However, qualified participants will be required to submit 400 to 500 words essay on ‘the role societies and communities play in tackling pandemics’, followed by an online life science pitch.

Maina said the competition will also motivate students and get them to think critically on how to solve societal challenges through scholarship, adding that the winners will then get paired with role models who can guide them in their career.

“The written essays of the finalists and winners will be published to support the writer’s development and transform their ideas into solutions. Eventually, these kinds of initiatives will develop our young students into critical thinkers and raise public understanding of science, helping develop our society through education and research.

“There are many competitions organised annually in Nigeria, but none is specifically in the life sciences despite its importance. This is what prompted us to start this competition initially.”

The Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Prof. Abdul Rasheed Na’Allah has disclosed that through research in the nation’s ivory towers, the incessant cases of insecurity will be a thing of the past.

The VC who reiterated that insecurity is a researchable issue, said every challenge of human endeavour needs research and needs its people to bring solutions.

Na’Allah who made this known, recently at its maiden undergraduate Research Day, themed, ‘Promoting National Development through Research’, said people have given up on the issue of insecurity with the belief that there’s no solution because universities are yet to research on it.

He added that for research to thrive, parent’s, industries, parastatals and even the gov-

ernment need to collaborate effectively with universities, adding that world over, no single government can fund research 100 per cent.

According to him, “Of course, there is a relationship between research and insecurity.

If you invest in research, you will also need security to do its work. Even insecurity is a researchable issue. What is insecurity? What should we do to resolve it?

“Every problem of human endeavour needs research and needs its people to bring solutions. If people say its insecurity and so there’s no solution, tell them to go to hell. Has it been researched?

Have universities found out how to end Boko Haram?

Why did it even happen in the first place? Researchers would have found out and brought solutions.

“No single government can find research 100 per cent all-

over the world. If you go to the best universities in the world, research is a collaboration between parents, industries, parastatals among government.

Everyone is involved and we want everyone to be on board.”

In his remarks, the guest speaker, Dr. Salisu Abubakar, said research, apart from improving the nature and existence of humans, also serves as a very important constitutional approach to education.

Meanwhile, eight final year undergraduate students of the university qualified for the research grant in which the sum of N2, 229, 800 was awarded by the VC. In another development, the University of Abuja is partnering with the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, (NIHOTOUR) to establish Travel-Tourism and Hospitality department under its faculty of Management Sciences.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Abdul Rashid Na Allah who made the disclosure at a one-day Seminar on ‘Tourism and Hospitality Legislations for Improved Revenue Generation and Development: Lessons from China’, organised by the trio of NIHOTOUR, UNIABUJA and the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, said the hospitality travel tourism industry in the country desire skilled and high-level manpower that can deliver quality services of international standards.

Prof. Na Allah who spoke through Associate Prof. Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Director Institute for Legislative Studies of the University, noted that training and impactful vocational skills are what the tourism industry desires to be able to explore and tap into the country’s vast tourism potentials for the socio- economic benefits of Nigeria and its people.

A cross section of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) and facilitators during a training programme held recently

Kwara Hijab: Church Urges Gov AbdulRazaq to Reverse Decision Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Boys’ Brigade Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church,(CSMC) worldwide has urged the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq to reverse his government decision on the hijab issue in the interest of peace and harmony among the various ethno -religious groups in the state.

It would be recalled that violence disturbed the reopening

of 10 schools originally owned

by Christian missions shut by the Kwara State government over the use of hijab, as Christians and Muslims in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, engaged in throwing stones at each at each other.

The Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq-led government had earlier ordered the reopening of the affected schools recently to enable the students prepare for the upcoming external examinations without resolving the hijab issue.

The Executive General Organiser, Boys’ Brigade Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church(Worldwide), Joseph Baoku while reacting to the development on behalf of the entire members of the organisation in a statement made available to Journalists, recently in Bauchi said, peace and harmony are promoted by the concept of secularism, by treating all religions equally in a state.

According to him,” it is the

responsibility of every government, at both state and national levels to ensure unity, peaceful coexistence,friendliness and tolerance among the various religions and ethnicities in the country and should never allow a simple matter that could be resolved amicably to degenerate into violence. “ We therefore admonish the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, to reverse this decision in the interest of peace and harmony.

Nexford Varsity Graduates 200 Pioneer MBA Students Ugo Aliogo Nexford University, established five years ago in Nigeria, has graduated 200 pioneer MBA graduates.

The Country Director, Nexford University, Olamidun Majekodunmi, who disclosed this during a hybrid graduation ceremony, held recently, in Lagos, said she ensured that Nigeria becomes a primary market for Nexford.

“Today marks a major milestone and also emphasises the impact of a vehicle of disruption like Nexford to the society at

large. We must be proud of what we have all achieved together as we celebrate this set of 200 pioneer MBA graduates from Nigeria alone. This is only the beginning.”

She said with the MBA certificate from Nexford, the students are a cut above the rest.

Majekidunmi noted that they had applied extra tenacity to complete their online degree, despite many of them working full time jobs during a pandemic, “often without constant power supply and connectivity, combined with spikes in FX rates.”

An Advisory Board member of the institution, Obiageli Ezekwesili, in her remarks canvassed for public-private partnership in Nigeria’s education sector.

The former Minister of Education said, “It is about the public and private sectors working in harmony. You have to address issues of access, relevance and quality, and it requires government as regulator of education, the standard sectors, as well as the private sector, with a lot more money to support the kind of quality faculty that teaches the kind of things that Nexford is

able to teach.

“Every university system is determined by the quality of its faculty and curriculum. If you do not work with your private sector for tertiary education, you will be producing graduates that have no business in the economy; so, they will become jobless. It is important to bear that in mind in the way we design education policies.”

The Senior Pastor of Trinity House Church, Ituah Ighodalo, said the pandemic made virtual education part of the new normal.

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T H I S D AY ˾ APRIL 14, 2021

EDUCATION

SocialVices:Varsity Don Tasks Graduating Students on Forensic, DNA Knowledge Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Pioneer graduating students of the Centre for Forensic Programmes and DNA Studies (CEFPADS) of the University of Benin, have been urged to focus on how best they can utilise their forensic and DNA knowledge to contribute positively towards remedying the decay in the country with regards to insecurity, kidnapping, killings and other social vices.

Director of the Centre, Prof.

Edeaghe Ehikhamenor, who gave the advice during the orientation of new students

and oath-taking ceremony by the out-going pioneer students of the centre in Benin City, said its vision would not be realisable if they get obsessed by self-induced crises in the country.

“Keep the forensic light bright by ensuring innovations of ideas at every point to remedy the existing challenges.”

While noting that few universities have solitary programmes on Forensic, he said none in Africa have the type of unified diversity of Forensic and DNA curriculum that makes the UniBen to stand

out distinctively.

Ehikhamenor who added that the essence of the oath-taking ceremony is to sow the seed of reminder in the hearts of the graduating students, noted that as great ambassadors of the centre, they owe themselves, the university, as well as the greater society, the responsibility of sustaining a forensic practice with credibility, ethical considerations, honesty, transparency and exemplary mentorship to the younger ones.

In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, who was represented

by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. David Izekor, commended the centre for its achievements, and urged the graduating students to ensure high moral standard without blemish.

On the request by the centre to be allowed to run masters and PhD degrees programmes and have some of its challenges addressed, the VC said management of the institute was looking into the requests, adding that it was collaborating with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to that effect.

L-R: Corporate Affairs Manager (Lagos), Nigerian Breweries Plc, Tayo Adelaja; Corporate Affairs Director, NB Plc, Sade Morgan; Chairman, NB Plc, Chief (Dr.)Kola Jamodu; Wife of the Chairman, NB Plc, Mrs. Funmi Jamodu and Vice Chancellor, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Prof. Jeremiah Ojediran during the conferment of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science on Jamodu at the 12th convocation ceremony of The Bells University of Technology held in Ota, Ogun State

EkoExcel: Parents Laud Sanwo-Olu’s Initiative on Basic Education Funmi Ogundare Parents of Lagos public primary school pupils have commended the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his brilliant intervention in repositioning the primary education through the EKOEXCEL programme.

EkoExcel which means Excellence in Child Education and Learning, is an educational transformation initiative of the governor, aimed at bridging the gap in quality education delivery, through the use of technological devices such as teaching tablets and smartphones in public primary school pedagogy.

According to Mrs. Adebola Coker, mother of Toyin, a pupil

at Ireti Girls Primary school, Ikoyi, the enthusiasm of her daughter towards educational content has increased tremendously and her ability to easily grasp what she’s taught in class can be attributed to the new teaching method.

“I first noticed the changes about seven months ago. Toyin is now more interested in studying. Even when she comes back from school, she is eager to do her home work with very little assistance. We no longer have to chase her around to get her homework done.”

The father of a pupil at Mushin Public Primary School, Mr. Owolabi, commended the state government for introducing EkoExcel in primary schools,

adding, “primary education in Mushin had never experienced such a transformation and the results are evident in the lives of the pupils who attend the schools. My children are now more interested in going to school early than ever before, they come back home singing and teaching us new words and they even construct better sentences. For us, it’s a great feeling to see the changes EkoExcel has brought to our government schools especially because we want the best for our children and we can’t afford private schools” he concluded.

Teachers from the various primary schools across Lagos state have in the past expressed the same sentiments towards

the programme, calling it a right step towards providing quality education for the pupils, urging the state government to continue with the current wave of capacity development which they say has greatly improved their teaching skills.

The Lagos State Government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is driving excellence in learning for all pupils across in primary schools through EkoExcel, a government funded and led programme in education reform that is successfully developing more highly skilled teachers; by training, supporting and motivating existing government teachers to succeed in their classrooms.

Aduvie Int’l School Holds COVID-19 Art Contest, Harps on Adherence to Safety Protocols Kuni Tyessi in Abuja Nigerians have again been urged to ensure they adhere to all COVID-19 safety protocols provided by the government and health authorities as the world battles the pandemic.

The Head of Aduvie International School, Abuja, Mr. Olusoji Abiodun made this call, recently, during presentation of prizes to winners its Covid-19 arts competition, to commemorate the closure of

schools in March last year after the emergence of the pandemic.

According to him, “to mark one year of the lockdown of schools due to COVID-19 pandemic, Aduvie International School received over 40 artworks from participants at the lower and higher primary sections, as well as the secondary arm of the school. We decided to organise this competition, to bring out the positive aspect of what we have gone through in the last one year as a result

of the pandemic.

“The students and pupils were required to submit a one-minute video capturing them while working on the most essential part of their work alongside their completed work.

Apart from the winners, all other participants were awarded with a cash prize of N2,000 and N1,000 for the secondary and primary sections respectively.

Olusoji said the criteria for declaring winners include creativity, originality, adherence

to instruction, finishing as well as the video, adding that the art pieces which included paintings, mosaic, craft works and sculptures,were exhibited at the school admin block’s entrance.

In the secondary category, Amoju Tolulope won the first prize which is a cash of N50,000, Demilade Tope Babalola came second and went home with a cash prize of N30,000 while Opanah Ige-Edaba received N20,000 for coming third place.

KEHINDE OMORU www.kayomoru.com

Being at Peace with Children I had wanted to title this article, ‘Tips for a quieter class’, but found myself ruminating over my first bullet points, manner of speech, being even-toned, staying calm and conciliatory.

An ever shouting and restless teacher who always harangues her class will infect the children with these negative traits. To children, teachers are semi-gods who ought to be obeyed and emulated. Children that are forever shouted at will shout at others to get on daily. They will become aggressive adults. Have you noticed how much harsh words flow freely from our lips these days? It’s appalling. The boss at work, the bus conductor, the market-sellers, stressed up parents, clerks in offices who are forever expecting, traffic wardens, policemen and soldiers at checkpoints, everyone talks harshly. Car engines are shouting, horns are hooting these days too. What with the harsh petrol scarcities coupled with the third or fourth hand spare parts transporters have to work with.

This country must change for the better. This change must not only be in terms of a better standard of living for the average Nigerian, but change also in terms of content and manner of our discourse with one another. Our speech should always be seasoned with grace, with good will and with encouragement.

I admire and have emulated a good trait in the British - this is politeness. The expressions: yes, please; thank-you, beg your pardon, mind if I, excuse me, and the like are utterances I hear from them daily and I observe too that these are not said to colleagues only but also to the children as the need arises.

Fellow teachers, we have these children in our care for at least five hours daily. Let’s drill politeness into them. In our Nigerian cultures, we have the legacy of polite expressions. The Yorubas, for instance, have the word which not only is a plural pronoun referring to more than one person but can be used to address and indeed should be used to address anyone irrespective of age or affluence. All these, I’m afraid, are fast disappearing.

Can you beat the rudeness of the primary six child awhile ago who dared me to send him to the quiet room in isolation (the naughty corner)?

I had told him that he would have to go into the quiet room if he continued to make distracting and rude noises with the latches of his locker during my lesson. Our headmistress then, I remembered clearly, was stunned but handled the situation like the teacher that she was. Here was a lanky boy, from a rich home, who, from his childhood, displayed disrespect for authority. On the other hand, I was grateful for the incidence because it was yet another opportunity to understand the child better. He was most probably from a home that flowed with milk and honey where nannies, cooks and drivers were plummeted with orders and threats from master and madam or either of the two and where their namby-pamby children must not be disciplined by teacher.

The ancient truth says ‘Train your child and he shall give you rest’. Mind you, I do not at all mean to hit with the cane, as they are not animals, but rather I am for discipline which sets out to instruct, teach by words and actions, deny if that would pass on the lesson to be learnt and reward immediately any good behavior..

Omoru is a freelance writer, education, health and social care advocate

Clifford Varsity Graduates 11 First Class Students Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia A total of 11 students have bagged First Class degree out of the 66 students that graduated from Clifford University(CLU), Abia State.

Others came out with Second Class Upper division .

The maiden convocation ceremony tagged, ‘Alpha Graduation’ was held at the Ihie campus of the five-year old university in Isiala Ngwa North local government, Abia State, with dignitaries gracing the event.

Among dignitaries that attended the maiden convocation was the Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, who expressed satisfaction at the speedy growth rate of the ivory tower owned by

the Seventh day Adventist Church (SDA), which also owns Babcock University.

He appealed to the graduands to maximize the knowledge and skills they acquired to become agents of development by solving problems in practical realities of life. “ The world today is not looking for those with mere certificates, but those with useful skills and integrity, who could be depended on to find solutions to societal problems and bring development to the society.”

The governor noted that much was expected from them being the first fruits of the university, hence they should be good ambassadors of the institution exhibiting the high academic and moral training they received.

37

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͲ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

NUC Gives FUTA Approval for Medical Programme James Sowole in Akure The National Universities Commission (NUC), has given approval for the commencement of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) programme by the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) with effect from the 2020/2021 academic session.

The approval, was disclosed by the Deputy Director, Corporate Communications, Mr Adegbenro Adebanjo in a statement quoting Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Adamu Rasheed.

Adegbenro said the approval, followed the recommendation of the panel of experts from the commission which carried out a resource verification visit.

According to the commission, in the letter addressed to the Vice Chancellor Professor Joseph Fuwape and signed by the Director of Academic Planning, Dr. NB Salihu, “Resource verification was carried out by a panel of experts to the proposed medical program of FUTA with a view to assessing the human and material resources available for their establishment. I am directed to inform the Vice Chancellor that the executive secretary has considered and approved the establishment of the full time mode of the Medicine and Surgery, MBBS programme to be run with effect from the 2020/2021 academic session”.

“The resource verification team visited FUTA in February 2021 to ascertain its level of preparedness for the take off the School of Medical Sciences.

“After a painstaking assessment, the leader of the team Professor Saliu Yakasai,

Provost, College of Medicine ,Bayero University Kano said he was encouraged by FUTA’s determination towards the take off of the school in record time.

He said FUTA was leading the pace among other universities of technology in Nigeria and that there was no doubt that the establishment of the medical programme and medical school will further place the institution among the foremost in the country.”

Professor Yakaai urged the university management not to relent in putting up the necessary logistics for the efficient take off of the school and was optimistic that FUTA will use the medical school to further advance research and learning in Nigeria.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Joseph Fuwape while reacting to the development said the report of the resource verification team and the subsequent approval by the NUC is an endorsement of the hard work and structures; human and material already put in place for the commencement of the programme.

He said all hands were on deck to ensure the smooth and efficient take off of the medical programme.

Fuwape said since the school of Health and Health Technology was already running Anatomy , Physiology and Medical Biochemistry, FUTA has what it takes to run the MBBS programme.

He said the university would deploy adequate human and material resource and invest the program with the imprimatur of excellence which has become the hallmark of all programmes run by FUTA.

Oyo Hired Consultants to ensure Transparency in Tertiary Institutions’ Activities, Says Makinde Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has said his administration is committed towards resolving the issues surrounding the strike action embarked on by some stateowned tertiary institutions, within the next one month.

He explained that the decision to engage Platinum Consultants, became imperative to ensure transparency and accountability in the system.

According to the governor, his administration’s desire to improve the quality of education in the state, has led to its scaling up the subventions to tertiary institutions up to 100 per cent from the 50 per cent, which the last administration raised it in the last days of the government.

The governor who spoke shortly after inaugurating the Governing Council of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, said the govern-

ment had to engage Platinum Consultants to look into the Internally Generated Revenue( IGR) activities in the tertiary institutions.

Makinde maintained that the government resorted to hiring consultants because financial activities in the institutions were opaque and that the institutions were not ready to embrace transparency in their transactions.

According to him, “Let me also use this opportunity to talk about the lingering

crisis at the Polytechnic Ibadan. Though most of the other tertiary institutions that embarked on the strike action have backed off, it is remaining only the polytechnic.

“The students were at the secretariat the other day to make their grievances known and we listened to them.

But I must make this very clear; we would not have got into this situation if those schools’ governing councils did their jobs transparently and honestly.

9mobile Offers Lecturers, Students Free Access to Tertiary Edtech Platform Nigeria’s youth-friendly telecommunication company, 9mobile, is providing free access to lecturers and students on tertiary educational technology platform, MyClassConnect.

The organisation’s support will ensure that users can access the platform without incurring mobile data costs.

The partnership with MyClassConnect, a cloud-based single educational technology platform that facilitates both virtual and physical learning efficiency in higher institutions in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, is another avenue 9mobile is exploring to continue to provide innovative options for the academic community to continue teaching and learning, while keeping safe during and after the pandemic.

Speaking on the launch of the initiative, Executive Director, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, 9mobile, Abdulrahman Ado noted that it recognises the importance of leveraging technology to support very important segments of society like students and the academia.

While the pandemic brought unprecedented disruptions to life and society.

“It has also shown us what we can achieve through

technology and innovative thinking. That is why we are delighted to support edtech platform, MyClassConnect, to expand access to efficient virtual and in-person tertiary teaching and learning while keeping safe.

“This gesture is driven by our passion for youth and our corporate focus on education as one of the strategic corporate social responsibility pillars at 9mobile,” Ado added.

In his remarks, the founder and CEO of MyClassConnect, Okwuchukwu Gospel Obi said, “the platform enables the efficient handling of academic activities both online and inperson, including planning and delivering lectures, evaluating assessments with improved techniques, keeping up with educational communications out of social media to improve learning feedback, and tracking student learning progress with AI-driven data analytics.”

He explained that with support from 9mobile, students and lecturers in Nigerian tertiary institutions could now seize the opportunity afforded by the platform to continue learning without any disruptions making institutions more relevant beyond COVID-19.

From left: The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, his wife; and the Provost, Osun State College of Education, Prof. Kola Kazeem, at the 43rd Founder’s Day lecture of the college... recently

Bridge, Partners Commended for Supporting Access to Education Parents of pupils in Bridge Nigeria who are beneficiaries of the Fadahunsi Education Foundation and Oghogho Osula scholarships, have commended Bridge and their partners for their intervention in supporting children’s access to life changing education.

Bridge Nigeria partnered with private bodies and nongovernmental organisations that have the mission of improving access to quality education, providing educational infrastructure to improve the learning experience and outcomes and establishment of scholarship schemes for outstanding children in vulnerable communities. Some of the partners are Fadahunsi Education Foundation (FEF), Umu Igbo Unite, Mrs. Oghogho Osula who instituted a scholar-

ship in 2019, to celebrate her 50th birthday, Covenant Light and Yemisi Akinbo.

The FEF scholarship programme is an initiative of the non-profit organisation that promotes and supports access to quality education for families in low income backgrounds.

So far, 65 Bridge pupils have benefited from the scholarship which covers their tuition from primary to their university level.

According to Mrs. Folasade Akinsanya, mother of a pupil at Bridge Academy Ijegun, who has been on the FEF scholarship since 2019, said the timely intervention of the scholarship has given her family succour and saved them more resources at this challenging time. She noted that the inflation and harsh effects of the COVID-19

pandemic on businesses has made it even more difficult to survive and make ends meet, adding that the support from the Bridge and their partners is commendable.

“Everyday when I think about how the cost of living has gone up and how businesses are struggling because of the pandemic, it makes me appreciate the quality of education at Bridge and FEF scholarship. We are getting so much at little or no fees. My daughter’s education can continue uninterrupted from primary to university without worrying. I am grateful to Bridge for the FEF scholarship, “she said.A parent of a pupil on the Oghogho Osula scholarship expressed gratitude for the sponsorship, stating that it has lifted a huge burden off

her shoulders.

Mrs. Modupe Seidu whose daughter Pelumi, attends a Bridge school in Ikorodu stated, “Since I lost my husband some years ago, it’s been challenging taking care of my family.

However, since my daughter received the scholarship, it has been a relief.”

Emphasising on the need for continuous synergy among the government, private sector and civil society on education, the Managing Director at Bridge Nigeria, Ms. Foyinsola Akinjayeju stated that “Bridge believes that a child’s potential should not be limited by their family income, which is why we work with partners to support outstanding pupils from struggling families trying to fulfil their academic dreams for their children.”

38

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͲ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

CITYSTRINGS

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ ÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ äÏÙÌÓ ×ËÓÖ ÍÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ˛ÏäÏÙÌÓ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט ͖͕͔͑͑͒͑͒͑͑͘

Lending Helping Hands to the Needy Adibe Emenyonu writes that Helping Hands and Love Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, recently gave a new lease of life to some deprived persons

Evangelist Equere Julie Udoma flanked by members of the foundation distributing HIV/ AIDS kits at one of the correctional centres in Edo

Members of HHFI (L-R) Agbor Gospel Osayande, Favour Osayande, Njotene Olu Mercy, Equere Julie Udoma, President, HHFI; Fidelis Emeka Osondu, PPRO, Correctional Centre, Benin; Ojehunnme Patricia Okpohoma, Ojehunme Daniel and other members of HHFL after a visitation to the Correctional Centre, Benin

E

dith Egodomu (not real name) was 18 when she began having problems with her parents as they did not approve of the kind of lifestyle she opted to live.

Probably tired of incessant parental reprimand, she left home to join a friend of hers who stays in the city.

While in the city, she became a member of the fun seeking girls and good timers. But like the saying that "nothing last forever", she soon landed herself in police custody when security operatives raided their brothel in search of a criminal purported to have taken refuge there.

Just as she was released from police detention, Edith was enmeshed in another trouble as her man friend was implicated in a robbery incident which incidentally rubbed off on her.

Although she got a respite when boyfriend was released after being in prison custody on awaiting trial for two years, the joy was however shortlived as Edith was diagnosed with the dreaded Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)/ HIV. She became trapped because she had nowhere to go to after absconding from her parents long ago. To make things worse, her boyfriend was also suffering the same ailment.

Janet Omogiate suffered a similar problem. Although her case was not that of HIV/AIDS. She was abandoned at the hospital after giving birth. Due to the financial status of her husband who could not afford the hospital bill, she and her little born child was left to their fate.

This nonetheless forced Janet to engage in menial jobs within the hospital premises to enable her pay her bill and also carter for her new born child.

The case of Uju Unu has nothing to do with illness or abandonment.

His predicament began at a correctional centre where he suffered deprivation because of lack of care.

Even when he was released from the prison, his matter did not improve because of societal stigma. He was among several others who suffered similar fate.

All these persons mentioned above though have experienced different bitter pills of life, relief however came their way when they encountered a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) with specialities in giving succour to those experiencing one form of deprivation or the other.

To Uju, "life became different the moment the Helping Hands Foundation International came into my life." He said life was extremely

Evangelist Equere Julie Udoma

tough at the correctional centre until the foundation came and turned things around by donating food items, mattresses and clothings to him and his fellow inmates.

Besides, he said the art of carpentry as a vocation that he learnt while in prison was sponsored by the NGO. Not only that, Uju disclosed that when he was being released, the same NGO came to his aid by giving him transport fare and other stuff to go home and reunite with his family in addition to the counseling provided for him as his parents gladly accepted him back.

Omogiate said she remained grateful to Helping Hands and Love Foundation (HHLF) for all they did in her life. "I had totally lost all hope. I didn't know where to start from when my husband abandoned my baby and I for lack of money until the foundation surfaced from nowhere, paid my hospital bill, and gave me some money to begin life afresh. I will eternally be grateful to them for coming to my rescue in my time of need."

To Edith, it was HHFL that made her anew after she was HIV/AIDS positive. According to her, "the foundation not only provided the

enabling environment for me to undergo test, they also provided medications, counseling and today I and other persons suffering similar sickness are now negative and living our normal lives. I thank God for bringing them to help me and all those suffering similar ailment".

The passion to give a helping hands to the needy, Evangelist Equere Julie Udoma disclosed in an interview in Benin City, began at Ikot-Abasi, a town in Akwa-Ibom State. According to her, the seed germinated when she began ministering to inmates at the correctional centre the importance of repentance and turning a good leaf through her church, Hands of Mercy Ministries.

Evangelist Udoma said in the course of her constant visitation to the centre to preach the word of God, she then discovered some of the deprivations the inmates suffer such as lack of food, clothing, congestion which in the end causes certain ailments such as tuberculosis, asthma and even the dreaded HIV/AIDS. The Edo-born gospel preacher and social worker, said in the cause of going to the correctional centre to preach the gospel of God, "I discovered that many of the inmates are

I had totally lost all hope. I didn't know where to start from when my husband abandoned my baby and I for lack of money until the foundation surfaced from nowhere, paid my hospital bill, and gave me some money to begin life afresh

malnourished while some developed strange illnesses.

"It was then I started taking food to the inmates to help them. Even when prisoners are being released, I am always being notified and I take food and clothes to the released inmate, even transport fare to their destinations.

"This was how the passion and zeal to be of help developed in me, and even as I relocated to my home state, Edo, that compassion never left me as I also extend the same gesture to the prisoners at Sapele Road Correctional Centre, Benin.

"In Benin, I started visiting the inmates every first Friday of every month to preach the word of God to them; and every first Saturday, I take food items to them including clothes, mattresses because some of them sleep on bare floor", Furthermore, Udoma commended the correctional centre officials for giving her the opportunity to express her love for humanity by granting her access to the inmates whom she has developed love for.

She also poured encomium on her children, Equere Paul Udoma and Equere Debra Udoma for providing the finances from which she was able to finance all the philanthropic gestures.

She recalled in particular, one of the gestures the foundation gave to to those suffering from HIV/AIDS and how they were given words of encouragement that hope is not lost; and the several hospital visitations to offset the bills of some indigent women who could not pay their hospital bills because of the financial status of their husbands as well as those who has complications during and after child birth.

All these according to her, "gave me fulfilment that God is truly using His children through the foundation to reach out to those who are in really in need".

She further showered encomium on other members of the foundation like Reverend Isaac Oguezi, Victor Ighodaro and others for standing by her in the cause of using the foundation to better the lives of the less privileged; while soliciting for government's encouragement to be able to give more humanitarian services to the needy.

Udoma disclosed some of the expansion programmes of the foundation to include establishment of skills acquisition where crafts such as shoe and bag making as well as others like soap, body cream and ice-cream making would be taught the less privileged in the society to prevent them from becoming nuisance to the society.

39

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͲ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

CRIME&SECURITY

Land Dispute: Ogun Royal Family Seeks Police Help to Enforce Judgement Kayode Fasua in Abeokuta

A

notable royal family in Ijebuland, the Onosa Royal Family, has cried out to the Ogun State Police Command, to help it enforce a court order, granting it possession of several thousands of hectares of land in the locality.

The family, from Odo-Onosa community of Ikosi-Ejinrin Local Council Development Area, under Epe local council of Lagos State, said the contested land lapped to Lugben Araromi Abatiwa and Ita-Ala, up to Rusewe in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State.

In a recent petition to the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, through the Assistant Chief Registrar of the state's High Court of Justice, the Onosa family expressed frustration over its efforts to enforce the judgment concerning the landmass conceeded to it.

The claimants, of the Onosa Rulung House, had in a lingering land dispute suit, secured a judgment from the state's High Court of Justice, Ijebu-Ode Division, way back on May 3, 2018.

In the suit, the court had declared that the disputed land of 271.03

Edward Ajogun, Ogun CP

hectares belonged to the Onosa ruling house.

The ruling house, in the suit had been represented by Otunba David

Okelarin and six others, being claimants, against Morufu Karounwi Salau and 17 others, being defendants.

In its missive to the Ogun State

Police Command, renewed for the umpteenth time last week, the Onosa Ruling House stated that "I hereby apply for four armed policemen to assist the bailiffs of this honourable court in executing the...judgment in compliance with the laid down directive, please.

"The parties and certified true copy of the judgment and the duly agreed writ of possession are herewith attached".

The Onosa ruling house, in expressing its frustration, noted that the judgment, secured three years ago, had not been appealed against by the defendants, and that there was no stay-of-execution order on the court order, wondering why justice could not prevail.

It also lamented that the party that lost out in the suit had laid seige to the land, allegedly employing the services of land grabbers, urchins, and other criminals, all armed with various weapons and dangerous charms.

It thus appealed to the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Edward Ajogun, to act swiftly, in the interest of justice and to help the society to uphold the sanctity of the rule of law.

Police Arrest Serial Rapist,Two Others, Rescue Kidnap Victim Sylvester Idowu in Warri

A 35-year-old armed robber and a serial rapist, Ovie Michael, who picks and diverts young girls at night into the bush, then proceeds to rape and rob them of their valuables, has been apprehended by a joint police and military personnel in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

His arrest followed series of intelligence by the men of Oghara Police Division on the serial rapist, a motorcycle rider in the Polytechnic Community.

The acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edafe Bright, disclosed that the suspect, Michael, specialised in picking young girls at night as passengers, diverts them to the bush, robs them of their belongings and forcefully have unlawful carnal knowledge of them while threatening them with dagger.

He said that “a combined team comprising of Police and Army personnel swung into action and arrested the Ovie Michael, 35 years old.

"When arrested, nine handsets of different makes including that of his last victim, who called and reported to the police, was recovered from him.

“An IPhone valued at N400, 000, nine female hand bags, two pairs of eye glasses, five phone chargers,

two ATM cards and 13 SIM Cards were recovered from him”, stressing that investigation is ongoing.

Similarly, some vigilante members led by one Kess Opia reported to the police that one of their members, Monday Mila, was kidnapped by suspected herdsmen along his farm road in Umutu.

The PPRO disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Umutu Division CSP Patience Ugbe, mobilised a combined team of police, vigilantes and some youths to the bush in search of the victim, noting that due to the pressure on the suspected kidnappers, they abandoned the victim and fled.

“Victim was rescued and has reunited with his family”, saying that effort is ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.

In another development, the DPO ‘A’ Division Warri mobilised a team of policemen and stormed a black spot within Open Heaven Hotel premises, close to the swimming pool Ifiekporo community where one Lucky Afejuku, was arrested.

DSP Bright said: “47 wraps of weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp, 10 pieces of skunk weeds popularly known as SK in transparent plastic containers and five bottles of codeine syrup of 100 milligrams each were recovered from him”, adding that the suspect had confessed to the crime.

CP Delta Police Command, Mohammed Ali

Lagos Lawyers Docked for Forgery, Impersonation Rebecca Ejifoma

Two lawyers, Peter Sunday Ushurhe, and Kenneth Chukwumah were arraigned before a Yaba Magistrate court for forgery and engaging fake sheriffs of the Lagos judiciary.

The lawyers of Ushurhe Osayande and Co Chambers were arraigned on two count charges bothering on conspiring to commit felony to wit, forgery and knowingly making false documentation in suit number MIK|1873|2020 against LHS Clinics Ltd Ikeja.

LHS Clinics Ltd is the tenant on the property at Ikeja GRA purportedly

belonging to Tolulope Fadahunsi, an engineer, who is currently at large, as his mother Elizabeth Fadahunsi is said to be the rightful owner.

Last year, Tolulope Fadahunsi was said to have sent back a cheque of N10 million issued, being the agreed tenured rent of the property LHS occupies, and thereafter sent an eviction notice with immediate effect.

Fadahunsi further claimed he had authorisation over the property through a power of attorney purportedly given to him by his mother.

While the LHS Clinics was said to have tried to sort the issue amicably

through its legal counsels, Fadahunsi was said to instruct his two lawyers to file the case MIK/1873/2020 and deliberately refused to serve the clinic the court service to appear before the Ogba Magistrate Court 8.

Rather, the lawyers, Ushurhe and Chukwumah, were said to have applied for a proof of service from the magistrate and engaged fake sheriffs of Lagos Judiciary to paste and remove the court issued proof of service.

In the process of illegally pasting and removing the proof of service on December 2 last year, although the sheriffs were intercepted, they are

currently at large.

Following findings from investigations by the state police and the Lagos Judiciary, the two lawyers, who assigned the imposters, were charged to court.

At the arraignment at Yaba on March 22 this year, both Ushurhe and Chukwumah pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu.

They were granted bail and released to a senior counsel of at least, 20 years in the legal practice.

The case was, therefore, adjourned to April 20 this year for further hearing.

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ APRIL 14, 2021

40

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Fintech Company, Appzone Secures $10m Funding Emma Okonji Appzone, a Pan-African fintech software provider has announced the close of its $10 million Series A round.

Led by CardinalStone Capital Advisers with participation from V8 Capital, Lateral Investment Partners, Constant Capital, and Itanna Capital Ventures, the new funding will bolster investment in Appzone’s core technologies and kick off a wave of new country expansions in a drive to build out a financial operating system intended to completely digitise and automate the delivery of financial services on the continent.

Launched in 2008, Appzone delivers best-in-class products for digital core banking and interbank transaction processing with clients across seven African countries including high-profile names like Access Bank, GT Bank and Zenith Bank. Since its inception, the company, also an alumnus of the Google launchpad accelerator, has led Africa’s fintech sector

through radical innovation that resulted in a number of global firsts from the continent, including the world’s first decentralised payment processing network, the first core banking and omni-channel software on the cloud and the first multi-bank direct debit service based on single global mandates. To date, the company’s platforms have served 18 commercial banks and over 450 microfinance banks, amassing a yearly transaction value and yearly loan disbursement of $2 billion and $300 million respectively.

As Africa’s traditional banks and fintech startups grapple with the increasing threat from telco companies and big tech players, Appzone’s products effectively and affordably equip them to deal with the sector’s most pressing challenges including legacy cost structures and a major lack of operational efficiency.

Speaking on the fundraise, Appzone’s Co-Founder and

CEO Obi Emetarom said: “We are excited not only to be securing a significant capital raise, but also welcoming on board some strategic investors whose support will be key to our growth journey.

“The news allows us to scale Appzone’s products and services rapidly. For the last 12 years, we have worked in stealth mode, building the really complex infrastructure to power the continent’s growing digital financial services space and forging partnerships with the continent’s biggest financial institutions.

“In terms of next steps, we are now looking to hire from Africa’s top 1 per cent to grow our team of elite talent who have proven themselves to be true African builders; the brightest senior software engineers and domain experts, doing the incredibly hard work of building the backbone and next generation infrastructure for digital financial services at a level beyond world-class.”

NSE Launches New Identity Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE) yesterday announced the launch of new identity following its demutuaisation that led to the creation of the non-operating holding company NGX Group Plc and its subsidiaries: Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited; NGX Regulation (NGX RegCo) Limited, and NGX Real Estate (NGX RelCo) Limited.

Speaking on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NGX Group, Mr. Oscar Onyema, said: “We are very

excited about the launch of our new brand identity and website at this pivotal time in our history.

Influenced by the dynamism and resilience of our market in both good and challenging times, our new identity, which builds on our rich heritage, reflects who we are today, our ambitions for the future, and our resolve to deliver superior value to our stakeholders. As we step into the NGX era, we remain committed to achieving the highest level of competitiveness, both in African and global capital markets.”

According to him, together

with the new vibrant, modern and responsive website, NGX Group offers an enriched user experience.

“Accessible via ngxgroup.com, information about the group and the various subsidiaries are independently situated but featured as one website. With its centralised home page and clearly delineated tabs for each subsidiary, the new site delivers relevant content in a clean and organised way to provide visitors easy access and navigation to all the information they require,” he noted.

ChiFarmsto Expand Catfish ProductionCapacity Ugo Aliogo Chi Farms Limited, an agribusiness company in Nigeria is planning to expand its catfish capacity to 600MT per month.

A statement by the group explained that the expansion was in line with its aim to satisfy the growing need for catfish in Nigeria.

The Managing Director, Chi Farms, Dr. Tunji Olaitan, said the company is currently increasing its aquaculture production capac-

ity in a targeted and strategic manner.

He also stated: “We are currently operating on a 400MT per month capacity but to actualise our commitment to food production and support in reduction of food importation in Nigeria, these investments have to be made. We should complete this expansion and see significant changes in our production before the end of Q2 2021.”

The Head of Department,

Aquaculture, Chi Farms, Mr. Lawrence Williams, expressed excitement about the expansion, noting that: “the expansion will not only increase the amount of catfish but also provide job opportunities for many working class Nigerians.”

He further stated that, “increasing the capacity of catfish production will help fill the gap in terms of demand in the market and enable the exportation of our catfish to different parts of the Africa”.

UBAOrganises CapacityBuilding Forum As part of its commitment to support the growth and sustainability of micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSME) in the continent, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, is set to organise the next edition of its UBA Business Series.

The UBA Business Series which is a monthly event, is an MSME Workshop as well as a capacity building initiative of the bank where business leaders and professionals share well-researched insights on best practices for running successful businesses, especially in the face of the difficult operating environment that dominates the African business landscape.

Through this initiative, UBA has been assisting with essential tips to help businesses re-examine their models and strategies and

ensure that they stay afloat and remain thriving, a statement from the bank explained.

The topic for the next edition of the series is, “Managing Performance for Business Growth,” and it will be held today, via Microsoft Teams.

At this session, the Managing Director, Secure ID Limited, Mrs Kofo Akinkugbe, will be sharing useful tips and insights on the key strategies of performance management to boost business growth.

Akinkugbe is the founder of SecureID Nigeria, a MasterCard, VISA and Verve certified Smartcard Personalization Bureau and Digital Technology company. She currently serves as the Managing Director/ CEO, Secure Card Manufacturing, - a Smartcard manufacturing plant producing high security

identity cards and documents for the Banking, Telecoms and Public sectors across Africa and beyond.

UBA’s Head, SME Banking, Sampson Aneke said of Akinkugbe, “with her vast experience garnered over the years from various sectors, she will help business owners understand how performance management strategies can be effectively implemented to ensure business growth.”

He emphasised UBA’s commitment and deep passion for small businesses, which according to him, remains the engine of any developing economy adding, “We know small businesses are the backbone of the economy in every country.

In many climes, businesses with fewer than 100 employees account for 98.2 per cent of all businesses.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT MONDAY, 12 APRIL 2021

he price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $61.46 a barrel on Monday, compared with $61.14 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

41

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͲ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Nigerian Exchange Limited Commends BUA Cement on oversubscribed N115bn Bond Goddy Egene The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited yesterday said the N115 billion bond raised by BUA Cement Plc was a sign of high confidence investors place on the reputable brand and its future prospects.

BUA Cement accessed the market to raise about N100 billion which was oversubscribed by 37 per cent. However, only N115 billion was absorbed by

the cement firm in accordance with the guidelines of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Speaking during the listing of the bond on the exchange, Divisional Head, Listings Business, NGX, Mr. Olumide Bolumole, said: “We are, therefore, excited about BUA Cement’s debut bond offering which was oversubscribed by 37 per cent to the tune of N137.82 billion and represents the largest

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

amount raised by a corporate issuer in the history of Nigeria’s debt capital market. Without a doubt, this is a testament to the high level of confidence placed on this reputable brand by its investors and the entire market.”

According to in line with its commitment to support Nigeria’s economic growth by providing a liquid, efficient, and multi-asset securities exchange hub, NGX continues to provide

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

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a platform that offers investors varied options including equity, fixed income, exchanged traded products (ETPs) and other funds.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, BUA Cement Plc, Yusuf Binji, thanked the management of the exchange for the invitation to bring trading activities to a close.

“Today marks another key milestone on our journey to becoming the preferred cement

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

manufacturer in Africa.

As part of our growth strategy, we took the deliberate decision to access the debt capital market with the intent to raise N100 billion in the first tranche of our N200 Billion programme. Given the overwhelming response and in accordance with the SEC’s guidelines, we accepted N115 billion as the total subscription amount. For us this was clear assessment of our viable

O F

business model, strong financial performance, and the strength of our product offerings.”

Speaking on behalf of the parties to the transaction, the Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Capital, Mr. Funso Akere said: “We are, extremely delighted to have advised BUA Cement Plc on this landmark transaction where they took advantage of very supportive conditions in the debt capital market to raise long term funding.

1 3 / 0 4 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

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42

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Investors Stake N2.9 Billion on 209 Million Shares in 4,013 Deals Goddy Egene

on 208.81 million in 4,013 deals at the stock market yesterday. However, the bears

Investors staked N2.91 billion 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

remained in the control as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) fell 0.3

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 12Apr-2021, unless otherwise stated.

per cent to 38,601.83, while market capitalisation shed N57.9 billion to be at N20.3

trillion. A total of 18 stocks declined led by Guinness Nigeria Plc with 9.9 per cent,

while 15 stocks appreciated led by Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc with 8.7 percent.

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 152.31 153.79 -5.86% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 3.52% Nigeria International Debt Fund 316.96 316.96 -16.62% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 109.03 109.03 -2.70% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 1.06 1.08 17.86% ACAP Income Funds 0.65 0.65 -10.39% 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 3.91% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.36 3.52 -5.34% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 1.66% Anchoria Equity Fund 125.52 126.99 -5.63% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.11 1.11 -16.54% 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 18.33 18.88 1.05% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 404.51 416.71 1.03% ARM Ethical Fund 35.75 36.83 6.06% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.19 1.20 -2.35% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.04 1.05 -6.96% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.15% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 103.55 103.55 1.81% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 124.16 125.03 -1.59% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.05% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.29% Paramount Equity Fund 15.26 15.55 -4.55% Women's Investment Fund 130.20 131.56 -2.22% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.02% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 126.98 127.84 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 110.77 110.77 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.17% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.14 1.16 -4.77% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.39 1.39 -12.36% mutualfundng@ecobank.com EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED 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 2.45% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.32% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,180.39 1,185.38 -1.55% 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 1,355.53 1,355.53 5.96% FBN Balanced Fund 182.90 184.13 -2.55% FBN Halal Fund 110.61 110.61 4.22% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.36% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 123.99 123.99 3.01% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 146.69 148.65 -2.97% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy USD Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,786.62 3,837.72 1.04% Coral Income Fund 3,352.98 3,352.98 2.34% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 1.78%

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 N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 2.47% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.70 2.76 17.67% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 146.13 146.50 -5.99% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.08 1.08 5.37% 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 1.36 1.38 0.00% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,146.65 1,146.65 2.06% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.58 1.61 7.54% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.12 12.26 -0.89% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 1.60% PACAM Equity Fund 1.56 1.58 -1.10% PACAM EuroBond Fund 110.16 113.00 0.75% 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 128.35 130.40 6.99% 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 1.00 1.00 1.96% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,105.69 3,129.30 -3.45% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 228.07 228.07 1.43% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.14 1.15 -2.97% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 298.79 298.79 1.40% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 210.68 213.36 -3.57% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.08% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,790.96 9,914.24 -6.78% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.25 1.25 1.58% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 113.07 113.07 1.79% 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 1.31 1.33 -4.42% United Capital Bond Fund 1.92 1.92 1.70% United Capital Equity Fund 0.87 0.89 0.47% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.38% United Capital Eurobond Fund 119.34 119.34 1.92% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.06 1.08 -2.22% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.03 1.03 2.72% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 11.95 12.06 0.73% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.27 13.35 8.45% Zenith Income Fund 24.27 24.27 1.22% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.75%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

121.90 52.85

1.36% 0.99%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.37 118.11 92.80

12.47 118.11 94.52

-6.39% -2.98% -6.62%

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.61 5.46 16.57 1.00 18.65 169.36

3.65 5.54 16.67 1.00 18.85 171.36

-4.36% -3.96% 1.43% 2.11% -9.05% -22.99%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.30

13.11%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 14, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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44

FEATURES

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

Boost for Nigeria's Catering Industry When other businesses shut down during the COVID-19 lockdown, for the catering industry on the other hand, it blossomed despite economic devastation. Chinedu Eze reports that the recent one-day workshop held in Lagos showcased the prospect of the sector and provided an opportunity for more women to join the business

L-R: CEO, Sauce Factory, Nkechi Okolo; CEO, Culinary Woks Catering; Mojisola Gbajumo; CEO, Royal Touch Events, Dorcas Pius Jerome; CEO Food Crush Catering, Opeyemi Rukayat Ibrahim; Convener, Nonos Catering Mentoring Initiative, Ono Abumere-Uto; CEO, Veritas Catering, Veronica Emily Odoemenam; CEO, Nwandos Signature Events, Maria Pamella Nwonu; CEO, Cruise Events, Ore Adeleke; CEO, Malas Foods, Morenike Okupe; and Master of Ceremony, Dawan Ejomah

T

he global economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to the slump of many industries- from manufacturing, air transport, tourism and others with attendant loss of jobs.

But while many sectors of the economy were devastated by the pandemic, especially during the lockdown in 2020, the catering industry blossomed and became a multi-billion naira sector.

This was the verdict of caterers who converged recently on Lagos to sensitise young women to join the business instead of waiting for jobs that are scarce to come by.

Industry players said the catering sector is essential and during the lockdown, it was exempted from the suspension of its services because it provided food for people and in collaboration with the courier service sub-sector, the catering industry saved lives during the pandemic by supplying foods to homes of those in dire need who could not prepare their own foods.

Providing Succor Speaking during the summit tagged ‘Spend the Day with Successful Business Women in Catering and Events,’ organised by Nonos Catering Mentoring Initiative (NCMI) programme, the Managing Director, Nonos Catering and founder, Abumere Uto said COVID-19 forced caterers to diversify and change the way they provide services.

Uto acknowledged that events are not being held as they used to be, so caterers now provide food to people’s homes.

Speakers at the summit talked about how they made so much money from supplying food to people’s homes during the lockdown because food is an essential service. That way, they made more profits and they were being empowered.

“There is something we call ‘Food in bowls’ to feed families. Catering and events industry is huge. I am a caterer, so I can only talk about the food industry and I know that everybody eats and people party. We are encouraging more women to become entrepreneurs and go into the food business.

“There are no parties now and we understand that the government is trying to control the spread of COVID-19 but you can supply food to people’s houses, you can cook in the comfort of your homes. We are teaching women to

make profit from what they do. If COVID-19 is making people lose their jobs, caterers do not have to lose money or your jobs. We provide a lot of jobs and we want the government to recognise that,” Uto explained.

She hinted that through the mentoring initiative, caterers and event planners collaborate and network with other women who are doing the same things they are doing in order to help them grow their business and give them profitability and feasibility.

New Normal Also speaking at the event, CEO, Malas Foods, Morenike Okupe reiterated that COVID-19 has altered the way caterers do things but assured that the market is still huge.

“We all have to be COVID-19 compliant. We now take hygiene very seriously and it gives us a better opportunity to satisfy our clients at this time. The industry is large and going by data, we contribute quite a lot. The industry spans across different areas from employing waiters, to ushers, to event coordinators, bouncers amongst others. The industry is wide and the workforce is a lot.

“Cost of things going up eats into your profit, increases overhead and infrastructure but we have to find a way of coping and doing things better, so that we can reduce our overhead,” she said.

The CEO of Malas Foods also said that with the advent of social media, so many mentoring talks and experiences people share, everyone is improving themselves in what they hear or what they do and people are getting more confident.

The entrepreneurs relieved their experiences during the workshop and admitted they were overwhelmed by the demand for their services during the COVID-19 lockdown that it was difficult for some of them to cope. But they also made money. They generated huge revenues that prompted some of them to upgrade the business facilities, employ more hands and incorporate other hospitality services.

The panelists shared these experiences with participants and tips on how caterers and event planners can grow their businesses.

The annual event was meant to encourage new entrants into the business who are encumbered by challenges, which the successful caterers convinced them were surmountable.

They said what anyone who wished to join the business needed was determination and

how to satisfy her customers.

Speaking at the gathering, the CEO, Cruise Events, Mrs. Oreoluwa Adeleke, said the number one thing for her on the road to success has been passion in addition to grace of God. She stressed that passion about the job would bring out the best in you and condemned the idea of people not being focused to bring out the creativity in them but going about to copy other professionals' styles.

Adeleke who exited bank job for event planning, said that Cruz Event goes as far as hiring vendors based on passion; not those that are just after money but passionate about what they want to deliver.

She said, “You can’t succeed in business copycatting; know who you are and who God has called you to be. You can’t make it running another man’s race.

“If you have passion you ensure your job is good and exciting. Put God first in everything you’re to do. Do this because of the passion you have; God first and then passion. When it’s passion it will be easy, never look at another man’s race.

“I don’t want to look at what you’ve done but what I can do. I don’t care what any other person does but I focus on myself and on God.” Mind Your Lane On her part, CEO, Nwandos Signature Events, Mrs. Pamela Nwonu, said venturing into business should not be based on the fact that one has money to invest or your neighbour is into that business.

She stressed that there is need to first of all research on the business, noting that the same is applicable in the catering and events world.

Nwonu added that having a mentor is necessary while being passionate about what you are doing is key. According to her, it is imperative to learn the nitty-gritty of the job not depending fully on employed hands.

“Don’t just dabble into business because your neighbour is doing it. Even the name you want to use for the business should be researched so you don’t start changing name tomorrow.

“You should be able to know what you’re doing, know it, don’t say you’ll employ people.

Know how to do what you are going into. If it is cooking, learn how to prepare various menus.

Do your business plan and have a blueprint you are working with,” she said.

Nwonu stressed on the aspect of marketing,

saying that as the owner of the business you should be the best marketer of yourself, pointing out however, that getting a job always is not where the success lies.

Continuing, she advised the upcoming caterers and event planners not to feel bad or unsuccessful when they do not secure a contract.

She advised the women entrepreneurs not to compete with those that have legacies and background that have already established them.

“Market and sell your business yourself; you are the first sales person. Don’t always expect that getting a job makes you successful and don’t feel bad when you don’t get a job. Also know that you can’t do all jobs, find what you like and do it. Be a crazy marketer of yourself.

“Then know that you can’t compete with people that are more or less made. Be on your lane and maintain your lane always; know what works for you and people will like you for it. Your name is very important,” she added.

Customer Satisfaction Also speaking, CEO, Foodrush Catering, Opeyemi Rukayat, who started her outfit in 2016 stressed on excellent customer service, good taste and planning to do better, majors in building a successful catering and event planning business.

She urged the businesswomen to be consistent and maintain quality all the time in order to achieve success and name in the industry.

Earlier in her welcome speech, Uto said she started this initiative because she had always done lots of training for women in the Catering and Event Industry and that gave birth to NIMC. “I have always been training women; oftentimes, women call me to ask me very basic questions like people packing plates and spoons to their catering outfit and for a whole day no job comes their way.

“When I started Nonos I had such experiences, so I knew I had to bridge that gap between the upcoming ones and the successful women in the Industry, by having a gathering where people that are how I was then will be here today to meet with successful women. So, NIMC is that platform to empower women; this initiative is not about today but continuous mentoring. It is about networking and collaborating. That is the whole idea of this initiative and when you know you have that backing of a group you will get challenged to go all out to look for and get jobs,” she added.

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IMAGES

L-R: Deputy Director/Vice Principal, GSGS, Ikoyi, Dabo Japhet Taiwo; Chief Financial Officer, FBNQuest Merchant Bank, Olamide Adeosun; Vice President, FBNQuest, Tutu Owolabi-Kadiku and Principal Education Officer, GSGS, Ikoyi, Akintunde Johnson; at the 2021 Financial Literacy Day celebration, as part of Global Money Week in Lagos....recently

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Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

L-R: (Seating) Assistant Comptroller General, Excise, FTZ & Industrial Incentives, Nigeria Customs Service; Modupe Aremu; General Manager, Kimberly-Clark Nigeria; Vani Malik; Comptroller General, NCS, Col. Hameed I. Ali (Rtd); Supply Chain Director, Kimberly-Clark Nigeria, Chukwuelue Azukaego and other delegates during the company’s visit to the Nigeria Customs Service in Abuja...recently

L-R; Company Secretary, Ardova Plc, Mr. Oladeinde Nelson-Cole; Independent Non Executive Director, Mr. Olusola Adeeyo; Independent Non Executive Director, Mrs Aniola Durosinmi-Etti; Chairman, AbdulWasiu Sowami; Non Executive Director, Mohammed Aminu Umar; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Olumide Adeosun and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Moshood Olajide during the 2020 Annual General Meeting of Ardova Plc in Lagos...recently PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA

Director General, People Democratic Party in the last Gubernatorial election in Ogun State, Aare Remi Bakare; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Governor Dapo Abiodun and former PDP leader in Ogun Central Senatorial District and former Commissioner, Chief Kola Sorinola when the former stalwarts of the opposition party joined the ruling All Progressives Congress in Abeokuta...recently

L-R: Director of Communication and Program, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Barr. Ifenla Oligbinde, Diaspora Leader, (ADC), Stephen Adeoye; Deputy National Chairman Diaspora Engagement, Hon. Kenneth Gbandi and National Youth Leader, (ADC), Barr. Maurice Ebam briefing journalist about the state of the nation in Abuja...recently PHOTO: AYO AJAYI

L-R: Representative of Former Governor of Ogun state, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye; Vice Chancellor Federal University Kashere. Gombe State, Prof. Umar Pate; Group Managing Director, Daar Communication, Mr. Tony Akiotu; wife of the author, Mrs .Caroline Akinfeleye and Author of the book, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, during the presentation and launching of the Book: Journalism Communication and Society in Abuja...recently PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

L-R: Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu; Speaker of House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila and Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, during a two-day Leadership Capacity Workshop for Chairmen and Councilors from Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Delta State, at GOTNI in Abuja...recently

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L-R: Chairman, Ad-hoc Committee on the need to review the purchase, use and control of arms, ammunitions and related hardware by Military, Rep. Olaide Akinremi; Clerk of the Committee, Mr Femi Ogunsanyo; and a member of the committee, Rep. Samson Okwu, during an investigative hearing at the National Assembly Complex, in Abuja...recently

L-R: Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu; Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Z Gambo, during the commissionning of the female hostel at Nigerian Naval School of Finance and Logistics College, Owerrinta built by Central Bank of Nigeria...recently

Head of ICT, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Aaron Miller (right),receiving his first jab of Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, at NAN Headquarters in Abuja...recently

L-R: Director General, Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Mr Joseph Ari; Representative of Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Samuel Alabi and Mrs Oguntimehin Mercy, during the presentation of award of the best Area Officer in Training Activities to Oguntimehin at the ITF 2020 Merit Award ceremony in Jos ...recently

L-R: Wife of the Yobe State Governor, Dr Zainab Bagudu; United Nations Resident Coordinator, Edward Kallon; Director-General, National Center for Women Development (NCWD), Mrs Mary Ekpere-Eta; Senior Technical Assistant, Office of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Brenda Ataga and the President, National Council for Women Societies, Dr Laraba Shoda, during the official launch and presentation of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG to the Nigerian Women organized by NCWD in Abuja...recently

L-R: Corporate Affairs Manager (Lagos), Nigerian Breweries Plc, Tayo Adelaja; Corporate Affairs Director, NB Plc, Sade Morgan; Chairman, NB Plc, Chief (Dr.)Kola Jamodu; Wife of the Chairman, NB Plc, Funmi Jand Vice Chancellor, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Prof. Jeremiah Ojediran during the conferment of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science on Jamodu at the 12th Convocation Ceremony of the Bells University of Technology held in Ota, Ogun State...recently

L-R: Transition Chairman, Ifo local government, Mr Fola Salami; Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya and Governor Dapo Abiodunduring an inspection tour of Denro-Ishashi and Akute-Ijoko roads bordering Lagos ...recently

L-R: United Nations Rescue Official, Dr Augustine Anagwu, Chairman Africa, United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNESC), Prof. Nathan Tor-Luga; UNESC Chairperson Nigeria, Dr Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei and National Secretary, UNESC, Mr Jude Elue, during UNESC South-East inauguration ceremony in Enugu... recently

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WEDNESDAY APRIL 14, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Bandits Kill Five in Unending Attacks on Kaduna Communities

Adeboye visits el-Rufai, says victory over insecurity around the corner

John Shiklam in Kaduna Five people have been by killed by bandits following attacks in communities in Igabi and Zangon Kataf Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

However, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has assured that victory was around the corner in the nation’s battle against insecurity.

The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, who confirmed the attacks in a statement issued yesterday, stated that in Baka I and Baka II villages in Igabi LGA, four people were killed by bandits while one person killed was injured.

He listed those killed as Buhari Alhaji Halle, Nasiru Mai Ungwa Dari, Ali Nasiru and Iliya Idris.

The commissioner said further that in Sabanfan village, Zangon Kataf LGA, “security agencies reported the death of a herder in a counter-killing”.

Aruwan said the security report indicated that, the herder, Kaminu Suleiman, was macheted to death by unknown assailants while grazing his herd at the location.

According to Aruwan, troops responded to information of the attack and found the corpse of the victim bearing machete cuts, buried in the mud by the river bank.

The commissioner said the killing was the latest in a sequence of attacks and counter-attacks

following the recent killing of four people on Monday in Wawan Rafi II village, also in Zangon Kataf LGA. The commissioner said, “These violent incidents have taken place against the backdrop of three community leaders who have been missing since March 21st 2021.

“They are: Ardo Pate Usman

Kurmi (Wakilin Fulanin Atyap Chiefdom), Ardo Muhammadu Anchau and Yakubu Muhammadu”.

He said Governor Nasir El-Rufai noted the reports with sadness, and prayed for the repose of those killed He said, “The governor further noted with dismay the persistence of killings, counter-killings, and destruction of crops and livestock

in the area, despite the sincerest efforts of the government, security agencies and traditional authorities.

“He reminded all parties of the importance of recourse to the law as the only solution to the bloodshed, a position held clearly and consistently since 2015.

“He stressed that government would nevertheless remain resolute in its efforts to restore peace and

security to the general area.”

Meanwhile, the General Overseer of the RCCG, Adeboye, has assured that victory was around the corner in the nation’s battle against insecurity.

Adeboye, who stated this when he paid a courtesy call on ElRufai in Kaduna yesterday, assured that prayers were ongoing for the nation’s deliverance.

Kidnappers Kill FCT Police Inspector Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command said yesterday that a police inspector was killed during a fierce encounter with kidnappers along AngwanZegele-Zuba, in the outskirts of the city.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mariam Yusuf, said following multiple attacks in the area and the kidnap of four residents, the command deployed a team of operatives, who engaged the abductors in a fire-fight.

“The FCT Police Command repelled multiple attacks by suspected kidnappers in the wee hours of Tuesday, April 13, 2021 along Dankusa, Angwan-ZegeleZuba axis.

“Following a distress call from Angwan Zegele, a joint team of police operatives from the command and operation puff adder responded promptly as they engaged the heavily armed hoodlums in a fierce gun battle”, he said.

It said one of the officers died

during the exchange of fire.

“Unfortunately, one of the gallant officers, Inspector Ambi John, attached to Operation Puff Adder sustained fatal gunshot injuries during the operation and was rushed to the hospital where he died while receiving treatment”, he said.

It said the command launched a strategic operation to ensure the rescue of four persons abducted from Dankusa still in custody of the hoodlums, who escaped into the forest bordering the FCT and Niger State.

The statement said operatives of the command’s anti-kidnapping squad arrested some suspects in connection with the abduction.

Following the development, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bala Ciroma, commiserated with the family of the officer, who paid the supreme price in service to the nation and pledged to ensure that all the victims were safely reunited with their families. Furthermore, the commissioner reassured residents of the command’s resolve to secure lives and property in FCT

Bauchi to Repatriate Commercial Sex Workers to States of Origin Bauchi State Government yesterday disclosed that it would repatriate all commercial sex workers operating in the state back to their various state of origin.

The Permanent Commissioner in charge of Hisbah in the Shariah Commission, Bauchi State, Mr. Aminu Balarae Isah, disclosed this at a pre-Ramadan sensitisation workshop held at Bayan Gari Area, a suburb of the state metropolis.

He said this would enable them to get a more decent source of livelihood.

He said that before their repatriation, the commission will take their data through a headcount of all the commercial sex workers operating in the state.

According to him, the repatriation would be done in collaboration with their various states and local government areas.

Isah said that the data would be used to provide economic

empowerment for them, adding that seed capital will be provided to enable them to be self-reliant.

“We are not here to arrest you but rather to help and repatriate you to your various local government areas and states of origin so that you can engage yourselves in a meaningful and decent life.”

The Permanent Commissioner said that some of them who are indigenes of Bauchi State would get suitable spouses, adding that Hisbah would help in marrying them off and providing them with all the necessary marital beddings, and furniture.

“The recent interview conducted by his office on some of the commercial sex workers has made them to realise that some of them are into the indecent trade due to maltreatments from their stepmothers, poverty and illiteracy.

WINNING THE DRUG WAR…

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd); (left), and the Executive Chairman, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Mr. Ekpo Nta, during a courtesy call by the NDLEA chairman to the NSIWC boss in Abuja…yesterday

Ondo Drags Ex-Dep Gov to Police over UnreturnedVehicles James Sowole in Akure The Ondo State Government has petitioned the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Bolaji Salami, urging him to prevail on the former Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Agboola Ajayi to return government vehicles in his possession.

In a letter addressed to the Commissioner of Police in the state and signed by the Senior

Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr. Doyin Odebowale, the state government alleged that Ajayi was still holding on to four government vehicles despite leaving office almost two months ago.

Odebowale noted that all entreaties to the former deputy governor to return the vehicles, for the use of the incumbent deputy governor were rebuffed by Ajayi.

The letter reads: “Our Office has

the firm directive of the Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu (SAN), to recover all government properties still in the possession of former political office holders in the state, especially those who served in the immediate past administration.

“Our record confirms that Mr Agboola Ajayi, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ondo State, is still holding on to four vehicles owned by the government.

“All entreaties to him to return these vehicles, for the use of the incumbent occupier of the office, have been rebuffed. Please, Sir, find attached copies of the letters dated February 16, 2021 and March 1, 2021 respectively.

“We lodge this complaint believing that you will use your good offices to look into this brazen act of conversion, and this is being charitable.

JAMB Accuses UNIABUJA, Others of Offering Illegal Admissions The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has accused the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) and some others of offering illegal admissions to some candidates.

JAMB cautioned all candidates against accepting any admissions that are not provisioned on its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).

JAMB’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocols, Dr. Fabian Benjamin,

said any admission done outside CAPS was an illegitimate admission that would not be sanctioned by the examination body.

In the statement titled: “Caveat Emptor: Illegal admissions by some institutions,” Benjamin said, “the attention of JAMB has been drawn to the illegitimate admissions purportedly being conducted by some Universities, including the University of Abuja. These Universities have been reported

to be issuing admission letters to candidates without recourse to the Board.

“It is, therefore, pertinent to state that such admissions that have not been proposed, approved nor accepted on the CAPS are null and void, and as such, asking hapless candidates to pay acceptance fees for such admissions that had not been processed through CAPS amounts to illegality.

“Consequently, such admissions

are illegal, unacceptable and offensive to extant rules and regulations guiding admissions to tertiary institutions in Nigeria as approved by the Federal Ministry of Education and provided on CAPS. “It would be recalled that JAMB instituted CAPS in 2017 as an automated platform designed to ensure that admissions are transparently done to protect the interest of all Nigerians desirous of tertiary education.

Police Trust Fund Seeks N74bn for Operations IG decries deplorable state of police barracks Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja To fund its operations, the Police Trust Fund (PTF) is seeking the approval of N74 billion budget by the National Assembly for the 2021 fiscal year.

This is coming as the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Usman Alkhali Baba, lamented the state of infrastructure in police barracks across the country which he said required urgent attention.

Speaking during a courtesy

call on the IG in his office, the Executive Secretary of the PTF, Mr. Ahmed Sokoto, said the National Assembly approved N74 billion in the 2021 budget to enable the fund take off fully and fund its operations.

“To establish a new office is not easy. You need an office, staff and office equipment. National Assembly approved N74 billion for PTF in the 2021 budget.

“We will appear before the National Assembly next week to

defend the budget. In no distant time Nigerians will feel the impact of PTF,” he said.

In his remarks, the IG lamented the deplorable state of police barracks and other infrastructure which he said required urgent attention.

He said it was imperative that police personnel stayed in a place where they could be mobilised for operations.

“Accommodation is an issue in our barracks that require urgent

attention. Most of our buildings are bad. We have a lot of space (land) we can use.

“It is very critical that policemen are kept in one place so that you can mobilise them for work in the shortest possible time,” he said.

He pledged to cooperate with the PTF in realising the objectives of the fund.

“We are looking forward to all the goodies promised by PTF. We will be coming to you, cap in hand.

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NEWSXTRA

Saraki’s 2023 Presidential Campaign Posters Flood PDP’s National Secretariat Chuks Okocha in Abuja As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) battles to belabour the zoning of its presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 general election, a rumoured presidential ambition of the former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, may further put the party in a dilemma.

Early callers at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja yesterday were stunned to behold Saraki’s political posters captioned ‘A fresh start’ donning the

perimeter fence of the party headquarters.

No concrete answer was provided for the emergence of the poster overnight, as party officials denied knowledge of the posters.

An aide of the former governor of Kwara State expressed shock when asked about the sudden display of the posters in Abuja.

The aide, who spoke anonymously, said his principal did not know anything about the posters; neither did any of his close

political associates have the knowledge of them.

When asked about it, the aide said: “Are you joking?

That could only be a joke. But let me be emphatic here, the posters did not emanate from Dr. Bukola Saraki, neither did he authorise anybody to do that on his behalf.”

Saraki’s aide further stated that printing and pasting of

such posters could be the handy work of a political opponent.

However, the purported intention of the posters to test the waters might be as a result of the PDP resolve to leave the race open for now.

The party has said severally recently that it has not zoned the 2023 presidential ticket to any

part of the country.

Even the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, 2019 general election review committee recently recommended that the party should leave the 2023 presidency open to all zones.

Saraki, after failing to regain his seat as a senator in the 2019 general election, has been up and doing

with party assignment.

Presently, he is the chairman of the PDP National Reconciliation and Strategy Committee.

The committee has been going around the country to reconcile factional stakeholders in the party across the country with a view to rebuilding PDP ahead of the 2023 general election.

OPL 245: Eni Threatens Legal Action against HEDA, Others for Defamation Peter Uzoho The Italian oil major, Eni, has threatened to take legal action against the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) and other critics for allegedly defaming the company over the Milan Court’s ruling on the Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 245 case.

Eni, in a statement that was issued yesterday in Abuja, said it found it shocking and contrary to any principle of law that the HEDA had ignored all the facts in the Milan judgment and went about defaming the organisation, its management and the Italian Court.

The HEDA, an anti-corruption organisation, had requested President Muhammadu Buhari to ignore the Italian Court’s verdict on the OPL 245 and prosecute Shell and Eni in Nigeria.

Eni stated that the Italian Court was chosen by Nigeria as the venue of the trial of the case and wondered why the HEDA and others should be calling for a retrial in Nigeria.

It said: “We find it really

shocking and contrary to any principle of law that this group, not being satisfied with the Milan Court verdict, ignoring all of the above and defaming the Courts of the Republic of Italy expressly chosen by the Nigerian state as well, are now looking to obtain a new trial in another country on alleged offences, which have been proved to be completely groundless by a sovereign state court and other prominent global authorities.

“Eni will assess its right to take all the appropriate legal actions against the HEDA and all the subjects which are continuing to defame Eni and its management even after an acquittal ‘since there was no case to debate has been delivered by a court of a sovereign state.”

According to the statement, Shell, Eni and their management had been acquitted, together with all other Italian and Nigerian individuals under trial by the Court of Milano, following almost three years of trial in which no evidence emerged to support the alleged offence of international corruption.

Police Rescue Kidnap Victim in Delta Sylvester Idowu in Warri Operatives of the special Delta State Police Command squad, Eagle-Net, have rescued a middleaged man from kidnappers camp at Usiefurun community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.

The victim, identified as James Emmanuel, was rescued last Saturday at about 12.25 a.m. by the special squad following tip-off, as they engaged the hoodlums in a shoot-out.

THISDAY learnt that the hoodlums later succumbed to the superior fire power of the police, abandoned the victim and fled with gunshot injuries.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Edafe Bright, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident.

He disclosed that the commander of the Eagle Net, at about 12: 25 a.m. on April 10, 2021, received a distress call of an attempted robbery/kidnap at Usiefurun community by railway bridge in Ughelli South, and quickly mobilised operatives

to the area.

“On their arrival, the hoodlums, on sighting the policemen, opened fire but the security agents retaliated in full force which made the hoodlums to abandon the victim and escaped to a nearby bush with gunshot injuries,” he said.

Edafe disclosed that the victim, Emmanuel, was eventually rescued in the process and his snatched white Toyota Venza with registration number: GBJ 456 FD was recovered.

The PPRO said the police have launched a manhunt for the possible arrest of the fleeing hoodlums suspected to have escaped with bullet injuries.

He said: “The state Commissioner of Police, Ari Muhammed Ali, is appealing to members of the public to continue to support the police by giving credible information that will help in bringing these criminals to book. He also assured members of the public that their identity will be treated with utmost confidentiality.”

SIGNING A NEW MEGA DEAL…

L-R: Managing Director, Caverton Helicopters, Mr. Rotimi Makanjuola; Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Musa Nuhu; French Minister for Foreign Trade and Attractiveness, Mr. Franck Riester; Chairman, Caverton Offshore Support Group, Dr. Remi Makanjuola; French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Pasquier Jerome; and Thales Country Director, Mr. Yannick Lefebvre, at the Site acceptance and signing ceremony of Caverton Helicopters Full Flight Simulator at Caverton Aviation Training Centre, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, lkeja, Lagos…yesterday ETOP UKUTT

Amotekun Operatives Arrest Three Suspected Kidnappers in Ekiti Operatives of the Ekiti State Amotekun Corps have arrested three suspected kidnappers in the Igbara Odo area of the state following Monday’s attacks on a woman along Erinjiyan–Igbara Odo Road.

The suspects, according to the corps, are 25-year-old Abubakar Musa, 20-year-old Yussuf Lawal and 30-year-old Babangida Usman.

The Commander of the Amotekun Corps in the state, Brig. Gen Joe Komolafe (rtd), said yesterday that the suspects attacked the woman in the farm with machetes and inflicted wounds on her head.

“They escaped in view of other people into the bush.

The woman has been taken to hospital where she is receiving medical attention”.

Komolafe said the suspects

were arrested in the bush following a tip-off from the people in the area and manhunt by operatives of Amotekun.

“When interrogated, they could not state their mission in the area and as well could not provide information on where they stayed.

“We will hand them over to the police for further investigation and possible

prosecution,” the corps commander said.

Komolafe said the arrest of the three suspected kidnappers was as a result of timely tip-off.

“A woman was attacked in her farm yesterday and taken to hospital. But this morning, we directed the boys to go and search the bush and mount roadblock to make sure that the attackers they did not escape.

Gombe Imposes 24-hour Curfew on Two Communities Segun Awofadeji in Gombe The Gombe State Government has imposed a 24 hour curfew on Nyuwar, Jessu and Yolde

communities in Balanga Local Government Area of the state with immediate effect.

The Secretary to the State Government, Professor

Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, who announced the curfew, explained the decision followed the violence that erupted in the communities.

Njodi said that security personnel have been deployed to restore normalcy while the curfew would subsist until further notice.

Niger Police Arrest 35-year-old Man for Killing Chief Imam Laleye Dipo in Minna A 35 year old man, Mr. Umar Jibrin, has been arrested by the police for allegedly killing the Chief Imam of Enagi, Mr. old Alhaji Attaihiru Alhassan, in Edati Local Government Area of Niger State.

Alhassan, who was 48 year old, was reportedly stabbed to death with an iron rod by the suspect who claimed to have caught the cleric red handed

having sex with his 30 year old wife, Mrs. Aisha Umar, on Monday.

The suspect said that he reported the incident to his relations who invited the parties to a peace meeting in order for the scandal not to be blown open.

However, things went wrong when some good Samaritans were trying to broker peace resulting in Jibrin allegedly snatching an iron rod from the

deceased and used it to hit the Chief Imam on the neck, which allegedly resulted in his death.

Reports from the area claimed that the youths of the town rose in support of the late Chief Imam and demanded for the head of his assailant who had fled the town to Batati in the Lavun Local Government Area.

According to the Niger State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP. Wasiu Abiodun, who paraded the

suspect before newsmen on yesterday evening said that the timely intervention of some elders of the town saved the police station at Enagi from being assaulted by the youths who felt that the Divisional Police Officer was keeping the suspect in the cell there.

Abiodun said: “After the incident, the suspect took to his heels but was later arrested at Batati village in Lavun LGA.”

Ekiti Police Arrest Man for Maligning Officers on Social Media Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested one Moyinoluwa Victor for allegedly spreading fake news against anti-crime operatives of the police formation called Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

Victor, according to the state

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Sunday Abutu, was arrested on April 10, 2021.

Abutu revealed that the suspect, in her alleged mischievous intent, recently allegedly conspired with one Oluwatosin to make a fake video recording, alleging the RRS operatives of assaulting

and inflicting injuries on her (Oluwatosin) face.

Victor, according to the police spokesman, also alleged that the RRS operatives collected the sum of N50,000 from Oluwatosin as bail.

Abutu said: “During investigation, Victor confessed

to the commission of the crime, but stated that it was Oluwatosin who lied and misled him.

“When Victor was asked to produce the lady, he claimed that he did not know her identity but only met her on the street in Ado-Ekiti.”

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Nigerian Health Sector in Comatose, Says Former NMA Boss Missing N3.8bn must be accounted for, SERAP insists

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Former President of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Francis Adebayo Faduyile, yesterday condemned what he described as the terrible situation of the Nigerian health sector.

He also stated that a large number of trained medical doctors and other health workers are steadily leaving the country in droves for greener pastures abroad, “thereby depleting our manpower assets.”

Faduyile’s outrage came just as the Socioeconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) disclosed that it would pursue the issue of alleged missing N3.8 billion budgeted for the health sector to its logical conclusion and ensure that the culprits are prosecuted.

The ex-NMA president, who

was one of the personalities at the yesterday’s edition of Arise News channel Morning Show programme, said the country’s health sector is suffering many years of neglect.

In his assessment of the challenges facing Nigeria and other African countries with regards to the COVID-19 vaccination, Faduyile said there was no way the continent could compete with the developed economies.

He said while the economic powers should understand the peculiar situation of things in the developing countries’ health sectors, it is incumbent on African countries to fashion out ways of resolving the problems rather than continuing to lament.

Faduyile said: “The answer to the problems of the health sector is obvious; it is the premium you put on what you have that will

Gas Explosion Rocks Lagos Community A gas explosion has rocked the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The explosion was said to have happened around 7p.m. yesterday at Iyasoko street, Agboju, Amuwo-Odofin.

Confirming the development, spokesperson of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Nosa Okunbor, said officials of the agency were on their way to the scene.

As of the time of the report, it was not clear what caused the

explosion.

However, residents were said to have sustained injuries as a result of the explosion, while some persons were attempting to put out the fire.

Also, no casualty had been confirmed.

The incident occurred months after a previous explosion rocked the Baruwa area of Ipaja in the state.

Eight persons were reportedly killed during that incident.

determine the output. Take for example, in the 2001, Nigeria as well as other African countries came out saying that for you to have a fairly good health system, you need to invest 20 percent of

the annual budget to be allocated to the health sector every year.

But I can tell you that Nigeria has never had beyond five percent.

“At a time, Nigeria was manufacturing vaccines, and

the hospitals were manufacturing hospital kits. We were able to have a lot of pharmaceutical products that were being manufactured in our hospitals and pharmaceutical

companies. Today, what do we have? Everything is in comatose because the government has not placed premium on those important things.”

PAYING HOMAGE…

The Pere of Gbaramotu Kingdom, Ogboro Gbaraun II Aketekpe, Agadagba (left), and the Interim Administrator of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Colonel Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), during a courtesy call on the monarch in his palace in Oporoza, Delta State … yesterday

Kano College of Education Academic Staff Members Begin One-week Warning Strike Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Academic Staff Union (COEASU) of Federal College of Education (Tech), Bichi, Kano State, has commenced a one-week warning strike.

The Chairman of the union, Mr. Muhammad Salisu Yunusa, announced this yesterday while

briefing journalists, accusing the management of the college under the leadership of Muhammad Bashir Fagge of non-remittance of N25million deducted from the staff multi-purpose cooperative society.

Yunusa alleged that teaching and learning are being conducted under an unbearable condition

due to dilapidated infrastructure in the school.

He also alleged that the management of the college has failed to pay legitimate staff allowances, including 10 months peculiar academic allowance, Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) supervision allowance; teaching practice allowance and

series of outstanding payment of the centre for permanent education.

According to him, “As at August 2017, the college management had incurred a debt stock of about N80 million, being the cumulative sum of deductions from staff salaries that were not remitted to the college staff cooperative society.

Report Faults NBMA, Says over 30 GMO Products in Nigerian Market Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Contrary to the assurance by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) that there are no Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria, a new report has revealed the presence of over 30 different products containing genetically modified ingredients or produced with genetic engineering between 2018 and 2020.

The report was launched yesterday in Abuja by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) at a Stakeholders

Conference on “The State of Biosafety in Nigeria.”

The Executive Director of the HOMEF, Mr. Nnimmo Bassey, explained that the modern agricultural biotechnologies could transfer genetic materials from one specie to another to accord certain traits like herbicide tolerance.

Bassey said it was mindboggling for Nigeria to expand the scope of her biosafety regulation to cover gene editing and synthetic biology when the handling of the elementary versions has generated serious doubts and worries.

He stated: “Contrary to the assurance by the agency that there are no GMOs in Nigeria, market shelf surveys carried out by the HOMEF between 2018 and 2020 have revealed the presence of over 30 different products containing genetically modified ingredients produced with genetic engineering.

“As we have said elsewhere, the purpose of introducing the so-called definitions into the Biosafety Act was to create a crack in the door so as to open Nigeria to vested interest

promoting the easy -to-weaponise and extinction-driving gene editing technology. This agency should be called to order. At no time should Nigerians be used as guinea pigs or laboratory rats.”

Bassey stressed that it was not too late for Nigeria to get out of the biotech hole before it turned into a bottomless pit, adding that the so-called guidelines for gene-editing and extreme GMOs are dangerous and needless — just as the permission of GMOs has always been in Nigeria.

NURTW Mulls e-tracking of Vehicles to Tackle Kidnapping The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) said it would consider electronic tracking of commercial vehicles of its members to tackle kidnapping in the country.

The acting NURTW General Secretary, Mr. Kabiru Ado Yau,

stated this during the National Executive (NEC) meeting of the group in Osogbo, the South-West Zonal Office of the union.

Yau said in a statement issued yesterday that the union had commenced discussion with its partners on the possibility

of electronic tracking of commercial buses in response to attacks on passengers travelling in commercial vehicles by kidnappers.

“Many times, our members are being kidnapped across the country. We have lost many

members as a result of insecurity and there is no compensation from the government. So, we really need to be careful and vigilant when we are on the steering.

E-tracking will ensure the safety for passengers and our members after we put it to use.”

Osinbajo to Kick off Ogun Digital Economic Empowerment Programme Barring any last-minute change in plans, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will on Thursday (tomorrow) join Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to flag off a digital empowerment programme in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Tagged ‘Ogun State Digital

Economic Empowerment Project’, it is a plan of the State Government, being organised by the Bureau of Information Technology in conjunction with 21st Century Technologies.

In a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Mr. Kunle Somorin, he

quoted the Director, Information Technology in the Bureau, Mrs. Olatundun Adekunte as saying that the event will hold at Ogun Tech-Hub Kobape Road, Abeokuta at 11am.

According to the release, the project is aimed at providing internet accessibility to indigenes

and residents of the state and its environs in order to enhance lives and businesses of the people.

The release further stated that other special guests such as the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele; ministers, stakeholders, royal fathers will grace the occasion.

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Lalong Hails Security Agencies for Foiling Attempted Kidnap of Varsity Students Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Plateau State Governor, Hon. Simon Lalong has hailed security agents in the state for their swift response that thwarted the attempted kidnap of four students at the state university in Bokkos.

The assailants had on Monday

night swooped on the off-campus students’ residences at Ndar community near the university campus and captured four students.

But officers of military Special Taskforce, the Nigerian Police Force, state-owned Operation Rainbow, the university security agents, and community watch groups mobilised

and went after the kidnappers who had taken four students with them.

Apparently faced with a hot chase, the criminals abandoned their captives and ran away, leading to the safe recovery of the students.

While commending the security agencies for rising up to the occasion, the governor immediately directed establishment of a police post within the host community of the university to forestall a repeat of such

criminality. He also directed that security be tightened in all other schools across the state to guarantee the safety of students.

The governor had last year directed the university management to improve security

of the institution which led to the installation of CCTV surveillance and early warning systems all over the campus as well as the preparation to fence the entire campus.

Ogun Doctors, Nurses Embark on Strike over Insecurity Health workers in Ogun State said they would withdraw their services at the public health institutions on the midnight of yesterday due to the alleged high rate of insecurity in the state.

The health workers in the state under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) disclosed this in a communiqué issued by the Chairman of NANNM, Roseline Solarin.

In the communique dated April 12 and addressed to the Ogun State Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Tomi Coker, the nurses cited the lackadaisical attitude of the state government towards the release

of their abducted colleagues.

In the communique, titled, “Notification of withdrawal of services’, the NANNM described the approach adopted by the government as appalling Ogunlaja said the strike was a joint resolution between the NMA and NANNM, saying that they are going ahead with the strike despite the release of their abducted colleagues until the government does the needful.

He said except and until the government ensures the safety of health workers at their workplaces, the strike would continue.

“There is a lot of security challenges in the state now. I want the state government to address them before we go back to work.

S’Court Judgment Guides Our Screening Exercise, Says PDP Committee Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Screening Committee for Anambra State Governorship Election yesterday said the judgment of the Supreme Court on academic qualifications was the basic guideline used in the screening of the 16 governorship aspirants of the party.

The Chairman of the panel, former Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada, disclosed this to journalists after the screening of the aspirants yesterday at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja.

He said all current Supreme Court decisions and pronouncements of the judiciary on litigations relating to documentation of candidates were taken into consideration in its on ongoing screening exercise.

Responding to questions on a situation where some party

candidates were disqualified after primaries or elections, Wada said the committee was mindful of such decisions, hence, it could not leave any chance for any negligence that could affect the party in the election.

According to him, “We have been guided by the Supreme Court and judiciary decisions as well as pronouncements and other experiences.

“Whatever had happened in the past had guided the National Working Committee (NWC) in laying out the documentation for this exercise in order to overcome such challenges like you have mentioned.

“So, in this exercise, all current decisions of the Supreme Court and other courts of our land have been taken into account in verifying the documentation of our aspirants.

FUTO Gets New FemaleVC Amby Uneze in Owerri The Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Imo State, has appointed Professor Nnenna Oti as the new Vice Chancellor to succeed the outgoing vice chancellor, Prof. Francis Eze. The new vice chancellor, until her new appointment, was the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics.

He emerged tops with 75.5 points to beat six other candidates. Her closest rival

was Prof. Ikechukwu Dozie who scored 69.7 points.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof.

John Offem announced the appointment of the new vice chancellor late last night after a day-long selection and interview of the seven candidates that scaled through the initial selection process.

Offem said that there were a total of 29 applications at the initial stage and only seven emerged after final selection.

TRADE ON THEIR MINDS…

L-R: French Minister for Foreign Trade and Attractiveness, Mr. Franck Riester; Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Ambassador Mariam Yalwaji Katagum; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo, when Riester led a delegation of representatives of French companies to a meeting with Adebayo in Abuja…yesterday

Ganduje Disburses N148m to 1,400 Public Schools Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Kano State Governor, Mr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has commenced the disbursement of N148 million upkeep grants for 1,400 public secondary schools across the state.

Ganduje explained yesterday that his administration has been

giving the education sector serious attention because of its importance to the development of any society.

He said that the issue of funding is very important in the effort to implement the state’s policy on free and compulsory primary and secondary school education.

The governor added

that policies introduced by his administration for the development of education would not be achieved without adequate funding.

“But I have to commend President Muhammad Buhari for providing counterpart funding under the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

“I want to assure you that since we came to office in 2015, we have never failed to provide our counterpart funding for the development of education in Kano State.

“I am happy to inform you that even as of 2021, we have already paid part of it.” Ganduje said.

13Years after, A’Court Reinstates Dissolved Edo Law Review Commission Adibe Emenyonu inBenin-city Nearly 13 years after the dissolution of Edo State Law Review Commission by the state government, the Benin Division of the Court of Appeal has nullified the dissolution, giving an express order that their tenure will now run from March 25, 2021, the date the judgment was given, to August 25, 2025.

The state government in 2008

dissolved the state Law Review Commission headed by Elder Jonathan Ahimien (SAN). Other members of the commission are T. E. Ogbeide-Ihama and Mr. Edward Aibangbe.

The Law Review Commission was appointed by the administration of Governor Lucky Igbinedion and was retained by the government of Prof. Osarhiemen Osubor, but was dissolved by the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole

after the appellate court pronounced him the winner of the 2007 state governorship election, and nullified the election of Osubor.

Members of the commission first approached the state High Court to seek reinstatement because the commission is tenured, but the lower court ruled against them after state House of Assembly had asked the governor to reinstate the members of the commission.

Not satisfied with the judgment

of the lower court, the appellants, in a suit number: B/375/OS/2009, sued the state government. Joined in the case are the governor of Edo State, Attorney-General of the state and the state House of Assembly as respondents.

In the suit before the Court of Appeal, the appellants challenged the ruling of Justice N. A. Imoukhuede of Edo State High Court, who dismissed the claims of the appellants for being statute-barred.

Again, Edo Women Protest against Herdsmen’s Activities Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city Women of Ikabigbo community in Uzairue Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State yesterday told herdsmen occupying their community to leave, as their presence has caused them more harm than good.

The women in their hundreds took their protest to the palace of the traditional ruler, Chief Braimah Alegeh, to register their displeasure over what they called ‘wanton destruction of crops and farm land’.

The spokesperson for the protesting women, Mrs. Rose

Ekhalumhe, said the herdsmen have destroyed their farmland and crops with their cattle.

“They want to create hunger in our community. They will enter our cassava farm, uproot the cassava to feed their cattle while the cows would destroy the remaining ones.

“Yam barns are not spared in this destruction by herdsmen and their cattle. We are now afraid to go to the farm because many of us have been beaten up and injured by herdsmen for daring to ask them to stop destroying our crops and farm lands.

FCT Residents to Pay for Street Packing from May 1 Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) announced yesterday that it would be reintroducing the park and pay policy in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), from May 1, 2021.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Acting Secretary of the FCT Transportation Secretariat,

Mr. Usman Yahaya.

Yahaya said the revival of the on-street parking policy would restore parking order in the city.

He announced that four companies have been pre-qualified to manage the exercise in the entire Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) often regarded as the Abuja City Centre.

The AMAC would be split into

four districts for proper execution of the exercise.

Acourt judgment five years ago halted the proposed park and pay policy after it ordered the FCTA to stop collecting fees from residents for parking on the streets within the metropolis.

“On-street parking management was suspended in 2014 as a result of an FCT High Court ruling that

declared the operation illegal because it was not specifically mentioned in the 2005 FCT Road Transport Regulation. The scheme was riddled with so many complexities, the operators were accused of many ill acts, but we have resolved the issues, so from May 1 this year the scheme will kick off,” Yahaya said.

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Seven Years After, ARISE NEWS Goes Back to Chibok Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Exactly seven years after 276 schoolgirls of Government Girls’ Secondary School (GGSS), Chibok, Borno State were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents, ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, was at the community to speak with the parents, teachers and relatives of some of the 112 girls, who have remained in captivity.

ARISE NEWS crew was at Chibok, to interview the parents and relatives of the victims.

The programme will be aired today to mark the seventh year anniversary of the incident, and as part of the global efforts to put pressure on the authorities to secure their release.

The girls were abducted on the night of April 14, 2014 by the insurgents but 57 of them escaped from captivity few months later.

While some of the girls were alleged to have died, the insurgents released

21 in May 2016 and another batch of 82 in May 2017 but 112 have remained unaccounted for.

Apart from the intervention by the ARISE NEWS Channel, the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) movement has also renewed its campaign for their release.

In a statement issued yesterday, the group said it was launching an ‘Until All Are Free’ campaign to get the remaining girls out of captivity.

“We, the parents, relations and supporters of the 112 of our Chibok Girls who remain unaccounted for are disturbed, disconcerted and distressed to know that for seven years, our cries have fallen on deaf ears; for seven years, the children of the rich and elite have grown in opulence and happiness while our beloved young women remain in captivity, forced into lives of unimaginable cruelty and privation,” the statement read.

“Even as we observe that other atrocities against Nigerian schoolchildren

and students assault the sensibilities of Nigerians, and those children are returned to their families; the fate of our missing 112 Chibok Girls and the continuing trauma of Chibok parents and their communities are slipping from public consciousness and are no longer a priority for the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“On April 14, 2021, we will be holding a series of actions to mark the seven year anniversary of the abduction in Lagos, Abuja, New York and Chibok.

In these events, we will highlight the voices of the Chibok families whose lives have been shattered for seven years, as they face the devastating reality of their government’s neglect.

“We remind President Muhammadu Buhari of the statement he made at his inauguration in 2015: ‘We cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents.’

“But the actions – or rather, the inaction – of the federal government over our daughters in repeatedly claiming that the terrorists have been defeated even though our girls remain in bondage, is a painful reminder that this administration does not value the lives of our precious girls. They have been abandoned by the government that is supposed to protect them and promised to do so.”

In its seven demands, the group asked the government to bring back the girls without further delay.

It also called on the government to provide a comprehensive report on the status of all investigations, operations, and missions to bring back the remaining 112 girls, and to also “release the report

by General Ibrahim Sabo”.

The group said in the next six months, BBOG Abuja, BBOG Lagos, BBOG New York, and other BBOG groups around the world will come together to push for a logical end to the seven years of advocacy.

A NIGERIAN, NOT AN ETHNIC PRESIDENT will be to convince such an unusually gifted man to agree to present himself for the office of President of Nigeria.

Were he and people like himself to be confronted with this proposal, their immediate reaction would probably be that of reluctant self-abnegating shock.

However, the positive reaction of a few individuals I mentioned this to, suggests to me that a person that fits this bill would undoubtedly bring dignity, knowledge and integrity very much needed to steer the ship of the Nigerian state. It will be a rescue mission.

I have come to the conclusion that politics as practiced, played and conducted in Nigeria of today, is too serious an affair to be left to the political class alone. I have further come to the conclusion that a renowned traditional ruler as set forth above, can indeed lead us to a new dawn, a new era, building on the efforts of past leaders who have undoubtedly tried to give of their best. This nation needs someone who can coalesce the attributes and virtues of firm, knowledgeable, brilliant, articulate, wise, energetic and respected leadership

in whom Nigerians will be proud.

Let us for the first time experiment in genuinely involving our enlightened traditional rulers in elective democratic offices; and stop the hypocritical mockery of only receiving their ‘blessings’ during election periods as ‘Fathers’ of the Nation.

Let us, for once, truly demonstrate that they are, indeed, Fathers of the Nation.

I believe and hope that many Nigerians would feel comfortable with such a radical proposition.

In our desperate circumstances of today, I am confident that under such a proposed leadership, serious, burning, contemporary and constitutional issues now plaguing the nation will be thrown up and decisively addressed calmly, honestly, competently and with abiding patriotism. Let us give serious thought to bringing forward a clean man with a clean heart. Let us on an ALL INCLUSIVE MULTI-PARTY PLATFORM do so, if only as an emergency measure to reset the nation before it is too late. rAmbassador Olisemeka, CON, is a former Foreign Minister

President Buhari

as caves of primitive tribesmen. No part of Nigeria today could be said to be occupied by ethnic groups completely detached from civilisation.

Regional disparities are undeniable. No ethnic group is immune to the socioeconomic underdevelopment which defines the Nigerian society. Yet no group is excluded in the process of elite formation regardless of the size.

It was quite instructive watching a retired service chief on television the other day telling his remarkable life story which illustrates the point at issue. He belongs to “a minority group within a minority area.” Yet he rose to be a defence chief some years ago. Similarly, a former senator told his own story. If you use language as the yardstick of ethnic classification, his mother tongue is spoken by only hundreds of people. The distinguished senator became a reputable principal officer of the senate. There are several examples of citizens belonging to small ethnic groups who have gained national prominence on their own individual merit.

Certainly, these ladies and gentlemen cannot be described as tribesmen and women. In contrast, it was big news in the United States early this year when a native American was appointed into a high political office.

It is pertinent to draw attention to the error of calling ethnic groups tribes because of its consequences for the current identity politics. There is a way in which tribal identification tends to eclipse the

factor of national integration in discussions.

The description of ethnic groups as tribes is, perhaps, an unconscious denial of the currents of integration. Those who employ the category tribe in identifying themselves and others in puristic terms ignore these obvious currents.

For instance, the sensibilities of the products of inter-ethnic marriage are routinely ignored when some separatists beat the drums of war by peddling ethnic prejudice against members of other groups. The biological products of the cosmopolitan trends in the Nigerian society can definitely not be tribesmen by the very definition of their birth. A person may decide to identify with the ethnic group of his mother or father; but that doesn’t make him a tribesman or woman.

The matter even becomes more absurd when the dynamics of integration is considered. Those who still talk of tribes and tribalism have static view of things.

Take a sample. A citizen is born outside the homestead of his grandparents. He is of the third generation of his family members who have made the place outside their place of origin home. He has only visited the place of origin only on a few occasions. In every material sense the man is integrated into his place of abode where he works, pays his taxes and builds his family. But in this upsurge of identity politics in the land, the man described above would likely be told by some ethnic champions that he doesn’t belong to

SO, WHERE ARE THE TRIBES? continue to describe their ethnic groups and nationalities in the same pejorative term those sociologists in the service of colonialism describe black people in the 19th century. To be sure, members of a tribe belonged to one of the lowest rungs in the ladder of human civilisation; they were still at the pre-state stage in political evolution. The tribal space is the universe of some members of the tribe. As a member of a tribe you might not even be aware of the existence other tribes in the same region.

It is noteworthy that in the West, in contemporary discussions of inter-group relations the category “tribe’ is reserved only for those regarded as backward with all the socio-economic and political connotations. So the Aborigines in Australia are described as “tribal’” people. In the American context, ethnic and racial groups are not called tribes. The category of tribe applies only to some native Americans still consigned to the dungeon of underdevelopment by virtue of racist policies. Tribesmen as a group and as individuals are markedly separated from other people in terms of development and modernisation. The areas occupied by the extremely disadvantaged groups are still described as “tribal.” The lack of integration of those areas with other parts of the United States is quite evident even to the casual observers.

However, none of the Nigerian ethnic groups, nationality and, some would even say, nations could be described

the “tribe” that owns the place in which he lives. To talk of tribe in this context is an insult to the man as well as those accusing him of being a stranger to the so-called tribe.

It is astonishing that this racist categorisation is embraced in everyday conversations by Nigerians themselves.

Besides, identity politics will be enriched by conceptual clarity about the issues in dispute. A requirement for this is a good understanding of the meaning of words and phrases used in the debate because of their implications. Far from being pedantic on this topic, it is worth stressing that precision in terms of the use of concepts is important for the urgent task of diversity management.

Those employing categories to describe groups should be clear about what they mean precisely.

In sum, the Nigerian diversity is not a diversity of tribesmen. Among the diverse groups are ethnic groups and nationalities. Some even proclaim their own groups as nations. National integration is, therefore, not forging an amalgam of tribes. Instead, integration could be achieved by deliberately using wellarticulated policies to promote equity in inter- ethnic and inter-regional relations and social justice for all citizens wherever they choose to reside in the country.

This should be a task for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to perform if promoting national unity is considered part of its legacy.

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WEDNESDAY APRIL 14, ͺ͸ͺ͹˾ T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor ßÜÙ ÕÒËäßËÑÌÏ Email ÎßÜÙ˛ÓÕÒËäßËÑÌÏ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ× ͸΀͹͹ ͹΀͹ ͻ͸΀ͻ

Joeboy, Teni To Highlight Edo 2020 Closing Ceremony Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City After 11 days of competition in almost all the major Olympic sports, curtain will fall on the 20th National Sports Festival today in Benin City with two of the country’s topmost entertainer, Joeboy and Teni the Entertainer the star attractions.

The festival earlier scheduled to start March last year suffered several postponements due to the Covid-19 pandemic before finally settling for the April

4 to 14 date.

According to the order of events for the closing ceremony released by the Project Manager, Media and Communications, Ebomhiana Musa, the two artistes would be joined by Frachize to entertain the crowd of athletes from the 35 states of the federation and the FCT and the host, Edo State.

Details from the Consultant, Ceremonial, Edo 2020, Dr. Henry Nzekwu, showed that the event will last for just three hours, 6pm to 9pm, Wednesday, April 14, 2021.

The only sporting event slated for the day is the relay races; mixed relay, 4 x 100 meters and 4 x 400 meters for men and women.

According to Nzekwu, there will be a parade by athletes, short speeches

by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the Honorable Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare and the Deputy Governor who also doubles as the Chairman

of the Local Organizing Committee, LOC, Rt Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu.

The Vice President, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo is expected to declare the games closed after which the torch of unity which was lit at the start of the games will be extinguished.

Already, there are feelers that Delta State is considering hosting the next edition but owners of the brand, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports

Development appears not willing to allow Delta the

opportunity due to proximity to Edo State.

Teni the Entertainer

Joeboy

....Delta on Verge of Retaining NSF Title It will take a monumental withdrawal of medals for the defending champions of the National Sports Festival, Delta State, not to retain their title won in 2018 in Abuja as the state contingents are currently leading the table with few events to go.

As at the time of going to press, the state was leading the table with 298 medals after winning 124 gold, 91 silver and 83 bronze medals.

Team Delta has dominated all events from the start of the competition and on Wednesday ended the golf events of the festival with five gold, one silver and three bronze while Bayelsa

occupied the second position with 3 gold medals, same as Plateau State who tag behind in third position, albeit with inferior silver medals.

It was same thing in the weightlifting as Delta state won a total of 16 gold, 12 silver and five bronze medals as at the time of writing this report.

The host state, Edo State, currently occupies the second position in the overall medal table after winning 103 gold, 97 silver and 85 bronze medals while Bayelsa are in third position with 139 medals (48 gold, 42 silver and 49 bronze).

Enyimba Get New Confed Cup Knockout Stage Dates With two match days to the end of the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, Confederation of African Football (CAF), yesterday announced date for the knockout round.

Nigeria’s representative Enyimba International will get to know its quarter final opponent if they scale through to the next round of the competition.

The football body announced April 30th for the draws of knockout round of

both CAF champions league and Confederation cup.

Quarter-final teams of the champions league have already emerged while it remains two rounds of games to determine qualifiers in the Confederation Cup. CAF further announced Cairo as the venue of the draw.

People’s Elephants required at least four points in the remaining 2 matches to make 10 points for them to secure passage to the next round.

PSG players celebrating knocking out a cup holders, Bayern Munich from the Champions League

Champions League: PSG Knockout Holders, Bayern Munich Chelsea reach semis even know if in defeat Paris St-Germain were beaten 1-0 last night but held on to claim an away-goals victory (3-3 aggregate) over holders Bayern Munich that takes them through to the last four of the Champions League.

In a fascinating second leg between the sides that contested last year’s final, PSG were threatening on the break, testing visiting goalkeeper Manuel Neuer a number of times and twice hitting the woodwork through

Egbakhumeh, Oghene Rule Oba Elegushi Golf Tourney Andrew Egbakhumeh at the weekend beat the field to win the men’s title of the maiden Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi Golf Tournament held at the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938. D. C. Ehenember was runner up.

In the Ladies section, Princess Oghene with a score of 96 net took the crown, while Selin Hainsworth was the runner up.

Chief Tony Prest won the nearest to the pin hole, just as Karuike Harrison won the men’s longest drive with Evelyn Oyome taking the ladies longest drive title.

The competition, which was part of the 45th birthday celebration of Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi of Ikateland and environs, saw the cream of Lagos golfers competing for honours in the event.

The royal father performed the ceremonial tee off at the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938, where he exhibited another part of him as a sportsman.

In all, 120 golfers, including seven professionals, took to the course.

Explaining the inclusion of a golf tournament as part of activities marking his birthday, Oba Elegushi said, “As we all know, in the past one year, many people have died. This is my own little way of appreciating God. I am among the lucky ones to be alive.

“As a golfer, I have been looking forward to hosting a competition in my name and this time, I decided I want to give it a shot and everybody turned out to support me.”

He promised that it would not be a one off tournament, adding, “next year, we will take it to another level.”

The Oba said he took golf as a hobby because “golf teaches me about life. As a golfer, you can manage any situation you find yourself in.”

Also speaking on the competition, Chairman of the golf tournament and a friend of the Oba, Abisoye Fagade, applauded the event, as ‘well organised,’ saying it was befitting of the Oba to have a tournament of this magnitude in his name.

“Over 200 golfers wanted to play but we had to limit the number to 120 because we needed a number we could take care of.”

Neymar.

It was Bayern, though, who broke the deadlock, giving themselves hope of a comeback win as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting rose highest to follow-up David Alaba’s saved shot with a close-range header.

Missing the injured Robert Lewandowski, the German side lacked their usual ruthlessness up front and were unable to find the second goal that would have continued their trophy defence.

Kylian Mbappe thought

he had sealed the tie with just over 10 minutes to go, but after breaking clear and firing in the assistant’s flag ruled his effort out.

PSG will face either Borussia Dortmund or Manchester City in the semi-finals, with the latter holding a 2-1 advantage going into Wednesday’s second leg in Germany.

In the other quarter final match, Chelsea secured the result they needed to take them into the semi finals of the tournament despite

an incredible stoppage time overhead kick from Porto’s Mehdi Taremi that ended the second leg 0-1 in favour of Porto at the Stamford Bridge.

An intense opening saw the Portuguese outfit press the Premier League outfit with intensity, but Chelsea soon found their rhythm and midfielders Jorginho and N’Golo Kante performed exceptionally in central midfield to keep their opponents comfortably at bay.

NWFL Club Owner Agree to Super 6 Tournament Club owners of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) have agreed to take part in the Super 6 Tournament proposed by the NWFL Board to end the season and select Nigeria’s representatives at the upcoming maiden edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco next month.

At a virtual meeting of the club owners held on Tuesday and presided over by the President of NFF and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick, and which was also graced by the NFF 1st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi and General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, the club owners said they would defer to the NFF chieftains and attend the tournament. Also present was Amina Sani Zangon Daura,

NFF’s Head of Women Football.

“I want you all to know that this is about our dear country Nigeria. It is not about a club, or even the NWFL or whatever issues might be on the front burner. It is about Nigeria which is bigger than all of us. I plead that you attend the competition because it is the right thing to do. Given the position of Nigeria in women’s football in the African continent, we must put our best foot forward with regards to this competition. We must send the very best and that must be determined by current form.

“I have noted all the issues you have raised and I promise that I will sit down with the Board and Management of the Nigeria Women Football League and find a way to cogitate on

the issues and pragmatically resolve them.”

Chairman of the NWFL Board, Aisha Falode said it was important to stage the Super 6 in order for Nigeria to present her very best at the maiden edition of the competition. “Our resolve to hold the Super 6 is predicated on belief that Nigeria must go to Morocco with her very best, and emerge champions.

We should approach this with a common objective and a common purpose. Nigeria should triumph and we can only do that if we hold a tournament to pick the best teams on current form.”

The Super 6 Tournament will take place in Ijebu-Ode as scheduled, starting from Monday, 19th April.

Wednesday April 14, 2021

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KAYODEKOMOLAFE THE HORIZON

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0805 500 1974

So, Where are the Tribes?

T

he simple answer to the above question is that there is no tribe anywhere in Nigeria. In reality, there are instead communities, ethnic groups and nationalities making up the country.

Yet in official documents and public discussions ethnic groups comprising tens of millions of people are incorrectly referred to as “tribes.” Hence, from the professor to the senator and from the pundit to the roadside mechanic, comes the conclusion that the problem of Nigeria is “tribalism.”

When you make a statement at the police station, you have to indicate your “tribe” on the paper. A line in the Nigeria’s former national anthem even says: “Though tribes and tongues may differ; In brotherhood we stand…” It’s considered supremely charitable when you say a political personality is “detribalised.”

But, this is grossly erroneous. To be “detribalised” is to be removed from a tribe. It is, therefore, a monumental insult to say an Igbo man belonging to an ethnic group of over 40 million people is “detribalised,” when what you mean to say is that he is no ethnic chauvinist.

What you are saying unwittingly is that the gentleman has been taken out of his

President Buhari primitive enclave and relocated, perhaps, in an urban civilised setting. And it doesn’t strike some pundits as strange that the British discuss the issue of “Scottish nationalism” while Nigerians talk of “Yoruba tribalism.” This is despite the fact that there are more people who claim the Yoruba identity than those who say they are Scottish.

It should sound offensive that the over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria are derogatorily referred to as tribes. Not even in the present separatist ferment in which some of these ethnic groups have been declared as “republics” in the cyberspace by their respective internet warriors.

The flags, maps and currencies of these “republics’’ are already on display virtually.

Yet the ethnic champions use the words “tribe” and “nation” interchangeably. They talk of their “tribe” when the appropriate word should be nation, nationality or ethnic group.

It is amazing that no one seems to be rankled by these conceptual contradictions.

Imprecision is a social and intellectual malaise in Nigeria. This is because the scientific approach is hardly adopted in solving everyday problems. Scientific method is not yet entrenched in the national culture. The imprecise use of terms is part of the deficit in the current debate of the Nigerian condition. Hardly is there any agreement on the meanings of many of the buzzwords used in discussing the nation’s problems. For instance, despite the legitimate impatience of some wellinformed advocates of restructuring with those still ask for the meaning of the term, a lot of clarification is still necessary in

some quarters. This may sound indulgent; but it is important.

In the specific case of the inappropriate use of the category “tribe,” the concern here transcends academic anthropology.

The error has practical implications for Nigeria’s social and political development.

Historically, the colonialists in their perverted sociology used the word “tribe” to describe a people they regarded as primitive. It was part of the ideological hegemony of the racists to portray the colonised people as inferior with no social or political history. It didn’t matter that kingdoms and empires existed for centuries in places the colonialists later described as tribal enclaves. Imagine describing Edo as a tribe centuries after the Benin Kingdom established relations with the Portuguese.

Today, the Portuguese will not refer to any part of their country as a tribe. Talking about sociological evolution, it was a racist insult to describe as tribesmen the producers of the masterpieces of art stolen by the white man during the colonial conquests.

The irony is that decades after independence well educated Nigerians Continued on page 54

IGNATIUS OLISEMEKA A Nigerian, Not an Ethnic President GUEST COLUMNIST

N

igeria, like the rest of the world, in varying degrees, is in deep crisis. However, unlike most countries, we have not been able to identify or agree on what indeed are the issues threatening the very existence of our nation. In the 60 years of Nigeria’s independence, it could be argued that aside from the rejection of military rule which Nigerians regardless of ethnicity, religion and tongue collectively agreed on, every other issue on the state of the nation has been viewed within the biased prism of ethnic, religious and other divisive primordial colorations.

As the ship of the Nigeria state glides almost rudderlessly towards the cliff, it is important to remind ourselves that we are all in the same boat and must therefore find solutions to our problems; not ‘challenges’ in the now often abused cliché. Our destiny is placed squarely in our hands. While I concede to others who advocate and attribute other causes such as restructuring and the constitution to our present situation, I feel strongly persuaded that our problem is that of LEADERSHIP.

Leadership that would galvanize our people into a nation. Leadership of a new age; of a completely new era. The question that I have often pondered is whether there are, indeed, no Nigerians that will fit into the mould of some celebrated world leaders; that placed their country and people above personal, ethnic, religious and other primordial interests?

As I think of the next Nigerian leader; the next Nigerian President, I am not thinking of an ethnic leader. It does not matter where he comes from. He does not need to be an Akwa-Ibomite, a Yoruba, an Urhobo, a Gwari, an Igarra, an Igala, an Efik, a Fulani, an Ijaw, a Hausa, a Tera or a Birom leader. Certainly, not necessarily an Aniocha or Igbo leader.

He does not need to be a professional politician, a political party card bearer, a known household name, or a typical leader. Obviously, he cannot be a man from another country. He must be a Nigerian; not a foreigner.

I have often wondered who this person of destiny would be: a Nigerian divinely thrust on us to heal the pains of the past,

bind our wounds, our grievances, unite our people, and resuscitate, not in words but indeed the true spirit of ‘no conqueror no vanquished’ with justice to all.

Is it really so difficult to find in this country with its vast human resource endowment a leader with unassuming virtue; a man who does not belong to politics or to any existing political party in the country. He is not a household name across the broad national spectrum. Yet, to those who know him, a man of great integrity, an educated and learned mind, forth right and honest man, and above all, a man of courage and wisdom. He is, certainly not a saint. He is a man with the normal human disciplined instincts, impulses and blemishes.

I strongly recommend that our search for the Nigerian leader of our dream and manifest destiny should, this time, be expansive. We should not hesitate to beam our search light into institutions hitherto, understandably and with good reason insulated from politics and see who within these institutions fit the bill of the Nigerian leader who will galvanize

our people into a nation with common vision, purpose and dream. It is time, in my view, to extend our search for the next Nigerian leader to include the traditional institutions, where a lot of eminent Nigerians with proven integrity now retire into. Such tested and trusted rulers should be given a chance to explore and use their God-given talent and gifts for the benefit of the Nigerian people.

As I ruminate on the search for the next Nigerian leader, a name is constantly on my mind. However, I will leave it out of this article for now, to allow for a dispassionate and unbiased conversation on this all important concept. It seems a disservice to the nation that such a talented and distinguished person would be excluded by the dictates of culture and tradition from offering Nigeria the services he has so far generously given world-wide and at home, but has hardly been in the limelight or publicized, and definitely non-controversial.

The most difficult assignment I foresee Continued on page 54

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