FRIDAY 21TH MAY 2021

Okonjo-Iweala: Patent Waiver Not Enough to Close Vaccine Gap Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said that intellectual property waiver alone will not be enough to narrow the huge COVID-19 vaccine

supply gap between rich and poor countries.

She told the European Parliament that it was clear that discussions around vaccine patents alone would not suffice, saying that global leaders should do more to ensure that there is equitable

production and distribution of the jabs.

Okonjo-Iweala said developing countries had complained that the licensing process was cumbersome and should be improved upon.

She added that while it makes sense to protect

research and innovation, it is also important to expand access to the vaccines.

According to her, manufacturers should work to expand production, pointing to idle capacity in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, Senegal, and South

Africa among other developing nations.

She said: "I am convinced that we can agree on a text that gives developing countries that kind of access and flexibility, whilst protecting research and innovation.

"To have solved the

unacceptable problem of inequity of access to vaccines, we have to be holistic. It's not one or the other."

Okonjo-Iweala stressed the importance of diversifying vaccine manufacturing and Continued on page 8

Finally, Govs, Judicial, Legislative Workers Sign Agreement on Financial Autonomy... Page 36 Friday 21 May, 2021 Vol 26. No 9538. Price: N250

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Ayade’s Defection Redraws S’south Political Map Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja, Bassey Inyang in Calabar and Sylvester Idowu in Warri

WELCOME ONBOARD...

L-R Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; Governors Hope Uzodinma (Imo State), Mohammed Abubakar (Jigawa State), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti State), Ben Ayade (Cross River State), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Atiku Bagudu(Kebbi State) and Solomon Lalong (Plateau State) at the defection Ayade to the All Progressives Congress in Calabar…yesterday

All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday hit home a rebound with the defection of Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ayade, who lost out at the recent state congress of the PDP, helped the APC to regain a foothold in the South-south, which had come under the full control of the main opposition party with the defection and reelection Continued on page 8

Southern Govs, Others Rebuke Malami for Opposing Open Grazing Ban Say cattle restriction would be vigorously enforced Afenifere, Senate spokesman demand minister’s removal Deji Elumoye, Olawale Ajimotokan, Alex Enumah, Udora Orizu in Abuja, James Sowole in Akure and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), yesterday came under

fire for criticising the open grazing ban by the 17 Southern governors at their recent meeting in Asaba, Delta State.

Malami, while fielding questions on a live TV programme on Wednesday had kicked against the open grazing ban.

The AGF compared the

Southern governors’ decision to Northern governors banning spare parts trading in the North, considering the fact that the majority of spare parts traders in the North are from the South.

He had said: “It is about constitutionality. Within the context of the freedoms

enshrined in our constitution, can you deny a right of a Nigerian? It is as good as saying maybe the Northern governors coming together to say that they prohibit spare parts trading in the North.

Does it hold water? Does it hold water for a Northern governor to come and state

expressly that he now prohibits spare parts trading in the North?”

Reacting to Malami’s comments, the Southern governors dared him to challenge their decision in the court, saying that there is no going back on the open grazing ban.

Some senior lawyers and the Founder of Stanbic IBTC and Anap Foundation, Mr. Atedo Peterside, also criticised the minister over his comments.

However, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and the spokesman of the

Peace Returns as FG Reconciles Kaduna Govt, Labour...Page 5

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NEWS

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

Peace Returns as FG Reconciles Kaduna Govt, Labour Parties raise committee to resolve dispute

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government yesterday brokered an agreement between the Kaduna State Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on measures to resolve their labour dispute.

The feuding parties have also agreed to set up a 10-man committee to iron out their differences.

With the agreement, Kaduna State workers, who went on a five-day warning strike, which was suspended on Wednesday for the truce talks, are to return to their duty posts immediately.

The state government also committed to not victimising any worker on account of his or her role during the warning strike.

Speaking at the end of the conciliatory meeting in Abuja, Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said the parties agreed to constitute the a bipartite committee, comprising six representatives of the state government and three officials of the NLC, to resolve the dispute.

He said the committee would revert to his ministry latest by Tuesday with its work plan on how to resolve the dispute.

He said the committee would work to integrate the provisions of the Labour Act, "to resolve the impasse between the Kaduna State Government and the state branch of the NLC." The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was jointly signed by the Kaduna State Head of Service, Mr. Bariatu Mohammed; Commissioner for Local Government, Mr. Ja’afaru Sani; NLC President, Dr. Ayuba Wabba; and the Deputy President of NLC, Mr. Najeem Usman.

Others that signed are: the Director of Finance and

Accounts, Mr. Moneke Aloy - for Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment; and Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, Mrs. Omoabie Akpan.

The meeting also stipulated that Mohammed should chair the committee and be assisted by a deputy national president of the NLC. The agreement prescribed a work plan to itemise the structure and sub-structure in the state and local government of their activities, time of commencement and envisaged final tenure of the committee or make recommendations if in its wisdom it thinks the committee should be a permanent standing one.

It was also agreed that there will be no further industrial action on the issues and that no worker shall be victimised on account of his or her participation in the industrial action.

Ngige had earlier expressed the federal government's worry over what he described as an avoidable labour crisis, which crippled economic and social activities in Kaduna State for three days.

He said from his assessment of the issues and measures taken to address them, the matter would not have snowballed into a major confrontation if proper labour dispute resolution mechanism was employed.

According to him, the federal government decided to wade into the dispute in order to halt the deteriorating situation in the state.

Ngige said all the parties should maintain status quo to enable the ministry to resolve the dispute.

He added that the order for the arrest of Wabba no longer has any effect since the federal government has intervened.

Ngige said the ministry

had set a one-week target to resolve the dispute, failing which it might be constrained to refer the parties to industrial arbitration for further action.

"The federal government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Federal Executive Council are worried at the development in Kaduna State. This is a state where we have security problem prompted by bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements to the extent that we have even as we speak, people still in captivity and then we suddenly woke up again to find that the economic activity in that state is being jeopardised by labour industrial dispute.

We decided that the labour minister should wade in,” he stated.

While presenting the position of the state government, the

Commissioner for Local Government, Mr. Ja’afaru Sani, who represented the Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, said the state was responding to the challenges posed by dwindling revenue from the Federation Account.

He stated that the state government had resolved to go ahead with its policy of rightsizing its workforce no matter the resistance from the organised labour.

"In response to the fiscal headwinds caused by declining Federation Account receipts and huge outlays on the personnel cost, the government transparently and democratically announced in April, 2021 that it will right size the public service by reducing the number of political appointees and civil servants," he said.

He added that the verification of credentials for the implementation of the decision is still ongoing for the state civil service, while the number of those to be disengaged was yet to be determined.

Wabba, who led other NLC members, including the Deputy President, Mr. Joe Ajero, to the talks, said the organised labour decided to undertake the warning strike in Kaduna because the governor refused to subject the rightsizing and redundancy policy to due process of collective bargaining and negotiations as provided by the Trade Dispute Act. He accused the governor of refusing to respond to letters sent to him by the organised labour seeking to discuss the issues in dispute.

Wabba said: "We have engaged different employers,

different governments, including the federal government and it can be attested that NLC is one reputable organisation that believes in the rule of law.

“In fact, in 2012, the present Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai, joined NLC protest, where I was a chairperson; he came with his T-shirt, joined us and reiterated what I said, that NLC is the most creditable platform to represent the interest of workers and the larger Nigerian public.

"So, we are here because we are committed to the issue of social dialogue because it is a global standard. And as I said, because the issue is straight forward redundancy has been declared and there are clear provisions on how to address the issue of redundancy in our laws.”

SEVENTY HEARTY CHEERS...

Director-General, Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Mr. Jonah Bawa (left), and Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu, during the 70th anniversary of CLTC in Abuja…yesterday

South-east Govs Ask for Six Months to Resolve Youth Grievances Say region won’t secede

Deji Elumoye in Abuja The South-east governors will soon engage the federal government over the issue of marginalisation which has pitted the restive youths in the geo-political zone against the state governments, Chairman of the South-east Governors’ Forum and Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. Dave Umahi, has said.

Umahi assured the agitating youth in the zone that all their grievances will be looked into with a view to resolving them within six months.

The governor, who spoke yesterday at the Presidential Press Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the State House, Abuja told

the South-east youth who are bitter over the region’s marginalisation to give the state governors six months to dialogue with the federal government with a view to resolving their grievances.

Emphasising the need to have peace in the region, Umahi said: “And so, I have offered along with other governors to our youths, present your demands in prints and hand over to us. There's no region in this country today that you know do not have one thing or the other against the federal government. But we can sit down to discuss and that's what you have demanded from our youths whether banned or unbanned in so far as you are from the South-east.

“Let us see your demands; let us see your grievances and give us six months to engage the federal government to address all these because I believe in dialogue.

“I believe that we can sit down as a people to discuss and find our differences, and we can learn from our differences and also we can together discuss how we can strengthen our operation as a people.”

According to him, past governments failed to properly deal with the issue of marginalisation, giving rise to the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and later, Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) , adding that

the South-east zone will, however, not secede from the country.

Describing IPOB as “a child of necessity,” the South-east Governors' Forum Chair added that: “now, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) is also a product of IPOB. He further said: “You can see how this has multiplied but the point remains that from the onset of the matter, the past governments did not address the matter properly because when your children cry for any reason, you have to find out what is the problem, what are the reasons and you fix it.

“I think those people were so badly ignored and that should not have been.

And so, what is happening

today with regards to IPOB in the South-east is not a product of this government per se, but it is a product of national governments that didn't address the matters from the outset.

“The IPOB people came and said we are not violent, we are not the people killing; if you get any of such after deal decisively with such people. So it's very confusing. Who and who is behind these insecurities happening?”

Umahi noted that although the people of the South East have justifiable grievances, their agitation appeared to have been hijacked.

He asked: “Are there rightful agitations? Yes? Has it turned violent? Yes, it's been hijacked and that is

the truth about the situation in the South East He added that based on the foregoing, "the governors of South East appear to be unpopular with a very small section of South-east because we refuse to toe their line and be our own”.

The governor assured that despite all the crises in the zone, the South-east will not secede from the Nigerian nation.

His words: “You know our way of doing things and their way of doing things is war, and we don't want to secede, we want to belong to Nigeria, a fair Nigeria with justice, equity and freedom, you know, are the platform upon which we exist as the people, and for each of the region.”

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World Bank Seeks Improved Cross-border Trade in Nigeria Restates call for fuel subsidy removal Obinna Chima The World Bank Group yesterday urged the federal government to develop policies to increase crossborder trade in Nigeria in order to support economic growth.

President of the World Bank Group, Mr. David Malpass, said these while responding to a THISDAY question during a virtual media briefing with West and Central African journalists.

Malpass said: “Nigeria has huge potential and with some of the improvements in its economic policies, growth can be rapid for people in Nigeria.

“We have encouraged efforts that would reduce subsidies for fossil fuel; encourage trade across borders and very importantly, multiple exchange rates have been a burden on the people of Nigeria and we have encouraged the unification of rates so that money, investments and remittances can flow in and out of Nigeria with less friction. Our programmes remain strongly supportive of the people of Nigeria and in Nigeria.”

Malpass said the multilateral institution would invest and mobilise about $150 billion in Nigeria and other African countries in the next five years.

According to him, over the last 10 years, the World Bank Group has invested over $200 billion in Africa and, “in five years, we intend to invest and mobilise about $150 billion in Africa to support the continent’s recovery.”

He stated that a large portion of that would be in the form of grants and long-term zero interest rate loans from the International Development Association (IDA), an international financial institution which offers concessional loans and grants to the world's poorest developing countries.

“So, we are working on an ambitious IDA replenishment to be completed by 2021 and that would be critical for the concessional financing and grants that the IDA countries in Africa need. So, that gives you the context of the funding support that we are doing, both for the public sector and the private sector through IFC in Africa.

“Since the outbreak of COVID-19, we have invested more than $24 billion in Africa to support health and economic recovery. Our board authorised $12 billion for the vaccination effort and as of today, 38 African countries have requested support for vaccination efforts and 18 of those are from West and Central Africa,” he added.

He said the delay in vaccine supply was deepening inequality and division in the world, adding that it has a serious consequence on fragility and for people’s lives and livelihood.

He urged countries that have access to vaccine supplies to release them, “as soon as possible to developing countries that have deliberate programmes in place.”

According to Malpass, debt sustainability remains a major problem in West Africa, saying that as COVID-19 persists into 2021, the debt situation in

the sub-region will deteriorate further.

He said a comprehensive debt solutions should involve four elements: debt suspension; debt reduction, debt resolution and debt transparency.

“One of the themes from the press conference two days ago was the call by African heads of state for cancellation of debts. But that is not the direction that the world is moving at this point. A permanent solution is necessary for this debt overhang for countries that have unsustainable debt level.

“The World Bank is

working closely with the IMF to try and implement the G-20 common framework for debt reduction. Full private sector participation is an essential part of any lasting debt sustainability.

“We know the road to recovery would be a long one; the countries in the region have applied lessons from previous crisis such as the Ebola outbreak in 2014. Many countries have strengthened their social safety net to help protect the poor and the World Bank Group is working actively on those efforts and we think they are important preparations for future crisis.

We want to move faster on the key reforms in each of the countries to help attract new investments.

“Throughout Africa, if one of the major economies can do well, it has very positive synergies with its neighbours and that is one of our primary goals to have successful economies that bring synergies with its neighbours because that is the only way there can be massive progress in Africa,” he stated.

Also, the World Bank’s Vice President, Western and Central Africa, Ousmane Diagana, stated that in

Africa, the Washingtonbased institution’s largest programmes are in Nigeria, estimated at more than $12 billion.

He said: “Those are a programme under implementation in priority sectors. Access to electricity, health, water, education, agriculture, and especially this year, we have given about $2 billion to Nigeria in order to help the population have access to critical services and to provide technical assistance.

We have seen progress in policies for Nigeria and the country is a very important partner for the bank.”

PRAYER RALLY...

L-R: Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Enugu State, Rev. Emmanuel Edeh; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; State Vice Chairman of CAN/Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Rev. Ernest Obodo; and the Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion) Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, during a mega prayer rally in Enugu…yesterday

US to Supply Nigeria Drones to Curb Insecurity Davidson Iriekpen The United States government has revealed plans to supply drones to Nigeria as part of its commitment to help overcome security challenges in the country.

The American Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Mary Beth Leonard, stated this in Sokoto at a round table discussion with journalists in the state.

She said the drones would help Nigeria to end the activities of bandits, kidnappers, and Boko Haram in the country.

The American ambassador said: “Insecurity has shortchanged the development of the country in many areas of human endeavour.

“America is concern about the security situation of the country.”

The ambassador further

explained that the US has been supportive of Nigeria on information gathering and hardware to combat security through modern technologies and other relevant areas of concern.

She said, however, protocols and channels that facilitate the implementations were considered by departments and expertise.

The ambassador who is

going round states in the country to inspect American programs in the country said, “USAID had from 2015 to date invested about one hundred and twenty-two million dollars on different activities that comprised improving primary healthcare, immunisations, public access to quality healthcare, education, agriculture, and empowerments programmes.

“USAID future interactions aimed at strengthening the commitments include improving agriculturalists’ capacity for farmers to engage on right agricultural practices for growth and enhanced food production.”

She added that the Safe Schools Initiative and other educational support was accorded with priority, stressing that the US government

accorded respect and concern on the plights of Nigerians.

She noted that the US government is assisting Nigeria in various human endeavours, stressing that her country is the largest single bilateral contributor to Nigeria.

The Ambassador commended the Sokoto State government for its commitment to developing the agricultural sector especially the cotton value chain.

Buhari Tasks Nigerians on Unity, Irrespective of Ethnic, Political Differences George Okoh in Makurdi President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday charged Nigerians to be united irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political differences so as to work towards the growth of the country.

Speaking in Makurdi, the Benue State capital at the induction of three JF-17 Thunder aircraft into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) base, Buhari said his administration would continue to work

with the partners and other members of the international community to tackle the challenges of terrorism.

“I wish to use this opportunity to encourage all law-abiding citizens to continue to stand together, irrespective of ethnic, tribal, religious or political affiliations, to pursue the greater goal of a secured, united and prosperous nation for us and our generations yet unborn, as we have no other alternative than to do

this,” he said.

Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), said: “I believe our Nations will continue to take steps that would deepen our bilateral relations for the betterment of our peoples.

This Administration will continue to work with our partners and other members of the International Community in order to collectively evolve solutions to the common challenges of terrorism and

proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which, of course, have varying degrees of sub-regional, regional and global impacts. Indeed, such mutually beneficial interactions are part of our commitment to a whole-of-nation and whole-of-humanity approach to dealing with insecurity in Nigeria, West Africa and the entire African Continent.”

He commended Nigerian Air Force for its critical roles in national security and in peace-keeping operations

on the African Continent in places like Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Mozambique and Liberia.

He also appreciated the resilience of the Nigerians who he said had continued to resist all negative elements that seek to divide the country with their destructive rhetoric and disingenuous propaganda.

Also speaking, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao said that with the three new aircraft acquired, the service now has 26 aircraft

in its fleet.

“Let me place on record that under the current administration, the NAF has inducted 23 brand new aircraft into its inventory from 2015 till date.

“The induction of the three JF-17 thunder aircraft brings the total number of new aircraft inducted to 26.

“These aircraft have significantly boosted our operational effectiveness in the fight to defeat all threats to the nation and its citizenry.”

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PAGE EIGHT SOUTHERN GOVS, OTHERS REBUKE MALAMI FOR OPPOSING OPEN GRAZING BAN Senate, Senator Ajibola Bashir, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to remove the minister for opposing the ban.

The South-east Governors’ Forum stated that those who oppose the ban want the killings by herdsmen to continue.

The Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum and Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, described Malami’s opposition to the open grazing ban as “wicked and arrogant.”

Akeredolu, in a statement titled ‘Our decision is irreversible and will be enforced,’ asked the AGF to challenge the governor’s position on open grazing in court.

He added that Malami’s comparison of open grazing with the selling of spare parts is annoying.

He said: “The AGF is quoted to have said that this reasoned decision, among others, is akin to banning all spare parts dealers in the Northern parts of the country and is unconstitutional “It is most unfortunate that the AGF is unable to distil issues as expected of a Senior Advocate. Nothing can be more disconcerting. This outburst should, ordinarily, not elicit a response from reasonable people who know the distinction between a legitimate business that is not in any way injurious and a certain predilection for anarchy.

“Clinging to an anachronistic model of animal husbandry, which is evidently injurious to the harmonious relationship between the herders and the

farmers as well as the local populace, is wicked and arrogant.

“Comparing this anachronism, which has led to the loss of lives, farmlands, and property, and engendered untold hardship on the host communities, with buying and selling of auto parts is not only strange. It, annoyingly, betrays a terrible mindset.

“Mr. Malami is advised to approach the court to challenge the legality of the laws of the respective states banning open grazing and decision of the Southern Governors' Forum taken in the interest of their people. We shall be most willing to meet him in court.

“The decision to ban open grazing stays. It will be enforced with vigour.”

Afenifere, Senate Spokesman Demand Minister’s Removal Also reacting, Afenifere said the comment of Malami on the ban of open grazing by Southern governors, has exposed him as the most unfit for the office of the attorney-general and minister of justice.

The organisation, in a statement yesterday by the Secretary-General, Chief Olusola Ebiseni, said the comment of Malami did not come as a surprise to a discerning mind in view of his positions on certain national issues.

It said Malami’s comments only pitiably exposed him as being most unfit for the office of attorney-general, having always allowed his sectarian disposition to becloud his

eminent qualifications.

It said: "Malami does not want serious-minded people to accord him and his high office each time he accepts to play the roles of errand boy and spokesperson of the Miyetti Allah and their herder-members.

"Each time Malami perceives a threat to the interests of Fulani herdsmen, he is quick to latch on to constitutional provisions, which are not relevant to the object of discourse.

"He was readily on hand to vehemently denounce the Amotekun, South-west regional security initiative, as being targeted against Fulani herdsmen and so declared it unconstitutional.

"When challenged to approach the court, he had since developed cold feet.”

Afenifere stated that it is animal that is being prohibited from grazing openly and being moved by foot and urged Malami not to extend the inalienable human rights in the constitution to animals in the defence of a culture, which gives more care to cattle than human beings.

"It is the same primitive mindset of which the Buhari administration has threatened the Governor of Benue State that he would have no place except he allowed a free reign of animals,” the group said.

In his reaction, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ajibola Basiru, criticised Malami over his “less than dignifying” argument of equating open grazing with Southerners selling spare parts in the North.

He called on Buhari to,

AYADE’S DEFECTION REDRAWS S’SOUTH POLITICAL MAP of Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, last year.

Until yesterday, the PDP controlled the six South-south states of Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Delta and Rivers.

APC leaders had made efforts to make inroads into the oilrich region in the 2019 election with the defection of the PDP Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who led the ruling party's charge but was roundly defeated.

Next, it made an audacious move for Bayelsa State in the off-season governorship election, winning a pyrrhic victory, which was overturned by the Supreme Court due to the ineligibility of its deputy governorship candidate.

But the PDP downplayed its loss, urging its members in the state to remain steadfast in spite of the governor’s defection.

"Our party calls on all critical stakeholders and teeming members of our party in Cross Rivers State to immediately pull together and ensure that all structure of our party in the state remains intact," it said in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.

The party said it wished

Ayade well in his new political sojourn as well as in his future endeavours.

The APC, however, congratulated Ayade for what it described as his wise and timely decision to leave a 'dead' PDP for “a living and thriving party APC.” The National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of APC, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, in a statement yesterday, said the total lack of internal democracy, which turned the PDP into a one-man show had caused frustration and alienated PDP governors and legislators from the party.

Akpanudoedehe commended Ayade’s decision to join forces with Buhari to build a better Nigeria as a member of the APC. The Cross River State governor had after months of frustrations in the PDP elected to jump ship yesterday telling the APC governors who received him that he moved to put the state at the centre of national politics.

Ayade, who fell out with the PDP leadership after he lost control of the party structure to National Assembly members from the state attributed

his decision to join APC to President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to developing the country, and the need to join hands with the president to build a better Nigeria.

The Chairman of the APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, led a delegation of party bigwigs, including governors to Calabar to receive Ayade to the party.

Ayade announced his defection while hosting seven APC governors.

Besides Bunu, other governors were: Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Senator Hope Uzodimma of Imo State; Hon. Simon Lalong of Plateau State; Senator Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State; and Mr. Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State.

Also present was the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva.

Before formally defecting to the APC, he had held a two-hour meeting with the APC delegation.

Others at the meeting were the state Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu; Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Eteng Jones; and members of the state House of Assembly,

without further delay, remove Malami from office.

The senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District of Osun State, who spoke in his personal capacity yesterday, said equating the activities of archaic nomadic herdsmen destroying people’s means of livelihood with others legitimately carrying on businesses by selling spare parts in their shops stood logic on its head.

He stated that the AGF might have forgotten that Nigeria is a federal system with the state governments empowered to make and implement laws for the peace, order and good government of or any part of their respective state.

He said: "This power is derived from the constitution, which with the Land Use Act vested on the governors the management of all land within the territory of the state.

The lawmaker challenged the AGF to cite relevant sections of the constitution, which allow the herders to trespass on other people’s land and destroy the crops in the guise of freedom of movement, adding that AGF's comment is less than patriotic.

Some senior lawyers have also berated Malami over his comments.

Mr. John Baiyeshea (SAN) described Malami’s statement as demeaning, divisive and unfortunate.

He said: "He is not the Attorney-General for the Northern region for God's sake.

His statement is so sectional and abusive. There is no iota of law in what he said.

"Open grazing has been a bone of contention all over the country for so many years.

Cows are (mis)led into people's farms by herders and they eat up the products in the farms.

The farm owners cannot or should not even complain at all. The Fulani herdsmen will kill anyone who complains.

"So, many valuable lives have been lost through such murderous acts of unrepentant savages. They are always so quick to kill, and nothing happens to them. They are never brought to justice. They seem to be the only tribe that has the license to kill, steal and destroy like the devil.

"Freedom of movement in the constitution, which the AGF and others in his camp are using to justify the evil being perpetrated by the Fulani is for human beings and not animals like cows.

"And such movements by human beings based on the freedom guaranteed by the constitution must be for lawful purposes. So, the spare parts sellers - of which our Igbo brothers are famous and successful entrepreneurs as geniuses - are doing legitimate businesses.

"If they engage in other illegal acts, they will run afoul of the law and will surely be checked.

They do not use that for land grabbing or expansionist activities to annex other people's territories.”

Similarly, Mr. Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) said the position taken

by Malami was not supported by the constitution.

"To start with, the right to freedom of movement alluded to by him is accorded by Section 41 of the Constitution to Nigerian Citizens as different from Nigerian cows or cattle.

This simply translates to the fact that while it is beyond a debate that every citizen is at liberty to move freely and reside anywhere in Nigeria, it does not follow that cows and cattle enjoy the same measure of latitude under the constitution.

"The right given to citizens cannot be extrapolated to cows and cattle, simply put. Granted that it is a legitimate business to rear cows and herd cattle, the point is that if by doing any business, in any particular manner, the defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health of Nigeria and Nigerians are being jeopardised, the constitution allows for the business to be prevented by law from being done in that manner. This is by virtue of Section 45 of the selfsame constitution that allows for the exercise of fundamental rights by the Citizens of Nigeria," he stated.

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), also faulted Malami’s position.

Falana said it was funny that Malami was ignorant of the fact that Northern governors had banned open grazing since January.

According to him, comparing spare parts trading with open grazing is nonsensical.

Falana stated that spare parts traders pay rents and have been known to be peaceful in their conduct.

some National Assembly members, members of the Cross River State Executive Council, local government chairmen, councillors and some stakeholders, including Senator Florence Ita-Giwa.

Ayade said with his defection, Cross River State had become an APC state and urged all its supporters and followers to go to their respective wards and register with his new party.

He added that he caved in to pressure to join APC because of Buhari and the realisation that Cross River, which has been emasculated economically following the ceding of its oil wells to Akwa Ibom State, needed to be in sync with the party at the centre.

He said: “Having seen and known the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his commitment to this country, his nationalistic disposition and all the efforts he has made to bring Nigeria to where we are today, it is obvious that at this point, we needed to join hands with him to build a Nigeria that we can be proud of.

“We need all governors to recognise that it is not the party that matters. It is character, it is honour, it is commitment to the vision of this great nation.

We all need to work as a team ahead of the president by working towards building a prosperous country that the succession worries of 2023 will come without the fears and the worries the international community has for us.

“I believe that if every one of us as governor joins hands with Mr. President, I think we can sit on the same dining table and fashion out a way to govern this country.”

Buni expressed joy at Ayade’s defection.

He said: “I am here on behalf of the APC family to welcome His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, formally to the APC. As from today, he is the leader of the party in the state."

A chieftain of the APC from the state and former Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, also welcomed Ayade to the party.

Ndoma-Egba, in a statement yesterday, described Ayade's entry into the APC as a good development for the state.

He said: "As you join us in the progressives fold, my expectation is that your coming will enrich our internal democracy and I enjoin you to be consultative, inclusive, democratic, transparent

and accountable because these are the hallmarks of the All Progressives Congress family.

“I also expect that your presence in the APC will further strengthen the party and improve our electoral fortunes in Cross River State.”

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie OmoAgege, described the defection of Ayade as liberation from the forces of retrogression.

Omo-Agege, who is also the leader of APC in the South-south geo-political zone, hailed Ayade for seeing the need to improve his people’s fortunes and further help cement national unity by bringing his state into the APC. He said the governor had displayed uncommon courage in order to take Cross River State and the South-south out of the periphery to mainstream politics of the nation.

Falana, Other SANs, Peterside knock Malami

OKONJO-IWEALA: PATENT WAIVER NOT ENOUGH TO CLOSE VACCINE GAP to have more production taking place in Africa and Latin America to contain the pandemic.

She told the EU legislators that normal market forces for exports and imports couldn't apply when it comes to the life-or-death issue of COVID-19 vaccines, as many of the world’s wealthiest nations are hoarding the shots for their own population when the crisis hits their home turf.

She said although the world could manufacture some five billion vaccine doses overall, it

now requires twice or three times that capacity due to the spread of the contagion.

“One of the main challenges is diversifying vaccine production, which is now 80 per cent concentrated in 10 European, North American and South Asian nations, Okonjo-Iweala said, calling the situation a problem that “has come home to roost.”

She added: “It’s not normal that Africa, with 1.3 billion people, has 0.17 per cent of the manufacturing capacity of the world. So this has to change.”

EU nations have criticised a call by the United States to waive COVID-19 vaccine patents as a way to increase supplies, saying that the move would yield no short-term or intermediate improvement and could even have a negative impact.

However, Okonjo-Iweala sought to remain neutral on the issue, saying that WTO members could find the flexibility to make sure more vaccines are produced in developing nations.

South Africa and India have urged fellow WTO members to waive intellectual property

rights on vaccines to boost production.

Poorer countries that make up half the world's population have received just 17 per cent of doses, a situation the World Health Organisation (WHO) has labelled "vaccine apartheid".

The EU outlined a plan on Wednesday it sees as a more effective way of boosting output, using existing WTO rules, rather than a waiver, noting that countries can grant licences to manufacturers to produce with or without the patent holder's consent.

In March, Nigeria received nearly four million doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII), from Mumbai through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX), a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to the vaccines.

The doses have now been largely exhausted even as India, a major contributor to the COVAX facility, battles to curb the growing number of infections and deaths in the Asian country.

Continued on page 35

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2021

COMMENT

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

NIGERIA AND OPPORTUNITIES IN POST-DEBY CHAD

Paul Ejime argues that Nigeria should leverage its ties with the late Debby to forge a stronger relationship with the new regime

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ithout doubt, the death of Chadian President Idriss Deby has created a vacuum and altered the political and security dynamics, not only in Chad but in the troubled Sahel, as well as in West and Central African regions. It is especially cause for concern to Nigeria.

Deby’s son, Lt.-Gen. Mahamat Kaka Deby has since been installed as his father’s successor and head of Chad’s ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC), which has promised to conduct transparent elections and handover to civilians within 18 months.

This is amid uncertainty and tension with the rebel groups, particularly the northern Chad-based Front for Change and Accord, FACT, in whose hands President Deby reportedly met his death, threatening to march on N’djamena, the nation’s capital.

The heightened tension and instability in Chad have dire implications on the multilateral fight against terrorism across the Sahel, and West and Central Africa.

Nigeria, the regional power and Africa’s most populous nation has a big stake in a stable Chad, not only because they are neighbours, but also, over the years, Chad is perceived to have provided a buffer against security threats to Nigeria, while the late Deby supported Nigeria in the battle against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP). He was also a staunch ally of France, Chad’s former colonial power, but Chad under him benefited from Nigeria. Paris understands the importance of strengthening relationship with Chad, with the result that President Emmanuel Macron was the only Western leader that attended the Deby’s State burial in N’djamena. That visit afforded him the opportunity to meet first-hand with Gen. Mahamat Deby and other members of the TMC. For Nigeria though, it was a missed opportunity to make a definitive diplomatic statement. Nigeria sent a low-level delegation led by a Minister of State to N’djamena for the funeral. In acting with such hesitancy, the country seemed to have ceded the diplomatic initiative to other countries, especially France. Deby Jr. eventually visited Abuja on the 14th May for talks with President Muhammadu Buhari, almost one month after his father’s death on 20th April, 2021. Both sides reiterated their commitment to tackle regional insecurity. But beyond platitudes, Nigeria must maximize the chance provided by the visit to express concern over the military takeover, and at the same time extract from Chad’s new rulers concrete commitment to sustained campaign against terrorism and insurgency.

Very little is known about Lt.-Gen. Deby beyond his paternity and the battles he fought in Mali and Chad. However, he is said to have received training in France and at the British elite Sandhurst Military Academy, and has been a beneficiary of past Nigerian military leaders.

His strategic value could be much higher and Nigeria could leverage early communication to influence him and the TMC. Apart from geographical affinity, both countries have so much to gain in partnership cooperation. On the security and socio-economic fronts, they are both members of the Chad Basin Commission, the Multinational Taskforce against terrorism and Boko Haram and the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CENSAD), among others.

Landlocked with an estimated 16 million multi-ethnic people, Chad occupies a vast space of about 1.3 million square kilometres in north-central Africa. Sharing direct borders with six countries - Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria through

BUT BEYOND PLATITUDES, NIGERIA MUST MAXIMIZE THE CHANCE PROVIDED BY THE VISIT TO EXPRESS CONCERN OVER THE MILITARY TAKEOVER, AND AT THE SAME TIME EXTRACT FROM CHAD’S NEW RULERS CONCRETE COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINED CAMPAIGN AGAINST TERRORISM AND INSURGENCY

Lake Chad - confers on the politically restive nation, a geopolitical and economic strategic position of great interest to regional and global powers.

Chad’s perennial political instability is characterised and exacerbated by tribal and religious conflicts, poverty, military coups and civil wars, which are a function of both domestic factors and foreign interventions or interferences.

Late President Idriss Deby, 68, ruled the country with an iron fist and had won a sixth term mandate to extend his 30 years in office before his death, officially from injuries he sustained while fighting rebels in battle. A military paratrooper, he took the rank of Field Marshal in 2020, on the crest of Chad’s myriad crises and insecurity across the Sahel, West and Central Africa and had thus, positioned himself as a warrior leader and “regional stabilizer.”

He was a great ally of Western powers led by France, the U.S. and by extension Russia, and the United Arab Emirate, which were involved one way or the other in the conflicts in Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic and Chad itself. China has also joined the fray with its inroads into West and Central Africa.

Idriss Deby’s absence is an opportunity for Nigeria to reset and ratchet up ties with Chad with the purpose of reviewing and making its battle against insecurity more effective. This is consistent with Nigeria’s Africa-centred and good neighbourliness foreign policy, which informed President Buhari’s decision to make Chad one of the first countries he visited shortly after he assumed office in 2015. Idriss Deby was also among regular visitors to Nigeria.

Beyond strong bilateral relations with Chad, Nigeria as a major player should also spearhead initiatives using soft power approach to mobilize its immediate neighbours, as well as members of ECOWAS, its Central African counterpart, ECCAS, and other relevant stakeholders to influence the political ecosystem for the restoration of peace and stability across the regions and by extension the entire African continent. There is also the urgent need for France to come clean with its true agenda in Africa. Paris must allow its former African colonies to make governance mistakes and learn from them. That is the only way they can make progress in the consolidation of democracy instead of the perpetual overbearing interference which has become a major hindrance to governance and development in Africa. This is particularly true of Chad, which gained independence from France in 1960 but from all intents and purposes, maintains its pre-independent status as a Military Territory (Territoire Militaire), for the protection of French interests in Africa. To date, the 5,100-strong French Barkhane Forces deployed for the fight against terrorism and jihadists are headquartered in the Chadian Capital, N’djamena.

Nigeria still has ample opportunity to influence Chad’s new regime, and encourage it to demonstrate transparent commitment to democracy and intensify efforts in combatting terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria’s north-east border region. Nigeria should leverage its ties with the late President Debby, to forge an even stronger relationship with the new regime in Chad. To overcome its festering security challenges, Nigeria must spare no effort to build alliances and cooperation that cannot be shaken by even the powerful influences of former colonial interests.

Ejime, an Author and former Diplomatic/War Correspondent, is a Consultant on Communications, Media, Elections and International Affairs

FROM‘HUSHPUPPI’TO ABIDEMI RUFAI‘SANDY TANG’ Nigeria must sanitise her anti-corruption system and emplace accountability policy that tracks lifestyle, writes Oludayo Tade

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welve months ago, Ramoni Abbas (37 years) popularly known as ‘hushpuppi’ was arrested in Dubai for alleged money laundering from business email compromise fraud and other scams which targeted firms, and an English premier league. He made a total sum of $435million after defrauding 1,926,400 victims.

A year after, Abidemi Rufai (also known as ‘Sandy Tang’), a Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun was also arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at John F Kennedy Airport, New York over criminal complaint of defrauding Washington State Employment Security Department of $350,000 (N144,375,000). The ‘stolen’ funds were pandemic relief fund designed by the Washington State for people who might have suffered job losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fraud incident occurred during lockdown and the investigation bureau began tracking the alleged fraudster who would have been at the Nigeria’s Federal House of Representative ‘making laws’ if he had not lost the Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency election to Adekoya Adesegun of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The fraud was perpetrated by stealing identities of more than 100 Washington residents by filing falsified claims with the Employment Security Department (ESD) for pandemic-related unemployment benefits. For each identity stolen, a separate e-mail account was created so that the claims would be associated with different persons and it can escape automatic fraud detection

systems. Thereafter, more than $288,000 was paid into his American bank account between March and August 2020.

After one year of ‘diligent investigation and tracking’, USA waited for Rufai’s visit and trapped him as he was trying to Jáápa (escape in Naira Marley’s construct) through the Airport. The United States Department of Justice explained that “since the first fraud reports to our office in April 2020, we have worked diligently with a federal law enforcement team to track down the criminals who stole funds designated for pandemic relief”. Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman vowed that “this is the first, but will not be the last, significant arrest in our ongoing investigation of ESD fraud.” This shows they are still tracking others connected to this palliative fraud. If these wire fraud allegations are proven, the Ijebu-born Senior Special Assistant to Ogun State Governor may spend up to 30 years in jail. Cybercrime is a global threat to individuals, organisations and countries. Nigeria loses more $128billion to cybercrimes annually.

By the end of 2021, the world would have lost a total of $6trillion. Till date, over 40 Nigerians have been or are being investigated for their complicity in fraudulent scams by the FBI. Some have been convicted and serving different jail terms but we do not hear about them because they are relatively unpopular unlike flamboyant social media celebrity, Hushpuppi or are not politically exposed like Abidemi Rufai. For instance, Esogie Osawaru, (27) was arrested in Boston in June 2020 alongside Nosayamen Iyalekhue for their involvement in wire fraud, romance scam, and pandemic unemployment

insurance fraud. Both of them have pleaded guilty.

In Indianapolis, Ismaila Fafunmi pleaded guilty to money laundering charges related to romance fraud and grant fraud scheme in 2020. The trio of Olufemi Oluwaseun Banjo (37), Francis Nwabueze Iwuoha (38) and Oluwadamilare Gbenga Macauley (32) were charged with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy. They are at large and the Minnesota authorities believe they are back in Nigeria. These are few of the many cases involving Nigerians in the USA. However, these deviant characters do not represent the majority of hardworking Nigerians involved in legitimate businesses and contributing to the growth and development of their host country.

Rufai’s alleged unemployment benefit fraud falls under what I have called COVID-419 frauds in Nigeria. These are fraudulent scams leveraging on the loopholes created by COVID-19 pandemic to scam people, government and organisations. During the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria, cybercriminals patterned their frauds along the interventions from government and private sectors and scammed many and some of these schemes still exist till date. There was ‘Domino’ pizza fraud, federal government cash palliative fraud, N20, 000 Dangote relief fund fraud and ponmo sales fraud among others. While there are those who engage in cybercriminality in the Diaspora, some youngsters do so within Nigeria.

They are regularly arrested, tried and convicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). These yahoo-boys and yahoo-girls live flamboyant lifestyles and may be located in Government Reserved Areas (GRAs), Estates and

other remote locations. Understanding the cultures sustaining cybercriminality may help a serious government in fighting the crime.

The Family is the microcosm of the larger society.

It is the place where a normal human being is expected to be nurtured for the society. Apart from the fact that many Nigerian families are in the dungeon of poverty and can hardly take care of their children, some of these children have become breadwinners, albeit, illegitimately. There is challenge with ethical behaviour training in many homes as parents being arrested alongside their children who are involved in cybercriminality. Elsewhere, mothers of yahoo-boys are forming association to celebrate their sons’ success and justifying their criminal behaviours. In the religious setting, depraved ‘pastors’, ‘alfas’ and traditionalists create home and benefit from yahooboyism proceeds. Moral teachings have given way to materialistic Pentecostalism. There is a viral video where some boys were shown praying money while those who appeared to be shepherds in a supposed white garment church enjoyed the moment while the captive members of the church, led by their female youth wing recorded the shameful scene.

A child born in 1999 when Nigeria returned to democracy is now 21 years old. Sadly, they grew up to appreciate lying as a way of life from the mouth of politicians (and in many cases from home) who deceive people to vote for them and do not fulfil or jettison the campaign promises. Lying itself is the foundation of the sociology of hushpuppism.

Dr Tade, a sociologist wrote this piece via dotad2003@yahoo.com

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2021

EDITORIAL DEATHS FROM DINNER TABLES It is important that food and drinks are processed properly

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ncreasingly, many Nigerians are dying, ironically, from what ought to sustain and keep them alive. Last month 10 people lost their lives and about 400 others hospitalised in Kano due to the consumption of adulterated sachet water and substandard juices. “The consumption of this fake and substandard product has telling effects on the kidney, and other vital organs of the body,” said the state commissioner for health, Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa.

Not long ago, there were disturbing incidents of deaths resulting from eating some cassava-based meals. In one major incident reported in Etiosa area of Lagos, six persons died after an amala (yam flour meal) while 20 others were hospitalised for what was described as severe food contamination. In the latest report, a man and four of his children died after a bowl of cassava flour meal.

Paradoxically, cassava-based dishes are widely consumed in Nigeria, and indeed in many places in Africa, as in South America, where it is a major source of carbohydrates. They are by far the commonest meals, with popular appeal to the poor. Indeed, Nigeria is the largest MANY ATTRIBUTE CASES producer of cassava OF FOOD POISONING TO and it is one of the THE URGE TO MAKE QUICK major crops the then MONEY Jonathan administration used to boost its agricultural “transformation”.

But Cassava has one major drawback: the roots and leaves of poorly processed cassava plants contain a substance named Linamarin which when eaten is converted to cyanide, a poisonous gas which could be fatal when inhaled or ingested.

Experts say that poor preparation of cassava meals can leave enough of the poisonous substance to cause acute intoxication, goiter and in some cases death. The processing of cassava often employed by the traditional methods and rural women (by crushing, soaking in water to ferment and baking) is said to be good enough to effectively contain the toxic content found

Letters to the Editor

in cassava, whether of the sweet or bitter variety. But many attribute cases of food poisoning to the urge to make quick money. These days, many of the producers adopt short-cut processing techniques as a batch or two may have been processed poorly, which turn out to endanger many lives. In some cases, particularly those with high cyanide level, mere exposure to the volatile substances while being processed can cause some health disorders.

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

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

he most endangered, according to experts, are people who are already malnourished as they lack the proper mix of amino-acids which are vital ingredients in detoxifying the poison.

Sometime ago, some three patients were rushed to the Accident and Emergency Ward of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital after eating a meal of “eba”, perhaps the most popular cassava food variety, in a case described as “fatal cyanide poisoning.” The patients reportedly vomited besides complaining of abdominal pains immediately after the meal. The patients later became unconscious and diagnosed of renal failure. They died shortly of cardiac- related diseases.

But in some other cases, there was no conclusive evidence to show that the deaths were triggered by the cyanide contents in the meal. Even so, others have said that there is the need to set standards for tolerable levels of cyanide in cassava-related foods, a measure which will be difficult to enforce under our current environment.

What is not in doubt is that cassava has been a staple food in Nigeria for a long time. To that extent, experts are agreed that the present mode of processing cassava for any of its varieties - gari, amala, fufu, tapioca - etc. are good enough to reduce the harmful cyanide content to below toxic level. What the authorities can do, perhaps, is a campaign to sensitise the producers to take time in processing their cassava meals, as they had always done. This also should apply to any other food items or locally processed drinks.

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HOW LEADERSHIP DETERMINES SUCCESS OF VISION AT FUOYE

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overnment’s dream and visions no matter how well conceived and how well funded, could become a mirage if wrong and un-suitable human elements, especially at the leadership strata are placed in the driver’s seat. Such failed dreams of government in the area of projects, infrastructure and institutions, are found in their hundreds all over Nigeria, today.

In the same vein, there exist several hundred others that today have not only vindicated government’s wisdom to dream, but are making government proud and challenged to further dream. The Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), is certainly one of such products of federal government’s dream that fell on a fertile land in terms of hiring suitable midwives which today is not only a success story but a standard and example being cited by all.

That FUOYE today, is first among equals, especially among the nine universities former President Goodluck Jonathan established 10 years ago, may no longer be news. Also that the institution ranks better than some older university, as attested by several independent assessors and government’s visitation panels, may also be a stale news.

What is puzzling, which requires interrogation is the secret behind FUOYE’s un-common growth and development. This is where the leadership question, who can work against the tide, which FUOYE is lucky to have been blessed with even from inception, comes in and should begin to engage government’s attention when trying to solve the problem of institutional failure to deliver on goals and targets.

It is incontrovertible that both the pioneer Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Chinedu Ositadinma Nebo and his successor, Prof. Isaac Asuzu laid a solid foundation which the duo of Prof. Kayode Soremekun and Prof.

Abayomi Sunday Fasina as Vice Chancellor and (then) Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) respectively used to launch the FUOYE Transformation Agenda.

No doubt the contents of the FUOYE Transformation Agenda which have been well celebrated and well publicised, is not the subject of this conversation, it is however suffice to mention that the university was transformed from 6,000 students’ population to about 26,000, from 22 departments to about 80, from four faculties to 11; including Law, Pharmacy and Medical Sciences and a full blown Post Graduate School.

The new Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina un-known to him, has flagged-off within his 100 days in office what the staff and students have now tagged Fasina Revolution with the welfare and wellbeing of staff and students, the driving force, thereby domesticating the opening paragraph of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution.

The staff and students could not be faulted in their conclusion, judging by what the new Vice Chancellor has done in the area of staff and students’ welfare just in less than 100 days in office. It is a logic that could not be faulted that human beings anywhere in the world are the engine of growth and development, and to that extent a good administrator and manager, must accord them due recognition and offer them concomitant reward and award that could stimulate and motivate them to do more. One of the major factors that enhance productivity, is industrial harmony, which comes when staff are duly recognised as a major stakeholder and are adequately rewarded.

To clearly demonstrate that he understands the importance of the

link between staff’s welfare and industrial harmony on one hand and productivity on the other hand, the Vice Chancellor as soon he assumed office announced plan to begin the payment of staff’s Hazard Allowance, stopped about two years ago. He has indeed commenced payment to the joy and admiration of members of staff.

To further dignify the staff-members as true stakeholders in the system who should have access to some privileges like management staff, Prof Fasina issued a directive allowing members of staff, regardless of his or her grade level who has a biological child seeking admission to study in the university and who has met the basic requirement, to be given automatic admission through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. Again members of staff have expectedly tagged this as another revolutionary move, doing the un-usual as it had never happened that way in the university in the past.

In furtherance of the pro-workers’ agenda to reduce the economic burdens of staff, the Vice Chancellor has announced a 50 percent reduction in tuition for any member of staff doing any academic programme in the institution.

To enhance staff’s upward movement in terms of selfdevelopment and probably to accommodate members of staff who may take advantage of the reduction in tuition fees to upgrade their certificates and qualifications, the new FUOYE helmsman, also within this 100 days, thrown the gate open for non-academic staff with requisite qualifications and who are interested in crossing over to the academics as lecturers.

Abiodun Fanoro is a Senior Information Officer at FUOYE, Ekiti State

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MAY 21, 2021

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POLITICS

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

Lagos Judiciary Records Multiple Firsts Under Sanwo-Olu

Gbenga Omotosho, Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State writes that access to justice has received a big boost in Lagos State under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with the introduction of some reforms and deployment of technology

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ttorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) recently announced the introduction of an online platform for checking the status of Legal Advice and printing of Certified True Copies as part of initiatives of the Sanwo-Olu administration to enhance access to justice.

Onigbanjo stated that by October this year, six courts will be fully automated to provide Realtime Transcript Solution services for cases handled in the State while parties involved would have the opportunity to apply for transcripts of cases immediately after court sessions.

The Attorney-General spoke on Wednesday while presenting the Ministry’s scorecard for the past two years at the Y2021 Ministerial Press Briefing.

Noting that the emergence of COVID-19 spurred the initiative of virtual court sittings in Lagos courts, the Commissioner for Justice recalled that the first virtual hearing in Lagos was held on 4th May, 2020.

“The virtual hearing was the first in Lagos and anywhere in Nigeria,” Onigbanjo said.

Speaking on the incessant attacks on law enforcement officers, he said 10 persons had been arraigned before the courts for assaulting LASTMA and Task Force officials, pointing out that 62,477 traffic offenders were arrested and arraigned for prosecution within a year.

His words: “The DPP is currently prosecuting 1,860 cases at the High Courts and Magistrate Courts, including 10 offenders who have been so far charged over attacks on officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA)”.

Onigbanjo said mobile courts prosecuted traffic offences, including the use of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane, street trading, driving against traffic, willful obstruction as well as violation of COVID-19 regulations.

Outlining some other achievements of the Ministry, the Attorney-General noted that the Directorate of Civil Litigation obtained 18 rulings and 34 judgments in favour of the Lagos State Government. He said the Directorate helped the State reduce its contingent liabilities worth N95 billion Naira.

Citing an example of such cases, Onigbanjo said the Federal High Court on February 3, 2021 in Olukoya Ogungbeje v Lagos State Government and seven others, affirmed the position of the government restricting the use of motorcycles and tricycles as a means of transportation on specific routes within the six local governments and nine local development areas in the state.

Meanwhile, the property at Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, proposed by the Lagos State Government for the relocation of Igbosere High Court will be ready by the end of this month, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, has said.

Speaking at the Ministry’s Ministerial Press Briefing tagged ‘Our journey between April 2020 and April 2021’, Onigbanjo explained that this and ongoing statewide construction and renovation of courts were part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s efforts to enhance access to justice.

He spoke of the ongoing upgrade of the Ministry’s website and social media handles as well as the introduction of Case Management Systems within the MoJ to improve efficiency.

Onigbanjo highlighted the MoJ’s efforts to boost law enforcement agencies’ performance by building statement recording/interrogation rooms for the police to enhance prosecution of cases and resolve allegations of torture to obtain facts from suspects.

The Igbosere High Court, the country’s oldest and most recognisable judicial building, was attacked on October 22 by hoodlums under the guise of #EndSARS protest.

The criminals spent hours looting and vandalising vehicles, furniture, refrigera-

tors, air conditioners and office equipment, among others, before burning down the entire court complex.

In recognition of the important role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), especially as a springboard for economic recovery, the Lagos State Govern-

Re: Jarigbe Can’t Steal the Peoples Mandate Jarigbe AgomJarigbe, a Senator-elect for Cross River North, and also the current member of the House of Representatives for Ogoja, Yala Federal Constituency in Cross River State sets the record as he battles to reclaim his mandate in the Senate

“I

f you are not sent you can not go.

Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe was not sent by anybody and he can not steal the mandate of the people” The paragraph above was part pf a recent article by Tony Undiandeye with the intention of bringing my character to disrepute. After a detailed perusal of his write-up which was laden with half truths and innuendoes, I have decided to put the records straight.

I want Tony Undiandeye to stop fooling himself, in the name of fooling the gullible public. The people of the North would not have voted for a protégée of his so- called anointed son of Obudu, after the abysmal performance of this unfortunate administration . After the verdict of the Tribunal and the Appeal thereafter, you will come to terms with the realities. The Senate seat of the North is between Joe Agi and I, ultimately.

Tony has so much respect for Ayade today, because he is governor. He has been given an opportunity to serve as the Chairman of the Forestry Commission, which affords him the opportunity of depleting our forest reserves across the state. We all know what each truck of timber pays and how much goes to Tony Undiandeye. That’s why a man, in his early 60s can dance naked in the market place.

Tony Undiandeye prides himself, as a traditionalist and a spiritualist but I remain a devout Christian, with no encumbrances, beyond human frailties. The guess of the public is as good as mine, on who is “darkness” between Tony and I. If Tony is a man, I dare him to pronounce a curse on me and see if it will not reverse to him, in a hundred folds.

Tony has forgotten that, in 2015, when

I made the mistake of supporting Ayade for governor, he came to me and asked me to support a different candidate. He told me that Governor Imoke was not going to handover to the Son of a NightSoil- Man. Today that same son, is Tony’s benefactor, hero and anointed by Obudu people.

Tony wants to reduce our politics to ethnic inclinations, because he has been given an opportunity to extort money, criminally from timber.

When our people were shot at and maimed in Ogoja during the primary election, Tony, the traditionalist and spiritualist, did not see the attempt at stealing my mandate.

Tony has no moral justification to talk about criminality, with the litany of criminal acts perpetrated by Tony and his cohorts. We have all the accounts being used for money laundering and we will get to the root at the appropriate time.

Should Nigerians have more respect for people, who have been affirmed by the Appeal Court as criminals than me?

Do you refer to a Judgment of Court as a crime? The man you refer to as Senator has been denied the privilege of presenting motions and bills on the floor of the Senate, because he is an illegal occupant.

Who is fooling who? They will continue extorting from you guys, until you are finally shown the way out.

When I was the Director General of the Legacy Group, a former Governor described Tony Undiandeye as a mercenary.

I could not comprehend, until now. I now see why the former governor described him, as a mercenary.

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ment has reiterated its commitment to the growth and development of the MSMEs to ensure their survival beyond the global pandemic period.

The Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs. Lola Akande, made the remarks during the ongoing Y2021 Ministerial Press Briefing organised as part of the activities to mark the second anniversary of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration.

Mrs. Akande gave assurance that the Government will continue to provide strong platforms such as the organisation of MSMEs Exclusive Fair to support Entrepreneurs to get the required linkage that will facilitate business development as well as trade promotion in line with the fourth pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, which is Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy.

In her words, “The annual Lagos MSME Exclusive Fair is undeniable evidence of the State Government’s unshaken dedication to the continuous growth of the MSME sector in the State”.

The Commissioner listed some of the initiatives aimed at enhancing the growth of MSMEs to include the Eko MSMEs Fashion Hub 1 established in collaboration with the Federal Government to boost the fashion and apparel industry; the e-Commerce digital platform created to showcase MSMEs products and services to the world and the establishment of Lagos State Export Promotion Committee to promote the marketability of locally made products.

Others include the Lagos Council on MSMEs, a broad-based platform comprising State and Federal Government agencies for the harmonisation of Statewide dispensation of national and local MSME promotion, policies, measures and programmes and the National Awareness and Sensitisation Tour held to promote the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (ACFTAA); the commemoration of the African Industrialisation Day/Young African Industrialists Week during which business clinics were held to deepen the knowledge of MSMEs. According to her, the present administration will soon complete the construction of 44 Factory Units-Imota Light Industry Park, which is about 86% completed, in a bid to continue to sustain the Small Scale Industrial Estates at Mushin and Isolo as well as the industrial shed at Sabo in Ikorodu, while plans are ongoing to develop a new Small Scale Industrial Estate at Gberigbe, Ikorodu.

Speaking further, the Commissioner maintained that the government remains committed to providing a conducive environment for the Organised Private Sector and other stakeholders through continuous engagement in the implementation of policies, regulations and projects as they impact the business prosperity of the State.

Akande mentioned that the various projects being executed with the private sector at the Lekki Free Trade Zone are already yielding great dividends, just as she noted that despite the pandemic over 230 jobs were created through the Alaro City project, a joint venture project designed and owned by Rendeavour Nigeria Development Company Limited and the Lagos State Government, through Lekki Worldwide Investments Limited in the ratio 60% and 40 % respectively.

She also averred that the Sanwo-Olu-led administration will continue to protect and promote the rights of consumers of goods and services through consumer education, scientific investigation, mediation, monitoring and enforcement of the Law against producers of adulterated and fake products.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MAY 21, 2021

17

PERSPECTIVE

Tulsa Black Massacre of 100 Years Ago: Lessons for Nigeria

How Amaechi’s Shenanigans Can Obstruct Realization of NPA’s Vision

Opeoluwa Lawal, a Lagos-based a Professional Mariner argues that Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi may have disrupted the processes and procedures in Chido Nwangwu, Publisher of USAfricaonline.com the Nigerian Ports Authority through an overbearing draws attention to the blood-cuddling testimony of ministerial supervision

a witness to the century old premeditated murder of Black people in Oklahoma, United States of America and the similarity to the quest for justice by oppressed ethnic nationalities in Nigeria

“I

am 107 years old and have never seen justice. I pray that one day I will. I have been blessed with a long life -- and have seen the best and worst of this country. I think about the terror inflicted upon Black people in this country every day…. They burned houses and businesses. They just took what they wanted out of the buildings then they burned them.

They murdered people. We were told they just dumped the dead bodies into the river…. I remember running outside of our house. I ran past dead bodies. It wasn’t a pretty sight. I still see it today in my mind -- 100 years later,” recalls the great grand dame, Viola Fletcher, in her heartbreaking testimony on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 before one of the US House of Representatives Judiciary subcommittees.

The Tulsa race massacre took place on 100 years ago, precisely on May 31 and June 1, 1921, when raciallyviolent mobs of White people who lived within and around the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma attacked and killed hundreds of Black residents, burnt their homes and businesses, injuring almost 1000 individuals.

The successful district famously known as the Black Wall Street was sadly burnt into ashes within those frightening and bloody two days of incendiary terror.

As I watched this brave woman of history calmly but effectively make her points, as she took the entire America and the world to a painful yet important history lesson, she instantly reached the minds and hearts of many people to some of the brutalities and deprivations suffered

by African-Americans in these United States!

As I listened to this embodiment of history and witness bearer, I salute the power of her factual narrative, the timeless dignity of her morality — driven by truth. I am touched by her sense of self amidst the communal agonies and the racially organized assault on Black identity and Black progress. Even after 100 Years, she wanted the United States Government to acknowledge the injustice the massacre of 1921.

In his testimony, Viola’s younger brother Hughes Van Ellis who was born around the time of Tulsa Massacre of Blacks, said “We were left with nothing. We were made refugees in our own country.” He underscored the point of their law suit filed in 2020 by the Tulsa African Ancestral Society, Vernon A.M.E Church (and other descendants of other victims) that although Greenwood residents and the Black Wall Street lost close to $100 million in property damage: “We’re not asking for a handout. All we are asking for is for a chance to be treated like a first-class citizen who truly is a beneficiary of the promise that this is a land where there is ‘liberty and justice for all…. We are asking for justice for a lifetime of ongoing harm. Harm that was caused by the massacre.”

On his part, Lessie Benningfield Randle connected the generational impact of the destruction and deprivations and neglect and discrimination: “They owe us something. They owe me something. I have lived much of my life poor. My opportunities were taken from me and my community.

North Tulsa, Black Tulsa, is still messed up today. They didn’t rebuild it. It’s empty. It’s a ghetto.”

Which means it’s never too late to make amends. It’s never too late to say “I’m sorry.” It’s never too late to embrace and integrate with honesty and fairness any/all section of any country that suffered or continue to go through premeditated deprivations, evident hostility, violence and discrimination.

Unless people are awash in the rivers of healing, conciliation and rehabilitations, the traumas linger and conflicts persist. Hence, it is such a ridiculous, perennial drift in Nigeria to read the weekly tantrums and divisive condescensions from its rulers and those hangers on who intoxicated by the whiff of temporary, transient political power viciously insult and attack an Ijaw, an Efik, an Igbo, a Bini, a Tiv, a Bachama, a Kataf, an Ibibio and/or any other ethnic nationality who wants to “dialogue” or “discuss” issues of recent agonies and past injustices are told to pick one of two options, especially, if you’re from the Igbo South-east: “shut up” or be declared “Area Commander of IPOB and ESN”. Worse, in their fevered imagination, you’ll be labeled “Biafran Boy!” These medieval gangsters may never understand the Igbo and the political economy of ethnic agitation and nationalism.

Anyway, let me close with these haunting words of the petite but towering great grand ma, Viola Fletcher: “I still see Black men being shot, Black bodies lying in the street. I still smell smoke and see fire. I still see Black businesses being burned. I still hear airplanes flying overhead. I hear the screams. I have lived through the massacre every day.”

M

inister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has pulled the trigger on the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman, culminating in her suspension and probe.

To be sure, Ministry of Transportation supervises the NPA. Hadiza is passing through a baptism of fire, for the first time in her public service career. The only other time she came close to open public inquisition was when she was a Special Assistant to Malam Nasir el-Rufai as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007 and the Senate could not come to terms with the fact that Hadiza and one other were being paid N1 million as monthly salary. el-Rufai who was the one on the spot had put up a robust defence of his decision to remunerate them handsomely.

But this time round, Hadiza is the one directly in the eye of the storm and she would have to throw in everything to defend herself, decisions, actions and inactions, and reputation against being deliberately clobbered and dented for whatever reasons- be they personal, political or arising from proximate association with a foe.

This, without a doubt, is a reputational battle, given her pedigree- as the daughter of the radical Nigerian academic, politician and historian, the late Professor Yusuf Bala Usman. Hadiza is one of his seven children.

The consensus is that having been well brought up by the respected Bala Usman, Hadiza would not want to engage in official acts that would call to question that pristine pedigree.

It may appear relieving to her fans that the Ministry that first called her out on the grounds of some outlandish misdemeanors, has narrowed the scope of Hadiza’s supposed original sins, which began with non-remittance of operational surpluses to the Consolidate Revenue of the Federation (CRF) to one infraction, to wit: failure to obey directive to procure equipment for clearing of channels instead of giving the job out as contracts.

For this reason, Minister Amaechi decided to wield the big hammer. The ministry was piqued that the NPA had continued to award the clearing of channels as contracts to companies instead of procuring necessary equipment and executing the contracts in-house. But, then, this a somewhat recondite issue that the Minister appears not to understand.

The probe will shed light on it and possibly raise other issues.

Agreed that if that had been strictly done, as canvassed by the Ministry, cost effectiveness and savings would be achieved and the nation’s revenue base would have witnessed some huge accretions. But who says the method adopted

by Hadiza is not utilitarian? The ministry’s suggested approach and Hadiza’s approach make a smart economic sense.

Procuring necessary equipment and executing the contracts in-house are not too dissimilar form the extant approach.

But this is a simple issue that could have been quietly looked into and resolved without the ballyhoo in the public space, if Minister Amaechi were sincere and there was nothing else to it. If there are other infractions that may be played up, the probe provides the opportunity to do so and for Hadiza to put up her defence.

Talking about quiet resolution, it may have become impossible as it were, hav-

ing gone past the intersection of reasoning together to the expansive market place where they are now involved in a macabre dance. It has now become a matter of necessity for both parties to defend their integrity. Unlike Michael Jackson in one of his popular hit tracks, “Beat It” wherein he admonished foes to: “Just beat it…No one wants to be defeated. It doesn’t matter who is right or wrong; just beat it…”, here it matters to know who is the victor and the vanquished in this gritty reputational battle; it matters to know who is right or wrong. It matters if Nigerians would know who is guilty of executive impunity and official ribaldry in the contemplative move to intimidate one or another.

Whereas one still ponders the possibilities of amicable resolution of the impasse, certainly not in the interest of any of the gladiators or protagonists, but in the national interest amid fears that are looming like a veritable bugaboo about the hurt this face-off could cause to the economy. A plethora of questions continue to play themselves out: in what ways will this feud, which is largely about personal greed and ego, benefit the national economy? Will it bolster foreign investors’ confidence in the maritime sub-sector of the economy? And, what implications would it have for domestic trust capital in the management of the nation’s ports? What legacies do Amaechi and Hadiza want to leave behind against the backdrop of the fact that this would be the first time there would be a face-off of this nature between a serving minister of transportation and a sitting (now suspended) Managing Director of NPA? Sans the festering feud, there would be a soothing calmness in the atmospherics and the nuances of management of the nation’s ports through the instrumentality of the NPA and the robust supervisory role of the ministry of transportation.

This is the irreducible minimum that is expected from the operators of this subsector to bolster the national economy. I am not sure if Amaechi is very conversant with this philosophy that undergirds the operation of the revenue-generating agencies of the government. Otherwise, he would not have elevated mendacities to the pedestal and pass them off as guiding principles of his ministerial leadership in the guise of ensuring accountability when the real motive for his official assault is personal and, perhaps, vengeful. This is another theme for another narrative for another time.

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18

FRIDAY MAY 21, 2021 •T H I S D AY

CONCERNED SOUTHERN STAKEHOLDERS OF THE PDP

IS THE PDP SENSITIVE TO TIME AND REALITY? 2023: No Alternative to a Southern Presidential Candidate

We have watched closely the recent events in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), our dear Party, and wish to raise alarm that it appears the party is insensitive to emerging realities in the country and may be losing its very soul. We fail to understand why the PDP is hell-bent on marching towards avoidable political extinction.

should happen, the north would have led the country continuously for possibly 16 years. We strongly believe and warn that Nigeria would not survive such a scenario and it is dangerous.

May we recall that the reason a lot of our northern party leaders, especially governors, gave for not fully supporting the candidature of His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 was that he breached the zoning arrangement of the Party and usurped a position that should have gone to the North. These leaders worked against Jonathan. For them, regional interest outweighed the party’s interest. It was therefore unsurprising that Jonathan lost the election.

It is painful to note that some leaders of our Party, if they can still be so regarded, are trying hard to destroy whatever goodwill and credibility the PDP has left because of greed, gross selfishness, and wickedness. This is a Party that we all worked hard to build and did not abandon even at its most difficult period when it lost the presidential election in 2015. Now, we are being stabbed in The narrow and pedestrian argument that Buhari is of APC and the back!

PDP is different from the APC cannot hold water. Lest we forget, Particularly, we wish to call attention to the recent decision by if we subtract the votes donated by states controlled by members the Panel set up by the PDP to review the 2019 general elections. of the new-PDP who joined the APC during the Presidential Chaired by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the Panel election, Buhari would not have won the election. A significant recommended that the PDP should not adopt the principle of fraction of the PDP went away to ensure a Northerner became zoning in its choice of presidential candidate in 2023 but to throw the President in 2015 just to ensure the North have its own 8 years like the South under Obasanjo. This is the truth. PDP is always the position open to every member regardless of zone! about Nigeria.

On the surface, this recommendation appears to be an inclusive one that demonstrates that as a Party the PDP is open to all and Therefore, for some interest in the PDP to be scheming for another sundry. But the truth is that that decision was not a reflection Northern president after Buhari, and considering how fragile of emerging realities, but orchestrated to give the North of the Nigerian state currently is with the cry for secession and Nigeria another shot at the Presidency after the eight years of irredentism growing in the South, is insensitive and unhelpful.

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. Such an insensitive manipulation is While we are staunch members of the PDP, we are also smart politicians who also have to consider our regional interests in against everything that the PDP represents and is built on. national politics. How do we campaign for another Northern It is important that we interrogate the PDP history about the presidential candidate after the two-term rule of President presidency in the context of the complex heterogeneity of the Muhammadu Buhari? What would we tell our teeming supporters and followers in the South, that there are no competent Southern Nigerian society.

Nigerians who can become President? Or that the PDP can only The post June 12 agitation, Abacha onslaught against NADECO win with a northern candidate? and pro-democracy elements, and the death of M.K.O. Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the 1993 Presidential elections, informed Now, with the two-term presidency of a northern Muslim coming the decision of the PDP, as well as the AD-APP Alliance at that to an end, the PDP is scheming to make yet another northerner time, to zone their presidential tickets to the South, specifically to its presidential candidate, oblivious of the feelings and support the Southwest. This was why Chief Olusegun Obasanjo emerged of its vast members from the South. This is a grave injustice to as the PDP presidential candidate and eventually as President Southern PDP members who have stuck with the Party through of Nigeria. It was a purposive and deliberate decision to heal a thick and thin! The Party is simply taking our support and loyalty badly fractured nation and do justice to the Southwest. There for granted. Does it think that we southerners also do not have were many Nigerians from other regions at that time who were regional interest like our brothers from the North? eminently qualified to be president.

To stress, this scheming for a northern Presidential candidate of Towards the end of Chief Obasanjo’s second term tenure, wisdom the PDP is against every known strategy of presidential politics. In again prevailed in the PDP and it finally zoned the presidential addition, the grain is for a political party to choose its presidential ticket to the North. This created the opportunity for then Governor candidate from its strongest zone or region and based on justice of Katsina State, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to emerge as the Party’s and fairness. Today, the PDP is strongest in the South, where the presidential candidate. For the record, Governor Peter Odili majority of its governors and other elected officials are from. It is of Rivers State from the South, had used his invasive political also the region that provides a significant support for most of the strategy to penetrate the PDP and he was in a pole position to Party’s activities. win, but Obasanjo truncated the move, made his final push and We want to make it abundantly clear that this country belongs to ensured the North returned to power. all of us and no region is greater than the other. We have supported So, zoning is sacrosanct in the PDP and it has consistently suited the north in the quest to snatch the presidency back from the APC emerging or prevailing realities. It is in the heart of the politics of in 2019 and now it is the turn of our northern brothers in the our Party and, we believe, the reason why it is the only true and PDP to support a southern presidential candidate based on the organic national Party in Nigeria today. Even in the states, the emerging realities and the need for national balance and justice. principle of zoning has been fairly adopted and implemented by It is instructive to note that the APC is scheming to zone its our Party for the distribution of key positions and offices. It is our Presidential ticket to the South. This will undo the PDP if it does own unique way of ensuring justice, equality and inclusiveness not replicate in 2023 what happened in 1999 (South vs South) and 2019 (North vs North). in a complex and complicated country as ours.

That is why we believe that the recommendation by the Bala Panel is not in the overall interest of our Party. And it calls for immediate review. Such an important reference by the Committee should be sensitive to the prevailing situation in the country, and coming at a time when secessionist movements are springing up due to the sectional rule and injustice of the Buhari regime.

Obviously, the reality in Nigeria now does not support another northerner becoming the PDP Presidential candidate or President of Nigeria, after the 8-year rule of a northern President. If this

Signed CHIEF MAXWELL OTUGO HON. EMEKA HENRY HON. SALIHU AKEEM

(09138107050) (09137053423) (08121987281)

19

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 28.88 % 26.88 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

28 % 30 % 30 %

M A Y

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

1 4 , 2 0 2 1

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

505.64 % -0.03 % -1.31 %

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE -9.51 % YEAR TO DATE -24.56 %

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

Quick Takes

United Commences Accra-Washington Service

MEDIA BRIEFING

L-R: Business Development Manager, ZOLA Electric Nigeria, Adebim Adebisi; Group Director, Technical Operations, Olumide Ajayi; Group Marketing Director, Enobong Kennedy; Acting Managing Director, Olufemi Ashipa, and Business Development Manager, Natasha Amaefuna, during ZOLA Electric media briefing held in Lagos…recently PHOTO: KOLAWOLE ALLI

Incessant Bird Strikes in Nigeria’s Airspace Worry Airlines Chinedu Eze Incidents of bird strike have become a source of concern to airline operators who fear that if not checked it may result to a major accident.

To this end, the airlines have called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to urgently curtail the movement of birds around the airports and flight paths on takeoff.

A bird strike is a collision between an airborne animal (usually birds or bats) and an aircraft.

While airstrikes are categorised as natural phenomenon that could be controlled using environmental techniques, it however becomes worrisome when bird strike occurs frequently, thereby distorting

AVIATION flight schedules and threatening air safety.

For instance, early this week, in less than 48 hours, two aircraft belonging to Aero Contractors and Max Air suffered bird strike, damaging the engine blades and causing pilots to make air return.

The Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero and 139 other passengers onboard Max Air flight that took off from the Aminu Kano International Airport (AKIA), Kano Tuesday, were hit by a bird, which forced one of the two-engine aircraft to malfunction, prompting the pilot to return to base.

Eyewitness account said the attack caused a big bang on the aircraft and the pas-

sengers were petrified with fear, as many went into bouts of prayer, not knowing what actually happened to the aircraft.

Operating with only one engine while gaining altitude on take, the aircraft was jolted, made heavy noise and vibrated in the air, as the pilot dexterously stabilised it and headed back to Kano airport to land.

Report also indicated that the pilot-in-command later informed the passengers about the nature of the incident and returned to base to disembark the passengers.

In the same vein, on May 17, 2021, Aero Contractors’ Port Harcourt-Abuja flight returned to Port Harcourt after one of the engines of the aircraft was hit by a bird few minutes after

takeoff.

Similarly, on March 21, 2021, a Lagos-bound Aero Contractors flight returned to Kano after one of the engines of the aircraft was hit by bird during takeoff.

The aircraft, with over 100 passengers onboard, made an air return to base barely 15 minutes after takeoff.

The flight, N2142, had de¬parted the airport at 9:30a.m, but returned to base about 09:45.

To the Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air, Obi Mbanuzuo, frequent bird strike has become a source of worry to airlines. He called on FAAN to urge its wild life department to do everything possible to curtail the movement of birds around the airport.

Rivers Seeks Relocation of NIMASA Cabotage Department Eromosele Abiodun The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has appealed to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to return its Cabotage Services Department to Port Harcourt.

Wike made the appeal when the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, visited him in Port Harcourt, recently.

Wike said operations of the Cabotage Services Department of NIMASA used to be in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, but it was relocated to Lagos.

The governor said in spite of his administration’s procurement of gunboats for security agencies, especially the Police and Navy to assist in the fight against piracy and ensure safety on the waterways for

MARITIME NIMASA’s businesses to thrive, the state did not get anything in return.

He commended Jamoh for the initiative aimed at harnessing ocean resources as an alternative revenue source that would end the country depends on oil and gas.

Wike pledged to partner with the agency in human capital development and assured that he would consider adopting the Government Sea School, Isaka as an institution for the training of seafarers.

He also expressed the willingness of the state government to partner with NIMASA on its deep blue project because of its potential to enhance and increase youth capacity in Rivers State, adding that the state government

would set up a committee to liaise with NIMASA office in Port Harcourt on the project.

Wike further lamented the failure of the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi to leverage his position to revive the Port Harcourt and Onne Ports to generate employment for Rivers youths in the maritime sector.

Speaking, Jamoh said the agency’s new thinking was in paying attention to divesting the country’s economy with its 10-year plan to develop ocean resources in the country.

Jamoh explained that his tour to the eight littoral states, which Rivers is a part, was intended to sell the new thinking to them and the need to key into the initiative.

He urged the Rivers State Government to set up a

committee to work with the agency in identifying its areas of comparative advantage to harness its abundant marine resources.

Meanwhile, NIMASA has received Special Mission Aircraft in Lagos, a final phase of the delivery and installation of assets under the Deep Blue Project designed to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea.

Jamoh received the aircraft, in company with Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, and NIMASA’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Chudi Offodile.

Addressing journalists during a brief ceremony to mark the arrival of the aircraft, Jamoh said the assets would further improve security in Nigerian waters.

UnitedAirlineshasinaugurateditsthreetimesweeklyservicebetweenits hub at Washington Dulles International Airport and Kotoka International Airport. The new service is operated with state-of-the-art Boeing 787-8 Dreamlineraircraft,featuringUnited’saward-winningUnitedPolarisbusiness classcabinandUnitedPremiumPlus.UnitedistheonlycarrierservingAccra nonstopfromWashington,D.C. Marking this special occasion, customers, guests, United employees and crewjoinedMarcelFuchs–UnitedManagingDirectorInternationalSales; PatrickQuayle-UnitedVicePresidentInternationalNetworkandAlliances; YawKwakwa-GhanaAirportsCompanyLimitedManagingDirector;Charles Kraikue-GhanaCivilAviationAuthorityDirectorGeneral;StephanieS.Sullivan - US Ambassador to Ghana and Kweku Ofori Asiamah - Ghana Transport Minister;foraspecialwatercannonsaluteandceremonytowelcomethe arrival ofUnitedFlightUA996fromWashingtonD.C. “WearethrilledwithournewservicebetweenWashington,D.C.andAccra, whichfurtherexpandsourAfricaroutenetworkandprovidesourcustomers from Ghana with direct access to the U.S. capital, as well as to over 100 destinations beyondourhub,”Quaylesaid.

“Thisservice,onourBoeing787-8Dreamliner,offersourcustomersfrom Ghanaournewest,award-winningaircraft,featuringourUnitedPolarissuite andUnitedPremium Plus cabin.”

“GACLwelcomesthedecisionofUnitedAirlinestorelaunchpassengerflight operationsinGhana,”saidtheManagingDirector,GhanaAirportsCompany Limited(GACL),YawKwakwa.

Turkish Airlines Opens New Cargo Connection

A new scheduled service is now available for the fast transport of goods from Munich to Istanbul as well as to many Asian destinations as Turkish Airlines Cargo has launched its first weekly cargo service from Bavaria to the Bosporus. The Turkish carrier is operating Airbus A330F freighters on its new cargo route.The new service has already been well received by Bavaria’sbusinesscommunityandlogisticscompanies.Theinauguralflights toandfroIstanbulwerealreadyfullybookedwith50tonsoffreightoneach flight. The companies based in Munich Airport’s catchment area include numeroussuccessfulglobalplayersandmarketleadersfromtheautomotive, electronics,medicaltechnology,biotechnologyandaerospacesectors,who relyonefficienttransportroutes to destinations all overtheworld.

“Iseeanenormouspotentialfordemandhereandcouldwellimaginethat TurkishAirlineswillsoonexpanditscargoservicewithadditionalfrequencies.

“Againstthebackdropoftheongoingcrisisinaviation,thisrouteopeningis animportantsignofconfidenceinMunichasanairfreightlocation,nowmore thanever,”explainedJostLammers,CEOofMunichAirport,whopersonally welcomedthecrewoftheinaugural flightto thecargo apron.

Agency Trains 24 on Accident Investigation

BanjulAccordGroupAccidentInvestigationAgency(BAGAIA)incollaboration withInstituteforthePreventionandInvestigationofAeronauticalandMaritime Accidents (IPIAAM) has commenced training of 24 participants in basic aircraftaccidentinvestigation Participants from the Cabo Verde, Portugal, Ghana, Guinea Conakry and otherswerepartofthoserepresentedinthetrainingconsummatingBAGAIA’s planofseekingmassivecapacitybuildingintheregionwithanemphasison trainingyoungerones to learnfrom experience.

ThetrainingprogrammeholdingfromMay17thto25th,2021,atthePestana Tropico Hotel, Cidade da Praia, Cabo Verde, would look at diverse areas including Investigative Reasoning, Conducting an Investigation and On SceneManagement.

Theprogrammewillalsolookataircraftstructure/fractureanalysis,aircraft system,midaircollusions/inflightbreakupsaswellasflightrecordersand reportwriting/safetyrecommendations.Itwillanalysemultiplecasestudies all in a bid to prepare investigators to the more practical reality of aircraft incidents andaccidents Commissioner of BAGAIA, Charles Irikefe Erhueh who gave the opening remarks thankedIPIAAMforallowingthecollaborationwithBAGAIAand envisagedrobustandinformativesessions inthedays ahead.

Hesaid,”Airtransportisextremelyimportantforthecountryasitreduces the conditions of insularity, guaranteeing connectivity and allowing the exploitationoftheglobal market.

“The relevance of the aeronautical sector has come to be recognized and manifested through the major investments made in the improvement of airportandairnavigationinfrastructuresandtheconstructionofasystem forregulations,supervisions,inspections,prevention,andinvestigationof accidents,andattendantsafetyrecommendationsintheaviationsector.”

“We went to Council to approve the outline business case for the national carrier and then the Council raised some questions and asked us to go and file the memo again and bring it back” Minister of Aviation,

Senator Hadi Sirika

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Proposed Law to Plug Regulatory Gaps, Says NCAA Stories by Chinedu Eze

The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu, has said the Civil Aviation Bill will soon be passed into law to close existing regulation gaps and further reinforce safety in air travel in Nigeria.

He also said due to the inherent gaps in the system, operators were slipping through and that was the reason why the regulatory agency decided to review the Civil Aviation Act in order to make regulation, compliance as well as acquisition of Air Operators Certificates (AOC) easier for investors and capable of delineating between general aviation service and commercial airline service.

Nuhu further explained that of the 100 business aircraft in Nigeria only about 23 were registered, noting that despite the law that allowed for them to use the aircraft between 6-12 months many have perfected the Act in bypassing the system due to cracks in act, adding that the reviewed Act would close such gaps.

“Out of the 70 per cent of the business registered in general aviation only about 46 are actually active and I guess some were out and they haven’t come back. Yes, it is a

bit unusual where you the number of foreign registered aircraft much more than the Nigerian registered in the country and we try to encourage the foreign registered to de-register and register here in Nigeria.

“We are getting there but at a very slow rate and maybe they need to see a more stable macroeconomic environment so they can de-register and put in a Nigerian registration,” Nuhu said.

He said when the aircraft owners develop more confidence in the regulatory function of the agency it would help to develop that confidence.

“We try to work with them to see how they can de register. I’ve seen a couple of request for that and we are making progress. Basically, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (NCARs) Part 8.2.1.9 allows foreign operations for aircraft from 2-12 months and for an initial six months renewable for another six months. I must say a lot of operators have found a way to go around that requirement by going out and returning to go through the process again.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of African Aviation Services Limited and the President of African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA), Nick Fadugba,

said right now, the Civil Aviation Act is under review at the National Assembly and once it is passed and signed into law by the President, government would review some of the regulations and promulgate some specific regulations as applies to general aviation “and these are some of the issues we intend to look at and sort but right now we are tied to our own regulations.

There are some gaps in the system but we have noticed it once we review the regulations.”

“In addition to that we will like to develop a new regulatory regime for general aviation, to encourage people to encourage the general aviation to be more comfortable to come and take their registration in Nigeria,” Fadugba said.

He decried illegal operations by private aircraft license holders who under one guise or another bypass the gaps to carry out illegal charter, costing the nation revenue and stressed that if caught the full wrath of the law would be used on them.

Fadugba, however, observed that it was sometimes difficult to prove that private aircraft carry charter since most times if the CAA does not get the cooperation of the passengers who use those services.

IATA Commends Countries Opening Border to Vaccinated Travellers The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has commended the growing number of countries making data and evidence-driven decisions to open their borders to vaccinated travelers.

The global body said the latest data collected

by IATA, including its Timatic service, showed that more than 20 countries have wholly or partially lifted restrictions for vaccinated travelers.

IATA expressed support for unrestricted access to travel for vaccinated travelers. In cases where vaccination is not possible, access to quarantine-free travel should be provided through COVID-19 testing strategies based on widely available, freeof-charge tests.

“Germany is among the latest countries to make quarantine alleviations for vaccinated travelers.

Vaccinated travelers are no longer subject to quarantine measures (except from certain high-risk countries). Germany has also removed

quarantine requirements for travelers with a negative COVID-19 test result (except from certain high-risk countries).

“The German government decision followed a review of scientific advice from the worldrenowned Robert Koch Institute (RKI), which concluded that vaccinated travelers are no longer significant in the spread of the disease and do not pose a major risk to the German population. “Specifically, it stated that vaccination reduces risk of COVID-19 transmission to levels below the risk from a false negative rapid antigen test,” it added.

IATA stated that the implementation of the policy aligns with recommendations from both the European Commission and the European Parliament, based on similar scientific advice from the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC).

On the benefits of full vaccination, the ECDC said, “based on

the limited evidence available, the likelihood of an infected vaccinated person transmitting the disease is currently assessed to be very low to low.”

The body also said similar conclusions are being reached on the other side of the Atlantic. In the US, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has noted that “with a 90 per cent effective vaccine, pre-travel testing, post-travel testing, and 7-day self-quarantine provide minimal additional benefit.”

“A safe opening of borders to international travel is the goal. And scientific evidence and data such as that presented by RKI, ECDC and USC CDC should be the basis for the decision-making needed to achieve that. There is increasing scientific evidence that vaccination is not only protecting people but also dramatically reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission,” said IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh.

Why Immigration Suspended Passport Production

Marriott hotel Chinedu Eze Overwhelmed by the plethora of demands

by Nigerians desirous of leaving the country and pressured by the producers of the Nigerian passport to find the right pricing for the product, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) decided to suspend production of passports for two weeks.

Within that period, the NIS is expected to clear all the backlogs, including request for renewal and application for new passports, whose process had started and possible reorganisation of the top hierarchy of agency.

NIS in its verifiable twitter handle had stated: “All passport issuing centres have been directed to clear existing backlog of application on or before 31st May, 2021. To this effect, requests for fresh and reissue shall not be entertained with effect from 18th May 2021 to 31st May 2021 in all centres.”

THISDAY investigations revealed that there has been upsurge for demands for passports because, “people are desperately leaving the country.” Also, sources from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) disclosed that there has been upsurge in the number of Nigerians that are going for medical assessment for possible permanent stay in the UK, Australia and Canada.

“There are more asylum seekers from Nigeria. The demand for passport has increased exponentially, especially from the southern part of the country,” the source added.

THISDAY learnt that since last year there has been a spike in the demand of passports but many of those who had completed the requirements were yet to receive their passports so NIS faced piling demand which could reach choking level if Immigration continued to delay the issuance of completed passports.

Passport Office Ikoyi, Lagos records the highest passport demand in Nigeria with average demand of 15,000-20,000 monthly, while Festac and Alausa offices produce about 50 per cent of that figure of about 7,500 to 10, 000 passports monthly.

But Immigration official from Ikoyi officer told THISDAY that the figures had doubled since after the lockdown in 2020, and the demand has continued unabated until the temporary suspension of passport issuance on May 17, 2021.

Immigration official at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos told THISDAY since after the lockdown the number of Nigerians who travel has continued to increase; although trips out of the country is seasonal, “there are high seasons and low seasons, but there have been progressive increase in the number of people that travel.”

“What is characteristic about migration is that more people leave the country during harsh economic situation and when the economy gets better more people will return

to the country.

“This is not peculiar to Nigeria. But demographically, more people travel from southern Nigeria. In fact, it is largely southerners that pay for passports, even in the north; people from the south make more demand for passports.

“This is the first time scarcity of passport has lasted for too long. That is the reason why some of us feel that the scarcity may have been deliberate because this one lasted for over six months. There has not been any time in the past such scarcity lasted for up to two months.

“A lot of people are suffering because of this.

Some Nigerians in Diaspora who returned to renew their passports dropped it and ran back overseas to secure their jobs. Students studying overseas seem to be the hardest hit because they cannot go to school. This is very tough for them,” a senior Immigration official who pleaded to remain anonymous told THISDAY. THISDAY also learnt that the technical partner to NIS, Newworks Solution & Investment Limited and the producers of the passport, Irish Smart Technology Nigeria have been clamouring for the increase in the cost of the passports so that it could be profitable, due to naira depreciation.

Informed source disclosed to THISDAY that the new regime that would start in June, may be accompanied by new prices of the products and in order to sanitise the system, everything would be done online: applicants would make their application online and when the passports are ready Immigration would communicate to them online and now the period would take a minimum of six weeks.

THISDAY also learnt that the major reason why the passport booklets were scarce was because the producer of the passports, Irish Technologies was allegedly owed debts that run into millions of dollars by the Ministry of Interior. Although it was not confirmed that the debts had been paid but with the planned increase in the price of the products, it is hoped that Nigeria would be able to offset the debts.

Currently the Nigerian passports are produced overseas. The Ministry had a Public, Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with the foreign company, which produces the enhanced e-passport, but it has refused to supply the product due to the alleged huge debts.

Informed source from NIS said that there has been amicable resolution between the Ministry of Interior, the Nigeria Immigration Service and its partners to solve the impasse, noting that by the time the new regime would kick off on June 1, 2021 “the whole issues would be resolved.”

However, industry observer told THISDAY that the rules to restrain passport applicants from having access to Immigration officials have been there, “but it is these officials that flout the rules to make extra money for themselves; so even this new rule that will go with the new passport regime will not stand.”

There are more asylum seekers from Nigeria. The demand for passport has increased exponentially, especially from the southern part of the country

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INTERVIEW

Akinkuotu: Our Radar Can Identify Any Aircraft in Nigeria’s Airspace Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Captain Fola Akinkuotu has said the agency has total radar surveillance that can identify aircraft or helicopter anywhere in the country and it is collaborating with the military to secure the country’s airspace. He spoke to Chinedu Eze. Excerpts:

C

it will be tracked down by TRACON, can NAMA still capture any aircraft that enters Nigeria’s airspace?

I will say yes. We have surveillance capability to detect aircraft that have primary, secondary or both transponders that transverse our airspace.

Enforcement belongs to the military and today we have improved cooperation between the civil and the military. I do believe that there is a significant enhancement in civil/ military relationship and it is going to get better. Don’t forget that we all need security. We all want to be safe.

an you let us know what you have been doing in the area of communication?

Well, if you are looking at voice communication, it can be broken into three parts. We have ground to ground and ground to tower which are very good.

We have approach, which is very good. But the challenge is the upper airspace, which we are working hard on. Maybe in the past we did not keep pace with the growing demand to continue to upgrade our equipment. So we didn’t try to cope with the increase and the demand in the upper air space. The VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) system was a system that was donated to Nigeria may years ago. And I guess we just didn’t keep up with the times. Yes, and we didn’t think about the fact that things depreciate. Things need to be replaced, traffic grows, and that is why we started having problems with our VSAT. This is because the extended range VHF rides on the back of the VSAT system for reliable and extended coverage.

So what percentage would you give the communication coverage of the airspace?

Would you give it up to 75 per cent?

I will give it more than 75 per cent and as we drive closer to the conclusion of the AIS project on whose back our extended VHF range communication is going to ride, by that time, we expect to have a 100 per cent in both quality, clarity and range. We would have completed the project, but for the COVID-19 pandemic induced disruptions. We had expected that it was supposed to have been concluded last year, but COVID-19 has slowed it down, not only because of money; money yes, but also because people could not travel. The expatriates that needed to come to Nigeria and do it could not come. But we are getting closer. So, definitely we are well over 75 per cent on completion and we expect that before the end of the year, it should be 100 percent completed. In the areas that I have told you, which are ground to ground, tower communication, approach communications, we are 100 per cent covered. The challenge is with the upper airspace communication; as upper airspace communications rides on VSAT which is being fixed. That was our Achilles heel but is being fixed.

Before you came, spares for the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) were not being replaced or replenished, I want to know the situation now?

Well, the situation now has improved considerably, definitely far from where we were in 2017. When I came in 2017, we had virtually severed the relationship with Thales, the company that built it and being the original manufacturers of equipment, the maintenance contract was allowed to elapse and NAMA did not re-engaged them. But when I came we re-engaged them. So we are able to get spares and they were interested in actually working with us. We have gotten to the point where we are able to get spares. Recently we had a situation in Kano, they sent the experts here and they also sent the spares real quick. So our relationship has improved and right now we have the reconditioning contract in place and we are also going to have the upgrade contract in place; so, it is looking good and much better than in the past.

When TRACON was completed the controllers complained that there were certain things that were not installed.

Have they been installed now?

They are being addressed.

What projects do you urgently need funds to complete? You spoke about Aeronautic Information Service (AIS), which needs funding, what of Instrument Landing System (ILS) in some airports?

I will not say we are deficient in Instrument

If there is airfield lighting in all the airports and airlines operates late into the nights into most of those airports, will it be of any benefit to NAMA? Of course yes. You cannot have night flight without airfield lighting. Now, NAMAs revenue is based on how many flights operate. So the more airlines operate, the more revenue NAMA earns. It is in our interest to have 24/7 operations and such operations will not be possible without airfield lighting. However, we are not here just because of revenue alone; we are also here because of safety. It is good for us to have airfield lighting everywhere, such that we can enhance safety of flight operations, both day (during adverse weather) and at night.

Akinkuotu

Landing System, but we are modernising. Being electronic hardware, there are age limitations and depreciation on these equipment and new technologies are coming up every day.

So because of that you continue to have to replace them and since I have been here we have done a lot of replacements. And we are still in the process of replacing more. As of now, I don’t believe we are deficient in ILS. We are not deficient in ILS systems. Do we need to replace? Yes, of course. This is technology and it keeps changing; we need to continue to bring in modern technology. Don’t forget that in years past a category I ILS was highly admired. You would be commended if you had that. But now everybody is looking out for CAT 3. And virtually all our ILSs in Nigeria are a minimum of CAT 2. We have also introduced e-clearance platform. We have trial version of the app for e-flight plan, which can capture the passengers onboard and you can pay on the platform. Right now the e-flight plan on the NAMA platform is on trial. We are working to have the app on smart phones, tablets and computers.

Is there any time you can make it compulsory for airlines to put some certain equipment in their aircraft so as to correspond with the modern equipment and facilities you are building?

That is a question for the NCAA (Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority). We are service providers; we are not regulators. This means that NAMA cannot make laws, the only thing is that we will continue to put in newer equipment such that the stakeholders, the airlines and all our clients benefit from it. When we install ILS category 3, the lightning system, and the power system are there. We expect the airlines, to take advantage of these things.

For example, we put the Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) because it reduces voice communication and it puts data communication in place between the cockpit and the tower. So what that does is number one, it takes away any errors in understanding in language communications. It reduces the amount of talk time in the air. So, it enhances safety indirectly. When we can put these things in place; the regulator will decide the equipment that must be carried onboard an aircraft if they want to benefit from it.

The issue is that when you put out this equipment, they will be underutilised if

domestic airlines do not have the corresponding equipment to benefit from it, it will only be foreign airlines that will take advantage of it few times in a day?

Number one is, if you look at the nonscheduled area, the executive airplanes have a lot of capabilities, so they benefit from it. The domestic airlines are gradually getting there.

I am not saying the regulators cannot make laws to that effect, but the airlines gradually within the limits of their economic buying power are modernizing. You recall that many years back, I think before 2004, a lot the Boeing 737s that operated did not have flight management system. But today, virtually all of them have flight management systems. I believe that the airlines, the entrepreneurs, and the operators want to take advantage of the new technologies, because it reduces operational cost in terms of fuel saving which is significant. So, if you can do a PBN (Performance Based Navigation) approach, it might mean that you will be able to get into places that you may not ordinarily have access to. If you have capability to do a CAT 3 approach and the weather is not that good, you can still get in. So I believe that the operators will gradually take advantage of the new equipment that the Aviation agencies are putting in place.

How have you been training the technical personnel in the agency? Before you came in, there was subsisting animosity between the controllers and the engineers. Has that been tamed?

Well, it is not my life style for me to sing my own praises. I think if you go to the field and you ask, we have increased training across the board. Engineers are just as important as air traffic controllers because the equipment that the airplanes are going to use need to be top notch and need to be well serviced. Don’t also forget that the air traffic controllers want this equipment to work because it lessens their own burden if these things are working optimally.

So we have synergy in the system. We are all getting training, even my account and audit staff get training. So all of us get some training.

We have been training engineers at the same pace as air traffic controllers.

In terms of security, there have been unconfirmed reports of aircraft coming into the country unnoticed and allegedly bringing in weapons. We used to hear that if any aircraft enters the Nigerian airspace

Last year, the agency, went to the National Assembly. They wanted some of those laws to be amended, what would be the benefit to NAMA if the laws are amended?

And how is the collaboration, among the agencies, especially you and the Nigerian Meteorological Agencies (NIMET) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)?

First of all we all have our Acts that stipulate what our mandates are but then we all have to collaborate to enhance air safety. To that extent we work together, we meet together, discuss and exchange ideas under the Honourable Minister’s leadership. The Minister regularly invite us to brainstorm. Earlier this year, there was a Ministerial retreat for all the agencies.

All the agencies including their CEOs were represented at Uyo. So, there is synergy and we recognize that. For example, NAMA needs NIMET as we have to relay weather information to aircraft. Weather information is critical to safety.

The pilot will depend on weather information either from ATC or from the ATIS on weather situations. So NAMA cannot say that they would do without NIMET. Neither can we say we will do without FAAN or even the regulator.

We all work together. COVID-19 eroded your revenue and agencies were gasping, especially NAMA that most of its income come from international operations. Do you think you have gone back to pre-COVID period or are you moving towards pre-COVID period in your revenue? There is no way we are anywhere near pre-COVID era. At the peak of the COVID-19 period we went down to about 10 percent of our revenue. Not just by 10 per cent, we went to actual 10 per cent. As we speak, we are at about 47 percent. So there is no way we are anywhere near pre-COVID period.

But you have been able to sustain the welfare of your staff?

Well, we try to do our best because the fact is that without man, nothing really falls into place. You can have the most technologically advanced systems, you still need man to be able to utilise and deploy properly. So man is at the core of any human endeavour. So, we don’t play with the human person here. And secondly, the mandate is that salaries of our staff belong to the first charge. Being first charge, we do everything possible to make sure that our staff are paid regularly and promptly so that they can do their jobs. NAMA provides essential and critical services for the safety of aviation. So we will rather not joke with a situation that impact negatively on safety.

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BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

NPA: The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Intervention Eromosele Abiodun writes that the federal government should heed the call by a former President of Liberia, and maritime sector stakeholders for adherence to the rule of law, fair and equal treatment for the suspended Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala-Usman

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recisely two weeks ago, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi’s two-year plot to shove aside Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman, materialised when President Muhammadu Buhari approved his request to suspend her with immediate effect.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, had said her suspension would allow a panel of inquiry set up by the federal government to investigate the management of the agency to carry out its task without hindrance.

A few days after the suspension was announced, the minister inaugurated a panel to investigate the administrative policies and strategies adopted by the MD of NPA and confirm compliance with extant laws and rules from 2016 till date.

Other terms of reference of the panel are: “Examine and investigate Issues leading to the termination of pilotage and other contracts of Nigerian Ports Authority and confirm compliance with the terms of the respective contracts, court rulings and Presidential directives.

“Examine and investigate compliance with the communication channel as Obtained in the Public Service and examine and investigate the procurement of contracts from 2016 to date.

“Come up with suggestions and advice that would strengthen the operations of NPA and forestall such occurrences in future if any and other matter that the assignment may be necessary in the course of the assignment.”

However, observers have noted that the terms of reference was a major turn as the panel of enquiry which was meant to investigate the alleged shortfall in operating surpluses by the NPA under the leadership of the suspended Bala-Usman, will now probe her for insubordination as against the earlier claim of not remitting operating surplus of N165 billion to the consolidated revenue fund account (CFR).

Johnson Intervention With Nigerians wondering why someone regarded as the shining light in the Buhari administration would be suspended over unproven allegation of insubordination, a major intervention came from a former Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The former president of Liberia, who expressed sadness over the suspension of the MD of NPA called on the federal government to do the needful in the interest of the country. Johnson, who is the first female president of Liberia, led the country for eight years, from 2008 to 2016.

Commenting via her verified twitter handle, over the weekend, the former president described Bala-Usman as an accomplished leader and a dedicated public servant.

She wrote: “I am disheartened to hear about the suspension of the NPA MD @Hadizabalausman who I have known to be an accomplished leader and dedicated public servant. I urge adherence to the rule of law and fair and equal treatment as the situation evolves.”

It is not just the former Liberian president that is not happy with the maltreatment of Bala-Usman, stakeholders in the nation’s maritime sector have also voiced their concern.

Earlier this week, stakeholders in the nation’s maritime sector lamented the alleged lack of adherence to due process in the suspension of the embattled HadizaBala-Usman.

The stakeholders, who spoke in separate interviews, said the suspension was unjustified, describing it as a setback for women inclusion in the maritime sector. The suspension, they added, could slow down the reforms made so far in the industry.

The stakeholders also opined that the suspended MD should have been giving fair hearing urging that she should not be rubbished out of office for individual political interest.

For instance, the immediate past President of Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA), Mary Hamman, explained that due process ought to have been followed in the suspension of Bala-Usman as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

According to the former WISTA President,

Amaechi

“The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said he is not aware of what is going on in the NPA since 2016, and that is why he set up that 11-man panel. To me, it is good for the suspended MD because if her hands are clean, she will be exonerated. If otherwise, then she will face the music.”

She added: “The only aspect I frown at is her not being queried before getting suspended.

I am a retired civil servant and think that in line with civil service rules, she should have been queried first, and allowed to respond to the query before any action will then be taken on her situation.

“They should have followed due process because before you say somebody should go on suspension, she ought to have first being queried and allowed to respond to the query.

Her tenure has just being renewed, so without allowing her to know what she has done wrong and even given the opportunity to respond before suspension shows a lack of due process.”

Also speaking on the development, the Coordinator, Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Dr. OsitaChukwu, described the suspension as unjustified.

He said the suspension was a ridicule on the nation’s maritime sector especially now that Nigeria is recording gains among comity of nations due to her reform processes.

Osited posited that Bala-Usman had been making steady progress in the sector and does not deserve such treatment from the Nigerian government, especially when the allegations has not been substantiated.

“If an allegation is made, you should allow the person to defend herself rather than suspending her. This suspension is to ridicule the whole maritime sector. “For me, it’s a very unfortunate situation. We were thinking that NPA has arrived taking cognizance of what the woman is putting in place. She has been the one making moves to reform the industry.

“A lot of things that were not done before now were now being done, take for example, the automation and seamless operations of the NPA. If they just push her out like that, I see a setback to the reforms. Despite several intimidations, she has continued with her work.

Even during the EndSars protest, she did not relent, only for her to be rewarded this way, ”he said.

Also speaking, the President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Increase Uche, said Bala-Usman’s removal was a setback to campaign for women inclusion in government and the maritime industry in particular.

Binta Garba’s Allegation As the international community and maritime stakeholders were showing support for BalaUsman, a senator representing Adamawa North

and former board member of NPA, Binta Garba came up with an allegation that Bala-Usman influenced her removal as a board member of the NPA after she demanded financial transparency.

But Bala-Usman, in a statement described Garba’s comments as “spurious and unproved allegations.”

“Apart from the fact that Senator Binta Garba really said nothing substantial, making only spurious, unproved allegations in the statement she issued on Sunday, she also gave herself away as coming to the board of the NPA to lend herself to the agency of destabilisation rather than contribute to its development.

“As I say with all emphasis that her allegations of resistant to inquiries on the finances of the NPA are false. I make bold to say that Authority has since 2016, openly exhibited its readiness to be held to public scrutiny by taking the following steps: ‘Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with BUdgit Open Budget System Platform and Implementation of a Public Data Dissemination programme; “Publishing the tariff regime of the Authority on the website for the whole world to see in line with the vision of transparency and accountability.

“Conducting the statutory Audit of the backlog of Authority’s financial statements for 2013-2016 and presenting same for approval and submission to the appropriate quarters.

She said the NPA under her leadership engaged international renowned auditing firms for the audit of NPA’s financial statements up until 2019 with full compliance to all Nigerian laws and the International Financial Reporting Standards.

“The 2020 financial statement is currently being audited.There are a few questions to ask the Senator: When the Auditors presented the financial statement to the finance committee of which she was a member, did she seek clarifications on areas that seemed opaque or suspicious? If she did what happened? If she was not satisfied with the answers provided by the Auditors, why did she not consider withholding assent to the statement? Why did she not formally document her discontent? Why did she not issue a minority opinion on the statement, instead of now speaking after the fact?

“All said and done, while I concede to Senator BintaGarba’s right to whatever opinion she desires concerning our relationship when she was a board member, I remind her that those who allow themselves to be used to malign innocent people have their own days of reckoning waiting for them.”

Bala-Usman refuted allegations that she resisted inquiries into the finances of NPA. Obeying Court Orders Apart from the Adamawa Senator, an online platform had also made allegation that the NPA under Bala-Usman disobeyed court orders in matters involving Logistics Services Limited

(INTELS).

But Bala-Usman in a statement, she said neither herself nor the NPA disobeyed any court order in matters involving INTELS or any other company for that matter.

The report, she said, is laden with falsehood adding that the online platform is sold to mischief such that no matter how many times, clarifications are made on any of the issues with which they play sensational journalism, they would continue to pretend like the facts were never in the public space.

According to her, “Although the story claimed that the alleged frustration was meted out to contractors, it had no other instance to cite than the already overstated and repeatedly explicated case of INTELS. “As a corollary to this, there was no court order existing at the time of the expiration of the boat pilotage contract between the NPA and INTELS by on August 8, 2020.”

This is just as she disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently working on recovering all federal government funds that INTELS have withheld over the years.

She clarified that no INTELS contract with NPA was terminated contrary to claims by the online platform.

“For the records, INTELS was engaged as managing agents of the NPA for oil industry related activities in the compulsory pilotage district within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Nigeria. This contract commenced in June 2007 with a review of an extension of 10 years in 2011 to culminate in August 2020.

The Authority had in 2017, served INTELS with a notice of termination for its refusal to comply with the Treasury Single Account policy of the Federal Government. Following the receipt of the termination notice, the company complied with the Policy. A supplemental agreement was signed to recognise the compliance to TSA and the notice of termination was accordingly withdrawn,”she explained.

She added that in compliance with the Public Procurement Act, the NPA in December 2019 initiated a public tender process in anticipation of the expiration of the contract in August 2020.

This, she added, was for the appointment a contractor to provide the NPA with the service.

“INTELS, alongside other companies submitted bids to qualify for the tender in line with the criteria spelled out in the public advert. INTELS violated one of the criteria advertised for the tender process and was accordingly disqualified.

“The tender process proceeded accordingly and the companies that scored the highest were prequalified. The outcome of the transparent tender process was forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Transportation for onward transmission to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for its consideration,” she said.

Upon disqualification from the tender process, she said INTELS initiated a court action to prevent the NPA from proceeding with the tender process citing a debt owed one of their sister companies, Deep Offshore Nigerian Ltd for the development of Onne 4B. “This is an amortization project which payment should be derived from the revenue raised from this service. There was no provision in the contract to the effect that INTELS must be the company carrying out the boat pilotage contract, but they have continued to hold the country to ransom for through this court case.

She added, “It should also be noted that despite court case, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently working on recovering all Federal Government funds that the INTELS have withheld over the years. One would expect an organisation, which claims to fight corruption like the online platform to join hands in the elimination of all forms all illegality rather than this tacit approval.

“All the NPA tried to do was to see that INTELS and indeed no other business entity contravenes the laws of the country or the provisions of their contract.”

The online medium, she said, has continued to use its platform to tell Nigerians half-truths and outright lies, “about this situation with the false narratives, which are aimed at anything but the interest of the good people of Nigeria.”

FRIDAY MAY 21, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 19May-2021, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 152.77 154.27 5.57% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 3.73% Nigeria International Debt Fund 300.77 300.77 -24.27% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 110.27 110.27 -1.61% 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 N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A 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 5.16% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.23 3.28 -10.43% info@anchoriaam.com 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 1.88% Anchoria Equity Fund 127.08 128.51 -4.46% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.05 1.05 -21.34% 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 18.89 19.46 4.15% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 412.92 425.37 3.13% ARM Ethical Fund 36.82 37.93 9.23% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.08 1.08 -11.55% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.96 0.96 -14.43% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.01% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 104.18 104.18 2.43% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) N/A N/A N/A mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.54% Paramount Equity Fund 15.73 16.01 -1.67% Women's Investment Fund 131.23 132.61 -1.44% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.67% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 113.85 114.60 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 106.46 106.46 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 N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 3.17% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.99% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,157.28 1,164.25 -3.39% 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 N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund 183.98 185.12 -1.97% FBN Halal Fund 109.38 109.38 5.53% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.46% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 124.75 124.75 3.19% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 151.93 154.06 0.50% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 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 N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH Treasury Bills Fund N/A N/A N/A

GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 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 4.33% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.76 2.82 20.16% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 148.48 148.91 -4.46% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.21 1.25 28.22% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.09 1.09 6.19% 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 1,137.70 1,137.70 3.02% 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 10.73 10.80 2.58% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 5.71% 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 1.63 1.66 7.29% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.42 12.48 2.37% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 2.60% PACAM Equity Fund 1.58 1.59 -0.44% PACAM EuroBond Fund 110.69 112.23 0.64% 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 130.12 132.35 6.86% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 2.72% 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 3,136.29 3,161.04 -2.48% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 229.35 229.35 2.00% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.18 1.20 0.85% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 300.65 300.65 2.03% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 215.25 217.94 -1.49% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.00% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,135.55 10,261.50 -3.50% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.25 1.25 2.13% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 113.58 113.58 2.25% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 100.94 100.94 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 1.33 1.36 -2.44% United Capital Bond Fund 1.94 1.94 2.40% United Capital Equity Fund 0.88 0.90 1.99% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.94% United Capital Eurobond Fund 120.39 120.39 2.83% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.10 -0.33% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.05 1.05 4.86% 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 12.04 12.15 1.47% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.35 13.58 9.74% Zenith Income Fund 24.06 24.06 0.35% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.52%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

123.20 51.42

2.04% -1.87%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.33 123.49 96.45

12.43 123.49 98.19

-6.71% 1.44% -2.97%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

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

3.75 5.57 16.82 1.00 18.76 159.46

3.79 5.65 16.92 1.00 18.96 161.46

-0.73% -2.09% 2.90% 3.62% -8.56% -27.07%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.52

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.

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 07010510430

Ichechi Okonkwo: Tackling Housing Deficit in Nigeria

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Ichechi Okonkwo: Tackling Housing Deficit in Nigeria For the Chief Executive Officer of Victoria Crest Homes, Ichechi Okonkwo, her vision is to make aspirational living affordable. With the recent launch of 587 units of houses including the Victoria Bay III Estate, located at Ikate-Lekki Phase I area of Lagos State last February, Sunday Ehigiator highlights the impact on housing deficit in Nigeria

A

ccording to Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, shelter is one of the basic needs of man, ranking next to air, food, water and sleep.

This underscores the importance of housing to the well-being of the people.

Nigeria’s population is currently put at about 194 million people, while the United Nations estimates that the figure will rise to 400 million by 2050. By that estimate, Nigeria will be the most populous country in the world after China and India.

In a recent report by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), in view of this growth projection, there is a present deficit of over 17 million houses in Nigeria, and this requires about 700,000 new houses to be built yearly, compared to the less than 100,000 houses that are being constructed yearly Therefore, it is neither new nor a mystery to assert that, with Nigeria’s growing population, we simply haven’t built enough homes to keep up and it hits differently across the two major classes of Nigerians most concerned.

For the poor, it means either not having a home or staying in bad living conditions, and for the middle class, it’s a housing market that lacks the right type of houses, especially in the desired location, as well as payment plans that don’t work for most.

The above birthed Victoria Crest Homes (VCH) vision of making ‘aspirational living affordable’, and has been its driving force in the last 12 years of her existence in the real estate space.

Speaking broader on this during the launch of the Victoria Bay Estate in Lekki, Lagos, last February , CEO, Victoria Crest Homes, Ichechi Okonkwo said, “Our vision at Victoria Crest Homes is to make aspirational living affordable. Standing from where our founder, Kennedy Okonkwo has started, mine is to make sure that the set goals; which is making aspirational living affordable, and making sure that every individual who aspires to live and give their families a beautiful, convenient life, are not only met but surpassed.

“It is a tough call here in our nation Nigeria because statistics shows that more than 22 million people are displaced, and our government is not doing so much to ensure that these figures are narrowed down.

“But we in Victoria Crest Homes, have looked at these numbers and are trying to ensure that at least, everyone in Nigeria enjoys that dream of having a roof over their head, because it is the minimum criteria for anyone to dream.

“Our core values include excellence, integrity, transparency, customer centricity.

These things we have been known for, we have stood for, and will continue to standout with. I expect that everyone will continue to see and experience that, even at a much higher level.

“About a year and half ago, we launched what we called, Five Goodness. In interpretation, it means we were going to do five different projects within the brand. And this project is aimed at making aspirational living affordable.

We targeted to do about 1,000 units. While we finished the initial phases of the Victoria Bay Estates by early last year, COVID-19 came.

“In the advent of COVID-19, it was tough for many companies to cope, many companies decided to downsize, many companies were struggling with construction. As soon as the government started easing up sometimes in June, we said to ourselves that we weren’t going to change the timelines. This is because real estate provides massive employment.

Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Toke Benson-Awoyinka cutting the ribbon with Founder, Nedcomoaks Group, Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo; and CEO of Victoria Crest Home, Ichechi Okonkwo, last February

The launched Victoria Crest Homes at Victoria Bay III Estate

And real estate development and construction forms an integral part of the building process post COVID-19.

“So we fired up on all cylinders, and those projects that have timelines and due for delivery in December and January, we were able to wrap that up. Hence, today marks a major milestone in the honour of our company, as we are delivering 587 units of houses, spread across different locations. And the last of those sets is this project where we are, which I am very much passionate about. We called it Victoria Bay III. “So this project is second to none I must say.

What we propagate is to make aspirational living affordable. That is what the man who does a nine to five, a young urban professional, aspires to have when they move to the next level. We have researched and found out that the things that a man in Ikoyi enjoys are likewise being desired by an upwardly mobile young man and young woman. And those are the things that maybe ordinarily in other climes, the government may have provided, and where the government has not provided it, the private sector is willing to fill that gap.

“We are talking about security, living in an estate that is well secured, so that when you go out for your nine to five, you are sure

that your family is well protected; living in an estate that has great basic amenities such as uninterrupted power supply, portable water, excellent drainage infrastructure, and a beautiful ambiance.

“If you go around this estate, you will find two swimming pools for an estimate. The infrastructure that we have developed here are those that you will find in a five star hotel.

We have a very beautiful and well equipped gymnasium, where people can go and relax.

We have a five-aside astro-turf, where you can play under floodlights, train and where kids can begin to develop their God given talents. And that is what the Victorious Crest brand tries to propagate and at a comparably affordable price. For us as a company, the strategy is to start to build a new Lagos, a new Lagos where all of us will live in peace and one love.”

Speaking on the affordability and flexible payment plans of the houses, she said, “When we started the Victoria Crest Brand, the first houses we sold were sold for N21 million.

They were three bedroom terrace houses.

The good part of those houses is that, today, those houses are going for about N40 million.

And barely five years down the line, some people have enjoyed living in those homes, and today, their property is worth over N40

million.

“The good part is that we have begun to position ourselves for projects after Ajah. We have a new set of projects that we are launching today also just by the Lagos Business School.

It is about 309 units. We have another one by Sangotedo, which has an entry level of less than N35 million. That portends a great thing for Nigerians and Lagosians who don’t have the money to live in Chevron, or Lekki Phase one, but then, you have a Victoria Crest project coming up just a little bit after Ajah.

“Our payment plans are also very flexible.

We offer between 12 to 24 months payment plans. But beyond the payment plans, it’s about a company that has built an excellent track record of delivering. It’s about a company that has built a strong process for construction without cutting corners.

We don’t believe that, because we say it is affordable, affordable should be horrible.

“We have backwardly integrated these projects that most of the consumables that are required for the construction of homes are produced by us, apart from the ones that we need to import. We import some of our finishing sanitaries, just to ensure that we produce a world class quality. So that is what Victoria Crest represents.”

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NEWS

WARIF CompletesThird Cycle of Gate Keepers Project against Sexual Violence Stories by Mary Nnah In its commitment to address the issue of Gender Based Violence in Nigeria, Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) partnered Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation again this year for the third Cycle of the Gatekeepers Project to train community gatekeepers who serve as first responders to cases of rape and sexual violence in their direct communities.

To this end, WARIF has successfully trained another group of stakeholders to tackle the menace of rape and sexual violence under its Gatekeepers Project.

The project, supported by ACT Foundation, is in its third cycle of addressing the prevalence of sexual violence among young girls and women in rural communities across local government areas in Lagos.

The participating community gatekeepers include Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), Law Enforcement Agents and religious leaders. A total of 600 Gatekeepers were trained in this cycle of the project.

The addition of religious leaders as Tertiary Gatekeepers in the programme, the organisers explained, recognises their important role in their various communities and will lead to an increased awareness and a reduction in the cases of GBV

Representatives of WARIF and ACT foundation at the close out event for the gatekeepers project

in these rural communities.

Speaking on the inclusion of religious leaders in this cycle, WARIF’S Founder, Dr Kemi DaSilva-Ibru said, “Following two successful cycles of the Gatekeepers community based project, sponsored by ACT Foundation, the involvement of community leaders such as the Traditional Birth Attendants and Law Enforcement Officers, has led to an increase in the awareness and the prevention of gender based violence in rural communities and a documented increase in the number of cases reported to the WARIF Centre.

“We anticipate that the addition of Religious Leaders, a key stakeholder in many communities, to our gatekeepers project, will lead to a further increase

in awareness, a change in the adverse prevailing mind set of many community members towards gender based violence and a reduction in the number of cases of violence against women and girls reported.”

Commenting on the initiative, CEOACT Foundation, Ms. Osayi Alile said ACT Foundation is proud of WARIF for the successful implementation of the Gatekeepers Project.

“In the past year, this crucial project has continually pushed societal barriers to the safety of women and girls, through the training of key community members including the Traditional Birth Attendants. In this project cycle, the inclusion of the Police and religious leaders further strengthened WARIF’s approach to enabling a higher

level of community awareness and ensuring that all aspects of society (grassroots, rural or urban) are equipped with the capacity to appropriately and tactfully help women who are disposed to abuses. “ As incidences of rape and sexual violence continue to rise, ACT Foundation is committed to the support and protection of vulnerable women everywhere and therefore hopes to continue supporting projects that challenge the tragic menace of gender-based violence in our society”, Alile added.

WARIF through its various initiatives in health, education and community service, remains committed to ensuring that all women and girls can live in a society free from rape and sexual violence.

Clever Clogs Opens Registration forThird Edition of ACBF The annualAkada Children’s Book Festival (ACBF) is making its return for its third edition scheduled to take place from July 1-3, 2021 with registration commencing on May 27, 2021.

Reckoned as the first children’s book festival in Nigeria, the Akada Children’s Book Festival is an event that highlights children’s books written by African writers or books written by authors from around the world for a diverse audience of children, and most importantly reiterates and fosters healthy reading and literary habits in children.

According to the World Culture Score Index, Nigeria has one of the lowest reading cultures in the world, with figures from the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education indicating that four out of ten primary school students are unable to read for comprehension..

The Akada Children’s Book Festival was set up to bridge this gap and encourage active participation, story time and bonding sessions between parents and children, as well

Clever Clogs Akada Children’s Book Festival

as improve their cognitive development.

The festival is organised by Clever Clogs Books, a niche publishing house focusing on the development of Nigerianthemed children’s picture books for early readers, with the desire to see Nigeria achieve a 100 per cent literacy rate within their lifetime.

Announcing plans for this year’s edition, the convener

of the festival, Mrs Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi explained that the #AkadaChildrensBookFestival 2021 will comprise a three-day programme of virtual activities featuring professional workshops for children’s book writers, illustrators, publishers, author-led book readings, book chats, fun mini-workshops for children, theatre, music, dance and insightful sessions for parents and teachers.

“With a line-up of the country’s most revered and bestselling children’s authors and illustrators, this year’s virtual festival promises to be educative, inspiring, and entertaining to children and adults alike”, she noted. Since its inception in April, 2019, the Akada Children’s Book Festival has attracted over 1400 attendees.

Subsequently, in 2020, the festival adapted to a virtual convergence bringing #Akada2020AtHome to audiences across the world with over 1600 participants.

The third edition of the Akada Children’s Book festival is supported by British Council and Stanbic IBTC Bank.

Interested people can visit akadafestival.org to register and for more information.

The festival is to encourage a perfect story time and bonding session between parents and children, as well as assist their cognitive development.

The Akada Children Book Festival is organised by Clever Clogs Books, a publishing house founded by Mrs Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi.

NGX: Nigeria Joins Global Best Practice on Exchange Structure The birth of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) from what was hitherto known as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has brought Nigeria to par with the global best practice.

Through what has been an eventful history, the Exchange, under Mr. Oscar Onyema, its GCEO, has eventually succeeded, despite all odds, in joining the global league of demutualised exchanges.

Scheduled to be launched soon, it has been a long journey from when the idea was first

mooted to its achievement through the passage of the Demutualisation Act by the Nigerian National Assembly, and approvals by both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Consequently, the NGX, built from over sixty years of experience, is now in an entirely new phase as its new corporate status also impacts business model and operational strategies, both at the macro and micro levels.

Interestingly, the NGX is positioned to be an African change purveyor.

The new Group CEO of NGX Group Plc, Oscar N. Onyema said that the Nigerian capital markets should play a role commensurate with Nigeria’s status as Africa’s largest economy. “At the Nigerian Stock Exchange, we have a vision that the new group will become the premier exchange hub for Nigerian businesses and for the African economy.

“We are implementing a series of measures towards

this goal, demutualisation being a critical milestone. The completion of demutualisation is a truly significant moment, and we welcome the new possibilities that have opened up for us”, he noted.

So what is Demutualisation you may ask? IMF.org says it as the term “used to describe the transition of a securities exchange from a mutual association of exchange members operating on a not-for-profit basis to a limited liability, forprofit company accountable to shareholders.”

Abimbola Olayinka Accepted into Forbes Business Council From Africa, Abimbola Olayinka, popularly known as “The peaceful parenting coach” MD/ CEO of Gabbies Alternative Limited that birthed Gal consulting international, Galparenting Place and the creator of Peaceful Parenting Hub, has been accepted into the Forbes Business Council, the foremost growth and networking organisation for successful business owners and leaders worldwide.

Olayinka was vetted and Abimbola Olayinka selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of her experience.

Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honours.

“We are honoured to welcome Abimbola Olayinka into the community,” said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Business Council.

“Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world”, Gerber added.

As an accepted member of the Council, Olayinka has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help her reach peak professional influence. She will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum and at members-only events.

She will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share her expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts.

Finally, Olayinka will benefit from exclusive access to vetted business service partners, membership-branded marketing collateral, and the high-touch support of the Forbes Councils member concierge team.

“I am excited about joining this transformational group and even more excited about the value the community will extend through me to my brands and my numerous client’s in various sectors of the economy” Olayinka noted.

CBWN Nigeria Becomes Official Partner for Nigeria International Petroleum Summit The Commonwealth Businesswomen Network (CBWN) Nigeria has been announced the official partner for the Nigeria International Petroleum Summit (NIPS) taking place between June 6 to June 10, 2021 at The International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The Commonwealth Businesswomen Network is an accredited organisation focused on women empowerment and recognised by 54 governments across six continents.

CBWN Nigeria is the CBWN National Leadership Ground Partner for Nigeria. It CBWN Nigeria Vice Chairman, is pioneered by the 2013 char- Mrs Ngozi Oyewole ter of the Commonwealth.

CBWN Nigeria has a strong oil, gas and energy membership forum and an even greater network in the wider CBWN worldwide network.

In a press release signed by the Secretary, CBWN Nigeria, Mrs. Nkoli Obi-Ogbolu, the Vice Chairman CBWN Nigeria, Mrs. Ngozi Oyewole disclosed that CBWN Nigeria in partnership with Brevity Anderson, the UK-based organisers of NIPS 2021, is championing greater women representation and participation at the upcoming edition of the summit.

This will facilitate women empowerment, promotion of gender equality as well as provide a platform for women owned businesses to showcase their organisation on an international stage.

Obi-Ogbolu added that at this year ’s event there would be a technical workshop and a day for women with theme “Energy, Technology, Power, Oil and Gas: A female approach to the future of hydrocarbons.” The date is for Wednesday, June 9, 2021 from 9am till 4pm.

CBWN Nigeria Pavilion at NIPS 2021 is the platform for Women in Energy, Technology, Power, Oil & Gas, showcasing their strengths, the extent of innovation by women owned businesses and opportunity for women in the sector.

She added that “CBWN Nigeria uses this medium to enjoin all stakeholders to avail themselves of this opportunity to leverage all benefits accruable in showcasing their businesses and their gender aligned objectives and successes.”

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E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

Creating More Value for Viewers in the Nigerian Pay-TV Industry Stories by Vanessa Obioha The proliferation of Pay-TV operators in Nigeria has arguably increased the number of viewing options for Nigerians in the last two decades.

Unlike in the past when TV programming was mostly local and of poor quality, the emergence of Pay-TV services made global programming accessible, particularly live events such as sports and entertainment.

For instance, in 2006 the defunct HiTV secured the exclusive rights to broadcast English Premier League (EPL) to its Nigerian subscribers. That didn’t last long as the company couldn’t afford the rights for every football season.

The football market has since been dominated

by MultiChoice Nigeria’s DStv, a company that boasts more financial strength to satisfy subscribers’ urge for live football. Subscribers on the platform have access to myriad football championships such as La Liga, Serie A, and UEFA Championship League. In addition, Nigerians can watch live international shows and awards such as the Grammys and Oscars on DStv. No doubt, DStv’s leadership in the Nigerian market triggered other operators to stake an interest in the sector. Currently, there are mainly four Pay-TV services in Nigeria: DStv, StarTimes, GOtv and TStv, each of them battling for the over 200 million eyeballs in the West African country.

Over the years, households with pay-TV services in Nigeria have increased significantly.

According to Statista, the number of households is expected to increase from 6.5 million in 2018 to 7.4 million in 2023. The data estimated that 6.9 million households will have one or two pay-TV services this year.

With each provider striving to get the lion’s share of the burgeoning market, audiences are inundated with various offers to cater to their entertainment needs. The conundrum now becomes which of the services are worthy of their money. In simpler terms, which platform

A scene from AM drama series ‘Enakhe

offers more value for money.

While most platforms offer affordable rates, the content line-up is often not up to par. In a country like Nigeria where football and entertainment are predominantly consumable items, the content offerings usually tilt to these products.

It is no news that football is a favourite pastime of Nigerians, so having a platform that offers all the football action both on the international and local scene has proven to be a dynamic strategy to get more subscribers.

The same can be said of entertainment, be it music, films, or reality TV shows which have proven over time to persuade viewers to a platform.

But not all pay-TV providers have been able to get the magic formula, particularly when it comes to films.

Irrespective of the demographic, Nigerians evince a great bias for locally made films and TV series. After all, the stories capture who and what we are about. Also, Nollywood contributed to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2016 and is projected to grow exponentially in this decade. It is estimated to generate N600 million annually for the economy. So having

TVN S3: Who Will Make a Steal on Episode 9?

The first steal on the Knockouts stage was recorded last week when Darey stole KPee from Falz.

Having thrilled the coaches with his unique rendition of Davido’s ‘Risky’, Falz decided to send KPee to the Danger Zone. However, Waje and Darey quickly hit the red button and again, pitched to KPee to join their respective teams. From his facial expression, KPee wasn’t too excited that Falz didn’t retain him. During the blind auditions, he got two chair turns and chose Falz over Waje.

Any hope of Waje having the 20-year-old on her team was dashed again as KPee chose Darey, making him the first steal of the show.

Like Naomi Mac, Tamara and Peace, KPee now has a spot in the Battles.

Tomorrow’s episode will see team Waje — Nuel Ayo, Anu, Teslim, Eazzie, Ifunanya and Inioluwa — showcasing their tenor on

the grandest stage. But the coaches need only four talents to make it to the Battles.

Yemi and Falz have so far selected only three talents from their respective teams, thereby giving the hint that they are likely to steal from other coaches. Which one of them will make the move on tomorrow’s episode showing on Africa Magic channels at 8pm and Views Channel, 9pm? The repeat will be broadcast on AIT and Wazobia TV and Wazobia Max on Sundays.

Meanwhile, First Bank is rewarding fans of the show with prizes on its social media platforms.

Each week will see the bank awarding prizes to fans who answer trivia questions about the show correctly.

First Bank prides itself on being a great supporter of the entertainment industry and by sponsoring the third season of the show, the bank is leaving musical imprints in the sector.

dedicated channels that not only showcase the latest Nollywood flicks but also invest in the industry arguably stand a pay-TV provider out.

This strategy is not lost on the operators. Each one offers local film channels to woo subscribers to their services. For instance, StarTimes boasts of Nollywood channels on some of their bouquets such as Super and Smart.

However, none has a robust relationship with the film ecosystem like DStv. With its flagship Africa Magic channels that parade local films and TV series, Nigerians on any of their bouquets: Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Confam and Yanga and Padi can watch these films at an affordable rate.

For example, the Padi bouquet which costs as low as N1, 850, has about three Africa Magic channels in addition to other channels that provide local entertainment. The Premium bouquet offers subscribers the latest Nollywood dramas and TV series on AM Showcase and Urban. AM Urban is also available on Compact Plus and Compact.

The beauty of Africa Magic channels is that it celebrates indigenous films. The platform has three channels dedicated to the Igbo, Yoruba

‘Elina’SpotlightsParentalNeglect ‘Elina’, a film spotlighting real-life accounts of parental neglect, child molestation, sexual abuse and trauma recently premiered at Silverbird Cinema, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Produced by Editha Chiewuzie, the movie features veteran Nollywood actor Eucharia Anunobi alongside Kalu Ikeagwu, Jibola Dabo, and Winner Edward, among others.

The over one-hour film tells the story of the eponymous character Elina, an 11-yearold girl who was kidnapped after her mother carelessly left the car keys in the ignition with her in the car during an outing.

For several years, all efforts to find Elina proved abortive and her parents accepted that she must already be dead.

However, Elina would return to their life but will it be the same girl they knew 16 years ago?

The film highlights the traumatic experiences victims go through at the hands of their abductors such as sexual abuse and the attendant results.

Speaking at the premiere, Chiewuzie disclosed that the movie was inspired by true-life experiences of parental neglect in Nigeria, where children weren’t properly kept safe and eventually kidnapped.

She, however, disclosed that the making of the movie was a tough one as it was shot while the #ENDSARS protest in October last year was equally ongoing. The sudden protest, according to her, made mobility and finding of locations harder than expected.

“When we produced the movie, it was during the #ENDSARS protest, so moving around was very hard and I was also acting in the movie. “ So sometimes when I am on set, they are calling me as the producer and sometimes I start crying in the hotel room, saying ‘God, what am I going to do?’, but I thank God because His grace saw me through and here is ELINA today.”

The movie is now in cinemas nationwide today, May 21.

and Hausa-speaking audiences. By doing so, it promotes local programming while engendering healthy competition within the field.

No doubt, the portfolio of local content production carried out by MultiChoice is geared towards ensuring the video entertainment industry across the continent thrives and grows to compete with the best in the world. This is evident in the number of Africa Magic originals that are aired on the platform.

They include the new drama series ‘Enakhe’, ‘Unmarried’ and the Yoruba series ‘Elenini’. Big Brother Naija, another production of the channel, is considered a big contributor to the entertainment industry. Through the reality show, contestants discover, hone and showcase their talent in the arts to the world. The reality TV show of last year’s winner Laycon will be premiering on DStv and GOtv tomorrow, May 22. The show ‘I am Laycon’ became the first Nigerian original series on Showmax.

Beyond offering value in terms of content line-up, MultiChoice Nigeria has arguably contributed enormously to the advancement of the film industry through various interventions.

It is the convener of one of the reputable film awards in the country Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. The award recognises and rewards outstanding talent working in front and behind the camera.

Perhaps, its most recent and outstanding intervention is the MultiChoice Talent Factory that comprises an academy hub that grooms young talent in the art and business of filmmaking. The academy has graduated 40 students since its inception in 2018 with a few of them allowed to expand their knowledge through internships in prestigious film institutions such as the New York Film Academy (NYFA) College of Visual and Performing Arts.

With these landmark interventions, MultiChoice Nigeria continues to offer more value not only to subscribers but to the industry and the economy as well.

Bodex Unveils Plans For 2021 Social Media Hangout After a one-year hiatus, The CEO of Bodex Media, Florence Bodex Hungbo, has announced that Social Media Hangout will be returning this year.

The last edition was held in November 2019.

Revealing plans for the year’s edition, the convener disclosed that the Lagos State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso; City People Group CEO, Seye Kehinde; actor Yemi Solade, and popular social media influencer Mr Macaroni are among the speakers that will tackle the theme: ‘Digital Media: Freedom of Internet Use and the Rights of the Citizens.’

She also hinted that the Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is expected to grace the event as the Special Guest of Honour.

Speaking on the essence of the event, Bodex described the platform as a unique talk-media shop that’s designed to create consistent awareness on the abuse of social media and

Bodex

equally generate practical solutions through crowdsourcing among stakeholders in our society.

“More of this kind of interaction can bring sanity to our youths and also our society by creating more awareness with a constant reminder of the benefit of using social strengths in nation-building.”

The event is scheduled to hold on Sunday, June 6, at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

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How Nigerian-American Artist, Mezuo, Composed Score for Netflix Latest Movie ‘Clash’ Chiamaka Ozulumba reports that Nigerian- American Artist, Charles Chiemezuo O’Kehie, popularly known as Mezuo, has joined the list of young composers for major studio picture in Netflix film “Clash

F

or Nigerian- American Artist, Charles Chiemezuo O’Kehie, popularly known as Mezuo, his feature film composition debut with Netflix film “Clash”, which would be released on Netflix today, was the stuff dreams are made of. The young artist who is based in Los Angeles in America scored the movie which was directed by award winning filmmaker Paschal Atuma. As expected, his music added elements from both the United States and Nigeria.

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business with a minor in Screenwriting and Directing, Mezuo recently released his debut music video for his song “30”.

On why he chose music as a career he said: “ The music surfaced early on in High School for me when I rapped in a cypher during a summer program at Columbia University in New York City. I started writing, making beats, and performing within the next year and some change. I ultimately made the decision to fully pursue a career in music during my second year of college at The University of Texas at Austin. The journey’s been wild but fast forward through a lot of heartbreaks, triumphs, and Hollywood hurdles from my teens through part of my twenties...and here we are. I’m now embarking on the biggest deals and activities of my career thus far.”

On the reaction of family and friends when he announced his desire to pursue a career in music he noted that “it’s very common in a Nigerian household for an entertainment pursuit to be met with confusion or even outright disapproval. For me, it was stag-

Mezuo

gering that I had some immediate support from my closest sibling which in turn led to a broader understanding across my family.

The biggest factor was that academically I left very little to discuss because my grades were as high as they could be consistently.

“Obviously, this is a sweet spot for African households at large. I kept this in mind and continued to run my own race until family and friends alike were able to assess my talent through the lenses of my merit. They were able to draw a parallel to other points of success

in my life and essentially put one and one together. I thank God for all of the support to this point.”

For him, his Netflix deal was an exciting moment. According to him, “I’ll start by saying when I got hired on to score the film, I had no idea where it would end up. I just saw the picture and went to work. Needless to say, I’m ecstatic as this is a major achievement for me early on in my career. It sets the tone for what’s to come and simultaneously opens up more doors for me across the broader

entertainment industry.”

Speaking on the Nigerian music industry then and now, he said: “There’s more connectivity now. We’re as connected as ever to the Nigerian music industry from the United States as ever thanks to social media. With that, the sound and influence is spanning across the globe both ways. More American artists have been experimenting with Afrobeat driven music because it’s become more prominent.

There’s also more international collaborations across the board as a result of all of this.”

On the issue of several Nigerians in the music industry who were born and bred abroad, who tend to succeed more in Nigeria, Mezuo noted that “operating from North Hollywood but having my roots in Nigeria gives me unique leverage because I’m foreign, yet familiar in the Nigerian market. There’s aspects that will build curiosity because of the distance and shift in culture; however, there’s inherent relatability as a Nigerian-American.

“Moreover. I’ve personally made it a point to incorporate the Nigerian market in my career pursuits because I noticed that opportunity pretty early on. I’m excited to be digging deeper in the Nigerian market and ultimately giving my native land something to be proud of with the international strides I’ve made thus far in my career”.

On expectations from him in the next five years he noted that “big business and more elite company overall. The global market should expect to hear the name Mezuo ringing across music, film, and television in that span of time. There is no ceiling that I can place on myself career wise but I fully intend on being in every conversation as far as generational leaders in the field go. God will ultimately tell the story better so I continue to call on him to provide the light on my vision.”

Actor, Charles Okafor Unveiled as Brand Ambassador for AG Mortgage Bank Yinka Olatunbosun In a wine and dine atmosphere last weekend in Lagos, the Nollywood actor, Charles Okafor was unveiled as the brand ambassador for AG Mortgage Bank.

The announcement came on the heels of the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between AG Mortgage Bank and Ndi Igbo Amaka Amalgamated Market Association at the Festival Hotel, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.

The bank which had been providing mortgage solutions for families and business owners is on a mission to cater for no fewer than 58 businesses in Lagos to create secured business environment for traders.

At the partnership dinner which was kicked off with the kolanut breaking tradition, the Managing Director and CEO, AG Mortgage Bank, Ngozi Anyogu remarked that family development is the core strategy of the institution.

“Our intention is to ensure that provide shelter to families across the country and when you provide shelter, you also need to empower families to put food on the table. “ So, we identified some groups that we would work with to provide commercial mortgages for shops, stalls, joint ventures in mall development so that not all only will people be sheltered but people will also be employed but each shop will have an average of seven persons employed.

“For reachshop, there is bound to be the shop owner, and a couple people who are interns.

What we are doing will create employment and empower families,’’ he said.

While reflecting on the choice of the brand ambassador, he added that Okafor’s persona

L-R: AG Mortgage Bank Brand Ambassador, Charles Okafor; Managing Director and CEO, AG Mortgage Bank, Ngozi Anyogu; and President, Ndi Igbo Amaka Amalgamated Market Association, Dr. JudeRingo Okeke

reflects the shared value of integrity of the organisation.

Okafor, who was also the compere for the exciting evening gushed about the new brand assignment.

“For a brand to identify you as their brand ambassador, they must have done their due diligence to make sure that they don’t place the image of their institution in the wrong hands.

I feel humbled, happy and fulfilled,’ he said.

A formal presentation of a brand new Hilux pickup truck to Ndi Igbo Amaka brought an exciting twist to the evening. One of the highlights

of the projects in the pipeline is the construction of smart ultra-modern shopping mall in tandem with the needs of business owners and their desires to sure their businesses.

Simon Ogwu the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, AG Mortgage Bank who spoke on the shared attributes that made the partnership possible while giving insight into the nature of the structures to be provided for the resilient Ibo traders.

“You can see the hunger from the traders in terms of finance not to support their business now but to be able to house their business by

providing commercial properties.

“You can see the strategic goal of the bank being tailored towards providing the mortgage financing to make shop ownership affordable and easy for shop owners. That is a major feature.

“As my MD has said, once there is a faithful towards the meeting of obligations especially from the traders, we also are going to be faithful towards funding each of their requests.

“Demonstrably, we have started funding some of the market structures in Aba. We are funding technology market in Enugu.

“The Enyimba Mall in Aba is an electronic one. All the doors and signage are electronically controlled.

“We are taking market to another level.

We provide the features for security and that includes being able to see the shop when you are not physically present at the facility.

“You can then control what happens within your business environment. The world has become a global village so we go into developing eco-friendly homes and shops, smart shops and smart homes.

“The major drivers of the economy are the traders. You can argue that anywhere. They don’t deserve anything less than the best,’’ he said.

The President of Ndi Igbo Amaka, Lagos, Dr. JudeRingo Okeke believes that the partnership is indeed a divine one.

“They have brought banking to the doorstep of businessmen and we can access loan and do business with AG Mortgage Bank easily. The prospects are high. The MD has just demonstrated that he believes in the caliber of people that made up the association,’’ he remarked.

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Artdey Expands Tech Marketplace, Targets African Independent Artists, Global Collectors Chiamaka Ozulumba Artdey is expanding the technology marketplace designed to support and give a broader reach to independent artists from Africa.

Since June 2020, artdey has positioned itself as a hotspot for emerging contemporary artists and a one-stop shop for art collectors around the world, with sales in several countries. Modeled after physical galleries such as Nike Art Gallery in Lagos, artdey aims to provide an exceptional educational and customer experience.

In addition, artdey has organised popular physical popups in relaxed venues in Lagos, offering locals the opportunity to shop contemporary African art both on and offline.

Speaking on current and future plans for the tech mar-

ketplace, Chioma Onyenwe, artdey co founder stated that ‘with the dearth of tourism caused by the pandemic, this curated platform gives African independent artists, underrepresented in the global art markets, access to global collectors, thereby increasing their chances to earn a living. In time, we hope to offer online auctions, similar to global standards set by sites such as artfinder.com and expand our database represented artists over the continent.

We are also expanding our physical popups and coming to the capital of Nigeria, Abuja.”

Recently, the brand added documentary photography to the platform, where images captured will create a sense of community among other storytellers while stimulating the imaginations.

Pascal Atuma’s Film ‘Clash’ Goes to Netflix Vanessa Obioha Recently, Netflix released ‘Clash’, a film by multiple award-winning film director and producer, Pascal Atuma.

The film boasting a starstudded cast drawn from Nollywood, Hollywood, and other film industries, explores the complexities of multicultural relationships.

It focuses on a young Nigerian who for many years lived a lie with a misconception that his uncle was his biological father. The movie’s storyline also reflects a broad spectrum of experience and nationalities.

“Even though it is an African story, it is a family story that connects globally,” said the director Atuma.

“It is a story that has to do

with the struggle of a young man whose father died when he was very little and the mum married the uncle. He has grown up thinking that the uncle is his biological father, only for him to find out in Canada, during his graduation, when his uncle came over, that the uncle was not his real biological father.

The family had him live a lie

for this number of years and when he found out, he was very angry. Amid the anger, he was also dealing with a bi-racial relationship. He was dealing with a lot. That is how the title ‘Clash’ came about.”

In the movie, culture clashes with love. Atuma puts it this way: “So, we made a movie for the global market, but preaching multi-culturalism,

because that is partly what Canada is preaching right now. That is why the film was co-sponsored. The film was co-sponsored through an envelope for FEVA TV administered by Telefilm Canada Media Fund (CMF), and one of Atuma’s Government College Umuahia classmates, Pius Chigoziri Harbor.”

Starring Stephanie Okereke-

Linus, Omoni Oboli, Brian Hooks, Merlisa Langellier, Vivian Williams,Atuma among others, ‘Clash’ was originally written by Nigerian-American, George Kalu, and distributed in Africa by FilmOne. It was initially planned for the cinemas last year but due to the pandemic, was cancelled. It is now available on Netflix where the producer hopes it will reach

Despite Security Challenges, Ekpo Calls A’Ibom Peaceful State Vanessa Obioha The Deputy Governor of Akwa-Ibom State Moses Ekpo has described the South-south state and its environs as peaceful.

He made this known during the 11th Annual Diocesan Synod of Methodist Church Nigeria, Nkek Abak where he spoke loftily about the achievements of the governor of the state, Udom Emmanuel.

According to him, the state has experienced security challenges in places like Ukanafun and Etim-Ekpo.

“In other states where we have witnessed a full-blown crisis, it all started in more or less the same way. But here God has answered our prayers by helping us nip these looming incidents of violence in the bud. Even the most recent crisis in Essien-Udim has been so miraculously resolved that it is impossible not to see the finger of God at work,” he said.

“With peace and security in the state,” he added, “development has been witnessed in all its ramifications.”

Such developments, according to Ekpo include the

launch of Ibom Air, the first state government-owned airline business in the country, which is currently making waves and getting set to expand its operational routes into the West African sub-region.

“Another important feat of this administration is the ultra-modern International Worship Centre, which Governor Udom Emmanuel himself has described as ‘an altar unto the Lord’.”

He rolled out other abandoned projects in the state that have been revisited by the administration such as

the 10,000 seater capacity Ibom Tropicana Mall; the Four Point

by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot-Ekpene and the Uyo/IkotEkpene Road.

There is also the Fertilizer Blending Company in Abak, the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company and the flour mill in Onna, St. Gabriel Coconut Plantation & Refinery in MkpatEnin Local Government Area, and the Electric Digital Metering Solutions Manufacturing Company, amongst others.

He also acknowledged the prompt response of the state to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In Akwa-Ibom, we did

not have to wait for Covid-19 to awaken us to the need to watch and pray. The ‘Only God’ battle-cry which is typical of the Udom Emmanuel administration, anticipated the current urgency.”

Ekpo attributed the peace and security in the state to the fervent practice of the administration to watch and pray which reflected the theme of the event.

“Our dependence on God through vigilance and prayer actually originated from the Akwa-Ibom Church Fathers.

The church Fathers, including

you at this Synod, have also been instrumental in sustaining our prayer life through frequent resort to prayer in the course of this administration.”

Quoting scripture, he said that the people of Akwa-Ibom had “prayed and watched and God reacted, first, by giving us Akwa-Abasi-Ibom State, a development which was nothing short of a miracle. What about our victory over the nefarious on-shore/off-shore oil dichotomy, a victory which we snatched off the very jaw of defeat by turning the entire state into a huge prayer ground.

Shrinking Civic Space: Labour, CSOs Meet, Agree to Initiate Joint Campaigns Stakeholders from the Labour Movement in Nigeria; comprising the Trade Union Congress,Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Federation of Informal Workers Organisation of Nigeria (FIWON) and civil society organisations recently gathered in Abuja for a two-day engagement themed “Building and strengthening ties between labour and civil society organisations.”

The meeting had civil society organisations - Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) and the Environmental Rights Action (ERA) also in attendance.

According to the Directorof Programmes, Philip Jakpor, it was organised to achieve the following objectives; “to establish reestablish ties between labour and civil society and identify areas of joint concern for campaign; “To identify perceptions, needs and shared areas of

interest between the Labour and civil society organisations; while achieving a better understanding of the challenges faced by both sides, in order to better appreciate the challenges and issues that potentially hamper collaboration and solidarity between labour and Pro-Labour Civil Society organisations; and “To encourage new thinking on Labour-Civil Society relations and coordination that is inspired by current challenges and opportunities for joint campaign and advocacy

transformative governance, and the building and consolidation of active solidarity.”

The meeting was preceded by two initial consultative meetings with a cross-section of CSOs and labour respectively.

The two day parley was put together and organised at the instance of, and supported by Solidarity Center. Comrade Jaye Gaskia of Praxis Center was the facilitator and co-convener for the Initiative. Participants identified current challenges in labour - civil society rela-

tions; perceptions and needs with respect to labour and civil society. They also identified priority issues for potential collaborationbetweenlabourand civil society organisations; areas of common and shared interests between labour and civil society on the basis of which collaborative activities can be developed and; current national challenges that require citizens intervention and next steps. The meeting was able to identify some critical challenges that have been affecting labour-civil society relations.

Some of which include but are not restricted to the following; the different modes of operation and organisation of labour and civil society; the distinctive characteristics of both stakeholders; the decline of the Labour movement, the students movement and the civil society; the absence of political and politicised labour leadership; deradicalisation of the content and form of labour education; and civil society capacity building programs among others.

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ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

Ogundiran’s Full Beam onYoruba History

Page Connoisseur, Ikeja, was the brimful venue for the literati who relished the rich conversations with Prof. Akinwumi Ogundiran, the author of“The Yoruba: A New History,’’at a reading session moderated by seasoned journalist and former Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.

Yinka Olatunbosun reports

Prof. Akinwumi Ogundiran and Mr. Steve Ayorinde at the book reading in Lagos

P

rior to Prof.

Akinwumi Ogundiran’s intervention, there had been several documentations on the history of Yorubas. One of the earliest of these publications is the book “History of the Yorubas (1921)’’ by the Anglican minister and historian, Samuel Johnson. In 1973, the scholar, historian and politician, Prof. Saburi Biobaku also wrote and published the book titled “Sources of Yoruba History’’ and so did Professor Akinjogbin with his 2008 publication titled “On Yoruba History & Culture” and Professor Akintoye in his 2010 book “A History of Yoruba People.’’

Given this background, Steve Ayorinde asked the author of “The Yoruba: A New History’’ about the new details and perspectives that he had brought to the fore about one of the largest ethnic groups in human history. As an archeologist and anthropologist, Ogundiran’s research went beyond libraries- he made on-site visits to secure empirical evidence for his book which began as an idea ten years ago.

“I was interested chiefly in regional interactions and how Yoruba political institutions developed. In doing my research, I used the template they have provided to interrogate Yoruba regional interactions and political development. And there are certain canonical researches or topics that we don’t question because we felt they are already settled. But at a point, I realised that the information I was discovering was not consistent with some of the canonical narratives that we have in the template,’’ he recounted. To even out the inconsistencies found in the historical

accounts of the Yoruba people, he repeatedly visited the physical field of research and decidedly traced the history farther into 300BC. “That is why I titled it ‘The Yoruba: A New History.’ A new history that does not take away from what the pioneer did but has added to it and, at the same time, challenges all the things we think we know or we know as scholars. As scholars, we are always asking questions; we are never satisfied with the answers. New answers lead to new questions,’’ he continued.

The author also made it clear that the Yorubas did not come from Mecca, Sudan or from the Jews. Drawing upon historical linguistics and geochemistry, he made some first-hand findings that are untainted with colonial accounts of the Yoruba history. From festivals to Ogboni temples, Prof. Ogundiran kept his fingers on the pulse of Yoruba history.

“Our history began about 4000BC. That was when Yoruba as a language community began to evolve,’’ he said.

According to him, the migrations led to political innovations with Kingdoms such as Oba, Igbomina and Akure. His most controversial finding is that Ile-Ife, which has been credited for years as the cradle of mankind is actually a product of Ekiti region.

“Some of the innovations that happened in Ile-Ife in the last two centuries of the first millennium between 800 and 1000 AD were already taking place in different places. Ile-Ife was not the first kingdom in Yoruba land.

It was the last of the first generation of kingdoms. Ile-Ife benefitted from what other previous kingdoms have been doing.

“For our children, who are learning the history of other people, we need to elevate our narrative and tell believable stories. We are teaching our kids to be rational thinkers, acritical thinkers; our history must also be consistent with what we are challenging and asking people to do.’’

Rather than discredit the previous Yoruba historians, the author acknowledged that their writings were based on the limit of their knowledge at the time of documentation. While agreeing that Obatala was a person who later became a pantheon, the author further read some excerpts from his book surrounding Moremi’s role in liberating the people of Ile-Ife from the Ugbo marauders. For him, the Yorubas had a sophisticated political system and had been global in thinking before colonialism.

“The Yoruba are city people. We are city builders. City builders don’t discriminate. A city is like a corporation. A corporation always celebrates diversity because you want to attract the best talents to come into your city.

You will always look for skills that other people have and integrate them into your city. This is what the Yoruba are, and it’s why the Nigerian question is a setback for the Yoruba,’’ he argued.

He added that there are only two Oba (two kings) in Yorubaland that can use the title Imperial Majesty: the Alaafin of Oyo and Ooni of Ife. He added that the Oba can become a deity while still alive.

In the week preceding the book reading, Prof. Ogundiran had invited some culture journalists on a tour of some key towns in Old Oyo Empire where he had left his archeological footprints. He described the Old Oyo people as a “sophisticated civilisation’’ who smelted top-quality iron.

Furthermore, he described Ile-Ife as an urban metropolis of the period and a centre of intellectualism which explains the roots in indigenous schools like School of Ifa and School of Orisa-Nla. He encouraged students of history not to confine their understanding of the Yoruba people to those who occupy the present-day South-Western states in Nigeria but as a people spread across the world in places like Benin Republic, Brazil, Cuba amongst others.

Bogobiri, UAP Dish Up Variety Show for 2021 Africa Day Yinka Olatunbosun United People of Africa (UPA) and the Bogobiri House are ready for the 2021 Africa day celebrations on Tuesday, May 25 at the Bogobiri House, Ikoyi Lagos. UPAis a group of young professionals, artistes, writers, designers, architects, musicians, film makers, who recognize Africa’s vast wealth and are willing to deploy their creative energy to amplify the new

voices from Africa.

The line-up of events includes a public discussion with the theme ‘Future of The African Youth’, an art exhibition by Nimbus Gallery, music performance by Heaven and Earth Reggae Band (HERB), Duro lkujenyo and the Age of Aquarius and single album presentation titled ‘Divine Union.’ “Last year, due to the devastating effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, Africa Day was not celebrated here at Bogobiri. Still, Africa Day must be

recognized and celebrated to restore peace, justice, self-esteem, creative pride to breed dignity in everyAfrican,’’ Duro Ikujenyo, the Coordinator for United People of Africa said.

The Africa Day, formerly known as the African Freedom Day and African Liberation Day was founded on July 2002inDurban,SouthAfricatocelebrate the liberation movements on theAfrican continents, freedom fighters and reflect on Africa’s journey towards freedom from all kinds of exploitation.

TripleA Rouses Lagos with New Show, ‘Ije Enu’ Yinka Olatunbosun Art connoisseurs are bound to experience what the journey of life (Ije Enu) means to two artists at Didi Museum, Victoria Island, Lagos from Saturday May 22 as the leading art agency, TripleA showcases a duo exhibition of paintings.

As two accomplished artists of the Auchi School of Art, Azuka Nnabuogor and Emmanuel Isiuwe have both articulated their ideas and philosophies in a carefully curated body of works that had been described as ‘self-reflective.’

Using oil and acrylic, the artists create a visual account of relatable everyday stories and a shared history. The exhibition’s theme ‘Ije Enu’ echoes the title of the 1960’s song from an iconic highlife singer, Celestine Ukwu. Both artists have an interesting antecedent: they were both born during the war and as a result, they are prone to dishing out existentialist subject matters. For Nnabuogor, life is a two-sided coin. In his artist statement, he sums up the rationale for showcasing his works.

“Motivation for creating my works of art is hinged on the imperative of documentation. My strong belief is that if there are any lessons to be learnt from everyday stories, then documentation in art form and indeed any form are not luxury but essential,’’ he stated. Some of his paintings at the show include “Cross Road’’, “Party Animals,’’ “Fond Memories,’’ “Love at First Sight,’’ and “Opinion Leader.’’

In Isiuwe’s works, splurges of early impressionists’ influence are evident in his technique.

“My paintings have benefited from the Alla Prima fashion associated with earlyimpressionists.Mystyleisadapted though: it includes the use of titanium white as focus shimmering, white lights topresentascenicimagerythatholdsthe work together. In ‘Ije Enu,’ I have tried to use the figures to provoke emotive sensation towards the onlooker. In the face of the raging pandemic, the journey of life has undergone mandatory reappraisals: we have become more contemplative as to where we go, what we do or cannot do,’’ he stated. Isiuwe’s works at the show include “Work Boys,’’ “Blockers,’’ “Agarachas,’’ “Togetherness’’ and “Anwuli (Joy).”

One of Nnabuogor’s works

Epic Plays to Watch at Duke of Somolu Theatre Festival Yinka Olatunbosun To give theatre goers premium entertainment in this period of Covid-19 pandemic, the Duke of Somolu productions has announced a season of epic plays to fire up its 2021 Duke of Somolu Theatre Festival. The multi-cultural productions are based on four original stories of Nigeria’s historical figures the first of these being ‘Ibiom.’ After the box-office success of the Akwa Ibom drama, the other plays ‘Aremu,’ ‘Awo’ and ‘Joromi’ will be performed in compliance with non-pharmaceutical Covid-19 protocols. Aremu is based on the life of Nigeria’s former President, Olusegun Obasanjo; his mystical birth, vignettes of his childhood and his peasant background. Directed

by Prof. Ahmed Yerima, the play is a theatrical account of his civil war years and how he became a prisoner of conscience.Arich cultural showcase of the Egbas and Owu people, the play will be staged at the Agip Recital Hall on July 3, 4, 10 and 11.

Later that month, the play ‘Awo,’ based on the story of one of Nigeria’s leading nationalists and elderstatesmen, Chief Obafemi Awolowo will

be performed on July 17, 18, 24 and 25. The play has as its director, Mr Makinde Adeniran, the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners.

“Our mission with ‘Awo’ is to reintroduce the dying values of loyalty, integrity, vision building amongst others to a modern-day audience who seem to have lost their way in the fast and seedy lifestyles of modern-day, Nigeria,’’ Joseph Edgar, the CEO, Duke of Somolu Productions.

Later in the year, the play titled “Joromi” which is an exciting drama on the life of the Highlife legend, sculptor, musician, actor and historian, Sir Victor Uwaifo who is expected to make a cameo appearance at the performances.

“The story goes that he met a mermaid at the Bar Beach in Lagos and he held the mermaid captive who begged for her life. He asked for something in exchange for her freedom and she obliged him and part of those things were his guitar and the song Joromi which became a massive global hit.

The song remains a classic and has spurned so many creative projects including movies, museums amongst others,’’ Edgar said.

32

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ MAY 21, 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

NAICOM, Transport Ministry Mull Insurance Cover for Road Users James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË The Commissioner for Insurance(CFI)/Chief Executive, NAICOM, Mr. Sunday Thomas, yesterday said it is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Transportation to ensure the provision of adequate insurance for road transport owners and users within Nigeria and ECOWAS member countries.

He also said the commission is currently working to ensure orderliness in the insurance sector particularly, in the vexed issue of fake insurances in the road transportation sector.

The CFI, pointed out that the commission has now developed technology for verification of insurance policies to further sanitise the sector.

He spoke while receiving the Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, who a led delegation to the commission. Saraki had informed the meeting that the ministry had embarked upon a transformation programme of the road transportation sector that will have tremendous impact on the lives and wellbeing of the Nigerian people. The lawmaker had noted that insurance remained a

critical aspect of transportation, hence the need to collaborate with NAICOM to ensure success of the programme.

In a statement, Head, Corporate Communications and Market Development Department, NAICOM, Mr. Rasaaq Salami, said both parties had also agreed to immediately establish a joint committee to look into different areas of interest to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship.

Thomas, further assured the minister of the readiness of the commission to collaborate with the ministry to ensure adequate insurance coverage in the sector.

Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative Offers UNIMAID N1bn Grant The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) has provided a N1 billion grant to the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) towards the development of a Centre for Innovation and Product Development at the institution’s Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (UM-CEED) Complex.

The intervention was ASR Africa’s first cohort of Tertiary Education Grants Scheme.

A statement yesterday explained that the announcement was made during the presentation of the grant award

by ASR Africa to the University management in Maiduguri.

Speaking at the presentation, Aliyu Idi Hong, who represented the Chairman of ASR Africa and BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, said the ASR Africa Initiative had already begun the disbursement of its tertiary education grants to the six universities in its first cohort with the University of Maiduguri being the third to benefit after Ahmadu Bello University, and University of Ibadan. He further disclosed that the project initiation process and development of mutual

accountability frameworks to guide the grant usage for the University’s Centre for Innovation and Product Development would commence immediately.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Professor Aliyu Shugaba praised the Founder of the Initiative, Rabiu, for his consistent commitment to social good and philanthropy.

The Vice-Chancellor also extolled the good works ASR Africa was doing in various communities across Africa and thanked the philanthropist for the grant.

Bank of Industry Shows Resilience amidst Headwinds The Bank of Industry yesterday announced a 2020 performance that showed its strength and resilience despite the headwinds generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, fall in crude oil prices and the general fall of business.

At its 2020 Annual General Meeting, held virtually in Abuja, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, BoI, Mr. Aliyu Abdulrahman Dikko, noted that despite the challenging year, BoI’s Group total assets grew from N1.04 trillion in 2019, to N1.86 trillion in 2020. He attributed the 79.1 per cent growth increase largely to the successful debt syndications of €1 billion and $1 billion that

were concluded in March and December 2020 respectively.

The Group’s total equity also increased by 15.3 per cent from N293.08 billion in the previous year to N336.48 billion in 2020; while loans and advances, affected by the adverse impact of the challenging operating environment on growth of new loans, grew in 2020 by 1.3 per cent to N749.84 billion in the year under review.

According to a statement, economic slowdown in the year as well as the various interventions and support initiated by the Bank for its customers, impacted on its profit before tax which fell by 9.6 per cent to N35.54 billion.

Dikko said rising up to its responsibilities, the Bank, through its partnership with the federal government on the National Social Intervention Programme, facilitated the disbursement N2.5 billion and N1.2 billion under the N-Power and Government Enterprise & Empowerment Programmes to 300,011 and 109,039 beneficiaries respectively. He explained that living up to its reputation as a socially responsible organisation, “it donated the sum of N962 million towards the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) and other initiatives at the Federal and State levels to address the negative impact of the pandemic.

Kagame,Okonjo-Iweala,Othersfor‘UBAAfricaConversations2021’

Thomas

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)

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, is set to celebrate this year’s Africa Day in commemoration of African unity with the third edition of its annual UBA Africa Conversations.

The speakers for the event include the President of Rwanda, Mr. Paul Kagame; Director General of the World Trade Organisation, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Director-General of the World Health Organisation(WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,

and, Managing Director, International Finance Corporation(IFC), Mr. Makhtar Sop Diop.

The conversations would be held online and the Group Chairman, UBA/Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu, would be the moderator.

BBThe theme for this year is, ‘Bringing Africa to the World’, epitomised by the global success of the panelists’ careers. The event would take place on Tuesday, May 25th.BA statement from the bank explained that, “at a time

of unparalleled African leadership in global organisations, the UBA Africa Conversations provides the opportunity for an African and global audience to hear directly from our distinguished guests on Africa’s relationship with the world, the opportunities and the challenges, and their own personal journeys.”

Discussions at the event would be focused on Africa’s development in the areas of the economy and finance, trade, health and the unity of the continent.

ChapelHillDenhamBecomesSignatorytoUN-supportedPRI Nume Ekeghe Chapel Hill Denham has announced that it has become a signatory to the UN-supported Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI).

With this, the firm has joined a global network of nearly 4000 signatories representing over USD 100 trillion in assets under management who are committed

to incorporating environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) measures into their investment decision-making and practices. The Chief Executive Officer, Chapel Hill Denham Mr. Bolaji Balogun, in statement announcing the partnership stated: “Simply put, Chapel Hill Denham joined the Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI) because it reflects how we invest

and have operated our firm from day one.”

“Our focus on advocating for ESG measures and using sustainability as a key piece of our investment process and operations, ensures the companies we work with adopt a longer term, sustainable approach. Joining the other signatories to the PRI, is an affirmation of our commitment to responsible impact investing.

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 WEDNESDAY, 19 MAY 2021

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $65.95 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $68.39 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), 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

33

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Seplat Promises Better Performance, Generates $318 Million Cash Goddy Egene The Chairman of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Dr. ABC Orjiako, yesterday assured shareholders and other stakeholders of better future performance, saying the company’s $318 million for 2020 full year remained strong and was higher than the $150 million invested.

Orjiako, who spoke at the company eight annual general meeting (AGM) in Lagos, noted

that the capital investment, which was higher than the $125 million spent in 2019, demonstrated its commitment to growth. He disclosed that the company’s average working interest production was 51,183boepd, including 33,714bopd of liquids and 101MMscfd gas (17,469boepd).

“Of this, our Eland assets contributed 8,855bopd, or 26 per cent of total liquid volumes. Our financial performance enabled us to maintain our commitment to

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

paying dividends. While other companies were cutting back or cancelling payments for the 2019 financial year, because of prevailing uncertainties, we honoured our commitment and paid a final dividend of US$0.05, for a total dividend of US$0.10 for 2019.

“In October 2020, we announced an interim dividend of US$0.05 and the Board has since approved an additional top-up of US$0.05, maintaining our US$0.10 dividend for the 2020 financial

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

year. Since we raised $535 million at our initial public offering in May 2014, we have returned $344 million to shareholders in the form of dividends,” he said.

According to him, it is the responsibility of the board of directors to plan for the long-term sustainability of the company, as scenario analyses on Seplat’s assets have been conducted under different climate change and demand scenarios, whilst looking towards a future in which Seplat is much

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

more involved in promoting low carbon environment in its operations and the company adopting Seplat Energy as its new name following the passage of the resolution at its AGM. Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer, Seplat, Mr. Roger Brown, the company was embracing climate change opportunities on two fronts.

“Firstly, we continue to invest heavily in expanding our domestic gas business in

O F

line with the Government’s strategy to achieve universal access to electricity, and to make that energy cheaper and cleaner by replacing diesel generation, which is very damaging to the environment and the economy.

Gas is clearly the next step for Nigeria, and we have a leading position domestically with the Nigerian Government declaring the ANOH project as one of the seven critical gas development projects for the country.

2 0 / 0 5 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

34

˾ FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2021

Friday, May 21, 2021 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index Down 4bps The dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ůŽƐƚ ϰďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

1,698.54 points. The loss was driven back of price depreciaƟŽŶ ŝŶ DANGCEM (-1.9%), ACCESS (-1.2%), and UBA (-1.4%).

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

dŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϬ͘ϲй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘ Sell Pressure Persists... ASI down 0.3% At the close of trade, the All-Share Index fell 30bps to close

Ticker

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

1,698.54

-0.04%

15.7%

69.9%

12.8%

3.3%

837.00

0.0%

32.0%

-1.7%

-1.7%

10.0%

3.5%

74.40

0.0%

11.2%

-3.8%

-3.8%

19.1%

11.2%

35.7x

6.7x

2.5%

2.8%

29.50

0.5%

8.8%

-8.8%

-8.8%

27.1%

4.6%

4.2x

1.1x

10.2%

24.1%

at 38,328.13 points following sell pressures in DANGCEM (1.9%), STERLING (-7.7%), and ACCESS (-1.2%). Consequent-

3 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC 4 Zenith Bank PLC

ĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ േϲϭ͘ϬďŶ ƚŽ േϮϬ͘ϬƚŶ͘ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ

Price Change Index to Date

Current Price

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 BUA Cement Plc

ly, YTD loss worsened to -ϰ͘ϴй ĂƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĚĞͲ

Price Previous Change Current Price YTD Weighting Change

ROE

ROA

P/E

5.4x

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

0.6x

5.7%

13.3%

2.1%

23.00

0.0%

6.5%

-7.3%

-7.3%

23.1%

2.9%

3.1x

0.7x

13.0%

32.2%

210.00

-1.9%

5.4%

-14.3%

-14.3%

32.0%

15.5%

11.8x

3.7x

7.6%

8.5%

160.00

0.0%

4.7%

-5.8%

-5.8%

14.3x

12.9x

5.9%

7.0%

1,420.00

0.0%

3.9%

-5.6%

-5.6%

3.5%

5 Dangote Cement PLC 6 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

volume traded rose 2.4% to 157.3m units while value trad-

7 Nestle Nigeria PLC 8 Lafarge Africa PLC

20.20

0.0%

3.3%

-4.0%

-4.0%

8.8%

6.2%

10.2x

0.9x

5.0%

9.8%

8.30

-1.2%

ed decreased by 28.9% to േϭ͘ϳďŶ͘ dŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ

9 Access Bank PLC 10 United Bank for Africa PLC

2.9%

-1.8%

-1.8%

16.4%

1.4%

2.5x

0.4x

9.6%

39.6%

7.25

-1.4%

2.3%

-16.2%

-16.2%

by volume were ZENITH (27.6m units), ACCESS (19.6m

11 FBN Holdings Plc 12 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

7.20

1.4%

2.5%

0.7%

0.7%

11.1%

1.1%

3.8x

0.3x

6.3%

56.00

2.2%

2.1%

0.0%

0.0%

4.5%

1.8%

60.7x

2.8x

1.7%

1.6%

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC 14 International Brew eries PLC

45.30

0.0%

2.1%

2.8%

2.8%

24.3%

3.7%

6.0x

1.4x

8.8%

16.6%

5.70

0.9%

1.5%

-4.2%

-4.2%

-15.5%

-3.4%

15 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 16 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

29.50

0.0%

1.2%

13.5%

13.5%

682.00

0.0%

units), and FBNH (13.5m units) while ZENITH ;േϲϯϰ͘ϮŵͿ͕ GUARANTY ;േϯϱϮ͘ϯŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ACCESS ;േϭϲϭ͘ϴŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůͲ ue.

17 11 PLC 18 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

Mixed Sector Performance Across sectors under our coverage, performance was mixed as 3 indicators gained, 2 lost while the AFR-ICT index closed

219.50

19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 Ecobank Transnational Inc 21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 22 FCMB Group Plc 23 Sterling Bank PLC 24 NASCON Allied Industries PLC

ŇĂƚ͘ dŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ůĞĚ gainers, up 0.4% due to

25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 26 Presco PLC

buying interest in NIGERIAN BREWERIES (+2.2%) and

27 Unilever Nigeria PLC 28 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

INTBREW (+0.9%). In the same vein, the Insurance and Oil Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƌŽƐĞ Ϭ͘ϯй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϭй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ AIICO (+3.2%), PRESTIGE (+6.5%), and OANDO ;нϬ͘ϳйͿ͘ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ Banking indices lost Ϭ͘ϵй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϭй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĂƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ĞdžŝƚĞĚ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶƐ ŝŶ DANGCEM (-1.9%), STERLING (-7.7%), and ACCESS (-1.2%).

29 United Capital PLC 30 Guinness Nigeria PLC 31 Custodian and Allied Insurance 32 AIICO Insurance PLC 33 Total Nigeria PLC 34 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 35 Wema Bank PLC

38 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 39 Beta Glass PLC 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

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T ic k er

28.7x

38.4x

4.9%

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4.7%

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69.5%

69.5%

1.6%

0.9%

40.0x

0.6x

6.0%

2.5%

-3.7%

-3.7%

7.4%

3.2%

26.9x

2.0x

3.9%

3.7%

0.0%

0.9%

6.0%

6.0%

24.6%

16.0%

11.7x

2.7x

7.1%

8.5%

2.33

1.7%

0.7%

-7.5%

-7.5%

11.4%

1.1%

2.3x

0.3x

9.6%

43.1%

14.3%

5.30

1.9%

0.6%

-11.7%

-11.7%

0.3%

0.0%

138.8x

0.2x

17.10

0.0%

0.6%

-2.8%

-2.8%

25.5%

12.6%

7.0x

1.7x

8.8%

2.98

0.0%

0.5%

-10.5%

-10.5%

10.4%

1.0%

3.2x

0.3x

5.0%

30.9%

1.56

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9.2%

0.9%

3.9x

0.3x

3.2%

25.9%

14.80

0.0%

0.4%

2.1%

2.1%

18.4%

5.8%

8.6x

3.2x

2.9%

11.7%

0.86

-2.3%

0.3%

-4.4%

-4.4%

-1.3%

-0.3%

0.5x

1.2%

-2.5%

78.90

0.0%

0.3%

11.2%

11.2%

17.9%

7.3%

2.5x

2.8%

12.20

-3.2%

0.2%

-12.2%

-12.2%

-6.2%

-4.1%

15.0x

0.7%

1.1x

5.40

0.0%

0.2%

1.9%

1.9%

6.10

-0.8%

0.3%

29.5%

29.5%

35.5%

4.2%

29.00

0.0%

0.3%

52.6%

52.6%

-17.8%

-9.0%

5.85

0.0%

0.2%

0.0%

0.0%

25.0%

7.8%

3.0x

0.7x

1.29

3.2%

0.2%

14.2%

14.2%

20.5%

3.3%

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0.3x

4.7x

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145.00

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11.5%

11.5%

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4.6%

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0.0%

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18.0%

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2.9%

0.4%

10.3x

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9.7%

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0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

3.00

0.7%

0.1%

62.50

0.0%

54.00 3.57

21.9x

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6.8%

0.5%

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0.4x

6.9%

35.5%

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7.4%

0.9%

7.0x

0.7x

4.2%

14.3%

-18.9%

-18.9%

14.5%

2.6%

1.3x

0.2x

77.4%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-29.7%

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1.8x

-16.8%

0.0%

0.1%

-2.5%

-2.5%

9.3%

6.4%

0.0%

0.0%

-0.8%

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-10.6%

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7.8x

0.7x

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T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

P ric e C hg % 9.9%

Z EN IT H B A N K

27.6

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0.49

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A C C ESS

19.6

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CHA M S

0.22

4.8%

FB NH

13.5

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SOVR EN IN S

0.27

3.8%

GUA R A N T Y

11.9

0.5%

A IIC O

1.29

3.2%

VER IT A SKA P

10.5

0.0%

2.2%

F ID ELIT YB K

5.6

1.7%

56.00

ET I

5.30

1.9%

M B EN EF IT

4.5

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C OR N ER ST

0.53

1.9%

UC A P

4.4

-0.8%

WEM A B A N K

0.58

1.8%

T R A N SC OR P

3.1

-2.3%

F ID ELIT YB K

2.33

1.7%

A IIC O

3.1

3.2%

P ric e

12.9% -22.5%

0.89

SUN UA SSUR

33.5% 28.2%

P ric e

T ic k er

21.4% -22.4%

T R A N SEXP R

NB

6.7% -5.7%

1.9%

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

T o p 10 L o s e r s

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

1.0x

26.1%

0.8%

T o p 10 G a in e r s

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ hŶĐŚĂŶŐĞĚ

17.8%

96.50

0.58

36 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 37 Oando PLC

104.8%

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

Z EN IT H B A N K

634.2

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0.47

-9.6%

R OYA LEX

0.68

-9.3%

GUA R A N T Y

352.3

0.5%

R EGA LIN S

0.34

-8.1%

A C C ESS

161.8

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LIN KA SSUR E

0.60

-7.7%

FB NH

96.9

1.4%

ST ER LN B A N K

1.56

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SEP LA T

54.7

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UA C -P R OP

0.79

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D A N GC EM

40.6

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UN IT YB N K

0.57

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NB

34.7

2.2%

C OUR T VILLE

0.20

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WA P C O

30.9

0.0%

28.5

0.0%

26.8

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A F R IP R UD

6.00

-3.2%

GUIN N ESS

UN ILEVER

12.20

-3.2%

UC A P

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FRIDAY, ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

35

NEWS

Osinbajo to Resolve Govs, CBN’s Dispute over Budget Support Facility Repayment NSIA records 343% growth in 2020 Deji Elumoye in Abuja The lingering dispute between the 36 state governors and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over the repayment of budget support facility extended to the state governments will be resolved by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

A meeting to that effect at the instance of the vice president will hold soon with representatives of state governors, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to resolve the disagreement over the repayment of the budget support facility obtained by the states.

This followed a disagreement between the governors and the CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, at yesterday’s virtual meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) presided over by the vice president in Abuja.

At the NEC meeting, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, had disclosed that the state chief executives wanted the loan repayment due in May to be deferred.

But the CBN governor insisted that the states should begin the repayment without future delay,

especially the monies owed to the banks, saying there were challenges arising from delays particularly as it concerned auditing.

Vice President’s spokesman, Mr. Laolu Akande, in a statement after the NEC meeting, said “on the Budget Support Facility, state governors restated their request to defer the repayment of the loans, which was to have started this month. Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who is also Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, reported interactions with the Finance Minister and the CBN Governor regarding the matter.

“The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, also emphasised the importance of the timely repayment of loans, especially those owed to commercial banks, indicating the challenges inherent in a further delay in payment, including audit concerns. He said the repayment of the commercial loans should resume this month.

“In addition, the Vice President stated that he will be holding a meeting soon with representatives of the State Governors, the Finance Minister and the CBN Governor to resolve the issue raised.”

The NEC was also informed that the nation's Sovereign

Investment now stands at N160.06 billion while net assets is N772.75 billion.

The Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) in a presentation by its Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Uche Oji, to the monthly meeting of NEC disclosed that NSIA has recorded a 343 per cent growth in Total Comprehensive Income totalling N160.06 billion in 2020 compared to N36.15 billion in the previous year and 33 per cent growth in Net Assets, rising up to N772.75 billion from the previous N579.54 billion.

The Council also learnt from the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba, that the nation's Excess Crude Account (ECA) peaked at $72.41 million as of May 18, 2021.

At the virtual meeting of the Council, which comprises the 36 State Governors, the Federal Capital Territory Minister and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (GBN), and other Federal Government officials, a session was devoted to holding the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the NSIA where reports and financial statements, including the audit, were presented.

The NSIA boss, Orji,

submitted that the NSIA achieved a core income of N109 billion compared to N33.07 billion in 2019, excluding forex gains of N51 billion in 2020 and N1.29 billion in 2019.

He noted that despite the challenges of COVID-19, it had a favourable year owing to strong performance from its investments in international capital markets, improved contribution from associates, as well as exchange rate gains from foreign currency positions.

In response to COVID-19, the NSIA partnered with Global Citizen, a not-for-profit group, to form the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF), acquired and distributed oxygen concentrators to 21 teaching hospitals as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility; in addition to staffing support to the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 towards combatting the pandemic.

Other major milestones reached by the NSIA were recorded across domestic infrastructure projects, specifically in roads, agriculture, healthcare, technology and gas industrialization.

NEC also received an update on Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic by the Director-General of the Nigeria

Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu.

According to NCDC boss, in the last two months, there has been a reduction in the number of cases globally, stating that even India has also experienced a reduction in its infection rates in the last five days.

He added that in Nigeria, the total number of cases as of yesterday, May 19, 2021, was 165,809, while the number of cases tested was 2,002,653, with 7,323 active cases. It was also disclosed that discharged cases were now 156,419, while there had been 2,067 deaths.

Ihekweazu stressed that the “transmission rate in the country is low,” adding that attention is now on tracking the new B1.617.2 variant from India while there are only three such cases identified in Nigeria so far.

According to him, the government focus should be on the protocols to stop the spread of the virus, while the health authorities and agencies will keep an eye on the tracking the Indian variant.

Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clem Agba, in his presentation, gave the Council the monthly update on Excess Crude Account which balance as at 18th May

2021 stands at $72,413,574.70; Stabilization Account balance also as of 18th May 2021 is N24,741,213,941.88 while Development of Natural Resources Account stands at N23,650,579,140.23.

NEC also received a presentation on the Digital Switch Over (DSO) by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. He stated that it was the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, that decided on member states switching off analogue television transmission to ‘go digital’.

The DSO will be taking off first in Lagos, Kano and Rivers States, he stated.

According to him, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the DSO Ministerial Task Force are tasked with ensuring that Nigeria ‘digitizes’ and develop a public information and awareness campaign to inform citizens about DSO/ FreeTV. The Minister disclosed that the switch-over has a revenue generation potential of N20 billion annually; and that the funds will enable the NBC support and upgrade DSO initiative, as well as fund local producers.

OPS Rejects Petrol Price Fixing, Says It’s against Deregulation Policy Dike Onwuamaeze The representatives of the organised private sector (OPS) of the Nigerian economy have rejected the recommendation by Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) that petrol pump price be fixed at N385 per litre.

They described the recommendation on fixing the price as capable of complicating the quest for the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

They, however, stated without equivocation that the removal of petrol subsidy has become inevitable and urged the federal government to find a creative means of achieving it in order to end the regime of fixing the pump price of petrol in the country.

The Director-General of the

LCCI, Dr. Muda Yusuf, who reacted to THISDAY’s question on the implication of fixing the pump price at N385, said: “I wonder why they (the governors) should be mentioning price, which should be a policy matter.

Let us discuss policy. What is their business with fixing the price? It is like they even want to complicate matters for the deregulation policy. It is not their business.”

Yusuf, however, said that “given the huge financing gaps that exist at all levels of government, it is impossible to continue to sustain the subsidy regime. The opportunity cost of petrol subsidy is huge. The fiscal space is just not there. This is what perhaps informed the position of the governors.”

He suggested that the transition from the subsidy

regime to a deregulated policy should be handled creatively by the government through the engagement of critical stakeholders to gain their buy-in and provision of palliatives to ameliorate its harsh impact.

He said: “The transitioning process from a subsidy regime to a deregulated policy space calls for a strategy that is inclusive and socially sensitive. It is a tricky situation that demands tactful handling. It has a profound social dimension, there is a strong economic argument, there is a significant investment effect and there is a potential substantial political cost.

“But the bigger conversation should be around what should be done to mitigate the short term adverse social effect on the vulnerable segments of the society.

“Therefore, the focus should be on providing subsidised mass transportation, intracity rail system, subsidised vehicle conversion to the use of autogas accelerated improvement in electricity supply, complete abolition of import duty and all forms of taxes on renewable energy equipment and accessories. There should be an inclusive framework (which should include labour unions) to ensure a transparent management of the revenue gains from the subsidy removal.”

For the Director-General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Ambassador Ayo Olukanni, the governors are advocating for the right policy at the wrong time that is coming at a time when the productive

capacity of the economy is facing serious challenges.

Olukanni argued that in the past 12 months, Nigerians have been bludgeoned by the COVID-19 pandemic which not only ravaged their health but their livelihoods.

He said: “The period saw successive increases in electricity tariffs, high inflation, and a devalued naira with no commiserate increase in income.

Several pundits have pointed to these issues as being at the root of the current level of insecurity in the country. While the private sector has consistently campaigned for a liberalisation of the downstream sector, we have grave concerns of the timing of the policy, which is coming at a time when the productive capacity of the economy is facing serious challenges.”

The Director-General of the NECA, Mr. Timothy Olawale, told THISDAY that the opinion expressed by the governors is still a proposal, which every Nigerian is entitled to air his or her view.

Olawale stated that the “NECA supports the full deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry; in which case the market forces should be allowed to prevail” He added: “Finally, we reiterate our call on the government to revamp our refining capacity by rehabilitating existing refineries, encourage the thriving of modular refineries and initiate policies that will attract massive investments by the private sector in product refineries through incentives. This way, the pain associated with deregulation will be assuaged”.

South-east, in particular, are saying.

“Let’s go back to our traditional method of relationship, we will no longer allow you to take your cattle from one local government to the other. And the implication is that these foreign herders also come as mobile herders with AK-47, and so that is the source of conflicts.

“So, anyone that is saying that there should be no ban is, on the other hand, saying that these killings should continue and that is what has birthed to ESN. "Whether we support it as governors or we don’t, the people tend to support it because the foreign herders pretending that they are rearing cattle are killing people.

of the House of Representatives, Hon. Idris Wase, at the plenary yesterday, shut down a motion

by Hon. Solomon Bob (PDP, Rivers), seeking to call Malami to order over his comment on the ban on open grazing.

Bob, while raising a point of order (Order 6 of House Rules Book), accused the minister of making inciting comments.

The lawmaker described Malami's comments as disingenuous, irresponsible and loaded with incendiary trope and ethnic slur, praying that he should be called to order.

However, the lawmaker was stopped midway through his point of order by Wase who was presiding the session.

Wase asked the lawmaker to take a seat, saying that the order was wrongly cited.

He said: ''The order in which you are bringing this matter is wrong. It's either you bring it as a full motion but coming under matters of privilege is wrong so take your seat.''

SOUTHERN GOVS, OTHERS REBUKE MALAMI FOR OPPOSING OPEN GRAZING BAN He said the AGF’s comparison was not applicable as the sellers of motor spare parts have not been accused of killing fellow citizens and destroying their property.

“Besides, those who sell spare parts outside their states of origin either acquire properties or pay rent for their lawful business,” Falana stated.

He added that contrary to Malami’s claim, only humans are guaranteed freedom of movement by the constitution and not animals.

Another human rights lawyer, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), also tackled Malami.

Adegboruwa said the AGF lacked the powers to make proclamations for the country.

He added: “The proponents of open grazing support it with the right to freedom of movement granted under section 41 of the constitution.

This section cannot be interpreted to violate other

constitutional provisions, especially section 43 that grants the right to private or public property.

“You cannot deploy the right to movement of person and cattle to violate the right of another citizen to own property, such as land or farmland, or else you become a trespasser. It is in this regard that I disagree with the honourable AttorneyGeneral of the Federation when he said that the ban on open grazing is unconstitutional.

That cannot represent a proper interpretation of the constitution, with all due respect.”

He urged state Houses of Assembly that have proscribed open grazing to make laws to support their declarations.

On his part, Peterside warned that linking the resolution to ban open grazing in the South with right to free movement of persons is “disingenuous.”

Reacting to the minister’s comments, Peterside tweeted

yesterday that freedom of movement of persons does not extend to cattle.

“It is disingenuous to link a ban on open grazing to the constitutional right to the free movement of persons.

“The latter does not extend to the free movement of cattle, goats, sheep etc through farms with the attendant destruction of somebody’s harvest,” he said.

Umahi: Ban Opponents Want Killings to Continue In a related development, the Chairman of South-east Governors’ Forum and Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. David Umahi, has said that those kicking against the ban on open grazing as canvassed

by Southern governors want killings to continue.

Asked to respond to the claim by Malami that banning open grazing in the South is like banning the sale of spare

parts in the North, Umahi told State House reporters in Abuja that those who hold that view misunderstood the situation.

The governor added that the South has no grazing routes, and allowing cows to move freely would mean trespassing on people’s property.

According to him, herderfarmer conflict gave rise to crises and killings, including the setting up of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

He said: “In the South-east, we don’t have grazing routes but in the North, we have cattle routes. Nobody is going to say ban open grazing in some areas in the North where there are cattle routes, where they move constitutionally from one point to the other. But in the South, there is no cattle route and for you to move from one point to the other, you have to move through farms, through populationdense areas. And this is what the Southern governors,

Wase Shuts down Motion to Call Malami to Order Over His Comment Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker

36

FRIDAY MAY21, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Finally, Govs, Judicial, Legislative Workers Sign Agreement on Financial Autonomy Unions to call off strike after receipt of allocation

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

State governors and the leadership of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and

Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) have finally entered into agreement on the modalities and timelines for the commencement of full financial

No Kidnapping in Lagos, CP Insists The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Hakeem Odumosu, yesterday insisted that there was no kidnapping in any part of the state.

Odumosu however acknowledged that the Command had been tackling cases of ‘one chance’ robbery.

He was reacting to social media reports that kidnappers have taken over the Admiralty Way in Lekki, Ozumba Nbadiwe Way, Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge and some parts of Lekki community in the state.

In a statement signed

by Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, the CP said the report was “not true as the command has not recorded any case of kidnapping in the state in recent past”.

The statement titled, ‘No Kidnapping Recorded in Lagos State… CP Odumosu’, partly read, “The only

isolated incident recorded by the command on May 18, 2021, which went viral, was a case of ‘One Chance,’ reported by one Adegoke Joel, (male) on behalf of one Adenike Kosoko, (female), who boarded a private car at Admiralty Way, opposite Zenith Bank, Lekki on 18th May, 2021 at about 7.30pm.

“Unfortunately, the two male occupants of the car turned to be ‘One Chance’ operators that drove her around Lekki and Ikate, Lagos before she was dropped “In the course of investigation, it was revealed that she was dropped by the culprits same day before 12am at Ikate Area, Lagos State. “The hoodlums only used her ATM card to withdraw the sum of one hundred and ten thousand naira (N110,000) from her bank account.”

autonomy for various arms of government at the state level.

The deal was brokered by the committee on the implementation of financial autonomy for the state legislature and judiciary arms of government led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the meeting with the unions in Abuja which ended late last night, Ngige said that an agreement had been signed on the implementation of full financial autonomy for the state judiciary and legislative arms of government.

He described the event as

historic coming after several attempts and failures to implement the constitutional provision by successive governments.

He said: “At the end of the tortuous journey we had undertaken this evening , we have signed an agreement, not a Memorandum of Action as such but a framework for each of the state governments to grant autonomy to their state legislature and judiciary. As I said earlier the governors have studied this document and they are in agreement with it.

“So by Monday or Tuesday, we are going trigger off the section B and D which says

Miyetti Allah Backs Southern Govs on Open Grazing Ban

CONGRATULATIONS …

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has thrown its weight behind the the ban on open grazing in the Southern part of the country, which was issued by governors of the region in their recent meeting in Asaba, Delta State.

National Patron of MACBAN and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Walid Jibrin, stated this yesterday during a press conference in Kaduna.

Jibrin said the ban is capable of providing solutions to the farmers-herders crisis across

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

the country.

He said cattle rearing has been in Africa for over 100 years without any consideration to the free movement of cattle (Open Grazing) or any Grazing Reserve.

He, however, said such was allowed because there were few herders then, pointing out that the practice today is getting outdated internationally.

Governors of the Southern part of Nigeria had issued the ban on open grazing after a meeting in Asaba, the Delta State capital so as to curb the insecurity in the region.

EFCC: We Recovered over N1bn Cash from Civil Servant Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, yesterday disclosed that the anti-graft agency has recovered over N1 billion cash from a civil servant.

Bawa, made this known when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance that is investigating the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and payment of one per cent stamp duty by contractors on all contracts awarded by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) between 2014 and 2020.

He stated that the said amount was recovered from the personal account of a

serving civil servant who is currently being investigated.

Bawa said: “There are a lot of leakages we need to block.

It is not about generating revenue. We have recovered over a billion Naira sitting in an account of a civil servant last week.

“After observing the proceedings and the process of investigation of the committee, I am happy with what is happening here.

It is a good development that the committee is working towards blocking revenue leakages. At this point in the nation’s history, it is not much about generating revenue as much as blocking leakages of revenue generated and still being generated by all these agencies of government.”

governments of the respective states shall credit the accounts of the legislative and Judicial arms or government with a pro-rata amounts due to each arms of government under the 2021 appropriation law,” he said.

Among the signatories to the document are: Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Sokoto state governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (for the governors); and the representatives of the unions, including Ngige who signed as a witness to the agreement.

According to the document containing agreement obtained

by THISDAY, all states are required to pass and assent to the Funds Management Law and the state House of Assembly Service Commission Law as well as put in place implementation structures within a time-frame not exceeding 45 days from the date of signing this document.

The agreement which has the input and recommendations from all the parties, such the governors, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and JUSUN and the leadership of the parliamentary workers is expected to be signed later by the governors and the leadership of the two unions.

L-R: President and Chairman of Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo (left); and Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Kennie Obateru, during the induction of the NNPC’s image maker into the fellowship of the institute at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Bauchi, Bauchi State … yesterday

FG: Secession Agitations Unacceptable The federal government yesterday insisted that the calls for secession in some quarters in Nigeria were unacceptable.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed made this known while delivering a speech virtually at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the

Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) held in Bauchi State.

Mohammed acknowledged that it was rational and ideal for citizens to call for restructuring and true federalism, adding that whatever challenges facing the country can be surmounted.

“While it is alright for citizens to call for restructuring and true federalism, what is not acceptable is the call in

certain quarters for secession.

“Whatever challenges we have today as a nation, can and will be surmounted. In fact, the Federal Government had set in motion the necessary machinery to tackle the challenge of insecurity.

“We should therefore not allow today’s challenges, whether in the area of economy or security, to jeopardise our unity,” he said.

He appealed to NIPR to use its platform to work for the unity of Nigeria.

“That task has never been more urgent than now against the background of discordant voices in the country and calls for separation.

“I see NIPR as a capable partner in government’s effort to douse the tension in the land and beat the drum of unity rather than the drum of war.

Ogun Reads Riot Act as Another Gas Explosion Kills One at Obasanjo’s Library

Kayode Fasua in Abeokuta

One person was confirmed dead, while another was seriously injured when gas exploded yesterday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

A statement by the Managing Director of OOPL, Mr. Vitalese Ortese, confirmed the incident.

However, the Ogun State Government also yesterday talked tough, warning that it would descend heavily on those selling adulterated gas products,

in view of four similar events that occurred recently.

Ortese in his statement said, “The management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library wishes to confirm that there was indeed a gas explosion today, at the main event Marquee of the complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

“The explosion emanated when a pair of technical vendors were conducting routine servicing of the air conditioning units.

“There have been reports of similar incidents across the state in

the last one week, which calls for investigation by the appropriate authorities.

“The explosion, which occurred at about 11.04 am, unfortunately, led to the death of a technical vendor and serious injury of the second vendor.”

He added that the emergency team of the Library immediately took action to prevent further damages and subsequently moved the injured to the hospital.

According to him, visitors into the complex were temporarily limited to contain any fallout

from the explosion.

He assured that all visitors to the library, guests at the Green Legacy Resort, the pupils at the CCGK nursery and primary school, clients at the cultural villages, and staff present on the premises at the time of the incident were safe.

Meanwhile, Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, yesterday warned that anyone found guilty of selling adulterated gas products or violating safety protocols in the state would be visited with the full weight of the law.

Ahmed: FG Focused on Sustaining Efficient Tax Administration Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

from tax revenue.

The federal government yesterday declared that it remains focused on promoting and sustaining an efficient tax administration, through the deployment of modern technology-driven processes and systems to boost collection

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed stated this in a goodwill message at the 23rd annual Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) conference in Abuja, themed ‘Taxation for Economic

Recovery: A Necessity For Social Engagement And Economic Sustainability.’

A statement by her Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi said she tasked the tax professionals to continue to work with

other relevant stakeholders in ensuring effective and optimal participation in the global efforts spearheaded by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to transform the digital economy into a major revenue Source for governments.

FRIDAY MAY 21, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSEXTRA

Buhari Returns to Abuja after Four-day Visit to France Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari returned to yesterday to Abuja from a four-day visit to Paris, France, where he attended African Finance Summit.

The presidential aircraft, Air Force One, conveying the President and some of his aides, landed at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 3.52 pm.

On hand to receive him at the airport were his Chief of Staff (CoS), Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba and Director-General of Department of State Ser (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, among others top government officials.

The President left the Nigerian shores for Paris, the French capital last Sunday and was accompanied by some ministers

and top aides.

While in Paris, Buhari participated fully in the Financing Africa Summit, held at Grande Palais Ephemere on Tuesday, with the theme: “External Financing and debt Treatment”.

The president also engaged in various bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit.

At the opening of the summit on Tuesday, the President called on European countries and global financial institutions to consider reducing the

devastating effects of COVID-19 pandemic on African economies by restructuring debt portfolios and providing complete debt relief.

He observed that many African countries were already experiencing debt distress and

the debt service suspension by France and the G-20 was not far-reaching enough.

He also stressed the need for more sustainable and affordable financing solutions, including debt relief and further debt restructuring.

FG Approves Abuja, Lagos, PH, Kano Airports as Special Economic Zones Chinedu Eze The federal government has approved four out of the five designated international airports as Special Free Zones (SEZ), meanwhile, keeping silent on Enugu airport.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, disclosed this on his Twitter handle yesterday, saying: “I am very glad to announce that the president has approved our four international airports as Special Economic Zones.

These are Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Our roadmap is working.”

A Special Free Zone is an area in which the business and trade laws are different from the rest of the country, and are usually located within a country’s national borders or airports, which operates as investment or manufacturing hub with tax relief and other conveniences as incentive.

Such trade zones bring in development and promote exports of goods and services; investment from domestic and foreign sources; creation of employment opportunities and the development of infrastructure facilities.

Your ‘Shoot-at-Sight Order’ on Igbo Youths Heartless, Adebanjo Tells Buhari Segun James A pan- Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has described the ‘shoot-on-sight’ order by President Muhammadu Buhari on protesting Igbo youths as “artless and heartless.”

The elder statesman and leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in his reaction to the order, said he saw a situation where two sets of laws exists in the country, “one where the Fulani go scot free for any misdemeanor, and another that ensures that the lives of others, especially those of the Igbo, do not matter.”

Adebanjo in a statement said with the shoot-on-sight order, “the fate of the people of the Southeast amid clear and present animus, arising from the deeds and words from Major General Buhari, now appears to be in a certain jeopardy.”

While noting that the rising hostility against the South-east zone since the beginning of the Buhari administration had now become a matter of great concern to Afenifere, the group leader said such reality should also become a major concern for other stakeholders in the Nigerian project.

WASU Lauds Dangote on Employment Generation West African Student’s Union (WASU) has commended the aggressive employment generation drive of the Aliko Dangote-led companies, urging other wealthy West African leaders to invest in industries that will rid the region of high unemployment rate.

President of WASU, Comrade Romans Pillah in a press briefing, held in Abuja yesterday, described Dangote as God-sent, to the African continent and lauded him for employing more than 200,000 Youths in his companies.

“As students, we are mostly scared of our future because of the high unemployment rate in our region, but with a man like Aliko Dangote, we are optimistic and only prayed for more Africans like him so as to totally eliminate the high scourge of unemployment in our continent as a whole” While urging Dangote to prevail on cement distributors across Nigeria to sell a little

above the ex-factory price of N2,450, he said the attitude of the distributors and other middlemen, who are instrumental to the rise in the price of cement should be sanctioned.

He further commended the doggedness and commitment of the Dangote group to the industrialisation of the West African sub-region. According to him: “WASU wishes to appreciate the Dangote Group on their corporate social responsibility via scholarship, youth empowerment and building of enduring infrastructure…”

Earlier in Lagos, WASU President, with his executive members had presented an award to Dangote group as the “Most Outstanding Company in Africa”, noting that there is no other company in the continent that is rapidly expanding across all African countries and employing thousands of youths in their respective locations, as much as the Group.

EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME …

L-R: Group Head, Propositions and Partnerships, Sterling Bank, Mr. Gbenga Adegoke; Divisional Head, Retail and Consumer Banking, Mr. Shina Atilola; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ekiti State, Professor Rasak Ojo Bakare, and Tourism Business Manager, Sterling Bank, Abiola Adelana, during the second disbursement of Ekiti State Tourism Development loans powered by Sterling Bank to 300 beneficiaries in Ado-Ekiti…recently

Yoruba Group Urges Southern Govs to Back Resolutions with Legislation The Yoruba Leadership and Peace Initiative (TYLPI) has urged the governors of the 17 southern states to take their recent initiative further by forwarding to their various Houses of Assembly, bills on the relevant resolutions contained in the communique they issued after their recent meeting in Asaba, Delta State.

One of such resolutions was the ban on open grazing of cattle in the southern states.

The group made the call in a communique issued yesterday by its President, Mr. Olusegun K. Ahmadu and the General

Secretary, Arakunrin Olufemi Adefemiwa at the end of its three-day strategic management retreat in Abuja.

It expressed its belief in the continued corporate existence of Nigeria “but under a restructured, equitable, just and fair political arrangement.”

In an apparent response to those who have asked what restructuring meant, TYLPI, in the communique defined it as “the replacement of the current pseudo-federal system of governance under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) with

a new system based on the 1963 Republican Constitution, modified to reflect the present day reality, such that the federating units will control their natural resources while contributing agreed percentages to the centre. This restructuring will entail the re-enactment of a new constitution agreed to by the people of Nigeria.”

TYLPI also listed the elements of restructuring to include a return to the Westminster parliamentary system of government and the devolution of power to the states and local

governments.

Others are the realignment of the nation’s geographical boundaries to enable people with cultural affinity and historical linkages to be co-located in the same state and the expansion of each of the current geo-political zones to seven states making a total of 42 states in the country.

The group bemoaned the spiraling insecurity in the land, crass nepotism in governance and the near collapse of the economy and urged the government to begin to think out of the box in other to find solutions to them.

Hoodlums Kill NAF Personnel, Protest Presence of Soldiers in Oshodi Sunday Ehigiator

There was pandemonium in Oshodi area of Lagos State yesterday as commuters and traders around the Mosafejo area scampered to safety as hoodlums went on rampage.

The riotous hoodlums, who vandalised vehicles, were protesting the presence of soldiers attached to the

Ops MESA at the bus park in Oshodi.

The soldiers were in the park to meet the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) chairman following the murder of a non-commissioned officer (NCO) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

The unnamed Airman was killed on Monday and

his body dumped on top of the pedestrian bridge.

The deceased soldier who was plain clothed, had boarded an Ikorodu-bound vehicle when suddenly a fracas broke out at the park between bus operators and passengers.

He was said to have intervened in the fracas in a bid to restore peace but was

killed in the process.

His body was left on of top the bridge until the following day when passersby saw and evacuated it to a nearby mortuary.

The soldier’s colleagues who were worried about his sudden disappearance were said to have made enquiries and discovered his last seen position was at Oshodi.

NNPC Spokesman, Obateru Bags NIPR Fellowship Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, (NIPR) yesterday in Bauchi at its Annual General Meeting (AGM), conferred its fellowship award on Dr. Kennie Obateru, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

A statement from the national oil company described the

recipient, Obateru as a “selfdriven” and “amiable” public relations practitioner.

It noted that Obateru joined the NNPC in 1992 as an experienced hire and has through the years served in various capacities as General Manager/Head, NNPC London Office, Manager, Public Affairs, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Manager, Public Affairs, Port

Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) among other positions.

He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos; University of Ilorin and University of Stirling, Scotland, UK, where he obtained a Certificate in News Reporting, a BA (Hons) Performing Arts and an M.Sc in Public Relations respectively.

According to the statement, in 2012, he was awarded a doctorate

degree in management (Honoris Causa) by the Commonwealth University, Belize.

“Obateru has attended numerous professional courses and conferences at home and abroad which include International Public Relations Association Conferences, World Petroleum Congresses (WPCs) and more than a dozen OPEC Ministerial Conferences among others,” it stated.

Boko Haram Leader, Shekau Killed in Clash with ISWAP Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Leader of the Boko Haram group that has terrorised northern Nigeria in the last decade, Abubakar Shekau, has again been reported dead.

A police intelligence report shared with TheCable quoted top commanders of the Islamic State in West Africa Province

(ISWAP), a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, as saying Shekau blew himself up on Wednesday following a confrontation.

The Boko Haram leader was said to have killed himself with a bomb “when he observed that the ISWAP fighters wanted to capture him alive”.

An ISWAP commander, Baana Duguri, was quoted as saying

in the report from the Nigeria police intelligence unit that the ISWAP members “surrounded the Boko Haram leader with his team and shooting ensued between the two factions”.

TheCable reported that his conversation with Modu Sulum, ISWAP logistics commander, was taped by the Inspector General of police (IG) Intelligence

Response Team (IRT) led by Abba Kyari.

Shekau’s reported death has not been independently verified

by TheCable. But this is not the first time it has been in the news.

Checks by TheCable showed that the Boko Haram leader has been pronounced dead on at least four occasions, mostly by the military.

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FRIDAY MAY 21, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

Foreign Countries Should Refund Stolen Funds With Interest, Says ICPC Chairman The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, has canvassed for the payment of interests on stolen funds by benefiting foreign nations as part of measures to redress the menace of Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs).

The ICPC boss also disclosed that the federal government of Nigeria was currently reviewing legacy transactions in oil and gas, tax investments and the use of waivers in Nigeria in order to curb IFFs. Owasanoye, who made this

known at the International Conference on IFFs and Asset Recovery that was held at the ICPC Headquarters, Abuja, said that Africa is the biggest victim of IFFs due to illegal movements of funds from the continent to abroad.

He said: “Africa is the biggest victim of IFFs. If you evaluate what we have lost as a continent against what African counties owe, Africa should be a net creditor to the world. They can decide to deduct the loans given to African countries from all the money taken from the continent and there will still be a substantial amount to return

to Africa.

“The money should also be returned with interests as they have been in use over there. The money should be placed in an Escrow account, and a regional development bank that knows how to manage money should be in charge of such funds.”

The ICPC’s chairman advocated a workable framework that would reduce the timeframe for the repatriation of identified stolen funds and assets and decried the huge loss suffered by the continent due to long and tedious processes that usually take several years to complete.

Court Slams N20m Fine on Mohammed over Defamation of Secondus Chuks Okocha in Abuja A Rivers State High Court has slammed N20million fine on the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed for defaming the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus.

Mohammed had in 2018 mentioned Secondus in the first list of those he claimed looted Nigeria’s treasury.

He alleged that the national

CHANGE OF NAME I formally known and address as ESTHER ONYINYECHI VULMA OKWARAKU, now wish to be known and address as GRACE PECULIAR OKWARA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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chairman of the main opposition party collected N200million from the former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

Secondus, who denied the allegation, said he was embarrassed by the minister’s claim.

Secondus thereafter filed a suit at the High Court, Port Harcourt, claiming among other things that the court awards to him the sum of N1.5billion being damages for humiliation, castigation, vilification attack on

his person and integrity as a result of the publication.

In a judgment yesterday, Justice A. I. Iyayi-Lamikanra held that the defendants in the suit were liable.

He ordered that the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants should publish a written apology in favour of the claimant.

The judge further restrained the defendants, their agents and privies from further publishing defamatory statements against the claimant.

House Directs NERC to Suspend Proposed Increase in Electricity Tariffs Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to direct the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to rescind the decision to further increase electricity tariff proposed for

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June 202l in view of the hard times the Nigerian masses are currently going through.

The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved at the plenary yesterday by Hon. Hon. Aniekan Umanah.

Moving the motion, Umanah said the Electric Power Sector Act of 2005 established NERC with a mandate to license Distribution Companies (Discos), determine operating codes and standards, establish customer rights and obligations as well as set costreflective industry tariff.

The lawmaker added that the Act prescribed its funding from 15 percent of electricity charges paid by customers to distribution companies.

MultiChoice Talent Factory Launches Colours of Africa Short Film Series Film aficionados hungry for African stories could indulge in a feast of curated short films in celebration of African cinema by the MultiChoice and the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) to celebrate the love of African cinema with the Colours of Africa Film (CAF) series.

The series would feature 16 films shot and directed by the MTF Academy’s Class of 2020, available on Showmax on Africa Day and M-Net Movies AfroCinema pop-up channel from May 21 to May 30, 2021.

Viewers would get to sink their teeth into a selection of films from East, West and Southern Africa and marvel at the results of the talent honed by the MTF Academy’s distinctive curriculum.

The Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Johm UGBE, said that “the CAF series is one of the many ways that the MultiChoice celebrates young film talent in Africa.”

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Islamic History of Masjid Al Aqsa - (I) Source: Visit Masjid Al Aqsa/IslamiCity Masjid Al Aqsa has a very special place in the hearts of the entire Muslim community due to its unique and rich history as a place of worship that is so closely intertwined with the lives of many of the Prophets of Islam, as well as for its special status as a Masjid to which travel is recommended and in which reward is increased.

It is a special and blessed Masjid of vast size comprising 144,000 square metres in size (covering approximately 1/6th of the entire area of the Old City of Jerusalem) and with capacity to accommodate in the region of 500,000 worshippers.

InshAllah, below is a brief summary of the history of Masjid Al Aqsa divided into three sections: 1) From Prophet Adam (as) to Prophet Muhammad (saw); 2) From Prophet Muhammad (saw) to 1917; and 3) From 1917 to the present day.

1. From Prophet Adam (as) to Prophet Muhammad (saw) Al Masjid Al Aqsa was the first qibla in Islam and it has been a significant and important place of worship for the Prophets of Islam. It was built 40 years after Al Masjid Al Haram in Makkah. There is a difference of opinion amongst scholars as to who exactly built Al Masjid Al Aqsa, with some scholars and historians asserting the view that Al Masjid Al Aqsa was built by Prophet Adam (as), and others opining that it was built by Prophet Ibrahim (as). It has also been rebuilt, renovated and expanded many times in the history of Islam.

It was a well known place of worship at the time of Prophet Ibrahim (as) and for his son Prophet Ishaq (as) and grandson Prophet Yaqub (as). When Prophet Yaqub’s son Prophet Yusuf (as) attained a position of power in Egypt, he asked his family to join him and escape the poverty that engulfed Palestine. Biblical sources claim this included his father Prophet Yaqub (as) and Prophet Yusuf’s siblings and their children [Book of Genesis], and that there were 33 in all (Allahu aalam). At this point, as there was no one left amongst Prophet Yaqub’s progeny to look after Al Masjid Al Aqsa (which at the time had the name of “Beteyel” or “House of God”), care for this blessed place was entrusted to the native population of the land (who were also followers of Prophet Ibrahim (as)), the Palestinians.

The Israelites who voluntarily emigrated to Egypt seeking a better material life remained there for approximately four centuries and became slaves to the Egyptians. This slavery only ended when Prophet Musa (as) freed them from Firaoun under the command of Allah. However, the Israelites rejected the orders of Allah to return to Palestine and were thus commanded to live in and wander through the desert of Sinai for 40 years. This ended when a new generation was born, containing within it Prophet Daoud (as), who led his generation of believers to Palestine.

Prophet Daoud (as) established his kingdom in part of Palestine, and controlled Jerusalem. His son Prophet Suleiman (as) rebuilt Al Masjid Al Aqsa with the help of the local indigenous population and next to it he built the ruler’s palace. After Prophet Suleiman’s death, his two sons divided his kingdom amongst themselves with each having its own capital. These kingdoms existed for a very short period of time – approximately two hundred years, with the last king of Jerusalem in this dynasty being dethroned in 586/587BC as he tried to resist the Babylonians (led by King Nebuchadnezzar) but failed due to a crippling siege that the Babylonians had placed on the city.

Shortly after the Babylonians took control of Jerusalem, Al Masjid Al Aqsa was destroyed again.

The Persians overthrew the Babylonians (during which time efforts to rebuild Al Masjid Al Aqsa as a place of worship were renewed), but in the period thereafter ownership changed hands numerous times, and Al Masjid Al Aqsa was destroyed, rebuilt and then destroyed again within a century by the Romans in 70AD after a revolt in the city.

By 315-325AD, when the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, the Romans and the people residing in their land (including the Jews) no longer had any regard for Al Masjid Al Aqsa and no longer treated it as a place of sanctity and worship, with the site of Al Masjid Al Aqsa actually being used as a place of waste disposal for the citizens of the city. This is how Al Masjid Al Aqsa remained for the next few hundred years until the Prophet Muhammad (saw) revived once again the spirituality of this blessed place, and his great companion Umar Ibn Al Khattab (ra) liberated the city.

2. From Prophet Muhammad (saw) to 1917 Al Masjid Al Aqsa had a very unique place in

the life of Prophet Muhammad (saw) for many reasons. Firstly, as Al Masjid Al Aqsa was central to the lives of many of his fellow Prophets (as) with whom he shared an exceptional bond (as the Islam taught by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is a continuation, completion and perfection of the religion and message of monotheism preached by all the prophets of Allah including Prophet Adam (as), Prophet Nuh (as), Prophet Ibrahim (as) (of whom Prophet Muhammad (saw) was a descendant through his son Ismaeel (as)), Prophet Musa (as), Prophet Daoud (as), Prophet Suleiman (as), and Prophet Isa (as) to name a few), Al Masjid Al Aqsa also by definition had a central place in his life and heart. In addition to this, up until the 2nd year of Hijra (623/624AD), the Prophet Muhammad (saw) turned and faced Al Masjid Al Aqsa as the direction for his prayers.

In his lifetime though, the most memorable reason why Al Masjid Al Aqsa has such significance is because it was the place to which he travelled on the night of Israa, and it was the location from which he made his Miraaj to the Heavens.

In the books of Hadith, we learn that the Prophet (saw) went to visit the Ka’bah at night, and fell asleep. The Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) then awoke him and led him to a winged white beast named Buraq. It was on Buraq that the Prophet (saw) then made the journey to Jerusalem (a journey that would typically take 40 days) in just one momentous night. On reaching Jerusalem, the Prophet (saw) met and led all the previous Prophets in prayer at the site of Al Masjid Al Aqsa, and then embarked on the Miraaj to the Heavens.

The journey of Israa was such a momentous occasion that Allah revealed verses relating to this journey in the Holy Quran – “Glorified be He [Allah] Who did take His servant for a journey by night from Al Masjid Al Haram to Al Masjid Al Aqsa, whose precincts We did bless, in order that We might show him some of Our Signs.

Verily He is the All Hearing, All Seeing” [17:1].

After the death of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), the second Khalif of Islam (who was also a close companion of the Prophet Muhammad (saw)), Umar Ibn Al Khattab, entered and mercifully liberated Jerusalem (accompanied by 40,000 Sahaba) on the invitation of the Christian leader at the time, without shedding blood and with the guarantee of protection for the lives, property and places of worship of others within the city who wished to remain there. As Umar’s personality and characteristics closely resembled and matched those of the liberator of Jerusalem foretold within scriptures, the people of the city were quick to embrace and accept his rule.

As mentioned earlier, when he arrived at the site of Al Masjid Al Aqsa in 637/638AD, he didn’t find a place of prayer but rather a plot of land that had been left barren and had been used as a rubbish tip by the Romans. Upon seeing this he took the responsibility to remove the waste with his own hands and to rebuild Al Masjid Al Aqsa.

Both the Christians and the Jews were pleased with the arrival of Umar and the Muslims, and with their just rule.

In 691/692AD, Abd’ al Malik bin Marwan began constructing what is nowadays known as the Dome of the Rock on top of the rock which some believe was the place where Prophet Muhammad (saw) embarked on his Miraaj to the Heavens. However, it must be noted that regardless of whether the rock has importance for this reason, its main significance derives from it being within the boundaries of Al Masjid Al Aqsa and therefore part of Al Masjid Al Aqsa.

The Muslims lost Al Masjid Al Aqsa to the Crusaders in 1099AD and were the victims of one of the darkest and most bloody days in its history. On arrival into Jerusalem. The Crusaders announced that they would not take any prisoners, resulting in a large proportion of the Muslims fleeing to Al Masjid Al Aqsa in order to seek refuge. The Crusaders later entered the blessed Masjid and massacred thousands of Muslims inside.

Al Masjid Al Aqsa was then converted into a palace, and it took 88 years before the Muslims reclaimed it in 1187 under the leadership of the great leader Salahuddin Ayyubi. His reclamation of Jerusalem and Al Masjid Al Aqsa was reminiscent of Umar Ibn Al Khattab’s liberation five centuries earlier, and was a stark contrast to the actions of the Crusaders just a generation prior. Like Umar Ibn Al Khattab, Salahuddin Ayyubi did not allow a massacre of civilians or soldiers, and after reclaiming Al Masjid Al Aqsa he also used his own hands to clean the blessed land, and famously sprinkled rosewater through the Masjid.

To Be Continued

FRIDAY MAY21, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Victor Moses Finally Quits Chelsea, Seals Permanent Deal with Spartak Moscow Femi Solaja with agency report After nine years of relationship with Chelsea FC, former Nigerian international, Victor Moses, yesterday left the London club for a permanent deal with Russian side, Spartak Moscow.

The Russia 2018 World Cup player with Super Eagles of Nigeria was confirmed to have secured a permanent deal with the Russian club yesterday.

The 30-year-old joined Spartak last summer on a loan deal but it became a permanent deal following the team’s improved

performance which resulted in top three finish in the Russian Premier Liga.

The wing-back had scored four goals and four assists in his 19 appearances with Spartak. This fired up the team to second plate finish in the final table, and now the Spartak press office have confirmed they will trigger the option to keep the Nigeria international around permanently.

“His contract says it would be automatically redeemed if the team finished in the top three, and we finished second,” said PR Director, Anton Fetisov (via RIA Novosti).

There has been no official

confirmation of the fee, but according to Goal’s Nizaar Kinsella, Chelsea are set to net around £4m in the deal.

Reports in Russian social media indicate that many fans of the club were delighted with the turn of event following a brilliant performance of the Nigerian star and the chance to have him play for the team for another two years or more.

Spartak have deployed Moses in the right wing-back role in which he excelled under Antonio Conte at Chelsea.

The Nigerian played an enormous part in the Blues’ Premier League title triumph of 2016/17, but his role in the 2012/13 Europa League win deserves plenty of credit too.

During his nine years on the books at Chelsea, Moses racked up 128 appearances, scoring 18 goals and creating another 13.

He spent a lot of time out on loan, with Liverpool, Stoke City, West Ham, Fenerbahce and Inter all hosting Moses before his spell with Spartak this season.

Moses is expected to be the first of several sales from Chelsea this summer. Loan players like Ross Barkley, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Davide Zappacosta and Michy Batshuayi could be among the more high-profile exits.

Chelsea must also resolve the future of AC Milan loanee Fikayo Tomori.

Rossoneri have the option to buy the centre-back permanently for around £25m, but there have been conflicting reports over their willingness to pay that kind of money.

Victor Moses...freed from Chelsea contract to join Spartak Moscow on permanent deal

Senate Mulls Establishment of Sports Varsity Deji Elumoye and Juliet Akoje in Abuja

A bill seeking to establish the Federal Sports University of Nigeria, Nkalagu, Ebonyi State, on Wednesday passed through second reading at the Senate.

The bill is sponsored by Senator Obinna Ogba (PDP, Ebonyi Central).

Leading debate on the bill, the ranking Senator said the University when established, would be a highly specialized institution that would develop Nigerian youths in various sporting endeavors.

According to Ogba, the university would offer professional and academic programmes leading to the award of diploma, first degrees, Post-Graduate research and higher degrees with emphasis on planning, adaptive, technical, maintenance, development and productive skills in engineering, and allied professional disciplines relating to sports resources.

He added that the institution would, among others, establish appropriate relationships with other national institutions involved in training, research and development of technologies in the sports sector.

Ogba emphasized that the university would also identify the problems and needs of sports in Nigeria with a view to finding solutions to them.

Contributing, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, said the establishment of the institution would contribute immensely to Nigeria’s earnings from sports.

On his part, Senator Frank Ibezim said the presence of the university would encourage the development of all aspects of sports, in addition to addressing the problems of youth restiveness amid fostering national unity.

The bill after consideration was referred by the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, to the Committee on Sports to report back in four weeks.

43rd CBN Senior Tennis Championships Serve off in Abuja Activities marking the 43rd edition of the Central Bank of Nigeria sponsored Senior Tennis Open Championships scheduled to run from May 20 to May 29 2021 served off at the Package ‘B’ of the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja yesterday.

At the media unveiling of the Championship in Abuja yesterday by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department of the CBN, Mr. Osita Nwanisobi who represented the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele. he said the objective of the championship remain to create a good platform for the discovery, harnessing and grooming of young talents and deploying them to represent the country at International

Tennis tournaments like the Davies Cup and the Billie Jean Cup among others.

Nwanisobi added that it has over the years served as a platform to take young talents off the streets while affording them opportunities to channel their energy positively and showcasing their talent.

Just as it was in the past, winners at this year’s tournament are expected to represent Nigeria at the Billie Jean Cup Tournament slated for June 15 to 20 and June 21 – 26, 2021 respectively.

The championship is expected to hold in various categories which include the men’s singles, the women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and the wheelchair categories in both men’s and women’s singles.

SHAME OF A NATION…

Manual re-grassing of the National Stadium in Lagos ongoing to the surprise of football stakeholders. No where in 2021 manual regrassing is done the world over

Yussuf Alli Distances Self from AFN Presidency, Election The General Manager of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Yussuf Alli, has described as untrue, insinuations and media reports that he will be contesting to be a board member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) from the South-West zone and later vie to become the president of the federation.

In a statement signed by Olukayode Thomas, Head Communications and Media, Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Alli said his purported ambition to contest to be a board member of AFN and vie for the federation

presidency is the imagination of mischief-makers.

He said: “In the last 48 hours, I have received calls from friends and well-wishers from different parts of the world who want me to update them about my ambition to the next President of AFN. I am using this medium to state categorically that I don’t have any plan to contest to be a member of the AFN board or vie for the federation’s Presidency. It has never crossed my mind and I have never discussed it with anybody. I don’t have any interest in any elective post.”

Alli, who was vice president of AFN and technical director over two decades ago, also states that he is neutral in the forthcoming election.

“Athletics made me and I want the best for the sports.

I am not supporting any candidate in the forthcoming election but I pray for a President that will take our sports to a higher level. I wish all the contestants well and I wish whoever will put athletics and athletes first to become our next President,” he added.

Alli, who captained Team Nigeria to many games and

championships said he will always support athletics and athletes, “Since I left the board over two decades ago, I have supported all the president and board members and I will always support my sports, I don’t need to be on the board to do that.

“I appeal to winners to be humble in victory and embrace those that didn’t make it to the board so that they will all work together and rebuild our sports. I am ready to assist them in the rebuilding process,” Alli concluded.

One Year After, Family, Friends Remember Coach Ogbeide A year after his death, family and friends of former Lobi Stars Technical Adviser, late Solomon Ogbeide have continued to thank God for the life he lived.

Late Ogbeide’s wife Ndidi said the family is gradually getting over the shock of the death of the bread winner of the house.

She said life has not been easy copping with the sudden and unfortunate demise of coach Ogbeide.

“Coach was everything to me. He was a father, brother and husband combined. But

I thank God for the legacy he left behind. The children have been supportive as well as some of coach’s friends,” she said.

“We celebrate and are joyful because the legacy of Coach Solomon Ogbeide left and his memory is indeed blessed.

“We appreciate his life and times, As a man of purpose and doggedness, he walked the earth and left a positive impact in the lives of those that he encountered.

“From friends, players, coaches, sports administrators,

government officials, journalists, clergy, academics to wife, children and extended family, We fondly remember him and miss him.

“But we are not discouraged because we understand that you live on in our hearts. On this day, he transited earth to heavenly bliss, forever in the arms of his lord and maker.

Late Ogbeide’s former boss at Lobi Stars, Mike Idoko said he’s yet to wipe off the memories of his working relationship with coach Ogbeide.

“Apart from being his boss at different clubsides, Ogbeide was a close friend of my family. We worked together at many clubs and he was a true professional.”

One of his colleagues, Kadiri Ikhana exclaimed when told it’s already a year since the death of Ogbeide.

“I can’t believe it’s already a year since he died. Solo was a true professional and was very committed and loyal.

He worked with me in some clubs and he proved to be a reliable and dedicated assistant,” Ikhana said.

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Akeredolu to Malami

“It is most unfortunate that the AGF is unable to distill issues as expected of a Senior Advocate. Nothing can be more disconcerting. This outburst should, ordinarily, not elicit a response from reasonable people who know the distinction between a legitimate business that is not in any way injurious and a certain predilection for anarchy” – Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu lambasting Abubakar Malami over his comments on ban on open grazing.

FEMIFALANA Open Grazing is No North-South Issue GUEST COLUMNIST

T

he Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN was reported Wednesday to have condemned the ban on open grazing by the Southern Governors’ Forum. The AGF stated that the ban on open grazing is unconstitutional as it affects the right of herders to move freely in the country.

With respect, the ban on open grazing has not affected the rights of herders to move freely and acquire land in any state for the establishment of ranches in line with the provisions of sections 41 and 43 of the Constitution. Since the Constitution does not cover the right of animals to move freely and destroy farmlands it is grossly misleading to give the impression that the ban on open grazing has abrogated the right of herders to carry out their business.

With respect to the movement of animals in the country the Animal Diseases (Control) Act and similar laws applicable in the states have empowered the Minister of Agriculture and relevant state commissioners to make appropriate regulations to regulate the movement of animals and prevent them from transmitting diseases.

The AGF equally said that banning open grazing is like banning the sale of spare parts.

The comparison is not applicable as the sellers of motor parts who operate in shops and markets in all states have not been accused of engaging in the killing of fellow citizens and destruction of their properties. Besides, those who sell spare parts outside their states of origin either acquire properties or pay rent for the their lawful business.

However, in order to halt the incessant violent clashes between farmers and herders which had led to mindless killings and wanton destruction of properties in many parts of the country the federal government and the 36 state governments have, at various fora, banned open grazing in all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

In view of the desperate moves of some members of the geo-political class to divide the Nigerian people along regional basis it is pertinent to draw the attention of the members of the public to the following reports: On April 27, 2018, the members of the National Economic Council (NEC) resolved to ban open grazing and adopt the Livestock Transformation Plan of the federal government.

The NEC is constituted by the Vice President, the 36 state governors, the Minister of Finance and the Central Bank Governor.

On February 9, 2021, the Northern Governors’ Forum banned open grazing in all states in Northern Nigeria. On February 11, 2021 the Nigeria Governors’ Forum banned open grazing in all the 36 states of the federation.

On May 14, 2021 the Southern Governors’ Forum banned open grazing in the 17 states in Southern Nigeria On May 18, the PDP Governors Forum endorsed the decision to ban open grazing in the entire country.

Based on the ban on open grazing, not fewer than 24 states governments have submitted applications to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for grant to facilitate the establishment of ranches in line with the Livestock Transformation Plan of the federal government. Meanwhile, Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano State has invited herders who are adversely affected by the ban on open grazing to settle down in

Malami the Ruga Settlement established by the state government. While commission the first batch of 25 housing units out of the 200 earmarked for RUGA settlement the governor said that his government engaged in the project for two fundamental reasons: “first and foremost is to avoid clashes between farmers and herders, secondly to avoid movement of herders which is the source of conflict and to avoid cattle rustling.”

Mr. Malami should be reminded that he is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So, in making statements he should always take due regards of the sensibilities of every part of the country and respect all legitimate interests of the entire people of the country. Mr. Malami should please stand up for social justice and unity of Nigeria in the interest of all as required of him in accordance with his Oath of Office under the 1999 Constitution.

I had cause to draw public attention to this issue after the virtual meeting of Northern Governors’ Forum held on February 9, 2021.

The members of the forum unanimously resolved to ban open grazing. According to the communique issued at the end of the meeting, it was stated that the forum noted with concern “the growing wave of insecurity in the country particularly as it relates to the circulation of unverified video clips on social media portraying violent attacks on persons in some parts of the country. Therefore, the forum called on political leaders to segregate between criminality and social groups in their domains with a view to treating criminals as criminals. The forum reiterated the condemnation of every form of criminality whether from herders, hunters, or farmers occupying forest reserves illegally. It also noted with concern the tension generated by the eviction order issued to herdsmen in some parts of the country. And it expressed concern that this is heating the already fragile security atmosphere with threats of reprisals which the northern governors are working assiduously to contain.”

The forum also noted with concern that “the current system of herding conducted mainly through open grazing is no longer sustainable in view of growing urbanization and population of the country.”

Consequently, the forum resolved to

aggressively sensitise herdsmen on the need to adopt new methods of herding by ranching or other acceptable modern methods. It appealed to the federal government “to support states with grants to directly undertake pilot projects of modern livestock production that will serve as springboard and evidence for breaking resistance to the full implementation of new methods of livestock production (and) resolved to engage elders and youths in a robust discussion with a view to dousing the tensed security environment in the north and called on all the citizens of the north to continue to live in peace with all Nigerians irrespective of their origins and backgrounds.”

The forum stressed the urgent need for the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to meet and discuss the issue holistically with a view to resolving all areas of misunderstanding and conflicts arising from these threats and suspicion for the sake of national unity.

In response to the call of the Northern Governors’ Forum for an urgent meeting, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum held a virtual meeting on February 11, 2021. At the meeting the 36 state governors agreed by consensus to end nomadic cattle rearing in the country in order to end the incessant violent clashes between farmers and herders. In the communique of the governors it was categorically stated as follows: “Following an update from governors on the various initiatives taken by state governments to address the rising insecurity in the country due to the activities of herdsmen, members reached a consensus on the need for the country to transition into modern systems of animal husbandry that will replace open, night and underage grazing in the country.”

It was further stated in the communique that “State governments are encouraged to put in place systems to accelerate the grazing initiative of the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) and ranching in the country.” However, the Forum urged state governments to respect “the right of abode of all Nigerians and strongly condemns criminality and the ethnic profiling of crime in the country in an effort to frame the widespread banditry and the herders / farmers crisis.”

At its own meeting held at Asaba, Delta State on May 11, 2021, the Southern Governors Forum reiterated the decision of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to ban open grazing in the country.

Curiously, Professor Usman Yusuf has condemned the decision of the Southern Governors’ Forum on the ban. Even though he did not condemn the decisions of the Northern Governors’ Forum and the Nigeria Governors Forum, Usman has argued that the decision of the Southern Governors’ Forum could not be justified under the Land Use Act. Such divide-and-rule tactics are designed to further polarise the masses of our people. In any case, the decision of all the governors to ban open grazing is in line with section 1 of the Land Use Act which has vested the entire land in every state in the governors on behalf of the people. Accordingly, any person or corporate body that wishes to use land in any state is required to apply for a certificate of occupancy issued by the governor. t.S 'BMBOB 4"/ JT UIF *OUFSJN $IBJS PG UIF "MMJBODF PO 4VSWJWJOH $PWJE BOE #FZPOE "4$"#

A Governor Lacks Power to Declare Anyone Wanted The democratic sensibilities of all lovers of freedom must have been severely assaulted decision of Governor Nasir El-Rufai to declare the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba “wanted” as contained in his Twitter handle. According to the governor, Ayuba and other leaders of the NLC have contravened the provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act. The statement is laughable as it is common knowledge that Wabba and his colleagues are on the streets of Kaduna leading the peaceful protests embarked upon by the entire workers in the state since yesterday. The order of the governor cannot be enforced for the following reasons: r #Z UIF DPNCJOFE FGGFDU PG UIF 5SBEF 6OJPO Act and the Nigerian Constitution, Comrade Wabba and other labour leaders have the unquestionable rights to participate in the peaceful warning strike and mass protests against further retrenchment of workers in the Kaduna State public service. r5IF .JTDFMMBOFPVT 0GGFODFT "DU JT OPU B TUBUF statute but a federal enactment. To that extent, if Governor El-Rufai has evidence that Wabba and other labour leaders have contravened any provisions of the Act he is required to lodge a complaint in any of the police stations in Kaduna State. The governor lacks the power to declare any alleged offender wanted under

the Act or any other law whatsoever. r 'VSUIFSNPSF TJODF 8BCCB BOE PUIFS labour leaders are entitled to the fundamental right of fair hearing including presumption of innocence guaranteed by section 36 of the Constitution the Governor of Kaduna lacks the power to declare them wanted. In Benedict Peters v. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission & Anor. (Suit No: FCT/HC/ BW/CV/23/2021) of 22nd March, 2018 even though the EFCC had obtained a warrant for the arrest of the plaintiff, the court held that “But neither the said warrant nor any of those statutes, including the Police Act and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act provide that the 1st Respondent can declare any person who is suspected to have committed an offence, but is evading warrant of arrest as a wanted person, without an order of court first had and obtained.”

In view of the foregoing, we call on the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ignore the illegal statement credited to Governor El-Rufai.

In Eperokun v. University of Lagos (1986) 4 NWLR (PT 34) 162 at 172, the Supreme Court held that “...constitutionally entrenched provisions, particularly those safeguarding individual rights, should not, save in a fascist system, be lightly trampled upon.”

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